Marc A Espin

US Patent:

6892182, May 10, 2005

Filed:

Oct 16, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/688775

Inventors:

Rick Rowe - Reno NV, US
Bhavani Prasad - Reno NV, US
Franco Crivelli - Reno NV, US
Gary H. Sullivan - Carson City NV, US
Marc A. Espin - Sparks NV, US

Assignee:

IGT - Reno NV

International Classification:

G06F017/60

US Classification:

705 14, 463 16, 463 17, 2731382, 705 1

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for generating and accounting for vouchers or tickets is disclosed. In accordance with a method of the invention, a voucher is issued by a voucher generation device associated with a gaming system which includes one or more gaming machines and a host. The method includes generating data regarding a voucher to be printed, creating a record regarding the voucher and printing the voucher at the voucher generation device. The generated voucher information is transmitted from the remote voucher generation device to the host. The printed voucher may be presented at the naming machine, with the authenticity of the voucher and its value determined by utilizing the voucher information stored at the host.

US Patent:

7062470, Jun 13, 2006

Filed:

Feb 27, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/378020

Inventors:

Bhavani Prasad - Reno NV, US
Marc Espin - Sparks NV, US
Richard E. Rowe - Reno NV, US

Assignee:

IGT - Reno NV

International Classification:

G06F 17/00

US Classification:

705 64, 705 65, 713176

Abstract:

The present invention provides systems and methods for protecting transaction information stored in a database of a gaming network. To accomplish this, a transaction signature is generated each time the user completes a transaction on a gaming machine. The transaction signature is generated using transaction information from a particular transaction. The transaction signature and transaction information are stored together in a network database. Upon subsequent access to the transaction information in the database, the transaction signature for the transaction information is recalculated based on the transaction information at that time. The new transaction signature is then compared to the transaction signature previously stored. Any differences between the two transaction signatures may be used to signal unauthorized alteration in the database transaction information.

US Patent:

7454385, Nov 18, 2008

Filed:

Dec 13, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/304394

Inventors:

Bhavani Prasad - Reno NV, US
Marc Espin - Sparks NV, US
Richard E. Rowe - Reno NV, US

Assignee:

IGT - Reno NV

International Classification:

G06F 17/60

US Classification:

705 64, 705 65, 713200, 713201, 713202, 713176, 713177

Abstract:

The present invention provides systems and methods for protecting transaction information stored in a database of a gaming network. To accomplish this, a transaction signature is generated each time the user completes a transaction on a gaming machine. The transaction signature is generated using transaction information from a particular transaction. The transaction signature and transaction information are stored together in a network database. Upon subsequent access to the transaction information in the database, the transaction signature for the transaction information is recalculated based on the transaction information at that time. The new transaction signature is then compared to the transaction signature previously stored. Any differences between the two transaction signatures may be used to signal unauthorized alteration in the database transaction information.

US Patent:

7707507, Apr 27, 2010

Filed:

Oct 16, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/688854

Inventors:

Rick Rowe - Reno NV, US
David N. Myers - Reno NV, US
Marc A. Espin - Sparks NV, US

Assignee:

IGT - Reno NV

International Classification:

G06F 3/048

US Classification:

715742, 715707, 715743, 715744

Abstract:

The present invention comprises a graphical user interface, including methods and apparatus for configuring and implementing such an interface. One or more embodiments of the invention comprise a graphical user interface comprising a main window including a navigation viewport and a data viewport, the navigation viewport arranged to display navigation selectable elements and the data viewport arranged to display information associated with an application associated with one or more of the navigation selectable elements. One embodiment of the invention comprises a method of configuring a graphical user interface based upon user or device information. One embodiment of the invention comprises a method of controlling the navigation of the graphical user interface based upon user or device information. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the graphical user interface is associated with a gaming system which includes at least one gaming device.

