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Cashless gaming apparatus, system, and method of use

  • US 7,004,837 B1
  • Filed: 10/02/2000
  • Issued: 02/28/2006
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/01/1999
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A gaming machine comprising:

  • a gaming unit having a housing, the housing comprising gaming components comprising;

    (a) a game interface, the game interface configured to allow a game player to conduct gaming functions;

    (b) a game processor located in the housing and in communication with the game interface, the game processor configured to control the game functions and game machine components;

    (c) a cash transaction unit, the cash transaction unit configured to accept cash from, and dispense cash to, the game player, the cash transaction unit comprising;

    i. a coin acceptor associated with the housing and configured to accept coins from the player;

    ii. a coin dispenser associated with the housing;

    the coin dispenser configured to dispense coins to the player;

    iii. a coin hopper, the coin hopper in communication with the coin acceptor and coin dispenser, the coin hopper configured to hold coins until they are to be dispensed to the player;

    iv. a coin hopper controller associated with the housing and in communication with the coin acceptor, coin hopper and game processor;

    the coin hopper controller configured to detect coins inserted into the coin acceptor and to cause coins to be dispensed from the coin dispenser when directed by the game processor;

    (B) the gaming machine being modified in a retrofit fashion to further comprise a cash-less transaction system comprising;

    (a) a cash-less device transaction unit mounted in communication with the game processor, the cashless device transaction unit configured to accept cash-less devices and to transmit and receive information;

    (b) an interception and emulation unit mounted in communication with the cash-less device transaction unit and the game processor;

    wherein the interception and emulation unit is configured to perform the following;

    i. intercept signals from the game processor, whereby the intercepted signals are not received as originally intended;

    ii. emulate signals corresponding to gaming functions and transmit the signals to game components.

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  • 7 Assignments
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