Cashless reservation system
First Claim
1. A gaming system comprising a server communicably connected to a plurality of gaming consoles each comprising a display and a user interface in communication with a game controller for providing a game in which a plurality of playing elements are selected and a number of outcomes is defined within said plurality of playing elements, and if a winning combination of playing elements occurs in at least one of said outcomes the game controller causes the award of an award, the player having wagered one or more credits held in a credit meter of the gaming console to play the game, the gaming consoles each further comprising player tracking apparatus operable to receive an identifier from a current player of the console and a network communication interface to enable communication with the server, wherein upon a predetermined action by the current player when the credit meter has credits on it, the gaming console becomes reserved by preventing play of the gaming console by any player other than a player with the same identifier for a predetermined period of time, and wherein if the predetermined period of time expires, the credits on the gaming console are automatically recorded by the server and associated with the current player, the credit meter is cleared, and the reserve on the gaming console ceases.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A gaming system having a server connected to a plurality of gaming consoles for playing a game in which a player wagers credits held in a credit meter. The gaming consoles having a player tracking apparatus to receive an identifier from a current player of the console. The gaming console can be reserved by a player, in which case play of the gaming console is prevented by any player other than a player with the same identifier for a predetermined period time. If the predetermined period of time expires, the credits on the console are automatically recorded by the server and associated with the current player, the credit meter is cleared, and the reserve on the gaming console ceases.
53 Citations
29 Claims
- 1. A gaming system comprising a server communicably connected to a plurality of gaming consoles each comprising a display and a user interface in communication with a game controller for providing a game in which a plurality of playing elements are selected and a number of outcomes is defined within said plurality of playing elements, and if a winning combination of playing elements occurs in at least one of said outcomes the game controller causes the award of an award, the player having wagered one or more credits held in a credit meter of the gaming console to play the game, the gaming consoles each further comprising player tracking apparatus operable to receive an identifier from a current player of the console and a network communication interface to enable communication with the server, wherein upon a predetermined action by the current player when the credit meter has credits on it, the gaming console becomes reserved by preventing play of the gaming console by any player other than a player with the same identifier for a predetermined period of time, and wherein if the predetermined period of time expires, the credits on the gaming console are automatically recorded by the server and associated with the current player, the credit meter is cleared, and the reserve on the gaming console ceases.
- 13. A gaming system comprising a server communicably connected to a plurality of gaming consoles each comprising a display and a user interface in communication with a game controller for providing a game in which a plurality of playing elements are selected and a number of outcomes is defined within said plurality of playing elements, and if a winning combination of playing elements occurs in at least one of said outcomes the game controller causes the award of an award, the player having wagered one or more credits held in a credit meter of the gaming console to play the game, the gaming consoles each further comprising player tracking apparatus operable to receive an identifier from a current player of the console and a network communication interface to enable communication with the server, wherein upon a predetermined action by the current player when the credit meter has credits on it, the gaming console is reserved by preventing play of the gaming console by any player other than a player with the same identifier for a predetermined period time, the credits on the gaming console are recorded by the server and associated with the current player and the credit meter is cleared, wherein if the predetermined period of time expires the reserve ceases and if a player with the same identifier returns to the gaming console during the predetermined period of time, the gaming console allows play of the game.
- 26. A gaming console comprising a display and a user interface in communication with a game controller for providing a game in which a plurality of playing elements are selected and a number of outcomes is defined within said plurality of playing elements, and if a winning combination of playing elements occurs in at least one of said outcomes the game controller causes the award of an award, the player having wagered one or more credits held in a credit meter of the gaming console to play the game, the gaming consoles further comprising player tracking apparatus operable to receive an identifier from a current player of the console and a communication interface to enable transmission and reception of information with a remote communication device, wherein upon a predetermined action by the current player when the credit meter has credits on it, the gaming console becomes reserved by preventing play of the gaming console by any player other than a player with the same identifier for a predetermined period time, and wherein if the predetermined period of time expires, the gaming console automatically transmits data onto the communication interface that specifies the amount on the credit meter, clears the credit meter and ceases the reserve.
- 28. A gaming console comprising a display and a user interface in communication with a game controller for providing a game in which a plurality of playing elements are selected and a number of outcomes is defined within said plurality of playing elements, and if a winning combination of playing elements occurs in at least one of said outcomes the game controller causes the award of an award, the player having wagered one or more credits held in a credit meter of the gaming console to play the game, the gaming console further comprising player tracking apparatus operable to receive an identifier from a current player of the console and a communication interface to enable communication with a remote device, wherein upon a predetermined action by the current player when the credit meter has credits on it, the gaming console is reserved by preventing play of the gaming console by any player other than a player with the same identifier for a predetermined period time, information indicating the credits on the credit meter is sent by the communication interface and the credit meter is cleared, wherein if the predetermined period of time expires the reserve ceases and if a player with the same identifier returns to the gaming console during the predetermined period of time, the gaming console allows play of the game.
Specification