System for and method of electronically handling a casino marker

Abstract

This specification relates to a system for and method of handling an electronic marker for use at a gaming establishment, such as a casino. The electronic marker can be redeemed using cash or cash equivalents, casino valued currency (such as casino chips), or by electronic transfer of funds. In certain embodiments, the redemption of the markers is automated such that the markers are automatically redeemed by electronic transfer of funds if they are not manually redeemed within a predetermined period of time.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A method of processing a marker request by a patron of a gaming establishment comprising:
 (a) receiving identifying information about the patron that essentially uniquely identifies the patron and distinguishes the patron from other patrons;   (b) electronically storing said identifying information in an electronic database;   (c) electronically storing financial information about the patron in an electronic database, said financial information selected from the group consisting of credit available to the patron and funds the patron has on deposit with the gaming establishment;   (d) after steps (a)-(c), receiving a request for a marker from the patron;   (e) after steps (a)-(d), at least partially electronically obtaining and storing identifying information from the patron;   (f) after steps (a)-(e), at least partially electronically comparing said stored identifying information with said identifying information obtained in step (e);   (g) determining whether to approve the marker request based on said comparison; and   (h) if the marker request is approved, then distributing to the patron for the patron's use something of value that will enable the patron to utilize services of the gaming establishment.   
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said request for a marker includes an associated financial value of the requested marker and further comprising:
 (i) after steps (a)-(d), at least partially electronically comparing said associated financial value with said stored financial information; and 
 (j) determining whether to approve the marker request based on said comparison. 
 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1  further comprising:
 (k) assessing the location where the patron is making the marker request; and 
 (l) determining whether to approve the marker request based on said assessment. 
 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1  further comprising:
 (m) storing historical information concerning the time and amounts of markers previously approved for the patron; and 
 (n) determining whether to approve the marker request based on said historical information. 
 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said identifying information in steps (a) and (e) are selected from the group consisting of electronic replications of a signature, a fingerprint, an eye, and a face. 
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 2  wherein in step (d) the patron is electronically presented with a plurality of different, preselected, associated financial values from which to make the marker request and wherein the patron makes said marker request by electronically choosing one of said associated financial values. 
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 6  wherein said associated financial values are preselected at least in part based on said stored financial information. 
     
     
         8 . A method of processing a marker request by a patron of a gaming establishment comprising:
 (a) receiving identifying information about the patron that essentially uniquely identifies the patron and distinguishes the patron from other patrons;   (b) electronically storing said identifying information in an electronic database;   (c) electronically storing financial information about the patron in an electronic database, said financial information selected from the group consisting of credit available to the patron and funds the patron has on deposit with the gaming establishment;   (d) after steps (a)-(c), receiving a request for a marker from the patron; and   (e) step for approving the marker request;   
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 8  wherein said request for a marker includes an associated financial value of the requested marker and wherein step (e) includes at least partially electronically comparing said financial value with said stored financial information. 
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 8  wherein step (e) includes assessing the location where the patron is making the marker request. 
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 8  wherein step (e) includes storing historical information concerning the time and amount of the marker approved for the patron. 
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 8  wherein step (e) includes, after steps (a)-(d), at least partially electronically obtaining and storing identifying information about the patron, and wherein said identifying information in steps (a) and (e) are selected from the group consisting of electronic replications of a signature, a fingerprint, an eye, and a face. 
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 8  wherein in step (d) the patron is electronically presented with a plurality of different, preselected financial values from which to make the marker request and wherein the patron makes said marker request by electronically choosing one of said financial values. 
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 13  wherein said monetary values are preselected at least in part based on said stored financial information. 
     
