United States Patent (19)
`Pease et al.
`
`USOO5326104A
`Patent Number:
`11
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`5,326,104
`Jul. 5, 1994
`
`54 SECURE AUTOMATED ELECTRONIC
`CASNO GAMING SYSTEM
`75 Inventors: Logan L. Pease, Reno; Eugene T.
`Bond, Las Vegas; Dwight E. Crevelt,
`YEY,F, Holmes, Jr., Las
`73) Assignee: IGT, Reno, Nev.
`
`(56)
`
`4,856,787 8/1989 Itkis ..................................... 273/269
`36: 9. I R
`wVW
`Shishta ,
`5,042,809 8/1991 Richardson .................... 273/85 CP
`5,159,549 10/1992 Hallman, Jr. et al. ......... 273/138A
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2148135 5/1984 United Kingdom ................ 273/269
`Primary Examiner-Jessica J. Harrison
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Sixbey, Friedman, Leedom &
`(21) Appl. No.: 831,250
`Ferguson
`(22
`Filed:
`Feb. 7, 1992
`ABSTRACT
`57
`51
`Int. Cl. ................................................ A63F 9/22
`52 U.S. C. ........................... 273/1A,is: An automated casino gaming system includes a central
`(58) Field of Search
`273/138 A 269 237
`game controller to which a number of automated writer
`273785 CF, DiG 28: 364/42. 902723
`stations are connected. In the keno playing embodiment
`9
`s aww.
`s
`disclosed, the automated writer stations each have a
`References Cited
`keypad with two colored LEDs mounted under each
`key. To play a game, patrons first insert a card into the
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`automated writer station to identify their account main
`3,786,234 1/1974 Trent et al. .
`tained on the central game controller. The patron then
`3,810,627 5/1974 Levy.
`enters a wager on the automated writer station. As the
`3,906,447 9/1975 Crafton .
`patron picks the desired numbers, LEDs of one color
`3,909,002 9/1975 Levy.
`associated with the keys for the numbers will light. The
`4,033,588 7/1977 Watts.
`patron presses a PLAY key to transmit an electronic
`4,108,364 8/1978 Tanaka et al. .
`4,206,920 6/1980 Weatherford et al. .
`"ticket" to the central game controller. When the per
`4,254,404 3/1981 White .............................. 273/138 A
`iod for entering wagers has ended, the central game
`4,275,456 6/1981 Tanaka et al. .
`controller requests a random draw from a separate,
`4,283,709 8/1981 Lucero et al. .
`secure random number generator. The central game
`4,322,612 3/1982 Lange.
`controller credits the accounts of winning players ac
`4,323,770 4/1982 Dieulot et al. .
`cording to a preconfigured pay table before transmit
`4,335,809 6/1982 Wain .
`4,467,424 8/1984 Hedges et al. .
`ting the results to the automated writer stations, where
`4,494,197 1/1985 Troy et al. .
`the draw is displayed on the keypad one number at a
`4,517,558 5/1985 Davids .
`time using a second color of LED. The system can be
`4,527,798 7/1985 Siekierski et al. .
`configured with a cutoff level, with wins above the
`4,531,187 7/1985 Uhland ........................... 273/.38A
`cutoff level being flagged for handpayment or for the
`4,575,622 3/1986 Pellegrini.
`automatic generation of tax forms. Cashier workstations
`4,636,951 1/1987 Harlick .
`connected to the central game controller implement a
`4,669,730 6/1987 Small .
`4,689,742 8/1987 Troy et al. .
`total cash management system which tracks all transac
`4,700,296 10/1987 Palmer, Jr. et al. .
`tions and determines the amount of cash that should be
`4,727,544 2/1988 Brunner et al. .
`at each cashier station.
`4,775,937 10/1988 Bell .
`4,782,468 11/1988 Jones et al. .
`4,815,741 3/1989 Small .
