Abstract: A cryptographic key is associated with an identifier (ID) of an electronic gaming machine (EGM). A computing device receives a coupon redemption request including an electronic payment coupon having the EGM ID and a credit amount. The computing device authenticates the electronic payment coupon based at least in part on the cryptographic key associated with the EGM ID and transmits a redemption confirmation when the electronic payment coupon is successfully authenticated. The computing device also stores a cancellation associated with the electronic payment coupon. The cancellation indicates that the electronic payment coupon has been redeemed for the credit amount. Such an electronic payment coupon may, for example, be generated by an EGM and/or be redeemed using an EGM and/or any other computing device capable of receiving the electronic payment coupon, transmitting a redemption request, and providing the credit amount to a user.

Abstract: A cryptographic key is associated with an identifier (ID) of an electronic gaming machine (EGM). A computing device receives a coupon redemption request including an electronic payment coupon having the EGM ID and a credit amount. The computing device authenticates the electronic payment coupon based at least in part on the cryptographic key associated with the EGM ID and transmits a redemption confirmation when the electronic payment coupon is successfully authenticated. The computing device also stores a cancellation associated with the electronic payment coupon. The cancellation indicates that the electronic payment coupon has been redeemed for the credit amount. Such an electronic payment coupon may, for example, be generated by an EGM and/or be redeemed using an EGM and/or any other computing device capable of receiving the electronic payment coupon, transmitting a redemption request, and providing the credit amount to a user.

Abstract: A gaming system is configured for dynamic and location-specific sound management in distributed gaming environments. A mobile gaming device executes a gaming application in undefined areas such as airports or restaurants. Various fixed gaming stations are disposed across gaming zones in defined gaming areas such as casino floors. A server communicates with the mobile device and gaming stations and samples ambient sounds with respect to each, and identifies desired sound signatures with respect to one or more of the gaming zones, such as ambient sounds for an associated gaming application, a jackpot or equivalent “hot spot” in the gaming environment, etc. The mobile device is directed to emit the ambient sounds associated with the identified desired sound signatures for the gaming zone in the defined area. The server may further direct sound emitters associated with the mobile device to locally suppress ambient sounds other than identified zone-specific exception sound signatures.

Abstract: A gaming system that includes an input device with a sensor configured to measure data associated with an interaction of a player with the input device during play of a game on the gaming machine. The gaming system further includes a processor programmed to receive measured data from the sensor, determine, from the received measured data, that the interaction of the player with the input device exceeds an acceptable interaction threshold level, associate one or more gaming events that correspond to the determination that the interaction of the player with the input device exceeds the acceptable interaction threshold level, and determine a mental state of the player based on: the associated one or more gaming events, and the determination that the interaction of the player with the input device exceeds the acceptable interaction threshold level.

Abstract: A gaming system is configured for dynamic and location-specific management of sound in a gaming environment. Various gaming stations, each including sound receivers and sound emitters, are disposed across multiple gaming zones. A server communicates with the gaming stations and is configured to sample ambient sounds with respect to the plurality of zones, and identify zone-specific exception sound signatures with respect to a dynamic noise threshold for at least a first of the plurality of zones, such as for example a jackpot or equivalent “hot spot” in the gaming environment. One or more gaming machines external to the first zone are directed to locally amplify sounds associated with the identified zone-specific exception sound signatures for the first zone. The server may further direct sound emitters external to the first zone to emit sound waves effective to locally suppress particular ambient sounds other than the identified zone-specific exception sound signatures.

Abstract: A mobile gaming device is configured for dynamic and location-specific noise suppression. The device samples ambient sounds via a sound receiver, and identifies a profile of ambient sounds and exception sound signatures for a current location. Resident sound emitters are directed to emit sound waves which locally suppress ambient sounds, but local suppression may be disabled for sounds associated with the exception sound signatures. The device may further locally amplify sounds associated the gaming application, and in some embodiments may locally amplify sounds associated with the exception sound signatures, such as for example location-specific alerts. In various embodiments, a plurality of mobile gaming devices in a common location may exchange ambient sound information. In various embodiments, the mobile gaming devices are coupled to a central server which generates a baseline profile for each gaming zone and directs local noise suppression.

Abstract: A gaming system includes a central server linked to gaming zones each defined by a group of user stations. The server identifies exception sound signatures with respect to each of the plurality of zones, and disables local suppression of ambient sounds associated with the exception sound signatures. The stations each include a gaming terminal, and sound receiving and emitting devices. The stations sample ambient sounds and generate representative audio data. The stations collectively compile audio data representative of zone-specific ambient sounds, and individually emit sound waves effective to locally suppress ambient sounds for which local suppression is not disabled. The stations extract user station-specific sound signatures from a combination of the local audio data and the zone-specific audio data, and locally amplify sounds associated with the extracted user station-specific sound signatures.

Abstract: A gaming system that includes an input device with a sensor configured to measure data associated with an interaction of a player with the input device during play of a game on the gaming machine. The gaming system further includes a processor programmed to receive measured data from the sensor, determine, from the received measured data, that the interaction of the player with the input device exceeds an acceptable interaction threshold level, associate one or more gaming events that correspond to the determination that the interaction of the player with the input device exceeds the acceptable interaction threshold level, and determine a mental state of the player based on: the associated one or more gaming events, and the determination that the interaction of the player with the input device exceeds the acceptable interaction threshold level.

Abstract: A gaming system includes a central server linked to user stations defining gaming zones each defined as comprising one or more of said user stations. The server analyzes ambient conditions and generates baseline audio files for the user stations. The stations each include a gaming terminal, and sound receiving and emitting devices. The user stations sample ambient sounds and generate a representative audio file for analysis by the central server. The stations further enable users to select external sounds for local sound suppression, and can direct the sound emitting devices to emit sound waves for locally suppressing the selected external sounds. The stations extract user station-specific sound signatures from a combination of the local audio file and the baseline audio file, and direct the sound emitting devices to locally amplify sounds associated with the extracted user station-specific sound signatures.

Abstract: A gaming system includes a central server linked to user stations defining gaming zones each defined as comprising one or more of said user stations. The server analyzes ambient conditions and generates baseline audio files for the user stations. The stations each include a gaming terminal, and sound receiving and emitting devices. The user stations sample ambient sounds and generate a representative audio file for analysis by the central server. The stations further enable users to select external sounds for local sound suppression, and can direct the sound emitting devices to emit sound waves for locally suppressing the selected external sounds. The stations extract user station-specific sound signatures from a combination of the local audio file and the baseline audio file, and direct the sound emitting devices to locally amplify sounds associated with the extracted user station-specific sound signatures.

Abstract: A cryptographic key is associated with an identifier (ID) of an electronic gaming machine (EGM). A computing device receives a coupon redemption request including an electronic payment coupon having the EGM ID and a credit amount. The computing device authenticates the electronic payment coupon based at least in part on the cryptographic key associated with the EGM ID and transmits a redemption confirmation when the electronic payment coupon is successfully authenticated. The computing device also stores a cancellation associated with the electronic payment coupon. The cancellation indicates that the electronic payment coupon has been redeemed for the credit amount. Such an electronic payment coupon may, for example, be generated by an EGM and/or be redeemed using an EGM and/or any other computing device capable of receiving the electronic payment coupon, transmitting a redemption request, and providing the credit amount to a user.