GAMING SYSTEM

Abstract: A system including a gaming terminal (14). The gaming terminal (14) includes a housing, a processor (26) attached to the housing, a display (20) attached to the housing and operatively coupled to the processor (26), an interface attached to the housing and operatively coupled to the processor (26), the interface being adapted to convey data related to a game to the processor (26), and a write/erase device (29). The write/erase device (29) is attached to the housing and operatively coupled to the processor (26), the write/erase device (29) providing an opening for receiving an object and including a heating apparatus that is adapted to heat portions of a received object to a first temperature to erase gaming information stored on the object and that is responsive to signals received from the processor (26) to selectively heat portions of a received object to a second temperature lower than the first temperature to store gaming information received from the processor (26).

Description: GAMING SYSTEM Background of the Invention The invention relates to gaming systems and in particular to erasable/rewritable gaming cards and gaming terminals for erasing and writing on such cards. Games of chance, especially those involving wagering such as lottery games, bingo, and keno, are very popular. Typically, players of such games place wagers on the games by purchasing a gaming ticket. The player can select desired game data, e.g., lottery numbers, from a field of possible game data, or can have the game data chosen randomly. Once selected, the player's game data are printed on a game ticket that the player purchases and can refer to later to compare with winning game data to determine whether the player has won the game. After the game, the player discards losing tickets and redeems winning tickets, which are then discarded by the entity redeeming the ticket. Over time, the player can develop favorite games, and favorite entry data for one or more of the games. Restrictions often apply as to a person's ability to play certain games. For example, players may be required to be of a minimum age or reside in a particular locality. The requirements for a person's participation in a particular game often must be confirmed each time the player wishes to participate in the game. Summary of the Invention In general, in one aspect, the invention features a system including a gaming terminal. The gaming terminal includes a housing, a processor attached to the housing, a display attached to the housing and operatively coupled to the processor, an interface attached to the housing and operatively coupled to the processor, the interface being adapted to convey data related to a game to the processor, and a write/erase device. The write/erase device is attached to the housing and operatively coupled to the processor, the write/erase device providing an opening for receiving an object and including a heating apparatus that is adapted to heat portions of a received object to a first temperature to erase gaming information stored on the object and that is responsive to signals received from the processor to selectively heat portions of a received object to a second temperature lower than the first temperature to store gaming information received from the processor. Implementations of the invention may also include one or more of the following features. The system may include an object adapted to be received by the opening and containing a heat-sensitive material adapted to have a first appearance when heated to the first temperature, and to have a second appearance, different than the first appearance, when heated to the second temperature. The object may be a card including a stripe of magnetic material configured to indicate information, the configuration of the magnetic material, and thus the indicated information, being substantially constant when the object is heated to the first temperature. The heat sensitive material may be adapted to have the second appearance when heated to the second temperature after having been heated to the first temperature and allowed to cool below the second temperature. The heat-sensitive material may be a euco dye coating. The write/erase device may also include a reading apparatus adapted to read information from a received object and to provide the read information to the processor. The reading apparatus may include a magnetic sensor capable of detecting information magnetically stored on the object. The may be adapted to read information that was stored on the object by heating of the object to the second temperature. The reading apparatus may include an optical sensor capable of detecting information that was stored on the object by heating of the object to the second temperature . In general, in another aspect, the invention features a lottery system including a host adapted to receive lottery entry data, determine winning lottery data, and provide indicia of the winning lottery data. A lottery terminal is coupled to the host and includes a housing, a processor attached to the housing, a display attached to the housing and operatively coupled to the processor, a keyboard attached to the housing and operatively coupled to the processor, a heating apparatus, and a reading