Abstract: An apparatus for detecting when a coin hopper in a gaming machine is low on coins and alerting the operator that service is required. An exemplary embodiment employs a system, which includes a probe for detecting the coin level and providing a signal to a detection circuit, and a circuit that receives the probe signal for determination of the low coin hopper condition. The circuit also provides a signal for illuminating an enunciator to inform the operator of the status of the gaming machine; and a signal to inform a central computer system of the status of the gaming machine.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting when a coin hopper in a gaming machine is low on coins and alerting the operator that service is required. An exemplary embodiment employs a system, which includes a probe for detecting the coin level and providing a signal to a detection circuit, and a circuit that receives the probe signal for determination of the low coin hopper condition. The circuit also provides a signal for illuminating an enunciator to inform the operator of the status of the gaming machine; and a signal to inform a central computer system of the status of the gaming machine.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention is a system for detecting the status of a bill validator in a gaming device. The system includes a credit detector for receiving a signal from the gaming device and generating a credit detector signal indicating whether the gaming device has one or more credits. A bill validator enable detector receives a signal from the gaming device and generates a bill validator enable signal indicating the status of the bill validator. A coin lockout detector receives a signal from the gaming device and generates a coin lockout signal indicating whether the gaming device is ready for play. A logic unit generates an error signal indicative of a malfunction in the bill validator in response to the credit detector signal, the bill validator enable signal and the coin lockout signal.