Abstract:
A sports-wagering kiosk including at least a (i) display; (ii) identification card reader; (iii) camera; (iv) processing means; (v) printer; (vi) ticket reader; (vii) bill validator; and (viii) communication link for communicating with a central computer system. The sports-wagering kiosk facilitates a registration and wagering process by: (i) capturing an image of a prospective player; (ii) reading data from an identification card including a photograph; (iii) verifying an age of the prospective player and validity of the identification card based on reading the data therefrom; (iv) transmitting at least some of the data read from the identification card to a central computer system; (v) verifying the identification of the prospective player by comparing the captured photograph to a photograph on the identification card; (vi) once the identification is verified, prompting the prospective player to enter a password; and (vii) printing a receipt with player account information.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The embodiments of the present invention relate to a sports-wagering kiosk configured to register players, accept wagers and payout winnings into player accounts. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Sports wagering is legal in only three states within the United States. However, Nevada is the only state with a full range of legalized sports wagering. To that end, Nevada has sports books in many casinos throughout the state. In Nevada, wagers on sporting events can be made at a sports book counter, online via known mobile applications and kiosks. However, current kiosks suffer from various drawbacks. 
     It would be advantageous to develop a sports-wagering kiosk which overcomes the drawbacks of the current sports-wagering kiosks. 
     SUMMARY 
     Accordingly, one embodiment of the present invention comprises a kiosk comprising at least a (i) display; (ii) identification card reader; (iii) camera; (iv) processing means; (v) printer; (vi) ticket/voucher validator; (vii) bill validator; and (viii) communication link for communicating with a central computer system. Additional components, such as internal power, may be integrated into the kiosk as well. A series of kiosks communicatively linked to a central computer forms a network of kiosks. 
     In practice, the kiosk facilitates a process of registering for a wagering account by: (i) capturing a live picture of a prospective player; (ii) reading information from an identification card including name, address, date of birth and a photograph; (iii) verifying an age of said prospective player and validity of said identification card based on collecting said data information from an identification card including a photograph; (iv) transmitting at least some of said information read from said identification card to a central computer system; (v) verifying the identification of the prospective player by comparing the captured live picture to said photograph on said identification card; (vi) once said identification is verified, prompting said prospective player to create a password; and (vii) printing a receipt with player account information. 
     Other variations, embodiments and features of the present invention will become evident from the following detailed description, drawings and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a block diagram of a kiosk according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a block diagram of a kiosk network according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a flow chart detailing an exemplary registration methodology facilitated by the kiosk according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 4A-4G  illustrate a series of exemplary screen shots of a deposit process associated with the kiosk according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 5A-5D  illustrate a series of exemplary screen shots of a wager process associated with the kiosk according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 6A-6C  illustrate a series of exemplary screen shots of a withdraw process associated with the kiosk according to the embodiments of the present invention; and 
         FIGS. 7A-7F  illustrate an exemplary kiosk housing which may be used to facilitate the embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive feature illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention claimed. 
     Those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments of the present invention involve both hardware and software elements which portions are described below in such detail required to construct and operate a sports-wagering kiosk according to the embodiments of the present invention. 
     As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the present invention may be embodied as a system, method or computer program product. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.), or an embodiment combining software and hardware. Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of a computer program product embodied in one or more computer readable medium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon. 
     Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may be utilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readable storage medium would include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), and optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that can contain or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. 
     A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signal with computer readable program code embodied thereon, for example, in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may take any variety of forms, including, but not limited to, electromagnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. A computer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium that is not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate, propagate, or transport a program for use by or in conjunction with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. 
     Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF and the like, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. 
     Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of the present invention may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like or conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language, AJAX, PHP, HTML, XHTML, Ruby, CSS or similar programming languages. The programming code may be configured in an application, an operating system, as part of a system firmware, or any suitable combination thereof. The programming code may execute entirely on the user&#39;s computer, partly on the user&#39;s computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user&#39;s computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on a remote computer or server as in a client/server relationship sometimes known as cloud computing. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user&#39;s computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider). 
     Aspects of the present invention are described below with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
     These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
     The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices to produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. As used herein, a “terminal” should be understood to be any one of a general purpose computer, as for example a personal computer or a laptop computer, a client computer configured for interaction with a server, a special purpose computer such as a server, or a smart phone, soft phone, tablet computer, personal digital assistant or any other machine adapted for executing programmable instructions in accordance with the description thereof set forth above. 
       FIG. 1  shows a block diagram of a sports-wagering kiosk  100  according to the embodiments of the present invention. The sports-wagering kiosk  100  comprises a user display  105 , information display  110 , identification card reader  115 , camera  120 , processing means  125 , printer  130 , ticket/voucher validator  135 , bill validator  140  and communication link  145  for communicating with a central computer system  150 . The processing means  125  can be a processor or controller or similar programmable hardware and/or software device. The processing means  125  controls the operation of the sports-wagering kiosk  100  and more specifically the displays  105 ,  110 , identification card reader  115 , camera  120 , printer  130 , ticket/voucher validator  135 , bill validator  140  and communication link  145  for communicating with a central computer system  150 . In one embodiment, the sports-wagering kiosk  100  includes two processors comprising a first processor  125 - 1  for controlling the acceptance of sports bets and the account sign-up process and a second processor  125 - 2  for driving the display  110 . The communication link  145  between the sports-wagering kiosk  100  and central computer system  150  may be a wireless system comprising a modem and router, a cellular network, wireless WAN or the like. A wired connection (e.g., cable, fiber optics, etc.) may also be used as the communication link  145  between the sports-wagering kiosk  100  and central computer system  150 . One specific embodiment utilizes a first network card installed in the processor  125 - 1  and a second network card installed in the processor  125 - 2  wherein the two processors  125 - 1  and  125 - 2  are cabled to a network switch connected to a sports book network allowing communications to the central, remote and/or backend systems. The importance of the communication link  145  is described below in detail. 
     In one embodiment, the display  105  integrates touch screen technology rendering the display  105  a user interface through which the player may interact with the sports-wagering kiosk  100 . The user interface may also be in the form of a keyboard, mouse, button panel, track ball and/or joystick. For purposes of describing the sports-wagering kiosk  100  herein, it will be assumed the user interface is the display  105  integrating touch screen technology. Display  110  provides sports wagering data including, for example, current odds and start times and associated with various sporting events. The display  110  may incorporate touch screen technology allowing players to scroll through sporting events. Alternatively, other user interfaces such as buttons or the likes may be integrated into the kiosk  100 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a block diagram of a kiosk network  200  according to the embodiments of the present invention. A plurality of sports-wagering kiosks  100 - 1  through  100 -N are in wired and/or wireless communication with a central computer server  180 . Terminals  155 - 1  through  155 -N are configured to permit backend user communications with the central computer server  180  and related hardware. The central computer server  180  and terminals  155 - 1  through  155 -N broadly define the central computer system  150 . In another embodiment, the central computer system  150  comprises a first primary server (Sports Book Server) configured to handle the sports betting aspects of the present invention and a second server (i.e., Face Server) configured to handle storage of the images of the player and approve new wagering applications (e.g., compare driver license picture to the actual photograph of the player, etc.). Other hardware, such as a database server, internet server and/or website server, and associated software may form part of the central computer system  150 . As described below, the central computer system  150  receives information from the sports-wagering kiosks  100 - 1  through  100 -N and disseminates, or causes the dissemination of, information (e.g., real-time odds of sporting events) to the sports-wagering kiosks  100 - 1  through  100 -N. In this sense, the communication link  145  is bi-directional. 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 7A-7F , the sports-wagering kiosk  100  includes a housing  175  containing and protecting the aforementioned components and any others. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the housing  175  may take on other shapes, dimensions and/or forms. A modified housing may define a standalone device (as shown), wall-mounted device, wall-embedded device and the like. As set forth above, software and/or firmware assist with the operation of the sports-wagering kiosk  100  as detailed below.  FIGS. 7A-7F  show various views of one embodiment of the kiosk  100  and housing  175  which supports displays  105 ,  110 , identification card reader  115 , camera  120 , receipt slot  131 , ticket/voucher validator  135  and bill validator  140 . 
       FIGS. 7C-7F  best show the sports-wagering kiosk  100  in an open arrangement revealing internal components of the sports-wagering kiosk  100 . As shown, a front face portion  176  of the housing  175  disengages from a primary body portion  177  of the housing  175  permitting access to the internal space defined by the housing  175 . The front face portion  176  slides along tracks  178  creating separation from, while in contact with, the primary body portion  177 . Advantageously, many of the components are maintained by the front face portion  176  thereby moving the components out of the primary body portion  177  of the housing  175  for easy access, inspection and/or repair. 
       FIG. 3  shows a flowchart  300  detailing a registration process facilitated by the sports-wagering kiosk  100  and central computer system  150 . The registration process permits prospective players to register for a sports-wagering account after which the registered players may use the sports-wagering kiosk  100  to place wagers on sporting events and accept deposits and withdraws in the form of a voucher for subsequent redemption. At  305 , a prospective player is prompted to insert a driver&#39;s license or identification card issued by a state government. At  310 , the identification card reader  115  reads the magnetic stripe or uses OCR to collect the identification card information and capture the photograph. The identification card reader may also be configured to read rewards player cards and the like. At  315 , the system determines if the identification card is valid as part of the automated account sign up process. This determination may be made locally at the kiosk or at the central computer system  150 . If not, at  320 , a message is displayed indicating that identification card not valid and the prospective player needs a valid identification card to register. At  325 , the system determines if the prospective player is 21 years or older. This determination may be made locally at the kiosk or at the central computer system  150 . If not, at  330 , the system displays a message indicating that the prospective player is not of legal age to register. At  335 , the information read or scanned from the identification card is displayed for confirmation and/or correction of the information and the prospective player is prompted to enter a social security number. At  340 , the camera takes a live picture of the prospective player. A message may be displayed requesting the prospective player stand and face the camera or a point proximate thereto. At  345 , the identification card photograph and live picture are transmitted from the central computer server  180  (or primary server as described above) to a terminal  155  for comparison by a human operator and/or software configured to do so. If necessary, the kiosk may prompt the prospective player for a second live picture due to poor quality of the first. Once a match is confirmed, at  350 , the information from the identification card, social security number and live picture are stored in a database associated with the central computer system  150 . If the identification card photograph and live picture are found to not match, at  355 , a message is displayed indicating that the prospective player needs to visit a live registration location (e.g., casino) to complete the registration process. At  360 , based on a match, a registered player file/wager account is opened on the central computer system  180  and corresponding databases are populated with the information collected from the identification card, social security number and live picture. In a two server embodiment, the live picture is stored on the second server (“Face Server”). At  365 , a message is displayed prompting a prospective player to input a password via said user interface display  105 . At  370 , responsive to acceptance of the password, the kiosk printer  130  prints a ticket with registered player account information depicted thereon. Once registered, the player is able to utilize the kiosk to place wagers, access player account information, deposit money to fund said player account and print winning tickets redeemable at a casino cage or cash kiosk. In one embodiment, the registered player may also wager through a mobile wagering application associated with the operator of the kiosk network  200 . 
       FIGS. 4A-4G  illustrate a series of exemplary screen shots of a deposit process associated with the kiosk according to the embodiments of the present invention.  FIG. 4A  shows a screen shot  401  depicting a touch screen keypad  410  for the player to enter an account ID;  FIG. 4B  shows a screen shot  402  depicting an account ID  415  being entered;  FIG. 4C  shows a screen shot  403  depicting password  420  being entered;  FIG. 4D  shows a screen shot  404  depicting an action interface for a player to select a desired action along with a current account balance  425 ;  FIG. 4E  shows a screen shot  405  depicting a deposit interface  430  or withdraw interface  435 ;  FIG. 4F  shows a screen shot  406  depicting a deposit amount  440  and deposit icon  445 ; and  FIG. 4G  shows a screen shot  407  depicting a deposit amount  450  and deposit icon  455 . 
       FIGS. 5A-5D  illustrate a series of exemplary screen shots of a wager process associated with the kiosk according to the embodiments of the present invention.  FIG. 5A  shows a screen shot  501  depicting a sport-selection interface  510 , account balance  515  and pending ticket window  520 ;  FIG. 5B  shows a screen shot  502  depicting a wager-selection interface  525  of possible NBA wagers, account balance  530  and pending ticket window  535 ;  FIG. 5C  shows a screen shot  503  depicting a wager-selection interface  540  of specific NBA team wagers, account balance  545  and pending ticket window  550 ; and  FIG. 5D  shows a screen shot  504  depicting a wager confirmation interface  555 , account balance  560  and pending ticket window  565 . The pending ticket window  565  shows the particulars of the entered wager. 
       FIGS. 6A-6C  illustrate a series of exemplary screen shots of a withdraw process associated with the kiosk according to the embodiments of the present invention.  FIG. 6A  shows a screen shot  601  depicting a deposit interface  605 , withdraw interface  610  and current account balance  615 ;  FIG. 6B  shows a screen shot  602  depicting a withdraw keypad  620  and current account balance  625 ; and  FIG. 6C  shows a screen shot  603  depicting a withdraw keypad  630  with $25 being withdrawn and current account balance  635 . 
     Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to several embodiments, additional variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.