Anonymous Ticket Voucher Procurement via Third-Party Payment Intermediary

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gaming systems require players to identify themselves to the gaming establishment when purchasing ticket vouchers, which can compromise anonymity and create regulatory challenges related to anti-money laundering regulations.

Innovation Solution

A system that allows users to purchase ticket vouchers using funds from external accounts maintained by financial institutions independent of the gaming establishment, without requiring the user to identify themselves to the gaming establishment. This system communicates with a financial institution's server to transfer funds and modify the gaming establishment's ticket voucher system account, creating a ticket voucher anonymously.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If players identify themselves to the gaming establishment when purchasing ticket vouchers, then the gaming establishment can track player information for regulatory compliance, but player anonymity is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveregulatory complianceVSAvoidplayer anonymity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a third-party payment processor as an intermediary between the player and the gaming establishment. The payment processor handles the transaction independently, allowing the gaming establishment to receive ticket vouchers without directly identifying the player. This mediator enables regulatory compliance through financial transaction tracking while preserving player anonymity from the gaming establishment's direct knowledge.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The transaction system is divided into separate functional components: a payment processing system that handles fund transfer, a ticket voucher system that issues rewards, and a player tracking system that maintains anonymity. By segmenting these functions, the patent allows each component to serve its specific purpose without compromising the others, enabling compliance while preserving anonymity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If players use cash to purchase ticket vouchers, then the transaction is simple and direct, but security risks and operational costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransaction simplicityVSAvoidsecurity risks

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical cash-based transaction system with an electronic funds transfer system. Instead of physical cash handling, the system uses digital payment processing to transfer funds from a player's account to the gaming establishment's account. This substitution eliminates security risks associated with cash while maintaining transaction simplicity through automated electronic processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables players to initiate transactions through self-service interfaces such as automated teller machines or online banking portals. Players can transfer funds and receive ticket vouchers without requiring direct interaction with casino staff, reducing operational complexity and security risks while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20250054089A1Anonymous procurement of ticket vouchers

Publication Date: 2025.02.13 INTERNATIONAL GAME TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

Systems and methods that operate to enable a user to obtain a ticket voucher with funds from an account external to a gaming establishment while an identity of the user remains anonymous to the gaming establishment.