United States Patent (19)
`Dickinson et al.
`
`54
`
`(75)
`
`73
`
`21
`22
`(51)
`(52)
`(58)
`
`(56)
`
`CASHILESS GAMINGAPPARATUS AND
`METHOD
`Inventors: Peter D. Dickinson, Reno; Charles T.
`Schreiber, Sparks; Logan Pease,
`Reno, all of Nev.
`Assignee: International Game Technology
`(GT), Reno, Nev.
`Appl. No.: 829,097
`Filed:
`Jan. 31, 1992
`Int. C. ................................................ A63F 9/00
`U.S. C. ................................. 273/138 A; 364/412
`Field of Search ................... 273/138 A, 143, 434;
`194/210, 217; 364/412
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`4,339,798 7/1982 Hedges ....................... 273/138 A X
`4,575,622 3/1986 Pellegrini........................ 273/434 X
`4,669,596 6/1987 Capers et al. ....................... 194/210
`4,669,730 6/1987 Small .......
`273/138 A
`4,675,515 6/1987 Lucero ................................ 235/381
`4,689,742 8/1987 Troy et al.
`273/138 A X
`4,85,741 3/1989 Small .............................. 273/138 A
`5,007,641 4/99 Seidman ......................... 273/138 A
`5,038,022 8/1991 Lucero ...
`... 273/.38 A X
`5,080,364 1/1992 Seidman ......................... 273/138 A
`5,096, 95 3/1992 Gimmon .............
`... 273/138 A
`5,135,224 8/1992 Yamamoto et al. ............ 273/143 R
`5,197,094 3/1993 Tillery et al................... 273/434 X
`Primary Examiner-William H. Grieb
`
`||||I|H|||||||
`USO05265874A
`11)
`Patent Number:
`5,265,874
`45) Date of Patent:
`Nov. 30, 1993
`
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Townsend and Townsend
`Khourie and Crew
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A cashless gaming apparatus and method suitable for
`casinos. A player hands over money and an ID card to
`a clerk at a validation terminal. The clerk stores the ID
`number and the amount of money in the memory of the
`validation terminal. Then the clerk returns the ID card
`to the player for operating any one of a number of game
`terminals. The player then selects a game terminal
`which reads the player's ID card, whereupon the cash
`amount from the validation terminal is downloaded to
`the selected game terminal and the game terminal can
`then be played. If the player wishes to play another
`game terminal, the player actuates a cashout switch on
`the current terminal. The player then moves to another
`game terminal and the player's ID card is read into the
`second game terminal, whereupon the money remain
`ing as a cash amount is downloaded to the second game
`terminal. The player can then play the second game
`terminal. When the player wishes to stop play of the
`game terminals completely, the player actuates the
`cashout switch of the last game terminal played. The
`player presents his ID card to the clerk at the validation
`terminal and the validation terminal reads the ID card.
`A ticket showing the card number and the cash amount
`is printed and the player is paid the cash amount on the
`spot. The printed ticket is then used for reconciliation.
`
`17 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
`
`2
`
`coixications LINK 10
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`34 HDISPLAY
`CARD
`CARD READER-36 HCARD READER-36
`CASHOUT SWITCE-38 HCASHOUT SWITCH38 East
`SOFTWARE -37 HSOFTWARE -37 HSOFT
`
`DISPLAY
`PRINTER
`
`23
`24
`-26
`-28
`30
`BLACCEPTOR.32
`33
`35
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`O CARD
`
`JOHN JONES
`
`EVERI EX. 1019; Page 1
`Everi v. Sightline IPR2022-00707
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Noy. 30, 1993
`
`Sheet 1 of 3
`
`5,265,874
`
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`Page 2
`EVERI EX. 1019
`9
`Everi v. Sightline IPR2022-00707
`
`EVERI EX. 1019; Page 2
`Everi v. Sightline IPR2022-00707
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 30, 1993
`
`Sheet 2 of 3
`
`5,265,874
`
`F. G.2
`
`
`
`8
`
`6
`
`ID CARD
`
`JOHN JONES
`
`No. 6 237
`
`|ll
`
`s
`
`CASHOUT
`
`EVERI EX. 1019; Page 3
`Everi v. Sightline IPR2022-00707
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 30, 1993
`
`Sheet 3 of 3
`
`5,265,874
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`PRESENT
`ID CARD TO CLERK
`AT VALIDATION
`TERMINAL
`
`PLAYER PAYS
`CASHTO CLERK
`AT WALDATION
`TERMINAL
`CLERK STORES
`ID AND CASH
`AMOUNT INFO
`IN MEMORY
`
`CLERK RETURNS
`ID CARD
`TO PLAYER
`
`PLAYER SELECTS
`GAME TERMINAL
`TO BE PLAYED
`
`GAME TERMINAL
`READS PLAYER
`ID CARD, CASH
`AMOUNTSDOWN
`LOADED FROM
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`SELECT ANOTHER
`GAME TERMINA
`
`FG, 4.
