MX2008006416A - Method and apparatus for dual system detection - Google Patents

Abstract

A printer capable of detecting whether the printer is operating within a gaming system to perform gaming voucher printing, or within a promotional system to perform promotional coupon printing, or within both systems. The printer performs the operations of the identified system by providing one firmware that can detect whether the printer is operating within a gaming system to perform gaming voucher printing, or within a promotional system to perform promotional coupon printing, or within both systems.

Description

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DUAL SYSTEM DETECTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to printers and printer-connected hardware that is used in games enabled without cash and gaming tables, and more specifically to wired hardware and microprogramming that operate within this equipment by providing wired microprogramming which can detect if the The printer is operating within a gaming system to perform the printing of game vouchers, within a promotional system for printing promotional vouchers, or within both systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The gaming machine manufacturing industry provides a variety of gaming machines for the fun of the players. An exemplary gaming machine is a slot machine. A slot machine is an electromechanical game in which the opportunity or skill of a player determines the outcome of the game. Slot machines are usually found in casinos or other informal gaming establishments.

Manufacturers of gaming machines have recently introduced more games enabled without cash to the market and these have begun to find great acceptance in that industry. Games enabled without cash are so named due to the fact that they can perform the financial exchange of their player with a mixture of traditional currency and vouchers. Typically, a cashless enabled game has printer components installed to produce the vouchers, and a promissory note acceptor that supports automatic reading of the vouchers. In a game system enabled without cash, when a player exchanges money, the system is signaled and depending on the size of the payment, the system either can present coins in the traditional method of a gaming machine, or this can cause printers, which are installed in these machines, produce a receipt that contains the value of the payment. The voucher can then be reimbursed for cash in a cashier's box, reimbursement kiosk, or inserted in a promissory note acceptor, which is installed in the same gaming machine enabled without cash or in another machine in a participating casino, in which point the system will recognize the voucher, reimburse it and place the appropriate amount of gaming credits in the game. During the last few years, games enabled without cash have found an increasing acceptance and use in the gaming industry both with players, who enjoy the speed of the game and the ease of transporting their winnings around the casino, as well as with the casinos who have observed significant savings in labor in the form of recharges of reduced currency deposits in games, and an increase in profit due to the speed of the game. This growing acceptance virtually guarantees a broad installed base of networked games within captive player audiences for the development of coupons and promotional coupons using usually the same equipment already installed within the game for the purpose of supporting cashless game receipts . The printer contained in the gaming machine includes electronic, mechanical and electrical hardware and a computer program that is included in a memory device such as a fast memory chip, or other programmable storage devices. This computer program is commonly referred to as wired microprogramming. Wired microprogramming controls the operation of the printer. Practical field experience with the application has illustrated that there are areas that need improvement in current printer designs and in-game execution. One such improvement that is necessary is to provide wired microprogramming which can detect if the printer is in a game system or promotional system or combination of both. Various aspects of the invention meet this need.

DEFINITIONS For the purposes of this document, the following definitions apply: "Game Establishment", a gambling entity such as a casino. "Gaming system" means a guest system used in a gaming establishment which controls a plurality of games, such as slot machines enabled without cash, to execute the printing of game receipts. "Promotional system" means a guest system used in a gambling establishment which controls and executes the printing of promotional coupons and other printed items of interest to a gambling establishment or its owners.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one aspect of the invention, a printer comprises a processor, printer memory, wired microprogramming, printing algorithms, a storage device, and a printer driver, the printer prints game receipts, promotional coupons and other printed items of interest. for a gambling establishment or its owners. In another aspect of the invention, a printer is coupled to a computer program, such as wired microprogramming, wired microprogramming resides in a printer memory. A mathematical formula is applied to the content of the printer memory, often called the binary image of the wired microprogram, the formula generates a number that represents the content of the printer memory in a statistically unique way. The number is used as a signature for the binary image of the wired microprogram or data included in the sectioned memory. In another aspect of the invention, a printer is coupled to a game enabled without cash or gaming table in a game system for printing gaming receipts.

