U.S. patent application number 10/230604 was filed with the patent office on 2003-10-02 for gaming machine including a lottery ticket dispenser.
Invention is credited to LeMay, Steven G., Nelson, Dwayne R..
Application Number | 20030186734 10/230604 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31976527 |
Filed Date | 2003-10-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030186734 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LeMay, Steven G. ; et
al. |
October 2, 2003 |
Gaming machine including a lottery ticket dispenser
Abstract
A gaming machine may include a printer or a lottery ticket
dispenser adapted to provide lottery tickets to a player. At
various times during operation of the gaming machine, the gaming
machine via screen prompts may ask the player if he or she wishes
to purchase lottery tickets, which, if desired, the machine will
then dispense to the player. The lottery tickets may be tickets for
an intracasino lottery, an intercasino lottery, a state lottery or
a multistate lottery. The payment for the lottery tickets may be
deducted from the value that the player has within the gaming
machine.
Inventors: |
LeMay, Steven G.; (Reno,
NV) ; Nelson, Dwayne R.; (Las Vegas, NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MARSHALL, GERSTEIN & BORUN LLP
6300 SEARS TOWER
233 S. WACKER DRIVE
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Family ID: |
31976527 |
Appl. No.: |
10/230604 |
Filed: |
August 29, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10230604 |
Aug 29, 2002 |
|
|
|
10097507 |
Mar 12, 2002 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/16 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3202 20130101;
G07F 17/42 20130101; G07F 17/32 20130101; G07F 17/3248 20130101;
G07F 17/3262 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/16 |
International
Class: |
A63F 009/24 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A gaming apparatus, comprising: a display unit that is capable
of generating video images; a value input device; a controller
operatively coupled to said display unit and said value input
device, said controller comprising a processor and a memory
operatively coupled to said processor, said controller being
programmed to allow a person to make a wager, said controller being
programmed to cause a video image representing a game to be
generated on said display unit, said video image representing one
of the following games: video poker, video blackjack, video slots,
video keno or video bingo, said video image comprising an image of
at least five playing cards if said game comprises video poker,
said video image comprising an image of a plurality of simulated
slot machine reels if said game comprises video slots, said video
image comprising an image of a plurality of playing cards if said
game comprises video blackjack, said video image comprising an
image of a plurality of keno numbers if said game comprises video
keno, said video image comprising an image of a bingo grid if said
game comprises video bingo, and said controller being programmed to
determine a value payout associated with an outcome of said game;
and a lottery ticket dispenser operatively linked to said
controller and adapted to dispense lottery tickets bearing lottery
indicia in response to a signal received from said controller.
2. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said
controller is programmed to receive said lottery ticket indicia
from one of a user and a lottery system.
3. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said
controller is programmed to randomly select said lottery ticket
indicia.
4. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said lottery
tickets are printed by one of a lottery ticket dispenser and a
lottery ticket reader/printer.
5. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said lottery
ticket dispenser and said controller are adapted to read and
validate lottery tickets.
6. A gaming system comprising a plurality of gaming apparatuses as
defined in claim 1, said gaming apparatuses being interconnected to
form a network of gaming apparatuses.
7. A gaming system as defined in claim 6, wherein said gaming
apparatuses are interconnected via the Internet.
8. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said
controller is communicatively linked to a lottery system.
9. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said
controller is programmed to deduct from a user's winnings a cost
associated with dispensed lottery tickets.
10. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said
controller is programmed to access a lottery system and report to
the user prior winning lottery indicia.
11. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said lottery
ticket is associated with one of a casino-based lottery, a
state-based lottery, and a multistate lottery.
12. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said
controller is programmed to dispense scratch-off type lottery
tickets.
13. A gaming apparatus, comprising: a display unit that is capable
of generating video images; a value input device; a controller
operatively coupled to said display unit and said value input
device, said controller comprising a processor and a memory
operatively coupled to said processor, said controller being
programmed to allow a person to make a wager; said controller being
programmed to cause a video image to be generated on said display
unit, said video image representing a game, said controller being
programmed to determine, after said video image has been displayed,
a value payout associated with an outcome of said game represented
by said video image; and a lottery ticket dispenser being
programmed to dispense lottery tickets bearing generated lottery
indicia in response to a signal received from said controller.
14. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein said
controller is programmed to receive said lottery ticket indicia
from one of a user and a lottery system.
15. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein said
controller is programmed to randomly select said lottery ticket
indicia.
16. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein said lottery
tickets are printed by one of a lottery ticket dispenser and a
lottery ticket reader/printer.
17. A gaming system comprising a plurality of gaming apparatuses as
defined in claim 13, said gaming apparatuses being interconnected
to form a network of gaming apparatuses.
18. A gaming system as defined in claim 17, wherein said gaming
apparatuses are interconnected via the Internet.
19. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein said
controller is communicatively linked to a lottery system.
20. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein said
controller is programmed to deduct from a user's winnings the cost
associated with the lottery ticket.
21. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein said
controller is programmed to access a lottery system and report to
the user prior winning lottery indicia.
22. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein said lottery
ticket is associated with one of a casino-based lottery, a
state-based lottery, and a multistate lottery.
23. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein said
controller is programmed to dispense scratch-off type lottery
tickets.
24. A gaming apparatus, comprising: a display unit that is capable
of generating video images; a value input device; a controller
operatively coupled to said display unit and said value input
device, said controller comprising a processor and a memory
operatively coupled to said processor, said controller being
programmed to allow a person to make a wager, said controller being
programmed to allow a person to make a payline selection, said
controller being programmed to cause a video image to be generated
on said display unit, said video image comprising a plurality of
simulated slot machine reels of a slots game, each of said slot
machine reels having a plurality of slot machine symbols, said
controller being programmed to determine a value payout associated
with an outcome of said slots game, said controller being
programmed to determine said outcome of said slots game based on a
configuration of said slot machine symbols; and a lottery ticket
dispenser operatively linked to said controller and adapted to
dispense lottery tickets bearing generated lottery indicia in
response to a signal received from said controller.
25. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 24, wherein said
controller is programmed to allow a user to select a indicia of
paylines.
26. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 24, wherein said lottery
tickets are printed by one of a lottery ticket dispenser and a
lottery ticket reader/printer.
27. A gaming system comprising a plurality of gaming apparatuses as
defined in claim 24, said gaming apparatuses being interconnected
to form a network of gaming apparatuses.
28. A gaming system as defined in claim 27, wherein said gaming
apparatuses are interconnected via the Internet.
29. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 24, wherein said
controller is communicatively linked to a lottery system.
30. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 24, wherein said
controller is programmed to deduct from a user's winnings the cost
associated with the lottery ticket.
31. A gaming method comprising: causing a video image representing
a game to be generated, said video image representing one of the
following games: video poker, video blackjack, video slots, video
keno or video bingo, said video image comprising an image of at
least five playing cards if said game comprises video poker, said
video image comprising an image of a plurality of simulated slot
machine reels if said game comprises video slots, said video image
comprising an image of a plurality of playing cards if said game
comprises video blackjack, said video image comprising an image of
a plurality of keno indicia if said game comprises video keno, and
said video image comprising an image of a bingo grid if said game
comprises video bingo; determining an outcome of said game
represented by said video game image; determining a value payout
associated with said outcome of said game; and dispensing a lottery
ticket bearing lottery indicia.
32. A gaming method as defined in claim 31, further comprising
determining if a user desires a lottery ticket to be dispensed.
33. A gaming method as defined in claim 31, further comprising
requesting a user to provide a plurality of lottery indicia.
34. A gaming method as defined in claim 31, further comprising
communicatively linking the lottery ticket dispenser to a lottery
system.
35. A gaming apparatus, comprising: a controller programmed to play
a first game and to allow a user to wager on the outcome of said
first game, wherein said controller is further programmed to
receive requests to dispense lottery tickets; and a lottery ticket
dispenser operatively linked to said controller and adapted to
dispense a lottery ticket bearing lottery indicia, for entry into
second game, in response to a signal received from said
controller.
36. A gaming system comprising a plurality of gaming apparatuses as
defined in claim 35, said gaming apparatuses being interconnected
to form a network of gaming apparatuses.
37. A gaming system as defined in claim 36, wherein said gaming
apparatuses are interconnected via the Internet.
38. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 35, wherein said
controller is communicatively linked to a lottery system.
39. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 35, wherein said
controller is programmed to dispense scratch-off type lottery
tickets.
40. A gaining apparatus as defined in claim 35, wherein said
lottery ticket dispenser and said controller are adapted to read
and validate lottery tickets.
41. A method of determining the win status of a lottery ticket
comprising: providing a gaming apparatus adapted to play one of the
following games: video poker, video blackjack, video slots, video
keno or video bingo, the gaming apparatus having a display unit
that is capable of generating video images, a controller
operatively coupled to said display unit, and a lottery ticket
reader/printer operatively linked to said controller; inserting a
lottery ticket into the lottery ticket reader/printer; assessing
whether the lottery ticket is a winner; and relaying whether the
lottery ticket is a winner to a player.
42. The method of claim 41 further comprising validating the
lottery ticket.
43. The method of claim 41 further comprising redeeming value for
the lottery ticket.
