US20080248865A1

US20080248865A1 - Method And Apparatus For Facilitating Usage Of A Supplemental Ticket At A Gaming Device

Info

Publication number: US20080248865A1
Application number: US11/719,119
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert C Tedesco; James A. Jorasch; Stephen C. Tulley
Original assignee: Walker Digital LLC
Current assignee: International Game Technology
Priority date: 2004-04-07
Filing date: 2005-04-07
Publication date: 2008-10-09
Also published as: AU2005232645B2; WO2005099391A2; EP1763385A2; WO2005099391A3; EP1763385A4; AU2005232645A1

Abstract

In accordance with one or more embodiments, a method may provide for receiving a first indicia associated with play of a gaming device, receiving a second indicia associated with play of the gaming device, and modifying, based upon the receipt of both the first and second indicia, a parameter of play of the gaming device. The parameter is only modified if both the first indicia and the second indicia are received. For example, upon receiving both a cash-out ticket and a supplemental ticket, a gaming device may activate a feature or increase a credit balance by more than the face value of the cash-out ticket.

Description

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/560,312, filed Apr. 07, 2004 and entitled APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SUPPLEMENTARY CASHLESS GAMING. The entirety of this application is incorported by reference herein for all purpose S.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate some embodiments of the invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of some embodiments of the invention:
FIG. 1A is a block diagram of an example system, in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein;
FIG. 1B is a block diagram of another example system, in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a gaming device, in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a controller, in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein;
FIG. 4 is an example tabular representation of an outstanding cash-out tickets database, in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein;
FIG. 5 is an example tabular representation of a supplemental ticket output rules database, in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein;
FIGS. 6A and 6B together are an example tabular representation of a supplemental ticket type database, in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein;
FIG. 7 is an example tabular representation of an outstanding supplemental tickets database, in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein;
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example process, in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein;
FIG. 9 is an illustration of an example prior art cash-out ticket that may be output and/or received by a gaming device; and
FIG. 10 is an illustration of various exemplary supplemental tickets that may be output and/or received by a gaming device, in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Described herein are various methods and systems for facilitating modification of a value of a parameter associated with play of a gaming device. For example, in accordance with some embodiments a supplemental ticket may be inserted into a gaming device along with a cash-out ticket in order to modify a value associated with the cash-out ticket. In a more specific example, a number of credits associated with a credit meter balance may be modified to a second and greater number of credits from a first and smaller number of credits that would have been added to the credit meter balance based on the cash-out ticket alone. In another example, a feature of the gaming device may be activated based on the receipt of both the cash-out ticket and the supplemental ticket, wherein the feature would not have been activated based on the receipt of the cash-out ticket alone. As a preliminary matter, various terms and concepts used herein are described.
Numerous embodiments are described in this patent application, and are presented for illustrative purposes only. The described embodiments are not, and are not intended to be, limiting in any sense. The presently disclosed invention(s) are widely applicable to numerous embodiments, as is readily apparent from the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosed invention(s) may be practiced with various modifications and alterations. Although particular features of the disclosed invention(s) may be described with reference to one or more particular embodiments and/or drawings, it should be understood that such features are not limited to usage in the one or more particular embodiments or drawings with reference to which they are described, unless expressly specified otherwise.
Neither the Title (set forth at the beginning of the first page of this patent application) nor the Abstract (set forth at the end of this patent application) is to be taken as limiting in any way as the scope of the disclosed invention(s).
The terms “an embodiment”, “embodiment”, “embodiments”, “the embodiment”, “the embodiments”, “one or more embodiments”, “some embodiments”, “one embodiment” and the like mean “one or more (but not all) embodiments of the disclosed invention(s)”, unless expressly specified otherwise.
The terms “including”, “comprising” and variations thereof mean “including but not limited to”, unless expressly specified otherwise.
The enumerated listing of items (which may or may not be numbered) does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. Likewise, the enumerated listing of items (which may or may not be numbered) does not imply that the items are comprehensive of any category, unless expressly specified otherwise.
The terms “a”, “an” and “the” mean “one or more”, unless expressly specified otherwise.
The terms “plurality” mean “two or more”, unless expressly specified otherwise.
Devices that are in communication with each other need not be in continuous communication with each other, unless expressly specified otherwise. In addition, devices that are in communication with each other may communicate directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries.
A description of an embodiment with several components in communication with each other does not imply that all such components are required. On the contrary a variety of optional components are described to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the present invention(s).
Further, although process steps, method steps, algorithms or the like may be described in a sequential order, such processes, methods and algorithms may be configured to work in alternate orders. In other words, any sequence or order of steps that may be described does not necessarily indicate a requirement that the steps be performed in that order. The steps of processes described herein may be performed in any order practical. Further, some steps may be performed simultaneously.
Each process/method includes one or more steps, and therefore a reference to a “step” of a method has an inherent antecedent basis.
It will be readily apparent that the various methods and algorithms described herein may be implemented by, e.g., appropriately programmed general purpose computers and computing devices. Typically a processor (e.g., a microprocessor) will receive instructions from a memory or like device, and execute those instructions, thereby performing a process defined by those instructions. Further, programs that implement such methods and-algorithms may be stored and transmitted using a variety of known media in a number of well-known manners. In some embodiments, hard-wired circuitry or custom hardware may be used in place of, or in combination with, software instructions for implementation of the processes of the present invention. Thus, embodiments are not limited to any specific combination of hardware and software
When a single device or article is described herein, it will be readily apparent that more than one device/article (whether or not they cooperate) may be used in place of a single device/article. Similarly, where more than one device or article is described herein (whether or not they cooperate), it-will be readily apparent that a single device/article may be used in place of the more than one device or article.
The functionality and/or the features of a device may be alternatively embodied by one or more other devices which are not explicitly described as having such functionality/features. Thus, other embodiments need not include the device itself.
The term “computer-readable medium” as used herein refers to any medium that participates in providing data (e.g., instructions) which may be read by a computer, a processor or a like device. Such a medium may take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media. Non-volatile media include, for example, optical or magnetic disks and other persistent memory. Volatile media include dynamic random access memory (DRAM), which typically constitutes the main memory. Transmission media include coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, including the wires that comprise a system bus coupled to the processor. Transmission media may include or convey acoustic waves, light waves and electromagnetic emissions, such as those generated during radio frequency (RF) and infrared (IR) data communications. Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, DVD, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EEPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave as described hereinafter, or any other medium from which a computer can read.
Various forms of computer-readable media may be involved in carrying sequences of instructions to a processor. For example, sequences of instruction (i) may be delivered from RAM to a processor, (ii) may be carried over a wireless transmission medium, and/or (iii) may be formatted according to numerous formats, standards or protocols, such as Bluetooth, TDMA, CDMA, 3G. In another example, instructions may initially be borne on a magnetic disk of a remote computer. The remote computer can load the instructions into its dynamic memory and send the instructions over a telephone line using a modem. A modem local to another device to which the instructions are being sent can receive the data on the telephone line and use an infrared transmitter to convert the data to an infrared signal. An infrared detector can receive the data carried in the infrared signal and place the data on a system bus for a processor of the device receiving the data. The system bus carries the data to main memory, from which the processor retrieves and executes the instructions. The instructions received by main memory may optionally be stored in a memory either before or after execution by the processor. In addition, instructions may be received via a communication port as electrical, electromagnetic or optical signals, which are exemplary forms of carrier waves that carry date streams representing various types of information. Thus, a device may obtain instructions in the form of a carrier wave.
Where databases are described, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that (i) alternative database structures to those described may be readily employed, and (ii) other memory structures besides databases may be readily employed.
The terms “cash out” and “cashout” are used interchangeable herein and may refer to a process by which a player of a gaming device is provided with payment. Such payment is typically provided by the gaming device, e.g., in the form of coins, tokens, transfer of funds to an account associated with a player or a cashless gaming ticket.
The terms “controller”, “central controller”, “slot server”, “computer server”, “computer server device” and “server device” are used interchangeable herein and may refer, unless specified otherwise, to one or more electronic devices (e.g., a computer, two distinct servers) that are operable to communicate with one or more gaming devices. A controller may manage, direct or otherwise affect the gaming devices, such as by providing a random number to a gaming device, by receiving and/or providing data associated with a player, and/or receiving and/or providing data associated with game play of the gaming device. A controller may also contain or otherwise be configured to read data from and/or write data to one or more (local or remote) databases regarding, among other things, data associated with (i) a cash-out ticket, (i) a supplemental ticket, (ii) a player, (iii) a payout, (iv) a probability of obtaining an outcome, etc.
The terms “credit balance”, as used herein unless specified otherwise, may refer to an indication of an amount of currency (or other value) that is due to a player and/or that is available for wagering (e.g., a wager may be drawn from a credit balance). In some embodiments, a balance may be associated with a gaming device being operated by a player. Such an indication may be output via a gaming device display, such as an LED “credit meter.” In some embodiments, a player wishing to cash out is provided with payment (e.g., a cashless gaming ticket) equal to his credit balance, or otherwise based on his credit balance (e.g., the integer amount of a credit balance, such as $5.00 for a balance of $5.50). In another embodiment, a credit balance may be stored on a smart card and/or a casino server (e.g., and available for transfer to a gaming device).
The term “game”, as used herein unless specified otherwise, may refer to a wagering activity whereby a player posts consideration, usually monetary in form, in exchange for a chance at winning a payout (which is typically a monetary payout). The definition is intended to include basic games and bonus games. The definition is further intended to include both primary games and secondary games.
The terms “game device”, “gaming device”, “game machine”, “gaming machine” are used interchangeable herein and may refer, unless specified otherwise, to any electrical, electromechanical and/or mechanical device that (in a manner well known in the art) accepts wagers, determines an outcome and determines winnings (if any) based on the outcome. The outcome may be randomly generated (as with a slot machine); may be generated through a combination of randomness and player skill (as with video poker); or may be generated entirely through player skill. Gaming devices may include slot machines (both video and mechanical reel slot machines), video poker machines, video blackjack machines, video roulette machines, video keno machines, video bingo machines, pachinko machines, video lottery terminals, handheld gaming devices, vending machines and the like.
The term “game play” may refer, unless specified otherwise, to a single play of a game at a gaming device that generates a singular, corresponding outcome (e.g., a player pulls the handle of a slot machine and the reels resolve to “Bar-Bar-Bar”). In one embodiment, a player wagers a number of credits in accordance with each game play. In some embodiments, one or more game plays may be associated with a particular cashless gaming receipt. For example, (i) the wagered credits of a game play may be derived from a balance credits generated by an inserted receipt, or (ii) a game play may occur during a session initiated by a receipt.
The terms “game session”, “gaming session”, “session” and “play session” are used interchangeably and may refer, unless specified otherwise, to a gambling event with a beginning and end that may encompass a number of game plays. The end of the session may be determined voluntarily (in which the player elects to stop play) or involuntarily (in which the gaming device terminates play). In some embodiments, a game session may be associated with a particular cashless gaming receipt and/or a particular supplemental ticket. For example, an associated session may begin when a player inserts a particular cashless gaming receipt, and end when the player cashes out. In another example, a benefit associated with a supplemental ticket provided to a player at the end of a play session may be determined based on a player's gambling activity during the play session.
The term “indicium associated with play of a gaming device” may refer, unless expressly specified otherwise, to one or more indicia that may be input to a gaming device in order to instruct the gaming device to perform a function. The indicia may be in tangible form, such as a plastic card having a player tracking identifier stored thereon, a smart card or a paper cashless gaming receipt. The indicium may also be intangible in form, such as a code that may be typed into a keypad or touchscreen of a gaming device. For example, an indicium comprising a cash-out ticket may be input to a ticket reader component of a gaming device in order to instruct the gaming device to perform functions such as (i) confirming the validity of the ticket (e.g., based on an identifier printed on the ticket), (ii) determining a value associated with the ticket, and/or (iii) setting a credit meter balance of the gaming device to reflect an amount of credits, the amount being based on the value of the ticket. Examples of indicia associated with play of a gaming device include, but are not limited to, a primary wagering instrument, a supplemental wagering instrument, a primary cash-out ticket and a supplemental cash-out ticket (each of which is described in detail below).
The term “parameter” may refer, unless specified otherwise, to an attribute associated with a gaming device, cash-out ticket, game play, play session or period of time. A parameter may have a range of available values associated therewith, a particular one of the values from the range of values being selected in response to one or more events. In one embodiment, an event that may cause a selection of a value from the range of values my be the receipt of at least two tickets (e.g., a cash-out ticket and a supplemental cash-out ticket). The following are exemplary categories of parameters that may be altered in accordance with embodiments described herein.
One category of parameters is parameters associated with a balance of credits usable for wagering at a gaming device (referred to as balance parameters herein). For example, an initial credit balance generated from the insertion of a cash-out ticket into a gaming device may be referred to as a balance parameter of the gaming device at which the balance is established, a balance parameter of a cash-out ticket that may be used to establish the credit balance, and/or a balance parameter associated with the player who establishes the credit balance. A balance of credits may, in one or more embodiments, comprise a balance of game symbols, balance of outcomes and/or balance of game plays.
Another category of parameters is parameters associated with a resource that may be available or made available to a player (referred to as resource parameters herein). For example, a gaming device may have available or be able to access or activate a feature, character, bonus, or other resource during game play. For example, a number of “outcome alteration resources” may be made available to a player (e.g., a “Guardian Angel” character that changes non-winning outcomes into winning outcomes). For example, a value of a resource parameter may be “1” if the resource is available to the player or activated on behalf of the player and “0” otherwise.
Another category of parameters is parameters associated with an amount of money lost by a player (referred to as loss parameters herein). For example, a loss parameter may define a number of wagered credits lost by a player as the result of one or more game plays. In one embodiment, a benefit comprising an instruction to alter a loss parameter may comprise an instruction to modify a number of credits lost by a player. Such a modification may be executed, for example, by returning some of the lost credits to the player. For example, assume a benefit defined by a supplemental ticket includes an instruction to reduce by 50% the number of credits lost by a player during a play session. Execution of the instruction may comprise, for example, (i) determining an end of the play session, (ii) determining the number of credits lost by the player during the play session, and (iii) providing to the player 50% of the lost credits (e.g., in the form of a cash-out receipt with a face value equal to the 50% of the lost credits).
Yet another category of parameters is parameters associated with one or more payouts (referred to as payout parameters herein). A payout parameter may comprise, for example, one or more payouts associated with one or more outcomes that may be obtained via a gaming device. Alteration of the payout parameter may comprise, for example, modifying one or more of the payouts. For example, modifying a payout parameter may comprise accessing or downloading a different payout table than would otherwise be accessed or used, altering one or more payouts of a payout table, adding an amount to a payout obtained using a payout table, etc.
Still another category of parameters is parameters associated with a probability of obtaining one or more outcomes via a gaming device (referred to as probability payouts herein). Altering a probability parameter may comprise, for example, accessing or downloading a different probability table than would otherwise be accessed or used to determine an outcome. Altering a probability parameter may also comprise altering a probability of obtaining at least one outcome using a particular probability table (e.g., by adjusting the ranges of random numbers in the probability table and/or adjusting the number of symbols on a reel of a slot machine).
The term “primary wagering instrument” may refer, unless expressly specified otherwise, to an instrument associated with an amount of currency that may be available or that may be made available for wagering, wherein the amount of currency is recognizable by a device such as a gaming device upon the primary wagering instrument being input into the device. Examples of a primary wagering instrument include, but are not limited to, a cash-out ticket, a player tracking card or other account identifier (e.g., a credit or debit card), a smart card, a casino token, and currency in the form of coins and bills.
The term “supplemental wagering instrument” may refer, unless expressly specified otherwise, to an instrument associated with an instruction to (i) modify the amount of currency associated with a primary wagering instrument and/or (ii) make an amount of currency available for wagering, the amount of currency to be made available being based on at least one other wagering instrument along with which the supplemental wagering instrument is redeemed. One example of a supplemental wagering instrument is a supplemental ticket, which is defined below. Such a supplemental ticket may have printed or otherwise stored thereon, for example, an indication of an instruction to double, up to a $10 value, an amount of credits associated with a supplemental wagering instrument (e.g., a cash-out ticket) along with which the supplemental ticket is redeemed.
The terms “primary cash-out ticket”, “cash-out ticket”, “primary cashless gaming ticket”, “cashless gaming ticket”, “primary ticket”, “primary cashless gaming receipt” and “cashless gaming receipt” are used interchangeably herein and may refer, unless specified otherwise, to a substrate (e.g., a small piece of paper) that may be output and/or received by a device such as a gaming device (e.g., via a “ticket-in/ticket-out” slot of a gaming device or its peripheral) and that is redeemable for cash or another benefit and/or may be used for wagering purposes. A cash-out ticket may be issued by a game or gaming device, or as a result of a communication from a game or gaming device to associated equipment. A cash-out ticket may be associated with a value that is based on a credit meter balance of a gaming device at the time a player requests to cash out the balance and is issued the cash-out ticket. A cash-out ticket may comprise (i) machine-readable indicia (e.g., a bar code) or other machine-readable substance (e.g., magnetically encoded material) and/or (ii) an identifier (e.g., a unique series of numeric digits or alphanumeric characters). In one or more embodiments, machine-readable indicia may indicate an identifier (e.g., a printed barcode encodes a ticket identifier). In one embodiment, a database stored at a central location (e.g., a server operable to communicate with one or more gaming device, one or more casino attendant terminals and/or other devices) may store records of issued cash-out tickets, each record correlating an identifier of a cash-out ticket to a value. A cash-out ticket may entitle its bearer (or a specified person) to an amount of credits or currency equal to an indicated face value or to an amount based on an indicated face value.
The terms “supplemental ticket” and “bonus ticket” are used interchangeably herein and may refer, unless specified otherwise, to a substrate that may be output and/or received by a device such as a gaming device (e.g., via a “ticket-in/ticket-out” slot of a gaming device or a peripheral device associated therewith) and that is associated with a benefit to be provided upon the supplemental ticket being redeemed along with at least one other ticket and in accordance with any other redemption conditions that may be associated with the supplemental ticket. The other ticket may comprise, for example, another supplemental ticket or a cash-out ticket. Being redeemed “along with” another ticket means being redeemed in accompaniment or association with the other ticket. For example, a supplemental ticket being redeemed along with at least one other ticket may mean that the supplemental ticket is inserted into a gaming device shortly before or shortly after the other ticket is inserted. In another example, a supplemental ticket being redeemed along with at least one other ticket may mean that the supplemental ticket is inserted into a gaming device during the same play session as the other ticket. In yet another example, a supplemental ticket being redeemed along with at least one other ticket may mean that a player indicates an association or desire to associate the supplemental ticket with the other ticket, at the time of redemption of the tickets. In a specific illustration of the former example, a player, upon inserting a cash-out ticket into a gaming device, may be prompted to insert a supplemental ticket if desired and the player may insert a particular supplemental ticket in response to the prompt, thereby indicating a desire to associate the supplemental ticket with the cash-out ticket.
A supplemental ticket may be issued by a game or gaming device, or as a result of a communication from a game or gaming device to associated equipment. A supplemental ticket may also be issued by a device unassociated with any particular gaming device (e.g., a stack of supplemental tickets may be printed via a computing device and mailed, included in compilations of supplemental tickets or handed out to casino players). A supplemental ticket may be provided to a player substantially at the time it is issued (e.g., a gaming device may print and output a supplemental ticket upon a player cashing out a credit meter balance). In another embodiment, a supplemental ticket may be provided to a player a significant time after it is printed (e.g., a batch of supplemental tickets may be printed at a first location, transported to a second location such as a casino, and provided to players days or even months after being printed). In one embodiment, a supplemental ticket is issued to a specific player and may even be associated with a particular player identifier (e.g., a player identifier may be printed on the supplemental ticket and/or a player identifier may be associated in a record of a database with an identifier identifying the supplemental ticket). In another embodiment, a supplemental ticket may not be issued to a specific player and/or may not be associated with a specific player (e.g., a particular supplemental ticket may be printed and output to a particular player but may be a bearer instrument in the sense that another player may subsequently obtain and redeem the supplemental ticket in accordance with any redemption conditions associated with the supplemental ticket).
