Abstract: A combined bill acceptor and smart card reader (or other data unit reader) comprises a bill acceptor, a host interface, and a smart card reader interposed between the bill acceptor and the host interface. The smart card reader preferably permits unimpeded pass-through of cash transaction data from the bill acceptor to the host interface when currency is accepted by the bill acceptor, and transmits cashless transaction data to the host interface when a smart card is read by the card reader. The smart card reader may route the cash transaction data using a hardware connection, such as a relay, or a soft connection, such as by serial interface devices in communication with the bill acceptor and the host device. The smart card reader may provide secure storage of transaction history data, as well as advanced authentication and verification functions.

Abstract: A multi-functional portable data device (preferably a combined smart card and magnetic-stripe card) is used for exchanging money with a financial institution in a cashless (i.e., credit or debit) transaction, and to credit or debit an electronic purse (“e-purse”) resident on the portable data device. An integrated data reading device can be used to conduct the various monetary transactions electronically so as to transfer money between the financial institutions and the e-purse on the portable data device. The portable data device preferably can be presented to gaming devices in a cashless gaming environment to allow the customers to use the gaming devices.

Abstract: A secure cashless gaming system comprises a plurality of gaming devices which may or may not be connected to a central host network. Each gaming device includes an intelligent data device reader which is uniquely associated with a security module interposed between the intelligent data device reader and the gaming device processor. A portable data device bearing credits is used to allow players to play the various gaming devices. When a portable data device is presented to the gaming device, it is authenticated before a gaming session is allowed to begin. The intelligent data device reader in each gaming device monitors gaming transactions and stores the results for later readout in a secure format by a portable data extraction unit, or else for transfer to a central host network.

Abstract: A multi-functional portable data device (preferably a combined smart card and magnetic-stripe card) is used for exchanging money with a financial institution in a cashless (i.e., credit or debit) transaction, and to credit or debit an electronic purse (“e-purse”) resident on the portable data device. An integrated data reading device can be used to conduct the various monetary transactions electronically so as to transfer money between the financial institutions and the e-purse on the portable data device. The portable data device preferably can be presented to gaming devices in a cashless gaming environment to allow the customers to use the gaming devices.

Abstract: A multi-functional portable data device (preferably a combined smart card and magnetic-stripe card) is used for exchanging money with a financial institution in a cashless (i.e., credit or debit) transaction, and to credit or debit an electronic purse (“e-purse”) resident on the portable data device. An integrated data reading device can be used to conduct the various monetary transactions electronically so as to transfer money between the financial institutions and the e-purse on the portable data device. The portable data device preferably can be presented to gaming devices in a cashless gaming environment to allow the customers to use the gaming devices.

Abstract: A secure cashless gaming system comprises a plurality of gaming devices which may or may not be connected to a central host network. Each gaming device includes an intelligent data device reader which is uniquely associated with a security module interposed between the intelligent data device reader and the gaming device processor. A portable data device bearing credits is used to allow players to play the various gaming devices. When a portable data device is presented to the gaming device, it is authenticated before a gaming session is allowed to begin. The intelligent data device reader in each gaming device monitors gaming transactions and stores the results for later readout in a secure format by a portable data extraction unit, or else for transfer to a central host network.

Abstract: A combined bill acceptor and smart card reader (or other data unit reader) comprises a bill acceptor, a host interface, and a smart card reader interposed between the bill acceptor and the host interface. The smart card reader preferably permits unimpeded pass-through of cash transaction data from the bill acceptor to the host interface when currency is accepted by the bill acceptor, and transmits cashless transaction data to the host interface when a smart card is read by the card reader. The smart card reader may route the cash transaction data using a hardware connection, such as a relay, or a soft connection, such as by serial interface devices in communication with the bill acceptor and the host device. The smart card reader may provide secure storage of transaction history data, as well as advanced authentication and verification functions.

Abstract: A secure cashless gaming system comprises a plurality of gaming devices which may or may not be connected to a central host network. Each gaming device includes an intelligent data device reader which is uniquely associated with a security module interposed between the intelligent data device reader and the gaming device processor. A portable data device bearing credits is used to allow players to play the various gaming devices. When a portable data device is presented to the gaming device, it is authenticated before a gaming session is allowed to begin. The intelligent data device reader in each gaming device monitors gaming transactions and stores the results for later readout in a secure format by a portable data extraction unit, or else for transfer to a central host network.