Patent Publication Number: US-2009240588-A1

Title: Method And Apparatus For A Promotional Couponing System

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/088,083, filed Mar. 25, 2008, which is a national stage application of PCT Application No. PCT/US06/38492, filed Oct. 2, 2006, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional. Patent Application No. 60/722,557, filed Sep. 30, 2005, and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/046,534, filed Apr. 21, 2008, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/103,210, filed Oct. 6, 2008, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/108,103, filed Oct. 24, 2008 the contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference as if stated in full herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to printers and printer connected hardware used in cashless slot machines and gaming, and more specifically to hardware and software operating within this equipment performing promotional ticket printing, promotional data basing and triggering where a promotional couponing system allows an administrator to design coupons, campaigns, and promotions on a central server and to issue these to a broad area network of printing and redemption devices. The logic that processes various input is contained within each printer and print and redeem device connected to this network so that each device independently analyzes its own input and requests permission to print a coupon from a central server. 
     2. Background 
     Gaming machine manufacturers have introduced cashless enabled gaming machines to the market and these have begun to find wide acceptance in the gaming industry. Cashless enabled gaming machines are so named because they can conduct financial exchanges using a mixture of traditional currencies and vouchers. Typically, a cashless enabled gaming machine has a gaming printer to produce vouchers and a bill acceptor that supports automatic reading of vouchers. To coordinate the activities of multiple cashless enabled gaming machines, one or more cashless enabled gaming machines may be electronically coupled to a cashless enabled gaming machine system that controls the cashless operations of a cashless enabled gaming machine. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a promotional couponing system where coupons, campaigns, and promotions are designed on a central server and issued to a network of printing devices and redeemed from redemption devices. The logic that processes input is contained with each printer and print and redeem device connected to this network so that each device independently analyzes its own input and requests permission to print coupon from a central server. The system uses coupons to maneuver players to play games least in use or to a specific location in the gaming establishment or elsewhere. Coupons include a map and directions to direct the player. 
     In one aspect of the invention, a gaming establishment can direct one or more players to one or more games that are the least played or among the least played games in the gaming establishment. Using a system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention described herein, a gaming establishment can create a promotional coupon to direct or maneuver a player to a certain game in the gaming establishment or elsewhere. The promotional coupon can include a map and/or directions, among others to guide a player. Parameters and triggers can be set such as game identification, game name, number of plays, and number of wins and/or losses, among others. The data is saved on a host system and sent to a printer in one or more cashless enabled gaming machines and or print and redeem devices, and if the criteria set are met, the player receives the promotional coupon. The player can then use the promotional coupon to locate the game to play. 
     In another aspect of the invention, a promotional couponing system (herein called the “PCS”) connects to one or more games and one or more systems such as a TITO system. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the PCS uses one or more rules engines to trigger the issuance of coupons to players and/or patrons, the players and/or patrons known or unknown in a system such as the player tracking system (herein called the “PTS”). 
     In another aspect of the invention, the PCS provides the means where an administrator designs coupons, campaigns, and promotions to be issued to one or more players and/or patrons using one or more printers and/or print and redeem devices. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the PCS provides the means to offer future incentives to players and/or patrons for a return visit. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the PCS provides the means for bonusing where the bonusing runs a promotion targeting a specific location. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the PCS provides the means to steer players and/or patrons around property venues using campaigns and/or promotions. 
     In another aspect of the invention, access to the PCS includes a connection to other systems such as the Internet. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the PCS includes one or more database where a database is used for a scavenger hunt module. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the PCS includes algorithms for a scavenger hunt, the algorithms permitting a scavenger hunt to be conducted on a sub-set of tickets. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the scavenger hunt module permits a temporary scavenger hunt session tracking where each patron&#39;s session is unique and with its own outcome. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the scavenger hunt module allows tickets to be virtual, with only one physical registration coupon. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the PCS scavenger hunt module uses components such as a print and redeem device to read coupons collected by the patron during a scavenger hunt session. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, accompanying drawings and appendix where: 
         FIG. 1  is a process flow diagram of the PCS in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an illustration of the attributes of the print regions of a promotional coupon template in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an illustration of a promotional coupon including logical fields in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a flow chart of a load, check, and verify CRC process for a promotional campaign in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is an illustration of data stored in the memory of a printer in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a process flow diagram for vouchers and promotional data in a gaming environment in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a block diagram of a printer in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a block diagram of a host system for hosting the PCS in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a block diagram of a routing device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a block diagram of a print and redeem device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a diagram illustrating the components and architecture of the PCS in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  is an illustration of the servers, cluster controllers, games, and components thereof used for the PCS in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  is a diagram illustrating the components of the PCS directing players to one or a plurality of games in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 14  is an illustration of a promotional coupon for player guidance in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 15  is an illustration of a functional mode of direct anonymous incentive of the PCS in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 16  is an illustration of a functional mode of direct carded player of the PCS in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 17  is an illustration of a functional mode of future incentive of the PCS in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 18  is an illustration of a functional mode of lure to player club of the PCS in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 19  is an illustration of a functional mode of player club enhancement of the PCS in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 20  is an illustration of a functional mode of auxiliary bonusing of the PCS in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 21  is an illustration of a functional mode of progressive couponing of the PCS in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 22  is an illustration of a functional mode of patron steering and circulation of the PCS in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 23  is an illustration of a functional mode of scavenger hunt of the PCS in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 24  is an illustration of a functional mode of load sharing of the PCS in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 25  is an illustration of the components of the PCS in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 26  is an illustration of a grouping of various rules engines into their respective classes in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 27  is an illustration of how different rules engines may be loaded into printers at various types of locations in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 28  is an illustration of a rule engine for slot metrics in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 29  is an illustration of a promotion and campaign database architecture in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 30  is an illustration of how G2S can be used as a protocol to obtain the various metrics which would be sifted to look for triggers in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 31  is an illustration of a typical connection of the PCS within a casino in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 32  is an illustration of a connection of the PCS and its printers within a GSA defined casino network topology in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 33  is an illustration of the PCS connecting to various administrator clients via the Internet in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 34  is another illustration of the PCS as an enabling technology in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 35  is a flow chart of security measures in the PCS in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 36  is an illustration of a connection of the PCS and one of its printers to a casino multi system environment in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 37  is an illustration of the PCS in relation to scavenger hunt in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and 
     
    
    
