AU2004201325A1 - Method and apparatus for gaming promotional printer - Google Patents

Description

31/03 '04 WED 12:09 FAX 61 2 9810 8200 F B RICE CO.

444r LATE IP AUS 2t005 1

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 FUTURELOGIC, INC.

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: Method and apparatus for gaming promotional printer The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to us:- COMS ID No: SMBI-00689607 Received by IP Australia: Time 12:19 Date 2004-03-31 31/03 '04 WED 12:09 FAX 61 2 9810 8200 F B RICE CO. LATE IP AUS I006 BALCQROUG OF TH VAwunS This invention relates generally to gamilng printers and more 'peifically to gaming Printers performing promotional coupon printing.

s The gaming machine manufacturing industry provides a variety of gamlng machines for the amusement of gambling players. An exemplary gaing machine Is a slot machine. A slot machine is an eleotro-mechanlcal game wherein chance or the skill of a player determines the outcome of the game. Slot machines are usually found in casinos or other more informal gaming establishments.

Gaming machine maufacturers have more recently introduced cashless enabled gaming machines to the market and these have begun to find wide acceptance in the gaming industry. Cashleae enabled gaming machines are so named because they can conduct financial exchanges using a mixture or traditional currencies and vouchers. Typically, a cashless enabled gaming machine has a gauing printer to produce vouchers and a bill acceptor that snpports automatic reading of vouchers. To coordinate the a0 activities of multiple cashless enabled gaming machines, one or more cashless enabled gaming machines may be electronically coupled to a cashless enabled gaming machine system that controls the cashless operations of a oaehless enabled gaming machine.

When a player cashes out using a cashless enabled gaming machine coupled to a cashless enabled gaming machine system, the COMS ID No: SMBI-00689607 Received by IP Australia: Time 12:19 Date 2004-03-31 31/03 '04 WED 12:09 FAX 61 2 9810 8200 F B RICE CO.

444 LATE IP AZTS IM007 cashlesi enabled gaming machine signals the system and the system may determine the type of pay out presented to the player.

S Depending on the size of the pay out, the cashless enabled gaming machine system may cause the cashlese enabled gaming machine to present coins in the traditional method of a slot macLine, or the cashless enabled gaming machine system may cause a gaming printer in the cashless enabled gaming machine to produce a voucher for the value of the pay out. The voucher my then be redeemed in a variety of ways. For example, the voucher may be redeemed for cash at a cashier's cage or used with another cashless enabled gaming machine.

I

n order to use the voucher in a cashless enabled gaming machine, the voucher is inserted into a bill s1 acceptor of another cashless enabled gaming machine at a participating casino and the cashless enabled gaming machine system recognises the voucher, redeems the voucher, and places an appropriate amount of playing credits on the cashless enabled gaming machine.

Over the last two years, cashless enabled gaming achines have found an increasing acceptance and use in the gaming industry with players who enjoy the speed of play and ease of transporting their winnings around the casino and the casinos who have realised significant labod savings in the form of reduced coin hopper reloads in the games, and an increase in revenue because of the speed of play. This increasing acceptance practically guarantees a wide installed base of networked games with captive player audiencea for issuance of coupons and promotional tickets using generally the came equipment already installed within a cashless enabled gaming machine system for the purpose of supporting caahless gaming vouchers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVEMTION In one aspect of the invention, a method of printing a promotional coupon in a gaming environment includes receiving -2- COMS ID No: SMBI-00689607 Received by IP Australia: Time 12:19 Date 2004-03-31 31/03 '04 WED 12:09 FAX 81 2 9810 8200 F B RICE CO.

444 LATE IP AUS Q008s coupon data by a gaming promotional printer in a caftless enabled .game from a promotional controller via a communications network The coupon data includes a coupon description written in a template definition language. The gaming promotional printer thn 9enerates the coupon using variable data and the coupon template in response to a trigger.

Inanother aspect of the invention, the variable data is received by the gaming promotional printer from the promotional controller via the comunications network. In this aspect, the promotional controller generates the trigger and transmits the trigger to the gaming promotional printr via the communications network.

In another aspect of the invention, the coupon data includes trigger control parameters and the trigger is generated by the gaming promotional printer using the trigger control parameters and trigger data. The trigger data may include a date, a time of day, a frequency of issuance of the coupon, or a tim of play by a player of a gaming machine.

In another aspect of the invention, the gaming promotional printer is further coupled to a gaming machine controller and the trigger data is received by the gaming prom o t ional printer from a gaming machine controller. The trigger data may include a player identifir', an amount of money in play on a gaming machine, a duration of a current session of play of a gaming machine, a cash-in of a player or a cash-out of a player.

In another aspect of the invention, coupon issuance data is stored by the gaming promotional printer and the coupon issuance data is transmitted by the gaming promotional printer to the promotional controller via the communications network.

In another aspect of the invention, a promotional controller transmits coupon data to a gaming promotional printer via a co3umnications network with the coupon data including a coupon template. The promotional controller transmits variable data and -3- COMS ID No: SMBI-00689607 Received by IP Australia: Time 12:19 Date 2004-03-31 31/03 '04 'ED 12:10 FAX 61 2 9810 8200 F B RICE CO.

LATE IP AUS [I009 trigger data to the gaming promotional printer via the communications network. Zn response to the tranrmLssion, the B ganing prmotiogal printer generates a coupon using the coupon template and the variable data.

In another aspect of the invention, the gaming promotional printer stores coupon issuance data and the promotional Controllsr receives the coupon issuance data by the promotional controller from the gaming promotional printer via the communications network, In another aspect of the invention, a gaming promotional printer comprises a processor and a memory coupled to the processor, The memory has stored program instructions executable by the processor where the program instructions. include receiving Coupon data including a coupon template from a promotional controller via a communications network. The program instruction, for the gaming- promotional printer also include instructions for generating a coupon Using variable data and the coupon template in response to a trigger.

In another aspect of the invention, a promotional controller includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor.

Program instructions for implementing the features of a promotional controller are stored in the memory and are executable by the processor. The program instructions include: transmitting coupon data to a gaming promotional printer via a COlmuaications network wherein the coupon data includes a coupon template; transmitting variable data to the gaming promotional printer via the Communications network; and transmitting trigger data to the gaming promotional printer whereby the gaming promotional printer generatea a. coupon using the coupon template and the variable data in response to the trigger data.

-4- COMS ID No: SMBI-00689607 Received by IP Australia: Time 12:19 Date 2004-03-31 31/03 '04 WRED 12:10 FAX 61 2 9810 8200 FBRC o AhI U I1 F B RICE CO. 444 LATE IP AUS lzoto )3R1Bp DR8C~tzprIon OF TER DVRAWITNQ The@s and other feaLurem, aspect., and advantages oft the S present invention will become better understood with regard .to thle fo11owing description, .appended claim., and accwnpany±ng drawings whgre 1 P1,0-1 is block diagram illustrating A gaming environent empoyngcvuP~tx i9UawcQ in accordance with an exemplary 8mtod±Mnt of the present invernon; Fla. 2 is a deployment diagram of a Coupon issuing system in 'accordance Vith an weemplary embodment of the present, invention, PIG' 3 'a An Illustration Of a coupon including logical :1S "ield. describe in a teu 1 ,late baued printer language in 4cccrdiance with an exemplary embodimient of the present Invention; FIG. 4 Is a block diagram of coupon'template ield'e-lemento 6tored Partially resident in a promotional gaming printer arid partially supplied by a master promnotional controller at the time of print and issue in £ccordance with an teanplaxy embodimient of the present invention, FIG. 5 Is a block diagramn of an eemplary coupon stack" and logical trigger matrix resident in a gaing Promtional printer inz accordance with an exemplary entodiment of the present :2s invention: FIG. 6 is t process f low diagram vi a coupon generation process in accordance with an exemplar-y embodiment of the prevent invention, PIG. in a sequence diagram of a coupon generating process in accordance with *fl exemplary ambudimenwL of the present invent ion; noG. a is an architecture diagram of an oxempl~ry promotional gaming priutet in accondance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and COMS ID No: SMBI-0689607 Received by IP Australia: Time 12:19 Date 2004-03-31 31/03 '04 WED 12:10 FAX 81 2 9810 8200 FBRC O 4 AEI U F B RICE CO. -+44 LATE IP AUS Z011 FI. 4in archt,@1tu-v diagram of an ,,P~arY Imater Promotion&, controller in accordance With anexmpa embod-iment -of the preuent inventj 0 .4neenl DETAILED~

DBCRIO

P.M. .1 is bloatk diagram, illustrating a gamin env.~~ employj1!E1caon:jn in atocornMe with nnexmpa2 Qluodment 1 0 o t h e p r e e n t n v e n i o n A p 1 ay g a 1 0 0 u s e s a c a sh l e s s e n a b l e d g3aming Machine 102,to playR agambling game Or gamin of skill. As the player playa the game, aL master promczotiJ controller 104 CouPled to oOf r lure cashless enuabled samdig macnhines through 4 conMMiwCatiocns network 1.06 triggers the generation~ of Promotional COuPons ioa8 -for use by the play*er. The PZOID~Otional COUPOIB are generated Wy a promotional gaming printer 109 ihacluded in a cashless enable41d gaming machine. The Dmaster Promtiona controller can either be a controlIler network Cozmnecte4 to one Or more gaming prVomotinal printers, aL ~oCotrller within af Cashless enabled gaming machine or garuingr Promotional printer, or an intelligent. routing and management device for one or more gaming promtional printors. in on* Oftbci~ntof a master promotional controller, the master Protptional Controler direct, the promctiual activity of the gaming PromOtiOll- Printers Via direct promotioa Cpoupon requests. In another ebnd~gamnt Of a master promotionaLI controller, the master PromOtional controller uses a cashffless enabled gamin~g machine 'a gamaing promotional printer ta store' prOnicti~nal ccUPo4 datatSOOG, anxd triggers.once a promotional coupon hae been issued by a gaming p-romotjonal printer, the Promtional coupon may be tedeewed with at human oper"ator or cashier 110 or redeemed automatically btrough at another redmption device, such a. a bill acceptor in another cashles, enabled gamning Mfcine 112, Or redeemed at a COMB ID No: SMBI-00689601 Received by IP Australa: Time 12:19 Date 2004-03-31 31/03 '04 WED 12:11 FAX 61 2 0810 8200F B RI E C .L T IP A S1 02 F B RICE CO. 444 LATE IP AUS 16012 kiogk 114 whc snt~gm u rvdBreohr form of &Utifllc nte fac fo apromotona coupon holIder.

ma-Ster promotional Controller is Coupledj to the redemption devices. Zn Olnotne-r eutodiet of an master promotional. vozntrca1er, a nan-gaine kiosk or casino persormel may or May no0t interface back to the master 'promotional controllJer whem redeeming a promotina coupon. n~M to relative to couponing activity in exchange d with the master promotional Controller, the net result being the gaining promoctiona1 Printers fitting into the system an distrguted intelligent sub-units, Siniiantly. off-loading the master promotional controler's real time* sericing rsquirenwnt, and avoidiig, network bandwith issues associated vith live streaming Of promotional coupons 'during a relatively short cash-out time windo'.

Oflt0A gaming onviromeo employing COuponing In accordance with ba *einflay embodiment of the ipreswnt invention, each gaming p'romotl onai printer in the gaming environment hag a unique address or Idenltifier so that a popuhtion of gaming Promotional Printers on: the network can be addressed in whole or indivridually for promotional PUrPoseS.

FZQ. 2 in a deployment. diagram of a eouponyg~ system in accordance with an eeplary embodiment of the present invention.

In a Couponing sytem, a master Prcmiotiozla Controller .104 is coup-led to one or more cashlesa enabled gamting macohine., an illustrated by cashless enabled gaming machine 102, through a communlcation. neotwork ioc by coupling to a gaining promotional- printer 109 Included in the cashless enabled gaming machine. The masater Promotional controller is programmable and incoludes Meater Promotional controller progranhing instructions 201 controlling the master promotional contro~ierm OperaLian 5 incaluding cohmmm~ications with the gamnig promotional printer.

