Abstract:
In one embodiment according to the present disclosure, a method is disclosed comprising (a) printing at least one image onto a scrip; (b) printing a face value onto the scrip; (c) providing the scrip to a commercial establishment after step (a) has been performed; (d) printing a unique identifier on the scrip after step (c) has been performed, the unique identifier being machine readable; and (e) activating the scrip in a database associated with the commercial establishment either simultaneously with or after the performance of step (d), resulting in the scrip being assigned a redemption value within the commercial establishment equal to the face value of the scrip.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to currency substitutes, also referred to as vouchers, tickets or scrip, that can be used as cash-equivalents in a particular commercial environment, such as in a casino, a retail store, or on a cruise ship, for example, but are not legal tender. For the purposes of this application, the term “scrip” is intended to mean any type of currency substitute that is not legal tender. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0002]    The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings certain embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are employed for designating the same elements throughout the several figures. In the drawings: 
           [0003]      FIG. 1  is a schematic drawing illustrating exemplary arrangements of components in a currency-handling device for printing identification means and dispensing a unit of scrip; 
           [0004]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  show the front side of a first exemplary unit of scrip before and after an identification means has been printed thereon; 
           [0005]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  show the front side of a second exemplary unit of scrip before and after an identification means has been printed thereon; 
           [0006]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  show the front and rear sides of a third exemplary unit of scrip after an identification means has been printed on the front side thereof; and 
           [0007]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  show the front and rear sides of a fourth exemplary unit of scrip after an identification means has been printed thereon; 
           [0008]      FIG. 6  is a schematic drawing showing the relationships between components of an exemplary gaming environment that will dispense and/or accept scrip; and 
           [0009]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  are flow charts illustrating exemplary methods of printing, activating, dispensing, and accepting an instrument of scrip. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0010]    In describing the embodiments of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be used for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, it being understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents operating in similar manner to accomplish similar purpose. It is understood that the drawings are not drawn exactly to scale. 
         [0011]    The following describes particular embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the embodiments detailed herein. The present invention may be incorporated into existing machines or, alternatively, the system may be incorporated into newly manufactured machines. 
         [0012]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary embodiment of a system  10  will be described. In this embodiment, the system  10  is an automated teller machine (“ATM”), though it should be understood that the system  10  could also be a gaming machine (such as a slot machine or video poker machine), a kiosk, a bill-breaking machine, a cage dispenser, or any other type of currency-handling device within the scope of this invention. 
         [0013]    In this embodiment, the currency-handling device  10  is configured to dispense scrip having fixed denominations pre-printed thereon, and may optionally be configured to also dispense cash (i.e. legal tender) or tickets whereon the monetary value of the scrip or ticket is printed just prior to dispensation to the user. PCT International Application No. PCT/US2011/021354, filed Jan. 14, 2011, entitled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISPENSING NON-CASH CURRENCY IN A GAMING ENVIRONMENT, discloses various systems and methods for dispensing non-cash currency items which may be utilized in conjunction with the herein described systems and methods. The disclosure of PCT International Application No. PCT/US2011/021354 is incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth. 
         [0014]    For purposes of this application, the term “scrip” is intended to mean a paper ticket that is not legal tender but, when activated, has a cash value within a particular commercial establishment. 
         [0015]    Referring again to  FIG. 1 , in this embodiment the currency-handling device  10  comprises at least one cassette  12  which holds pre-printed scrip, a dispensing path  14 , an identification (hereinafter “ID”) printer  16 , and an exit  18 . In this embodiment, the unique identifier (which may be, for example, a barcode) is activated when the unique identified is printed onto the scrip. Alternatively, the currency-handling device  10  may comprise an ID validator  20 , which validates the barcode or other identification means immediately after it has been printed onto the scrip. 
         [0016]    Alternatively, if an ID validator is included in the currency-handling device  10 , the unique identifier may be pre-printed on the scrip when it is loaded into the cassette, with the identification means being activated immediately prior to dispensation of the scrip from the currency-handling device  10 . 
         [0017]    Preferably, the scrip is similar or identical in physical dimensions and characteristics to the legal tender of the location of the gaming environment (for example, in gaming environments in the United States, the scrip would have similar or identical dimensions and characteristics to U.S. Federal Reserve Notes), so that scrip could be dispensed using existing devices that were originally designed to dispense the respective legal tender. 