     APPENDIX A is a list of definitions of terms as used herein. 
     Identically labeled elements appearing in different ones of the figures refer to the same elements but may not be referenced in the description for all figures. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Cashless enabled gaming machines have found increasing acceptance and use in the gaming industry with players who enjoy the speed of play and ease of transporting their winnings around a gaming establishment and the gaming establishments who have realized significant labor savings in the form of reduced coin hopper reloads in the games, and an increase in revenue because of the speed of play. Gaming and vending machine manufacturers have increasingly added additional printing features to their gaming and vending machines. One of these features is the ability to create promotional coupons. However, the inventors have observed that there is no method or system in place to create, issue, and manage promotional coupons, promotions, or promotional campaigns which may be transmitted to, stored in, and used by a printer. 
     Promotional coupon generation and issuance can include a system which edits the layout of a coupon template. While this method may allow a user to design coupons, the inventors have observed that it does not allow the association of coupons to one or more promotions or the association of one or more promotions to a promotional campaign. Another problem with this method is the inability to copy coupon print regions from one coupon template to another template. 
     Promotional coupon generation and issuance can also include the direct mailing of coupons from a gaming or other business establishment to consumers. The inventors have observed that one problem that plagues this method is that the promotion must be planned well in advance to accommodate the printing and mailing of the promotional coupons to consumers. Another problem is direct mailing and printing is not cost effective. Another problem is that the preprinted promotional coupons cannot be directly inserted into or read by a bill acceptor in a gaming or vending machine. The preprinted promotional coupons must be processed by hand, the process which lends itself to fraud and security issues such as forgery. 
     Promotional coupon generation and issuance can also include providing consumers the means to download promotions from a networked environment (typically the Internet) for a gaming or other business establishment. In addition to some of the problems cited for the previously described existing methods, the inventors have observed that problems for this existing method also include the lack of the consumer&#39;s presence at a gaming or other business establishment which reduces the promotion&#39;s overall effectiveness and coupon redemption. In a method related to the generation and issuance of promotional coupons, comps can be issued by a gaming establishment to a consumer. Comps can include free meals, drinks, show tickets, special room rates, room upgrades, match play coupons, and free cash. The inventors have observed that the problem with this method is that the comp is usually processed or issued by a cashier, pit boss, or floor person whereby it must be determined if the consumer should receive a comp. 
     Therefore, gaming establishments and vendors use multiple promotion methods to induce individuals to patronize the gaming establishment or associated gaming establishments or other types of establishments. However, there is no method or system in place to create, issue, and manage promotional coupons, promotions, and promotional campaigns which may be transmitted to, stored in, and used by a printer for example already installed within a cashless enabled gaming machine system. There exists a need, therefore, to provide a way to create, issue, and manage promotional coupons, promotions, and promotional campaigns. Various systems in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention meet such a need. 
     The present invention is a promotional coupon system (herein called “PCS”) which is an electronic coupon marketing solution that allows an administrator to design coupons, campaigns, and promotions on a central server and to issue these to a broad area network of printing and redemption devices. The logic that processes various input is contained within each printer and print and redeem device connected to this network so that each device independently analyzes its own input and requests permission to print a coupon from a central server. 
     Benefits of casino promotional printing and coupons include reaching out to 100 percent of the players, including non-members of a PTS, encouraging players to join club programs, enhancing existing player club programs, cross steering players and/or shoppers, providing visual feedback to players is powerful, and providing means for possible cooperative coupon ventures. This specification identifies data structures, protocols, processing logic, and functions among others of the PCS. 
     An exemplary use of the PCS is within a casino environment such as in a casino/retail operation located in Las Vegas. This exemplary use is utilized for the descriptions within this specification, but the practical descriptions in no means limit the uses of the PCS and invention. 
     For example, a gaming establishment can direct one or more players to one or more games that are the least played or among the least played games in the gaming establishment. Using a system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention described herein, a gaming establishment can create a promotional coupon to direct or maneuver a player to a certain game in the gaming establishment or elsewhere. The promotional coupon can include a map and/or directions, among others to guide a player. Parameters and triggers can be set such as game identification, game name, number of plays, and number of wins and/or losses, among others. The data is saved on a host system and sent to a printer in one or more cashless enabled gaming machines, and if the criteria set are met, the player receives the promotional coupon. The player can then use the promotional coupon to locate the game to play. 
       FIG. 1  is a process flow diagram of the PCS in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated the process begins ( 101 ) when a user uses a user input device (not shown) to design ( 102 ) a promotional coupon template  103  which is used to create promotional coupons  104 . Print regions  106  can be added, edited, or deleted ( 105 ) from promotional coupon template  103 . The print regions which may be included on promotional coupon template  103  are text or plurality of text, a barcode or plurality of barcodes, a line or plurality of lines, a graphic or plurality of graphics, and a box or plurality of boxes, as shown in element  106  as well as disclosed in  FIG. 2 . As promotional coupon template  103  is designed, the appearance of promotional coupons  104  displays to the user on a user output device (not shown) such as a screen or other display. 
     Each promotional coupon template is given a name  107 . The data for promotional coupon template  103  is stored on a host system and may be used in a promotion  111  or a plurality of promotions. The data for each promotional coupon template  103  may also be transmitted to, stored in, and used by a printer  108  or plurality of printers to generate promotional coupon  104  or a plurality of promotional coupons. 
     The data for each promotional coupon template  103  may also be transmitted to and stored in a routing device  109  or a plurality of routing devices, each which is coupled to a printer, such as printer  108 . Routing device  109  transmits the stored data to printer  108  to generate promotional coupon  104  or a plurality of promotional coupons. 
     If promotional coupon template  103  or plurality of promotional coupon templates is used in a promotion  111  or plurality of promotions, the process continues with the design ( 110 ) of a promotion  111  or plurality of promotions. Each promotion  111  is given a name  112 , the promotion duration is set ( 113 ), triggers are identified ( 114 ), and promotional coupon templates are associated ( 115 ). The promotion duration parameters  116  include start and end date, start and end time, and number of issued coupons, among others. The triggers  117  include amount wagered, amount loss, time played, birthday, frequency selector, and issue period among others. The promotional coupon trigger is given a name and described. The data for each promotion  111  is stored on a host system and may be used in any promotional campaign  118  or plurality of promotional campaigns. The data for each promotion may also be transmitted to printer  108  or plurality of printers to generate promotional coupon  104  or a plurality of promotional coupons. 
     The data for each promotion may also be transmitted to and stored in routing device  109  or a plurality of routing devices, each which is coupled to a printer, such as printer  108 . Routing device  109  transmits the stored data to printer  108  to generate promotional coupon  104  or a plurality of promotional coupons. 
     If promotion  111  or plurality of promotions is to be used in a promotional campaign  118  or plurality of promotional campaigns, the process continues with the design ( 119 ) of a promotional campaign or plurality of promotional campaigns. Each promotional campaign is given a name  120  and a promotion or plurality of promotions is associated ( 121 ) with each promotional campaign  118 . The data for each promotional campaign  118  is stored on a host system and may be transmitted to printer  108  or a plurality of printers to generate promotional coupon  104  or a plurality of promotional coupons. 
     The data for each promotional campaign  118  may also be transmitted to and stored in routing device  109  or a plurality of routing devices, each which is coupled to a printer, such as printer  108 . Routing device  109  transmits the stored data to printer  108  to generate promotional coupon  104  or a plurality of promotional coupons. In addition, as printer  108  is also coupled to a gaming or vending machine  124 , printer  108  may print vouchers  122  along with coupon  104 . 
     In a system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, data for promotional coupon templates  103 , promotions  111 , and promotional campaigns  118  are stored in routing device  109  coupled to printer  108 . In this system, the PCS transmits the data for promotional coupon templates, promotions, and promotional campaigns to routing device. When all the parameters  116  for a promotion or promotional campaign are met, the routing device transmits the stored data to printer  108  to generate promotional coupon(s)  104 . 
     In another system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a user can create promotional coupons  104 , promotions  111 , and promotional campaigns  118  in real time, thereby allowing up-to-the-minute or last-minute implementations. Using such a system, the gaming establishment creates the promotional coupon template  103  and the promotion  111 . The data for the promotional coupon and promotion is saved on the host system and sent to printer  108  in one or more cashless enabled gaming machines. If the criteria such as parameters  116  and triggers  117  set for the promotion is met, the printer then issues the promotional coupon to a consumer. 
     In another system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, coupon templates  103  written in a template definition language, promotions  111 , and promotional campaigns  118  are designed using a host system and a graphical front-end to a template definition language. 
     When a gaming or other business establishment desires to define a promotional coupon, the promotional coupon template where the layout and print regions of text, graphics, barcodes, lines, and boxes are defined displays. A gaming or other business establishment defines the layout of promotional coupon templates  103  by placing print regions  106  on the promotional coupon template. For example, the user desires to place a barcode as a print region on promotional coupon templates  103 . The user selects the barcode option to define the parameters or attributes for that barcode. The parameters or attributes include, for example, region ID, region data, region size, object ID, object rotation, object width, object justification, object attributes, print attributes, and print color among others. These parameters or attributes are also used to modify a print region. Further detail is disclosed in  FIG. 2  as well as throughout this specification. 
     The user can move any print region  106  to another area on promotional coupon templates  103 , place a region in front of other regions, or place a region behind other regions. 
     Another system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention allows multiple promotional coupon templates  103  to be created based on existing promotional coupon templates. In this system, a gaming or other business establishment selects an existing promotional coupon template  103  on which additional promotional coupon templates are based. Each additional promotional coupon template inherits the characteristics of the selected existing promotional coupon template but can be separately modified. Using the promotional coupon template editor which displays, a gaming or other business establishment can create a new promotional coupon template, delete a selected promotional coupon template, and display or hide print regions  106  on a promotional coupon template. 
     Another system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention allows the user to adjust the workspace for structuring the promotional coupon templates  103 . Thus, if desired, the user can zoom in on the overall layout and print regions  106  of promotional coupon templates  103  to closely view and modify the overall layout and print regions. This feature also permits users to zoom out to view the overall layout and print regions of promotional coupon templates  103 . 
     In another system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, after the gaming or other business establishment defines the print regions  106  for the promotional coupon template  103 , a promotional coupon template is stored in a document. The document contains multiple lines. Each line contains a command and the associated parameters required to use that promotional coupon template. The document is stored on a host system and may be incorporated into a new or existing promotion  111 . The data may also be transmitted to, stored in and used by printer  108  either alone or with other promotional coupon templates  103  to generate promotional coupons  104 . The data may also be transmitted to and stored in a routing device  109  coupled to printer  108 , with routing device  109  transmitting the stored data to printer  108  to generate promotional coupons  104 . 
     Another system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention allows the overall layout and print regions  106  of promotional coupon templates  103  to be edited or deleted  105 . The parameters or attributes for a print region which can be edited include region ID, region data, region size, object ID, object rotation, object width, object justification, object attributes, print attributes, and print color among others. Further detail is disclosed in  FIG. 2  as well as throughout this specification. 
     In addition, one system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention allows the export of promotional coupon templates  103  and data for promotional coupons  104 , promotions  111 , and promotional campaigns  118  for incorporation and use by external software applications such as a casino management system or player tracking system (herein called “PTS”.) 
     Furthermore, another system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides various methods of establishing communications with printer  108  for data transmission. In one aspect of such a system, when a gaming or other business establishment desires to set up the communication port to which data is transmitted to printer  108 , the communication port settings are displayed. A gaming or other business establishment selects the communication port and the communication protocol baud rate, identifies the polling option and command, and initializes the communication port. In addition, a gaming or other business establishment can locate additional communication ports to which to establish communications with printer  108  or routing device  109 . 
     In another aspect of a system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when a gaming or other business establishment desires to set up the respective communication ports to which gaming or vending vouchers  122  and promotional coupon  104  data is transmitted to printer  108 , the communication ports settings are displayed. A gaming or other business establishment selects a gaming or vending voucher file, selects the communication port and the communication protocol baud rate, and initializes the communication port for the gaming or vending voucher. A gaming or other business establishment repeats this process for a promotional coupon. 
     A gaming or other business establishment can also set the delay between print option which sets the delay print time between printing a gaming or vending voucher  122  and printing promotional coupons  104 . A gaming or other business establishment can also disconnect the communication port for the gaming or vending voucher, the promotional coupon, or both. 
     When a gaming or other business establishment desires to view the parameters of a print job prior to sending a data to a printer, print job controls are displayed. A gaming or other business establishment can select options such as manually sending the print job, sending all print jobs without delay, sending all print jobs with delay, canceling a print job, and clearing the output log that is created when a print job is sent to printer  108 . 
     A gaming or other business establishment can also view the status of printer  108 . When desiring to do so, the printer status displays. A gaming or other business establishment can view any communication errors, such as Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter (UART) errors, view the printer library, and reset printer  108  if necessary. 
     In another system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, data for promotional campaigns  118  which may be transmitted to printer  108  from a host system, stored in, and used by printer  108  to generate a promotional coupon or a plurality of promotional coupons  104 , may be combined with data for promotional coupons. In this system, when a gaming or other business establishment desires to create or edit promotional campaigns  118 , the promotions and promotional campaigns are defined displays. After a gaming or other business establishment creates or edits promotional campaigns  118 , the system inserts a header in a promotional campaign  118  data file which identifies a promotional campaign. The system also calculates a signature, such as a CRC, based on the contents of the promotional campaign data and sends the signature to printer  108 . 
     In another aspect of a system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a boundary check on the combined promotional coupon templates  103 , print regions  106 , graphics and other data which may be included with the promotional campaign  118  data may be performed to ensure conformance with the resources and load requirements of printer  108 . In this system, after a gaming or other business establishment transmits data to printer  108 , the PCS performs the boundary check by determining the number of promotional coupon templates  103 , print regions  106 , graphics and other data which may be included with promotional campaign  118  data. The PCS then verifies the signature. After successful verification of the signature, the PCS loads the data for each promotional coupon template  103  and sends the signature to printer  108 . 
     In another aspect of a system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, data for promotional coupon templates  103 , promotions  111 , and promotional campaigns  118  are stored in the memory of printer  108 . In this system, the PCS transmits the data for promotional coupon templates, promotions, and promotional campaigns to printer  108 . When all parameters  116  of promotions  111  or promotional campaigns  118  are met, the printer uses the data stored in memory to generate promotional coupons  104 . 
       FIG. 2  is an illustration of the attributes of the print regions of promotional coupon template in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     As illustrated, a promotional coupon template  103  may include text print regions  201 , barcode print regions  202 , line print regions  203 , box print regions  204 , and graphic print regions  205 . 
     The attributes for text print region  201  are defined in Table I as follows: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE I 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Attribute 
                 Description 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 Print Region Data 
                 Permanently stored data. Can modify if 
               
               
                 (&lt;pr_data&gt;) 
                 &lt;pr_att&gt; = dynamic, incrementing, 
               
               
                   
                 or decrementing. 
               
