US6409595B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Lighted keypad assembly and method for a player tracking system
Assignee: International Game Technology
•
Filing: 1999-10-29
•
Granted: 2002-06-25
•
Expires: 2019-10-29
Abstract
Abstract A keypad assembly and method for use with a card reader adapted to receive and read a player identification card therein. The keypad assembly includes a keypad mechanism having a plurality of keys to input data, and a feedback mechanism coupled to the keypad. A validation device is provided which is adapted to determine the validation of information relating to the identification card upon reading thereof in the card reader. The validation device is further operably coupled to the feedback mechanism to visually inform the Player that the information relating to identification card has been validated.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark Uihlein
- 👤 Robert H. Carson, Jr.
- 👤 Tracy Powell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:45
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F17/00; G07F17/32; G07C; G07C9/00; G07C9/20; G07C9/22; G07C9/23; G07F17/3202; G07F17/3204; G07F17/3209; G07F17/3225; G07F17/3232; G07F17/3237; G07F17/3239; G07F19/00; G07F19/20; G07F19/201; G07F19/205; G07F7/00; G07F7/08; G07F7/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 61
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
A keypad assembly for use with a card reader configured to read a player identification card therein, said keypad assembly comprising: a keypad mechanism having a plurality of keys to input data, said keys being translucent for back lighting thereof; a card reader feedback mechanism coupled to the keypad mechanism, said feedback mechanism including a plurality of illumination devices for selective illumination a respective key thereof; and a validation device coupled to the feedback mechanism, and adapted to determine the validation of information relating to the identification card upon cooperation thereof with the card reader, said validation device further being operably, coupled to the illumination devices for collective illumination of the keys in a first lighting mode to visually inform the Player that the information relating to the identification card has been validated, and a second lighting mode to visually inform the Player that the information relating to the identification card has not been validated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
155 words
A keypad assembly for use with a card reader configured to read a player identification card therein, said keypad assembly comprising: a keypad mechanism having a plurality of keys to input data, said keys being translucent for back lighting thereof; a card reader feedback mechanism coupled to the keypad mechanism, said feedback mechanism including a plurality of illumination devices for selective illumination a respective key thereof; and a validation device coupled to the feedback mechanism, and adapted to determine the validation of information relating to the identification card upon cooperation thereof with the card reader, said validation device further being operably, coupled to the illumination devices for collective illumination of the keys in a first lighting mode to visually inform the Player that the information relating to the identification card has been validated, and a second lighting mode to visually inform the Player that the information relating to the identification card has not been validated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The keypad assembly as defined in claim 1 , wherein each said illumination devices is provided by a Light Emitting Diode (LED).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The keypad assembly as defined in claim 2 , wherein each said LED is a multi-color LED illuminating one color in the first lighting mode, and illuminating another color in the second lighting mode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The keypad assembly as defined in claim 3 , wherein, said validation device includes a microcontroller to control the animation of each light emitting diode in the first lighting mode and the second lighting mode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The keypad assembly as defined in claim 4 , wherein, said microcontroller further includes an attract mode which operates each light emitting diode in an attract sequence when no identification card is positioned in the card reader opening.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The keypad assembly as defined in claim 1 , wherein said information relating to the identification card includes the validation of an identification code input through the key components by the Player.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
65 words
The keypad assembly as defined in claim 6 , wherein said keys of the keypad mechanisms are arranged in a matrix, said first lighting mode includes a first illumination pattern of illuminated keys of said matrix upon validation of the identification code, and said second lighting mode includes a second illumination pattern of illuminated keys of said matrix upon the invalidation of the identification code.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The keypad assembly as defined in claim 7 , wherein said first illumination pattern is in the form of an “” symbol, and said second illumination pattern is in the form of a “X” symbol.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The keypad assembly as defined in claim 1 , wherein said information relating to the identification card includes the proper insertion into a card reader opening of the card reader for reading thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The keypad assembly as defined in claim 9 , wherein, said validation device includes a sensing device cooperating with the card reader to detect the proper insertion of the identification card in said card reader opening.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The keypad assembly as defined in claim 1 , wherein said information relating to the identification card includes gaming establishment code information to verify use at selected establishments.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
166 words
A player tracking system for tracking Players of a plurality of gaming machines interconnected to a host computer comprising: a player tracking device adapted to monitor the game play of a Player; a card reader for reading a player identification card inserted in a card reader opening of the card reader; a keypad mechanism having a plurality of keys to input data for use in the player tracking device, each of said keys being translucent for back lighting thereof; a plurality of illumination devices each corresponding to a respective key; a validation device coupled to the feedback mechanism, and adapted to determine the validation of information, said validation device further being operably coupled to the illumination devices for collective illumination of the keys in a first lighting mode to visually inform the Player that the information relating to the identification card has been validated, and a second lighting mode to visually inform the Player that the information relating to the identification card has not been validated.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
