U.S. patent application number 12/645536 was filed with the patent office on 2011-06-23 for methods and apparatus for managing stored cash value for use in gaming transactions.
This patent application is currently assigned to NCR Corporation. Invention is credited to Paul Andrew Race.
Application Number | 20110151964 12/645536 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43662226 |
Filed Date | 2011-06-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110151964 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Race; Paul Andrew |
June 23, 2011 |
Methods and Apparatus for Managing Stored Cash Value for Use in
Gaming Transactions
Abstract
Systems and techniques for managing stored cash value in gaming
operations. A server stores patron account information relating to
a stored cash value account, with the stored cash value account
information being usable for gaming transactions using a gaming
machine belonging to a gaming machine network and communicating
with the server. The server communicates with a stored cash value
transaction machine allowing the patron to deposit currency for
credit to the stored cash value account and to make redemptions
from the account. The account may be associated with a token that
can be presented at gaming machines for play and at the stored cash
value transaction machine for deposits and redemptions. In
addition, a loyalty account may also be associated with the token,
so that presentation of the token allows for identification of the
loyalty account for credit based on play and for reward
redemption.
Inventors: |
Race; Paul Andrew; (Murthly,
GB) |
Assignee: |
NCR Corporation
Dayton
OH
|
Family ID: |
43662226 |
Appl. No.: |
12/645536 |
Filed: |
December 23, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/25 ; 463/42;
463/43 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3251 20130101;
G07F 17/3206 20130101; G07F 17/32 20130101; G07F 17/3255
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/25 ; 463/43;
463/42 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A server, comprising: a computer memory for storing patron
account information relating to a stored cash value account, the
patron account information including stored cash value information
representing deposits of currency using a stored cash value
transaction machine communicating with the server, the stored cash
value being increased or decreased by transfers between gaming
machine credit and stored cash value based on transactions
undertaken at a gaming machine used by the patron and communicating
with the server; a communication interface for transmitting and
receiving data relating to the stored cash value account; and a
processor for examining transaction information relating to the
stored cash value and crediting or debiting the stored cash value
account of the patron based on patron deposits and redemptions at a
stored cash value transaction machine communicating with the server
and transfers of machine credit to or from a gaming machine being
used by the patron and communicating with the server.
2. The server of claim 1, wherein the computer memory further
stores patron loyalty account information associated with the
patron.
3. The server of claim 1, wherein the processor updates the patron
loyalty account information based on information received from
gaming machines played by the patron indicating the patron's
play.
4. The server of claim 1, wherein the processor is operative to
maintain token information associated with a physical token
identifying the stored cash value account and the loyalty program
account of the patron and to verify authentication information
associated with the patron stored cash value account when the
patron presents the token to conduct a transaction involving the
patron's stored cash value account.
5. The server of claim 1, wherein the processor is operative to
request and verify authentication information whenever the patron
requests a transfer of stored cash value to machine credit during a
session at a gaming machine.
6. The server of claim 1, wherein the processor is operative, upon
the patron's request to conclude a gaming session at a gaming
machine, to credit the user's stored cash value account with the
gaming credit of the gaming machine.
7. A method of stored cash value management, comprising the steps
of: creating a stored cash value account for a gaming patron, the
stored cash value account being associated with information stored
in a computer memory and relating to stored cash value usable for
gaming in a network of gaming machines; crediting and debiting the
stored cash value account in response to deposit and redemption
transactions at a stored cash value transaction machine; and
controlling a processor to transfer stored cash value between the
stored cash value account and machine credit available for play at
a gaming machine in response to patron transactions at a gaming
machine belonging to the network.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the stored cash value account is
associated with an identification token issued to the patron and
wherein deposit and redemption transactions at the stored cash
value transaction machine and patron transactions at the gaming
machine require presentation of the identification token.
9. The method of claim 8, further comprising a step of controlling
the processor to request and verify authentication information
before allowing a transaction involving the redemption or use of
stored cash value.
10. The method of claim 9, further comprising a step of controlling
the processor to request and verify authentication information at
each request by a patron to transfer stored cash value to machine
credit during a gaming session at a gaming machine.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising a step of
controlling the processor d to suspend the patron's stored cash
value account upon failure to verify authentication information
following a request to transfer stored cash value to gaming machine
credit.
