(12) United States Patent
`Acres
`
`USOO66O7441B1
`US 6,607,441 B1
`Aug. 19, 2003
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`AU
`AU
`AU
`AU
`AU
`AU
`AU
`AU
`AU
`AU
`AU
`AU
`AU
`AU
`AU
`AU
`
`A-48323/97
`6/1998
`T25692
`7/1998
`736924
`8/1998
`748263
`11/1998
`744O26
`2/1999
`74.6506
`2/1999
`738686
`3/1999
`749222
`3/1999
`19992.4992 A1
`4/1999
`736679
`5/1999
`736779
`5/1999
`749286
`5/1999
`T48955
`1/2000
`746272
`2/2000
`746764
`2/2000
`748434
`2/2000
`(List continued on next page.)
`Primary Examiner Michael O'Neill
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm Marger
`McCollom, P.C.
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A method for transferring credits between gaming devices
`connected by a network to a host computer comprising. A
`player account accessible by the host computer is created.
`The player can access the account by inserting a card into a
`card reader at one of the gaming devices. A credit is applied
`by the player to the gaming device, typically by inserting
`bills into a bill acceptor. The credit and any awards resulting
`from gaming-device play are stored on a credit meter
`asSociated with the gaming device. Access to the account is
`terminated when the player withdraws the card from the card
`reader. A player initiates a request to redeem the balance
`Stored on the credit meter by depressing a cash-out button.
`The balance on the credit meter is transferred to the player
`account if the cash-out button is pressed before the card is
`withdrawn, and is paid to the player via the gaming machine
`if the button is pressed after the card is withdrawn.
`
`Johnson &
`
`37 Claims, 2 Drawing Sheets
`
`(54) METHOD FORTRANSFERRING CREDIT
`FROM ONE GAMING MACHINE TO
`ANOTHER
`
`(75) Inventor: John F. Acres, Corvallis, OR (US)
`(73) Assignee: Acres Gaming Incorporated,
`Corvallis, OR (US)
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/134,285
`(22) Filed:
`Aug. 14, 1998
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/083,302, filed on Apr. 28,
`1998.
`(51) Int. Cl.................................................... A63F 9/24
`(52) U.S. Cl. ............................................ 463/25; 463/40
`(58) Field of Search ............................... 463/25, 26–27,
`463/29, 39–42, 16-20
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`3,598.964 A 8/1971 Dell et al. ............. 235/61.6 R
`4,072,930 A 2/1978 Lucero et al. ........... 340/152 T
`(List continued on next page.)
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`AU
`AU
`AU
`AU
`AU
`AU
`AU
`
`25946/84
`B-27572/84
`B-53370/86
`B-10488/92
`B-20988/92
`B-71194/91
`A-21618/95
`
`10/1984
`11/1984
`10/1989
`7/1992
`1/1993
`5/1994
`1/1996
`
`
`
`NETWORK
`
`EVERI EX. 1020; Page 1
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`US 6,607,441 B1
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
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`
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`
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`
`
`
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`.
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`GB
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`* cited by examiner
`
`EVERI EX. 1020; Page 2
`Everi v. Sightline IPR2022-00707
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 19, 2003
`
`Sheet 1 of 2
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`US 6,607,441 BI
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`EVERI EX. 1020; Page 3
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`EVERI EX. 1020; Page 3
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`U.S. Patent
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`Aug. 19, 2003
`
`Sheet 2 of 2
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`US 6,607,441 B1
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`
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`NETWORK
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`EVERI EX. 1020; Page 4
`Everi v. Sightline IPR2022-00707
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`

`

`1
`METHOD FORTRANSFERRING CREDIT
`FROM ONE GAMING MACHINE TO
`ANOTHER
`
`This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
`Application No. 60/083,302, filed on Apr. 28, 1998.
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`1. Field of the Invention
`The present invention relates to a method of accounting
`for player's wagers, jackpots, and awards on a network of
`gaming machines, and more particularly to Such a method
`that facilitates transfer of credits from one machine to
`another.
`2. Description of the Related Art
`There are Several prior art Systems implementing cashleSS
`gaming on electronic gaming devices, Such as slot machines,
`that are connected to a host computer via a network. Such
`Systems typically require a player to open a cashleSS-gaming
`account with the casino prior to playing. The player must
`appear before a casino cashier who creates a player record
`on the host computer, receives an initial deposit from the
`player, and enters the deposit as a credit in the player
`account. The cashier also issues a cashleSS-Wagering card to
`the player, who is now ready to begin cashleSS gaming.
