Field of the Invention This invention is generally directed to slot machine operation.

Particularly, the invention is generally directed to a slot machine capable of accommodating both conventional currency and gaming chips.

Background of the Invention Historically, slot machines have been coin-operated gambling machines that pay off according to wheels spun by a handle. Over the years, technology and demand-based innovations have evolved the machines, allowing for more sophisticated games, themes and stylized operation.

Accordingly, the slot machine industry has exploded, accounting for billions

of dollars in revenue each year, in addition to providing employment and entertainment to millions.

A slot machine is typically configured so that it can exclusively accept and payout in either a conventional currency, i. e., quarters, half-dollars or dollar coins or alternatively, in gaming chips issued by a particular establishment, i. e., tokens. In either embodiment, the machine is designed to so that it can distinguish between different denominations, and communicate the discerned input to a mechanism which initiates a gaming sequence.

Despite the many advances made in the field, the limitation imposed by a slot machine's inability to accept both money and poker chips remains an obstacle, impeding the industry from realizing its fullest potential.

Traditionally, a majority of casino operators elect to install slot machines which accept coins and dollar bills. As noted above, while other machines can be configured to accept tokens, the universal availability of conventional currency, coupled with the relatively small sums involved in slot wagers, generally makes money more appropriate and profitable for slot activity.

Conversely, for reasons of practicality, security and convenience, gaming chips are universally the exchange medium of choice with regard to these same casino's'table operations,'such as blackjack, roulette and poker. The inherent incompatibility of a typical casino's slot and table operations prevents players from conveniently applying their table chips to the slotting games,

inhibiting the players'freedom to traverse between the two systems, ultimately translating into diminished enjoyment and revenues.

Therefore, a significant need exists for a versatile slot machine which is capable of accepting casino gaming chips, while still accommodating conventional currency.

Summary of the Invention The invention addresses these and other problems by a single apparatus which accepts different denominations of both money, i. e, legal tender, and gaming chips. An apparatus consistent with the invention may include an add-on device for an existing slot machine. Such an embodiment allows for a slot machine to be economically converted, thus enabling existing machines to accept both chips and money without having to be replaced. Such an embodiment may have a plurality of insertion slots. An apparatus consistent with the invention may also include an original equipment manufactured machine which is capable of functioning using both standard currency and gaming chips. A method consistent with the invention includes a process for identifying various denominations of gaming chips and standard currency by detecting the size, color and weight characteristics of the above, as well as any properties discernable through the use of electronic sensing technologies, including transmitting and scanning equipment.

The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention shall be made apparent from the accompanying drawings and the description thereof.

Brief Description of the Drawing The Figure is a flowchart depicting a method of accepting, identifying and paying out money and gaming chips in the context of a single slot machine's gaming routine.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with a general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments As shown diagrammatically in the Figure, the present invention is a slot machine or coin gaming apparatus, which can accept coins, poker chips and optionally paper money. Specifically the word coin references legal tender. This would in the United States include for example quarters, half- dollars and dollar denomination coins. In other countries it would be other denominations such as Marks in Germany or Pound denomination coins in Great Britain. Poker chips reference chips which are produced by the operator of the gaming facility or casino. Generally the casino will have both gaming

tables where, for example, poker is played, roulette is played, and the like and in addition will have gaming machines. In other words, slot machines. The poker chips are the chips used by that particular casino at its gaming tables.

These generally will be of different denominations having different sizes, colors and/or other distinguishing features. As shown, the slot machine in the present invention includes a coin acceptor, a chip acceptor and a paper money acceptor. These different acceptors will then typically direct the coin, chip or dollar bill to a sorter apparatus, 4,5 and 6, respectively which works in association with an identifier, 7,8 and 9, respectively which works in association with a device to authenticate the identified chip, coin or bill. This will then send a signal to the slot machine and specifically the coin counter 13, chip counter 14 or bill counter 15.

The respective counters then will send a signal to the slot machine memory or converter which in turn will allow the game sequence to be initiated. Likewise the coin converter, chip converter and bill counter are physically connected to storing apparatus 25,26 and 27, respectively. The game initiator then communicates with the game operation and provides for a payout sequence initiator which can pay out as slot machines typically do either in terms of coins or if desired, chips or simply a payout which is indicated by a signal which will cause an attendant to provide the payout directly to the participant.

Many slot machines pay out in coins and would when utilizing the present invention pay out only in coins. Accordingly it may be necessary to stock the machine with additional coins to provide for complete payout in light of the fact that the machine is accepting chips which will not be part of the payout. However in light of the fact that slot machines accept paper money, this provides no additional problem for the operator.

The present invention can be either used by modifying existing apparatus and incorporating into the existing apparatus the chip acceptor, sorter, identifier and authenticator and simply wiring this into the memory and game sequence iniator. Alternately this can be built into a new original equipment machine. As shown in the Figure, there are separate coin, chip and bill acceptors. It may also be possible to have a uniform acceptor shown in phantom which then sorts the coins and chips and directs them to the respective coin or chip acceptor.

Authentication of the chips can be by a variety of different mechanisms. The chips can be identified by color, size, weight as well as other identifying marks, including holograms, microparticles and the like to provide for authentication of chips. This is standard technology and well within the scope of those skilled in the art.

Thus the present invention permits a gambler who has been playing at the gaming tables using chips to simply insert one of his remaining

poker chips into a slot machine without the need to convert the chip into legal tender. This permits a poker player who does not have any coins to play a slot machine. It also enables a poker player who has for example one or two chips left to use those in a slot machine instead of cashing them out. This will significantly improve the take from slot machines simply because it makes it significantly easier for the player under certain circumstances to play the slot machine. Since the slot machines are typically located at the entrances and exits of the casino, these will be the last thing the player sees and thus the player will be encouraged to use his last remaining chips for such devices.

While the present invention has been illustrated by a description of various embodiments and while these embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail.

Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and method, and illustrative example shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicant's general inventive concept.

What is claimed is: