United States Patent (19)
`Crevelt et al.
`
`USOO5902983A
`Patent Number:
`11
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`5,902,983
`*May 11, 1999
`
`54 PRESET AMOUNT ELECTRONIC FUNDS
`TRANSFER SYSTEM FOR GAMING
`MACHINES
`
`75 Inventors: Dwight E. Crevelt, Las Vegas; Robert
`A. Luciano, Reno, both of Nev.
`73 Assignee: International Game Technology, Reno,
`Nev.
`This patent issued on a continued pros-
`ecution application filed under 37 CFR
`1.53(d), and is Subject to the twenty year
`patent term provisions of 35 U.S.C.
`154(a)(2).
`
`c:
`(*) Notice:
`
`5,663,547 9/1997 Ziarno ..................................... 235/380
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`0360613 3/1990 European Pat. Off..
`534 718A2 3/1993 European Pat. Off..
`91/O9369 6/1991 WIPO.
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`“New Australian Gaming Complexes Usher in Era of Cash
`less Card-Based Watering”, Card News, p. 3, Jun. 6, 1988.
`Ringer, R., “Casino Machines to Accept Debit Cards”,
`American Banker, vol. 148, p. 3, May 1983.
`Dodwell, David, “Hong Kong Lends a Hand to Insatiable
`Gamblers”, Financial Times, Friday, Apr. 8, 1988.
`“Diebold Inc., Banking on an Industry’s Needs for Security,
`Automation', Barron's/Investment News & Views, pp.
`45-46, Feb. 8, 1988.
`21 Appl. No.: 08/639,762
`SS News”, Washington, D.C., vol. 3, No. 11, Jun. 6,
`22 Filed
`Apr. 29, 1996
`“Cashless system: The Gaming of Tomorrow', Gaming &
`(51) Int. Cl. ................................................. G06K 5/00
`Wagering Business, Vol. 5, No. 10, Financial World, Jul.
`52 U.S. Cl. .......................... 235/380: 235/381; 235/375;
`902/23: 364/412; 273/138 A 25-Aug. 7, 1984.
`58 Field of Search ..................................... 235,380,381,
`"Arco Shifts to Pumping plastic gas", p. 101, Sacramento
`235/382, 375, 902/23, 27; 273/138 A, 143 R.
`Bee, May 2, 1986.
`439. 364/412
`Murphy, Marvin, “Debit Cards could give Arco edge in West
`s
`Coast Marketing” Journal, The Oil Dailey, Mar. 20, 1986.
`“Singapore Goes Cashless”, EDP Weekly, Mar. 24, 1986.
`References Cited
`(List continued on next page.)
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`Primary Examiner Michael G. Lee
`4.322,612 3/1982 Lange ...................................... 235/419
`4,335,809
`6/1982 Wain .
`273/138 A Attorney, Agent, or Firm Beyer & Weaver, LLP
`4,339,798 7/1982 Hedges et al.
`... 273/138 A
`4,467,424 8/1984 Hedges et al.
`... 273/138 A
`57
`ABSTRACT
`4.575,622 3/1986 Pellegrini ................................ 235/382
`4,594,663 6/1986 Nagata et al.
`... 235/380 X A gaming machine includes apparatus necessary to Send
`4,636.951
`1/1987 Harlick .............
`... 273/138 A requests to and receive authorizations from an EFT System.
`4,639,889
`1/1987 Matsumoto et al.
`... 235/379 X All Such requests for credit are limited to a preset amount,
`4,648,600 3/1987 Olliges ..............
`... 273/138 A So that when a player uses an EFT transfer to obtain playing
`4,652,998 3/1987 Koza et al.
`... 273/138 A credit, that credit will be limited to no more than a specified
`5,038,022 8/1991 Lucero .................................... 235/380
`amount. In practice, the player inserts his or her ATM card
`5.2. 13.
`et al. tal.". 3.2. s
`(debit card), keys in a PIN number, requests playing credit,
`5,457,306 10/1995 Lucero ..................................
