Patent Publication Number: US-2021183210-A1

Title: Devices and systems for payment entry and gaming funds transfer

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a nonprovisional of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/986,060 filed Aug. 5, 2020 which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/902,121, filed Sep. 18, 2019, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference as if fully disclosed herein. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Embodiments described herein relate to electronic gaming devices or machines, and electronic cash, credit/debit card, or gaming ticket input/output devices. In particular, the disclosure relates to electronic devices and systems to facilitate payment from players for obtaining casino gaming tickets or credit for use with electronic gaming machines in a casino gaming environment. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A gaming industry entity, such as a casino, typically operates multiple electronic gaming machines. Such electronic gaming machines may accept wagers from users in any of a variety of forms, such as casino issued chips, credit cards, casino issued gaming tickets having a bar code, a magnetic strip or other printed form, or another form. 
     While casino issued chips are convenient for a user located at an electronic gaming machine, such as a slot machine, other records of value may be less bulky, and offer other conveniences. For example, a gaming ticket containing a magnetic strip or bar code containing a record of available cash value may be accepted by the electronic gaming machine, and may offer a player the convenience of transferring or reloading a cash value. The cash value may be reloaded or transferred to a gaming ticket, for instance, from a kiosk located in the casino and connected (such as through an internet connection) to banks or credit card companies, as well as a casino&#39;s accounting service (or “casino management system”). At such a kiosk, a user may be able to enter cash (bills or coins), casino chips, gaming tickets still having some residual cash value, or other sources, and obtain either a new gaming ticket with a cash value added, or an existing gaming ticket with an updated cash value. The kiosk may provide other services as well, such as redemption for casino chips. 
     A kiosk may need to be large to incorporate the various components, such as bill handling equipment, a credit card reader, a gaming ticket printer, computer or processing equipment, network connections, and the like. As such, while gaming tickets may in themselves be convenient, the kiosks for obtaining gaming tickets or adding value to gaming tickets may not be readily accessible to a player of a gaming machine. 
     SUMMARY 
     Some embodiments described herein generally reference an electronic device or system for obtaining a gaming ticket in a gaming establishment. 
     In a first embodiment, a gaming funds transaction device is disclosed. A first of three sections includes a credit/debit card reader; a printer component operable to print and eject a gaming ticket; and a processor operably linked with the credit/debit card reader and the printer component. The processor is operable to exchange messages with a validation service over a communication link. The second section is a keypad section that includes a numeric keypad, operational keys, and a display. The third section includes a connection arm linking the first section and the keypad section, and which contains an electronic link between the first section and the keypad section. The processor is operable to receive entries from the keypad section through the electronic link, transmit instructions to the keypad section that cause the display to show respective responses to the entries, obtain a validation response from the validation service of a charge request received from the credit/debit card reader to apply as a first cash value to the gaming ticket, and cause the printer component to print and eject the gaming ticket having a second cash value correlated to the charge request. 
     The keypad section may include a view shield, or may have a directional viewing screen. The connection arm may be flexible, and may extend through a housing of the gaming funds transaction device. The gaming funds transaction device may also include a cash acceptor. The first section of the gaming funds transaction device may also include a gaming ticket acceptor operably linked with the processor and configured to accept a used gaming ticket; the processor may be further operable to apply to the gaming ticket an amount related to a residual cash value of the used gaming ticket. 
     The processor may be further operable to receive an invalidation response to the charge request from the validation service, and transmit to the keypad section a corresponding instruction for the display to show a message related to the invalidation response. The processor may be further operable to exchange information regarding the cash value of the gaming ticket with an accounting service separate from the validation service. 
     In another embodiment, a system for dispensing electronic gaming tickets is disclosed. The system may include a credit/debit card reader, a user interface device, a gaming ticket printing device, and a processing component. The user interface device may include a keypad and a display. The gaming ticket printing device may be configured to print a gaming ticket usable in gaming machines. The processing component is operably linked with the credit/debit card reader, the user interface device, and the gaming ticket printing device, and includes a communication link with a validation service. The processing component may include a processor and a non-transitory memory that contains instructions which may cause the processor to receive a charge request from the credit/debit card reader, produce a prompt message on the display for a user input to be entered using the keypad, transmit the user input to the validation service, obtain at least one of a validation response and an invalidation response from the validation service, print a gaming ticket having a cash value based on the charge request in the case that a validation response was obtained, and produce an invalidity message on the display in the case that an invalidation response was obtained. 
     In the system, the communication link of the processing component with the validation service may be an internet connection. The credit/debit card reader and the user interface device may be contained in a common housing. The credit/debit card reader may include a magnetic strip reader and/or a chip reader. The user interface may include a QR code reader. The system may include a casino chip intake device operably linked with the processing component, wherein the instructions further cause the processor to apply additional cash value to the gaming ticket based on a casino chip received in the casino chip intake device. The system may include a cash acceptor operably linked with the processing component, wherein the instructions further cause the processor to apply additional cash value of the gaming ticket in an amount related to monies received in the cash acceptor. 
