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

• US 6,763,998 B1
• Filed: 04/21/2000
• Issued: 07/20/2004
• 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:
  US09/551,680
• Time in Patent Office: 1,551 Days
• Field of Search: 235/379, 235/380, 463/16, 463/12, 463/17, 463/20, 463/25, 700/231
• 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, adapted to be connected to the payout dispenser and to interface with a payout authorizing attendant in connection with the payout; and

a network for interconnecting the payout dispenser and the terminal.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a device for indicating a payout payable responsive to the input of a person to whom the payout is payable, connected to the payout dispenser and the terminal, and a network for interconnecting the payout indicating device with the payout dispenser and the terminal.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the payout indicating device comprises a gaming device for indicating a payout payable responsive to a winning game play of a person who is playing a game in the gaming device.

4. The system of claim 2, further comprising a plurality of payout indicating devices at a single location.

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

6. The system of claim 2, wherein the payout indicating device locks up and directs the person to the terminal for the payout.

7. The system of claim 2, wherein the payout indicating device includes means for enabling connection of the payout indicating device network thereto.

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

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

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the payout dispenser interfacing means are adapted to be mounted in the payout dispenser.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the payout dispenser interfacing means comprise an interface board.

12. The system of claim 2, further comprising means for interfacing the payout indicating device with the payout dispenser-terminal network.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the payout indicating device interfacing means comprise an interface board.

14. The system of claim 2, wherein the payout dispenser-terminal network further includes means for enabling connection thereto of the payout dispenser, the terminal, and the payout indicating device network, adapted to send and receive data therethrough.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the connection enabling means comprise a port.

16. The system of claim 15, further comprising means for enabling the port to connect thereto for sending and receiving data.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the port connection enabling means comprise a plurality of nodes.

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

19. The system of claim 1, wherein payout dispenser is adapted to store and dispense a payout in a payout dispenser denomination, further comprising a device for enabling the dispensing of a payout breakage in a payout breakage denomination smaller than the payout dispenser denomination.

20. The system of claim 19, further comprising a device for enabling the dispensing of a payout denomination smaller than the payout breakage denomination.

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

22. The system of claim 1, wherein the terminal includes means for processing data.

23. The system of claim 1, further comprising means for containing the payout, adapted to be installed in the payout dispenser.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the payout dispenser includes a plurality of the containing means, each adapted to contain one of a plurality of payout denominations.

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

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

27. The system of claim 1, wherein the payout dispenser is adapted to store and dispense a plurality of payout denominations.

28. The system of claim 1, wherein the payout dispenser-terminal network includes data lines.

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

30. The system of claim 28, wherein the data line comprises a TI line.

31. The system of claim 28, wherein the data line comprises a frame relay line.

32. The system of claim 1, wherein the payout dispenser-terminal network includes wireless connections.

33. The system of claim 1, wherein the payout dispenser-terminal network includes fiber optic connections.

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

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

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

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

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

a local station, adapted to be connected to the central station, including a payout dispenser, for securely storing and dispensing the payout, and a local terminal, for controlling the dispensing of the payout, adapted to be connected to the payout dispenser and to interface with a payout authorizing attendant in connection with the payout; and

a network, for interconnecting the central station and the local station, adapted to interconnect the payout dispenser, the local terminal, and the central terminal.

38. The system of claim 37, wherein the local station further comprises a device for indicating a payout payable responsive to the input of a person to whom the payout is payable, connected to the payout dispenser and the local terminal, and a network for interconnecting the payout indicating device with the payout dispenser and the terminal.

39. The system of claim 38, wherein the payout indicating device comprises a gaming device for indicating a payout payable responsive to a winning game play of a person who is playing a game in the gaming device.

40. The system of claim 38, further comprising a plurality of payout indicating devices at a single location.

41. The system of claim 38, further comprising a plurality of payout indicating devices at the location of each of the plurality of local stations.

42. The system of claim 38, wherein the payout indicating device is adapted to issue a transaction ticket for the payout.

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

44. The system of claim 38, wherein the payout indicating device includes means for enabling connection of the payout indicating device network thereto.

45. The system of claim 44, wherein the connection enabling means comprise a node.

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

47. The system of claim 46, wherein the payout dispenser interfacing means are adapted to be mounted in the payout dispenser.

48. The system of claim 38, further comprising means for interfacing the payout indicating device with the payout dispenser-terminal network.

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

50. The system of claim 38 wherein the payout dispenser-terminal network further includes means for enabling connection thereto of the payout dispenser, the terminal, and the payout indicating device network thereto, adapted to send and receive data therethrough.

51. The system of claim 50, wherein the payout indicating device interfacing means comprise an interface board.

52. The system of claim 50, wherein the connection enabling means comprise a port.

53. The system of claim 52, further comprising means for enabling the port to connect thereto for sending and receiving data.

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

55. The system of claim 54, wherein the plurality of nodes are comprised of the payout indicating device network, the payout indicating device, the payout dispenser, and the terminal.

56. The system of claim 37, wherein the payout dispenser is adapted to store and dispense a payout in a payout dispenser denomination, and the local station further comprises a device for enabling the dispensing of a payout breakage in a payout breakage denomination smaller than the payout dispenser denomination.

57. The system of claim 56, wherein the local station further comprises a device for enabling the dispensing a payout denomination smaller than the payout breakage denomination.