`52
`and
`cy th p
`amount of st which can be
`5,470,079 11/1995 LeStrange et al.
`7ss A converted to plays on the gaming macnine.
`5,557,086 9/1996 Schulze et al. ....................... 902/23 X
`5,559,312 9/1996 Lucero .................................. 902/23 X
`28 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`
`56)
`
`2- . --
`
`eStrange et al.
`
`48
`
`FRONFEN
`CONRGER
`
`
`
`EVERI EX. 1023; Page 1
`Everi v. Sightline IPR2022-00614
`
`

`

`5,902,983
`Page 2
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Robert W. Mahoney, “Expanding ATM Networks Draw
`Consumers' Interest', Computer World, Nev. 26, 1984.
`"Electronic Banking: Emphasis on Education', Supermarket
`News, pp. 46. 48+1, May 7, 1984.
`* ATMs Come to LIRR Platforms”, Journal: NEWD, 1988.
`* Month missing.
`“Florida's Point-of-Sale Networks Sets Pace', vol. 5, No.
`34, p. 21, South Florida Business Journal, 1985. * Month
`missing.
`“Players Club International Signs contract with Cashchek
`International Inc.', Journal PR Newswire, p. 25, Dec. 12,
`1985.
`“Camden
`County
`Installs
`Customer-Operated
`Charge-A-Bill System”, May 13, 1987.
`“Why Majors have the Cutting Edge in Proprietary Debit
`Cards”,Journal: National Petroleum News, vol. 80, N. 12, p.
`34, Nov. 1988.
`Godwin, Lisa, “Legislation Takes Cash Out of Casinos”, Las
`Vegas, Nevada, Apr. 2, 1985.
`Pasquet, Trinda, “Gamers Hope Cashless Slots will be
`Winner', Nevada State JOurnal, Nevada, Oct. 11, 1985.
`Mills, Ruth, “Slots that Take Credit Cards Latest Gambling
`Device”, Sparks Tribune, Jul. 10, 1985.
`Brumback, Nancy, “Foreign Retailers Experiment with
`Electronic Techniques”, Retailing, p. 14, Jul. 11, 1988.
`Janice F. Cerveny, “Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) Sys
`tems”, pp. 505-506. Month and year missing.
`Kirkman, Patrick, “The Electronic Funds Transfer Systems”,
`Point-of Sale Transactions, pp. 149–170, 1987. *Month
`missing.
`
`“Casinos Offered New Money Transfer System”, Loose
`Change, Apr. 1985.
`Beauchamp, Marc, “Spreading his Bets”, Forbes, vol. 142,
`No. 11, ov. 14, 1988.
`Hevener, Phil, “Gaming Gambit, Las Vegas, Nevada, Jun.
`13, 1985.
`“Plastic Losses”, Newsweek, Sep. 23, 1991. * Author miss
`ing.
`Waddell, Lynn, “Credit Card Gambling Likely Coins could
`become Obsolete', Las Vegas, Nevada, 1990. Month miss
`ing.
`Dye, Tom, “Cashless Casinos Considered”, Las Vegas
`Review Journal, Jun. 3, 1990.
`Heath, Sally, “Tabaret still waiting for main chance', Mel
`bourne Press, Mar. 12/20, 1990.
`“New one-armed bandits will accept credit cards”, San
`Francisco Examiner. Month, year, author missing.
`“Cashless Casinos”, Forbes, Apr. 29, 1985. Author miss
`ing.
`Paul Schreiber, “He’ll Lay You 8–5 Cashless Bets Catch
`On”, Newsday, Dec. 24, 1990.
`Glover, Kara, “Southland Coinless Slot Machines Company
`Bets on S5 Million IPO', Los Angeles Business, Mar. 1,
`1993.
`"Request'internal cash network for Caesars Casinos, System
`literature, prior to 1996. Month missing.
`Crevelt, Dwight E. and Crevelt, Louise G., “Slot Machine
`Mania', Golehon, Grand Rapids, MI, 1987. Month miss
`Ing.