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising a step of
controlling the processor to restore the patron's stored cash value
account upon verification by a gaming establishment employee of the
identity of the patron.
13. The method of claim 8, further comprising the steps of creating
a loyalty account for the patron, the loyalty account being
associated with the identification token, and controlling the
processor to credit the loyalty account based on the patron's play
at gaming machines belonging to the network and debit the loyalty
account based on redemptions for loyalty awards.
14. A server, comprising: a computer memory for storing patron
account information relating to a stored cash value account, the
patron account information including stored cash value information
representing deposits of currency using a stored cash value
transaction machine communicating with the server and available for
cash redemptions at the stored cash value transaction machine, the
stored cash value being increased or decreased by transfers between
gaming machine credit and stored value based on transactions
undertaken at a gaming machine used by the patron and communicating
with the server; a communication interface for transmitting and
receiving data relating to the stored value account, including
transmitting data to and receiving data from a stored cash value
transaction machine and a gaming machine; and a processor for
examining transaction information relating to the stored value and
crediting or debiting the stored value account of the patron based
on notifications by the stored cash value transaction machine of
patron deposits or redemptions and notifications by a gaming
machine of transfers between the stored value account of the patron
and machine credit available for play at the gaming machine being
used by the patron and communicating with the server.
15. The server of claim 12, wherein the communication interface is
further operative to receive patron signup information identifying
the patron and wherein the processor is operative to establish the
patron stored cash value account based on the signup
information.
16. The server of claim 15, wherein the processor is further
operative to establish a patron loyalty account associated with the
stored cash value account.
17. The server of claim 15, wherein the processor is operative to
create an identifier for the stored cash value account based on
identification information readable from a physical token and to
access the stored cash value account upon receiving the
identification information read from the physical token.
18. The server of claim 17, wherein the processor is further
operative to request authentication information upon receiving the
identification information and to allow transactions using the
stored cash value account only upon verification of the
identification information.
19. The server of claim 18, wherein the authentication information
is a personal identification number.
20. The server of claim 18, wherein the authentication information
is a biometric input.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to improved systems
and techniques for management of stored value. More particularly,
the invention relates to improved systems and techniques for
managing transactions for deposit, redemption, and use of
reloadable stored cash value information for use in gaming
machines.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The increased use and acceptance of identification tokens,
such as magnetic or smart cards, among consumers has manifested
itself in many ways. In the gaming industry, loyalty cards are used
to track the play of patrons, particularly gaming machine patrons,
and to store value and status information. Patrons may be awarded
points or cashback in exchange for gaming activity, with the
cashback being redeemable for play at machines or for cash at a
redemption station, and with points being convertible to cash,
points, meals, prizes, or other benefits.
[0003] A patron typically conducts play at a gaming machine by
inserting cash into a cash acceptor of the machine. The machine
registers an amount of credit equal to the cash inserted, and the
patron is allowed to play using the credit. When the patron wishes
to stop or interrupt playing, the patron may redeem the credit, and
the machine delivers value to the patron in cash or, more typically
in recent years, in the form of a ticket or other token which can
be redeemed for cash at a redemption machine.
[0004] The practice of accepting cash at each gaming machine
results in a wide distribution of cash throughout the gaming floor.
