SG188707A1 - Smart card extension class - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed herein are techniques for facilitating communication' With w sinart card in communication with a gaming machine. In some implementations,:a. smart cardinteraction device may be activated. A smart card interaction device coupled with an . .electronic gaining machine.' may be identified 'within an _Operating_ system.rurining at••. the electronic gaming machine.. The smart card interaction device may.be-'capable of 'facilitating communication between the electronic gaming Machine and a -smart card in communication with the smart card interaction device. A communication protocol interface may be initiated.Within the operating system. The communication protocol interface may prOvide.a mechanism for transmitting messages between the electronic gaining machine and devices in communication with the electrOnic Qaming machine. A first message may be transmitted via the communication protocol interface between the smart card interaction deice and a first host server via a network.

Description

cot HUW = on oo oo Co Cu i. Ce So . . Nn - | 59150 i . “0. :SMART CARD EXTENSION CLASS = ~~

CL “°° PRIORITY AND RELATED APPLICATION DATA ~~ =

Le CL This application claims’ priority. to U.S: Patent Application No. 13/230,502, Attorney ..-. . “© «= 7 Docket.No. IGTIP414X2. filed September 12. 2011. entitled “SMART CARD

Co EXTENSION CLASS", by Erik B. Petersen et al.; which’ is a continuation-in-part of aE

Lo oo nL vo and claims priority fo co-pending and commonly assigned U.S: Patent ‘Application I ~~ No.12/756;396, Attorney Docket No. IGTIP414X1, filed on April 8, 2010, entitled ~~. . _“SECURE.SMART CARD-OPERATIONS,” by Rader et al., which is a continuation- ~~ ~~ : Ce in-part of and claims priority to co:pending and ‘Commonly assigned U.S; Patent Co ; .<- .° ". Application No. 11/967,916, Attorney Docket No. IGT1P414, filed on December 31, © ~~ = =

L200, entitled “METHODS AND. ARCHITECTURE FOR CASHLESS SYSTEM . “©. SECURITY.?by Cunningham et al.;:which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ~~~. 7 “he Application No. 60/904,017, Attorney Docket No. IGT1P414P; filed on February 27, “2007. entitled "METHODS AND. ARCHITECTURE FOR CASHLESS SYSTEM ~~ =~ oo . —. = SECURITY,” by Cunningham et al., ail of which are incorporated herein by reference oo - co “in their entirety and for all purposes: . LL Cae - . . Co oo

Co 7 TECHNICAL FIELD ..- ~~. =~

Co Co ‘The present” disclosure” relates generally to gaming devices and systems, and more | = CT 3 oo : ‘specifically to. security methods for gaming devices. | n oe - : © ot... BACKGROUND Cc SE

Co - ce ~ There are a‘wide variety of associated devices that can be connected. to a gaming ~~

Lo CL : oo machine such as a: slot ‘machine or video poker machine. . Some examples of these - co ) a

Co Lo . devices are lights, ticket printers, card readers, speakers, bill validators; ticket readers, oo -

I “coin acceptors, display panels, key pads, coin hoppers and button pads. Many of these - CS

CT devices are built into the gaming machine or components associated with:the gaming oC machine such as a top box which usually sits on top of the gaming machiné, - Ce

Co - - . Typically, utilizing a master gaming controller, the gaming méchine controls: various SE : So .. © combinations of devices that allow a player .to play a game on the garning machine - ) oc me » Co BE SE J Le Ra To ) Tn CTT _ *GO0002* ou hE Co and dlso encourage game play on the gaming machine. For example, 4 game played . - Co

LL on a gaming machine usually requires a player to input money or indicia of credit inte. coo Co the gaming machine, indicate a wager ‘amount, and initiate a game play. These steps . oo

CL require the gaming machine to control input devices, including bill validators and coin Co a. ) co acceptors, to accept money into the gaming machine and recognize user inputs from - .

CL Co "devices; including. key pads and button pads, to .determine the wager amount and - oo oo oo initiate game “play. After game play has been initiated, the gaming ‘machine ) CL

Lo | ) - - | determines a game outcome, presents the game outcome to the player and may . oo oo dispense an award of some type depending on the outcome of the game. © Ce oo Co - As technology in the gaming industry progresses, the fraditional method of dispensing Lo

Co Coins or tokens as awards for winning game outcomes is being supplemented by ticket : ) : - dispensers which print ticket vouchers that may be exchanged for cash or accepted as oo

ER tL credit of indicia, in other gaming machines for additional game play. An award ticket ©. on oo Co system, which allows award ticket vouchers to be dispensed and utilized by other Co

RE. © gaming machines, increases “the operational efficiency of maintaining a’ gaming - a Co

B Lo ) machine and simplifies the player pay out process. An example of an award ticket ~ oo

Ce ©. system is the EZ pay ticket system by IGT of Reno, Nevada, Award ticket systems Co

EE CT I ~ and systems using other cashless mediums, such as smart cards, are referred to as ; So

ERE oo cashless systems. IE on Ce Co - Co - . Cashless systems, such as the EZ pay ticket system, provide advantages 10 both game : oC Co . Ce C oC players and casino Operators. For example, many players find it more convenient to: oo ) wo oo a k . carry an award ticket .than a large number of coins. For ‘gaming machine operators- . SE . CL “cashless systems tend to reduce gaming machine operating costs. For example, the Bb Co tL a infrastructure needed to remove and count indicia of credit (e.g. coins, tokens, bills). oo

So Co from the gaming machine may be eliminated or minimized when it is replaced with a - cn . cashless system, which reduces the gaming ‘machine -operating costs. Further, coin- Co oo

Co : -dust, which is potentially damaging to the components of the gaming ‘machine (e.g. Co Co ) } Lo Co | electronic components) may be eliminated or minimized. when coin acceptors are . E - C

CL ‘replaced with the cashless system. Lo SE oe

So | SUMMARY © Various implementations described or referenced herein are directed to different devices, methods, systems, and computer program products for facilitating cashless digital transactions. In some implementations, devices, methods, systems, and ~ computer program products may be configured or designed for use in a casino : environment. oo

In one implementation, an electronic gaming machine may be provided. The electronic gaming machine may include a user input device configured to accept user input for conducting play of a wager-based game in which one or more game outcomes can be provided responsive to a wager. The electronic gaming machine may also include a display screen configured to display video data associated with the -wager-based ‘game. The electronic gaming machine may also include one or more _ Processors. : } ; : In some implementations, the one or more processors may be configured to cause the electronic gaming machine to identify, within an operating system running at an electronic gaming machine, a smart card interaction device coupled with the electronic gaming machine. The smart card interaction device may be capable of - : facilitating communication between the electronic gaming machine and a smart card . in communication with the smart card interaction device.

In some implementations, the one or more processors may be configured to cause the electronic gaming machine to initiate a communication protocol interface within the : operating system. The communication protocol interface may provide a mechanism for transmitting messages between the electronic gaming machine and devices in: communication with the electronic gaming machine.

In some implementations, the one or more processors may be configured to cause the electronic gaming machine to transmit, via the communication protocol interface, a first message between the smart card interaction device and a first host server. The . : first host server may be in communication with the electronic gaming machine via a oo - network.

) EE .-. _~ _BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS ~~ - + Co . h : The included drawings are “for illustrative purposes and, serve ‘only to provide - = a ~ examples. of possible structures and process steps for the disclosed inventive systems: - -

Co on and methods for providing secure smart card communications. These drawings in no’ : : way limit any changes in form and detail that may be made to the disclosure by one’ . © © skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. . : : "Figure 1 shows a block diagram 100 illustrating a system for performing smart card C :

B co .- Initialization and utilization; constructed in accordance with one implementation. CT

Figure 2 shows a block diagram 200 illustrating an unregistered player ‘sinart card, nC . constructed in accordance with one implementation. So oo Figure 3 shows a block diagram 300 illustrating a registered player smart card, oo CL constructed in accordance with one implementation. - Lo oo

Figure 4 shows a block diagram 400 illustrating a smart card for use ina cashless | Co

Co : - " gaming device, constructed in accordance with one implementation. = °, © Co

Figure 5 shows a method 500 for retrieving a smart card parameter value, performed in accordance with one implementation. - ~~ Co Ce

Figure 6 shows a method 600 for updating a smart card parameter value, performed in Co

Co accordance with one implementation. Co Co ’ oo oT I Figure 7 shows a method 700 for manually transferring credit to or from a smart card, oo oC ~~ performed in accordance with one implementation. . =. Co 3 Figure 8 shows a method 800 for automatically transferring credit to or from a smart.

Co : .- card, performed in accordance with one. implementation. Co -

Figure 9 shows a method 900 for cashing out to a smart card, performed in =.

So +. accordance with one implementation. ACE 7 : ) oo Co Le - Figure "10 shows a method 1000 for protecting , Smart card access, performed in = :

Co "accordance with one implementation. EE Toes Co

© Figure 11 shows a method 1100 for validating offline use of a smart card, performed oo oo in accordance with one implementation. * Co

Figure. 12 shows a method 1200 for transmitting a notification regarding a blocked oo co smart card, performed in accordance with one implementation. . oo " : Figure 13 shows a method 1300 for cashing out a missing smart card, performed in oo oo accordance with one implementation. Co RE a. Figures 14, 153A, and 15B shows perspective diagrams of a -gaming machine 2, Co ~ configured in accordance with one implementation. © ,

Le Figure 16 shows a server-based gaming network, configured in accordance with one’

SE LL implementation. Cr © C : : Co ~ Figure 17 shows a block diagram of*a system architecture 1700 for facilitating smart card transactions, configured in accordance with-one implementation. ~~. oo oo Figure 18 shows a flowchart of a method 1800 for starting a smart card interface, - : performed in accordance with one implementation. ~*~ 2 : + Figure 19 shows a flow diagram of a method 1900 for.a smart card interface runtime, I oo performed in accordance with one implementation: : E CL

SE “Figure 20A shows a message passing diagram for transmitting a message from a : smart card host to a smart card, configured in accordance with one implementation.

Co "Figure 20B shows a message passing diagram for transmitting a message from a smart card to a smart card host, configured in accordance with one implementation.

Figure 21 shows a message passing diagram for cashing out an Electronic Gaming ~~ . ~~ Machine (EGM) credit meter of an EGM in communication with a smart card via a Co oo - smart card reader at the EGM, configured in accordance with one implementation.

Figure 22 shows a message passing diagram for cashing out a smart card, configured So oo in accordance with one implementation. = ’ oo I

Co Figure 23 shows a message passing diagram for transferring a balance from an EGM

Cs to a smart card, configured in accordance with one implementation. © - -

LY BR CC : Te Figure 24 shows a message passing diagram for automatically transferfing ‘a balance CL j ee ” - from a smartcard to an EGM, configured in-accordance with one implementation. Co Cl 0

ST - ) - Figure. 25 shows a message passing diagram for. transferring a balance, from asmart ©. B Se

Co . ~ iS CT card to an EGM, configured in‘accordance with: onic implementation. : no ; - Co - oo

CL SE Lo = : Figure 26 shows a méssage passing diagram fof.a failed attempt to transfer abalance SE : } : - . i i - . from a smart card toan EGM, configured in ccordarice with one implementation. co | ) - eC... DETAILEDDESCRIPTION. - |... +. be - oo CC 5 ‘Applications of + systems. and inethods “according to Some implementations are a oo

SLT described inthis Section. These examples are being provided solely to add contextand - co Ce ) oo Ye aid. in the. understanding of the present disclosure. ft will Thus be apparent. to one - gt

ST killed in the. artthat the techniques described herein may be practiced without some. © : . ; oo - - SL So Sot all of these specific details, In other instances. well known process steps have not Lo Co

IC er Lo been described in detail. in”.order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring “the present oo ; - Lo hE TL - j t disclosure; Other applications are possible, Such that the following examples should - a r ; CT hot bé taken a$ definitive or limiting éither in scope or Setting. A on : - ol ) Lm the | following detailed: description.” reférences. are made 10 the. accompanying EN RE Co

B Co } ie iE - Cr drawings. ‘which: form a’ part of the description and. in which are shown, by way of - - oT ~ So - ) E illustration. specific * implemeiitations of ithe present. disclosure: ‘Although these To co - a - implementations are described. in sufficient detail to enable one skilled: in the art to: ) | = - - :

Co co ) . i B wl practice the disclosure, it is understood that these examples are not limiting. Such that = oo - . RE SL = oo other impleriéntations fay be used and changes may be made without departing from : Sn co . | - So the spirit aid scope of the disclosure... - : - oe Lo Jo no L ; a CT - on 5 - CL - “+ Although the present disclosure is- directed primarily to gaming machines. and co Co

E eo | CL 25, systems, it “is ‘worth "noting that ‘some of the apparatuses. systems: and’ methods CL oo N oo . So disclosed “herein might be adaptable: for use: in- otficr. types’of ‘devices, : systems or : I. - : Lo a : . environments, as applicablé, such that their use is not restricted exclusively 16. gaming oo ~ : : Sr . - LE : ‘machines ‘and contexts. ‘Such other adaptations’ may become readily; apparent tipon . i - - - : oo CL CL feview of the inventive apparatuses. sysiems and ‘methods illustrated and; discussed . ~ " ~

So - Lo ; oo herein. = - h - - wo Co EB “ oo ) : z By - : N CL ee eT Te eT LT

BEE B In the following figures, method and apparatus applicits to various ‘gaming sysiem Ce N :

Ce SE : configurations and their associated components, are described. “The garing systems ) iS

So may comprise a network infrastructure. for enabling ‘one or ‘more. hosts to oo

Co . - conimunicate with gaming machines: The gaming machines. may be operablé to SE . ~~ provide wagering. on a game of chance, A plurality of gaming devices, such as Lo . - oo ) FER bill/ticket validators, printers, mechanical displays, video displays, coin hoppers; light ~~ - Lo panels, input buttons, touch screens, key pads, card readers, audio output devices, etc. oo : Co may be coupled {o the’ gaming machine. The gaming devices. may be controlled by a oo So

EERE master ‘gaming controller executing authenticated software 0 provide a gaming a p = Co interface for a game play experience on the gaming machine. Ce a BN

Co Lo In some ‘implementations, a smart card includes one or miore programs. (e.g. Java CS - Co applets), which may allow both flexibility and control over the functions of the card co

Co oo co as well as.the information stored thereon. According to conventional techniques (e.g., oo y .

EN - © in the Gemplus model), a credit balance is a stored value on the smart card, and an . - external system, such as a card reader, determines whether to alter the stored balance . )

A aE values-to complete a transaction. A Gemplus card may determine whether a requestto j LL

N ) - alter a stored balance is. properly encrypted, but it does not determine whether the I. -

Lo © requester has authorization to ‘make such a request. In contrast, some implementations ) nN . - ) oo : include a smart card with a program residing on the card itself (e:g., a Java applet) . oe ’ oo | ~ that may, . verify authorization to perform the transactions. Thus, in some Co - Co ) Co implementations, an external system requests the card itself to perform a transaction, : : . oo } . and only the program on the smart card is permitted to alter the stored credit balance Co value. oe ) : . . oC - coe Co Co oo Co | In some implementations, running a verification application on the card itself instead ~~ : Co - LT “of a different device eliminates-the weak link in the security, described above. One EE oe reason for the increased security is. that when using conventional ‘techhiques (e.g., the . | E ) Ce ~ Co Gemplis model), it may be possible to physically intercept communications passing .. C oo - between the card and the system operating .on data stored on the card. This ; : co . SE interception often occurs at the card read/write interface of the card reader. However, ~~. Lee - - ) when implementations disclosed herein are implemented, the operations of “an . pa s

Lo So application reading and/or updating the stored data often cannot be observed. and AR communications between the application and the data cannot be intercepted. because the application that operates on the data may be embedded within the card itself.

Another reason for the increased security is that in some implementations, the smart card itself verifies whether a requester has permission to make a request to perform a transaction, and those transactions may later be verified before allowing credit stored on the card to be given to a user as cols This chain of trust provides increased security, as well as allowing expanded capabilities. For example, the ability to add value to a smart card need not be limited to a few trusted systems, but rather can extend to various devices in a cashless transaction system that can at least periodically communicate with a cashless server or host systems. As another example, devices oo may communicate with a smart card using public key encryption, so the private key associated with the smart card is not known to other devices. Since different smart oo cards may have different private keys, the discovery of a cryptographic key associated with one smart card will not compromise use of other smart cards. ‘

In addition, some implementations are not limited to proprietary smart card hardware : : or memory sizes. Thus, the costs for each smart card according to the techniques disclosed herein may be significantly reduced as compared to traditional techniques.

Further, smart cards need not be limited to a three byte purse. RE oo )

In some implementations. a smart card may communicate with a smart card reader, which is also referred to herein as a smart card interaction device. The smart card interaction device may communicate with an EGM via various communication oo channels. : . | } -

In some implementations, the smart card interaction device may communicate with the EGM software via a specialized hardware device, such as a slot machine interface board (SMIB). The SMIB may provide specialized functions, such as player tracking, © that are at least partially separated from game play. The SMIB may include or : communicate with user input devices that provide access to smart card functionality, | : such as balance transfers. However, channeling communication between a smart card - interaction device and the EGM through a specialized hardware device may in some instances have one or more drawbacks. For example, adding support for new types of : smart card interaction devices may require software, hardware, or firmware updates to oo 8

. | the specialized hardware. As another example, the specialized hardware device may - oo _ include proprietary hardware or software, thus potentially limiting the types of smart Co - a ; card interact devices that can be used in conjunction with the EGM. As yet another Co i

Co example, the specialized hardware device may not provide somie details of smart card : -

So transactions, such as the source of transferred funds, to the EGM.. Co Co -

SE oo In some implementations, the smart card interaction device may communicate with he : a oo : the EGM software via a standard communication protocol. Electronic - gaming So co | machines (EGMs) often communicate via a standard communication protocol such as oo - “el - the Slot Accounting’ System (SAS), System-to-System (S28), Gaming Device ) o ) ‘Standard (GDS), Best -of Bréed- (BOB), British Amusement Catering Trade ’

So Association (BACTA), ‘Queensland Local Area EGM Communications Protocol Co oC -. (QCOMm), Game-to-System (G28), or others. Using such a communication protocol, So oo ; ‘an EGM may -communicate with a host server, a device coupled with the EGM, a .

Co Co device in communication with the EGM Via a network interface, or another EGM. CC

Co Communication between the EGM and a smart card interaction. device via such a ~~ .

B : communication protocol may be facilitated by the addition of an extension class tothe | RE . Lo . . software providing access to the communication protocol. For example, when the Co -

Lo AF communication protocol is loaded within the EGM operatifg system, an extension . - : class providing instructions as to transmitting and receiving messages related to smart . a

To card communications may also be loaded. Such a system may allow the EGM to act } ; : as a gateway between a smart card and a host server via a network. Lo Ce Co

B oo In some implementations, routing communications between a ‘smart card interaction oo “device and the EGM software. directly ‘through a standardized communication . CT

Ce | Co protocol may simplify the procedure for adding new types.of smart card interaction . : ‘devices. Instead of. updating proprietary hardware or software, the existing device coo

LL drivers.on the EGM may be supplemented with a new, device driver for the new smart - Co

So card interaction device. By easily facilitating the addition of new wipes of smart card .

Co oo : interaction devices, the system may be made to readily adapt to new smart card form oo .

Lo . factors and communication technologies. : [ Co : | In some implementations, routing communications between ‘a smart card interaction SE - ) . device and the EGM software directly through a standardized ‘communication Co - oo oo protocol may allow the EGM to obtain additional information from the smart- card: CT

Co interaction device, such as an identification of thé source of funds transferred to the -

EGM. Having access to funds transfer source information may allow the EGM to =~ - : oo maintain separate meters for different types of funds, such as cashable funds, cashable oo oo "promotional funds, and non-cashable promotional funds. These different types of funds may ‘be subject to different gaming-related regulations ~ or accouniing oo procedures. For example, cashable funds may be funds that belong to the player and . oo have no special accounting requirements. As another example, cashable promotional oo funds may be funds given to the player that may be directly converted to cash. In E oo | | | some jurisdictions, a casino may get a tax benefit. if they can show that the credits oo

So were played, but the patron ‘may not be required to. play them. As yet another oo ‘example, non-cashable promotional funds may be funds given to the player that must -

EE be played and cannot be directly converted, to cash, The additional information : _ provided regarding these funds may facilitate improved reconciliation of accounting : ) oo records in. the event of discrepancies between server, EGM, and start card transaction Sa

BE : legs. ' SL } oo oo SE : } oo In some implementations, routing communications between a smart card interaction "device and the EGM _ software directly through: a standardized communication . “protocol may facilitate, user input for smart card interaction via various mechanisms.

For example, because smart card communications are touted through the EGM, the - : : . EGM gaming software may provide access to smart card functionality. As another : oo example, access to smart card functionality may be provided via user interface - - .devices such as a display screen, button panel, or touch screen panel connected ~~.

EE directly with the ‘gaming machine. As yet another example, access to smart card : ‘functionality may be provided via an externally-controlléd interface (ECD) that is oo provided at the EGM but controlled at least in part by a remote server or other remote . device. A Co Co

In some implementations, changing a value or configuration parameter on a smart }

Co card may include one or more of the following operations: a system may read one or oo

Co Bh N more parameter(s) stored on a smart card, an application on the smart card (e.g. a oo Patron Management module and/or applet) may call a function on the application to ~ makea change, the application may validate one or more permissions and/or rules, the application may make one or more changes to the card, a player may specify an

Co PE Co oo

Coe amount of money to move to and/or from the card, and/or the appropriate money may - a : . be moved to an Electronic Gaming Machine (EGM) when the card is inserted intothe vo A . Co EGM and- after checking one or mote configuration values and/or performing one or. . 7 a. oo CL more security validations, etc: t oC ) - CL CL “ Co ) Lo

Ek ~ ~ Bn h In. some implementations, applications running on the EGM may “perform specific - - .