`
`EVERI EX. 1023; Page 2
`Everi v. Sightline IPR2022-00614
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 11, 1999
`
`Sheet 1 of 5
`
`5,902,983
`
`F/ G /
`
`12
`
`14
`CARD
`READER
`
`18
`
`16
`
`DISPLAY
`
`KEY PAD
`
`GAMING
`MACHINE
`INTERFACE
`
`
`
`GAME
`
`CONTROLLER
`
`PLAYER
`GAME
`CONTROLS
`
`D IS PLAY
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`EVERI EX. 1023; Page 3
`Everi v. Sightline IPR2022-00614
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 11, 1999
`
`Sheet 2 of 5
`
`5,902,983
`
`E.FT
`HOST
`
`56
`
`2O R
`
`MODEM
`
`58
`
`TRANSACTION
`PROCESSOR
`
`54
`
`E5-
`
`SURVEILLANCE
`
`El
`
`SECURITY
`
`44
`
`6
`
`--
`
`FRONT END
`CONTROLLER BEL
`42 - Picu
`
`28
`
`3O
`
`32
`
`EL-1.-1.--DU"
`DCU-36
`DCU-38
`DCU-40
`
`
`
`= |= |=
`
`22
`
`24
`
`26
`
`FIG 2
`
`EVERI EX. 1023; Page 4
`Everi v. Sightline IPR2022-00614
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 11, 1999
`
`Sheet 3 of 5
`
`5,902,983
`
`
`
`FIG 3
`
`TRANSACTION
`PROCESSOR
`
`EVERI EX. 1023; Page 5
`Everi v. Sightline IPR2022-00614
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`F/G4
`
`May 11, 1999
`Sheet 4 of 5
`(STARD IOO
`
`5,902,983
`
`PLAYER INSERTS CARD IN READER
`DE VICE
`
`1O2
`
`PLAYER ENTERS PIN
`( OPTIONAL)
`
`IO4
`
`TRANSACTION SENT TO CASINO SYSTEM
`
`/O6
`
`TRANSACTIONSENT TO EFT SYSTEM
`
`IO8
`
`TRANSACTION SENT TO CARD ISSUING
`SYSTEM
`
`I/O
`
`TRANSFER AUTHORIZATION SENT TO
`EFT SYSTEM
`
`TRANSFER AUTHORIZATION SENT TO
`CASINO SYSTEM
`
`TRANSFER AUTHORIZATION SENT TO
`READER DEVICE
`
`112
`
`11
`4.
`
`II
`6
`
`CREDITS TRANSFERED TO GAMING
`MACHINE
`
`118
`
`PLAYER REMOVES CARD TO
`COMPLETE TRANSFER
`
`PLAYER PLAY'S MACHINE
`
`122
`
`GoonE)-24
`
`EVERI EX. 1023; Page 6
`Everi v. Sightline IPR2022-00614
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`FIG 5
`
`May 11, 1999
`
`Sheet 5 of 5
`
`5,902,983
`
`(STARD-30
`
`132
`
`PLAYER INSERTSCARD IN READER --
`DEVICE
`
`PLAYERENTERS, PlN -36
`( OPTIONAL )
`
`CREDITS TRANSFERED FROM GAMING
`MACHINE TO CASINO SYSTEM
`
`138
`
`TRANSACTION SENT TO EFT SYSTEM
`
`142
`
`TRANSACTION SENTIOCARD ISSUING -
`SYSTEM
`
`TRANSFER AUTHORIZATION SENT TO --
`EFT SYSTEM
`
`TRANSFER AUTHORIZATIONSENT TO -
`CASINO SYSTEM
`
`TRANSFER AUTHORIZATIONSENT TO -
`READER DEVICE
`
`PLAYER REMOVES CARD TO
`COMPLETE TRANSFER
`
`152
`
`EVERI EX. 1023; Page 7
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`

`

`1
`PRESET AMOUNT ELECTRONIC FUNDS
`TRANSFER SYSTEM FOR GAMING
`MACHINES
`
`5,902,983
`
`2
`proposed by Crevelt in “Slot Machine Mania' pp. 225-226,
`Golehon Books, Grand Rapids, Mich. (1988, 1989). The
`same general systems were later described in U.S. Pat. No.
