Soft count tracking system

Abstract

Apparatus is disclosed systematically to extract data from operating machines of the type used in gaming establishments. Various data is required by management to maximize the operation and the profit potential of a given machine is compiled in the machine itself. The compiled data is serially transferred to a memory device via a one-wire protocol. The memory device writes the data according a defined software routine. The contents of the memory device can be transferred to a computer for subsequent manipulation and display.

1. A soft count tracking system for a currency operated host gaming machine comprising:
 an identification adapter that includes an integral active electronic component, said component adapted to store a unique serial number,  
 means for placing said identification adapter in data communication with the host machine,  
 a currency note validator with a microcontroller,  
 means for placing said currency note validator in data communication with said identification adapter for interrogating the identification adapter for identification number,  
 a storage mechanism that includes integral nonvolatile storage memory means, and means for placing said storage mechanism in data communication with said currency note validator thereby to receive and hold information from said identification adapter,  
 and a soft count supervisor adapted to be placed in detachable data communication with said memory means to interrogate and extract data from the same, said soft count supervisor comprising a computer, including software means to provide spread sheet data manipulation of the data extracted from said memory means.  
 
     
     
       2. The soft count tracking system according to  claim 1 , said means for placing said said  identification adapter in data communication with the host machine including a wiring harness, said active electronic component being disposed in said harness. 
     
     
       3. The soft count tracking system according to  claim 2 , said active electronic component communicating by means of a one-wire protocol. 
     
     
       4. The soft count tracking system according to  claim 3 , said wiring harness including means for detachably coupling the same to the host machine. 
     
     
       5. The soft count tracking system according to  claim 4 , said storage mechanism adapted to stack and securely transport notes and coupons. 
     
     
       6. The soft count tracking system according to  claim 3 , each of said means for placing said identification adapter, currency note validator and storage mechanism in data communication comprising a harness segment. 
     
     
       7. The soft count tracking system according to  claim 6 , each of said segments including mating disconnect elements by which a respective segment can be decoupled. 
     
     
       8. A soft count tracking system for a currency operated host gaming machine, including:
   a currency note validator to receive currency notes input to the host gaming machine;        a first storage memory to store data, the data including a unique identifier corresponding to the host gaming machine;        a storage mechanism detachably coupled to said currency note validator to store currency notes received by said currency note validator;        a second storage memory associated with said storage mechanism to store data including said unique identifier, said unique identifier being communicated from said first storage memory to said second storage memory; and        a soft count supervisor for receiving said storage mechanism and extracting data from said second storage memory.     
     
     
       9. The soft count tracking system of  claim 8 , wherein the soft count supervisor includes a computer, including software means to provide spread sheet data manipulation of the data extracted from said second storage memory. 
     
     
       10. The soft count tracking system of  claim 8 , wherein said first storage memory is coupled to said currency note validator. 
     
     
       11. The soft count tracking system of  claim 8 , wherein said second storage memory is nonvolatile memory. 
     
     
       12. The soft count tracking system of  claim 8 , wherein the soft count supervisor includes a computer, and said storage mechanism is adapted to be detachably coupled to said soft count supervisor to enable data communication therebetween. 
     
     
       13. The soft count tracking system of  claim 8 , wherein said currency notes include money substitutes such as coupons and security papers. 
     
     
       14. The soft count tracking system of  claim 8 , wherein said data to be stored by the second storage memory includes information relating to the currency notes received by said currency note validator, including the number and amount of currency notes received. 
     
     
       15. A soft count supervisor for extracting data from a portable storage mechanism, the portable storage mechanism used for storing currency notes input to a gaming machine as well as data associated with the gaming machine, the soft count supervisor comprising:
   means for placing the soft count supervisor in data communication with said portable storage mechanism; and        a computer to extract the data associated with said gaming machine.     
     
     
       16. The soft count supervisor of  claim 15 , wherein said means for placing includes one of an RF, light and infrared communications link. 
     
     
       17. The soft count supervisor of  claim 15 , wherein the data includes a unique identifier associated with said gaming machine. 
     
     
       18. The soft count supervisor of  claim 15 , wherein the data associated with the gaming machine includes information relating to the currency notes received by said currency note validator, including the number and amount of currency notes received. 
     
     
       19. The soft count supervisor of  claim 17 , wherein the data associated with the gaming machine further includes information relating to the currency notes received by said currency note validator, including the number and amount of currency notes received. 
     
     
       20. The soft count supervisor of  claim 15 , wherein the computer includes software means to provide spread sheet data manipulation of the data associated with said gaming machine. 
     
     
       21. A soft count tracking system for a currency operated host gaming machine, including:
   a currency note validator to receive currency notes input to the host gaming machine;        a storage mechanism detachably coupled to said currency note validator to store currency notes received by said currency note validator, the storage mechanism including a storage memory to store data associated with said host gaming machine; and        a soft count supervisor for receiving said storage mechanism and downloading said data from said second storage memory.     
     
     
       22. The soft count tracking system of  claim 21 , wherein said soft count supervisor includes a computer, including software means to provide spread sheet data manipulation of the data extracted from said second storage memory. 
     
     
       23. The soft count tracking system of  claim 21 , wherein said data includes a unique identifier associated with said host gaming machine. 
     
     
       24. The soft count tracking system of  claim 23 , wherein said data further includes information relating to the currency notes received by said currency note validator, including the number and amount of currency notes received. 
     
     
       25. The soft count tracking system of  claim 21 , further comprising a second storage memory to store data associated with the host gaming machine. 
     
     
       26. The soft count tracking system of  claim 25 , wherein data is transferred from the second storage memory to the storage memory of the storage mechanism.