JP2004513754A - Apparatus and method for ordering and distributing credits - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and apparatus for collecting credits at a gaming device according to type and then distributing the credits in a preferential manner (10).

Description

[0001]
(Technical field)
The following invention relates generally to instrumentalities and methods in gaming devices. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a method of sequestering credits at a gaming device and then ordering the distribution of credits.
[0002]
(Background of the Invention)
Gaming establishments carry out various promotional activities and encourage people to use the store frequently. As part of these promotions, the company is offering credits to players with the intention of cashing out the credits at the facility at the facility that issued them. Such credits often take the form of medals, electronic key cards, or simply credit certificates and scripts.
[0003]
The purpose of the promotion is when the player chooses to exchange the credit certificate directly for cash or insert it into the machine at the facility that issued the credit and then cash out immediately instead of putting the credit into play. Is blocked. The redeemed credit is not limited to use at that facility, and the resulting facility has subsidized the player or other competing business facility.
[0004]
A similar problem occurs when a facility gives courtesy credits to a player as a patronage reward. Such credits can be given in the form of a physical key card or medal, but may also be given automatically by the game machine when the player meets certain criteria. These courtesy credits are subject to the same cash out problem as the promotional credits described above.
[0005]
The prior art includes devices, such as key cards, that allow facilities to track the number of credits held by a particular player. These devices interface with game consoles and operate with storage devices unique to each facility. Cards or other tangible rewards issued by one facility are usually not compatible with gaming machines at another facility. Such devices cannot indicate different credit types for a particular player. Such a device simply records the total number of credits available without identifying whether the credits are for special offers, advertising, or obtained by the player in exchange for cash.
[0006]
The following prior art reflects the state of the art that applicants know and include herein to fulfill their acknowledged obligation to disclose the relevant prior art. However, this reference specifies that the relationships of the invention disclosed and claimed in greater detail below are not singly taught and are not apparent when considered in any conceivable combination.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,321,241 issued June 14, 1994, Inventor Craine
[0007]
(Summary of the Invention)
The present invention can be distinguished from the prior art in a number of ways. For example, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for tracking various types of credits that can be given to a player.
[0008]
Further, the present invention allows various credits to be invested by prioritizing certain types of credits over other types of credits, ensuring that promotional or preferential credits provided by a facility are used at that facility. To The player can always cash out any credits earned by winning the game or by converting his own money into credits.
[0009]
(Industrial applicability)
The industrial applicability of the present invention is illustrated through the following description of the invention.
[0010]
Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a new and novel utility for collecting and distributing credits inserted into a gaming device so as to ensure that the gaming facility retains advertising funds within the facility. Is to provide a simple way.
[0011]
Another object of the present invention is to provide a method having the above-mentioned features, which provides a player with a function of redeeming arbitrary credits originating from the player.
[0012]
It is another object of the present invention to provide a method that allows different types of credits to be played according to different pay tables and gives the player more game opportunities depending on the type of credits held.
[0013]
It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for ordering the distribution of credits when the credits are displayed on a card having storage means capable of collecting the cards by type.
[0014]
Viewed from a first advantage, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method for collecting credits from a gaming device and then ordering the distribution of the credits, wherein the input credits are related to their own type. Scanning, displaying credits to the player according to their type, and decrementing certain credits over other credits (in reference to others).
[0015]
Viewed from a second advantage, it is an object of the present invention to provide a credit input means, a processor, and a credit analysis operably coupled to the processor for analyzing the credit input means and reporting status to the processor. A means, a display operatively coupled to the processor for receiving data from the credit analysis means, the display including a plurality of credit counters reflecting a status reported by the credit analysis means, and a game play. An object of the present invention is to provide a game device provided with a combination of means for increasing and decreasing the credit counter.
[0016]
These and other objects will become apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
[0017]
(Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention)
Upon review of the figures, like reference numerals indicate like parts throughout the various figures. Reference numeral 10 shown in FIG. 2 is the subject of the device according to the invention.
[0018]
In essence, device 10 includes a housing 16 that supports display 2 therein, and display 2 is preferably a video monitor. Alternatively, the device may use a mechanical reel system. The display 2 includes a window 8 for increasing or decreasing the credits accumulated by the player for special messages. The device also includes an LED readout display 4 for inspiring the player, which can provide a verbage similar to or instead of the window 8 for stimulating the player. The apparatus includes an entrance 6 for receiving coins, coins, medals, vouchers, and promotional or supplemental credits sent at the start of play. A plurality of decision buttons 12 are located on the surface of the device 10, preferably below the display 2, and play can be started using the pull handle 14 as an alternative to supplementing the decision buttons 12. A coin hopper 18 may also be included to output a prize to be paid to the player. A mechanism 17 for issuing and receiving records of promotional or supplemental credits is also provided. For example, a card 60 having an integral magnetic memory strip can be used. The device 10 may have a top 32 that includes a decoration with motifs associated with the game to be played, and may include a pay table. The device may include a plurality of speakers 34 in the device for audible interaction with the player. The apparatus also includes a processor P for coordinating all functions and a random number generator G operatively coupled thereto for producing results.
[0019]
More specifically, referring to FIG. 3, a more detailed exploration of the video display 2 can be made. The display 2 features a window 8 for displaying special messages and accumulated credits. Window 8 includes a plurality of collection boxes 22 corresponding to the number of various types of credits provided by the facility, and displays the number of available credits of each type. For example, box 22a posts the casino from which the supplementary credit is sourced and then decrements. Box 22b posts the casino from which the advertising credit originated and then decrements it. The box 22c displays a credit originating from the player. Box 22c posts points from advertising accounts and supplementary accounts, as well as credits originating from the player. Only after running out of the other two credit sources are penalties posted for accounts originating from the player.
[0020]
Referring to FIG. 1, a flow chart associated with the apparatus of FIGS. 2 and 3 can be explored. First, the player receives the credit from the facility and inserts it into the game machine. The machine recognizes the type of credit inserted by the player (source: supplemental, promotional, or with respect to the player) and displays the number of accumulated credits collected for each type. As the player plays on the machine, credits are deducted from the player's total. Any credits for promotional or promotional purposes are deducted first, and any credits originating from the player, ie, points from the game or money inserted by the player, are deducted last. If the player chooses to cash out at any time, all credits from the player are paid to the player. The remaining promotional credits can be retained on the machine or erased, rather than being delivered to the player as freely convertible currency. In another embodiment, the remaining promotional or courtesy credits can be distributed to the player via the mechanism 17 in the form of a printed voucher or key card, and therefore only used at the issuing casino. Become like This feature gives the player the opportunity to stop the game and resume in the future, preferably at the facility, for promotional or supplemental credits.
[0021]
Since credits can be collected according to their source, it is also possible to distinguish to the extent that different payments can be provided. In one form of the invention, it is contemplated that one or more classes of credit may be played according to different pay tables or for non-prize prizes, such as vacation trips, dinner tickets for two, cars and the like. ing.
[0022]
Further, while the present invention has been described in this manner, many structural changes and adaptations may be made without departing from the scope and proper spirit of the present invention as described herein and in the claims. Please understand what you can do.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG.
4 is a flowchart illustrating a method according to the present invention.
FIG. 2
FIG. 3 shows a device associated therewith.
FIG. 3
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the display screen of FIG. 2 showing details of a given credit collection box.

