Patent ID: 6511377
Filing Date: 2003-01-28
Classification: G07F

Abstract:
A method of operating gaming machines connected to a system computer associated with a database, each of said gaming machines having a credit meter, a keypad, a display and a controller assembly, said controller assembly coupled to said system computer, comprising:creating a player account in said database associated with at least one player, said player account having a permanent account balance indicating a value amount; applying credits to said credit meter of one of said gaming machines; accessing said player account to upload value from said one gaming machine to said player account responsive to a command initiated by said one player at said one gaming machine, said step of accessing including: (i) using said keypad and inputting a selected amount of value to be uploaded to said player account, said step of using being performed by said one player keying-in said selected amount on said keypad; (ii) transmitting a deposit message, indicative of said selected amount, from said controller assembly to said system computer; (iii) creating a temporary account balance associated with said player account based on said deposit message, said step of creating being performed by said system computer; (iv) transmitting a first acknowledgement from said system computer to said controller assembly after creating said temporary account balance; (v) removing credits from said credit meter of said one gaming machine after receipt of said first acknowledgment by said controller assembly; (vi) transmitting a second acknowledgement from said controller assembly to said system computer; and (vii) adjusting said permanent account balance after removing credits from said credit meter.