apparatus. The keyboard is adapted to enter data related to a lottery game. The heating apparatus is adapted to, in response to lottery gaming information from the processor, selectively heat portions of a card received by the terminal to a writing temperature and, in response to an erase signal from the processor, to heat portions of the card to an erasing temperature higher than the writing temperature. The reading apparatus is adapted to read information from the card, the reading apparatus including a magnetic sensor capable of detecting information magnetically stored on the card, and further including an optical sensor capable of detecting and decoding information that was stored on the card through selective heating of the card at the writing temperature. A card is adapted to be received by the slot, the card containing a magnetic storage portion of magnetic material arranged to magnetically store information on the card and to retain the magnetically stored information when the card is heated to the erasing temperature, and further containing an erasable/rewritable portion that can be arranged in an erased molecular configuration when heated to the erasing temperature and can be arranged in a written molecular configuration, different from the erased configuration, when heated to the writing temperature, the erasable/rewritable portion in the written configuration appearing visually different than in the erased configuration. Implementations of the invention may also include one or more of the following features. The erasable/rewritable portion of the card may include a Leuco dye coating. The erasable/rewritable portion may be have a first color in the erased configuration and have a second color in the written configuration. In general, in another aspect, the invention features a method including inserting a card adapted to contain gaming data into a gaming terminal . Indicia of selected gaming data to be stored on the card are received. Selected portions of the card are heated to a writing temperature to store the gaming data on the card. The card is ejected from the gaming terminal. Implementations of the invention may include one or more of the following features. A read/write portion of the card may be heated to an erasing temperature to erase information that was stored on the card by selective heating to the writing temperature. The erasing temperature may be higher than the writing temperature. Magnetically-stored data may be read from a magnetic portion of the card that is substantially unaffected by being heated to the erasing temperature. Portions of the card previously selectively heated to the writing temperature may be read, the reading occurring before heating the read/write portion of the card to the erasing temperature. Various aspects of the invention can provide one or more of the following advantages. A person's qualifications for playing a game can be quickly verified. A player's preferences for games and particular entry data can be stored and quickly accessed. A player's gaming activity can be monitored, tracked, and processed. A gaming ticket can be reused for multiple types of games and/or multiple occurrences of one or more game types . Time required to purchase a game entry and/or to select a game and/or entry data can be reduced in comparison with current practices. A reusable game ticket can store a prepaid value that is updated upon purchase of game entries. Different voltages associated with different gaming jurisdictions can be accommodated. Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, and from the claims . Brief Description of the Drawings FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of a gaming system including a gaming terminal and a reusable game card. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the gaming terminal and the reusable game card shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is perspective view of a card writer/eraser of the gaming terminal shown in FIGS. 1-2. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of components of the card writer/eraser shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a simplified, schematic cut-away view of the terminal shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 6 is a top view of the reusable game card shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the reusable game card shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the reusable game card shown in FIG. 7 taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of a process of using the system shown in FIG. 1. Description of the Preferred Embodiments According to the invention, a gaming terminal can write information onto a reusable card, erase the information from the card, and write new information to the card. For example, the gaming terminal can receive selected entry data, through an interface of the terminal, and write to the card to indicate the selected entry data. The entry data includes, e.g., a desired game (e.g., lottery) and desired game data for that game (e.g., six numbers) . After the game has been run, the card can be reinserted into a terminal, the stored entry data read and processed to determine whether the selected game data were winning selections, the stored entry data erased, and new entry