44. A gaming apparatus, comprising: a controller programmed to play
a first game and to allow a user to wager on the outcome of said
first game, wherein said controller is further programmed to
receive requests to dispense lottery tickets; and a lottery ticket
reader operatively linked to said controller and adapted to read a
lottery ticket bearing lottery ticket identifiable information.
45. A gaming system comprising a plurality of gaming apparatuses as
defined in claim 44, said gaming apparatuses being interconnected
to form a network of gaming apparatuses.
46. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 44, wherein said
controller is communicatively linked to a lottery system.
47. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 44, wherein said lottery
ticket reader and said controller are adapted to validate lottery
tickets.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION DATA
[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of
co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/097,507, which was
filed on Mar. 12, 2002.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Electronic gaming machines of various types such as, for
example, slot machines, video poker machines, video keno machines,
video blackjack machines and that like, are known. Typically,
casinos or other entertainment facilities include numerous
electronic gaming machines of various types to accommodate the
varying preferences of guests. For example, a casino may include a
variety of electronic gaming machines that may be, but are not
necessarily, linked to one another via a network.
[0003] In one form, lotteries, which may be operated by states or
other public or private organizations, are arranged into various
segments called drawings. For example, a state lottery may have a
weekly or daily drawing and, therefore, there is a possibility of a
new lottery winner each week or each day, respectively. Before a
lottery drawing, lottery tickets bearing numbers, letters or other
indicia are sold to those who wish to play that lottery drawing.
After all the tickets for a drawing are sold, balls, tags or other
items having numbers, letters or other indicia printed thereon are
randomly drawn from a hopper or from multiple hoppers. As items are
drawn from the hopper or hoppers, the indicia on each items is
noted and a holder of a ticket having indicia that match each of
the indicia on the items drawn from the hopper or hoppers is a
winner. For example, a ticket having 11-24-35-46-52 printed thereon
would be a winning ticket if five items each bearing one of the
indicia 11, 24, 35, 46 and 52 were pulled from a hopper or from
multiple hoppers.
[0004] For lower payoff drawings, tickets typically have a fewer
indicia thereon and fewer items are drawn from the hopper.
Additionally, for lower payoff drawings, the number of possible
indicia may be rather small (e.g., 1 to 10). For example, a daily
lottery drawing, which may pay out money on the order of thousands
or tens of thousands of dollars, may have only four indicia
(ranging, for example, from 1 to 10) printed on each ticket and
items bearing the indicia may be drawn from the same hopper.
[0005] Conversely, high payoff drawings may have many indicia on a
ticket, each of the ticket indicia must match indicia on items
drawn from a hopper or from multiple hoppers. High payoff drawings
may have a large number of possible indicia (e.g., 1 to 50 or 1 to
100). For example, a lottery like Powerball.RTM., which is a
multistate lottery, may have six or more indicia (ranging, for
example, from 1 to 49) on a ticket and may have a payout on the
order of millions of dollars. Additionally, tickets for large
lotteries, like the Powerball.RTM. lottery, may also include an
additional marking or index (e.g. a Powerball.RTM. number) that
must match a marking or index on an item drawn from a dedicated
hopper.
[0006] Along with the lotteries that determine a winner based on
the outcome of drawings, many states or other public or private
organizations also provide what is commonly referred to as
"scratch-offs" or instant lottery tickets. A scratch-off type
lottery, is conducted by pre-printing tickets, that contain the
necessary information to determine whether that ticket is a winner.
The information may be covered by an opaque material that may be
scratched off the ticket to reveal the information. The winning
information is usually displayed in numerical form, or using other
indicia, which allow a player to deduce whether he has won. A
player can usually deduce whether he has won by evaluating the
combination of several indicia. For example, a scratch-off game
such as Change To Go.RTM. of the Illinois lottery, requires the
player to combine six different money values. If the combined
values add up to over $1.00, the player wins the prize printed on
the ticket. When purchasing the ticket the winning and prize
information is obscured by the opaque material until that material
is removed. The types of games played using the scratch-off
technology is limitless and many different types of indicia may be
used.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In one aspect, the invention is directed to a gaming
apparatus, including a display unit that is capable of generating
video images, a value input device, and a controller operatively
coupled to said display unit and said value input device. The
controller further including a processor and a memory operatively
coupled to the processor, wherein the controller is programmed to
allow a person to make a wager and to cause a video image to be
generated on the display unit, where the video image representing a
game. The controller is programmed to determine, after the video
image has been displayed, a value payout associated with an outcome
of the game represented by said video image. The gaming apparatus
further including, a lottery ticket dispenser being programmed to
dispense lottery tickets bearing generated lottery indicia in
response to a signal received from the controller. Additional
aspects of the invention are defined by the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a gaming
system;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of one of the
gaming units shown schematically in FIG. 1;
[0010] FIG. 2A illustrates an embodiment of a control panel for a
gaming unit;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the electronic components of
the gaming unit of FIG. 2;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a main routine
that may be performed during operation of one or more of the gaming
units;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an alternative embodiment of a main
routine that may be performed during operation of one or more of
the gaming units;
[0014] FIG. 6 is an illustration of an embodiment of a visual
display that may be displayed during performance of the video poker
routine of FIG. 8;
[0015] FIG. 7 is an illustration of an embodiment of a visual
display that may be displayed during performance of the video
blackjack routine of FIG. 9;
[0016] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a video poker
routine that may be performed by one or more of the gaming
units;
[0017] FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a video blackjack
routine that may be performed by one or more of the gaming
units;
[0018] FIG. 10 is an illustration of an embodiment of a visual
display that may be displayed during performance of the slots
routine of FIG. 12;
[0019] FIG. 11 is an illustration of an embodiment of a visual
display that may be displayed during performance of the video keno
routine of FIG. 13;
[0020] FIG. 12 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a slots routine
that may be performed by one or more of the gaming units;
[0021] FIG. 13 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a video keno
routine that may be performed by one or more of the gaming
units;
[0022] FIG. 14 is an illustration of an embodiment of a visual
display that may be displayed during performance of the video bingo
routine of FIG. 15;
[0023] FIG. 15 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a video bingo
routine that may be performed by one or more of the gaming
units;
[0024] FIG. 16 is an exemplary flow chart of a lottery ticket
routine that may be performed by one or more of the gaming
units;
[0025] FIG. 17 is an exemplary flow chart of a lottery ticket
routine that may be performed by one or more of the gaming units;
and
[0026] FIG. 18 is an exemplary flow chart of a lottery ticket
redemption routine that may be performed by one or more of the
gaming units.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS
[0027] Although the following text sets forth a detailed
description of numerous different embodiments of the invention, it
should be understood that the legal scope of the invention is
defined by the words of the claims set forth at the end of this
patent. The detailed description is to be construed as exemplary
only and does not describe every possible embodiment of the
invention because describing every possible embodiment would be
impractical, if not impossible. Numerous alternative embodiments
could be implemented, using either current technology or technology
developed after the filing date of this patent, which would still
fall within the scope of the claims defining the invention.
[0028] It should also be understood that, unless a term is
expressly defined in this patent using the sentence "As used
herein, the term `______` is hereby defined to mean . . . " or a
similar sentence, there is no intent to limit the meaning of that
term, either expressly or by implication, beyond its plain or
ordinary meaning, and such term should not be interpreted to be
limited in scope based on any statement made in any section of this
patent (other than the language of the claims). To the extent that
any term recited in the claims at the end of this patent is
referred to in this patent in a manner consistent with a single
meaning, that is done for sake of clarity only so as to not confuse
the reader, and it is not intended that such claim term by limited,
by implication or otherwise, to that single meaning. Finally,
unless a claim element is defined by reciting the word "means" and
a function without the recital of any structure, it is not intended
that the scope of any claim element be interpreted based on the
application of 35 U.S.C. .sctn.112, sixth paragraph.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 1, a casino gaming system 10 may include a
first group or network 12 of casino gaming units 20 operatively
coupled to a network computer 22 via a network data link or bus 24.
The casino gaming system 10 may include a second group or network
26 of casino gaming units 30 operatively coupled to a network
computer 32 via a network data link or bus 34. The first and second
gaming networks 12, 26 may be operatively coupled to each other via
a network 40, which may comprise, for example, the Internet, a wide
area network (WAN), or a local area network (LAN), via a first and
second network links 42, and 44.
[0030] The first network 12 of gaming units 20 may be provided in a
first casino, and the second network 26 of gaming units 30 may be
provided in a second casino located in a separate geographic
location from the first casino. For example, the two casinos may be
located in different areas of the same city, or they may be located
in different states. The network 40 may include a plurality of
network computers or server computers (not shown), each of which
may be operatively interconnected. Where the network 40 comprises
the Internet, data communication may take place over the
communication links 42, 44 via an Internet communication protocol.
In other examples, the network 40 may be, but is not limited to, a
private and/or proprietary network, a traditional lottery network,
a casino network or an accounting network. Similarly, other types
of protocols may be used to communicate over the communication
links 42, 44, including, but not limited to, proprietary serial
based networking protocols.