Co ; © operations. For example, an application may run on the EGM that automatically ) E oo

Co no . ny triggers a transaction which seeks to replenish funds when a given baldnce falls below

C - K oe oo ) } a specified thiishold. Such an application. may include one or‘ more of the following Co ~ - ~ } B oo LT operations: the EGM may read one or more parameter(s) stored: off 4 smart card; an ) | : ) - i "2 CL Co - . application on‘the smart card (e.g.; a Patron Managément module and/or-applet) may 2 a -

So oo ; call-4 function onthe application to make a change; the-application may validate one oo

Ca LL or more permissions and/or. rules; the application may make one or more changes to © = co Lo the card; a player may specify a credit threshold balance that ay trigger an automatic B oo Co N . 5 transfer; and/or the appropriate amount of cash and/or credit may be ‘moved when the a . : on | card is inserted into an EGM, when the configuration value is“ checked, after one or | - - - a “more credit balances on the EGM are below the specified balance threshold, and/or - Lo : ~ Ce Ce “after performing onéor more security validations. : i CT = = Co To Co } Lo Lo In some implementations, ‘running one or more applications a smart card may } BE ) Jo CL oo guard against attempts by unauthorized individuals to access an account. For example, . --- oo

LL oo Cy ‘one or more applications on a smart card may perfor one or ‘more of the following wo - - o | | } operations: attempt to validate security if a connection. is made to: the card; ‘update a I

JOR record of invalid access attempts if the attempt to validate. security-is unsuccessful; .. . ] . LT - compare the record of invalid access attempts against a pre-defined limit: make the a - oo

CL oo - cashless gaming system aware of one or more illegal ACCESS attempts; and/or render Su h ’ ) So the ciird useless if the number of invalid access attempts exceeds the pre-defined limit. Lo oo 5 ) Co In some implementations, information can be retrieved from a ‘smart .card but the So

C : CT . “applications can Tio longer change any information once the’ smart: card is rendered as - . ) In some implementations; techniques ‘disclosed herein fay permit cashing outeven - | } Co . 3 when a smart “card is not in’ communication with a gaming machine: (ire. no-card hn Co - : Lo ) cashout): Such techniques’ may include one’ of more of ‘the following operations: .. N - Co ; LT receiving a request t0 cash. out: defermining whether a valid smart ‘card.is inserted; Co : -

oo _ transferring credit and/or cash to the card if a valid smart card is present; transferring ~~ °

E Co a - money from the EGM(e.g., to a Slot Machine Interface Board (SMIB)) it a valid - . 2

So : smart card is not present; holding the cash and/or credit in non-volatile memory (e.g., . Co ; . a Co 3 in the SMIB); putting the EGM out.of service; sending a notification of ano card cash Lo

Lo out; receiving a-valid smart card (e.g; a.new card brought by a casino attendant); Co Co oo CC checking security and/or validating the smart card; moving cash and/or credit to the ~~ i

SE . : received smart card; putting the EGM back into service. E oo Co | Co LL

Co . : } Thus, in some implementations, the present disclosure describes techniques that may - Co : 2 ~

I ~~ offer a more secure and flexible smart card design than currently exists. It should be co - - - Co . noted that although some techniques may be described in reference to wager-based oo

CL ) oo . : gaming in a casino environment, these techniques are fot limited to gariing but may Co -

Co oo oo be applicable to any or all applications and/or industries involving smart cards. Even a )

SE EE in the gaming context, one or -more techniques described herein may be used to - Co : ) 5 cL facilitate other cashless transactions in a casino environment,. such’ as payment for I oo y oo meals, hotel rooms, or other gaming-related expenditures. SE co = CL - oo Specific details related to techniques for smart card operations and/or cashless gaming Se

Co 7 ina ganiing environment are discussed in.US. Patent No. 6.852.031, “EZ Pay Smart - So Ip : ) oo Co Card and Tickets System,” by Richard Rowe, filed on November 22, 2000, and U.S. Co | oo

Co Patent 5,902,983; “Preset Amount’ Electronic: Funds Transfer System for Gaming ~~

SE Machines, ™ by Crevelt et al. filed on April 29, 1996, both of which are hereby =~ =

Coa incorporated by reference for all pufposes. Lo oo oC ) Cn ~ Co

IE CL Figure 1 shows a block diagram illustrating cashless gaming system "100; which Lo includes system: components “associated with smart card “initialization and/or . I oe - utilization. According 10 various implementations, cashless ‘gaming system 100 may ~ : | - be operable to perform one or more operations relating to cashless gaming, such asCn _ One or more operations described herein with reference to Figures 5-13. In some : Co

Co oo implementations, cashless gaming system 100 may be operable to perform one or g - oC SL ‘more operations related to security validation and/or verification procedures; ‘such’ as Cc . © those discussed in: US. Patent’ Application No. 11/967.916. which. has been: oo - incorporated by reference. . oo EE » LL Co Lo | | Co oo a . :

: Cashless gaming system 100 includes gaming apparatus 104. In the implementation of

Figure 1, gaming apparatus 104 is a gaming machine. Additional details regarding : gaming machines are discussed herein, and specifically with respect to Figure 14.

However, according to various implementations, different types of gaming apparatuses may include one or more components related to cashless gaming. For example, in different implementations gaming apparatus 104 may instead be a bank of gaming machines, a kiosk, a cashier's terminal. a patron management terminal, a card : initialization terminal, or one or more other devices. -

Gaming apparatus 104 includes a slot machine interface board (SMIB) 108. An example of a SMIB according to some implementations is the Bonus Engine® ) oo available from IGT of Reno, Nevada. However, it should be noted that although : gaming machine 104 includes a SMIB, different implementations may include one or more different control components configured to perform similar operations as SMIB 108. For example, if gaming apparatus 104 were a kiosk or a patron management system, rather than a gaming machine, a different device may be used in addition to or . instead of a SMIB. In some implementations, a patron management system or cashier client may include a card reader device such as an Omnikey 3821 device or an

Omnikey 3121 device, both available from HID of Walluf, Germany. Such a device may read a smart card having any one of various form factors, such as a Subscriber

Identity Module (SIM) form factor. In some implementations, an EGM may include a control function that performs some or all of the functions that may otherwise be performed by the SMIB.

Co SMIB 108 includes CPU 140 and SOT 144: The SMIB is in communication with other components in the gaming apparatus 104, such as a card reader 112, a user input : device 116, and a display 120. In some implementations, the SMIB may communicate : with these devices, and/or other devices not illustrated in Figure 1, via one or more serial links. However, according to different. implementations, one or more different : . types of communication links may be used. In some implementations. the SMIB 108 : © may communication with one or more remote devices, such as host systems 124, via a communication link 128. In some implementations. communication link 128 is a network link in a gaming network. Additional details related to gaming networks are : : discussed throughout the specification. and particularly with respect to Figures 15 and 13 So

: oo © 16. In some implementations, the communication link 128 may include one Or more . - | .

Co ofan Internet link, a satellite link, a wireless link, etc. CT ) DE } In some implementations, the SMIB may be configured or designed to control one or - | So ) _. more components in the gaming apparatus, such as the card reader’ 1 12, the user input CT oo | device 116, and/or the display 120. In addition, or alternately, the SMIB may be: EE

Co “operable to- communicate with -one or more different componerits at, the ‘gaming Co Ce

CL apparatus not illustrated in Figure 1. For example, the SMIB 108 may communicate - ~ - ) | with one or more components of the gaming machine, such as a master’ gaming Co oo : controller, a display device, a service window, etc. As another example, a SMIB, . | = ; ~~ STM, and/or other component associated with the cashless gaming system may -

Co ~~ communicate with one or more different types. of devices ‘or interfaces, such as a I : | *.. motherboard, a controller, a network interface, a service window, a Kiosk (eg,a - | Lo oo oo oo system having a ticketing interface), a display device (e.g. a vacuum fluorescent . - display. a NexGen™ or sbNexGen™ available from IGT, étc.), or any other type of . -

Co © device. oy - Co = r Co vo | g

Co Some implementations of the cashless gaming system may be. configured for use in : | © systems that are not under the control of the casino. One such use may be a point-of- Co i : , sale interface in which a smart card reader and STM is installed in one or more stores, oo ) : restaurants, hotel facilities (e.g., service desks, cafes, gift shops), or other commercial EE - © locations. Such a configuration may allow a player to use the smart card to pay, for Co oo non-gaming goods or services. A smart card configured for use in-such. a system may Co ’ include more than one purse ie. credit balarice). The use of more than one purse may - . oo oo allow a casing, to provide different types of credit on a smartcard (e.g... gambling CL - Co credits, cash, promotional dollars. bonus points, loyalty points; etc.) and/or avoid co- ) Co

Cv mingling gaming and non-gaming funds (e.g., for-regulatory compliance). Lo - As stated herein ti SMIB includes memory 144. In some implementations, memory N ) - . : oo 144 may include program instructions for CPU 140, such as program instructions EE . - SE relating’ 10 performing oné of more operations for cashless gaming. In some oo

Co EE | implementations, memory 144-may store one or more parameter ‘values related to oo -

CL cashless gaming. For example, metnory 144 may store a credit balance for transfer } oo Co between gaming apparatus. 108 and a smart card. such as a’ smart - card in Co Ir

Lo so . . © communication with. smart card slot 132. In some implementations, memory 144 is Co .

oo non-volatile memory. Thus, in the event of a system reset; a credit value stored on : ~ memory 144 may ‘be maintained in event of a system failure, loss of power. and/or. . : - reset. | a EE oC oo oo In some implementations, the 'SMIB ‘may function according to a Transaction - ‘Complete model in which activity is-not recorded to a’ transaction record until the 0 oo transaction is completed on the smart card. Thus; if a transaction is interrupted before . : ) it can be completed (e.g., by power loss), the partially completed transaction may not

CL be recorded in the cashless gaming system. The Transaction Complete model may } thus prevent cash from being lost (e.g. transferred from an STM but not recorded ona : - - smart card) or duplicated (e.g., transferred to a smart card but not removed from an - -

STM). Co - oo co

Co A card reader 112 is illustrated in Figure 1. Card reader 112 may be operable 10 Co : - oo communicate with slot machine interface board 108. According to different : oo Implementations, the card, reader 112 may include one. or more ‘communication Lo oo : | interfaces for communicating with one or fore ‘portable electronic devices. For Lo

Co oo example, the card reader 112 includes a smart card slot 132 and a SIM card slot 136. 3

I ) However, “according to different implementations various numbers, types. and/or “ oo combinations of communication interfaces may beused. Co

In. Figure 1, reference numeral 132 denotes a smart card slot. Smart card slot 132 may ~~ . . be operable to communicate with a portable electronic device, such as a smart card. In A

So Co some implementations. a smart card slot may be ‘a physical slot. into which a smart : oo cad may be inserted. Alternately. or additionally, the smart card slot 132 may be a oo wireless communication interface configured to communicate wirelessly with a smart oo card and/or a different type of portable electronic device. oo | .

In sore implementations, the card reader 112 may communicate with one or more * oo - ’ | | - portable electronic devices operable to, store a credit balance for cashless gaming. For | . .

BE example, the card reader 112. may communicate with a smart card via smart card slot EE

Co : 132. In such implementations, smart card slot. 132 may be positioned so as to be” . © accessible to a user of gaming apparatus 104. For example, smart card slot 132 may :

Co © include a physical slot on the external surface on the gaming apparatus 104. -

REE ) EE Reference fumeral 136 denotes a SIM. card slot. In some implementatioris, SIM card CL oo oo . . slot 136 may be configured to communicate with a portable electronic device, such as - -

Lo ce - a smart card designed or configured in accordance with one or more of the Subscriber IE . 7 Identity Model (STM) card form factors. As with the smart cardslot 132, the SIM card + - - © Gy To slot “136 may bea physical slot, a wireless communication: interface, configured to . ~ H _ ~ ’ communicate. wirelessly with a SIM card or other portable ‘electronic device, or any } wl

E he NB other type of communication interface. Co . . Lo Ce : o ) So oo } - .. "In some implementations, the card reader 112 may communicate with one or more ce - oo portable electronic devices ‘operable to facilitate commaunications/security” functions, ) oo h RE CL . such as a Secure Transaction Module (STM) card. ‘For example, the card reader 112° -

Ce oo - ] ny communicate with a STM card embodied in a SIM card format vid the SIM card ol

SL LL . - IE ; slot 136. in somo implementations, the STM card may perform {one or’ more © -. “0. encryption, decryption, and/or. security validation “opérations “associated with + “ . : ) CL ; communications between a, smart card and the gaming apparatus 1 04.. For example, oo

Co x ! . ; ‘the STM card may encrypt communications transmitted ‘from “the SMIB 108 to a cu

CL "smart card. As “another example, the STM card may decrypt “commurications ; x ~ - } Lo " p ‘transmitted from the smart card to the gaming apparatus 104. . ) CL - Co

Co ’ . Co . In sorhe implementations, using an STM card for" securing’ communications between ~ .

Co ~ - ; . oo the gaming’ apparatus 104 and a smart card may have ‘one or hore advantages. For ~~ . = - ; . - E example, it may. be easy. to add andior remove the STM card frof the-gaming ~~ . ©

Ls Co - apparatus 104. Thus. the STM card could be easily replaced. with a ‘different STM CT

Bb : - EE - : card, As another example, security operations may be performed independent of other - | : . SO Co - "functions of ‘the. gaming machine and/or SMIB. As .yet another example, the STM oo - - E N g E card may be preconfigured to perform one or more operations. specific to one or more oo | Te | oF r specific types of gaming apparatuses. Additional details” regarding’ STM cards are "ok - Lo discussed in relation to Figure'4. Le - Ce a ~ " oi So oo : Co Ee In some implementations (e.g.. some implementations in which card reader 112'is Co

C.-L i operable to communicate with a STM card via the SIM card slot 136); the gaming © : ol . | "apparatus 104 may include one or more security features for protecting access 10 SIM... .. 0 cad slot 136In some implementations. thie card reader 112 may be configured or IE

SE oo Co designed such that SIM card slot 136 is ‘hidden from a user during the normal course CT ~ . BE : of operation of gdming machine 104. For example, card reader 112 nay be configured ) .

N Co or designed such that in order to add or remove a card from SIM card slot 136, the oo

ER, Co door of the gaming ‘machine must be opened. As another example, unauthorized Co

Lo Co access 10 the STM card slot 136 may require one or more digital and/or physical Keys, oo oe Se trigger an audible and/or silent alarm, etc. ) Cr oo . : oo

Co Co . Although an ‘implementatiof of the card reader 112 illustrated in Figure 1 is described oo

CL ) "as communicating with an STM card via SIM card slot 136 and communicating with a . .. Co player's smart. card via smart card slot 132, different implementations may include . oo } oo ; : different configurations. For example, according to different implementations, either” Co

So or both the player's smart card and the STM card may be embodied in one or more. To

Rh CD smart card formats, SIM card formats, or any other type of format for a.portable : . : » | - electronic device. As another example, in some implementations; an STM card may _

RL ~ be physically coupled with a gaming apparatus such that the card communicates with - co ~~ one or more components of the gaming apparatus without - communicating via x Lo

Co removable slot. For example, the STM card may be a hardware and/or software = . -

Co oe - . component coupled with one or more components of the gaming apparatus and : FUT co . configured via an interface on the gaming apparatus (e.g. over a network, via a user Lo : BR -

RE interface; using a remote device, etc.). | Lo Slo : 8 Lo Ia Figure 1, reference numeral 116 denotes a user input device. According to various : © : oo implementations the user input device 116 may be any input device configured or ; : . © +: designed to receive user input. For example, the user-input device 116 may be a touch. oo ol Ce pad, a touch screen, a kéypad, a keyboard, a button panel, etc. } ee Te mT ES oo a In some implementations, the user input device may receive user input related to a

Lo - cashless gaming. For example, the user input device may receive a request to move - : oC oT ) cash and/or credit between the gaming apparatus and a portable electronic device in Co . } . SE communication with the card reader 112: (e.g, a smart card in communication with co } ae © stant card slot 132. As another example, the user input device may. receive a request - : - ) CL to update one or-more parameter values on a smart card in communication with the . - oo : card reader-112 (e.g. an updated player name, preferred language, auto- transfer - oo

Ce threshold value, auto-transfer amount, etc.) Lo Co ) ’ i . Co

CF : } Lo Reference numeral 120 denotes a display. According to various implementations; Co a

Co | different types of displays may be used. For example. the display 120 may be an IRE

: LCD, an LED display, a plasma display, a seven-segment display, etc. In some implementations, user input device 116 and display 120 may be part of the same device (e.g., a touch screen display). | oo Co

The display 120 may be operable to display information related to cashless gaming.

For example. the display 120 may show one or more parameter values stored on a oo portable electronic device in communication with card reader 112, such as one or more parameter values (e.g., player names, preferred languages, auto-transfer + amounts, auto-transfer thresholds, credit balances. etc.) stored on a smart card in : communication with smart card slot 132. In some implementations, the display 120 may show options for modifying one or more values on a portable electronic device in : communication with smart card slot 132 (e.g., a list of possible preferred languages, a : selection of approved auto-transfer threshold values, a selection of approved auto- transfer amounts, etc).

In Figure 1, reference numeral 124 denotes host systems. Host systems 124 may include one or more servers related to cashless gaming. Slot machine interface board 108 and host systems 124 may be configured to communicate via one or more : network links, such as network link 128. In some implementations, network link 128 . may be a network link in a gaming network at a casino. Further details of a gaming network will be discussed in relation to Figure 17. However, according to different implementations, network link 128 may include one or more communication links in a public network, such as the internet. :

Examples of the types of portable electronic devices. that may communicate with one or more components of the gaming apparatus 104 via the smart card reader 132 and/or

SIM card slot 136 are smart cards 200, 300, and 400 shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4.

Smart cards 200, 300, and 400 are portable electronic devices that each have memory “and one or more PrOCESSOTS. In addition. smart cards 200, 300. and 400 are each operable to communicate with one or more other devices in a cashless gaming system and/or casino environment. .

Smart cards 200, 300; and 400 are Java smart cards designed to execute one or more programs, applications, and/or applets written in the Java programming language.

However, according to different implementations. various types of programming oo 18

} oo Ll languages may- be used for various components in the cashless ‘gaming system,” such oo oC

Lo as C, C++, C#, Net, ete. In addition, according to various implementations one or : Bp ~ more of smart cards 200, 300, and/or 400 may be embodied in various shapes or form Ct

Co factors. For example, a smart card may be embodied in a SIM card, a credit card sized Lo oo

Co } CL smart card, or any other type of portable electronic device. EE Co

Co ’ Figure 2 shows a smart card 200 that is configured or designed for use by one or more Co ) .. players'in a casino environment, in. accordance with one implementation. Smartcard )

Co oo 200 is an unregistered smart card (e.g., a “day use” ‘smart card) that does not include | Co

LL oo personal identification information (e.g., name, identification number, and/or is not, or oC ~ tied to'a particular user. | . ; . EE : * In some implementations, the unregistered smart card 200 is operable to' communicate oo IE

Co with one or more other devices in a gaming network by being placed in a smart card’: } I slot, ‘such as the smart card slot 132. However, in different implementations, smart So

E Bp cards may communicate using oné or ‘more different techniques, for example ~~ so

Co . y - communication via a SIM card slot (e.g. SIM card slot 136) and/or wireless ) oo ) -

EE co communication. IEE CT . | oo ) Co Unregistered smart card 200 may include one or more hardware and/or software - - ;

IE modules for performing functions related to cashless gaming. Each module may oo oo

So Co include data and/or program instructions. In some implementations, one or more BE N :

Co © 'modiles may be preloaded on the unregistered smart card 200 when the smart card is oo : EE constructed. In, addition, or alternately, one ‘or more modules may be configured Ce oo . | and/or loaded on the unregistered smart card 200 via a device in a casino environment Ce Ce oo such as a gaming machine. Unregistered smart card 200 includes a card manager 204, =~. = .

Ca - Co a security module 208, and a wallet module 212. . oe Co ) ~~. The card manager 204 is a hardware and/or software module that includes data and/or DEE

Co program instructions for accessing one or ‘more features. on the unregistered smart. : | I card- 200. In some implementations, the card: manager 204 comes preconfigured on’ : I © new smart cards. However. in different implementations, the card manager 204 may ) Co

I - © be added and/or configured by one or more devices in a cashless gaming system. oo oC )

CL : The card. manager 204 may include. identification information specific 10 the Lo oo | - individual unregistered stnart card 200, such as a smart card serial number. In some . :

implementations, the smart card manager 204 may include one or more cryptographic © + oC access keys and/or, cryptograms for accessing the unregistered smart card 200. For = = oo example. card mianager 204 may include standard keys that are loaded on the smart . a card during construction. oo Co ~ : | In some implementations, at least some information stored in smartcard manager 204 : oo ‘may be unalterable. For example, it may be impossible to alter the smart card serial | . ) number and/or one or more cryptographic access keys without rendering the smart .

Lo card inoperable. Alternately, or additionally. it may be possible 10 alter one or more of

Co "the values (e.g., with appropriate security verification). . oo Cn

So ~ +. According - to various. implementations, card mitnager 204 may permit adding, oo removing and/or configuring other modules on the smart card. For example, card ~

CL manager 204 may permit adding, removing, and/or configuring security module 208 oo oo - and/or wallet module 212. oo - Lo 0 : - The security module 208 is a:hardware and/or software’ module that includes data : - and/or program instructions for perforhing ‘one or more functions related to access .

Co control and/or security verification. For example, the unregistered smart card 200 may ©

So | receive. one or more requests to read and/or update one or more values stored in the oo

So memory of the unregistered smart card 200. In some implementations, some or all . requests to access and/or update values must be validated by the security module 208 co . | oo | before being performed by one or more modules on the smart card. - Thus, in some’ implementatioris, the security module 208 may include one or more © : pieces of information related to authenticating request to access the unregistered smart Co.

Co card 200. For example, the security module 208 may include a Personal Identification : - : Number (PIN) and/or one more cryptographic keys for enabling secure

Co communication. In addition, the security module 208 may store information relating _ - to one or more previous transactions. previous authorizations of the smart card. }

Co transaction counts. serial numbers (e.g., a unique serial number associated with the -

So | smart card), etc. The different values stored on the smart card (e.g., in the security So

Lo module) may alternately be user-configurable, configurable by the casino, or not Co

Ce ) Co configurable (es a card serial number). In some implementations, values : : Co configurable by a casino may be updated when a card is accessed at an STM device. - Co

Ce In this way, a casing may push out riew parameter values to be’ stored on smart cards J } Co

Co CL a 3 “upon their next use. CL LL CL I . . - Cn | oo os : EE In addition, in some implementations, the security module 208 may include program ce

To oo instructions for authenticating one or more requests to access the unregistered smart h Co a. RR Co card 200. For example, the security module 208 may include program instructions for CT ) SE LL performing one or more functions related to secure cryptographic communications. In =. .

Ca a n - - addition, the security ‘module 208 may include program instructions for verifying that - . ) : ol - - oF ’ .the sender of a request 16 access. one or more values on the unregistered smart card . ;

Ce ol So i 200 has the appropriate security permissions for performing said access. Co I.

Co - | - | The wallet ‘module 212 is. a hardware and/or software "module that" includes. data - = Do and/or program instructions for performing one or more operations related to. storing cL - - J - Co . and/or ansferring. cash and/or credit values for cashless gaming. For example, the . oo : Co | oT - N wallet module ‘may be configured to store “one or more credit balances. A- credit SE ) .

Ra - - Co “balance. may be an amount of credit and/or cash. available for use in ‘gambling in a Co }

CL : . So . “casino environment. The wallet module 212 may also include. program instructions for 5 - o Co one or more programs related. to adding and/or removing credit from the wallet oo

Co Co . - So ) ‘module 212. co SE : ST Co oh Co - we : - Le | EE some’ implementations; the wallet module 212 may be configured or designed to. . : Co on Co ‘store one or Tore parameter values related to adding and/or: removitig credits stored eT se Ce + on. the wallet module. For example, the wallet module may store one or more auto- FE ~ | . “transfer threshold values. Ar auto-transfer threshold value may be used to determine oo . B ; - | ‘when to automatically transfer additional credit from the smart card (e.g, credit stored Te - - . . E - . in the wallet tiodule 212) 10.2 gaming machine, When the unregistered smart card.

CL ~ ] : . . © 200 is, in communication: with the ‘gaming machine; a determination may be made-as - ‘ Cl

Ce ; to whither one SF more credit balances on the gaming machine (e.g. for playing a - “game of chance) has. dropped below the auto-transfer fhreshold value stored on the. RE 2 - wallet module: If the credit balance on the gaming maching is less than the auio- CL co

Sl EL wandfer threshold value on the wallet module, additional credit may be moved from Loe te the smart card to the gaming machine. - Lo Doe oo Co oo

CT : LAs another example, the wallet module 212 may be configured to store one or more - oo o CL x D auto-transfer amounts. “When credit is automatically. transfefred from the wallet :

co Lo TL module’ 212 to a gaming machine, the amount of credit may be determined ‘in : oo i

Bh Co “accordance with - the auto-transfer. threshold value. According to. different EE - implementations, different techniques for determining the amount of credit may be oo + - - Lo used. For example, the amount of credit transferred from the smart card to the gaming oo - Sol machine may be determined so as to raise the balance on thie gaming machine othe i Lo oo . 8 ’ sum" of the auto-transfer threshold value ‘and the ‘auto-transfer threshold ‘amount. Lo : J Ea ~ Alternately, the amount ‘of credit transferred from the smart card to the: gaming Co N

SL oo ~ - machine may be substantially equal to the.auto-transfer threshold amount. So - According. to various implementations, various techniques may be used to add and/or oo - . : modify one or more parameter values stored on the unregistered smart card 200. In Co

So Co C some implementations, ofie or more parameter values may be deterrnined and/or ) - - Co stored on the smart card upon initialization of. the card (e.g... at an initialization | - CT . SSE terminal). ata cashier's terminal, at a kiosk; at a patron management terminal, at a .- oo oo : | Lo gaming machine, etc. In some implementations, permission to ‘change: one or more. iB ) oo “values stored on the smart card may be limited to one or more specific types of Lo )

Co CL - gaming. apparatuses. For example, a casing may require supervision by casino CL Is - - oo . personnel in order to change the auto-transfer threshold value and/or auto-transfer cl - oe amount, ‘since setting these values t00 low may in sofne instances cause excessive. : : ; u Co credit transfers during game play and/or excessive wear ‘and tear on the card. - .