data selections made and written onto the card. Also, the terminal can read information magnetically stored on the card that does not change when the entry data are erased from and/or written onto the card. The magnetically stored information can be processed, e.g., to confirm a person's eligibility to play a selected game, track a player's playing habits, or provide shortcuts to game and entry data selection. As shown in FIG. 1, a gaming system 10 includes a host 12, a gaming terminal 14, and a reusable gaming card 16. The terminal 14 includes a modem 18, a display 20, a keyboard 22, a memory 24, a processor 26, a card reader 28, and a card writer/eraser 29. Communication between the host 12 and the terminal 14 is possible through a communication line 30 connecting the terminal 14, and in particular the modem 18, to the host 12. Together the display 20 and the keyboard 22 provide an interface between the terminal 14 and a user (not shown) of the terminal 14. The host 12 provides the central operations for lottery games. Entry data for games can travel to the host 12 over line 30. The host 12 can record the received entry data for future comparison to winning data. To run a game, the host 12 can randomly select winning game data, e.g., by using a random number generator, or causing random mechanical selection of winning game data, or by applying any other approved technique. The host 12 can communicate winning game data to the terminal 14 over line 30. The terminal 14 can communicate with, and process data received from, the host 12 and a user (not shown) . Through the modem 18 data can be sent to and received from the host 12. The display 20 can provide information and prompts to the user, who can actuate the keyboard to provide information to the terminal 14. The user can also provide information to the terminal 14 by inserting the card 16 into the card reader 28 that, as described in more detail below, can read information from the card 16. Information received from the modem 18, keyboard 22 or card reader 28, can be stored in the memory 24 and processed by the processor 26. The processor 26 is adapted to process information from the modem 18, keyboard 22, and/or card reader 28, e.g., to display information on the display 20 to prompt the user for more input, to provide answers or information to the user (e.g., from the host 12), or to produce entry data for the user. Typically, the user of the terminal 14 is not the player, but an agent that accepts payment from the player and enters the player's entry data into the terminal 14 and provides the player with confirmation of the player's entry. Referring also to FIG. 2, as indicated by dashed line 32, the card 16 can be selectively coupled to the terminal 14. The terminal 14 includes a housing 34 that provides an opening 36 for receiving the card 16. The opening 36 is located in the housing 34 to be easily accessible by the user for inserting the card 16. The card reader 28 and the card writer/eraser 29 are positioned within the housing 36 to receive the card 16 as described below. Referring also to FIG. 3, the card writer/eraser 29 includes a slot 38 that can receive the card 16. As shown, the card writer/eraser is a Model NRT-8000 Newrite card reader made by TDK Electronics Corporation located at 12 Harbor Park Drive, Port Washington, New York, 11050. Alternatively, the Model NRT-2000, or other suitable devices, could be used. The card writer/eraser 29 is connected for communication with other portions of the terminal 14 using a standard RS-232 line 40. As shown, the card writer/eraser 29 includes a 20-button keypad 42 for data entry and a liquid-crystal display 44 for displaying data. The card writer/eraser 29 can operate on any domestic or foreign AC voltage. As shown in FIG. 4, the card writer/eraser 29 includes the keypad 42, the display 44, a processor 48, a memory 50, and a write/erase thermal head 52, all in communication through a bus 56. The processor 48 can store and retrieve data from the memory 50 as necessary. The processor 48 controls data flow within the card writer/eraser 29 and controls operation of the display 44 and the write/erase thermal head 52. The memory 50 includes encryption software for instructing the thermal head 52, through the processor 48, to write encrypted data on the card 16. FIG. 5 shows a feed path 46 for the card 16 into and out of the terminal 14. As shown, the card 16 travels along the feed path 46 in the direction indicated when being inserted into the terminal 14. The card 16 travels through the opening 36, into the card reader 28, and out of the card reader 28 and into the card writer/eraser 29 through the slot 38. The card 16 follows the same feed path 46 in the opposite direction when being ejected from the terminal 14. As schematically shown, the card reader 28 includes a magnetic head 54 and a reader 55. The magnetic head 54 is disposed and configured to sense magnetic fields produced by the card 16 as the card 16 is moved through the card reader 28 along path 46 and to convey indications of these magnetic fields to the processor 26. The processor 26 can decode information magnetically stored on the card 16. The reader 55 is disposed and adapted to read data that was stored on the card 16 by the selective heating