Method and apparatus for scrip distribution and management permitting redistribution of issued scrip Number:7,520,810 from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) owispatent

Title: Method and apparatus for scrip distribution and management permitting redistribution of issued scrip

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for transferring credits from one gaming device to another via the use of coded scrip is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of accepting a cash-out command in the gaming device, scanning a magnetically manifested code uniquely identifying a scrip stored in the gaming device, transmitting a cash-out message comprising the code to a remote processor having access to a database configured to store and retrieve codes from a plurality of gaming devices, receiving a scrip dispense message from the remote processor, and dispensing the scrip. The apparatus comprises a scrip storage unit, a scrip dispensing unit having a scrip transducer for reading and recording a magnetically manifested code on a scrip retrieved from the scrip storage unit, and a processor, communicatively coupled to the scrip transducer and a remote computer having access to a database for storing and retrieving code information from the plurality of gaming devices.

Patent Number: 7,520,810 Issued on 04/21/2009 to Dabrowski

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Inventors:	Dabrowski; Stanley P. (Las Vegas, NV)
Appl. No.:	10/893,786
Filed:	July 16, 2004

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Related U.S. Patent Documents

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	Application Number	Filing Date	Patent Number	Issue Date
	09939922	Aug., 2001
	09368036	Apr., 2002	6379246
	09368296	Jun., 2001	6253119
	09368096	Jul., 2001	6263258
	09366224	Jul., 2003	6598788
	60095091	Aug., 1998

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Current U.S. Class:	463/25
Current International Class:	G06F 17/00 (20060101)
Field of Search:	463/16-25 235/281

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References Cited [Referenced By]

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Other References

Non-final Office Action dated Jul. 03, 2001 in U.S. Appl. No. 09/368,038, filed Aug. 03, 1999 by Dabrowski, issued Apr. 30, 2002 as U.S. Patent No. 6,379,246. cited by other . Non-final Office Action dated Apr. 23, 2003 in U.S. Appl. No. 09/939,922, filed Aug. 27, 2001 by Stanely P. Dabrowski, now abandoned. cited by other . Final Office Action dated Nov. 10, 2003 in U.S. Appl. No. 09/939,922, filed Aug. 27, 2001 by Stanley P. Dabrowski, now abandoned. cited by other.

Primary Examiner: Laneau; Ronald
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Gates & Cooper LLP

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Parent Case Text

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CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/939,922, filed Aug. 27, 2001 now abandoned, by Stanley P. Dabrowski, and entitled "METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SCRIP DISTRIBUTION AND MANAGEMENT PERMITTING REDISTRIBUTION OF ISSUED SCRIP", which application is a continuation-in-part of the following applications, each of which applications are hereby incorporated by reference herein:

application Ser. No. 09/368,036, filed Aug. 3, 1999, by Stanley P. Dabrowski and entitled "METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MODIFYING GAMING MACHINES TO PROVIDE SUPPLEMENTAL OR MODIFIED FUNCTIONALITY", which application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/095,091, filed Aug. 3, 1998 by Stanley P. Dabrowski and entitled "METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SCRIP DISTRIBUTION AND MANAGEMENT", and which issued Apr. 30, 2002 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,379,246;

application Ser. No. 09/368,296, filed Aug. 3, 1999, by Stanley P. Dabrowski and entitled "METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING A COIN HOPPER TO OPERATE WITH A SECONDARY MONETARY EXCHANGE DISPENSER", which application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/095,091, filed Aug. 3, 1998 by Stanley P. Dabrowski and entitled "METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SCRIP DISTRIBUTION AND MANAGEMENT", and which issued Jun. 26, 2001 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,253,119;

application Ser. No. 09/368,096, filed Aug. 3, 1999, by Stanley P. Dabrowski and entitled "SCRIP DISPENSER", which application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/095,091, filed Aug. 3, 1998 by Stanley P. Dabrowski and entitled "METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SCRIP DISTRIBUTION AND MANAGEMENT" and which issued Jul. 17, 2001 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,263,258; and

application Ser. No. 09/366,224, filed Aug. 3, 1999, by Stanley P. Dabrowski and entitled "METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SCRIP DISTRIBUTION AND MANAGEMENT", which application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/095,091, filed Aug. 3, 1998 by Stanley P. Dabrowski and entitled "METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SCRIP DISTRIBUTION AND MANAGEMENT", and which application issued Jul. 29, 2003 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,598,788.

