(19)

(11)

EP 1 490 850 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 29.12.2004 Bulletin 2004/53 (21) Application number: 02807203.1 (22) Date of filing: 28.03.2002

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G07F 17/32 (86) International application number: PCT/US2002/009292 (87) International publication number: WO 2003/088163 (23.10.2003 Gazette 2003/43)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (71) Applicant: IGT Reno,Nevada 89511 (US)	(72) Inventor: WILLIAMS, Richard, C. Reno, NV 89523 (US) (74) Representative: Körber, Martin, Dipl.-Phys.  Mitscherlich & PartnerPatentanwälteSonnenstrasse 33 80331 München 80331 München (DE)