[0031] The network computer 22 may be a server computer and may be
used to accumulate and analyze data relating to the operation of
the gaming units 20. For example, the network computer 22 may
continuously receive data from each of the gaming units 20
indicative of the dollar amount and number of wagers being made on
each of the gaming units 20, data indicative of how much each of
the gaming units 20 is paying out in winnings, data regarding the
identity and gaming habits of players playing each of the gaming
units 20, etc. The network computer 32 may be a server computer and
may be used to perform the same or different functions in relation
to the gaming units 30 as the network computer 22 described
above.
[0032] A player tracking unit 45, which may be located in or near
the gaming unit 20, may be utilized for communication of lottery
information between a lottery system 46 and the gaming unit 20. The
lottery system 46 may comprise several components (not shown),
including a controller that may comprise a program memory, a
microcontroller or microprocessor (MP), a random access memory
(RAM) and an input/output (I/O) circuit, all of which may be
interconnected via an address/data bus. It should be appreciated by
those having ordinary skill in the art that the controller may
include additional microprocessors. Similarly, the memory of the
controller may include multiple RAMs and multiple program memories.
It should also be appreciated that the I/O circuit may include a
number of different types of I/O circuits. The RAM(s) and program
memories may be implemented as semiconductor memories, magnetically
readable memories, and/or optically readable memories, for
example.
[0033] Along with the lottery system 46, a host system or network
computer 22, may communicate with the various gaming units 20.
Because the gaming units 20 may be produced by different
manufactures, the gaming units 20 and host system 22 may not be
compatible, and may therefore have difficulty communicating
information. The player tracking unit 45, in an effort to resolve
the communication difficulty, may be implemented into the network
12, 26 and 40, thereby providing, among other capabilities, the
ability to communicate between the gaming units 20 and 30 and the
network computers 22 and 32. The player tracking unit 45 may be
implemented as a physical device on or at the gaming unit 20, or
may be implemented as a physical device within the gaming unit
20.
[0034] In another example, the network computer 22 may be able to
communicate directly with the gaming unit 20, and the gaming unit
20 may have an associated virtual player tracking system 47, as
shown in FIG. 3. An exemplary virtual player tracking system 47,
such as the one developed by the assignee of this patent, is
disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/642,192 entitled
"Gaming Machine with Virtual Player Tracking and Related Services,"
which was filed was on Aug. 18, 2000, and which is hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety. The virtual player
tracking system 47 may be capable of a diverse range of functions.
The virtual player tracking system 47 for example, may be capable
of printing tickets that have been authorized by the host system 22
and which may contain individual authorization numbers. Through the
use of virtual player tracking systems 47, the gaming unit 20 may
exchange with the host system all necessary information including,
for example, authorization, verification and indicia information,
to enable safe and effective distribution of lottery tickets from
gaming units 20. As shown in FIG. 3, the virtual player tracking
system 47 may reside in the gaming unit 20, additionally or
alternatively, however, the virtual player tracking system 47 may
reside the on one ore more of the network computers 22, 32. In yet
another embodiment, the lottery system 46, may communicate directly
with the gaming unit 20, such that the gaming unit 20 effectively
becomes a lottery terminal able to dispense lottery tickets.
[0035] Although each network 12, 26 as shown in FIG. 1 includes one
network computer 22, 32, four gaming units 20, 30 and four player
tracking units 45 it should be understood that different numbers of
computers, gaming units and tracking devices may be utilized. For
example, the network 12 may include a plurality of network
computers 22 and tens or hundreds of gaming units 20, all of which
may be interconnected via the data link 24. The data link 24 may
provided as a dedicated hardwired link or a wireless link. Although
the data link 24 is shown as a single data link 24, the data link
24 may comprise multiple data links.
[0036] Also shown in FIG. 1 are lottery system blocks 46, which
represent the various places at which each network 12, 26 may be
connected to the lottery system 46. For example, the lottery system
46 may be coupled to any of the various network computers 22, 32,
to the network 40 or to the gaming unit 20. The lottery system 46
may, for example, include, but is not limited to, a state or
multistate lottery system. Such lottery systems may coordinate
lottery drawings, provide communications regarding winning numbers,
attend to the distribution of prizes and perform any other relevant
functions.
[0037] The lottery system 46 may also include intercasino and
intracasino lottery systems. For example, an intracasino lottery
system may be responsible for lottery drawings in the casino in
which the lottery system 46 resides. As will be readily
appreciated, a casino may run a lottery having drawings that take
place at regular intervals such as, for example, every hour, twice
a day, once a day or at any other suitable interval. Additionally,
multiple casinos may cooperate to run an intercasino lottery system
in which multiple casinos sell lottery tickets and hold a single
drawing or multiple drawings to determine the numbers that define a
winning ticket.
[0038] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one possible embodiment of
one or more of the gaming units 20. Although the following
description addresses the design of the gaming units 20, it should
be understood that the gaming units 30 may have the same design as
the gaming units 20 described below. It should be understood that
the design of one or more of the gaming units 20 may be different
than the design of other gaming units 20, and that the design of
one or more of the gaming units 30 may be different than the design
of other gaming units 30. Each gaming unit 20 may be any type of
casino gaming unit and may have various different structures and
methods of operation. For exemplary purposes, various designs of
the gaming units 20 are described below, but it should be
understood that numerous other designs may be utilized.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 2, the casino gaming unit 20 may include a
housing or cabinet 50 and one or more input/output devices, which
may include a coin slot or acceptor 52, a paper currency acceptor
54, a ticket reader/printer 56, a lottery ticket dispenser 57, and
a card reader 58, which may be used to input value to the gaming
unit 20. In practice, the ticket reader/printer 56 may be embodied
in a ticket printer and/or bill validator, which is used in a
currently available EZ Pay casino system. A value input device may
include any device that can accept value from a customer. As used
herein, the term "value" may encompass gaming tokens, coins, paper
currency, ticket vouchers, credit or debit cards, and any other
object representative of value.
[0040] If provided, the ticket reader/printer 56 may be used as a
bill validator and/or may be used to read, print or otherwise
encode lottery tickets that may be purchased by the user. For
example, as described below in detail, upon winning a jackpot or a
hand of cards, the gaming unit 20, via the display unit 70, may ask
the user if he or she desires to purchase lottery tickets. Upon a
user indication that he or she desires to purchase lottery tickets,
the ticket reader/printer 56 may print a lottery ticket having
random or user-specified lottery numbers thereon. The fee
associated with the purchased lottery tickets may be deducted from
credits that the user has within the gaming unit 20. As will be
readily appreciated, the lottery tickets may be lottery tickets for
state or multistate lotteries. Additionally, the lottery tickets
may be for intracasino or intercasino lotteries, wherein a casino
holds a lottery drawing on a regular basis (e.g., daily or hourly).
The ticket and printer functionality may be combined into a single
ticket reader/printer 56 or, alternatively, may be embodied in a
separate physical device, one of which performs ticket reading and
one of which performs ticket printing.
[0041] In another example, the gaming unit 20 and/or the ticket
reader/printer 56 may be adapted to redeem and/or validate lottery
tickets. The player, having already obtained a lottery ticket, may
be able to check whether the lottery ticket is a winner and/or how
much value the lottery ticket has won. Similarly, the player may
redeem the value of the ticket at the gaming unit 20. The player,
for example, may insert the lottery ticket into the ticket
reader/printer 56 to determine whether the ticket is a winner. If
the lottery ticket is a winner, the player may be given a choice of
redeeming the value of the lottery ticket. If the player chooses
not to redeem the value of the lottery ticket, the ticket
reader/printer 56 may return the lottery ticket to the player. If,
however, the player chooses to redeem the value of the lottery
ticket, the player may be prompted, by the gaming unit 20, via the
display 70 or otherwise, to press a button such as the "cash out"
button. Upon pressing the button, the value of the lottery ticket
may be added to the player's credit, or value, in the gaming unit
20, or the player may choose not to play the gaming unit 20 and,
rather redeem the credits for another value such as cash or
voucher. In yet another example, the gaming unit 20 may include a
separate lottery ticket dispenser 57 for dispensing lottery
tickets. The lottery ticket dispenser 57, may be able to perform
all the functions the ticket reader/printer 56 is able to
perform.
[0042] Alternatively or additionally, the ticket reader/printer 56
may be used to read and/or print or otherwise encode ticket
vouchers 60. The ticket vouchers 60 may be composed of paper or
another printable or encodable material and may have one or more of
the following informational items printed or encoded thereon: the
casino name, the type of ticket voucher, a validation number, a bar
code with control and/or security data, the date and time of
issuance of the ticket voucher, redemption instructions and
restrictions, a description of an award, and any other information
that may be necessary or desirable. Different types of ticket
vouchers 60 could be used, such as bonus ticket vouchers,
cash-redemption ticket vouchers, casino chip ticket vouchers, extra
game play ticket vouchers, merchandise ticket vouchers, restaurant
ticket vouchers, show ticket vouchers, etc. The ticket vouchers 60
could be printed with an optically readable material such as ink,
or data on the ticket vouchers 60 could be magnetically encoded.
The ticket reader/printer 56 may be provided with the ability to
both read and print ticket vouchers 60, or it may be provided with
the ability to only read or only print or encode ticket vouchers
60. In the latter case, for example, some of the gaming units 20
may have ticket reader/printer 56 that may be used to print ticket
vouchers 60, which could then be used by a player in other gaming
units 20 that have ticket reader/printer 56.
