Slot machine with ticket-in/ticket-out capability

• US 20050020353A1
• Filed: 05/04/2004
• Published: 01/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/1993
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MGM Grand, Inc.
• Original Assignee: MGM Grand, Inc.
• Inventors: Burns, James G., Maxey, Robert R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,275,991 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/25
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3248 involving non-monetary media of fixed value, e.g. casino chips of fixed value
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/42 for ticket printing or like apparatus , e.g. apparatus for dispensing of printed paper tickets or payment cards
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/04 by paper currency
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 5/00 Receipt-giving machines cash registers giving receipts G07G1/00

Abstract

A gaming apparatus which comprises a slat machine capable of accepting either paper currency, preprinted coupons, or cash out slips. The slot machine also includes a printer that prints and dispenses cash out slips which include a bar code representing a unique identification that provides the amount of “winnings”. The cash out slips can be scanned into a separate currency dispenser at Cashier'"'"'s Station for receiving currency, either from the dispenser or from an attendant. A central processing unit (CPU) generates the unique codes for regulating the game to be played, the wager limits of the game and the validity of the free play coupons or the cash out tickets. The above gaming system avoids having to use coins or tokens in the operation of slot machines.

Claims

1. A gaming apparatus that pays credits responsive to the outcome of the game played comprising:

a. an electronic memory means for storing the amount of credit available for the play of said game;

b. an input associated with a paper currency recognition means for recognizing and validating paper currency and providing a first input signal to said electronic memory means representing the amount of the credit represented by said paper currency;

c. a means for generating a first code on a first permanent storage record means representing credit stored and an outlet for said first permanent storage record means;

d. an input associated with a code reading means for reading said first code on a said first permanent storage record; and

e. means for providing a signal to said electronic memory means representing the amount of credit represented by said first code.

2-76. -76. (canceled).