Method for distributing large payouts with minimal interruption of a gaming session

• US 20070099696A1
• Filed: 09/28/2006
• Published: 05/03/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Brosnan, William, Paulsen, Craig, Nguyen, Binh
• Granted Patent: US 8,221,224 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/25
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/02 Banking, e.g. interest calculation or account maintenance credit or loans G06Q40/03
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3244 Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for administering payouts in gaming machines are disclosed. More particularly, improved techniques for distributing large payouts with minimal interruption of a gaming session at a gaming apparatus are disclosed.

Claims

1. A method of administering payouts for a gaming apparatus, comprising:

playing a game associated with gaming apparatus in accordance with player inputs;

monitoring game play for rewards that exceed a predetermined amount, rewards exceeding the predetermined amount requiring the payout thereof to be documented;

if the reward does not exceed the predetermined amount, automatically implementing a first payout procedure at the gaming apparatus;

if the reward exceeds the predetermined amount, automatically implementing a second payout procedure at the apparatus, the second payout procedure including documenting the payout with minimal interruption of the gaming session so that game play may be continued without substantially interrupting game play.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the second payout procedure includes printing out a ticket or voucher that is only being redeemable at physical cashier locations in the amount of the payout, and thereafter automatically resetting the gaming apparatus for play with the current credits.

3. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the second payout procedure includes storing the payout on the gaming apparatus separately from the credits until the gaming session ends.

4. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the second payout procedure includes outputting the payout when the game play session ends.

5. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the second payout procedure includes outputting the payout immediately after the jackpot is won.

6. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the second payout procedure includes obtaining player identification, notifying a host system that the player won the payout, and resetting the credits to include the payout.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the information associated with the player ID is obtained from a player tracking system.

8. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the second payout procedure includes obtaining player identification, storing the payout in an account assigned to the player, and resetting the credits to the current credits.

9. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the second payout procedure includes capturing an indicia of the player.

10. The method as recited in claim 9 wherein the second payout procedure includes capturing a signature of the player.

11. The method as recited in claim 9 wherein the second payout procedure includes capturing a picture of the player.

12. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the gaming apparatus is at a location outside a gaming operator'"'"'s property.

13. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the gaming apparatus is at a location within a gaming operator'"'"'s property.

14. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the gaming apparatus is a gaming device including a gaming machine or portable game player.

15. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the gaming apparatus is a gaming table.

16. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the gaming apparatus is a PDA.

17. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the gaming apparatus is a personal computer.

18. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the personal computer is located within the player'"'"'s home.

19. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the game is played online.

20. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of monitoring is performed by a software agent.

21. A method for distributing a large payout without interrupting a gaming session, said method comprising:

monitoring for payouts that exceed a predetermined threshold;

if a payout exceeds the predetermined threshold, automatically transferring the value of the payout from the gaming apparatus to a removable storage medium; and

automatically resetting the gaming apparatus to the current credits in order to allow the gaming session to continue without interruption.

22. The method as recited in claim 21 wherein the predetermined amount is associated with a tax event.

23. The method as recited in claim 21 wherein the removable storage medium is a ticket that is printed at the gaming apparatus.

24. The method as recited in claim 21 wherein the removable storage medium is flash memory

25. The method as recited in claim 21 wherein the removable storage medium is a USB key.

26. The method as recited in claim 21 wherein the removable storage medium is a smart card.

27. The method as recited in claim 21 wherein the removable storage medium is a swippable card.

28. The method as recited in claim 27 wherein the swippable card is a player tracking card.

29. The method as recited in claim 21 further comprising:

recording an indicia of the player at the time of the win.

30. The method as recited in claim 29 wherein the indicia is a signature.

31. The method as recited in claim 29 wherein the indicia is a picture.

32. The method as recited in claim 29 wherein the indicia is transferred to the removable storage medium.

33. The method as recited in claim 21 further comprising:

obtaining information about the player before or at the time of the win.

34. The method as recited in claim 21 wherein at least one of the steps of distributing a large payout is performed by a software agent.

35. The method as recited in claim 34 wherein at least the step of monitoring is performed by a software agent.

36. A method for distributing a large payout without interrupting a gaming session, said method comprising:

monitoring for payouts that exceed a predetermined threshold;

if a payout exceeds the predetermined threshold, obtaining player data;

automatically obtaining gaming data at the time of the jackpot;

automatically creating and storing record linking the gaming data and player data; and

automatically resetting a credit meter of the gaming machine when the record has been made.

37. The method as recited in claim 36 further comprising authenticating the player data.

38. The method as recited in claim 36 further comprising authenticating the gaming data.

39. The method as recited in claim 36 further comprising authenticating the gaming machine and its software.

40. The method as recited in claim 36 wherein the credit meter is reset to include the payout with the current credits of the gaming machine.

41. The method as recited in claim 36 further comprising verifying that the record was stored.

42. The method as recited in claim 36 further comprising issuing a receipt so that the player has a record of the event.

43. The method as recited in claim 36 wherein the receipt is a physical receipt or an electronic receipt.

44. The method as recited in claim 36 wherein at least one of the steps of distributing a large payout is performed by a software agent.

45. The method as recited in claim 44 wherein at least the step of monitoring is performed by a software agent.

46. The method as recited in claim 36 wherein at least two of the steps of distributing a large payout is performed by one or more software agents.

47. The method as recited in claim 46 wherein each step performed by a software agent is performed by a different software agent.

48. A method for automatically filing forms associated with a large jackpot, said method comprising:

receiving gaming data and player data associated with a large jackpot;

filling out the required forms using the gaming and player data;

obtaining a digital signature from the player involved in the large jackpot;

applying the digital signature to the filled out forms; and

electronically filing the completed forms.

49. The method of claim 48 further comprising verifying the jurisdiction where the game was played, and wherein the required forms are filled out using the jurisdictional data, gaming data, and player data.

50. The method as recited in claim 48 further comprising issuing a receipt so that the player has a record of the event.

51. The method as recited in claim 48 further comprising issuing copies of the filed forms physically or electronically to the player.

52. The method as recited in claim 48 further comprising:

determining gambling losses for the player involved in the large jackpot; and

issuing gambling loss statements physically or electronically to the player.

53. The method as recited in claim 48 wherein at least one of the steps of automatically filing forms is performed by one or more software agent.

54. The method as recited in claim 48 wherein a majority of the steps of automatically filing forms is performed by one or more software agent.

55. A method for distributing a large payout without interrupting a gaming session, said method comprising:

monitoring a game for a triggering payout event;

obtaining player tracking information for the player associated with the triggering payout event;

obtaining appropriate electronic forms associated with triggering payout event;

marrying the electronic forms to the player tracking information; and

electronically filing the electronic forms at various agencies as appropriate for the location of the player.

56. The method as recited in claim 55 wherein the game is played on a gaming machine, and further comprising:

authenticating the gaming machines code; and

verifying the win associated with the triggering payout event.

57. The method as recited in claim 55 further comprising:

obtaining a signature of the player at the time of the triggering payout event.

58. The method as recited in claim 55 wherein at least one of the steps of distributing a large payout is performed by a software agent.

59. The method as recited in claim 58 wherein at least the step of monitoring is performed by a software agent.

60. The method as recited in claim 55 wherein at least two of the steps of distributing a large payout is performed by one or more software agents.

61. The method as recited in claim 60 wherein each step performed by a software agent is performed by a different software agent.