In one embodiment, the benefit associated with a supplemental ticket is an alteration of a value of a parameter (e.g., a parameter of another ticket, a parameter of a gaming device, etc.). For example, a supplemental ticket may indicate: “Insert along with any cashless gaming receipt valued between $25 and $100 to receive five bonus spins.” Such an indication may be in machine and/or human-readable format, such that it may be read by (i) the bearer of the supplemental ticket (e.g., as per text printed on the supplemental ticket), and/or (ii) a gaming device into which the supplemental ticket has been inserted (e.g., as per machine-readable indicia ). Thus, in some embodiments, a supplemental ticket may be said to have no intrinsic value—its value may only be realized when used in combination with a receipt.
In some embodiments, as will be described below, the benefit and/or value of the benefit associated with a supplemental ticket may be based on a value or other parameter of the other ticket along with which the supplemental ticket is redeemed (e.g., the supplemental ticket may define a benefit of a 10% increase in the value of a cash-out ticket along with which it is redeemed).
Regarding player tracking cards and player tracking Systems, most casinos issue plastic cards (typically resembling frequent shopper cards) to players as a way of identifying the player at a slot machine or table game. As is well known in the art, such cards typically have encoded thereon (e.g., in machine-readable and/or human readable form) a player identifier (e.g., a six digit number) which uniquely identifies the player (e.g., because the number is associated with a record in a player database that includes corresponding player information). At a slot machine or other device, the player inserts the card into a corresponding reader device and the player identifier is read (e.g., magnetically or optically) from the card. From the player identifier which the reader device reads, the corresponding player information may in turn be determined (e.g., read from the database, typically via a network connection between the reader device and a device hosting the database).
Applicants have recognized that technologies have recently been developed that allow gaming devices to receive and provide payment via cashless gaming receipts. Cashless gaming has resulted in convenience for casino patrons, as they are no longer required to fumble with coins and tokens and no longer have to wait for casino attendants to provide change or refill hoppers.
Applicants have further recognized, however, that an ongoing need exists for methods that encourage prolonged and repeated plays of casino games, including methods that encourage players to redeem such cashless gaining receipts for credits at a gaming device, rather than take them to a redemption kiosk or slot cage and redeem them for cash, without further play of gaming devices.
Accordingly, Applicants disclose herein various methods and systems that encourage a bearer of a cash-out ticket (or, in some embodiments, a specific player associated with the cash-out ticket) to reinsert the cash-out ticket into a gaming device to fund further game play, rather than redeeming the cash-out ticket for cash.
In accordance with one embodiment, a supplemental ticket is output to a player, the supplemental ticket causing, when it is redeemed along with a primary cash-out ticket, a modification of a parameter. The parameter may comprise, for example, one or more of the following: (i) a parameter of the primary cash-out ticket (e.g., the value of the cash-out ticket and/or an expiration date of the cash-out ticket), (ii) a parameter of a gaming device (e.g., a payout table, a probability table, a variable in an algorithm used by the gaming device, an availability of a feature) and/or a parameter associated with a player (e.g., a rate at which the player earns comp points during game play). Modification of a parameter may, in some embodiments, comprise modification of a value associated with the parameter. Further, modification of a parameter includes alteration of the parameter, alteration of a feature associated with the parameter, activation of a feature associated with the parameter, and/or downloading, accessing and/or rendering available a feature, value or characteristic associated with the parameter
In some embodiments, a player of a gaming device may insert (i) a supplemental ticket and (ii) a cashless gaming receipt. A parameter may be modified based on the receipt of both the supplemental ticket and the cashless gaming receipt. The parameter may be modified, for example, by the gaming device into which the supplemental ticket and the cashless gaming receipt were input or by another device, such as a controller operable to communicate with the gaming device. For example, if a cashless gaming receipt entitles a player to twenty (20) credits at a gaming device, the player may receive a balance of twenty-two (22) credits for inserting both the cashless gaming receipt and a supplemental ticket (e.g., “Insert this Supplemental Ticket along with any Cash-Out Ticket to get two extra credits!”). In this manner, players may be motivated to redeem cashless gaming receipts for credits at a gaming device, rather than redeem them for currency.
In accordance with one embodiment, a method may provide for receiving a first indicia associated with play of a gaming device, receiving a second indicia associated with play of the gaming device, and modifying, based upon the receipt of both the first and second indicia, a parameter of play of the gaming device, wherein the parameter is only modified if both the first indicia and the second indicia are received.
In one embodiment, the first indicia is associated with a first value, the second indicia is associated with a second value, and the modified parameter is associated with a third value, the third value being greater than the sum of the first value and the second value. For example, assuming the first indicia comprises a first code that is associated with fifteen (15) credits and the second indicia comprises a second code that is associated with five (5) credits, modification of a parameter that is a balance parameter may comprise establishing a credit balance of twenty-two (22) credits at a gaming device upon receiving both the first code and the second code, rather than a credit balance of only the twenty (20) credits that is the sum of values of the two indicia.
In accordance with some embodiments, a method provides for receiving, via a first component associated with a gaming device, a primary wagering instrument and determining a validity and value of the primary wagering instrument. The method further provides for receiving, via a second component associated with the gaming device, a supplemental wagering instrument, the supplemental wagering instrument indicating an instruction for modifying a value of the primary wagering instrument. The method further provides for determining a modified value of the primary wagering instrument based on the instruction and setting a credit meter balance of the gaming device to an amount based on the modified value. It should be noted that the first component may be the second component.
In accordance with some embodiments, a method provides for receiving, at a first gaming device, a request to cash out a credit meter balance of the gaming device and outputting, in response to the request, a primary wagering instrument having a value based on a current value of the credit meter balance. The method further provides for outputting, at the gaming device, a supplemental wagering instrument, the supplemental wagering instrument including an instruction for modifying a parameter of at least one of a second gaming device and the primary wagering instrument, wherein the supplemental wagering instrument is redeemable only along with the primary wagering instrument.
In accordance with one embodiment, a system comprises a controller operable to communicate with a plurality of devices, at least one of the plurality of devices comprising a gaming device; and the plurality of devices. At least one of the plurality of devices is operable to output a supplemental ticket, the supplemental ticket defining a benefit to be provided upon the redemption of the ticket along with at least one other ticket, wherein the benefit comprises a modification of a parameter associated with at least one of the gaming device, the supplemental ticket and a player.
Referring now to FIG. 1A, illustrated therein is a block diagram of an example system 100A that may be utilized to implement some embodiments of the present invention. The system 100A includes a computer 110A (e.g., a slot server of a casino, a controller of a plurality of gaming devices) that is operable to communicate, via a communications network 120A, with one or more gaming devices 130A (e.g., slot machines, video poker machines). The computer 110A may communicate with the devices 130A directly or indirectly, via a wired or wireless medium such as the Internet, LAN, WAN or Ethernet, Token Ring, or via any appropriate communications means or combination of communications means. Each of the devices 130A may comprise computers, such as those based on the Intel® Pentium® processor, that are adapted to communicate with the computer 110A. Any number and type of devices 130A may be in communication with the computer 110A.
Communication between the devices 130A and the computer 110A, and among the devices 130A, may be direct or indirect, such as over the Internet through a Web site maintained by computer 110A on a remote server or over an on-line data network including commercial on-line service providers, bulletin board systems and the like. In yet other embodiments, the devices 130A may communicate with one another and/or computer 110A over RF, cable TV, satellite links and the like.
Some, but not all, possible communication networks that may comprise the network 120A or be otherwise part of the system 100A include: a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), the Internet, a telephone line, a cable line, a radio channel, an optical communications line, and a satellite communications link. A variety of communications protocols may be part of the system, including but not limited to: Ethernet (or IEEE 802.3), SAP, SAS™, ATP, Bluetooth™, and TCP/IP. Further, in some embodiments, various communications protocols endorsed by the Gaming Standards Association of Fremont, Calif., may be utilized, such as (i) the Gaming Device Standard (GDS), which may facilitate communication between a gaming device and various component devices and/or peripheral devices (e.g., printers, bill acceptors, etc.); (ii) the Best of Breed (BOB) standard, which may facilitate communication between a gaming device and various servers related to play of one or more gaming devices (e.g., servers that assist in providing accounting, player tracking, ticket-in/ticket-out and progressive jackpot functionality); and/or (iii) the System-to-System (S2S) standard, which may facilitate communication between game-related servers and/or casino property management servers (e.g., a hotel server comprising one or more databases that store information about booking and reservations).
Communication among devices may be encrypted to ensure privacy and prevent fraud in any of a variety of ways well known in the art.
In an embodiment, the computer 110A may not be necessary and/or preferred. For example, the present invention may, in one or more embodiments, be practiced on a stand-alone gaming device 130A and/or a gaming device 130A in communication only with one or more other gaming devices 130A. In such an embodiment, any functions described as performed by the computer 110A or data described as stored on the computer 110A may instead be performed by or stored on one or more gaming devices 130A.
Referring now to FIG. 1B, a block diagram of another system 100B according to at least one embodiment described herein includes a computer 110B (e.g., a slot server of a casino, a controller of a plurality of gaming devices) that is in communication, via a communications network 120B, with one or more gaming devices 130B (e.g., slot machines, video poker machines). A difference between system 100A (FIG. 1A) and system 100B (FIG. 1B) is that in system 100B at least one gaming device 130B is also in communication with one or more peripheral devices 140B. A peripheral device 140B may, in turn, be in communication with a peripheral device server 145B and, in some embodiments, with computer 110B. In one or more embodiments the peripheral device server 145B may be in communication with one or more gaming devices 130B and/or computer 110B.
The computer 110B may communicate with the devices 130B and/or devices 140B directly or indirectly, via a wired or wireless medium such as the Internet, LAN, WAN or Ethernet, Token Ring, or via any appropriate communications means or combination of communications means. For example, the computer 110B may communicate directly with one of the gaming devices 130B (e.g., via a LAN) and indirectly (e.g., via a gaming device 130B) with a peripheral device 140B. In another example, the computer 110B may communicate with one of the gaming devices 130B via a LAN and with another of the gaming devices 130B via the Internet (e.g., if the particular gaming device comprises a personal computer in communication with an online casino).
Each of the devices 130B and the devices 140B may comprise computers, such as those based on the Intel® Pentium® processor, that are adapted to communicate with the computer 110B. Further, each of the devices 130B may comprise a gaming device such as a mechanical or electronic slot machine, a video poker machine, a video blackjack machine, a video keno machine, a pachinko machine, a video roulette machine, and/or a lottery terminal. Further yet, each of the devices 140B may comprise an external or internal module associated with one or more of the gaming devices 130B that is capable of communicating with one or more of the gaming devices 130B and of directing the one or more gaming devices 130B to perform one or more functions.
Any number and type of devices 130B may be in communication with the computer 110B. Any number and type of peripheral devices 140B may be in communication with a gaming device 130B, peripheral device server 145B and/or computer 110B.
Communication between the devices 130B and the computer 110B, between the devices 130B and devices 140B, between peripheral device server 145B and the devices 140B and/or the devices 130B, between the peripheral device server 145B and computer 110B, among the devices 130B, and among the devices 140B may be direct or indirect, such as over the Internet through a Web site maintained by computer 110B on a remote server or over an on-line data network including commercial on-line service providers, bulletin board systems and the like. In yet other embodiments, any and all of the devices of system 150B (i.e., the devices 130B, the devices 140B, the computer 110B, and the peripheral device server 145B) may communicate with one another over RF, cable TV, satellite links and the like.
Some, but not all, possible communication networks that may comprise network 120B or otherwise be part of system 100B include: a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), the Internet, a telephone line, a cable line, a radio channel, an optical communications line, and a satellite communications link. A variety of communications protocols may be part of the system, including but not limited to: Ethernet (or IEEE 802.3), SAP, SAS™, ATP, Bluetooth™, and TCP/IP. Further, in some embodiments, various communications protocols endorsed by the Gaming Standards Association of Fremont, Calif., may be utilized, such as (i) the Gaming Device Standard (GDS), which may facilitate communication between a gaming device and various component devices and/or peripheral devices (e.g., printers, bill acceptors, etc.); (ii) the Best of Breed (BOB) standard, which may facilitate communication between a gaming device and various servers related to play of one or more gaming devices (e.g., servers that assist in providing accounting, player tracking, ticket-in/ticket-out and progressive jackpot functionality); and/or (iii) the System-to-System (S2S) standard, which may facilitate communication between game-related servers and/or casino property management servers (e.g., a hotel server comprising one or more databases that store information about booking and reservations).
In an embodiment, the computer 110B may not be necessary and/or preferred. For example, the present invention may, in one or more embodiments, be practiced on a stand-alone gaming device 130B, one or more gaming devices in communication with one or more peripheral devices 140B, one or more gaming devices in communication with peripheral device server 145B, one or more peripheral devices 140B in communication with peripheral device server 145B, and/or a gaming device 130B in communication only with one or more other gaming devices 130B. In such an embodiment, any functions described as performed by the computer 110B or data described as stored in a memory of the computer 110B may instead be performed by or stored on one or more gaming devices 130B, one or more peripheral devices 140B, and/or peripheral device server 145B.
Similarly, peripheral device server 145B may not be desired and/or needed in some embodiments of the present invention. In embodiments that do not involve peripheral device server 145B, any or all of the functions described herein as being performed by peripheral device server 145B may instead be performed by computer 110B, one or more gaming devices 130B, one or more peripheral devices 140B, or a combination thereof. Similarly, in embodiments that do not involve peripheral device server 145B any data described herein as being stored in a memory of peripheral device server 145B may instead be stored in a memory of computer 110B, one or more gaming devices 130B, one or more peripheral devices 140B, or a combination thereof.
Any or all of the gaming devices 130B may, respectively,.include or be in communication with a peripheral device 140B. A peripheral device 140B may be a device that receives information from (and/or transmits information to) one or more gaming devices 130B and/or a processor of one or more gaming devices 130B. For example, a peripheral device 140B may be operable to receive information about games being played on a gaming device 130B, such as the initiation of a game and/or a random number that has been generated for a game.
In one embodiment, a peripheral device 140B is associated or includes a processor that is distinct from a processor of a gaming device 130B with which the peripheral device 140B is associated.
In one or more embodiments, one or more such peripheral devices 140B may be in communication with a peripheral device server 145B. This allows the peripheral device server 145B to receive information regarding a plurality of games being played on a plurality of gaming devices 130B. The peripheral device server 145B, in turn, may be in communication with the computer 110B. It should be understood that any functions described herein as performed by a peripheral device 140B may also or instead be performed by the peripheral device server 145B. Similarly, any data described herein as being stored on or accessed by a peripheral device 140B may also or instead be stored on or accessed by the peripheral device server 145B.
A peripheral device 140B may be operable to access a database (e.g., of peripheral device server 145B) to provide benefits (e.g., cashless gaming receipts) based on, for example, an actual outcome of a game. A peripheral device 140B may also be operable to access a database (e.g., a character database, as described in more detail below) to determine which animated character to use when outputting an apparent and/or actual outcome of a game on a gaming device.
The peripheral device server 145B may also be operable to monitor player gambling history over time by associating gambling behavior with player identifiers, such as player tracking card numbers. For example, in embodiments wherein a player selects which character is to be displayed, the peripheral device server 145B may track which character the player previously selects and subsequently use that information to present other offers to the player and/or to output other outcomes to the player. Further, information about the player obtained or accessed by peripheral device server 145B may be analyzed, e.g., to identify those players that a particular gaming machine owner, operator, or manufacturer finds most desirable. Based upon desired objectives, the peripheral device server 145B may direct the appropriate peripheral device 140B to issue customized messages to specific players that are relevant to their gambling behaviors.
Information received by a peripheral device 140B from a gaming device 130B may include gambling data such as number of games initiated per unit of time, outcomes displayed for games initiated, payouts corresponding to outcomes displayed, a credit meter balance of the gaming device, and/or data associated with the player currently playing the gaming device 130B.
The functions described herein as being performed by a peripheral device server 145B and/or a peripheral device 140B may, in one or more embodiments, be performed by the computer 110B (in lieu of or in conjunction with being performed by a peripheral device server 145B and/or a peripheral device 140B). Such functions may be performed by computer 110B in either system 100A (FIG. 1A) or system 100B (FIG. 1B).
In one or more embodiments, a peripheral device 140B may be useful for implementing the embodiments of the present invention into the operation of a conventional gaming device. For example, an external or internal module that comprises a peripheral device 140B may be inserted in, attached to or otherwise associated with a gaming device 130B in order to receive data associated with a supplemental ticket, direct the associated gaming device 130B to perform one or more functions associated with a supplemental ticket, output a supplemental ticket and/or output information associated with a supplemental ticket to a player.
Thus, for example, a peripheral device 140B may be utilized to receive a supplemental ticket (e.g., via a ticket reader component), determine the benefit defined by the supplemental ticket and cause the benefit to be provided (e.g., to a player associated with the supplemental ticket). One manner of causing the benefit defined by a supplemental ticket to be provided may comprise directing the associated gaming device 130 (e.g., by directing a processor thereof) to perform a function (e.g., increase a credit meter balance, initiate a game play, activate a feature). Another manner of causing the benefit defined by the supplemental ticket to be provided may comprise directly providing the benefit to the player (e.g., based on a receipt of both a cash-out ticket and a supplemental ticket, the peripheral device 140 may output a number of tokens or a second cash-out ticket that has a value greater than the first cash-out ticket). In this latter embodiment, a gaming device 130B with which a peripheral device 140B is in communication with may continue to operate conventionally and the novel features described herein may be implemented via a peripheral device 140B.
Accordingly, a peripheral device 140B may include (i) a communications port (e.g., for communicating with one or more gaming devices 130B, peripheral device server 145B, another peripheral device 140B, and/or computer 110B); (ii) a display (e.g., for displaying messages and/or benefits made available to a player as a result of as supplemental ticket), (iii) another output means (e.g., a speaker, light, or motion device to communicate with a player), and or (iv) a benefit providing means (e.g., a printer and paper dispensing means, a credit meter, and/or a hopper and hopper controller).
In one or more embodiments, the peripheral device 140B may not messages or other information to a player but may instead direct a processor of a gaming device 130B to perform such functions. For example, a program stored in a memory of peripheral device 140B may cause a processor of a gaming device 130B to perform certain functions. For example, a program stored in a memory of peripheral device 140B may cause a processor of a gaming device 130B to add credits to a credit meter balance beyond a number of credits associated with a cash-out receipt, activate a feature of the gaming device 130 that would not otherwise be activated, initiate a game play of the gaming device 130 (e.g., in embodiments in which a benefit of a supplemental ticket defines a number of free game plays to be provided to a player), output a supplemental ticket, and/or communicate with another device (e.g., computer 110B).
In one or more embodiments, devices in addition to those illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1 b may be included in a system utilized to implement embodiments described herein. For example, a kiosk may be included as part of either system 100A or system 100B, the kiosk operable to output and/or receive supplemental tickets and/or cash-out tickets. In some embodiments, a kiosk may comprise a processor and a memory as described. A kiosk may also comprise various input devices (e.g., a keypad, a keyboard, a mouse, buttons, a port that receives player tracking cards, an optical scanner for reading barcodes or other indicia, a CCD camera, etc.), output devices (e.g., a display screen, audio speakers, etc.), benefit output devices (e.g., a coin tray or printer for printing cashless gaming tickets), combinations thereof (e.g., a “ticket-in/ticket-out” device, a touch-sensitive display screen, etc.), communications ports, and so on. Thus, a kiosk may comprise many of the features and components of a gaming device, though the kiosk itself may not necessarily be configured to enable gambling activity as a primary function. A kiosk may communicate with any or all of (i) a controller, (ii) a gaming device, (iii) an inventory/reservation system of a casino-maintained property (e.g., a hotel), (iv) casino personnel devices, (v) merchant POS terminals, and so on. A number of kiosks may be stationed within casino premises (e.g., at various locations on a slot floor). In various embodiments, kiosks may execute or assist in the execution of (i) determining and outputting a player status or other types of data described herein (e.g., a kiosk receives a player tracking card, and outputs a number of accumulated reward which a player may be entitled to redeem), (ii) outputting payments to players (e.g., upon receipt of cash-out tickets, supplemental tickets, player tracking cards, smart cards, etc.), and/or (iii) any other process described herein. Thus, such a device may be configured to read from and/or write to one or more databases of the present invention. The memory of such a device may store a program for executing such processes.