166 words
A player tracking system for tracking Players of a plurality of gaming machines interconnected to a host computer comprising: a player tracking device adapted to monitor the game play of a Player; a card reader for reading a player identification card inserted in a card reader opening of the card reader; a keypad mechanism having a plurality of keys to input data for use in the player tracking device, each of said keys being translucent for back lighting thereof; a plurality of illumination devices each corresponding to a respective key; a validation device coupled to the feedback mechanism, and adapted to determine the validation of information, said validation device further being operably coupled to the illumination devices for collective illumination of the keys in a first lighting mode to visually inform the Player that the information relating to the identification card has been validated, and a second lighting mode to visually inform the Player that the information relating to the identification card has not been validated.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
66 words
The player tracking system as defined in claim 12 , wherein each said illumination device is provided by a multi-color Light Emitting Diode (LED) illuminating one color in a first lighting mode to visually inform the Player that the information has been properly validated, and illuminating another color in a second lighting mode to visually inform the Player that the information has not been properly validated.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
The player tracking system as defined in claim 13 , wherein said validation device includes a sensing device cooperating with the card reader to detect the proper insertion of the identification card in said card reader opening.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
The player tracking system as defined in claim 13 , wherein, said validation device includes a microcontroller to control the animation of each LED in the first lighting mode and the second lighting mode.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
The player tracking system as defined in claim 15 , wherein, said microcontroller further includes an attract mode which operates each LED in an attract sequence during non-use of the card reader.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
The player tracking system as defined in claim 12 , wherein said information includes the validation of an identification code input through the keys by the Player.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
66 words
The player tracking system as defined in claim 17 , wherein said keys of the keypad mechanisms are arranged in a matrix, said first lighting mode includes a first illumination pattern of illuminated keys of said matrix upon validation of the identification code, and said second lighting mode includes a second illumination pattern of illuminated keys of said matrix upon the invalidation of the identification code.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
The player tracking system as defined in claim 18 , wherein said first illumination pattern is in the form of an “” symbol, and said second illumination pattern is in the form of a “X” symbol.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
170 words
A method of validating information relating to a player identification card inserted into a card reader of a gaming device comprising: providing a keypad mechanism having a plurality of keys for the input of data, each of said keys being translucent for back lighting thereof; validating information relating to the identification card upon insertion of the card into the card reader opening for reading thereof; and illuminating an illumination device to illuminate the at least one key to visually inform the Player that the information relating to identification card has been validated; validating information relating to the identification card upon insertion of the card into the card reader opening for reading thereof; and collectively illuminating a plurality of illumination devices, each corresponding to a respective key, in a first lighting mode to visually inform the Player that the information relating to the identification card has been validated, and in a second lighting mode to visually inform the Player that the information relating to the identification card has not been validated.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
170 words
A method of validating information relating to a player identification card inserted into a card reader of a gaming device comprising: providing a keypad mechanism having a plurality of keys for the input of data, each of said keys being translucent for back lighting thereof; validating information relating to the identification card upon insertion of the card into the card reader opening for reading thereof; and illuminating an illumination device to illuminate the at least one key to visually inform the Player that the information relating to identification card has been validated; validating information relating to the identification card upon insertion of the card into the card reader opening for reading thereof; and collectively illuminating a plurality of illumination devices, each corresponding to a respective key, in a first lighting mode to visually inform the Player that the information relating to the identification card has been validated, and in a second lighting mode to visually inform the Player that the information relating to the identification card has not been validated.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method as defined in claim 20 , wherein said information relating to the identification card includes the proper insertion into a card reader opening of the card reader for reading thereof.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as defined in claim 21 , wherein, the validating information includes sensing the proper insertion of the identification card in said card reader opening for reading thereof.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as defined in claim 20 , further including: tracking the Player's game play on the gaming device upon validation of the information.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method as defined in claim 20 , further including: collectively back lighting each key in a third lighting mode when no identification card is positioned in the card reader opening.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method as defined in claim 20 , wherein, said validating information includes reading an identification code encoded on said identification card, and further including: comparing said identification code to a predetermined code to determine the validation.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method as defined in claim 20 , wherein said illuminating includes illuminating a first illumination pattern of keys upon validation of the information relating to the identification card, and illuminating a second illumination pattern of keys upon invalidation of the information relating to the identification card.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