So - | Alternately, a casino may provide a range of preapproved values and/or perinit card EE . oo CL users 10. change one or ‘more values without. supervision (e.g. data gaming ‘machine, Dab

Co - kiosk, etc). TL | Ce LL Cl - ; = a

So In some implementations, a casino may restrict the values that may be used as the. . B Lo ~ Ce . oe auto-transfer threshold value “and/or auto-transfer amount so as"t0 reduce excessive oo | - 3 ~T. - _ wear at the ‘smart card and/or 10 impose operatioial limits on credit transfers. For - Co . ) example, a casino may impose a maximum auto-transfer amount of $10,000 in a High ; oo . a - ". Limit gaming room and a maximum auto-transfer amount of $100 on’‘the main floor. oo

Co Lo Such game-specific or. area-specific restrictions . may prevent. a player from ~ 3

Co . So transferring an excessive amount of credit to a 1ow-denomination gaming machine * To

Lo Co oo (e.2., $5,000 transferred to a $.25 slot machine). Thus, even.if a player's autb-transfer Co . ~

B | - oo amount is set at $200, the actual: value wansferred to the gaming machine on the y co

Le Co casino floor would be limited to $100. in this -example. In this way, the casino can...

So balance player preferences with operational concerns such as security and risk . management. Co

In some implementations, limits on auto-transfer parameters may be imposed for individual games, for groups of games, for specific smart cards (e.g., for individual players), for groups of players, for different casino properties, etc. Furthermore, the types of limits imposed may include threshold values (e.g., as discussed in the - oo preceding paragraph), percentage-based restrictions (e.g., an auto-transfer value limited to 75% of the credit balance), or other types of limitations. In some implementations, more than one limit on a smart card parameter may be imposed

Figure 3 shows a block diagram 300 illustrating a registered player smart card, : constructed in accordance with one implementation. Smart card 300 is a registered smart card that includes personal identification information and/or other information (e.g., name, identification number, etc.) associated with one or more specific users.

In some implementations, the registered smart card 300 may be operable to communicate with one or more other devices in a gaming network by being placed in -. a smart card slot, such as the smart card slot 132. However, in different implementations, the registered smart card 300 may communicate using one or more different techniques, for example communication via a SIM card slot (e.g., SIM card slot 136) and/or wireless communication.

The registered smart card 300 may include one or more hardware and/or software modules for performing functions related to cashless gaming. Each module may = include data and/or program instructions. In some implementations, one or more * modules may be preloaded on the registered smart card 300 when the smart card is constructed. In addition, or alternately, one or more modules may be configured and/or loaded on the registered smart card 300 via a device in a casino environment - such as a gaming machine.

In many respects, the registered smart card 300 may be substantially. similar to the unregistered smart card 200 shown in Figure 2. For example. the registered smart card : © 300 includes a card manager 304, a security module 308, and a wallet module 312 © that may be substantially similar to the corresponding modules illustrated in Figure 2. 23 oo

- Co In some implementations, the wallet module 312 may be configured 0 store and Co } : access multiple purses or-credit balances. Furthermore, the various credit balances : . s h - may be denominated in cash, casino credits, points, or any other units. Different credit .

To balances that may be stored on the smart card may include, but are not limited to; one - E or more of the following: a gambling balance, a"non-gambling balance, promotional . :

Co - "dollars, bonus points, loyalty points, player tracking points, etc. Co - oo CL ~ oo In some implementations, access © different purses may be limited t specific STMs,._ - oo

Lo . i} or STMs in particular types of machines: That is, only certain STMs may possess the Lo - security permissions necessary to access purses. For example, access to- gambling- related purses may be limited to gaming machines, Gashier terminals, etc. Access to

REE Lo promotional pursés may be limited to patron management terminals or Systems where ) ” : ;

So awards may be redeemed. Access to non-gambling cash may be limited to point-of- oo ) oo sale interfaces (ee. in shops or restaurants) and cashier's terminals. - Nn a | | : | Enforcing these types. of access controls’ may. provide ‘casinos ‘with the ability w ) facilitate flexible smart card use while retaining conirol over access 10 disparate Eo oo

Bh oo purses by different systems and entities. Further, enforcing separation of funds may I

Co . assist in ensuring that. implementations of the cashless gaming system comply with Co - - . regulatory requirements related to separation of gambling and non-gambling funds.” Co oo In ‘some implementations, access to different purses may be controlled by different a .- Co PINs. For. example, access to one or more gambling-related purses may require a first Co =

So : PIN. while access to- one or more non-gambling purses may require a second PIN. = «+

SEAT Co Separate access controls may allow, for instance, 2 player to lend a smart card to a - : Te different person (e.g., a minor) for limited uses (e.g., non-gambling uses, restaurant . ) CL : purchases, shop purchases, hotel purchases; redemption of awards, etc). Co : - So oT - . © In addition to the components included in the unregistered smart card 200, registered | }

EE smart card 300 includes a patron management module 316. The patron management Le © 7+ +" module 316 is a hardware and/or software module that includes data and/or program -

Co ‘instructions for performing one or more user-specific operations. For example, the . - ) ~ nL patron management module 316 may store information related to one or more names; CL - | "ranks, player identification. numbers, PINs , preferred languages. and/or other ; oo ] . "information specific ‘to one or more users. "As another example. the patron CL management module-316 may include program instructions associated with verifying I . . a user's identity and/or performing one or more player tracking operations. ~~~ ©. The patron management module may also be used to store and/or adjust one or'more ~

Co : "non-cash values related to loyalty awards, extra credits, offline bonuses, etc. In some SE

Lo : implementations, if a player is credited with a free meal or free game plays, those . values may be stored on the smart card by the patron management module. Then, the Co } player may redeem the credit or award by presenting the smart card at the appropriate . time. | SE oo A - Co According to various implementations, various techniques may be used to add and/or - ~~ . modify one or more parameter values stored on the registered smart card 300. In some . )

Co implementations, these techniques may be similar to those discussed with respect to

I ; unregistered smart card 200. However, in some implementations, registered smart oo Lh card 300 may be treated differently than unregistered smart card 200. For example, a Co

Co casino may not require authentication steps in order to change values stored on the . : unregistered smart card 200 since the unregistered smart card 200 1s not tied to a a : specific user. In contrast, since registered smart card 300 is tied to a specific user; a casino may require that the user provide identification information (e.g. an ID card, . oo - | . biometric identification information, etc.) and/or perform ong or moe elecironic a. authentication operations in order to modify one or more values stored on the smart : : I card. As another example, a user associated with registered smart card 300 who - } - "wishes to change one or more values stored on a registered card may need to provide ; identification information to casino personnel (e.g., at a kiosk. patron management ° .

Co terminal, etc.). Lo | IE - Figure 4 shows a block diagram 400 illustrating a smart card for use-in a cashless oo EE gaming device, constructed in accordance with one implementation. The smart card oo

CC Co shown in Figure 4 1s configured or designed for use as an Secure Transaction Module : (STM) card. The STM ‘card 400 may be configured and/or - designed for. use in - - performing and/or facilitating one or more security validation and/or communication B - .

Co operations associated with secure transactions at a gaming apparatus. - oo : In some implementations, the STM card 400 may be operable to communicate with To

Ll one or more other devices in a gaming network by being placed in a SIM card slot, oo

EE ; ~ © such as the SIM card slot 136. However, in different implementations, ‘the STM card B . CL .400- may. communicate using one ‘Or more different techniques, for example- = - Bh

A ) a. communication.via a smart card slot (.g., the smart card siot 132) and/or ‘Wireless oo B . - : So 3 communication: - A | CL | - CC iy Ce - oo -- .

BN - on . “The STM card 400 may include one or more hardware and/or software modules for

Co | oo oo performing functions; related to cashless gaming. Each module may - include data. Lo :

IE Ea and/or program instructions, In some implementations, _ or more modules may be } B = co . co preloaded on the STM card 400 when the smart card is constructed.’ In addition, or ) J oo : Le } oo g alternately, one: or more modules may be configured and/or loaded on the STM card © . So Cv . 400'via a device in 4 casino environment such-as a gaming machine, CL IE - 5 Co x. In many respects, the: STM: card 400 may be substantially similar to the unregistered EE co. on 3 ] oo | . ‘smari card 200 shown in Figure >and the registered smart card 300 shown in Figure = “ EE ; 3. For example, the STM card400 includes a card manager 404 and a ‘security module Co : : eh I 408 that may be. substantially. siniilar to the corresponding modules. illustrated in oo

CLT Figures 2 and 3. However, since the STM card 400 is not issued to a player, itmay

Lo Co - CC : k } fot heed to include, for example, a wallet module and/or pairon management module. oo - ) ~.- Anothér difference between the STM card 400 and ‘the smart cards 200 ‘and 300 -

Er "shown in. Figures 2 and 3 is that the STM: card 400 includes 4 Secure Transaction ~~. oo oo CC IE + Manager (STM) module 412. The STM module ‘412 is, a hardware: and/or software : Ce

Co or oo ‘module that includes data and/or program instructions for performing one-or more I ~ : . Co . } operations related to securely facilitating cashless gaming transactions (cq. with a. ~ Co

Co = ; . "Smart card). In some implementations. the STM module 412° may be operable to . cL

Lo oo - © communicate with a smart card (e.g. via the card reader 112). Additionally, or ) oo as - Lo : - . alternately, the STM module 412 may, be operable. to communicate with oné-or more oo

Le - i Ce servers in a cashless gaming system (eg. the host systems 124). : - Co n

SR ) n “in some implementations, the STM module 412 includes onie“or moe cryptographic

So “ne Co “keys for communication using Ta secured - cryptosystem (ed. a. “public key - - - . } ol B - CL cryptosystem). In. this way. éommunication between the STM module 412 and a smart ] oo Cs _ card (e.g, a smart card i communication with smart card slot 132) may be encrypted. : : Co B - - “In addition, of alternately, communication between the STM module 412 and one or co

Ce oo Co . more system components (e.g.,'SMIB 104) and/or remote servers (©.4. host systems ©.

Co | . - Ea 124) may be. encrypted. In. some implementations, the STM module. 412 may be .. - Co

LL oo ) registered with one or more remote servers. - Co ; - SEEN oo Ce oo - Such registration may take place, for example, each time a gaming machine or. )

LT oo cashless gaming terminal is powered up.‘ Alternately, or additionally, registration niay oe oo

SL LL occur during use ‘of the” gaming - machine or ‘cashless gaming terminal (e.g, at . ) Co

So 0 “scheduled times, intermittently, etc.). In. some implementations, the registration oo B . process may be integrated with one or more. procedures. for registering. gaming ~ g no

CL SL machines, such as the Advantage Bonus System and/or Easy Pay systems available | CL ~ ST fem IGT. Ce SE oC Te cL . At certain instances, use of a sinart card at a gaming apparatus may ‘involve - Co » or authenticating the start card, to a remote server, Stich as a-cashless. gaming server. . ) co a oo Co Such authentication may involve, for example, verifying the authenticity of the smart. LL

ST card (e.g., using one or more cryptographic keys), verifying one or more previous CL ; -

SE oo transactions associated with the smart card, verifying: the- identity of the smart card EA Co " oo ee In some implementations, an authentication attempt may. be made during, before, - oo oo Ce Lo and/or after each cashless gaming, session and/or other .use of the smart card. I

SL Co Alternately, an authentication attempt may be - made only upon occasion (eg. oo )

Co oo Co periodically, when triggered, etc.). Co Lo Ce . oo | Cl However, in some instances, such authentication “may be impossible and/of ~ . i . impracticable. For example, one or more network “elements and/of- servers -may be: co

Co ; temporarily and/or periodically inoperable. As another éxample, the gaming apparatus | } . — - at which the card is being used may not. enjoy continuous communication with a CL : B . cashless gaming server. - . + Co n eT | - | oo - Lo

So } Thus, in some - implementations, the STM module 412 may include on or JO0TS - co

So parameter values associated with one or more offline windows. An offline window 0 a

E value may represent, for example, a length of time between the last authenticated use Co Lo - RS of 4 specific smart card and the time in which it must be authenticated again before it »

ST canbe used further. In some implementations, the offline window is 24 hours, which oe Lo a ET . ~~ means that if a given smart card has been authenticated with a remote castiless gaming . BN - : + Server ata particular time (e.g. during use for a cashless gaming session), that smart i oo CL card may be used for 24 hours without requiring that the smart card be authenticated again with a remote cashless. gaming server. According to various implementations, : the offline window may be any value between 0 hours (e.g.. offline use is not : permitted) to several weeks. :

The use of an offline window may allow the player to use the smart card even if remote authentication of the card is not performed. However, if it is determined that the previous authenticated use of the smart card falls outside of the offline use window, then the gaming apparatus may refuse to add and/or retransfer credit from the smart card. Further details of the use of offline windows are discussed in relation to Figures 9, 11, and 13. :

In some implementations, one or more parameter values stored on the STM card 400 : may be stored upon initialization of the STM card. For example, the STM card 400 may store one or more parameters related to offline windows, cryptographic keys, card value limits for unregistered smart cards, etc. Storing one or more parameter } values on the STM card may allow the casino to exercise control over the cashless © gaming system, such as providing useful ways to manage risk. For example, a casino : may dynamically alter the maximum credit balance that may be stored on unregistered oo smart cards. If the casino knows that there are many players using unregistered smart cards, for instance, the casino may reduce the maximum credit balance that may be stored on unregistered smart cards in order to reduce risk (e.g., in the event of system : | failure).

In some implementations, such parameters may not be modified after they have been stored on the card. For example, the STM card 400 may include write-once memory so as to thwart attempts to tamper with the STM card 400. However, in different implementations, it may be possible to modify one or more parameter values stored on the STM card 400 and/or add new parameter values. For example, a casino employee may be able to update one or more parameter values stored on the STM card 400 by accessing the STM card 400 via a gaming apparatus (e.g.. by providing : ) appropriate credentials, cryptographic keys, security verification information, etc.). : oo | Figures 5-13 show methods related to cashless gaming transactions that may be _ performed in conjunction with a smart card. According to various implementations,

Co Co ] one or more of the methods may be performed via one or more gaming apparatuses in o : Co communication with a smart card and/or STM. For example, one or more methods: 0 : co ‘may be performed via gaming apparatus 104 in communication with a smart card via ) = .

Lo Co smart card slot 132 and an STM card via SIM card slot 136. According to various eT

Lo SE implementations, one or more of the methods may-be performed at various locations. Co ) E ) For example, one or more operations associated with the methods may be performed =.

EUR a cashier terminal, at a patron management terminal, at a kiosk, at a gaming machine, . =~ oC

En Co In some implementations, one or more of the methods illustrated in Figures 5-13 may /

I be preceded by one or-more authentication operations. For example, one or more . i

CL B oo components associated with a gaming apparatus may communicate with the smart : oo 3

Co ~~ card and/or STM card to establish a secure communications session. In‘ some oo

Co . implementations, the. smart card and-STM card, may exchange public keys used in-a - :

Ce . public key cryptosystem and/or exchange session keys. | | CL ) SIR ) : cn Although the operations illustrated in Figures 5-13 are illustrated as occurring ina | Co ) oo BN particular order, in some’ implementations one or more methods may include eo ; - opetations which may be performed in a different order. In addition, - some Ss

IE . implementations may’ include additional operations not illustrated in Figures 5-13, - ~~ - + and/or some operations may be omitted.” - a a Ce So = Figure 5 shows a method 500 for retrieving a” parameter value from a smart card, . N oo

So .performed in ‘accordance with one implementation. - The Retrieve Smart Card co : :

BE E Ce | Parameter Value Procedure 500 may be used to retrieve one or more parameter values - Co : stored on a smart card when the smart card is in communication with a cashless i oo

Co RE . gaming apparatus. For example, a smart card user, casino personnel, and/or a program oo )

CT. a. running on a gaming apparatus may make a request to update a parameter value stored oo . oo - on the smart card. Ce oo ) Con . Co The Retrieve Smart Card Parameter Value Procedure 500 may be performed at

Co various instances and/or upon various triggering events. For example, a smart card”.

Lo user, casino personnel. and/or a program running on a gaming apparatus may make a — Co request to retrieve a parameter. Value storéd on the smart card. As another example, “ -

oo one or "more operations illustrated in Figare 5. may be performed upon card : CL

Co Bh initialization, upon inserting a smart card into a gaming apparatus, etc. Co Lo " | At 504, instructions are transmitted from the cashless gaming apparatus to the smart a .card to call a function on the smart card to retrieve one or more parameter values. The Co -

E - : © requested parameter values may include, for example. one or more credit balances, co Co

J auto-transfer threshold values, auto-transfer amounts, player names, player ranks, . oo player ID's, smart card serial numbers, PINS, etc. In some implementations, the oo request ‘may be cryptographically signed by the STM card before being transmitted oo - - thie smart card. ; SL ; ET CL . . a At 508, a determination is made as to whether the request to retrieve one or more - oo parameter values satisfies one or more permissions and/or rules. In some. oo

IEEE | implementations. the determination is made at an application or software module, : . i . running on the smart card (e.g. the security module 208). The determination may be : made, at least in part, based upon whether the request has been signed and/or . oo encrypted by a valid and/or approved STM card. The determination may involve a

Co. Co oo handshaking and/or key exchange process. For example, a key signature may be . B . A _- stored in the transaction record on the card and on the STM. If these key signatures Co

C match, then the request may be considered valid, oo RE

In some implementations, all valid STM cards may have permission to retrieve any ) value from a smart card. However, in different implementations, permission to h E retrieve one or more values from a smart card may be limited to certain types of oo oT gaming apparatuses. equipped with appropriately configured STM cards. Thus. - =~ : | } ‘operation 508 may involve determining whether the STM card that transmitted the Co

CT : request to retrieve one or more parameter values has permission to retrieve those ' values. For example..an STM card associated with a patron management terminal may oo : | not have permission to access values stored in the wallet module, such as an auto- oo : oo transfer amount. However, an STM card associated with a cashier's terminal. may ’ : have permission to access one Or more values stored in the wallet module, such asa ) credit balance, So Co ; ) Co ~ | B SE

Co At 512, ‘when 1t is determined that the request ‘to retrieve ore or more parameter oo oo values satisfies the permissions and/or rules, the one or more parameter values are

- . } = ] oo transmitted fron the smart card to the gaming machine. In'some implementations, the ~~ : co Cy ' parameter values are transmitted as part of asecure communicatiohs. session between Co oo - a Co + the smart card and an:STM ard. Thus, the STM card may decrypt the communication Co . to : - Co from ‘the smart cad that" includes the parameter values before transmitting the LL ’ } RE CL communication and/or the pararieter values to a different device in the gaming

Ly | Co apparatus, such as the SMIB-104. Alternately, or additionally, one or more parameter Ba . oo : . } : values may be transmitted in an unencrypted state: Co - } Seo Lo ) ) - oo } ; oo it should be noted that in some implementations, certain requests to retriéve one or oo ) : - - Co oo = more parameter values may not require the use of operation 508..For example, a smart. SE ) - - a ; card may “freely. transmit ‘information such as a user's narnie and/or identification CT

Co ) ; Co nomber. In differént implementations; however, éach request to retrieve. one or more

WE parameter values must be validated by the smart card: Co Te oo no oo - or Figure 6 shows-amethod 600 for updating a smart card paramietér value, performed in oo oo en Lo ‘accordance with one implenientation. The Update Smatt ‘Card Parameter Value’ - - ) - - Ei Procedure-600 may be used to update one or more parameter values stored on a smart - oT N Lo + card when the smart card is in communication with the cashless gaming apparatus. Co ) - oo p ; } a EE For. example, a smart card user, casino personnel, and/oi" a program’ running on a So iE } ] Lo | Ce gaming apparatus may, make a request 10 update a parameter value stored on the smart

CL - = | Cad . - - oo : co oo Le ;o oo

Se ’ - At 604; instructions are transmitted from the cashless gaming apparatus to the smart - | )

EE . Ln . caid to call a function on the smart card to update one or more parameter values. The Cp

Ce She . parameter values included in the update: request may, include, for ‘example, otic or Co . - SN Se more credit ‘balances, auto-transfer. threshold valtes, atto-transfer amounts, player tL

CL A “names, player ranks, player IDs. smart card serial iumbers; PINs, etc. - - : . CL oo Co - - ; At 608, ‘a determination is made at an application runing on the Smart card as to

K oo ol oo .. whether the request 10 updaté one or more parameter values satisfies one “or more Co oo i on LL perniissions and/or rules. In some implementations. the determination is made by a- . . - oo Co security module on the smart card eg. the security modulé 208), The détermination | oT

Co Lo ‘may be made, at leastin part, based upon whether the request has beén signéd and/or ©. 0 i ehcrypled by a valid and/or approved STM card. © c+ eho EE

I ) According 10 various iplementations, permission to perform one or more operations . Co oo ~ - on a smart card, such as updating a parameter value, may be limited to certain types of oo IE

Le gaming apparatuses and/or certain STM cards. Thus, operation -608 may. involve ~~... determiriing whether the STM card that transmitted the request to update one of more

CL parameter values has permission to update those values. co : . LR R

Co NB . Fot. ‘example, an STM card associated with a patron ‘management terminal may not . - er have permission, to update one or more parameter values stored in the wallet module,’ ) a. co oo - Lo such as an auto-transfer amount. However, an STM card associated ‘with a cashier's ol

Co Co | terminal may have permission to update one or more parameter values stored in the oC :

SE . oo "wallet module: - Ce Coe LT . co ~ © i : A§ another example, an STM card" associated with’ a gaming machine’ may be . oo -

Lo EEE ' permitted to update one-or more values associated with the wallet module (cg, auto- 2 oo ; : oo - trarisfer amount and/or auto-transfer ‘threshold values) of an unregistered smart card E CL ~ Lo (ce. smart card 200), since the unregistered smart card is not tied to the identity ofa - - ) So ~ specific user. However, the same STM card may not have permission to update oneor Co . Ce more: values associated with the wallet module of a registered smart card, since a ; - : Co Se casino may wish to validate the identity of a player in person before allowing sucha . eT change. . So Ce - oo Ct aE sc So oo 5 ©. One reason for enforcing such permissions may be security. For example; permission So }

RB ) h to transfer funds for purposes of cashing out a smart card ‘may be limited to secure. ToL

ET devices that are under the control of casino personnel, Thus, removing funds from a - So . - smart card for the purpose of awarding cash to the player may be limited to situations -

Cs : EE in which: designated ‘casino personnel or computing system can verify the smart card - aE ,

Co eo . «.- balance, past smart card balance transfers, the player’ identity, ‘and other such -... ~ . - - SU EE information. SE co EA oo Co oT CL or : : Co ; Another reason for enforcing such permissions may be to ensure that inappropriate Le : parameter values are not stored to the smart card. For example, as is discussed with. . nN Bp

Co ’ Co respect to Figure 8, one. or more devices ‘in the cashless -gaming system may be Lo h . ) o ; _ configured .or designed to automatically transfer credit from a: smart card when a Ce - - oo CT credit balance -on a gaming machine drops below an auto-transfer threshold value! - © eT - oo However, if the difference between the auto-transfer. threshold value and the- auto- Ce transfer amount is too small, the transfers from the smart card to the gaming machine may be too frequent, resulting in excessive wear on the smart card and/or excessive authorization attempts with one or more remote servers. Thus, limiting permission to oo update values such as the auto-transfer threshold value and/or auto-transfer threshold amount to certain STMs (e.g., STMs installed at gaming apparatuses operated by casino personnel) may ensure that only appropriate parameter values are stored to the . smart card. Additionally, or alternately, one or more gaming apparatuses may be configured or designed to automatically enforce restrictions on parameter values. - : CL At 612, when it is determined that the request to update one or more parameter values satisfies the permissions and/or rules, the one or more parameter values are updated on the smart -card. In some implementations, the smart card may transmit an indication and/or confirmation that the one or more parameter values were successfully updated. In some implementations, the parameter values. are transmitted as part of a secure communications session between the smart card and an STM card.

Thus, the STM card may decrypt the communication from the smart card that includes oo the update confirmation before transmitting the communication and/or an indication that the values were successfully updated to a different device in the gaming . apparatus, such as the SMIB 104. In different implementations, the smart card may not transmit an indication and/or confirmation of a successful update. In such Co implementations, the Retrieve Smart Card Parameter Value Procedure 500 shown in

Figure 5 may be used to determine whether one or more parameter values was successfully updated. : | }

It should be noted that in some implementations, certain requests to update one or more parameter values may not require the use of operation 608. For example, a smart : card may permit a user, casino employee, and/or program running at a gaming apparatus to update low-security information (e.g., a preferred language) without requiring one or more authentication and/or request validation operations. -

Figure 7 shows a method 700 for manually transferring credit to or from a smart card, : ~ performed in accordance with one implementation. The Smart Card Credit Manual : Transfer Procedure 700 may be used to transfer credit from a gaming apparatus to a - smart card or from a smart card to a gaming apparatus. For example, a smart card manual transfer procedure may be used at a cashier terminal in order to add credit to a

: EE smart card. The Smart Card Credit Manual Transfer Procedure 700 may also be used St oo ata cashier términal to convert ‘credit stored on the smart card to cash for providing to - . co . So a player associated with the smart card. As another example, the Smart Card Credit oo Manual Transfer Procedure 700 may be used at a’gaming machine in order to transfer Co . )

ERE | credit from the gaming machine to the smart’ card or from the smart card to the | :

So ' gaming machine. oo Co CL Ce : oo

So At 704, a.request is received to transfer credit between the smart card and. a gaming oo } : ~ Co system. According to various implementations, the request may be received at one or CL B ) : ~ CL "more ‘apparatuses in a cashless’ gaming system. (e.g. a cashier terminal, a gaming B oo machine. etc). oo : - | Lr a oT : In Some instances; the request to transfer credit may represent’ a request: to transfer, i . - Co To credit stored on the smart card to a gaming apparatus. ‘Such a transfer may be . -

Co ©. requested; for example, to facilitate cashless gaming on'a gaming machine or to award SE . cash to a player based on the credit stored on the smart card (i.e. “cash out” the Smart Co : ) card). In other instances, the request to wansfer credit may represent. a request to | ) a. | Lo . - transfer credit stored on the gaming apparatus to the smart card. Such a transfer may - Co

L - . be requested, for example, to add additional funds to the smart card and/or at the end oo oo ) ; of a Cashless gaming session at.a gaming machine. SE - Co . . . oo In some implementations. some ToquINs 0. transfer credit may be performed by - j casino personnel and/or may require supervision by casino personnel. For example, - - Co

CS . permission fo request to transfer credit from a smart card to a cashier terminal for the *

CL ET puipose of cashing out a smart card may be limited to designated casirio employees. ) no

CL such as cashiers. In addition, or alternately, one or more additional operations may be ol -

So . required when cashing out a ‘smart card. Further details related to cashing out.a smart Lee oo } } i card are discussed. in relation to Figures 9 and 13. Co B Co Lo Co oo Co In some implementations, some or all requests to transfer credit may require auserto oo } oo oo ‘provide identification and/or security ‘Verification information, such as a PIN. For ~~ oo example, a player may be required to provide a PIN number, produce an ID card or So

ST provide other forms of identification information. As another example, a Casino IEE } oo employee making a request to.transfer credit and/or assisting a user in making sigh a. oo ) request may be required 10 provide a PIN and/or other verification information, co.

EE 34. Co or

. At 708. instructions are transmitted to call a function on the smart card to transfer credit between the smart card and the gaming apparatus. In some implementations, the - Lo oo B | instructions are transmitted from a component associated ‘with the gaming apparatus, | oo - such as the SMIB 104, via an STM card associated with the gaming apparatus (eq. Co an STM card in communication with SIM card slot 136). ’ :

CL A712, a determination is made by an application running on the smart card as to ) : whether the request to transfer credit satisfies one or more permissions and/or rules. In. oo some implementations, the determination is made by a security module on the smart - In

So card (e.g., the security module 208). The determination may be made, at least in part, oo oo - based upon wheihier the request has been signed. and/or encrypted by a valid and/or : . oo “approved STM card. Co : : - " According to various implementations, permission. to transfer credit to or from the

IE smart card may be limited to certain types of gaming apparatuses and/or certain, STM SL

Co ~~ cards. Thus, “operation 712 may involve - determining whether the STM that ". h transmitted the request to update one or more parameter values has permission to : update those values. In some implementations, permission to transfer credit to or from oo i a smart card may be limited to a gaming machines and cashier's terminals. However, - indifferent implementations, different security permissions and/or rules may be used. Co

The determination made at operation 712 may be made at least in part based on whether the request complies with one or ‘more authentication parameters specific to Co a

So transferring credit. In some implementations, transferring credit between a gaming oo . oo apparatus and the smart card may require that the user verify knowledge of a PIN that

SL is stored on the smart card. In this case, a PIN may be collected from the usér of the - gaming apparatus and transmitted along with the request to transfer credit at operation ~~ © Co 708. Then, the PIN received with the réquest may be checked against a PIN stored on . ~ the smart card, such-as a PIN stored in the security module 208 illustrated in Figure 2. oo If the PINs do not match, the request to transfer credit may be denied. oo

BN N At 716, when it is determined that the request to transfer credit satisfies one or more - oo oo permissions and/or rules, the credit value stored on the smart card is updated : according to’ the received transfer. request. For example, if the received request | Co represented a request to transfer credit from the smart card to the gaming apparatus, oo

CT oo - + the credit value stored on the smart eord my be decreased: by the amount of credit SN

So | included in the request As another example, if the received request represented a Bh

Lo i» : - To. request to transfer credit from the gaming apparatus to the $mart card, the credit value ~~. a ] ’ oo ) BN ‘at the smari ard may’ be increased accotding 0 the value included with the received

RE “ Co +" transfer request. E CL Po } Cd a - SE . EE

Lo To ~ , “At 720, the credit value at the gaming apparatus is updated according to the received - ©

Co CL fequest. For example, if the request represented a request to transfer credit from the - . . I ) | I» smart card to the gaming apparatus, the credit value stored on the gaming apparatus oo

Co Co ~ 5 Co may be. increased according 10 the value included in the received request, Asa AE

Co 5 different example, if the request represented a request fo moved credit from the | EE oe er 2 ; gaming ‘apparatus tothe. smatt card the credit value stored on the gaming apparatus -

AE - . _ may be decreased according to the amount included‘in the received request.’ EE oo - Co } o - “In ‘some ‘implementations, the credit balance on the ‘gaming apparatus may be stored oo

Co . } | - . Ss and updated in non-volatile memory associated with making secure transactions with

C - . | : © smart cards -For example, the credit balance may be stored in mérmory 144 associated | ) oo Se with the SMIB. 108-shown in Figure 1. In this way, a credit balance ‘may be safely . - - : no N maintained during a secure transaction with a smart card, even in the event of a ERIE 7 Sn = Co system failure or power outage. a B Co CL SE Co

Co - oT Figure 8 shows d method 800 for automatically transferring credit to or from a smart © - - } | Co oo card, performed in accordance with one implementation. In" some implementations, Co.

So one or more operations "associated ‘with the’ Smart Card Credit Auto Transfer SE -

Co . Procedure 800 may be performed using one.or more devices in a cashless gaming EE

Bn Co - B CL oo system. For example, the Smart: Card Credit "Auto Transfer Procedure 800 may be Co

Ces Lt performed at a gaming machine (e.¢., gaming apparatus 104) in communication with } oo ~ Co a smart card (e.g, Via smart card slot 132). - . > Co : Co 3 : Co - a : ‘In some implementations, The Smart Card Credit Auto Transfer Procedure 800 may

CT | oo . - “be used to automatically transfer arndit from a smart card to 2 Saining midchine: For oo

RE ol | - example, when’ the credit balance on’ a’ gaming machine drops below a predetermined ~ co IEEE threshold value, the Smiart Card Credit Auto Transfer Procedure: 800 may operate © So - EE oo SR automatically transfer credit from the smart card to the gaming machine. In this ‘way; Bh p Se the user ofa gaming machiric may continue 0 play a gaming machine with additional CT

. po oo SA credit transferred as needed from the smart card without having to §pecifically request " SE . L } CL o : ) that funds be transferred from: the smart card. In addition, the player need not transfer. ; : BRE

RB SL Co Co “all of thé credit-stored on the smart card 0 the gaming machine at a'given tine, but ’ R Er . - } Co ; 5 i ; rather. can maintain a’ credit balance on the gaming. machine appropriate to the + a. . ao | player's wishes, “ Co Co Lo Le EE . en

Cee : At 804, a credit balance and one or more auito-transfer parameter valugs. are retrieved DEPRES

Co en . from’ the ‘sinart dard. In some implementations, ore of more of these values nay be: N

Co CT on stored in a module on the ‘sinart card. such”as ‘wallet module 212. A procedure for: . g ) - oo - = - . Co Ny * retrieving ‘one’ or more such- values is. described; fof: example, in relation I) the - Co - a b : Eh So Retrieve Smart Card Parameter Value Procedure 500 iliustrated in Figure 5. ~ Co a - Co : y - Lo LT “In some implementations.. the. credit balance retrieved may be measured in US. ) k :

CT . . . currency.” However, in Some. implementations. the ‘Credit balance retrieved. may. be ". - Co - - : ie Lo ncasiired in a different unit, such as casino credits of game credits. For example; the - EAE

Be Co “smart card may be designed or configured to store game-specific credits limited to use oo ol } -

C7 oo . . with one ot more specific games: SE Lo Lo oo ST = " . ) EE i

Cs - ) ~ i oo i 5 The one or’ more “auto-transfer parameter: values may include. for example. one or” wn A - . ) Co ‘more of ‘an_auto-transfer “threshold value: “an auto-transfer amount, and any” other RE h RA . oo parameter values related to an ‘auto-transfér. The ato-transfer threshold value may | - - - : j

Ld SE represent, for example, a threshold value for triggering an adto-transfer of funds from Co : SE - Ce - Lo oo “the smart card to the. gaming machine: The auto-transfer amount value may represent’ ; | - oe : y ) ) CL © . “an amount of credit to transfer to the gaming machine when an auto-transfer of credit : - CL

CT o co - cL ’ is triggered. Ce UE - Co - RE Co | HN ET Co . - :- co oo In some implementations. one or more of the. auto- transfer parameters values may be” JET 5

Co - “ "user-configurable. In this way, a user may configure a smart card to always transfer a : ) §

Coe LC certain éredit amount fo the gaming, machine. It is anticipated: that such configuration, Ce - : -

Je ] - SE options may be beneficial in’ encouraging smait catd adoption. since many players’ Cn = y | ~ se - SL - a prefer to add a specific “lucky™ amount of credit or cash 10 a gaming machine cach: - n - . B : Cn ‘In some implementations, one or more of thie auto-ransfer parametérs values may be ; - ce Co

CT oT : - g 3 system-configirable. For. example. different STMs may impose different limits on | : Cn co ) Co 0 credit transfer. A low-denomination gaming machine. for instance. may limit the auto-- SR -

transfer amount to avoid an unreasonable credit transfer (e.g., transferring $1,000 to a oo : penny slot machine).

At 808, a determination is made as to whether the credit level on the gaming machine is below the auto transfer threshold value. According to different implementations, the determination may be made at “different locations and/or by different software oo programs. In some implerhentations, the determination may be made by a program running on the CPU 140 of the SMIB 108 illustrated in Figure 1. In a different implementation, the determination may be made at a different component of the gaming apparatus (e.g., the master gaming controller). In another implementation, the determination may be made at the smart card.

At 812, instructions are transmitted to call a function on. the smart card to transfer credit between the smart card and the gaming apparatus. In some implementations, the oo "instructions are transmitted to the smart card from a component associated with the - gaming apparatus, such as the SMIB 104, via an STM card associated with the gaming apparatus (€.g., an STM card in communication with SIM card slot 136).

According to various implementations, various techniques may be used to determine the amount of credit to request for transfer. For example, the amount of credit requested for transfer may be determined based on one or more of the auto-transfer amount value, the auto-transfer threshold value, and the current credit balance on the gaming machine. In some implementations, the amount of credit requested for transfer may be sufficient to bring the current credit balance available on the gaming machine up to the sum of the auto-transfer threshold and auto-transfer.amount. In some implementations. the amount of credit requested for transfer may be equivalent . (or substantially equivalent) to the aute-transfer amount.

In some implementations, the amount of credit requested for transfer may be limited by the credit balance retrieved from the smart card. For example, the gaming apparatus may not request to transfer more credit than is available on the smart card.

Alternately, the gaming apparatus may instead rely on the smart card to transfer the : oo appropriate amount of credit if the amount of credit requested exceeds the credit balance stored on the smart card.

At 816, a determination is. made at an application running on the smart card as 0 | Co

Co oo whether the request to transfer credit satisfies ore oF more permissions and/or rules. In i LL : some implementations, the determination made at 816-may be substantially similar to | . 0 ; the determination made at operation 712 illustrated in Figure 7... © . Co Co

Co ’ At 820, when it is determined that the request to transfer credit satisfies one or ‘more oo oo - .

ST - permissions and/or rules, the: credit value stored on the smart card is updated - Ce - according to the received transfer request. Tn some implementations, updating the: ; oo ; ’ credit value at the smart card as performed ‘at operation 820 may be substantially - -

Co © similar to operation 716 illustrated in Figure 7. - LL - ~ SR : Ce

CT oC . | At 824, the credit value at the gaming apparatus is updated according to the received ST : ’. request. In some implementations, updating the credit value at the gaming apparatus - 3 ’ as performed at operation 824 may be substantially similar to operation 720 illustrated IE A © Figure. oo Figure 9 shows a method 900 for cashing out toa smart card, ‘performed in ) Co

So accordance with. one implementation. The Smart Card Cash Out Procedure 900‘may" . ’

Co. Co | be ised to move credit stored on a gaming apparatus (ei. a gaming machine) 0 a oo oo | Co Traditionally, a gaming machine may have responded 10 a request to cash out by - » co - providing cash or a ticket directly to a player. However, providing an item of value to. . ) the player without supervision from casino personnel may lead to concerns regarding LL : . Co

Co } E security. and/or fraudulent transactions. As discussed herein, providing credit oa’. no ) oo oo ‘player via a smart card may, for example, ensure that'one or more gaming transactions Lo.

CT are reviewed and/or verified before the’ player is provided with cash. In addition, = : using a smart card: for cashing out the gaming machine may allow a casino to limit the EE

Co ~~. issuance of physical cash’ to certain secure locations within a casifio e.g. cashier's

EI terminals). Finally. using a smart card for cashing out the gaming machine may allow . Ch ) paying a player without any use of physical cash. For example, when the player takes - oo ‘the smart card a cashier, the player could be given a check instead ofcash. Co ) ) : | _ However, it is anticipated that a players indy initiate play at a gaming machine. " Co

Co oo no : without having a Smart card. In order to permit such play while retaining one or more | Lo

SE benefits associated with use of a smart card for cashing out a ‘gaming machine,

. spchmiquas are described for facilitating cashing .out a gaming ‘machine by using a smart card even when the gaming machine is not iniually in communication with a + smart card. ) } - 7 oo

At 904, a request is received to cash out the gaming machine to the smart card. | ~ : oo According to various implementations, the Tequest may be feceived from a gaming 3 machine user, a casino employee, or software and/or hardware associated with the : ” + gaming machine. In some instances, the request to cash out received. at 904 may Co represent a request to remove all the cash stored on the gaming machine. However, in: - ~ other instances, the request received to cash out at 904 may represent a request t transfer only some of the cash stored on the gaming machine to the smart card. oo oo In some implementations, the request to cash out the smart card may be received via ; ) ‘user input device 116 illustrated in Figure 1. For example, the amount of credit stored

Co on the smart card may be displayed via display 120 illustrated in Figure 1. Then, a . B . user may use the device 116 to requést that some or all of the credit stored on the

Co i smart card be transferred: to the gaming apparatus for purposes of cashing out the = i ©. smartcard. | | | : So

At 908, a determination: is made as to whether the gaming apparatus Is in ’ communication with the smart card. For example, one or more components associated . Se with the cashless gaming. system 100 illustrated in Figure 1 may determine whether ~. the gaming apparatus 104 1s in communication with a smart card via smart card slot : . © At 912, when itis determined that the gaming apparatus is in communication with the oo

Co smart card, credit may be transferred from the gaming machine to the smartcard. As -

Co : discussed herein, various techniques may be used to transfer credits between a gaming . co machine and a smart card. For example, credit may be transferred from the gaming - : - . machine to the smart card using one or more operations described’ with respect to :

Smart Card Credit Manual Transfer Procedure 700 illustrated in Figure 7. j | Co : At 916, when it is determined that no smart card is present. credit is transferred from

I - the gaming machine to memory assqciated with smart card transactions. For example, credit may be wransferred from the gaming: machine to the memory 144 associated oT with the SMIB 108 illustrated in Figure 1. In some implementations, the memory oo : Co 40 E -

Ce od associated with smart card transactions may be nonvolatile mémory 50 that 1f "the: . oo LL “ : : procedure for cashing out the gaming machine is. interrupted (e.g., bya power outage Co -

CS. orgaming machine reset), the credit will motbe lost. Cc oe : Ce At920, the gaming machine is removed from service. Removing the gaming machine Loe. - ol ot © from service may involve, for example, placing: thé ‘gaming machirié in a state in . - ’ IER which no further wagefing or game play may be conducted until the gaming machine = oC

Wo ; EEE - " is retarned: to’ service. In some implementations; certain functionality associated with _ So - . Sh - ihe gaming ‘machine may remain in operation when the gaming méchine is removed Co “ - Ce oC "front service! For example; the gaming machine may permit continued ‘operation of )

SL features related to ordering food and beverages, changing. game options, and/or other = = =

Le - oo - | features that do not directly involve further gamé play. oo RL Ln 0 ~ oo

Co BN LL ) © UAL924, a notification of a no-card cash out is sent to the ‘gaming, system. In some Lo . Lo implementations, the notification of a no-card cash out may be sent over the gaming SE - - . oe - network (c.g. via communication link 124 illustrated in Figufe 1D. In addition, or : i

Soe Yo | alternately, the notification of a no-card cash out may be- provided at ‘the gaming LL - - Lo = machine. For example, one or more audible and/or visible alarms ‘may be activated © ce Co (e.g. a gaming machine candle may be lit). In some implementations, the. notification oo BR

RE Co of a no-card cash out may be used to attract the attention of casino personnel. For oo

Co - Lr example, casino persorinel may sce that a player without a ‘smart card" would like to = ) | | | : | Co cash out a gaming machine and respond by bringing a new-smart card to the player. Cr

Cs - At 928, a smart card is received at the smart card reader. For éxample; the smart card o 0 ER . ay be received at smart card reader 132 illustrated. in" Figure . 1. ‘In some - Lo

Ce - -jmplementations, the smart card-may. be brought by a casino employee to the. gaming So s : Co Co : machine. In some implementations; the smart card may be supplied automatically by a | co

Se Lo + device associated ivith the cashless’ gaming, network. For example, the gaming -

Co SE ) machine, may be coupled with a device configured to supply 4 now smart card wa Lo : oo | BT player if the- player does. not* already possess a smiart card. Either the player or the Tor

So co Co casino employee may insert the smart card into the smiart card reader. Lo oo . o oo Ce - o In some implementations, the smart card may be an.unregistered or “day use” smart - I» . oo - LL ) ’ card (e.g. Unregistered. Smart. Card 200 illustrated in Figure 2). However, in some Co

LT - Cu ; implementations the smart card ‘may be’ registered to the player (e.g. ‘Registered

© "Smart Card 300 illustrated -in Figure 3). For example, a casino employee who | Co BN

Co Co ; | provides a smart card to the player may use a portable handheld device to, register.the oo .

Ra sn ) ~~ smart card for the . player. As another example, a. device ‘at the giming machine 0

Co .. capable of providing a new smart card to the user may also be capable of performing Lon

Co i one or more smart card registration operations (€.g., with. supervision by a casino’ oo

Ce ) employee, by providing a source of identification information such as a credit card, ) - oo At 932, security is checked and the smart card is’ validated. In some implementations; oC : oo - the operations performed for checking security and validating thé smart card may be. oT CL substantially similar to authentication operations performed. whefiever a smart card is. : - inserted into the smart card reader.- For example, one or more operations may ro) oo oo . CD ; - performed that are related to establishing a secure communication session, ) oo Lo

Loo - | authenticating the smart card with one of more remote servers, determining whether To oo

Co n | to permit offline use of the smart card, ete. . - | Se co oo oo ) At 936, credit is transferred from the memory associated. with smart card transactions ) oo RI _to the smart card, For example, the credit may be transferred from memory 144 toa a :

Co . a - | smart card in communication with smart card slot 132, In some implementations, one no Co . OT more. operations performed in conjunction with transferring credit to the smart card . . - 3 b CT may. be substantially similar. to operations discussed in relation’ to Smart Card Credit oo - ~Manual Transfer Procedure 700 illustrated in Figure 7. + 7 = - ’ | - “ ) co co Co oo At 940, the gaming machine is returned to service. In: some implementations, the Co

CL Cy - - gaming ‘machine may be ‘returned to service automatically once one or" more- J

So . operations associated with cashing out the gaming machine are completed. However, } - . eT Co in ‘some. implementations, the gaming machine ‘may remain, out of service untila ~~ °°

Co | ST ; . casino employee’ (e.g.. an employee who provided the. smart card)’ provides input to © EE

Co oo the gaming machine. For example, the casino employee may supply a digital and/or Co - ~ or ; ~ - physical key to return the gaming machine to service. . ..’ | Ces Lo

PE - In some implementations, one or more of the operations illustrated in Figure 9 may be’ Lo o - - ) ; omitted. For example, credit may be left on the gaming machiné until a smart card is : Co - - oo oC oe : available. and then transferred directly to’ the. smart card. As another example,

. : separate operations for checking security and’ validating the smart card may be : unnecessary if the new smart card is provided by the gaming machine: ” © In some implementations, one or more operations illustrated in Figure 9 may be a performed in a different order and/or — For example, the gaming machine . .. | | may be removed from service before transferring credit from the gaming machine to . memory associated with smait card transactions. As another example, a notification of Co

To © a no-card cash out may be transmitted immediately upon making a determination at 908-that the gaming machine is not in communication with the smart card. ) - i Co : Figure 10 shows a method 1000 for protecting smart card access, performed in » ~~ accordance with one implementation. The Smart Card Access Protection Procedure

Fo 11000 may be performed by one or more devices in a- cashless gaming system in } communication with a smart card. For example, the Smart Card Access Protection

Co Procedure 1000 may be performed at gaming apparatus 104 in communication with a . smart card via smart card slot 132. oo oo ’ The Smart Card Access Protection procedure 1000 may be used to render the smart - ~ . card at least partially inoperable in.response to repeated failed access attempts. For . : he example, if retrieving and/of updating one or more values stored on the smart card Co

Co requires that the user supply the correct PIN, and the user repeatedly supplies =

So incorrect PINS, then the smart card may be rendered at least partially inoperable. As oo | “another example, if one or more values stored on the smart card may only be retrieved .

