(12) United States Patent
`Foodman et al.
`
`USOO6547131B1
`(10) Patent No.:
`US 6,547,131 B1
`(45) Date of Patent:
`*Apr. 15, 2003
`
`(54) PRESET AMOUNT ELECTRONIC FUNDS
`TRANSFER SYSTEM FOR GAMING
`MACHINES
`
`(75) Inventors: Marc D. Foodman, Reno, NV (US);
`Dwight E. Crevelt, Las Vegas, NV
`S. Robert A. Luciano, Reno, NV
`
`(73) Assignee: IGT, Reno, NV (US)
`(*) Notice:
`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).
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`This patent is Subject to a terminal dis-
`claimer.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/450,814
`(22) Filed:
`Nov. 29, 1999
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(63) Continuation-in-part of application No. 09/203,813, filed on
`Dec. 1, 1998, now abandoned, which is a continuation of
`application No. 08/639,762, filed on Apr. 29, 1996, now Pat.
`No. 5,902,983.
`(51) Int. Cl. .................................................. G06K 5/00
`(52) U.S. Cl. ......................... 235/380; 235/375; 902/23;
`463/25
`(58) Field of Search ................................. 235/380,381,
`235/375, 382; 463/16-29; 902/23
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`4,072,930 A 2/1978 Lucero et al. ................ 463/47
`4,283,709 A 8/1981 Lucero et al. ................ 463/25
`
`CA
`DE
`
`8/1987 Downing et al. ............. 377/14
`4,689,757 A
`4,764,666 A 8/1988 Bergeron ..................... 463/25
`4,884.212 A 11/1989 Stutsman .................... 700/237
`List
`tinued
`t
`(List continued on next page.)
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2157872
`3/1994
`WO/96/00427
`1/1996
`5. A * RC
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`“New Australian Gaming Complexes Usher in Era of Cash
`less, Card-Based Wagering,” Card News, p. 3, Jun. 6, 1988.
`Ringer, Richard, “Casino Machines to Accept Debit Cards,”
`American Banker, vol. 145, 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, p.
`44-45, Feb. 8, 1988.
`“Cashless system: The Gaming of Tomorrow,” Gaming &
`Wagering Business, vol. 5, No. 10, Oct. 1984.
`(List continued on next page.)
`Primary Examiner Michael G. Lee
`ASSistant Examiner-Jamara A. Franklin
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Beyer Weaver & Thomas
`LLP
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A gaming machine is disclosed which includes apparatus
`necessary to Send requests to and receive authorizations
`from an EFT system. All such requests for credit are limited
`to a preset amount, So that when a player uses an EFT
`transfer to obtain playing credit, that credit will be limited to
`no more than a specified amount. In practice, the player
`inserts his or her ATM card (debit card), keys in a PIN
`number, requests playing credit, and receives the preset
`amount of credit which can be converted to plays on the
`gaming machine.
`
`29 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`Fansaction
`PROCESSCR
`
`so-Ll
`
`48
`
`conjRollier s
`FRONT END
`its
`
`51-55-12. Dif”
`
`&
`
`Eo
`s
`= -
`S
`
`22
`
`2.
`
`S-Dôus
`DCU-36
`--
`ECU-38
`
`DCU-40
`
`gi
`
`2.
`
`EVERI EX. 1013; Page 1
`Everi v. Sightline IPR2022-00707
`
`

`

`US 6,547,131 B1
`Page 2
`
`
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`5,016,880 A 5/1991 Berge .......................... 463/27
`5,038,022 A 8/1991 Lucero ........................ 463/25
`5,113,990 A 5/1992 Gabrius et al. ...
`... 194/206
`5,179.517 A
`1/1993 Sarbin et al. ................. 463/25
`5,222,583 A 6/1993 Bergmann et al. .......... 194/206
`5,265,874 A 11/1993 Dickinson et al. ............ 463/25
`5,277.424. A
`1/1994 Wilms ......................... 463/12
`5,290,033 A 3/1994 Bittner et al. ................. 463/25
`5,321,241 A 6/1994 Craine ......................... 463/25
`5,326,104 A 7/1994 Pease et al. .................. 463/18
`5,371,345 A 12/1994 LeStrange et al. .......... 235/380
`5,457,306 A 10/1995 Lucero ....................... 235/380
`5,470,079 A 11/1995 LeStrange .................... 463/25
`5,557,086 A 9/1996 Schultz ......
`... 235/380
`5,559,312 A 9/1996 Lucero ........................ 463/25
`5,663,547 A 9/1997 Ziarno ....
`... 235/380
`5,902,983 A * 5/1999 Crevelt et al. .
`... 235/380
`5,919,091 A * 7/1999 Bell et al...................... 463/25
`5,959.277 A * 9/1999 Lucero .........
`... 235/380
`6,030,288 A
`2/2000 Davis et al. .................. 463/29
`6,053,813 A
`4/2000 Mathis ........................ 463/26
`6,340,331 B1 * 1/2002 Saunders et al. .
`... 235/380
`6,347,738 B1 * 2/2002 Crevelt et al. .............. 235/375
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Arco Shifts to Pumping "plastic gas', p. 101, Sacramento
`Bee, May 2, 1986.
`Murphy, Marvin, “Debit Cards could give Arco edge in West
`Coast Marketing.” The Oil Daily, pp. 24-26, Mar. 20, 1986.
`“Singapore Goes Cashless,” Computer Age(R) EDP Weekly,
`vol. 27, No. 12, Mar. 24, 1986.
`Mahoney, Robert W., “Expanding ATM Networks Draw
`Consumers' Interest,” Computer World, Nov. 26, 1984, 2
`pageS.
`"Electronic Banking: Emphasis on Education,” Supermarket
`News, pp. 46, 48+1, May 7, 1984, 2 pages.
`* ATMs Come to LIRR Platforms,” Journal: NEWD, 1988.
`Heide, Daniel, “Florida's Point-of-Sale Network Sets
`Pace,” South Florida Business Journal, vol. 5, No. 34, p. 21,
`Apr. 29, 1985.
`“Players Club International Signs contract with Cashchek
`International Inc., PR Newswire, p. 25, Dec. 12, 1985.
`“Camden County Installs Customer-Operated Charge-A-
`Bail System,” May 13, 1987, 2 pages.
`“Why Majors have the Cutting Edge in Proprietary Debit
`Cards,” National Petroleum News, vol. 80, N. 12, Nov.
`1988, 9 pages.
`Godwin, Lisa, “Legislation Takes Cash Out of Casinos,” Las
`Vegas Sun, Apr. 2, 1985.
`
`Pasquet, Trinda, “Gamers Hope Cashless Slots will be
`Winner,” Nevada State Journal, 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”, HFD, p. 14, Jul. 11, 1988.
`Janice F. Cerveny, “Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) Sys
`tems”, pp. 505-507.
`Kirkman, Patrick, “Point-of-Sale Transactions”, Electronic
`Funds Transfer Systems, The Revolution in Cashless Bank
`ing and Payment Methods, pp. 69 and 70 and 149-170,
`Published 1987.
`“Casinos Offered New Money Transfer System,” Loose
`Change, Apr. 1985.
`Beauchamp, Marc, “Spreading his Bets,” Forbes, vol. 142,
`No. 11, Nov. 14, 1988.
`Hevener, Phil, “Gaming Gambit,” Las Vegas Sun, Jun. 13,
`1985.
`“Plastic Losses,” Newsweek, Sep. 23, 1991.
`Waddell, Lynn, “Credit Card Gambling Likely Coins could
`become Obsolete,” Las Vegas Sun, Oct. 1990.
`Dye, Tom, “Cashless Casinos Considered.” Las Vegas
`Review Journal, Jun. 3, 1990.
`Health, Sally, “Tabaret still waiting for main chance,” Mel
`bourne Press, Mar. 19/20, 1990.
`“New one-armed bandits will accept credit cards,” San
`Francisco Examiner.
`“Cashless Casinos,” Forbes, Apr. 29, 1985, p. 10.
`Paul Schreiber, “Hell 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, SyS
`tem literature, prior to 1996.
`Crevelt, Dwight E. and Crevelt, Louise G., “Slot Machine
`Mania,” Golehon, Grand Rapids, MI, 1987.
`“Local Firm Touting Automated Telebetting System', Busi
`ness First of Greater Columbus, Dec. 2, 1985, p. 9.
`“For Sporting Punters, Life Can Be A Tabaret 24 Hours a
`Day”, Unknown Publication, Unknown.
`“Tabaret: A Ticket To Fun”, The Sun, Mar. 8, 1990, p. 29.
`Craig Dixon, “Pokie Row, Tabaret Games Illegal, says Lib',
`Believed to be printed by the Sun, Unknown Publication
`Date, 2 pages.
`* cited by examiner
`
`EVERI EX. 1013; Page 2
`Everi v. Sightline IPR2022-00707
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 15, 2003
`
`Sheet 1 of 5
`
`US 6,547,131 B1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`EFT
`
`SYSTEM
`
`F/ G |
`
`
`
`12
`
`14
`
`18
`
`16
`
`CARD
`AREADER
`
`DISALAY
`
`KEY PAD
`
`GAMING
`MACHINE
`INTERFACE
`
`GAME
`
`CONTROLLER
`
`PLAYER
`GAME
`CONTROLS
`
`D IS PLAY
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`EVERI EX. 1013; Page 3
`Everi v. Sightline IPR2022-00707
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 15, 2003
`
`Sheet 2 of 5
`
`US 6,547,131 B1
`
`EfT use
`HOST
`
`2O R
`
`MODEM
`
`58
`
`TRANSACTION
`PROCESSOR
`
`54
`
`5O
`
`-1
`
`a1 48
`El
`
`SURVEILLANCE
`
`SECURITY
`
`FRONT END LE
`CONTROLLER BEL
`
`42
`
`PCU
`
`
`
`FIG 2
`
`EVERI EX. 1013; Page 4
`Everi v. Sightline IPR2022-00707
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 15, 2003
`
`Sheet 3 of 5
`
`US 6,547,131 B1
`
`
`
`F1 G 3
`
`TRANSACTION
`PROCESSOR
`
`EVERI EX. 1013; Page 5
`Everi v. Sightline IPR2022-00707
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 15, 2003
`
`Sheet 4 of 5
`
`US 6,547,131 B1
`
`F/G.4
`
`(STAR) -100
`
`PLAYER INSERTS CARD IN READER
`DE VICE
`
`1O2
`
`PLAYER ENTERS PIN
`( OPTIONAL)
`
`IO4
`
`TRANSACTION SENT TO CASINO SYSTEM
`
`/O6
`
`TRANSACTION SENT TO EFT SYSTEM
`
`JO8
`
`TRANSACTION SENT TO CARD ISSUING
`SYSTEM
`
`I/O
`
`TRANSFER AUTHORIZATION SENT TO
`EFT SYSTEM
`
`112
`
`TRANSFER AUTHORIZATIONSENT TO -
`CASINO SYSTEM
`TRANSFER AUTHORIZATION SENT TO L
`READER DEVICE
`
`CREDITS TRANSFERED TO GAMING -
`MACHINE
`
`PLAYER REMOVESCARD TO L-2
`COMPLETE TRANSFER
`
`PLAYER PLAYS MACHINE
`
`122
`
`GDONE)-24
`
`EVERI EX. 1013; Page 6
`Everi v. Sightline IPR2022-00707
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 15, 2003
`
`Sheet 5 of 5
`
`US 6,547,131 B1
`
`F/G 5
`
`(STARD 13 O
`
`PLAYER DONE PLAYING MACHINE
`
`132
`
`PLAYER INSERTS CARD IN READER
`DEVICE
`
`134
`
`PLAYERENTERS PIN -36
`( OPTIONAL )
`
`CREDITS TRANSFERED FROM GAAMING
`MACHINE TO CASINO SYSTEM
`
`138
`
`TRANSACTION SENT TO EFT SYSTEM
`
`142
`
`TRANSACTION SENT TO CARD ISSUING
`SYSTEM
`
`144
`
`TRANSFER AUTHORIZATION SENT TO
`EFT SYSTEM
`
`TRANSFER AUTHORIZATION SENT TO
`CASINO SYSTEM
`
`146
`
`148
`
`TRANSFERAUTHORIZATION SENT TO
`READER DEVICE
`
`15O
`
`PLAYER REMOVES CARD TO
`COMPLETE TRANSFER
`
`152
`
`GoonD-54
`
`EVERI EX. 1013; Page 7
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`

`

`US 6,547,131 B1
`
`1
`PRESET AMOUNT ELECTRONIC FUNDS
`TRANSFER SYSTEM FOR GAMING
`MACHINES
`
`RELATED APPLICATION
`This application is a continuation-in-part application
`based upon U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/203,813,
`filed Dec. 1, 1998, and entitled PRESET AMOUNT ELEC
`TRONIC FUNDS TRANSFER SYSTEM FOR GAMING
`MACHINES, now abandoned which is a continuation appli
