WO2017146565A1

WO2017146565A1 - System and method of processing gaming machine payout wirelessly

Info

Publication number: WO2017146565A1
Application number: PCT/MY2017/000006
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jonathan SIAH POI CHONG
Original assignee: Three Logic Concepts Sdn. Bhd.
Priority date: 2016-02-25
Filing date: 2017-02-14
Publication date: 2017-08-31

Abstract

A system and method of processing payout request for an asset wirelessly; an asset may be a gaming machine such as slot machine, electronic table games, pachinko, VLT and include these steps: Launch App on mobile device; User logon; Scan QR code or NFC tag on asse; Veriff asset detail. The asset is identified using the asset identifier(s) extracted from the QR code or NFC tag. This identifier is used to retrieve the correct asset details from system seryer database; Retrieve asset details; Input requested payout type and amount; Snap a picture using mobile device camera; Create PIN for the transaction; Submit request above to system server wirelessly. Cashier retrieves record from EPOS, confirms/authenticates request then makes payout.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD OF PROCESSING GAMING MACHINE PAYOUT WIRELESSLY

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention generally relates to system and method for processing gaming machine payout. In particular, the invention relates to system and method for processing gaming machine payout request wirelessly using mobile device, mobile printer, card reader tags, such as Quick Response (QR) codes and Near Field Communication (NFC).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The estimated number of legally installed gaming machines worldwide for the year 2014 is 7,723,066 as per research results released by Gaming Technologies Association, Australia in March 2015. This gaming machines figure includes slot machine, pachinko, electronic table games and Video Lottery Terminal (VLT) in legalized gaming region.

Typically gaming machines (herein referred as "asset") are either operated standalone or physically linked to specific gaming management system (GMS) for accounting and marketing purpose. For payout request processing of standalone offline or over limit gaming machine, an employee of the venue would usually issue a payout request voucher and may be a picture of the gaming machine display screen or player national identity card (ID), driving license, passport, or membership card taken as proof.

With conventional manual process, employee would have to issue a payment voucher containing the machines unique id (serial no., asset or location ID), game details as well as time and date, photo taking using a camera and may require to include player's details for the said payout as a method of verification. As for gaming machines linked to GMS, the processing is usually performed through GMS but a camera may still be required to have a photo as proof; and having camera with multiple pictures stored in its memory might lengthen the process of retrieving the correct photo for verification purpose during payout.

In the United States, it is a requirement that a declaration to be signed to report win or payout if the amount of payout exceeds a certain predetermined amount. This is generally used for reporting gambling winnings and any federal income tax withheld on those winnings and generally performed through form w2g.

All the above cause longer period to process the payout. Also papers required for manual processing add to the cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the main object of the present invention is to provide system and method of processing gaming machine payout wirelessly as well as process tax withholding to assist gaming machine operators and their winning customers to meet the money laundering requirements in countries where such acts exist.

In order to achieve the above mentioned object the invention discloses a method of processing gaming machine payout wirelessly. The method includes receiving an asset input at a mobile device, the asset input is an asset unique identifier, retrieving the asset details at the mobile device using the asset identifier, sending output of the retrieved asset details to an application installed on the mobile device, receiving a request input, the request input comprising asset details, payout type, payout amount, picture and Personal Identification Number (PIN) or scan player national ID and capture the image of the national ID, driving license, passport or membership card which is supported by OCR using a compatible mobile card reader such as magnetic strip, smart card or Radio Frequency ID or using player lookup or search if existing member on the payout application, transmitting the payout request to a system server by a processor and processing the payout request with at back of house or cashier or EPOS (Electronic Point of Sale) upon verification of the payout information. The cashier or EPOS could be a desktop application available for certain desktop operating systems or web applet which is web based program and compatible with most internet browser on both desktop and mobile operating systems. The processed payout will also be converted into a Portable Document Format (PDF) format for easy storage and future file auditing purposes. In another aspect the invention discloses a system of processing gaming machine payout wirelessly. The system includes a mobile device having a payout request application for requesting or initiating a payout request, retrieving asset details using the asset identifier, receiving a payout request input, the payout request input comprising at least asset details, payout type, payout amount, picture of the gaming machine and T-PIN or by scanning a player's national ID, driving license, passport, or membership card using a mobile card reader and a processor for verification of the payout details and transmission of a request to the system server and for processing the payout request. A mobile printer is provided and is connected to the mobile device either via cable or wirelessly (Bluetooth, WiFi or others). The mobile printer is used for printing a payout request receipt once a request is made. The player will take the receipt to a cashier to claim the winning amount.

