Kiosk Voucher Conversion to Player Points
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Solution Overview
Problem
Casinos face undesirable tax consequences due to unredeemed monetary values from vouchers, as existing kiosks may not be able to dispense change for values less than a dollar, leading to inefficiencies and potential financial burdens.
Innovation Solution
A kiosk system that allows patrons to convert remaining voucher values into player points, eliminating the need for dispensing coins and minimizing tax risks by offering conversion options based on specified rates or available denominations, thereby managing fractional values and reducing the burden of unredeemed amounts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a kiosk dispenses cash for voucher redemption, then patrons can receive monetary value, but the kiosk cannot dispense change for values less than a dollar, resulting in unredeemed monetary values and tax consequences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the redemption process into two distinct options: cash dispensing for whole dollar amounts and player points conversion for fractional values. This segmentation allows the kiosk to handle different portions of the monetary value through different mechanisms, resolving the inability to dispense sub-dollar change while still enabling complete value redemption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces player points as an intermediary medium between the kiosk and the fractional monetary value. Instead of requiring the kiosk to physically dispense sub-dollar cash (which it cannot do), the system uses player points as a intermediate representation that can be later redeemed for cash through other channels, thereby eliminating the change-dispensing requirement.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a kiosk converts all voucher values to player points, then no cash dispensing is needed, but patrons lose immediate cash access and the conversion rate may not be favorable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the redemption system dynamic by allowing patrons to choose between cash and player points conversion based on their immediate needs. The system adapts to patron preferences in real-time, offering cash dispensing when whole dollar amounts are requested and player points conversion when fractional values remain, thereby providing flexibility without compromising operational simplicity.
3Device complexity
If a kiosk dispenses only whole dollar amounts, then cash dispensing is simplified, but fractional monetary values remain unredeemed causing tax burdens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of unredeemed fractional values into a beneficial player points accumulation system. What was previously a loss (unredeemed cents) becomes a gain (player points with potential cash value), eliminating tax burdens on unredeemed amounts while maintaining simple whole-dollar cash dispensing mechanics.
Data Source
AI summary
In certain embodiments, a casino system has a server and a kiosk that receives, from a user, a voucher/player card having an associated monetary value and dispenses, to the user, a portion of the monetary value in paper currency, while the network converts the remainder of the monetary value to player points associated with the user. The kiosk may enable the user to select the portion of the monetary value to convert to player points and/or the portion of the monetary value to receive in paper currency, where the rate of converting monetary value to player points may increase as the selected portion of monetary value increases. Alternatively, the network may automatically select the portion to dispense in paper currency and the portion to convert to player points based on the smallest denomination of paper currency available to be dispensed by the kiosk.