     The instructions may further cause the processor to exchange information regarding the cash value of the gaming ticket with an accounting service separate from the validation service. The system may be attached to a mobile device. 
     In another embodiment, an electronic credit/debit card reader is disclosed that includes a card insert reader that has an exterior opening on a side of the credit/debit card reader and configured to read information from at least one of a credit card or a debit card inserted into the exterior opening, a display, a keypad, a gaming machine link, an internet link separate from the gaming machine link, a processor, and non-transitory memory. The processor is operably connected to the card insert reader, the keypad, the display, the gaming machine link, and the internet link. The non-transitory memory includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: receive a charge request from the card from the card insert reader, produce a prompt message on the display for a user input using the keypad, transmit the user input and charge request to a validation service using the internet link, obtain one of a validation response or an invalidation response from the validation service, and transmit a message to a computing unit of the gaming machine using the gaming machine link. 
     In further embodiments, the electronic credit/debit card reader may further include a wireless receiver configured to receive a charge request wirelessly transmitted from a mobile communication device of a user. The instructions may further cause the processor to send an alert message to the computing unit of the gaming machine when an invalidation response is received from the validation service. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Reference will now be made to representative embodiments illustrated in the accompanying figures. It should be understood that the following descriptions are not intended to limit this disclosure to one included embodiment. To the contrary, the disclosure provided herein is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the described embodiments, and as defined by the appended claims. 
         FIG. 1A  shows a block diagram of various electronic devices that may operate in conjunction with a casino gaming device, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 1B  illustrates two examples of gaming tickets that may operate with a casino gaming device, according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 1C  illustrates an example of a gaming funds transaction device configured to receive different types of payment inputs, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 1D  illustrates a casino gaming device having an attached credit/debit card reader for adding wagering credit, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram of components that may be included in various embodiments of a gaming funds transaction device, linked with external services. 
         FIG. 3A  shows a gaming funds transaction device operable to accept payment by a debit or credit card, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 3B  shows a gaming funds transaction device connected to a keypad, and operable to accept payment by multiple methods, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 3C  shows a gaming funds transaction device with an attached keypad, and operable to accept payment by multiple methods, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 3D  shows a gaming funds transaction device having an exterior mounted keypad, and operable to accept payment by multiple methods, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 3E  shows a keypad having a view shield, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 4A  shows a configuration of a casino gaming device with a credit/debit card reader retrofitted, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 4B  shows a block diagram of components of a credit/debit card reader that may be included within a casino gaming device, according to an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     The use of the same or similar reference numerals in different figures indicates similar, related, or identical items. 
     Additionally, it should be understood that the proportions and dimensions (either relative or absolute) of the various features and elements (and collections and groupings thereof) and the boundaries, separations, and positional relationships presented therebetween, are provided in the accompanying figures merely to facilitate an understanding of the various embodiments described herein and, accordingly, may not necessarily be presented or illustrated to scale, and are not intended to indicate any preference or requirement for an illustrated embodiment to the exclusion of embodiments described with reference thereto. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments described herein reference a gaming funds transaction device and a system for dispensing gaming tickets. Gaming tickets are provided by such devices to users to use as payment inputs for electronic gaming machines or gaming services (e.g., slot machines, table games, and so on) associated with a casino gaming environment. 
     For simplicity of description, this description herein references a “casino” as an example gaming industry entity in control of a casino gaming environment, although it is appreciated that this is merely one example. Similarly, for simplicity of description, the phrases “electronic gaming machine,” “electronic gaming device,” or just “gaming device,” as used herein are generally understood to refer to a stationary slot machine within a casino. However, it may be understood that this is merely one example of an electronic gaming machine or gaming service. In other words, in some embodiments, other gaming industry entities and/or other stationary, portable, and/or digital (e.g., software-based) electronic gaming machines and/or services may be suitable for use with the various embodiments described herein and equivalents thereof. 
     A casino may have a number of electronic gaming machines, of various types, situated throughout the casino. A player or user may place a wager for each play of such an electronic gaming machine. The wager may be placed with a chip (specialized coin specific to the casino), or with an electronic gaming ticket. Such an electronic gaming ticket may be printed with a coding pattern (such as a bar code, QR code, or another code pattern) that allows the electronic gaming machine to read a cash value or other information from the coding pattern. An electronic gaming ticket may also be implemented virtually, in that an electronic signal or message is received from a gaming funds transaction device at which the user has supplied a cash value or equivalent. Once a user inputs an electronic gaming ticket, whether physical or virtual, into an electronic gaming device, the cash value of the electronic gaming ticket may be credited for use on wagers. An electronic gaming ticket purchase and input to the electronic gaming device may be implemented virtually in one process, in which a user makes an electronic payment (such as by credit/debit card) at a gaming funds transaction device (which may be part of an electronic gaming device itself), with the payment both being recorded by an accounting service and in a user account or record on the electronic gaming device that the user may use for wagering. 
