Ticket Management Apparatus Single Slot Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ticketing systems for electronic gaming machines are inconvenient as they require separate slots for inserting and dispensing tickets, are dependent on specific gaming machines for operation, and lack decentralized data management capabilities, leading to inefficiencies and increased operating costs for casinos.
Innovation Solution
A ticket management apparatus with a ticketing device that includes a reading and writing unit sharing a common slot for inputting and outputting tickets, and a data management system with a gaming machine interface, processor unit, and external communication interface, allowing independent operation and data exchange with external devices, enabling decentralized management and secure dispensing of cashless media.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate slots are used for inserting and dispensing tickets, then ticket handling functionality is provided, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to requiring players to identify and use different slots
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the ticket insertion slot and ticket dispensing slot into a single common slot. The slot serves dual functions: accepting tickets for validation and dispensing tickets to players, eliminating the need for separate slots and simplifying the interface for players.
Solution Approach 2:
The common slot is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as both an input slot for ticket insertion and an output slot for ticket dispensing. This multi-functional design reduces the number of components and simplifies the overall device structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If ticketing devices are controlled by specific gaming machines, then integration with gaming machines is achieved, but adaptability deteriorates as ticketing devices cannot be operated independently or by other devices
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into independent functional modules: the ticketing device, the gaming machine, and the data management system. Each module can operate independently, with the ticketing device capable of functioning autonomously or being controlled by external devices through standardized communication interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
A data management system acts as an intermediary between the ticketing device and gaming machines. This mediator handles communication and control signals, allowing the ticketing device to be controlled by various devices (gaming machines, external controllers) without requiring direct integration with each specific device.
3Productivity
If centralized data management is used, then data control is simplified, but productivity and loss of time worsen due to required refilling of coin hoppers and centralized processing bottlenecks
Solution Approach 1:
The ticketing device incorporates an integrated ticket dispenser that automatically provides tickets to players without requiring manual intervention for refilling. The system uses cashless ticket-based transactions, eliminating the need for physical coin hopper refilling and enabling continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical coin hopper system with an electronic ticket-based cashless system. Instead of physically refilling coin hoppers, the system uses digital ticket issuance and validation, eliminating mechanical refilling operations and reducing associated downtime.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a ticket management apparatus (TMA) for cashless operation of gaming machines (100a-100n), comprising a ticketing device (400a-400n) for inputting and outputting tickets (500) containing gaming data (502) and at least one data management device (101a-101n). The data management device (101a-101n) includes a gaming machine interface (GMIa-GMIn) for exchanging gaming data (502) with a controller (103a-103n) of a gaming machine (100a-100n), a ticketing device interface (TDIa-TDIn) for exchanging gaming data (502) with that ticketing device (400a-400n), a processor unit (106a-106n), a memory unit (107a-107n) and an external communication interface (ECIa-ECIn) for exchanging gaming data (502) with one or more devices (208) external to that ticket management apparatus (TMA).