Game machine data transfer system utilizing portable data units
First Claim
1. A data transfer system for use with a plurality of coin operated game machines having game machine processors comprising:
- a portable data unit including a data memory for storing machine and player data;
a plurality of interface units, wherein each of the game machines includes one of said interface units adapted to physically receive said data unit, for transmitting selected data from the game machine processor to said data memory and for modifying said player data in response to at least a portion of said selected data;
means for transmitting selected machine data and player data from said data memory to the game machine anda central data processor located remotely from the gaming machines and adapted to physically receive said data unit and including means to directly access said selected data and said player data from said data unit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The data transfer system operates by collecting data from game machines and transferring said data to a smart card type data transfer unit containing memory, addressing, control, and protection circuitry. Depending on the level of capability desired, the card may or may not have microprocessor and encryption circuitry. Various embodiments include systems that store data regarding cash flow, security violations, machine malfunctions, and volume of play attributable to an individual player, and transfer that data to a smart card for use in monitoring machine performance and determining the eligibility of a particular player to receive premiums as a play incentive. Additionally, either in concert with one or more of the above features or not the system can allow a player card to be used in lieu of cash to play game machines. In this instance, the player card can either be used as a pre-paid debit card, or as a credit card in which case money is collected from the player after he has played. Player cards can be used as a means of paying winnings to the player in any of these embodiments, with the player redeeming winnings and unused play entitlements at a cashier'"'"'s station.
1461 Citations
87 Claims
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1. A data transfer system for use with a plurality of coin operated game machines having game machine processors comprising:
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a portable data unit including a data memory for storing machine and player data; a plurality of interface units, wherein each of the game machines includes one of said interface units adapted to physically receive said data unit, for transmitting selected data from the game machine processor to said data memory and for modifying said player data in response to at least a portion of said selected data;
means for transmitting selected machine data and player data from said data memory to the game machine anda central data processor located remotely from the gaming machines and adapted to physically receive said data unit and including means to directly access said selected data and said player data from said data unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A data transfer system for use with a plurality of coin operated game machines having game machine processors comprising:
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a portable data unit including a data unit processor and a data memory operatively connected to said data unit processor for storing machine information; a plurality of interface units wherein each of the game machines includes one of said interface units adapted to physically receive said data unit and wherein said interface units include an interface processor adapted to communicate data to and from the game machine processor and to and from said data unit processor; and a central data processor located remotely from the game machines and adapted to physically receive said data unit and including means to directly communicate with said data unit processor. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. A data transfer system for use with a plurality of coin operated game machines having game machine processors comprising:
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a portable data unit including a data unit processor and a data memory operatively connected to said data unit processor for storing machine information including game machine computer programs; a plurality of interface units wherein each of the game machines includes one of said interface units adapted to physically receive said data unit and wherein said interface units include an interface processor adapted to directly download said game machine computer programs to the game machine from said data unit data memory; and a central data processor located remotely from the game machines and adapted to physically receive said data unit and including means to directly transmit said game machine computer programs to said data unit data memory. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54)
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55. A data transfer system for use with a plurality of coin operated game machines having game machine processors comprising:
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a portable data unit including a data memory; a plurality of interface units wherein each of the game machines includes one of said interface units adapted to physically receive said data unit and wherein said interface units include an interface processor adapted to communicate data to and from the game machine processor and to and from said data unit; and a central data processor located remotely from the game machines adapted to physically receive said data unit and including means to directly communicate with said data unit. - View Dependent Claims (56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87)
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Specification