         [0018]    With reference to  FIGS. 2A-3B , two exemplary embodiments of scrip are shown. In the example shown in  FIG. 2A , the scrip  30  is loaded into the cassette  12  of the currency-handling device  10  with other scrip having the same denomination pre-printed thereon (in this example, $100). The front side  32  of the scrip  30  may also be pre-printed with an illustration, casino information, an advertisement, or any other suitable graphic. When loaded into the cassette  12 , the scrip  30  preferably contains a blank area  34 , as shown in  FIG. 2A . When a user of the currency-handling device  10  selects the total value of scrip to be dispensed from the currency-handling device  10 , scrip  30  is moved from the cassette  12  into the dispensing path  14  into a position adjacent the ID printer  16 . The ID printer  16  then prints a unique ID  36  in the area  34  and the unique ID  36  is immediately activated in the system used to track scrip value. The activated scrip  30 , as depicted in  FIG. 2B , is then ejected from the currency-handling device  10  to the user via exit  18 . Alternatively, as noted above, the scrip  30  is passed through an ID validator  20  prior to being exited from the currency-handling device. In an additional alternative, as stated above, the ID validator  20  could be used to activate scrip which had the identification means pre-printed thereon at the time the scrip was loaded into the cassette  12 . 
         [0019]    A second embodiment of scrip  40  is depicted in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . Like the scrip  30  described above, the scrip  40  is pre-printed with a particular monetary denomination (in this example, $50) and loaded into the cassette  12  of the currency-handling device  10  with a blank area  44  located on the front side  42  thereof. Before dispensation to the user, a unique ID  46  is printed in the area  44 . In the above-described examples of scrip  30 ,  40 , the unique IDs  36 ,  46  are creatively incorporated into the pre-printed image on the respective front sides  32 ,  42  of the scrip  30 ,  40 . Preferably, the blank area  44  is bordered on at least one side by a pre-printed image on the scrip  30 ,  40 . More preferably, the pre-printed image forms a perimeter that envelops the blank area  44 . 
         [0020]    By providing scrip  30 ,  40  with pre-printed images thereon and printing the IDs  36 ,  46  at the dispensing point enables the scrip  30 ,  40  to have a much more attractive appearance than traditional gaming tickets or vouchers, which are typically printed in their entirety at the dispensing point. Optionally, the IDs  36 ,  46  could be printed onto the scrip  30 ,  40  after the commercial establishment in which the scrip  30 ,  40  is used takes possession of the scrip  30 ,  40  but prior to being loaded into the dispensing point or device. For example, a casino could print IDs onto scrip at the time cassettes are loaded. This alternative procedure may be preferred when scrip is being used in currency-handling device that does not have the capability to rapidly print IDs onto scrip. 
         [0021]    In addition, as noted above, it is preferable that that pre-printed images be selected so that the unique identifier is visually-incorporated into a portion of the pre-printed imagery. For example, printing a conventional bar code where the frets of a guitar would normally appear, as illustrated in scrip  40 . 
         [0022]    An additional advantage associated with the use of scrip as an alternative to cash in a gaming environment is a substantial reduction in the amount of operating capital that the casino is required to maintain in the various ATMs, kiosks, and other currency-handling devices  10  which are located in the casino. In addition, validation of the identification means just prior to dispensation of the scrip from the currency-handling device  10  provides a security measure against currency-handling device  10  tampering and counterfeiting of scrip. For example, if an individual were to break in to an ATM which contained only un-activated scrip, the individual would not be able to obtain any item of redeemable monetary value. Moreover, there is an extremely low likelihood that a counterfeiter could successfully replicate an ID that is currently registered in the casino database as having a monetary value associated with it. 
         [0023]    In addition, scrip has several advantages over traditional tickets or vouchers. For example, in a casino environment, patrons are more likely to spend cash (or cash-equivalent currency) if provided as scrip in smaller denominations, instead of as a single voucher. Scrip can also be used in existing ATMs with less modification than would be required for vouchers because the scrip can be stored and dispensed in the same manner as cash instruments (i.e. legal tender), as described above. 