-7- COMS ID No: SMBI-00689607 Received by IP Australia: Time 12:19 Date 2004-03-31 31/03 '04 WED 12:11 FAX 81 2 9810 8200F B RI E C.4 4 L T IP A Sjol F B RICE CO. 444 LATE IP AUS Z013 "n-One gaming PrOmotional Printer Ina accordance with in exempxary 4 embodimenit of the prevent £flVention, a stand -alonre gaming Promotional printer IinCludes all of the feceseary procesmfing capabilities memory, and gaming promotional Printer pro0grammuj±S inatruct ions 209 needed. to perform promotional -cOupning 'operations for the cashlou 5 enabled gaming mnachine.

In other. AtOodjments of gaming promotional printers, a gauting Promotioal Printer i.3 created by coupling promotional. Trndnl n:o to a conventional 9fai.g printer, enabling the gaming'pinter to function am a gaming Promotional printer. A stand alone gaming promotional printer or a gaming promotional printeor created, from a aonventiz1~ gaming printear coupled, to a i-s Promotional module Ore herii,%fter termed a 'gaming proftxtion~j Printer'- The0 master Promotional controller May be coupled to a gae cotroller 204 included in thc cashless enabled gaming machine.

13 coupling to a 'game controller Fthe liaulterPrmtoa controller may receive ±ftonution from th. game& Controller about the saudng operations Of the cashless enabled gam-ing machine eparately from the gaming pomo0tinal printer Printing operations.

*The cauge..l enabledi gaming machine may alma include a bill BQCeptor 20G Coupjed to the gamne contrcaljer. A cashless enabled gamilag machine uses a bill acceptor for -redemnption of Promotional coupons and &cceptance of vouchrs or cash.

In operation, the tmsteor promotional controller transmits packets of variawje data or coupon -data describing a promotional ata aseto the gaming PromotiOnajl printer. The Cftnsa the prmoat.LC database include dlescriptions Of a plurality Of promnot ional coupon,, cash Vouchers', advertisement. Or other *nticements which are he.reinacter collectively refrred to as Acouponmu 4 The gaming PctinlPrinter reevsthe COMS ID No: SMBI-00889807 Received by IP Australia: Time 12:19 Date 2004-03-31 31/0 3 '04 WED 12:11 FAX 61 2 9810 8200 F B RICE CO. LATE IP AUS promotional database and stores the promotional database in the gaming promotional printer's local memory.

The gaming promotional printer also stores specifications of how to print the coupons in its local memory. The specifications of the coupons are stored as templates written in a template based printer language. This allows the coupons. to be pre-defined, formatted, and stored in the gaming promotional printer completely or partially for later recall.

Upon reception of a trigger data signal from either the master promotional controller or the game controller, the gaming promotional printer references and parses the promotional database and coupon templates to generate and issue promotional coupons or tiokets printed on paper media. The paper media may be used specifically for the purpose of generating promotional coupons, or the paper media may be used for the purpose of printing pay out vouchere associated with cashless gaming.

PIG. 3 is an illustration of a coupon including logical fields described in a template based printer language in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

In this example, a coupon may 300 include four types of data fieldes text fields, such as text field 302; barcode fields, such as barcode field 304; graphic fields, such as graphic field 306; and line/box draw 'fields, such as line/box draw field 308. The fields of a coupon are described using coupon description data included in an electronic template that may be stored by a gaming promotional printer. A template may include a plurality of fields in combination, resulting in a paste-up style printed coupon. A plurality of templates describing different types of coupons may be stored in a gaming promotional printer supporting a rich couponing environment.

The actual value or data for each of the fields described in a coupon template may or may not be included in the template 3S itself. For example, a template may include a barcode field for .9 i 014 COMS ID No: SMBI-00689607 Received by IP Australia: Time 12:19 Date 2004-03-31 31/03 '04 WED 12:12 FAX 61 2 9810 8200 F B RICE CO. 444r LATE IP AUS 015 prtiing a barcode 310. However, the actual value of the barcode is transmitted to a gaming promotional printer at the time a coupon is generated using the coupon template. In this way, a coupon may have fields that Include static data, such as graphic 312 in a graphic field, or dynamic data, such as the name of a particular patron 314 in a text field. In this way, customized coupons may be printed by a gaming promotional printer without i0 transferring large amounts of data through a communications network coupling a gaming promotional printer to a master promotional controller.

In addition, data that is used to track usage of coupons may be included in a coupon. For example, a barcode field or a text i1 field may be usad to print a barcode value or text string uniquely identifying a coupon, In this way, a gaming provisional printer creates an image of a barcode or barcodes, characters or marks that may be read by a cashless enabled gaming machine bill acceptor on the same or another cashless enabled gaming machine, allowing automatic acceptance of coupons into a cashless enabled gaming system in a casino or another related casino property.

A coupon template includes a plurality of command strings.

Each command string conforms to the following syntax; delimiter<cmdtr> I <data_fleldl> <datafieldx> I delimeter; conment where delimiter a delimiter character <cmd_ltr> command identifier letter <data_fieldal-> fields which include information relative to the command Pipe character. This serves as the delimiter between data field in a command.

Semi-colon. This is a comment field designator.

COMS ID No: SMBI-00689607 Received by IP Australia: Time 12:19 Date 2004-03-31 31/03 '04 WED 12:12 FAX 81 2 9810 8200 FBRC O **LT I ISII1 F B RICE CO.

444 LATE IP AUS a 0-t6 A template defining a coup0on adherca to -following Srantaxc: s delirniter4c template -cut 1tr, ctid> I ectarqg mom,.

ct dim da. I-t-dmjau 1 Icrf cpr prfl> pr#n> where.ct-id>- w Template

'I.D.

'c~rgmea~tatgeL menrjy Storage.

dim daTemPlate dimension on a dotline aiai ifl dots.

.4t diui-Pa>" Template dimena±o in dote in the paper c~ -list of COUPon database resident prinlt -regions ID'sa used in the format of this Coupon. TheseL fi~daare the method by which print regions used on a !oupo'n "r0 lin1ked together and to the coupon template A print regiton In a print field used In a template to format print data. The print region mman is Used to dlef iha the basic: tYPes of print resgiw' such a te~ct, barcode, graphics', and a lne/box draw.

2S A define prixit region' Comamnd defines the particular f ont, barcode, graphic, Or line style which in to be used, and provides special fOrmiatting inform'ton on tow it is to be used.