`5,038,022 issued to Lucero. Such references propose sys
`tems in which a player Simply inserts his or her credit or
`debit card into a card reader on a gaming machine, enters his
`or her personal identification number (“PIN”) on a
`keyboard, and then requests a desired amount of funds to be
`transferred from his or her remote financial institution to the
`local gaming machine. The requested funds transfer would
`then be approved by the institution, transferred to the
`gaming machine, and converted to credit to play that
`machine.
`AS contemplated by Lucero, this System would result in
`higher revenues for casinos, as gaming machine players
`would be able to remain at a given machine for an extended
`period of time without visiting a cashier or ATM machine.
`While this may be true, it unfortunately means that a small
`minority of susceptible individuals will tend to financially
`over extend themselves. Allowing Such individuals to have
`direct and easy access to their entire bank accounts could,
`under certain circumstances, be financially ruinous. Thus,
`the System proposed by Lucero likely will be unpalatable to
`at least Some legislatures which regulate gaming.
`Thus, there exists a need for an EFT system that allows
`cashleSS transfers of funds to gaming machines and yet
`protects against rash decisions by Some players to divert
`large amounts of their Savings to gaming.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention fills this need by providing a
`gaming machine with apparatus necessary to Send “limited'
`fund requests to and receive authorizations from an EFT
`System. Specifically, all Such requests for funds are limited
`to a preset amount. Thus, if a player uses an EFT transfer to
`obtain playing credit, that credit will be limited to the preset
`amount. For example, if a player is playing a quarter Slot
`machine, the preset credit may be twenty dollars, while if the
`player is playing a dollar slot machine, the preset credit may
`be one hundred dollars. In practice, the player will insert his
`or her ATM card (debit card), key in a PIN number, request
`playing credit, and receive the preset amount of Such credit.
`The player will not be given the opportunity to Select an
`amount of playing credit other than the preset amount. Thus,
`the player is unlikely to financially over extend himself or
`herself when playing a gaming machine of this invention
`because there is a conscious decision made each time more
`funds are required to continue game play once a player has
`used up previously credited amounts.
`In one aspect, the present invention provides a gaming
`machine which allows a player to transfer funds from a
`remote funds repository (e.g., a bank) via an electronic funds
`transfer System and convert the transferred funds into playS
`on the gaming machine. The gaming machine may be
`characterized as including the following features: (1) a game
`controller for controlling the play of a game; (2) a gaming
`machine interface for connecting the game controller to the
`electronic funds transfer System; and (3) a player interface
`connected to the gaming machine interface. The player
`interface is capable of Verifying the player's identity and
`identifying an account held by the player at the remote funds
`repository. The gaming machine interface is capable of at
`least (i) transmitting Signals requesting playing credit not
`exceeding a preset amount to the remote funds repository,
`and (ii) receiving signals authorizing playing credit in the
`preset amount for the gaming machine from the remote
`funds repository
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention relates to methods and apparatus
`for controlling monetary transactions on gaming machines.
`More particularly, the invention relates toystems employing
`electronic funds transfer Systems directly coupled to gaming
`machines for the purpose of obtaining playing credit.
`Gaming machines are becoming increasingly Sophisti
`cated. Many slot machines, for example, now employ CRT
`Video display Screens in place of more traditional
`mechanically-driven reel displayS. Further, poker and other
`games of chance are now commonly provided on video/
`electronic machines.
`Currency handling apparatuses on gaming machines also
`are becoming more Sophisticated. Where once only coin
`handling mechanisms were present on gaming machines,
`high denomination bill acceptors, capable of accepting
`S50.00 and S100.00 dollar bills, now find wide use. Such bill
`acceptors include advanced optical, magnetic, and electronic
`detectors used in conjunction with complex Signal proceSS
`ing Systems to identify counterfeit currency and prevent
`tampering.