[0043] If provided, the card reader 58 may include any type of card
reading device, such as a magnetic card reader or an optical card
reader, and may be used to read data from a card offered by a
player, such as a credit card or a player tracking card. If
provided for player tracking purposes, the card reader 58 may be
used to read data from, and/or write data to, player tracking cards
that are capable of storing data representing the identity of a
player, the identity of a casino, the player's gaming habits, etc.
Like the card reader 58, other gaming devices associated with the
gaming unit 20, including, but not limited to, the ticket
reader/printer 56 and the display unit 70, may be utilized for
multiple purposes. The display unit 70, for example, may be of the
Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) or a Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) type,
wherein the display unit 70 may have touch screen capabilities
allowing for the display unit to be used in multiple ways. More
specifically, the touch screen capabilities of the display unit 70,
may be utilized to choose the type of game to be played on the
gaming unit 20, it may be used do choose a set of lottery numbers
when appropriate, or the gaming unit 20 may be adapted to function
as an Automatic Teller Machine Service (ATM), wherein the touch
screen display unit 70 may function as a keypad for the ATM. To
allow such a flexibility in the utilization of the different
devices, the gaming unit 20 may include a peripheral manager.
[0044] The gaming unit 20 may include one or more audio speakers
62, a coin payout tray 64, an input control panel 66, and a color
video display unit 70 for displaying images relating to the game or
games provided by the gaming unit 20. The audio speakers 62 may
generate audio representing sounds such as the noise of spinning
slot machine reels, a dealer's voice, music, announcements or any
other audio related to a casino game. The input control panel 66
may be provided with a plurality of pushbuttons or touch-sensitive
areas that may be pressed by a player to select games, make wagers,
select lottery numbers or information, make gaming decisions,
etc.
[0045] FIG. 2A illustrates one possible embodiment of the control
panel 66, which may be used where the gaming unit 20 is a slot
machine having a plurality of mechanical or "virtual" reels.
Referring to FIG. 2A, the control panel 66 may include a "See Pays"
button 72 that, when activated, causes the display unit 70 to
generate one or more display screens showing the odds or payout
information for the game or games provided by the gaming unit 20.
As used herein, the term "button" is intended to encompass any
device that allows a player to make an input, such as an input
device that must be activated to make an input selection or a
display area that a player may simply touch, such as a switch,
touchscreen etc. The control panel 66 may include a "Cash Out"
button 74 that may be activated when a player decides to terminate
play on the gaming unit 20, in which case the gaming unit 20 may
return value to the player, such as by returning a number of coins
to the player via the payout tray 64.
[0046] The control panel 66 may also include a "Lottery Purchase"
button 73, that may be activated when a player decides to terminate
play on the gaming unit 20, in which case the gaming unit 20 may
dispense the desired amount of lottery tickets as requested by the
user. Alternatively, when the player decides to terminate play on
the gaming unit 20, the player may depress the "Cash Out" button
74, at which time the player may be given several options,
including whether to redeem all or part of the redeemable value in
lottery tickets. The player may then depress the "Lottery Purchase"
button 73 to redeem all or part of the redeemable value in lottery
tickets.
[0047] If the gaming unit 20 provides a slots game having a
plurality of reels and a plurality of paylines that define winning
combinations of reel symbols, the control panel 66 may be provided
with a plurality of selection buttons 76, each of which allows the
player to select a different number of paylines prior to spinning
the reels. For example, five buttons 76 may be provided, each of
which may allow a player to select one, three, five, seven or nine
paylines. Additionally, the control panel 66 may be provided with a
plurality of selection buttons 78 each of which allows a player to
specify a wager amount for each payline selected. For example, if
the smallest wager accepted by the gaming unit 20 is a quarter
($0.25), the gaming unit 20 may be provided with five selection
buttons 78, each of which may allow a player to select one, two,
three, four or five quarters to wager for each payline selected. In
that case, if a player were to activate the "5" button 76 (meaning
that five paylines were to be played on the next spin of the reels)
and then activate the "3" button 78 (meaning that three coins per
payline were to be wagered), the total wager would be $3.75
(assuming the minimum bet was $0.25).
[0048] The control panel 66 may include a "Max Bet" button 80 to
allow a player to make the maximum wager allowable for a game. In
the above example, where up to nine paylines were provided and up
to five quarters could be wagered for each payline selected, the
maximum wager would be 45 quarters, or $11.25. The control panel 66
may include a spin button 82 to allow the player to initiate
spinning of the reels of a slots game after a wager has been
made.
[0049] In FIG. 2A, a rectangle is shown around the buttons 72, 74,
76, 78, 80, 82. It should be understood that the rectangle simply
designates, for ease of reference, an area in which the buttons 72,
74, 76, 78, 80, 82 may be located. Consequently, the term "control
panel" should not be construed to imply that a panel or plate
separate from the housing 50 of the gaming unit 20 is required, and
the term "control panel" may encompass a plurality or grouping of
player activatable buttons.
[0050] Although one possible control panel 66 is described above,
it should be understood that different buttons could be utilized in
the control panel 66, and that the particular buttons used may
depend on the game or games that could be played on the gaming unit
20. Although the control panel 66 is shown to be separate from the
display unit 70, it should be understood that the control panel 66
could be generated by the display unit 70. In that case, each of
the buttons of the control panel 66 could be a colored area
generated by the display unit 70, and some type of mechanism may be
associated with the display unit 70 to detect when each of the
buttons was touched, such as a touch-sensitive screen.
Gaming Unit Electronics
[0051] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a number of components that may
be incorporated in the gaming unit 20. Referring to FIG. 3, the
gaming unit 20 may include a controller 100 that may comprise a
program memory 102, a microcontroller or microprocessor (MP) 104, a
random-access memory (RAM) 106 and an input/output (I/O) circuit
108, all of which may be interconnected via an address/data bus
110. It should be appreciated that although only one microprocessor
104 is shown, the controller 100 may include additional
microprocessors. Similarly, the memory of the controller 100 may
include multiple RAMs 106 and multiple program memories 102.
Although the I/O circuit 108 is shown as a single block, it should
be appreciated that the I/O circuit 108 may include a number of
different types of I/O circuits. The RAM(s) 104 and program
memories 102 may be implemented as semiconductor memories,
magnetically readable memories, and/or optically readable memories,
for example.
[0052] FIG. 3 illustrates that the player tracking unit 45, the
control panel 66, the display 70, the coin acceptor 52, the bill
acceptor 54, the card reader 58 and the ticket reader/printer 56
may be operatively coupled to the I/O circuit 108, each of those
components being so coupled by either a unidirectional or
bidirectional, single-line or multiple-line data link, which may
depend on the design of the component that is used. The speaker(s)
62 may be operatively coupled to a sound circuit 112, that may
comprise a voice- and sound-synthesis circuit or that may comprise
a driver circuit. The sound-generating circuit 112 may be coupled
to the I/O circuit 108.
[0053] As shown in FIG. 3, the components 45, 52, 54, 56, 58, 66,
70, 112 may be connected to the I/O circuit 108 via a respective
direct line or conductor. Different connection schemes could be
used. For example, one or more of the components shown in FIG. 3
may be connected to the I/O circuit 108 via a common bus or other
data link that is shared by a number of components. Furthermore,
some of the components may be directly connected to the
microprocessor 104 without passing through the I/O circuit 108.
Overall Operation of Gaming Unit
[0054] One manner in which one or more of the gaming units 20 (and
one or more of the gaming units 30) may operate is described below
in connection with a number of flowcharts that represent a number
of portions or routines of one or more computer programs, which may
be stored in one or more of the memories of the controller 100. The
computer program(s) or portions thereof may be stored remotely,
outside of the gaming unit 20, and may control the operation of the
gaming unit 20 from a remote location. Such remote control may be
facilitated with the use of a wireless connection, or by an
Internet interface that connects the gaming unit 20 with a remote
computer (such as one of the network computers 22, 32 as shown in
FIG. 1) having a memory in which the computer program portions are
stored. The computer program portions may be written in any high
level language such as C, C#, C+, C++or the like or any low-level,
assembly or machine language. By storing the computer program
portions therein, various portions of the memories 102, 106 are
physically and/or structurally configured in accordance with
computer program instructions.
[0055] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a main operating routine 200 that
may be stored in the memory of the controller 100. Referring to
FIG. 4, the main routine 200 may begin operation at block 202
during which an attraction sequence may be performed in an attempt
to induce a potential player in a casino to play the gaming unit
20. The attraction sequence may be performed by displaying one or
more video images on the display unit 70 and/or causing one or more
sound segments, such as voice or music, to be generated via the
speakers 62. The attraction sequence may include a scrolling list
of games that may be played on the gaming unit 20 and/or video
images of various games being played, such as video poker, video
blackjack, video slots, video keno, video bingo, etc. The
attraction sequence may also include promotions or advertisement to
promote the casino property and/or sequences to entice the player
to play or purchase one or more lottery games.
