Paper token and complementary coupon dispenser
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An electronic gambling unit for allowing a user to play a video gambling game selected from the group of video gambling games consisting of video poker, video slots and video black jack, and for dispensing at least one of a plurality of types of value to the user at the conclusion of the video gambling game, the electronic gambling unit comprising:
- a display unit capable of generating color images;
an input device that allows the user to input information;
a value-accepting mechanism that is capable of allowing the user to deposit a medium of currency;
a value-dispensing mechanism having a first area containing a first item representing a first type of value and a second area containing a second item representing a second type of value, the value-dispensing mechanism being capable of dispensing the first and the second items to the user; and
a controller operatively coupled to the display unit, the input device, the value-accepting mechanism, and the value-dispensing mechanism, the controller comprising a processor and a memory operatively coupled to the processor, the controller being programmed to allow the user to make a wager, the controller being programmed to cause a video image to be generated on the display unit after the user makes a wager, the video image representing a video gambling game selected from the group of video gambling games consisting of video poker, video slots and video blackjack, the controller being programmed to determine, after the video image has been displayed, an outcome of the video gambling game represented by the video image and to determine a payout associated with the outcome of the video gambling game, and the controller being programmed to cause the value-dispensing mechanism to dispense at least one of the first and the second items to the user after the payout has been determined, wherein the at least one item dispensed is determined based on user preference information corresponding to the information input by the user at the input device.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An electronic gambling unit for allowing a user to play a gambling game, and for dispensing at least one of a plurality of types of value to the user based on user preference information at the conclusion of the gambling game, may generally include a display unit capable of generating color images or other display mechanisms capable of displaying images associated with the gambling game. The electronic gambling unit may further include an input device that allows the user to input information, a value-accepting mechanism capable of allowing the user to deposit a medium of currency, and a value-dispensing mechanism containing a first item representing a first type of value and a second item representing a second type of value, and being capable of dispensing the items to the user. Moreover, the electronic gambling unit may include a controller operatively coupled to the display unit, the input device, the value-accepting mechanism, and the value-dispensing mechanism. The controller may include a processor and a memory operatively coupled to the processor.
183 Citations
35 Claims
-
1. An electronic gambling unit for allowing a user to play a video gambling game selected from the group of video gambling games consisting of video poker, video slots and video black jack, and for dispensing at least one of a plurality of types of value to the user at the conclusion of the video gambling game, the electronic gambling unit comprising:
-
a display unit capable of generating color images;
an input device that allows the user to input information;
a value-accepting mechanism that is capable of allowing the user to deposit a medium of currency;
a value-dispensing mechanism having a first area containing a first item representing a first type of value and a second area containing a second item representing a second type of value, the value-dispensing mechanism being capable of dispensing the first and the second items to the user; and
a controller operatively coupled to the display unit, the input device, the value-accepting mechanism, and the value-dispensing mechanism, the controller comprising a processor and a memory operatively coupled to the processor, the controller being programmed to allow the user to make a wager, the controller being programmed to cause a video image to be generated on the display unit after the user makes a wager, the video image representing a video gambling game selected from the group of video gambling games consisting of video poker, video slots and video blackjack, the controller being programmed to determine, after the video image has been displayed, an outcome of the video gambling game represented by the video image and to determine a payout associated with the outcome of the video gambling game, and the controller being programmed to cause the value-dispensing mechanism to dispense at least one of the first and the second items to the user after the payout has been determined, wherein the at least one item dispensed is determined based on user preference information corresponding to the information input by the user at the input device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
-
7. An electronic gambling unit for allowing a user to play a video gambling game selected from the group of video gambling games consisting of video poker, video slots and video black jack, and for dispensing at least one of a plurality of types of value to the user at the conclusion of the video gambling game, the electronic gambling unit comprising:
-
a display unit capable of generating color images;
an input device that allows the user to make a plurality of input selections;
an electronic reader capable of reading an object having data stored thereon;
a value-dispensing mechanism having a first item representing a first type of value and a second item representing a second type of value, the value-dispensing mechanism being capable of dispensing the first and the second items to the user; and