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Claims

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What is claimed is:

1. A method for transferring game credits among a plurality of gaming devices, comprising the steps of: accepting a cash-out command in a first gaming device; retrieving a reusable card stored in the first gaming device, the reusable card accepted into the first gaming device from another of the plurality of gaming devices; recording a code uniquely identifying the reusable card stored in the first gaming device on the reusable card; dispensing the reusable card; accepting the reusable card in a second gaming device; reading the code; providing a number of credits in the second gaming device based upon the read code; and storing the reusable card in the second gaming device for reuse by the second gaming device wherein: the step of recording a code uniquely identifying the reusable card stored in the first gaming device comprises the steps of: transmitting a cashout balance to a remote computer; receiving a code from the remote computer; recording the code on the reusable card; and the step of recording a second code uniquely identifying the reusable card retrieved from being stored in the second gaming device comprises the steps of transmitting a second cashout balance to the remote computer; receiving a second code from the remote computer; and recording the second code on the reusable card.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: accepting a second cash out command in the second gaming device; recording a second code uniquely identifying the reusable card retrieved from being stored in the second gaming device; and dispensing the reusable card.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the card is self-authenticating.

4. An apparatus for transferring game credits among a plurality of gaming devices, comprising: means for accepting a cash-out command in a first gaming device; means for retrieving a reusable card stored in the first gaming device, the reusable card accepted into the first gaming device from another of the plurality of gaming devices; means for recording a code uniquely identifying a reusable card stored in the first gaming device on the reusable card; means for dispensing the reusable card; means for accepting the reusable card in a second gaming device; means for reading the code; means for providing a number of credits in the second gaming device based upon the read code; and means for storing the reusable card in the second gaming device for reuse by the second gaming device; wherein: the means for recording a code uniquely identifying the reusable card stored in the first gaming device comprises: means for transmitting a cashout balance to a remote computer; means for receiving a code from the remote computer; means for recording the code on the reusable card; and the means for recording a second code uniquely identifying the reusable card retrieved from being stored in the second gaming device comprises means for transmitting a second cashout balance to the remote computer; means for receiving a second code from the remote computer; and means for recording the second code on the reusable card.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising: means for accepting a second cash out command in the second gaming device; means for recording a second code uniquely identifying the reusable card retrieved from being stored in the second gaming device; and means for dispensing the reusable card.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the card is self-authenticating.

7. A method for transferring game credits among a plurality of gaming devices, comprising the steps of: accepting a cash-out command in a first gaming device; retrieving a reusable card stored in the first gaming device, the reusable card accepted into the first gaming device from another of the plurality of gaming devices; recording a code uniquely identifying the reusable card stored in the first gaming device on the reusable card; dispensing the reusable card; accepting the reusable card in a second gaming device; reading the code; providing a number of credits in the second gaming device based upon the read code; and storing the reusable card in the second gaming device for reuse by the second gaming device; wherein the step of recording a code uniquely identifying the reusable card stored in the first gaming device comprises the steps of: transmitting a request for a code to a remote computer; receiving the requested code from the remote computer; generating a second combined code from the received code and a cashout balance; recording the combined code on the reusable card; and the step of recording a second code uniquely identifying the reusable card retrieved from being stored in the second gaming device comprises the steps of transmitting a second request for a code to the remote computer; receiving the requested second code from the remote computer; generating a second combined code from the received code and a second cashout balance; recording the second code on the reusable card.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising the steps of: accepting a second cash out command in the second gaming device; recording a second code uniquely identifying the reusable card retrieved from being stored in the second gaming device; and dispensing the reusable card.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the card is self-authenticating.

