Token with built-in IC chip

• US 7,338,377 B2
• Filed: 08/20/2003
• Issued: 03/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: FigureFun LLC (Endpoint IP LLC)
• Original Assignee: Aruze Co., LTD
• Inventors: Shinoda, Tomohiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Laneau, Ronald
• Assistant Examiner(s): HARPER, TRAMAR YONG
• Application Number:
  US10/644,094
• Publication Number:
  US 20040106457A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,658 Days
• Field of Search: 463/43, 463/29, 463/30
• US Class Current: 463/47
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 1/06 Coins specially adapted to operate coin-freed mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3211 Display means
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3237 about the players, e.g. profiling, responsible gaming, strategy/behavior of players, location of players
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3251 involving media of variable value, e.g. programmable cards, programmable tokens

Abstract

A token with built-in IC chip, which is very entertaining, is provided for a gaming machine. The token is provided with an IC chip incorporated therein, in which a game initial data set selected from a data group comprising a plurality of game initial data sets has been stored before starting a game in a storage section of the token with built-in IC chip.

Claims

1. A token for a gaming machine on which a player plays a game by controlling a character, comprising:

an integrated circuit chip having a storage section storing at least game initial data regarding the character and being attachable to and detachable from a figure identifying one of a plurality of selectable characters;

wherein the game initial data is selectable from the identified character'"'"'s initial data and is read by the gaming machine when the figure with the token is set on the gaming machine, and

has a bonus data set providing a predetermined profit in a game.

2. The token according to claim 1 wherein:

the storage section includes flash memory, and

the integrated circuit chip includes a microcomputer, a control gate array, and a connector.

3. The token according to claim 1 wherein the game initial data includes a character data set regarding the character controlled by the player with the gaming machine, a bonus data set, or a combination thereof.

4. The token according to claim 1 wherein the game initial data stored in the storage section is selected randomly from a game initial data group.

5. The token according to claim 1 wherein the token is utilized for providing a strategic simulation game.

6. The token according to claim 1 wherein:

the game initial data is data for the character selected from a plurality of game initial data which includes condition data for each of the plurality of selectable characters,

the condition data for each of the plurality of selectable characters includes a plurality of different condition data, and

the selected data includes condition data selected from the plurality of different condition data for the identified character.

7. The token according to claim 1 wherein:

the token is attachable to the figure by insertion into a recess in a surface of the figure.

8. The token according to claim 1 wherein the game initial data also includes an identification code identifying the token.

9. The token according to claim 1 wherein:

the gaming machine is configured to commence play of the game only after receipt of a payable value from the player.

10. The token according to claim 1 wherein:

the token is securable in a recess formed in a bottom face of a base portion of the figure.

11. A figure for a gaming machine, comprising:

a form identifying one of a plurality of characters which is used in the gaming machine;

a base portion to which the form is attached; and

a token having an intecirated circuit chin with a storage section for storing at least

game initial data, and being attachable to and detachable from the base portion;

wherein the name initial data stored in the storage section is read by the gaming machine when the figure with the token is set on the gaming machine, and

has bonus data-providing a predetermined profit in the game.

12. The figure according to claim 11 wherein:

the storage section includes flash memory, and

the integrated circuit chip includes a microcomputer, a control gate array, and a connector.

13. The figure according to claim 11 wherein the game initial data includes a character data set regarding the one character.

14. The figure according to claim 11 wherein the game initial data stored in the storage section is selected randomly from a game initial data group.

15. The figure according to claim 11 wherein the token is attached to the base portion in order to provide a strategic simulation game.

16. The token according to claim 11 wherein:

the token is secured in a recess formed in a bottom face of the base.

17. A token for a gaming machine on which a player plays a game by controlling one of a plurality of selectable characters, comprising:

a storage section storing at least game initial data, and being attachable to and detachable from a figure identifying one of the plurality of selectable characters;

wherein the game initial data stored in the storage section is read by the gaming machine when the figure with the token is set on the gaming machine;

wherein the gaming machine is configured to dispense, to the player based on progress of the play of the game, a game coin having a size and a thickness corresponding to a coin slot for inserting the game coin into the gaming machine to commence or continue play of the game; and

wherein the token has a size and thickness substantially similar to the size and the thickness of the game coin.

18. The token according to claim 17 wherein:

the figure is a three dimensional representation of the identified character.

19. The token according to claim 17 wherein:

the game initial data is data for the identified character selected from a plurality of game initial data which includes condition data for each of the plurality of selectable character,

the condition data for each of the plurality of selectable characters includes a plurality of different condition data, and

the selected data includes condition data selected from the plurality of different condition data for the identified character.

20. The token according to claim 17 wherein:

the token has a shape so as to be attachable to the figure by insertion into a recess in a surface of the figure.

21. The token according to claim 17 wherein the game initial data includes an identification code identifying the token.

22. The token according to claim 17 wherein:

the gaming machine is configured to commence play of the game only after receipt of a payable value from the player, and

the stored game initial data also includes a bonus data set having the payable value.

23. The token according to claim 17 wherein:

the token is securable in a recess formed in a bottom face of a base portion of the figure.

24. The token according to claim 17 wherein:

the game initial data is selected data from a group of initial data for the identified character.

25. A token for a gaming machine on which a player plays a game by controlling one of a plurality of selectable characters comprising:

a storage section storing at least game initial data, and being attachable to and detachable from a figure identifying one of the plurality of selectable characters;

wherein the game initial data stored in the storage section is read by the gaming machine when the figure with the token is set on the gaming machine; and

wherein the game initial data includes a bonus data set for providing a predetermined profit in the game.

26. A token for a gaming machine on which a player plays a game by controlling a character, comprising:

an integrated circuit chip having a storage section storing at least game initial data regarding the character and being attachable to and detachable from a figure identifying one of a plurality of selectable characters;

wherein the game initial data is selectable from the identified character'"'"'s initial data and is read by the gaming machine when the figure with the token is set on the gaming machine, wherein;

the gaming machine is configured to dispense, to the player based on progress of the play of the game, a game coin having a size and a thickness corresponding to a coin slot for inserting the game coin into the gaming machine to commence or continue play of the game, and

the token has a size and thickness substantially similar to the size and the thickness of the game coin.