of the card 16 by the thermal head 52. For example, the reader 55 can be an optical reader such as an optical character recognition device capable of recognizing numbers and letters and/or a bar code reader. The card writer/eraser 29 can receive the card 16 along path 46 and position the card 16 under the thermal head 52. The thermal head 52 is disposed and configured to selectively heat desired portions of the card 16, in response to signals from the processor 48, to a write temperature or to an erase temperature that is higher than the write temperature. This selective heating can form symbols or characters, such as letters or numbers, on the card 16. The card writer/eraser 29 and card reader 28 can eject the card 16 through the opening 36 in response to signals from the processor 26 indicating that the card 16 is no longer needed in the terminal 14. As shown in FIG. 6, the card 16 includes a white polyethylene teraphthalate (PET) substrate 60 with a Leuco dye coating 61 (also shown in FIG. 8) . The card 16 is a Newrite card, that may be modified to include a magnetic strip as described below, made by TDK Electronics Corporation and is about 85.6mm x 54mm x 0.22mm. The coating 61 is a layer of PET impregnated with the dye and is thermally responsive. When heated to the erase temperature, the coating's molecules arrange into an erased configuration with a white appearance. When heated to the write temperature, the coating's molecules arrange into a write configuration having a blue appearance. Data previously written on the card 16 can be erased by heating the coating 61 to the erase temperature. The card 16 can be put through a cycle of being written to and erased approximately 500 times. The card 16 includes an erase region 62 and a write region 64. The region 64 and the reader 55 are disposed such that as the card 16 passes along the feed path 46 the reader 55 can read information written in region 62. While an entire top side 66 of the card 16 can be erased or written on, the regions 62 and 64 correspond to the regions that the thermal head 52 (FIGS. 4-5) can heat to the write and erase temperatures, respectively, when the card 16 is received by the card writer/eraser 29 as shown in FIG. 5. For the Model NRT-8000 card reader 28, the write region 64 is about 38mm x 68mm and the erase region 62 is about 40mm x 70mm. The thermal head 52 can erase or write to portions of the regions 62 and 64, respectively, that can be small parts of the regions 62 and 64, or can encompass the entire regions 62 and 64. The thermal head 52 can be activated to write characters 90 such as letters and numbers, or symbols such as a bar code 92 in the write region 64 to indicate entry data for a game. The card 16 can contain images, such as a logo 94 or a bar code 96 or other characters or symbols, that are substantially permanent, not being erased when the erase region 62 is heated to the erase temperature. These substantially permanent images can be formed independently of the coating 61, or formed in the coating 61 outside of the erase region 62. As shown in FIG. 7, a bottom side 68 of the card 16 includes a magnetic stripe 70 that magnetically stores information. The stripe 70 and magnetic head 54 are disposed such that as the card moves along the feed path 46 the magnetic head 54 can sense magnetic fields produced by the stripe 70. Referring also to FIG. 8, the magnetic stripe 70 is formed from a magnetic powder as a magnetic layer 72 disposed over (as shown) a magnetic layer 74, that is disposed over (as shown) the substrate 60. Different concentrations of magnetic powder (as indicated by the shading in FIG. 8) in, and the variations in thickness of, the magnetic stripe 70 produce differences in magnetic field. These differences in magnetic field along the length of the magnetic stripe 70 are indicative of information. The information is coded according to these field differences. The processor 26 is adapted to decode the information from signals received from the magnetic head 54. The information stored in the magnetic stripe 70 is gaming information that changes infrequently, if at all . This gaming information can include a player's name, an identification number, birth date, jurisdiction of residence, game preferences, and entry data preferences. Thus, the card 16 can contain data relevant to the player's eligibility to play certain games, data relevant for tracking the player's gaming activity, and also the player's preferences with respect to types of games and game data. For example, the gaming information can indicate that a particular player prefers to play lottery over keno, and keno over bingo, and that the player's preferred lottery numbers are 7, 11, 23, 35, 36, and 48 and preferred keno numbers are 1, 5, 19, 21, 27, 32, 33, and 41. FIG. 9 shows a process 100 for using the system 10. The system 10 can be used to quickly and conveniently play games such as lottery using the same card over and over. The card can facilitate confirmation of the card's bearer's eligibility for playing certain games, and both the bearer's preferred game or games and game data for the game or games . As shown, the process 100 begins at stage 102 where the magnetic stripe 70 is formed on the card 16. In order to know what information