Patent ID: 8939833
Filing Date: 2015-01-27
Classification: G07F

Abstract:
1. An interface for a gaming machine having a game controller and a bill validator, the interface having a processor, the interface being configured to be connected between said game controller and said bill validator, wherein when connected, a connection is provided between said bill validator, said game controller and a central authority, the interface being configured to receive data from said bill validator so as to enable said gaming machine to determine whether a ticket or bill is inserted into said bill validator; wherein said processor is configured to determine that a ticket has been inserted into said bill validator including configured i) to process the data received from said bill validator and ii) to determine that said data corresponds to the insertion of the ticket, the interface is configured to report ticket data directly to said central authority for the inserted ticket, without communicating with said game controller regarding the ticket data, whereafter said central authority communicates with the game controller via said interface to determine whether the gaming machine can accept the ticket based on at least one predefined criteria, and to add wagerable credits to the gaming machine responsive to determining that the ticket can be accepted; and wherein, said processor is configured to determine that a bill has been inserted into said bill validator including configured i) to process said data received from said bill validator and ii) to determine that said data corresponds to the insertion of the bill, the interface being configured to communicate said data directly to said game controller, without communicating with said central authority regarding the bill data, and to add wagerable credits to the gaming machine for the inserted bill.