Gaming voucher redemption kiosk utilizing a recycler, and gaming voucher system and method
View Patent ↗A kiosk system including: multiple kiosks forming a network, each of said multiple kiosks comprising: a housing; a processor configured to control operation of the kiosk; a user interface; a gaming voucher and note input and output; a bill validator configured to identify and validate gaming vouchers and notes, the bill validator further configured to accept one or more gaming vouchers and notes simultaneously; a recycler cassette configured to store notes and gaming vouchers; and a note ejector configured to dispense at least notes commensurate with a value of one or more validated gaming vouchers; and a remote server communicatively linked to the multiple kiosks and a casino management system. Using a bill validator and recycler to accept both notes and gaming vouchers provides a more efficient redemption process for both the players and casinos.
1. A kiosk system comprising:
multiple kiosks forming a network, each of said multiple kiosks comprising:
a housing;
a processor configured to control operation of said kiosk;
a user interface;
a gaming voucher and note input and output;
a bill validator configured to identify and validate customer-inserted gaming vouchers and notes, said bill validator further configured to accept one or more gaming vouchers and notes simultaneously;
a recycler cassette configured to store said customer-inserted notes and gaming vouchers in segregated bins, said customer-inserted notes and gaming vouchers stored with any notes and gaming vouchers already stored in the recycler cassette; and
a note ejector configured to validate and dispense at least notes, including, as needed, said customer-inserted notes and any notes already stored in the recycler cassette from said recycler cassette commensurate with a value of one or more gaming vouchers inserted into said kiosk; and
a remote server communicatively linked to said multiple kiosks and a casino management system.
2. The kiosk system of claim 1 wherein said remote server communicates with said casino management system to authenticate gaming vouchers inserted into said multiple kiosks.
3. The kiosk system of claim 1 wherein each of said multiple kiosks is configured to post funds to an electronic account, closed or open loop debit/credit system, smart card, token device, payer account card, e-wallet or slot voucher.
4. The kiosk system of claim 1 wherein said remote server stores gaming and financial transactions performed at each of said multiple kiosks.
5. The kiosk system of claim 1 wherein said remote server is configured to identify a source of said one or more gaming vouchers.
6. The kiosk system of claim 1 wherein said remote server is physical or virtual.
7. A method comprising:
utilizing a network of kiosks, each kiosk of said network comprising at least a processor, user interface and a gaming voucher and note input and output, and configuring said kiosks for:
accepting one or more gaming vouchers and notes simultaneously;
identifying and validating said one or more customer-inserted gaming vouchers and notes utilizing a bill validator;
storing said customer-inserted validated gaming vouchers and notes in segregated bins of a recycler cassette along with any notes and gaming vouchers already stored in the recycler cassette;
connecting with a casino management system to authenticate said validated gaming vouchers;
requesting notes, including, as needed, said customer-inserted notes and any notes already in the recycler cassette from said recycler cassette to dispense commensurate with said authenticated gaming vouchers;
validating said requested notes to be dispensed; and
dispensing notes, including, as needed, said customer-inserted notes and any notes already in the recycler cassette, from said recycler cassette commensurate with a value of said legitimate gaming vouchers.
8. The method of claim 7 further comprising configuring said kiosks for: escrowing validated gaming vouchers and rejecting invalid vouchers.
9. The method of claim 7 further comprising utilizing an intermediary remote server for connecting with a casino management system to authenticate said validated gaming vouchers.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein said intermediary remote server is physical or virtual.
11. The method of claim 9 further comprising configuring said intermediary remote server to identify a source of said one or more gaming vouchers.
12. A kiosk comprising:
a housing;
a processor configured to control operation of said kiosk;
a user interface;
a gaming voucher and note input and output;
a bill validator configured to identify and validate gaming vouchers and notes, said bill validator further configured to accept one or more customer-inserted gaming vouchers and notes simultaneously;
a recycler cassette configured to store said customer-inserted notes and gaming vouchers in segregated bins, said customer-inserted notes and gaming vouchers stored with any notes and gaming vouchers already stored in the recycler cassette; and
a note ejector configured to validate and dispense at least notes, including, as needed, said customer-inserted notes and any notes and gaming vouchers already stored in the recycler cassette, from said recycler cassette commensurate with a value of one or more gaming vouchers inserted into said kiosk.
13. The kiosk of claim 12 further comprising a communication link with a remote server, said remote server in communication with a casino management system.
14. The kiosk of claim 13 wherein said remote server is configured to identify a source of validated gaming vouchers.
15. The kiosk of claim 13 wherein said casino management system authenticates validated gaming vouchers.