In another aspect of the invention, a printer is coupled to a promotional system for printing promotional coupons. In another aspect of the invention, a printer is coupled to a game enabled without cash or gaming table in a gaming system for printing gaming receipts and a promotional system for printing promotional coupons. In another aspect of the invention, the printer memory may comprise multiple sections, each section dedicated to some aspects of the printer, such as the printer operation, system detection, voucher information, and coupon information. In another aspect of the invention, the printer memory comprises a section for detecting the system, the system detection section detects the system to which the printer is connected. In another aspect of the invention, the printer memory comprises a section for the printer operation, the printer operation section includes instructions and programming data of the printer operation. In another aspect of the invention, the printer memory comprises a section for voucher information, the voucher information section includes instructions and voucher generation data. In another aspect of the invention, the printer memory comprises a section for coupon information, the coupon information section includes instructions and promotional coupon generation data. In another aspect of the invention, wired microprogramming enables the printer to be configured in order to perform the printing of game receipts, the printing of promotional coupons, or combinations thereof. In another aspect of the invention, the wired microprogramming of a printer enables the printer to detect whether the printer is operating in a game enabled without cash or gaming table within a gaming system to perform the printing of game receipts, a system Promotional to print the promotional coupons, or a combination of them without cycling the power to the printer. In another aspect of the invention, the wired microprogramming of a printer allows the printer to perform a previous calibration if the existence of a game system is detected, the previous calibration eliminates any misalignment of paper or paper jams in the printer where a receipt is printed by the printer , moved through the paper path of the printer, and separated from the paper supply. In another aspect of the invention, wired microprogramming of a printer allows the printer to perform a coupon retention process if the existence of a promotional system is detected, the coupon retention process prevents individual promotional coupons from being separated from the supply of coupon. paper in case multiple promotional coupons are being printed; the detection of the moment when the last promotional coupon was printed; and the prevention of pre-calibration of the printer to speed up the process of printing promotional coupons. In another aspect of the invention, wired microprogramming can be used to detect the existence of both a gaming system and a promotional system at the time of establishing communication between the printer and one or more guest systems. In another aspect of the invention, the processes are used by a game system, a promotional system, or a combination thereof to establish communication with the printer during the energization of the printer, the processes detect a printer, check the status of a printer, or notify the printer the type of host system or plurality of host systems to which the printer is connected, among other things. In another aspect of the invention, the processes are used to establish communication between a printer and a game system, a promotional system, or a combination thereof without recycling the energy to the printer, the processes detect a printer, check the status of a printer, or notify the printer of the host system type or plurality of host systems to which the printer is connected, among other things.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES These and other features, aspects and advantages of the invention will be better understood with respect to the description and accompanying figures below, wherein: Figure 1 is a gaming system enabled without cash in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Figure 2 is a promotional system according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 is a block diagram of a printer driver that is used to control a printer in a game system, promotional system, or combination thereof in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Figure 4 is a diagram of a process of reviewing the system connection used by the printer in a gaming system, promotional system, or combination thereof in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Figure 5 is a diagram of a dual system process according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Figure 6 is a diagram of the processes used in a game system according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Figure 7 is a diagram of the processes used in a promotional system according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Figure 1 is a game system enabled without cash in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. As illustrated, a gaming system enabled without cash 100 includes a system controller 102 hosted by a host system 104 coupled to one or a plurality of games enabled without cash 106 or gaming tables. A game enabled without cash or gaming table includes a game controller 108 that controls the operation of this game or gaming table. The game controller is coupled to a printer 110. The game enabled without cash or gaming table uses the printer to generate indicia carrying value 111 in the gaming receipts such as that illustrated in game voucher 112. The printer it includes coded algorithms executed by the computer 114 that are used in conjunction with stocks in which the clues that carry value are printed. The host system may transmit game ticket data or a reference to a game ticket as described later in Figure 3 to the printer, which may be stored by the printer for future use. The game voucher 112 includes money change information such as a validation number, printed in a human readable form, such as a character string 116 and in a machine readable form, such as a bar code 118, hour and date stamps 120, exchange amount 122, casino location information 124, and game identifier enabled without cash 126, among other things. In addition, the data that is used to track the use of the game receipts may be included in the game voucher. For example, a bar code field or a text field can be used to print a bar code or text string value that uniquely identifies the game voucher. In this way, a printer creates an image of a bar code or bar codes, characters or marks that can be read by the promissory note acceptor of the same game enabled without cash or gaming table or other game enabled without cash or cash desk. game, allowing the automatic acceptance of the gaming receipts in a game system in the game establishment or other related place. The printer can also be directly coupled to the guest system and system controller. This allows the printer to communicate with both the game controller and the host system either sequentially or simultaneously. The game voucher can be reimbursed in a variety of ways as illustrated in the voucher reimbursement paths 128. The gaming voucher can be reimbursed by a person with the cashier post or a 130 promissory note acceptor at a cash desk. game 132, by a person with the post of teller or a promissory note acceptor 134 in the cashier of a reimbursement teller or kiosk 136, or by a promissory note acceptor 138 in another suit enabled without cash 140. Reimbursement is possible after the voucher of game passes a verification of the account information and validation using security signatures included with the game voucher. Figure 2 is a promotional system according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. As illustrated, a promotional system 200 includes a system controller 202 hosted by a guest system 204 coupled to one or a plurality of games enabled without cash or gaming tables 206. A game enabled without cash or gaming table includes a controller of game that can also operate as a promotional controller 208 that controls the operation of that game or game table. The game controller is coupled to a printer 210. The game enabled without cash or gaming table uses the printer to generate clues bearing value 212 on promotional coupons such as that on promotional coupon 214. The printer includes printing processes 216 in conjunction with stocks in which the signs that carry value are printed. The host system can transmit promotional coupon data or a reference to a promotional coupon to the printer, which the printer can store for future use. A promotional coupon includes the information necessary for a player to receive the rebate of the promotional coupon, for example, a refund location 216 or a due date 218 as well as the date that can describe the origin of the promotional coupon such as the location information. of the game establishment. In addition, the data that is used to track the use of promotional coupons can be included in the promotional coupon. For example, you can use a bar code field or a text field to print a barcode value or text string in a unique way that identifies the promotional coupon. In this way, a printer creates an image of a bar code or bar codes, characters or marks that can be read by the promissory note acceptor of the same game enabled without cash or table game, another game enabled without cash or table game, or mechanisms coupled to a promissory note acceptor such as one that can be in a point-of-sale system, thus allowing the acceptance or automatic reimbursement 220 of the promotional coupons in a promotional system. The printer can also be directly coupled to the guest system and the system controller.

