Method and apparatus for scrip distribution and management permitting redistribution of issued scrip

• US 20020045477A1
• Filed: 08/27/2001
• Published: 04/18/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Western Gaming Properties
• Original Assignee: Western Gaming Properties
• Inventors: Dabrowski, Stanley P.
• Application Number:
  US09/939,922
• Publication Number:
  US 20020045477A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/29
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2455 Printers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/247 audible, e.g. using a loudspeaker
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/24 Electric games; Games using electronic circuits not otherwise provided for video games A63F13/00; computerized gaming systems G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/16 Sound input; Sound output speech processing G10L
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/18 involving self-service terminals [SST], vending machines, kiosks or multimedia terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/34 Betting or bookmaking, e.g. Internet betting
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3209 Input means, e.g. buttons, touch screen
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3211 Display means
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3225 Data transfer within a gaming system, e.g. data sent between gaming machines and users
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3227 Configuring a gaming machine, e.g. downloading personal settings, selecting working parameters
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3241 Security aspects of a gaming system, e.g. detecting cheating, device integrity, surveillance computer security G06F21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3246 involving coins and/or banknotes
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3248 involving non-monetary media of fixed value, e.g. casino chips of fixed value
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3251 involving media of variable value, e.g. programmable cards, programmable tokens
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3272 Games involving multiple players
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3281 wherein game attributes are transferred between players, e.g. points, weapons, avatars
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/42 for ticket printing or like apparatus , e.g. apparatus for dispensing of printed paper tickets or payment cards
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 5/24 with change-giving

Abstract

A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for transferring credits from one gaming device to another via the use of coded scrip is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of accepting a cash-out command in the gaming device, scanning a magnetically manifested code uniquely identifying a scrip stored in the gaming device, transmitting a cash-out message comprising the code to a remote processor having access to a database configured to store and retrieve codes from a plurality of gaming devices, receiving a scrip dispense message from the remote processor, and dispensing the scrip. The apparatus comprises a scrip storage unit, a scrip dispensing unit having a scrip transducer for reading and recording a magnetically manifested code on a scrip retrieved from the scrip storage unit, and a processor, communicatively coupled to the scrip transducer and a remote computer having access to a database for storing and retrieving code information from the plurality of gaming devices.

Claims

1. A method of providing at least one scrip from a gaming device, comprising the steps of:

accepting a cash-out command in the gaming device;

scanning a magnetically manifested code uniquely identifying a scrip stored in the gaming device;

transmitting a cash-out message comprising the code to a remote processor having access to a database for storing and retrieving codes from a plurality of gaming devices;

receiving a scrip dispense message from the remote processor; and

dispensing the scrip.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of accepting a cash-out command comprises the step of accepting a cash-out command from a remote processor.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of accepting a cash-out command comprises the step of accepting a cash-out command from a user playing the gaming device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitted message comprising the code is encrypted by the gaming device according to a key accessible by the remote processor.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the scrip dispense message is encrypted by the remote processor according to a second key accessible to the gaming device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the magnetically manifested code is pre-coded.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the cash-out message further comprises a cash-out balance.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the method further comprises the steps of:

accepting the dispensed scrip in a second gaming device;

scanning the magnetically manifested code on the dispensed scrip;

transmitting a cash-in message comprising the magnetically manifested code to the remote processor;

receiving a credit message indicating the cash-out balance;

storing the scrip in the second gaming device for scanning and redistribution by the second gaming device; and

providing a number of credits in accordance with the cash-out balance.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the steps of:

accepting a second cash-out command in the second gaming device;

scanning the magnetically manifested code on the stored dispensed scrip in the second gaming device;

transmitting a second cash-out message comprising the scanned magnetically manifested code to the remote processor;

receiving a second scrip dispense message from the remote processor in the second gaming device; and

dispensing the scrip from the second gaming device.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

obtaining a code uniquely identifying the scrip in the gaming device; and

recording a magnetic manifestation of the code on the scrip.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of generating a code uniquely identifying the scrip in the gaming device comprises the steps of:

transmitting a code request message to the remote processor; and

receiving a message comprising the code from the remote processor.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the code is generated using a cash-out value received from the gaming device.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of generating a code uniquely identifying the scrip in the gaming device comprises the steps of:

generating the code in the gaming device.

15. The device of claim 14, further comprising a scrip acceptance unit having a second scrip transducer communicatively coupled to the processor, the second scrip transducer for reading a magnetically manifested code on a scrip dispensed by one of the gaming devices.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the scrip dispensing unit further comprises a scrip acceptance unit drive system for depositing the scrip dispensed by one of the gaming devices in the scrip storage unit.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the second scrip transducer includes a read head for erasing the magnetically manifested code before depositing the scrip in the scrip storage unit.

14. A device for use in transferring game credits among a plurality of gaming devices, comprising:

a scrip storage unit;

a scrip dispensing unit having a scrip transducer for reading and recording a magnetically manifested code on a scrip retrieved the scrip storage unit; and

a processor, communicatively coupled to the scrip transducer and a remote processor having access to a database for storing and retrieving code information from the plurality of gaming devices.