               
                 Region ID (&lt;r_id&gt;) 
                 Print Region identifier. Unique 
               
               
                   
                 alphanumeric character. 
               
               
                 Font Size Width (&lt;mul_1&gt;) 
                 The width of the size of the font. 
               
               
                 Font Size Height (&lt;mul_2&gt;) 
                 The height of the size of the font. 
               
               
                 Font Size (&lt;obj_id&gt;) 
                 An object identifier which describes 
               
               
                   
                 the size of the font. 
               
               
                 Print Region Attributes 
                 Special handling instructions for the 
               
               
                 (&lt;pr_att&gt;) 
                 print region. Options for text include: 
               
               
                   
                 Dynamic, Stored, Incrementing, or 
               
               
                   
                 Decrementing. 
               
               
                 Rotation (&lt;rot&gt;) 
                 Rotation of strings or data with the print 
               
               
                   
                 region. Options include: 0, 90, 180, or 
               
               
                   
                 270 Degrees. 
               
               
                 Justification (&lt;just&gt;) 
                 Justification of data within the print 
               
               
                   
                 region. Options include: Left, Right, 
               
               
                   
                 or Center. 
               
               
                 Text Printing Attribute 
                 Special handling instructions for the 
               
               
                 (&lt;obj_att&gt;) 
                 print object. Options for text include: 
               
               
                   
                 Normal or Inverse. 
               
               
                 Print Color 
                 Color of the print region. 
               
               
                 Size Text Region 
                 Sizing for the print region. Shrink/ 
               
               
                   
                 Enlarge width and height. 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     The attributes for barcode print region  202  are defined in Table II as follows: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE II 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Attribute 
                 Description 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 Print Region Data 
                 Permanently stored data. Can modify if 
               
               
                 (&lt;pr_data&gt;) 
                 &lt;pr_att&gt; = dynamic, increment, or 
               
               
                   
                 decrement. 
               
               
                 Region ID (&lt;r_id&gt;) 
                 Print Region identifier. Unique 
               
               
                   
                 alphanumeric character. 
               
               
                 Barcode Type (&lt;obj_id&gt;) 
                 An object identifier which describes 
               
               
                   
                 the type of barcode used. 
               
               
                 Print Region Attributes 
                 Special handling instructions for the 
               
               
                 (&lt;pr_att&gt;) 
                 print region. Options for barcodes 
               
               
                   
                 include: Dynamic, Stored, Increment, 
               
               
                   
                 or Decrement. 
               
               
                 Barcode Width (&lt;mul_1&gt;) 
                 The first width of the barcode. 
               
               
                 Barcode Width2 (&lt;mul_2&gt;) 
                 The second width of the barcode. 
               
               
                 Rotation (&lt;rot&gt;) 
                 Rotation of strings or data with print 
               
               
                   
                 region. Options include: 0, 90, 180, 
               
               
                   
                 or 270 Degrees. 
               
               
                 Justification (&lt;just&gt;) 
                 Justification of data within print 
               
               
                   
                 region. Options include: Left, Right, 
               
               
                   
                 or Center. 
               
               
                 Barcode Height (&lt;obj_att&gt;) 
                 The height of the barcode. 
               
               
                 Print Color 
                 Color of the print region. 
               
               
                 Size Barcode Region 
                 Sizing for the print region. Shrink/ 
               
               
                   
                 Enlarge width and height. 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     The attributes for line print region  203  are defined in Table III as follows: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE III 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Attribute 
                 Description 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 Region ID (&lt;r_id&gt;) 
                 Print Region identifier. Unique Alphanumeric 
               
               
                   
                 Character. 
               
               
                 Line (&lt;obj_id&gt;) 
                 An object identifier which describes a line. 
               
               
                 Line Thickness 
                 The thickness of the line. 
               
               
                 (&lt;mul_1&gt;) 
               
               
                 Rotation (&lt;rot&gt;) 
                 Rotation of strings or data with print region. 
               
               
                   
                 Options include: 0, 90, 180, or 270 Degrees. 
               
               
                 Size Line Region 
                 Sizing for the print region. Shrink/Enlarge 
               
               
                   
                 width and height. 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     The attributes for box print region  204  are defined in Table IV as follows: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE IV 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Attribute 
                 Description 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 Region ID (&lt;r_id&gt;) 
                 Print Region identifier. Unique Alphanumeric 
               
               
                   
                 Character. 
               
               
                 Box (&lt;obj_id&gt;) 
                 An object identifier which describes a box. 
               
               
                 Line Thickness 
                 The thickness of the line. 
               
               
                 (&lt;mul_1&gt;) 
               
               
                 Size Box Region 
                 Sizing for the print region. Shrink/Enlarge 
               
               
                   
                 width and height. 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE V 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Attribute 
                 Description 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 Region ID (&lt;r_id&gt;) 
                 Print Region identifier. Unique Alphanumeric 
               
               
                   
                 Character. 
               
               
                 Graphic (&lt;obj_id&gt;) 
                 An object identifier which describes a graphic. 
               