         [0024]    A third embodiment of scrip  50  is shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B . In this embodiment, the ID  56  is printed only on the front side  52  of the scrip  50 . In this embodiment, the rear side  53  of the scrip  50  contains a pre-printed graphic image, but not an ID. 
         [0025]    A fourth embodiment of scrip  60  is shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B . In this embodiment, an ID  66   a  is printed on the front side  62  of the scrip  60  and an ID  66   b  is printed on the rear side  63  of the scrip  60 . In this embodiment, the two IDs  66   a,    66   b  are identical. In situations where the image scanner in a gaming machine, ATM, or other currency-handling device  10  is only capable of reading one side of the scrip  60 , the inclusion of IDs  66   a,    66   b  on both the front  62  and rear  63  sides of the scrip  60  eliminates the need for the patron to be exact when inserting the scrip  60  into the currency-handling device  10 . 
         [0026]    A fifth embodiment of scrip  70  is shown in  FIGS. 8A and 8B . In this embodiment, a facing and orientation marking  74  and an ID  76  are printed on the front side  72  of the scrip  70 . The purpose of the facing and orientation marking  74  is to enable handling equipment to identify whether the face  72  of the scrip  70  is facing forward and whether the scrip  70  is in a top-edge-up orientation. In this embodiment, the facing and orientation marking  74  is either not provided on the rear side  73  of the scrip  70 , a different facing and orientation marking is provided, or the facing and orientation marking  74  is provided in a different location. Alternatively, the ID  76  itself could function as a facing and orientation marking if either no ID or a different ID was provided on the rear side  73 . If the ID  76  is to function as a facing and orientation marking, it is preferable that the ID  76  not be centered vertically and horizontally and/or that the ID  76  be asymmetrical so that the orientation of the scrip  70  can be determined from the position of the ID  76  on the scrip  70  and/or orientation of the ID  76 . 
         [0027]    A sixth embodiment of the scrip  90  is shown in  FIGS. 9A and 9B . In this embodiment, the scrip  90  is provided to the commercial establishment in which it is used with pre-printed images, but not a face value  98  or ID  96 . This optional method gives the commercial establishment in which scrip  90  is used additional flexibility in the use of scrip  90 . For example, the commercial establishment in which the scrip  90  is used could print the face value  98  and the ID  96  onto the scrip  90  just prior to loading the scrip  90  into a cassette to be used in a currency-dispensing device. Alternatively, the commercial establishment in which the scrip  90  is used could print the face value just prior to loading the scrip  90  into a cassette to be used in a currency-dispensing device and print the  98  and the ID  96  onto the scrip  90  when the scrip  90  is being dispensed from the currency-dispensing device. 
         [0028]    Providing the scrip  90  to the commercial establishment in which the scrip  90  is used without a face value  98  provides the commercial establishment with more flexibility in the use of the scrip  90  and enables it to maintain a smaller inventory of uncirculated scrip. 
         [0029]    Referring again to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 A and  2 B, it should be understood that, in order to satisfy user requests for different quantities of scrip, the currency-handling device  10  may comprise multiple cassettes, each cassette holding pre-printed scrip of a different denomination. These denominations may be pre-selected based on the issued currency of the market in which the currency-handling device  10  is being used. For example, in gaming environments in the United States, the currency-handling device  10  may comprise separate cassettes holding scrip in denominations of U.S.D. $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100. Alternatively, the currency-handling device  10  may contain a single cassette, and restrict the user to select a scrip withdrawal amount that is a multiple of the denomination of scrip contained in the single cassette, for example multiples of $20. 
         [0030]    It should be understood that the ID  36  may be any optical machine-readable representation of data, including, but not limited to, linear/one-dimensional barcodes or two-dimensional matrix codes, symbologies, or geometric figures or patterns. In this embodiment, currency-handling devices throughout the casino, for example gaming machines, kiosks, bill-breaking machines, or cage dispensers, are equipped with optical image readers capable of reading the IDs which are printed on the scrip. For linear/one-dimensional IDs, the optical image reader may be a standard barcode scanner, which uses a single photosensor and performs a manual “scrubbing” of the barcode from one side of the barcode to the other. If a two-dimensional or matrix barcode is used as the ID, a manual barcode reader may not be capable of reading the information contained in the ID. In these cases, a charge-couple device (“CCD”) or a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (“CMOS”) sensor may be used to capture an image of the ID. It will be appreciated by one having ordinary skill in the art that many other types of image-capturing devices may be suitable for extracting information from the ID, without deviating from the scope of this invention. 
