Mobile EFT Terminal for Live Gaming Credit Transfers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gaming environments lack a secure and efficient system for patrons to electronically purchase gaming credits at live table games without the need for ATMs or cash machines, and existing systems rely on physical indicia that are cumbersome and require electromechanical devices for validation.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a mobile communication device with an application, a casino management system, a payment gateway, and a funds management portal to transfer funds electronically from a financial account to a gaming device, allowing for the issuance of credits via a ticket or loyalty card, with authorization and validation through a cooperative card and/or ticket validation system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If electronic fund transfer systems are implemented at gaming tables, then patrons can access funds without leaving their position, but system complexity and security requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an electronic fund transfer (EFT) terminal as an intermediary device between the patron's financial account and the gaming device. This terminal includes a card reader, display, and communication interface that mediates the transaction, allowing patrons to transfer funds electronically without requiring complex integrated systems at every gaming table. The terminal acts as a secure intermediary that handles the complexity of fund transfers while presenting a simple interface to the patron.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is divided into separate functional components: the EFT terminal for fund transfer, the gaming device for gameplay, and the validation system for authorization. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and reduces the complexity burden on any single device. The terminal can be placed at specific locations rather than requiring every gaming station to have full electronic fund transfer capability.
2Reliability
If physical indicia and electromechanical validation devices are used, then transaction validation is reliable, but operational costs and hardware duplication increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical indicia (cash, tickets, chips) and electromechanical validation devices with an electronic fund transfer system that uses digital communication and database validation. Instead of mechanical ticket readers or cash acceptors, the system uses electronic cards, wireless communication, and centralized database verification. This substitution eliminates the need for duplicate hardware validation devices at each gaming location while maintaining reliable transaction validation through electronic authorization.
3Ease of manufacture
If cash or physical tickets are used for fund transfer, then the system is simple to implement, but patrons must leave their gaming position to access funds
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by establishing electronic fund transfer capability and validation infrastructure in advance. The EFT terminal is pre-configured with communication interfaces and validation protocols, and the financial authorization system is pre-established. This preliminary setup allows patrons to access funds immediately at the terminal without needing to physically obtain cash or tickets from remote locations, eliminating the time loss while maintaining system simplicity through standardized pre-built components.
4Productivity
If electronic transaction terminals are deployed at gaming tables, then transaction speed increases, but security requirements and regulatory compliance complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the EFT terminal continuously communicates with the validation system to verify transaction authorization in real-time. The system provides immediate feedback on transaction approval or rejection, and maintains audit trails for regulatory compliance. This feedback loop ensures secure transactions while maintaining high speed by using pre-authorized limits and real-time verification rather than lengthy manual approval processes.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for transferring funds to a gaming device is described. The system includes a mobile communication device with an application that receives a user instruction to transfer funds from a financial account to the gaming device. The gaming device is associated with a CMS and communicatively coupled to a payment gateway. The gateway is communicatively coupled to the account. The gateway transfers funds from the account to the gaming device associated with the CMS. The host system is communicatively coupled to the gaming device via a local network. The funds management portal is communicatively coupled to the host system and the gateway. The funds management portal receives a record of the funds transfer from the financial account and sends a plurality of instructions to the host system, which issues a credit to the gaming device.