US 12,033,467 B2
Settling outstanding debt responsive to gaming event
Jeffery Shepherd, Reno, NV (US); and Kevin Higgins, Reno, NV (US)
Assigned to IGT, Las Vegas, NV (US)
Filed by IGT, Las Vegas, NV (US)
Filed on Sep. 1, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/464,305.
Prior Publication US 2023/0067075 A1, Mar. 2, 2023
Int. Cl. G07F 17/32 (2006.01)
CPC G07F 17/3251 (2013.01) [G07F 17/3211 (2013.01); G07F 17/3223 (2013.01); G07F 17/3225 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A slot machine interface board comprising:
a first communication interface operable to serially communicate, in accordance with a slot accounting system protocol, with a master gaming controller of an electronic gaming machine;
a second communication interface operable to communicate with a remote server;
a processor that is distinct from the remote server and the master gaming controller of the electronic gaming machine; and
a memory device that stores a plurality of instructions that, when executed by the processor responsive to a receipt, via the first communication interface and from the master gaming controller of the electronic gaming machine, of data associated with an occurrence of a handpay lockup event associated with the electronic gaming machine that causes the master gaming controller of the electronic gaming machine to lock up until an award amount associated with the occurrence of the handpay lockup event is keyed off a credit meter of the electronic gaming machine, cause the processor to:
communicate, via the second communication interface and to the remote server, data associated with the occurrence of the handpay lockup event,
responsive to
a receipt, via the second communication interface and from the remote server, of data associated with an amount of an outstanding gaming establishment debt of an identified player at the electronic gaming machine,
communicate first data that results in a display, by a display device, of a first indicator associated with the outstanding gaming establishment debt of the identified player at the electronic gaming machine, wherein the amount is based on the occurrence of the handpay lockup event and the amount is independent of any balance displayed by the electronic gaming machine, and
responsive to a receipt, via the second communication interface and from the remote server, of data associated with no amount of any outstanding gaming establishment debt of the identified player at the electronic gaming machine, communicate second data that results in a display, by the display device, of a second indicator associated with no outstanding gaming establishment debt of the identified player at the electronic gaming machine.