Claims (11)

Scanning the entered credit for its type;
Displaying credits to the player according to their type;
Decrementing some credits over other credits;
Collecting credits from the gaming device and then ordering the distribution of credits. 2. The method of claim 1, including designating some credits as promotional credits and decrementing the promotional credits first. 2. The method of claim 1, comprising designating the credits as a plurality of types of promotional credits and decrementing the credits according to a priority (referral @ hierarchy). 4. The method of claim 3 including designating credits as preferential credits according to a second pay table when playing. The method of claim 1 including decrementing a credit from the player last. The method of claim 1, further comprising retaining a remaining promotional credit when one player cashes out so that another subsequent player may use the remaining promotional credit. 2. The method of claim 1 including erasing the remaining promotional credits when the player cashes out so that other subsequent players cannot use the remaining promotional credits. The method of claim 1 including distributing the remaining promotional credit to the player as a printed voucher when the player cashes out. The method of claim 1 including distributing the remaining promotional credit by issuing a card with storage means to the player. Credit input means,
A processor,
Credit analysis means operatively coupled to the processor for analyzing credit input means and reporting status to the processor;
A display operatively coupled to the processor for receiving data from the credit analysis means, the display including a plurality of credit counters reflecting a status reported by the credit analysis means;
A device for collecting credits in a gaming device and then ordering the distribution of credits, the device comprising a combination of means for increasing or decreasing the credit counter in response to game play. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the processor reads a card having storage means capable of reporting a plurality of credit statuses to the credit analysis means.

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