Referring now to both Figure 2 and Figure 1, a game establishment may display both a host system 104 for the administration of game receipts and a host system 204 for the administration of promotional coupons. In this type of deployment, the printers 110 and 210 may be connected to both the guest system 104 and the guest system 204. In this arrangement, the printers 110 and 210 will detect which guests are connected and execute the processing on the basis of the guest or guests to whom the printers are connected. Figure 3 is a block diagram of a printer driver that is used to control a printer in a game system, promotional system, or combination thereof in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. As illustrated, a printer driver 300 includes a processor 302 coupled to a main memory 304 via a system link 306. The printer driver also includes a printer memory 308 coupled to the processor by means of a system link, the printer memory includes a plurality of memory sections for storing microprogram wiring for system detection 310, printer operation 312, voucher information 314, and coupon information 316. Printer memory, whether internal and / or external, it may consist of common devices such as RAM, EPROM, EEPROM, FLASH chips, magnetic storage devices such as floppy disks or hard drives, Flash Memories and other storage media commonly used in the computer industry. The printer memory includes the plurality of memory sections that can be addressed independently for both content reading and content writing operations. The printer operation section 312 is included for storage of programming instruction codes and printer data used by the processor 302 to operate the printer. Execution of these codes determines the conditions under which the voucher information, including voucher generation instructions and voucher data included in voucher information section 314 are used to generate a voucher that uses a printer mechanism 318 The coupon information section 316 included in the printer memory retains the coupon generation and coupon data instructions used by the printer to generate a promotional coupon using the printer mechanism 318. The system detection section 310 of the The printer memory can be used by the printer to be configured after power-up in order to perform the printing of the game ticket, the printing of the promotional coupon, or a combination thereof based on the system or plurality of detected systems. The system detection section can also detect if the printer is operating in a game enabled without cash or gaming table within a gaming system, a promotional system, or a combination thereof without recycling the power to the printer. At the time of detection of a gaming system, the system detection section of the printer memory can then interact with the printer operation section 312 and the voucher information section 314 of the printer memory to allow the printer Generate game vouchers At the time of detection of a promotional system, the system detection section 310 of the printer memory can then interact with the printer operation section 312 and the coupon information section 316 of the printer memory to allow the printer generates promotional coupons. At the time of detection of dual systems of both game systems and promotional systems, the system detection section of the printer memory can then interact with the printer operation section, the voucher information section, and the coupon information section of the printer memory to allow the printer to work with a printer. game enabled without cash or gaming table in order to generate game vouchers and, if necessary or that is available, promotional coupons. Generally, the content of the printer operation section 312 is not changed frequently. The content of the voucher information section 314 describes the format of the information that is printed on a game voucher. The content of the voucher information section is rarely modified. The coupon information section 316 includes the data that describes the format of the information that is printed on a promotional coupon. The content of the coupon information section is modified frequently. The content of the system detection section 310 is rarely modified. The printer driver is also coupled through the system link to the printer mechanism 318 which is used to generate game receipts or promotional coupons according to the voucher data and the coupon data stored in the printer memory. One or a plurality of communication devices 320 may be coupled to the system link for use by the printer driver in order to establish communication with a non-cash game system guest or game controller and / or system guest promotional or promotional driver. The printer driver uses the communication devices to receive commands, program instructions, voucher data, and coupon data from external devices, such as host systems 104 and 204 of FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively. In addition, the printer driver can use communication devices to transmit printer status information to external devices. Other communication devices may also be used by the printer driver for coupling in a secure manner over a local area network for administrative purposes or other purposes. Additional devices and communication channels may be provided for communication with other peripheral devices as necessary. For example, a communication device can be provided with a local communications port, accessible from an outside of a gaming machine that a technician can use to establish communication with the printer