`
`PLAYERACTUATES
`A CASHOUT SWITCH
`ON CURRENTGAME
`TERMINAL
`
`PLAYERACTUATES
`CASHOUT SWITCH
`OF LAST SELECTED
`MACHINE
`
`PLAYER PRESENTS
`ID CARD TO CLERK
`AT WALDATION
`TERMINAL
`
`CLERK PRINTS
`TICKET FOR
`RECONCLIATION
`
`EVERI EX. 1019; Page 4
`Everi v. Sightline IPR2022-00707
`
`

`

`CASHLESS GAMINGAPPARATUS AND METHOD
`
`This invention relates to improvements in the playing
`of games using coins, chips and other credit items, and,
`more particularly, to game terminals and a method for
`playing game terminals at any one of a number of differ
`ent locations of a gaming establishment without the
`need for such credit items.
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`In gaming establishments, such as casinos or the like,
`a large number of game terminals are placed throughout
`such an establishment. Players of the game terminals
`Select the game terminal which they wish to play and
`either obtain coins or chips from a roving change clerk
`or use the coins or chips or other credit items in their
`possession at the time they select a game to play.
`Typically, a game player obtains additional change
`for playing games from the roving change clerk who
`carries a certain amount of money and makes change on
`the spot near a game terminal operated by a game
`player. In the alternative, the game terminal can have a
`bill acceptor and coin handling means wherein the game
`player can obtain additional change by operating the
`25
`bill acceptor so as to avoid having to call on the change
`clerk to make change for continued play of the game.
`The disadvantage of this game playing technique is
`that, when the game player runs out of change, coins or
`chips, the player may not be able to continue to play the
`game terminal for some time, at least for several minutes
`or more, because the change clerk who makes the
`change is not immediately available. Moreover, a cer
`tain amount of time is required to operate a bill acceptor
`in that the person must take a bill out of his pocket,
`place it in the bill acceptor and then scoop up the
`change from the bill acceptor before depositing the
`change in the game terminal and continuing to play the
`game terminal. This stoppage reduces profits in that it
`reduces the amount of money fed to the game terminal.
`It also increases game terminal costs which must in
`clude a bill acceptor, coin handling means and/or a
`printer. This additional peripheral costs could run as
`high as $1,000 per terminal.
`Because of the foregoing drawbacks, a need exists for
`45
`improvements in apparatus and method for the play of
`a game or games without the need for cash in the form
`of coins, chips and other credit items. The present in
`vention satisfies this need.
`Disclosures relating to this general subject matter
`include the following U.S. Patents:
`
`4,689,742
`4,675,515
`4,669,596
`
`4,669,730
`4,815,741
`4,339,798
`
`4,575,622
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention is directed to a cashless gaming
`apparatus and method which is suitable for gaming
`60
`applications including route operations, gaming devices
`in casinos and video lottery inventions. This invention
`eliminates the need for bill acceptors, coin handling
`equipment and printers at various game terminals of a
`casino or other gaming establishments, thus saving as
`65
`much as $1,000 per game terminal.
`The apparatus and method of the present invention
`operate in such a way that, instead of a player playing
`
`O
`
`15
`
`30
`
`35
`
`SO
`
`55
`
`5,265,874
`2
`with change, coin, chips or other credit items, the
`player hands over a certain amount of money to a clerk
`at a validation terminal. The clerk also takes an ID card
`from the player and stores the number of the ID card
`and the cash amount handed over by the player in the
`memory of the validation terminal. Then the clerk re
`turns the ID card to the player for his use in operating
`any one of a number of game terminals.
