System and method for securely storing and controlling the dispensing of a payout

• US 6,896,180 B2
• Filed: 10/30/2003
• Issued: 05/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sg Gaming, Inc. (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Alliance Gaming Corporation (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Inventors: Craig, Robert J., Miodunski, Robert L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Frech, Karl D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TAYLOR, APRIL ALICIA
• Application Number:
  US10/697,453
• Publication Number:
  US 20040084523A1
• Time in Patent Office: 572 Days
• Field of Search: 235/379, 235/380, 235/375, 463/16, 463/17, 463/18, 463/20, 463/25, 463/26
• US Class Current: 235/379
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3248 involving non-monetary media of fixed value, e.g. casino chips of fixed value
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 5/24 with change-giving

Abstract

In a system and method for securely storing and controlling the dispensing of a payout, the system includes a payout dispenser for securely storing and dispensing a payout, and a terminal for controlling the dispensing of the payout and for interfacing with an attendant in connection with the payout. The system further includes a network for interconnecting the payout dispenser and the terminal. The system may also include a device for indicating a payout payable responsive to the input of a person to whom the payout is payable, wherein the payout indicating device may be connected to the payout dispenser and the terminal by a network. The system may further include a device for enabling the dispensing of a payout breakage amount which is the difference between the payout in a payout dispenser denomination and the payment to be paid out. The system may still further include a central terminal for centrally controlling the dispensing of payouts at a plurality of local stations to which the central terminal may be networked.

Claims

1. A system for securely storing and controlling the dispensing of a payout, comprising:

a payout dispenser, for securely storing and dispensing a payout;

a terminal, for controlling the dispensing of the payout, connected to the payout dispenser and to interface with a non-player attendant in connection with the payout; and

a communication link for interconnecting the payout dispenser and the terminal.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a gaming device connected to the payout dispenser and the terminal, and a network for interconnecting the gaming device with the payout dispenser and the terminal.

3. The system of claim 2, further comprising a plurality of gaming devices at a single location.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the gaming device issues a transaction ticket for the payout.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the gaming device locks up and directs a person to the terminal for the payout.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein the gaming device includes means for connecting to the network.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the connection enabling means comprise a node.

8. The system of claim 2, further comprising means for interfacing the payout dispenser to the terminal and to the gaming device network.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the payout dispenser interfacing means are mounted in the payout dispenser.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the payout dispenser interfacing means comprise an interface board.

11. The system of claim 2, further comprising means for interfacing the gaming device with the payout dispenser-terminal communication link.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the gaming device interfacing means comprise an interface board.

13. The system of claim 2, wherein the payout dispenser-terminal communication link further includes means for connecting to the gaming device network, and wherein the communication link sends and receives data therethrough.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the connecting means comprise a port.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the port enables sending and receiving data.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the port comprises a plurality of nodes.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the plurality of nodes are comprised of the gaming device network, the gaming device, the payout dispenser, and the terminal.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the payout dispenser stores and dispenses a payout in a payout dispenser denomination, and wherein the system further comprises a payout breakage dispenser that dispenses payout breakage denominations smaller than the payout dispenser denomination.

19. The system of claim 18, further comprising a payout breakage dispenser that dispenses payout breakage denominations smaller than the payout dispenser denomination.

20. The system of claim 1, further comprising a printer for printing a record of a system transaction.

21. The system of claim 1, wherein the terminal includes a data processor.

22. The system of claim 1, further comprising a container that is installable in the payout dispenser.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the payout dispenser includes a plurality of containers, each container containing one of a plurality of payout denominations.

24. The system of claim 1, wherein the payout dispenser includes a housing for securely storing the payout.

25. The system of claim 1, wherein the payout dispenser includes means for positively dispensing the payout.

26. The system of claim 1, wherein the payout dispenser stores and dispenses a plurality of payout denominations.

27. The system of claim 1, wherein the payout dispenser-terminal communication link includes data lines.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein the data line comprises a dedicated line.

29. The system of claim 27, wherein the data line comprises a TI line.

30. The system of claim 27, wherein the data line comprises a frame relay line.

31. The system of claim 1, wherein the payout dispenser-terminal communication link includes wireless connections.

32. The system of claim 1, wherein the payout dispenser-terminal communication link includes fiber optic connections.

33. The system of claim 1, wherein the payout comprises paper money.

34. The system of claim 1, wherein the payout comprises paper scrip.

35. The system of claim 1, wherein the payout comprises a coupon.

36. The system of claim 1, further comprising a non-gaming device that indicates a purchase, gift, or award.

37. A system for securely storing and controlling the dispensing of a payout, comprising:

a central station for authorizing the dispensing of a payout, the central station including a central terminal;

a local station connected to the central station, the local station including;

a payout dispenser for securely storing and dispensing the payout; and

a local terminal for controlling the dispensing of the payout, wherein the local terminal connects to the payout dispenser and interfaces with a non-player attendant in connection with the payout; and

a communication link that interconnects the central station and the local station, wherein the communication link interconnects the payout dispenser, the local terminal, and the central terminal.

