| abstract |
A method and apparatus for collecting data in read-only manner from a gaming system is disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention a record-only data collection device is configured to temporarily interface with a gaming machine that has or is suspected of malfunction. During gaming machine play or use, operation data regarding any aspect of the gaming machine is provided to the record-only data collection device and the operation data stored thereon. Media may be associated with the data collection device. Upon occurrence of a malfunction or fault of the gaming machine, the media or the data collection device, having the operation data stored thereon, may be retrieved from the gaming machine. The operation data may then be provided to any location or any device and analyzed to determine the cause of the fault or malfunction. In various other configurations the data collection device may be remote from the gaming system and collect data over a radio or network link. The operation data may comprise information collected for purposes other than gaming machine malfunction monitoring. |