ER and/or updated from one or more specific types of gaming apparatuses, and repeated Co - -access attempts are made from one or more gaming apparatuses’ that do not have oo ~ . permission to retrieve. and/or update the one or more values, the smart card may be : ‘rendered at least partially inopuzdhle. SE | | | - :

By rendering the smart card at least partially inoperable, an attacker may be prevented

LL ~ from altering one or more parameter values on the smart card in order to compromise Co oo the security of the smart card. In addition, an attacker may be prevented from moving ) . : : funds off of the smart card. oo . co

Co In some implementations, one or more parameter values stored on the smart card may - "be read, but not updated, after the smart card is rendered inoperable. This may allow a : . user to take the smart card to a terminal and/or casino employee for further assistance. oo . : 43 EE :

For example, the user may provide identification information to casino personnel o oo . - ) and/or a cashless gaming apparatus to verify the user's identity if the user has lost or - cL : . os forgotten the PIN or other security information stored on the smart card. Then, one or oo oo ©. more cash out procedures may be performed. Alternately, or ‘additionally, the user ; may be issued a new smart card 10 replace the inoperable smart card. ) oc Ce Lo

Co | At 1004, instructions are transmitted from the cashless gathing apparatus 0 the smart ~ 3 : card to call a function on the smart card to retrieve: and/or update one or more ) ~ parameter values. At 1008, a determination 1S made as to whether the request to So - oo retrieve and/or update one or more parameter values satisfies one or more permissions : - and/or rules. At 1012, when 1t is determined that the request to retrieve and/or update Cel

Co one Or more parameter values satisfies the permissions’ and/or rules; the one or more , [PE

Co . © parameter values are transmitted from the smart card to the gaming machine and/or’ "

Co updated on the smart card. In some implementations, operations 1004, 1008, and/or Co - 1012 may be substantially similar to operations 504, 508, and/or 512 illustrated in . oo Figure 5 and/or operations 604, 608, and/or 612 illustrated in Figure 6. ~ Co

At 1020, when it is determined that the request to retrieve and/or update oné or more . parameter values does. not satisfy the permissions and/or rules, the number of failed access attempts 1s updated. In some implementations, the number of failed access . IEE attempts may be stored on the smart: card. For example, the number of failed access So oo : © attempts may be a parameter value stored in the security module 208 illustrated in

CL oo Figure 2 on the smart card. | : - - CT Co . Additionally, or alternately, the number of failed access attempts may be stored at one Co . : or more remote servers, such as host systems 124 illustrated mn Figure 1. For example, : the smart card may transmit information associated with failed access attempts to host | oo oo systems 124 when the smart card authenticates with the host systems. } Co oo . ~

SE . Additionally, or alterriately. the number of failed access attempts may be transmitted . ) from the smart card to the gaming apparatus. Transmitting the number of failed access - attempts to the gaming apparatus may allow, for example, a user to be informed of the risk that the smart card will be rendered inoperable. This may allow the user to . .

Co request assistance from casino personnel (e.g., at a patron management terminal Co oo and/or cashier's terminal) instead of taking further action that may risk invalidating 0 co oo 44 CT oo

3 the smart card. For example, a user may have forgotten the PIN stored on the card and | ol © may be attempting to guess the PIN value. oo oo : - 0 “In some implementations, updating the number of failed access attempts may include oo -

Co updating information based On a time period or time stamp associated with previous eo . failed .access attempts. For example, each failed access attempt may be associated - - oo

CL with a time stamp. Ih some instances, failed access attempts that occurred in the past :

Co (e.g. more than 2 hours-ago), may be removed. . - So oo . In some implementations, the smart card, remote servers, and/or gaming apparatus - Co

B ‘may maintain more than one parameter values associated with the number of failed oo x ~ . oo access attempts. For example, one parameter value may. be ‘associated with failed ~ co

Co ROSS attempts to high security features, such as removing funds from the smart card, " oo N ‘while another parameter value may be associated with failed access attempts to low = security - features, such as changing - a preferred language. Thus, "in some iE - implementations it may be presibils * 1 track failed access: attempts without ol oo ‘unnecessarily rendering the smart card inoperable. oo EE : Co : © At 1024, a determination is made as to whether the number. of failed access attempts : ~. exceeds a threshold value. In some implementations, the determination is made on the | :

EE © smart card. For example, the security module 108 illustrated in Figure 1 may make the | : determination. Lo oo - + The threshold value may represent a maximum number of failed access attempts

E . before the smart card is rendered inopetable, In some implementations. the threshold | IE hs - . value may be stored on the smart card, for example in the security module 108. ) . oo

Alternately, or additionally, a threshold value may be stored on the STM. SE : According to various implementations, different threshold values may be used. In - : ) .

Co some implementations, the threshold value is five failed access attempts since the

So most recent successful smart card use. However, in different jiglementations, the : - Co threshold value may be anywhere between 1 and 100. = : oo : In some implementations, the threshold value may be ipdated upon request by one or Co

Co Co more devices in the cashless gaming system, For _—— the resold vals may be : : updated upon authentication of the smart card with host systems 124 illustrated in Co

Cs Figure 1."This:may allow a casino 10 tailor the security provided by thie smart card to - - ) ~ Co Ur - . - ihe specific needs of the’ casino and/or particular users or. Zroups-.of users. For.’ | Co “0 TC example, a smart card that holds a relatively high credit balance may be assighed a

SOE oo Co - relatively low failed access attempt threshold value, while a smart ¢ard that holds a oC 3 cs

EE - » ; il + relatively low credit balarice ‘may be assigned a relatively high failed accéss attempt EE

Cu : on - or “threshold value. As another example, a “user may request to raise or 1ower the failed Co oo Co or oo ‘access attempt threshold value, + ” - O } SO Er : uo BES - ~ . oo

Ki Ee : Ce In “some: implementations. thie “start card may store: different threshold: values for’ oo ; . - Ce ; different types of failed access attempts. For example. the smidrt card may store a first Lo

Co . c co - : - “failed access” attempt threshold value’ for “high security access attempis; such’ as Co Co

So : : ER ~ vi ~ attempts to ‘remove credits from: the smart card.: and a second: failed ‘access attempt - i . 3 oo RE . + threshold value for low “security access’ attempts, ‘such -as “attempts to, change. a Co

Ln oo oo . “preferred language: i el a : a . cL ’ 3 . : _ Co Co cl Se LE } oo : oS In somé’ implementations, one or more failed access attempt threshold values may | : Co . : - "include information related to, a time period ‘or timeout. For example; a smart card . Lo

RE - 3 CL ) wel be rendered inoperable only when the number of failed ‘access attempts exceeds a - : co - “certain threshold value (e.g. three attenpts) mn a certain period of time (c.g. 2 hours), Bh ~ oo : - - _ ~ In this way, a:smart card. will “ot, be tendered inoperable based “on failed ‘access Co oo i Co . Cn - v0 attempts spiced far apart in time. Co SL Co . Cl “ Ea : - . Coe . z So “: At 1028, when if is detérmingd that the number of failed acicéss: atiémpts exceeds a oo . Lo : Lo . threshold value: the ‘smart card is rendered at least, partially inoperable. In some

Ch C7 I . implementations. rendering the smart card inoperable may include performing at least Lo Lo

Co Cor : © one operation to, physically provent:furthef updating of all orisome parameter values » nL Cs EN “stored on the card. For example. one or more Circuits and/or communication interfaces Co Co a - ; Sal . I may be fiised ‘or broker." As another example, a card may be ‘broken punched, bent, Co , oo BE . - = melted, or otherwise damaged oF destroyed to render it inoperable... - LC 5 : Co ~ ) . “Un . some implementations. rendering the smart card irioperable: may include | Lo -

So 7 . a ; 3 : performing atleast one oftware operation to prevent furitier updating of the smart oo

SE . ” ’ So card. For example; one or more modules=or applets running n-ihe smiart card may CL oo

BE Cl - oo .stote a value in memory that indicates that no further updating of parameter values x LL ! . els ) : may be performed. CLs LL } BE - SL fe eo Ln co - Co

- oo In some implementations, information may be retrievable from the smart card by oo ; © casino employees or systems once the smart card is rendered inoperable. For example, SU

Co the player may be . able to take the smart card to a service desk and provide - ; oo confirmation of identity. The credit’ balance then may be retrieved and compared ~~ .

SE against a verified credit balance stored in the casino systems. | Ce B . oC If the two vas mach, the. player may be perniid to cash out the balance or -- oo : N transfer the balance to a new smart card. Acquiring .a new smart card may require

Te © paying a fee (e.g., S5 or $10) and interacting with casino employees or systems. Thus, - ~~. if a player repeatedly requirés a new smart card, the player may incur costs and/or EE oo oo no come to the attention of ‘casino employees or “systems. In this way,. casinos may

Co monitor and prevent attempts to tamper with or gain unauthorized access 10 smart. _ Lo . cards in the cashless gaming system. - Co. Co Co Bh : oo ) IEE (3 instead the credit value stored ori the smart card does hot match thé value stored in :

So . Co the casino systems, then the casino may investigate the cause of the discrepancy (eg... oo 2 oo systems failures, unauthorized smart cdrd access, etc.). The casino can then make an BE - - operational decision about whether to allow the player. to cash out the smart card-and oo oo : what the value of the cash olit should be. In this way, the casino.may be able to access © | :

Lo oo : “at least some credit balance information even in the event of total system failure. oo : a : © © © Figure 11 shows a method 1100 for facilitating offline use of a smart card, performed oo ) oo 0 in accordance with one implementation. ’ : ce oe

It is anticipated that mn some instances, a player may attempt to use a smait card at a = gaming apparatus (e.g. a gaming machine) that is not in communication: with a ) oo oo Co - cashless gaming server. For example, communications between the gaming machine

So - . and one or more cashless gaming servers may be temporarily disrupted. In some - ) Co instances, communications may be temporarily. disrupted due to network failure, on ) oo "network congestion, routine maintenance, etc. As ariother example, it may be Co . a CT desirable to permit use of the smart card without requiring communication between - the gaming machine and one or more cashless gaming servers. In some instances,

Co N LL permitting use of the smart card without requiring authentication with one or more ” oo

CL - | cashless gaming servers may help avoid network congestion, reduce usage of server ] no

I Co resources, etc. EE - co Lo - - EET oo a7 oo © In some implementations, offline smart card use may be facilitated by maintaining a Co oo record of when a smart card was last authenticated. Then, the cashless gaming system =~,

Co can ensure that a smart card that has not been recently authenticated is authenticated oo : | before further use of the smart card is permitted. Thus, the cashless gaming system " . oo . may permit offline use of the smart card while ensuring that the smart card is at least } CC ol occasionally authenticated with one or more cashless gaming servers: The Smart Card

Offline Use Validation Procedure 1100 illustrated in Figure 11 is one example of how oo : a. offline use of the smait card may be facilitated. Co “ Co . At 1104, the offline window for smart card use is determined. As discussed herein, co the offline. window may represent, for example, a length of time between the last = - authenticated use of a specific smart ) card and the time in.which it must be oo authenticated again before it can be used further. In some implementations, the offline | ) ) ‘window is 24 hours, which means that if a given smart card has been authenticated - © with a remote. cashless gaming server at a particular time e.g. during use for a - : cashless gaming session), that smart card may be-used for 24 hours without requiring |. that the smart card be authenticated again with a remote cashless gaming server. In this way, a player may continue to use a smart card even if remote authentication of © the card is not performed. - Lo BN | Co ) ~ Configuring the offline window may provide a casino with additional control over | ; . security in the cashless gaming system. Thus, according to various implementations, the offline window may be determined in various ways.-In some implementations, the Co : offline’ window may be a value stored on an STM card in communication with the ~~ - : gaming apparatus. For example, the offline window may be stored on an STM card in Co communication with SIM card: slot 136 illustrated in - Figure 1. In ) some . ‘ .implementations, the offline window may be a value stored on the smart card. For - -

Lo example, the offline window may be stored in wallet module 312 illustrated in Figure

Co -.3. In some implementations, the offline window may be determined dynamically. | CL . Co and/or various offline windows may be used. For example, the gaming machine may ] : read a credit balance stored on the smart card and provide a shortened offline window oo

Ce | for a card carrying a relatively high balance than for a card storing a relatively low ~~. oo credit balance. o > .

: Atl 108, the time of the most recent online use of the smart card may be determined.

In some implementations, the most recent online use of the smart card may be the. . ‘most recent time in which the smart card has been authenticated with one or more © remote servers associated with the cashless gaming system (e.., host systems 124 illustrated in Figure 1). Authentication of the smart card with one or more remote . servers may involve, for example, communication between the smart card and the Co remote servers to verify that the smart card is intact and has not been tampered with. oo _In addition, or alternately, information related to one or more offline cashless gaming . oo = transactions performed using the smart card may be transmitted to the one or more | -

Co remote servers for verification. For example, information stored on the smart card related to cashless transactions may be transmitted to the one or more remote servers and compared with trarisaction information received from other devices in the Co CL

Co cashless gaming system (e.g., one or more gaming apparatuses associated with the Co cashless transactions). In this way, cashless transactions performed during offline use - | oo

Co of the smart card may be at least periodically verified. - . So co

In some implementations, determination of the time of the most recent ‘online use of So . the smart card may include reading one or more values stored on the smart card. For . : Ce oo oo example, when a smart card is authenticated with one or more remote servers. the one : ~ or more remote servers may provide an encrypted token to the smart card (e.g.,

So encrypted with a private key) verifying that the smart card has been authenticated. Ct

SE : Then, the smart card may provide this woleen in the gaming apparatus, which can a verify that the token -was provided by the one or more remote servers (e.g., by oo decrypting with the corresponding public key). oo 2 - | At 1112, a determination is made as to whether the most recent online use of the oo smart card is outside the offline window. The determination may be made by : comparing the offline window identified in operation 1104 to the most recent online Co “use of the smart card identified in operation 1108. ) oT ) ‘At 1116, when it is determined that the last online use of the smart card is outside the EK offline window, one or more operations related to offline use of the smart card is not Lo oo . permitted. For example, if the smart cafd has not been validated with the remote | Co . ~~ server for a period of 3 days, and the window for offline use is 24 hours, offline use of :

Co the smart card may not be permitted. In some implementations, no further use of the .

a g smart card will be permitted until the smart card is authenticated. However, in some y oo implementations, certain limited uses of the smart card may be permitted. - For i ) I example, low security operations such as changing the preferred language stored on: } no Co the smart card may be permitted. As another example, the player may be permitted to finish a partially completed transaction, such as moving credit. from a gaming

LL oo machine to a smart card, - : cL - If the gaming apparatus’ is in communication with one or more cashless gaming . - Co

Te Co servers, the gaming apparatus may automatically initiate communications with the onc or more cashless gaming servers for duthenticating the smart card. Alternately, or a

Ce additionally, the gaming apparatus may inform the player that the smart card must be oo

Lo authenticated before further use and/or request that the card be authenticated. oo oo

At 1120, when it is detérmined that the most recent online use of the smart card is Co

Co | - inside the offline window, one or more operations related to offline use of the smart oo .

SE cand may be permitted. For example, if the offline window is 24 hours, but the smart E oo I card was last authenticated 5 hours ago, offline use of the smart card may be : ) Co permitted. : - Co Ce a . ER oo

In some implementations, when the smart card is used in an offline cashless gaming -

Co N | transaction, information related to the cashless gaming transaction may be stored both So oo “on the ‘smart card and on ‘the gaming apparatus for later verification (e.g. before S

Co cashing out the smart card). In this way, a casino may permit offline use of the smart : ET card while ensuring that the offline transactions are legitimate before providing actual money based on the offline transactions. Co -

CL . - Figure 12 shows a method 1200 for transmitting a notification regarding a blocked ~~

Co - . smart card, performed in accordance with one implementation. © CT : oo

In some. implementations, the Blocked Smart Card Notification Procedure 1200 may oo -

Co Cl aE be performed at various devices (e.g., gaming apparatus 104 illustrated in Figure 1) in, . - co oo | communication with a smart card ini a cashless gaming system. For example, the: .. © oo Blocked Smart Card Notification Procedure 1200 may be performed at a gaming | oo : Co machine. Co oo So | 3 to

Co Te | 50 Co ARTE

CLE - The Blocked Smart Cérd- Notification Procedure’ 1200: may 'bé performed in. -

CL SA ) E conjunction with one or more additional procedures associated with use of thie smart | -

Co ~ card. For’ example, the Blocked Smart: Card Notification’ Procedure 1200 may be - oo oe performed before che or mot€ of the procédures illustrated in Figures 5-11 and 13) EE LL oe - ~Tn-some implementations, the blocked smart card notification proceduré fay be used ae

Co So . ‘to. protect against uriauthorized: use of a smart card (eg. a smart, card that has been ~ : Se SEU Jost ‘or stolen). ‘As another example, the blocked smart card notification procedure So ; ETA | 1200 may be: used to protect “against errors in the ‘case of ‘inismatched ‘smart cards } Co Ba Co and/or transfer errors. . LC | De | BN : wel ) I

Co oo] - At 1204, identificatior information associated with the smait card is detetmined. | . Co n : According to various implementations, the identification information may include any Co }

OL u oo k information that may be used to identify the smart card and/or the user associated with a SE : a © the smart card.” For example, the identification ‘may include -onie or more serial SE : oo - BN = numbers, PINs, player identification numbers, cryptographic keys; etc. ol Lo or oo Co . | ) Co } © In some: implemehtations, ihe. identification information associated with, the smart Lo - ) SEE card may be determined by retriéving one or more values stored on thé smart card. | EA

Cl « ‘For: example, orie or more values may be retrieved using the Retrieve Smart Card - So

E - . Le Parameter Vv alue Procedure 500 illustrated in Figure 5. As a different xample, known oo oo : "information regarding the" smart card, such as ‘the smart card serial number, may be . a ) So - , transmitted to one or more remote servers (e.g., host systems’ 1 24 illustrated in Figure . =. © © Diorewieve additional identification information. ~~ © vt.

ST Lo SRR At 1 208, a determination is made as to whether the. smart card: has been blocked. In oo oo - Ce “some implementations, the ‘determination .as to whether the: smart card has been - - oo : “blocked may be made at the gaming apparatus (cs. at SMIB 108 illustrated in Figure SE oo ) EE 1). In some ‘instances, a gaming apparatus may store information” used to identify .

EE Co - blocked smart cards. For example; a gaming apparatus may periodically receive a list

Lo ) of'blocked smart ¢ards from one or more remote servers. Tn: this ‘way, it may be :

LL - . possible to prevent even ‘certain offline uses Of blocked smart cards Additionally, : To

EE SO and/or alternately, a gaming apparatus may directly query,one or more femote servers. oo

Co ER to ‘determine whether a particular ‘smart card has been blocked: In this ‘case, the - )

oo . determination madé at 1208 may be made at either the server or at the gaming 7 appamms. . Co oo CAL 1212, when it is determined that the smart card has riot been blocked, continued oo - co - use of the smart card for cashless gaming may be permitted. For example, funds may oo co : be transmitted between the smart card and the gaming apparatus, one or more oo oo - Bb parameter values sored. on the smart card may be retrieved and/or updated. and/or Co : other operations associated with the smart card use may be performed: | . Lo . Co : ~At 1216; if instead it is determined that use of the smart card has been blocked, credit IE ) Co © is transferred from the gaming apparatus to the smart card. In some implementations, : oo Co - oo credits may transferred from the gaming apparatus. to the smart card using, for : Co

AE example, one or more operations-associated with Smart Card Credit Manual Transfer Co - ) . Procedure 700 illustrated n Figure 7. In a. different implementation, one or more’ SU

So different techniques may be used for transferring funds to a blocked smart card. ' ) Co

RE . Co At 1220, a notification. indicating that the smart card has been blocked. is output. ~

Co B According to various implementations, the notification may be output via one or more. . _ oo oo CE audible and/or visible indicators at the gaming apparatus. For example, the user.may So be presented with a message on a display (e.g., display 120 illustrated in Figure D - - indicating that the smart card has been blocked. As another exanple, a flashing light =. 7 andlor audible alarm nay be activated. oo Lo | oo oo . . 3

BN - - So In some implementations, the notification may include ome or more instructions. For CL . . oo example, the notification may instruct the user to take the smart card to a different : location ‘in the ‘gaming environment, such as a cashiér’s, terminal. In this way, the. . - B 1 condifion that gave rise. to the blocking of the smart card may be resolved. For ; Co

Co -example, ‘a casing employee may examine one or more transaction records to: ) -

Co _ reconcile or correct 4 credit transfer error. © i N B : In some. implementations, notification may be transmitted © -one or more casino: i oo

I Co systetns and/or casino employees. For example, notification may. be transmitted byan | oo oo audible and/or visible alarm at the ‘gaming ‘machine. In this way, casino personnel - i Bh may be notified of a blocked smart card and come to thé assistance of the player. As | -

IEE Co another example, notification may be transmitted over a network. If the smart card So oo Lo was blocked because it was reported lost or stolen, one or more casino employees Ce

© and/or systems may be notified so that the actual status of the smart card maybe Co

Co verified. In. such instances, a notification: indicating that the smart card has been Co : - - blocked may not be output directly to the user. This may allow casino security to . ~ receive the notification and/or direct personnel to identify the user of the blocked © smart card. | oC E oo - ‘Figure 13 shows a method 1300 for cashing out a missing smart card, performed in - accordance with one implementation. In some implementations, missing smart card cash out procedure 1300 may be used to retrieve funds stored on a smart card that is

B lost, stolen, or otherwise missing. For example, a user who notices that their-smart : card is missing may report the loss to one or more casino employees and/or systems (e.g., at a patron management and/or cashier’s terminal). Then, the Missing Smart Co )

Card Cash Out Procedure 1300 may be used to insure that all transactions completed oo ) using the missing smart card have been recorded and/or verified before transferring - credit stored on the smart card. oo oo 0 At 1304, a request is received to remove cash from the missing ‘smart card. For Cv example, the request may be received by one or more of the user, the cashier, and/or a Co oo program associated with cashless gaming. In'some implementations. a request was oo - received at a cashier's terminal. | EEE EK oo

At 1308, a determination is made as to whether the use of the smart card has been oo blocked. In some implementations, the determination made at 1308 may be - substantially similar to the operations described with respect to reference number : 1208 illustrated in Figure 12. Co - ] oo : . - At 1312, if it is determined that the smart card has not been blocked, use of the smart Co oo card may be blocked. In some implementations, the use of the smart card 1s blocked by transmitting instructions to one or more remote servers associated with cashless ~~ © : : © gaming. In this way, further use of the smart card. for cashless gaming may be

So +" prevented until the status of the smart card may be determined. oo } Co

In some implementations, the instructions transmitted to the one or more remote - . - servers may include identification ‘information associated with the player making the oo _ oo request to remove cash from the missing smart card. The information may include oo personal identification information, such as name, date of birth, address, or any other : oo 53 :

Co EE | . type of information., ‘Collecting’ arid transmitting: stich” information may assist in ~~ . Co a | preveriting players from making fraudulent requests to remove cash from smart cards o - B . er no a (eg. smart cards that are not their own). oo - - LL - BN Lo fo | = ) Lo 2 . At 1316. when it is determined that use of the smart card has. been blocked, the offline - - . So

REE . window: for smart cord is determined. In some implementations. ‘determining the oo oo - : . oo offline window for smart card use as illustrated at 1316 ‘may be substantially similar oT - Co } - - Lo oo to operation 1104 illustrated in Figtire nn. Lo oo } | Co - - - } Le ) i At 1320, adetermination is made as to’ when the smart card was blocked. In some co SE . - : Co - implementations, the determination as to whether the smart card was blocked may be Lo oo : Cr co made by transmitting a request to one or more remote systems, such as host systems Lo DE o Co Co "124 illustrated in Figure 1. Additionally. and/or alternately, the gaming apparatus may co Co

Co oo maintain a list of blocked smart ‘cards transmitted periodically from one or more RU

E “remote servers, along with time stamps indicating when each card was blocked. - ” Lo . 7 - - CC AU1324,a determination is made as-to whether the time when the smart card was - oo Co Co . . Co . blocked falls outside “the offline. window associated with the ‘smatt card. The" oe Co : oo

CT oo determination may be made by comparing the offline window identified in operation - ~ = - - - - oo a 1316 10 the time at which use of ‘the smart card was: blocked as determined at o a Co

Co Co | operation 1320: In'Some implementations. a message indicating that the smart card is: ce oo

Co A blocked may be transmitted to the smiart card. If a response ‘message is received from co | So : Co | the smart card indicating that the smart card has acknowledged that the smart card is | } - oo Co . . - ~~ “blocked. then fiinds associated with the smart card: may be safely provided to the } - Ge } oo player. - - Lo = _ . cL } - | EEE B I :

EE . - At 1328, when it is determined that the time in which the smart card was blocked falls So

Co - BE outside the offline window for smart. card use, one. or more operations ‘may be Co oo Co

CL performed for cashing out and invalidating the ‘smart card. For example: ‘the player ] oo oo ; - ) Co ~ may be provided with actual cash- corresponding to 2 verified ‘balance stored on the ST }

So » smart’ card, As another example. the player. may be provided with a new: smart card CL . : ~ :, Bb So stofing -a credit balance. In’ addition. or alternately, further use of the blocked smart. Ce Te -

CL | To cad may be permanently prevented. E a oo Le . TT - - Ce

EE In some instances. a ‘smart card may become blocked by the cashless gaming system AE } 0 ;

B oo i . due to a mismatch between one or morc balances or transaction records stored onthe .

smart card and one or more balances or transactions records stored at a cashless : gaming server. Such a mismatch may occur, for instance, if gaming machine oo . electronics became permanently disabled before a transaction could be transmitted to-

So the server. Accordingly, a cashless gaming system may enforce security policies to - - : ‘handle mismatches. : : co Co aT oo For example, one security policy may be that a user (e.g:, a casino employee) cannot

CL .- permanently clear a system block (e.g., due to a mismatch in the transaction records).