38. The system of claim 37, wherein the local station further comprises a gaming device connected to the payout dispenser and the local terminal, and a network for interconnecting the gaming device with the payout dispenser and the terminal.

39. The system of claim 38, further comprising a plurality of gaming devices at a single location.

40. The system of claim 38, further comprising a plurality of gaming devices at the location of each of the plurality of local stations.

41. The system of claim 38, wherein the gaming device issue a transaction ticket for the payout.

42. The system of claim 38, wherein the gaming device locks up and directs a person to the local terminal for the payout.

43. The system of claim 38, wherein the gaming device includes means for connecting to the gaming device network.

44. The system of claim 43, wherein the connecting means comprise a node.

45. The system of claim 38, further comprising means for interfacing the payout dispenser to the terminal and to the gaming device network.

46. The system of claim 45, wherein the payout dispenser interfacing means are mountable in the payout dispenser.

47. The system of claim 38, further comprising means for interfacing the gaming device with the communication link.

48. The system of claim 47, wherein the payout dispenser interfacing means comprise an interface board.

49. The system of claim 38 wherein the communication link further includes means for connecting to the gaming device network, and wherein the communication link sends and receives data therethrough.

50. The system of claim 49, wherein the gaming device network connecting means comprise an interface board.

51. The system of claim 49, wherein the connecting means comprise a port.

52. The system of claim 51, further comprising means for enabling the port to send and receive data.

53. The system of claim 52, wherein the port enabling means comprise a plurality of nodes.

54. The system of claim 53, wherein the plurality of nodes include the gaming device network, the gaming device, the payout dispenser, and the terminal.

55. The system of claim 37, wherein the payout dispenser stores and dispenses a payout in a payout dispenser denomination, and the local station further comprises a payout breakage dispenser that dispenses payout breakage denominations smaller than the payout dispenser denomination.

56. The system of claim 55, wherein the local station further comprises a payout breakage dispenser that dispenses payout breakage denominations smaller than the payout dispenser denomination.

57. The system of claim 37, wherein the local station further comprises a printer for printing a record of a system transaction.

58. The system of claim 37, wherein the central station further comprises a central controller that controls transmissions between the central station and the local station.

59. The system of claim 58, wherein the communication link includes means for connecting the central controller to the central terminal, the connecting means comprising an ethernet connection.

60. The system of claim 37, wherein the central terminal includes a data processor.

61. The system of claim 37, wherein the local station further includes a local controller that controls transmissions between the local station and the central station.

62. The system of claim 61, wherein the communication link further includes means for connecting the local controller to the payout dispenser and the local terminal.

63. The system of claim 37, further comprising a plurality of local stations.

64. The system of claim 37, further comprising a container that is installable in the payout dispenser.

65. The system of claim 64, wherein the payout dispenser includes a plurality of the containers, each container containing one of a plurality of payout denominations.

66. The system of claim 37, wherein the payout dispenser includes a housing for securely storing the payout.

67. The system of claim 37, wherein the payout dispenser includes means for positively dispensing the payout.

68. The system of claim 37, wherein the payout dispenser stores and dispenses a plurality of payout denominations.

69. The system of claim 37, wherein the local terminal includes a data processor.

70. The system of claim 37, further comprising a central modem for transmitting signals to and receiving signals from the local station.

71. The system of claim 37, further comprising a local modem for transmitting signals to and receiving signals from the central station.

72. The system of claim 37, wherein the communication link includes a data line.

73. The system of claim 72, wherein the data line comprises a dedicated line.

74. The system of claim 72, wherein the data line comprises a TI line.

75. The system of claim 72, wherein the data line comprises a frame relay line.

76. The system of claim 37, wherein the communication link includes wireless connections.

77. The system of claim 37, wherein the communication link includes fiber optic connections.

78. The system of claim 37, wherein the payout comprises paper money.

79. The system of claim 37, wherein the payout comprises paper scrip.

80. The system of claim 37, wherein the payout comprises a coupon.

81. The system of claim 37, further comprising a non-gaming device that indicates a purchase, gift, or award.

82. A method of securely storing and controlling the dispensing of a payout in a system which comprises a payout dispenser, a terminal, and a communication link, the method comprising:

interconnecting the payout dispenser and the terminal with the communication link;

securely storing a payout in the payout dispenser; and

authorizing the dispensing of the payout from the terminal, wherein the terminal is operatively associated with the payout dispenser via the communication link, and wherein a non-player attendant interfaces with the terminal in connection with the payout.