155 words
A method of validating information relating to a player identification card inserted into a card reader of one of a plurality of gaming device interconnected to a host computer, the method comprising: receiving the identification card in a card reader opening of a card reader of one of the gaming devices; validating information relating to the identification card upon insertion of the card into the card reader opening for reading thereof; and collectively illuminating a plurality of illumination devices, each corresponding to a respective key of a keypad mechanism for the input of player tracking data and each said key being translucent for back lighting thereof by the respective illumination device, in a first lighting mode to visually inform the Player that the information relating to the identification card has been validated, and in a second lighting mode to visually inform the Player that the information relating to the identification card has not been validated.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
155 words
A method of validating information relating to a player identification card inserted into a card reader of one of a plurality of gaming device interconnected to a host computer, the method comprising: receiving the identification card in a card reader opening of a card reader of one of the gaming devices; validating information relating to the identification card upon insertion of the card into the card reader opening for reading thereof; and collectively illuminating a plurality of illumination devices, each corresponding to a respective key of a keypad mechanism for the input of player tracking data and each said key being translucent for back lighting thereof by the respective illumination device, in a first lighting mode to visually inform the Player that the information relating to the identification card has been validated, and in a second lighting mode to visually inform the Player that the information relating to the identification card has not been validated.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as defined in claim 27 , further including: after validating the information, enabling the Player to input player tracking data through the keys of said keypad mechanism.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as defined in claim 27 , further including: after the validating the information, tracking the Player's game play on the gaming device.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method as defined in claim 27 , wherein each illumination device is provided by a multi-Light Emitting Diode (LED), and the back lighting of the keys include illuminating the multi-color LED in one color in the first lighting mode, and illuminating the multi-color LED in another color in the second first lighting mode.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as defined in claim 30 , further including: after validating the information, enabling the Player to input player tracking data through the keys of said keypad mechanism.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as defined in claim 31 , further including: after the validating the information, tracking the Player's game play on the gaming device.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as defined in claim 27 , wherein, the validating information includes sensing the proper insertion of the identification card in said card reader opening for reading thereof.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method as defined in claim 33 , wherein, said validating information further includes reading an identification code encoded on said identification card, and further including: comparing said identification code to a predetermined code to determine the validation.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method as defined in claim 34 , further including: collectively illuminating the illumination devices in a third lighting mode when no identification card is positioned in the card reader opening.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method as defined in claim 27 , wherein said illuminating includes illuminating a first illumination pattern of keys upon validation of the information relating to the identification card, and illuminating a second illumination pattern of keys upon invalidation of the information relating to the identification card.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
139 words
A keypad assembly for use with a card reader configured to read a player identification card therein, said keypad assembly comprising: a keypad mechanism having a plurality of backlit translucent keys to input data; a feedback mechanism including a plurality of illumination devices each corresponding to a respective key for selective illumination thereof; and a validation device coupled to the feedback mechanism, and adapted to determine the validation of information relating to the identification card upon cooperation thereof with the card reader, said validation device further being operably coupled to the feedback mechanism to visually inform the Player in a collective first illumination pattern of illuminated keys that the information relating to the identification card has been validated, and a collective second illumination pattern of illuminated keys that the information relating to the identification card has not been validated.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
139 words
A keypad assembly for use with a card reader configured to read a player identification card therein, said keypad assembly comprising: a keypad mechanism having a plurality of backlit translucent keys to input data; a feedback mechanism including a plurality of illumination devices each corresponding to a respective key for selective illumination thereof; and a validation device coupled to the feedback mechanism, and adapted to determine the validation of information relating to the identification card upon cooperation thereof with the card reader, said validation device further being operably coupled to the feedback mechanism to visually inform the Player in a collective first illumination pattern of illuminated keys that the information relating to the identification card has been validated, and a collective second illumination pattern of illuminated keys that the information relating to the identification card has not been validated.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
22 words
The keypad assembly as defined in claim 37 , wherein each said illumination device is provided by a Light Emitting Diode (LED).