`The player Selects a slot machine on the casino floor and
`inserts his or her card into a card reader associated with the
`Slot machine. Each of the other slot machines also include
`asSociated card readers. Most prior art Systems incorporate
`a Security feature, Such as a personal identification number
`(PIN), that must be satisfied before the system permits the
`player to draw on the credit in the account. In these prior art
`Systems, the player enters his or her PIN on a keypad
`asSociated with the slot machine and card reader after
`insertion of the card. When the security feature is satisfied,
`the amount in the player's account appears on the display
`asSociated with the Slot machine. The player may then draw
`on the account by initiating commands at the slot machine
`that transfer credits from the account to the slot machine. AS
`the player transferS money from the account to the Slot
`machine, the credit in the account decreases. If the player
`should be the recipient of a jackpot or other award at the Slot
`machine, the conventional credit meter on the slot machine
`increments to add the jackpot or award to the balance on the
`credit meter.
`When the player concludes playing, the balance is trans
`ferred from the credit meter to the player's cashless
`wagering account responsive to a command initiated by the
`player. The player then withdraws his or her card and leaves
`the balance in the account for placing wagers on one of the
`Slot machines at a future time, which may be a few hours, a
`few days, or longer.
`There are a number of disadvantages associated with prior
`art cashleSS wagering Systems. First, they require casino
`perSonnel to receive payments from players to establish the
`account. Second, the System must generate and Store exten
`Sive accounting records of the withdrawals and deposits for
`each player's account. Because playerS may return after long
`absences to wager the balance in the account, records of all
`transactions relating to the account must be maintained
`indefinitely. Third, because the casino may be holding
`money for long periods, Security measures Such as PINs and
`the like must be implemented. Finally, Some Systems that
`permit use of automated teller machines (ATMs) or credit
`cards to place money on account with the casino require
`transaction fees, Subject the casino to electronic banking
`laws, and open possibilities for fraud.
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`It would be desirable to implement a system that would
`permit players to transfer credits from one machine to
`another without the disadvantages associated with prior art
`cashleSS gaming Systems.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention comprises a method for transferring
`credits between gaming devices connected by a network to
`a host computer. A first command initiated by a player at one
`of the gaming devices provides access to a player account.
`A credit applied by the player to the gaming device and any
`awards resulting from gaming-device play are Stored on a
`credit meter associated with the gaming device. Access to
`the account is terminated responsive to a Second command
`initiated by the player. If the player initiates A request to
`redeem the balance stored on the credit meter before the
`Second command, the balance is transferred to the player
`account. If the request occurs after the Second command, the
`balance on the credit meter is paid to the player via the
`gaming machine.
`It is a general object of the present invention to provide a
`method for transferring credit from one gaming machine to
`another that overcomes disadvantages associated with prior
`art cashleSS gaming Systems.
`It is another object of the present invention to provide
`Such a method that can be implemented by the player at one
`of the gaming machines.
`It is another object of the present invention to provide
`Such a method that reduces casino overhead related to filling
`gaming machine hopperS and dealing with cashleSS wager
`ing accounts.
`It is another object of the present invention to provide
`Such a method that facilitates payment of jackpots that
`exceed the maximum amount payable from the gaming
`machine hopper.
`These and other objects and advantages of the present
`invention will become more fully apparent when considered
`in view of the following detailed description of the invention
`and accompanying drawings wherein:
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is a Schematic diagram of a plurality of electronic
`gaming machines interconnected by a computer network to
`a host computer in accordance with the present invention.
`FIG. 2 is a Schematic diagram of a slot machine and
`asSociated hardware implemented in accordance with the
`present invention.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`Turning now to FIG. 1, indicated generally at 10 is a
`Schematic diagram illustrating electronic gaming machines
`(EGMs), like EGMs 12, 14, interconnected by a computer
`network. In the present embodiment, the EGM comprises a
`Slot machine. Included in the network are three banks,
`indicated generally at 16, 18, 20, of EGMs. Each EGM is
`connected via a network connection, like connection 22, to
`a bank controller 24. In the present embodiment of the
`invention, each bank controller comprises a processor that
`facilitates data communication between the EGMs in its
`asSociated bank and the other components on the network.
`The bank controller also includes a CD ROM drive for
`transmitting digitized Sound effects, Such as music and the
`like, to a speaker 26 responsive to commands issued over the
`network to bank controller 24. The bank controller is also
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`3
`connected to an electronic Sign 28 that displays information,
`Such as jackpot amounts and the like, Visible to players of
`machines on bank 16. Such displays are generated and
`changed responsive to commands issued over the network to
`bank controller 24. Each of the other banks 18, 20 of EGMs
`include associated bank controllers, Speakers, and Signs as
`shown, which operate in Substantially the same manner.
