Automated Locking System

Abstract

Systems, methods, and gaming machines having an automated locking system are disclosed herein. According to one embodiment, the gaming machine includes a gaming cabinet having a frame and a main gaming machine door, and a locking mechanism is configured to secure the main gaming machine door to the gaming cabinet frame. The gaming machine also includes a lock controller operatively connected to the locking mechanism and configured to control the release of the locking mechanism.

1 . A gaming machine, comprising:
 a gaming cabinet having a frame and a main gaming machine door;   a locking mechanism configured to secure the main gaming machine door to the gaming cabinet frame;   a lock controller operatively connected to the locking mechanism and configured to control the release of the locking mechanism; and   a receiving device for receiving a request to release the locking mechanism, wherein the receiving device transmits the request to the lock controller.   
   
   
       2 . The gaming machine of  claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism is an electronic-mechanical locking mechanism including a solenoid bolt lock. 
   
   
       3 . The gaming machine of  claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism further comprises an electromagnet and an armature plate. 
   
   
       4 . The gaming machine of  claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism further comprises an electric motor that extends and retracts a deadbolt. 
   
   
       5 . The gaming machine of  claim 1 , wherein the lock controller further comprises a two-factor authentication protocol to verify the identity of a user attempting to access the locking mechanism, wherein the two-factor authentication protocol requires the user to provide two types of information selected from the group consisting of a password, pass-code, security token, or biometric information. 
   
   
       6 . The gaming machine of  claim 1 , wherein the receiving device further comprises a means for obtaining biometric data from a user, keypad, touchscreen, touchpad, a smart-card reader, infrared port, radiofrequency port, or a combination thereof. 
   
   
       7 . The gaming machine of  claim 6 , wherein the receiving device further comprises a display in communication with the receiving device. 
   
   
       8 . The gaming machine of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more components located within the gaming cabinet, wherein the components are secured by automated locking mechanisms. 
   
   
       9 . An automated locking system for use with a casino gaming system having one or more gaming machines operatively connected via a network to a back end system, the automated locking system comprising:
 one or more automated locking mechanisms operatively connected to one or more gaming machines;   a means for receiving a request from a user to release one or more automated locking mechanisms;   a means for authenticating the user; and   one or more processors connected to the one or more automated locking mechanism, wherein the one or more processors control the release of the one or more automated locking mechanisms.   
   
   
       10 . The automated locking system of  claim 9 , wherein automated locking mechanisms secure a main gaming machine door and one or more components within the gaming machine. 
   
   
       11 . The automated locking system of  claim 9 , wherein the automated locking mechanism is an electronic-mechanical locking mechanism including a solenoid bolt lock. 
   
   
       12 . The automated locking system of  claim 9 , wherein the automated locking mechanism further comprises an electromagnet and an armature plate. 
   
   
       13 . The automated locking system of  claim 9 , wherein the automated locking mechanism further comprises an electric motor that extends and retracts a deadbolt. 
   
   
       14 . The automated locking system of  claim 9 , wherein the authenticating means further comprises a two-factor authentication protocol to verify the identity of a user attempting to access the locking mechanism, wherein the two-factor authentication protocol requires the user to provide two types of information selected from the group consisting of a pass-code, security token, or biometric information. 
   
   
       15 . The gaming machine of  claim 9 , wherein the receiving means further comprises a smart-card reader, a means for obtaining biometric data from the user, keypad, touchscreen, touchpad, infrared port, radiofrequency port, or a combination thereof. 
   
   
       16 . The gaming machine of  claim 15 , wherein the receiving means further comprises a display in communication with the receiving device.