     A gaming device may accept such a gaming ticket and make its cash value available to the user for wagers on that gaming device. The cash value of a single gaming ticket may allow the user to make one or multiple wagers on the gaming device. At the end of a series of wagers, depending on the wins or losses of the user, there may be some remaining or residual cash value, which may be greater than the initial cash value of the gaming ticket if the user has been successful in wagering. A user may then cause the gaming device to eject either the same gaming ticket having a modified code indicating the residual cash value, a new gaming ticket, or another form of repayment of the residual cash value (such as a credit to an account of the user). 
     For simplicity and security of operations, a casino may have a limited number of gaming funds transaction devices at which users may obtain gaming tickets. A user typically pays for a gaming ticket by inserting cash bills or coins (“monies”) into a cash acceptor of a gaming funds transaction device and receiving a gaming ticket printed by the gaming funds transaction device. Such gaming funds transaction devices may also have a casino chip intake device that accepts the casino&#39;s chips as inputs for adding cash value to be encoded on the gaming ticket. Also, such gaming funds transaction devices may have a gaming ticket acceptor that may allow residual cash value of a used gaming ticket to be added (or transferred) to a new gaming ticket. A gaming funds transaction device that accepts cash, chips, or used gaming tickets may be configured with storage spaces or mechanisms for such inputs, and this can add mechanical complexity and increase its size. 
     The embodiments described below include an intake configured to receive a credit card or debit card to allow a convenient payment option for a user to obtain gaming tickets. Hereinafter, such an intake will be referred to as a “credit/debit card reader.” The credit/debit card reader may be configured to take some or all of the various brands of credit cards (Visa®, MasterCard®, Discover®, etc.), or just debit cards, or both credit and debit cards. The gaming funds transaction device may have a user interface, such as a keypad or touchpad, associated with the credit/debit card reader. A user may enter a request on the user interface to charge the credit or debit card a certain amount to be added to a cash value of a gaming ticket to be printed by the gaming funds transaction device. 
     As a security measure, a gaming funds transaction device may require a verification or validation of such a charge request from the user. This may involve a request to the user, as may be displayed on the user interface, to enter a PIN or another identifier (such as a password). Some embodiments of gaming funds transaction devices may use bio-authentication from the user. Examples of devices for such bio-authentication include, but are not limited to, voice/speech recognition hardware (e.g., microphone and signal processors), a camera to make retinal scans of a users&#39; eyes or to perform facial recognition, fingerprint readers, or other bio-authentication devices. 
     To obtain the verification, the gaming funds transaction device may have a communication link with a validation service, such as a credit card company, an issuer of a debit card, a third party verifier such as PayPal®, and the like. The charge request may be submitted by the gaming funds transaction device to a validation service over the communication link. The gaming funds transaction device may then receive a validation response that the charge request is valid and accepted, or that it is invalid (such as due to being over a debit card&#39;s value or a credit card&#39;s credit limit, the card account being closed, the card having been reported stolen, or the like). 
     A gaming funds transaction device having a credit/debit card reader may be mounted on a mobile platform to provide easier accessibility to users on a casino&#39;s gaming floor. In one example, the gaming funds transaction device may include just the credit/debit card reader and a printer component, and be configured to be carried by a casino representative. The gaming funds transaction device may have a wireless communication link (such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, infrared, and the like) to one or more receivers in the casino, with the receiver communicatively linked with the validation service. 
     In some embodiments, the gaming funds transaction device may be a component of an electronic gaming device itself, whether as a designed-in component or as an installed or retrofitted separate component. In such embodiments, the gaming funds transaction devices may be connected to buttons of the electronic gaming device normally used for wagering or play on the electronic gaming device. When a user wishes to obtain a gaming ticket, the gaming funds transaction device may be activated or accessed, and those buttons may then allow for user interface with the gaming funds transaction device. In such embodiments the gaming funds transaction devices may also be connected to a gaming display screen of the electronic gaming device normally used to present the electronic gaming device&#39;s wagering game. When a user wishes to obtain a gaming ticket, the gaming funds transaction device may be activated or accessed, and the gaming display screen may be used for information exchange between the user and the gaming funds transaction device. 
     The gaming funds transaction device may also be communicatively linked with an accounting service of the casino so that the received and dispensed payments at the gaming funds transaction device, however made by the users, are accurately recorded for regulatory compliance. 
     In various embodiments, a gaming funds transaction device may be configured with the credit/debit card reader and printer component in a first section, and the keypad or user interface in another section, and with a connection arm (or cable, wires, or other connector) providing a power and/or communication link between the first section and the user interface section. This may allow for easier installation or retrofit, such as into an earlier model gaming ticket dispenser without a credit/debit card reader. It may also allow for placement of the keypad or user interface at a location on the gaming funds transaction device that is less visible to other persons in the casino. 
     These and other embodiments are discussed below with reference to  FIGS. 1A-4 . 
       FIG. 1A  shows a relational diagram  100  of various devices and machines such as may be located in a casino, such as on a gaming floor. A user  101  may interact with an electronic gaming device  102 , which may be a slot machine, a video poker machine, or another gaming device that accepts wagers from the user  101 . The electronic gaming device  102  may have various intakes for receiving payments for wagers. One such payment intake is gaming ticket reader  104   a  that accepts printed gaming tickets that the user may obtain from gaming funds transaction device  106   a . The electronic gaming device  102  may also include a casino chip intake  104   b  that accepts casino chips as payment for wagers. 
     The gaming funds transaction device  106   a  may be located at a convenient location in the casino for access by the user  101 . The gaming funds transaction device  106   a  may be configured to accept various payments from the user  101  and print gaming tickets with a cash value related to the payments received. The cash value may be less than the payments received due to a fee charged for printing of the gaming ticket. Alternatively, the cash value may be more than payments received as an incentive for the user  101  to use gaming tickets rather than casino chips. 
     The gaming funds transaction device  106   a  is shown with credit/debit card reader  106   b  that may accept credit cards and/or debit cards to receive payments toward a gaming ticket. The gaming funds transaction device  106   a  also has a dispenser slot  106   c  through which a printed gaming ticket is dispensed to the user  101 . The gaming funds transaction device  106   a  may include various other components as will be explained in more detail in relation to  FIG. 2 . 
     The gaming funds transaction device  106   a  may have a communication link  112  with a casino accounting service  110 . The casino accounting service  110  may receive messages over the communication link  112  from the gaming funds transaction device  106   a  about payments received by the gaming funds transaction device  106   a  and cash value of gaming tickets that are printed, among other operations. The casino accounting service  110  may be separated from the gaming floor within the casino, or may be in a location separate from the casino. The casino accounting service  110  may also maintain or have access to a casino credit account of the user  101 . The user  101  at the gaming funds transaction device  106   a  may be able to access that casino credit account via messages from the casino accounting service  110  over the communication link  112  to apply as payment toward a gaming ticket. 
     The gaming funds transaction device  106   a  may also have a communication link  114  with a validation service  108 . The validation service  108  may provide authentication or validation of requests to charge a credit or debit card (or simply “charge requests”) received by the gaming funds transaction device  106   a . The validation service  108  may be located at a facility separate from the casino, and may be a separate commercial entity. Examples of validation services  108  include a debit card data center, a credit card data center, PayPal®, or another financial service. The validation service  108  may optionally have a communication link  116  with the casino accounting service  110  to provide information regarding validation (or invalidation) of charge requests received from the gaming funds transaction device  106   a.    
     The communication links  112  and  114  may be any of a wireless link, a cable (such as coax, twisted pair, fiber optic, etc.) or other means. Messages sent on either of the communication links  112  and  114  may use encryption or other security measures. 
       FIG. 1B  illustrates two specific types of gaming tickets that may be provided by the gaming funds transaction device  106   a . The gaming ticket  120  may be paper or another material on which is printed a bar code  122 . The gaming ticket  124  may be paper or another material on which is printed a QR code  126 . It will be understood that another coding type may be used. 
     The bar code  122  on the gaming ticket  120 , or the QR code  126  on the gaming ticket  124 , may be produced by a printer device that is part of a gaming funds transaction device  106   a . The printer may be a thermal printer, dot matrix printer, inkjet or laser jet printer, or another type. The bar code  122 , or the QR code  126 , may contain information related to a cash value to be read by the electronic gaming device  102 , and may also include other information (such as time and/or date of issue, identifier for the gaming funds transaction device  106   a , or other information). 
       FIG. 1C  shows one configuration  150  of a gaming funds transaction device  152  as it may be positioned within a larger payment and redemption device  160 , such as kiosk.  FIG. 1C  also shows how the gaming funds transaction device  152  may be positioned within an electronic gaming device. The payment and redemption device  160  may include mechanical and electronic components for handling monies and casino chips (such as secure cash boxes, tamper proof chip containers, etc.). 
     The gaming funds transaction device  152  includes a bill (cash) acceptor  156  and a coin acceptor slot  158 . The bill acceptor  156  may function as a bill validator that tests inserted bills for counterfeit or another status precluding its acceptance. The gaming funds transaction device  152  may also include another slot (not shown) for accepting casino chips. The gaming funds transaction device  152  includes a gaming ticket intake  154   a  and a gaming ticket dispensing slot  154   b . The gaming funds transaction device  152  may be able to accept a previously issued gaming ticket in the gaming ticket intake  154   a  as well as bills, coins, or casino chips, as payment toward a gaming ticket, which it can print and then eject through the gaming ticket dispensing slot  154   b.    
     The embodiments described below show variations on the gaming funds transaction device  152  that are configured with a credit/debit card reader. Such credit/debit card readers may allow the payment and redemption device  160  to be reduced in size, as less cash and/or casino chip storage capacity may be needed. This may allow more payment and redemption devices  160  to be located on the casino gaming floor, improving user experiences. 