`Ethernet hub 30 connects each of the bank controllers
`associated with banks 16, 18, 20 of EGMs to a concentrator
`32. Another Ethernet hub 34 connects similar bank control
`lers (not shown), each associated with an additional bank of
`EGMs (also not shown), to concentrator 32. The concentra
`tor functions as a data control Switch to route data from each
`of the banks to a translator 36. The translator comprises a
`compatibility buffer between the concentrator and a propri
`etary accounting System 38. It functions to place all the data
`gathered from each of the bank controllers into a format
`compatible with accounting system 38. The present embodi
`ment of the invention, translator 38 comprises an Intel
`Pentium 200 MHz Processor operating Microsoft Windows
`NT 4.O.
`Another Ethernet hub 39 is connected to a configuration
`workstation 40, a player server 42, and to bonus servers 44,
`46. Hub 39 facilitates data flow to or from workstation 40
`and servers 42, 44, 46.
`The configuration WorkStation 40 comprises a user inter
`face. It comprises a personal computer including a keyboard,
`Intel Pentium Processor and Ethernet card.
`The player Server 42 comprises a microcomputer that is
`used to control messages that appear on displays associated
`with each EGM. Player server 42 includes an Intel Pentium
`Processor and an Ethernet card.
`Bonus Servers 44, 46 each comprise a microcomputer
`used to control bonus applications on the network. Each
`bonus application comprises a set of rules for awarding
`jackpots in exceSS of those established by the pay tables on
`each EGM. For example, Some bonus awards may be made
`randomly, while others may be made to link to groups of
`EGMs operating in a progressive jackpot mode. Examples
`of bonuses that can be implemented on the network are
`disclosed in co-pending application Ser. No. 08/843,411,
`filed Apr. 15, 1997, U.S. Pat. No. 6,319,125 and assigned to
`the Assignee of the present application (the 411
`application), which is incorporated herein by reference for
`all purposes. This co-pending application also describes in
`more detail features of the network, like that shown in FIG.
`1, that may be used to implement the present invention. Also
`incorporated herein by reference for all purposes is U.S. Pat.
`No. 5,655,961, assigned to the Assignee of the present
`application (the 961 patent), which also discloses bonuses
`that can be implemented by bonus servers 44, 46 and a
`network that could be used to implement the present inven
`tion.
`FIG. 2 is a highly Schematic representation of an elec
`tronic slot machine, which is typical of each of the machines
`in the network, and which incorporates network communi
`cations hardware as described hereinafter. This hardware is
`described in the 961 patent, and is referred to therein as a
`data communications node. Preferably the network commu
`nications hardware is like that disclosed in the 411
`application, namely a machine communication interface
`(MCI) 50. MCI 50 facilitates communication between the
`network, via connection 22, and microprocessor 52, which
`controls the operation of EGM 12. This communication
`occurs via a Serial port 54 on the microprocessor to which
`MCI 50 is connected.
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`Included in EGM 12 are three reels, indicated generally at
`48. Each reel includes a plurality of different symbols
`thereon. The reels spin in response to a pull on handle 51 or
`actuation of a spin button 53 after a wager is made.
`MCI 50 may include a random access memory (RAM),
`which can be used as later described herein. The MCI also
`facilitates communication between the network and a
`vacuum florescent display (VFD) 58, and a card reader 60.
`Before describing play according to the invention,
`description will first be made of typical play on a Slot
`machine, like EGM 12. A player plays EGM 12 by placing
`a wager and then pulling handle 51 or depressing Spin button
`53. The wager may be placed by inserting a bill into a bill
`acceptor 68. A typical slot machine, like EGM 12, includes
`a coin acceptor (not shown) that may also be used by the
`player to make a wager. A credit meter 70 is a numeric
`display that indicates the total number of credits available
`for the player to wager. The credits are in the base denomi
`nation of the machine. For example, in a nickel slot machine,
`when a five dollar bill is inserted into bill acceptor 68, a
`credit of 100 appears on credit meter 70. To place a wager,
`the player depresses a coin-in button (not shown), which
`transfers a credit from the credit meter 70 to a coin-in meter
`72. Each time the button is depressed a single credit transfers
`to the coin-in meter up to a maximum bet that can be placed
`on a Single play of the machine. Alternatively, a maximum
`bet button (also not shown) is provided to immediately
`transfer the maximum number of credits that can be wagered
`on a single play from the credit meter 70 to the coin-in meter
`72.