Co ©. Thus, a’ casino employee with appropriate ‘security clearances may be able to.access . © ~~ information stored on .a block smart card. However, the smart card may remain © ’ oo blocked until the system block is cleared by the cashless gaming system itself, for - oo

I example by reconciling the mismatched transaction records. 3 : oo . - As another example, one security policy may be that writing 0 a card to modify the So . oo "transaction record is prohibited by the system and/or physically impossible. If there is Co © a transaction recorded in the database but not on a smart card, for instance, then it is" . likely that the smart card either is malfunctioning or has been tampered with. In such- oo . a "© a scenario, a casino may choose to issue a new-card, but the mismatched card may Co

Co So _ remain blocked and unaltered in order to retain .a clear record of any transactions. ~~. CL

I Additionally, or “alternately, a casino employee (eg. a cashier) may read the last . - “© known balance from the database and/or smart card and make an operational choice oo as to the amount of funds to provide the player upon cash-out. To E : . As yet another ‘example, one security policy may be that only certain casino personnel =~

J _ (e.g., supervisors) have permission t0 modify a transaction database at a cashless

EE - gaming server. The casino may know, for instance, that a specific slot machine - Co co Ea “overloaded and became inoperable. Therefore, the casino may choose to honor - : ’ oo transactions that were stored on the smart card but not recorded on the cashless - gaming server. This may be accomplished by manually modifying the transactions : BR ) "© database on the cashless gaming server to match the transaction record on the smart ~~. . oo card. : | a as | i} :

Figure 17-shows a block diagram of a system architecture 1700 for facilitating smart Co card transactions, configired in accordance with one implementation. In some -. implementations, the ‘system architecture 1700 may allow ‘a ‘smart card to" - oo

’ co Lo communicate directly with an EGM operating system via 2 smart card interaction oo . . E oo “device. The. EGM may act as. a, gateway forthe smart card ‘interaction device to . oo

SET _commuricate with one or more smait card-hosts + - Le LT nl B - ~ Bh BE oo

Ea "., “The system architecture 1700 includes an EGM.1702, an ID teader host.1 704, a smart oo

SEE card host 1 706, and a G2s network link 1708. The EGM 1702 includes an operating o oo ) N system 1710, a ‘user interface 1712.2 credit meter 1714, an extension ’class module

Ce - 1716, and a G28 network interface 1718. The operating system 1710 communicates - oo : - ) BER with card reader hardware 1720 via an internal bus protocol 1728; The card reader SE . So ‘hardware 1720 includes a'card reader 1722, a'smart card 1724, and a bezel 1726. co . : : - In some implementations; the BGM 1702 may be any electronic gaming machine -

So - oo ‘capable of facilitatirig’ wager-based gaming, Additional details regarding EGMs are - - . described, fof example, with-Fespect to Figure 14. oe | , Cn iE CL oo EB J so In some implementations. the: EGM 1 702 may communicate with other devices, such. | oo - - CL i. ~ as servers, via. a network. Communications via thie ‘network thay be conducted mC

Co h ~ : - . accordance with a messaging communication protocol, such as the G2S ‘messaging oo

Coe - IE communication protocol 1708. However, communications need not be condo only oo " Ea - Co . via G2S. Instead, any suitable communication protocol for cominiinication between Co - ] Co Co the EGM and other computing devices may. be used. - - ne Ta Co

B 5 E Co In some implementations, the TD ‘reader host 1704 may: be’ configured 0 perform’ -

Lo CL : ) ) “operations related to validating a players identity For instance, an ID reader host *

Co . . may be configured to resolve a codé from a magnetic stripe of a mag-card into a - . IEE player ‘account number. Based on the player account number, the ID reader host may .

Se to ] direct the EGM to start a player Session. The player. session may then be tracked and’ x ) I nL reported by the EGM.. Tn this way, different hosts’ may be configured for handling | Co

So IN - Co . identification tasks and smart &ard tasks. Aliemately, an'ID reader host may not be.

SRE Co “included in ‘some implementations. For example, “a smart ard may include

Lo information for identifying a player, and such information ‘may be. used in some oo

SE implementations apart from the ID reader host 1704. ) eT TT Co . Co “In some’ implementations, the ‘smart card "host 1706 is configured. to perform :

Lo oo ; - cL aperations for facilitating Smart. card transactions. For example’ thé smart card host re oo ol oo 1706 may perform operations as described with respect to- Figures 7:10 and 21:26. In -

Coe Co some instances, the smartCard host may be involved with credit transfers. Alternately, Co - Co the EGM and card reader may handle credit transfers on their own and just report the. EE

So Lo - results to the ‘smartCard host. for logging and audit. This may allow for continuing ) Co

Co | Co smartCard functions when the host is unavailable 10 thé EGM. . oo - ©. In some implementations, the EGM operating system 1710 may be responsible for | B

Bh To managing the operating of the hardware and other software operating at the EGM, as co y well as communication between the EGM and other devices viaa network interface. | Ce

So Fos For example, the EGM operating system 1710 siiy act as a gateway between one-or more hosts in communication with the EGM via a network and one or more smart oo a card jmeraction devices at the EGM. In this capacity, the EGM operating system 1710

Co may forward messages from a smart card interaction device to a host and forward E oo ) : :

Co CL messages from the host to the smart card interaction device. Co I ; - In some implementations, the EGM opuating system 1710 may facilitate balance oo - Co transfers between the credit meter 1714 and the smart card 1724. For example, the = =~ )

Co oo Lo EGM 1710 may receive a request from the smart card 1724 to transfer funds from the

I smart card 1724 to the credit meter 1714. As another example, the EGM 1710 may - : a oo Co initiate: a transfer of funds from the credit meter 1714 to the smart card 1724 at the : ; i. a . | request of a player at the EGM. © . Ce Co | : oo | co oo oo In some implementations, the EGM operating system 1710 may facilitate interaction

EE "between a player and the smart card 1724 by providing access to the user interface’

Co oo 1712." The user interface 1712 may allow ‘a player to-perform transactions related to ) RE oo Co the smart card, as discussed for example with respect to Figures 4-13 and 20-26. oo

EE - In some implementations, the user interface 1712 may be presented on dedicated user oo Co - - interface hardware. The hardware may include components such as a display, a touch | X

CT RE screen, a keypad, or a button panel. The Hardware may be located within the cabinet ; of the gaming machine 1702. Alternately, the hardware may be located outside the - cabinet of the gaming machine. In some cases, the hardware may be used to provide } oo i + user interface functionality for other types of interactions with the gaming machine, oo .

Lo - - : such as player tracking. | - . : oo oo co BE Co | | )

In some implementations, the user interface 1712 may be linked directly to the card reader hardware 1720. For instance, the card reader hardware 1720 may include a display screen, button panel, touch pad, or other such hardware. a.

Co . In some implementations, the user interface 1712 may be presented within the gaming . machine user interface. For instance, the user interface 1712 may be presented in - conjunction with a user interface for playing a game at the gaming machine. In this case, the user interface 1712 may be integrated into the gaming machine operating’ = oo system 1710. In one example, the user interface 1712 may be presented on a display CT screen associated with the EGM 1702. User input may be received via the screen ~~ itself if the display screen 1s a touch screen. Alternately, or additionally, user input : may be received via an’input device associated with the gaming machine, such as a

Co keypad or button panel. CL CL oo : oo In some implementations, the user interface 1712 may be presented within an oo

Ea | externally-controlled interface (ECI). which may also be referred to as a service window. Devices on the gaming machine may be controlled by software executed by . : a master gaming controller on the gaming machine in conjunction with software oT executed by a remote logic device (e.g., a remote ‘host, a central server or a central co ) coritroller) in communication with the gaming. machine. The master gaming controller

Co may execute externally-controlled interface (ECI) processes that enable content ~~ generated and managed on the remote host to be output on the gaming machine. The J ’ gaming machine may receive and send events to the remote host that may affect the oo oT “content: output by one or more ECI processes as well as enable an ECI process to be oo } : initiated on the gaming machine. The ECIs may be executed while a gaming-machine : is operable to provide play of a wager-based game of chance. During operation, one ) oo or more games and one or more executed simultaneously, one or more games may be | i executed without execution of an ECI or-one or more ECIs may be executed while a

Co “game 1s.not being played. Therefore, the resources may be limited to ensure that a -

ER gaming experience on the gaming machine is optimal while access to gaming " - resources is granted to a remote host. : oo - : In some implementations, an ECI may be used to generate a user interface in an area : i of a display device. When controlled by the ECI, the area of the display may output Co

Lo “video data and receive user input under the direction of an external source such as a : 58 Co : :

So remote host or central server. For instance, the ECI may display credit balance = . information and receive smart card user input commands associated with the smart i : oo card. Messages may be passed between the smart card reader-hardware 1720 and the oo oo ECT ‘through the gaming machine operating: system 1710. Thus, user interface oo -

So hardware already at thé EGM may be used to control the smart card and view smart card-related information. However, since the ECI may execute a process that is in

Co some ways independent” of ‘the EGM operating system 1710, the EGM operating : oo - system can be made tO remain unaware of the smart card balance and other such smart - Co card information. Further, the EGM operating system 1710 need not "be modified oo © based on a pafticular smart card security model or implementation details, but rather Lo can simply pass messages between the smart card reader hardware 1720 and the ECL - Additional details regarding ECIs are discussed in co-pending and commonly © assigned US. Patent Application No. 11/595774, titled “METHOD AND EE

APPARATUS FOR INTEGRATING REMOTELY-HOSTED AND ‘LOCALLY °

RENDERED CONTENT ON A GAMING DEVICE”, filed November 10, 2006. by So

LeMay et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and for all So ‘purposes. + . : oo - - E .

In some implementations, the credit meter 1714 may maintain one or more credit So : ~ | " balances for wager-based gaming at the gaming inachine. In some instances, only a single credit balance may be maintained. Alternately. separate credit balances may be -. = oo - maintained for different types of funds. For example, a cash credit balance may be : ‘maintained separately from a smart card credit balance. By maintaining separate credit balances, smart card transactions may be separated from cash transactions and. - : : | other types of transactions to facilitate: accounting or transaction verification. For

So example. as discussed with respect to Figure 11, smart card transactions’ may be To conducted while the EGM is not in communication with the smart card host 1706. Co Co . : Credits may be moved between the credit meter 1714 and the smart card 1724 a according to various techniques described herein. ~ iE I ) Co

In some implementations, ‘the extension class module 1716 may include computer ie : oo programming language extending the functionality of an underlying messaging oo oo protocol, such as G2S. For example, the extension class. module may include an Ee ] extension Class for performing operations related to facilitating communication

CL between the card reader hardware 1720, the smatt card host 1706, and various devices Co - at the EGM 1702, as described herein. As another example, the extension class oo " © module may include an extension class for implementing an idReader configured to oo - perform operations related to verifying a player's identity. = IE Co :

Co : In some implementations; the G2S messaging protocol interface 1718 defines the Co oo * procedures for the EGM to use when communicating via a network using the G2S ~~ messaging protocol 1708. The G2S messaging protocol interface may be defined using computer programming language instructions and may be loaded by the EGM - . operating system 1710 upon startup of the EGM or at any other time... oo oo : In some implementations, a messaging protocol other than G2S, such as SAS. may be ol _ used. In this case, a messaging protocol interface may be loaded that corresponds to De } the messaging protocol in use. : oo : -

I a j In some implementations, the card reader hardware 1720 may contain any devices

CT capable of facilitating transactions involving the smart card 1724. For example, the °° oo - ~ card reader hardware 1720 may contain a smart card interaction device (also referred So

Co - “to herein as a card reader), a user interface component for interacting with a smart oo card, and other such devices. - . So oo LT . oo oo In some implementations, all or.a portion of the card reader hardware 1720 may be Co

Co ‘contained within the EGM. Alternately, at least some of the card reader hardware oo © 1720 may be located outside the EGM, For instance, a smart card interaction device

Bh } may. be mounted on the outside of the EGM cabinet or in some other location. CL Co

Co : In some implementations, the card reader 1722 may be any type of smart card = . no - interaction device capable of communicating with the EGM. Details related to the - -

Co + types of card readers that may be used are discussed, for example, with respect to the

So - card reader 112 shown in Figure 1. ., : Co So

Co - In some implementations, the smart card 1724 may be any type of smart card capable . : © ‘of communicating with the card reader 1722. Details related to the types of smart . ~~. + cards that may be used are discussed, for example, with respect to Figures 2-4. Loe co - fa sdme implementations, the bezel 1726 may provide a physical barrier. to accessing ) ) -. eT the card réader "1722. The bezel may provide structural support for the. card reader ) oo | oo 1722 and other card réader hardware’ 1720. For example, the bezel may contain a to ce display or user interface’ comport. for facilitating interaction with the Smart card

Co - . - : 1724 via the:card reader 1722. - Co Le E ’ ) SR oo : Co - Co . em oo In some implementations the bezel may be lighted and/or transhicent, The EGM may | . - oo : Co .. be capable of setting the bezel t0-one or more of several colors, such, as red, orange, Co . ~ Ce green; blue, and purple: The card reader hardware may: incorporate. lighted bezel

Ce } functions. Fof instance, the color of the bezel may be changed based on a smart card

Co n * operation’ CC SEN BR Lo me I Lo Co . 0 . To | In some implementations, the operating gySgom, Ty communicate with the card -. oo - ; | reader hardware 1720 via. an internal bus protocol 1728. The intsfnal bus protocol.

Lo ; CL ‘may, be any protocol suitable for. facilitating communications with ‘peripheral devices

Ca Co at the EGM: For example, the internal bus protocol may operaté.over, a USB,’ serial, or :

ES oo EN other peripheral connection Rr - o : : oe | Lo oo

Le . oo . In some implementations, communication between the operating systeni 1710 and the .

Ch card reader hardware 1720 via the internal bus protocol 1728. may be ‘conducted in . co Co accordance with ‘a device driver for the card reader hardware 1720 accessible 0 the ) - © EGM operating system. Additional details regarding device drivers are discussed with Co

IR : - respect to operation 1802 shown in Figure 18. - Co i I» - Co Co oo - : So oo | Figure 18 shows. a. flowchart of a method 1800 for starting i: Sart card interface, ) oe performed in accordance with one implementation. In some implementations, the cr | - method 1 800 maybe performed: within an EGM. For instance, the ‘method 1800 may So

Ca Co | be performed at least in part by the EGM operating system. The method 1800 may be i - . nT performed when the, operating system is initialized, when thé aming machine is Co - Co a Co started, when a smart card interaction device is activated’or enabled, or at any: other -

CL Co time. By performing the method 1800," the EGM may * be miade "capable of - - . . Cn . ‘communicating with one. or more smart card interaction. devices. and of facilitating oo oo s Lo - ; * communication between smart card interaction devices and one or more remote host . -

Co At 1802, the smart card interaction devices device drivers are loaded into the EGM

So . operating system. In ‘some implementations, a smart card interaction device driver

Co may provide machine readable instructions for communicating with a particular type | So

Co “of smart card interaction device: The drivers may provide instructions’ for creating - ~ oo messages to send 0 ‘the smart card interaction device as well as instructions for = = Le

SL parsing messages received froin the smart card interaction device. SEE = N Ce - : = -.- In some implementations, the smart card interaction device drivers may be retrieved ) oo a from a local storage ‘medium at the EGM. Alternately, or additionally, smart card ~ oo

CT | interaction device drivers may be retrieved via a network. oo ol | } Lo

Co | - - In some implementations, all available smart card interaction device drivers available . oo oo oo ~ to the EGM may be loaded. Alternately, only some smart card ‘interaction device Co

CS drivers may be Joaded, such as the drivers for smart’ card interaction devices ’ ~~ connected to the EGM. . Cs eo TE Co ~ oo : At 1804; one or more smart card intéraction.devices in communication with the EGM oo

LL - are identified. In ‘some implementations, the smart card interaction devices may: be So

ST included within the EGM, as discussed, with respect to various devices shown in CL

Co So or Figure 14. Alternately, the smart card. interaction devices may be in communication SL

Co with the EGM, for example via wireless communication. : IE

Le In some implementations, the smiart card interaction devices may be identified by. - : . EE : identifying messages received at ‘the EGM from peripheral devices and analyzing : oo those ‘messages to determine if any of the messages were sent from a-smart card : ) . Interaction device. Alternately, or additionally, the smart card interaction devices may : -

So . be identified by querying communication’ interfaces accessible to the EGM 10 ) oo

Co determine whether any ‘smart card interaction devices are present. In some instances, : - | : no smart card interaction devices: may be identified. Alternately, one, two. or any o

ET supported number of smart card interaction devices may be identified. - oo Co

Co At 1806, the messaging’ communication protocol “interface is started. In some’ oo ~ : | implementations, the messaging communication protocol interface may provide a ©

Co oo oo mechanism for the EGM 10 communicate with devices in communication with other So

I - devices.in communication with the EGM. For example. the EGM may communicate a Co with a host server via a network, with another EGM, with peripheral devices, or with ’ So oo + any other type of device. oo oo : oo In one implementation, the messaging communication protocol may be the Game-to- ~ Co ‘System (G2S) protocol promulgated by the Gaming Standards Association. Other ~.. messaging communication protocols that may be used may ‘include, but are not ;

Co "limited to: the Slot Accounting System (SAS), System-to-System (S25), Gaming : : - Dévice Standard (GDS), Best of Breed (BOB), British Amusemert Catering Trade - : Association (BACTA), Queensland Local Area EGM ‘Communications (QCOM) oT protocols. Co So Co IE : ) In some implementations, starting the messaging communication protocol interface = : may include ‘initiating a program for using the messaging communication protocol - within: the EGM. Alternately, or additionally. a description of the messaging oo communication protocol may be retrieved for us by the EGM OS." )

In some implementations, only one messaging communication protocol interface may - be loaded. Alternately, two or more messaging communication protocol interfaces - ) may be loaded to facilitate communication by the EGM according to a plurality of oC messaging communication protocols. : : ) In some implementations, starting the messaging communication protocol interface’

Co may include loading an extension class describing a protocol for communications . related to the smart card. The smart card extension class may describe the form and/or ~ the content of messages transmitted to and received from smart card interaction ~ - + devices For example, the smart card extension class may describe the EGM’s role in oo . the methods shown in Figures 5-13 and 18-26. . So . At 1808, the status of the smart card interaction devices at the EGM is determined. In ; oo some implementations, the status of the smart card interaction devices may be Co

So determined by communicating with éach smart card interaction device as defined in ) the device driver associated with the smart card interaction device. The Co

So ' communication with cach smart card interaction device may be conducted as part of . . the identification of the smart card interaction devices at operation 1804 or may be

Co independently conducted. . | So I CL

SE oo 6

: - In some implementations, status information may. be received from the smart card

Co oo interaction device. For instance, a smart card interaction device may send a message B oo

Co to the EGM indicating an error condition at the smart card interaction device. - : - oo oo

In some implementations, status information may be determined at the EGM. For h instance, the. EGM may initially detect a smart card interaction device in oo communication with the EGM and later determine that. the smart card interaction To device has stopped communicating with the EGM. Based on this sequence of events, the EGM may determine that an error condition exists in the smart card interaction’ device. LL - co oo Co

Co In some ‘implementations, the status information may include an error condition detected in the smart card interaction device. For instance, the smart card interaction Co - “device may determine that a smart card has lodged in the smart card interaction Co . - oo device. As another example, the smart card interaction device may send a message oo .

Co indicating. that the smart card interaction device has been tampered with ‘and ‘thus - oo should not be treated by the EGM as a trusted device. CL . CL = B Co

In some implementations, the status information may identify a capability of the smart oo

Co card interaction device. For instance, the status information may specify that the smart : :

So ~ card interaction device is capable of near field radio communications. ~~ : oo - oo -

Co In some implementations, the status information may identify whether the smart card “- Co

J oo ©. interaction device is currently in communication with any smart cards. Ce © EER

C - oo At 1810, the EGM initiates a communication session with one or more host servers. In: ~ ~~ some implementations, a host server may provide instructions or services to the EGM. | - oo

Co In some implementations, a host server may act as a portal for the EGM. The portal ol oo

Ce - may assign the EGM, or certain units of functionality at the EGM, to other host on servers. For instance, the portal may assign the EGM to a particular host server for . SE oo oo purposes of conducting communications involving a smart card. EEE oo ~ Co

SE . In some implementations, the EGM may transmit information to a host. server. For . | B

Co example, the EGM may transmit information identifying capabilities of the EGM.

This information may identify, for instance, any smart card interaction devices oo identified at operation 1804. In addition, the-EGM may transmit some or all of ‘the ~~ =

: status information determined at operation 1808. As another example, a host server oo ~~ may store accounting’ or transaction information received from the EGM. cL Co | . So oo In some implementations, the EGM may receive information from a host server. For

Co | example, a host server may provide configuration information, ‘such as which games : oo : a. to activate, to the EGM. SI CL CT oo In some implementations, -a host server may process and validate transactions iy ) Co | involving a smart card. The host server may be, for example, the smart card host 1706 oo :

Cos ~~ shown 1n Figure 17. The host server. may participate in smart" card transactions as Co - ‘discussed with respect to the methods shown in Figures 5-13 and 18-26.

Co - Figure 19 shows a flow diagram of a method 1900 for a smart card interface runtime, oo oo performed in accordance with one implementation. In’ some implementations, the oC : he method 1900 may be performed within an EGM. For instance, the method 1900 may : . oo be performed at least in part by the EGM operating system. The method 1900 may be . : ; EE performed when a smart card interaction device is activated or enabled after the EGM - . . ~ is already running and in communication with a host. For example, the method 1900 - Co oo ~~ may be performed after communication is. established via the the messaging oo ) communication protocol initiated in operation 1 806 shown in Figure 18. By ) oo : performing the method 1900, the EGM may be made capable of communicating with . © .ome or more smart card interaction devices and of facilitating communication between smart card interaction devices and one or more remote host servers. oo oo © At- 1902, the smart card interaction device is activated at the EGM.- In some EE oo implementations, activation of the smiart card interaction device may include an

CT N operation for physically connecting the smart card interaction device to the EGM. For co

Co . © example, a new smart card interaction device may be installed in- the EGM and : connected to a communication port (e.g.. a USB port, a serial port) within the EGM.- oo

Lo Co As another example, a hardware power switch may be activated to power up a smart: oo } ©. card interaction device that is already physically connected to the EGM. | -

In some implementations, activation Sf the smart card’ interaction device may include ) . -an operation for enabling use of the smart card interaction device in ‘software, For oo example, a ‘menu selection enabling a previously disabled :smart card interaction ©. CL oo } device may be made within the EGM operating system. a Co

Ce . oo | At 1904, the status of the smart card interaction device is determined within the EGM

Lo To Co operating’ system In some implementations, the operation 1904 may be substantially Lo - = ) . similar to the operation 1808 discussed with réspect t Figure 1 8. - So BEE 3 oo or a | | At 1906, the host server is notified of a'change in capabilities at the EGM. In ‘some. . oo " ; - i To implementations, notifying ‘the host server may include sending the host sérver at least Co

Loe : oo Lo . a portion of the status information determined at 1904. By notifying the host Server of Ce oT ‘the addition 6f the smart card interaction device to the EGM, the host server may be - . AS . prepared to facilitate ‘smart card ‘transactions via- the newly" activated smart card N oo © memetondeviee cL. 0 Tose ) E . » oo Figures 20A-36 show message passing diagrams-of messages passed between system SR

CL : : components, configured in accordance with one implementation.” Figures 20A and co To Nn ' 20B include a smart card host 2002 ‘and an EGM 2004. The EGM. inchides an Co - } oo Lo operating system 2006 dnd a card reader 2008. co ) } IE : - y : Lo }

To Co - - Co : In some implementations, the’ start card host 2002 may be any server configured to Co

Co | So | . communicate with the EGM 2004 via a network and configiired to pétform ‘operations CL oo ) Co related © a smart card. For ‘instance, the smaft card host 2002 may be substantially Co o.oo. similar 10 the smart card host 1706 discussed with tespéct ‘to Figuré'17, The EGM - oo CL 2004, operating system 2006; and card réader 2008 may be substantially similar tothe ~~

Ll . oo | components 1702, 1710, and-1720 discussed with respect to Figure 17.7 8 oo ; | . Co . Figure 20A shows d message passing, diagram fof transmitting. a message’ from the eS ‘smart card host’ 2002 to - a smart card, configured in ‘accordance with one : ; oo - » implementation. Ii some implementations, the smart card ht: 2002 ‘may transmit a Lo

Co Co message. to the, EGM operating system 2006 via a network. The ‘message may be . oo )

To = constricted in such a way that the gaining ‘machine operating ‘system 2006 can So . a oo Cs determine that the message is ‘addressed. to the card reader. When the gaming machine 0

Bs Co - operating - system 2006 receives the message, the operating system forwards the -

Co oo CL E message to the card reader 20087 EE ET . Co . oo i ; . - : so Figure 20B. shows a message passing diagram for trarismitting ‘a message from the

Lo R ) + ‘smart card to the" smart card ‘host 2002, configured “if ‘accordance -with one

Ll Co ST ‘implementation. In some implementations, a message from the, smart. card fy be -. ) CL received at the card reader 2008. This message. may then be transmitted from the card oo oo BN reader 2008 to the ‘gaming fachine operating system’ 2006. When the message is BS A oo B received at the gaming machine operating system 2006, the operating system may” ET oo © forward the message 10 the ‘smart card host 2002. The forwarded message may be EE oo Cr constructed in such a way that the smart card host 2002 can identify the source as the + p — smart card in communication with the card reader 2008 at the EGM 2004. oo oo Figure 21 shows d message passing diagram for cashing out an BGM credit meter of ° RE - an'EGM in communication with a smart card via a smart card reader at the EGM, : . ) : } configured in accordince with one implementation. Figure 21 includes the smart card | E : © host 2002, the EGM 2004, the EGM operating system 2006, and the card reader 2008 © - Co i. = discussed with respect to Figure 20. Additionally. Figure 21 includes an EGM user .