`
`
`
`49 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets
`
`EVERI EX. 1011; Page 1
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`U.S. Patent
`
`July 5, 1994
`
`Sheet 1 of 6
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`5,326,104
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`U.S. Patent
`
`July 5, 1994
`
`Sheet 2 of 6
`
`5,326,104
`
`
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`
`EVERI EX. 1011; Page 3
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`U.S. Patent
`
`July 5, 1994
`
`Sheet 3 of 6
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`5,326,104
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`U.S. Patent
`
`July 5, 1994
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`Sheet 4 of 6
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`5,326,104
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`EVERI EX. 1011; Page 5
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`U.S. Patent
`
`July 5, 1994
`
`Sheet 5 of 6
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`5,326,104
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`U.S. Patent
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`July 5, 1994
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`Sheet 6 of 6
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`5,326,104
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`EVERI EX. 1011; Page 7
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`EVERI EX. 1011; Page 7
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`

`1.
`
`SECURE AUTOMATED ELECTRONIC CASINO
`GAMING SYSTEM
`
`15
`
`5,326,104
`2
`nel costs, the typical net profit for keno games is only a
`few cents for each dollar wagered.
`Efforts have been made in the past to automate such
`keno games. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,786,234 to Trent et al. and
`4,033,588 to Watts show systems for expediting and
`automating customer transactions in a centrally-drawn
`keno game. U.S. Pat. No. 4,467,424 to Hedges et al.
`shows a remote gaming system with terminals which
`can be used to play keno and several other games after
`account ID data is entered. In one disclosed embodi
`ment, a matrix of transparent conductors is mounted
`over a screen and the player touches the matrix at indi
`cated points to place bets. The area touched is
`"blinked' to acknowledge an input. U.S. Pat. No.
`4,875,164 to Monfort shows a processing system for a
`gambling game which stores game data on a card.
`A number of systems have been developed which
`automate portions of other games of chance. U.S. Pat.
`No. 4,527,798 to Siekierski et al. shows a gaming system
`incorporating a random number generator which takes
`wagers on game outcomes and pays off winners. U.S.
`Pat. No. 4,322,612 to Lange shows a system for taking
`horse race wagers in which manually-completed tickets
`are scanned at a terminal. The wager data from the
`tickets is transmitted to a central processing unit which
`keeps track of bets and maintains a user credit balance.
`Other gaming systems in which a central computer
`services a number of terminals are shown in U.S. Pat.
`Nos. 3,810,627 and 3,909,002 to Levy, 4,283,709 to
`Lucero et al., 4,206,920 to Weatherford et al., 4,815,741
`to Small, 4,775,937 to Bell, 4,636,951 to Harlick,
`4,880,237 to Kishishita, 4,669,730, and 4,335,809 to
`Wain.
`Systems have been developed which permit arcade
`games to be played on account. U.S. Pat. No. 4,575,622
`to Pellegrini shows an electronic access control system
`for coin-operated games in which magnetic account
`cards are used to identify an account maintained on a
`central computer. The computer activates arcade games
`and deducts money from the appropriate account to pay
`for the game. Punched cards have been used for other
`purposes such as to activate hotel room door locks, as
`illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 3,906,447 to Crafton.
`Finally, certain techniques have been developed in an
`attempt to make gaming systems fail-safe or tamper
`proof, although none of the prior art systems has been
`entirely satisfactory in this regard. Such systems are
`illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,782,468 to Jones et al.,
`4,108,364 to Tanaka et al., 4,275,456 to Tanaka et al.,
`and 4,727,544 to Brunner et al.
`Prior systems have not achieved acceptance in the
`casino industry in large part because they do not offer
`adequate security and tracking functions. In addition,
`previous designs have incorporated expensive individ
`ual terminals. Because a large number of individual
`gaming terminals are needed in a full-scale casino opera
`tion, high per-terminal costs quickly multiply the total
`system installation and maintenance costs, so that the
`systems cannot be cost-justified. Thus, none of the pre
`vious systems have been satisfactory for use in a casino
`environment where reliability, simplicity of operation,
`and high levels of game security are required. There
`fore, there is a need for a secure, reliable, low cost
`gaming system that conducts a series of exciting, fast
`paced matching games, will meet regulatory require
`ments, and which also provides complete accounting
`and tracking information relative to the game.