10. A method for transferring game credits among a plurality of gaming devices, comprising the steps of: accepting a cash-out command in a first gaming device; retrieving a reusable card stored in the first gaming device, the reusable card accepted into the first gaming device from another of the plurality of gaming devices; recording a code uniquely identifying the reusable card stored in the first gaming device on the reusable card; dispensing the reusable card; accepting the reusable card in a second gaming device; reading the code; providing a number of credits in the second gaming device based upon the read code; and storing the reusable card in the second gaming device for reuse by the second gaming device; wherein: the step of recording a code uniquely identifying the reusable card stored in the first gaming device comprises the steps of: generating the code in the first gaming device; transmitting the code and a cashout balance to a remote computer; receiving a dispense message from the remote computer; recording the generated code on the reusable card; the step of recording a second code uniquely identifying the reusable card retrieved from being stored in second gaming device comprises the steps of: generating a second code in the second gaming device transmitting the second code and a second cashout balance to the remote computer; receiving a dispense message from the remote computer; and recording the second code on the reusable card.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the steps of: accepting a second cash out command in the second gaming device; recording a second code uniquely identifying the reusable card retrieved from being stored in the second gaming device; and dispensing the reusable card.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the card is self-authenticating.

13. An apparatus for transferring game credits among a plurality of gaming devices, comprising: means for accepting a cash-out command in a first gaming device; means for retrieving a reusable card stored in the first gaming device, the reusable card accepted into the first gaming device from another of the plurality of gaming devices; means for recording a code uniquely identifying a reusable card stored in the first gaming device on the reusable card; means for dispensing the reusable card; means for accepting the reusable card in a second gaming device; means for reading the code; means for providing a number of credits in the second gaming device based upon the read code; and means for storing the reusable card in the second gaming device for reuse by the second gaming device; wherein: the means for recording a code uniquely identifying the reusable card stored in the first gaming device comprises: means for transmitting a request for a code to a remote computer; means for receiving the requested code from the remote computer; means for generating a second combined code from the received code and a cashout balance; means for recording the combined code on the reusable card; and the means for recording a second code uniquely identifying the reusable card retrieved from being stored in the second gaming device comprises the steps of means for transmitting a second request for a code to the remote computer; means for receiving the requested second code from the remote computer; means for generating a second combined code from the received code and a second cashout balance; means for recording the second code on the reusable card.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising: means for accepting a second cash out command in the second gaming device; means for recording a second code uniquely identifying the reusable card retrieved from being stored in the second gaming device; and means for dispensing the reusable card.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the card is self-authenticating.

16. An apparatus for transferring game credits among a plurality of gaming devices, comprising: means for accepting a cash-out command in a first gaming device; means for retrieving a reusable card stored in the first gaming device, the reusable card accepted into the first gaming device from another of the plurality of gaming devices; means for recording a code uniquely identifying a reusable card stored in the first gaming device on the reusable card; means for dispensing the reusable card; means for accepting the reusable card in a second gaming device; means for reading the code; means for providing a number of credits in the second gaming device based upon the read code; and means for storing the reusable card in the second gaming device for reuse by the second gaming device; wherein: the means for recording a code uniquely identifying the reusable card stored in the first gaming device comprises: means for generating the code in the first gaming device; means for transmitting the code and a cashout balance to a remote computer; means for receiving a dispense message from the remote computer means for recording the generated code on the reusable card; the means for recording a second code uniquely identifying the reusable card retrieved from being stored in second gaming device comprises: means for generating a second code in the second gaming device; means for transmitting the second code and a second cashout balance to the remote computer; and means for receiving a dispense message from the remote computer; and recording the second code on the reusable card.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising: means for accepting a second cash out command in the second gaming device; means for recording a second code uniquely identifying the reusable card retrieved from being stored in the second gaming device; and means for dispensing the reusable card.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the card is self-authenticating.

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Description

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to systems and methods for managing currency transactions, and in particular, to an inexpensive system for securely distributing and accepting scrip at numerous widely distributed gaming devices.

2. Description of the Related Art

Recent years have seen a rapid expansion of the gaming industry. Much of the income derived from such games is collected at gaming devices like slot machines and video poker games.

Revenue from such gaming devices can be increased in one of two ways: by increasing the number of transactions or by increasing the average wager per transaction. The number of transactions can be most easily increased simply by increasing the number of available machines. However, increasing the number of gaming devices can be a costly enterprise.

In the past, most gaming machines used coins as a medium of exchange. The machine accepted the wager in coin, and if the player was successful, paid winnings immediately from coin stored in the machine itself. While effective, such coin machines are expensive to maintain. Since the money taken in by the gaming device generally exceeds jackpots paid out, the accumulated money (in coin) must be removed from each machine on a periodic basis. This collection can be difficult, because coins can be heavy and unwieldy.