Cash collection must be conducted by going to each machine and
opening the machine to remove the cash. This process requires
appropriate security and accountability at each machine and carries
significant expense.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In its several aspects, the present invention addresses
stored cash value features, which may be used independently or may
be added to the existing gaming loyalty card infrastructure, by
establishing a network of stored cash value transaction machines
similar to automated teller machines, with the stored cash value
transaction machines having access to a central server storing
patron and financial information for the gaming establishment. Each
gaming machine also has access to the central server and preferably
at least some of the gaming machines have no cash acceptance
capability, but instead allow gaming based on transfers to or from
a stored cash value account associated with the patron's loyalty
account. The stored cash value account typically represents cash
value which may be used for gaming. The stored cash value account
is debited to purchase credit for playing at a machine, and credit
remaining on the machine when the patron has finished playing is
transferred to the patron's stored cash value account. Stored cash
value in the patron's account may be redeemed at appropriate
locations at a gaming establishment, and the account may be
incremented by making deposits at appropriate locations, such as at
one of the stored cash value transaction machines or at an employee
assisted station. A patron can also play using stored cash value at
a suitably programmed machine that accepts cash, because such
machines are typically adapted to accept and read a patron's
loyalty card. The same information used to identify the patron's
loyalty card account can be used to identify the patron's stored
cash value account, and suitable authentication mechanisms, such as
a personal identification number (PIN), biometric, or any other
desired authentication mechanism for which facilities exist for
implementation. The patron's card may be a magnetic stripe card,
smart card, or any other form of data storage card, but the stored
cash value information is preferably maintained at a central server
or other data repository of the gaming establishment in order to
provide for convenient and secure deactivation and replacement of
lost cards. A more complete understanding of the present invention,
as well as further features and advantages of the invention, will
be apparent from the following Detailed Description and the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 illustrates a system for managing stored cash value
in gaming operations according to an aspect of the present
invention; and
[0007] FIG. 2 illustrates a process of stored cash value management
in gaming operations according to an aspect of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates a system 100 for management and use of
stored cash value in gaming operations according to an aspect of
the present invention. The system 100 includes a server 102
comprising a processor 104, memory 106, storage 108, and network
interface 110, communicating over a bus 112. The server 102
communicates over a network 114 with a plurality of terminals. An
exemplary stored cash value transaction machine 116, gaming machine
118, employee operated redemption station 120, and employee
operated loyalty center station 122 are illustrated here. While
only a limited number of types of terminals are discussed here for
simplicity, and while only a single terminal of each type is
discussed, it will be recognized that a wide variety of terminals
may be employed, with a large number of terminals of each type,
dispersed over a number of geographical locations, such as
different gaming establishments operated by the same management or
under a common agreement.
[0009] The server 102 maintains a patron account database 124, with
each patron record including patron identification information and
any other desired information about the patron, such as information
about patron preferences, visit frequency, entertainment choices,
family details, and other information useful for marketing. The
patron account database 124 also includes a loyalty information
database 126 and a stored cash value database 128. The patron
account database 124 is preferably protected with security
measures, such as encryption and access control, appropriate to
financial information. If desired, portions of the patron account
database, such as marketing information, are less tightly
controlled than is access to the more sensitive stored loyalty
program information associated with the loyalty information
database 126 and the stored cash value database 128. For example,
the marketing information may be accessible to more employees than
is the loyalty information and stored cash value information. In
addition, records in the loyalty information database 126 and the
stored cash value database 128 may have their own indexing
information, so that a patron identifier must be encoded or
otherwise transformed in a secure way in order to yield information
that provides access to the patron's loyalty and stored cash value
information.
[0010] The server 102 employs a loyalty program manager 130 and a
stored cash value manager 132, both suitably implemented as
software residing in storage 108 and transferred to memory 106 as
needed for execution by the processor 104. The loyalty program
manager 130 sends and receives messages relating to loyalty program
information and transactions between the server 102, the stored
cash value transaction machine 116, the gaming machine 118, the
redemption station 120, and the loyalty station 122. The loyalty
program manager receives information relating to account creation
and modification, point and reward earning, point and reward
redemption, and other information relevant to operating the loyalty
program, and updates the patron account database and the loyalty
information database 126 as needed based on the interactions
between patrons and the various employee operated stations and self
service terminals and gaming machines. Typically, a patron provides
signup information at an employee operated loyalty station such as
the station 122, and an employee collects and enters personal data
relating to the patron and allows the patron to choose or receive
an authenticator such as a PIN. The station 122 communicates this
information to the server 102, and the loyalty program manager 130
creates an account record, storing patron account information in
the database 126. A gaming machine such as the gaming machine 118
includes its own processor 134, memory 136, storage 138, network
interface 140, and bus 142, and employs a gaming machine operations
module 143 and a patron loyalty module 144, managing identification
of a patron and crediting of patron loyalty points based on play at
the gaming machine 118. The patron loyalty module 144 presents a
message on a display 145, inviting a patron to present his or her
card. Presentation may be accomplished by inserting a magnetic
striped card in a card reader 146, but any number of other
mechanisms may be employed. For example, the card may be a
contactless card and the reader may detect the card when it is
placed within range of the reader. It will also be recognized that
numerous other possibilities exist for receiving identification
from a patron, such as fingerprint or iris scan recognition, and
that such mechanisms may be implemented with or without the
accompanying use of a physical token.
