US 11,954,973 B1
Retrofit devices for providing virtual ticket-in and ticket-out on a gaming machine
Dwayne R. Nelson, Las Vegas, NV (US); Steven G. LeMay, Reno, NV (US); James A. Vasquez, Carson City, NV (US); and Scott T. Gowin, Reno, NV (US)
Assigned to IGT, Las Vegas, NV (US)
Filed by IGT, Las Vegas, NV (US)
Filed on Dec. 5, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/529,488.
Application 18/529,488 is a continuation of application No. 18/370,278, filed on Sep. 19, 2023, granted, now 11,861,982.
Application 18/370,278 is a continuation of application No. 17/590,547, filed on Feb. 1, 2022, granted, now 11,769,371, issued on Sep. 26, 2023.
Application 17/590,547 is a continuation of application No. 16/933,712, filed on Jul. 20, 2020, granted, now 11,393,291, issued on Jul. 19, 2022.
Application 16/933,712 is a continuation of application No. 15/178,351, filed on Jun. 9, 2016, granted, now 10,720,016, issued on Jul. 21, 2020.
Application 15/178,351 is a continuation of application No. 13/229,507, filed on Sep. 9, 2011, granted, now 9,367,835, issued on Jun. 14, 2016.
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G07F 17/32 (2006.01); G06Q 20/04 (2012.01); G06Q 20/32 (2012.01); G06Q 30/0226 (2023.01); G06Q 30/08 (2012.01)
CPC G07F 17/3251 (2013.01) [G06Q 20/0457 (2013.01); G06Q 20/32 (2013.01); G06Q 30/0226 (2013.01); G06Q 30/08 (2013.01); G07F 17/3223 (2013.01); G07F 17/3244 (2013.01)] 30 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A device comprising:
a communication interface comprising:
a first gaming communication protocol interface connectable to a gaming communication protocol interface of a game controller of an electronic gaming machine,
a second gaming communication protocol interface connectable to a gaming communication protocol interface of a component of a gaming establishment player tracking system,
a wireless communication interface, and
a network interface;
a processor that is distinct from the game controller of the electronic gaming machine; and
a memory device that stores a plurality of instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:
receive, via the wireless communication interface, player identification data to be associated with the electronic gaming machine,
receive, via the network interface, first data associated with an amount of funds associated with the player identification data, and
communicate, to the game controller of the electronic gaming machine and via the first gaming communication protocol interface, second data that results in the game controller of the electronic gaming machine increasing a meter of the electronic gaming machine, wherein the increase of the meter of the electronic gaming machine occurs independent of any physical item associated with any monetary value being received via a payment acceptor of the electronic gaming machine.