driver using an infrared link, another wireless communication link of short range, or a hard link with an external connector in a secure manner. In operation, the processor loads the programming instruction codes included in the printer operation section 312 into the main memory 304 and executes the programming instruction codes to execute the characteristics of the printer as described herein. The division of memory into separate data sections and codes allows separate signatures to be maintained for each section. A signature, such as a result of a mathematical formula applied to the content of the memory section, can be generated for the memory content of a first section, such as the printer operation content, independently of all other memory sections. . A second signature may also be generated for a second memory section, such as the voucher data section, independently of all other memory sections. A third signature may be generated in a third memory section, such as the coupon section, independently of all other memory sections. The signatures provide an identifier that is statistically unique to describe the content of each memory section. A fourth signature, once again as an example of a mathematical formula, can be generated in a fourth memory section, such as the systems detection section, independently of all other memory sections. In addition, a signature can be generated for all the combined memory sections. In practical use, the sectioned printer memory allows the content of the second section and / or third section to be viewed and / or updated individually and separately from the content of the first section. The mathematical formula used to generate the statistically unique identifier or signature of the printer memory can be used to confirm that the printer memory has not changed, by altering the programming instruction codes or by some other means. The second section and third section may contain the content of the printed image of a game voucher and a promotional voucher, respectively. For example, in the case of a promotional coupon, a game establishment operator may wish to modify the image and content of the promotional coupon frequently. In this case, the game establishment may then change only the third section of the memory including the coupon data without disturbing the first section of the memory. The conditions that cause the game voucher and / or promotional coupon to be printed are controlled by the game enabled without cash or gaming table in accordance with the programming instruction codes and the coupon data. Another example of a signature is a Review of Cyclical Redundancy ("CRC"). For a CRC, a value is derived from, and stored or transmitted with, the data block to detect corruption. By recalculating the value and comparing it with the value originally transmitted, the receiver can detect certain types of data corruption. A CRC value is calculated using the division either using changes and exclusive Or or table search (module 256 or 65536). The CRC value is "redundant" since it does not add information. A simple corrupted bit in the data will result in a bit change in the calculated CRC values but multiple corrupted bits can cancel each other out. The CRCs treat input bit blocks as sets of coefficients for polynomials. A polynomial that represents the data block is a "message polynomial". A second polynomial, with constant coefficients, is called the "generator polynomial". The generator polynomial is divided into the message polynomial, providing a quotient and remnant. The coefficients of the remnant of the bits of the final CRC value. In this way, an order polynomial 33 is necessary to generate a 32-bit CRC. The exact bit set used for the generator polynomial will naturally affect the CRC that is calculated. According to an exemplary embodiment, during power up, the processor reads each section of the printer memory to execute a CRC. The results of the CRC are checked against the CRC by default previously executed in the printer memory. If the results do not match, an error is generated, which can be returned to a host system as previously described in Figure 1 and Figure 2 or a dual system as described in Figure 4 and Figure 5 and the printer will enter non-operational mode for security purposes. Referring again to Figure 1 and the exemplary game voucher 112 used in games enabled without cash or gaming tables 106, the conditions necessary to print a game voucher are controlled by the game or gaming table 106 and the conditions are communicated. a, and affected by the computer code contained in the printer operation section 312 (of FIG. 3) of the printer memory 308 (of FIG. 3). In the exemplary system, the game enabled without cash or gaming table 106 sends the amount of the game voucher, the validation number 116 and other controlled information necessary to create a game voucher that is reimbursable for either gaming or currency. . The data contained in the voucher information section of the printer memory 316 (of Figure 3) refers only to the gaming voucher format, such as the locations and sizes of the individual fields of the gaming voucher. This includes allowable static data such as the name and location of the gambling establishment. Referring again to Figure 2 and exemplary promotional coupon 214, the conditions necessary to print a promotional coupon are controlled by the game enabled without cash or gaming table 206 and the conditions are communicated to and affected by the computer code contained in the printer operation section 312 (of FIG. 3) of the printer