[0011] When the card has been read, the patron is invited to enter
authenticating information. As the patron plays, the patron loyalty
module 144 tracks his or her play and sends point earning
information to the server 102. Information may be sent after each
transaction, when the patron leaves the gaming machine 118,
periodically during play, or as otherwise desired. The loyalty
program manager 130 at the server 102 updates the patron's record
as appropriate. When the patron's card is removed or the patron
otherwise indicates that play is finished, the gaming machine 118
sends information indicating that the play session has been
terminated.
[0012] The stored cash value manager 132 allows the server 102 to
maintain a stored cash value record, allowing a patron to add value
to his or her account at a stored cash value transaction machine
such as the machine 116 and to play at machines such as the gaming
machine 118 without a need to insert currency into the machine
being played. The stored cash value transaction machine 116
suitably includes a processor 150, memory 152, storage 154, network
interface 156, and bus 158, as well as a display 160, which may be
a touch screen display, and a card reader 162, currency acceptor
164, and currency dispenser 166. The stored cash value transaction
machine 116 operates in a way similar to that of an automated
teller machine, but does not communicate with the overall banking
system. Instead, it facilitates transactions within the gaming
establishment or network of gaming establishments implementing the
system 100. The stored cash value transaction machine 116 presents
an interface inviting a patron to present his or her card, and upon
the patron's presentation of the card, a stored cash value
transaction module 168 directs the card reader 162 to read patron
identification information from the card. Depending on the design
of the system 100, the card reader 162 may be a magnetic stripe or
smart card reader, a contactless reader, or any suitable mechanism
for reading information from a card or token. It will also be
recognized that numerous other possibilities exist for receiving
identification from a patron, such as fingerprint or iris scan
recognition, and that such mechanisms may be implemented with or
without the accompanying use of a physical token.
[0013] The stored cash value transaction module 168 communicates
with the stored cash value manager 132 of the server 102 to
transmit the card information to the stored cash value manager 132.
The stored cash value manager 132 retrieves a patron record
associated with the patron identification information, and examines
the information to determine if the card is invalid or stolen. If
the card is valid, the stored cash value transaction module 168
directs display of a request for the patron to enter or provide
authentication information, such as a PIN or biometric input. The
stored cash value transaction module 168 directs transmission of
the authentication information to the server 102, and the stored
cash value manager 132 compares the authentication information
against stored information to determine if it is valid. If
authentication fails, the patron may be given a specified number of
opportunities to submit correct information, and if these fail, the
card is invalidated. However, due to the convenience to the patron
of obtaining employee assistance in a typically 24 hour gaming
establishment, it may be desirable to invalidate the card upon the
first failed attempt at authentication and invite the patron to
seek assistance from an employee, who would be able to verify the
patron's identity and reactivate the card.
[0014] Once authentication has taken place, the stored cash value
transaction module 168 presents a transaction interface to the
patron, allowing the patron to load his or her account or to
receive cash. The patron makes appropriate selections, either
choosing to load his or her account and inserting currency into the
currency acceptor 164 or choosing to receive cash and specifying
the amount of cash to be received. The stored cash value
transaction module 168 communicates with the stored cash value
manager 132 to relay the patron selections to the stored cash value
manager 132. If the patron has chosen to load his or her account,
the stored cash value transaction module 168 transmits information
indicating the amount of cash inserted, and the stored cash value
manager 132 then updates the patron's account record to reflect the
amount inserted. The stored cash value manager 132 then transmits
the total in the patron's account to the stored cash value
transaction module 168, which directs display of the total.
[0015] If a patron wishes to receive cash, the stored cash value
transaction module 168 transmits the request to the stored cash
value manager 132, which verifies that the credit in the patron's
account is sufficient to meet the request. The stored cash value
manager 132 then sends an authorization message authorizing
dispensing of the amount. The stored cash value transaction module
168 dispenses the authorized amount and sends a message to the
stored cash value manager 132 that the amount has been dispensed.
