Preset amount electronic funds transfer system for gaming machines
First Claim
1. A gaming machine which allows a player to transfer funds from a remote funds repository via an electronic funds transfer system and convert transferred funds to plays on said gaming machine, the gaming machine comprising:
- (a) a game controller for controlling the play of a game;
(b) a gaming machine interface for connecting the game controller to the electronic funds transfer system, said gaming machine interface being capable of at least (i) transmitting signals requesting playing credit in a preset amount set for the gaming machine which is based upon specified player credit criteria set by an institution controlling the gaming machine and not by the remote funds repository, such that the player can not control the amount of requested playing credit, to the remote funds repository, and (ii) receiving signals authorizing the preset amount of playing credit for the gaming machine from the remote funds repository; and
(c) a player interface connected to the gaming machine interface, the player interface being capable of (i) verifying the player'"'"'s identity and (ii) identifying an account held by the player at the remote funds repository.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A gaming machine is disclosed which includes apparatus necessary to send requests to and receive authorizations from an EFT system. All such requests for credit are limited to a preset amount, so that when a player uses an EFT transfer to obtain playing credit, that credit will be limited to no more than a specified amount. In practice, the player inserts his or her ATM card (debit card), keys in a PIN number, requests playing credit, and receives the preset amount of credit which can be converted to plays on the gaming machine.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A gaming machine which allows a player to transfer funds from a remote funds repository via an electronic funds transfer system and convert transferred funds to plays on said gaming machine, the gaming machine comprising:
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(a) a game controller for controlling the play of a game;
(b) a gaming machine interface for connecting the game controller to the electronic funds transfer system, said gaming machine interface being capable of at least (i) transmitting signals requesting playing credit in a preset amount set for the gaming machine which is based upon specified player credit criteria set by an institution controlling the gaming machine and not by the remote funds repository, such that the player can not control the amount of requested playing credit, to the remote funds repository, and (ii) receiving signals authorizing the preset amount of playing credit for the gaming machine from the remote funds repository; and
(c) a player interface connected to the gaming machine interface, the player interface being capable of (i) verifying the player'"'"'s identity and (ii) identifying an account held by the player at the remote funds repository. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of using a gaming machine to obtain playing credit via an electronic funds transfer system which playing credit can be directly converted to plays on the gaming machine, the method comprising the following steps:
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at said gaming machine, determining that a player has requested playing credit from a remote funds repository for plays on said gaming machine; and
from said gaming machine, transmitting a request for playing credit set in a preset amount set for the gaming machine which is based upon specified player credit criteria set by an institution controlling the gaming machine and not by the remote funds repository, such that the player can not control the amount of requested playing credit, over the electronic funds transfer system to the remote funds repository, wherein the preset amount can not be controlled by the player at the gaming machine. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
at said gaming machine, receiving authorization from the remote funds repository for transferring said preset amount of playing credit to said gaming machine, said authorization being provided from the electronic funds transfer system; and
crediting the player with said preset amount of funds to play said game.
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17. The method of claim 16 further wherein the step of receiving authorization from the remote funds repository includes the following steps:
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receiving said authorization at a local area network in an establishment where the gaming machine is located; and
sending said authorization from the local area network to said gaming machine.
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18. The method of claim 11 wherein the preset amount can be controlled by an attendant at a site remote from the gaming machine.
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19. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of determining that a player has requested playing credit verifies the identification of at least one of the player and the remote funds repository by one or more of the following:
- a key, a SMARTCARD, an electronic button, a finger print imaging device, a retinal scan, a credit card, and a debit card.
Specification