Bezel interface for a card loading system

Abstract

Disclosed are methods, apparatus, and systems, including computer program products, for transferring data cards between a card loading device and a data card unit of a gaming device. The gaming device includes a cabinet, a bezel, an associated display, and an associated data interface. The bezel is attached to the cabinet. The bezel has an opening providing access to a mouth of the data card unit situated in the cabinet. The data card unit is capable of receiving and dispensing data cards through the mouth. The display is configured to display card input/output (I/O) information received from a processor associated with the data card unit. The data interface is configured to communicate with a data interface of the card loading device, which is adapted to dispense data cards to and receive data cards from the mouth of the data card unit through the opening in the bezel.

1 . A gaming device comprising:
 a cabinet;   a bezel attached to the cabinet, the bezel having an opening providing access to a mouth of a data card unit situated in the cabinet, the data card unit capable of receiving and dispensing data cards through the mouth;   a display associated with the bezel, the display configured to display card input/output (I/O) information received from a processor associated with the data card unit; and   a data interface associated with the bezel, the data interface configured to communicate with a data interface of a card loading device adapted to dispense data cards to and receive data cards from the mouth of the data card unit through the opening in the bezel.   
   
   
       2 . The gaming device of  claim 1 , wherein the data interface associated with the bezel is configured to receive code from the data interface of the card loading device. 
   
   
       3 . The gaming device of  claim 2 , wherein the code includes firmware. 
   
   
       4 . The gaming device of  claim 3 , wherein the firmware is associated with the gaming device. 
   
   
       5 . The gaming device of  claim 1 , wherein the data interface associated with the bezel is a wireless interface. 
   
   
       6 . The gaming device of  claim 5 , wherein the data interface associated with the bezel is configured to communicate using Infrared Data Association (IrDA) protocol. 
   
   
       7 . The gaming device of  claim 1 , wherein the data interface associated with the bezel is a wired interface. 
   
   
       8 . The gaming device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a card entry member coupled between the bezel and the data card unit, the card entry member having a card entry region aligned with the bezel opening and the mouth of the data card unit.   
   
   
       9 . The gaming device of  claim 8 , wherein the card entry member is formed of a translucent material. 
   
   
       10 . The gaming device of  claim 9 , further comprising one or more LEDs situated proximate the card entry member. 
   
   
       11 . The gaming device of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more LEDs are situated on a back side of the bezel. 
   
   
       12 . The gaming device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a button mounted to the bezel, the display situated on the button.   
   
   
       13 . The gaming device of  claim 12 , wherein the button is moveable with respect to the bezel. 
   
   
       14 . The gaming device of  claim 12 , wherein the button is fixed with respect to the bezel. 
   
   
       15 . The gaming device of  claim 1 , wherein the card I/O information includes status information for transferring data cards between the card loading device and the data card unit. 
   
   
       16 . The gaming device of  claim 15 , wherein the status information includes one or more status indicators selected from the group consisting of: card holder availability, card holder level, card holder empty, card holder not empty, card holder full, card holder capacity, load status, number of cards dispensed, and number of cards received. 
   
   
       17 . The gaming device of  claim 1 , wherein the card I/O information includes a message indicating a condition. 
   
   
       18 . The gaming device of  claim 17 , wherein the message includes one or more items selected from the group consisting of: a code, a color, and a light pattern. 
   
   
       19 . The gaming device of  claim 17 , wherein the condition is one item selected from the group consisting of: power off, ready, processing card in, processing card out, card in escrow, card presented, device disabled, acceptable quality card holder near full, acceptable quality card holder near empty, unacceptable quality card holder near full, and unacceptable quality card holder near empty. 
   
   
       20 . The gaming device of  claim 17 , wherein the condition is one item selected from the group consisting of: power off, ready, ready card in, acceptable quality card holder full, acceptable quality card holder empty, unacceptable quality card holder full, voltage error, temperature error, print head error, jam, download complete, and card printing. 
   
   
       21 . The gaming device of  claim 1 , wherein the card I/O information is selected from the group consisting of: card insert status, an insert card instruction, a retrieve card instruction, and a card orientation indication. 
   
   
       22 . The gaming device of  claim 1 , wherein the card I/O information is associated with a state or a mode of a gaming session. 
   
   
       23 . The gaming device of  claim 1 , wherein the card I/O information includes one or more items selected from the group consisting of: a text message, a symbol, a graphic object, and an animated object.