Voucher gaming system and method

• US 6,685,559 B2
• Filed: 02/14/2001
• Issued: 02/03/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sg Gaming, Inc. (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sierra Design Group (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Inventors: White, Warren R., Luciano, Robert A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Walberg, Teresa
• Assistant Examiner(s): HSU, RYAN
• Application Number:
  US09/784,237
• Publication Number:
  US 20010041610A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,084 Days
• Field of Search: 463/16, 463/25, 463/12, 463/13, 463/26, 463/29, 705/14, 705/27, 902/23, 273/274
• US Class Current: 463/16
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3248 involving non-monetary media of fixed value, e.g. casino chips of fixed value

Abstract

A gaming system and method of playing a gaming device by a user. The method includes inserting a voucher having a voucher value into the gaming device and accessing a database having voucher data associated with the voucher. The voucher value is verified. The user is queried for a credit value of a base wagering denomination. Calculations of full game credits and partial game credits are performed based upon the voucher value and the credit value. The full game credits, the partial game credits, and the voucher value are displayed on a game display. The method allows partial or all credits to be played at any time. The method provides for recording of game events to a database. The method also allows for the user to change the base wagering denomination during game play.

Claims

1. A method of operating a gaming device, the method comprising:

(A) a player defining at least one credit value in a currency, the currency being issued in a plurality of predetermined standard denominations, the credit value being other than the plurality of the predetermined standard denominations in which the currency is issued; and

(B) allowing a player to play a game with at least one credit having the credit value.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

(A) a player defining at least a second credit value, the second credit value being other than the plurality of predetermined standard denominations in which the currency is issued; and

(B) allowing a player to select between the credit value in step 33(A) and the second value.

3. A method of operating a gaming device, comprising:

(A) determining a redemption value of at least one voucher;

(B) determining a credit value;

(C) calculating a total number of credits available for game play using the redemption value and the credit value, the total number of credits available for game play comprising a partial credit;

(D) allowing a player to place a wager using the partial credit;

(E) allowing game play with full and partial credits simultaneously; and

(F) recalculating the total number of credits available for game play.

4. A method of playing a game comprising:

(A) providing a player terminal, the player terminal having a voucher reader;

(B) providing a database server in communication with the player terminal, the database server having a voucher database containing voucher information;

(C) the voucher reader reading information from a voucher;

(D) the player terminal and the database server verifying the voucher is valid using the voucher database;

(E) the player terminal and the database server determining the value of the voucher;

(F) determining a credit value;

(G) calculating a total number of game credits available for game play based on a voucher value and the credit value, wherein the number of game credits comprises full game credits and partial game credits; and

(H) allowing game play with full and partial game credits simultaneously.

5. A gaming system, comprising:

(A) a database server, the database server containing redemption value data; and

(B) at least one player terminal in communication with the database server, the player terminal comprising;

(a) a central processor;

(b) a reader in communication with the central processor, the reader being configured to read information from a voucher; and

(c) an input device, the input device being adapted to allow the player to input credit value, wherein the player terminal is adapted to calculate full game credits and partial game credits based upon a redemption value and the credit value, read information from a second voucher, calculate the sum of values of the voucher and the second voucher, and allow the player to play a game with the sum of values of the voucher and the second voucher, and wherein the player terminal is configured to allow a player to play a game with full and partial credits simultaneously.

6. A method of operating a gaming device comprising:

(A) accepting money in a first currency;

(B) determining a substantially equivalent value of the money in a second currency;

(C) converting the equivalent value of the money into credit value; and

(D) allowing a player to play a game with full and partial game credits simultaneously, wherein at least one prize of the game is presented in the second currency.