In some embodiments, various casino employees may be equipped with or otherwise utilize one or more casino personnel devices, such as personal digital assistants (PDAs) or other computing devices (e.g., personal computer terminals). A casino personnel device may comprise various input devices (e.g., a keypad, a touch-sensitive display screen, a card reader, an infrared bar code scanner, etc.), various output devices (e.g., an LCD screen), a processor, a memory and/or a communications port, as described herein with respect to other devices. In some embodiments, a casino personnel device may communicate with a gaming device, controller, kiosk, peripheral device, and/or an inventory/reservation system of a casino-maintained property (e.g., a hotel). Thus, a casino personnel device may be configurable to, among other things, (i) read from and/or write to one or more databases described herein, (ii) assist in payments made to players (e.g., a representative “scans” a cashless gaming receipt and determines a value associated with the receipt, and if the receipt is valid, provides payment equal to the value), and/or (iii) execute or assist in the execution of various other processes described herein. The memory of such a device may store a program for executing such processes.
In one embodiment, a casino personnel device may be operable to output, receive, validate and/or redeem a supplemental ticket. For example, a casino attendant equipped with a casino personnel device may be capable of having a supplemental ticket printed for a player.
In some embodiments, various merchants (e.g., shops, restaurants, etc.) may utilize point-of-sale (POS) computer terminals to facilitate various processes of the present invention. For example, in some embodiments, a player may receive a cashless gaming ticket redeemable for an amount of currency. However, the ticket may alternately or additionally be redeemable for an amount of credit at a particular merchant location. Thus, in some embodiments, merchants may utilize POS terminals to redeem such vouchers. In some embodiments, such devices may be configured to read from and/or write to one or more databases of the present invention. Such POS terminals may thus comprise various hardware and software described herein with respect to other devices, and may communicate with (i) a central slot server, (ii) a gaming device, (iii) an inventory/reservation system (e.g., a computer terminal at a theatre communicates with an inventory database to determine a number of unsold seats for a certain event), (iv) a kiosk, and so on.
In some embodiments of the present invention, various component devices (e.g., any or all of the benefit output devices, output devices, input devices and/or input output devices described herein) may be embodied as peripheral devices. For example, such devices may not necessarily be components of a gaming device, though they may be configured in such a manner so as to communicate with one or more gaming device processors or any other devices described herein. For example, a peripheral device such as a large display device may be associated with a plurality of gaming devices, and thus may not necessarily be considered a component of any one gaming device. Further, in some embodiments, certain peripheral devices such as card readers may be interchangeable between gaming devices, and thus may be considered a component of a first gaming device while connected thereto, removed from the first gaming device, connected to a second gaming device, and so on. In other embodiments, various peripheral devices may never be considered a component of a particular gaming device. For example, in some embodiments, a peripheral device such as a USB-based portable memory device may store (i) one or more databases described herein, and/or (ii) a program for executing one or more process steps described herein. Such a peripheral device may then be utilized by casino personnel for upgrading/retrofitting existing gaming devices as described herein.
Referring now to FIG. 2, illustrated therein in block diagram form is an example embodiment 200 of a gaming device that may be a gaming device 130A or a gaming device 130B. Embodiment 200 is referred to as gaming device 200 herein.
The gaming device 200 may be implemented as a system controller, a dedicated hardware circuit, an appropriately programmed general-purpose computer, or any other equivalent electronic, mechanical or electromechanical device. The gaming device 200 may comprise, for example, a slot machine, a video poker terminal, a video blackjack terminal, a video keno terminal, a video lottery terminal, a pachinko machine or a table-top game (e.g., a mechanical or electromechanical device may be associated with a table game and be operable to output and/or redeem supplemental tickets). In various embodiments, a gaming device may comprise, for example, a personal computer (e.g., which communicates with an online casino Web site), a telephone (e.g., to communicate with an automated sports book that provides gaming services), or a portable handheld gaming device (e.g., a personal digital assistant or Nintendo GameBoy). In some embodiments, a user device such as a PDA or cell phone may be used in place of, or in addition to, some or all of the gaming device 200 components depicted in FIG. 2. Further, a gaming device may comprise a personal computer or other device operable to communicate with an online casino and facilitate game play at the online casino. In one or more embodiments, the gaming device 200 may comprise a computing device operable to execute software that simulates play of a reeled slot machine game, video poker game, video blackjack game, video keno game, video roulette game, or lottery game.
The gaming device 200 comprises a processor 205, such as one or more Intel® Pentium® processors. The processor 205 is in communication with a memory 210 and a communications port 270 (e.g., for communicating with one or more other devices): The memory 210 may comprise an appropriate combination of magnetic, optical and/or semiconductor memory, and may include, for example, Random Access Memory (RAM), Read-Only Memory (ROM), a compact disc and/or a hard disk. The memory 210 may comprise or include any type of computer-readable medium. The processor 205 and the memory 210 may each be, for example: (i) located entirely within a single computer or other device; or (ii) connected to each other by a remote communication medium, such as a serial port cable, telephone line or radio frequency transceiver. In one embodiment, the gaming device 200 may comprise one or more devices that are connected to a remote server computer for maintaining databases.
The memory 210 stores a program 215 for controlling the processor 205. The processor 205 performs instructions of the program 215, and thereby operates in accordance with the present invention, and particularly in accordance with the methods described in detail herein. The program 215 may be stored in a compressed, uncompiled and/or encrypted format. The program 215 furthermore includes pro gram elements that maybe necessary, such as an operating system, a database management system and “device drivers” for allowing the processor 205 to interface with computer peripheral devices. Appropriate program elements are known to those skilled in the art, and need not be described in detail herein.
According to an embodiment described herein, the instructions of the program 215 may be read into a main memory from another computer-readable medium, such as from a ROM to RAM. Execution of sequences of the instructions in program 215 causes processor 205 to perform the process steps described herein. In alternate embodiments, hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of, or in combination with, software instructions for implementation of the processes of the present invention. Thus, embodiments described herein are not limited to any specific combination of hardware and software. As discussed with respect to system 100B of FIG. 1B, execution of sequences of the instructions in a program of a peripheral device 140B in communication with gaming device 200 may also cause processor 205 to perform some of the process steps described herein.
The memory 210 also stores a plurality of databases, including a supplemental ticket output rules database 220, and a supplemental ticket type database 225. Each of these databases is described in detail below.
As appropriate, memory 210 may also store one or more payout databases and/or one or more probability databases. A payout database (not shown) may be stored in tabular form, or any other appropriate database form, as is well known in the art. The data stored therein may include a number of example records or entries, each defining an outcome that may be obtained on a gaming device that corresponds to a payout. Those skilled in the art will understand that the payout database may include any number of entries. The tabular representation may define fields for each of the entries or records. The fields may specify: (i) an outcome, which indicates the one or more indicia comprising a given outcome; and (ii) a payout that corresponds to each respective outcome.
A gaming device may utilize a payout database to determine whether a payout should be output to a player as a result of an outcome obtained for a game play. For example, after determining the outcome to output on the gaming device, the gaming device may access the payout database to determine whether the outcome for output is one of the outcomes stored as corresponding to a payout greater than zero. If it is, the gaming device may provide the corresponding payout that is greater than zero to the player.
A probability database (also not shown) may be stored in memory 210 in tabular form, or any other appropriate database form, as is well known in the art. The data stored therein may include a number of exemplary records or entries, each defining a random number. Those skilled in the art will understand that the probability database may include any number of entries. The tabular representation may also define fields for each of the entries or records. The fields may specify: (i) a random number (or range of random numbers) that may be generated by the random number generator; and (ii) an outcome that indicates the one or more indicia comprising the outcome that corresponds to the random number of a particular record. A gaming device may utilize a probability database to determine, for example, what outcome corresponds to a random number generated by a random number generator and to display the determined outcome. The outcomes may comprise the three symbols to be displayed along the payline of a three-reel slot machine.
Other arrangements of payout databases and probability databases are possible. For example, the book “Winning At Slot Machines” by Jim Regan (Carol Publishing Group Edition, 1997) illustrates examples of payout and probability tables and how they may be derived. The entirety of this book is incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.
In one embodiment, a benefit defined by a supplemental ticket comprises access to a payout table and/or a probability table that might not otherwise be utilized to determine outcomes and/or payouts. In such an embodiment, a gaming device or another device (e.g., controller 110A or controller 110B) may store a plurality of payout tables and/or a plurality of probability tables. An instruction associated with the supplemental ticket may direct a gaming device to select or otherwise utilize one of the probability tables and/or one of the payout tables based on (i) whether a supplemental ticket is redeemed and/or (ii) information associated with a supplemental ticket being redeemed (e.g., a supplemental ticket may include an indication of a particular payout table and/or a particular probability table to be accessed).
In another embodiment, a benefit defined by a supplemental ticket may comprise an adjustment of one or more payouts of a payout table and/or an adjustment of a probability of obtaining one or more respective outcomes. In such an embodiment, an instruction associated with the supplemental ticket may direct the gaming device to adjust the one or more payouts and/or the one or more probabilities.
Note that, although databases 220 and 225 are described as being stored in a gaming device, in other embodiments of the present invention some or all of these databases may be partially or wholly stored in another device, such as one or more of the peripheral devices 140B, the peripheral device server 145B and/or the computer 110A or 110B. Further, some or all of the data described as being stored in the databases 220-235 may be partially or wholly stored (in addition to or in lieu of being stored in the memory 210 of the gaming device 200) in a memory of one or more other devices, such as one or more of the peripheral devices 140B, another gaming device 130A or 130B, the peripheral device server 145B and/or the computer 110A or 110B.
The databases 220, 225, 230, 235, and 240 are described in detail below and example structures are depicted with sample entries in the accompanying figures. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the schematic illustrations and accompanying descriptions of the sample databases presented herein are exemplary arrangements for stored representations of information. Any number of other arrangements may be employed besides those suggested by the tables shown. For example, even though two separate databases are illustrated, the invention could be practiced effectively using one, three, four, five, or more functionally equivalent databases. Similarly, the illustrated entries of the databases represent exemplary information only; those skilled in the art will understand that the number and content of the entries can be different from those illustrated herein. Further, despite the depiction of the databases as tables, an object-based model could be used to store and manipulate the data types of the present invention and likewise, object methods or behaviors can be used to implement the processes of the present invention.
The processor 205 is also operable to communicate with a random number generator 245, which may be a component of gaming device 200. The random number generator, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention, may generate data representing random or pseudo-random values (referred to as “random numbers” herein). The random number generator may generate a random number every predetermined unit of time (e.g., every second) and/or in response to an initiation of a game play on the gaming device. In the former embodiment, the generated random numbers may be used as they are generated (e.g., the random number generated at substantially the time of game play initiation is used for that game play) and/or stored for future use. A random number generated by the random number generator may be used by the processor 205 to determine, for example, an outcome for a game play, a benefit associated or to be associated with a supplemental ticket, and/or a value of a benefit associated or to be associated with a ticket. For example, in one embodiment a supplemental ticket may define a benefit as a multiplier of a magnitude to be determined at a time of redemption, the multiplier to be applied to a cash-out ticket having at least a value equal to $25.00. The magnitude of the multiplier may be determined, for example, at the time of redemption of the supplemental ticket along with a qualifying cash-out ticket. Thus, a random number of random number generator 245 (or of another random number generator) may be utilized to determine the magnitude of the multiplier to be applied.
A random number generator, as used herein, may be embodied as a processor separate from but working in cooperation with processor 205. Alternatively, random number generator may be embodied as an algorithm, program component, or software stored in the memory of gaming device 200 and used to generate a random number.
Note that, although the generation or obtainment of a random number is described herein as involving a random number generator of a gaming device, other methods of determining a random number may be employed. For example, a gaming device owner or operator may obtain sets of random numbers that have been generated by another entity. HotBits™, for example, is a service that provides random numbers that have been generated by timing successive pairs of radioactive decays detected by a Geiger-Muller tube interfaced to a computer. In another example, a blower mechanism that uses physical balls with numbers thereon may be used to determine a random number by randomly selecting one of the balls and determining the number thereof
In yet another example, another device remote-from the gaming device 200 (e.g., a controller 110A) may include a random number generator that generates random numbers to be provided to the gaming device 200. For example, in some embodiments, a gaming device may receive random numbers and/or any other data related to the random or pseudo-random determination of an outcome from a separate device, such as a server. It should be noted that such embodiments may be advantageous in environments or jurisdictions wherein the “central determination” of outcomes is required by regulation or otherwise preferred.
The processor 205 is also operable to communicate with a benefit output device 250, which may be a component of gaming device 200. The benefit output device 250 may comprise one or more devices for outputting a benefit to a player of the gaming device 200.
For example, in one embodiment the gaming device 200 may provide coins and/or tokens as a benefit. In such an embodiment the benefit output device 250 may comprise a hopper and hopper controller, for dispensing coins and/or tokens into a coin tray of the gaming device 300.
In another example, the gaming device 200 may provide a receipt or other document on which there is printed an indication of a benefit. For example, the gaming device may be operable to output one or more cash-out tickets and/or and/or one or more supplemental tickets. In such an embodiment the benefit output device 250 may comprise a printing mechanism and a document dispensing mechanism.
In yet another example, the gaming device 200 may provide electronic credits as a benefit (which, e.g., may be subsequently converted to coins and/or tokens and dispensed from a hopper into a coin tray). In such an embodiment the benefit output device 250 may comprise a credit meter balance and/or a processor that manages the amount of electronic credits that is indicated on a display of a credit meter balance. The processor may be the processor 205 or another processor.
In yet another example, the gaming device 200 may credit a monetary amount to a financial account associated with a player as a benefit provided to a player. The financial account may be, for example, a credit card account, a debit account, a charge account, a checking account, or a casino account. In such an embodiment the benefit output device 250 may comprise a device for communicating with a server on which the financial account is maintained.
Note that, in one or more embodiments, the gaming device 200 may include more than one benefit output device 250 even though only one benefit output device is illustrated in FIG. 2. For example, the gaming device 200 may include each of (i) a hopper and hopper controller combination, (ii) a credit meter balance, and (iii) a document printing and dispensing combination. Such a gaming device may be operable to provide more than one type of benefit to a player of the gaming device.
A single benefit output device 250 may be operable to output more than one type of benefit. For example, a benefit output device 250 may be operable to increase the balance of credits in a credit meter and communicate with a remote device in order to increase the balance of a financial account associated with a player.
The processor 205 is also operable to communicate with a display device 255, which may be a component of gaming device 200. The display device 255 may comprise, for example, one or more display screens or areas for outputting information related to game play on the gaming device, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT) monitor, liquid crystal display (LCD) screen, or light emitting diode (LED) screen.
In one or more embodiments, gaming device 200 may comprise more than one display device. For example, gaming device 200 may comprise an 1CD display for displaying electronic reels, a display area that displays rotating mechanical reels, and an LED display of a player tracking device (e.g., such as player tracking device 260, described below) that outputs information to a player.
The processor 205 may also be in communication with one or more other devices besides the display device 255, for outputting information (e.g., to a player or another device). Such other one or more output devices may also be components of gaming device 200. Such other one or more output devices may comprise, for example, an audio speaker (e.g., for outputting an actual and/or apparent outcome or information related thereto, in addition to or in lieu of such information being output via a display device 255), an infra-red transmitter, a radio transmitter, an electric motor, a printer (e.g., such as for printing cashless gaming vouchers), a ticket or product dispenser, an infra-red port (e.g., for communicating with a second gaming device or a portable device of a player), a Braille computer monitor, and a coin or bill dispenser. For gaming devices, common output devices include a cathode ray tube (CRT) monitor on a video poker machine, a bell on a gaming device (e.g., rings when a player wins), an LED display of a player's credit balance on a gaming device, an LCD display of a personal digital assistant (PDA) for displaying keno numbers.
The display device 255 may comprise, for example, one or more display areas. For example, one of the display areas may display outcomes of games played on the gaming device (e.g., electronic reels of a gaming device). Another of the display areas may display rules for playing a game of the gaming device. Yet another of the display areas may display the benefits obtainable by playing a game of the gaming device (e.g., in the form of a payout table). Yet another of the display area may display information describing a benefit associated with a supplemental ticket to be provided, being provided, having been provided or being redeemed by a player. For example, a display area may output a message that indicates an extra number of credits that is being provided to the player as a result of the player redeeming a supplemental ticket along with a cash-out ticket. In one or more embodiments, the gaming device 200 may include more than one display device, one or more other output devices, or a combination thereof (e.g., two display devices and two audio speakers).
The processor 205 is also in communication with an input device 265, which is a device that is capable of receiving an input (e.g., from a player or another device, such as an indicium associated with play of a gaming device) and which may be a component of gaming device 200. An input device may communicate with or be part of another device (e.g. a server, a gaming device, etc.). Some examples of input devices include: a bar-code scanner, an optical scanner configured to read other indicia of a voucher or cashless gaming ticket, a CCD camera, a magnetic stripe reader (e.g., for reading data encoded upon a player tracking card), a smart card reader (e.g., for reading data stored upon a smart card), a computer keyboard or keypad, a button, a handle, a lever, a keypad, a touch-screen, a microphone, an infrared sensor, a voice recognition module, a coin or bill acceptor, a sonic ranger, a computer port, a video camera, a motion detector, a digital camera, a network card, a universal serial bus (USB) port, a GPS receiver, a radio frequency identification (RFID) receiver, an RF receiver, a thermometer, a pressure sensor, an infrared port (e.g., for receiving communications from a second gaming device or from a another device such as a smart card or PDA of a player), and a weight scale. For gaming devices, common input devices include a button or touch screen on a video poker machine, a lever or handle connected to the gaming device, a magnetic stripe reader to read a player tracking card inserted into a gaming device, a touch screen for input of player selections during game play, a paper ticket acceptor for accepting paper tickets such as cash-out tickets and a coin and bill acceptor.
In some embodiments, a gaming device may comprise components capable of facilitating both input and output functions (i.e., input/output devices). In one example, a touch-sensitive display screen comprises an input/output device (e.g., the device outputs graphics and receives selections from players). In another example, a processor may communicate with a “ticket-in/ticket-out” device configured to dispense and receive cash-out tickets and/or supplemental tickets. Such a device may also assist in (e.g., provide data so as to facilitate) various accounting functions (e.g., ticket validation and redemption). For example, any or all of a gaming device, kiosk and casino personnel device maintained at a cashier cage may (i) comprise such a benefit input/output device, and/or (ii) communicate with a central server that manages the accounting associated with such ticket-in/ticket-out transactions (e.g., so as to track the issuance, redemption and expiration of such tickets). One example of ticket-in/ticket-out technology that may be adapted or utilized to implement embodiments described herein is the EZ Pay™ system, is manufactured by International Gaming Technology, headquartered in Reno, Nev.
Of course, as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, a gaming device may comprise various combinations of such component devices. For example, in one or more embodiments, the gaming device may include more than one display device, one or more other output devices, several input devices, and so on (e.g., two display screens, two audio speakers, a ticket-in/ticket-out device and several buttons).
The processor 205 is also in communication with a payment system 275, which may be a component of gaming device 200. The payment system 275 is a device capable of accepting payment from a player (e.g., a bet or initiation of a balance) and/or providing payment to a player (e.g., a payout). Payment is not limited to money, but may also include other types of consideration, including products, services, and alternate currencies.
Exemplary methods of accepting payment by the payment system 275 include (i) receiving hard currency (i.e., coins or bills), and accordingly the payment system 275 may comprise a coin or bill acceptor; (ii) receiving an alternate currency (e.g., a cash-out ticket, a supplemental ticket, a coupon, a non-negotiable token), and accordingly the payment system 275 may comprise a bar code reader or other sensing means; (iii) receiving a payment identifier (e.g., a credit card number, a debit card number, a player tracking card number, a code via a keypad or touch-screen); and (iv) determining that a player has performed a value-added activity (e.g., participating in surveys, monitoring remote images for security purposes, referring friends to the casino).
The processor 205 is further operable to communicate with a player tracking device 260, which may be a component of gaming device 200. Player tracking device 260 may, in one or more embodiments, comprise a reader device operable to read information from and/or write information to a card such as a smart card and/or a player tracking card, such that (i) players may be identified, and (ii) various data associated with players may then be determined (e.g., a number of cashable credits; a number of promotional credits that may not be redeemed for cash; a code or other indication of a benefit to be provided to the player, a number of accumulated loyalty points; a number of accumulated game elements such as symbols, cards or hands; etc.). In one example, a card reader device may determine an identifier associated with a player (e.g., by reading a player tracking card comprising an encoded version of the identifier), such that the gaming device may then access data (e.g., of a player database, an outstanding supplemental tickets database, an outstanding cash-out tickets database) associated with the player. In another example, a smart card reader device may determine data associated with a player directly by accessing a memory of an inserted smart card.