`
`MICROFICHEAPPENDIX
`The specification of this patent includes a microfiche
`appendix in the form of one microfiche having 31
`frames. The microfiche includes Appendix A and Ap
`pendix B.
`10
`
`5
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention is a secure, centrally-con
`trolled casino gaming system of the type having multi
`ple betting stations. The exemplary embodiment dis
`closed is particularly directed to a keno-type casino
`game.
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`Many state governments sponsor lotteries in which
`20
`players choose a set of numbers and purchase a ticket
`containing these numbers. A daily or weekly drawing is
`then conducted using a mechanical device which ran
`domly dispenses numbered balls, and players win
`money depending on the quantity of balls matching
`25
`their ticket numbers. The tickets are purchased for a
`standard cash price at sales locations which may in
`some cases be connected to a central computer, and
`payments to winners are made in cash at these outlets or
`at a lottery office. Such lotteries are sometimes auto
`30
`mated, using equipment such as that shown in U.S. Pat.
`Nos. 4,494,197 and 4,689,742 to Troy et al. and
`4,323,770 to Dieulot et al. Such a lottery system will not
`perform satisfactorily in a casino, since profits will de
`35
`pend on the number of drawings that can be conducted
`in a given accounting period and the time required to
`print tickets, collect wagers, and make manual pay
`ments limits the speed at which games can be con
`ducted. To maximize profits, drawings should be con
`tinual and the personnel needed for accepting wagers,
`paying out winnings, and securing the area should be
`minimized. In addition, slow-paced, fixed-wager draw
`ings are less satisfying to players, who generally prefer
`faster-paced, more exciting games and who may wish to
`45
`bet larger amounts in anticipation of a larger payoff.
`Therefore, in certain regions, keno parlors have been
`provided where such drawings are conducted at fre
`quent intervals, such as every 5-10 minutes. Keno is a
`social game, rather than an individualized game of
`50
`chance such as a slot machine. In keno parlors, players
`pick a desired group of numbers. Then, 15-20 numbers
`out of 80 possible are randomly selected, one at a time,
`in a central location in the parlor as players watch. All
`55
`players compare their "picks' to the same set of chosen
`numbers. While freestanding automated keno games
`which draw numbers for a single player have been
`developed, these games do not provide the desired so
`cial aspects and group excitement of keno since players
`at individual machines are not affected by the same
`60
`drawing.
`Manual keno games are very popular, but are costly
`to operate since a large number of personnel are needed
`to accept bets before each draw, conduct the draw, and
`make payoffs after a draw. In a typical gaming jurisdic
`65
`tion, regulators will permit casinos to set odds for keno
`such that the casino's gross profit is about 28 cents of
`each dollar wagered. However, because of high person
`
`EVERI EX. 1011; Page 8
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`10
`
`30
`
`35
`
`3
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`Therefore, it is a general object of the present inven
`tion to provide an improved automated gaming system.
`A further general object of the present invention is to
`provide an improved keno-type gaming system for use
`in a casino.
`Another broad object of the present invention is to
`provide an electronic casino gaming system of low cost
`such that the cost can be justified by increased gaming
`revenues and reduced personnel requirements.
`Yet another broad object of the present invention is
`to provide an electronic gaming system where critical
`files in a central computer are set up to indicate unau
`thorized tampering and where the critical files are
`15
`checked for such unauthorized tampering at frequent
`intervals during gaming system operation.
`It is another general object of the present invention to
`provide a complete automatic gaming system which
`performs automatically all necessary operational, ac
`20
`counting, and reporting functions associated with the
`game.
`A more specific object of the present invention is to
`provide an automated gaming system which produces
`gaming results which cannot be manipulated without
`25
`detection.