memory 308 (of FIG. 3). The game enabled without cash or gaming table 206 sends the value or type of promotional coupon 214, a validation number or other controlled information necessary to create a promotional coupon, usually discounts on meals and the like. The data contained in the coupon information section 316 (of Figure 3) of the printer memory refers only to the format of the promotional coupon, such as the locations and size of the individual fields of the promotional coupons. Due to the promotional nature of this coupon, gambling establishments wish to change the content of these coupons on a regular basis. Referring again to figure 3, the fields of a game voucher or promotional coupon are described using description data included in an electronic template that can be stored by a printer in the printer memory 308. These fields may include a bar code, text field, a graphic field, and a box / line stroke field. A template may include a plurality of these fields in combination, resulting in a promotional coupon or game voucher printed in advertising style. A plurality of templates describing different types of game receipts can be stored in the voucher information section 314 of the printer memory 308 to be used by the printer to support the gaming operations of a gaming establishment. Similarly, a plurality of templates describing different types of promotional coupons may be stored in the coupon information section 316 of the printer memory 308 to be used by the printer to support the promotional operations of a gambling establishment. . The value or actual data for each of the fields described in a template may or may not be included in the template itself. Rather, the template may include instructions on how a game voucher or promotional coupon may be generated but may not include the actual data printed on the game voucher or promotional voucher. For example, a template may include a bar code field for the printing of a bar code. However, the actual value of the bar code is transmitted to a printer from a host system at the time when a game voucher or promotional coupon is generated using the template. In this way, a game voucher or promotional coupon may have fields that include static data, such as a logo in a graphic field, or dynamic data, such as the name of a sponsor in a text field. In this way, gaming receipts or personalized promotional coupons can be printed by a printer without transferring large amounts of data through a communications device. A template may include a plurality of command strings. Each chain of command can include the following exemplary syntax: delimit < cmd_Ltr > | < data_fieldl > | .... | < data_fieldx > | d eliminate; Comment where: delimit = a delimit character < cmd_Ltr > = command identifier letter I = tube character. This serves as the delimiter between the data fields in the command. < data_fieldl-x > fields that include information related to the command.; semicolon. This is a comment field designator. Comment = any comments. A template adheres to the following syntax: delimiter < template_cmd_Ltr > | < t_id > I < targ_mem > | < t_di m_da > | < t_dim_pa > | < pr # l > | < pr # 2 > | ... | < pr # n > delimiter where < t_id > = I.D. of template < targ_mem > = target memory storage. < t_dim_da > = template dimension on a dotted line axis. < t_dim_pa > = template dimension in points on the paper axis. < pr # l > ... < pr # n > = list of IDs of printing regions that reside in data of promotional coupons or game vouchers used in the format of the game voucher or promotional voucher. These fields are the methods through which the printing regions used in a game voucher or promotional coupon are linked together and to the template. A print region is a print field used in a template to format print data. The print region command is used to define the basic types of printing regions, such as text, bar code, graphics, and line / box trace. A defined print region command defines the particular font, bar code, graphic or line style to be used, and provides special formatting information regarding the manner in which it is to be used. Multiple printing regions can be defined and stored in a sectioned memory of the printer. Referring now to Figure 1 and Figure 2, guest systems 104 and 204 may transmit game voucher or promotional voucher data to printers 110 and 210 to generate game voucher 112 or promotional voucher 214, respectively . In addition, the host systems can also include a reference to a template definition so that the dynamic data transmitted by the guest systems can be combined with the static data stored in the printers to generate a complete game voucher or promotional coupon depending on the system Guest. Additionally, because it is possible to store all fields used in a game voucher or promotional coupon with printer memory, guest systems can issue a complete promotional voucher or game voucher simply by sending a reference to a game voucher. or promotional coupon stored in the printer memory to generate the game voucher or promotional coupon in its entirety. Figure 4 is a diagram of a process of reviewing the system connection used by the printer in a gaming system, promotional system, or combination thereof in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. As illustrated, the process 400 begins with the energization of the printer (402), after which a connection check of the system (404) is performed to establish communication with a guest system. During the review of the system connection, the printer can detect (406) that it is connected only