[0056] During performance of the attraction sequence, if a
potential player makes any input to the gaming unit 20 as
determined at block 204, the attraction sequence may be terminated
and a game-selection display may be generated on the display unit
70 at block 206 to allow the player to select a game available on
the gaming unit 20. The gaming unit 20 may detect an input at block
204 in various ways. For example, the gaming unit 20 could detect
if the player presses any button on the gaming unit 20; the gaming
unit 20 could determine if the player deposited one or more coins
into the gaming unit 20; the gaming unit 20 could determine if
player deposited paper currency into the gaming unit; etc.
[0057] The game-selection display generated at block 206 may
include, for example, a list of video games that may be played on
the gaming unit 20 and/or a visual message to prompt the player to
deposit value into the gaming unit 20. While the game-selection
display is generated, the gaming unit 20 may wait for the player to
make a game selection. Upon selection of one of the games by the
player as determined at block 208, the controller 100 may cause one
of a number of game routines to be performed to allow the selected
game to be played. For example, the game routines could include a
video poker routine 210, a video blackjack routine 220, a slots
routine 230, a video keno routine 240, and a video bingo routine
250. At block 208, if no game selection is made within a given
period of time, the operation may branch back to block 202.
[0058] After one of the routines 210, 220, 230, 240, 250 has been
performed to allow the player to play one of the games, block 260
may be utilized to determine whether the player wishes to terminate
play on the gaming unit 20 or to select another game. If the player
wishes to stop playing the gaming unit 20, which may be expressed,
for example, by selecting a "Cash Out" button or by selecting the
"Lottery Purchase" button, control may pass to a lottery tickets
routine block 261A or 261B. The lottery tickets routine block 261A
and 261B, as described in detail in conjunction with FIG. 16 and
FIG. 17, respectively, may prompt a user to purchase and dispense
lottery tickets. As will be readily appreciated by those having
ordinary skill in the art, the lottery ticket routine 261A or 261B
need not be located as shown in FIG. 4, but may be located between
the routines 210-250 and the block 260. Locating the lottery
tickets routine 261A or 261B before the block 260 would result in
the user having the option to purchase lottery tickets without the
user opting to quit at the block 260.
[0059] Alternatively or additionally, the lottery tickets routine
261A or 261B could be used in one or more of the routine 210-250.
For example, the lottery ticket routine 261A or 261B, when located
in the poker routine 210 (FIG. 8), may be located anywhere between
block 394 and 400. More specifically, the lottery ticket routine
261A or 261B, may be located between block 396 and block 398, such
that the gaming unit 20 may prompt the player if he would like to
purchase lottery tickets shortly after the player has won a jackpot
or hand of cards. Therefore, the player may have one or more
opportunities to purchase or redeem lottery tickets within the
routine 200 and 210. The lottery ticket routine 261A or 261B may
also be located in the blackjack routine 220 (FIG. 9), anywhere
between block 438 and 444. More specifically, the lottery ticket
routine 261, may be located between block 440 and block 442, such
that the player is prompted to purchase lottery tickets shortly
after the player has won a hand. Therefore, the player may, once
again, have one or more opportunities to purchase or redeem lottery
tickets within the routine 200 and 220. Similarly, the lottery
routine 261A or 261B may be located between blocks 494 and 504,
between blocks 578 and 584, and between blocks 640 and 646 in the
slots routine 230 (FIG. 12), the keno routine 240 (FIG. 13), and
the bingo routine 220 (FIG. 15), respectively. As a further
alternative, the lottery ticket routine 261A or 261B could be
available on an interrupt basis prompted by the depression of the
Lottery Purchase button 73.
[0060] After the operation returns to the main routine 200 from the
lottery tickets routine 261A or 261B, the controller 100 may
dispense value to the player at block 262 based on the outcome of
the game(s) played by the player. The operation may then return to
block 202. If the player did not wish to quit as determined at
block 260, the routine may return to block 208 where the
game-selection display may again be generated to allow the player
to select another game.
[0061] It should be noted that although five gaming routines are
shown in FIG. 4, a different number of routines could be included
to allow play of a different number of games. The gaming unit 20
may also be programmed to allow play of different games.
[0062] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an alternative main operating
routine 300 that may be stored in the memory of the controller 100.
The main routine 300 may be utilized for gaming units 20 that are
designed to allow play of only a single game or single type of
game. Referring to FIG. 5, the main routine 300 may begin operation
at block 302 during which an attraction sequence may be performed
in an attempt to induce a potential player in a casino to play the
gaming unit 20. The attraction sequence may be performed by
displaying one or more video images on the display unit 70 and/or
causing one or more sound segments, such as voice or music, to be
generated via the speakers 62.
[0063] During performance of the attraction sequence, if a
potential player makes any input to the gaming unit 20 as
determined at block 304, the attraction sequence may be terminated
and a game display may be generated on the display unit 70 at block
306. The game display generated at block 306 may include, for
example, an image of the casino game that may be played on the
gaming unit 20 and/or a visual message to prompt the player to
deposit value into the gaming unit 20. At block 308, the gaming
unit 20 may determine if the player requested information
concerning the game, in which case the requested information may be
displayed at block 310. Block 312 may be used to determine if the
player requested initiation of a game, in which case a game routine
320 may be performed. The game routine 320 could be any one of the
game routines disclosed herein, such as one of the five game
routines 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, or another game routine.
[0064] After the routine 320 has been performed to allow the player
to play the game, block 322 may be utilized to determine whether
the player wishes to terminate play on the gaming unit 20. If the
player wishes to stop playing the gaming unit 20, which wish may be
expressed, for example, by selecting a "Cash Out" button, control
may pass to a lottery tickets routine 261A or 261B, which provides
the user the option of purchasing lottery tickets, before the
controller 100 dispenses value to the player at block 324 based on
the outcome of the game(s) played by the player. Alternatively, as
described above, lottery tickets could be dispersed at any time
when the Lottery Purchase button 73 is depressed. Further detail
regarding the lottery tickets routines 261A and 261B is provided in
connection with FIG. 16 and FIG. 17, respectively. Additionally or
alternatively, the lottery ticket routine 261A or 261B may be
located between blocks 312 and 322, such that the player may
purchase or redeem lottery tickets in routine 300 before deciding
to quit the game at block 322. After the completion of the block
324, operation may then return to block 302. If, however, the
player did not wish to quit as determined at block 322, the
operation may return to block 308.
Video Poker
[0065] FIG. 6 is an exemplary display 350 that may be shown on the
display unit 70 during performance of the video poker routine 210
shown schematically in FIG. 4. Referring to FIG. 6, the display 350
may include video images 352 of a plurality of playing cards
representing the player's hand, such as five cards. To allow the
player to control the play of the video poker game, a plurality of
player-selectable buttons may be displayed. The buttons may include
a "Hold" button 354 disposed directly below each of the playing
card images 352, a "Cash Out" button 356, a "See Pays" button 358,
a "Bet One Credit" button 360, a "Bet Max Credits" button 362, and
a "Deal/Draw" button 364. The display 350 may also include an area
366 in which the number of remaining credits or value is displayed.
If the display unit 70 is provided with a touch-sensitive screen,
the buttons 354, 356, 358, 360, 362, 364 may form part of the video
display 350. Alternatively, one or more of those buttons may be
provided as part of a control panel that is provided separately
from the display unit 70.
[0066] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the video poker routine 210 shown
schematically in FIG. 4. Referring to FIG. 8, at block 370, the
routine may determine whether the player has requested payout
information, such as by activating the "See Pays" button 358, in
which case at block 372 the routine may cause one or more pay
tables to be displayed on the display unit 70. At block 374, the
routine may determine whether the player has made a bet, such as by
pressing the "Bet One Credit" button 360, in which case at block
376 bet data corresponding to the bet made by the player may be
stored in the memory of the controller 100. At block 378, the
routine may determine whether the player has pressed the "Bet Max
Credits" button 362, in which case at block 380 bet data
corresponding to the maximum allowable bet may be stored in the
memory of the controller 100.
[0067] At block 382, the routine may determine if the player
desires a new hand to be dealt, which may be determined by
detecting if the "Deal/Draw" button 364 was activated after a wager
was made. In that case, at block 384 a video poker hand may be
"dealt" by causing the display unit 70 to generate the playing card
images 352. After the hand is dealt, at block 386 the routine may
determine if any of the "Hold" buttons 354 have been activated by
the player, in which case data regarding which of the playing card
images 352 are to be "held" may be stored in the controller 100 at
block 388. If the "Deal/Draw" button 364 is activated again as
determined at block 390, each of the playing card images 352 that
was not "held" may be caused to disappear from the video display
350 and to be replaced by a new, randomly selected, playing card
image 352 at block 392.
[0068] At block 394, the routine may determine whether the poker
hand represented by the playing card images 352 currently displayed
is a winner. That determination may be made by comparing data
representing the currently displayed poker hand with data
representing all possible winning hands, which may be stored in the
memory of the controller 100. If there is a winning hand, a payout
value corresponding to the winning hand may be determined at block
396. After the block 396 completes execution or if the block 394
determines that the user does not have a winning hand, control
passes to a block 398. In an alternate example, before block 398
receives control, control may be passed to the lottery ticket
routine 261A or 261B. At the lottery ticket routine 261A or 261B
the player may be prompted and given the choice to purchase or
redeem lottery tickets as shown in FIG. 16 and FIG. 17,
respectively. After the routine 261A or 261B is completed the
control passes to block 398. At the block 398 the player's
cumulative value or number of credits may be updated by subtracting
the bet made by the player and adding, if the hand was a winner,
the payout value determined at block 396. The cumulative value or
number of credits may also be displayed in the display area 366
(FIG. 6).