`Another object of the present invention is to provide
`a terminal for an automated gaming system which per
`mits entry of wagers and subsequently displays results
`of a game play.
`It is also an object of the present invention to provide
`a terminal for an automated gaming system which uses
`a combined keypad and display board to receive a pa
`tron's picks in a game of chance, to display the picks,
`and to display the results of the game of chance.
`A further object of the present invention is to provide
`a terminal for an automated gaming system which uses
`a combined keypad and display board to receive a pa
`tron's picks in a game of chance and display game re
`sults, wherein the display board has a number of visu
`ally distinct states which are used selectively to indicate
`picks, game results, and coincidence between picks and
`game results.
`Another object of the present invention is to provide
`an integrated secure casino gaming system including a
`45
`central game controller which conducts a game of
`chance, maintains player accounts, and processes wa
`gers electronically.
`A further object of the present invention is to provide
`an integrated secure casino gaming system with a cen
`SO
`tral game controller that controls operation of a game of
`chance and maintains player accounts, and a number of
`automated writing stations at which patrons may place
`wagers on the outcome of the game of chance.
`Another object of the present invention is to provide
`55
`an integrated secure casino gaming system with a cen
`tral game controller that controls operation of a game of
`chance and maintains player accounts, and a number of
`automated writing stations at which patrons may place
`wagers on the outcome of the game of chance, such that
`the automated writing stations permit patrons to edit
`their wagers locally prior to indicating that the wager
`should be entered, whereupon the wager is transmitted
`to the game controller and becomes irrevocable.
`Yet another object of the present invention is to pro
`65
`vide an integrated secure casino gaming system with a
`central game controller that controls operation of a
`game of chance and maintains player accounts, and a
`
`5,326, 104
`4.
`number of automated writing stations at which patrons
`may place wagers on the outcome of the game of
`chance, such that the automated writing stations permit
`patrons to edit their wagers locally prior to indicating
`that the wager should be entered, whereupon the wager
`is transmitted to the game controller and becomes irrev
`ocable, and where the information on any desired
`wager entered through a writing station can later be
`reviewed at a game management terminal in case of a
`dispute.
`Another object of the present invention is to provide
`an integrated secure casino gaming system with a cen
`tral game controller that controls operation of a game of
`chance and increases and decreases the balances of
`player accounts depending on the results of wagers, and
`a number of automated writing stations at which pa
`trons may place wagers on the outcome of the game of
`chance, such that the automated writing stations permit
`patrons to edit their wagers locally prior to indicating
`that the wager should be entered, whereupon the wager
`is transmitted to the game controller, such that the game
`is completed and operations on player account balances
`are finished prior to any display of results.
`Another object of the present invention is to provide
`an integrated secure casino gaming system with a game
`controller that controls operation of a game of chance
`and increases and decreases the balances of player ac
`counts depending on the results of wagers, which can
`be configured with a cutoff level, with payoffs below
`the cutoff level being credited to the account and with
`additional procedures performed for payoffs above the
`cutoff level to facilitate compliance with tax regula
`tions.
`A further object of the present invention is to provide
`an integrated secure casino gaming system with a cen
`tral game controller that controls operation of a game of
`chance and maintains player accounts, which associates
`with critical files control words depending on the data
`contents of the critical files, and which checks the criti
`cal files at intervals to ensure that the control words are
`appropriate given the contents of the files, thus prevent
`ing unauthorized tampering with the critical files.
`Another object of the present invention is to provide
`an integrated secure casino gaming system with a cen
`tral game controller that controls operation of a game of
`chance and maintains player accounts, wherein modi
`fied checksums are associated with critical files and the
`validity of the checksums for such files is checked at
`intervals during system operation.
`A further object of the present invention is to provide
`an integrated secure casino gaming system with a cen
`tral game controller that controls operation of a game of
`chance and maintains player accounts using a double
`entry bookkeeping system.
`Yet another object of the present invention is to pro
`vide an integrated secure casino gaming system with a
`central game controller that controls operation of a
`game of chance and maintains player accounts, wherein
`a double entry bookkeeping system is used to maintain
`player accounts such that the total of a group of ac
`counts in the system is maintained at a constant value,
`with the group of accounts being totalled at intervals
`during operation of the system to detect any tampering
`with account data.
`A further object of the present invention is to provide
`an integrated secure casino gaming system with a cen
`tral game controller that controls operation of a game of
`chance and maintains at least two classes of player ac
`
`60
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`5
`
`5,326,104
`6
`5
`allow creation of accounts, adding money to accounts,
`counts, including promotional accounts and regular
`and withdrawing money from accounts. The worksta
`accounts.
`tions implement a total cash management system which
`It is also an object of the present invention to provide
`an integrated secure casino gaming system with a cen
`tracks all transactions and determines the amount of
`tral game controller that controls operation of a game of
`cash that should be at each cashier station.
`The system is designed to provide a high level of
`chance and maintains at least two classes of player ac
`security. System components accessible to the public
`counts, one having a predetermined starting value and
`are incapable of affecting the game results. Worksta
`one having a variable starting value determined by the
`tions require passwords and authorization to perform
`patron at the time the account is opened.
`each function. Key system databases are provided with
`Another object of the present invention is to provide
`10
`a modified checksum which is checked against the data
`an integrated secure casino gaming system with a cen
`base prior to each game drawing to verify that data
`tral game controller that controls operation of a game of
`bases have not been surreptitiously altered. The system
`chance and maintains at least two classes of player ac
`uses a double-entry bookkeeping system, and account
`counts, with different amounts of information about the
`groups are summed prior to each game drawing to
`player being maintained in the different classes of ac
`15
`ensure that all accounts are in balance. All system trans
`contS.
`actions and wagers are logged to parallel redundant
`Another important object of the present invention is
`disk drives and to a hardcopy log printer. The system
`to provide an integrated secure casino gaming system
`provides full report generation features, organizing
`with a central game controller that controls operation
`information about transactions and system incidents in a
`of a game of chance and maintains player accounts,
`including a cash management system for creating ac
`concise manner to enhance management control.
`counts and for changing the value of accounts in re
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`sponse to cash transaction data entered into a terminal
`FIG. 1 is a block-schematic diagram of the game
`associated with said central game controller means by
`system of the present invention;
`an employee assigned to said terminal, said transaction
`25
`FIG. 2 is a top view of an automated writer station of
`data indicative of cash received or paid out of a cash
`the present invention;
`storage means associated with said terminal, wherein
`FIG. 3 is a block-schematic diagram of the automated
`said central game controller means is provided with the
`writer station of FIG. 2;
`initial value of cash in the cash storage means and there
`FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the assembly of the
`after maintains, based on said transaction data, a calcu
`30
`combination keypad and display of the automated
`lated expected amount of cash remaining in said cash
`writer station of the present invention;
`storage means, with said expected amount of cash being
`selectively displayable by system operating personnel.
`FIG. 5 is a perspective assembly drawing showing an
`embodiment of the present invention in which an auto
`These objects and others are achieved in one embodi
`mated writer station is constructed integrally with a
`ment of the invention by providing an automated casino
`35
`gaming system including a central game controller to
`chair; and
`FIG. 6 is a software flowchart showing the main
`which a number of automated writer stations are con
`program operating sequence of the game controller of
`nected. In the keno playing embodiment disclosed, the
`the present invention.
`automated writer stations each have an 85-key keypad
`with two colored LEDs mounted under each key. To
`40
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`participate in a keno game which is held open for a
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`defined period, patrons first insert a card into the auto
`The present invention is a centrally-controlled casino
`mated writer station to identify their account main
`gaming system of the type having multiple betting sta
`tained on the central game controller, which may be a
`tions. While the inventive aspects of this system will be
`regular account or a promotional account. The patron
`45
`disclosed in the context of a keno-type game, the con
`may then enter a wager on the automated writer station.