to a game system, where the process continues with the processing (408) of the game system as described later in the figure 6. The detection can be achieved by determining that a communication port or interface dedicated to the connection to a game controller is in fact connected to an active game controller. Another detection method may include requesting a controller ID from a controller connected to a port or interface and then analyzing a received controller ID. Another method for detection includes analyzing messages received from a connected controller and determining whether the messages are for the printing of game machine receipts or for the printing of promotional coupons. As well, during the connection check of the system, the printer can detect (410) that the printer is connected only to a promotional system, where the process continues with the processing (412) of the promotional system as described later in the figure 7. Detection can be achieved by determining that a communication port or interface dedicated to connection with a promotional system is in fact connected to an active promotional system. Another detection method may include requesting a host system ID from a system connected to a port or interface and then analyzing a received host system ID. Another detection method includes analyzing messages received from a connected guest system and determining whether the messages are for the printing of game machine receipts or for the printing of promotional coupons. Also, during the system connection check, the printer can detect (414) that it is connected to both a promotional system and a gaming system, where the process continues with the processing (416) of the dual system as described further Go ahead in Figure 5. However, if during the system connection check, the printer can not detect a connection, an error report 418 from an unknown system can be returned to a guest system. Then the process ends (420). Alternatively or in conjunction with the detection of the connected guest systems during a power-up or energization cycle, the printer can register the guest systems at any time or periodically during the operation of the printer. Figure 5 is a diagram of the dual system process according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. During a process of reviewing the system connection, as previously described in Figure 4, the printer can detect that it is connected to a game and promotional system. As illustrated in Figure 5, the process continues with the establishment (500) of the default system to be the gaming system, after which, if voucher data is received (502), the process continues with the processing (504) of the game system as described later in Figure 6. However, if promotional data is received (506) by the printer, the process continues with the processing (508) of the promotional system as described later in figure 7. If no data type is received, or the process is finished, the process ends (510). Figure 6 is a diagram of the processes used in a game system according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. After a connection to a gaming system is established as previously described in Fig. 4, the printer disables (600) a coupon retention process which is described later in Fig. 7. The printer then processes (602) the algorithms necessary to pre-calibrate the printer in order to generate game receipts. The pre-calibration process can include programming instructions that cause the printer to draw stock from the paper supply to align the stock in the printer, thereby reducing or eliminating any potential paper jams. Subsequently, when a money exchange signal is received from a game enabled without cash or gaming table within a gaming system, the printer will perform (604) the printing of the voucher. Figure 7 is a diagram of the processes used in a promotional system according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. After a connection to a promotional system is established as previously described in Figure 4, the printer disables (700) the precalibration process previously described in Figure 6. When a signal for generation of promotional coupon is received from a game enabled without cash or table game within a promotional system, the printer will print the coupon (702). After the printing of a promotional coupon, the printer processes the coupon retention (704). The coupon retention process can be used to fix (706) a time out to avoid the separation of a promotional coupon from the paper supply thus accelerating the printing process of multiple promotional coupons. The timeout can be set to one or more seconds in duration. During the coupon retention process, the printer can use timer algorithms to set a specific time for the retention of the promotional coupons before the coupon is separated. If the time-out event occurs before the next promotional coupon data is received, the coupon separation process (708) will occur; otherwise, the process will return to the execution of multiple coupon impressions (710). Although the invention has been described in some specific embodiments, many modifications and additional variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is understood that this invention can be practiced in another way to that specifically described herein. Therefore, the present embodiments of the invention should be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention will be determined by any claims that are supported by this application and the equivalents of the claims instead of the description previous.