[0069] After the execution of the block 398, control passes to a
block 400, which determines if the user desires to quit playing the
poker game. If the user desires to quit, execution of the routine
210 ends and control returns to the routine that called the routine
210 (e.g., the routine 200 of FIG. 4). Alternatively, if the user
desires to continue playing the poker game, control passes from the
block 400 back to the block 370.
[0070] Although the video poker routine 210 is described above in
connection with a single poker hand of five cards, the routine 210
may be modified to allow other versions of poker to be played. For
example, seven card poker may be played, or stud poker may be
played. Alternatively, multiple poker hands may be simultaneously
played. In that case, the game may begin by dealing a single poker
hand, and the player may be allowed to hold certain cards. After
deciding which cards to hold, the held cards may be duplicated in a
plurality of different poker hands, with the remaining cards for
each of those poker hands being randomly determined.
Video Blackjack
[0071] FIG. 7 is an exemplary display 400 that may be shown on the
display unit 70 during performance of the video blackjack routine
220 shown schematically in FIG. 4. Referring to FIG. 7, the display
400 may include video images 402 of a pair of playing cards
representing a dealer's hand, with one of the cards shown face up
and the other card being shown face down, and video images 404 of a
pair of playing cards representing a player's hand, with both the
cards shown face up. The "dealer" may be the gaming unit 20.
[0072] To allow the player to control the play of the video
blackjack game, a plurality of player-selectable buttons may be
displayed. The buttons may include a "Cash Out" button 406, a "See
Pays" button 408, a "Stay" button 410, a "Hit" button 412, a "Bet
One Credit" button 414, and a "Bet Max Credits" button 416. The
display 400 may also include an area 418 in which the number of
remaining credits or value is displayed. If the display unit 70 is
provided with a touch-sensitive screen, the buttons 406, 408, 410,
412, 414, 416 may form part of the video display 400.
Alternatively, one or more of those buttons may be provided as part
of a control panel that is provided separately from the display
unit 70.
[0073] FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the video blackjack routine 220
shown schematically in FIG. 4. Referring to FIG. 9, the video
blackjack routine 220 may begin at block 420 where it may determine
whether a bet has been made by the player. That may be determined,
for example, by detecting the activation of either the "Bet One
Credit" button 414 or the "Bet Max Credits" button 416. At block
422, bet data corresponding to the bet made at block 420 may be
stored in the memory of the controller 100. At block 424, a
dealer's hand and a player's hand may be "dealt" by making the
playing card images 402, 404 appear on the display unit 70.
[0074] At block 426, the player may be allowed to be "hit," in
which case at block 428 another card will be dealt to the player's
hand by making another playing card image 404 appear in the display
400. If the player is hit, block 430 may determine if the player
has "bust," or exceeded 21. If the player has not bust, blocks 426
and 428 may be performed again to allow the player to be hit
again.
[0075] If the player decides not to hit, at block 432 the routine
may determine whether the dealer should be hit. Whether the dealer
hits may be determined in accordance with predetermined rules, such
as the dealer always hit if the dealer's hand totals 15 or less. If
the dealer hits, at block 434 the dealer's hand may be dealt
another card by making another playing card image 402 appear in the
display 400. At block 436 the routine may determine whether the
dealer has bust. If the dealer has not bust, blocks 432, 434 may be
performed again to allow the dealer to be hit again.
[0076] If the dealer does not hit, at block 436 the outcome of the
blackjack game and a corresponding payout may be determined based
on, for example, whether the player or the dealer has the higher
hand that does not exceed 21. If the player has a winning hand, a
payout value corresponding to the winning hand may be determined at
block 440. After the payout value is determined at the block 440,
control passes to the routine 220 or if the block 438 determines
that the player is not a winner, a block 442 updates the player's
cumulative value or number of credits by subtracting the bet made
by the player and adding, if the player won, the payout value
determined at block 440. The cumulative value or number of credits
may also be displayed in the display area 418 (FIG. 7). In one
example, before block 442 receives control, control may be passed
to the lottery ticket routine 261A or 261B. At the lottery ticket
routine 261A or 261B the player may be prompted and given the
choice to purchase or redeem lottery tickets as shown in FIG. 16
and FIG. 17, respectively. After the routine 261A or 261B is
completed the control passes to block 442.
[0077] After the execution of the block 442, control passes to a
block 444, which determines if the user would like to quit playing
the blackjack game. If the user desires to quit, control passes
back to the routine (e.g., the routine 200 of FIG. 4) that called
the routine 220. Alternatively, if the block 444 determines that
the user does not desire to quit the blackjack game, control passes
from the block 444 back to the block 420, which restarts the
game.
Slots
[0078] FIG. 10 is an exemplary display 450 that may be shown on the
display unit 70 during performance of the slots routine 230 shown
schematically in FIG. 4. Referring to FIG. 10, the display 450 may
include video images 452 of a plurality of slot machine reels, each
of the reels having a plurality of reel symbols 454 associated
therewith. Although the display 450 shows five reel images 452,
each of which may have three reel symbols 454 that are visible at a
time, other reel configurations could be utilized.
[0079] To allow the player to control the play of the slots game, a
plurality of player-selectable buttons may be displayed. The
buttons may include a "Cash Out" button 456, a "See Pays" button
458, a plurality of payline-selection buttons 460 each of which
allows the player to select a different number of paylines prior to
"spinning" the reels, a plurality of bet-selection buttons 462 each
of which allows a player to specify a wager amount for each payline
selected, a "Spin" button 464, and a "Max Bet" button 466 to allow
a player to make the maximum wager allowable.
[0080] FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the slots routine 230 shown
schematically in FIG. 10. Referring to FIG. 12, at block 470, the
routine may determine whether the player has requested payout
information, such as by activating the "See Pays" button 458, in
which case at block 472 the routine may cause one or more pay
tables to be displayed on the display unit 70. At block 474, the
routine may determine whether the player has pressed one of the
payline-selection buttons 460, in which case at block 476 data
corresponding to the number of paylines selected by the player may
be stored in the memory of the controller 100. At block 478, the
routine may determine whether the player has pressed one of the
bet-selection buttons 462, in which case at block 480 data
corresponding to the amount bet per payline may be stored in the
memory of the controller 100. At block 482, the routine may
determine whether the player has pressed the "Max Bet" button 466,
in which case at block 484 bet data (which may include both payline
data and bet-per-payline data) corresponding to the maximum
allowable bet may be stored in the memory of the controller
100.
[0081] If the "Spin" button 464 has been activated by the player as
determined at block 486, at block 488 the routine may cause the
slot machine reel images 452 to begin "spinning" so as to simulate
the appearance of a plurality of spinning mechanical slot machine
reels. At block 490, the routine may determine the positions at
which the slot machine reel images will stop, or the particular
symbol images 454 that will be displayed when the reel images 452
stop spinning. At block 492, the routine may stop the reel images
452 from spinning by displaying stationary reel images 452 and
images of three symbols 454 for each stopped reel image 452. The
virtual reels may be stopped from left to right, from the
perspective of the player, or in any other manner or sequence.
[0082] The routine may provide for the possibility of a bonus game
or round if certain conditions are met, such as the display in the
stopped reel images 452 of a particular symbol 454. If there is
such a bonus condition as determined at block 494, the routine may
proceed to block 496 where a bonus round may be played. The bonus
round may be a different game than slots, and many other types of
bonus games could be provided. If the player wins the bonus round,
or receives additional credits or points in the bonus round, a
bonus value may be determined at block 498. A payout value
corresponding to outcome of the slots game and/or the bonus round
may be determined at block 500.
[0083] After the payout value is determined at the block 500,
control passes to a block 502. In an alternate example, before
block 502 receives control, control may be passed to the lottery
ticket routine 261A or 261B. At the lottery ticket routine 261A or
261B the player may be prompted and given the choice to purchase or
redeem lottery tickets as shown in FIG. 16 and FIG. 17,
respectively. After the routine 261A or 261B is completed the
control passes to block 502. At block 502, the player's cumulative
value or number of credits may be updated by subtracting the bet
made by the player and adding, if the slot game and/or bonus round
was a winner, the payout value determined at block 500.
[0084] After the block 502 completes execution, control passes to a
block 504, which determines whether the user desires to quit
playing the slots routine 230. If the user desires to quit the
slots routine 230, control passes back to the main routine that
called the slots routine. Alternatively, if the user does not
desire to quit playing the slots routine 230, control passes from
the block 504 back to the block 470.
[0085] Although the above routine has been described as a virtual
slot machine routine in which slot machine reels are represented as
images on the display unit 70, actual slot machine reels that are
capable of being spun may be utilized instead.
Video Keno
[0086] FIG. 11 is an exemplary display 520 that may be shown on the
display unit 70 during performance of the video keno routine 240
shown schematically in FIG. 4. Referring to FIG. 11, the display
520 may include a video image 522 of a plurality of numbers that
were selected by the player prior to the start of a keno game and a
video image 524 of a plurality of numbers randomly selected during
the keno game. The randomly selected numbers may be displayed in a
grid pattern.