Recent years have seen a movement away from coin-only machines and a proliferation of gaming machines that also accept currency as a medium of exchange. In fact, currently, 60% or more of gaming machines can accept wagers in currency. Although they represent an improvement from the coin machines of the past, currency-accepting gaming machines have proved to be no panacea. Currency acceptors do not obviate the need to pay out winnings in coin. For example, if the player cashes out with $25.50 remaining in the payout account, the gaming device can only issue winnings in coin (in this case, 104 quarters). Since players will often terminate play at such times, the coinage paid out generally exceeds wager coinage entered into the machine, and a cache of coin in the gaming device must be maintained and frequently replenished.

Gaming machines that deal with scrip can help ameliorate this problem. However, existing scrip distribution systems do not offer a complete solution to the problem. For example, the system disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 6,012,832, issued Jan. 11, 2000 to Saunders et al. discloses a cashless peripheral device for a gaming system. With this system, when the user decides to cash out, the gaming system computes the amount of money due the player and prints a barcode representing this amount on a ticket that is drawn from a continuous roll of unprinted tickets. After printing, the printed bar code is read to verify that it is correct before the ticket is issued to the user. The code is also transmitted to a central computer for storage. The user can then insert the ticket in another gaming machine. By comparing the information on a player card with information printed on the ticket, the a determination is made as to whether the ticket is valid. If the ticket is valid, the gaming machine itself determines the cash-in value from the printed code on the ticket. Credits are issued, and the ticket is passed into a storage bin and is eventually discarded.

There are a number of problems with such a system. First, it requires the use of a player card to store information that is used to validate the printed ticket. Second, there is no provision for the re-use of tickets. As a result, as was true with coins, each gaming device will have to be periodically emptied of discarded tickets. Further, the discarded tickets still present visible codes that can be collected and scanned, and may be used to compromise the security of the gaming system.

What is needed is a system which does not require the use of a player card to verify the validity issued scrip, provides for the re-use of scrip, and allows the scrip to be erased and re-used multiple times.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To address the requirements described above, the present invention discloses a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for transferring credits from one gaming device to another via the use of coded scrip.

The method comprises the steps of accepting a cash-out command in the gaming device, scanning a magnetically manifested code uniquely identifying a scrip stored in the gaming device, transmitting a cash-out message comprising the code to a remote processor having access to a database configured to store and retrieve codes from a plurality of gaming devices, receiving a scrip dispense message from the remote processor, and dispensing the scrip. The apparatus comprises a scrip storage unit, a scrip dispensing unit having a scrip transducer for reading and recording a magnetically manifested code on a scrip retrieved from the scrip storage unit, and a processor, communicatively coupled to the scrip transducer and a remote computer having access to a database for storing and retrieving code information from the plurality of gaming devices.

This system relies on coupons or scrip cards that are inherently worthless and self-authenticating. These coupons are activated and dispensed to the user when a payout is requested, and deactivated when they are re-inserted into a gaming device. The coupons may also be erased and are then stored within the gaming machines for re-distribution and re-use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numbers represent corresponding parts throughout:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an array of gaming devices;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a modified gaming device;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an illustrative embodiment of the operations performed in obtaining scrip from the gaming device;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an illustrative embodiment of the operations performed in using scrip issued from a gaming device;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a second illustrative embodiment of the operations performed in obtaining scrip issued from a gaming device;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a schematic view of exemplary embodiment of the scrip-dispensing device;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a schematic view of a second exemplary embodiment of the scrip dispensing device;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a schematic view of one embodiment of the cassette;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are diagrams showing additional embodiments of the cassette;

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a further embodiment of the cassette;

FIGS. 11-13 are flow charts illustrating an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which the scrip need not be pre-coded before insertion into the gaming device for distribution;

FIGS. 14-16 are flow charts illustrating another embodiment of the present invention in which the scrip need not be pre-coded before insertion into the gaming device for distribution, and in which the cash-out value is not transmitted from the gaming device to the remote computer/Internet server;

FIGS. 17-19 are flow charts illustrating another embodiment of the present invention in which the scrip need not be pre-coded before insertion into the gaming device for distribution and in which the gaming device generates the scrip-unique code; and

FIG. 20 is an illustration an embodiment of the scrip dispenser 226 with a scrip acceptance unit 2002 configured to permit redistribution and re-use of scrip.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and which is shown, by way of illustration, several embodiments of the present invention. It is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a gaming system 100. The gaming system 100 comprises a plurality of gaming islands 102A-102D, each having a plurality of gaming devices 104. The gaming devices 104 are operatively coupled to an intranet server 108 via communication links 106A-106D. In one embodiment, communication link 106A is a 10Base2, 10 Mbps thin coaxial communication link. First hub 112A accepts multiple communication links 106A. Preferably, one cable segment is used per gaming machine bank 116. Communication link 106B is a 10BaseT, 10 Mbps Cat 5 cable which covers the gaming devices in an island 102A or other sub-area. Second hub 112B accepts multiple communication links 106B. Communication link 106C is a 100BaseFX, 100 Mbps fiber optic link servicing a major area of gaming machines. Third hub 112C accepts multiple communication links 106C, and implements path redundancy and the network backbone. Communication link 106D is a 100BaseT, 100 Mbps Cat 5 cable. The intranet server 108 is also operatively coupled to a data manager 110 and to workstations 114 via communication links 106E-106F. In one embodiment, the intranet server 108 is firewall protected, and includes one or more work station terminals intercoupled via a local area network.

FIG. 2 is a diagram presenting an illustrative embodiment of a gaming device 104. Typically, gaming devices 104 comprise a number of existing legacy I/O devices 202, each coupled to one or more legacy microprocessors 206 via I/O bus 204 and existing legacy communication paths 212A-212I (collectively referred to as communication paths 212). Communications between existing I/O devices 202 and the microprocessor 206 can be either serial or parallel. Typically, the microprocessor 206 is a special purpose device designed or programmed for the gaming device 104. Microprocessor 206 accepts user inputs from the existing I/O devices 202 via communication path 270, processes these inputs, and provides outputs to the I/O devices such as the display 212 via communication path 270. Microprocessor 206 is also typically coupled to a central computer 208 via a low speed serial connection 272, and can collect data from the gaming device 104 via the microprocessor. Microprocessor 206 to central computer 208 communications are typically one way (from the microprocessor 206 to the central computer 208).

Existing I/O devices 202 comprise cash acceptor 210 A. This device accepts cash from the user, verifies that the cash is genuine, and relays the denomination accepted to the microprocessor 206 via a cash accept signal on the cash accept communication path 212A. Cash acceptor 210A may comprise a device similar to a currency reader, which can verify the appearance of the printed currency as well as the feel of the paper.

Existing I/O devices 202 also includes a coin acceptor 210B, which accepts coin from the user, verifies that the coin is genuine, and relays the amount and value of the coin accepted to the microprocessor 206 via a coin accept signal on the coin accept communication path 212B. The coin acceptor may be similar to those employed in vending machines in which the size and weight of the deposited coinage is measured. Although the cash acceptor 210A and the coin acceptor 210B are depicted as separate devices, the functionality provided by these devices may be provided by a single integrated device.

Existing I/O devices 202 also comprise a display 210C. Increasingly, display 210C comprises a video display presenting virtually all information conveyed to the user. For example, if the gaming device is a slot machine, the display 210C may show the "reels" to the user, as well as the wager, the amount paid, the amount remaining in the cash-out account, and a variety of other information. Further, display 210C can also be used to accept input to the gaming device 104 by a touch screen or similar pointing device (such as those employed in connection with graphical user interfaces in home computer applications) and to forward the input to the microprocessor 206. The display 210C communicates with the microprocessor 206 using a display signal via a display communication path 212C.

Cash-out selector 210D is usually a simple switch that the user can depress when they are finished using the gaming device 104 and want the machine 104 to pay out the cash-out balance K.sub.CO (i.e. the amount remaining in the cash-out account). For example, if the user deposited coin or currency through the cash/coin-accepting devices 210A and 210B in the amount of twenty dollars, the cash-out balance begins at twenty dollars, and is increased or decreased thereafter according to the results of the game played. The cash-out selector 210 provides a cash-out command or signal to the microprocessor 206 via the cash-out communications link 212D.

Audio device 210E accepts an audio signal on the audio communications link 212E from the microprocessor 206. Typically, the audio device 210E is a simple loudspeaker. However, the audio device 210E may also include a microphone or a special purpose processor coupled to a piezoelectric transducer. If desired, a video device can also be utilized to view the area around the gaming device. This can be used to prevent theft or to verify authorized payouts.

Remaining balance indicator 212F shows the user the cash-out balance according to the cash-out balance signal provided on the cash-out balance communications link 212F. This I/O device could be an LED display or similar device. The function of this device may alternatively be performed by the display 210F itself.

Wager/gaming I/O devices (WGDs) 210G include a number of user controls that allow the user to play the gaming device. In the case of a draw poker gaming device 104, the WGDs 201G may include buttons selecting the cards to draw or hold, a button for selecting a new game, a button for determining the wager for each hand played, or other buttons. Similar buttons would be employed with a blackjack gaming device or a slot machine.

Coin payout device 210H pays coin or tokens to the user based upon their winnings in accordance with a coin payout quantity signal on the coin payout quantity communication path 216H. In most circumstances, the present invention minimizes the use of this device because payouts may be provided at least in part in the form of scrip, instead of coin.

The coin payout device 210H can be activated and deactivated according to a coin payout enable signal provided on a coin payout enable communication path 214H. This prevents inadvertent dispensing of coin or cash by disabling the coin payout device 210H until it is time for the payout to occur. In many gaming devices, the power wire to the coin payout device 210 can be used for a coin payout device enable communication path 214H. In such cases, the coin/cash payout device can be activated and deactivated simply by applying or removing power to the power wire. This can be accomplished with a suitable relay or semiconductor switch, preferably under control of the dispensing device computer 232.

Similarly, the cash payout device 210I pays cash to the user based upon their winnings in accordance with a cash payout quantity signal on a cash payout quantity communication path 216I. The cash payout device 210 can be activated and deactivated according to a cash payout enable signal provided on a cash payout enable communication path 214I.

A scrip dispensing device 226 is communicatively coupled to the gaming device 104. The scrip dispensing device 226 comprises a scrip dispensing unit 228 and a scrip-accepting unit 230. The scrip dispensing unit 228 and the scrip-accepting unit 230 can be distinct devices or both scrip dispensing and scrip accepting functions may be performed by a single scrip accepting/dispensing device.

The scrip-dispensing unit 228 dispenses scrip in accordance with commands from the scrip dispensing device computing device or local computer 232. Similarly, the scrip-accepting unit 230 accepts scrip dispensed from any one of the gaming devices 104 in the gaming system 100. The scrip-dispensing unit 228 and the scrip-accepting unit 230 are operatively coupled to the local computer 232 via bus 234, which may be either parallel or serial, or a combination of both.

The scrip dispensing unit device computer 232 can be advantageously selected as an off-the-shelf processor assembly, comprising a processor 236, memory 238 tangibly embodying instructions which comprise an operating system 240 and one or more applications 242. Further, the operating system 240 and the applications 242 are comprised of instructions which, when read and executed by the computer processor 236, causes the scrip dispensing unit device computer 232 to perform the steps necessary to implement and/or use the present invention. Application 242 and/or operating system 240 instructions may also be tangibly embodied in memory 238 and/or data communications devices, thereby making a computer program product or article of manufacture according to the invention. As such, the terms "article of manufacture" and "computer program product" as used herein are intended to encompass a computer program accessible from any computer readable device or media.

In one embodiment, the operating system of the scrip dispensing unit device computer is the popular LINUX, WINDOWS, WINDOWS 95/98, WINDOWS NT, or WINDOWS CE operating system. Since the computational requirements of the scrip unit device computer 232 are reasonably simple, the operating system and associated hardware can be similar to or compliant with hand-held computing systems using the WINDOWS CE operating system. Processor 236 may also advantageously comprise a reduced instruction set computer (RISC) processor. This embodiment has the particular advantage of increasing the functionality provided by the scrip dispensing device 226, since data and functional selection can be performed using standard off-the-shelf intranet or other networking hardware and software.

The scrip dispensing device computer 236 is also operatively coupled to a transducer. In one embodiment, the transducer is a scanner and cannot write or erase information from the scrip. In another embodiment, the transducer is a scanner/recorder 274 that can record, read, and erase codes on the scrip under control of the local computer 232 the central computer 208, or a remote computer such as the intranet server 108. In one embodiment, each scrip comprises a strip with a magnetic strip, and the scanner/recorder 274 is capable of recording, reading, and erasing magnetically manifested codes from the magnetic strip on the scrip.

Such embodiments are particularly useful because, unlike prior devices, they permit the erasure of the information on the magnetic strip and permit the re-distribution and re-use of scrip that is issued by other gaming machines. The re-distribution of scrip makes it economically feasible to improve the quality of the issued scrip, and reduces the cost of emptying machines with excessive scrip.

In one embodiment, the scrip dispensing device computer 236 is also operatively coupled to an infrared signal transmitter/receiver 276. The transmitter/receiver 276 allows wireless, infrared transmissions between external devices such as a personal data assistant (PDA) or a laptop computer and the scrip dispensing device computer 236. In one embodiment, this is implemented with an IrDA port having an IrDA serial IR physical layer. An Infrared Link Access Protocol (IrLAP) is used for a data link protocol, and an Infrared Link Management Protocol (IrLMP) is used to implement handshaking and multiplexing of multiple data streams.

The scrip dispensing device computer 236 is operatively coupled to a remote computer via a connector 278. In one embodiment, the scrip dispensing computer 236 is communicatively coupled to an intranet server 108 via intranet connector 278 communications link 106. The intranet server 108 comprises an intranet server processor 250 and memory 260 storing instructions for the operating system 262 and any applications 264. intranet computer 108 may also be operatively coupled to a data manager 110, and may be operatively coupled to the central computer 208 as well. Alternatively, some or all of the storage and functions provided by the data manager 110 may be implemented in the intranet server 108. The intranet server 108 may also be coupled to the central computer 208 to implement legacy functions. Also, a single computer can be used to implement all of the functionality of the intranet server 108 and the central computer 208.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the scrip dispensing device computer 232 obtains the information required to dispense, manage, and accept scrip by essentially tapping into the communication links 212 between the existing I/O devices and the microprocessor 206. With these connections, the scrip dispensing device 226 can determine when cash or coin is accepted by the gaming device 104, the amount of cash or coin accepted, when cash-out is selected by the user, the balance of the cash-out account, wager and other gaming inputs, and the amount paid out to the user. This information is useful in performing the scrip distribution, and acceptance functions, but is useful also in providing statistical and other information to the owner of the gaming system 100 regarding gaming device 104 usage and other information. This embodiment allows the scrip-dispensing device 226 to be incorporated with a wide variety of gaming devices 104 with minor modification by patching into the existing I/O devices 202.

Information from the existing I/O devices 202 is provided to the dispensing device computer 232 via an interface module 218 and gaming device I/O bus 224.

In one embodiment, the gaming device I/O bus 224 is a low level interface bus, and the interface module is communicatively coupled to requisite existing I/O devices 210A-210I in the following ways.

First, the interface module 218 (through a low level interface bus 224) may be coupled to any of the communications links 212 via a signal monitoring device 220. This device monitors the signal being passed in the communication link 212, but does not interrupt or otherwise alter the signal content. In one embodiment, the signal monitoring device 220 is a small coil, placed around the communication link 212 to detect current flowing through the communication link 212. This allows the scrip dispensing device computer 232 to monitor the signal, but does not allow the scrip dispensing device computer 232 to alter the signal.

Second, the interface module 218 may be coupled to any of the communication links 212 via a signal interrupting and/or substitution device 222. This device, which operates under the control of the local computer 232 and/or the interface module 218, breaks the communication link 212 between its associated existing I/O device 202 and the microprocessor 206, and provides the signal on the communications link 212 to the local computer 232. This allows the local computer 232 to modify the signal before providing it to its ultimate destination, or to substitute an entirely new signal. Of course, the local computer 232 can also provide the original signal to the existing I/O device 202 as well.

For example, suppose an important announcement must be made in the casino. Typically, the microprocessor 206 in each of the gaming device 104 is providing an audio signal to the audio device 210E, for purposes of game play. Taken together, the audio output of a number of gaming devices 104 can be loud enough to prevent the announcement from being heard. Instead of increasing the volume of the public address system to overcome the din of all of the gaming machines, the present invention allows the audio signal normally provided from the microprocessor 206 to the audio device (game play audio) to be interrupted and/or diverted to the local computer 232. This allows the silencing the audio device 210. Further, using a suitable signal from the intranet computer 108 to the local computer 232 of selected gaming devices, this technique can be used to silence the audio signal at any particular gaming device 104, a bank of gaming devices 102, or all of the gaming devices in the gaming system 100.

