Method and device for implementing a coinless gaming environment
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A gaming system comprising:
- a gaming machine including a display unit, a currency reader, a bar code printer, and a machine processor coupled to the display unit, the currency reader and the bar code printer, the gaming machine programmed to cause a video image representing a game to be generated on the display unit; and
a central processing system including a central processing system processor and a memory, the central processing system in communication with the gaming machine, the currency reader determines a value amount of currency received, the gaming machine transfers the value amount to the central processing system;
the central processing system stores the value in a player value balance with a memory address associated therewith;
the central processing system encrypts the memory address to define an encrypted memory address;
the central processing system transfers the encrypted memory address to the gaming machine, and the bar code printer prints the encrypted memory address as a bar code on a media.
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Abstract
A gaming system for implementing coinless gaming environment having a central processing system interconnected to a plurality of gaming machines and a plurality of change machines. The central processing system includes a processor and a memory having a plurality of memory locations for storing data. Each memory location is identified by a unique address in memory. In communication with the central processing system are a plurality of gaming machines having an input for accepting encoded media and an input for accepting standard paper currency. The gaming machines also contain an output including a bar code printer for encoding and distributing gaming coupons to a player. The central processing is also in communication with one or more change machines having an input for accepting gaming coupons, an input for accepting paper currency and an output for generating and dispensing encoded gaming coupons and an output for dispensing value either in the form of paper currency and/or coins. By interspersing gaming machines and change machines in a gaming establishment, the gaming establishment can eliminate the use of coins or tokens.
291 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A gaming system comprising:
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a gaming machine including a display unit, a currency reader, a bar code printer, and a machine processor coupled to the display unit, the currency reader and the bar code printer, the gaming machine programmed to cause a video image representing a game to be generated on the display unit; and
a central processing system including a central processing system processor and a memory, the central processing system in communication with the gaming machine, the currency reader determines a value amount of currency received, the gaming machine transfers the value amount to the central processing system;
the central processing system stores the value in a player value balance with a memory address associated therewith;
the central processing system encrypts the memory address to define an encrypted memory address;
the central processing system transfers the encrypted memory address to the gaming machine, and the bar code printer prints the encrypted memory address as a bar code on a media. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
the bar code reader reads a bar code printed on a media to determine an encrypted memory address; the gaming machine transfers the encrypted memory address to the central processing system;
the central processing system determines if the encrypted memory address is valid; and
the central processing system accesses the player value balance associated with the memory address if the encrypted memory address is valid.
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6. The gaming system according to claim 5, wherein the currency reader and the bar code reader are combined.
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7. The gaming system according to claim 5, wherein:
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the central processing system stores a paid status field associated with the memory address and the player value balance in the memory;
the central processing system accesses the player value balance associated with the memory address if the encrypted memory address is valid;
the gaming machine provides value to the player according to the player value balance; and
the central processing system stores a positive payment in the paid status field in the memory.
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8. The gaming system according to claim 7, wherein the gaming machine provides a payout to the player according to the player value balance.
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9. The gaming system according to claim 7, wherein the gaming machine provides game play to the player according to the player value balance.
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10. The gaming system according to claim 7, wherein the central processing system provides an error message if the encrypted memory address is not valid.
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11. The gaming system according to claim 1, further comprising:
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a change machine including a currency reader, a bar code printer, and a change machine processor coupled to the currency reader and the bar code printer, the currency reader of the change machine determines a value amount of currency received, the change machine transfers the value amount to the central processing system;
the central processing system stores the value in a player value balance with a memory address associated therewith;
the central processing system encrypts the memory address to define an encrypted memory address;
the central processing system transfers the encrypted memory address to the change machine, and the bar code printer of the change machine prints the encrypted memory address as a bar code on a media.
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12. The gaming system according to claim 11, wherein the change machine comprises a bar code reader and a currency dispenser, and
the bar code reader of the change machine reads a bar code printed on a media to determine an encrypted memory address; -
the change machine transfers the encrypted memory address to the central processing system;
the central processing system determines if the encrypted memory address is valid;
the central processing system accesses the player value balance associated with the memory address if the encrypted memory address is valid; and
the currency dispenser of the change machine provides value in the amount of the player value balance to the player.
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13. The gaming system according to claim 12, wherein the currency reader and the bar code reader of the change machine are combined.
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14. The gaming system according to claim 12, wherein:
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the central processing system stores a paid status field associated with the memory address and the player value balance in the memory;
the central processing system accesses the player value balance associated with the memory address if the encrypted memory address is valid;
the change machine provides value to the player according to the player value balance; and
the central processing system stores a positive payment in the paid status field in the memory.
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15. A gaming system comprising:
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a gaming machine including a display unit, a bar code reader, and a gaming machine processor coupled to the display unit, the currency reader and the bar code reader, the gaming machine programmed to cause a video image representing a game to be generated on the display unit; and
a central processing system including a central processing system processor and a memory, the central processing system in communication with the gaming machine, bar code reader reads a bar code printed on a media to determine an encrypted memory address;
the gaming machine transfers the encrypted memory address to the central processing system;
the central processing system determines if the encrypted memory address is valid;
the central processing system accesses a player value balance associated with the memory address if the encrypted memory address is valid; and
the central processing system adds the value in the player value balance to a gaming machine credit balance to permit access to the game. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
the currency reader determined a value amount of currency received, the gaming machine transfers the value amount to the central processing system; the central processing system stores the value in a player value balance with a memory address associated therewith;
the central processing system encrypts the memory address to define an encrypted memory address;
the central processing system transfers the encrypted memory address to the gaming machine processor, and the bar code printer prints the encrypted memory address as a bar code on a media.
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20. The gaming system according to claim 19, wherein the currency reader and the bar code reader are combined.
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21. The gaming system according to claim 19, wherein:
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the central processing system stores a paid status field associated with the memory address and the player value balance in the memory;
the central processing system accesses the player value balance associated with the memory address if the encrypted memory address is valid;
the gaming machine provides value to the player according to the player value balance; and
the central processing system stores a positive payment in the paid status field in the memory.
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22. The gaming system according to claim 21, wherein the gaming machine provides a payout to the player according to the player value balance.
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23. The gaming system according to claim 21, wherein the gaming machine provides game play to the player according to the player value balance.
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24. The gaming system according to claim 21, wherein the central processing system provides an error message if the encrypted memory address is not valid.
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25. The gaming system according to claim 21, further comprising:
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a change machine including a currency reader, a bar code printer, and a change machine processor coupled to the currency reader and the bar code printer, the currency reader of the change machine determines a value amount of currency received, the change machine transfers the value amount to the central processing system;
the central processing system stores the value in a player value balance with a memory address associated therewith;
the central processing system encrypts the memory address to define an encrypted memory address;
the central processing system transfers the encrypted memory address to the change machine processor, and the bar code printer prints the encrypted memory address as a bar code on a media.
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26. The gaming system according to claim 25, wherein the change machine comprises a bar code reader and a currency dispenser, and
the bar code reader of the change machine reads a bar code printed on a media to determine an encrypted memory address; -
the change machine transfers the encrypted memory address to the central processing system;
the central processing system determines if the encrypted memory address is valid;
the central processing system accesses the player value balance associated with the memory address if the encrypted memory address is valid; and
the currency dispenser of the change machine provides value in the about of the player value balance to the player.
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27. The gaming system according to claim 26, wherein the currency reader and the bar code reader of the change machine are combined.
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28. The gaming system according to claim 26, wherein:
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the central processing system stores a paid status field associated with the memory address and the player value balance in the memory;
the central processing system accesses the player value balance associated with the memory address if the encrypted memory address is valid;
the change machine provides value to the player according to the player value balance; and
the central processing system stores a positive payment in the paid status field in the memory.
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Specification
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Current AssigneeIGT (International Game Technology)
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Original AssigneeIGT (International Game Technology)
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InventorsCannon, Lee E.
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Primary Examiner(s)O'Neill, Michael
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Assistant Examiner(s)BROCKETTI, JULIE K
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Application NumberUS10/324,724Publication NumberTime in Patent Office537 DaysField of Search463/25, 463/26, 463/27, 463/28, 463/29, 463/43, 463/16-20, 90/23US Class Current463/25CPC Class CodesG07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or...G07F 17/3244 Payment aspects of a gaming...