Claims (20)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the present invention, it is considered as a novelty and, therefore, the content of the following is claimed as a priority: CLAIMS

1. - A method of printer operation, comprising: detecting by means of the printer whether the printer is coupled to a game enabled without cash within a gaming system; detect by means of the printer if the printer is coupled to a promotional system; running through the printer the printing of game receipts when the printer detects that the printer is coupled to the game enabled without cash; running through the printer the printing of promotional coupons when the printer detects that the printer is coupled to the promotional system; and running through the printer the printing of game receipts and the printing of promotional coupons when the printer detects that the printer is coupled to both the game enabled without cash and the promotional system.

2. - The method according to claim 1, which further comprises executing the detection by the printer if the printer is coupled to the game enabled without cash within a gaming system and detection by the printer if the printer It is coupled to the promotional system when the energy is cycled to the printer.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising executing the detection by the printer if the printer is coupled to the game enabled without cash within a gaming system and execute the detection by the printer if the Printer is coupled to the promotional system on a periodic basis.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising running through the printer a pre-calibration when the printer detects that the printer is coupled to the game enabled without cash.

5. The method according to claim 1, which further comprises running a coupon retention process by the printer when the printer detects that the printer is coupled to the promotional system, the coupon retention process prevents promotional coupons Individuals are separated from a paper supply in case multiple promotional coupons are being printed.

6. The method according to claim 5; which also includes: detecting by means of the printer when the last promotional coupon was printed; and separating through the printer the multiple printed promotional coupons of the paper supply.

7. - The method according to claim 1, which further comprises avoiding by the printer a prior calibration of the printer when the printer detects that the printer is coupled to the promotional system.

8. - The method according to claim 1, further comprising: detecting by means of a host system the printer during the energization of the printer; and review through the host system the status of the printer.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: detecting by means of a host system the printer during the energization of the printer; and notify the printer of the host system type.

10. The method according to claims 8 and 9, characterized in that the guest system is the promotional system.

11. The method according to claims 8 and 9, characterized in that the guest system is the game system.

12. - The method according to claim 1, further comprising generating from the printer a plurality of signatures for a plurality of printer memory sections, the memory sections include wired microprogramming, wherein the wired microprogramming so less in a memory section for the printing of game receipts and microprogramming wired at least in another memory section for the printing of promotional coupons.

13. A printer, comprising: means to detect if the printer is coupled to a game enabled without cash within a game system; means to detect if the printer is coupled to a promotional system; means for executing the printing of the game receipt when the printer detects that the printer is coupled to the game enabled without cash; means to execute the printing of promotional coupons when the printer detects that the printer is coupled to the promotional system; and means for executing both the printing of game receipts and the printing of promotional coupons when the printer detects that the printer is coupled to the game enabled without cash and the promotional system.

14. - The printer according to claim 14, further comprising means for executing the detection if the printer is coupled to the game enabled without cash in a gaming system and detect if the printer is coupled to the promotional system when the power is cycled to the printer.

15. The printer according to claim 14, further comprising means for executing the detection if the printer is coupled to the game enabled without cash within a gaming system and execute the detection if the printer is coupled to the promotional system on a periodic basis.

16. The printer according to claim 14, further comprising means for executing a pre-calibration when the printer detects that the printer is coupled to the game enabled without cash.

17. The printer according to claim 14, further comprising means for executing a coupon retention process when the printer detects that the printer is coupled to the promotional system, the coupon retention process prevents individual promotional coupons from being separated. of a paper supply in case multiple promotional coupons are being printed.

18. - The printer according to claim 18, further comprising: means for detecting when the last promotional coupon was printed; and means to separate the multiple printed promotional coupons from the paper supply.

19. The printer according to claim 14, further comprising means for preventing a pre-calibration of the printer when the printer detects that the printer is coupled to the promotional system.

20. The printer according to claim 14, further comprising means for generating from the printer a plurality of signatures for a plurality of printer memory sections, the memory sections include wired microprogramming, with wired microprogramming so less in a memory section for the printing of game receipts and microprogramming wired at least in another memory section for the printing of promotional coupons.