Multiple print regions my be defined arnd memorizmed in a gaming Promotional prijntet'ug coupon database.

A define print region cohunad adhereu to the follow syntax..

deliudter< <rrtein~t> Iad qage~ 1Jbi.,. I cmu:a ci_2_ojat. .prat Icraa Idaliuter COMS ID No: SMBI-00689607 Received by IP Australia: Time (Htm) 12:19 Date 2004-03-31 31/03 '04 WED 12:12 FAX 81 2 9810 8200F B RI E C.4 4 L T IP A S1 07 F B RICE CO, 444 LATE IP AUS a017 where:cr-i4> -Print region identifier.

cdatar ten -d t gt meo ,y storage.

cdau~~ wdoz ais start Position in dte.

c;pa_tart> Paper axis start Position ifl dots.

cdt bin.40t axis length of print reion in dots. cpa~n, apaper axis length of print. region in dots. <rot,. rotation of strjn 9 Or dtaf Within pitrgc <just> ft jutfcto ot data within prnt region cob-j -Print object identifier, ang, I. byte. m~± the print object (barcoee font linefaox or graphic) used to format print the data Train a print conian.

IS canalI-1. -lPrint object multiplier 1. For text, it in a font width mufltiplier. Far barcode., it indicate, narrow bar width Or modulo bar width. For a line, this representw thialta,, of the line in doti.

-CmUl 2> ftPrint Object multiplier 2. For text, this ~represeknt, a font height multiplier. Yor a barcode, i t indicate. a wid. bar width.

-cabjatt. sobject Printims attrliutes. This contains Special inwtruc3jij 00 Onl how to treat the print objects within 1 fl print roll cpr._att. -Print region attribute,. This contairm special 1itructionu on harAd1±m 9 of the print rsgion. A to' indicates text will be sent in a print batch command. A '1' indicate, uwo text which follow in pr _data f ield for a print region. A iricoate, a print region will auto increumsnt with each coupoln in a batch. The base value i. storedl ink aL pr_data field. A indicate, am auto- decrement print region which Will auto-decrement with each coupon in a batch. The base vatlue is stored in a pz-_data field.

as -cpr d(ata,, Permanently Stored data which always &ppears -12 COMS ID No: SMSI-00689607 Received by IP Australia: Time 12:19 Date 2004-03-31 31/03 *04 WED 12:13 FAX 01 2 9810 8200 F B RICE CO. LATE IP AUS B1018 in this print region. This field contains stored text if requested by entering a in <pr att field.

A library contnand is used to manage defined graphics.

A

library command adheres to the following syntax: delimite library_ndltr, I <lib funct. I cmoem> <objid> cumree> <ldjile size> obi data delimiter where: <lib funct operation to performs add object, enter download mode, 1D' delete object.

'memr target memory in which to place the object being downloaded.

cobj_d> object identification. This is the object I.D. byte.

<mem req> memory usage speoifier. For loading a graphic: size of a graphic file. The library command header is terminated after this field and obj_data .is expected immediately following. For. deleting graphics

G'

is used in this field.

<ld file_size> file size indicator.

obj_data object data (font or graphic) in appropriate format if <lib_funct> Format for graphics:

PCX.

PIG. 4 is a block diagram of coupon template field element stored partially resident in a promotional gaming printer and partially supplied by a master promotional controller at the time of print and issue in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 illustrates how a master promotional controller selects a type of coupon and transmits particulars, such as variable data to be placed in fields in the coupon, for each print and issuane event. Values for the fields -13- COMS ID No: SMBI-00689607 Received by IP Australia: Time 12:19 Date 2004-03-31 31/03 '04 WED 12:13 FAX 61 2 9810 8200 F B RICE CO.

444 LATE IP AUS t019 that make up a coupon 300 may be divided into two 9rups Or ets.

A resident variable data Set 400 may be stored locally in a gaming promotional printer The reident set of variable data may include variable data such ^sj variable data for a text field cOntaining an identifier of a casino 402; variable data for a barode field identifying a tYPo of Promoton 404r a terplate deer1tl a used to pofrooon0 atmle 1deecrpt4rlin used to generate a graphic such as box variable data 406 or line varable data 40B, Or an identifier or actual variable daale for dta graphic dynamio variable data set inCluoe vAriable datafor fields having variable data that are atored in the gaming promotional printer and are saved in tenlate definiion fo pr il er and are saved in a tmate clefiniti for a partcular Coupon, Examples of variable data in a dynamcvariable data st include: text variable data for a player identifier 414; text variable data describing a promotion item 416; and barcode variable data 418 CoOr Qun tifyi value ,f a promotion for printing on the Coupon.

Both variable data sets thay be transmitted from a master PrOmotivnaj controller 104 to a gaming Prouotional printer in the form of communcation packets- When a gaming promotiol Printer .receives a variable data set, the gaming promotional printer ftores the variable data set for future Usea A resident variable data set includes -ariable data that may be reused for generating rnYu cOupons, therefor, a resident variable data set may be stored in he gaming promotional printer for an extended period of time n contrasrot, a dynamic varjable data set may be used for a short period of time, perhaps for even a single generation of a single coupon, As such, the dynamic variable data met and atatic varitable data Set asociated in a Coupon may be transmitted to a gaming proutionaa printer at different times.

To retain association between the yariable data sets, part of the 00O1lflmication Packet issued by the master promotional controller may include a reference 420 to a template definition so that the -14- COMS ID No: SMBI-D00689607 Received by IP Australia: Time 12:19 Date 2004-03-31 31/03 '04 WED 12:13 FAX 61 2 9810 8200 F B RICE CO.

444 LATE IP AVS dynamic data in the communication packet can be combined 422 with the static field data stored in a gaming promotional printer to generate a complete coupon 200.

Since it is possible to store all fields used in a coupon within the gaming promotional printer's memory, a master promotional controller may issue a complete coupon by simply sending a- reference to a coupon so defined to generate a coupon in its entirety. It is also.possible for a master promotional controller to offload the entire live communication burden by sending a complete coupon database including triggere during off-peak times.