`cepts disclosed can be readily applied to any casino
`As the patron picks the desired numbers, LEDs of one
`gaming system.
`color associated with the keys for the numbers will
`Referring first to FIG. 1, the gaming system of the
`light. The patron may edit the proposed wager until
`present invention is shown generally at 2. The system 2
`satisfied, at which time the patron will press a PLAY
`50
`has two major parts: public stations 4 and game manage
`key. This key irrevocably transmits information com
`ment section 6. The public stations 4 are publicly visible
`prising an electronic "ticket' to the central game con
`and accessible to gaming patrons and comprise a plural
`troller. The wager is entered only if the ticket informa
`ity of Automated Writer Stations 8 (AWSs). The game
`tion is successfully transmitted to the central game con
`management section 6 provides the administrative man
`troller. When the period for entering wagers has ended,
`55
`agement capacity required to make the game secure,
`the central game controller requests a random draw
`accountable, and reliable. The functions of game man
`from a separate, secure random number generator. The
`agement section 6 include employee, cash, and activity
`random number generator provides the random draw to
`tracking as well as actual game operation functions.
`the central game controller, and the central game con
`Game management section 6 is constructed around a
`troller credits the accounts of winning players accord
`60
`Game Controller 10 (GC) which is a computer having
`ing to a preconfigured pay table before transmitting the
`one or more processors, input and output ports, ROM
`results to the automated writer stations, where the draw
`and RAM memories, and having associated with it,
`is displayed on the keypad one number at a time using a
`although not shown in FIG. 1, other typical computer
`second color of LED. The system can also be config
`peripheral devices such as a keyboard, pointing device,
`ured with a cutoff level, with wins above the cutoff
`65
`display screens, mass storage, etc. The game manage
`level being flagged for handpayment or for the auto
`ment section 6 further comprises a Random Number
`matic generation of W2-G forms as desired. Cashier
`Generator (RNG) 12, a printer 14, a security monitor
`workstations connected to the central game controller
`
`EVERI EX. 1011; Page 10
`Everi v. Sightline IPR2022-00696
`
`

`

`5
`
`O
`
`15
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`5,326, 104
`8
`7
`identifications (ace of hearts, two of hearts, etc.), roman
`station 11, one or more workstations 16 connected by
`or other numerals, types of animals, kanji characters,
`token ring network 17, a card encoder 19, and at least
`cities of the world, or any other desired designation.
`two hard disks 18, all of which are connected to GC 10.
`What is important is that the identification scheme se
`The AWSs 8 are connected to the GC 10 using fiber
`lected provide a unique identification for each key, and
`optic network 20.
`thus each "ball' which might be drawn.
`The AWSs 8 will be described in detail with refer
`The AWS 8 includes one or more internal circuit
`ence first to FIG. 2. A single AWS 8 is shown in FIG.
`2, although there will normally be a large number of
`boards (not shown) which hold functional components
`and which, together with the other elements of AWS 8,
`AWSs 8 in a system 2. The AWSs 8 may be identical,
`form an operating circuit of AWS 8. FIG. 3 shows the
`although it will often be desirable to provide more than
`one model of AWS 8 attached to a single system 2. For
`AWS 8 circuit in block form. This circuit includes a
`processor 34, which may be a single integrated process
`example, the present invention could employ AWS 8
`ing device or may be constructed using multiple inte
`models which are floor standing models, table- or bar
`grated devices. Processor 34 will include a micro
`top models, chair-attached models, single user models,
`processor, RAM, ROM, timers, and input and output
`multiple user models, models with different color cas
`ports. The ROM associated with processor 34 will hold
`ings which may have different betting amounts associ
`a program which implements the operations and func
`ated herewith, and many other possible variations on
`tional features described herein, and which will be de
`the basic AWS 8.