`Gaming establishments Such as casinos have themselves
`adopted high technology Solutions. For example, Some casi
`noS have connected their gaming machines to a local area
`network to monitor machine activity. In addition, Some
`casinos now issue magnetic player identification cards
`which players use to obtain awards for frequent playing. A
`player holding Such card inserts it in a card reader provided
`on a gaming machine before he or she begins play. Account
`ing Software on the local area network then detects the card
`insertion, notes the player identity and follows the machine
`activity. In this manner, the casino tracks the gaming habits
`of various players.
`Some casinos have even connected multiple local area
`networks to wide area networks Spanning multiple casinos.
`Such wide area networks allow groups of slot machines at
`various casinos to be connected to one another for various
`purposes including use in “progressive' games. Progressive
`games allow jackpots from multiple machines in multiple
`locations to grow as one large jackpot (e.g., a million dollar
`jackpot for quarter (25 cent) slot machines).
`Further, Automatic Teller Machines ("ATMs”) are now
`frequently found in casinos. Thus, casino patrons can acceSS
`funds from their accounts at remote financial institutions
`(e.g., banks). Presumably, casinos install Such ATMs So that
`the playerS will have a large Supply of cash available to them
`to play casino gaming machines.
`In the same vein, various groups have proposed "cash
`less' gaming machines. For example, in the 1980s, Kenil
`worth Systems Corporation of Plainview, N.Y. marketed a
`cashleSS System for gaming machines. This System
`employed a proprietary encoded card that could be inserted
`into a card reader on a gaming machine. The machine would
`then identify an amount of available funds recorded on the
`card and convert at least Some of those funds to credit for
`playing the gaming machine. After the player had exhausted
`the transferred credit, he or she could pay a cashier to encode
`the card with additional credit for further plays.
`More recently, it has been proposed to provide casino
`gaming machines with the electronics for Electronic Funds
`Transfer (“EFT") processing. Such systems were initially
`
`15
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`25
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`

`3
`The game controller preferably includes a processor and
`asSociated electronics for controlling the plays of a gaming
`device, interacting with player inputs, and providing results
`of a play. Thus, the game controller for a slot machine might
`control display of Simulated rotating slot reels in response to
`the player initiating a play. The game controller also pro
`vides electronic Signals indicating whether the player has
`won or lost, and if the player won, the payout size. The game
`controller operates in a similar fashion for a Video poker or
`keno machine, as well as for other types of electronic
`gaming devices.
`In preferred embodiments, the gaming machine interface
`includes functionality allowing it to request an electronic
`deposit of a payout from the gaming machine to the remote
`funds repository. Thus, Such gaming machines can conduct
`electronic funds transfers in two directions: (1) depositing
`winnings from the gaming machine, and (2) withdrawing
`funds for use as gaming machine playing credit.
`Preferably, the player interface includes a card reader for
`reading encoded information from a credit card or a debit
`card, a keypad for allowing the player to key in information
`(e.g., a personal identification number), and a display for
`displaying information pertaining to, at least, playing credit
`for the gaming machine. These items are widely available
`25
`for various point of Sale EFT applications and may, in
`accordance with this invention, be integrated into the gam
`ing machine housing.
`In another aspect, the present invention provides a method
`of using a gaming machine to obtain playing credit via an
`electronic funds transfer System. The method may be char
`acterized as including the following Steps: (1) at the gaming
`machine, determining that a player has requested playing
`credit from a remote funds repository; and (2) from the
`gaming machine, transmitting a request for playing credit in
`35
`a preset amount over the electronic funds transfer System to
`the remote funds repository. Preferably, the transfer is com
`pleted by (3) receiving authorization (via the EFT system)
`from the remote funds repository for transferring the preset
`amount of playing credit to the gaming machine; and (4)
`crediting the player with the preset amount of funds to play
`the game.