               
                 File Name 
                 Name of the graphic file. 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
       FIG. 3  is an illustration of an exemplary promotional coupon including logical fields in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In this example, promotional coupon  104  may include five types of print regions: text  201 , barcode  202 , graphic  205 , line  203 , and box  204  as described in  FIG. 2 . The print regions of a promotional coupon template used to create this example are defined in the PCS and may be stored in a printer, such as printer  108  of  FIG. 1 . The template may include a plurality of print regions in combination, resulting in a paste-up style printed coupon. 
     The actual value of data for each print region may or may not be included in the promotional coupon template. For example, a promotional coupon template may include a barcode field  202  for printing a barcode  301 . However, the actual value of the barcode is transmitted to printer  108  of  FIG. 1  at the time promotional coupon  104  is generated using promotional coupon template  103  of  FIG. 1 . In this way, promotional coupon  104  may have print regions that include static data, such as a graphic  302  in graphic print region  205 , or dynamic data such as the name  303  of a particular patron in a text print region  201 . In this way, customized promotional coupons may be printed by printer without transferring large amounts of data through a communications network coupling the printer to a master promotional controller. 
     In addition, data that is used to track usage of promotional coupons may be included in promotional coupon  104 . For example, a barcode field  202  or a text field  201  may be used to print a barcode value  301  or text string  304  uniquely identifying promotional coupon  104 . In this way, printer  108  of  FIG. 1  creates an image of a barcode or barcodes, characters or marks that may be read by a gaming or vending machine bill acceptor on the same or another gaming or vending machine, allowing automatic acceptance of promotional coupons. 
       FIG. 4  is a flow chart of the load, check, and verify CRC process for a promotional campaign in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     As illustrated, the process begins ( 401 ) with loading ( 402 ) promotional campaign data. A boundary check is performed ( 403 ). If the promotional campaign data passes the boundary check, the process continues with determining ( 404 ) the number of promotional coupon template files. If the promotional campaign data does not pass the boundary check, the system advises ( 405 ) the user and returns to the PCS. 
     After determining the number of promotional coupon template files, a verify file CRC is performed ( 406 ) on the promotional campaign data. If the promotional campaign data passes the CRC verification, the process continues with the loading ( 407 ) of each promotional coupon template. If the promotional campaign data does not pass the CRC verification, the system advises ( 408 ) the user and returns to the PCS. 
     After loading each promotional coupon template, a verify file CRC is performed ( 409 ) on each promotional coupon template in the promotional campaign data. If the promotional campaign data does not pass the CRC verification, the system advises ( 410 ) the user and returns to the PCS. If the promotional campaign data passes the CRC verification, the process determines ( 411 ) whether there are additional promotional coupon templates to load. If there are additional promotional coupon templates to load, the process returns to  407 . If there are no additional promotional coupons to load, the process advances to  412 . 
     At  412 , after loading all promotional coupon templates is complete, the process completes with the CRC being sent ( 412 ) to the printer. 
       FIG. 5  is an illustration of data stored in the memory of printer in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     As illustrated, a printer memory  501  comprises a promotional table  502 , template and region definitions  503 , and graphics. The promotional table comprises one or a plurality of addresses. Each address is mapped  507  to a template and region definition. A map table  504  comprises 6 bytes of graphic data as follows: 1 byte for the object identification (ID), 1 byte for the object rotation (Rot); and 4 bytes for the object address (Addr). In this example, the map table may contain a total of 112 entries. Each entry is mapped  509  to graphic data  505  in memory. 
       FIG. 6  is a process flow diagram for gaming and vending vouchers and promotional data in a gaming environment in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     As illustrated, the process for vouchers begins with a Main Communication Handler  601 . A determination is made ( 602 ) whether data exists on the main port. If data, such as a voucher  608 , exists on the main port, the system gets ( 603 ) the data from the main port and sets the printer to busy. If data does not exist on the main port, the process returns to Main Communication Handler  601 . 
     The process for promotional coupons begins with a Promo Communication Handler  604 . A determination is made ( 605 ) whether data exists on the promo port. If data, such as a promotional coupon  104  of  FIG. 1 , exists on the promo port, the system gets ( 606 ) the data  609  from the promo port and sets the printer to busy. If data does not exist on the promo port, the process returns to Promo Communication Handler  604 . 
     If the printer is busy using any port, the data from the other port is queued ( 607 ). 
     The process continues with the system identifying ( 610 ) which data was received first. Because the process begins with Main Communication Handler  601  determining whether voucher data exists on the main port, if voucher data exists on the main port the voucher data will be identified at  610  as being received first. After identifying the data received first, the system processes ( 611 ) the first data to generate a voucher or promotional coupon, then returns to process the second data to generate ( 612 ) a voucher or promotional coupon. 
     In one embodiment, identifying which data was received first is based on a priority. For example, priority can be given to voucher data in the event that voucher data exists on the main port and promotional coupon data exists on the promo port. In another embodiment, priority can be given to voucher data such that even when promotional coupon data is received first, the system waits to receive and print corresponding voucher data prior to printing the promotional coupon data. 
       FIG. 7  is a block diagram of an external device such as a printer in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     A printer  108  includes a processor  702 , operatively coupled via a bus  706  to a memory  704 . The processor is further operatively coupled via the bus to a storage device  710 . Program instructions  716  and data  714  implementing described herein voucher and coupon printing processes are stored in the storage device until the processor retrieves the program instructions and stores them in the memory. The processor then executes the program instructions stored in the memory and uses the data to implement the features of the printer as described herein. 
     The processor is further coupled via the bus to one or more communication devices or ports  718 . The printer uses the communication devices to transmit and receive control signals from the PCS, gaming system or gaming machine as described herein. 
     The processor is further coupled via the system bus to a print device  720 . The printer uses the print device to generate vouchers coupons as described herein. 
     Additionally, external devices can include those described herein such as a slot machine or gaming table, among others. 
     In one embodiment, the printer includes universal communication including USB 2.0 FS (GSA/GDS, SPC/IGT, SBG). In another embodiment, the printer is a reloadable peripheral; for example, a storage device can be replaced with another storage device. 
       FIG. 8  is a block diagram of a host system for hosting the PCS in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     A host system  800  contains the programming instructions, memory, security interface means, among others necessary for signaling and data transfer for data verification and other purposes. Any exemplary host system is the PCS used to create, manage and track the issuance and redemption of promotional coupons. 
     A host  800  includes a processor  802 , operatively coupled via a bus  806  to a memory  804 . The processor is further operatively coupled via the bus to a storage device  810 . Program instructions  816  and data  814  for implementing promotional program generation processes are stored in the storage device until the processor retrieves the program instructions and stores them in the memory. The processor then executes the program instructions stored in the memory and uses the data to implement the features of the PCS processes. 
     The processor is further coupled via the bus to one or more communications devices or ports  822 . The host uses the communications devices to transmit and receive control signals and/or data to and from external devices as described herein. 
     The processor is further coupled via the bus to one or more user input devices  818  and one or more user output devices  820  for communicating with a user as described herein in order to create a promotional coupon, among others. 
       FIG. 9  is a block diagram of a routing device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Any component may be optional. 
     A routing device  109  contains the programming instructions, memory, security and interface means, among others necessary for signaling and data transfer of one or a plurality files for data verification and other purposes. 
     A routing device  109  includes a processor  902 , operatively coupled via a bus  906  to a memory  904 . The processor  902  is further operatively coupled via the bus  906  to a storage device  908 . Program instructions  912  and data  910  implementing described herein voucher and coupon printing processes are stored in the storage device  908  until the processor  902  retrieves the program instructions  912  and stores them in the memory  904 . The processor  902  then executes the program instructions  912  stored in the memory  904  and uses the data  910  to implement the features of the processes as described herein. 
     The processor  902  is further coupled via the bus  906  to one or more communication devices or ports  914 . The routing device  109  uses the communication devices to transmit and receive control signals from a host system  800  of  FIG. 8  such as the PCS, gaming system or gaming machine as described herein. 
     The processor  902  is further coupled via the system bus  906  to a print device such as a printer  108 . The routing device  109  uses the print device  108  to generate vouchers and/or coupons as described herein. 
     Additionally, external devices include a slot machine or gaming table, among others. 
       FIG. 10  is a block diagram of a print and redeem device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     A print and redeem device  1000  contains the programming instructions, memory, security interface means, among others necessary for signaling and data transfer of one or more files for data verification and other purposes. 
     A print and redeem device  1000  includes a processor  1002 , operatively coupled via a bus  1006  to a memory  1004 . The processor  1002  is further operatively coupled via the bus  1006  to a storage device  1008 . Program instructions  1012  and data  1010  implementing described processes are stored in the storage device  1008  until the processor  1002  retrieves the program instructions  1012  and stores them in the memory  1004 . The processor  1002  then executes the program instructions  1012  stored in the memory  1004  and uses the data  1010  to implement the features of the processes. 
     The processor  1002  is further coupled via the bus  1006  to one or more communication devices or ports  1014 . The print and redeem device  1000  uses the communication devices to securely transmit and receive control signals and/or data to and from any external device such as a host system  800  of  FIG. 8 , gaming system, gaming machine, handheld device and/or routing device  109  of  FIG. 1  as previously described. 
     The processor  1002  is further coupled via the system bus  1006  to a print device such as a printer  108 . The print and redeem device  1000  uses the print device  108  to generate vouchers and/or coupons and to securely generate files as described herein. 
     The processor  1002  is further coupled via the system bus  1006  to a barcode scanning device  1016 . The print and redeem device  1000  uses the barcode scanning device  1016  to scan and redeem coupons and/or vouchers. 
       FIG. 11  is a diagram illustrating the components and architecture of the PCS in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. A component or plurality of components could be optional. 
     As shown in  FIG. 11 , the PCS  800  comprises a processor  1102 , memory  1106 , application code  1104  containing code for implementing the processes described herein, storage  1108 , and a plurality of interfaces to external devices and systems including an interface to a plurality of printers  1110 . An exemplary device for the PCS would be a traditional network server. In  FIG. 11 , the processor  1102 , executing the application code  1104 , performs the following tasks, among others:
         (a) create and maintain a database for storing promotional coupon template, promotion, promotional campaign, triggers, and redemption data, then recalling any of that data at a later time to create a promotional coupon or plurality of such through one of its connected printers, either directly or through a coupled component such as a gateway  1114 .   (b) process data related to the creation of promotional coupon templates, promotions, and promotional campaigns, the data including triggers.   (c) process data related to the issuance of promotional coupons, the data including triggers.   (d) process data related to the redemption of promotional coupons.   (e) record and log its activities for statistical and monitoring purposes.   (f) transfer statistical data and activity logs and records to the PCS administrator.   (g) accept programming through its interface to a PCS administrator  1112  as to the algorithms, metrics, and triggers utilized for the creation of a promotional coupon template or plurality of such.   (h) set communication options for both vouchers and promotional coupons to print using the same printer, including initializing each port and polling each printer.   (i) calculate the CRC based on promotional coupon or promotion data; thereafter, based on successful verification of the CRC, loading the promotional coupon or promotion data and sending the CRC to a printer or plurality of printers, either directly or through a coupled component such as a gateway  1114 .   (j) request data exchange through the PCS&#39;s interface to the PTS  1116  to determine if a promotional coupon or plurality of such is triggered as a result of a player being a member of a frequent player or membership club of a gaming establishment.       

     (k) request data exchange through the PCS&#39;s interface to the PTS  1116  to query player tracking data for the customization of a promotional coupon or plurality of such.
         (l) request data exchange through the PCS&#39;s interface to the PTS  1116  to determine the validity of the redemption of a promotional coupon or plurality of such, thereby enabling player tracking data is validated against data originally used for a promotional coupon, a promotion, a promotional campaign, a plurality of any, or a combination of any.       

     (m) request data exchange through the PC S&#39;s interface to the POS  1122  for the issuance of a promotional coupon or plurality of such, whereby a trigger or plurality of triggers using data from the POS is used. 
     (n) request data exchange though the PCS&#39;s interface to the POS  1122  to monitor and track the redemption of a promotional coupon or plurality of such, whereby point-of-sale data may be verified against data originally used to create a promotional coupon template, promotion, promotional campaign, a plurality of any, or a combination of any. 
     (o) request data exchange through the PCS&#39;s interface to the Slot Accounting Server  1120  for the issuance of a promotional coupon or plurality of such, whereby a trigger or plurality of triggers using data from the Slot Accounting Server is used. 
     (p) request data exchange through the PCS&#39;s interface to the Slot Accounting Server  1120  to monitor and track the redemption of a promotional coupon or plurality of such, whereby data such as issuing machine may be verified against data originally used to create a promotional coupon template, promotion, promotional campaign, a plurality or a combination of any. 
     (q) request data exchange through the PCS&#39;s interface to a Gateway Server  1114  or plurality of such for the issuance of a promotional coupon or plurality of such, whereby data and one or a plurality of triggers is transmitted to each Gateway Server to permit the issuance of promotional coupons from each printer coupled to selected slot machines or game. 
     (r) request data exchange through the PCS&#39;s interface to a Gateway Server  1114  or plurality of such to monitor and track the redemption of a promotional coupon or plurality of such, whereby data from the Gateway Server or its coupled devices as described herein may be verified against data originally used to create a promotional coupon template, promotion, promotional campaign, a plurality of any, or a combination of any. 
     (s) request data exchange through the PCS&#39;s interface to Other(s)  1132 , which may be any other system, network, or device such as a routing device for the issuance of a promotional coupon or plurality of such, whereby data and one or a plurality of triggers is transmitted to and stored in such. 
     (t) request the PCS&#39;s interface to the network of printers  1110  in the system to create a promotional coupon or plurality of such. 
     (u) monitor the connection through the PCS&#39;s interface to the Slot Accounting Server  1120  or one or a plurality of slot machines to receive information from the slot machine and/or to monitor slot machine play metrics directly from a slot machine whereby a trigger or a plurality of triggers using data from the slot machine is used. 
     The interfaces comprising the protocols, messaging logic, hardware, and buffering necessary to exchange data with the PCS&#39;s processor  1102  and application, and among others: 
     (a) PTS  1116   
     (b) POS  1122   
     (c) Slot Accounting Server  1120   
     (d) Game Server  1118   
     (e) Gateway Server(s)  1114   
     (f) Printer(s)  1110   
     (g) CMS  1124   
     (h) LMS  1126   
     (i) Internet  1128   
     (j) Media Server  1130   
     (k) Other(s)  1132   
     (l) Administrator Link  1112   
     Additionally, the PCS  800  interfaces with one or a plurality of games either directly or through a host system such as a Game Server  1118 . In this embodiment, the functionality is the same or equivalent to the Slot Accounting Server  1120  or Gateway Server  1114  where the PCS, its processor  1102 , executing the application code  1104 , performs the following tasks, among others:
         (a) monitor the connection through the PCS&#39;s interface to a Game Server  1118  or one or plurality of games to receive information from a game and/or to monitor game play metrics directly from a game whereby a trigger or a plurality of triggers using data from a game is used.   (b) request data exchange through the PC S&#39;s interface to a Game Server  1118  or one or plurality of games for the issuance of one or more promotional coupons, whereby a trigger or triggers using data from a game is used.   (c) request data exchange through the PC S&#39;s interface to a Game Server  1118  or one or plurality of games to monitor and track the redemption of one or more promotional coupons, whereby data such as issuing game may be verified against data originally used to create a promotional coupon template, promotion, promotional campaign, a plurality of any, or combination of any.   (d) request data exchange through the PC S&#39;s interface to a Game Server  1118  or one or plurality of games for the issuance of one or more promotional coupons, whereby data and one or a plurality of triggers is transmitted to each game to permit the issuance of promotional coupons from each printer coupled to selected games.   (e) request data exchange through the PC S&#39;s interface to a Game Server  1118  or one or plurality of games to monitor and track the redemption of one or more promotional coupons, whereby data from a game and/or its coupled devices may be verified against data originally used to create a promotional coupon template, promotion, promotional campaign, a plurality of any, or a combination of any.       