83. The method of claim 82, further comprising:

controlling the dispensing of the payout from the terminal; and

dispensing the payout from the payout dispenser.

84. The method of claim 82, further comprising a gaming device connected to the payout dispenser and the terminal, and a network for interconnecting the gaming device with the payout dispenser and the terminal.

85. The method of claim 82, further comprising:

enabling the dispensing of a payout breakage in a payout breakage denomination smaller than the payout dispenser denomination;

storing a payout of a particular denomination in the payout dispenser;

storing a denomination smaller than the particular denomination in the payout breakage device;

dispensing the payout of a particular denomination from the payout dispenser, and

dispensing the denomination smaller than the particular denomination from the payout breakage device.

86. The method of claim 82, further comprising printing a record of a system transaction with a printer.

87. The method of claim 82, wherein the terminal includes a data processor, and wherein the method further comprises controlling the dispensing of the payout using the data processor.

88. The method of claim 82, further comprising a container that is installable in the payout dispenser, and wherein the method further comprises:

containing the payout in the container, and

storing the container in the payout dispenser.

89. The method of claim 82, wherein the payout dispenser includes a housing for securely storing the payout, and wherein the method further comprises storing the payout in the payout dispenser housing.

90. The method of claim 82, further comprising positively dispensing the payout.

91. The method of claim 82, wherein the payout dispenser stores and dispenses a plurality of payout denominations.

92. A method of securely storing and controlling the dispensing of a payout in a system which comprises a central station, a local station, and a communication link, the method comprising:

interconnecting the central station and the local station, wherein the central station includes a central terminal, wherein the local station includes a payout dispenser and a local terminal, and wherein the communication link interconnects the payout dispenser, the local terminal, and the central terminal;

securely storing and dispensing the payout using the local station that receives local payout authorization and the central station that receives central payout authorization;

centrally authorizing the dispensing of a payout using the central terminal that provides central payout authorization; and

locally authorizing the dispensing of the payout using the local terminal, wherein the local terminal is operatively linked to the payout dispenser, and wherein a non-player attendant interfaces with the local terminal, the non-player attendant providing local payout authorization in connection with the payout.

93. The method of claim 92, further comprising:

controlling the dispensing of the payout from the terminal at the local station, and

dispensing the payout from the terminal at the local station.

94. The method of claim 92, wherein the local station further comprises a gaming device, and a network for interconnecting the gaming device with the payout dispenser and the terminal, and wherein the method further comprises generating input of a payout recipient from the gaming device at the local station.

95. The method of claim 92, wherein the payout dispenser stores and dispenses a payout in a payout dispenser denomination, and the local station further comprises a payout breakage dispenser that dispenses payout breakage denominations smaller than the payout dispenser denomination, and wherein the method further comprises:

storing a payout of a particular denomination in the payout dispenser at the local station;

storing a denomination smaller than the particular denomination in the payout breakage device at the local station;

dispensing the payout of a particular denomination from the payout dispenser at the local station; and

dispensing the denomination smaller than the particular denomination from the payout breakage device at the local station.

96. The method of claim 92, further comprising printing a record of a system transaction in the printer.

97. The method of claim 92, further comprising controlling the transmissions to and from the central terminal and the local station from a central station controller in the central station.

98. The method of claim 92, wherein the central terminal includes means for processing data, and wherein the method further comprises controlling the dispensing of the payout from the central station data processing means.

99. The method of claim 92, further comprising controlling transmissions to and from the local terminal and the central station from a local station controller in the local station.

100. The method of claim 92, further comprising a plurality of local stations, and wherein the method further comprises dispensing payouts at the plurality of local stations.

101. The method of claim 92, further comprising a container that is installable in the payout dispenser, and wherein the method further comprises:

containing the payout in the container; and

storing the container in the payout dispenser.

102. The method of claim 92, wherein the payout dispenser includes a housing for securely storing the payout, and wherein the method further comprises storing the payout in the payout dispenser housing at the local station.

103. The method of claim 92, further comprising positively dispensing the payout at the local station.

104. The method of claim 92, wherein the payout dispenser stores and dispenses a plurality of payout denominations, and wherein the method further comprises:

storing a plurality of payout denominations at the local station; and

dispensing a plurality of denominations at the local station.

105. The method of claim 92, wherein the local terminal includes means for processing data, and wherein the method further comprises controlling the dispensing of the payout from the local station data processing means.