Electronic gaming account service center
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A service center coupled to a gaming network and to an automatic teller network, comprising:
- a player identifier structured to validate a user as a holder of a player account on the gaming network;
a ticket reader;
a verifier coupled to the player identifier and the ticket reader, and structured to validate a ticket that is inserted into the ticket reader; and
a payment dispenser structured to eject from the service center an amount of value after the ticket is validated.
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Abstract
Embodiments of the invention are directed to a self-service center upon which patrons and casino personnel can perform many casino related functions. For instance, after identifying themselves, a patron could access their player account to determine an account balance, or redeem some or all of their accumulated points for benefits, such as “comps”, promotions, coupons, cash, etc. Additionally the patron could “buy” additional bonus points, thereby increasing the number of accumulated bonus points in their account. The service center could also be connected to an ATM for dispersing funds or transferring funds to a player account.
187 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A service center coupled to a gaming network and to an automatic teller network, comprising:
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a player identifier structured to validate a user as a holder of a player account on the gaming network;
a ticket reader;
a verifier coupled to the player identifier and the ticket reader, and structured to validate a ticket that is inserted into the ticket reader; and
a payment dispenser structured to eject from the service center an amount of value after the ticket is validated. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A service center structured to be coupled to a gaming network and to an automated teller network, the service center comprising:
a ticket printer structured to print a ticket after receiving a command from the gaming network. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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10. A standalone service center that is coupled to a gaming network and that is structured to:
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present transaction choices to a user and accept a selected choice;
verify an identity of a user having a player account;
accept a ticket at a ticket reader;
validate the accepted ticket by comparing it to data stored on the gaming network; and
provide a benefit to the user. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of servicing a player account, comprising:
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accepting an input at a station that is coupled to a gaming network;
identifying a player having an account based on the input;
accepting a ticket at a ticket reader;
verifying authenticity of the ticket;
providing something of value to the player; and
recording that the ticket has been redeemed. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of servicing a player account at a service center coupled to a gaming network on which a plurality of player accounts are stored, the method comprising:
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establishing a data connection to the gaming network;
accepting an identification of a user;
comparing information from the identification to user data stored on the gaming network;
authorizing the user when the information matches the stored user data;
accepting a ticket from the user;
comparing data from the ticket to ticket data stored on the gaming network; and
providing something of value to the user if the data from the ticket matches the stored ticket data. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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Specification