Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating and accounting for vouchers or tickets is disclosed. In accordance with a method of the invention, a voucher is issued by a voucher generation device associated with a gaming system which includes one or more gaming machines and a host. The method includes generating data regarding a voucher to be printed, creating a record regarding the voucher and printing the voucher at the voucher generation device. The generated voucher information is transmitted from the remote voucher generation device to the host. The printed voucher may be presented at the naming machine, with the authenticity of the voucher and its value determined by utilizing the voucher information stored at the host.

Abstract: A method of monitoring and providing support to a gaming device that includes monitoring the gaming device to determine an occurrence of an event, generating a message regarding the event, encoding the message, transmitting the message to a remote location over a communication link, receiving the message at the remote location, decoding the message, analyzing the message, and initiating a response to the message. In one embodiment, the event comprises an error or fault and the message regarding the event is transmitted using the simple mail transfer protocol (SMTP). Embodiments of the invention comprise apparatus forming a part of a gaming network or system including gaming devices such as gaming machines. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises servers associated with a remote service center and message data storage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a graphical representation of a gaming environment and for providing information regarding individual components located in the environment is provided. A graphical user interface displays a graphical representation of at least a portion of a gaming environment, such as a graphical representation of individual components of a gaming system and their surrounding physical environment. The components are graphically portrayed in positions corresponding to the relative positions of the actual components of the gaming system. By selecting a graphically represented component, information regarding the actual gaming system component which is represented is provided, such as by display in a window associated with the graphical user interface. Gaming system component or other information may be obtained via a communication link from those components.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for enabling the operation of one or more functions of electronic devices. A user establishes a financial account with a financial account provider, the account having associated funds. The user obtains an electronic device, such as a music player or image display device, the device configured so that one or more functions will not operate without receiving authorization from a service provider. The user provides financial account information to the service provider to pay for a service, and the service provider transmits information, such as a key, to the electronic device to enable operation. In one embodiment, the user transmits financial account information to the service provider, which associates that information with information regarding the user's device. In use, the electronic device establishes a communication link over the Internet to the service provider and transmits a device i.d.

Abstract: A method of monitoring and providing support to a gaming device that includes monitoring the gaming device to determine an occurrence of an event, generating a message regarding the event, encoding the message, transmitting the message to a remote location over a communication link, receiving the message at the remote location, decoding the message, analyzing the message, and initiating a response to the message. In one embodiment, the event comprises an error or fault and the message regarding the event is transmitted using the simple mail transfer protocol (SMTP). Embodiments of the invention comprise apparatus forming a part of a gaming network or system including gaming devices such as gaming machines. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises servers associated with a remote service center and message data storage.

Abstract: The invention comprises methods and systems for obtaining music in electronic form. In one embodiment, a consumer establishes a single account which may be used to pay for music content. The consumer accesses a music content provider or broker, such as by establishing a communication link via the Internet between their computer and a server of the music content provider. The consumer is permitted to select from content which is available from a plurality of independent third party sources, such as the music services offered by a number of different record labels. In one embodiment, the music content provider indicates the lowest cost source for desired content. The consumer pays the music provider for the desired content, such as using funds associated with the account. Data representing the music is then transmitted to the consumer.

Abstract: The invention comprises financial accounts and methods of establishing and using the accounts, particularly in monetary and commercial transactions. In one embodiment, a promotional account has associated value, such as points or monies. Account information which identifies a promotional account is associated with a product. The account information may be printed on a ticket, such as in bar-code form. When the product is distributed, such as by sale to a consumer, the consumer accesses and then transmits the account information to access the promotional account. The consumer may use the associated account value to obtain goods or services. One embodiment is a system including a user computing device which gains access to account information via a server using an application transmitted from the server to the user device.

Abstract: A gaming environment includes portable transaction/tracking devices for rendering services and tracking game play. In one embodiment, the gaming environment includes at least one table game and a portable transaction interface capable of receiving and sending information over a wireless communication link to/from a player tracking server adapted to store player identification and player game play data. One embodiment of a method comprises the tracking of player game play in such a gaming environment using the portable transaction device or interface. Player identification information and player game play data is input to the portable transaction device and transmitted to the player tracking server for association with a player's rating file. Graphical information may be generated and displayed to the user of the portable transaction device regarding the gaming environment. This information may be used by the user to identify players or their location.

Abstract: A player is permitted to participate in an interactive gaming event from a remote location, such as a hotel room or home computer, once the player's entitlement to participate has been confirmed using a biometric identifier. One method of the invention includes first verifying the identity of a potential player of a gaming event, such as by verifying the age of the player. If verified, the fingerprint of the player is obtained and the fingerprint is stored in association with an assigned identification code. When a player requests to participate in a gaming event from a remote location, the player's identification code is received from the player and is used to locate the corresponding stored fingerprint. The player then transmits their scanned fingerprint. If the transmitted fingerprint and stored fingerprint match, the player is verified as entitled to participate in the gaming event.

Abstract: A network architecture for a gaming environment includes a plurality of gaming devices configured to generate and output data and a data repository adapted to collect data provided by the plurality of gaming devices, the data repository including at least one memory device. The network architecture includes a plurality of disparate systems, the systems implementing different applications and/or utilizing different languages or communication protocols/formats, and at least one open interface provided between the plurality of disparate systems, the at least one open interface permitting communications between each of the plurality of disparate systems and the data repository, whereby data collected by the data repository regarding gaming operations may be transmitted to and used by any or all of the plurality of disparate systems, and whereby the plurality of otherwise disparate systems may communicate with one another.