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
35 words
The keypad assembly as defined in claim 38 , wherein each said light emitting diode is a multi-color LED illuminating one color in the first illumination pattern and another color in the second illumination pattern.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
31 words
The keypad assembly as defined in claim 37 , wherein said information relating to the identification card includes the validation of an identification code input through the keys by the Player.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
35 words
The keypad assembly as defined in claim 37 , wherein said first illumination pattern is in the form of an “” symbol, and said second illumination pattern is in the form of a “X” symbol.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
33 words
The keypad assembly as defined in claim 37 , wherein said information relating to the identification card includes the proper insertion into a card reader opening of the card reader for reading thereof.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
36 words
The keypad assembly as defined in claim 37 , wherein, said validation device includes a sensing device cooperating with the card reader to detect the proper insertion of the identification card in said card reader opening.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
28 words
The keypad assembly as defined in claim 37 , wherein said information relating to the identification card includes gaming establishment code information to verify use at selected establishments.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
35 words
The keypad assembly as defined in claim 37 , wherein, said validation device includes a microcontroller to control the animation of each light emitting diode in the first illumination pattern and the second illumination pattern.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
38 words
The keypad assembly as defined in claim 45 , wherein, said microcontroller further includes an attract mode which operates each light emitting diode in an attract sequence when no identification card is positioned in the card reader opening.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
21 words
The keypad assembly as defined in claim 37 , wherein said keys of the keypad mechanisms are arranged in a matrix.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
169 words
A player tracking system for tracking Players of a plurality of gaming machines interconnected to a host computer comprising: a player tracking device adapted to monitor the game play of a Player; a card reader for reading a player identification card inserted in a card reader opening of the card reader; a keypad mechanism having a plurality of backlit translucent keys to a input data for use in the player tracking device; a plurality of illumination devices each corresponding to a respective key for selective illumination thereof; a validation device adapted to determine the validation of the information relating to the identification card upon cooperation thereof with the card reader, said validation device further being operably coupled to the plurality of illumination devices to visually inform the Player in a collective first illumination pattern of illuminated keys that the information relating to the identification card has been validated, and a collective second illumination pattern of illuminated keys that the information relating to the identification card has not been validated.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
169 words
A player tracking system for tracking Players of a plurality of gaming machines interconnected to a host computer comprising: a player tracking device adapted to monitor the game play of a Player; a card reader for reading a player identification card inserted in a card reader opening of the card reader; a keypad mechanism having a plurality of backlit translucent keys to a input data for use in the player tracking device; a plurality of illumination devices each corresponding to a respective key for selective illumination thereof; a validation device adapted to determine the validation of the information relating to the identification card upon cooperation thereof with the card reader, said validation device further being operably coupled to the plurality of illumination devices to visually inform the Player in a collective first illumination pattern of illuminated keys that the information relating to the identification card has been validated, and a collective second illumination pattern of illuminated keys that the information relating to the identification card has not been validated.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
41 words
The player tracking system as defined in claim 48 , wherein each said illumination device is provided by a multi-color Light Emitting Diode (LED) illuminating one color in the first illumination pattern, and illuminating another color in the second illumination pattern.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
37 words
The player tracking system as defined in claim 49 , wherein said validation device includes a sensing device cooperating with the card reader to detect the proper insertion of the identification card in said card reader opening.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
34 words
The player tracking system as defined in claim 50 , wherein, said validation device includes a microcontroller to control the animation of each LED in the first illumination pattern and the second illumination pattern.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
32 words
The player tracking system as defined in claim 51 , wherein, said microcontroller further includes an attract mode which operates each LED in an attract sequence during non-use of the card reader.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
27 words
The player tracking system as defined in claim 48 , wherein said information includes the validation of an identification code input through the keys by the Player.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
22 words
The player tracking system as defined in claim 48 , wherein said keys of the keypad mechanisms are arranged in a matrix.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
36 words
The player tracking system as defined in claim 48 , wherein said first illumination pattern is in the form of an “” symbol, and said second illumination pattern is in the form of a “X” symbol.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-06-24 | 2005-12-24 | 2006-06-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-06-24 | 2009-12-24 | 2010-06-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-06-24 | 2013-12-24 | 2014-06-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |