Multi-media gaming printer

• US 7,128,482 B2
• Filed: 09/12/2003
• Issued: 10/31/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Futurelogic Incorporated (Japan Cash Machine Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Futurelogic Incorporated (Japan Cash Machine Company Limited)
• Inventors: Hilbert, John, Dymovsky, Oleg, Meyerhofer, Eric, Meyerhofer, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Hirshfeld, Andrew H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Culler, Jill E.
• Application Number:
  US10/661,364
• Publication Number:
  US 20040136764A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,145 Days
• Field of Search: 400/82, 400/124.08, 400/124.09, 400/149, 347/172, 347/173
• US Class Current: 400/124.08
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/54 with two or more sets of type or printing elements B41J3/60 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/546 Combination of different types, e.g. using a thermal transfer head and an inkjet print head

Abstract

A multi-media gaming printer. The multi-media printer may accept various kinds of voucher media, such as thermally writable medias, smart cards, or magnetic strip cards. The multi-media printer includes writing, reading, and erasing devices within the printer to manage and use the different types of media. In addition, the multi-media printer includes control logic and articulated printing mechanisms that prevent the multi-media printer from inadvertently manipulating a voucher in an inappropriate manner. The design of the multi-media printer is modular so that voucher media magazines may be replaced as needed.

Claims

1. A multi-media gaming printer comprising:

a print module comprising;

two or more heads, each head for reading and writing a different type of card, the two or more heads selected from the group including a thermal card read/write head comprising a thermal write head and an optical read head, a magnetic strip card read/write head, and a smart card connector;

a single media drive adapted to couple a card inserted into the multi-media gaming printer to each of the heads; and

a controller coupled to the two or more heads and the single media drive, the controller adapted to manipulate the inserted card using the capabilities of the two or more heads;

a media cleaner; and

a media cleanliness interrogator.

2. A multi-media gaming printer comprising

a print module comprising:

two or more heads, each head for reading and writing a different type of card, the two or more heads selected from the group including a thermal card read/write head comprising a thermal write head and an optical read head, a magnetic strip card read/write head, and a smart card connector; and

a single articulated media drive adapted to couple a card inserted into the multi-media gaining printer to each of the heads; and

a controller coupled to the two or more heads and the single media drive, the controller adapted to manipulate the inserted card using the capabilities of the two or more heads; and

an embossing sensor, the controller further adapted to retract one or more of the heads away from the inserted card using the articulated media drive if embossing is detected.

3. A multi-media gaming printer comprising:

a print module for manipulating cards comprising different types of media, the print module comprising;

a first head for manipulating a first type of card;

a second head for manipulating a second type of card, the first type of card and the second type of card being different card types; and

a single media drive adapted to couple a card inserted into the multi-media gaming printer to each of the heads;

a cleaner for cleaning media inserted into the gaming multi-media printer;

a sensor for determining the cleanliness of media inserted into the gaming multi-media printer; and

a controller for controlling the print module, the controller adapted to manipulate the inserted card using the heads.

5. The multi-media gaining printer of any of claims 3 and 4, the second head selected from the group including a magnetic strip card read/write head and a smart card connector.

4. A multi-media gaming printer comprising:

a print module for manipulating cards comprising different types of media, the print module comprising;

a first head for manipulating a first type of card;

a second head for manipulating a second type of card, the first type of card and the second type of card being different card types; and

a single articulated media drive adapted to couple a card inserted into the multi-media gaining printer to each of the heads and to accommodate media with various thicknesses;

a sensor for sensing embossing on a card inserted into the multi-media gaming printer

a controller for controlling the print module, the controller adapted to manipulate an inserted card using the heads and to retract one or more of the heads away from the inserted card using the articulated media drive if embossing is detected.