International Game Technology

Bhavani Prasad

Marc A Espin

Richard E Rowe

Rick Rowe

Franco E Crivelli

Adrian R Marcu

Mark Lowell

Lawrence J Torango

Kumar Kannan

Wayne Seguin

Gary H Sullivan

The present invention provides gaming machine systems and methods that enable outsourced printing and generation of printed credit devices for use with a gaming machine. The systems verify the print status of an externally printed credit device before redeeming any value on the credit device at a gaming machine. The ability to employ outsourced gaming printing services providers increases the number and sophistication of printed credit devices that may be manufactured and distributed to potential customers.

Method for securely exchanging promotional ticket related information

The present invention provides systems and methods for protecting transaction information stored in a database of a gaming network. To accomplish this, a transaction signature is generated each time the user completes a transaction on a gaming machine. The transaction signature is generated using transaction information from a particular transaction. The transaction signature and transaction information are stored together in a network database. Upon subsequent access to the transaction information in the database, the transaction signature for the transaction information is recalculated based on the transaction information at that time. The new transaction signature is then compared to the transaction signature previously stored. Any differences between the two transaction signatures may be used to signal unauthorized alteration in the database transaction information.

Transaction signature

A method and apparatus for generating and accounting for vouchers or tickets is disclosed. In accordance with a method of the invention, a voucher is issued by a voucher generation device associated with a gaming system which includes one or more gaming machines and a host. The method includes generating data regarding a voucher to be printed, creating a record regarding the voucher and printing the voucher at the voucher generation device. The generated voucher information is transmitted from the remote voucher generation device to the host. The printed voucher may be presented at the naming machine, with the authenticity of the voucher and its value determined by utilizing the voucher information stored at the host.

Method and apparatus for ticket generation and accounting

Systems and methods for protecting transaction information stored in a database of a gaming network. To accomplish this, a transaction signature is generated each time the user completes a transaction on a gaming machine. The transaction signature is generated using transaction information from a particular transaction. The transaction signature and transaction information are stored together in a network database. Upon subsequent access to the transaction information in the database, the transaction signature for the transaction information is recalculated based on the transaction information at that time. The new transaction signature is then compared to the transaction signature previously stored. Any differences between the two transaction signatures may be used to signal unauthorized alteration in the database transaction information.

A progressive gaming system is configured to run many progressive prizes on one central system. The relationship between progressive group and prize with a particular game is designed so that the odds and bet on a particular game need not be identical throughout a group. In one embodiment, prize definition is in terms of number of coins expected to be played between prize hits, independent of denomination, and minimum number of coins returned to players, regardless of odds or denominations. When a progressive game is designed, the coins bet and odds related to the logic of the game are verified as compatible with the prize definitions coins expected to be played between prize hits. The prize definition is used to validate an association between a particular game and a particular progressive prize. Preferably the event that triggers a progressive prize may be unrelated to the events on any game.

Growing community of inventors

Reno, NV, United States of America

Bhavani Prasad