         [0031]    The ID  36  is a unique identifier of the value of the scrip  30 . When the ID  36  is validated by the currency-handling device  10 , the unique data associated with the ID  36  is preferably registered with an existing system and database that manages gaming vouchers and other currency instruments, for example an existing ticket-in, ticket-out (“TITO”) database. 
         [0032]    An illustrative TITO database  116  is shown in  FIG. 6 . The exemplary gaming environment  100  illustrated in  FIG. 6  includes an ATM  102 , a kiosk  110 , a cage dispenser  112 , and a gaming machine  108 . In this embodiment, the ATM  102  and the kiosk  110  are connected to a remote or offsite ATM processing server  106  through a network firewall  104 . The ATM  102 , kiosk  110 , gaming machine  108 , and cage dispenser  112  are all connected to a gaming server  114 , which is also connected to the TITO database  116  and a players&#39; club database  118  (which contains, amongst other data, patron account information). 
         [0033]    The ID printer  16  and/or ID validator  20  in the currency-handling device (for example one of the ATM  102 , gaming machine  108 , or kiosk  110 ) is preferably connected to the gaming server  114 , so that the value of the scrip  30  is set to face value (in this example, $100) in the TITO database  116  when the ID  36  is printed on the scrip  30  or is read by the ID validator  20  in the dispensing path  14 . A similar configuration could be used in dispensing machines used by casino employees within the casino cage (for example cage dispenser  112 ). 
         [0034]    An example of a method  200  of implementing and dispensing scrip in a casino gaming environment is shown in  FIG. 7A . In this exemplary method  200 , the scrip is first pre-printed, preferably with a face value thereon and with a blank area which will accommodate the unique ID, at step  202 . The scrip is then loaded into the currency-dispensing device at step  204 . In the event that the face value is not pre-printed onto the scrip, the face value is preferably printed thereon just prior to performing step  204 . 
         [0035]    After a player requests scrip from the currency-dispensing device at step  206 , the unique ID is printed onto the scrip at step  208 . Optionally, the ID is validated by the ID validator at step  210 . The scrip is then registered in the TITO database at step  212 , and the ID on the instrument of scrip is set to the face-value that was pre-printed on the instrument at step  214 . The scrip is dispensed to the player at step  216 . When the player redeems the scrip in the casino at step  218 , for example by inserting it into the bill validator of a gaming machine or an ATM, the value of the scrip is set to zero in the TITO database at step  220 , and a credit or cash is issued to the player in the amount of the face value of the scrip at step  222 . 
         [0036]    The exemplary method  300  shown in  FIG. 7B  is similar to the method  200  shown in  FIG. 7A  and described above, except that the scrip is pre-printed with an un-activated, unique ID at step  302  before being loaded into the currency-dispensing device at step  304 . Optionally, the face value of the scrip could also be printed thereon during step  302 . After a player requests scrip from the currency-dispensing device at step  306 , the ID is validated by the bill validator at step  308 . The scrip is then registered in the TITO database at step  310 . The ID on the scrip is set to the face-value that was pre-printed on the scrip at step  312 . The scrip is dispensed to the player at step  314 . When the player redeems the scrip in the casino at step  316 , the value of the scrip is set to zero in the TITO database at step  318 , and a credit or cash is issued to the player in the amount of the face value of the scrip at step  320 . 
         [0037]    After being “deactivated” in the TITO database (i.e., value set to zero), the scrip may optionally be reused. In the event that the scrip is reused, the process would begin at step  204  or  304  (since the ID would have already been printed onto the scrip) and the face value assigned to the scrip in step  214  or  312  is the same as the face value assigned to the scrip the first time the scrip was activated under step  214  or  312 . 
         [0038]    As noted above, the system and method for providing scrip described herein could be implemented in a variety of commercial environments, including casinos, retail stores, shopping malls, cruise ships, and the like. 
         [0039]    It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes can be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments enclosed, but is intended to cover modifications within the sphere and scope of the present invention.