     
         15 . A system of processing a marker request by a patron of a gaming establishment comprising:
 (a) an electronic database storing identifying information about the patron that essentially uniquely identifies the patron and distinguishes the patron from other patrons, said stored identifying information selected from the group consisting of electronic replications of the patron's signature, fingerprint, eye, and face;   (b) an electronic display screen;   (c) a processor operably, electronically connected to said database and to said display screen;   (d) an electronic patron-initiated input for providing identifying information about the patron in connection with the patron's request for a marker and as a prerequisite to obtaining approval for the marker, said input adapted to provide identifying information selected from the group consisting of the patron's signature, fingerprint, eye, and face, said patron-initiated input operably, electronically connected to said processor, said patron-initiated input selected from the group consisting of a touch screen, a key pad, and a camera.   
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 15  wherein said patron-initiated input is carried on a hand-held, mobile platform in wireless communication with said processor. 
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 15  wherein said platform includes a rechargeable battery and further comprising a recharging stand adapted to electronically couple with said platform and to recharge said battery when so coupled. 
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 17  wherein said stand includes a releasable latch for selectively maintaining said platform and said stand in a coupled relationship. 
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 17  wherein said stand includes means for indicating the status of the battery while being recharged by said stand. 
     
     
         20 . A system for handling a marker request by a patron of a gaming establishment comprising:
 means for electronically storing identifying information about the patron that essentially uniquely identifies the patron and distinguishes the patron from other patrons and for electronically storing financial information about the patron selected from both (a) the group consisting of credit available to the patron and funds that the patron has on deposit with the gaming establishment, and (b) the group consisting of a history of marker requests made by the patron and a history of approval made by the gaming establishment of marker requests made by the patron;   means for electronically displaying images associated with the electronically stored identity information and the electronically stored financial information;   means for electronically providing identifying information about the patron in connection with the patron's request for a marker; and   a processor operably, electronically connected to said storing means, said display means, and said providing means for displaying via said display means stored identifying information and stored financial information in response to said providing means providing identifying information about the player.   
     
     
         21 . A system according to  claim 21  further comprising means for channeling electric power to said providing means and to said display means. 
     
     
         22 . A method of redeeming a marker issued by a gaming establishment to a patron comprising:
 (a) receiving identifying information about the patron that essentially uniquely identifies the patron and distinguishes the patron from other patrons;   (b) electronically storing said identifying information in an electronic database;   (c) electronically storing marker information about the patron in a electronic database, said marker information comprising the time when markers were issued to the patron and the amount of the markers;   (d) after steps (a)-(c) receiving a request from the patron to redeem a marker;   (e) after steps (a)-(d), at least partially electronically obtaining and storing identifying information from the patron;   (f) after steps (a)-(e), at least partially electronically comparing said stored identifying information with said identifying information obtained in step (e);   (g) determining whether to redeem a marker based on said comparison;   (h) electronically displaying said stored marker information;   (i) if a determination has been made to redeem a marker in step (g), obtaining something of value from the patron; and   (j) electronically storing the time when said something of value was obtained from the patron and the value of said something of value.   
     
     
         23 . A method of redeeming a marker issued by a gaming establishment to a patron comprising:
 (a) receiving identifying information about the patron that essentially uniquely identifies the patron and distinguishes the patron from other patrons;   (b) electronically storing said identifying information in an electronic database;   (c) electronically storing marker information about the patron in a electronic database, said marker information comprising the time when markers were issued to the patron and the amount of the markers;   (d) after steps (a)-(c) receiving a request from the patron to redeem a marker; and   (e) after steps (a)-(d) step for redeeming the marker.   
     
     
         24 . A system for redeeming a marker issued by a gaming establishment comprising:
 (a) an electronic database storing identifying information about the patron that essentially uniquely identifies the patron and distinguishes the patron from other patrons and storing marker information comprising the time when markers were issued to the patron and the amount of the markers;   (b) an electronic display screen;   (c) a processor operably, electronically connected to said database and to said display screen;   (d) an electronic player-initiated input for providing identifying information about the patron in connection with the patron's request to redeem a marker and as a prerequisite to redeeming a marker, said input adapted to provide identifying information selected from the group consisting of the patron's signature, fingerprint, eye, and face, said patron-initiated input operably, electronically connected to said processor, said patron-initiated input selected from the group consisting of a touch screen, a key pad, and a camera.