In one embodiment of a gaming promotional printer, a gaming promotional printer is triggered to print coupons from the gaming promotional printer's internal database under direct control of a master promotional controller, that triggers the issuance of a coupon and conveys any pertinent variable information associated with the coupon such as promotion type, face value of the coupon, date of expiration and the like.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an exemplary coupon stack and logical trigger matrix resident in a gaming promotional printer in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. AS Previously noted, a gaming promotional printer may print a coupon in response to either internal or external event signals or trigger data. To respond to a trigger, a gaming promotional printer ncludes a coupon selector logic module 500 that analyses trigger data 502 as trigger data becomes available and determines which coupons should be printed in response to the trigger data. Coupons, such as coupons 504, S06, and S08, are stored in a coupon database 510 as a stack. The stack of coupons are a plurality of predefined coupons that can generate a coupon 511 anytime a set of trigger conditions to which a coupon is associated is satisfied. These trigger conditions can operate independently or in logical combination.

COMS ID No: SMBI-00689607 Received by IP Australia: Time 12:19 Date 2004-03-31 31/03 '04 WED 12:14 FAX 81 2 9810 8200 F B RICE CO.

LATE IP AUS E021 Exemplary logical trigger data utilized in a gaming Promotional printer for initiating generation of coupons S includes: date 512, time of day 514, frequency of issuance of a particular coupon 516, time of play 524, and game issued parameters 526 to the printer such as player identification, amount of money in place, duration of the current session of play and the 'like. By utilizing the illustrated trigger matrix, it is possible for a gaming promotional printer to issue coupons without any information provided by an master promotional controller at the time of a cash-out or cash-in by a player.

In one gaming promotional printer in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the gaming promotional printer receives from a master promotional controller a coupon trigger database thereby enabling the gaming promotional printer to self-manage its couponing activity. The coupon trigger database may include different types of trigger control parameters including: triggering a coupon generation anytime a cash out voucher is printed; generating a coupon whenever a voucher for greater than, equal to, or less than a specified amount of money is issued; generating a coupon based on an identity of a player; generating a coupon based on a category or Classification of a player related to frequency of play or money volume; generating a coupon based on the duration of play of the gaming machine by a player; and generating a coupon anytime a player adds money or credits to a game in an amount greater than, equal to, or less than a specified amount.

In another aspect of the invention, a component of the gaming promotional printer's internal database includes a set of control parameters that instruct the gaming promotional printer to select the type, quantity, and frequency of coupons to create and issue related to any of the triggers listed above. These control parameters may operate separately or in combination with each coupon in the database. Parameters that may be used -16- COMS ID No: SMBI-00689607 Received by IP Australia: Time 12:19 Date 2004-03-31 31/03 '04 WED 12:14 FAX 61 2 9810 8200 F B RICE CO.

LATE IP AUS S022 include; a total quantity of a coupon being issued before the coupon is retired from the coupon database; a frequency 518 oI issuance of a coupon based on the number of occurrences of apecified trigger events; a frequency of issuance of a coupon based on random odds 520, such as one in one hundred trigger events; a backup coupon or coupons should a particular coupon fail to.print for lack of satisfying its specified set of io qualifiers; whether or not the coupon is issued based on the time the trigger occurred; and whether the coupon is issued based on the date the trigger occurred.

In one embodiment of gaming promotional printer, a real time clock electronic device is included within the gaming promotional printer for the purposes of supporting time dependent promotional activity as described above.

FIG. 6 is a process flow diagram of. a trigger matrix process in accordance with ane exeplary embodiment of the present invention. A trigger matrix process 622 is used by a gaming promotional printer to determine if a coupon should be generated and issued to a player. The trigger matrix process receives (624) variable data from a master promotional controller. The trigger matrix process determines (626) if the variable data includes a coupon trigger instructing the gaming promotional.

printer to issue a coupon. If so, the trigger matrix process selects (630) an appropriate coupon to issue from a coupon database 510. The trigger matrix process then generates (632) a coupon 511 using the selected coupon template. In addition, the trigger matrix process may use a portion of the variable data received from the master promotional controller to cuilomize the coupon when the coupon is generated. The trigger matrix process may then store (633) coupon issuance statistical data (634) for later retrieval by the master promotional controller.

A trigger matrix process may also initiate issuance of a coupon even if the master promotional controller does not -17- COMS ID No: SMBI-00689607 Received by IP Australia: Time 12:19 Date 2004-03-31 31/03 '04 WED 12:14 FAX 81 2 9810 8200 F B RICE CO.

F B RIC O.444 LATE IP AUS IM 02 t r a s m i a t r i g g e r t o t h e 9 a n g p o t i 1 p r t eT o d the m atr rigger proc..s, gets (635) O a tr gg r C n tr l p r v t t r stored in the promotona )op d ;riger Szotrol cor4%mndto Store d~ coupont m l t s i th r o COPn databas h trig er m tri pro essthenl gets (638) gaming mackiine and other i nte n d a t 63ua iod teqng, (64 0 I f a c oup on s-h o u d b e issu d U ing the data a na trigger control oar a, t r I h trigger matrix -process determins (m2etht teCrnshol bke generated, the trigger mtrix (roc2) tht us n sCOhonl bs Previ'ously descriedj, this time SrOlcing a CO a~ temp~ n atin the trigger, Cotrol Parameters.fllc:n oPntmlt rn ,The gamng promotionaj printer is a teal-timeie enn that it cant j,%ouel PZOes 0 devic~ tig e dataand trigger.. As ouch, the trigger matrix poes may trger dataf red g s an tade a looP as idicated by t e sr may 644 aon digutop lo0P 646 *ywbols. b h tmt]cP14 n po 2 ID FIG.. 7 is at Squenlce diagram o-f a coupon genrating process In accrda~ 0 0 with an exemplary emboa met Of Lbs Preent iiwvlin A master promotionA 4 1 Coole 104 transmits coUPnt or Variable data 600 to auapon t hotoa ritr109 h uebth pomsi 1 piter tore.3 (602) the oupgn datat for later usjpevi byteg ng Promoional printer in printing a Coupn. An.

revOusaL described, the u c a a m y il l d temp ate se s o dynamic and static vartab~le data, tr ge controlg parametarn, anad entire Promotj,:,,ai condtige 2 AgamingS PrMlOtIa-a printer may receive variu triggears that

J

1 fitiate gene ration of a coupon fo aTh Ii&8~ z.pro~ ,tonal c~ntrOll r may tranprit aL pro mt onal trigger (64) to the gaming Prohwtionzj Printer. n respne to the PromotiOnax trigger, the gaming promotional printer generate, a coupon 60 6 -for Use by the PJlayer. Tile gamin promoti~ rne then utoreu (60a) ott~tcl data about thea jusinrter Is c upo~ he am~~ pr tfa 1 pri ter mayalso receive a gaming COMS ID No: SMBI-00689601 Received by IP Australia: Time 12:19 Date 2004-03-31 31/03 '04 WED 12:15 FAX 61 2 9810 8200 F B RICE CO. LATE IP AUS Q024 machine trigger 610 from a game controller 204 in a cashleas enabled gaming machine. in response to the gaming machine trigger, the gaming promotional printer generates a coupon 610 for use by the player. The gaming promotional printer then stores (612) statistical data about the just generated coupon.