`Preferably, in the Step of determining that a player has
`requested playing credit, the gaming machine determines
`that the player has initiated the request by inserting a credit
`card or a debit card into a card reader affixed to the gaming
`machine. Then, the machine automatically generates a
`request for the preset playing credit and transmits that
`request over a local area network located in an establishment
`where the gaming machine resides. The request is next sent
`to the EFT system which determines whether the remote
`funds repository has allowed the transaction. If So, the
`Subsequent authorization from the remote funds repository is
`then received at the local area network in the establishment
`and forwarded to the gaming machine.
`If a player wins, the gaming machine may be used to
`transfer a payout to the player's account at the remote funds
`repository. The method by which the gaming machine
`accomplishes this may be characterized by the following
`Steps: (1) determining that a player has requested that the
`payout be transferred to the player's account at the remote
`funds repository; (2) transmitting a request via the electronic
`funds transfer System to deposit the payout to the player's
`remote funds repository; and (3) if the gaming machine
`receives a transfer authorization from the remote funds
`repository, completing the transfer. Should the gaming
`machine fail to receive a transfer authorization from the
`
`4
`remote funds repository (possibly because the particular
`EFT System involved is not set up to accept deposits), the
`gaming machine will make the payout in cash or credit
`directly to the player.
`In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a
`gaming machine which, like the machine described above,
`allows a player to obtain playing credit from a remote funds
`repository via an electronic funds transfer System. In this
`aspect, however, the machine first converts the transferred
`funds to tangible indicia of playing credit. Examples of Such
`tangible indicia include a coupon for playing credit and a
`casino issued encoded card. While gaming machines issuing
`Such tangible indicia are Similar to the machines described
`above, they should have a player interface capable of (a)
`issuing the tangible indicia of playing credit, and (b) con
`Verting the tangible indicia of playing credit to actual
`playing credit on the gaming machine. Thus, the gaming
`machine may include a coupon issuing mechanism or a card
`encoder for encoding playing credit on a card issued by an
`establishment which controls the gaming machine (e.g., a
`casino). Preferably, the player interface also includes a card
`reader for reading encoded information from a credit card or
`a debit card. The player uses Such credit or debit card as
`described above, but when the playing credit is transmitted
`to the gaming machine, it must first be converted to one of
`the tangible indicia described above.
`These and other features of the present invention will be
`presented in more detail in the following detailed description
`of the invention and the associated figures.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a gaming machine
`configured with an EFT interface in accordance with one
`embodiment of this invention.
`FIG. 2 is a Schematic diagram of a casino local area
`network allowing electronic funds transferS between a
`remote institution and casino gaming machines in accor
`dance with the present invention.
`FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram detailing EFT-specific
`components of the FIG. 2 local area network.
`FIG. 4 is a process flow diagram illustrating the Steps
`employed in obtaining laying credit for a gaming machine
`from a remote financial institution in accordance with this
`invention.
`FIG. 5 is a process flow diagram illustrating the Steps
`employed in depositing playing credit from a gaming
`machine to a remote financial institution in accordance with
`this invention.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a gaming machine 4 designed
`in accordance with this invention. Gaming machine 4
`includes an internal game controller 6 which controls the
`operation of a gaming device Such as a traditional slot game,
`a progressive slot game, a Video poker game, a keno game,
`a blackjack game, a lottery game, a multiline game (with 8
`or 15 pay lines), etc. In this regard, the game controller 6
`recognizes player inputs and provides players with options
`at appropriate junctures in a game. It also controls the
`outcome of that game (applying the necessary random
`components). Controller 6 also controls a game display 8
`which provides a graphical display (or mechanical display
`Such as Spinning reels) observed by a player while playing
`the game. The game controller typically includes a processor
`
`5,902,983
`
`5
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`40
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`45
`
`50
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`55
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`60
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`EVERI EX. 1023; Page 9
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`

`S
`and associated memory, firmware, and Software as necessary
`for controlling the game play. Such game controllers are
`now widely used in electronic gaming machines available
`from companies Such as International Game Technology of
`Reno, Nevada and Bally Gaming, Inc. of Las Vegas, Nev.
`Various player inputs to gaming machine 4 are provided
`to game controller 6 through a set of player controls 20.