a controller operatively coupled to the display unit, the input device, the electronic reader, and the value-dispensing mechanism, the controller comprising a processor and a memory operatively coupled to the processor, the controller being programmed to allow the user to make a wager, the controller being programmed to cause a video image to be generated on the display unit after the user makes a wager, the video image representing a video gambling game selected from the group of video gambling games consisting of video poker, video slots and video blackjack, the controller being programmed to determine, after the video image has been displayed, an outcome of the video gambling game represented by the video image and to determine a payout associated with the outcome of the video gambling game, and the controller being programmed to cause the value-dispensing mechanism to dispense at least one of the first and the second items to the user after the payout has been determined, wherein the at least one item dispensed is determined based on the data stored on the object. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. An electronic gambling unit for allowing a user to play a video gambling game, and for dispensing at least one of a plurality of types of value to the user at the conclusion of the video gambling game, the electronic gambling unit comprising:
-
a display unit capable of generating color images;
an input device that allows the user to input information;
a value-accepting mechanism that is capable of allowing the user to deposit a medium of currency;
a value-dispensing mechanism having a first area containing a first item representing a first type of value and a second area containing a second item representing a second type of value, the value-dispensing mechanism being capable of dispensing the first and the second items to the user; and
a controller operatively coupled to the display unit, the input device, the value-accepting mechanism, and the value-dispensing mechanism, the controller comprising a processor and a memory operatively coupled to the processor, the controller being programmed to allow the user to make a wager, the controller being programmed to cause a video image representing the video gambling game to be generated on the display unit after the user makes a wager, the controller being programmed to determine, after the video image has been displayed, an outcome of the video gambling game represented by the video image and to determine a payout associated with the outcome of the video gambling game, and the controller being programmed to cause the value-dispensing mechanism to dispense at least one of the first and the second items to the user after the payout has been determined, wherein the at least one item dispensed is determined based on user preference information corresponding to the information input by the user at the input device. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. An electronic gambling unit for allowing a user to play a video gambling game, and for dispensing at least one of a plurality of types of value to the user at the conclusion of the video gambling game, the electronic gambling unit comprising:
-
a display unit capable of generating color images;
an input device that allows the user to make a plurality of input selections;
an electronic reader capable of reading an object having data stored thereon;
a value-dispensing mechanism having a first item representing a first type of value and a second item representing a second type of value, the value-dispensing mechanism being capable of dispensing the first and the second items to the user; and
a controller operatively coupled to the display unit, the input device, the electronic reader, and the value-dispensing mechanism, the controller comprising a processor and a memory operatively coupled to the processor, the controller being programmed to allow the user to make a wager, the controller being programmed to cause a video image representing the video gambling game to be generated on the display unit after the user makes a wager, the controller being programmed to determine, after the video image has been displayed, an outcome of the video gambling game represented by the video image and to determine a payout associated with the outcome of the video gambling game, and the controller being programmed to cause the value-dispensing mechanism to dispense at least one of the first and the second items to the user after the payout has been determined, wherein the at least one item dispensed is determined based on data stored on the object. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
-
-
21. A method of dispensing at least one of a plurality of items each representing a type of value to a user at the conclusion of a video gambling game of an electronic gambling unit having a display unit capable of generating color images, an input device that allows the user to input information, a value-accepting mechanism that is capable of allowing the user to deposit a medium of currency, and a value-dispensing mechanism containing a first item representing a first type of value and a second item representing a second type of value and being capable of dispensing the first and the second items to the user, the method comprising:
-
allowing the user make a wager;
generating a video image representing the video gambling game on the display unit of the video gambling unit after the user makes a wager;
determining, after the video image has been generated, an outcome of the video gambling game represented by the video image;
determining a payout associated with the outcome of the video gambling game; and
dispensing at least one of the first and the second items to the user after determining the payout via the value-dispensing mechanism and based on information input by the user at the input device. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 35)
generating at the display unit of the video gambling game a value selection graphic instructing the user to select at least one of the first and the second types of value;
allowing the user to select at least one of the first and the second types of value via the plurality of buttons; and
causing the value-dispensing mechanism to dispense at least one of the first and the second items based on the selection made by the user via the plurality of buttons.