`cation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/639,762, filed
`Apr. 29, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,902,983, and entitled the
`SC.
`
`15
`
`2
`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
`proposed by Crevelt in “Slot Machine Mania' pp. 225-226,
`Golehon Books, Grand Rapids, MI (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
`
`35
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention relates to methods and apparatus
`for controlling monetary transactions on gaming machines.
`More particularly, the invention relates to Systems employ
`ing 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
`25
`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
`45
`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
`
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`EVERI EX. 1013; Page 8
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`3
`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.
`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
`for various point of Sale EFT applications and may, in
`accordance with this invention, be integrated into the gam
`ing machine housing.
`40
`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
`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)
`50
`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.
`
`25
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`US 6,547,131 B1
`
`15
`
`4
`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
`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 playing 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
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`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 multi-line 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
`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, Nev. 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
`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
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`(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
`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 gaining machine.
`In another embodiment, the preset amount or limit for a
`gaming machine may be set or Specified by an institution
`other than a remote funds repository. Such institutions
`controlling the gaming machine in this manner, for instance,
`may include a gaming machine operator, a jurisdictional
`regulatory agency, a gaming machine manufacturer or a
`combination thereof. Agaming machine operator is intended
`to mean any operator of gaming machines that has Such
`equipment in its facilities, including but not limited to: 1) a
`casino; 2) a route operator of the type typically found in the
`State of Nevada, or other entity that places gaming machines
`in a facility of another party Such as bars, grocery Stores,
`convenience Stores, etc., and maintains and operates Such
`equipment for a share of the revenues produces therefrom,
`or through Some other formula for payment; 3) Government
`operated gaming machine halls located at racetracks or other
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`venues; or 4) any other entity that has control over the
`operation of gaming machines. By way of example, a
`regulatory agency may specify a predetermined tier of preset
`limits of player credit for a gaming machine based upon a
`player meeting Specified credit criteria. Subsequently, the
`gaming machine manufacturer may set these predetermined
`tiers of preset limits prior to Shipment of the gaming
`machine or during installation at the gaming establishment.
`Alternatively, the gaming establishment may set or reset
`these predetermined tiers of preset limits should the regu
`latory agency change their criteria.
`In general, the gaming machine 4 may accept any card
`issued by any