The stored cash value manager 132 then updates the patron record
appropriately.
[0016] When a patron wishes to play using stored cash value, the
patron presents his or her card at the gaming machine 118 and
indicates that he or she wishes to play using stored cash value.
The gaming machine operations module 143 invokes a stored cash
value play module 170, which presents an interface requesting the
patron to provide authenticating information. Upon submission of
the authenticating information, the stored cash value play module
170 transmits the authenticating information to the server 102,
where it is verified by the stored cash value manager 132. Upon
successful verification, the stored cash value manager 132 provides
a notification to the loyalty program manager 130 that verification
has been successful and provides patron identification information
to the loyalty program manager 130. Because the patron's use of the
gaming machine 118 increases the patron's loyalty point balance but
does not decrease it, the need for security for the patron's
loyalty transactions at the gaming machine 118 is not as great as
for the stored cash value transactions. Therefore, the
responsibility for security is conveniently borne by the stored
cash value manager 132.
[0017] Once authentication has been accomplished, the stored cash
value play module 170 presents the patron with an interface
allowing the patron to transfer credit from the patron stored cash
value account to a local account associated with the gaming machine
118. Suitably, each transfer from the patron stored cash value
account to the gaming machine 118 requires submission of the
patron's authenticating information, so that if a patron leaves his
or her card in the gaming machine 118, a different patron finding
the card will not be able to transfer funds from the original
patron's account.
[0018] The gaming machine operations module 143 controls play,
debiting the machine's local account for wagers and crediting the
account for wins. When the patron wishes to receive his or her
credit from the gaming machine 118, the gaming machine operations
module 143 invokes the stored cash value play module 170, which
directs the stored cash value manager 132 to credit the patron's
stored cash value account and update the patron record accordingly.
For security, the stored cash value play module 170 may be designed
so that machine credit resulting from play following a withdrawal
from a stored value account can only be returned to the patron in
the form of credit to the stored cash value account from which the
original withdrawal was made, and such credit can be accomplished
whether or not the patron's card is present in the machine.
[0019] FIG. 2 illustrates a process 200 of loyalty program and
stored cash value management according to an aspect of the present
invention. The process 200 may suitably be carried out using a
system such as the system 100 of FIG. 1. At step 202, a patron
account is established for one or more patrons, with the patron
account of a patron being associated with information stored in a
computer memory relating to loyalty program account information and
stored cash value account information associated with the patron.
At step 204, an identification token associated with the patron
account is issued to the patron. At step 206, upon an approach of a
patron to a stored cash value transaction machine accepting
deposits, an interface is presented allowing for presentation of
the patron's identification token and submission of authenticating
information.
[0020] At step 208, upon submission of patron identification and
authentication, an interface is presented inviting the patron to
make deposits. At step 210, deposits submitted at the stored cash
value transaction machine are credited to a stored cash value
account of the patron. At step 212, upon a patron election to use
stored cash value at a gaming machine, the patron is invited to
present his or her identification token and to submit
authenticating information. If incorrect authentication information
is presented, the process proceeds to step 214 and the patron
account is suspended. At step 216, upon successful intervention by
a gaming establishment employee, the patron account is reinstated
and the process returns to step 212.
[0021] Returning now to step 212, if correct authentication is
presented, the process skips to step 218 and the patron is
presented with an interface allowing the patron to transfer value
from the patron's stored cash value account to gaming machine
credit for play on the machine. The patron may make additional
transfers as desired, preferably with each transfer requiring
submission of the patron's authentication information. At step 220,
credit is transferred for play on the machine based on the patron's
selections. At optional step 222, upon insertion of currency in a
currency acceptor of the machine, machine credit is added based on
the amount of currency inserted.
[0022] At step 224, as the patron plays the machine, machine credit
is added or deducted based on the patron's wagers and gaming
results. At step 226, upon a patron selection to redeem the machine
credit of the machine, the patron's stored cash value account is
credited in the amount of the machine credit. At step 228, the
patron's loyalty program account is credited based on the patron's
play.
[0023] While the present invention is disclosed in the context of a
presently preferred embodiment, it will be recognized that a wide
variety of implementations may be employed by persons of ordinary
skill in the art consistent with the above discussion and the
claims which follow below.
* * * * *