-
-
23. The method of claim 21, wherein the electronic gambling game comprises a touch-sensitive video display screen and the input device comprises part of the touch-sensitive video display screen, the method comprising:
-
generating at the touch-sensitive video display screen a value selection graphic instructing the user to select at least one of the first and the second types of value;
allowing the user to select at least one of the first and the second types of value via the part of the touch-sensitive video display screen; and
causing the value-dispensing mechanism to dispense at least one of the first and the second items based on the selection made by the user via the part of the touch-sensitive video display screen.
-
-
24. The method of claim 21, wherein the input device comprises an electronic reader that is capable of reading an object having user preference data stored thereon, the method comprising causing the value-dispensing mechanism to dispense at least one of the first and the second items based on the user preference data stored on the item.
-
25. The method of claim 21, wherein the electronic gambling unit comprises a player tracking interface connecting the electronic gambling unit to a player tracking system and the input device comprises an electronic reader that is capable of reading an object having user identification data stored thereon, the method comprising:
-
transferring user identification data stored on the item to the player tracking system via the player tracking interface;
receiving user preference data related to the user identification data from the player tracking system via the player tracking interface; and
causing the value-dispensing mechanism to dispense at least one of the first and the second items based on the user preference data.
-
-
26. The method of claim 21, comprising:
-
incrementing user information indicative of the volume and frequency with which the user plays the electronic gambling unit;
determining after incrementing the user information whether the user information exceeds a threshold value; and
causing the value-dispensing mechanism to dispense one of the first and the second items to the user if the user information exceeds the threshold value.
-
-
35. The programmed memory of claim 22, wherein the programmed memory comprised a magnetic memory.
-
27. A programmed memory that is capable of being used in connection with an electronic gambling unit that allows a user to play a video gambling game, that dispenses at least one of a plurality of items, each item representing a type of value, to the user at the conclusion of the video gambling game, and that comprises a processor, an input device, a value-accepting mechanism, and a value-dispensing mechanism, the programmed memory comprising:
-
a first memory portion physically configured in accordance with computer program instructions that would cause the electronic gambling unit to execute the video gambling game if the programmed memory were incorporated into the electronic gambling unit;
a second memory portion physically configured in accordance with computer program instructions that would cause said electronic gambling unit to determine an outcome of the video gambling game if the programmed memory were incorporated into the electronic gambling unit;
a third memory portion physically configured in accordance with computer program instructions that would cause said electronic gambling unit to determine a payout associated with the outcome of the video gambling game if the programmed memory were incorporated into the electronic gambling unit;
a fourth memory portion physically configured in accordance with computer program instructions that would cause said electronic gambling unit to allow the user to input user information via the input device if the programmed memory were incorporated into the electronic gambling unit; and
a fifth memory portion physically configured in accordance with computer program instructions that would cause said electronic gambling unit to cause the value-dispensing mechanism to dispense at least one of the plurality of items to the user after the payout has been determined, the at least one item dispensed being determined based on the user information input via the input device, if the programmed memory were incorporated into the electronic gambling unit. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
a sixth memory portion physically configured in accordance with computer program instructions that would cause the electronic gambling unit to generate at the display unit a value selection graphic instructing the user to select at least one of the first and the second types of value if the programmed memory were incorporated into the electronic gambling unit;
a seventh memory portion physically configured in accordance with computer program instructions that would cause the electronic gambling unit to allow the user to select at least one of the first and the second types of value via the plurality of buttons if the programmed memory were incorporated into the electronic gambling unit; and
an eighth memory portion physically configured in accordance with computer program instructions that would cause the electronic gambling unit to dispense from the value-dispensing mechanism at least one of the first and the second items based on the selection made by the user via the plurality of buttons if the programmed memory were incorporated into the electronic gambling unit.