     A number of the interfaces for the PCS  800  may exist on the same physical hardware connection, the attached devices being individual or group-addressable nodes on that connection. 
     In another embodiment, the PCS  800  is on its own LAN and not connected to one or a plurality of systems in use at a gaming establishment or other business establishment or shares bandwidth with one or a plurality of systems talking a different protocol, for example, it cannot control a game. 
     Some of the main software modules which make up the architecture of the PCS  800 , which is essentially the master of the system are listed in the following table: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE VI 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Server Module 
                 Function 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 Accounting System 1120, POS 
                 Some of the interface drivers which interface the PCS to 
               
               
                 1122, CMS 1124, LMS 1126, 
                 other systems at the property. 
               
               
                 Internet 1128, PTS 1116, Media 
               
               
                 Server 1130, Game Server 1118, 
               
               
                 Gateway 1114, Others 1132 
               
               
                 Printer Net 1110 
                 The interface to all the printers that are connected to the 
               
               
                   
                 PCS, directly on a property LAN, or through the Internet. 
               
               
                 Administrator 1112 
                 The interface to export an administration client to be used 
               
               
                   
                 by the PCS administrator for promotion and campaign 
               
               
                   
                 design. This is the dashboard control for the PCS. 
               
               
                 Printer FW/DB Management 
                 Ensures that all printers are downloaded with the proper 
               
               
                 Module 1134 
                 promotional databases contained within the PCS. 
               
               
                 Campaign Management Module 
                 The software which controls administration of the 
               
               
                 1136 
                 campaigns programmed in the PCS. 
               
               
                 Auth Ctrl/Verification Module 
                 The security software module which verifies that various 
               
               
                 1138 
                 administrators are authorized to utilize and control the PCS. 
               
               
                 Redemption Authorization 
                 The software which verifies that a scanned validation 
               
               
                 Module 1140 
                 sequence on a coupon is valid and gives permission for the 
               
               
                   
                 redemption. 
               
               
                 Audit Module 1142 
                 The software module which allows system monitor files 
               
               
                   
                 (log files) to be pulled from the server for analysis. 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     The enterprise service bus interface  1152  provides a connection to other enterprise systems such as POS  1122 , CMS  1124 , and Internet  1128 . The enterprise service bus interface also provides a connection to modules of the PCS such as the audit module  1142  as previously disclosed. 
     The campaign databases  1144  store information related to each campaign. Each campaign is then loaded to one or more target groups to issue a promotional coupon to a player and/or patron. 
     The log files of the PCS include an audit log  1146 , a coupon clearing log  1148 , and a system activity log  1150 , among others. The audit log includes information that creates an audit trail of activity of the PCS which can be used for data analysis. 
     The coupon clearing log  1148  includes information related to promotional coupons such as when the coupon was redeemed and where, among others. The coupon clearing log can be used for data analysis. 
     The system activity log  1150  includes information related to the PCS and/or components such as connectivity to other systems, errors, and data transfers, among others. 
       FIG. 12  is an illustration of the servers, cluster controllers, games, and components thereof used for the PCS in a gaming environment in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. A component or plurality of components shown in  FIG. 12  could be optional. 
     As illustrated, a host system  800  includes a promotional couponing server  1202 , a player tracking server  1204 , a slot accounting server  1206 , a POS server  1208 , a gateway server  1210 , a Game Server  1211 , and other add on modules  1212 , each coupled to each other. 
     The promotional couponing server  1202  processes data related to promotional couponing such as that described throughout this specification. For example, to create a promotional coupon using a birthday as a trigger and an issuing location, the promotional couponing server may query data such as a player&#39;s date of birth from the player tracking server  1204  and machine information from the slot accounting server  1206 . To continue with this example, before the promotional coupon can be redeemed at a point-of-sale location, the POS server  1208  may query the PTS  1204  for a player&#39;s date of birth. 
     The POS server  1208  also may query the slot accounting server  1206  to validate machine information such as issuing location. The POS server also may query the promotional couponing server  1202  to validate data for the promotional coupon such as the unique identifier for the promotional coupon. 
     The player tracking server  1204  processes data related to player tracking. For example, the promotional couponing server  1202  may query data such as a player&#39;s name from the player tracking server  1204  to customize a promotional coupon with the name of an individual. 
     The slot accounting server  1206  processes data related to slot machines. For example, the promotional couponing server  1202  may query data such as the machine identification from the slot accounting server  1206  to unique identify the originating machine that issued a promotional coupon. 
     The POS server  1208  processes data related to promotional coupon redemption and point-of-sale purchases. For example, in order to validate a promotional coupon for redemption, the POS server may query data such as the unique identifier for the promotional coupon from the promotional couponing server  1202 . 
     The Game Server  1211  processes data related to games such as gaming tables. For example, the promotional couponing server  1202  may monitor and query data such as game play metrics from the Game Server to issue a promotional coupon. 
     Other add-on modules  1212  process data and support other systems such as a lodging management system, among others. For example, to redeem a promotional coupon for a discount on lodging, a lodging management system may query the promotional couponing server  1202  to validate the promotional coupon. 
     The gateway server  1210  is coupled to one or more cluster controllers, such as cluster controllers  1214   a  and  1214   b . Each cluster controller further coupled one or more games. For example, cluster controller  1214   b  is coupled to games  1216   a  to  1216   e  and cluster controller  1214   a  is coupled to games  1218   a  to  1218   d . Each cluster controller is used to control the operation of the associated games. For example, one cluster controller may be used for games located at the north end of a casino floor while another cluster controller may be used for games located at the south end of the casino floor. 
     Each game such as a slot machine  1218   d  may comprise a Slot Machine Interface Board (SMIB)  1220 , the SMIB coupled to various components that may include a display  1222 , bonusing  1224 , bill acceptor  1226 , Player Tracking (PT) card reader  1228 , game interface  1230 , and a Printer Controller Unit (PCU  1232 ) for controlling a printer  1234 . 
     Each game such as a gaming table  1216   c  may comprise a Game Machine Unit Board (GMU)  1236 , the GMU coupled to various components that may include a display  1238 , bonusing  1240 , bill acceptor  1242 , Player Tracking (PT) card reader  1244 , game interface  1246 , and a Printer Controller Unit (PCU)  1248  for controlling a printer  1250 . 
     The game interface of either game such as a slot machine or gaming table also may be coupled to a printer controller unit, the printer controller unit further coupled to a printer. 
     The gateway server  1210  is used to process data and convert protocols from all other servers to a cluster controller or a plurality of such. For example, data for the issuance of a promotional coupon or plurality of such is sent from a promotional couponing server  1202  and any of the other servers in a host system  800  through a gateway server  1210  to each cluster controller. The data is then forwarded to the associated games or to selected games. The data resides in the printer controller unit until a trigger or a plurality of triggers is met. Thereafter, the data is used by the printer to generate a promotional coupon or plurality of such. 
       FIG. 13  is a diagram illustrating the components of the PCS directing players to one or a plurality of games in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. A component or plurality of components could be optional. 
     The components of  FIG. 13  are previously disclosed in  FIG. 12 . In this embodiment, a gaming establishment can direct a player to one or more games that are the least played or among the least played games in the gaming establishment. Using a system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a gaming establishment can create a promotional coupon to direct or maneuver a player to a certain game in the gaming establishment or elsewhere. The promotional coupon can include a map and/or directions, among others to guide a player. Additional details are disclosed in  FIG. 14  as well as throughout this specification. 
     Additionally, parameters such as start and end date and time and game identification, among others, and triggers such as number of plays, and number of wins and/or losses, among others can be set. The data is saved on a host system and sent to a printer in one or more cashless enabled gaming machines, and if the criteria set is met, the player receives the promotional coupon. The player can then use the promotional coupon to locate the game to play. Additionally, the player can receive prizes for locating and/or playing the game. These prizes can include a free dinner and discount on lodging, among others. An example prize given in the form of a promotional coupon is disclosed in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 14 . 
     In another embodiment, data can be partially stored in a host system and a printer. 
     In the operation of an embodiment, a gaming establishment has identified that game  1216   c  is the least played game on the gaming floor. The gaming establishment uses the promotional coupon server  1202  to create the promotional coupon to direct players to game  1216   c . The promotional coupon is created and saved on a host system. All the data or partial data is transmitted through a gateway server  1210  and one or a plurality of cluster controllers  1214   a  and  1214   b  to a printer (not shown) in one or a plurality of games such as games  1218   a ,  1218   b ,  1218   d . When player A plays, for instance, game  1218   a  and the criteria and/or triggers are met, the player receives a promotional coupon directing them to game  1216   c . Further, player B playing game  1218   b  receives a promotional coupon directing them to game  1218   c . After or during game play of game  1218   c , player B receives another promotional coupon directing them to game  1216   a . After or during game play of game  1216   a , player B receives another promotional coupon directing them to game  1216   e.    
     Further, player A and/or player B can receive additional promotional coupons for prizes such as disclosed in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 14 . 
       FIG. 14  is an illustration of a promotional coupon for player guidance in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     In this embodiment, the promotional coupon  104  includes a promotional header  1402  of “The Hunt is on!”, a game name  1404  of “Scavenger!”, and the casino name  1406 . Additionally, the promotional coupon includes a map  1408 , directions  1410  and a clue  1412  to locate the game. 
     When a player receives this type of promotional coupon, they can use the map  1408 , directions  1410 , and/or clue  1412  to locate the game. 
     Additionally, the promotional coupon can include a barcode (not shown), among others as disclosed in  FIG. 3  as well as throughout this specification. 
       FIG. 15  is an illustration of a functional mode of direct anonymous incentive of the PCS in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     The PCS  800  is an enabling technology, used to define coupons, promotions, campaigns and various rules engines for use. It is the players and patrons  1502  who actually drive the PCS and create the databases by their gaming and shopping activity among others once this environment is established by the PCS administrator. For example, in a direct anonymous incentive process, an un-carded player is provided immediate use coupon  1504  as a result of their wagering activity. The PCS  800  uses the rules engine to process the data related to the anonymous player  1502 . The slot play activity on the game  124  in which the printer  108  is installed is analyzed on a real time basis by the printer, and when a trigger is matched, a coupon such as coupon  1504  is issued to the player  1502 . Depending on the issued coupon  1504 , the coupon can be redeemed at, for example, a restaurant  1508 , bar or other hospitality  1510 , or a show  1512 , among others. The nature of the content of the coupon is to offer the player and award for some good or service offered by the property. The data structures of the printer  108  logic and the server logic is constructed to support this capability, and the PCS  800  contains the ways and means to accomplish this task. 
     In another embodiment, play activity from a gaming table (not shown) is analyzed in real time by the printer. When a trigger is matched, coupon  1504  is issued to the player  1502 . 
       FIG. 16  is an illustration of a functional mode of direct carded player of the PCS in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     In this illustration, a carded player  1602  is provided an immediate use coupon  1604  as a result of wagering activity, enhanced by player class, wagering history and other factors. The slot play activity on the game  124  in which the printer  108  is installed is analyzed on a real time basis by the printer, and in addition to the slot play activity, information related to the player&#39;s status or activity within the club are also additive to the analysis. When a trigger is matched, a coupon  1604  is issued to the player  1602 . Depending on the issued coupon  1604 , the coupon can be redeemed at, for example, a restaurant  1508 , bar or other hospitality  1510 , or a show  1512 , among others. The nature of the content of the coupon  1604  is to offer the player  1602  and award for some good or service offered by the property. The data structures of the printer  108  logic and the server logic is constructed to support this capability, and the PCS  800  contains the ways and means to accomplish this task. Additionally, it requires that the PCS be connected to the PTS  1608  at the property, communicates the required protocol with the PTS, and can correlate information contained in the PTS database with triggers programmed in the PCS. The goods and/or services can include a restaurant  1508 , bar hospitality  1510 , and/or show  1512 , among others. 
     In a variation, the award can be issued to the card of the carded player  1602 , such as a PTS card ( 1610 ). 
     In another embodiment, play activity from a gaming table (not shown) is analyzed in real time by the printer  108 , and in addition to the game play activity, information related to the player&#39;s status or activity within the club are also additive to the analysis. When a trigger is matched, a coupon  1604  is issued to the player  1602 . 
       FIG. 17  is an illustration of a functional mode of future incentive of the PCS in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     In this illustration, the player coupon  1702  acts like a mailer to provide an incentive for a return visit. The PCS  800  contains programming capability and a time clock (not shown) which allows it to set the window of time, referenced to moment that the coupon  1702  is issued, that the coupon is valid and that said valid period would be in the future so as to incentivize a player  1704  to return at a later date to the property. The coupon  1702 , issued by the printer  108  in the game  124 , can be for free play credits  1708 , shows  1710 , room  1712 , and/or shopping discounts  1714 , among others. 
     For example, during a visit, a player  1704  plays a game  124 . At any time during game play, a printer  108  installed in the game issues a future incentive coupon  1702  to the player  1704  based on signaling from the PCS  800 , which the player takes home  1716  with them. Upon returning  1718  to the gaming establishment, the player can redeem the coupon. 
       FIG. 18  is an illustration of a functional mode of lure to player club of the PCS in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     As illustrated, a nonparticipating player  1802  is provided immediate incentive to join player club. The PCS  800  being connected to the PTS  1608 , upon determining that a trigger is met, connects to the PTS to obtain a join the club award, and this award is correlated in the PCS to the coupon  1804 . The coupon, issued by the printer  108  in a game  124 , can include awards for a future room discount  1808 , hospitality  1810 , and/or shows  1812 , among others. 
     In a variation, the award can be issued to the card of the carded player  1802 , such as a PTS card  1814 . 
       FIG. 19  is an illustration of a functional mode of player club enhancement of the PCS in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     As illustrated, club members  1902  obtain coupons or tickets  1904  communicating important information related to the club. The PCS  800  being connected to the PTS  1608 , using PTS data related to the particular player  1902  to cause a trigger and the resultant event is to issue an informational ticket  1904  which communicates certain club information to the player such as award thresholds and/or new programs, among others. The coupon or ticket is issued by a printer  108  in a game  124 . 
       FIG. 20  is an illustration of a functional mode of auxiliary bonusing of the PCS in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     As illustrated, targeted location specific bonusing can be accomplished. The PCS running a promotion on the printers  108  installed in a game  124  in a machine group  2002  (such as a particular grouping of slot machines), and upon a trigger being met, a monetary or raffle entry award coupon  2004  being printed by a printer  108  in a game  124  for the player  2006 . 
       FIG. 21  is an illustration of a functional mode of progressive couponing of the PCS in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     As illustrated, the value of the coupon increases as play continues and moves around the gaming establishment floor. The PCS using the redemption of a coupon (via its validation sequence) as the trigger to the cause the issuance a new coupon. In this manner, a temporary chain of redemption and new issue is created. 
     For example, a printer  108  in the game  2104  prints a coupon  2102   a  which the player  2106  redeems at a game in marketing target group one  2108 , for example game  2110 . After playing game  2110 , the printer  108  in the game prints another coupon  2102   b  (using, for example a sequential number or other means of tracking). The player  2106  redeems this coupon at a game  2114  in marketing target group two  2112 . 
       FIG. 22  is an illustration of a functional mode of patron steering and circulation of the PCS in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     As illustrated, the campaign controls support all modes of player and/or gaming establishment interaction. Multiple target locations, running different campaigns and/or promotions, can steer patrons around the property venues. To accomplish this, the PCS (not shown) contains the databases, ways and means to program and distribute different campaigns and/or promotions to different locations thereby allowing one or more coupons to be printed. 
     For example, a patron  2202  receives a coupon  2204  during a previous visit. Upon returning to the gaming establishment and/or associated gaming establishment, the patron redeems the coupon at a game  2208  in slot target group  2206 . At any time during game play, the patron receives another coupon (not shown) good for a show  2210 , the coupon printed by a printer  108  connected to the game  2208 . 
     The patron then redeems the show coupon (not shown) at the show  2210 , after which the patron receives another coupon (not shown) for game play at a game  2214  in slot target group  2212 . After redeeming the game play coupon (not shown), the PCS can cause the game  2214  to issue any one, all, or a combination of the following coupons: a coupon for retail luxury shopping  2216 , a coupon for retail casual shopping  2218 , a coupon for players club  2220 , among others. 
     Continuing, the printer  108  in game  2214  in slot target group  2212  issues a coupon (not shown) for casual shopping  2218 . After the patron redeems the casual shopping coupon, the PCS connected to the POS (not shown) of the retail target issues a coupon (not shown) for game play at slot target group  2222 . After redeeming the game play coupon, the printer  108  in the game  2224  issues a coupon (not shown) for a restaurant  2226 . After the patron redeems the restaurant coupon, the patron receives a coupon for game play at slot target group  2212 . 
     After the patron redeems the game play coupon, the printer  108  in the game  2214  issues an award coupon for the player club  2220 . After the patron redeems the coupon at the club desk and possibly receiving a club card  2228 , the PCS issues a coupon for bar hospitality  2230  to the patron. After the patron redeems the bar hospitality coupon, the patron receives a coupon  2204  for future incentive. 
       FIG. 23  is an illustration of a functional mode of scavenger hunt of the PCS in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     As illustrated, coupons move players in pursuit of scavenger hunt prize. The PCS (not shown) is programmed to organize a scavenger hunt. For the purposes of this document, a scavenger hunt is akin to a guided treasure hunt whereby a patron  2300  must collect one or more coupons such as  2302   a  through  2302   i  from one or more locations such as at a game such as a slot machine  2304 , a lodging desk  2306 , a game such as a gaming table  2308 , retail target  2310 , hotel room  2312 , and marketing target  2314 , among others, by meeting various triggers. The coupons may or may not contain various clues as to how additional coupons can be collected. The end result of the scavenger hunt is to guide the patron to an end location  2316  where the collection of coupons are presented in order to obtain a price, free game play, enter a drawing, free shows, or other awards and incentives. 
     In order to accomplish this, the PCS:
         (a) connects to a number of other systems, such as the LMS, Slot System, TITO System, Game Table System, and POS, among others,   (b) establishes and maintains separate databases for each unique scavenger hunt,   (c) correlates the validation sequences of the various coupons to the particular scavenger hunt, and   (d) determines with the scavenger hunt is complete, as pre-determined by the PCS administrator.       