The present invention also provides that the mobile device to be supported by an Optical Character Recognition (OCR) function. The OCR function enables the mobile device to determine various factors such as the first and last names and to read non- Latin characters such as Chinese characters and store them in the same way the Latin characters are read and stored.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a QR code label for use on a gaming machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 illustrates payout request processing screen for a payout Application in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 5 illustrates an asset on premises.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiment enables an authorized employee ("User") to request gaming machine payout using dedicated mobile device. In an embodiment the said employee uses the pre-installed mobile device payout application ("App") and verifies the gaming machine ("Asset") details by manually entering the unique id of the gaming machine or using the integrated mobile device camera to scan a QR code within the App.

The QR code contains the gaming machine unique ID, namely the asset identifier. In an embodiment the User can choose the payout request type such as "Cancel Credits", "Jackpot", "Progressives" and "Others" followed by requested amount. The request type and request need to be made known before w2g need to be invoked if enabled.

If proof of picture is required for the request, User will snap a photo using the mobile device camera which will be attached to the payout request. In an alternative embodiment, if the gaming machine is equipped with an internal video encoder or recorder for the main display that is compatible with the App and system, a snapshot of the main display can be obtained from the gaming machine and the same can be shared with the App without the need to invoke the mobile device camera.

In an embodiment the User is able to review the request before submitting. In an embodiment the User may optionally request for customer to input a 4-digit T-PIN) to protect its payout request for non-member. T-PIN is to be set by player/customer. In an embodiment the submitted request will be stored in system server pending processing by the system EPOS. In an embodiment the User of the system EPOS will process the payment request by verifying the asset details along with picture proof also T-PIN if created; or membership/ID with photo attached during processing at App.

Processed payout may be handed directly to customer or employee on behalf of customer.

Scanning a QR code is much more convenient and accurate than manual input of asset's unique identifier. Consumers are now becoming more familiar with scanning QR codes to access online information or to add friends in social networks apps including online chats. A QR code is commonly used on advertising and marketing materials to access further information on the product. These QR codes contain URL to access the relevant online web page.

The mobile device can be identified using a unique identifier from the mobile device itself; and the User through login credentials.

The app may be installed on iPhone Operating System (Apple IOS™) devices by downloading through Apple Appstore™, directly installed via USB or ad-hoc wireless distribution over Internet known as OTA (Over-the-Air)

In an embodiment, a dedicated system server may be installed in a premises either on or off-site or hosted and the mobile devices running the App will connect to the system over a wireless network (WiFi) or securely over mobile communication network such as but not limited to GSM, 4G/LTE, CDMA and others while adopting security standards such as VPN, Encryption or other widely available standards. This approach will ensure mobility, better data integrity, confidentiality and optimum system performance. In an embodiment, a database will be used to store the asset and payout request details, as well as User login credentials. The EPOS system as well as both mobile and desktop printer connection may also be stored. The asset identifier is used to retrieve the asset details from the database. Current date and time from the mobile device will be used for payout request timestamp. The communication between mobile device, EPOS or web module and system utilize mixture of Web API (Application Programming Interface) technologies such as JavaScript Object Notation fJSON) ^and Representational State Transfer (REST) using http over Internet Protocol (IP) as the underlying communication method; as well as Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) over IP.

In an embodiment, the EPOS User's unique login may be used to identify the EPOS processing the payout request. The identifier may include existing MAC address and User processing will be tracked using the login credentials.

FIG. 1 illustrates a tag, in this embodiment a QR code label, for use on a gaming machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. With reference to FIG. 1, a QR code label 102 has an area 104 displaying the logo or name of the establishment, a QR code barcode 106 and a text area 108 printed with human readable asset identifier, to assist in correct placement of the label. The label 102 is shown on asset (not to scale).

FIG. 2 illustrates payout request screen of the mobile device App. With reference to FIG. 2, the payout request screen 202 is shown schematically upon successful User logon, as displayed on the display of the mobile device by the App. Name of User logged onto the App is displayed 204 along with mobile device time and date 206; and connection status User may use the QR Scan 228 to read QR Code for asset identifier; or manually input the identifier 226 followed by Enter 212. This will cause the App to transmit asset identifier to system server to retrieve asset details 214 as shown on the App.

Once the downloaded asset details 214 are verified, User may proceed to select the payout amount Type 224 which could be in Credits or Currency value. If input is in Credits, the App will auto calculate to currency value based on the denomination retrieved in asset details. Next would be to input the payout amount 216 which could be in Credits or Currency as selected in payout amount Type 224. Pre-programmed frequently used payout Reason 218 such as Cancel Credit 'CCR', Jackpot ']ΚΡ', Progressive 'PRO' and Others ΌΤΗ' are available for User selection.

User may be required to snap a picture automatically as proof; or manually by selecting the Camera 220 function to control the built-in mobile device camera. On an alternative embodiment, the Camera 220 can be replaced with a snaphot from internal video recorder/encoder whereby the snapshot can be obtained from the gaming machine itself and the same can be shared with the mobile device to process payout. Once the details and picture have been entered, User may proceed to Submit 210 the request to system server which the App will then invoke a Confirmation 230 dialog box displaying the Details 232 of the payout request entered with option to include Comments 234 and if necessary the App will also invoke w2g and anti-money laundering requirements. Selecting Confirm will transmits and store the request in currency value in system server; and Cancel will return to App screen 202. Bottom button provides shortcut to various tabs 222 within the App. With reference to FIG. 3, the following steps are performed:

302 Launch App

The mobile device App is launched to begin the process. The App may previously have been downloaded and installed from Apple Appstore™, directly installed via USB, or ad- hoc or enterprise wireless distribution over Internet (OTA). A unique identifier may be provided by the device or App.

304 User Logon

Users will be required to enter their login credentials for use of the App. Login ID may be in alphanumeric or numeric only.

306 Scan QR Code, or Manual Input and 308 Asset Identifier

The App may use an embedded QR code scanner to control the camera and scan the QR code on the asset. The asset identifier is extracted from the QR code. Alternatively the asset id can be keyed-in manually.

An alternative to the QR code and QR code scanner is to use an NFC (Near Field Communication) tag on the asset and NFC reader where present in the mobile device. In this case, the asset data is extracted by swiping the mobile device over the tag.

310 Verify Details

The asset details are identified using the asset identifier extracted from the QR code. The details are used to correctly identify the asset requesting for payout from the system server database. The system server is accessed from the App on the mobile device by calling web services over WiFi network. 312 Amount Type

User is required to select the input amount type; credits or currency value. This is required as some assets only displays the balance in credits; if credits is selected and entered, the App will calculate the actual currency value based on the asset's denomination information extracted from system server after retrieving details of the asset either by reading QR code or manual input.

314 Payout Amount

User is then required to input the requested payout amount; where the amount may be in credits or currency value as selected in step 312. The amount is usually displayed on the asset main display, overhead link progressive display, or amount agreed by management if in a case of dispute or complimentary.

316 Payout Reason

Next, User is to select the pre-defined reason for the payout request; 'CCR' = Cancel Credit, 'JKP' = Jackpot, 'PRO' = Progressive and ΌΤΗ' = Others.

318 Picture

User can set a defined value i.e. threshold for minimum amount for a picture is required for payout request or by pay type. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the secondary verification is a picture of the asset's main display. Having said that, the picture can also be other elements rather than the asset. If system server is configured to require picture as proof for payout request exceeding the defined value, the App will automatically invoke a camera such as a mobile device built-in camera to snap a picture of either the asset's main display or others that display(s) the payout amount. If a snapshot compatible internal video recorder/encoder is configured, App will automatically request for direct snapshot if available. If preferred, User may also manually invoke the device built-in camera or snapshot to capture and attach an image even if the payout amount is less than the defined value.

320 Confirmation

Upon completing steps 302 to 318, User then submits the payout request with the details manually keyed-in and/or captured. A confirmation dialog with the entered details will be displayed and a comment field available for entering notes for the said transaction before the App transmits the request to system via either WiFi, Cellular network or any other means of connectivity to the server. If w2g and/or money laundering requirements are invoked, the player's ID or passport can be scanned for creating the relevant records.

322 Transmit Request

Once the system server successfully receives the request and store in the database, a transaction identifier (Transaction ID) will be assigned to the said request and then output to the App.

324 PIN Input

With the returned "Transaction ID" in Step 322, the App will prompt User or player to create optional Transaction PIN (T-PIN) to protect the payout request transaction which is now stored in the system server. If a PIN is created, the App will then update the transaction with the T-PIN.

326 Process at EPOS)

User at EPOS may proceed to process the received payout request transaction by verifying the details listed in the transaction as well as picture (if available). T-PIN verification may be required at the EPOS if the transaction is T-PIN protected during creation of the request in the App (T-PIN) or membership PIN or ID/Passport.

328 Payment completed FIG. 4 illustrates the system process flow for each payout request; the mobile device 402 has an App 410 stored in its memory. The App 410 may be downloaded and installed on the mobile device 402. When one or more sequences of the machine-readable program instructions of the App 410 are loaded into the Central Processing Unit (CPU) 404 of the mobile device, the CPU 404 executes the program instructions of the App. This causes the processor to execute the steps 310 to 324 of FIG. 3. The QR code reader 412 may be an embedded component within the App which accesses the mobile device 402 camera 406. The App 410 may access local mobile device database 408, and accesses the system server 414 via web services 422 over WiFi or Cellular network 420, for example using Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) or Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS).

The database 408 on the mobile device 402 stores information such as previous transactions history for ease of referencing. Asset details downloaded from the system server 414 may be cached locally on the mobile device database 408 for performance reasons. In this case, a check may be made when the App 410 is launched.

The camera 406 may be controlled by the QR code reader 412 within the App 410.

If the system server is hosted locally, then it will be accessed via Local Area Network (LAN) or WiFi. However, if the system server is hosted remotely, then it will be accessed via Wide Area Network (WAN) or Extranet. There may be a number of components within the platform, and these are described below. The system server implements web services for access by the mobile device App using a web service module 422. When one or more sequences of the machine-readable program instructions of the web services module 422 are loaded into the platform CPU 416, the CPU 416 executes the program instructions of the web services module 422. Web services interfaces may use JSON or REST technologies and use HTTP over IP as the underlying communication method.

The system database 418 stores asset details, user credentials, payout transactions and may be picture. The system EPOS and printer 424 connection and authentication information are also stored.

The asset details retrieved from the read QR code or manual entry by User may be used to verify the asset requesting for payout. The system EPOS/Printer 424 is an integrated part of the system deployed in each premises.

FIG. 5 illustrates an asset at a premises 502 with an asset 504. A QR code 506 is shown at the asset 504, having been used to retrieve asset details from system server 414; and mobile device camera 406 may be used to snap a photo of asset 504 main display 508 such as a NFC tag 510 as proof attached with payout request in accordance with an embodiment.

Embodiments provide a process of scanning a QR code or manual entry to identify the asset details and include location, and may not be a fixed URL as in normal usage. Embodiments provide a system which output retrieved asset details to App on mobile device based on the asset id scanned by QR code or manual entry on App on mobile device. Retrieved asset details may then be submitted for payout request with additional information such as payout amount, type and may be picture and PIN.

Embodiments may include the steps of:

• Scanning QR code from the App or manual entry for asset unique identifier. The QR code contains the asset identifier.

• Output retrieved asset details to App.

· Routing the payout request to system server for further action using the correct protocol and network.

• Further embodiments may include variations:

• Multiple premises connected to a central server; multi-site. Apart from gaming machine, an asset may be but not limited to other gaming equipment or machine such as table games, electronic table games and others. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be used at other premises. Option to manually enter asset identifier instead of scanning QR code is also provided. QR code can be a URL with encoded identifiers or encode the asset identifier. The QR code could also be replaced or supplemented by an NFC tag and read by an in-device or mobile device NFC reader such as an in-phone NFC reader.

The system may also be implemented on other mobile devices such as but not limited to Android™, Windows Phone™ or Windows RT™. The mobile device may be provided by the proprietor of the premises, such as the casino or gaming hall owner, with appropriate security measures to prevent or deter theft.

