System for Electronic Game Promotion

Abstract

A printer on a networked gaming device can be controlled by the network to generate awards. The printer can operate as both a typical printer in a gaming device and as a printer for the gaming network, or separate printers can be installed in the gaming device. If the particular player has identified himself or herself to the gaming network, then the gaming system has a very high probability that it is communicating to a known player. Therefore, the printer operates as a direct communication conduit to a player. Additionally, previously issued awards can be redeemed by a validator coupled to the gaming network.

1 . An interface for driving a printer, comprising:
 a first communications link configured to receive, from game electronics in a wager-based gaming machine, cash data indicative of information to be printed on a voucher;   a second communications link configured to receive, from a bonus engine via a gaming network, data indicative of information to be printed on an award ticket; and   a processor responsive to said first and second communication links configured to control the printer to print the voucher or the award ticket.   
   
   
       2 . The interface recited in  claim 1  wherein the first and second communications links are separate physical ports. 
   
   
       3 . The interface recited in  claim 1  wherein at least one of the first and second communications links uses a serial printing protocol. 
   
   
       4 . The interface recited in  claim 1  wherein at least one of the first and second communications links uses a parallel printing protocol. 
   
   
       5 . The interface recited in  claim 1  wherein the second communications link is configured to receive the data indicative of information to be printed on an award ticket from the bonus engine via a gaming network further via the game electronics. 
   
   
       6 . The interface recited in  claim 1  wherein the first communications link is configured to receive the cash data from the game electronics via the gaming network. 
   
   
       7 . The interface recited in  claim 1  wherein the information to be printed on the award ticket comprises information indicating an award selected from the group consisting of: a drawing ticket, food, a ticket to a show, an accommodation, a beverage, bonus points, and machine credits awarded in a gaming session that are valid no earlier than a next gaming session. 
   
   
       8 . A printer in communication with a gaming machine, comprising:
 a first port configured to receive, from game electronics in a wager-based gaming machine, cash data indicative of information to be printed on a voucher;   a second port configured to receive, from a bonus engine via a gaming network, data indicative of information to be printed on an award ticket; and   a processor responsive to said first and second ports configured to control the printer to print the voucher or the award ticket.   
   
   
       9 . The interface recited in  claim 8  wherein the first and second ports are separate physical ports. 
   
   
       10 . The interface recited in  claim 8  wherein at least one of the first and second ports uses a serial printing protocol. 
   
   
       11 . The interface recited in  claim 8  wherein at least one of the first and second ports uses a parallel printing protocol. 
   
   
       12 . The interface recited in  claim 8  wherein the second port is configured to receive the data indicative of information to be printed on an award ticket from the bonus engine via a gaming network further via the game electronics. 
   
   
       13 . The interface recited in  claim 8  wherein the first port is configured to receive the cash data from the game electronics via the gaming network. 
   
   
       14 . The interface recited in  claim 8  wherein the information to be printed on the award ticket comprises information indicating an award selected from the group consisting of: a drawing ticket, food, a ticket to a show, an accommodation, a beverage, bonus points, and machine credits awarded in a gaming session that are valid no earlier than a next gaming session. 
   
   
       15 . A wager-based gaming machine in communication with a printer, comprising:
 game electronics comprising a processor and memory, the game electronics configured to:
 generate cash data indicative of information to be printed on a voucher; 
 receive, from a bonus engine via a gaming network, data indicative of information to be printed on an award ticket; and 
 control the printer to print the voucher or the award ticket. 
   
   
   
       16 . The interface recited in  claim 15  wherein the printer is controlled to print the voucher or the award ticket via separate physical ports. 
   
   
       17 . The interface recited in  claim 15  wherein the printer is controlled to print one or both of the voucher or the award ticket using a serial printing protocol. 
   
   
       18 . The interface recited in  claim 15  wherein the printer is controlled to print one or both of the voucher or the award ticket using a parallel printing protocol. 
   
   
       19 . The interface recited in  claim 15  wherein the game electronics communicates with the printer via the gaming network. 
   
   
       20 . The interface recited in  claim 15  wherein the information to be printed on the award ticket comprises information indicating an award selected from the group consisting of: a drawing ticket, food, a ticket to a show, an accommodation, a beverage, bonus points, and machine credits awarded in a gaming session that are valid no earlier than a next gaming session.