`scribed later in more detail with reference to Appendix
`As shown in FIG. 2, a preferred AWS 8 is con
`A, contained in the microfiche appendix to the specifi
`structed in a secure housing 22. Installed in housing 22
`20
`cation. Connected to appropriate ports associated with
`are keypad 24, display board 23 associated with keypad
`the processor 34 are card reader 25, display 31, display
`24, card reader 25 having card slot 26, attendant call
`button 28, status display 31 comprising account balance
`32, call attendant button 28, display board 23 and the
`display 30, bet display 33, game display 35 and payoff
`associated keypad 24, buzzer 29, and fiber optic connec
`display 37. AWS 8 also includes a separate message
`tor 36. Fiber optic connector 36 is an interface between
`25
`processor 34 and the fiber optic network 20 which con
`display 32. The call attendant button 28, when pressed
`by the gaming patron, will transmit a signal to game
`nects AWS 8 to game controller 10. Each AWS 8 has a
`unique address on fiber optic network 20, so that the
`controller 10 which will provide an audio and/or visual
`game controller 10 can provide message and other in
`signal to casino personnel indicating that assistance is
`required and identifying the AWS 8 where assistance is
`formation to individual AWSs 8 as required. Buzzer 29
`is a sound-producing device which provides desired
`required. The call attendant button 28 may be provided
`audio feedback to the patron operating the AWS 8.
`with an indicator light (not shown) which will be acti
`Among other uses, the buzzer 29 may be used to indi
`vated by AWS 8 when the call attendant button 28 is
`pressed.
`cate error conditions, indicate inappropriate keypresses
`The keypad 24 is a membrane-type keypad with an
`on keypad 24, indicate that a prize has been won, or to
`35
`provide audio feedback upon processing of either all
`array of keys labeled 1-80, keys labeled ERASE, BET
`keypresses or designated keypresses on keypad 24. In
`ONE, BET MAX, PLAY, and REPLAY. Keypad 24
`particular, the buzzer 29 may beep when the PLAY key
`may also include an appropriate keypad interface de
`is pressed to enter a wager into the system 2 in a manner
`vice which scans the rows and columns of the keypad
`which will be explained later in more detail.
`24 to determine when a key has been pressed. This
`function may also be performed by the processor 34.
`The card slot 26 of card reader 25 accepts a card (not
`Such keypads are manufactured to order by many com
`shown) coded to identify an account maintained in the
`panies according to well-known principles to meet the
`files of game controller 10, which is associated with a
`particular sizing, arrangement, and labeling require
`particular individual and has an account balance. The
`ments of the design. Mechanical switch keypads or
`card reader 25 disclosed herein is a means for entering
`45
`capacitive touch pads having no moving parts could
`an account code number. Various types of card readers
`25 can be provided which will perform this function,
`also be used.
`The preferred labelling and arrangement of the key
`and the selection of the card reader 25 will depend on
`the type of card desired. Punched (Hollerith) plastic
`pad 24 is shown in detail in FIG. 2. However, FIG. 2
`cards are preferred for their durability, although other
`has not been rendered in actual size. It will generally be
`50
`types of cards such as magnetically coded cards or
`desirable to construct the keypad 24 such that each
`numbered key can be pressed by the majority of human
`field-responsive cards can also be used. The cards used
`fingers without accidentally pressing an adjacent key.
`will be encoded by card encoder 19 which is controlled
`in response to a program running on a workstation 16.
`Thus, the actual keypad used should be larger than the
`keypad shown in FIG. 2. It is also important that the
`In another embodiment, firmware is provided in the
`keypad 24 be designed in conjunction with the display
`AWS 8 which allows a patron to enter his or her ac
`board 23 so that the keys of keypad 24 will align in
`count number, and a personal identification number
`(password) if desired, into the AWS 8 using the keypad
`proper registration with the associated indicators of
`24, thus providing a means for entering the account
`display board 23. Additional keys in keypad 24 may be
`number which does not require carrying a physical
`provided for selecting other desired functions. Also,
`60
`instrumentality such as a card. However, while this
`while the preferred embo