     Additional details are disclosed throughout this specification. 
       FIG. 24  is an illustration of a functional mode of load sharing of the PCS in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     Load sharing is used to describe the functionality where PCS components share the burdens of real time data processing, analyzing and management. The PCS  800  is really a massively parallel system with each printer  108  being a co-processor to the server. The table below lists some of the various data functions of the PCS and how those functions can be shared across this massively parallel system. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE VII 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Server 800 
                 Printers 108 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 Stores promotional database(s) 2404 
                   
               
               
                 Controls content and campaigns 
               
               
                 Promotion and campaign design 
                 Real-time data sifting for triggers 
               
               
                 Real-time data analysis algorithms to look for a 
                 Real-time data analysis algorithms 2406 to 
               
               
                 trigger 
                 look for a trigger. The data analyzed may be 
               
               
                   
                 collected locally by the printer or received 
               
               
                   
                 from the server 
               
               
                 Routing data from other systems (PTS, POS, 
               
               
                 LMS, etc.) associated with activity related to 
               
               
                 the location where the printer 108 is installed 
               
               
                 Issuing approval and a validation sequence for 
               
               
                 coupons when a trigger is met. 
               
               
                 Storing coupon graphical designs and data 
                 Storing coupon graphical designs and data 
               
               
                 structures 
                 structures 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
       FIG. 25  is an illustration of the components of the PCS in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     As illustrated, some of the key components in the PCS, such as servers, software clients, printers and print and redeem devices provide for a complete couponing environment. These include a PCS Server  800 , one or more administration interfaces  2502 , one or more print and redeem devices  2504  and  2506 , one or more printers  108 , and one or more routing devices  2510 . 
     The PCS  800  includes the application  2512  and couponing and redemption logic  2514  that includes a rules engine module that determines whether triggers programmed in an administration interface have been satisfied and a coupon is to be issued. The intelligence of this is distributed between the server to the promotional terminals or modules  2516  to support a broad range of rules engines and reliable scalability. The PCS includes a validation module (not shown) that provides unique validation sequences. The PCS includes a redemption module (not shown) which approves any coupon redemption. The PCS includes databases and modules (not shown) which provide audit trail, accounting records, event logs and the methods to export these for viewing and to other systems, among others. 
     Additionally, the PCS  800  includes a web interface  2518 . The web interface is a module in the PCS server whose responsibility is to connect the PCS to create a WAN via the Internet. Security is provided for example, via MS IIS. Promotional terminal http web server embedded firmware allows one or more remote terminals to connect securely to the PCS via the Internet to subscribe to the WAN. 
     Additionally, the PCS  800  includes one or more server modules  2516 . The server modules are responsible for promotional terminal management of components (such as a printer and print and redeem device), real time promotional firmware revision control, and campaign refreshing of the promotional terminal fleet. 
     The server modules  2516  of the PCS  800  provide for secure communications between a connected host application and components of the promotional terminals such as a printer  108  and a print and redeem device  2504 . The secure communications protocol includes for example, GSA protocols. 
     The server modules  2516  are responsible for load balancing and task sharing to insure that the PCS  800  is fully scalable from gaming establishments of a hundred slots to large installations of 5,000 machines or more. This module dynamically looks at floor usage demand and divides up printer blocks and/or print and redeem blocks to level out demand on each individual server. Further detail is disclosed in  FIG. 24 . 
     A routing device  2510  is a secure module such as an Ethernet GSA connection module which securely connects a printer, such as a slot or floor kiosk embedded printer to the PCS  800 . The routing device also provides a fully separate promotional processing environment from the TITO functions in the printer, thereby allowing the PCS functionality to be associated equipment, even when blended with TITO printing. The routing device also provides arbitration support to insure fully TITO/promotional compatibility under all conditions. 
     In one embodiment, the routing device  2510  is embedded in a promotional terminal such as a slot or floor kiosk embedded printer. In another embodiment, the routing device connects to slot or floor kiosk embedded printer. In another embodiment, the routing device is a separate device. In another embodiment, the routing device is incorporated into a printer  108 . 
     Each printer  108  prints coupons based on signaling from the PCS  800 . One printer used with the PCS includes an embedded routing device  2510  and is classed as a promotional terminal. Another printer connects to a routing device for connection to the PCS. This combination of printer and routing device is classed as a promotional terminal. Another printer is a tabletop packaged coupon issuance printer. 
     Another promotional terminal includes a print and redeem device  2504 . One print and redeem device is a coupon redemption and issuance terminal including a 2D barcode scanner and a magnetic card reader, among others. This type print and redeem device is intended for use at POS, and other concession locations. It is a remote location coupon print and redeem unit containing all the print, paper and interface functions necessary to generate coupons, redeem coupons, and receive signaling from one or more systems, among others. This type print and redeem device also includes an administrator interface for processing player and patron targeted awarding as well as redemption information feedback. This type print and redeem device is Internet connectable whereby coupons can be issued at extranet locations. In one embodiment, this type printer is a tabletop packaged print solution. 
     Another print and redeem device  2506  is a table TITO device that also serves as a coupon terminal at the tables. This terminal also contains a 2D barcode scanner and a magnetic card reader. This type print and redeem device is intended for use at gaming tables (black jack, roulette, etc.) as a table-based TITO and coupon unit to provide TITO and coupons at the table for TITO issuance and redemption and/or coupon issuance and redemption. This type print and redeem device provides means for an administrator&#39;s interface and player targeted awards, among others. Additionally, this type print and redeem device provides means for a SMIB system connection card for connection to a slot machine or game. 
     One or more administration interfaces  2502  provides a client application. One administration interface includes a graphical coupons design studio environment that supports the creation of coupon designs, and exports the designs in a printer ready format for use by the system, among others. 
     Another administration interface  2502  includes a module that allows the creation of event triggers that cause a coupon to issue, a module that allows the linking of coupons to triggers resulting in the creation of promotions, a module that allows the bundling of promotions into campaigns, campaign stagegate approval release processes, and/or a coupon redemption activity and statistics viewer, among others. 
     The PCS  800  also includes a target group administration client application (not shown) that allows the grouping of promotional terminals into target groups by IP address. Server modules perform communications routing to target groups. 
     The PCS  800  also includes one or more enterprise systems interfaces to one or more enterprise service servers. An interface is for example, an S2S interface to connect the system to other enterprise systems which also support an S2S interface. An enterprise service server is responsible for connecting legacy systems to the PCS using an enterprise systems interface. An example legacy system includes systems that use non-GSA protocol. Additional detail is disclosed in  FIG. 11 . 
     One or a plurality of devices of the PCS  800  can be installed in various physical locations. The various physical locations include lodging desk, leased locations, owned locations, tables, slot issued coupons at games, player loyalty desk, floor kiosks, and/or hotel rooms, among others. Additionally, locations such as hotel rooms, leased locations, and/or owned locations, among others may be connected using a connection such as the Internet. 
     The PCS  800  can interface to target groups both within and outside the property location by use for example, of the Internet. This essentially makes the PCS world wide in deployment scope. The target groups can include, among others, remote location, retail group, EGM titles, EGM banks, and/or EGM demons. 
       FIG. 26  is an illustration of a grouping of various rules engines into their respective classes in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     As illustrated various rules engines are grouped into their respective classes. The trigger rules engine are printer embedded and classed by metric type. These classes are assigned based on the nature of the data which is processed by the rules engines. For instance, the data related to slot play may be the amount of money wagered, or time of play on the game, and so this is classed as slot metrics  2602 . Data related to POS locations may be the amount of money spent, or the particular item purchased, and so rules engines related to this type of data are classed as retail metrics  2604 . 
     Lodging metrics  2606  may include the date a player checked into the hotel. Table metrics  2608  may include the amount played. Club metrics  2610  may include the last time a player played a game. 
       FIG. 27  is an illustration of how different rules engines may be loaded into printers at various types of locations in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     As illustrated different rules engines may be loaded into printers at the various types of locations. Under this architecture, each connection is capable of running independent rules engine thereby providing complete system flexibility. It is possible that a property could be running several dozen or more rules engines simultaneously. What is not shown here, but is intended and disclosed in this specification, is that in addition to the printers containing rules engines, they would also contain different Promotions at these locations. 
     For example, illustrated are the following rules engines: 18 classed as slot metrics  2602 , 6 classed as table metrics  2608 , 6 classed as lodging metrics  2606 , and 8 classed as retail metrics  2604 . The currently running rules engines are illustrated as slot metrics  2702 ,  2704 , and  2706 ; table metrics  2708  and  2710 ; lodging metrics  2712 ; and retail metrics  2716  and  2718 . 
       FIG. 28  is an illustration of a rule engine for slot metrics in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     The illustrated slot metrics  2602  are, among others, date  2802 , time of day  2804 , birthdays  2806 , incentives  2808 , frequency of issue  2810 , length of play  2812 , and wagering activity  2814 . Any, all, or a combination of these are used with the trigger sifting logic  2816  and/or coupon database selector  2818  to select one or more coupons  2822  for issue  2824  using an approval/release module  2820 . Additionally, the trigger sifting logic is embedded in all connection devices such as a printer or print and redeem device. 
       FIG. 29  is an illustration of a promotion and campaign database architecture in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     As illustrated, a promotion  2904  is a coupon  2902  and a set of triggers  2906  for that coupon. A campaign  2908  is a collection of promotions. Campaigns are then loaded to one or various target groups such as, among others, retail target  2910 , slot target  2912 , table target  2914 , and/or food and beverage target  2916 . 
       FIG. 30  is an illustration of how G2S can be used as a protocol to obtain the various metrics which would be sifted to look for triggers in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     As illustrated, triggers are mapped to classes such as G2S classes and S2S classes  3002 . Any, all, or a combination of triggers such as, among others, date  2802 , time of day  2804 , birthdays  2806 , incentives  2808 , frequency of issue  2810 , length of play  2812 , and wagering activity  2814  can be used with, for example, S2S: player class to trigger an event  3004 . 
     For example, a player inserts her player card. The card reader sends the player&#39;s birthday to the electronic gaming machine (EGM), which in turn sends a G2S idReader message to the PTS. The PTS sends a S2S patron message to the PCS. The printer connected to the PCS gets a notification and triggers a coupon to print. 
     In another example, a player inserts a card or cash to start a session. The EGM starts a session and notifies the PTS (for example, using G2S_PRE100 class). The PCS receives a notification. The player finishes playing and removes her card or requests a cash out (for example, using G2S_CBE316). The EGM ends the session and notifies the PTS (for example, using G2S_PRE103). The printer and/or PCS gets the notification and prints a coupon. 
       FIG. 31  is an illustration of a typical connection of the PCS within a gaming establishment in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     In this illustration, a PCS administrator uses an administrator interface  3104  to design campaigns  3106  and/or rules engine  3108 , among others. The administrator using a connection such as the Internet  3110  transmits the campaigns and/or rules engine to the PCS  800 . The PCS using a secured connection  3112  such as secure Ethernet, transmits coupons to a routing device  109  which in turn, transmits the coupons to a game  124 . The game is capable of issuing coupons  104  and vouchers  122 . The game also connects using a slot machine interface board (SMIB)  3122  to a TITO System  3124 . Data regarding the coupons, triggers, and/or rules engines are transmitted from the game back to the routing device which in turn, transmits the data to the PCS. Additionally, the PCS is connected to other host systems  3126  for data exchange and transmission, such as for a patron management server  3128  and real time slot metrics  3130 . 
       FIG. 32  is an illustration of a connection of the PCS and its printers within a GSA defined casino network topology in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     As illustrated, a plurality of systems using secured Ethernet communications  3112  interface  3202   a  and  3202   b  with a printer  108  connected to a game  124  for the issuance and/or redemption of vouchers  122  and/or coupons  104 . For GSA, the printer listens via G2S to get the slot play metrics  3108 . 
     The systems include:
         (a) G2S server for example, for accounting and event reporting  3206  and player tracking  3208     (b) DNS Server for network name resolution  3210     (c) NTP Server for network time synchronization  3212     (d) DHCP server for automatic network administration  3214     (e) CM server for certificate management  3216     (f) PCS G2S/S2S server for promotional couponing  3218 . The PCS uses the property rules engine to authenticate coupons, download campaigns, and provide a property interface  3220 .       

