Card loading system for a data card unit

Abstract

Disclosed are methods, apparatus, and systems, including computer program products, for transferring data cards between a card loading device and a data card unit of a gaming device. The gaming device has a card mouth adapted to receive and dispense data cards. The card loading device includes a housing, a first card holder adapted to hold one or more data cards having a use designation, and a second card holder adapted to hold one or more data cards having a non-use designation. The card loading device can also include a third card holder adapted to hold one or more of the non-use data cards. The card loading device includes a mating member detachable from the housing. The mating member is adapted to engage the card mouth of the gaming device. The mating member has a mouth adapted to dispense data cards to and receive data cards from the card mouth of the gaming device. The card loading device includes a card transport device operatively coupled to transport the data cards having the use designation from the first card holder to the mouth of the mating member, and to transport the data cards having the non-use designation from the mouth of the mating member to the second card holder. The card loading device includes a data interface configured to communicate with a data interface of the gaming device over a wired or wireless connection.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION DATA[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part and claims priority of Hedrick et al., U.S. application Ser. No. 11 / 158,478 for “Gaming Device Including a Card Processing Assembly Having Vertically-Stacked Card Holders Operable with Thermally-Printable Data Cards and Portable Card Changeover Machines,” filed Jun. 22, 2005, which is a continuation-in-part of Hedrick et al., U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 661,229 for “Gaming Device Having a Card Management System for the Management of Circulating Data Cards,” filed Sep. 12, 2003, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.FIELD OF INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates in general to a gaming device, and more particularly to a gaming device having a card management system for managing circulating data cards.COPYRIGHT NOTICE[0003]A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains or may contain material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyrig...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a gaming machine with a card loading device that can transfer data cards between them. The method involves establishing a communications session between the card loading device and the data card unit of the gaming device, determining the status information of the transfer, synchronizing the operation of the card transport devices, and transferring the cards between them. The card loading device can display information about its status and has a speaker to provide audio output. The invention also includes a mating member that can connect to the gaming device's card mouth, a card transport device, and a processor to control the card transport device. The invention allows for easy transfer of data cards between the gaming device and the card loading device.

Problems solved by technology

The supply and handling of tokens in a gaming facility requires substantial labor, storage space and security procedures.

Various conventional systems and devices may provide an electronic alternative to tokens, but they fail to disclose a gaming device which receive, store and dispense data cards to facilitate the recirculation of such cards similar to the circulation of tokens or coins.

The replacement costs for these types of cards can be relatively high because players tend to lose or dispose cards after the balance becomes zero, and also players do not always carry the cards with them.

In addition, many players do not wish to open an account and disclose their personal information.

The other systems discussed above, such as the ticket systems, require a continuous replenishing of the materials needed to produce the tickets and also require substantial maintenance of such systems.

The player-specific cards described above also do not allow all players to play anonymously.

Often, defect cards, i.e. cards that no longer function properly or have been defaced, are also stored.

The conventional servicing of a data card unit is an inaccurate, time consuming, and cumbersome process.

These issues become more problematic with new casino attendants, unfamiliar with the average volume of play of a certain bank of machines.

Often a casino attendant needs to summon security personnel to come and open the machine, before it can be serviced, causing additional delay and downtime.

Game play is interrupted, because players cannot play the machine while it is being serviced.

The gaming device, and hence the owner / operator of the gaming establishment in which the device is situated, do not make money during the entire time when the machine is serviced.

The lengthy loading and unloading process associated with conventional gaming device card units can cause significant loss of revenue to the gaming establishment.

In some instances, even after the gaming device is back online, players may have lost interest in the machine and pursued entertainment elsewhere, leading to further losses for a gaming establishment.

The conventional procedure of servicing the data card unit of a gaming device also compromises the security of the device.

When the gaming device is open, patrons have the opportunity to grab coins, bills, tickets, tamper with operation of the device and its peripherals, and engage in other mischievous and illegal conduct.

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