`The player then takes the ID card to any game termi
`nal in the casino or gaming establishment. The player's
`ID card is read by the game terminal card reader of a
`selected game terminal, whereupon the cash amount at
`the validation terminal is downloaded and displayed to
`the player on the selected game terminal. Operation of
`that game terminal by the player can then begin. The
`player continues to play the selected game terminal as
`long as desired or as long as a cash amount remains on
`the game terminal.
`If the player wishes to play a different game terminal,
`the player actuates a cashout switch on the game termi
`nal currently being played. The game terminal uploads
`the cash amount balance to the validation terminal. The
`player then moves to a different game terminal. The
`player's ID card is read by the new game terminal,
`whereupon the cash amount balance at the validation
`terminal is downloaded and displayed to the player on
`the new game terminal. The player can then play the
`new game terminal.
`Finally, when the player wishes to stop play of the
`game terminal completely, the player again pushes the
`cashout switch. The game terminal then uploads the
`cash amount balance to the validation terminal. The
`player then takes his ID card to the validation terminal
`and the clerk at the validation terminal reads the card to
`obtain the ID information and the cash amount balance
`therefrom. A ticket showing the ID card number and
`the cash amount is printed on the validation terminal
`printer and the player is paid the cash amount on the
`spot. The printed ticket is then used for reconciliation.
`The primary object of the present invention is to
`provide an improved apparatus and method for playing
`a game without a need for cash in the form of coin,
`chips and other credit items, wherein the apparatus and
`method require only an ID card and a payment of cash
`to a validation clerk at a central location to allow the
`holders of the card to play any one of a number of game
`terminals at any time so long as a positive balance is
`maintained in the cash amount of the player to thereby
`avoid the need for coins, chips, change or other credit
`items which must be fed in series into a game terminal to
`operate the same.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a validation terminal and
`one or more game terminals coupled together to form a
`cashless gaming system for a gaming establishment or
`the like;
`FIG. 2 is a top plan view of one style of ID card used
`by a player of a game terminal of the system;
`FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of a game terminal
`of the slot machine type; and
`FIG. 4 is a flow chart of the operation of the gaming
`system of FIG. 1.
`
`EVERI EX. 1019; Page 5
`Everi v. Sightline IPR2022-00707
`
`

`

`10
`
`15
`
`3
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`DRAWINGS
`The gaming system of the present invention is
`broadly denoted by the numeral 10 and is illustrated in
`block form in FIG.1. The system 10 is made up of three
`major entities, namely, a validation terminal 12, one or
`more game terminals 14, and a player of the gaming
`system 10, such person being identified by an ID card 16
`having certain information on it, such as the bearer's
`name 18, an ID number 20, and an encoded number (bar
`code, optical code or magnetic code) 22, if desired or
`deemed necessary.
`The validation terminal includes a cash drawer 23, a
`keyboard 24, a display 26, a printer 28, a card reader 30
`and a bill acceptor 32. All of these components are
`coupled with the validation terminal 12 and cooperate
`with each other to carry out the steps of a certain algo
`rithm as outlined in the flow chart of FIG. 4 and which
`is inherent in software 33 used for programming of the
`20
`validation terminal.
`Each game terminal 14 includes a display 34, an ID
`card reader 36, a cashout switch 38, software 37 and
`communication links 42 with interconnect validation
`terminal 12 and each of the game terminals 14.
`25
`Each game terminal 14 can be of any suitable con
`struction. For purposes of illustration, a game terminal
`14 is shown in FIG.3 and is of the slot machine type in
`which windows 40 are in the front of a housing 42 and
`the windows permit the viewing of symbols on reels in
`30
`the housing. The game terminal also has a lever 44
`which is manually pulled to actuate the play of the game
`using the game terminal 14. The various game terminals
`14 are at spaced locations in a casino or other gaming
`establishment.
`35
`Each game terminal 14 has a card reader 46 for read
`ing the ID card 16 of a player of the game.
`The system is actuated when the player proceeds to
`the validation terminal which is operated by a clerk.
