Lottery Terminal Data Isolation for Ancillary Services

Solution Overview

Problem

The high costs and complexity of closed lottery networks burden lottery vendors, lotteries, and retailers, necessitating the exploration of secure alternative uses for these networks to offset expenses and generate revenue.

Innovation Solution

Configuring lottery terminals and central sites to process debit/credit transactions and ancillary services like gift card activation and bill payments, ensuring data isolation and compliance with regulatory standards through encryption, proxy data, and secure interfaces, allowing the network to be repurposed for various applications without compromising security or integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If closed lottery networks are expanded to cover more retailers and terminals, then lottery coverage and accessibility are improved, but infrastructure costs and system complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelottery coverageVSAvoidinfrastructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables lottery terminals to perform multiple functions by integrating ancillary service processing capabilities into existing hardware. The terminal can simultaneously handle lottery transactions and ancillary services (debit/credit card payments, gift card activation, bill payments) through a unified interface, eliminating the need for separate dedicated devices for each service type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system architecture segments functionality into distinct modules: lottery transaction processing, ancillary service processing, and data isolation layers. This modular approach allows independent management and optimization of each function while sharing common infrastructure resources like communication links and terminal hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If closed lottery networks are expanded to cover more retailers and terminals, then lottery coverage and accessibility are improved, but infrastructure costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelottery coverageVSAvoidinfrastructure costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables lottery terminals to perform multiple functions by integrating ancillary service processing capabilities into existing hardware. The terminal can simultaneously handle lottery transactions and ancillary services (debit/credit card payments, gift card activation, bill payments) through a unified interface, eliminating the need for separate dedicated devices for each service type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows retailers to independently process ancillary services using existing terminal equipment without requiring additional specialized hardware or extensive external support. The terminal autonomously handles transaction processing, data isolation enforcement, and communication with external processors, reducing operational overhead and infrastructure support costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If data isolation between lottery and ancillary transactions is implemented, then security and regulatory compliance are improved, but system complexity and processing overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata securityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system architecture segments functionality into distinct modules: lottery transaction processing, ancillary service processing, and data isolation layers. This modular approach allows independent management and optimization of each function while sharing common infrastructure resources like communication links and terminal hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediary components including firewalls, encrypted communication channels, and proxy servers that mediate between lottery and ancillary service transactions. These intermediaries enforce data isolation policies automatically, reducing the complexity burden on terminal devices while maintaining rigorous security standards through specialized intermediary systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9799170B2Method and system for providing alternative usages of closed lottery networks

Publication Date: 2017.10.24 SCIENTIFIC GAMES LLC

AI summary

A method for processing lottery transactions and debit/credit transactions with lottery terminals that communicate with a lottery central site over a closed lottery network includes conducting lottery transactions at the lottery terminals and transmitting lottery transaction data between the lottery terminals and the lottery central site. An interface is configured between the lottery central site and an acquiring processor that is external to the closed lottery network. Debit/credit purchase transactions are conducted at the lottery terminals and debit/credit purchase transaction data is transmitted from the lottery terminals through the closed lottery network to the lottery central site, and from the lottery central site to the acquiring processor via the interface. The debit/credit purchase transaction data and lottery purchase transaction data are isolated throughout the closed lottery network.