IP Library Granted Patent US 7,997,980
Granted Patent B2
US 7,997,980 · App. 12/897,657 · Granted Aug 16, 2011

Voucher gaming system

Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,997,980
App. No.
12/897,657
Granted
Aug 16, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A gaming system and method of playing a gaming device by a user. The method includes inserting a voucher having a voucher value into the gaming device and accessing a database having voucher data associated with the voucher. The voucher value is verified. The user is queried for a credit value of a base wagering denomination. Calculations of full game credits and partial game credits are performed based upon the voucher value and the credit value. The full game credits, the partial game credits, and the voucher value are displayed on a game display. The method allows partial or all credits to be played at any time. The method provides for recording of game events to a database. The method also allows for the user to change the base wagering denomination during game play.

Claims (37)

1. A gaming system, comprising:

a communication network;

a plurality of player terminals, interconnected via the communications network, wherein at least one player terminal comprises:

a central processing unit (CPU);

a credit acceptor, coupled to the CPU, for receiving funds from a player for use on a gaming device;

a player input device, coupled to the CPU; and

a video display, coupled to the CPU; wherein the CPU:

receives from the player input device a credit value selection from the player, wherein the value of each credit is a fractional denomination of standard currency denominations;

converts the funds received from the player via the credit acceptor into credits corresponding to the selected credit value;

controls the video display to display the credits on the gaming device to the player;

receives a player's wager, wherein the player wager comprises one or more of the credits; and

presents a game of chance to the player in exchange for the player's wager.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the credits are expressed as decimals.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the credits are expressed as fractions.

4. The system of claim 1 , further comprising the CPU setting a maximum credit value.

5. The system of claim 1 , further comprising the CPU setting a minimum credit value.

6. The system of claim 1 , further comprising the CPU setting an incremental rate by which the player can increase or decrease the credit value.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the credit value is a fraction of $0.01.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein standard currency denominations are $0.01, $0.05, $0.10, $0.25, or $1.00.

9. A gaming system, comprising:

a communications network;

a plurality of gaming devices, interconnected via the communications network, the gaming devices comprising:

a central processing unit (CPU);

a credit acceptor, coupled to the CPU;

a player input device, coupled to the CPU;

a video display device, coupled to the CPU, wherein the CPU:

receives from the credit acceptor funds from the player for use on a gaming device;

receives from the player input device player input selecting a credit value that is less than a smallest denomination for standard currency;

determines a number of credits available for wagering based upon both the funds received from the player and the credit value selected by the player;

displays on the video display device the credits on the gaming device to the player;

receives from the player input device a player's wager, wherein the player's wager comprises one or more credits, and the player's wager does not have a total value equal to standard currency denominations; and

presents on the video display device a game of chance to the player in exchange for the player's wager.

10. The gaming system of claim 9 , further comprising the CPU setting a maximum credit value.

11. The gaming system of claim 9 , further comprising the CPU setting a minimum credit value.

12. The gaming system of claim 9 , further comprising the CPU scaling a pay table according to the credit value selected by the player.

13. The gaming system of claim 9 , wherein the credit value is a fraction of $0.01.

14. The gaming system of claim 9 , wherein the standard currency denominations are $0.01, $0.05, $0.10, $0.25, or $1.00.

Assignments (8)
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 23, 2025
From: LNW GAMING, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 071340/0404 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE THE APPLICATION NUMBER PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 051642 FRAME: 0164. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Mar 21, 2023
From: BALLY GAMING, INC.
To: SG GAMING, INC.
Reel/Frame 063460/0211 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 22, 2022
From: SG GAMING INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 059793/0001 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jan 18, 2020
From: BALLY GAMING, INC.
To: SG GAMING, INC.
Reel/Frame 051642/0164 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 11, 2018
From: SCIENTIFIC GAMES INTERNATIONAL, INC.; BALLY GAMING, INC.
To: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 045909/0513 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 15, 2017
From: SCIENTIFIC GAMES INTERNATIONAL, INC.; BALLY GAMING, INC.
To: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 044889/0662 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 1, 2014
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: SHFL ENTERTAINMENT, INC; ARCADE PLANET, INC.; BALLY GAMING, INC; BALLY GAMING INTERNATIONAL, INC.; BALLY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; SIERRA DESIGN GROUP
Reel/Frame 034501/0049 →
AMENDED AND RESTATED PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 30, 2013
From: BALLY GAMING, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 031745/0001 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation 10750275 · Dec 30, 2003
Related Publication 20110021265A1 · Jan 27, 2011