Thus, as known in the art, “smart cards” may incorporate (i) a memory, and (ii) means for accessing such a memory. For example, in one embodiment, the memory may store data related to aspects of the present invention. In one embodiment, data may be written to the smart card as a player plays one or more gaming devices (e.g., such that various data may be updated on a continuous, periodic or event-triggered bases). Accordingly, in one or more embodiments one or more devices operable to carry out various processes of the present invention (e.g., a gaming device or kiosk) may have associated therewith a smart card reader device, such that data may be read from the smart card pursuant to the execution of such processes. An example of a smart card system that may be used to implement one or more embodiments of the present invention is the s-Choice™ Smart Card Casino Management System from Smart Card Integrators, Inc.™.
Further, as known in the art, a gaming device may comprise a player tracking module comprising (i) a card reader (e.g., a port into which player tracking cards may be inserted), (ii) various input devices (e.g., a keypad, a touch-screen), (iii) various output devices (e.g., a small, full-color display screen), and/or (iv) combinations thereof (e.g., a touch-sensitive display screen that accommodates both input and output functions). Various commercially available devices may be suitable for such an application, such as the NextGen™ interactive player tracking panel manufactured by IGT or the iVIEW display screen manufactured by Bally® Gaming and Systems.
Of course, other non-card-based methods of identifying players are contemplated. For example, a unique identification code may be associated with the player. The player may then be identified upon entering the code. For example, the code may be stored (e.g., within a database maintained within the gaming device and/or a server) such that the player may enter the code using an input device of a gaming device, and accordingly be identified. In other embodiments, player biometrics may serve as identification means (e.g., a player is identified via a thumbprint or retinal scan). In further embodiments, a barcode of a cashless gaming ticket may encode a player identifier.
Thus, as described, various data associated with a player may be tracked and stored (e.g., in an appropriate record of a centrally-maintained database), such that it may be accessed as desired (e.g., when determining promotional offers or rewards to be provided to players, when determining the status of player with respect to a particular game or period of gambling activity, and so on). Further, various statistics may be measured in association with a player (e.g., coin-in statistics, win/loss statistics) and similarly accessed.
Various systems for facilitating such monitoring are contemplated. For example, a two-wire system such as one offered by International Gaming Systems (IGT) may be used. Similarly, a protocol such as the IGT SAS™ protocol may be used. The SAS™ protocol allows for communication between gaming machines and slot accounting systems and provides a secure method of communicating all necessary data supplied by the gaming device to the online monitoring system. One aspect of the SAS™ protocol that may be beneficial in implementing aspects of the present invention is the authentication function which allows operators and regulators to remotely interrogate gaming devices for important memory verification information, for both game programs, and peripheral devices. In another example, a one-wire system such as the OASIS™ System offered by Aristocrat Technologies™ or the SDS slot-floor monitoring system offered by Bally Gaming and Systems™ may be used. Each of the systems described above is an integrated information system that continually monitors slot machines and customer gaming activity. Thus, for example, any one of these systems may be used to monitor a player's gaming activity in order to determine player outcomes, coin-in statistics, win/loss statistics and/or any other data deemed relevant.
In one embodiment, a player may operate a plurality of gaming devices. For example, a player may simultaneously play two side-by-side gaming devices, a player may play one gaming device (e.g. a gaming device) and then continue his gaming session at another gaming device (e.g. a video poker machine), and a player may remotely operate a gaming device, possibly by using a telephone, PDA or other device (i) to transmit commands (directly or indirectly) to the gaming device, such as wager amounts and commands to select certain cards; and/or (ii) to receive output (directly or indirectly) from the gaming device.
In one embodiment, a gaming device may allow a player to play a game of skill rather than a game of chance. Such an embodiment may be more appealing to certain players or may be permitted in areas where it is illegal to gamble on games of chance.
In one or more embodiments, aspects of the present invention, such as output of supplemental tickets and/or an modifying a parameter of a gaming device based on a receipt of a first indicium associated with play of the gaming device and a second indicium associated with play of the gaming device, may be practiced by replacing and/or augmenting one or more components (e.g., hardware and/or software components) of an existing gaming device. Thus, in one or more embodiments, the invention may be applied as a retrofit or upgrade to existing gaming devices currently available for play within various casinos.
For example, a memory (e.g., computer chip) of the gaming device may be replaced or added, the replacement or additional memory storing a program for instructing the processor of the gaming device to operate in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. In another example, data output via the gaming device (e.g., graphical and/or textual data displayed on the gaming device) may be replaced or added, the replacement or additional data indicating to a player information relevant to one or more aspects of the present invention.
In a specific example, a gaming device may comprise various electronic components mounted to one or more printed circuit boards (PCBs). Such components may include various hardware described herein, such as a communications port and various controllers of peripheral devices (e.g., a display controller), as well as a memory for storing programming instructions (software) and a processor for carrying out such instructions. Forms of memory that may be found in a gaming device include electronically erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM) and flash memory. Thus, in one or more embodiments of the present invention, an EEPROM storing software with instructions for carrying out aspects of the present invention (as well as instructions for carrying out other functions traditionally performed by the gaming device) may replace an EEPROM previously installed in a gaming device or may be reprogrammed in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein, such that the gaming device may be configured to operate in accordance with various processes described herein.
For example, “supplemental ticket module” may be made available for purchase to various casino operators. The module, which may comprise various hardware and software (e.g., an EEPROM storing software instructions), may be installed in an existing gaming device (e.g., a video-reel slot machine, a video poker machine, etc.), such that when the module is installed, players of the device may elect (i) to play the gaming device in a manner that does not incorporate embodiments described herein (e.g., establish a credit balance utilizing cash or a cash-out ticket only), or (ii) to play the gaming device in a manner that incorporates embodiments described herein (e.g., establish a credit balance utilizing both a cash-out ticket and a supplemental ticket). Thus, players who are familiar with operating a gaming device may elect to pay for them in a different or similar manner as they are accustomed to.
Accordingly, a gaming device may be configured to allow a player to select one of two “modes” of the gaming device, and to enable the selected mode. If a player selects a “standard” mode, the gaming device may be configured to operate in a manner similar to how it operated before the installation of the module (e.g., the gaming device operates in a conventional manner, such that embodiments described herein may not be utilized). If a player selects “supplemental ticket” mode, the gaming device may then be operable to execute game play in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein.
In one example of allowing a player to select one or more modes, a touch-sensitive display screen may be configured to output a prompt asking a player to select a mode of operation. Such a prompt may be output in occurrence to various trigger conditions (e.g., coins, bills or tickets are inserted; a credit balance increases from zero to some other number; a player presses a “play” button; a motion, weight, infrared or other sensor detects the presence of a player; etc.). Accordingly, a player may select a mode of operation (e.g., by pressing an appropriately labeled icon of a touch-sensitive display screen), and upon receiving the player's selection, the gaming, device may be configured to operate in the selected mode.
In other embodiments, as described, a peripheral device may be useful for implementing one or more embodiments of the present invention into the operation of a conventional gaming device. For example, in order to avoid or minimize the necessity of modifying or replacing a program already stored in a memory of a conventional gaming device, an external or internal module that comprises a peripheral device may be inserted in, connected to or otherwise associated with the gaming device.
In still further embodiments, rather than configure existing gaming devices to execute embodiments described herein by installing or connecting new hardware and/or software, software may be downloaded into an existing memory of one or more gaming devices. U.S. Pat. No. 6,805,634 to Wells et al. teaches methods for downloading data to gaming devices in such a manner. The entirety of U.S. Pat. No. 6,805,634 is incorporated by reference herein for all purposes. Thus, in some embodiments, an existing gaming device may be reprogrammed to accommodate new functionality of the present invention without the need, or by minimizing the need, to remove and replace hardware within the gaming device.
Referring now to FIG. 3, illustrated therein is a block diagram of an embodiment 300, which maybe an embodiment of either computer 110A of system 100A (FIG. 1A) or computer 110B of system 100B (FIG. 1B). Embodiment 300 is referred to as computer 300 herein. The computer 300 may be implemented as a system controller, a dedicated hardware circuit, an appropriately programmed general-purpose computer, or any other equivalent electronic, mechanical or electromechanical device. The computer 300 may comprise, for example, a server computer operable to communicate with one or more client devices, such as one or more gaming devices, one or more kiosks, one or more peripheral devices, and/or one or more casino personnel devices. The computer 300 is operative to manage the system 100A and/or the system 100B and execute some or all of the methods described herein.
In operation, the computer 300 may function under the control of a casino, a merchant, or other entity that may also control use of the gaming devices 1 30A and/or gaming devices 130B, peripheral devices 140B, and/or peripheral device server 145B. For example, the computer 300 may be a slot server in a casino. In some embodiments, the computer 300 and slot server may be different devices. In some embodiments, the computer 300 may comprise more than one computer operating together. In some embodiments, the computer 300 and peripheral device server 145B maybe the same device.
The computer 300 comprises a processor 305, such as one or more Intel® Pentium® processors. The processor 305 is in communication with a memory 310 and a communications port 315 (e.g., for communicating with one or more other devices). The memory 310 may comprise an appropriate combination of magnetic, optical and/or semiconductor memory, and may include, for example, Random Access Memory (RAM), Read-Only Memory (ROM), a compact disc and/or a hard disk. The processor 305 and the memory 310 may each be, for example: (i) located entirely within a single computer or other device; or (ii) connected to each other by a remote communication medium, such as a serial port cable, telephone line or radio frequency transceiver. In one embodiment, the computer 300 may comprise one or more devices that are connected to a remote server computer for maintaining databases.
The memory 310 stores a program 320 for controlling the processor 305. The processor 305 performs instructions of the program 320, and thereby operates in accordance with the present invention, and particularly in accordance with the methods described in detail herein. The program 320 may be stored in a compressed, uncompiled and/or encrypted format. The program 320 furthermore includes program elements that may be necessary, such as an operating system, a database management system and “device drivers” for allowing the processor 305 to interface with computer peripheral devices. Appropriate program elements are known to those skilled in the art, and need not be described in detail herein.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the instructions of the program 320 may be read into a main memory from another computer-readable medium, such from a ROM to RAM. Execution of sequences of the instructions in program 320 causes processor 305 to perform the process steps described herein. In alternate embodiments, hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of, or in combination with, software instructions for implementation of the processes of the present invention. Thus, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to any specific combination of hardware and software.
The memory 310 also stores a plurality of databases, including a an outstanding cash-out tickets database 325 and an outstanding supplemental tickets database 330. Each of these databases is described in detail below. Note that, although these databases are described as being stored in computer 300, in other embodiments of the present invention some or all of these databases may be partially or wholly stored in another device, such as one or more of the peripheral devices 140B, the peripheral device server 145B, one or more of the gaming devices 130A and/or one or more gaming devices 130B, a slot server (if different from the computer 200), another device, or a combination thereof. Further, some or all of the data described as being stored in the databases 325 and 330 may be partially or wholly stored (in addition to or in lieu of being stored in the memory 310 of the computer 300) in a memory of one or more other devices, such as one or more of the peripheral devices 140B, one or more of the gaming devices 130A or one or more of the gaming devices 130B, the peripheral device server 145B and/or a slot server (if different from computer 300).
In one or more embodiments, memory 310 may store additional databases. For example, a player database and/or a gaming device database may be stored.
A player database (not shown) may be utilized to store and/or access historical data associated with specific players. A player database may be used, for example, to store player wager data so that players wagering over a given threshold in a given amount of time may be rewarded for their patronage. The player database may also contain other information that may be useful in, for example, promoting and managing player behaviors (e.g., information about the player's gaming preferences, previous alternate payment offer selections and/or preferences, outstanding debts, lodging arrangements, and the like). Further, the player database may store data regarding a given player's standing in a game session or bonus game, so that the player can continue the game session or bonus game at a plurality of game machines that have common access to the player database. Such player data may be stored in a relational database and retrieved or otherwise accessed by the processor after receiving a “key” data point from the player, such as a unique identifier read from the player's player tracking card or cashless gaming ticket.
A gaming device database (also not shown) may be utilized to store and access information associated with one or more gaming devices with which computer 300 is operable to communicate. Examples of such information include information regarding (i) a manufacturer of a gaming device, (ii) a denomination of a gaming device, (iii) one or more games available on the gaming device, (iv) features available on a gaming device, (v) features currently activated on a gaming device, (vi) a location of a gaming device, (vii) a status of a gaming device, (viii) outcomes obtained via the gaming device, (ix) coin-in of a gaming device, (x) coin-out of a gaming device, etc.
Referring now to FIG. 4, illustrated therein is a tabular representation 400 of an example embodiment of an outstanding cash-out ticket database 325. Tabular representation 400 is referred to herein as outstanding cash-out ticket database 400. The outstanding cash-out ticket database 400 may be utilized by a device to store and/or access information about cash-out tickets that have been issued by one or more devices (e.g., one or more gaming devices 130A of system 100A or one or more gaming devices 130B of system 100B).
For example, upon outputting a cash-out ticket, the outputting device may transmit information regarding the ticket to controller 300, for storage in a record of the outstanding cash-out ticket database 400. In another example, upon receiving a request to redeem a cash-out ticket, a device may access (or cause controller 300 to access) the record of the outstanding cash-out tickets database that corresponds to the cash-out ticket (e.g., based on a unique identifier of the cash-out ticket) to determine whether the cash-out ticket is valid (e.g., has been previously properly issued, has not expired, has not been reported stolen, etc,) and/or the value of the cash-out ticket.
The outstanding cash-out tickets database 400 includes a number of example records or entries, each defining a cash-out ticket that has been issued or may be available for issuance (e.g., in one embodiment, a unique identifier may be determined and stored in a record of the database prior to a cash-out ticket having the unique identifier being issued). Those skilled in the art will understand that the outstanding cash-out tickets database 400 may include any number of entries. The outstanding cash-out ticket database 400 also defines fields for each of the entries or records. The fields specify: (i) a cash-out ticket identifier 405 that uniquely identifies a cash-out ticket; (ii) an indication 410 of whether a cash-out ticket corresponding to the unique identifier of field 405 has been issued (e.g., output to a player of a gaming device); (iii) a value 415 of the ticket (e.g., a value that represents an amount of cash that the cash-out ticket may be exchanged for and/or a number of credits at a gaming device that the cash-out ticket may be exchanged for); (iv) an indication 420 of whether the cash-out ticket has been redeemed (e.g., exchanged for either currency or credits); (v) an expiration condition 425 associated with the cash-out ticket; and (vi) an identifier of a supplemental ticket, if any, that is associated with the cash-out ticket.
It should be noted that an expiration condition of a cash-out ticket may be any condition that needs to be satisfied in order for a redemption of the cash-out ticket to be approved (e.g. a date prior to which the cash-out ticket needs to be redeemed).
It should further be noted that a supplemental ticket may be associated with a cash-out ticket at a time of (i) output of the cash-out ticket, (ii) output of the supplemental ticket, (iii) redemption of the cash-out ticket, and/or (iv) redemption of the supplemental ticket. A supplemental ticket may be associated with a cash-out ticket based on (i) a request of a player, (ii) a request of a casino attendant, (iii) a signal received from a device (e.g., a gaming device or controller 300) and/or (iv) a timing of a redemption of the cash-out ticket relative to a redemption of the supplemental ticket.
Referring now to FIG. 5, illustrated therein is a tabular representation 500 of an example embodiment of supplemental ticket output rules database 220. Tabular representation 500 is referred to herein as supplemental ticket output rules database 500. The supplemental ticket output rules database 500 may be utilized by a device (e.g., a gaming device) to determine whether to output a supplemental ticket and/or which type of supplemental ticket to output. For example, a gaming device may utilize the supplemental ticket output rules database 500 to determine whether a condition for outputting a supplemental ticket has been satisfied and, if so, output the type of supplemental ticket that corresponds to the satisfied condition. In one embodiment, a gaming device may continuously, substantially continuously, periodical or non-periodically monitor its functions and/or status to determine whether a condition for outputting a supplemental ticket has been satisfied. In one embodiment, a device besides a gaming device (e.g., controller 300, a peripheral device 140B, peripheral device server 145B) may store the supplemental ticket output rules database 500, determine whether a condition for outputting a supplemental ticket has been satisfied, and output or cause another device (e.g., a gaming device) to output the type of supplemental ticket that corresponds to the satisfied condition.
The supplemental ticket output rules database 500 includes a number of example records or entries, each defining a condition for outputting a supplemental ticket. Those skilled in the art will understand that the supplemental ticket output rules database 500 may include any number of entries. The supplemental ticket output rules database 500 also defines fields for each of the entries or records. The fields specify: (i) an output rules identifier 505 that may (e.g., uniquely) identify a rule for outputting a supplemental ticket, (ii) an output condition 510 the satisfaction of which may cause an output of a supplemental ticket, and (iii) a supplemental ticket type identifier 515 that identifies (e.g., uniquely) the type of supplemental ticket that is to be output.
Rules for determining when to output a supplemental ticket and/or what type of supplemental ticket to output may be constructed pursuant to a variety of marketing strategies; while the general goal of outputting a supplemental ticket may be to encourage players to redeem cash-out tickets for credits at a gaming device, more specific goals may focus on encouraging play with respect to particular gaming devices, gaming devices of particular denominations or ranges of denominations, gaming devices in particular locations of a casino, tickets, time periods, players, and the like.
Rules for outputting a supplemental ticket may be programmed such that supplemental tickets are output upon the satisfaction of one or more conditions. For example, a supplemental ticket may be output when: (i) a cash-out ticket with a particular value is output (e.g., rule 1 of table 500), (ii) a gaming device has been in an idle state (e.g., “attract mode”) or has otherwise been under-utilized for a period of time (e.g., rule 2 of table 500), (iii) a player has ended play on a particular device after a relatively short period of time (e.g., rule 3 of table 500), (iv) a player has lost a certain amount of money (e.g., rule 4 of table 500), (v) cashout occurs during a certain period of time (e.g., rule 5 of table 500), etc. It should be appreciated that a wide range of such rules may be employed. It should further be understood that a particular rule may specify more than one condition that need by satisfied in order for a particular type of supplemental ticket to be output.
In one embodiment, upon determining that a condition corresponding to a particular type of supplemental ticket has been satisfied, a supplemental ticket of the corresponding type may be caused to be output. For example, again referencing table 500, should rule 2 be satisfied (i.e., a timer indicates that a gaming device has remained idle for more than five minutes), a processor (e.g., of a gaming device, of a peripheral device, or of a controller) may instruct a ticket-in/ticket-out device to output a supplemental ticket of type “101”. The ticket-in/ticket-out device may then register indicia upon the supplemental ticket as it is output (e.g., a bar code indicating the supplemental ticket type identifier, associated marketing text, etc.).
Accordingly, supplemental tickets of various types may be output with respect to a variety of marketing strategies. For example, numerous individual supplemental tickets of the same type may be made available at once on a casino floor. Each individual supplemental ticket of a particular type may provide a substantially similar benefit. It may be desirable to provide players with access to numerous supplemental tickets (e.g., of the same type), since possession of such supplemental tickets may encourage the redemption of cash-out tickets at gaming devices for credits and thus game plays, in turn generating casino revenues, greater play and/or increased trials of certain gaming devices. Alternately, should this not be desired, each supplemental ticket may comprise a unique identifier, such that the use of individual supplemental tickets may be restricted in accordance with, for example, redemption and expiration data stored at a controller.
As described herein, a supplemental ticket may comprise a supplemental ticket type identifier and/or a supplemental ticket identifier. A supplemental ticket identifier and/or a supplemental ticket type identifier (e.g., determined by scanning a bar code) may be used, for example, by a gaming device to access data stored in a memory. Such data may describe information concerning the use of a supplemental ticket and/or a supplemental ticket of a particular type (e.g., redemption conditions and/or instructions for modifying a parameter or otherwise providing a benefit). Such data may be stored, for example, in a database of a gaming device or controller (e.g., a supplemental ticket type database 235). For example, such data may indicate that a supplemental ticket may only be redeemed (i) along with a qualifying cash-out ticket (e.g., a specified cash-out ticket or a cash-out ticket having one or more specified characteristics), (ii) at a qualifying device, (iii) during a specified time period, etc., as detailed further herein. Accordingly, a supplemental ticket may comprise text indicating, for example, (i) which cash-out ticket(s) a player may redeem the supplemental ticket along with (e.g., “Insert this bonus ticket along with any cash-out ticket worth $50 or less”), (ii) which devices accept the supplemental ticket (e.g., “Insert this ticket into any Volcano Madness machine”), (iii) a time period during which the supplemental ticket may be used (e.g., “Bonus ticket valid 5:00-6:00 p.m. only”), etc.