`When coin-in meter 72 reflects the number of credits that
`the player intends to wager, the player depresses Spin button
`53 thereby initiating a game.
`The player may choose to have any jackpot won applied
`to credit meter 70. When the player wishes to cash out, the
`player depresses a cash-out button 74, which causes the
`credits on meter 70 to be paid in coins to the player at a
`hopper 78, which is part of machine 12. The machine
`consequently pays to the player, via hopper 78, the number
`of coins-in the base denomination of the machine-that
`appear on credit meter 70.
`Typical slot machines, like machine 12, are limited in the
`total amount of coins that can be paid to the player from the
`hopper. Thus, when jackpots are in excess of the hopper-pay
`limit, the machine locks up and the jackpot is hand paid by
`casino perSonnel to the player. After the jackpot is So paid,
`the casino perSonnel resets the machine to permit play to
`CSUC.
`Card reader 60 reads a player-tracking card 66 that is
`issued by the casino to individual players who choose to
`have Such a card. Card reader 60 and player-tracking card 66
`are known in the art, as are player-tracking Systems,
`examples being disclosed in the 961 patent and 411
`application. Briefly Summarizing Such a System, a player
`registers with the casino prior to commencing gaming. The
`casino issues a unique player-tracking card to the player and
`opens a corresponding player account that is Stored on
`accounting system 38 (in FIG. 1). The account includes the
`player's name and mailing address and perhaps other infor
`mation of interest to the casino in connection with marketing
`efforts. Prior to playing one of the EGMs in FIG. 1, the
`player inserts card 66 into reader 60 thus permitting account
`ing System 38 to track player activity, Such as amounts
`wagered and won and rate of play.
`When the casino opens a player account, it may imple
`ment a coinless transfer feature in accordance with the
`
`EVERI EX. 1020; Page 6
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`US 6,607,441 B1
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`15
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`present invention. When the account is So flagged by the
`casino, play may proceed as follows.
`The player Selects one of the network Slot machines-in
`this case machine 12-and inserts card 66 into reader 60.
`The player then inserts one or more bills into bill acceptor
`68, which purchases a corresponding number of credits in
`the base denomination of the machine that are applied to and
`appear on credit meter 70. The player may also, of course,
`apply credits to the credit meter by depositing coin in the
`coin acceptor (not shown) that is part of machine 12. When
`the player inserts card 66 into reader 60, the player record
`that the casino created on accounting System 38 is fetched
`from the accounting System and loaded into memory in MCI
`50. Insertion of card 66 into card reader 60 is referred to
`herein as a first command or a log-in command.
`After the credits are displayed on meter 70, the player
`playSSlot machine 12 in a conventional manner as described
`above. That is, the coin-in button (not shown) is depressed
`by the player to transfer the desired number of credits from
`credit meter 70 to coin-in meter 72. After so doing, the
`player presses spin button 53 to spin reels 48. Upon comple
`tion of the game, i.e., after the reels Stop spinning, any
`jackpot payable according to a pay table internal to machine
`12 is also applied to credit meter 70. Similarly, any bonuses,
`i.e., any payments to the player that result from awards not
`generated by the pay table in machine 12, as described in the
`961 patent, are also applied to credit meter 70.
`When the player concludes play on machine 12, he or she
`has two options for redeeming any balance remaining on
`credit meter 70. First, if cash-out button 74 is depressed
`while card 66 is received in card reader 60, the credits on
`meter 70 are transferred to the player account record con
`tained in the RAM in MCI 50. Credit meter 60 then reads 0
`credits, and the number of credits displayed on meter 70
`when cash-out button 74 is depressed is associated with the
`player record in the RAM of MCI 50. As soon as this transfer
`occurs, display 58 indicates the amount transferred to the
`player. After the transfer to the RAM in MCI 50, the player
`record and associated credits is transferred via connection 22
`over the network to the host computer. The term host
`computer as used herein may refer to a processor, a
`controller, or memory, which may be located anywhere,
`including multiple locations, on the network. In the present
`case, the host computer includes a dedicated Storage area on
`player server 42. The information stored includes the
`amount, dollar amount, time that Storage occurred and the
`machine number from which the credit was stored, all of
`which is associated with the identifying player record. Other
`data associated with the player record, Such as the amounts
`wagered and won, is Stored on accounting System 38 in
`accordance with prior art player tracking Systems. Typically
`the player leaves the card in the card reader from beginning
`to end of play. This allows the player to be credited for points
`that can be redeemed for awards. It should be noted,
`however, that to effect the coinless transfer feature, the card
`need only be inserted when cash-out button 74 is depressed.
