Electronic Gaming Machine Tipping via Physical Token Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In cashless gaming venues, players face difficulties in tipping staff due to the lack of physical cash, leading to reduced service quality and disincentivizing staff from adopting electronic cashless solutions, as existing systems do not effectively facilitate electronic value transfer between individuals.
Innovation Solution
An electronic gaming system that generates and tracks physical tokens, allowing players to transfer value from their credit meter to a physical token, which can be redeemed for tipping staff, with features like user interface validation, mobile device integration, and tracking of token activity to prevent suspicious transactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cashless gaming systems are implemented, then cash handling and security are improved, but the ability to tip staff with physical cash is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces physical tokens as an intermediary medium that bridges the cashless gaming system and the traditional cash tipping mechanism. Players can transfer value from their electronic credit meter to physical tokens, which then serve as the medium for tipping staff, thus resolving the contradiction between cashless operation and tipping capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical cash handling system with an electronic value transfer system. Instead of physically handing cash to staff, players use electronic credits on gaming devices to purchase physical tokens, which are then redeemed for tips, eliminating the need for cash handling while maintaining tipping functionality
2Reliability
If physical cash is eliminated from gaming systems, then security and cash management are improved, but staff incentives through tips are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Physical tokens serve as an intermediary that enables staff to receive tips in a cashless environment. The tokens can be redeemed for cash or other rewards by staff members, thus maintaining staff incentive mechanisms while eliminating the need for physical cash handling in the gaming system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates physical token copies that represent electronic value. These tokens act as tangible representations of digital credits, allowing staff to receive and hold tip values in a physical form that can be easily managed and redeemed, thus maintaining staff motivation without requiring cash
3Ease of operation
If electronic value transfer systems are introduced, then tipping capability is restored, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Physical tokens simplify the electronic value transfer process by providing a tangible intermediate step. Instead of directly transferring electronic cash to staff (which would require complex authentication and payment systems), players buy tokens with electronic credits and staff redeem them, greatly simplifying the overall system architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses disposable physical tokens as a simple carrier for value transfer. These tokens are inexpensive to produce and handle, providing a simple and effective mechanism for tipping without requiring complex, expensive electronic payment infrastructure between players and staff
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure relates to a gaming system including a printer, a processor coupled with the printer, and a memory coupled with and readable by the processor. The memory can store therein a set of instructions which, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to maintain an electronic record storing a value. The value stored in the record can indicate a balance of a credit meter for a player of the gaming system. The instructions can further cause the processor to receive a request to transfer an amount from the credit meter to a physical token, validate the request to transfer the amount from the credit meter to the physical token, and in response to validating the request, update the electronic record to decrement the balance of the credit meter by the amount and generate, through the printer, the physical token with an indication of the amount.