Patent ID: 7004837

Claim:
A gaming machine comprising: a gaming unit having a housing, the housing comprising gaming components comprising: (a) a game interface, the game interface configured to allow a game player to conduct gaming functions; (b) a game processor located in the housing and in communication with the game interface, the game processor configured to control the game functions and game machine components; (c) a cash transaction unit, the cash transaction unit configured to accept cash from, and dispense cash to, the game player, the cash transaction unit comprising: i. a coin acceptor associated with the housing and configured to accept coins from the player; ii. a coin dispenser associated with the housing; the coin dispenser configured to dispense coins to the player; iii. a coin hopper, the coin hopper in communication with the coin acceptor and coin dispenser, the coin hopper configured to hold coins until they are to be dispensed to the player; iv. a coin hopper controller associated with the housing and in communication with the coin acceptor, coin hopper and game processor; the coin hopper controller configured to detect coins inserted into the coin acceptor and to cause coins to be dispensed from the coin dispenser when directed by the game processor; (B) the gaming machine being modified in a retrofit fashion to further comprise a cash-less transaction system comprising: (a) a cash-less device transaction unit mounted in communication with the game processor, the cashless device transaction unit configured to accept cash-less devices and to transmit and receive information; (b) an interception and emulation unit mounted in communication with the cash-less device transaction unit and the game processor; wherein the interception and emulation unit is configured to perform the following: i. intercept signals from the game processor, whereby the intercepted signals are not received as originally intended; ii. emulate signals corresponding to gaming functions and transmit the signals to game components.