Method and system for secure cashless gaming
First Claim
1. An intelligent data reader for use in a gaming device, said gaming device having a processor for controlling basic functions or components of the gaming device including a mechanism for accepting cash to be used during gaming sessions, a mechanism for dispensing cash, an interface to a host computer if any, and a mechanism for receiving and responding to handle pulls or initiating games in response to player activity, the intelligent data reader comprising:
- a data device interface adapted to receive and read portable data devices, each of said portable data devices associated with a player;
a gaming device interface for connection to the gaming device;
a memory; and
a processor connected to said memory, said data device interface and said gaming device interface, said processor configured to communicate with the gaming device over said gaming device interface, to determine whether the gaming device should be switched between a cash mode of operation and a cashless mode of operation, and to send a command over the gaming device interface instructing the gaming device to switch between the cash mode of operation and the cashless mode of operation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A secure cashless gaming system comprises a plurality of gaming devices which may or may not be connected to a central host network. Each gaming device includes an intelligent data device reader which is uniquely associated with a security module interposed between the intelligent data device reader and the gaming device processor. A portable data device bearing credits is used to allow players to play the various gaming devices. When a portable data device is presented to the gaming device, it is authenticated before a gaming session is allowed to begin. The intelligent data device reader in each gaming device monitors gaming transactions and stores the results for later readout in a secure format by a portable data extraction unit, or else for transfer to a central host network. Gaming transaction data may be aggregated by the portable data extraction unit from a number of different gaming devices, and may be transferred to a central accounting and processing system for tracking the number of remaining gaming credits for each portable data unit and/or player. Individual player habits can be monitored and tracked using the aggregated data. The intelligent data device reader may be programmed to automatically transfer gaming credits from a portable data device the gaming device, and continually refresh the credits each time they drop below a certain minimum level, thus alleviating the need for the player to manually enter an amount of gaming credits to transfer to the gaming device.
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Citations
44 Claims
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1. An intelligent data reader for use in a gaming device, said gaming device having a processor for controlling basic functions or components of the gaming device including a mechanism for accepting cash to be used during gaming sessions, a mechanism for dispensing cash, an interface to a host computer if any, and a mechanism for receiving and responding to handle pulls or initiating games in response to player activity, the intelligent data reader comprising:
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a data device interface adapted to receive and read portable data devices, each of said portable data devices associated with a player;
a gaming device interface for connection to the gaming device;
a memory; and
a processor connected to said memory, said data device interface and said gaming device interface, said processor configured to communicate with the gaming device over said gaming device interface, to determine whether the gaming device should be switched between a cash mode of operation and a cashless mode of operation, and to send a command over the gaming device interface instructing the gaming device to switch between the cash mode of operation and the cashless mode of operation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 38)
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17. A data reader, comprising:
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a data device interface adapted to receive and read portable data devices, each of said portable data devices storing credit information;
an external device interface for connection to an external device having a cash input mechanism, said external device comprising an external device processor controlling one or more basic functions of the external device and configured to support a cash mode of operation and a cashless mode of operation of the external device; and
a processor connected to said data device interface and said external device interface, said processor configured to communicate with the external device over said external device interface, to determine whether the gaming device should be switched between a cash mode of operation and a cashless mode of operation, and to send a command over said external device interface instructing the external device to switch between the cash mode of operation and the cashless mode of operation. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 39, 41)
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32. A method of controlling operation of a gaming device, said gaming device comprising a cash input mechanism and having a gaming device processor controlling one or more basic functions of the gaming device including a mechanism for accepting cash to be used during gaming sessions, a mechanism for dispensing cash, an interface to a host computer if any, and a mechanism for receiving and responding to handle pulls or initiating games in response to player activity, said gaming device processor configured to support a cash mode of operation and a cashless mode of operation of the gaming device, the method comprising the steps of:
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reading portable data devices at a portable data device interface of an intelligent data reader, said portable data device storing credit information;
determining in the intelligent data reader whether the gaming device should be switched between the cash mode of operation and the cashless mode of operation; and
transmitting, according to a software protocol, commands from said intelligent data reader to the gaming device over a gaming device interface instructing the gaming device to switch between the cash mode of operation and the cashless mode of operation. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 40, 42, 43, 44)
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Specification