Method of credit input and a gaming system

Abstract

A gaming system for multiple players using horizontal touch screen displays. A credit input/output mechanism receives currency or a trading device, and may include an input amount. A credit record is generated as well as an associated unique credit identifier. Credits specified by the credit record may be allocated relative to a player interface in accordance with input to a touch screen display.

1 . A method of credit input for a multi-player gaming system, the method comprising:
 receiving a credit input;   generating a credit record associated with a gaming system including data indicative of the credit input; and   associating a credit identifier with the credit record.   
   
   
       2 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising receiving the credit identifier from a player interface of the gaming system; and
 allocating the credit specified by the credit record to the player interface.   
   
   
       3 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , and further comprising issuing the credit identifier. 
   
   
       4 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , and further comprising associating a player provided credit identifier with the credit record. 
   
   
       5 . A method as claimed in  claim 2 , and further comprising displaying one or more tokens corresponding to the credit record on a display of the multi-player gaming system. 
   
   
       6 . A method as claimed in  claim 5  comprising issuing a request for the credit identifier in response to an attempt to allocate the one or more tokens with a player interface. 
   
   
       7 . A method as claimed in  claim 6  comprising monitoring for an attempt to allocate one or more tokens with a player interface by monitoring for an attempt to move the one or more tokens to within the player interface. 
   
   
       8 . A method as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein an attempt to allocate one or more tokens with a player interface comprises an attempt to move the one or more tokens to a designated part of the player interface. 
   
   
       9 . A method as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the display is a touch screen display and the method comprises monitoring the output of the touch screen for an attempt to move the one or more tokens. 
   
   
       10 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein receiving a credit input comprises receiving a ticket having a credit value. 
   
   
       11 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein receiving a credit input comprises obtaining credit from a player account. 
   
   
       12 . A method as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the player account is linked to a player tracking device. 
   
   
       13 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein receiving a credit input comprises receiving a currency input. 
   
   
       14 . A multi-player gaming system comprising:
 a credit input mechanism; and   a credit manager arranged to:
 generate a credit record including data indicative of the credit input; and 
 associate a credit identifier with the credit record. 
   
   
   
       15 . A multi-player gaming system as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the credit manager is further arranged to:
 receive the credit identifier from a player interface of the gaming system; and
 allocate the credit specified by the credit record to the player interface. 
   
   
   
       16 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 15 , comprising a player interface controller adapted to provide a plurality of player interfaces. 
   
   
       17 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the credit manager is adapted to issue a request for the credit identifier in response to an attempt to allocate the credit record to a player interface. 
   
   
       18 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 14 , comprising a touch screen display and the player interface controller is adapted to provide at least part of each player interface on with the touch screen display. 
   
   
       19 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the credit manager is arranged to cause the display to initially display one or more tokens corresponding to the credit record at a position separate to each player interface. 
   
   
       20 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 19  wherein the touch screen is operable to allow a player to move the one or more tokens from the initial display position to a player interface to attempt to allocate the credit record. 
   
   
       21 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein each player interface is operable to enter a credit identifier. 
   
   
       22 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the player interface controller is adapted to add and remove player interfaces. 
   
   
       23 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the credit input mechanism comprises a bill acceptor. 
   
   
       24 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the credit input mechanism comprises a coin acceptor. 
   
   
       25 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the credit input mechanism comprises a ticket reader. 
   
   
       26 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the credit input mechanism is adapted to obtain a credit amount from a player account. 
   
   
       27 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the display is a horizontal display. 
   
   
       28 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein the display is 2-3 m across the diagonal. 
   
   
       29 . A credit manager for a multi-player gaming system arranged to:
 process a credit input;   generate a credit record based on the credit input; and   associate a credit identifier with the credit record.   
   
   
       30 . A credit manager as claimed in  claim 29 , further adapted to issue a request for the credit identifier in response to an attempt to allocate the credit record to a player interface of the gaming system. 
   
   
       31 . A credit manager as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein the credit manager is arranged to cause a display of the gaming system to initially display one or more tokens corresponding to the credit record at a position separate to the player interface.