`The player presents to the clerk at the validation termi
`nal the cash in the amount that the player would like to
`play with, such as $50 or the like. The clerk enters the
`cash amount paid by the player to the clerk. This is
`entered by way of the keyboard 24 into the validation
`terminal. In the alternative method, the player inserts
`45
`one or more bills into the bill acceptor 32. This cash
`amount is stored in the memory 35 of validation termi
`nal, and such amount is available to the player for play
`ing any one or more of a number of gaming terminals 14
`associated with system 10.
`At the validation terminal, the clerk asks the player
`for an ID card 16. The card is read by the card reader
`30 of validation terminal 12. The clerk then returns the
`ID card to the player who retains possession of the card
`at all times thereafter. The validation terminal now
`55
`associates the cash amount entered with the ID card
`number and stores both the cash amount and the ID
`card number in the memory 35 of the validation termi
`nal 12.
`The player than proceeds to any game terminal 14,
`such as game terminal 14a, and the game terminal reads
`the ID card 16 by way of card reader 36. The game
`terminal software 37 stores the ID card number, and
`then transmits it to the validation terminal over the
`communication link 42.
`65
`The validation terminal 12 receives the ID card num
`ber and retrieves the cash amount associated with the
`ID card number from its memory. The cash amount
`
`5,265,874
`4.
`retrieved is then transmitted back to the game terminal
`over the communication links 42 between the validation
`terminal 12 and the selected game terminal 14a. The
`selected game terminal 14a receives the cash amount
`and shows it in display 34 associated with the game
`terminal so that the player will know at all times the
`status of the cash amount. The player can then start the
`play of the game associated with game terminal 14a.
`As the game is progressively played, the cash amount
`can be used up or supplemented by winnings. At all
`times, the cash amount of the player is displayed in the
`corresponding display 34.
`If the player wishes to play a different game terminal
`14 and has a cash amount remaining on the current
`game terminal or if the player wishes to redeem a cash
`balance and leave the casino or establishment having
`the game terminals 14, the player actuates a cashout
`switch 38 on the game terminal currently being played.
`The current game terminal transmits the cash amount
`along with the ID card number stored in the game
`terminal to the validation terminal 12 over the commu
`nications link 42. The validation terminal 12 receives
`the cash amount and the ID card number and stores the
`cash amount associated with the ID card number.
`If the player proceeds to a different game terminal 14,
`the foregoing procedure is followed for the second or
`new game terminal 14. The player continues to play at
`the second or new game terminal until the player wishes
`to cash out or if the player runs out of cash altogether.
`If the player wishes to redeem a cash amount, the
`following step is performed: the player presents the
`validation clerk with his ID card and asks for a cash out.
`The ID card received from the player is read by the
`card reader 30 of the validation terminal 12. The valida
`tion terminal 12 checks its memory 35 for the ID card
`number and any cash amount associated with it. Such
`amount is displayed on the validation terminal display
`26 and printed by printer 28 as a cashout receipt. The
`clerk pays the player the cash amount displayed on the
`cashout receipt and returns the ID card to the player.
`The clerk places the cashout receipt in cash drawer 23
`for reconciliation.
`The present invention includes a cashless gaming
`system with distributed data storage which allows for
`playing of any one of a number of game terminals 14 as
`selected by the player. Instead of allowing the player to
`play with coins, chips or the like, the player hands over
`his money to the validation clerk who inserts the money
`in the form of bills in the bill acceptor 32 and reads the
`ID card 16 of the player in the validation terminal 12.
`The player can then take the ID card 16 to any game
`terminal 14 and the card reader 36 of the selected game
`terminal can identify the cash amount to be downloaded
`into the selected game terminal 14 from the validation
`terminal 12. Play of the game terminal can thus be initi
`ated and maintained so long as the cash amount is a
`positive value.
`The present invention solves most if not all of the,
`problems currently proposed with conventional gaming
`methods. The system of the present invention applies to
`applications ranging from route operations to casinos to
`video lotteries and would eliminate the need to have a
`bill acceptor, coin handling or printer at each game
`terminal, thus saving as much as $1,000 per terminal.