[0087] To allow the player to control the play of the keno game, a
plurality of player-selectable buttons may be displayed. The
buttons may include a "Cash Out" button 526, a "See Pays" button
528, a "Bet One Credit" button 530, a "Bet Max Credits" button 532,
a "Select Ticket" button 534, a "Select Number" button 536, and a
"Play" button 538. The display 520 may also include an area 540 in
which the number of remaining credits or value is displayed. If the
display unit 70 is provided with a touch-sensitive screen, the
buttons may form part of the video display 520. Alternatively, one
or more of those buttons may be provided as part of a control panel
that is provided separately from the display unit 70.
[0088] FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the video keno routine 240 shown
schematically in FIG. 4. The keno routine 240 may be utilized in
connection with a single gaming unit 20 where a single player is
playing a keno game, or the keno routine 240 may be utilized in
connection with multiple gaming units 20 where multiple players are
playing a single keno game. In the latter case, one or more of the
acts described below may be performed either by the controller 100
in each gaming unit or by one of the network computer 22, 32 to
which multiple gaming units 20 are operatively connected.
[0089] Referring to FIG. 13, at block 550, the routine may
determine whether the player has requested payout information, such
as by activating the "See Pays" button 528, in which case at block
552 the routine may cause one or more pay tables to be displayed on
the display unit 70. At block 554, the routine may determine
whether the player has made a bet, such as by having pressed the
"Bet One Credit" button 530 or the "Bet Max Credits" button 532, in
which case at block 556 bet data corresponding to the bet made by
the player may be stored in the memory of the controller 100. After
the player has made a wager, at block 558 the player may select a
keno ticket, and at block 560 the ticket may be displayed on the
display 520. At block 562, the player may select one or more game
numbers, which may be within a range set by the casino. After being
selected, the player's game numbers may be stored in the memory of
the controller 100 at block 564 and may be included in the image
522 on the display 520 at block 566. After a certain amount of
time, the keno game may be closed to additional players (where a
number of players are playing a single keno game using multiple
gambling units 20).
[0090] If play of the keno game is to begin as determined at block
568, at block 570 a game number within a range set by the casino
may be randomly selected either by the controller 100 or a central
computer operatively connected to the controller, such as one of
the network computers 22, 32. At block 572, the randomly selected
game number may be displayed on the display unit 70 and the display
units 70 of other gaming units 20 (if any) which are involved in
the same keno game. At block 574, the controller 100 (or the
central computer noted above) may increment a count which keeps
track of how many game numbers have been selected at block 570.
[0091] At block 576, the controller 100 (or one of the network
computers 22, 32) may determine whether a maximum number of game
numbers within the range have been randomly selected. If not,
another game number may be randomly selected at block 570. If the
maximum number of game numbers has been selected, at block 578 the
controller 100 (or a central computer) may determine whether there
are a sufficient number of matches between the game numbers
selected by the player and the game numbers selected at block 570
to cause the player to win. The number of matches may depend on how
many numbers the player selected and the particular keno rules
being used.
[0092] If there are a sufficient number of matches, a payout may be
determined at block 580 to compensate the player for winning the
game. The payout may depend on the number of matches between the
game numbers selected by the player and the game numbers randomly
selected at block 570.
[0093] After the block 580 determines the payout value, control
passes to a change value block 582. In an alternate example, before
block 582 receives control, control may be passed to the lottery
ticket routine 261A or 261B. At the lottery ticket routine 261A or
261B the player may be prompted and given the choice to purchase or
redeem lottery tickets as shown in FIG. 16 and FIG. 17,
respectively. After the routine 261A or 261B is completed the
control passes to block 582. At block 582, the player's cumulative
value or number of credits may be updated by subtracting the bet
made by the player and adding, if the keno game was won, the payout
value determined at block 580. The cumulative value or number of
credits may also be displayed in the display area 540 (FIG.
11).
[0094] After the block 582 completes execution, control passes to a
block 584, which determines if the user desires to quit play of the
keno routine 240. If the user desires to quit play of the keno
routine 240, control returns to the main routine that called the
keno routine 240. Alternatively, if the user desires to continue
playing keno, control passes from the block 584 to the block
550
Video Bingo
[0095] FIG. 14 is an exemplary display 600 that may be shown on the
display unit 70 during performance of the video bingo routine 250
shown schematically in FIG. 4. Referring to FIG. 14, the display
600 may include one or more video images 602 of a bingo card and
images of the bingo numbers selected during the game. The bingo
card images 602 may have a grid pattern.
[0096] To allow the player to control the play of the bingo game, a
plurality of player-selectable buttons may be displayed. The
buttons may include a "Cash Out" button 604, a "See Pays" button
606, a "Bet One Credit" button 608, a "Bet Max Credits" button 610,
a "Select Card" button 612, and a "Play" button 614. The display
600 may also include an area 616 in which the number of remaining
credits or value is displayed. If the display unit 70 is provided
with a touch-sensitive screen, the buttons may form part of the
video display 600. Alternatively, one or more of those buttons may
be provided as part of a control panel that is provided separately
from the display unit 70.
[0097] FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the video bingo routine 250 shown
schematically in FIG. 4. The bingo routine 250 may be utilized in
connection with a single gaming unit 20 where a single player is
playing a bingo game, or the bingo routine 250 may be utilized in
connection with multiple gaming units 20 where multiple players are
playing a single bingo game. In the latter case, one or more of the
acts described below may be performed either by the controller 100
in each gaming unit 20 or by one of the network computers 22, 32 to
which multiple gaming units 20 are operatively connected.
[0098] Referring to FIG. 15, at block 620, the routine may
determine whether the player has requested payout information, such
as by activating the "See Pays" button 606, in which case at block
622 the routine may cause one or more pay tables to be displayed on
the display unit 70. At block 624, the routine may determine
whether the player has made a bet, such as by having pressed the
"Bet One Credit" button 608 or the "Bet Max Credits" button 610, in
which case at block 626 bet data corresponding to the bet made by
the player may be stored in the memory of the controller 100.
[0099] After the player has made a wager, at block 628 the player
may select a bingo card, which may be generated randomly. The
player may select more than one bingo card, and there may be a
maximum number of bingo cards that a player may select. After play
is to commence as determined at block 632, at block 634 a bingo
number may be randomly generated by the controller 100 or a central
computer such as one of the network computers 22, 32. At block 636,
the bingo number may be displayed on the display unit 70 and the
display units 70 of any other gaming units 20 involved in the bingo
game.
[0100] At block 638, the controller 100 (or a central computer) may
determine whether any player has won the bingo game. If no player
has won, another bingo number may be randomly selected at block
634. If any player has bingo as determined at block 638, the
routine may determine at block 640 whether the player playing that
gaming unit 20 was the winner. If so, at block 642 a payout for the
player may be determined. The payout may depend on the number of
random numbers that were drawn before there was a winner, the total
number of winners (if there was more than one player), and the
amount of money that was wagered on the game. After the block 642
completes execution or if the block 640 determines that the user
has not won, a block 644 updates the player's cumulative value or
number of credits by subtracting the bet made by the player and
adding, if the bingo game was won, the payout value determined at
block 642. The cumulative value or number of credits may also be
displayed in the display area 616 (FIG. 14). In an alternate
example, before block 644 receives control, control may be passed
to the lottery ticket routine 261A or 261B. At the lottery ticket
routine 261A or 261B the player may be prompted and given the
choice to purchase or redeem lottery tickets as shown in FIG. 16
and FIG. 17, respectively. After the routine 261A or 261B is
completed the control passes to block 644.
Lottery Tickets
[0101] Exemplary flow diagrams for the lottery ticket routines
mentioned in conjunction with FIGS. 4 and 5 are shown in FIG. 16
and FIG. 17, at reference numeral 261A and 261B, respectively. The
routine 261A begins operation at block 682, which prompts a user to
purchase a lottery ticket. Such a prompt may be an on-screen
display having text asking the user whether the user desires to
purchase a lottery ticket or the prompt may be a blinking button,
thereby giving the user a choice to obtain lottery tickets. In
response to the prompt, the user may indicate whether he or she
desires to purchase lottery tickets.
[0102] After block 682 asks if the user desires to purchase lottery
tickets, control passes to block 684, which reads the indication
provided by the user in response to the prompt. If lottery tickets
are desired, control passes from block 684 to block 686. Block 686
prompts the user to enter the number of lottery tickets desired.
After the user has entered the number of lottery tickets, control
passes to block 688.
[0103] At the block 688, the gaming machine 20 deducts the value of
the tickets from the users accumulated value. Essentially, block
688 charges the user for the tickets that the user purchased by
deducting the cost of the tickets from the user's winnings. For
example, if the user has $100 of accumulated value within the
gaming machine and the user purchases ten lottery tickets at a cost
of one dollar each, $10 would be deducted from the $100 accumulated
value, thereby leaving the user with $90 of accumulated value.