The gaming promotional printer may also generate (614) an internal. trigger on its own such that the gaming promotional printer generates a coupon 616 for use by the player. The gaming promotional printer then stores (618) statistical data about the just generatsd coupon.

Periodically, or at the request of the master promotional controller, the gaming promotional printer may transmit the saved coupon statistical data to the maeter promotional controller for analysis and other types of processing. The coupon tracking or statistical data may include details such as quantities of specific types of triggers received, quantities of each type of coupon issued, and the times and dates when triggers were received and coupons were issued.

In a gaming promotional printer in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the gaming promotional printer accepts promotional database loads and transfers statistical data with the master promotional controller either through a main communication port used for normally signaling pay out vouchers in the game, or through an auxiliary port allowing the gaming promotional priner' a promotional activities to be conducted in series or in parallel with the gaming promotional printer's cash-out voucher printing functions within the cashless enabled gaming machine.

PIG. 8 is an architecture diagram of an exemplary promotional gaming printer in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. A gaming promotional printer 109 includes a processor 701 operatively coupled via a system bus 702 to a main memory 704. The processor is also -19- COMS ID No: SMBI-00689607 Received by IP Australia: Time 12:19 Date 2004-03-31 31/03 '04 WED 12:15 FAX 61 2 9810 8200 F B RICE CO.

444 LATE IP AUS coupled to a storage device 708 via a storage controller 706 and the bus. The storage device includes stored program instructions 724 and data 726 such as coupon variable data, coupon templates, and coupon trigger control parameters. In operation, the program instructions implementing a gaming promotional printer are stored on the storage device until the processor retrieves the program instructions and stores them in the main memory. The processor then executes the computer program instructions stored in the main memory and operates on the data stored in the storage device to implement the features of a gaming promotional printer as dewcribed above.

The processor is further coupled to a printer mechanism 718 through a printer controller 702 via the bus. In operation, the processor executes the program instructions to generate printer mechanism control signals and transmits these signals to the printer mechanism via the bus and printer controller. In response to the printer mechanism control signals, the printer mechanism prints coupons for use by a player.

The processor is further coupled to external input devices 722 by an input device controller 720 via the bus. Example input devices include sensors that the gaming promotional printer uses to detect proper printing of a coupon by the printer mechanism, coupon printer paper detectors, and real time clocks. The processor receives input device signals from the input devices via the input device controller and the bus and uses the input device signals to detect the state of the gaming promotional printer's environment.

The processor is further coupled to a network device 714 via a network device controller 712 and the bus- The process uses the network device to communicate with other processing systems, such as a master promotional controller or a gaming machine controller as previously described.

FIG. 9 is an architecture diagram of an exemplary COMS ID No: SMBI-00689607 Received by IP Australia: Time 12:19 Date 2004-03-31 31/03 '04 WED 12:15 FAX 61 2 9810 8200 F B RICE CO. 444 LATE IP AUS I026 Promotional master promtional controller in accordance with an exemplary embodient of the present invetioj. A master S promotional controller includes a processor 901 operatively coupled via a system bus 702 to a ain memory 904 The processor is also coupled to a storage device 908 via a storage controller 906 and the bus. In operation, program instructions 924 iLhmplemenbing a master promotional controller are stored on the storage device until the processor retrieves the program inutrutios and stores theu in the main memory. The processor then executes the cauputer program instructions stored in the main memory to implement the features of a mater promotional controller as described above.

The procego9r is further coupled to a network device 914 via a network device controller 912 and the bus. The process ubes the network device to comunicate with other processing nystemp, such as a gaming promotional printer or a gaming machine controller as previouNly described.

Although this invention has been described in certain spcitic embodiments, many additional modifications and variations would be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is therefore to be understood that this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. Thus, the preuent embodiments of thi invention should be considered in all reapects as illustrative and mot restrictive, the scope of the invention to be determined by any claim. supported by this application and the claims' equivalents rather than the foregoing description.

-21- COMS ID No: SMBI-00689607 Received by IP Australia: Time 12:19 Date 2004-03-31

Claims (12)

1. A method of printing a promotional coupon in a gaming environment, comprising: receiving coupon data by a gaming promotional printer from a promotional controller via a communications network, the coupon data iicluding a coupon template; and S* generating the coupon by the gaming promotional.printer in response to a trigger, the coupon generated using variable data and the coupon template.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the variable data is received by the naming promotional printer from the promotional controller via the communications network, the method further comprising; generating the trigger by the promotional controller; and transmitting the trigger by the promotional controller to the gaming promotional printer via the oommunications network.

3. The method of claim I, wherein the coupon data includes trigger control parameters, the method further comprising generating the trigger by the gaming promotional printer using the trigger control parameters and trigger data.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the trigger data inalude a date.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the trigger data includes a time of day.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein the trigger data includes a frequency of issuance of the coupon. -22- COMS ID No: SMBI-00689607 Received by IP Australia: Time 12:19 Date 2004-03-31 31/03 '04 WED 12:15 FAX 51 2 9810 8200 F B RICE CO, F B RI E Co LATE IP A LS 0 Z028

7. 'The method of Cla1im 3, wherein the trigger data includes timeot pla-y by 4 Player of a gaming Tuaoflie, B.The Method of claim 3, Wherein the trigger data in receivled by the gaming Ptornotioaai printer fro-M a gaming macbiLn 0 controller.