`What is claimed is:
`1. Game playing apparatus comprising:
`a validation terminal having a card reader and a mem
`ory; a plurality of game terminals spaced from the
`
`50
`
`EVERI EX. 1019; Page 6
`Everi v. Sightline IPR2022-00707
`
`

`

`5,265,874
`5
`6
`providing a plurality of game terminals at spaced
`validation terminal; communication means cou
`pling the validation terminal to each game termi
`locations from a validation terminal having a mem
`nal, respectively; a player ID card having identifi
`ory;
`paying cash to a clerk at the validation terminal to
`cation information thereon, said card adapted to be
`provide a cash amount to be used in playing the
`read by the card reader of the validation terminal
`game terminals; storing the ID information of a
`and to be coupled to the memory for placing said
`player and information about the cash amount in
`ID information into memory; means coupled with
`memory;
`the validation terminal for providing cash amount
`electing a game terminal to be played;
`data to the memory corresponding to the ID infor
`downloading the cash amount from the memory of
`mation of the card, said validation terminal
`the validation terminal to the selected game termi
`through said communication means being operable
`nal to enable operation of the game terminal;
`for enabling each of the game terminals when a
`playing the selected game terminal;
`positive cash amount is in the validation terminal as
`notifying the validation terminal of the desire to dis
`cash data associated with a particular ID card of a
`continue further play of any game terminal; and
`15
`player, each game terminal having a card reader
`paying the cash amount stored in memory to the
`for reading the ID information from a player card,
`player who has cashed out.
`said card being operable to allow a player to play
`9. A method as set forth in claim 8, wherein said
`any of the game terminals so long as a positive cash
`cashout step includes printing a receipt containing the
`amount is in the validation terminal, each game
`amount paid to the player with the receipt being used
`20
`terminal having a display showing the current cash
`for reconciliation purposes.
`amount available to the player, each said game
`10. A method as set forth in claim 8, wherein said
`terminal further including a cashout device for
`read-in of player ID cash and payment information to
`allowing the player of a first game terminal to cash
`the clerk includes operating a keyboard.
`out from the first game terminal and to use an ID
`11. A method as set forth in claim 8, wherein said step
`25
`card to enable a second game terminal for play of a
`of entering the player ID information includes reading
`game of the second game terminal, said cashout
`an ID card of the player into a card reader of the valida
`device further permitting the player to receive the
`tion terminal.
`12. A method as set forth in claim 11, wherein said
`cash amount from the validation terminal upon a
`reading step includes reading the information from the
`decision to withdraw from further play of the game
`30
`card as the card is read by the card reader.
`of any of the game terminals.
`13. A method as set forth in claim 8, wherein is in
`2. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means
`cluded the step of determining whether a second termi
`for entering the amount in the memory of the validation
`nal is to be played;
`terminal includes a keyboard.
`actuating a cashout device if it is determined that a
`3. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein is included
`second terminal has been or is to be selected for
`a bill acceptor for receiving cash, and means for direct
`play;
`ing the cash amount from the cash of the validation
`downloading the ID information and the cash
`terminal.
`amount remaining to the second game terminal;
`4. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said vali
`and
`40
`dation terminal has a printer for printing a receipt asso
`playing the second game terminal.
`ciated with the cashout payment of the cash amount of
`14. A method as set forth in claim 13, wherein the
`a player to the player.
`step of actuating a cashout device includes actuating a
`5. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said vali
`switch.
`dation terminal has means for positioning a clerk at the
`15. A method as set forth in claim 8, wherein the
`45
`validation terminal to receive the cash from a prospec
`notifying step includes reading an ID card by the card
`tive player and to enter the player ID and cash informa
`reader of the validation terminal.
`tion in memory.
`16. A method as set forth in claim 8, wherein is in
`6. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said print
`cluded the step of displaying the cash amount to the
`ing means includes a printer for printing a cashout re
`player of a game terminal.
`50
`ceipt.
`17. A method as set forth in claim 16, wherein the
`7. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein is included
`displaying step includes reading an ID card by the card
`means for programming the validation terminal.
`reader of the game terminal.
`8. A method of playing a game comprising:
`
`35
`
`k
`
`k
`
`s
`
`k
`
`O
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`55
`
`65
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`EVERI EX. 1019; Page 7
`Everi v. Sightline IPR2022-00707
`
`