Abstract: A gaming table device which allows casinos and other types of gambling establishments to link gaming tables and point of sale terminals in or associated with a casino to connect and use systems. The systems may include a TITO (Ticket In Ticket Out) host system for credit transfer from cash, RFID chips, non-RFID chips, gaming vouchers, and promotional coupons to gaming vouchers, promotional coupons, chips and rewritable cards, among others, thereby expanding the use of credit transfer within a gaming establishment and or associated gaming establishments and their slot machines, change machines, and cashier cages to include gaming tables.

Abstract: A promotional couponing system for the creation and management of promotional coupons, coupon templates, promotions, promotional campaigns, and triggers using a host system and a graphical front-end for use in a gaming, vending, or other business environment. A promotional couponing system runs on its own network though can connect to other host systems, and directly or indirectly to games such as slot machines and game tables and a printer of a game using a third port or interface. The promotional couponing system monitors play and other metrics to use triggers based on game and other data. The printer connection to a game only receives information which can be sent to the promotional couponing system.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for changing firmware in a gaming printer. The printer containing computer memory, internal and/or external to the printer, with the memory divided logically into multiple parts; a first section containing computer codes, a second section containing the data describing the format of gaming vouchers, and a third section containing data describing the format of promotional coupons. A mathematically unique identifier is created as an individual signature for each section of the memory, with each signature being independent of the other signatures, thus allowing for the changing the contents of one or more sections of the memory without affecting the contents of the unchanged sections of the memory.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for changing firmware in a gaming printer. The printer containing computer memory, internal and/or external to the printer, with the memory divided logically into multiple parts; a first section containing computer codes, a second section containing the data describing the format of gaming vouchers, and a third section containing data describing the format of promotional coupons. A mathematically unique identifier is created as an individual signature for each section of the memory, with each signature being independent of the other signatures, thus allowing for the changing the contents of one or more sections of the memory without affecting the contents of the unchanged sections of the memory.

Abstract: A modular gaming transaction printer for grayscale printing which may interface with multiple host systems and multiple gaming machine protocols, download application code or code patches, receive printer maintenance instructions, arbitrate print jobs received from various communication interfaces, support worldwide languages, and utilize firmware version consolidation. The printer further includes security features and memory protection. The printer further includes segmented memory for content related to each communication interface, gaming machine, or host system, among others. Additionally, the printer supports Unicode, configuration to worldwide languages, configuration to multiple protocols, and configuration to prior firmware versions for backward compatibility, among others. The printer may include a plurality of paper trays to hold media of the same size, but different characteristics.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for changing firmware in a gaming printer. The printer containing computer memory, internal and/or external to the printer, with the memory divided logically into multiple parts; a first section containing computer codes, a second section containing the data describing the format of gaming vouchers, and a third section containing data describing the format of promotional coupons. A mathematically unique identifier is created as an individual signature for each section of the memory, with each signature being independent of the other signatures, thus allowing for the changing the contents of one or more sections of the memory without affecting the contents of the unchanged sections of the memory.

Abstract: A gaming table device which allows casinos and other types of gambling establishments to link gaming tables and point of sale terminals in or associated with a casino to connect and use systems. The systems may include a TITO (Ticket In Ticket Out) host system for credit transfer from cash, RFID chips, non-RFID chips, gaming vouchers, and promotional coupons to gaming vouchers, promotional coupons, chips and rewritable cards, among others, thereby expanding the use of credit transfer within a gaming establishment and or associated gaming establishments and their slot machines, change machines, and cashier cages to include gaming tables.

Abstract: A distributed processing printer which may include separate controllers and/or separate memory where one controller and/or memory may be used to support legacy applications and another controller and/or memory may be used to support printing promotional materials and/or messages in a manner completely transparent to the legacy applications. The printer is capable of magnetically, electronically, and/or thermally reading, writing, erasing, and/or encoding gaming vouchers, promotional coupons, and rewritable cards. The printer can be integrated into a cashless slot machine and other games and/or a promotional system in a casino that produces gaming vouchers, promotional coupons and messages and/or print on demand player tracking card/vouchers capable of communicating with a game or host. The printer may accept various kinds of media, such as thermally writable media, smart cards, or magnetic strip cards.

Abstract: Guest services system for couponing and gaming where guests using an access point such as their room or kiosk select which promotions to view, which incentives and/or coupons to print and request and/or receive play credits. Additionally, secured means include using a PIN, password, and/or a secured card such as a room card or player tracking card to access and view incentives, request play credit, receive incentives and/or play credit, and/or purchase play credit. The system includes a connection to host systems, a controller, a user interface, input device, output device, card reading device as well as personal communication devices such as a computer.

Abstract: A promotional couponing system for the creation and management of promotional coupons, coupon templates, promotions, promotional campaigns, and triggers using a host system and a graphical front-end for use in a gaming, vending, or other business environment. A promotional couponing system runs on its own network though can connect to other host systems, and directly or indirectly to games such as slot machines and game tables and a printer of a game using a third port or interface. The promotional couponing system monitors play and other metrics to use triggers based on game and other data. The printer connection to a game only receives information which can be sent to the promotional couponing system.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for a downloadable financial transaction printer supporting multiple interfaces and single encoding for worldwide languages configuration. The financial transaction printer interfaces with multiple host systems and multiple gaming machine protocols, downloads application code or code patches, receives printer maintenance instructions, arbitrates print jobs received from various communication interfaces, supports worldwide languages, and utilizes firmware version consolidation whereby fewer firmware versions are required to support worldwide requirements, such as regional and jurisdictional requirements. The financial transaction printer further includes security features for gaming regulatory requirements, memory protection, and preventing the execution of downloaded code on unauthorized hardware. The financial transaction printer further includes segmented memory for content related to each communication interface, gaming machine, or host system, among others.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the creation and management of promotional coupons are provided. Promotional coupon templates are written in a template definition language and promotions, promotional campaigns, and triggers for the generation and issuance of promotional coupons based on the promotional coupon templates are defined. The promotional coupons may be printed either in real time, based on a predetermined date and/or time, or based on other triggers by a printer. Furthermore, the method and apparatus facilitate management of the redemption of promotional coupons for use in a gaming, vending, or other business environment. The system uses a host system and a graphical front-end. The system further includes at least one printer and may include routing devices. The system may interface with other systems such as a point of sale system or slot accounting system.

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 system is provided for the creation and management of promotional coupons or vouchers using coupon templates written in a template definition language, promotions, and promotional campaigns for the generation and issuance of promotional coupons either in real time or based on a predetermined date and/or time by a printer for use in a gaming, vending, or other business environment. The system uses a host system and a graphical front-end to a template definition language. Promotional coupons include coupons for merchandise, food, beverages, parking, lodging, special events such as a boxing or a tournament, personal events such as a birthday or an anniversary, entertainment, and a free play of a game or certain types of games. These promotional coupons can offer a discount, a refund, a rebate, or a free product or service. Promotions include those for a tangible or intangible product, a service, an event, and lodging.

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 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.