US Patent:

8216059, Jul 10, 2012

Filed:

Nov 3, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/981329

Inventors:

Bhavani Prasad - Reno NV, US
Marc Espin - Sparks NV, US

Assignee:

IGT - Reno NV

International Classification:

A63F 9/24

US Classification:

463 25

Abstract:

The present invention provides gaming machine systems and methods that enable outsourced printing and generation of printed credit devices for use with a gaming machine. The systems verify the print status of an externally printed credit device before redeeming any value on the credit device at a gaming machine. The ability to employ outsourced gaming printing services providers increases the number and sophistication of printed credit devices that may be manufactured and distributed to potential customers.

US Patent:

20100197383, Aug 5, 2010

Filed:

Apr 8, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/756396

Inventors:

Richard Rader - Albany OR, US
Erik B. Petersen - Corvallis OR, US
Robert P. Bartholomew - Corvallis OR, US
Marc Espin - Sparks NV, US
William R. Cunningham II - Reno NV, US
Scott J. MacMillan - Reno NV, US

Assignee:

IGT - Reno NV

International Classification:

A63F 9/24

US Classification:

463 25, 463 42, 463 43

Abstract:

Various embodiments described or referenced herein are directed to different devices, methods, systems, and computer program products for facilitating cashless digital transactions (e.g., in a casino environment). A wager-based gaming machine may include a memory device capable of storing a first credit balance representing an amount of credit available for wagering. The wager-based gaming machine may include a communication interface configured to communicate with a portable electronic device capable of storing a second credit balance representing a second amount of credit available on the portable electronic device. The wager-based gaming machine may include a secure transaction device. The secure transaction device may be operable to transmit to the portable electronic device a request to update the second credit balance, the request including security authorization information. The secure transaction device may also be operable to receive from the portable electronic device an indication that the second amount of credit has been updated in accordance with the request, when it is determined that the security authorization information complies with one or more security authorization requirements. The secure transaction device may also be operable to update the first credit balance stored in the first memory device in accordance with the request.

US Patent:

20120214577, Aug 23, 2012

Filed:

Sep 12, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/230502

Inventors:

Erik B. Petersen - Reno NV, US
Jeffery S. Shepherd - Reno NV, US
Regan J. Snyder - Reno NV, US
Larry R. Hollibaugh - Reno NV, US
Jelani Brandon - Las Vegas NV, US
Kevin Higgins - Reno NV, US
David Salls - Reno NV, US
Marc Espin - Sparks NV, US
Tanya McClinton - Reno NV, US
Robyn Hylton - Reno NV, US
Scott MacMillan - Reno NV, US

Assignee:

IGT - Reno NV

International Classification:

A63F 9/24
A63F 13/12

US Classification:

463 25, 463 42

Abstract:

Disclosed herein are techniques for facilitating communication with a smart card in communication with a gaming machine. In some implementations, a smart card interaction device may be activated. A smart card interaction device coupled with an electronic gaming machine may be identified within an operating system running at the electronic gaming machine. The smart card interaction device may be capable of facilitating communication between the electronic gaming machine and a smart card in communication with the smart card interaction device. A communication protocol interface may be initiated within the operating system. The communication protocol interface may provide a mechanism for transmitting messages between the electronic gaming machine and devices in communication with the electronic gaming machine. A first message may be transmitted via the communication protocol interface between the smart card interaction device and a first host server via a network.

US Patent:

6675152, Jan 6, 2004

Filed:

Sep 13, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/660984

Inventors:

Bhavani Prasad - Reno NV
Marc Espin - Sparks NV
Richard E. Rowe - Reno NV

Assignee:

IGT - Reno NV

International Classification:

G06F 1760

US Classification:

705 64

Abstract:

Systems and methods for protecting transaction information stored in a database of a gaming network. To accomplish this, a transaction signature is generated each time the user completes a transaction on a gaming machine. The transaction signature is generated using transaction information from a particular transaction. The transaction signature and transaction information are stored together in a network database. Upon subsequent access to the transaction information in the database, the transaction signature for the transaction information is recalculated based on the transaction information at that time. The new transaction signature is then compared to the transaction signature previously stored. Any differences between the two transaction signatures may be used to signal unauthorized alteration in the database transaction information.