Abstract: A secured gaming table device that uses TITO and RFID to use and exchange vouchers, winnings from slot machines, promotions, and coupons; provide cashless payout from a gaming table; provide transaction receipts; link gaming tables; and connect and use systems in use, such as the TITO System and Player Tracking System, for credit transfer to and from game vouchers, player tracking cards, promotional coupons, cash, RFID chips, and non-RFID chips, among others, thereby expanding the use of credit transfer to include gaming tables. The secured gaming table device includes a gaming printer, barcode reader or scanner, bill validator, interface, and keypad, among others; and connects to host systems for the issuance and redemption of vouchers and/or promotional coupons at a gaming table.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for promotional couponing system where coupons, campaigns, and promotions are designed on central server and issued to network of printing devices and redeemed from redemption devices. The logic that processes input contained within each printer and print and redeem device connected to network so each device independently analyzes its own input and requests permission to print coupon from central server. The system uses coupons to maneuver players to play games least in use or to a specific location. Coupons include map and directions to direct the player.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the randomized printing of transactions or voting records using a printer with a paper roll supply where after one area is printed, the paper is randomly shifted either in a one or bidirectional fashion to another area not adjacent to the previously printed area thus removing a set print record order and preserving randomness in print. A motorized paper roller is used for bidirectional paper shifting, an optical sensor is used to check if an area of paper roll is available for printing by reading indicia, procedures are used to randomly move the paper roll to prevent printing in a continuous motion, and a supply roll casing includes adequate spacing within to support the return of the paper roll during bidirectional paper shifting without rewinding the supply roll.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for printing and storing transaction records in a random manner is provided. A printer is coupled to a storage tray wherein the storage tray or the contents thereof are moved, shifted, or shuffled to randomize the storage of printouts in the storage tray and prevent the storage of sequentially generated printouts. A shifting mechanism, a blowing mechanism, or a combination thereof, is used to shift the storage tray or move or shuffle the printouts in a storage tray, and algorithms are used to set the motion of the shifting or blowing mechanism, or combination thereof.

Abstract: A printer capable of detecting whether the printer is operating within a gaming system to perform gaming voucher printing, or within a promotional system to perform promotional coupon printing, or within both systems. The printer performs the operations of the identified system by providing one firmware that can detect whether the printer is operating within a gaming system to perform gaming voucher printing, or within a promotional system to perform promotional coupon printing, or within both systems.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for randomized printing of transactions or voting records using a printer with a paper roll supply where after one area is printed, the paper is randomly shifted either in a one or bidirectional fashion to another area not adjacent to the previously printed area thus removing a set print record order and preserving randomness in print. Motorized paper rollers are used for bidirectional paper shifting, an optical sensor is used to check if an area of paper roll is available for printing by reading indicia, and algorithms are used to randomly move the paper roll to prevent printing in continuous motion.

Abstract: A system for communicating with many host systems in use at a gaming establishment and/or associated gaming establishments for the creation, issuance, distribution and redemption of coupons based on data gathered from one or more host systems, games, player activity or anonymous activity, and coupon data, among others where data is gathered in data packets and stored in a database. The system can provide promotions to all patrons of a gaming establishment, either through player tracking or anonymously.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for monitoring and regulating public street parking using RF and RFID technology including: tracking expired parking tickets and illegally parked vehicles and identifying parked vehicles using parking ticket from another location. The apparatus includes a central server coupled to parking enforcement, EDI, one or more kiosks, and a plurality of portable or mobile RFID transceivers. Each kiosk includes a controller, RFID transceiver, printer, card reader, cash acceptor, camera, connection to sensor LAN, connection to RFID transceiver LAN, connection to EDI, connection to central server, cash return mechanism, and parking violation mechanism. The apparatus uses a plurality of RFID parking tickets, with each ticket having a unique RFID tag or chip. Users acquire and pay for the RFID parking tickets using the kiosks and place the RFID tickets on their cars while parked.

Abstract: A paper jam detector for a gaming machine. A paper jam detector is integrated with a gaming machine printer that produces cash-out paper vouchers, print-on-demand player tracking cards, or tickets. A paper jam detector may be entirely self-contained and include all of the mechanical, electrical, electronic, and software components used to detect a paper jam and communicate with a gaming machine or a host. A paper jam detector may also be distributed throughout a gaming machine printer, thereby utilizing various components of the gaming machine printer's printing mechanism and control module. The paper jam detector detects paper jam conditions by monitoring the movement of the paper through the mechanical portions of the gaming machine printer and signals to the gaming machine printer, gaming machine, or host when a paper jam occurs.

Abstract: A paper jam detector for a gaming machine. A paper jam detector is integrated with a gaming machine printer that produces cash-out paper vouchers, print-on-demand player tracking cards, or tickets. A paper jam detector may be entirely self-contained and include all of the mechanical, electrical, electronic, and software components used to detect a paper jam and communicate with a gaming machine or a host. A paper jam detector may also be distributed throughout a gaming machine printer, thereby utilizing various components of the gaming machine printer's printing mechanism and control module. The paper jam detector detects paper jam conditions by monitoring the movement of the paper through the mechanical portions of the gaming machine printer and signals to the gaming machine printer, gaming machine, or host when a paper jam occurs.

