Stored Value Account Linking for Cashless Gaming and Player Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Gaming establishments face inefficiencies in cash handling and tracking player activity both within and outside the casino, including the costs of managing paper tickets, ensuring sufficient cash availability, and the limitations of traditional loyalty systems that do not capture non-gaming purchases.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for transferring funds between a stored value account and a gaming account using a non-reloadable stored value payment vehicle, allowing real-time electronic transactions and tracking player activity across various environments, including gaming and non-gaming purchases.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If paper tickets are used for wagering and redemption, then players can redeem winnings, but casinos incur costs from replenishing tickets, maintaining ticket printers, and players may lose or destroy tickets

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveticket management costVSAvoidticket redemption reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical paper ticket system with an electronic stored value account system. Instead of issuing physical tickets that can be lost or damaged, the system uses electronic credits stored in a player's account, eliminating the need for ticket printers and reducing costs associated with ticket replenishment and management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates an electronic copy of the ticket function through a stored value account. The physical ticket is replaced by a digital representation of value in the player's account, which can be transferred and redeemed electronically without the risks associated with physical media.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Ease of operation

If cash is used for wagering and redemption, then players can exchange chips for cash, but casinos must ensure sufficient cash availability and incur costs for replenishing cash

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecash exchange operationVSAvoidcash availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the cash-based system with an electronic stored value system. Instead of requiring physical cash to be available at cages and exchanged by players, the system uses electronic credits that can be transferred and redeemed without requiring physical cash handling, eliminating the need for cash replenishment operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Loss of information

If traditional loyalty cards are used, then players can be tracked for wagering activity, but the system does not capture spending activity in non-gaming environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplayer activity tracking completenessVSAvoidtracking capability across environments

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the stored value account multi-functional by enabling it to track player activity across both gaming and non-gaming environments. The same electronic account used for wagering can also capture purchasing activity at merchants, ATM transactions, and other non-gaming activities, providing comprehensive player profiling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary system that connects gaming and non-gaming environments through the stored value account. This intermediary mechanism allows the system to receive and process transaction data from both gaming devices and external merchants, unified in a single player profile.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20260030961A1Systems and methods for administration of non-wagering account associated with gaming environment

Publication Date: 2026.01.29 SIGHTLINE PAYMENTS LLC

AI summary

Systems and methods are disclosed for associating a player identifier with a stored value account. The stored value account can holds funds that are accessible through the player's use of a stored value payment vehicle. The stored value payment vehicle can be a reloadable stored value payment vehicle or a non-reloadable stored value payment vehicle. Information associated with transactions using the stored value payment vehicle can be used for player relationship purposes.