9. T 'he uMethod'of 'claim wherein the tigrdata Inldsa Player identifier.icue The method Of claim~ 7, wherein the trigger data iloludes arQ amdont of monfty in Play On a gaming machine.

11- The Method Of claim 7, wherein the trigger data incaudest a duration of a current Eaumion of Play of a gaming machine.

12.- The method~ Of claim 7, wherein tetrg rdaaniuea Cash-in of a player. b rge aaicue 2-3- The method of claim 7, wherein the trigger data incLtuda, cash-out Of a player.

14. The method of Claim further Comprising: storing of Coupon igSuane data by the gami.ng Promotional Printer, arnd trainstuttiflQ the coupon issuance data by the gaming Promotional printer to the promjotional Co ntroller. VIa thle ~cOufluicat ion. nletwork. A Inethod of Printing at Promot±Qflal coupon in a gamning Onvirornent, comprising. tranumitting coupon data by aL PromtIonal controller to a gaming Promotiomil printer via 4 coffhlificat iopn -23- COMS ID No: SMBI-00689007 Received byIP Australia: Time (I-tm) 12:19 Date

2004-03-31 31/03 '04 WED 12:16 FAX 61 2 9810 8200 F B RICE CO. LATE IP AUS o1029 network, the coupon data including a coupon template; and transmitting variable data by the promotional controller to the gaming promotional printer via the communications network; and transmitting trigger data by the promotional controller to the gaming promotional printer whereby the gaming promotional printer generates a coupon using the coupon tenplate and the variable data in response to the trigger data. 1s. The method of claim 15, wherein the gaming promotional printer stores coupon issuance data, the method further comprising receiving the coupon issuance data by the promotional controller from the gaming promotional printer via the comunications network. 17. A gaming promotional printer, comprising: a processor; and a memory coupled to. the processor, the memory having program instructions executable by the processor stored therein, the program instructions including: receiving coupon data from a promotional controller via a communications network, the coupon data including a coupon template; and generating a coupon in response to a trigger, the coupon generated using variable data and the coupon template. 1s. The gaming promotional printer of claim 17, the program instructions further comprising; storing of coupon issuance data; and transmitting the coupon issuance data -to the promotional controller via the communications network. -24- COMS ID No: SMBI-00689607 Received by IP Australia: Time 12:19 Date 2004-03-31 31/03 '04 WED 12:16 FAX 51 2 9810 8200 F B RICE CO. LATE IP AUS Q030 S 9. The gaming promotional printer of claim 17, wherein the trigger is generated by the promotional controller, the progreat nstrctions further including receiving the trigger from the promotional. controller via the commlnications network. The gaming promotional printer of claim 17, wherein the roupoiX data inCludes trigger control parameters, the program Instructions further Including generating the trigger Using the trigger control parrameters and trigger data. 21. The gaming promotional printer of claim 20, wherein the trigger data iriludes a date, 22'. The gaming prorptional printer of claim 20, wherein the trigger data includes a time of day. 23. The gaming promotional printer of claim 20, wherein the trigger data includes a frequency of issuance of the coupon. 24. The gaming promotional printer of claim 20, wherein the trigger data includes a time of play by a player of a gaming machine. The gaming promotional printer of 0laim 20, the program infstructions further including receiving the trigger data from a gaming machine controller. 26. The gaming promotional printer of claim 25, wherein the trigger data incldes a player identifier. 27. The gaming promotional printer of claim 25, wherein the trigger data includes an amount of money In play on a gaming machine. COMS ID No: SMBI-00689607 Received by IP Australia: Time 12:19 Date 2004-03-31 31/03 '04 WED 12:1T FAX 61 2 wain Aqnn n nrn~ n 1 A r F RICE LATE IP AUS [031 28. The gaming promotional printer of claim 25, wherein the trigger data includes a duration of a current session of play of a gaming machine. 29. The gaming promotional printer of claim 25, wherein the trigger data includes a cash-in of a player. 30. The gaming promotional printer of claim 25, wherein the trigger data includes a cash-out of a player. 31. A promotional controller, comprising: a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory having program instructions executable by the processor stored therein, the program instructions includingi transmitting coupon data to a gaming promotional printer via a conmunications network, the coupon data including a coupon template; and transmitting variable data to the gaming promotional printer via the conmmnication network; and transmitting trigger data to the gaming promotional printer, whereby the gaming promotional printer generates a coupon using the coupon template and the variable data in response to the trigger data. 22. The promotional controller of claim 31, wherein the gaming promotional printer stores coupon issuance data, the program instructions further including receiving the coupon issuance data from the gaming promotional printer via the communications network. -26- COMS ID No: SMBI-00689607 Received by IP Australia: Time 12:19 Date 2004-03-31 31/03 '04 WED 12:17 FAX 81 2 0810 8200 FBRC O F B RICE CO. 44LATE IF AUS 2~032 33- to Agaming promotional Printer, COnprilging: Ia aulXiliary cc0UUnication* port for comMUnications viWa promotiona controlle and a raemory COtupl*d to the processor, the meMry having- p-rogram instructions executable by the processor Stored therein, the program ins'truotions iflcludinig: receiving coup~on data' froeg a promiotional controller via the auxiliary communications pqrt; and generag a cOupon using the coupon date. 34. The gaming PrOmtional printer of Program instructions further O~tp-riing: storing coupon -:issuance data; a~nd transmitting the cou~pn ±*auance PrOisOtional controller via the auxiliary port. claim 33, the data to the, communications COMS ID No: SMBI-00689607 Received by IP Australia: Time 12:19 Date 2004-03-31 31/03 '04 WED 12:17 FAX 61 2 9810 8200 F B RICE CO. 444 LATE IP AUS 1033 ThQ gaming promtlional printer of claim 33, wherein a triggex is generated by the promotioinal controller, the Program inetructiona further including: receiving the trigger from the auxilia ry coamunicatibns port; and generating the Coupon in response to the trigger. 