-
-
29. The programmed memory of claim 27, wherein the programmed memory is capable of being used in connection with an electronic gambling unit having a touch-sensitive video display screen and a user interface comprising part of the touch-sensitive video display screen, the programmed memory further comprising:
-
a sixth memory portion physically configured in accordance with computer program instructions that would cause the electronic gambling unit to generate at the touch-sensitive video display screen a value selection graphic instructing the user to select at least one of the first and the second types of value if the programmed memory were incorporated into the electronic gambling unit;
a seventh memory portion physically configured in accordance with computer program instructions that would cause the electronic gambling unit to allow the user to select at least one of the first and the second types of value via the part of the touch-sensitive video display screen if the programmed memory were incorporated into the electronic gambling unit; and
an eighth memory portion physically configured in accordance with computer program instructions that would cause the electronic gambling unit to dispense from the value-dispensing mechanism at least one of the first and the second items based on the selection made by the user via the part of the touch-sensitive video display screen if the programmed memory were incorporated into the electronic gambling unit.
-
-
30. The programmed memory of claim 27, wherein the programmed memory is capable of being used in connection with an electronic gambling unit having a user interface comprising an electronic reader that is capable of reading an object having user preference data stored thereon, the programmed memory further comprising:
-
a sixth memory portion physically configured in accordance with computer program instructions that would cause the electronic gambling unit to transmit user preference data stored on the object from the electronic reader to the controller if the programmed memory were incorporated into the electronic gambling unit; and
a seventh memory portion physically configured in accordance with computer program instructions that would cause the electronic gambling unit to cause the value-dispensing mechanism to dispense at least one of the first and the second items based on the user preference data if the programmed memory were incorporated into the electronic gambling unit.
-
-
31. The programmed memory of claim 27, wherein the programmed memory is capable of being used in connection with an electronic gambling unit having a user interface comprising an electronic reader that is capable of reading an object having user identification data stored thereon, and the electronic gambling unit further comprising a player tracking interface connecting the electronic gambling unit to a player tracking system, the programmed memory further comprising:
-
a sixth memory portion physically configured in accordance with computer program instructions that would cause the electronic gambling unit to transmit user identification data stored on the object to the player tracking system via the player tracking interface if the programmed memory were incorporated into the electronic gambling unit;
a seventh memory portion physically configured in accordance with computer program instructions that would cause the electronic gambling unit to receive user preference data related to the user identification data from the player tracking system via the player tracking interface if the programmed memory were incorporated into the electronic gambling unit; and
an eighth memory portion physically configured in accordance with computer program instructions that would cause the electronic gambling unit to cause the value-dispensing mechanism to dispense at least one of the first and the second items based on the user preference data if the programmed memory were incorporated into the electronic gambling unit.
-
-
32. The programmed memory of claim 27, further comprising:
-
a sixth memory portion physically configured in accordance with computer program instructions that would cause the electronic gambling unit to increment user information indicative of the volume and frequency with which the user plays the electronic gambling unit if the programmed memory were incorporated into the electronic gambling unit;
a seventh memory portion physically configured in accordance with computer program instructions that would cause the electronic gambling unit to determine after incrementing the user information whether the user information exceeds a threshold value if the programmed memory were incorporated into the electronic gambling unit; and
an eighth memory portion physically configured in accordance with computer program instructions that would cause the electronic gambling unit to cause the value-dispensing mechanism to dispense one of the first and the second items to the user if the user information exceeds the threshold value cause if the programmed memory were incorporated into the electronic gambling unit.
-
-
33. The programmed memory of claim 27, wherein the programmed memory comprises a semi-conductor memory.
-
34. The programmed memory of claim 27, wherein the programmed memory comprises an optically-readable memory.
Specification
-
- Resources
Litigation Campaign Assessment
Thank you for your request. You will receive a custom alert email when the Litigation Campaign Assessment is available.
×
-
Current AssigneeIGT (International Game Technology)
-
Original AssigneeIGT (International Game Technology)
-
InventorsChowdhury, Anisur Rahman
-
Primary Examiner(s)ONEILL, MICHAEL W
-
Application NumberUS09/892,104Publication NumberTime in Patent Office819 DaysField of Search463/25, 463/26, 463/27, 463/28, 463/16, 463/20, 902/23, 194/206, 194/207, 194/350, 221/197, 221/277, 221/255, 221/231, 221/93-95, 700/231, 700/232, 235/379, 235/380, 235/381US Class Current463/25CPC Class CodesG07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or...G07F 17/3255 Incentive, loyalty and/or p...
