Virtual Value Ticket Transfer for Gaming Machine Credits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for associating funds with gaming machines are cumbersome, requiring physical currency or complex integration with casino management systems, and lack a simple, efficient electronic transfer solution.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for electronically associating funds with gaming machines using a virtual monetary value ticket, where a player's mobile device initiates a request, and the financial server generates and validates the ticket, crediting the gaming machine's credit balance without physical currency or direct system integration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If electronic funds are transferred through a casino management system to a gaming machine, then fund association is achieved, but system complexity increases due to integration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a casino server as an intermediary component that mediates between the gaming machine and external payment systems. The server receives fund transfer requests, processes them through appropriate payment networks, and credits the gaming machine account without requiring direct integration between the gaming machine and complex casino management systems. This intermediary approach simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining operational capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the fund transfer processing logic from the gaming machine itself and relocates it to a separate casino server. This separation allows the gaming machine to remain relatively simple while the complex payment processing operations are handled by the dedicated server infrastructure, reducing integration complexity at the gaming machine level.
2Productivity
If physical currency or tickets are used for fund association, then electronic transfer complexity is avoided, but operational convenience and efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical currency handling and physical ticket mechanisms with electronic fund transfer systems. Instead of requiring players to physically insert cash or present printed tickets, the system uses electronic communication networks to transfer funds and deliver value digitally, eliminating mechanical handling steps and improving transaction efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses electronic copies of value representations (digital fund transfers, electronic tickets) instead of physical originals. The casino server generates and transmits electronic fund credit information that replicates the value transfer function of physical currency or tickets, enabling faster processing without physical handling.
3Adaptability or versatility
If direct integration with casino management systems is implemented, then fund transfer capability is achieved, but implementation difficulty and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the casino server to provide universal fund transfer functionality that can work with multiple different payment networks and gaming machine systems through standardized interfaces. The server acts as a universal intermediary that adapts to different payment providers and gaming platforms without requiring custom integration for each combination, reducing implementation difficulty and cost.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system are provided for electronically associating funds with a gaming machine. A request for a transaction amount is received from a mobile device of a player and is used to generate a virtual monetary value ticket which is transmitted to a controller of a media reader associated with the gaming machine, which virtual ticket, when redeemed, results in the association of monetary value with a credit balance at the gaming machine.