`These may include, for example, control buttons, Slot
`machine play handles, etc. located on an external Surface of
`gaming machine 4. Such controls allow players to interact
`with the game by, for example, card Selection in Video poker,
`play initiation in Slot games, etc. Other game control inputs
`may include a bill validator or other currency accepting
`apparatus which accepts currency and notifies the game
`controller 6 that credit for one or more game playS has been
`obtained.
`A gaming machine interface 10 (optional) is bidirection
`ally coupled to the game controller 6. Preferably, it com
`municates with the game controller via a defined handshake
`protocol. Interface 10 is also bidirectionally coupled to an
`EFT system 11, preferably through a local area network
`(LAN) and/or a wide area network (WAN). It contains the
`hardware and Software and/or firmware necessary to allow
`processing of information from both game controller 6 and
`25
`EFT system 11. In the context of this invention, gaming
`machine interface 10 is specially programmed to commu
`nicate with Such game controller and EFT System Such that
`it can Send electronic or optical Signals requesting a funds
`transfer from a remote institution, and it can also receive
`Signals authorizing Such transferS to obtain plays on the
`gaming machine. Interface 10 can also receive and proceSS
`information provided by game controller 6 regarding the
`progress of a game including any payouts to gaming
`machine interface 10.
`Other functions of gaming machine interface 10 may
`include providing player tracking information, Security
`information, and accounting information from machine 4 to
`a local area network in a casino or other establishment in
`which machine 4 is located.
`A player interface 12 coupled directly to gaming interface
`10 provides the mechanisms necessary for a player to initiate
`the funds transfers to and from EFT system 11. The player
`interface 12 may include a card reader 14, a display 18,
`and/or a key pad 16. Card reader 14 preferably can read
`encoded information on a debit or credit card. Suitable card
`readers can be obtained from various vendors Such as
`Panasonic Corporation of Japan and Peripheral Dynamics,
`Inc. of Plymouth Meeting, Pa. The key pad 16 may be used
`to key in personal identification numbers (PINs) and any
`other information necessary to initiate and complete elec
`tronic funds transferS. Preferably, though not necessarily, it
`is a DES encryption PIN pad available from such sources as
`International Verifact of Toronto, Canada, Verifone of Red
`wood City, Calif. Preferably, the display 18 is a LED, LCD,
`Vacuum fluorescent, or dot matrix alphanumeric display
`(having, e.g., a sixteen character, fourteen Segment display)
`which displays information relevant to electronic funds
`transferS. Such display information might include, for
`example, a prompt to enter a personal identification number,
`a notice that a credit transfer was authorized, and an amount
`of the authorized transfer. Suitable displays may obtained
`from various vendors Such as Futaba of Japan.
`In an alternative embodiment, no gaming machine inter
`face is used and the above-described functions of the gaming
`machine interface reside with the game controller 6. In this
`embodiment, the player interface 12 communicates directly
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
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`5,902,983
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`5
`
`15
`
`6
`with game controller 6, rather than with the interface 10 (as
`shown in FIG. 1).
`In some embodiments, the debit or credit card may be
`dispensed with and Some other means for verifying a play
`er's identity and account used. Examples of Such means
`include a key, a SMARTCARD, an electronic button, a
`finger print imaging device, a retinal Scan, combinations of
`any of these, combinations a credit or debit card and any of
`the foregoing, etc.
`The gaming interface 10 preferably includes software or
`firmware necessary to control the processing of user inputs
`through player interface 12. In this regard, it is important
`that the Software or firmware automatically limit any EFT
`requests from the player to a preset amount. For example, if
`the gaming machine is a nickel slot machine the preset
`amount may be S20, if the gaming machine is a quarter slot
`machine, the preset amount might be S50, and if the gaming
`machine is a dollar slot machine, the preset amount may be
`S100. In general, the amount of transfer may be fixed by any
`measure Such as the type or denomination of the gaming
`machine.