Co "interface 2010 and a player 2012. : : oo Lo oo

Co Co In some implementations, the message passing diagram shown in Figure 21 ‘may be . oo ~~ + used in conjunction with the dashout procedure 900 shown in Figure 9. For instance, } Bh Co } | © 7 _messages transmitied between various components as discussed with respect to Figure oo .

Co ) oo 9 may be passed between these components as shown in Figure 21. Alternately, the ; : Ce message passing diagram shown in Figure 21 fay be used in conjunction with a. - oo oo different procedure.” CT EE Lo ~ oo oo oo In some implementations, the player 2012 may press. a cashout button located at the = - to ~ EGM: An ‘indication of this button press may be received by the EGM operatifig :

So Co system 2006. When the EGM operating syste receives the request to cashout, the - BR operating system may transmit a message requesting a cashout to the card reader Ce oo ©2008. The card reader may generate a request identifier that identifies the cashout CL ~~ request. This identifier may be included in subsequent messages related to the cashout - - : request. . . Co . a - CL | In some implementations, the card reader. 2008 ‘may initiate the. cashout request by.

A transmitting a ‘message to the gaming machine operating system 2006. The operating Ce

CL ©. system may then cause a message indicating that the cashoit has been initiated tobe oo Co displayed on the EGM user interface 2010. This message may be displayed while the Se ) C0 cashout procedure continues. Lo A Co EE | -

Co oo In some implementations, the gaming machine operating system 2006 may transmit a

Co message to the smart card reader 2008 indicating an amount of funds to transfer to the -

oo smart card. The operating system 2006 may also transmit a message to the smart card

Co host 2002 that includes the request identifier, the amount transferred to the smart card. oo and any other relevant .information. This message may be acknowledged by a : * | response message transmitted by the smart card host 2002. | : -

So In some: iplemutions, the smart card may transmit a message via the smart card - reader 2008 to the gaming machine operating system 2006 during the cashout Ce oo procedure. The ‘gaming machine operating system 2006 may forward. the message 0 Co the smart card host 2002: The message may include the request identifier identifying

I the cashout procedure that is occurring, as well as any other information. N ce "In some implementations, the smart card host 2002 may transmit a message to the

Lo gaming machine operating system 2006 during the cashout procedure. The gaming machine operating system 2006 may forward this message to- the smart card via the | Co : smart card reader 2008. The message may include the request identifier identifying the cashout procedure that is occurring, as well as any other information. Messages . - transmitted between the host 2002 and the smart card reader 2008 may be used to To ‘facilitate the cashout process. Co oe - . oo In some implementations, when the cashout procedure is terminated, the gaming co oo : | machine operating system 2006 may transmit a message to the user interface 2010. " - The message transmitted to the user interface 2010 may indicate that the message Ce oo duration timer has expired. -At this point, the cashout message displayed on the user . interface 2010 may be removed. If.an error should occur, then the flow of Figure 26 ) ‘may apply. Co : Co OL - = Figure 22 shows a message passing diagram for cashing out a smart card, configured Co a in accordance with one implementation. Figure 22 includes the smart card host 2002, . : the EGM 2004, the EGM operating system 2006, the card reader 2008, the EGM user Co interface 2010 and the player 2012 discussed with respect to Figure 21. Co : In some implementations, the message passing diagram shown in Figure 22 may be

Co “used in conjunction with the cashout procedure 900 shown in Figure 9. For instance, - messages transmitted between various components as discussed with respect to Figure aE 9 may be passed between these components as shown in Figure 22. Alternately. the

Co - - - micssage passing diagram shown in Figure 22 may be used in conjuction with a N - Lo -

I “different procedure: LC So Lo oo co _ - - Sn SE oo oo : : In some implementations, thé player 2012 ny press a cashout button located at the = - ~

Ce - EGM. An indication of this ‘button press may be. received by the’ EGM operating : LT . oe - system: 2006. When the EGM operating system receives the request to. cashout. ihe - CL - - | operating system may determine whether the card reader 2008" is in corimunication ; Co CE

Co To with’ a valid smart card. In. some instances; this determination | may : involve zu Co - - } oo . communication between the operating system 2006 and. the “card reader 2008. oe ~ .

ER 7 Alternately. the operating system 2006 ny already possess this information.” BE a oo i Lo - Co . In some implementations; when a determination is ‘made by the operatirig system’ x Se i . » - I. : 2006 that ‘a valid smart card is not present. the operating system 2006 may cause the’ ’ : : Ce ) oo i} BEE user ifiterface 201010 display a niessage indicating that the cashout is locked until -a oo Ee | ) si oo valid smart card is provided tothe gaming machine via the smart card reader 2008. At - co = a - EE Co this point, the gaming machine may be locked from further use. ) LY SE Co -

Ll Co In some implementations. a valid smart card may then be provided to the card reader ~ So - -

B I 12008. When the card is validaied, a message may be transmitted 0 the operating - ne oo - j oo | - system 2006. The operating. system 2006 may determine that the smart card 18 : = Co : Lo - negotiable and able to accept the balance transfer necessary 0 complete the requested Coe we oo Lo . - cashout- operation. At this point, the. gaming midchine ‘may bé unlocked inorder 10 a . CL i : Co Ll retry the requested cashout operation. : : To . . PA | . I Lo

Co oo ©. In some inipientindons, he “operating system 2006 may then- cause the user ; : a : interface 2010 to stop displaying the message indicating that the gaming machine is Fh Lo

Co : locked: The requested cashout. operation may then be resumed. For instanice. the a N

Co a requested cashout operation may be completed as described with respect to Figures 21 : Ea ; Co on | and 0. - : ) CL - ; En co . . . Lo - oo = . ~ oo oo Figure 23 shows a message passing: diagram for transferring a balance from an EGM A x co © to a smart card. configured in accordance with one implementation. Figure 23 . . 5 | oo ©. + includes the smart card host 2002. the EGM 2004, the EGM operating system 2006, .

E : ) the card reader 2008, the EGM user interface 2010 and the player 2012 discussed with 3 res y » :

: In some implementations, the message passing diagram shown in Figure 23 may be

Ce oo used in conjunction with the transfer procedure 700 shown in Figure 7. For instance, a | Co oo . | messages transmitted between various components as discussed with respect to Figure ) . Co ) CT may be passed between these components as shown in Figure 23. Alternately, the ;

Lo oo message passing diagram shown in Figure 23 may be used in conjunction with a © ) “. . different procedure. - ol CT | oo ,

Co © In some implementations, the player 2012 may initiate a request at the EGM user : -

Co interface 2012 to transfer funds from the EGM to a smart card in communication with I oo thé card reader 2008. The user interface 2012 ‘may transmit this. request to the -

TL aN operating system 2006, which may transmit the request to the card reader 2008. The oo oo

Co card reader may generate a request identifier, as discussed with respect to Figure 21, : ) : ‘and transmit a message initiating the transfer 1 the" gaming machine operating system - | oo

C2006 Co Co oo aN © In some. implementations, the operating system 2006 may then cause the user - interface 2012 to display a message indicating that a transfer is occurring. The ET - : message may vuln on the user interface 2012 while the transfer completes. Co oo -

EE In some implementations, the operating system 2006 may transmit a message to the

IE card reader 2008 causing the funds transfer.to occur. As discussed with respect, to i oo

Figure 21, this and other messages may include the request identifier to identify the - Co oo » transaction that is occurring. oo oo oo : ~~ In'some implementations, the operating system 2006 may transmit a message to the a. : smart card host 2002 reporting the transaction. The smart card host may acknowledge =~ = - - . the transaction ina response message transmitted tothe operating system 2006. : ’

CT. ~~ In some implementations, the smart card may transmit a message via the smart card | oo ~ reader 2008 to the gaming machine operating system 2006 during ‘the transfer = = oo } “procedure, ‘The gaming machine operating system 2006 may forward the message to

Ce . the smart card host 2002. The message may include the request identifier identifying Lo . .. the transfer procedure that is occurring, as well as any other information. Co - oo oo N In some implementations, the smart card host 2002 may transmit a message to the RE oC gaming machine operating system 2006 during the transfer procedure. The gaming .

Ce - i machine operating systetn 2006 may forward this message to the smart card via the .

Co - © smart card reader 2008. The message may include the request identifier identifying :

CL the transfer procedure that is occurring. as well. as any other information, Messages oo i Co transmitted between the host 2002 and the smart card-reader 2008 may be used to y

N CL - facilitate the transfer process. = Ce Co 2 SE. ; - - oo

IE oo | Figure 24 shows .a message passing diagram for automatically transferring ‘4 balance . ) i a a a. from a smart card to ah EGM, configured in accordance with one implementation, -

EE ) : | oo ‘Figure; 24 includes the: smart card host -2002, the EGM 2004, the: EGM- operating

CL oe Cs ‘system 2006, the card reader 2008, the EGM user interface 2010 and the player 2012.

Sn Co Lo discussed with respect to Figure 210 CT . Lo Te ) So Co

CL To | In some implemiéntations, the message passing diagram showd'in Figure 24 ‘may be Co

B - oo used in conjunation with ‘the auto-transfer procedure 800 shown. in Figure 8. For - co - oo ‘instance, messages transmitted between various components as discuissed.with respect _ .

Ce | 0 ‘Figure 8 may be passed between these: components as shown in’ Figure 24. | So ) Lo 3 oo Alternately, the: message passing diagram. shown in Figure, 24 ‘may ‘be used in

Co ~~. conjunction with a different procedure. : . CL - JE . | LT - - . - | In some implementations, the EGM ‘may detect that a credit meter is below an auto .

Lo : transfer’ threshold. T he gaming machine operating” system 2006: | may - then : Cee . “automatically initiate. a’ transfer procedure from the. smart card by transmitting a : oo Co ‘message requesting a transfer of funds to the EGM:'s credit meter. oo 2B } oo Co oo ) Ca - ) a In some implementations. the remaining messages passéd‘in’ the diagram shown in CL . LL Figure 24 may be substantially similar to those discussed with respect to Figure 23. ce - Co - Figure 25 shows a message passing diagram for transferring a balance from a smart

Co - E card to an EGM, configured. in accordance with one implementation, Figure 25 oo ©“. ifcludés the smart card host 2002, the. EGM 2004, the BGM, operating system 2006.

Co E - © ‘the card reader 2008, the EGM user interface 2010 and the player 201 2. discussed with

Co . Co . i In‘some implementations, the message passing diagram shown iff Figure 25 may be

Lo : | used in conjunction’ with the transfer procedure 700 shown in Figure 7. For instance, :

SE ER CL messages transmitted between various components as discussed with respect to Figure ~ dR So 7 may be passed between these-components ds shown in Figure 25. Alternately. the =~. oo . - message passing diagram. shown in Figure 25 may be used in conjunction with a . . + different procedure. ) IE a } . p oo In some implementations, a request © transfer funds from the smart card 16 the EGM . oo "may be received at the user interface 2012. The user interface 2012 nay then transit oo Co

LL oo this ‘Tequest to the operating system 2006, which may forward the request to the card. ~ - Co oo oo - ) reader 2008. The card reader may generate ‘a request. identifier, as discussed with

CE respect to Figure 21, and transmit a message ‘initiating: the transfer to the gaming oo ©. machine operating“ system 2006. The remainder of the messages shown in the. . - . message passing ‘diagram shown in Figure 25 ‘may be substantially similar to the KE Co

Co messages described with respect to Figures 23.and 24. oo oo Co a.

Tu : Co . Figure 26 shows a message passing diagram for a failed attempt to transfer a balance '

Lo from a smart card to an EGM, configured in accordance with one implementation. -

Co | oo Figure 24 includes the smart card host 2002, the EGM 2004, the EGM ‘operating . Co oo : system 2006, the card reader 2008, the EGM user interface 2010 and the player 2012

Co - discussed with respect to Figure 21. Co oC Co Co oo p : ‘In some implementations; the message passing diagram ‘shown in Figure 26 may be EE

Co used in conjunction with the transfer procedure 700 shown in Figure 7. For instance, a messages transmitted between various componerits as discussed with respect to Figure oo | oo - 7 may be passed between these components as shown: in Figure 26. Alternately, the ) oT : ] message passing diagram shown in Figure 26 may be used in conjunction with a

Co EE different procedure: ; . o - oo - - : - In some implementations, a request to transfer funds from the smart card to the EGM - oo - may be received at the user interface 2012. The user interface 2012 may then transmit

Lo oo . = this request to the operating system. 2006, which may forward the request © the card So ) | B - reader 2008. The card reader. may — request identifier, as discussed with oo oo = oo respect to Figure 21, and transmit a message iniitiatinig the transfer to the gaming a . machine operating system 2006. oT oo CL SR BE - To ’ - In some implementations, the’ operating system’ 2006 may then cause the user - [| : x | oo interface 2012 to display a message indicating that. a transfer. is — The --. . ~~ =~ oo EEE message may remain on the user interface 2012 while the transfer completes. ‘When Co such a message is generated, the operating system may start a timer indicating a time - period in which the message is displayed on the user interface 2012. :

In some implementations, the operating system 2006 may deny the transfer for - : various reasons, such as an inadequate balance on the smart card or an invalid smart card. The operating system 2006 may transmit a message indicating that the request was denied to the card reader 2008. The operating system 2006 may also transmit a : report of the transaction to the smart card host 2002, which may return an acknowledgment message. : In some implementations, the operating system 2006 may cause the transfer message : displayed at the user interface 2012 to be replaced with a message indicating that the requested transfer has failed. When the new message is displayed, a new message duration timer may be started. Message duration timers may be employed in some implementations to ensure that each message displayed on the user interface 2012 is displayed for a period of time sufficient to allow the player to see the message. When the message duration timer has reached an appropriate value, the operating system 2006 may cause the user interface 2012 to stop displaying the message indicating that

Co the requested transfer has failed. : oo

Figures 14, 135A, and 15B show perspective diagrams of a gaming machine 2, oo : configured in accordance with one implementation. As illustrated in Figures 14, 15A. : and 15B, gaming machine 2 includes a main cabinet 4, which generally surrounds the : machine interior and is viewable by users. The main cabinet includes a main door 8 B on the front of the machine, which opens to provide access to the interior of the : machine.

In some implementations, the electronic gaming machine may include any of a So plurality of devices. For example, the electronic gaming machine may include a ticket printer that prints bar-coded tickets, a key pad for entering player tracking ‘information, a display (e.g.. a video display screen) for displaying player tracking : information, a card reader for entering a magnetic striped card containing player oo tracking information, and any other devices. The ticket printer may be used to print : tickets for a cashless ticketing system. In Figures 14, 15A, and 15B, attached to the main door is a payment acceptor 28, a bill validator 30, and a coin tray 38. The oo 7 | oo

Co k ‘payment acceptor may include a coin slot and/or a payment,’ note, or. bill —— - ) Co Co

Co where the player inserts money, coins, tokens, or other types of payments. : - oo

Ce CL In some implementations, devices such-as readers or validators for credit cards, debit | B -

SE oo cards, smart cards, or credit slips may facilitate:payment. For example, a.player may. oo

ST insert an identification card into a card reader of the ‘gaming machine. The Lo : : ‘identification card may. be a smart card coded with a player's identification, credit ) EE totals (or related -data) and other relevant information. As another example, a player ~ oo . oo Co may carry a.portable device, such asa cell phone, a radio frequency identification tag. oo ov - oo or any other suitable wireless device. The portable device may communicates a : - : + player's identification, - credit totals (or related data), and/or “any other relevant }

SEE information [to the : gaming machine. ‘As vet another example, ‘money may be Ce : Co : transferred to a gaming machine through electronic funds transfer. When a player tL oo +. funds the gaming machine, a logic device’ coupled to ‘the gaming machine: may - oo determine the amount of funds entered and display the corresponding amount oh.a EE : “display device... B | oo . Co } | oo - ol : E

N oo In ‘some implementations, . attached to the ronlhs, door is a plurality of player-input - : oo : - switches or buttons 32. The’ input switches can include any suitable. devices: which’ oo - CL enables the player to produce an input signal which 1s received by the POCESSOT. The.

Co Sn input switches may include a game activation device that may be used by the playerto. °° i - 7 start any primary came or sequence of events in the. gaming machine. The aie a | : oo E activation device can be any suitable play activator. such as a “bet one” button, a “max | ER - -bet” button. or.a “repeat the bet” button. In some Instances, upon appropriate funding, Co - oo Co oo the gaming machine may begin the game play automatically. Alternately, the gaming - : g . oo Co machine may automatically activate game play after detecting user input via the game oo oo CL activation device. LL ) i} Lo oo - - . oo | In some implementations, one input switch is a cash-out button. The player may push Lo

So oo the cash-out button and cash out to receive a cash payment or other suitable form of : - oo :

Lo payment corresponding to the number of remaining credits. For example, when the Co

Lo . -. player cashes out, the plaver may receive the coins or tokens in a coin payout tray. As” Co Co

Ce “+ another example, the player may receive other payout mechanisms such as tickets or SE - : . : ol | credit slips redeemable by a cashier (or other suitable redemption system) or funding co to the player’s electronically recordable identification card. As yet another example,

Cr oe funds may be transferred from the gaming machine to the player's smart card. oo

In. some implementations, one input switch is a touch-screen coupled with a touch- oo oo | screen controller, or some other. touch-sensitive display. overlay to enable for player interaction with the images on the display. The touch-screen and the touch-screen oo oo controller may be connected to a video controller: A player may make decisions and CL : _ input signals nto the gaming machine by touching the touch-screen at the appropriate’

Co places. One such input switch is a touch-screen button panel. : - oo ~~ Insome implementations, the gaming machine may include communication ports for enabling communication of the gaming machine processor with external peripherals, = ; such as external video sources, expatision buses, game or other displays, a SATA ; oo oo . port, a key pad. or a network interface for communicating via a network: Co co In some implementations, the electronic gaming machine may include one or more ’ display devices. For example, the electronic gaming machine 2 includes a display } oo device 34 and an information panel 36. The display device 34 and the information - ) oo panel 36 may each include any of a cathode ray tube, an LCD, a light emitting diode . (LED) based display, an organic’ light emitting diode (OLED) based display. ‘a polymer light emitting diode (PLED) based display, an SED based-display, an E-ink ) nr : display. a plasma display, a television display. a display including a projected.and/or ) reflected image, or any other suitable electronic display device. | - Co

In some implementations, the display devices at the gaming machine may include one | Co h or more electromecharical devices such as. one or more rotatable wheels, reels, or - dice. The display device may include an electromechanical device adjacent to a-video : oo | oo display, such as a video display positioned in front of a mechanical reel. The display : : devices may include dual-layered or multi-layered electromechanical and/or video oo : displays that cooperate to generate one or more, images. The display devices may : .include a mobile display device, such asa smart phone or tablet computer. that allows ) oo play of at least a portion of the primary or secondary game at a location remote from - ) . the gaming machine. The display devices may be of -any suitable size and = . ’ configuration, such as a square, a rectangle or an elongated rectangle. Co CC

. co "In some implementations, the display devices of the gaming machine are configured oo . | Co . to display game images or other suitable images. The images may include symbols, oo i

SL o oH . . game indicia, people, characters, places, things, faces of cards, dice, and any other

Co » ~ Co “images. The ‘images may include a visual representation or exhibition of the oo

ST 3 movement of objects such as mechanical, virtual, or video reels and wheel. The oo

Co EE . images may include a visual representation or exhibition of dynamic lighting, video :

BES Co images, or any other images. ) : : ol . : Sn - In some implementations, the electronic gaming machine may include a top box. For

Co a - BE example, the. gaming machine 2 includes a top box 6, which sits on top of the main : - | i cabinet 4. The top box 6 may house any of a number of devices, which may be used to - - EI ‘add features to a game’ being played on the gaming machine 2. These devices may = a. ) Lo x ) include speakers 10 and 12, display device 45, and any other devices. Further, the top

Lo B a box.6 may house different or additional devices not illustrated in Figures 14, 15A. and

Co . " “ . : RB 15B. For example, the top box may include a bonus wheel or.a back-lit silk screened - Co Co Ol < panel which may bé used to add bonus features to the game being played on the i . Co Co gaming machine. As another example, the top box may. include a display. for a

Co - - ) ~ progressive jackpot offered on the gaming machine.’ As yet another example, the top

FE . box may include ‘a smart card interaction device. During a game, these ‘devices are". - : Co = . controlled and powered, at least in part, by circuitry (e.g. a master gaming controller) ~ oo CLE Co housed Within the mains cabinet 4 of the machine 2. oo oo - : CL In’ sore implementations, speakers may be mounted and situated in the cabinet with" . ) ". : . an angled orientation toward the player. For instance, the speakers 10 and 12 located

Cc Er So - in top. box area 6 of the upper region of gaming machine 2 may be mounted arid | : - ~ N i. Ce situated in the cabinet with an angled orientation down towards the player and the

Ce CL Lo ~~ floor. Tn one example, the angle is 45 degrees with respect to the vertical, longitudinal co - CL - axis of machine 2! In ‘another example, the angle is in a range of 30-60 degrees. In . ) So oo another _example,” the angle is any angle between 0 and 90 degrees. In some

EEE implementations, the angle of speakers in the gaming machine may be adjustable. For

CT a instance, speakers may be adjusted to face in a direction more’ closely" approximating

SE an estimated position of a player's head or facial features. | Co

N ee The bill validator 30, player-input switches 32, display. screen 34, and other gaming

LT Co devices may be used to present a game on the game machine 2. The devices may be

Bh oo controlled by code execiied by.a master gaming controller housed inside the. main ~ oo oo cabinet 4 of the machine 2. The: master gaming controller may include one or more Lo oo - } Co processors including general purpose and’ specialized Processors, such as graphics . . oo cards, and one or more memory devices including volatile and non-volatile memory. : oo The master gaming controller may periodically configure and/or authenticate the code

Co executed on the gaming machine. ) | oo I Co nL In some implementations, the gaming machine may include a sound generating device oo

Ps © coupled to one or more sounds cards. The sound generating device may include one Co o nC iE oo or.more speakers or other sound generating hardware and/or software for generating } a

Lo Co Ce sounds, such as playing music for the primary and/or secondary game or for other =. } . : modes of the gaming machine, such as an attract mode. The gaming machine may ~~. provide dynamic sounds coupled with. attractive multimedia images displayed on one

Co ~~ ~~ or more of the display devices ‘to: provide an audio-visual representation ‘or to - ) | oo . ~~ ‘otherwise display full-motion video with sound to attract players to the gaming . } Co machine. During idle periods; the gaming machine may display a sequence of-audio = Lo

Ce and/or visual attraction messages to attract potential players to the gaming machine. ~ . The videos may also be customized for or to'provide any. appropriate information. co : Ea oo oo in some implementations, the gaming machine may include a sensor, such as a : B : camera that is.selectively positioned to acquire an image of a player actively using the =. : : ganiing machine and/or.the surrounding area of the gaming machine. The sensor may -

Co | be configured to capture biometric data about a player in proximity to the gaming oo on : Co machine. The biometric data may be used to implement mechanical and/or digital co . ; adjustments to the gaming machine. Alternately, or additionally, the sensor may be -

Ca | configured to selectively. acquire still or moving (e.g., video). images. The display . oo © devices may be configured to display the. image acquired by the camera as well as | . Co display the visible manifestation of the game in split screen or picture-in-picture . Co } - - fashion. For example, the camera may acquire an image of the player and the’ Co - oo processor may incorporate that image into the primary and/or secondary game as a IE ) : game image, symbol, animated avatar, or game indicia. + SE

Co. RE Garning machine 2 is but one example from a wide range of gaming masini designs =~ -

Co oC on which the techniques described herein may be implemented. For example, not all . - . : Co suitable gaming machines have top boxes or player tracking features. Further, some = = Le oo gaming machines have only a single game display — mechanical or video, while others oo

So may have multiple displays. oo ~ . :

Figure 16 shows a server-based gaming network, configured in accordance with some

CL implementations. Those of skill in the art will realize that this, architecture and the .