Abstract: A direct thermal printer device that can be used in any application using thermal printers. A direct thermal printer creates images on thermally active medium by applying light energy or radiant thermal energy created by a thermal heat source to create the heat necessary for generating an image on the thermal medium. The thermal energy source may be a laser, a high output light source, or a radiant heating element.

Abstract: A direct thermal printer device that can be used in any application using thermal printers. A direct thermal printer creates images on thermally active medium by applying light energy or radiant thermal energy created by a thermal heat source to create the heat necessary for generating an image on the thermal medium. The thermal energy source may be a laser, a high output light source, or a radiant heating element.

Abstract: A rewritable card printer useful as a rewritable card printer. The rewritable card printer includes a print module coupled to one or more separate card magazines, each having independent card drives. The operation of the print module and one or more card magazines are controlled by a printer controller. Cards may be exchanged between multiple card magazines so that cards can be escrowed, exchanged, or selectively located and retrieved. By manipulating cards within the card magazines, the rewritable card printer may perform various maintenance functions on itself and cards within a card magazine.

Abstract: A rewritable card printer useful as a rewritable card printer. The rewritable card printer includes a print module coupled to one or more separate card magazines, each having independent card drives. The operation of the print module and one or more card magazines are controlled by a printer controller. Cards may be exchanged between multiple card magazines so that cards can be escrowed, exchanged, or selectively located and retrieved. The print module may receive as well as dispense cards from and to an external card source so that the card magazines may be replenished without opening up a gaming machine hosting the rewritable card printer. The print module may further include a security device reader that is used to read security features embedded in the cards. The security features may be used to track individual card use and to guard against card duplication and fraud.

Abstract: A rewritable card printer useful as a rewritable card printer. The rewritable card printer includes a print module coupled to one or more separate card magazines, each having independent card drives. The operation of the print module and one or more card magazines are controlled by a printer controller. Cards may be exchanged between multiple card magazines so that cards can be escrowed, exchanged, or selectively located and retrieved. The print module may receive as well as dispense cards from and to an external card source so that the card magazines may be replenished without opening up a gaming machine hosting the rewritable card printer. The print module may further include a security device reader that is used to read security features embedded in the cards. The security features may be used to track individual card use and to guard against card duplication and fraud.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for verification of a voucher after printing by a gaming printer. A human readable validation character string is received by a printer controller for printing on a voucher. A scanned validation character string is read from the voucher using an optical recognition process as the voucher is being printed. The voucher is verified by comparing the received and scanned validation character strings. If the two validation character strings are different, the voucher may be voided by the printer controller before the voucher is finished being printed.

Abstract: A multi-media gaming printer. The multi-media printer may accept various kinds of voucher media, such as thermally writable medias, smart cards, or magnetic strip cards. The multi-media printer includes writing, reading, and erasing devices within the printer to manage and use the different types of media. In addition, the multi-media printer includes control logic and articulated printing mechanisms that prevent the multi-media printer from inadvertently manipulating a voucher in an inappropriate manner. The design of the multi-media printer is modular so that voucher media magazines may be replaced as needed.

Abstract: A multi-media gaming printer. The multi-media printer may accept various kinds of voucher media, such as thermally writable medias, smart cards, or magnetic strip cards. The multi-media printer includes writing, reading, and erasing devices within the printer to manage and use the different types of media. In addition, the multi-media printer includes control logic and articulated printing mechanisms that prevent the multi-media printer from inadvertently manipulating a voucher in an inappropriate manner. The design of the multi-media printer is modular so that voucher media magazines may be replaced as needed.

Abstract: A rewritable card printer useful as a rewritable card printer. The rewritable card printer includes a print module coupled to one or more separate card magazines, each having independent card drives. The operation of the print module and one or more card magazines are controlled by a printer controller. Cards may be exchanged between multiple card magazines so that cards can be escrowed, exchanged, or selectively located and retrieved. The print module may receive as well as dispense cards from and to an external card source so that the card magazines may be replenished without opening up a gaming machine hosting the rewritable card printer. The print module may further include a security device reader that is used to read security features embedded in the cards. The security features may be used to track individual card use and to guard against card duplication and fraud.

Abstract: A rewritable card printer useful as a rewritable card printer. The rewritable card printer includes a print module coupled to one or more separate card magazines, each having independent card drives. The operation of the print module and one or more card magazines are controlled by a printer controller. Cards may be exchanged between multiple card magazines so that cards can be escrowed, exchanged, or selectively located and retrieved. The print module may receive as well as dispense cards from and to an external card source so that the card magazines may be replenished without opening up a gaming machine hosting the rewritable card printer. The print module may further include a security device reader that is used to read security features embedded in the cards. The security features may be used to track individual card use and to guard against card duplication and fraud.