WO2001054779A1 - Slot machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A slot machine is adapted to discern and accept (28) both conventional currency and gaming chips. The slot machine sorts and stores the accepted currency and chips, transmitting data pertaining to the value of the respective denominations to a mechanism which ultimately initiates a slot machine's gaming (19) and payout (20) sequences. In one embodiment, the apparatus is an add-on to an existing slot machine permitting it to accommodate both money and gaming chips. In another embodiment, an original equipment manufactured apparatus is capable of accommodating the same.

Description

ATTORNEY DOCKET NO: ROWE/06WO

SLOT MACHINE

Cross Reference To Related Applications

This application is a PCT application of U.S. Provisional Patent

Application serial no. 60/178,367, filed January 27, 2000, which is hereby

incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Field of the Invention

This invention is generally directed to slot machine operation.

Particularly, the invention is generally directed to a slot machine capable of

accommodating both conventional currency and gaming chips.

Background of the Invention

Historically, slot machines have been coin-operated gambling

machines that pay off according to wheels spun by a handle. Over the years,

technology and demand-based innovations have evolved the machines,

allowing for more sophisticated games, themes and stylized operation.

Accordingly, the slot machine industry has exploded, accounting for billions of dollars in revenue each year, in addition to providing employment and

entertainment to millions.

A slot machine is typically configured so that it can exclusively

accept and payout in either a conventional currency, i.e., quarters, half-dollars

or dollar coins or alternatively, in gaming chips issued by a particular

establishment, i.e., tokens. In either embodiment, the machine is designed to

so that it can distinguish between different denominations, and communicate

the discerned input to a mechanism which initiates a gaming sequence.

Despite the many advances made in the field, the limitation

imposed by a slot machine's inability to accept both money and poker chips

remains an obstacle, impeding the industry from realizing its fullest potential.

Traditionally, a majority of casino operators elect to install slot machines

which accept coins and dollar bills. As noted above, while other machines

can be configured to accept tokens, the universal availability of conventional

currency, coupled with the relatively small sums involved in slot wagers,

generally makes money more appropriate and profitable for slot activity.

Conversely, for reasons of practicality, security and convenience, gaming

chips are universally the exchange medium of choice with regard to these

same casino's 'table operations,' such as blackjack, roulette and poker. The

inherent incompatibility of a typical casino's slot and table operations prevents

players from conveniently applying their table chips to the slotting games, inhibiting the players' freedom to traverse between the two systems,

ultimately translating into diminished enjoyment and revenues.

Therefore, a significant need exists for a versatile slot machine

which is capable of accepting casino gaming chips, while still accommodating

conventional currency.

Summary of the Invention

The invention addresses these and other problems by a single

apparatus which accepts different denominations of both money, i.e, legal

tender, and gaming chips. An apparatus consistent with the invention may

include an add-on device for an existing slot machine. Such an embodiment

allows for a slot machine to be economically converted, thus enabling existing

machines to accept both chips and money without having to be replaced. Such

an embodiment may have a plurality of insertion slots. An apparatus

consistent with the invention may also include an original equipment

manufactured machine which is capable of functioning using both standard

currency and gaming chips. A method consistent with the invention includes a

process for identifying various denominations of gaming chips and standard

currency by detecting the size, color and weight characteristics of the above,

as well as any properties discernable through the use of electronic sensing

technologies, including transmitting and scanning equipment. The above and other objects and advantages of the present

invention shall be made apparent from the accompanying drawings and the description thereof.

Brief Description of the Drawing

The Figure is a flowchart depicting a method of accepting,

identifying and paying out money and gaming chips in the context of a single slot machine's gaming routine.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and

constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention

and, together with a general description of the invention given above, and the

detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments

As shown diagrammatically in the Figure, the present invention

is a slot machine or coin gaming apparatus, which can accept coins, poker

chips and optionally paper money. Specifically the word coin references legal

tender. This would in the United States include for example quarters, half-

dollars and dollar denomination coins. In other countries it would be other

denominations such as Marks in Germany or Pound denomination coins in

Great Britain. Poker chips reference chips which are produced by the operator

of the gaming facility or casino. Generally the casino will have both gaming tables where, for example, poker is played, roulette is played, and the like and

in addition will have gaming machines. In other words, slot machines. The

poker chips are the chips used by that particular casino at its gaming tables.

These generally will be of different denominations having different sizes,

colors and/or other distinguishing features. As shown, the slot machine in the

present invention includes a coin acceptor, a chip acceptor and a paper money

acceptor. These different acceptors will then typically direct the coin, chip or

dollar bill to a sorter apparatus, 4, 5 and 6, respectively which works in

association with an identifier, 7, 8 and 9, respectively which works in

association with a device to authenticate the identified chip, coin or bill. This

will then send a signal to the slot machine and specifically the coin counter 13,

chip counter 14 or bill counter 15.

The respective counters then will send a signal to the slot

machine memory or converter which in turn will allow the game sequence to

be initiated. Likewise the coin converter, chip converter and bill counter are

physically connected to storing apparatus 25, 26 and 27, respectively. The

game initiator then communicates with the game operation and provides for a

payout sequence initiator which can pay out as slot machines typically do

either in terms of coins or if desired, chips or simply a payout which is

indicated by a signal which will cause an attendant to provide the payout

directly to the participant. Many slot machines pay out in coins and would when utilizing

the present invention pay out only in coins. Accordingly it may be necessary

to stock the machine with additional coins to provide for complete payout in

light of the fact that the machine is accepting chips which will not be part of

the payout. However in light of the fact that slot machines accept paper money, this provides no additional problem for the operator.

The present invention can be either used by modifying existing

apparatus and incorporating into the existing apparatus the chip acceptor,

sorter, identifier and authenticator and simply wiring this into the memory and

game sequence iniator. Alternately this can be built into a new original

equipment machine. As shown in the Figure, there are separate coin, chip and

bill acceptors. It may also be possible to have a uniform acceptor shown in

phantom which then sorts the coins and chips and directs them to the

respective coin or chip acceptor.

Authentication of the chips can be by a variety of different

mechanisms. The chips can be identified by color, size, weight as well as

other identifying marks, including holograms, microparticles and the like to

provide for authentication of chips. This is standard technology and well

within the scope of those skilled in the art.

Thus the present invention permits a gambler who has been

playing at the gaming tables using chips to simply insert one of his remaining poker chips into a slot machine without the need to convert the chip into legal

tender. This permits a poker player who does not have any coins to play a slot

machine. It also enables a poker player who has for example one or two chips

left to use those in a slot machine instead of cashing them out. This will

significantly improve the take from slot machines simply because it makes it

significantly easier for the player under certain circumstances to play the slot

machine. Since the slot machines are typically located at the entrances and

exits of the casino, these will be the last thing the player sees and thus the

player will be encouraged to use his last remaining chips for such devices.

While the present invention has been illustrated by a

description of various embodiments and while these embodiments have been

described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicants to

restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail.

Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in

the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the

specific details, representative apparatus and method, and illustrative example

shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details

without departing from the spirit or scope of applicant's general inventive

concept. What is claimed is:

Claims

Claims

1. A coin gaming machine adapted to receive and identify both

legal tender coins and casino gaming chips and communicate the currency

value of coins inserted into said machine and chips inserted into said

machine and relay said value to a memory device in said slot machine to

thereby initiate the claim of said gaming machine.

2. A method of operating a casino comprising operating gaming

tables and accepting only gaming chips issued by said casino;

operating slot machines wherein said slot machines accept

legal tender and said gaming chips.