Co LL related functionality are merely examples-and that the present disclosure encompasses 3 . many other such implementations and methods. oo oY - ‘Here, casino computer room 1620 and networked devices of a gaming establishment - 1605. are illustrated. Gaming ‘establishment 1605, is configured: for communication . | with central system 1663 via gateway 1650. Gaming establishments 1693. and 1695 Co k oo are also configured for communication with central system 1663. Co

In some implementations, gaming establishments may be configured for communication with one another. In this example, gaming establishments 1693 and )

DEE 1695 are configured for communication with, casino computer room 1620. Such a ~ configuration may allow devices and/or operators in casino 1605 to communicate CL with and/or control devices in other casinos. In some such implementations, a server oo Co

CT oo in computer room 1620 may control devices in casino- 1605 and devices in other | } gaming establishments. Conversely, devices and/or" operators in another gaming Co oo - establishment may communicate with and/or control devices in casino 1605. oo . For example, a server of casing 1605 or central system 1663 may be provisioned with - : ~ relatively more advanced software (e.g., 3-D facial recognition software) for patron identification than servers of other networked locations, Such a server may process oo co ~~" patron identification requests from devices in casino 1605 as well as patron Co ) - Co I identification requests from devices in gaming establishments 1693 and 1695. ~~. ~~ ~ - - Here, gaming establishment 1697 is configured for communication. with central

Co system 1663, but is not configured for communication. with other gaming iE I : establishments. Some - gaming establishments (not shown) may not be in : oT communication with other gaming establishments or with a central system. Gaming oo establishment 1605 includes multiple gaming machines 1621, each of which 1s part of a bank 1610 of gaming machines 1621. In this example, gaming establishment 1605 | - oo oo also includes a bank . of networked gaming ‘tables 1653. However, the present : © oo CL disclosure may be implemented -in gaming. establishments having any number of Co gaming machines, gaming tables, etc. It will be appreciated that many gaming establishments include hundreds or even thousands of gaming machines 1621 and/or gaming tables 1653, not all of which are necessarily included in a bank and some of which may not be connected to a network. At least some of gaming machines 1621 : and/or mobile devices 1670 may be “thin clients” that are configured to perform client-side methods as described elsewhere herein.

Some configurations. can provide automated, multi-player roulette, blackjack, baccarat, and other table games. The table games may be conducted by a dealer and/or by using some form of automation, which may include an automated roulette wheel, an electronic representation of a dealer, etc. In some such implementations, devices. such as cameras, radio frequency identification devices, etc., may be used to identify and/or track playing cards. chips, etc. Some of gaming tables 1653 may be configured for communication with individual player terminals (not shown), which may be configured to accept bets, present an electronic representation of a dealer, indicate game outcomes, etc. : . -

Gaming establishment 16035 also includes networked kiosks 1677. Depending on the implementation, kiosks 1677 may be used for various purposes, including but not limited to cashing out, prize redemption, redeeming points from a player loyalty program, redeeming “cashless” indicia such as bonus tickets, smart cards, etc. In some implementations, kiosks 1677 may be used for obtaining information about the gaming establishment, e.g.,. regarding scheduled events (such as tournaments, : entertainment, etc.), regarding a patron's location, etc. Software related to such features may be provided and/or controlled. and related data may be obtained and/or provided, according to the present disclosure. For example, in some implementations -of the disclosure, kiosks 1677 ‘may be configured to receive information from a patron, e.g., by presenting graphical user interfaces. oo

In this example, each bank 1610 has a corresponding switch 1615, which may be a conventional bank switch in some implementations. Each switch 1615 is configured ) for communication with one or more devices in computer room 1620 via main network device 1625, which combines switching and routing functionality in this example. Although various communication protocols may be used, some preferred : implementations use the Gaming Standards Association's G2S Message Protocol.

IEC i Other implementations may use the open, Ethernet-based SuperSAS® protdcol, which’ Se is available from IGT. Still other protocols; includifg but not limited to Bestof Breed ~~.

Co (“BOB™), may be used to:implement various implementations of the disclosure: IGT “ot. By has also developed a gaming-industry-specific transport layer calléd CASH that rides ~~ + on top of TCP/IP and offers additional functionality and'security. - - - }

Here, gaming establishment. 1605: also includes an RFID network, implemented in Pp CL Co

CT part by RFID switches 1619-and: multiple RFID readers 1617. An RFID. network may > . - - - | be used, for example, to-track-objects (such as mobile gaming devices 1670, which . E - ;

Co “+ include RFID tags 1627: in. this example)’ patrons, etc., in the vicinity of gdniing Ji ; - } establishment 1605: =. TT a - As noted elsewhere Herein, some. impleméntations of the disclosure may involve } N EE

ET © “smart” player loyalty vinstraments, such: as-player tracking, cards, which’ include ‘an ro C :

RFID tag. Accordingly; the location of such RFID-enabled player loyalty instruments Co CY : may be tracked via the RFID network. In this exarfiple; at least some of mobile Tn Lo Co

CL - devices 1670 may incliide an REID tag 1627. which jnclodes encoded. identification ’ ; ~ SE ~

Co information’ for the ‘mobile device 1670. Accordingly, the locations of such tagged =. 5 oo “mobile devices 1670-thay ‘be tracked vid the RFID network in gaming establishment Le . : oo

So 1605. Other location-detection. devices and systems, such as the global positioning 2 oo co system (“GPS”): may bé used to monitor the ldcation of péople and/or deviges in the - - . ; : . - ; vicinity of gaming establishment 1605 or elsewhere. ’ os N ; } p Co ln Ce -

Bh . Various alternative - fietyork topologies can’ be Juséd to” implement different” CU | 5 implementations of ‘the disclosure and/or. to accommodate varying. numbers’ of ol ) networked devices. For example, gaming establishments with large’ numbers of iL gaming machines 1621 may require multiple instances of some network devices (e.g. E oo ’ oo of main network device 1625, which combines switching and routing functionality no i "© this éxample) and/or the inclusion of. other network devices nor shown in Figure 16. oe oo Some implementations of the disclosure mag-include one or more middleware servers oo Sn BN © © disposed between kiosks 1677, RFID switches 1619 and/or bank switches 1615 and =.

Co *. bne.or more devices in compuier. room 1620 (e:g., a ‘corrésponding server): Such.» | ae - : - middleware servers can provide various useful functions, including but not: limited to. - - - ; - the filtering and/or aggregation of data’ received from switches, from individual, oC oo

; : ~ Lo oo gaming machines andtfom other devices. Some implementations of the disclosure

Co aR oo include load-balancing methods and devices for managing network traffic. oo - oo Storage devices 1611; server 1630, License Manager 1631, Arbiter 1633, servers ©. 16321634. 1636 and 1638; host device(s) 1660 and main network device 1625 are - Cs disposed within" computer room 1620 of gaming establishment 1605. In practice, more i FE or fewer devices ray be used. Depending on the implementation, some such devices

So - . ~~ may reside in gaming éstablishment 1605 or elsewhere. oo : : ~ C One or more devices in central system 1663 may also be configured to perform, at

CL E Co oo. least in part, tasks specific to the present disclosure. For example, one or more servers - - = ~ CL 1662, arbiter 1633; Storage devices 1664 and/or host devices 1660 of central system Co =~ Lo 1663 may be configured. to . implement the functions described ‘in detail elsewhere oo . oo z "herein. These functions may include, but are not limited to, providing functionality for ’

CL ce devices such as-wager gaming machines 1621, mobile devices 1670, etc. 2 oo One or more of thie servers ‘of computer room 1620 may be configured with software :

To } - : for: receiving a player's wager gaming notification parameters, determining when a - -

Do Lo wagering condition cortesponds with the wager gaming notification parameters and/or

So ©. providing a notification to the player when the wagering condition corresponds with - a. - ~ J the wager gaming notification parameters. Moreover, one or more of the servers may oo ) a ” | To. be configured 10. receive, process and/or provide image data from cameras 1609, to

Lo CL ~ provide navigation data to patrons (e.g., to indicate the location of and/or directions to - or . Co 2 gaming table, 4 wager gaming machine, efc.. associated with a wager gaming =.

EE . LE = notification), efc. co oo Co Co oo oo . Co For example, navigation data- (which may include map data, casino layout data, ~ A Ce camera image data, etc.) may be provided by one or more of the servers of computer oo

LL - oo : room 1620 to mobile dévices 1670. Some implementations ‘of the present disclosure : oo - © include-a plurality of networked cameras 1609, which may be video cameras. smart Co : “ : he | vo ‘cameras, digital still cameras, etc. In some such implementations, such cameras may - LT Co . provide, at least in part, real-time navigation. Co Co

CL oo . 2 Other devices that may be deployed in nétwork 1605 do not appear in Figure 16. For ~~

I o. CT example, some" gaming ‘nétworks may include not only various radio frequency . - ~ oo . “identification (“RFID") readers 1617, but also RFID switches, middleware servers,

oo : etc., some of which are not depicted in Figure 16. These features may provide various Ce functions. For example, a server (or another device) may determine a location of a “mobile device 1670 according to the location of an RFID reader that reads an RFID

Cagle. SE 3 | oo oo The servers and other devices indicated in Figure 16 may be configured for oo ; ‘communication with other devices in or outside of gaming establishment 1 605, such as host devices 1660, kiosks 1677 and/or mobile devices ‘1670, for implementing ” . some methods described elsewhere herein. Servers (or the like) may facilitate - communications with such devices, receive and store patron data, provide appropriate responses, etc., as described elsewhere herein. Co oo . : - Some of these servers may be configured to perform tasks relating to accounting, player loyalty, bonusing/progressives, configuration of gaming machines, tc. One or - Co : "more such devices may, be used to implement a casino management systern, such as . + the IGT Advaritage™ Casino System suite of applications, which provides .. : E instantaneous information that may be used for decision-making by casino managers. ’

A Radius server and/or-a DHCP server may also be configured for communication p : with the gaming network. Some implementations of the disclosure provide one or oo : "more of these servers in the form of blade servers. a. } } : Some implementations of server 1630 and the other servers shown in Figure 16°

Co include (or are at least in communication with) clustered CPUs, redundant storage CL oo devices. including padkup storage devices, switches, etc. Such storage devices may . . N oo include a “RAID” (originally redundant array of inexpensive disks, now also known

Co as redundant array of independent disks) array, back-up hard drives and/or tape Co drives, etc. : oo | : oo

In some implementations of the disclosure, many of these devices (including but not oo limited to License Manager 1631, servers 1632, 1634, 1636, and 1638, and main ~~ oo ) network device 1625) are mounted in a single rack with server 1630. Accordingly, _ many or all such devices will sometimes be referenced in the aggregate as a “server-

CL based gaming server.” However. in alternative implementations, one or more of these . - devices is in communication with server 1630 and/or other devices of the network but

Co ; located elsewhere. For example. some of the devices could be mounted in separate racks within computer room 1620 or located elsewhere on the network. Moreover, it oo can be advantageous ‘to store large volumes of data elsewhere via a storage area Co “network (“SAN™), oo } | EE

Computer room 1620 may include one or more operator consoles or other host EE devices that are configured for communication with other devices within and outside of computer room 1620. Such host devices may be provided with software, hardware : and/or firmware for iniplementing various implementations of the disclosure. : ~ However, such host dévices need not be located within_computer room 1620. Wired - E— - host devices 1660. (Which are’ desktop and’ lipiop computers in this example) and Co wireless devices 1670 (which are mobile computing devices in this example) may be oo Co located elsewhere in gaming establishment 1605 or at a remote location. oo

These and other aspects of the disclosure may be implemented by various types of : hardware, software, firmware, etc. For example, some features of the disclosure may - : : be implemented, at least in part, by machine-readable media that include program )

Co | instructions, state information, etc., for performing various operations. described ) herein. ‘Examples of program instructions include both machine code, such as : produced by a compiler, and files containing higher-level code that may be executed oo by the computer using an interpreter. Examples of machine-readable media include, -

CL ~ but are not limited to, magnetic media such as hard disks. floppy disks. and magnetic oo - : | tape; optical media suchas CD-ROM: disks; magneto-optical media; and hardware Ty B oo | devices that are specially configured to store and perform program Instructions. such So .

Co as read-only memory devices (“ROM™) and random access memory (“RAM™). - E . © Any of the above implementations may be used alone or together with one another in : any combination. Although various implementations may have been motivated by various deficiencies with the prior art, which may bediscussed or alluded to in one or more places in the specification, the implementations do not necessarily address any. Co of these deficiencies. In other words, different implementations may address different : . deficiencies that may be discussed in the specification. Some implementations may ~~ only partially address some deficiencies or just one deficiency that may be discussed - in the specification, and some implementations may not address any of these . - . ~~ deficiencies. CL IEE Co } oe

- "While various implementations have been described herein, it should be understood - . ~

Co that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Thus, the : : co - ‘breadth and scope ofthe present application should not be limited by any of the p EE

So Lo jploménations described herein, but should be defined only in accordance with the oo . following and later-submitted claims and their equivalents. | oo

Claims (1)

1. CT CLAIMS ee Te

   - . CL co lL; | + An electronic gaming machine comprising; .. - - Te - oo Lo LT } Cl . ‘auser input device configured to accept user input for conducting playofa ~. - - ~ wager-based game in'whicli one or more game outcomes can be provided responsive EEE cl a display configured fo display data associated with the wager-based game; B = Co Cl one or more processors configured.to cause the electronic gaming machine to: Co

   - . Ceo identify, withinan operating system running at an electronic gaming ‘machine, EE Co a smart card interaction device coupled with the electronic gaming fachiné, the smart .

   CL . Lo card intéraction device capable of facilitating communication between the electronic :

   So . | - gaming machine and a smart card in communication with the smart card interaction ~~ © oo ce Ls device; C E Toe ) Co Co oo Lo a Co oe CL EK : . ~ initiate a commuhication protocol interface within the operating system; the CL oF IEEE ~ communication protocol interface providing a mechanism for transmitting messages Co ) Co - oo LL ‘between. the electronic gaming machine and devicés in communication with. the LL To » - eléctronic gaming machine: and - SU oo . so SE oo ST CT Lo Bh transmit, Via the communication protocol interface, a first messagé bétween” ne : oe C ‘the smart card interaction device and a first host server, the fifst host server being in : Co oo oC Cl oo communication with the electronic gaming machine via a network. oi Le a Coe - Co 2. ~The electronic gammg machine recited in claim 15 the one or more . SR i. CC processors further corifigured to cause the electronic gaming machine to: a oo - Co ) Ce transmit a second message from the electronic gaming machine operating EE Co ~. system to a second host server via the communication protocol interface, thesecond E Co = message comprising a ] : oo - co - ) B cL to a . a CL description-of a capability of the. gaming machine, the capability ¢omprising Lo I communication between the electronic gaming machine and the ‘smart ciird interaction Co Co ) Co Ls . The electronic gammg machine recited in claim 2, the one or more oo Ss = processors further configured to cause the electronic gaming machine to:. E to To CL ) - ) ~ . : receive a third message from the second host servér atthe electionic gaming on Co machine operating system, the third message comprising an indication that at least a Co i i h portion of communications received at the electronic gaming ‘inachine from the smart Co : BN . card interaction device is to be transmitted to the first host server. - - Lo Co -

   ee oo co 4. The electronic gammg machine recited in claim 2, the one or-more . Co Co co Lo - processors further configured to cause the electronic’ gaming machine 0: , F Coe ~

   : . determine status information for the smart card interaction device, the status cL PE | information : | Lo EEE Co : CL comprising an indication of an operating status of the smart card interaction device, - . © wherein the oo oo NE I ) second message further comprises the indication of the operating status. : SR 0 -

   _ 5. ~The electronic gammg machine récited in claim 1, the one.or more. pe. Lo y - Processors further configured to cause the electronic gaming machine to: - Lo ~~ load a first smart card device driver within the operating system, the first'smart * . oo - oo RE card device driver specifying a protocol for communication between the electronic oo So gaming machine oo EE RE . oo operating system and the smart card interaction device. - AEE oo - .6. The electronic gaming machine recited in claim 1, wherein the . - electronic gaming machine is capable of adjusting a credit meter at the electronic BN Co - oo gaming machine based on communication with the smart.card interaction device, the Co a credit meter specifying a number of credits available for use in wager-based gaming Co oo EET - at the electronic gaming machine. 3 Ce Co - : C ) Co } DE : ~. 7. . The electronic gaming machine recited in claim 1, wherein initiating : - SS - Lo - - ~ the’ communication protocol interface comprises: - Co - > SE Co Co oo . initiating an extension class to the’ communication protocol interface, thie * - CT - Bh ST extension class Co oo Co Co SE - EE So = : Co providing access to smart card messaging procedures not included in the base Eo - Co oo oo ) LC ~~ communication Li Co oo Co EE Co ~ Le : TT Bg protocol interface. oo Co oo : : a ~ CL Co I Co © 8. Amethod of activating a smart card interaction device, the method. - Co CL - comprising: oo oo Co IE Co identifying, within an operating system running at an electronic gaming machine, a i Lo oo I smart Co . oo I So . card interaction device coupled with the electronic gaming machine, the smart card oo Co. . ©. interaction CT | N . 0 ; oo SE device capable of facilitating communication between the electronic gaming machine =~ Co oC smart card in communication with the smart card interaction device; - Lo Co

   ’ initiating a communication protocol interface within the operating system, the oo Co communication protocol interface providing a mechanism for transmitting messages CL CL . between the electronic gaming machine and devices in communication with the - Co : electronic gaming machine; and - ’ ) Co SE transmitting, via the communication protocol interface, a first message Co : between the smart card interaction device and a first host server, the first host server - being in communication ‘with the electronic gaming machine via a network.

   Co oo : 9. The method recited in claim 8, the method further comprising: S | Co CL transmitting a second message from the electronic gaming machine operating oo Co system to a second host server via the communication protocol interface, the second - oo : message comprising a description ofa capability of the gaming machine, the oo Co - ~ capability comprising communication Co : a - | . = "between the electronic gaming machine and the smart card interaction device. . s Co Co 10. The method recited in claim 9, the method further comprising: - | Co receiving a third message from the second host server at the electronic ‘gaming oo machine operating system, the third message comprising an indication that at least a Co portion of communications received at the electronic gaming machine from the smart g - _ card interaction device is to be transmitted fo the first host server. | ; Co oo 1 1. The method recited in claim 9, the method further comprising: oo : determining status information for the shart card interaction device. the status © - information comprising an indication of an operating status of the smart card BR } _ interaction device, wherein the second message further comprises the indication of the - operating status.

   Co oo 12. The method recited in claim 8, the method further comprising: Co : . - loading a first smart card device driver within the operating system, the first Co ’ © smart card : : : : Co device driver specifying a protocol for communication between the electronic gaming : oo ) machine ~ | | - - a . : operating system and the smart card interaction device. | ) = oo - . 13. The method recited in claim 8, wherein the electronic gammg machine ° oo : is capable of adjusting a credit meter at the electronic gaming machine based on : Lo CL © communication with the To - ) So smart card interactiondevice, the credit meter specifying a number of credits : oo - 5 available forusein . | ) oo Co Ce -

   I ‘wager-based gaming at the electronic gaming machine. ST . : 14. The method recited in claim 9, wherein initiating the communication oo protocol interface comprises: | : Sr ~~ initiating an extension class to the communication protocol interface, the ~~ © So extension class oo ~ co _ - - providing access to smart card messaging procedures not included in the base communication oo . EEE protocol interface. : Co . Co LL © 15. One or more computer readable media having instructions stored ~~. : - thereon for performing a method of activating a smart card interaction device, the : ) method comprising: oo oo oo identifying, within an operating system running at an-electronic gaming : : machine. a smart So Co Co . EK LL ) card interaction device coupled with the electronic gaming machine, the smartcard ~~ . : interaction | : ) IE Bh device capable of facilitating communication between the electronic gaming machine : and a oo oo = Co : oo smart card in communication with the smart card interaction device; o B } : - initiating a communication protocol interface within the operating system, the ~~ - communication protocol interface providing a mechanism for transmitting messages oo CL ‘between the electronic gaming machine and devices in communication with the | E Co oo "electronic gaming machine; and ~~ co >

   ~. transmitting, via the communication protocol interface, a first message Cv : between the smart card interaction device and .a first host server, the first host server being in. communication with the electronic gaming machine via a network. © + - - : Le. The one or more computer readable media recited m claim 15, the - i method further comprising: . LL oo I : transmitting a second message from the electronic gaming machine operating ~ system to a second host server via.the communication protocol interface, the second i Ce © message comprising a description of a capability of the gaming machine, the. - - Ce ; capability comprising communication’ : : : Co between the electronic gaming machine and the smart card interaction device. - ..

   1 7. ~The one or more computer readable media recited m claim 16. the method further comprising: SR CL -

   oo : Co Co E . receiving a third message from the second host server at the electronic gaming : to oo machine Co oo oo oo : oo - © operating system, the third message comprising an indication that at least a portion of So Co communications received at the electronic gaming machine from the smart card Se B : oo interaction device is to be transmitted to the first host server. - oo - . 18 | The one or more computer readable media recited m claim 16, the } Co oo method further comptising: . 0 Co Te }

   Co . determining status information for the smart card interaction device, the. status So oo information comprising an indication of an operating status of the smart card So

   " a. interaction device, . | Co } to i Co )

   _. wherein the second message further comprises the indication of the operating status. : ‘ C19. The one Or more computer readable media recited m claim 15. the oo : - | a ~ method further comprising: ; | Co Co Co - "loading a first smart card device driver within the operating system, the first oo Co B ‘smartcard - : : - oo device driver specifying a protocol for communication between the electronic gaming oo Co machine ET TT operating system and the smart card interaction device. a I BE ) } : 20. © The one or more computer readable media recited in claim 15, wherein ~ Cs the glgctronic gaming machine is capable of adjusting a credit meter at the electronic * Co oo | gaming machine based on’ communication with the smart card interaction device, the Co credit meter specifying a number of credits available for use in wager-based gaming - N at the eléctronic gaming machine. © Ll CL | : g - . ~ © 89 CL EE