Abstract: A progressive gaming system with wide applicability to a potentially large number of players is provided. A three-level hierarchy can be used in which a portion of wagers and individual terminals are earmarked for contribution to a progressive jackpot, each casino is allotted one chance at a prize for each threshold amount of contribution and a win/loss decision is made, for each such chance, by a central computer system.

Abstract: Memories in peripherals, coupled to a gaming terminal, are reprogrammed by a method and apparatus which includes transmitting information from an external information source to a gaming terminal. The information is then transmitted from the gaming terminal to the peripheral device, preferably without the need for control by the external information source.

Abstract: A method for encrypting bill validation data generated by a bill validator is disclosed. Such data includes an inserted bill's denomination and country of origin as determined by sensors in the bill validator. Once such information is obtained, it is encrypted by combination with an encryption key selected from a table of such keys. The encrypted data is then communicated to a machine associated with the bill validator such as a gaming or vending machine. Upon receipt, the machine decrypts the data to obtain the original bill validation data. If the machine finds the denomination and issuing country of the inserted bill to be acceptable, the machine instructs the bill validator to accept the bill and store it in a bill repository.

Abstract: A rotating bill acceptor mounted inside a currency accepting machine is disclosed herein. The bill acceptor includes a bill validator which accepts (or rejects) cash inserted by users of the machine and a secure cash box which stores the bills out of the machine users' reach. The entire bill acceptor is pivotally mounted on a bracket in the machine interior. During normal operation, the bill acceptor is positioned such that its bill validator portion extends through an opening in a locked door on the machine's housing. Thus, the bill validator is available to accept cash while the cash box is protected within the machine interior. When it becomes necessary to remove the cash collected by the bill acceptor, a collection worker unlocks the door on the machine's housing, thereby accessing a mechanism which allows the bill acceptor to rotate out of its normal position and into a position in which the cash box is accessible through the unlocked door.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for verifying the contents of a storage device. A number of steps are involved in performing the verification. First, non-sequential data is written into each unused memory location of the storage device. Then, a non-associative technique is performed on contents of each memory location in the storage device starting at a randomly determined address in the storage device. Next, a final value from the non-associative technique is provided to a confirmation device for comparison with a set of predetermined resulting values. Then, the final value is compared to a resulting value, the resulting value being predetermined by applying the non-associative technique to pre-programmed contents of the storage device. Finally, one of two signals is generated. A first signal is generated indicating that the contents of the storage device are corrupted if the final value does not correspond to the resulting value.

Abstract: An antenna for a wireless network is disclosed. The network includes multiple gaming machines such as slot machines or video poker machines located in an establishment. These machines communicate certain playing data (coin-in, coin-out data, etc.) to a central computer over the wireless network. Antennas for the gaming machines are located in a conventional candle on top of the gaming machine. Such candles typically contain one or more lights which when illuminated indicate a certain event such as a jackpot being hit. The disclosed antenna is unobtrusively located within a conventional candle structure so that from its exterior, a candle antenna appears to be a normal candle of the type typically used on gaming machines. However, interior to the candle antenna is an antenna capable of sending and receiving signals of a particular radio frequency band.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a coin counter for use with a coin handling apparatus for receiving coins at a first location and discharging the coins at a second location through a coin discharge slot remote from the first location. The coin handling apparatus includes a coin transport channel extending from the first location to the second location and dimensioned so that coins can move therein in a single, edge-to-edge file. The channel terminates at the coin discharge slot at the second location. A sensor is located proximate to the coin discharge slot for sensing the passage of each coin as it leaves the channel through the coin discharge slot. A counter means is coupled with the sensor for counting the total number of coins passing through the coin discharge slot.

Abstract: A cashless gaming apparatus and method suitable for casinos. A player hands over money and an ID card to a clerk at a validation terminal. The clerk stores the ID number and the amount of money in the memory of the validation terminal. Then the clerk returns the ID card to the player for operating any one of a number of game terminals. The player then selects a game terminal which reads the player's ID card, whereupon the cash amount from the validation terminal is downloaded to the selected game terminal and the game terminal can then be played. If the player wishes to play another game terminal, the player actuates a cashout switch on the current terminal. The player then moves to another game terminal and the player's ID card is read into the second game terminal, whereupon the money remaining as a cash amount is downloaded to the second game terminal. The player can then play the second game terminal.

Abstract: An improved coin handling machine of the type having a rotating coin bowl and coin stripper is presented which allows a coin to be stabilized prior to exiting the machine, reducing jamming of the machine and subsequent maintenance. Improvements include the provision of a set of coin pushers on the underside of the drum wheel disk, a coin guide for helping the coins remain in their respective coin receiving spaces and one or more pressure pads placed strategically above the coin stripper for discharging the coins out of the machine, the pressure pad(s) preventing the coins from gravitationally dropping over the coin stripper as the coins move toward the coin exit chute.

Abstract: A coin dispensing machine (10) of the type having a rotating pinwheel (22) is provided with a coin wiper (30) to substantially prevent coil jams. The wiper includes a resilient member (35) affixed to a stiffening member (40). The wiper is attached to the housing of the coil dispensing machine parallel to the surface of the pinwheel at a distance above the pinwheel surface about equal to a coin thickness, and along a chord of the pinwheel. As the pinwheel rotates, coins on the pinwheel surface are forced by the resilient member to lie flatly against the pinwheel surface or be rejected, thus minimizing jamming.

Abstract: A slot machine having multiple spinning reels coaxially mounted in a frame for relative rotation. All machine movements are electrically activated by pulling a starting handle. The handle operates an electric switch which, in turn, initiates sequencing of the machine by a processor.The reel and sprocket are mounted so that relative rotational movements between them in a first rotational direction are prevented when the two are in a predetermined angular orientation. However, relative rotational movement between the reel and sprocket is permitted over a limited arc in the opposite rotational direction. A spring interposed between them permits a slight overtravel of the reel beyond the arrest position of the sprocket, and thereafter returns it to its normal position relative to the sprocket. To prevent undesirable oscillations, a friction clutch is interposed between the reel and the sprocket.

Abstract: In an improved coin handling apparatus including a hopper payout assembly, an improved device for delivering coins from the hopper to a coin tray comprises an elongated duct for receiving a stack of coins of a given denomination in single edge-to-edge relationship from the hopper and having a coin ejector assembly at the end of the duct opposite the hopper.

Abstract: A three dimensional visual effect of rotating mechanical reels is given to a two dimensional display on a video screen by using a film having a continuous tone gradient from dark to light, the darkest portions extending along the upper and lower edges of the film, respectively, with the lightest adjacent the center of the film. The film is placed over the video screen images so that the darkened tone gradients of the film are over the upper and lower portion of the display, and the lighter portion of the film at the center is over the center of the display.

Abstract: An improved coin operated and handling apparatus having a coin acceptor, a hopper payout assembly, coin storage chamber and a coin tray includes a coin diverter assembly located downstream from the hopper payout assembly between the coin storage chamber and coin tray.