       FIG. 33  is an illustration of the PCS connecting to various administrator clients via the Internet in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. This allows multiple administrators to manage the system for remote and within property locations. 
     In this embodiment, the PCS  800  connects via a web service  3304  to provide coupon issuance to remote locations using, for example, the Internet. The PCS and coupon database  3306  identify the coupon records  3308  which may be queried by an SQL server  3310 . Using IIS  3316 , a casino IT department can control security and access to the PCS. An Internet user  3312   a ,  3312   b , and  3312   c  interfacing with a Web server  3314  can access the PCS. 
       FIG. 34  is another illustration of the PCS as an enabling technology in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     As illustrated the PCS  800  is an enabling technology, used to define campaigns and various rules engines for use. It is the patrons who actually drive the PCS by their gaming and shopping activity among others once this environment is established by the PCS administrator. The wide variety of rules engines possible makes for completely different environments and allows casino property operators to differentiate from their competitors, even though they also might be running the PCS. By allowing the players and patrons and their activity to drive the system, the patrons experience is more enjoyable, the behavior of the patrons is directly affected by the marketing programs, and the patron interaction with the systems make the entire system event driven where the event is the individual patron&#39;s activities. 
     Each patron&#39;s activities build a PCS  800  database based on a rule or set of rules created by an establishment. For example, the PCS server can include the following databases:
         (a) Auxiliary bonusing  3404  stores data and a rule or set of rules related to auxiliary bonusing, for example, promotional couponing in addition to other couponing such as scavenger hunt  3418 .   (b) Lure to player club  3406  stores data and a rule or set of rules related to providing one or more incentives for a player to join the PTS.   (c) Progressive couponing  3408  stores data and a rule or set of rules related to progressive couponing where the value of a coupon increases as play continues.   (d) Future incentives  3410  stores data and a rule or set of rules related to incentives for a return visit by a player or patron.   (e) Cross steering  3412  stores data and a rule or set of rules related to steering players and/or patrons.   (f) Player club enhancement  3414  stores data and a rule or set of rules related to the PTS which relay important club information, among others, to a player or patron.   (g) Direct carded player  3416  stores data and a rule or set of rules related to direct carded player when the players are a member of the PTS.   (h) Scavenger hunt  3418  stores data and a rule or set of rules related to scavenger hunt including the hunt prize.   (i) Direct anonymous player  3420  stores data and a rule or set of rules related to direct anonymous players when a player is not a member of the PTS.       

       FIG. 35  is a flow chart of security measures in the PCS in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     The first step is the create user accounts  3502  where the system administrator creates user accounts for authorized promotional administrators. A security gate  3504  can include Administrator P/W or password is required for system administrator to access server to establish user accounts. 
     In create promotion  3506 , an authorized user accesses the promotional server to create a promotion. A security gate  3508  can include a User P/W or password is required to access server for authorization. 
     In issue promotional coupon  3510 , the promotional server, working in conjunction with the TITO printer, determines that a promotional trigger (designed by a user) is met. A security gate  3512  can include that the server must authorize promotional coupon issuance on a particular printer in a particular game. 
     In issue validation sequence for the coupon  3514 , the promotional server creates a semi-random validation sequence for the coupon and issues the sequence to the printer as part of the coupon issuance authorization. The random portion of the sequence is 12 numeric characters and is only used only for the one coupon, making it in all practical terms impossible to predict (10e12 combinations). The printer prints the validation sequence on the coupon, and upon confirmation of a successful coupon issuance from the printer, the server uses the sequence to create a record within a valid promotions data base located in the server. A security gate  3516  can include where the server creates a random portion of the coupon sequence number with 10e12 permutations. Complete sequence is used only once for a coupon creating a unique signature for the promotion. 
     In configure validation coupon record  3518 , data concerning the promotion is loaded into the valid promotions database indexed against the coupons validation sequence. The data provides a complete signature for the coupon and includes, for example, a validation record containing the promotion, promotional redemption code, and issue date, among others. 
     In redeem coupon  3520 , the coupon is redeemed at a participating location, either by an attended transaction (clerk present) or unattended in the case of a self-serve kiosk. At the time of redemption, the sequence number is communicated to the server and the following checks are completed: 
     a) The redemption is within the valid date and time 
     b) The coupon is being redeemed at the proper location 
     c) The promotion being granted matches the coupon award grant 
     d) The value of the award granted matches the coupon denomination 
     A security gate  3522  can include the award redemption which is being attempted matches the profile of the award recorded in the system in the validation sequence&#39;s record, including the zone or promotion code type. 
     In log coupon record  3524 , after confirmation that the coupon is valid and the redemption is complete, the server issues an approval which includes another semi-random sequence number of a different format than the coupon&#39;s validation sequence to the redemption location for use in canceling the coupon. The server, upon confirmation of the cancellation sequence successful reception, retires the coupon as redeemed and logs it into a redeemed and canceled database also residing in the server. This record can be communicated upon request to the accounting system for the property. 
       FIG. 36  is an illustration of a connection of the PCS and one of its printers to a casino multi system environment in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     In this illustration, the printer  108  obtains its slot play data metrics from the PCS  800  which in turn receives this information from other systems such as Player Loyalty System  3604 , Casino System  3606 , and TITO System  3608  at the property which are connected to the slot machines  124  by way of a SMIB  3612 . In addition to obtaining the slot play metrics, the printer connects to the PCS to obtain campaign databases  3614 , slot metrics rules engines (not shown), and to receive approval to issue a coupon  104  once a trigger is met. 
     In another embodiment, the printer  108  obtains its slot play data metrics directly from the slot machine  124  and connects to the PCS  800  to obtain campaign databases  3614 , slot metrics rules engines (not shown), and to receive approval to issue a coupon once a trigger is met. 
     In another embodiment, the PCS administrator uses the administrator interface  3104  to create a campaign  3614  which is stored on the PCS  800 . 
       FIG. 37  is an illustration of the PCS in relation to scavenger hunt in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     Illustrated are a host system such as PCS  800 , a game  124 , a game board  3702 , and a ticket reader  3704 . The host including one or more databases  3706  where a database is for the scavenger hunt module, algorithms  3708 , and a scavenger hunt session table  3710 , among others. The game includes a printer  108 , among others. The ticket reader includes a print and redeem device (not shown), among others. The ticket reader may be included with a game or kiosk, among others. 
     The scavenger hunt algorithm  3708  (herein “PCS SHa”) allows scavenger hunt to be conducted with only a sub-set of the scavenger hunt tickets in the possession of the patron, whereby the algorithm will self adapt to personalize the scavenger hunt experience of the patron within a sub-set of complete scavenger hunt designed. The purpose and benefit of this is to allow a complex scavenger hunt to be programmed to cover a number of activities, but still can be run without the patron having to satisfy all aspects of the scavenger hunt, thereby running the risk that they lose interest. 
     The PCS SHa  3708  being programmed by a graphical interface administrator interface of scavenger hunt module allows the user to perform a visual linking of events, and grouping of events to classes of scavenger hunt sub-set outcomes. An outcome would be perhaps an award or entry into a drawing for a certain award, and the value of the award would escalate based on how completely the scavenger hunt was performed by the patron. 
     The PCS scavenger hunt module contains a database  3706  which would open up a temporary scavenger hunt session tracking so that each patron&#39;s scavenger hunt session could be unique, with its own unique outcome, the outcome to be within the class of outcomes programmed into the PCS through an administrator interface. 
     The PCS scavenger hunt module  3706  allows all patron tickets to be virtual, with only one physical registration ticket, the ticket to be linked to the temporary scavenger hunt session database entry for that patron where the virtual tickets are accumulated. 
     The PCS scavenger hunt module  3706  allows the tickets collected by the patron during the scavenger hunt session to be inserted into a ticket reader  3704 , for example, a ticket reader connected to the PCS  800 , the PCS connected to a game of chance  124 , the game of chance being triggered, modified or enhanced based on the collection of patron tickets entered. 
     The PCS scavenger hunt module  3706  allows the tickets collected by the patron during the scavenger hunt session to be inserted into a ticket reader  3704 , for example, a ticket reader connected to the PCS  800 , the PCS connected to a game board  3702  whereby the PCS SHa  3708  having accumulated the tickets inserted, would determine which clues on the game board would light up or reveal, in a game show fashion, providing the patron a chance to answer a question, solve a puzzle, or solve a riddle. The outcome of the game can be validated by an attendant. The attendance in turn would receive authorization from the PCS to present an award of some variety to the patron. 
     Although the present invention has been described in certain specific embodiments, many additional modifications and variations would be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is therefore to be understood that this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. Thus, the present embodiments of the invention should be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention to be determined by any claims supportable by this application and the claims&#39; equivalents rather than the foregoing description.