Claims

1. A method of processing gaming machine payout wirelessly, the method comprising the steps of:

a) receiving an asset input at a mobile device, the asset input is an asset unique identifier;

b) retrieving the asset details at the mobile device using the asset identifier;

c) sending output of the retrieved asset details to a payout application installed on the mobile device;

d) receiving a request input, the request input comprising asset details, payout type, payout amount and a player's personal details obtained from his national identity card, passport or member identity card on the payout application;

e) transmitting the payout request to a system server by a processor; and f) processing the payout request by an Electronic Point of Sale (EPOS) upon verification of the payout information.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the request input includes a picture of the asset's main display which can be captured using a mobile device camera which is then attached to a payout request or, if the gaming machine is equipped with an internal video encoder or recorder that is compatible with the App, a snapshot of asset's main display can be obtained from the gaming machine directly and the snapshot can be shared with the App once the App requests the snapshot from the internal video encoder/ recorder. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the asset input is received by a processor reading is a Quick Response (QR) code or scanned Near Field Communication (NFC) tag at the asset or manual input/entry.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the QR code comprises the asset identifier.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the asset input is received by a processor reading is a QR code comprising the encoded asset identifier.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the asset input is received by a processor reading a transmission from an electronic tag at the asset. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the transmission from the electronic tag comprises the asset identifier.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the asset input is by user entry of the asset identifier.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the asset's details retrieved from system server either on premise or off location.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein payout request receipts are printed by a printer, preferably a mobile printer.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the processed payout receipts are stored, preferably in a Portable Document Format (PDF) format. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein picture of the gaming machine main display and PIN or by scanning a player's national ID, driving license, passport, or swipe membership card using a mobile card reader.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile device is supported by an Optical Character Recognition (OCR) function which enable the mobile device to determine various factors such as the first and last names, address as appearing in the identity card, passport, member identity card number, birth date, nationality etc. and to read and store non-Latin characters such as Chinese characters in the same way of reading and storing Latin characters.

15. A method of processing gaming machine payout wirelessly, the method comprising requesting for payout in accordance with the method of claim 1 and making payout at least one asset corresponding to the retrieved asset details.

16. A system of processing gaming machine payout wirelessly, comprising:

a) a mobile device having a payout application for:

1) receiving an asset input, wherein the asset input is an asset unique identifier;

2) retrieving asset details using the asset identifier;

3) receiving a payout request input, the payout request input comprising at least asset details, payout type, payout amount and Transaction Personal Identification Number (T-PIN) or member ID or National ID/Passport;

b) a processor for verification of the payment details and transmission of a request to the system server; and

c) an Electronic Point of Sale (EPOS) for processing the payout request and printing receipt of the payout transaction,

wherein the asset input is received by the processor by one of reading a Quick Response (QR) code or scanning a Near Communication Field (NFC) tag displayed at the asset or manual entry.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the payout request input includes a picture of the asset input using a mobile device camera which is attached to a payout request or, if the gaming machine is provided with an internal video recorder/encoder that is compatible with the App, a snapshot of main display can be obtained from the gaming machine and the same can be shared with the App.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the mobile device comprises an inbuilt camera for capturing the picture of the gaming machine.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein the mobile device comprises a QR code reader for reading a QR code displayed at the asset.

20. The system of claim 16, wherein the mobile device comprises a NFC code scanner for scanning a NFC tag displayed at the asset.

21. The system of claim 16, wherein the gaming machine comprises a database for storing asset details, User credentials, payout transactions, picture of the gaming machine and EPOS and printer connection and authentication information.

22. The system of claim 16, wherein payout receipts for both request for payment and processed payment are printed by a printer, preferably a mobile printer.

23. The system of claim 16, wherein the processed payout receipts are stored, preferably in a Portable Document Format (PDF) format.

24. The system of claim 16, wherein picture of the gaming machine and PIN or by scanning a player's national ID, driving license, passport, or swiping membership card using a mobile card reader. 25. The system of claim 16, wherein the mobile device is supported by an Optical Character Recognition (OCR) function which enable the mobile device to determine various factors such as the first, middle and last names and to convert non-Latin characters such as Chinese characters into Latin characters and vice versa.