U.S. patent application number 12/994205 was filed with the patent office on 2011-06-23 for system for integrated gaming.
Invention is credited to Joan Nelson, Greg Taylor.
Application Number | 20110151959 12/994205 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39637811 |
Filed Date | 2011-06-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110151959 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nelson; Joan ; et
al. |
June 23, 2011 |
SYSTEM FOR INTEGRATED GAMING
Abstract
A system (1) for gaming, for example in a casino (8), comprising
a terminal (2) adapted to issue a ticket, and a gaming device
(3-7), such as a slot-machine (4-7), remote from the terminal, e.g.
in the casino (8), which is adapted to accept the ticket. The
system provides a means (9) for storing ticket related information,
such as in a database, and the arrangement is such that the
terminal (2) mimics the gaming device (3-7) so that an issued
ticket is accepted by the gaming device (3-7).
Inventors: |
Nelson; Joan; (Sydney,
AU) ; Taylor; Greg; (Sydney, AU) |
Family ID: |
39637811 |
Appl. No.: |
12/994205 |
Filed: |
May 26, 2009 |
PCT Filed: |
May 26, 2009 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB2009/001312 |
371 Date: |
March 8, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/20 ; 463/42;
463/43 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/32 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/20 ; 463/42;
463/43 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 29, 2008 |
GB |
0809791.7 |
Claims
1. A system for gaming, comprising a terminal adapted to issue a
ticket, a gaming device remote from the terminal which is adapted
to accept the ticket, and a means for storing ticket related
information, the arrangement being such that the terminal mimics
the gaming device so that an issued ticket is accepted by the
gaming device.
2. A system according to claim 1, the terminal comprising a
stand-alone terminal.
3. A system according to claim 2, the terminal being located at a
location remote from the gaming device and/or means for storing
information carried by the ticket.
4. A system according to claim 1, the gaming device comprising an
electronic gaming machine (EGM).
5. A system according to claim 4, the EGM comprising a
slot-machine.
6. A system according to claim 4, the EGM being adapted to
communicate electronically with the means for storing information
carried by the ticket via a protocol and to authenticate the said
information.
7. Apparatus according to claim 1, the means for storing
information carried by the ticket comprising a database means on
the back end of a gaming location.
8. Apparatus according to claim 7, the database means comprising a
ticketing database or server.
9. A system according to claim 2, the terminal being adapted to
generate a ticket randomly.
10. A system according to claim 2, the terminal being adapted to
generate a ticket based on input from an attendant.
11. A system according to claim 2, the terminal being adapted to
generate a ticket based on a customer loyalty card.
12. A system according to claim 9, the terminal being adapted to
provide a tabular record of information for each ticket issued.
13. A system according to claim 2, the terminal being adapted to
generate a validation number for each ticket issued.
14. A system according to claim 13, the validation number being the
only parameter on the ticket which is verifiable.
15. A system according to claim 14, the terminal being adapted to
issue a ticket comprising promotional data.
16. (canceled)
17. A method for gaming, comprising the steps of providing a
terminal adapted to issue a ticket, providing a gaming device
adapted to accept the ticket, providing a means for storing
ticketing-related information, and the step of accessing the means
to record and verify a transaction at the gaming device.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a system for gaining, particularly
integrated gaming.
[0002] A computer-implemented system is known for providing
customers (usually of retail outlet(s)) with a reward which can be
redeemed at a gaming machine in a casino, which is usually remote
from a location where the award is generated. Such locations are
frequently Point-of-Sale terminals (POS). These can be located at a
supermarket check-out for example, and the award generated thereat
provides a promotional entity for say a casino.
[0003] Thus customers of a retail outlet usually complete a
transaction at a point of sale (POS) of that outlet. The
transactions are usually completed electronically, details of the
transaction, including profiles thereof are stored in a central
database, but are often not thereafter utilised. It is also a fact
that gaming via gaming apparatus is becoming more prevalent,
particularly gaming in or at a location such as a casino (though
other locations can also be envisaged, such as on concourses at
airports, railway stations, bus stations, ferry terminals and
games' parlours). The games are played for reward, but often there
is no initial incentive for a potential player of such apparatus to
play the gaming apparatus. Part at least of the reason for this is
that a gaining machine operator has no data, except for existing
loyalty card-holders, on which to base such an incentive, or
reward, for playing the apparatus. In other words, there is usually
no criterion on which the level of incentive can be pitched.
[0004] In addition to the foregoing, any reward generated, usually
in the form of a ticket which bears data relating to an offer at a
particular casino can usually only be used by establishing a real
time connection with a casino's accounting system (often referred
to a Casino's Slot Accounting System (SAS).
[0005] It is an object of the invention to seek to mitigate this
disadvantage.
[0006] According to a first aspect of the invention there is
provided a system for gaming, comprising a terminal adapted to
issue a ticket, a gaming device remote from the terminal which is
adapted to accept the ticket, and a means for storing ticket
related information, the arrangement being such that the terminal
mimics the gaming device so that an issued ticket is accepted by
the gaming device.
[0007] Using the invention, it is possible for the system to treat
a terminal as a gaming device, so that the gaming device treats the
terminal as a gaming device, and accepts a ticket therefrom. This
releases the SAS to verify a ticket at any time.
[0008] The terminal may comprise a stand-alone terminal, such as a
POS device in a supermarket i.e. the terminal may be located at a
location remote from the gaming device and/or means for storing
information carried by the ticket.
[0009] Suitably the gaming device may comprise an electronic gaming
machine (EGM), particularly a slot-machine (or a plurality
thereof).
[0010] The EGM may be adapted to communicate electronically with
the means for storing information carried by the ticket via a
protocol and to authenticate the said information.
[0011] The means for storing information carried by the ticket may
comprise a database means on the back end of a gaming location,
preferably the database means comprising a ticketing database or
server on the back end of a casino. This provides for control of
the system when used in a casino.
[0012] The terminal may be adapted to generate a ticket randomly,
or may be adapted to generate a ticket based on input from an
attendant, or may be adapted to generate a ticket based on a
customer loyalty or incentive card.
[0013] Suitably, the terminal may be adapted to provide a tabular
record of information for each ticket issued.
[0014] The terminal may preferably be adapted to generate a
validation number for each ticket issued. This seeks to provide for
elimination of fraud, particularly when the validation number may
be the only parameter on the ticket which is verifiable.
[0015] The terminal may also be adapted to issue a ticket
comprising promotional data. This provides for point of sale
advertising to a purchaser.
[0016] According to a second aspect of the invention there is
provided a method for gaming, comprising the steps of providing a
terminal adapted to issue a ticket, providing a gaining device
adapted to accept the ticket, providing means for storing
ticketing-related information, and the step of accessing the means
to record and verify a transaction at the gaming device.
[0017] Using the method it is possible to prevent acceptance of
tickets from other casinos and also to seek to obviate duplicate
tickets being re-used.
[0018] A system embodying the invention is hereinafter described
with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0019] FIG. 1 is a schematic layout of a system according to the
invention; and
[0020] FIG. 2 is a general schematic of a ticket use process.
[0021] Referring to the drawings, there is shown a system 1 for
gaming, comprising a terminal such as a POS 2 at a retail outlet, a
gaming device 3 or devices 4 to 7 such as a slot machine or
machines located remotely from the POS 2 in a casino 8 and a means
9 for storing ticketing related information, which in the
embodiment is a ticketing database or server on a back end of the
casino 8 (which back end may be located in the casino, or remote
therefrom), the arrangement being such that the terminal 2 mimics a
gaining device 3 so that an issued ticket is accepted by the gaming
device.
[0022] It will be understood that the term "ticket" used herein
covers a coupon, voucher, card or other means which can carry
desired information.
[0023] The means 9 includes a central monitoring system 10, a
player tracking system 11, an accounting system 12 and a ticketing
system 13.
[0024] The POS 2 which issues the tickets, usually as a printed
item, prints tickets that are insertable into a gaming device 3-7,
(slot machine in the embodiment) and also are recognised by a
customer at a POS in a retail outlet as a promotional credit, i.e.
as an award which can be played out (but not cashed) in the casino.
The tickets therefore also are compatible with the casino's
particular management and statutory reporting requirements.
[0025] It will be understood that there is provided an ability to
provide a system whereby a user can cash out winnings from one slot
machine 3-7 in order to play another. In the invention, the retail
terminal 2 (POS in the embodiment) is treated as a slot-machine.
Stated in another way, the retail POS 2 mimics the slot-machine
3-7. In order to achieve this, [0026] (i) Ticket numbers are issued
in bulk prior to allocation, as if EGMs or slot-machines were
printing out winnings--however the winnings are promotional credits
as opposed to being directly cashable. [0027] (ii) This is built
into a custom machine on-site, run as software on-site, done using
existing promotional mechanisms, or done as a custom database
interactions. [0028] (iii) Each ticket number issued in bulk has a
particular value of promotion credit attached to it. Ticket numbers
are allocated to promotional outlets (e.g. retail stores, a ferry
terminal, airport terminal, railway concourse or the like,
including sporting stadia such as an Olympic venue.)). Extracts
from the casino database are provided periodically to indicate
which promotional credits are used. [0029] (iv) Each promotion will
have associated text, artwork, barcode, expiry date and
location-of-issue identifier.
[0030] FIG. 2 shows the ticketing process, in which a customer of a
retail outlet receives at the POS an offer ticket 14 for a casino
8, boards in the embodiment a ferry 15 from the location of the
retail outlet POS 2 and goes to a passenger quay 16 remote from the
retail outlet location and relatively adjacent a casino 8, goes to
the casino 8 as by a shuttle bus 17, and uses his or her ticket by
inserting it in a slot-machine 3-7 (FIG. 1).