`In other words, the card need not necessarily be in the card
`reader during play-the record can be fetched and the
`credits Stored in the player account after all play is complete.
`Alternatively, when the player concludes gaming on
`machine 12, he or She may choose to receive payment via
`hopper 78 at the machine. If so, the player withdraws card
`66 from reader 60 before pressing cash-out button 74.
`Withdrawal of card 66 from card reader 60 is referred to
`herein as a Second command or a log-out command. Because
`65
`credits remain on credit meter 70, the player record in RAM
`of MCI 50 indicates 0 credits, which is stored to the host
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`6
`computer as described above with the player record. The
`player now depresses cash-out button 74 thus causing the
`machine to pay credits from meter 70 to hopper 78 in the
`usual fashion. Depressing cash-out button 74 is referred to
`herein as a request to redeem the balance Stored on the credit
`meter.
`Each slot machine includes conventional controls for
`Setting a maximum amount payable from the hopper of the
`machine based upon the hoppers capacity and the casino's
`wishes. In addition, a maximum amount payable at hopper
`78 may also be set by the casino at configuration workStation
`40 to prevent a player from cashing out credits over a
`predetermined maximum value. If either value-the value
`Set at the machine or the value Set at the WorkStation-is
`exceeded, machine 12 locks up in the same fashion as if it
`had won a jackpot that exceeded the maximum amount
`payable from the machine hopper.
`When a player elects to cash out by Storing his or her
`balance with their player record on the host computer as
`described above, the player may use the card to transfer the
`credit to another slot machine on the network. To do So, the
`player moves to another machine, perhaps after taking a
`short break, and inserts his or her card 66 into the card
`reader, like card reader 60, associated with the new slot
`machine. The MCI, like MCI 50, at the new machine detects
`insertion of the card. The appropriate player record is called
`from the host computer, including the record Stored on bonus
`Server 44 having the amount of credits Stored in the player's
`account. That record and the associated credits are Stored
`initially in the RAM of MCI 50. The number of credits
`associated with the record is then transferred to the credit
`meter of the new machine without any further action on the
`part of the player. Play then continues as described above,
`including cashing out by either restoring the balance on the
`credit meter with his or her account on the host computer or
`withdrawing the card and cashing out to obtain payment via
`the machine hopper.
`In another embodiment of the present invention, the
`coinless transfer feature may be implemented without
`requiring a player to deal with casino perSonnel. In this
`embodiment, the player account is anonymous, and is cre
`ated by the player. In this embodiment, the casino provides
`an automated card dispenser, each card being coded with an
`anonymous player account that exists on the host computer.
`The player simply takes one of the cards from the dispenser
`and uses it to play as described above. The player has the
`Same options to cash out, namely depressing cash-out button
`74 with the card withdrawn to receive coin at the machine
`and depressing the cash-out button with the card inserted to
`apply the machine credits to his or her anonymous account
`in the Same manner as described above for an account
`asSociated with an identified player. In the latter instance,
`when the player wishes to resume play, they merely insert
`the card into the card reader associated with the Selected Slot
`machine and credits are applied to the credit meter of the Slot
`machine as described above. The player can also cash out by
`presenting the card to the cashier, also as described above.
`The anonymous coinless transfer System is advantageous in
`that casino perSonnel are not required to activate the coinless
`transfer feature.
`In another aspect, the present invention limits the time
`between Storing credits to a player's account, whether
`anonymous or not, and accessing the account to resume play
`with credits in the account. In this aspect, the host computer
`initiates a timed count when the player withdraws his or her
`card from the card reader. The casino may Select-at con
`figuration workStation 40-a maximum time, for example, 2
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`EVERI EX. 1020; Page 7
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`US 6,607,441 B1
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`15
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`35
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`40
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`7
`hours, that the player may access the account using a card
`reader. If this time is exceeded, the credits will not transfer
`from the account to the credit meter of the slot machine
`when the card is inserted. The player must therefore present
`the card to a casino cashier who can access the account using
`a card reader and reimburse the player with the total amount
`credited to his or her account. This feature reduces potential
`casino liability by not permitting card access to deposited
`credits for extended periods.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A method for transferring credits between gaming
`devices connected by a network to a host computer com
`prising:
`creating a player account accessible by the host computer;
`providing access to the ac