[0104] After block 688 has completed execution and the value of the
lottery tickets has been deducted form the player's accumulated
value, control passes to block 690. At block 690 the gaming machine
20 dispenses the number of tickets selected by the user at the
block 686. The lottery tickets may be printed using the ticket
reader/printer 56 or the tickets may be preprinted and dispensed by
the lottery ticket dispenser 57 of FIG. 2.
[0105] After block 690 has completed execution or the block 684
determines that the user does not desire to purchase any lottery
tickets, control returns to the block following the block that
called the routine 261A. For example, with respect to FIGS. 4 and
5, control would return to block 262 and 324, respectively.
[0106] Another exemplary flow diagram for the lottery tickets
routine mentioned in conjunction with FIGS. 4 and 5 is shown in
FIG. 17 at reference numeral 261B. The routine 261B begins
operation at block 782, which prompts a user to purchase a lottery
ticket. Such a prompt may be an on-screen display having text
asking the user whether the user desires to purchase a lottery
ticket or the prompt may be a blinking button, thereby giving the
user a choice to obtain lottery tickets. In response to the prompt,
the user may indicate whether he or she desires to purchase lottery
tickets.
[0107] After block 782 asks if the user desires to purchase lottery
tickets, control passes to block 784, which reads the indication
provided by the user in response to the prompt. If lottery tickets
are desired, control passes from block 784 to block 786. Block 786
prompts the user to enter the number of lottery tickets desired.
The number of lottery tickets the user may obtain may depend on the
amount of value the user has accumulated on the gaming 20, but the
user may also be able to obtain additional lottery tickets by
adding value to the gaming unit 20, to cover the lottery tickets in
excess of the value available on the gaming unit 20. For example,
the user may desire to obtain $50.00 worth of lottery tickets, but
only $40.00 of credit are available. The user may then place an
additional $10.00 worth of value into the gaming unit 20 to obtain
in combination with the $40.00 of credit, enough value to obtain
the $50.00 worth of lottery tickets. Once the user has entered the
number of lottery tickets desired at block 786, control passed to
block 788 and asks if the user would like to enter the lottery
numbers for the desired lottery tickets. If the user chooses to
enter the lottery numbers, control will than pass to block 790. At
block 790, the user may enter the desired lottery numbers into the
gaming unit 20 via many different means, including but not limited
to, a touchscreen pad, a number pad, or the like. The user may,
however already have preselected lottery numbers stored on a card,
such as a credit card or a player tracking card, which may be read
by the card reader 58 of FIG. 2. After the user has entered the
number of lottery tickets and any preferred lottery numbers,
control passes to block 792.
[0108] If the user chooses not enter the lottery numbers at block
788, control will then pass to block 794, where the controller 100
will either be programmed to obtain the lottery numbers from the
lottery system 46 or the controller will be programmed to self
generate the lottery numbers. If the controller 100 is programmed
to generate the lottery numbers control is passed to block 796. At
block 796 the controller 100 may generate one or more sets of
random or pseudorandom lottery numbers for each of the lottery
tickets. If the controller 100 is programmed to obtain the lottery
numbers from the lottery system 46, control is passed to block 798.
At block 798, the amounts and types of data communicated between
the gaming unit 20 and the lottery system 46 may vary greatly. The
different states and casinos may have certain gaming regulations or
systems in place, thereby dictating the amounts and types of data
that may be communicated between a given gaming unit 20 and the
lottery system 46. For example, the lottery system 46 may randomly
generate lottery numbers when prompted by the gaming unit 20. The
gaming unit 20 may, however, store one or more sets of lottery
numbers as provided by the lottery system 46, and utilize those
stored numbers as needed. Likewise, there may be one or more
intermediate devices or systems through which the lottery numbers
may travel and/or be stored. The lottery numbers, for example, may
be communicated and stored on a network server or host system, such
as the network computer 22, where the lottery numbers may be stored
until needed by the gaming unit 20.
[0109] At the block 792, the gaming unit 20 deducts the value of
the tickets from the users accumulated value. Essentially, block
792 charges the user for the tickets that the user purchased by
deducting the cost of the tickets from the user's winnings. For
example, if the user has $100 of accumulated value within the
gaming machine and the user purchases ten lottery tickets at a cost
of one dollar each, $10 would be deducted from the $100 accumulated
value, thereby leaving the user with $90 of accumulated value.
[0110] After block 792 has deducted the value of the tickets from
the user's accumulated value, control passes to block 800. At block
800, the gaming unit 20 dispenses the number of tickets selected by
the user at block 786. The dispensed tickets include lottery
numbers that are generated by the user, the gaming unit 20 or the
lottery system 46. The lottery tickets may be printed using the
ticker reader/printer 56 or the tickets may be preprinted and
dispensed by the lottery ticket dispenser 58 of FIG. 2.
[0111] After block 800, the gaming unit communicates with the
lottery system 46 at block 802. Once the lottery numbers are
generated, whether by the user, the lottery system 46, or the
gaming unit 20, the gaming unit 20 may send lottery information,
such as the lottery numbers played, the amount of money wagered,
ticket identification, and the like, to the lottery system 46 to be
recorded. The gaming unit 20 may, however, retain all the lottery
information until a specified time, at which the gaming unit 20 may
release all the information to the lottery system 46. Likewise,
there may be one or more intermediate devices or systems through
which the lottery information may travel and/or be stored. The
lottery information, for example, may be communicated after and/or
during every lottery transaction to a network server or host
system, such as the network computer 22, where the lottery
information may be stored until a specified time, or from where the
lottery information may be communicated to the lottery system 46,
or another intermediate device.
[0112] After block 802 has completed execution or the block 784
determines that the user does not desire to purchase any lottery
tickets, control returns to the block following the block that
called the routine 261B. For example, with respect to FIGS. 4 and
5, control would return to block 262 and 324, respectively.
[0113] Additionally or alternatively to obtaining lottery tickets
from the gaming unit 20 during and/or after game play, the player
may redeem the value of a winning lottery ticket through the gaming
unit 20 before, during and/or after game play. The player, for
example, may be in possession of a lottery ticket prior to playing
the gaming unit 20. The player may or may not know whether the
lottery ticket is a winner and may, therefore, have a desire to
determine the winning status of the lottery ticket. As shown in
FIG. 18, routine 900 enables the player to redeem the value of a
lottery ticket. In this example, block 902 may prompt the player to
insert the lottery ticket into the gaming unit 20. The prompt to
the player may be a sign or screen indicating that the gaming unit
20 is able to redeem tickets, or the prompt may be any other audio
and/or visual indication. The player, at block 904, may then insert
the lottery ticket into the gaming unit 20. More specifically, the
player may insert the lottery ticket into a device capable of
reading the lottery ticket, such as the ticket reader/printer 56 or
the lottery ticket dispenser 57.
[0114] At block 906 the gaming unit 20 may validate the ticket to
determine, among other information, that the ticket is a valid
ticket and/or that the ticket has not already been redeemed. The
ticket may be validated by reading ticket identifying information,
such as a barcode, from the lottery ticket and rectifying that
information with data from the lottery system 46. If the ticket
does not pass validation, the gaming unit 20, at block 908, may
then eject the lottery ticket from the gaming unit 20 and the
routine may end. If, however the ticket validates at block 906, the
gaming unit 20 will determine at block 910 whether the lottery
ticket is a winner. Alternatively, the gaming unit 20 may validate
the ticket after it has been determined whether the lottery ticket
is a winner. If at diamond 912 the lottery ticket is not a winner,
control may be given to block 914 where the user may be informed of
the loosing status of the lottery ticket. The gaming unit 20 may
prompt the user with the loosing status via the display 70 or
through alternate means, such as speakers, a print out ticket, etc.
Once the user has been informed of the loosing status, control may
be given to block 908 to eject the lottery ticket from the gaming
unit 20.
[0115] If at diamond 912 the lottery ticket is a winner, control
may be given to block 916 where the user may be informed of the
winning status of the lottery ticket. The information may include,
but is not limited to, how the lottery ticket is a winner and how
much value is won. The gaming unit 20 may prompt the user with the
winning status via the display 70 or through alternate means, such
as speakers, a print out ticket, etc. Once the user has been
informed of the winning status, control may be pass to block 918 to
give the user options on how to redeem the value of the lottery
ticket. If at diamond 920 the user chooses to redeem the winnings
in the form of credit in the gaming unit 20, control may pass to
block 922 to add the value of the lottery ticket winnings to the
credits of the gaming unit 20. Therefore, if the user was already
playing the gaming unit 20 prior to checking whether the lottery
ticket is a winner, the value of the lottery ticket may be added to
the user's already established credit. If, however, the user was
not playing the gaming unit 20 prior to checking whether the
lottery ticket is a winner, the value of the lottery ticket may be
the players initial credit in the gaming unit 20. Control may then
pass to block 924 where the player may then proceed to play the
gaming unit 20 as outlined in routines 200 and 300 of FIGS. 4 and
5, respectively.
[0116] If at diamond 920 the user chooses to redeem the winnings in
a form other than in credit for the gaming unit 20, control may
pass to block 926 to dispense the value of the lottery ticket to
the user. At block 926 the user may redeem the value of the lottery
ticket in many forms, including, but not limited to, cash,
vouchers, or credit, such as to a card or an account via an
electronic fund transfer (EFT) or the like.
* * * * *