Automated Locking Method
Systems, methods, and gaming machines having an automated locking system are disclosed herein. According to one method, one or more automated locking mechanisms are provided on a plurality of gaming machines. Each locking mechanism is connected to a locking controller such that the locking controller controls the release and locking of the locking mechanism. The automated locking system receives a request from a user to release one or more locking mechanisms. If the user is authenticated, the locking mechanism is released.
1 . A method for controlling one or more locking mechanisms of one or more gaming machines networked to a casino gaming system, the method comprising:
providing one or more automated locking mechanisms on a plurality of gaming machines, wherein the locking mechanism secures the gaming machine and one or more components within the gaming machine;
receiving a request from a user via an user interface to lock or unlock the locking mechanism; and
releasing the locking mechanism in response to the request from the user.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the request from the user further comprises receiving the request via a wireless handheld device, keypad, touchpad, touchscreen, or a combination thereof.
3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising authenticating the user.
4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein authenticating the user further comprises obtaining two types of data from the user, wherein the two types of information is selected from the group consisting of a password, pass-code, or security token.
5 . The method of claim 3 , wherein authenticating the user further comprises obtaining biometric information from the user.
6 . A method for controlling one or more locking mechanisms of one or more gaming machines in a casino gaming system, the method comprising:
providing one or more automated locking mechanisms on a plurality of gaming machines, wherein each locking mechanism is connected to a locking controller such that the locking controller controls the release and locking of the locking mechanism;
receiving a request from a user to release one or more locking mechanisms;
authenticating the user; and
releasing one or more locking mechanisms if the user is authenticated.
7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein receiving the request from the user further comprises receiving the request via a wireless handheld device, keypad, touchpad, touchscreen, or a combination thereof.
8 . The method of claim 6 , wherein releasing one or more locking mechanisms further comprises sequentially releasing the locking mechanisms of a gaming machine subset.
9 . The method of claim 6 , wherein authenticating the user further comprises obtaining two types of data from the user, wherein the two types of information is selected from the group consisting of a password, pass-code, or security token.
10 . The method of claim 6 , wherein authenticating the user further comprises obtaining biometric information from the user.
11 . A method for controlling one or more locking mechanisms of one or more networked gaming machines in a casino gaming system, the method comprising:
providing one or more automated locking mechanisms on a plurality of gaming machines, wherein the locking mechanisms secure a main door of the gaming machine and one or more components within the gaming machine;
sending a request from a back end system to one or more gaming machines to unlock the gaming machine; and
releasing the locking mechanism of the main door in response to the request.
12 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising obtaining information to verify the identify of the user prior to releasing the locking mechanism of the main door.
13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the information is a password, passcode, security token, or a combination thereof.
14 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the information is biometric information.
15 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising releasing the locking mechanism of one or more components after the main door is opened.
16 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising releasing the locking mechanism of one or more components within the gaming machine when the locking mechanism of the main door is released.
17 . The method of claim 11 , wherein releasing the locking mechanism of the main door further comprises sequentially releasing the main door locking mechanisms of a gaming machine subset.
18 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising releasing the locking mechanism of one or more components after the main door is opened.
19 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising releasing the locking mechanism of one or more components within the gaming machine when the locking mechanism of the main door is released.