[0031] It will be understood that the POS 2 is a stand alone unit
that will be located at any desired location (e.g. ferry terminal
or luxury stores). Whenever a customer at those locations makes a
purchase, an attendant or check out clerk or cashier will issue a
ticket using the POS. This ticket could be either generated
randomly for any participating casino, or for a specific casino
based on the customer loyalty or incentive card, or attendant
selection.
[0032] At the slot-machine(s) 3-7 at the casino, the ticket can be
inserted directly into any slot machine connected to a network
thereof. The particular slot-machine will read the ticket via a
bill acceptor and the information is extracted. The slot-machine
will communicate with the central monitoring system via an SAS
protocol and authenticate the ticket from data stored on the
ticketing database. An authorisation is either given or denied to
the slot machine, and what bonus credits will be given to the play
are initiated.
[0033] The ticketing database or server on the back end of the
casino stores all the ticketing related information. Whenever a
ticket is issued or redeemed, the database is accessed to record
and verify the transactions. This is to prevent accepting tickets
from other casinos and also prevent duplicate tickets being
reused.
[0034] In the embodiment, the POS 2 has a series of functions:--
[0035] 1. Keep a data file used for generating the ticket. This
file will be updated occasionally. [0036] 2. Keep a promotional
data used for choosing awards given printed on tickets. [0037] 3.
Set up attendant account and assign privilege. [0038] 4. Provide
system login function. [0039] 5. Keep record of tickets that are
printed. [0040] 6. Issue tickets under the specified format. [0041]
7. Support batch ticket printing. [0042] 8. Avoid invalid ticket
(e.g. unclear printout). [0043] 9. Issue tickets according to
attendant selection, card reader, barcode scanning or just randomly
selected. [0044] 10. Generate the validation number used to
authenticate tickets. [0045] 11. Generate auditing report. [0046]
12. Communicate with Server for daily update while a terminal has
internet access.
[0047] The ticketing database or server 9, 13 contains all relevant
data which is germane to the identification of a particular POS 2
and for generating ticket data.
[0048] There is also a promotional data file which contains
promotional data which decides which promotional awards and their
parameters are printed on the ticket.
[0049] It will be understood too that in the system there is data
relating to user account maintenance so that a casino operator can
create different roles for different users or user groups. These
roles determine any constraints to be imposed, and a user's
privileges.
[0050] As attendants, check-out clerks, cashiers and the like can
change, the ticketing database or server can be adapted to create a
profile for each particular attendant, for example a user ID
(including a unique login ID), user (staff) name, password and
role.
[0051] The POS maintains a record in tabular format for each ticket
printed, this record comprising inter alia a validation number,
which is verifiable so that each use can be authenticated.
[0052] When issuing a ticket, the attendant will be given a choice
of different ways to generate a ticket to the consumer. The
attendant could either select a ticket or award on screen, scan a
loyalty or incentive card, or can be chosen randomly by the
POS.
1. Selecting Ticket or Award
[0053] The attendant would be given an option of choosing a
particular casino or award.
2. Scan Loyalty Card
[0053] [0054] Based on the loyalty card, the POS will issue a
ticket for that corresponding venue.
3. Randomly
[0054] [0055] The ticket award would be generated randomly.
4. Batch Print
[0055] [0056] User can print a batch of tickets batch by inputting
the numbers of required tickets.
[0057] An attendant who is authorised can void an invalid ticket,
e.g. one with an unclear print-out, by using a void ticket
function.
[0058] An authorised user can also read auditing reports generated
by the database or server of the system to verify transactions and
provide statistical information of a plurality of disparate
tickets, which also helps to avoid cheating.
[0059] The validation number is generated using the slot-machine
validation ID and a current validation sequence number, which is
located in the terminal data file. This number is incremented
before usage and then saved in the terminal data file.
[0060] From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that a
slot-machine can accept a ticket directly using the system, without
any human verification, which is effected electronically. Moreover,
since the database or server is controlling, the slot-machine does
not need any software, firmware or hardware updates. When a
slot-machine accepts a ticket, the validation code is sent to the
host controller which is in turn sent to the ticketing system. The
system verifies the code and then sends an authorisation or
rejection poll to the slot-machine, which poll includes a transfer
amount, transfer type and validation code.
[0061] The ticketing server at the casino is updated with data from
tickets printed. This data is provided by the slot-machine to the
host server when issuing tickets and is then used to verify ticket
redemption. The same information is provided beforehand to the
ticketing server so that the tickets can be verified. Parameters
other than the validation number are stored on the ticketing server
and extracted when the ticket is redeemed. Thus, when the data is
set on the ticketing server and the POS, the promotional value of
the ticket does not change.
[0062] It will be understood that multiple casinos may participate
in a system embodying the invention as described herein in relation
to the drawings.
[0063] Each offer on a ticket, however, is restricted to a
particular casino. Each casino has to provide data on which
promotional tickets have been redeemed in an EGM, to keep track of
the issued tickets.
* * * * *