`This approach should find ready user acceptance as most
`casinos now provide patrons with racks of playing currency
`in preset amounts. For example, if a player wished to play
`a quarter slot machine, he or she would receive S20 in
`quarters from a casino attendant in return for S20 in bills. In
`especially preferred embodiments, the player will not have
`the option of keying in any amount of currency. Rather, the
`gaming machine interface 10 will automatically Send a
`request for transfer of the preset amount of funds to EFT
`System 11 after the player has inserted his or her card in the
`card reader 14 and entered his or her PIN on key pad 16.
`In one alternative embodiment, the casino attendant could
`Set or adjust the preset limit in response to Some condition.
`For example, if the player meets Specified credit criteria, the
`attendant could adjust the preset limit in response to the
`player's request. In Such embodiment, the player Still will
`not have the option of keying in or otherwise adjusting the
`preset amount of credit at the gaming machine.
`In general, the gaming machine 4 may accept any card
`issued by any institution where a player has an established
`account. The remote funds repository referred to herein is
`Such card issuing and is generally any institution, business,
`or organization where the player has established an account.
`This may be a financial institution like a bank. The account
`may or may not be a cash account; it could be based upon
`credit, barter, or any other form of agreed upon value.
`Turning now to FIG. 2, a casino communications network
`20 in accordance with this invention is displayed. The
`System includes a number of Slot machines 22, 24, 26, etc.
`connected to one another by lines 28 and 30 to form a floor
`communications network. Within this network, optional data
`collection units (“DCUs") such as unit 34 connected to
`machine 26 by a line 32 act as communications multiplexers
`for groups of gaming machines on the floor network. The
`DCUS preferably have Some limited processing capabilities
`for the purpose of polling machines, Storing and forwarding
`communications, etc. In one specific embodiment, a Single
`DCU is coupled to thirty-two gaming machines. While the
`floor network physical connections among the individual
`gaming machines and corresponding DCUS may take Vari
`ous forms including wireleSS connections, in preferred
`embodiments, the floor network is provided on fiber optic
`cable.
`In alternate embodiments, the DCUs may be replaced
`with direct connections to the slot machines. The DCUS
`
`EVERI EX. 1023; Page 10
`Everi v. Sightline IPR2022-00614
`
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`7
`Simply provide greater adaptability to changes in the net
`work configuration.
`AS there may be many groups of slot machines in a large
`casino or other establishment, multiple DCUs (such as
`DCUs 36,38, and 40) may be necessary. The DCUs 34, 36,
`38, and 40 are, in turn, connected by the floor communica
`tion network to a “plastic converter unit” (“PCU”) 42 which
`Serves to convert optical signals from the floor communi
`cation network to electrical Signals which can be used by a
`current carrying network (and Vice versa). In a specific
`embodiment, PCU 42 converts from fiber optic connections
`to RS-232 connections.
`Plastic converter 42 is connected to a local area network
`44 which preferably includes a number of computers or
`WorkStations as well as terminals, disk drives with fixed
`and/or removable media, printers and other peripherals
`connected on a token ring network. The computers on LAN
`44 may provide the casino with various functions Such as
`processing jackpots and fills, generating accounting reports
`and Security reports, etc. Other components of the casino
`System may be multiplexers, modems, and phone lines to an
`external EFT system. Of particular note in the context of this
`invention is a WorkStation 46 which acts as a front end
`controller to process Signals from the various slot machines
`on the floor network. It continuously polls the various DCUs
`requesting information pertaining to transactions on the
`floor. The DCUs are, in turn, continuously polling the
`various slot machines. For example, if a debit card has been
`inserted in a gaming machine, that machine will communi
`cate a card insertion event to its DCU in response to the next
`DCU poll. Then when the front end controller 46 polls the
`DCU, the DCU communicates the card insertion event.
`In addition, a WorkStation 48 in charge of Security and a
`WorkStation 50 in charge of Surveillance are connected to
`token ring LAN 44. Each of the workstations on LAN 44,
`including the front end controller 46, may be any of a variety
`of commercially available computer Systems. Such
`machines include, but are not limited to, PC compatibles,
`DEC VAXs, and UNIX machines. In prefe