The local computer 232 may provide a substitute signal to the audio device 210E instead of the game play audio. This substitute signal can be a processed *.wav file or other computer file containing audio information. The substitute signal can be stored in the scrip dispensing device computer 232 memory 238, or obtained from the intranet server 108 via intranet connectivity 278. In one embodiment of the present invention, the audio signal is interrupted and routed to the scrip dispensing device computer, where it is reduced in intensity, and mixed with audio data (such as a verbal announcement) from the intranet server 108. In this way, game play audio can continue, but at an abated level, so that the announcement may be heard. This feature can also be used to provide other aural information to the user. For example, if a particular bank 102 of gaming devices 104 has entered a bonus play situation, this fact can be announced with the audio device 210E or the display 210C. The foregoing ability to monitor and/or interrupt the signals from the existing I/O devices 202 to the microprocessor 206 (as indicated by the circled "M" and "I" indicators in FIG. 2) also allows the operation of the scrip dispensing unit 228 with the coin payout device 210H. The interface module 218 monitors the cash-out signal on the cash-out communications link 212D, and provides the monitored signal to the scrip dispensing device computer 232. When the user decides to cash-out, the cash-out selector 210D is selected, and a signal is sent to the microprocessor 206. Ordinarily, the microprocessor 206 would activate the coin payout device 210H with the coin payout enable signal to activate the coin payout device 210, and provide a coin payout quantity signal to indicate the number of coins to be dispensed (typically, the cash-out balance). The coin payout device 210 would then dispense the required number of coins. The present invention interrupts the coin payout enable communications link 214H to prevent coins from being dispersed, computes the value or number of scrip and the number of coin to be dispensed, and provides a substitute payout quantity signal to the coin payout device 210H.

The ability to monitor or interrupt the signals from the existing I/O devices 202 to the microprocessor 206 also allows the capabilities of the gaming device 104 to be greatly expanded or altered. Signals from the coin accept device 210A can be monitored to keep track of how many coins have been entered into the gaming machine 104. This number can be reported directly to the intranet computer 108, or accumulated in the local computer memory 238, and reported to the intranet computer 108 when requested, or when the number of accumulated coins is above or below a particular amount. Information from the coin accept device 210B or the cash accept device 210A can be used to determine whether the machine is frequently used, indicating that it is either a popular machine type, or placed in a popular location. Statistics correlating the machine type with the location can be used to determine the best location gaming devices 104. Statistics can also be used to determine which gaming devices have faulty coin/cash accept or coin/cash payout devices.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the I/O bus communication path 270 between the I/O bus 204 and the microprocessor 206 and the serial communications path 272 to the central computer 208 can be monitored or interrupted. This embodiment permits the function of the special purpose microprocessor to be monitored, altered, or bypassed entirely. Also, the scrip dispensing device computer 232 could interface directly with the microprocessor 206, or the functions performed by the scrip dispensing device computer 232 could be performed by the microprocessor 206 itself. Further, the scrip-dispensing device 226 can be housed in the gaming device 104, or may be physically separated from the gaming device 104, so long as the communication provided by the gaming device I/O bus 224 is provided.

Many current gaming machines operate by exchanging currency for a number of credits in a payout account. The player may then choose to have winnings credited to the payout account, and losses debited from that account. This reduces unnecessary coin flow through the gaming machine.

The present invention can be practiced in several embodiments. In a first embodiment, when the user elects to cash-out, the user is given a single unit of scrip with a value equal to the entire cash-out value. In this embodiment, the bar code on the next scrip unit in the scrip dispensing unit is scanned and transmitted to the intranet server 108. The intranet server 108 stores the bar code information and associates the stored bar code information with a cash-out value. When the user inserts the dispensed scrip into another machine, the bar code is scanned, and transmitted to the intranet server 108. The cash-out value associated with the bar code is determined, and transmitted to the scrip dispensing device computer 232. The scrip dispen