       FIG. 1D  shows a relational diagram  170  of a gaming machine  172  to other devices and machines such as may be located on a casino gaming floor. The gaming machine  172  may be a slot machine, a video poker machine, another type of electronic gaming machine, or the like. The gaming machine  172  may include a visual display  180 , such as may display a hand of cards on a video poker machine, three outcomes on a play of an electronic slot machine, value in a user&#39;s account, or other information. It is to be understood that the gaming machine  172  may contain other components as may be needed for its operation that are not shown, such as power supplies, cash or casino chip handling equipment, processors, communication links, and the like. 
     The gaming machine  172  may have been manufactured with a gaming ticket intake  184   a  and a gaming ticket dispensing slot  184   b . Also, the gaming machine  172  may have been manufactured with additional components for receiving payments from a user for placing wagers with the gaming machine  172 . As an example, the gaming machine  172  includes a bill (cash) validator  182 . In some embodiments, the gaming machine  172  may also have been manufactured with a casino chip acceptor (not shown). 
     The gaming ticket intake  184   a  and the gaming ticket dispensing slot  184   b  may be components of a gaming funds transaction device that itself may be a component of the gaming machine  172 . As such, the gaming funds transaction device may also have as a component the credit/debit card reader  174 , as described next. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1D , the gaming machine  172  has been retrofitted with a credit/debit card reader  174 . In alternative embodiments, the gaming machine  172  may have been manufactured with the credit/debit card reader  174 . As a separate component, the credit/debit card reader  174  may be compact and able to be placed in the gaming machine  172  separate from other payment intake components, such as the gaming ticket intake  184   a  and the gaming ticket dispensing slot  184   b . This may allow for ease of manufacturing the gaming machine  172  or ease of retrofitting the gaming machine  172  with the credit/debit card reader  174 . Further details of the credit/debit card reader  174  will be presented below. 
     The credit/debit card reader  174  may include a credit or debit card slot  176  into which a user inserts the card. The credit or debit card slot  176  may be configured to read a magnetic strip or an electronic chip on a credit or debit card. The credit/debit card reader  174  may also include a magnetic strip reader through which a user slides the card. The credit/debit card reader  174  may also be configured with an antenna or other hardware for communication with a user by means of radio frequency identification technologies or other types of near field communication technologies. 
     The credit/debit card reader  174  may also include a display  178  on which information may be presented to a user, such as instructions for use, dollar amount requested by the user to be charged to the credit or debit card, requests for PIN or other inputs, and other information. The display  178  may be or include a touchscreen on which a user may enter information. The display  178  may be an existing component of the gaming machine  172 , such as a service display screen by which authorized casino workers can access and interact with the gaming machine  172 . The credit/debit card reader  174  (or a gaming funds transaction device of which the credit/debit card reader  174  is a component) can then be communicatively linked with such a pre-existing display  178  to reduce complexity. The credit/debit card reader  174  may also include a keypad (not shown) separate from the display  178  on which a user may enter information. 
     In some embodiments, the credit/debit card reader  174  may be connected to the gaming display screen  179  of the gaming machine  172  in place of, or in addition to, the display  178 . The gaming display screen  179  may be how the gaming machine  172  presents its wagering game to a user. The credit/debit card reader  174  may be connected to the gaming display screen  179  by one or more coax cable, wires, fiber optics, near field electromagnetic links, or another connection. The credit/debit card reader  174  may be equipped with one or more processors or processing components that cause visual outputs and/or requests for inputs to be shown on the gaming display screen  179 . The gaming display screen  179  may itself be a touch screen display, capable of accepting press inputs from users, which may then be transmitted as signals to the processors or processing components. 
     The credit/debit card reader  174  may be configured to connect with a communication link  114 . The communication link  114  may be an internet link to the credit or debit card validation service  108 , as described previously. The credit/debit card reader  174  may also be configured to send validation requests or other information to the credit or debit card validation service  108 , and receive validation or invalidation responses, or other information, from the credit or debit card validation service  108  over the communication link  114 . 
     The credit/debit card reader  174  may be configured to send information regarding a user&#39;s charge requests, whether validated or invalidated by the validation service  108 , and other information regarding a user&#39;s account, to the casino accounting service  110  over the communication link  112 . The credit/debit card reader  174  may provide such information to a processor within the gaming machine  172 , which then provides the information to the casino accounting service  110  over the communication link  112 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a block diagram of a system  200  for a gaming funds transaction device  202 . It will be understood that  FIG. 2  is exemplary, and is intended to show some of the operational interconnections between the components, and that various embodiments of such systems may not include all the components now to be described. 
     The gaming funds transaction device  202  may have a communication link  226  to a casino accounting service  222 , as described above. Also, the gaming funds transaction device  202  may have a communication link  224  to a credit/debit card validation service  220 , also as described above. 
