Method and apparatus for encoding vouchers in a casino gaming system

• US 6,935,953 B2
• Filed: 01/28/2003
• Issued: 08/30/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: International Game Technology
• Inventors: Marcu, Adrian R.
• Primary Examiner(s): HOTALING, JOHN M
• Application Number:
  US10/352,435
• Publication Number:
  US 20030166412A1
• Time in Patent Office: 945 Days
• Field of Search: 463/20, 463/21, 463 25- 29
• US Class Current: 463/29
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3241 Security aspects of a gaming system, e.g. detecting cheating, device integrity, surveillance computer security G06F21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3248 involving non-monetary media of fixed value, e.g. casino chips of fixed value

Abstract

The apparatus and method described herein transmits a unique machine identification number and a sequence number from a local host to a casino game via a network. In the event that the local host is unable to provide the sequence number, the casino game generates the sequence number locally. Subsequently, the casino game performs a series of numerical operations starting with the machine identification number and the sequence number to generate an encoded a voucher number. The voucher is then printed for the patron and the number is reported to the local host.

Claims

1. A method in a casino gaming system, the casino gaming system comprising a plurality of casino gaming machines operatively coupled to a host computer via a network, wherein each of the plurality of casino gaming machines has associated therewith a respective unique machine identification number, the method comprising:

determining a sequence number associated with a voucher number to be generated, wherein the sequence number is different from sequence numbers associated with voucher numbers previously generated;

combining, using a casino gaming machine, the machine identification number associated with the casino gaming machine with the sequence number to form a combined number;

performing a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) operation on at least a portion of the combined number, using the casino gaming machine, to generate at least one CRC result;

generating a voucher number based on the at least one CRC result and not based on the at least the portion of the combined number using the casino gaming machine; and

writing the voucher number generated based on the at least one CRC result to a machine readable medium.

2. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein determining the sequence number associated with the voucher number to be generated comprises:

if a sequence number is received by the casino gaming machine from the host computer via the network, determining the sequence number associated with the voucher number to be generated as the received sequence number;

if a sequence number is not received by the casino gaming machine from the host computer via the network, calculating, using the casino gaming machine, the sequence number associated with the voucher number to be generated based on a sequence number associated with a voucher number previously generated by the casino gaming machine.

3. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising receiving at the casino gaming machine a first plurality of sequence numbers from the host computer via the network, wherein at least some of the first plurality of sequence numbers are not associated with voucher numbers previously generated by the casino gaming machine;

wherein determining the sequence number associated with the voucher number to be generated comprises;

if a second plurality of sequence numbers is received by the casino gaming machine from the host computer via the network subsequent to receiving the first plurality of sequence numbers, selecting, using the casino gaming machine, one of the second plurality of sequence numbers as the sequence number associated with the voucher number to be generated;

if a second plurality of sequence numbers is not received by the casino gaming machine from the host computer via the network subsequent to receiving the first plurality of sequence numbers, selecting, using the casino gaming machine, one of the first plurality of sequence numbers not associated with voucher numbers previously generated by the casino gaming machine as the sequence number associated with the voucher number to be generated.

4. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising receiving the machine identification number associated with the casino gaming machine from the host computer via the network.

5. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein combining the machine identification number associated with the casino gaming machine with the sequence number comprises performing an exclusive- or operation on at least a portion of the machine identification number and at least a portion of the sequence number.

6. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein combining the machine identification number associated with the casino gaming machine with the sequence number comprises concatenating at least a portion of the machine identification number with at least a portion of the sequence number.

7. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein combining the machine identification number associated with the casino gaming machine with the sequence number comprises performing a bit-shifting operation on at least a portion of the machine identification number and at least a portion of the sequence number.

8. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein combining the machine identification number associated with the casino gaming machine with the sequence number comprises performing a bit swapping operation on at least a portion of the machine identification number and at least a portion of the sequence number.

9. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising converting, using the casino gaming machine, the CRC result from a binary format to a binary coded decimal format.

10. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein generating the voucher number based on the at least one CRC result comprises generating a checksum of a number based on the at least one CRC result, and concatenating the checksum with the number based on the at least one CRC result.

11. A casino gaming machine for use in a casino gaming system, the casino gaming system comprising a plurality of casino gaming machines operatively coupled to a host computer via a network, wherein each of the plurality of casino gaming machines has associated therewith a respective unique machine identification number, the casino gaming machine comprising:

a network interface circuit to operatively link the casino gaming machine to the host computer via the network;

a voucher dispenser;

a controller operatively coupled to the network interface circuit and the voucher dispenser, the controller comprising a microprocessor and a memory operatively coupled to the microprocessor,

the controller being programmed to determine a sequence number associated with a voucher number to be generated, wherein the sequence number is different from sequence numbers associated with at least some voucher numbers previously generated,

the controller being programmed to logically combine the machine identification number associated with the casino gaming machine with the sequence number to form a combined number,

the controller being programmed to perform a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) operation on at least a portion of the combined number to generate at least one CRC result,

the controller being programmed to generate a voucher number based on the at least one CRC result and not based on the at least the portion of the combined number, and

the controller being programmed to cause the voucher dispenser to write the voucher number generated based on the at least one CRC result to a machine readable medium.

12. A casino gaming machine as defined in claim 11, wherein the controller is programmed to, if a sequence number is received from the host computer via the network, determine the sequence number associated with the voucher number to be generated as the received sequence number;

and if a sequence number is not received from the host computer via the network, calculate the sequence number associated with the voucher number to be generated based on a sequence number associated with a voucher number previously generated by the casino gaming machine.

13. A casino gaming machine as defined in claim 11, wherein the controller is programmed to receive a first plurality of sequence numbers from the host computer via the network;

wherein the controller is programmed to, if a second plurality of sequence numbers is received from the host computer via the network subsequent to receiving the first plurality of sequence numbers, and if at least some of the first plurality of sequence numbers are not associated with voucher numbers previously generated by the casino gaming machine, select one of the second plurality of sequence numbers as the sequence number associated with the voucher number to be generated;

wherein the controller is programmed to, if a second plurality of sequence numbers is not received from the host computer via the network subsequent to receiving the first plurality of sequence numbers, select one of the first plurality of sequence numbers not associated with voucher numbers previously generated by the casino gaming machine as the sequence number associated with the voucher number to be generated.

14. A casino gaming machine as defined in claim 11, wherein the voucher dispenser comprises a bar code printer.

15. A casino gaming machine as defined in claim 11, wherein the voucher dispenser comprises a magnetic media writer.

16. A casino gaming machine as defined in claim 11, wherein the voucher dispenser comprises a wireless transmitter.

17. A computer readable medium storing a software program for use in a casino gaming system, the casino gaming system comprising a plurality of casino gaming machines operatively coupled to a host computer via a network, wherein each of the plurality of casino gaming machines has associated therewith a respective unique machine identification number, the software program for generating a voucher number at one of the plurality of casino gaming machines, the computer readable medium comprising:

first code for determining a sequence number associated with the voucher number to be generated, wherein the sequence number is different from sequence numbers associated with at least some voucher numbers previously generated;

second code for combining the machine identification number associated with the casino gaming machine that is to generate the voucher number with the sequence number to form a combined number;

third code for performing a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) operation on at least a portion of the combined number to generate at least one CRC result;

fourth code for generating a voucher number based on the at least one CRC result and not based on the at least the portion of the combined number; and

fifth code for writing the voucher number based on the at least one CRC result to a machine readable medium.

18. A computer readable medium as defined in claim 17, wherein the first code comprises:

sixth code for, if a sequence number is received from the host computer via the network, determining the sequence number associated with the voucher number to be generated as the received sequence number;

seventh code for, if a sequence number is not received from the host computer via the network, calculating the sequence number associated with the voucher number to be generated based on a sequence number associated with a voucher number previously generated by the casino gaming machine.

19. A computer readable medium as defined in claim 17, further comprising sixth code for receiving a first plurality of sequence numbers from the host computer via the network, wherein at least some of the first plurality of sequence numbers are not associated with voucher numbers previously generated by the casino gaming machine;

wherein the first code comprises;

seventh code for, if a second plurality of sequence numbers is received from the host computer via the network subsequent to receiving the first plurality of sequence numbers, selecting one of the second plurality of sequence numbers as the sequence number associated with the voucher number to be generated;

eighth code for, if a second plurality of sequence numbers is not received from the host computer via the network subsequent to receiving the first plurality of sequence numbers, selecting one of the first plurality of sequence numbers not associated with voucher numbers previously generated by the casino gaming machine as the sequence number associated with the voucher number to be generated.