Abstract: A gaming machine is arranged with a gaming machine controller and a secondary “queuing” device, preferably a player tracking controller having a memory. A communication link is provided between the player tracking controller and gaming machine controller, and the player tracking controller and a player tracking network including a player tracking host or server. A game code server is connected to the player tracking network. In accordance with a method, gaming machine code or data, such as game or other control code, is transmitted from the game code server over the player tracking network to the player tracking controller. The code may be processed by the player tracking controller, including by storing it in the player tracking controller memory. The code may then be transmitted to the gaming machine controller for storage and execution.

Abstract: A system includes a media distribution system including displays located in guest rooms of a hotel. A game play system and player tracking system of a casino are linked to the media distribution system. A player located in a guest room is confirmed as enrolled in a player rewards program by confirmation of identity with the player tracking system or by enrolling the player in the program by sending identification information from a hospitality/reservation system of the hotel to the player tracking system. Game data is provided from the game play system to the media distribution system and is distributed to the player's in-room display. The data is used to generate a game for play by the player on a promotional/demonstrative basis without placing a wager or bet. The player's game play activities are tracked for use in generating a player reward independent of the outcome of the games played.

Abstract: A method of monitoring and providing support to a gaming device that includes monitoring the gaming device to determine an occurrence of an event, generating a message regarding the event, encoding the message, transmitting the message to a remote location over a communication link, receiving the message at the remote location, decoding the message, analyzing the message, and initiating a response to the message. In one embodiment, the event comprises an error or fault and the message regarding the event is transmitted using the simple mail transfer protocol (SMTP). Embodiments of the invention comprise apparatus forming a part of a gaming network or system including gaming devices such as gaming machines. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises servers associated with a remote service center and message data storage.

Abstract: One or more methods and apparatus for facilitating financial and player tracking/reward transactions. In one embodiment, a system includes at least one server and a plurality of gaming machines and/or a game generator for transmitting game information to a remote game play location. The server has a memory containing data files corresponding to players. The data files contain information such as credits or monies in an account which belong to the player or which may be used by the player to play games. The data files also contain player tracking information, such as points awarded to a player based upon their game play. In one embodiment, players are issued media in the form of player cards having identification information thereon. The identification information is used to access the player's account or files, such as at a gaming machine. A player and a casino may manage the player's accounts, such as by placing criteria upon the account, including the use of associated credits.

Abstract: A gaming system including hand-held, portable gaming devices is disclosed. In one embodiment, the gaming system is arranged to present at least one game to a player and includes a portable gaming device or interface having a display for displaying game and other information to a player. The portable gaming device is capable of receiving and sending information to a remote device/location. A game server generates game data, and transmits the game data to the portable gaming device and receives information, such as player input, from the portable gaming device. A payment transaction server validates payment and establishes entitlement of a player to play a game via the portable gaming device as provided by the game server. In one or more embodiments, the gaming system includes one or more stationary gaming machines capable of printing tickets having a value associated therewith.

Abstract: A bonus system and a method of awarding a bonus associated with a gaming machine are disclosed. In one embodiment, the bonus system includes a player tracking system comprising a player tracking device at the gaming machine, a remote player tracking host and a network by which information may be sent to and from the player tracking device and player tracking host. The bonus system includes a bonus system host associated with the network, the bonus system host capable of generating bonus event information which is transmitted to the player tracking device at via the network. In one embodiment, the player tracking device includes a player tracking device controller and one or more peripherals, such as a card reader, display and speakers. Bonus event information is displayed and audible information is generated in response to the sending of bonus event information from the bonus event host to the player tracking device controller.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for awarding bonuses in a gaming environment. The system includes gaming machines associated with a player tracking host and a bonus system host. Each gaming machine has a player tracking device. In accordance with a method, a bonus is funded independently of specific wagers placed at the gaming machines. The bonus system host configures bonus event information which is presented via the player tracking devices of the gaming machines. In the event a player is a bonus event winner, bonus award information is transmitted to the player via the player tracking device. The bonus is awarded based on criteria independent of the outcome of a game played by the player at the gaming machine. The system and method provide for the award of bonuses independent of the configuration of the games the gaming machine presents, player wagers or game outcome.

Abstract: The invention comprises financial accounts and methods of establishing and using the accounts, particularly in monetary and commercial transactions. Customer data is provided to an account provider, an account type is established, a value limit for the account is assigned, funds are deposited in the financial account in an amount not exceeding the value limit, an account expiration date is assigned, and an account signature is generated for use in establishing later entitlement to access the financial account. The financial account has monetary funds associated therewith which may be debited from the account, an expiration date associated therewith after which access to the account is prevented, a maximum funds value comprising the maximum funds which may be associated with the account, and account data for use in establishing entitlement to access the account.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a graphical representation of a gaming environment and for providing information regarding individual components or persons located in the environment are provided. The invention includes a graphical user interface which displays a graphical representation of at least a portion of a gaming environment, such as a graphical representation of individual components of a gaming system and their surrounding physical environment. The components are graphically portrayed in positions corresponding to the relative positions of the actual components of the gaming system. The components are also graphically displayed in a graphically reproduced environment which represents the actual environment, such as a casino, in which the actual gaming system components are located.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a graphical representation of a gaming environment and for providing information regarding individual components located in the environment is provided. The invention includes a graphical user interface which displays a graphical representation of at least a portion of a gaming environment, such as a graphical representation of individual components of a gaming system and their surrounding physical environment. The components are graphically portrayed in positions corresponding to the relative positions of the actual components of the gaming system. The components are also graphically displayed in a graphically reproduced environment which represents the actual environment, such as a casino, in which the actual gaming system components are located. By selecting a graphically represented component, information regarding the actual gaming system component which is represented is provided, such as by display in a window associated with the graphical user interface.