| Method and apparatus for gaming vouchering system -> Monitor Keywords |
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Method and apparatus for gaming vouchering systemRelated Patent Categories: Amusement Devices: Games, Including Means For Processing Electronic Data (e.g., Computer/video Game, Etc.), Credit/debit Monitoring Or Manipulation (e.g., Game Entry, Betting, Prize Level, Etc.)Method and apparatus for gaming vouchering system description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060281539, Method and apparatus for gaming vouchering system. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/690,135 filed Jun. 14, 2005, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully stated herein. BACKGROUND [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates generally to the distribution of vouchers for use in a gaming machine and more specifically to distribution of free play vouchers based on point-of-sale transactions. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] Gaming machine manufacturers have introduced cashless enabled gaming machines to the market and these have found wide acceptance in the gaming industry. Cashless enabled gaming machines are so named because they conduct financial exchanges using a mixture of traditional currencies and vouchers produced by printers installed within a cashless enabled game. Typically, a cashless enabled gaming machine has a gaming printer to produce vouchers and a bill acceptor that supports automatic reading of vouchers. [0006] To coordinate the activities of multiple cashless enabled gaming machines, one or more cashless enabled gaming machines are electronically coupled to a cashless enabled gaming machine system that controls the cashless operations of the cashless enabled gaming machines. [0007] Gaming establishments use multiple promotion methods to induce individuals to patronize the gaming establishment or affiliated gaming establishments. One such promotion is a free play, wherein a gaming establishment offers a patron chips, tokens, coupons, or vouchers for the patron to play on gaming machines within the gaming establishment. These free play promotions are often used to promote certain gaming machines. [0008] However, currently existing free play promotions suffer from the problem that patrons must request the free play while in the gaming establishment. This creates inconvenience for the patron. Additionally, the patron may have to apply for a complimentary card prior to playing the gaming machine. [0009] Further, the effectiveness and redemption of promotions are reduced when the patron is not physically in the gaming establishment. [0010] Another problem currently existing free play promotions suffer from is that promotions are sent via mail to patrons. This causes increased costs for the gaming establishment in creating and sending the promotion in, for example, printing, mailing, and handling redemption of the promotions. [0011] Therefore, a need exists to provide a gaming vouchering system that allows for vouchers and promotions to be issued quickly to a patron that may not be physically present in the gaming establishment. A gaming vouchering system in accordance with various aspects of the present invention meets such a need. Definitions [0012] For the purposes of this document, the following definitions apply: [0013] "Free Play Credits"--gaming machine credits which allow a patron to play a game in a casino for free. free play credits typically can only be played and may not be redeemed for cash. [0014] "Free Play Voucher"--a voucher, card, or other media which is generated by a printer or encoding device and contains indicia necessary to allow it to be inserted into a cashless enabled game to obtain free play credits. [0015] "Gaming Establishment"--a location where gambling and wagering is conducted, such as a casino, hotel, associated shopping and recreation areas, and affiliated businesses and locations. [0016] "Gaming Management System"--a management system used in gaming establishments such as a Lodging Management System, Player Tracking System, Casino Management System, Customer Relations Management System, Point of Sale System, Event Management System, Slot Management System, and Table Management System. [0017] "Non-Gaming POS"--a retail store, hospitality store, service organization, attraction tickets sale location, hotel, or other point-of-sale location or business which is not part of a gaming establishment such as those located in proximity to a casino, but not within the casino. [0018] "PTS"--Player Tracking System, a patron tracking and reward system within the gaming establishment which monitors the activity of participating players. [0019] "RCS"--Reward Control System, a system which regulates, processes statistics on, and links to other systems for the issuance and redemption of free play Vouchers. [0020] "RCS Printer"--a printer or encoding device used either standalone at a point-of-sale or other kiosk location, or a printer or encoding device installed in a cashless enabled game, which generates free play vouchers and other promotional vouchers. [0021] "point-of-sale"--a location where a sale between a business and its patron is conducted, either within a gaming establishment, adjunct to it, at an affiliated gaming establishment, or at another participating point-of-sale establishment. Continue reading about Method and apparatus for gaming vouchering system... Full patent description for Method and apparatus for gaming vouchering system Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Method and apparatus for gaming vouchering system patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Method and apparatus for gaming vouchering system or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Game optimization system Next Patent Application: Method and apparatus for monitoring game play Industry Class: Amusement devices: games ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Method and apparatus for gaming vouchering system patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.29328 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Canon USA , Celera Genomics , Cephalon, Inc. , Cingular Wireless , Clorox , Colgate-Palmolive , Corning , Cymer , 174 |
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