Method and apparatus for operating a gaming device to dispense a specified amount
A gaming device, such as a slot machine, determines a balance and a “dispensed amount” that is less than the balance. The dispensed amount may be determined by, for example, receiving signals from one or more key presses that specify the dispensed amount. Alternatively, the dispensed amount may be determined in accordance with one or more “balance management rules”. The gaming device in turn dispenses the dispensed amount, for example, by dispensing an amount of currency, transferring the dispensed amount to an account or adjusting a balance of a remote gaming device. The balance is adjusted by the dispensed amount, and this adjusted balance is available for initiating a subsequent play of the gaming device.
1 - 26 . (canceled)
27 . A gaming device, comprising:
a memory operable to store a monetary balance available to a player for wagering, wherein the monetary balance is a balance resulting from the player providing a gaming device with monetary input;
a processor in communication with the memory, in which the processor is operable to:
determine an amount of monetary output to be provided from the monetary balance, the amount being less than an entirety of the monetary balance; and
dispense the amount.
28 . The gaming device of claim 27 , wherein the entirety of the monetary balance is available for dispensing to the player of the gaming device, in response to the player's request for a dispensing of the entirety of the monetary balance.
29 . The gaming device of claim 27 , wherein the processor is further operable to:
receive a request from a player for the amount; and
dispense the amount in response to the request.
30 . The gaming device of claim 29 , wherein the request defines the amount.
31 . The gaming device of claim 27 , wherein the processor being operable to dispense an amount of monetary output comprises the processor being operable to:
communicate the amount to another device, thereby transferring the amount to the other device; and
decrease the monetary balance available to the player by the amount.
32 . The gaming device of claim 27 , wherein
the processor being operable to dispense an amount of monetary output comprises
the processor being operable to dispense an amount of monetary output in cashless form.
33 . A slot machine, comprising:
a memory operable to store a monetary balance available to a player for wagering, wherein the monetary balance is a balance resulting from the player providing a slot machine with monetary input; and
a processor operable to dispense, in cashless form, an amount of monetary output,
wherein the amount is less than the entirety of the monetary balance.
34 . The slot machine of claim 33 , further comprising:
a means for allowing a player to request a dispensing of the amount of monetary output.
35 . A device, comprising:
a processor operable to:
access a memory of a slot machine, the memory storing a monetary balance available for wagering at the slot machine, wherein the monetary balance is a balance resulting from a player providing the slot machine with monetary input; and
determine an amount of monetary output, the amount being less than an entirety of the monetary balance, the device further comprising
a means for dispensing the amount of monetary output.
36 . The device of claim 35 , wherein the entirety of the monetary balance is available for dispensing to a player, in response to the player's request for a dispensing of the entirety of the monetary balance.
37 . The device of claim 35 , wherein the processor is further operable to:
determine a request from a player for the amount; and
cause the amount to be dispensed in response to the request.
38 . The gaming device of claim 37 , wherein the request defines the amount.
39 . The device of claim 35 , wherein the means for dispensing comprises a means for dispensing the amount in cashless form.
40 . An apparatus comprising:
a slot machine, and
the device of claim 35 in communication with the slot machine.
41 . A method for operating a gaming device comprising:
determining a balance available to a player of a gaming device,
wherein the balance is a balance resulting from the player providing the gaming device with monetary input, and further
wherein the balance is stored in a memory of at least one of the gaming device and a component of the gaming device;
determining a dispensed amount to be dispensed at the gaming device that is less than the balance;
dispensing said dispensed amount at the gaming device; and
adjusting the balance by the dispensed amount,
wherein the adjusted balance is greater than the dispensed amount, and further
wherein the adjusted balance is available to a player for wagering at the gaming device.
42 . A method comprising:
determining a balance associated with a player of a single gaming device, wherein the balance is a balance resulting from the player providing the gaming device with monetary input;
determining a portion of the balance to dispense that is less than the balance;
dispensing said portion of the balance at the gaming device; and
adjusting the balance by the amount dispensed,
wherein said adjusted balance is greater than the dispensed portion of the balance, and further
wherein the adjusted balance is available to a player for wagering at the gaming device.