36. The gaming promotional printer of claim 33, where i the coupon data includes trigger control parametaus, 'the program JO, instructions further inoluding: generating a trigger using the trigger, control paratetera and trigger datal and generating the coupon in response to the trigger; 37. The gaming prmotional printer of claim 36, wherein the trigger data includes a date, 38. The gaming promotional printer of claim 36, wherein the trigger data includes a time of day, 39. The gaming promotional printer ot claim 36, wherein the trigger data includes a frequency of issuance of the coupon. The gaming promotional printer of Olaim 36, wherein .as the trigger data includes a time of play by a player of a gaming machine. COMS ID No: SMBI-00689607 Received by IP Australia: Time 12:19 Date 2004-03-31 31/03 '04 WED 12:17 FAX 61 2 9810 8200 F B RICE CO. 444 LATE IP AUS Q1034 41. The gaming promotional printer ot claim the trigger data includes a player identifier. 42. The gaming promotional printer .o claim the trigger data includes an amount of money in play -achine. 43. The gaming promotional printer of claim the trigger data inoludes a duration of a current t o play of a gaming machine. 36, wherein 36, wherein On a gamin§- 36,. wherein' session of 36, wherein 44. The _ming promotional printer of claim the trigger data includes a cash-in of a player. 45. The gaming promotional printer of claim 36, wherein the trigger data includes a eash-out of a player. 46. The gaming Promotional printer of claim 36, the program instructions further including receiving the trigger 4o data from the gaming machne controller via the auxiliary communications port. 47. The method of clim 8,r wherein the trigger data includes an expiration date. 4B. The method reoeived by the gaming controller. of claim 1, wherein the variable promotional printer from a gaming data is machine COMS ID No: SMBI-00689607 Received by IP Australia: Time 12:19 Date 2004-03-31 31/03 '04 WED 12:18 FAX 61 2 9810 8200 F B RICE CO. 4*4 LATE IP AUS 21035 49. .The method of claim 48, wherein includes a player identification. the method of claim 48, wherein includes a gaming machine identification. 51. The method Of claim 48, wherein includes an expiration date. lo 52. The method of claim 48, wherein includes a barcode. The method of clain 48, wherein includes an image, the Variable da ta the variable data the variable data the variable data the vAriable data 54. The method of claim 48, wherein the coupon Is a Promotional. coupon for goods. The method of claim 48, wherein the coupon is a :1 promotional coupon for services. 56. The method or claim 48, wherein the coupon it a voucher redeemable in a gaming machine. .C 57. The method of claim 48, wherein the coupon printed is a reward in the QtoS of a free redeemable cash voucher. COMS ID No: SMBI-00689607 Received by IP Australia: Time 12:19 Date 2004-03-31 31/03 '04 WED 12:18 FAX 61 2 9810 8200 F B RICE CO. LATE IP AUS Qb036 8. Tho method of claim 1, wherein promotional coupon for gooda. 59. The method of claim 1, wherein promotional coupon for a service. The method of claim 1, wherein voucher redeemable in a gaming machine. the coupon is' a the coOpon is a the coupon is a 61. voucher. The method of claim 1, wherein the coupon is a cash 62. The method of claim 1, wherein the variable data includes a graphical image. IS 63. The method of claim 48, wherein the variable data Sincludes a graphical image of a coupon. S64. A method of printing a promotional coupon on a O cashless voucher printer in a gaing machine, coumrising; roceiving coupon data by a voucher printer from a game controller, the coupon data including a coupon template; and generating the coupon by the voucher printer in response to a trigger, the coupon generated using variable data and the coupon template. -31- COMS ID No: SMBI-00689607 Received by IP Australia: Time 12:19 Date 2004-03-31 31/03 '04 WED 12:18 FAX 81 2 9810 8200 F B RICE CO. P B ICE CO.444 LATE IF AUS 0~037 The Mothod clJaimt th o cupon data by thio cotroligi via a Comsmunjr4wtilonA, ,64, further c6ntroI icr r1R1-Aqrk. Comprising receivin~g -from a Promotional *S7 6 The method of claim 2& wherein the Irigger is generated using a player identificat'jon. 61,~ da Th me ho of la4m 3, whereim the triggjer data includes alyer identification. 68. The 'pronotioia). controller of claitt 31, vhe-rein. the trigger data Irtoludea a player identifioatio 0 datak The mesthod of Clim 32, Wherein the 'coupon zsaUbance includds a Player identification. A printer, ina a gaming NMchine, COMPriiinq: ap~ocesdr; and a MmorY coupled to the processor, the memory having.. Program instructions 'excutable by the processor stored therein, the program tntructions inacluding: Zeceivilng static coupon data fromn an auxiliary p-ort: as storing the Btatic Coupon data, receiving dynamic coUPon "data tact a a gaming machine controller; and trigger trom -32- COMB ID No: SMBI-00689607 Received by IP Australia: Time 12:19 Date 2004-03-31 31/03 '04 WED 12:18 FAX 61 2 9810 8200 F B RICE CO. LATE IP AUS Q038 generating a coupon in response to the trigger, the coupon generated using the dynamic oupon data and the stored static coupon data. 71.. The promotional controller ot claim 31, wherein the trigger data is tvansmitted in response to an identity of a player. 72. The method o claim 71 wherein the promotional tI controller is a game controller. 73. The promotional controller of claim 31, wherein the trigger data is transmitted in response to an amount of money in play. 74. The method of claim 73 wherein the promotional controller is a game controller. The method of claim 31, wherein the trigger.data is to transmitted in response to the time of day. 76. The meLhod of claim 75 wherein the promotional controller is a game controller. S 77. The method of claim 31, wherein the trigger data is transmitted in response to the date. -33- COMS ID No: SMBI-00689607 Received by IP Australia: Time 12:19 Date 2004-03-31 31/03 '04 WED 12:18 FAX 61 2 9810 8200 F B RICE CO. 4*4 LATE IP AUS 0039 78. The Maethod of claim 77 wherein the promotional controller is a game controllor. 79. The method of claim 31, wherein the trigger data is S 'transmitted in responae to a duralion of time which a player has played a gaminqg machine, 8D. The method of claim 79 Controller is a game controller. 81. The method of Claim 31, controller is a game controller. wherein the whurein the prmotional- promotional DATED this 31st day of March 2004 FUTIURELOIC, INC. Patat Attornmeys for tie Applicant P.B RICBE CO. -34- COMS ID No: SMBI-0088907 Received by IP Australia: Time 12:19 Date 2004-03-31