20. A method in a casino game system, the casino game system comprising a plurality of casino gaming machines and at least one voucher dispensing machine operatively coupled to a host computer via a network, wherein each of the plurality of casino gaming machines and the at least one voucher dispensing machine has associated therewith a respective unique machine identification number, the method comprising:

determining a sequence number associated with a voucher number to be generated, wherein the sequence number is different from sequence numbers associated with at least some voucher numbers previously generated;

combining, using a voucher dispensing machine, the machine identification number associated with the voucher dispensing machine with the sequence number to form a combined number;

performing a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) operation on at least a portion of the combined number, using the voucher dispensing machine, to generate at least one CRC result;

generating a voucher number based on the at least one CRC result and not based on the at least the portion of the combined number using the voucher dispensing machine; and

writing the voucher number generated based on the at least one CRC result to a machine readable medium.

21. A voucher dispensing machine for use in a casino gaming system, the casino gaming system comprising a plurality of casino gaming machines and at least one voucher dispensing machine operatively coupled to a host computer via a network, wherein each of the plurality of casino gaming machines and the at least one voucher dispensing machine has associated therewith a respective unique machine identification number, the voucher dispensing machine comprising:

a network interface circuit to operatively link the voucher dispensing machine to the host computer via the network;

a voucher dispenser;

a controller operatively coupled to the network interface circuit and the voucher dispenser, the controller comprising a microprocessor and a memory operatively coupled to the microprocessor,

the controller being programmed to determine a sequence number associated with a voucher number to be generated, wherein the sequence number is different from sequence numbers associated with at least some voucher numbers previously generated,

the controller being programmed to combine the machine identification number associated with the voucher dispensing machine with the sequence number to form a combined number,

the controller being programmed to perform a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) operation on at least a portion of the combined number to generate at least one CRC result,

the controller being programmed to generate a voucher number based on the at least one CRC result and not based on the at least the portion of the combined number, and

the controller being programmed to cause the voucher dispenser to write the voucher number generated based on the at least one CRC result to a machine readable medium.

22. A casino gaming machine for use in a casino gaming system, the casino gaming system comprising a plurality of casino gaming machines operatively coupled to a host computer via a network, wherein each of the plurality of casino gaming machines has associated therewith a respective unique machine identification number, the casino gaming machine comprising:

a network interface circuit to operatively link the casino gaming machine to the host computer via the network;

a voucher dispenser;

a controller operatively coupled to the network interface circuit and the voucher dispenser, the controller comprising a microprocessor and a memory operatively coupled to the microprocessor,

the controller being programmed to, if a host-provided sequence number is received from the host computer via the network, determine a sequence number as the host-provided sequence number, wherein the sequence number is associated with a voucher number to be generated, wherein the sequence number is different from sequence numbers associated with voucher numbers previously generated,

the controller being programmed to, if the host-provided sequence number is not received from the host computer via the network, calculate the sequence number,

the controller being programmed to combine the machine identification number associated with the casino gaming machine with the sequence number to form a combined number,

the controller being programmed to perform a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) operation on at least a portion of the combined number to generate at least one CRC result,

the controller being programmed to generate a voucher number based on the at least one CRC result, and

the controller being programmed to cause the voucher dispenser to write the voucher number based on the at least one CRC result to a machine readable medium.

23. A casino gaming machine for use in a casino gaming system, the casino gaming system comprising a plurality of casino gaming machines operatively coupled to a host computer via a network, wherein each of the plurality of casino gaming machines has associated therewith a respective unique machine identification number, the casino gaming machine comprising:

a network interface circuit to operatively link the casino gaming machine to the host computer via the network;

a voucher dispenser;

a controller operatively coupled to the network interface circuit and the voucher dispenser, the controller comprising a microprocessor and a memory operatively coupled to the microprocessor,

the controller being programmed to receive a first plurality of host-provided sequence numbers from the host computer via the network,

the controller being programmed to, if a second plurality of host-provided sequence numbers is received from the host computer via the network subsequent to receiving the first plurality of host-provided sequence numbers, select one of the second plurality of sequence numbers as the sequence number, wherein the sequence number is associated with a voucher number to be generated, wherein the sequence number is different from sequence numbers associated with voucher numbers previously generated,

the controller being programmed to, if the second plurality of host-provided sequence numbers is not received from the host computer via the network subsequent to receiving the first plurality of host-provided sequence numbers, select one of the first plurality of sequence numbers not associated with voucher numbers previously generated by the casino gaming machine as the sequence number associated with the voucher number to be generated,

the controller being programmed to combine the machine identification number associated with the casino gaming machine with the sequence number to form a combined number,

the controller being programmed to perform a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) operation on at least a portion of the combined number to generate at least one CRC result,

the controller being programmed to generate a voucher number based on the at least one CRC result, and

the controller being programmed to cause the voucher dispenser to write the voucher number based on the at least one CRC result to a machine readable medium.