Electronic Voucher Gaming System with Multi-Redemption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gaming systems using vouchers face issues such as limited voucher usability, administrative inefficiencies in awarding jackpots, and ineffective marketing, as well as challenges in promoting games and events, with promotional vouchers being non-transferable and lacking marketing functions.
Innovation Solution
A gaming system that issues various types of vouchers (jackpot, merchandise, competition entry, restricted machine play, and mystery vouchers) based on game outcomes, allowing players to redeem prizes and promoting casino offerings, while ensuring administrative procedures are followed for jackpot awards and encouraging continued gameplay.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If promotional vouchers are mailed to customers, then customers receive vouchers to play games, but the vouchers may be lost in the mail, misplaced, or ignored, and this adds extra expense to the casino's operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical mailing system with an electronic voucher distribution system. Vouchers are issued electronically through a gaming system's computer, eliminating physical mail delivery. This substitution of mechanical delivery with electronic communication resolves the reliability issues of lost or misplaced vouchers while reducing operational expenses.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically issues vouchers to players through the gaming machine's computer without requiring manual intervention. The voucher is generated and provided automatically when a player qualifies, eliminating the need for casino staff to manually mail or distribute physical vouchers, thereby reducing operational complexity and costs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If promotional vouchers are used to initiate a game, then players can play games of chance, but the vouchers cannot usually be used in casinos other than the issuing casino
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal voucher system where vouchers issued by one gaming system can be used across multiple casinos and gaming establishments. The voucher contains identifying information that allows it to be recognized and accepted by different gaming systems, enabling multi-location usability without requiring separate voucher systems for each casino.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a centralized computer system that acts as an intermediary between different gaming systems. This intermediary manages the voucher database and enables communication between various gaming machines and casinos, allowing vouchers to be validated and used across different establishments without increasing individual system complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a WGD accepts a ticket and generates a cash-in signal, then the player can start playing, but the player is limited to redeeming the ticket for cash or using the ticket to play another game in that gaming system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the voucher's functionality to allow redemption for various types of prizes beyond just cash or game play credits. Vouchers can be redeemed for merchandise, services, or other rewards, providing players with multiple redemption options while maintaining a simple presentation process at the gaming system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically determines the voucher's redemption options based on the gaming outcome and pre-configured prize categories. The computer system can adapt the voucher's purpose and redemption possibilities according to the game results, allowing flexible redemption without requiring complex manual processing by the player.
4Reliability
If the operator desires to execute an administrative procedure before dispensing the award, then certain procedures can be implemented, but the award process cannot be stalled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates administrative procedures directly into the automated voucher issuance process. The computer system performs required administrative actions, such as verifying player eligibility or updating records, automatically at the moment of voucher generation. This eliminates the need for separate manual procedures that could delay or stall the award dispensing process.
Data Source
AI summary
A gaming system and related methods comprising a gaming device and a voucher mechanism in communication with the gaming device. The voucher mechanism is configured to present various types of vouchers to the player depending on a game outcome. The types of vouchers include, without limitation, a jackpot voucher, a merchandise voucher, a free play voucher, a mystery voucher, a competition entry voucher, and a restricted machine play voucher.