In one embodiment, supplemental ticket output rules database may include another field that indicates a current status of each rule. Such a field may store, for example, an indication of whether each respective rule is currently “active” (thus being available for use in determining whether the corresponding supplemental ticket type is to be output) or “inactive.” Inclusion of such a field may allow, for example, casino personnel and/or a controller to selectively control which rules for outputting supplemental ticket types are active at any given time.
Referring now to FIGS. 6A and 6B, illustrated therein is a tabular representation 600 of an example embodiment of supplemental ticket type database 225. Tabular representation 600 is referred to herein as supplemental ticket type database 600. Supplemental ticket type database may be utilized by a device (e.g., a gaming device 130A or 130B and/or controller 110A or controller 110B) to output a supplemental ticket, determine redemption conditions associated with a supplemental ticket, and/or determine a benefit defined by a supplemental ticket. For example, upon receiving a request to redeem a supplemental ticket along with a cash-out receipt, a gaming device may access (or cause controller 130A or controller 130B to access) the supplemental ticket type database 600 to verify that the redemption conditions associated with the supplemental ticket (e.g., based on the type of supplemental ticket, which may be indicated via an identifier of the supplemental ticket) have been satisfied. Similarly, the gaming device may access the supplemental ticket type database 600 to determine an instruction associated with the supplemental ticket (e.g., in order to execute the instruction). For example, if the instruction defines a number of credits by which a value associated with the cash-out ticket is to be increased, upon determining the instruction the gaming device may cause a credit meter balance to be increased by the defined number of credits.
The supplemental ticket type database 600 includes a number of example records or entries, each a type of supplemental ticket that may be output and/or redeemed. Those skilled in the art will understand that the supplemental ticket type database 600 may include any number of entries. The supplemental ticket type database 600 also defines fields for each of the entries or records. The fields specify: (i) a supplemental ticket type identifier 605 that identifies (e.g., uniquely) a type of supplemental ticket that may be output and/or redeemed; (ii) qualifying cash-out tickets 610 that define cash-out tickets along with which a supplemental ticket of the corresponding type may be redeemed; (iii) qualifying devices 615 at which a supplemental ticket of the corresponding type may be redeemed (e.g., by specifying a gaming device identifier and/or characteristic of a gaming device such as a location of the gaming device); (iv) qualifying time periods 620 during which a supplemental ticket of the corresponding type may be redeemed; (v) a parameter type 625 that indicates a parameter that may be modified or a parameter a value of which may be modified upon redemption of a supplemental ticket of the corresponding type; (vi) one or more instructions that are to be executed upon redemption of a supplemental ticket of the corresponding type (e.g., an instruction regarding how the corresponding parameter or value of the corresponding parameter is to be modified); (vi) a start event 635 that indicates one or more events upon the occurrence of which, substantially upon the occurrence of which and/or after the occurrence of which a modification of the corresponding parameter is to be performed; and (viii) an end event 640 that indicates one or more events upon the occurrence of which, substantially upon the occurrence of which, and/or after the occurrence of which the modification of the corresponding parameter is to end.
The fields 610 through 620 specify various redemption conditions that may be associated with a supplemental ticket. Of course, other redemption conditions may be appropriate.
It should be noted that, in one or more embodiments, some or all of the information stored in the supplemental ticket type database 600 may, alternatively or additionally, be stored or indicated on a supplemental ticket that is output. For example, if a supplemental ticket of the type “101” is output, the supplemental ticket may have printed thereon (e.g., in machine and/or human readable form) an indication that the supplemental ticket is redeemable with any cash-out receipt, on any device in bank “A” of devices located in room “Z”, at any time. The supplemental ticket may also indicate that the benefit to be provided upon redemption of the supplemental ticket is an addition of five non-cashable credits to a credit meter balance of the device at which the supplemental ticket is being redeemed.
Referring now to FIG. 7, illustrated therein is a tabular representation 700 illustrates an example embodiment of an outstanding supplemental tickets database 335. Tabular representation 700 is referred to herein as outstanding supplemental tickets database 700. Outstanding supplemental tickets database 700 may be accessed by a device (e.g., a gaming device and/or a controller), for example, to store and/or access information about a particular supplemental ticket. The supplemental ticket may be one that has previously been provided to a player. For example, upon receiving an input of a supplemental ticket, a gaming device may communicate with a controller to determine, based on the information stored in the outstanding supplemental tickets database 700, whether the redemption can be authorized.
The outstanding supplemental ticket database 700 includes a number of example records or entries, each defining a supplemental ticket that may be output or has been output. Those skilled in the art will understand that the outstanding supplemental ticket database 700 may include any number of entries. The outstanding supplemental ticket database 700 also defines fields for each of the entries or records. The fields specify: (i) a supplemental ticket identifier 705 that identifies (e.g., uniquely) a supplemental ticket; (ii) a supplemental ticket type 710 that identifies the type of supplemental ticket; (iii) redemption condition(s) 715 associated with the corresponding supplemental ticket; (iv) a status 720 currently associated with the supplemental ticket (e.g., issued, redeemed); and (v) an associated cash-out ticket field 725 that stores an indication of any cash-out tickets associated with the corresponding supplemental ticket.
It should be noted that a cash-out ticket may be associated with a supplemental ticket at a time of (i) output of the cash-out ticket, (ii) output of the supplemental ticket, (iii) redemption of the cash-out ticket, and/or (iv) redemption of the supplemental ticket. A cash-out ticket may be associated with a supplemental ticket based on (i) a request of a player, (ii) a request of a casino attendant, (iii) a signal received from a device (e.g., a gaming device or controller 300) and/or (iv) a timing of a redemption of the cash-out ticket relative to a redemption of the supplemental ticket.
It should further be noted that the redemption condition(s) stored in field 715 may include some or all of the redemption condition(s) 645 of table 600 (FIG. 6A). In one embodiment, some or all of the redemption condition(s) 645 associated with the type of supplemental ticket that corresponds to an outstanding supplemental ticket may be stored in fold 715, along with additional redemption condition(s) that may be associated with the particular supplemental ticket. For example, in one embodiment a supplemental ticket may be associated with a particular player identifier (e.g., a player identifier of a player to whom the supplemental ticket was issued), such that the supplemental ticket may only be redeemed along with the player identifier. In another example, a ticket type may be associated with a period of time redemption condition that defines a period of time from the time of issuance of a particular supplemental ticket of the type, during which period the supplemental ticket may be redeemed. In such an example, the redemption condition(s) field 715 may store an actual expiration date (e.g., calculated based on the time of issuance of the supplemental ticket) rather than an indication of the period of time as it is stored in field 620 of FIG. 6A.
In one or more embodiments, some or all of the information stored in the outstanding supplemental tickets database 700 may additionally or alternatively be stored or indicated on a supplemental ticket. For example, a supplemental ticket may have printed thereon (e.g., in machine and/or human readable form) an indication of the redemption condition(s) associated with the supplemental ticket and/or any cash-out tickets associated with the supplemental ticket.
Described below, with reference to FIGS. 8 through 10, are various processes that may be executed in accordance with embodiments described herein. Any and all of the processes, as well as any portions thereof, may be performed by (i) a gaming device, (ii) a controller, (iii) devices operatively connected to gaming devices and/or controllers (e.g., input and/or output devices), and/or (iv) any combination thereof. Thus, it is contemplated that the steps may be performed by any combination of the devices and computers described herein.
Referring now to FIG. 8, illustrated therein is a flowchart depicting one process 800 that is consistent with embodiments described herein. It should be noted that the different steps of the process 800 may be performed at different times (e.g., step 815 may be performed days, weeks or months after step 810 is performed) and by different devices (e.g., step 810 may be performed by a kiosk or first gaming device, while step 815 may be performed by a second gaming device). However, the process 800 is presented herein as a single process that may be performed by a combination of devices (e.g., operable to communicate with one another over a network of a casino) in order to provide a more comprehensive overview of the various sub-processes that may be involved in implementing some of the embodiments described herein, and how these sub-processes may relate to one another.
In step 805, a benefit for a supplemental ticket is determined. It should be noted that step 805 may, in one or more embodiments, be preceded by a step of determining whether to output a supplemental ticket or a step of receiving an instruction (e.g., an instruction received by a gaming device from a controller) to output a supplemental ticket. In the latter embodiment, the instruction may include an indication of the benefit, thus step 805 may comprise determining the benefit indicated by the instruction. Determining whether to output a supplemental ticket may comprise monitoring conditions or events (e.g., at one or more gaming devices) in order to determine whether one or more conditions for outputting a supplemental ticket has been satisfied (e.g., by determining whether one or more of the conditions 510 of the supplemental ticket output rules database 500 has been satisfied).
Determining a benefit for a supplemental ticket may comprise, for example, determining whether a condition associated with a supplemental ticket type has been satisfied (e.g., by determining whether one or more of the conditions 510 of the supplemental ticket output rules database 500 has been satisfied), and, if so, determining the benefit that corresponds to the supplemental ticket type. For example, the appropriate record of supplemental ticket type database may be, accessed based on the supplemental ticket type identifier associated with the satisfied condition. Determining the benefit may thus comprise Determining the parameter type 625 associated with the supplemental ticket type and the instruction(s) for modifying the parameter. In such an embodiment, a benefit comprises a modification of a parameter or modification of a value associated with a parameter.
It should be noted that determining a benefit for a supplemental ticket in step 805 may comprise determining the benefit but not necessarily the value of the benefit. In one embodiment, the benefit may be determined prior to the supplemental ticket being output while the value of the benefit may be determined subsequent to the supplemental ticket being output (e.g., at the time of redemption). For example, the benefit determined prior to output of the supplemental ticket may be a modification of payout parameter, with an associated instruction to modify all payouts for the first twenty game plays after redemption of the supplemental ticket by a multiplier of “1.05”. However, in such an embodiment the actual value of the benefit may not be determined until after the supplemental ticket is redeemed and the multiplier is applied to the twenty game plays. Thus, not only may determining the value of the benefit of a supplemental ticket be a subroutine performed separately from a subroutine of determining the benefit of the supplemental ticket, the two subroutines may be performed at different times and/or by different devices. Of course, in one embodiment, step 805 may comprise determining both the benefit and the value of the benefit for a supplemental ticket. For example, in one embodiment the benefit may be determined to be an addition of a specific number of non-cashable credits to a credit meter balance when the supplemental ticket is redeemed along with at least one other ticket and the value may be determined to be the specific number of the non-cashable credits.
In one embodiment, step 805 of determining a benefit for a supplemental ticket may include determining the person to whom the benefit is to be provided via the supplemental ticket. In one or more embodiments, a supplemental ticket may be issued or output to a particular player. In such embodiments, process 800 may further comprise determining the player. For example, the player currently playing a gaming device at which the supplemental ticket is to be output may be the determined player. In another example, a supplemental ticket may be mailed to a player and the player may be determined by being selected (e.g., randomly, based on particular criteria, etc.) from a player database.
Thus, in one or more embodiments, determining a benefit and/or a value of a benefit for a supplemental ticket may be determined based on information associated with a player to whom the supplemental ticket is to be output or issued. For example, a player with a first (e.g., more valuable to the casino) status or rating may be provided with a benefit that is more beneficial (to the player) than a player with a second (e.g., less favorable to the casino) status or rating. Determining a more beneficial benefit may comprise determining a type of benefit that is more beneficial to a player and/or determining a value of a benefit that is more beneficial to a player.
As described above, in one embodiment a value of a benefit may be determined at a time of redemption of the supplemental ticket. Thus, in one or more embodiments in which a supplemental ticket is a bearer instrument that may be redeemed by any player, the value of the benefit may be determined at the time of redemption to be a first value if the supplemental ticket is redeemed by a first player but determined to be a second value if the supplemental ticket is redeemed by a second player. For example, a player associated with a status of “frequent player” who redeems a supplemental ticket associated with a multiplier to be applied to a top jackpot may be provided with a multiplier of “1.2” while if the same supplemental ticket had been redeemed by a player associated with a status of “infrequent player” may be provided with a lesser multiplier of “1.1”.
It should be noted that a value of a benefit may be determined via a random number generator (e.g., a magnitude of a multiplier by which a payout is to be multiplied may be determined based on a random number). This may be true irrespective of the time at which the value is determined (e.g., at time of issuance or redemption of a supplemental ticket).
In one embodiment, step 805 may be performed by a controller (e.g., controller 300) that receives or otherwise obtains information associated with one or more gaming devices in order to determine whether a supplemental ticket should be output at (e.g., via a printing mechanism of the gaming device or a peripheral device associated with the gaming device) the one or more gaming devices. In another embodiment, step 805 may be performed by a kiosk, casino personnel device and/or gaming device.
In step 810, a supplemental ticket is output. Outputting a supplemental ticket may comprise, for example, causing the supplemental ticket to be printed and dispensed from the printing mechanism. The printing mechanism may be a printing mechanism of a gaming device, a printing mechanism of a kiosk, a printing mechanism of a controller, a printing mechanism of a casino personnel device, etc. In another embodiment, outputting a supplemental ticket (e.g., particularly in embodiments in which another indicium associated with game play besides a supplemental ticket, such as a code, is output), the step of outputting may comprise outputting information (e.g., the code) via a display device associated with the gaming device.
It should be noted that a value of a benefit and/ or the benefit may or may not be printed on the associated supplemental ticket and/or may or may not be easily determinable by the player. For example, a supplemental ticket may have printed thereon that redemption of the supplementary ticket along with a cash-out ticket may result in a “mystery” amount of credits to be provided to the player or a “mystery” multiplier being applied to a payout. In such embodiments, the mystery value of the benefit may in fact be predetermined and associated with the supplemental ticket (e.g., the value of the benefit may be determined at the time of issuance of the supplemental ticket and stored in association with the supplemental ticket identifier in a database). Alternatively, the mystery value of the benefit may not be predetermined but may instead be determined at a time subsequent to issuance of the ticket. For example, the value of the benefit may be determined at the time of redemption or even after a time of redemption (e.g., via a random number generator and/or based on information associated with the redemption). Information associated with the redemption may include a time of redemption (e.g., a value may be higher if the supplemental ticket is redeemed during certain “bonus” times), a gaming device at which the supplemental ticket is redeemed (e.g., a benefit may be worth more on some gaming devices than others), a player who redeems the supplemental ticket, a cash-out receipt along with which the supplemental ticket is redeemed. As an example of the last factor that may effect a value of a benefit, a player may be provided with two extra credits if the supplemental ticket is redeemed along with a cash-out receipt having a face value less than $20.00 but may be provided with five extra credits if the supplemental ticket defining the benefit is redeemed along with a cash-out receipt having a face value at least equal to $20.00.
It should be noted that, in some embodiments, process 800 may further include a step of outputting a cash-out ticket. For example, in embodiments in which a gaming device outputs a supplemental ticket, the supplemental ticket may be output in association with (e.g., shortly before, shortly after, during or at the end of the same play session, etc.) a cash-out ticket. In some embodiments, upon receiving an indication that a player of a gaming device has indicated a request to cash out (e.g., a player actuates a “Cash Out” button), the gaming device may output a cash-out ticket. In one embodiment, a cash-out ticket may bear a face value equal to a gaming device credit balance the player accumulated before cashing out (i.e., the player automatically receives a ticket for his/her entire balance). In other embodiments, after indicating a desire to cash out, a player may be presented with various options. One option may comprise receiving only a portion of an accumulated credit balance via a cash-out ticket.
As described herein, a cash-out ticket may entitle its bearer to an amount of credits or currency equal to an indicated face value (e.g., 35 credits or $35). In some embodiments, a cash-out ticket may comprise a substrate (e.g., a small piece of paper) that may be output and/or received by a gaming device (e.g., via a “ticket-in/ticket-out” slot), comprising machine-readable indicia (e.g., a bar code) and a unique receipt identifier (e.g., a series of numeric digits). A cash-out ticket may be output by a ticket-in/ticket-out device or any other benefit output device described herein. In some embodiments, the step of outputting a cash-out ticket via a ticket-in/ticket-out device comprises printing various indicia upon a substrate. Ink jet, thermal, laser and other methods for registering indicia are contemplated.
In some embodiments, each cash-out ticket output from a gaming device in communication with a controller may comprise a unique identification code. In this manner, after receiving a cashout request from a player, a gaming device processor may actuate a ticket-in/ticket-out device to output a cash-out ticket comprising, (i) an indication of a face value (e.g., text upon the cash-out ticket reads “$35”), (ii) a unique cash-out ticket identifier (e.g., 100901), and (iii) a machine-readable bar code indicating the particular cash-out ticket (e.g., the cash-out ticket identifier in the form of a bar code). In one embodiment, the unique cash-out ticket identifier may be generated or otherwise determined by the gaming device and communicated to the controller. In another embodiment, the unique cash-out ticket identifier may be obtained by the gaming device from the controller.
A step of outputting a cash-out ticket may comprise communicating with a device storing the outstanding cash-out tickets database 330 to reflect the issuance of a cash-out ticket bearing a unique identification code. Specifically, a gaming device processor may access an outstanding cash-out tickets database 330 stored by a central controller (or cause the controller to access the database) in order to update an existing database record associated with the unique cash-out ticket identifier of the cash-out ticket that has been issued, or to create such a record. For example, both an indication of issuance field 410 and the value field 415 of table 400 that embodies an example of the outstanding cash-out ticket database 235 may be updated upon the output of a cash-out ticket. In this manner, should the player re-insert the cash-out ticket into a gaming device, the device may execute a validation process, which may comprise (i) determining a cash-out ticket identifier (e.g., by scanning a machine-readable bar code), (ii) determining a status of the cash-out ticket (e.g., by accessing a database to determine if the cash-out ticket has been issued, but not yet redeemed), and (iii) providing an associated value (e.g., adding the appropriate number of credits to an electronic credit meter).
Referring again to step 810, outputting a supplemental ticket may comprise outputting, via a gaming device, a supplemental ticket. For example, in some embodiments, a supplemental ticket and a cash-out ticket may be output by the same benefit output device (e.g., ticket dispenser, ticket-in/ticket-out device, etc.). Further, a supplemental ticket may appear similar in nature to a cash-out ticket. For example, both a supplemental ticket and a cash-out ticket may comprise a piece of paper of substantially the same size, and a bar code may appear in approximately the same location on each ticket. However, marketing text and other indicia may appear differently; for example, a cash-out ticket may read “Cash-Out Ticket—$45.00,” whereas a supplemental ticket may read “Bonus Ticket—10% Higher Payouts.” A supplemental ticket may comprise instructions indicating to a player any rules and processes associated with redeeming the supplemental ticket. Additionally, a supplemental ticket may comprise a supplemental ticket type identifier (e.g., a series of numeric digits), and machine-readable indicia indicating a supplemental ticket type identifier.
It should be noted that in one embodiment, a gaming device may be programmed to output a supplemental ticket along with each cash-out ticket (or along with each qualifying cash-out ticket, such as any cash-out ticket with a face value of at least $10.00). Further, the supplemental tickets maybe pre-printed and stored in the gaming device for output. Alternatively, the gaming device may be programmed to only output a particular type of supplemental ticket or one of a set of types of supplemental tickets in a random or particular order. In such embodiments, step 805 may simply comprise determining that a cash-out ticket is being output or about to be output and therefore outputting a supplemental ticket, the supplemental ticket being simply the next supplemental ticket in queue to be output or of a type that is the next type in queue to be output.
In one embodiment, a ticket-in/ticket-out device provides a supplemental ticket and a cash-out ticket sequentially. In another embodiment, a cash-out ticket has attached thereto a supplemental ticket and the cash-out ticket may therefore be provided simultaneously or substantially simultaneously with the supplemental ticket (e.g., two tickets, affixed by perforation to one another, are output at once).
In some embodiments, a benefit output device (e.g., a ticket dispenser) may be loaded with pre-printed supplemental tickets. In other embodiments, indicia may be printed upon a supplemental ticket by a printer as the supplemental ticket is output.
In step 815, a supplemental ticket is received along with at least one other ticket. For example, a supplemental ticket may be received by a gaming device (e.g., via a ticket-in/ticket-out component of the gaming device) when inserted by a player. The gaming device may then prompt the player for a cash-out receipt and the player may insert a cash-out receipt that the player intends to redeem along with the supplemental ticket. In one embodiment, instructions for inserting a supplemental ticket in order to redeem the supplemental ticket may be printed or otherwise indicated on the supplemental ticket. For example, a player may have obtained a supplemental ticket indicating, “Insert this bonus ticket before any cash-out ticket worth $50 or less and get double jackpot payouts as long as you play.” Thus, in some embodiments, a player may be instructed to insert a supplemental ticket into a gaming device before inserting a qualifying cash-out ticket.
Accordingly, a gaming device may receive a supplemental ticket previously output to a player. As described herein, in some embodiments a supplemental ticket may be received by a ticket-in/ticket-out device. For example, a customer may approach a gaming device and partially insert a supplemental ticket into a ticket-in/ticket-out slot, such that the device detects the insertion of the supplemental ticket and actuates a motor to accept the supplemental ticket completely. In other embodiments, an alternate input device, such as a designated supplemental ticket acceptor, may receive a supplemental ticket.
In some embodiments, the step 815 of receiving a supplemental ticket may comprise outputting a message to a player. A message may be output via any combination of output devices, including display devices, audio speakers and the like. For example, a message may comprise text output to a gaming device display screen.
In one or more embodiments, a method may provide for (i) receiving a first ticket, (ii) determining based on the ticket to output a message requesting a second ticket, (iii) receiving the second ticket, and (iv) causing the output of the message to end.
In some embodiments, after receiving a supplemental ticket and determining that the redemption condition(s) associated with the supplemental ticket (a process described in more detail with respect to step 820, below), a processor may instruct a display screen to output one or more messages. For example, should a redemption condition of the supplemental ticket specify that any cash-out ticket is a qualifying cash-out ticket, a processor may instruct, upon receiving a supplemental ticket, a display screen to output text indicating “Please insert any cash-out ticket now!” In other examples, after determining various redemption conditions associated with a received supplemental ticket, a processor may instruct a display screen to output text indicating: “Please insert any cash-out ticket with a face value of $50 or less,” or “Please insert any cash-out ticket with a Bonus Star Symbol,” etc, as appropriate based on the associated redemption condition(s).
As described, step 815 comprises receiving a supplemental ticket along with at least one other ticket. The at least one other ticket may comprise another supplemental ticket and/or a cash-out ticket. Thus, in one embodiment, step 815 may comprise receiving two or more tickets, one of which may be a cash-out ticket. In one embodiment, the at least one other ticket may comprise currency in the form of bills, coins or casino tokens. Thus, in one embodiment the value of the currency in one of these forms may be increased (e.g., multiplied or added to) based on a redemption of a supplemental ticket.
As described herein, in one embodiment a gaming device may receive a cash-out ticket via a ticket-in/ticket-out device or any other input device. In some embodiments, a supplemental ticket and a cash-out ticket may be sequentially received by the same ticket-in/ticket-out device. For example, a player may (i) approach a gaming device, (ii) insert a supplemental ticket, and (iii) insert a cash-out ticket.
Upon receiving a cash-out ticket, the device receiving the cash-out ticket (or another device with which the device receiving the cash-out ticket is operable to communicate) may determine a cash-out ticket identifier (e.g., by scanning a bar code). The device receiving the cash-out ticket may then access (or cause another device to access) the appropriate record of an outstanding cash-out tickets database 330 (e.g., based on the determined cash-out ticket identifier) in order to determine, (i) whether or not the cash-out ticket has been issued, (ii) whether or not the cash-out ticket has been previously redeemed, (iii) whether or not the cash-out ticket has expired, and (iv) a value of the cash-out ticket (e.g., an amount of credits associated with the cash-out ticket). In some embodiments, a number of credits indicated by the cash-out ticket may then be provided to a player by being added to a credit meter balance of a gaming device (e.g., the gaming device that received the cash-out ticket).
In step 820, it is determined whether the redemption condition(s) associated with the supplemental ticket received in step 815 have been satisfied. Determining whether the redemption condition(s) have been satisfied may comprise, for example, determining the redemption condition(s). Such a determination may be performed, for example, by accessing a database storing such redemption condition(s) in association with an identifier of the supplemental ticket (e.g., a unique supplemental ticket identifier and/or a supplemental ticket type identifier). In another embodiment, determining whether the redemption condition(s) have been satisfied may comprise communicating with another device (e.g., a gaming device may communicate with a controller that stores such a database). For example, a gaming device may communicate the identifier of the supplemental ticket to the other device and, in return receive an indication of whether the associated redemption condition(s) have been satisfied and/or an indication of the redemption condition(s). In one embodiment, the redemption condition(s) are included on the supplemental ticket in machine readable form, such that the gaming device need not communicate with another device to determine the redemption condition(s) and/or whether the redemption condition(s) have been satisfied. Even in such embodiments, however, the gaming device may communicate with another device (e.g., a controller) to indicate the redemption and/or attempted redemption of the supplemental ticket.
Various redemption condition(s) may be associated with a supplemental ticket (e.g., as described briefly with reference to table 600 (FIGS. 6A and 6B) and table 700 (FIG. 7). Examples of such redemption condition(s) will now be described in more detail.
One redemption condition that may be associated with a supplemental ticket may comprise a condition that specifies a qualifying device. In other words, in one embodiment a supplemental ticket may only be redeemed (e.g., a parameter defined by the supplemental ticket may be modified) at a qualifying gaming device. A qualifying device may comprise a device having one or more specified characteristics. For example, a qualifying device may comprise one or more of the following (i) one or more specific devices as identified by a device number (e.g., #1745; #1800-1899), (ii) one or more devices manufactured by a specified company, (iii) one or more devices characterized by the same game or theme (e.g., video poker, Volcano Madness, etc.), (iv) one or more devices in a particular location (e.g., “Room Z” of casino, “Bank A” of machines, etc.). Thus, in one embodiment, step 820 may comprise determining whether the received supplemental ticket is being redeemed at a qualifying device. For example, turning to FIG. 6A, if supplemental ticket type 103 is received by a gaming device, it may be determined that the supplemental ticket of the type is only redeemable at devices having device identifiers #1800-1899. Thus, if the gaming device at which the supplemental ticket is received is a device having an identifier that is within the specified range of acceptable identifiers, it may be determined that this redemption condition has been satisfied.
Another redemption condition that may be associated with a supplemental ticket may comprise a condition that specifies a qualifying period of time. In other words, in one embodiment a supplemental ticket may only be redeemed (e.g., a parameter defined by the supplemental ticket may be modified) during a qualifying period of time. A qualifying period of time may comprise a period of time having one or more specified characteristics. For example, a qualifying period of time may comprise one or more of the following: (i) a period of hours during which a supplemental ticket may be redeemed (e.g., “Coupon valid 5:00-6:00 p.m. only”), (ii) one or more days during which the supplemental ticket may be redeemed (e.g., “Ticket valid Sundays only”), (iii) within a period of time of a specified time (e.g., within an hour from issuance of the ticket), etc. Thus, in one embodiment, step 820 may comprise determining whether a current time at which the received supplemental ticket is being redeemed is within a qualifying period of time. For example, turning to FIG. 6A, if supplemental ticket type 102 is received by a gaming device, it may be determined that the supplemental ticket of the type is only redeemable between 5:00 pm and 6:00 pm. Thus, if the gaming device at which the supplemental ticket is received determines that the current time (e.g., based on an internal clock accessible to the processor of the gaming device) is between 5:00 pm and 6:00 pm, it may be determined that this redemption condition has been satisfied.
Another redemption condition that may be associated with a supplemental ticket may comprise a condition that specifies a qualifying cash-out ticket. In other words, in one embodiment a supplemental ticket may only be redeemed (e.g., a parameter defined by the supplemental ticket may be modified) along with a qualifying cash-out ticket. A qualifying cash-out ticket may comprise a cash-out ticket having one or more specified characteristics. For example, a qualifying cash-out ticket may comprise one or more of the following: (i) a cash-out ticket having a particular cash-out ticket identifier (e.g., #20759), (ii) a cash-out ticket having an identifier that is within a certain range of identifiers (e.g., #10001-19999), (iii) a cash-out ticket having a certain indicia (e.g., a “bonus star” symbol, a particular bar code or portion thereof, etc.), (iv) a cash-out ticket having a particular face value or a face value within a particular range (e.g., any cash-out ticket worth $50 or less), (v) any cash-out ticket issued by one or more particular gaming devices, (vi) a cash-out ticket associated with a minimum amount of game play activity performed prior to issuance of the cash-out ticket (e.g., a player completed at least ten game plays prior to cashing out a credit balance and obtaining the cash-out ticket), etc. It should be noted that the last example of a qualifying cash-out ticket may be helpful in deterring “gaming” of the embodiments of the present system wherein a player may establish a credit balance and immediately cash it out in the form of a cash-out ticket in order to obtain a cash-out ticket to redeem along with a supplemental ticket.
Thus, in one embodiment, step 820 may comprise determining whether a cash-out ticket along with which the received supplemental ticket is being redeemed is a qualifying cash-out ticket. For example, turning to FIG. 6A, if supplemental ticket type 102 is received by a gaming device, it may be determined that the supplemental ticket of the type is only redeemable along with a cash-out ticket having a face value of $50.00 or less. Thus, if the gaming device at which the supplemental ticket is received determines that the cash-out receipt that has been received along with the supplemental ticket has a face value of $50.00 or less (e.g., based on an identifier of the cash-out ticket), it may be determined that this redemption condition has been satisfied.
If it is determined that the redemption condition(s) associated with the supplemental ticket have not been satisfied, the process 800 continues to step 825, in which a redemption failure message is output. For example, a gaming device may output via a display device a message that reads “Unfortunately, we are unable to authorize redemption of your supplemental ticket for the following reasons . . . ” or “Sorry, this Bonus Ticket only valid at Volcano Madness machines only.” In one embodiment, a partial redemption of a supplemental ticket may be authorized if not all of the redemption condition(s) associated with the supplemental ticket have been satisfied and/or if a redemption condition has not been completely satisfied. If a partial redemption is authorized, an associated player may be provided with a different benefit and/or a benefit of an altered (e.g., reduced) value in lieu of the benefit the player would have been provided if a full redemption had been authorized. In such a partial redemption embodiment, the following message may be output to a player: “Sorry, you do not qualify for the cash bonus of this bonus ticket. But you do qualify for a food bonus instead!.”
In one embodiment, one or more instructions for how the supplemental ticket may be appropriately redeemed may be output to a player. In one embodiment, such an instruction may be output to a player upon the player attempting to inappropriately redeem a supplemental ticket and failing. For example, a casino floor map may then be output to player (e.g., a drawing is output via a display screen or ticket-in/ticket-out device), indicating the location of one or more qualifying devices if the redemption condition that was not satisfied is a redemption condition specifying one or more qualifying devices. In another embodiment, such an instruction may be output at a time a cash-out ticket and/or a supplemental ticket is output to a player. For example, a cash-out ticket may comprises a map (e.g., a layout of the casino floor indicating one or more qualifying devices is printed on the back of a ticket).
In one embodiment, step 825 may include a step of returning the supplemental ticket to the player and/or storing an indication of the attempted redemption of the supplemental ticket (or causing another device to store such an indication).
If it is determined, in step 820, that the redemption condition(s) associated with the received supplemental ticket have been satisfied, the process 800 continues to step 830. In step 830 a parameter is modified in accordance with the benefit associated with the supplemental ticket. This step presupposes an embodiment in which a benefit associated with a supplemental ticket comprises altering or modifying a parameter associated with at least one of a gaming device,. a player, and a cash-out receipt along with which the supplemental ticket is redeemed. Other methods of providing a benefit associated with a supplemental ticket are within the scope of the present invention.
As described herein, a gaming device receiving a supplemental ticket along with at least one other ticket may, in accordance with a benefit associated with the supplemental ticket, modify a parameter. Modification of a parameter may comprise alteration, modification, change, initiation, activation and/or downloading of a parameter and/or value associated with the parameter. Information regarding the parameter(s) to be modified may be communicable to (i) a supplemental ticket bearer (e.g., text indicates “Insert this supplemental ticket to activate Double Jackpot Mode”), and (ii) a gaming device (e.g., which scans a bar code to determine a supplemental ticket type identifier, then accesses supplemental ticket data associated with the identifier). It should be noted that, in one embodiment, all of the information necessary to determine which parameter to alter and how to alter it may be included on the supplemental ticket in machine-readable form, such that a gaming device may receive all necessary instructions for altering the parameter directly from the supplemental ticket, without need to communicate with another device and/or access a database.
As described herein, a parameter that may be modified in accordance with a benefit defined by a supplemental ticket may comprise a parameter associated with a gaming device, a player, and/or a cash-out receipt. In one embodiment, a benefit may be associated with an instruction (e.g., code recognizable by a processor of a device) for modifying the parameter. In one embodiment, such an instruction may be programmed into a gaming device or another device operable to communicate with the gaming device, such that upon receiving a supplemental ticket and determining the benefit defined by the supplemental ticket, a processor may access the instruction associated with the benefit in memory and execute the instruction. In another embodiment, the instruction may be included on the supplemental ticket and thus received upon the receipt of the supplemental ticket. In one embodiment, a gaming device may receive a supplemental ticket, determine an identifier of the supplemental ticket and communicate the identifier to another device (e.g., a controller). Upon receiving the identifier, the other device may determine the benefit and/or instruction associated with the identifier. The other device may then (i) transmit the instruction to the gaming device, (ii) direct the gaming device to modify the parameter in accordance with the instruction, and/or (iii) modify directly the parameter in accordance with the instruction.
For example, a parameter may comprise a balance of credits available for wagering. A balance of credits available for wagering may be associated with a gaming device, player and/or a cash-out ticket. For example, a cash-out ticket with a face value of $45 may enable a player to establish a balance of forty-five (45) credits at a dollar denomination gaming device and may thus be characterized as a cash-out ticket associated with a balance of forty-five (45) credits. The initial balance of forty-five (45) credits associated with the cash-out ticket may be characterized as a parameter that may be altered. The initial value of the parameter is the forty-five (45) credits. A supplemental ticket may then define a benefit and an instruction to alter such a parameter. For example, a supplemental ticket may be associated with a benefit of additional credits that may be used to wager at a gaming device, with a value of the benefit being five (5) credits. The supplemental ticket may also define an instruction for modifying a parameter, the instruction instructing a receiving device to add five (5) credits to a balance of credits available for wagering (e.g., a balance of credits associated with a cash-out receipt, a balance of credits associated with a gaming device, and/or a balance of credits associated with a player). Such a supplemental ticket may have read, for example, “Insert this supplemental ticket into a gaming device before inserting any cash-out ticket worth $50 or less, and receive five additional bonus credits.”
In another example, a parameter may comprise a parameter of game play or a game session (e.g., a payout parameter, resource parameter, probability parameter, loss parameter). For example, a player may establish a balance of forty (40) credits at a gaming device. A game play parameter (e.g., a probability parameter, such as the likelihood of receiving a particular outcome) may then be adjusted as described further herein.
As described above, many different categories of parameters that may be modified are within the scope of the present invention. How a parameter is modified may be based on the category of parameter being modified. Described below are some exemplary processes for modifying some respective example parameters.
As described above, one category of parameter is a credit balance parameter. Modifying a balance parameter may comprise, for example, one or more of the following: (i) adding x credits to a credit meter balance of a gaming device (such credits may be cashable or non-cashable); (ii) increasing a credit amount indicated by a cash-out ticket by x %; (iii) multiplying a credit amount indicated by a cash-out ticket by x %; (iv) multiplying a credit amount indicated by a cash-out ticket by a randomly determined number; (v) either multiplying or dividing a credit amount indicated by a cash-out ticket by a specified factor.
Regarding example (i) of how a balance parameter may be modified, it should be noted that a supplemental ticket that indicates this benefit (having x credits added to a credit meter balance) defines a benefit of a specified value, wherein the value may be determined and communicated at the time of issuance of the supplemental ticket.
Examples (ii) and (iii), on the other hand, are examples of supplemental tickets that may define a benefit a value of which is not determined and/or determinable until the supplemental ticket is redeemed. For example, in both example (ii) and (iii), the value of the benefit is dependent on the value of the cash-out ticket along with which the supplemental ticket is redeemed. Of course, in one embodiment a supplemental ticket may be associated with a specific cash-out ticket at the time of issuance of the supplemental ticket. Thus, the value of the specific associated cash-out ticket may be known at the time of issuance of the supplemental ticket. Therefore, the value of the benefit defined by the supplemental ticket may be determined and/or determinable at the time of issuance of the supplemental ticket.
Regarding example (iv) of how a balance parameter may be modified, an example supplemental ticket that may cause such a modification of a balance parameter may read: “1) Insert this bonus ticket, 2) Insert any cash ticket, 3) Cash ticket amount is multiplied by a Mystery Multiplier!”
Regarding example (v) of how a balance parameter may be modified, an example supplemental ticket that may cause such a modification may read: “Double or Whammy Ticket—1) Insert this bonus ticket, 2) Insert any cash ticket, 3) Get either double or half of the cash ticket's value!” It should be noted that, as exemplified by this example, in one or more embodiments a supplemental ticket may provide an opportunity or chance to obtain something of value (even if the supplemental ticket is redeemed successfully), rather than guaranteeing it.
As described above, one category of parameter is payout parameters. Modifying a payout parameter may comprise, for example, one or more of the following: (i) increasing (e.g., by multiplying) a payout amount associated with one or more particular winning outcomes by x (wherein the magnitude of x may or may not be known or communicated at the time of issuance of the supplemental ticket); (ii) increasing a payout amount associated with one or more particular losing outcomes (e.g., “Some losers pay like winners!”); (iii) provide an alternate payout in addition to a standard credit payout—for example, a winning outcomes pays (i) a credit amount according to a payable, and (ii) a bonus merchandise credit (e.g., “Earn buffet credits with every win!”); (iv) providing an alternate payout in lieu of a standard payout (e g., “Earn hotel credits instead of cash!”); (iv) multiply a payout amount by a random number (e.g., “All payouts qualify for the Mystery Multiplier!”); and (v) accessing, downloading and/or otherwise utilizing an alternate payout table that has payouts different from those of a default payout table.
As described above, one category of parameter is resource parameters. Modifying a resource parameter may comprise, for example, providing, activating, downloading, accessing, utilizing, increasing and/or multiplying a number of one or more of the following: (i) outcome alteration resources—for example, an animated Guardian Angel character that changes losing outcomes into winning outcomes (e.g., after a player presses a “Guardian Angel” button, “7-7-Plum” is changed to “7-7-7”); (ii) start-bonus resources (e.g., a “bonus pass” enabling a player to access a bonus round at a desired time); (iii) collected reel symbols (e.g., a player collects cherries that may be substituted for other symbols on a payline); (iv) free spins and/or game plays; and (v) wild cards in video poker.
As described above, one category of parameters is probability parameters. Modifying a probability parameter may comprise, for example, one or more of the following: (i) increasing the likelihood of a bonus event—for example, by adding one or more start-bonus symbols to the reels; (ii) increasing the likelihood of achieving one or more particular outcomes; (iii) increase the likelihood that one or more symbols may appear on a payline (e.g., by adding one or more paylines); and (iv) accessing, downloading or otherwise utilizing an alternate probability table.
As described above, one category of parameters is loss parameters. Modifying a loss parameter may comprise, for example, one or more of the following: (i) reimbursing a player for x % of an incurred loss, whereiri a loss amount may be determined by subtracting a cashout amount from a buy-in amount; (ii) reimbursing a player for x % of an incurred loss, wherein a loss amount may be determined by subtracting a payout amount from a wager amount; (iii) reimbursing a player for x % of an incurred loss greater than y credits, wherein a loss amount may be determined by subtracting a cashout amount from a buy-in amount; (iv) reimbursing a player for x % of an incurred loss greater than y credits, wherein a loss amount may be determined by subtracting a payout amount from a wager amount; (v) providing a player with a number of free game plays, the number being determined based on an amount of credits wagered and lost by the player; and (vi) subtracting, during game play, less than a full wager amount from a credit meter balance upon a player obtaining a winning outcome that does not correspond to a payout greater than zero.
It should be noted that any and all of the modifications to parameters described above may be applied to, for example, to game plays conducted during a defined period of time. The period of time may be defined to start, for example, (i) upon insertion of a supplemental ticket, (ii) insertion of a cash-out ticket, (iii) initiation of a game play after insertion of a supplemental ticket/and or a cash-out ticket, (iv) insertion of a player tracking card, and/or (v) another predetermined event. Examples of another predetermined event include, for example, obtainment by a player (after insertion of a supplemental ticket and/or a cash-out ticket), an outcome that corresponds to (i) a payout of zero, (ii) a payout of an amount other than zero, (iii) a payout greater than a predetermined amount that is greater than zero, (iv) one or more particular symbols or other game indicia. The period of time may be defined to end upon the occurrence of one or more predetermined events. Examples of such events include, but are not limited to, (i) an occurrence of a time that is a predefined period of time after an initiation of a play session; (ii) an occurrence of a predetermined number of outcomes from an initiation of a play session; (iii) an occurrence of an outcome having a specified characteristic (e.g., the outcome corresponds to a payout of at least a specified magnitude, the outcome enters the player into a bonus round, etc.); (iv) a removal of a player tracking card; (v) one or more specified decisions or actions by a player during game play; and (vi) a request by the player to cash-out a credit meter balance. Such a period of time during which a parameter may be modified may be specified on the supplemental ticket that defines a benefit which causes the modification of the parameter.
In some embodiments, process 800 may include additional steps, such as monitoring events associated with game play to determine whether a modification of a parameter is to be ended. For example, a gaming device and/or controller may, after step 830, monitor activity at the gaming device to determine whether the end event(s) 840 (table 600 of FIG. 6B) corresponding to the supplemental ticket in accordance with which the parameter was initially modified has been satisfied.
It should be understood that although embodiments of the present invention have been described with respect to FIGS. 4 through 8 as involving wagering instruments such as a supplemental ticket and a cash-out ticket, the embodiments may be modified to instead involve other indicia associated with play of a gaming device, such as codes, smart cards and/or player tracking cards. For example, in one or more embodiments, tables 600 and 700 may store information regarding code types and codes, respectively, that may be output to a player without necessarily being printed on a ticket or other substrate. For example, in one embodiment a code may be output to a player by being displayed to a player via a display area of a gaming device. Such a code may correspond to a particular benefit to be provided to a player upon the player entering the code along with a cash-out ticket or along with the player establishing a credit balance at a gaming device via another means. In one or more embodiments such a code may be associated with a player identifier (e.g., of a player tracking account, such as may be stored on a player tracking card), such that the code may be retrieved and the benefit associated therewith applied if appropriate upon the player providing the player identifier to a gaming device.
Provided below are two examples of implementations of embodiments described herein. The examples are described from a player's perspective, to highlight how embodiments of the present invention may encourage a player to insert a cash-out ticket into a gaming device for game play rather than redeeming the cash-out ticket for cash.

EXAMPLE 1

Alice is spending the day at Coupon City Casino playing slot machines and blackjack. Having spent the morning playing slots, she decides to cash out her balance of 55 credits and head to the blackjack tables for a change of pace.
Alice presses the button labeled “Cash Out,” and the machine prints a cash-out ticket with a face value of $55. After the cash-out ticket is printed, the machine also prints a supplemental ticket of substantially the same size and shape as the receipt. The supplemental ticket reads, “Insert this Bonus Ticket before your Cash-Out Ticket, and get double jackpot payouts for as long as you play!”
Alice plays blackjack for most of the afternoon, and will soon be ready to leave the casino. Remembering her supplemental ticket, she decides that before she takes her cash-out ticket to the redemption kiosk, she's going to take some spins toward the double jackpot. Glancing at the payout table of a particular slot machine, Alice thinks, This is great. With my coupon, if I hit the jackpot, I get 10,000 coins instead of 5,000. She approaches the machine and inserts her supplemental ticket. The slot machine's display screen then prompts Alice, “Please insert your Cash-Out Ticket to start spinning for the Double Jackpot!” Alice does as instructed.
Alice takes a number of spins, feeling the excitement brought on by the increased chance of winning a large payout. On one spin, Alice nearly hits the jackpot. She soon decides to cash out and head home, having experienced a good share of thrills. Coupon City Casino benefits from the spins Alice took that she otherwise wouldn't have.

EXAMPLE 2

On his way to grab lunch at the casino buffet, Harold's attention is suddenly drawn to a particular unoccupied slot machine. On this particular Volcano Madness slot machine, the display screen and audio speakers declare: “Bonus Ticket Eruption! Take a free Bonus Ticket now!” As various buzzers sound and lights flash, the machine prints a supplemental ticket.
Harold, curiosity piqued, grabs the supplemental ticket for himself. It reads: “Insert this Bonus Ticket along with any Cash-Out Ticket marked by a Bonus Star into a Volcano Madness machine, and get five free bonus spins!” Harold rifles through his cash-out tickets and notices one particular cash-out ticket bears the Bonus Star insignia. It is a cash-out ticket worth $107.
After eating lunch, Harold is eager to seek out a Volcano Madness machine and does so. He inserts his supplemental ticket, reads the instructions and then inserts his $107 cash-out ticket. The credit meter of the machine then displays his 107 cashable credits. Another credit meter of the machine displays his five bonus credits, which are non-cashable (they have no cash redemption value).
Harold spins though his five bonus credits first. On his fifth bonus spin, Harold gets a payout of fifteen (15) credits. Harold is ecstatic. He thinks: This is found money—I'm going to go for a huge payout now! The more Harold plays the Volcano Madness game, the more he enjoys it. It quickly becomes his new favorite slot machine game. He continues to gamble for nearly an hour, ultimately cashing out at ninety-five (95) credits.
Referring now to FIG. 9, illustrated therein is an example of a prior art cash-out ticket 900 that may be used in some embodiments of the present invention. The cash-out ticket 900 includes information 905 that is encoded in bar code form, such that it may readily be recognized by a gaming device. Such information may include, for example, a unique identifier of the cash-out ticket that may be useful in accessing data in a database. Such data may indicate, for example, (i) a value of the cash-out ticket (e.g., an amount of currency and/or credits that the cash-out ticket is redeemable for); (ii) a time at which the cash-out ticket was output; (iii) a gaming device identifier of a gaming device at which the cash-out ticket was output; (iv) an identifier of one or more supplemental tickets and/or supplemental ticket types along with which the cash-out ticket is redeemable, (v) one or more redemption conditions associated with the cash-out ticket (e.g., an expiration date) and/or (vi) a player identifier of a player associated with the ticket. In some embodiments, some or all of this data may be encoded in the bar code 905.
The cash-out ticket 900 further includes a ticket identifier 910 in human-readable form. It should be understood that this ticket identifier may be a duplicate of at least some of the information encoded in bar code 905.
The cash-out ticket further includes an indication 915 of a face value of the ticket. In other words, the cash-out ticket includes an indication of an amount of currency that the cash-out ticket may be exchanged for, which may also be an indication of a value of credits for wagering at a gaming device that the cash-out ticket may be exchanged for.
Referring now to FIG. 10, illustrated therein are four example supplemental tickets 1000A, 1000B, 1000C, and 1000D, consistent with some embodiments of the present invention. Each supplemental ticket 1000A-1000D includes a respective bar code 1000A-1000D that encodes information in machine-readable form. Such information may include, for example, (i) a unique identifier of the supplemental ticket, (ii) an identifier of a type of the supplemental ticket, (iii) an indication of a benefit defined by the supplemental ticket, (iv) an indication of an instruction for modifying a parameter in accordance with the benefit, (v) an indication of one or more redemption conditions associated with the supplemental ticket, (vi) an expiration date associated with the supplemental ticket, (viii) an indication of one or more cash-out tickets that are associated with the supplemental ticket, and/or (ix) an indication of one or more players associated with the supplemental ticket.
In one embodiment, the bar code simply encodes an identifier that is a pointer to a record of a database that stores at least some of the information listed in items (i) through (ix). In another embodiment, the bar code directly encodes at least some of the information listed in items (i) through (ix).
Each supplemental ticket 1000A-1000D further includes a respective identifier 1015A-1015D, in human-readable form, that may be a unique identifier of the supplemental ticket or an identifier of a type of the supplemental ticket.
Each supplemental ticket 1000A-1000D further includes a respective indication 1020A-1020D, in human-readable form, of the benefit associated with the supplemental ticket. In other words, areas 1020A-1020D respectively describe the benefit a player will realize upon successfully redeeming the corresponding supplemental ticket. For example, supplemental ticket 1000A includes an indication 1020A that describes to a player that the player will receive a benefit of “5 bonus spins” upon successfully redeeming the supplemental ticket. Supplemental ticket 1000B, on the other hand, includes an indication 1020B that describes to a player that the player will receive a benefit of a 10% increase in payouts upon successfully redeeming the supplemental ticket. Supplemental ticket 1000C includes an indication 1020C that describes to a player that the player will receive a benefit of a doubled jackpot (should the player actually win the jackpot) upon successfully redeeming the supplemental ticket. Supplemental ticket 1200D includes an indication 1020D that describes to a player that the player will receive a benefit of one (1) free guardian angel resource upon successfully redeeming the supplemental ticket.
Each supplemental ticket 1000A-1000D further includes a respective indication 1005A-1005D that describes, in human-readable form, any redemption conditions associated with the supplemental ticket and/or further clarifies the bonus to be provided upon successful redemption of the supplemental ticket. For example, supplemental ticket 1000A includes an indication 1005A, which describes to a player that, in order to successfully redeem the supplemental ticket, the player must insert the supplemental ticket “before any cash-out ticket.” Indication 1005A further indicates that the benefit is five additional bonus spins. Supplemental ticket 1000B, on the other hand, includes an indication 1005B, which describes to a player that, in order to successfully redeem the supplemental ticket, (i) the player must insert the supplemental ticket before a cash-out ticket and (ii) that the cash-out ticket cannot have a value of more than $50.00. Indication 1005B further clarifies that the 10% increase in payouts won by the player will only be applied to the first twenty (2) game plays conducted after the insertion of the supplemental ticket.
It should be understood that the embodiments described above are not meant to be limiting in any sense, and various modifications of the described embodiments and additional embodiments are within the scope of the present invention. Some example modified and additional embodiments will now be described. Also provided below is additional description and/or clarification of already described embodiments.
In some embodiments, a first cash-out ticket may be received along with a second cash-out ticket, and a parameter may be altered based on the receipt of the two cash-out ticket (e.g., rather than requiring a receipt of a supplemental ticket. In other words, in one embodiment a cash-out ticket may function as a supplemental ticket, as that term is described herein. For example, a player may be provided with a first cash-out ticket having a face value of $4 and a second cash-out ticket having a face value of $150. The first cash-out ticket may indicate, “Insert this Cash-Out Ticket along with any other Cash-Out Ticket worth $50 or more, and get a free Bonus Round Pass every 20 minutes, as long as you play!” A player inserting both cash-out tickets into a gaming device may then be provided with (i) a balance of $154 credits, and (ii) an altered parameter (e.g., a start-bonus parameter as described). Thus, the first cash-out ticket (which may function as a supplemental ticket as well as a cash-out ticket) may comprise, for example, (i) a cash-out ticket identifier such that the face value may be redeemed, and (ii) a supplemental ticket type identifier such that a parameter may be altered based on the receipt of the cash-out ticket along with at least one other ticket. In this manner, a gaming device may output a first cash-out ticket that encourages a player to recycle both the first cash-out ticket and a second cash-out ticket.
Rules for outputting cash-out tickets and/or supplemental tickets may consider player data. For example, a rule for outputting a cash out ticket (e.g., a cash-out ticket that also functions as a supplemental ticket) may specify the following: if a player database indicates a player has received a cash-out ticket worth $50 or more today, provide a supplemental ticket or a cash-out ticket that also functions as a supplemental ticket the next time the player cashes out.
In some embodiments, a first supplemental ticket and second supplemental ticket may be used in conjunction, such that a player does not need a cash-out ticket in order to receive a benefit defined by one of the supplemental tickets. In other words, as described above, in one embodiment the at least one other ticket that may be received along with a supplemental ticket may itself comprise a supplemental ticket. For example, a player may be provided with two supplemental tickets, each comprising a supplemental ticket type identifier, such that when both are inserted into a gaming device, a parameter may be altered (e.g., payout parameter). The two supplemental tickets may comprise similar indicia such that the indicia indicate an association among the two supplemental tickets.
For example, in an embodiment evoking a scavenger hunt theme, gaming devices may be configured to randomly output a variety of supplemental ticket types throughout the day. Each supplemental ticket type may comprise an associated indicia (e.g., a first supplemental ticket type bears one-half of a star indicia, a second supplemental ticket type bears one-half of a casino chip indicia). Players may thus be required to find supplemental tickets with “matching” indicia—once two or more of these supplemental tickets are found by a player, the player may insert them into a gaming device to obtain a benefit defined by one or a combination of the supplemental tickets (e.g., two half-stars create a “fall star bonus”, which bonus comprises a doubling of a top jackpot).
In another embodiment, a parameter associated with a cash-out ticket may not be altered unless the cash-out ticket is received in conjunction with both a first and second supplemental ticket (i.e., two or more supplemental tickets may be required to be input along with a cash-out ticket in order to obtain a benefit defined by one or more of the two or more supplemental tickets). In such an embodiment, one or more of the supplemental tickets may read, for example: “1) Insert two Half-Star Bonus Tickets, (2) Insert any Cash-Out Ticket, 3) Get 3 Free Wild Cards!”).
In some embodiments, a supplemental ticket may be associated with two or more benefits (e.g., an alteration of two or more parameters). For example, a supplemental ticket may read: “Get two bonus spins and 5% higher payouts!”
As stated, the process steps described herein may be performed in a variety of orders. For example, a gaming device may (i) output a supplemental ticket, (ii) output a cash-out ticket, (iii) receive a cash-out ticket, (iv) receive a supplemental ticket, and (v) alter a parameter. In another example, a gaming device may (i) output a cash-out ticket, (ii) receive a cash-out ticket, (iii) output a supplemental ticket, (iv) receive the supplemental ticket, and (v) alter a parameter.
In some embodiments, a supplemental ticket may be output or provided by a device or entity other than a gaming device. For example, one or more kiosks of a slot floor may be configured to output supplemental ticket. In another embodiment, supplemental ticket may be handed out by casino representatives and/or mailed to casino patrons.
In one embodiment wherein a supplemental ticket is output by a device such as a slot machine or kiosk, one or more additional output devices may be actuated upon the output of the supplemental ticket. For example, in accordance with supplemental ticket output rules data, a slot machine may output a supplemental ticket after being idle for five minutes. An audio/video sequence may accompany the output of the supplemental ticket so as to draw the attention of nearby players. For example, audio speakers may sound an alarm while a display screen flashes, “Bonus Ticket Time!” Such activity may increase the excitement experienced by patrons of a casino.
In another embodiment, a lottery agent provides a lottery ticket which may also be used as a supplemental ticket. For example, a lottery ticket may indicate, “Not a winner? Take to Coupon City Casino to get Double Jackpots with any Cash-Out Ticket!”
As described herein, in some embodiments, the step of altering a parameter may comprise a random component. For example, a supplemental ticket may indicate, “Insert this Bonus Ticket along with any Cash Ticket to get a Mystery Credit Bonus”—thus, a player inserting the supplemental ticket along with a cash-out ticket may be entitled to a number of bonus spins, the exact number being determined by a random number generator. An animation or audio/video sequence may accompany the determination of the random number (e.g., a “Credit Bonus Wheel” spins and stops on a section entitling the player to “3 Free Spins”).
In some embodiments, a supplemental ticket may alter or enable an alternate payout value associated with a cash-out ticket. For example, a supplemental ticket may indicate, “Present this supplemental ticket along with any Cash-Out Ticket worth $20 or less at the Skyview Buffet, and get double the Cash-Out Ticket's value in buffet credit!”
In some embodiments, a supplemental ticket may include an instruction for modifying a parameter, and a gaming device may modify the parameter in accordance with the instruction, without receiving a cash-out ticket. For example, if a supplemental ticket indicates “Insert this Bonus Ticket to get a free Guardian Angel!”, a player may insert the supplemental ticket into a gaming device and receive the resource (i.e., no accompanying cash-out ticket or supplemental ticket is required).
In some embodiments, activity of a player may be tracked throughout a specified period of time, such that a value of a benefit associated with a supplemental ticket may be determined based on the activity of the player. Such an embodiment would enable, for example, a “Day-Long Supplemental Ticket” entitling the bearer to “50% of your losses today rebated as Food Credit!” A food credit may comprise, for example, credit redeemable for food at a casino buffet and/or high-end casino restaurant. A wager amount and payout amount may be tracked for each game play the player participated in throughout the day, such that, for example, a total loss amount may be recorded in association with a player identifier of a player database. For example, a player may be identified by a player tracking card. In other embodiments, a player may be identified by inserting a cash-out ticket, entering an identification code via a slot machine input device, biometric means, and the like.
As described, in some embodiments, rules for outputting a supplemental ticket may consider player data. For example, a long-time casino patron or a player who engaged in a particular activity or behavior may be provided with a more valuable supplemental ticket than a patron who only recently registered for a player tracking card or a player who did not engage in the particular activity or behavior. A more valuable supplemental ticket may be considered to be a supplemental ticket defining a benefit that is considered to be more beneficial to a player or a benefit associated with a higher value (e.g., a higher monetary value).
In one embodiment, a gaming device comprises (i) a supplemental ticket input/output device, and (ii) a cash-out ticket input/output device. Thus, supplemental tickets and cash-out tickets may be output and received by different devices (i.e., one “slot” is for supplemental tickets, another for cash-out tickets).
In some embodiments, a supplemental ticket may be reusable. For example, a first gaming device may (i) receive a supplemental ticket, (ii) receive a first cash-out ticket, (iii) alter a parameter as indicated by an instruction associated with the supplemental ticket, and (iv) output the same supplemental ticket or another supplemental ticket that allows the player to again realize the benefit of the supplemental ticket that had initially been received by the gaming device. A player may then take the supplemental ticket output by the first gaming device to second gaming device, which may (i) receive the supplemental ticket, (ii) receive a second cash-out ticket, (iii) alter a parameter as indicated by an instruction associated with the supplemental ticket, etc.
In one embodiment, a benefit defined by a supplemental ticket may comprise an extension of an expiration date associated with a cash-out ticket. For example, a supplemental ticket may be used to “unexpire” a cash-out ticket that has not been redeemed before an indicated expiration date, or used to extend an expiration date of a not-yet-expired cash-out ticket.
In one embodiment, a supplemental ticket may be used in lieu of a player tracking card to provide player data. For example, after a player completes a game session, a gaming device may output (i) a cash-out ticket, and (ii) a supplemental ticket indicating a player identifier (e.g., a bar code that points to information on wager amounts, payout amounts, and other behavior stored in a player database). The player may then insert the supplemental ticket before initiating a game play on a gaming device, such that the gaming device may determine a player identifier as if the player has inserted a player tracking card.
In one embodiment, a supplemental ticket may be inserted during a play session (as opposed to a beginning of a play session) and the benefit associated with the supplemental ticket may be provided at the time of insertion or based on the time of insertion. For example, a supplemental ticket may indicate, “Insert this bonus ticket while playing a gaming device for a free bonus round entry!” In one embodiment, a supplemental ticket may provide a time extension for a game session associated with another ticket. For example, if a player inserts a cash-out ticket into a gaming device and purchases a 30-minute game session for $20, the player may insert the supplemental ticket at any time to add five free minutes of playing time.
In one embodiment, a value of a benefit associated with a supplemental ticket may decrease over time. For example, when inserted with a cash-out ticket, a supplemental ticket may provide a benefit of five bonus spins if redeemed during a first day, four bonus spins if redeemed during a second day, etc. It should be noted that in one embodiment the supplemental ticket may only be redeemable once, such that if the player redeems the supplemental ticket during the first day and obtains the five bonus spins, the supplemental ticket may not be redeemed during the second day for the four bonus spins. In another embodiment, a supplemental ticket may be redeemable multiple times. Thus, returning to the above example as an illustration, if the player redeems the supplemental ticket during the first day for the five bonus spins, the player may again redeem the supplemental ticket during the second day for the four bonus spins.
In some embodiments, a player may receive a “supplemental ticket card” (e.g., a plastic card resembling a credit card or player tracking card, comprising data encoded via a magnetic stripe). The supplemental ticket card may then be used in conjunction with a cash-out ticket (or another wagering instrument or manner of establishing a balance of credits at a gaming device) to alter a parameter. For example, instructions associated with a supplemental ticket card may read: “1) Insert this supplemental ticket card, 2) insert any Cash-Out ticket, 3) get 5% higher payouts between 10 and 11 p.m.!”. In some embodiments, a supplemental ticket card comprises a player tracking card. In one embodiment, as a player earns, purchases or is otherwise awarded supplemental tickets (e.g., or codes having associated benefits therewith), those supplemental ticket identifiers may be associated with the supplemental ticket card for subsequent redemption by the player.
In another example, a player device rather than a supplemental ticket may be used to indicate that a parameter (e.g., a parameter associated with a cash-out ticket) may be altered (e.g., a PDA sends an infrared signal to a gaming device).
In some embodiments, a cash-out ticket and/or a supplemental ticket may comprise a game piece. For example, a cash-out ticket may indicate: “Monopoly® Game Piece: Park Place. Collect Boardwalk to get $25,000! Mail-in instructions on back”. Thus, players may be motivated to collect and save cash-out tickets and/or supplemental tickets rather than redeem them, resulting in profits for casinos.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

receiving a first indicia associated with play of a gaming device;

receiving a second indicia associated with play of the gaming device; and

modifying, based upon the receipt of both the first and second indicia, a parameter of play of the gaming device,

wherein the parameter is only modified if both the first indicia and the second indicia are received.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first indicia is associated with a first value, the second indicia is associated with a second value, and the modified parameter is associated with a third value, the third value being greater than the sum of the first value and the second value.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first indicia is a cash-out ticket that indicates an amount of credit available for use in playing the gaming device.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the second indicia is a supplemental ticket that indicates a modification of the amount of credit indicated by the first indicia.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the second indicia is associated with at least one condition to be satisfied in order for the second indicia to be redeemable.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the at least one condition defines a characteristic of the first indicia, such that the second indicia is only redeemable along with a first indicia having the characteristic.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the at least one characteristic is at least one of a minimum value of the first indicia and a maximum value of the first indicia.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the at least one condition identifies the first indicia, such that the second indicia is only redeemable along with the first indicia.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein the at least one condition identifies a player identifier, such that the second indicia is only redeemable along with the player identifier.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein

receiving the first indicia comprises

receiving a paper via a paper handling mechanism of the gaming device and wherein

receiving the second indicia comprises

receiving a second paper via the paper handling mechanism.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

outputting a prompt, the prompt indicating an inquiry regarding the second indicia.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the first indicia is a first code readable by the gaming device.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the second indicia is a second code readable by the gaming device.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein modifying the parameter comprises activating a feature of the gaming device that would not otherwise be active during game play.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein modifying the parameter comprises at least one of:

accessing a payout table that would not otherwise be accessed;

accessing a probability table that would not otherwise be accessed;

modifying at least one payout of a payout table;

modifying a probability of obtaining at least one outcome;

modifying at least one rule of game play;

modifying a credit meter balance from an amount that would otherwise be available to a player;

providing a resource that would not otherwise be available to a player.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein modifying the parameter comprises:

determining a value of the first indicia; and

determining a modified value based on the second indicia; and

adjusting a credit meter balance of the gaming device based on the modified value.

17. A method, comprising:

receiving, via a first component associated with a gaming device, a primary wagering instrument;

determining a validity and value of the primary wagering instrument;

receiving, via a second component associated with the gaming device, a supplemental wagering instrument, the supplemental wagering instrument indicating an instruction for modifying a value of the primary wagering instrument;

determining a modified value of the primary wagering instrument based on the instruction; and

setting a credit meter balance of the gaming device to an amount based on the modified value.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

determining a condition associated with the supplemental wagering instrument; and

determining, before determining the modified value, whether the condition is satisfied,

wherein the credit meter balance is set to an amount based on the modified value only if the condition is satisfied.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the primary wagering instrument is at least one of a cash-out ticket, a supplemental ticket, a player tracking card, a financial account identifier and a smart card.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the supplemental wagering instrument is at least one of a paper ticket, a player tracking card, a financial account identifier and a smart card.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein the first component is the second component.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein determining a modified value comprises:

storing the value of the primary wagering instrument in memory;

determining, based on the instruction, an amount by which the value is to be increased; and

determining the modified value by adding the amount to the stored value.

23. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining an identifier of the supplemental wagering instrument;

transmitting the identifier to another device; and

receiving the instruction from the other device, the instruction having been determined based on the identifier.

24. A method, comprising:

receiving, at a first gaming device, a request to cash out a credit meter balance of the gaming device;

outputting, in response to the request, a primary wagering instrument having a value based on a current value of the credit meter balance;

outputting, at the gaming device, a supplemental wagering instrument, the supplemental wagering instrument including an instruction for modifying a parameter of at least one of a second gaming device and the primary wagering instrument,

wherein the supplemental wagering instrument is redeemable only along with the primary wagering instrument.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the first gaming device is the second gaming device.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein the primary wagering instrument is a cash-out ticket printed via a printer device associated with the gaming device, the cash out ticket being exchangeable for cash and credits on at least the first gaming device and the second gaming device.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the supplemental wagering instrument is a supplemental ticket printed via a printer device associated with the gaming device, the ticket indicating a benefit to be provided upon redemption of the ticket at the time of redemption of the cash-out ticket.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the supplemental ticket does not have any intrinsic value, such that the supplemental ticket has value only if redeemed along with the cash-out ticket.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein the supplemental ticket has a first value if redeemed without the cash-out ticket and a second value if redeemed along with the cash-out ticket, the first value being less than the second value.

30. A system, comprising:

a controller operable to communicate with a plurality of devices, at least one of the plurality of devices comprising a gaming device; and

the plurality of devices,

wherein at least one of the plurality of devices is operable to output a supplemental ticket, the supplemental ticket defining a benefit to be provided upon the redemption of the ticket along with at least one other ticket, and

wherein the benefit comprises a modification of a parameter associated with at least one of the gaming device, the supplemental ticket and a player.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein redemption of the supplemental ticket along with at least one other ticket comprises insertion of the supplemental ticket into a gaming device and insertion of the at least one other ticket into the gaming device.

32. The system of claim 30, wherein the at least one other ticket comprises one of

a cash-out ticket redeemable for at least one of cash and credits at a gaming device; and

another supplemental ticket.