     The gaming funds transaction device  202  has a gaming ticket printer  210  operable to print and dispense a gaming ticket to a user. The gaming tickets may be as described in relation to  FIG. 1B . The gaming ticket printer  210  may be a thermal printer, dot matrix printer, inkjet or laser jet printer, or another type. In a first configuration, the gaming funds transaction device  202  may cause the gaming ticket printer  210  to print a physical gaming ticket and eject it to a user. As part of controlling the printing of such a physical gaming ticket, the gaming funds transaction device  202  may (e.g., for regulatory compliance) send a signal to a casino accounting service  222  providing information regarding the cash value of the gaming ticket that was ejected. In a second configuration, the gaming funds transaction device  202  may cause the gaming ticket printer  210  to physically print a gaming ticket but not eject it, and retain it internally. Such a retained gaming ticket may then be treated as an equivalent of an inserted bill. The second configuration may be used, for example, if the gaming funds transaction device  202  is a component of an electronic gaming device. A user may wish that the cash value of the gaming ticket be applied directly to an account stored on the electronic gaming device to be available for wagering, instead of having to receive a physical gaming ticket. In a third configuration, instead of printing and retaining a gaming ticket when a user wishes to apply cash value to the account stored on the electronic gaming device to be available for wagering, the gaming funds transaction device  202  may send corresponding signals directly to the electronic gaming device and the casino accounting service  222 . In a fourth configuration, a user may make a payment amount to the gaming funds transaction device  202  using a credit/debit card. The gaming funds transaction device  202  then can credit that payment amount to the electronic gaming device to be available for wagering by the user, and send a signal equivalent to having received cash. 
     The gaming funds transaction device  202  may have any of various intakes by which a user can apply payments toward a gaming ticket. These may include a cash input  212   a , that may receive bills and/or coins (monies) that are received into a secure container  212   b . There may also be a casino chip input  214   a , with the casino chips being received into another secure container  214   b . There may also be a used gaming ticket input  216   a , which places the used gaming tickets into another secure container  216   b.    
     The gaming funds transaction device  202  includes a credit/debit card reader  204 . The credit/debit card reader  204  may be configured to read one or both of a magnetic strip on a credit or debit card, or an electronic chip on the credit or debit card. A credit or debit card (or just “card”) may be read by the credit/debit card reader  204  by means of swiping the card through a magnetic strip reader, by inserting an electronic chip end of the card partially into a slot, or by receiving the card in its entirety into the slot of the credit/debit card reader  204 . In the last configuration, a card that is found to have been stolen or canceled may be retained by the gaming funds transaction device  202  and not returned to the user. 
     The gaming funds transaction device  202  may have a user interface  208  through which a user may interact with the gaming funds transaction device  202 , and through which the gaming funds transaction device  202  may display messages to the user. The display may be any of: a dedicated display screen of the gaming funds transaction device  202 , a gaming display screen  179  of an electronic gaming device, a service display screen of an electronic gaming device, or another display. The user interface  208  may include a keypad, which may have physical keys or buttons that a user presses, or may include a touchscreen that displays virtual keys or icons for a user to press. The buttons may be buttons of an electronic gaming device, as described previously. The user interface  208  may include bio-authentication components, as described previously, for verification of the user&#39;s identity. 
     The user interface  208  may be accomplished by electromagnetic communication between the gaming funds transaction device and a user&#39;s mobile electronic device, such as a smartphone, personal digital assistant, and the like. 
     The gaming funds transaction device  202  may also have a QR code reader  218  to which a user may present a QR code visually, such as from a cellphone display, for entry of a payment, a user identification, or other information. The QR code reader  218  may alternatively or additionally be configured to read a visual bar code, or configured to read another visually presented code. The QR code reader  218  may be included as part of the user interface  208 . 
     The gaming funds transaction device  202  may also include other components or devices by which a user may make payments. Examples include near field communication technology devices, such as may be included in a user&#39;s cellphone. Other technologies for contactless payment and/or mobile payments may also be used. These may be included as part of the user interface  208 . 
     The gaming funds transaction device  202  includes a processing component  206  that is linked to the credit/debit card reader  204 , the cash input  212   a , the casino chip input  214   a , the used gaming ticket input  216   a , the QR code reader  218 , the user interface  208 , and the gaming ticket printer  210  to coordinate their respective operations. The processing component  206  can include or can be communicably coupled to circuitry and/or logic components, such as a processor and a memory. The processing component  206  can be implemented as any device capable of processing, receiving, or transmitting data or instructions. For example, the processor can be a microprocessor, a central processing unit, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field-programmable gate array, a digital signal processor, an analog circuit, a digital circuit, or combination of such devices. The processor may be a single-thread or multi-thread processor. The processor may be a single-core or multi-core processor. 
     Accordingly, as described herein, the term “processor” or, more generally, “processing component” or “controller,” refers to a hardware-implemented data processing device or circuit physically structured to execute specific transformations of data including data operations represented as code and/or instructions included in a program that can be stored within and accessed from a memory. The term is meant to encompass a single processor or processing unit, multiple processors, multiple processing units, analog or digital circuits, or other suitably configured computing elements or combination of elements. 
     Operations that may be performed by the processing component  206  include recording payments received from a user through any of the credit/debit card reader  204 , the cash input  212   a , the casino chip input  214   a , the used gaming ticket input  216   a , and the QR code reader  218 . The processing component  206  may cause the user interface  208  to display the value of the payments received, and prompt the user for further entries or actions, such as printing a gaming ticket, entering further payments, entering other information, or other entries from the user. 