to code into the magnetic stripe 70, the prospective player provides information such as the player's name, date of birth, and place of residence. The player can also provide information regarding the player's preferred games and preferred game data for each of the games, especially the preferred games. The magnetic stripe 70 is formed on the card 16 by varying the density of magnetic powder in the layer 72 and the thickness of the layer 72 along the length of the stripe 70. The card 16 is given to the player for use. At stage 104, the player or the user of the terminal 14 inserts the card 16 through the opening 36 in the terminal 14. The card travels along the feed path 46 through the card reader 28 and into the card writer/eraser 29. At stage 106, as the card 16 travels through the card reader 28, the reader 55 and the magnetic head 54 read information contained on the card 16. Data contained in the write region 64 are read by the reader 28 and sent to the processor 26 to be decoded and displayed on the display 20. The processor 26 uses the data read by the reader 55 to determine whether the entry data stored on the card 16 are winning data by comparing the stored game data with winning game data, retrieved from the host 12, corresponding to the game indicated by the stored entry data. If the stored entry data are winning data, then the processor instructs the user through the display 20 to pay and/or instruct the player accordingly. Also, the magnetic head 54 senses the magnetic fields produced by the magnetic stripe 70 and conveys indicia of these magnetic fields to the processor 26. The processor 26 decodes the information coded into the stripe 70 and conveys the decoded data to the display 20, which displays the decoded information. Based upon the displayed information, the user can confirm the eligibility of the bearer of the card to be a player (especially to receive winnings) . The user can also ask the player whether the player wishes to play one of the player's preferred games and/or to play the player's preferred game data. At stage 108, the entry data are selected. The player can select the preferred game and preferred game data for that game. This can be done quickly by selecting data already displayed. Alternatively, the player can select a different game and/or game data for that game. The terminal user enters the player's selected entry data through the keyboard 22. Alternatively, game data can be entered by selecting a quick-pick feature from the keyboard 22 or by inserting a sheet (not shown) containing indicia of desired entry data into a reader (not shown) that can read the indicia and communicate with the processor 26 regarding the indicia read. The entered data, along with any data stored on the stripe 70, are sent to the host 12 for tracking. The host 12 can track, e.g., particular players' activities and/or information related to purchase locations, residence locations of players, frequency of purchases, and/or volume of purchases for a game. At stage 110, with the card 16 in the desired location in the card writer/eraser 29, the thermal head 52 is activated to heat one or more portions of the erase region 62 of the card 16, and preferably the entire erase region 62, to the erase temperature. This clears the heated portions of any previously-written data such that the erased portions are white in color. The heated portions are allowed to cool to below the write temperature. At stage 112, the thermal head 52 is selectively activated to heat selected portions of the write region 64 of the card 16 to the write temperature. This causes the heated portions of the coating 61 to change color, e.g., to turn blue, to form images such as characters to indicate the player's selected entry data, e.g., game data, the game's date and location, the wager amount, and any other data needed for a particular game or desired to be tracked. The card writer/eraser 29 can erase at stage 110 and write at stage 112 in a total of less than about three (3) seconds. At stage 114, the card 16 is ejected by the card writer/eraser 29 and card reader 28 from the terminal 14 through the opening 36. The player can then return to stage 104. The process 100 is illustrative only, and not limiting. Stages can be added, omitted, or rearranged from the particular process illustrated in FIG. 9 without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Other embodiments are within the scope and spirit of the appended claims. Data can be entered into the terminal 14 using apparatus other than the keyboard 22. For example, the terminal 14 could include a mouse, or the display 20 could be a touch-sensitive display. What is claimed is:

Claims: 1. A system comprising: a gaming terminal including: a housing; a processor attached to the housing; a display attached to the housing and operatively coupled to the processor; an interface attached to the housing and operatively coupled to the processor, the interface being adapted to convey data related to a game to the processor; and a write/erase device attached to the housing and operatively coupled to the processor, the write/erase device providing an opening for receiving an object and including a heating apparatus that is adapted to heat portions of a received object to a first temperature to erase gaming information stored on the Object and that is responsive to signals received from the processor to selectively heat portions of a received object to a second temperature lower than the first temperature to store gaming information received from the processor. 2. The system of claim 1 further comprising an object adapted to be received by the opening and containing a heat -sensitive material adapted to have a first appearance when heated to the first temperature, and to have a second appearance, different than the first appearance, when heated to the second temperature. 3. The system of claim 2 wherein the object is a card including a stripe of magnetic material configured to indicate information, the configuration of the magnetic material, and thus the indicated information, being substantially constant when the object is heated to the first temperature. 4. The system of claim 2 wherein the heat sensitive material is adapted to have the second appearance when heated to the second temperature after having been heated to the first temperature and allowed to cool below the second temperature . 5. The system of claim 4 wherein the heat- sensitive material comprises a Leuco dye coating. 6. The system of claim 1 wherein the write/erase device further includes a reading apparatus adapted to read information from a received object and to provide the read information to the processor. 7. The system of claim 6 wherein the reading apparatus includes a magnetic sensor capable of detecting information magnetically stored on the object. 8. The system of claim 6 wherein the reading apparatus is adapted to read information that was stored on the object by heating of the object to the second temperature . 9. The system of claim 8 wherein the reading apparatus includes an optical sensor capable of detecting information that was stored on the object by heating of the object to the second temperature. 10. A lottery system comprising: a host adapted to receive lottery entry data, determine winning lottery data, and provide indicia of the winning lottery data; a lottery terminal coupled to the host, the terminal including: a housing; a processor attached to the housing; a display attached to the housing and operatively coupled to the processor; a keyboard attached to the housing and operatively coupled to the processor, the keyboard being adapted to enter data related to a lottery game; a heating apparatus adapted to, in response to lottery gaming information from the processor, selectively heat portions of a card received by the terminal to a writing temperature and, in response to an erase signal from the processor, to heat portions of the card to an erasing temperature higher than the writing temperature; and a reading apparatus adapted to read information from the card, the reading apparatus including a magnetic sensor capable of detecting information magnetically stored on the card, and further including an optical sensor capable of detecting and decoding information that was stored on the card through selective heating of the card at the writing temperature; and a card adapted to be received by the slot, the card containing a magnetic storage portion of magnetic material arranged to magnetically store information on the card and to retain the magnetically stored information when the card is heated to the erasing temperature, and further containing an erasable/rewritable portion that can be arranged in an erased molecular configuration when heated to the erasing temperature and can be arranged in a written molecular configuration, different from the erased configuration, when heated to the writing temperature, the erasable/rewritable portion in the written configuration appearing visually different than in the erased configuration. 11. The system of claim 10 wherein the erasable/rewritable portion of the card comprises a Leuco dye coating. 12. The system of claim 10 wherein the erasable/rewritable portion has a first color in the erased configuration and has a second color in the written configuration. 13. A method comprising: inserting a card adapted to contain gaming data into a gaming terminal; receiving indicia of selected gaming data to be stored on the card; heating selected portions of the card to a writing temperature to store the gaming data on the card; and ejecting the card from the gaming terminal. 14. The method of claim 13 further comprising heating a read/write portion of the card to an erasing temperature to erase information that was stored on the card by selective heating to the writing temperature. 15. The method of claim 14 wherein the erasing temperature is higher than the writing temperature. 16. The method of claim 15 further comprising reading magnetically-stored data from a magnetic portion of the card that is substantially unaffected by being heated to the erasing temperature. 17. The method of claim 14 further comprising reading portions of the card previously selectively heated to the writing temperature, the reading occurring before heating the read/write portion of the card to the erasing temperature .

Inventors: CANNON THOMAS P, CANNON, THOMAS, P.
Applicants: GTECH CORP, GTECH RHODE ISLAND CORPORATION
Application year: 2000
Main classification: G07F17
IPC codes: G07F7, G07F17