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

59. The system of claim 37, wherein the central station further comprises a controller for controlling the transmissions to and from the central station and the local station.

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

61. The system of claim 37, wherein the central terminal includes means for processing data.

62. The system of claim 37, where the local station further includes a controller for controlling the transmissions to and from the local station and the central station.

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

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

65. The system of claim 37, further comprising means for containing the payout, adapted to be installed in the payout dispenser.

66. The system of claim 65, wherein the payout dispenser includes a plurality of the containing means, each adapted to contain one of a plurality of payout denominations.

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

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

69. The system of claim 37, wherein the payout dispenser is adapted to store and dispense a plurality of payout denominations.

70. The system of claim 37, wherein the local terminal includes means for processing data.

71. The system of claim 37, wherein the central station-local station network includes a central modem, for transmitting signals to and receiving signals from the local station.

72. The system of claim 37, wherein the payout dispenser-terminal network includes a local modem, for transmitting signals to and receiving signals from the central station.

73. The system of claim 37, wherein the payout dispenser-terminal network includes a data line.

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

75. The system of claim 73, wherein the data line comprises a TI line.

76. The system of claim 73, wherein the data line comprises a frame relay line.

77. The system of claim 37, wherein the payout dispenser-terminal network includes wireless connections.

78. The system of claim 37, wherein the payout dispenser-terminal network includes fiber optic connections.

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

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

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

82. A method for securely storing and controlling the dispensing of a payout, in a system that comprises a payout dispenser, a terminal, and a network, the method comprising:

interconnecting the payout dispenser and the terminal though the network;

securely storing a payout in the payout dispenser; and

controlling the dispensing of the payout from the terminal, the terminal adapted to be connected to the payout dispenser and to interface with a payout authorizing attendant in connection with the payout.

83. The method of claim 82, further comprising the terminal 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 device for indicating a payout payable responsive to the input of a person to whom the payout is payable, connected to the payout dispenser and the terminal, and a network for interconnecting the payout indicating device with the payout dispenser and the terminal, further comprising generating the input of the payout payable person in the payout indicating device.

85. The method of claim 82, wherein the payout dispenser is adapted to store and dispense a payout in a payout dispenser denomination, further comprising a device for enabling the dispensing of a payout breakage in a payout breakage denomination smaller than the payout dispenser denomination, and wherein storing further comprises storing a payout of a particular denomination in the payout dispenser, and storing a denomination smaller than the particular denomination in the payout breakage device, further comprising 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 a printer for printing a record of a system transaction, further comprising printing a record of a system transaction in the printer.

87. The method of claim 82, wherein the terminal includes means for processing data, further comprising controlling the dispensing of the payout from the data processing means.

88. The method of claim 82, further comprising means for containing the payout, adapted to be installed in the payout dispenser, further comprising containing the payout in the payout containing means, and wherein storing further comprises storing the payout containing means in the payout dispenser.

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

90. The method of claim 82, wherein the payout dispenser includes means for positively dispensing the payout, further comprising positively dispensing the payout.

91. The method of claim 82, wherein the payout dispenser is adapted to store and dispense a plurality of payout denominations, and wherein storing further comprises storing a plurality of payout denominations, further comprising dispensing a plurality of 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 central/local station network, the method comprising:

interconnecting the central station and the local station through the central/local station network, wherein the central station includes a central terminal, and wherein the local station includes a payout dispenser, a local terminal, and a payout dispenser/local terminal network, said payout dispenser/local terminal network interconnecting the payout dispenser and the local terminal;

securely storing and dispensing the payout using the local station that is adapted to receive local payout authorization and the central station that is adapted to receive central payout authorization;

centrally controlling the dispensing of a payout using the central station that provides central payout authorization; and

locally controlling the dispensing of the payout using the local terminal that is adapted to be connected to the payout dispenser and to interface with a payout authorizing attendant who provides 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 device for indicating a payout payable responsive to the input of a person to whom the payout is payable, connected to the payout dispenser and the local terminal, and a network for interconnecting the payout indicating device with the payout dispenser and the terminal, further comprising generating the input of the payout recipient in the payout indicating device at the local station.

95. The method of claim 92, wherein the payout dispenser is adapted to store and dispense a payout in a payout dispenser denomination, and the local station further comprises a device for enabling the dispensing of a payout breakage in a payout breakage denomination smaller than the payout dispenser denomination, and wherein storing further comprises storing a payout of a particular denomination in the payout dispenser at the local station, and storing a denomination smaller than the particular denomination in the payout breakage device at the local station, further comprising 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, wherein the local station further comprises a printer for printing a record of a system transaction, further comprising printing a record of a system transaction in the printer at the local station.

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

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

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

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

101. The method of claim 92, further comprising means for containing the payout, adapted to be installed in the payout dispenser, further comprising containing the payout denomination in the containing means, and wherein storing further comprises storing the containing means in the payout dispenser.

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

103. The method of claim 92, wherein the payout dispenser includes means for positively dispensing the payout, further comprising positively dispensing the payout at the local station.

104. The method of claim 92, wherein the payout dispenser is adapted to store and dispense a plurality of payout denominations, and wherein storing further comprises storing a plurality of payout denominations at the local station, further comprising dispensing a plurality of denominations at the local station.

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