     A user may insert a credit or debit card into the credit/debit card reader  204  in order to enter a charge request. The processor may detect the insertion of the card, and cause the user interface  208  to display a request for the user to enter certain information. This may include requesting the user to enter a personal identification number (PIN) associated with the card, or another form of security or identification information, such as an answer to a security question. Further information that may be requested of the user includes an amount to be charged to the credit or debit card. 
     After the user has made an entry of the requested information, the processing component  206  may obtain authorization or validation of the charge request by transmitting a message to the credit/debit card validation service  220 . The credit/debit card validation service  220  may return a validation response to the processing component  206  in the case that the charge request may be applied to the account associated with the card. A corresponding result may be displayed to the user on the user interface  208 . The processing component  206  may transmit a message to the casino accounting service  222  indicating the amount charged to the card. 
     If there is an issue with the charge request, such as an incorrect PIN or security information, or a requested charge amount exceeding a limit on the card, the credit/debit card validation service  220  may return an invalidation response to the processing component  206 . The processing component  206  may then have the user interface  208  display an error message and/or prompt the user for further entries, such as reentry of the PIN, a different charge amount, or other information. 
     Embodiments of the system  200  may be implemented in various physical configurations, as will now be described. 
       FIG. 3A  shows a gaming funds transaction device  300  having three connected components. The gaming funds transaction device  300  includes the first section  302 , a keypad section  310 , and a connection arm  308  linking the first section  302  with the keypad section  310 . 
     The gaming funds transaction device  300  is configured so that it can be either a component of a larger payment and redemption device, such as payment and redemption device  160  described above, or as a smaller unit in itself. 
     The first section  302  may include a gaming ticket ejection slot  304   a  through which a gaming ticket may be ejected to a user. A printer component (not shown) may be contained within the housing of the first section  302 . The printer and the gaming tickets it produces may be as described in relation to  FIG. 1B . 
     The first section  302  may also include a gaming ticket acceptor/reader  304   b  that can receive gaming tickets and read and apply any residual value on the received gaming ticket to a value available for a new gaming ticket. 
     The first section  302  may include a credit/debit card reader  306  into which a user may insert a credit or debit card, either wholly or in part. The credit/debit card reader  306  may include one or both of a card chip reader or a magnetic strip reader. 
     The keypad section  310  may contain a numeric keypad  314  and operational keys BACK  316   a  and ENTER  316   b . These two operational keys are exemplary: in various embodiments, the keypad section  310  may contain more or fewer operational keys to allow additional and/or alternative input commands from a user. Further, the keypad section  310  may contain alphabetic keys. The keypad section  310  also includes a display  312  on which images or messages to the user may be presented. The messages may be indications of an entered PIN (e.g., a series of asterisks), amounts in the user&#39;s account, a current cash value available for a gaming ticket, or another message. 
     The keypad section  310  is electronically linked with the first section  302  by the connection arm  308 . The connection arm  308  may be either rigid or flexible. The connection arm  308  may contain electrical wires, fiber optic cables, or other communication connections between the first section  302  and the keypad section  310 . Having a connection arm to link the first section  302  with the keypad section  310  allows for a variety of configurations of the gaming funds transaction device  300  as a whole. For example, with a flexible connection arm, the gaming funds transaction device  300  may be added to a larger payment unit on a casino&#39;s gaming floor, with the first section  302  in a first location of the payment unit, and the keypad section  310  in a second location. It may be that neither location could accommodate both the keypad section  310  and the first section  302  or it may be that the second location for the keypad section  310  is at eye level and the first location for the first section  302  is at a lower level. 
     The first section  302  may include a processing component or processor as described above to coordinate operations with the keypad section  310 , the printer component, and the credit/debit card reader  306 . The processor may receive entries from, and transmit instructions to, the keypad section  310  over the electronic link within the connection arm  308 . 
     The processor may have a first communication link with a validation service, as described above, to receive validation of a charge request entered by a user on the keypad section  310  for a credit or debit card inserted into the credit/debit card reader  306 . The processor may have a second communication link with a casino accounting service, as described previously. 
     The gaming funds transaction device  300  may be mounted as a single unit on a mobile platform, such as a wheeled cart, to allow users to obtain new gaming tickets using just credit or debit cards, and/or current gaming tickets. Such a single unit may have a battery power source, and the first section  302  may have wireless transceivers to connect to fixed receivers in the casino to obtain communication links to the validation service and the casino accounting service. Such self-contained units may allow casino operators to move the gaming funds transaction device  300  near to more crowded sections of a gaming floor. In still another embodiment, the gaming funds transaction device  300  may be contained in a single case that is portable by a casino employee to provide a user with the ability to obtain gaming tickets without leaving the gaming machine. 
       FIG. 3B  shows an embodiment of a gaming funds transaction device  320 . The gaming funds transaction device  320  is similar to the embodiments described in relation to  FIG. 3A . There is a first section  322 , a keypad section  330 , and a connection arm  338 . 
     The keypad section  330  includes a display  332  on which messages may be displayed to a user, a numeric keypad  334 , and operational keys  336   a  and  336   b . As described above in relation to  FIG. 3A , the keypad section  330  may contain more or fewer operational keys that may perform additional and/or alternative operations, and may also include alphabetic keys. The keypad section  330  may be implemented with physical keys or as a touch pad screen on which icons or keys are visually displayed. 
     The connection arm  338  may be implemented in any of the ways described above for the connection arm  308 . The connection arm  338  may be rigid or flexible as desired for a particular application. 
     The first section  322  may include the components similar to those described above for the first section  302  of the gaming funds transaction device  300 . There may be a gaming ticket ejection slot  324   a  through which a gaming ticket produced by a printer component (not shown) may be ejected to a user. The first section  322  may also include a gaming ticket acceptor/reader  324   b  that can receive gaming tickets and read and apply any residual value on the received gaming ticket to a value available for a new gaming ticket. The first section  322  may include a credit/debit card reader  340  into which a user may insert a credit or debit card, either wholly or in part. The credit/debit card reader  340  may include one or both of a card chip reader or a magnetic strip reader. 
     The first section  322  may further include a cash acceptor  326  to accept currency. The first section  322  may further include a coin acceptor  328 . Alternatively or additionally, the first section  322  may include a casino chip acceptor. 
     The first section  322  may include a processor as described above to coordinate operations with the keypad section  330 , the printer component, the credit/debit card reader  340  and the cash acceptor  326  and the coin acceptor  328 . The processor may receive entries from, and transmit instructions to, the keypad section  330  over an electronic link within the connection arm  338 . 
     The processor may have a first communication link with a validation service, as described above, to receive validation of a charge request entered by a user on the keypad section  330  for a credit or debit card inserted into the credit/debit card reader  340 . The processor may have a second communication link with a casino accounting service, as described previously. 
     The gaming funds transaction device  320  may be configured for inclusion as part of a casino&#39;s larger payment and redemption device or kiosk. Alternatively, the gaming funds transaction device  320  may form a smaller self-contained unit that may occupy less room on a casino floor, and so allow for more such smaller units to be deployed by the casino. 
       FIG. 3C  shows an embodiment of a gaming funds transaction device  350  that is configured with a larger housing  368 . The larger housing  368  may include other components, sections, or devices. 
     The gaming funds transaction device  350  includes a first section  352  and an attached keypad section  360 . In this embodiment there is no need for a connection arm to link the first section  352  and the keypad section  360 , though there is an electronic connection between them. 
     The first section  352  includes a gaming ticket ejection slot  354   a  through which a gaming ticket produced by a printer component (not shown) may be ejected to a user. The first section  352  may also include a gaming ticket acceptor/reader  354   b  that can receive gaming tickets and read and apply any residual value on the received gaming ticket to a value available for a new gaming ticket. The first section  352  may include a credit/debit card reader  366  into which a user may insert a credit or debit card, either wholly or in part. The credit/debit card reader  366  may include one or both of a card chip reader or a magnetic strip reader. These components may be as described above in relation to  FIGS. 3A-B . As with the embodiments described in relation to  FIG. 3B , the first section  352  may further include a cash acceptor  356  to accept currency. The first section  352  may further include a coin acceptor  358 . Alternatively or additionally, the first section  352  may include a casino chip acceptor. 
     The keypad section  360  includes a display  362  on which messages may be displayed to a user, a numeric keypad  364 , and operational keys  364   a  through  364   n . As described above in relation to  FIGS. 3A-B , the keypad section  360  may contain more or fewer operational keys that may perform additional and/or alternative operations, and may also include alphabetic keys. The keypad section  360  may be implemented with physical keys or as a touch pad screen on which icons or keys are visually displayed. 
     The first section  352  may include a processor as described above to coordinate operations with the keypad section  360 , the printer component, the credit/debit card reader  366 , the cash acceptor  356 , and the coin acceptor  358 . The processor may receive entries from, and transmit instructions to, the keypad section  360  over an electronic connection. 
     The processor may have a first communication link with a validation service, as described above, to receive validation of a charge request entered by a user on the keypad section  360  for a credit or debit card inserted into the credit/debit card reader  366 . The processor may have a second communication link with a casino accounting service, as described previously. 
       FIG. 3D  shows an embodiment of a gaming funds transaction device  370  that includes a first section  372  and a keypad section  380  that is mounted exterior to a housing  388 . The first section  372  is electronically connected to the keypad section  380  by a first connection arm  386   a  interior to the housing  388  that extends from the first section  372  to a joint  386   b  on the housing  388 , and by a second connection arm  386   c  that extends from the joint  386   b  to the keypad section  380 . The joint  386   b  may allow the second connection arm  386   c  to pivot and move. For example, the joint  386   b  may be a socket joint into which fits a ball at the end of the second connection arm  386   c . Such an embodiment may allow a user to position the keypad section  380  at a comfortable level, and to position the keypad section  380  for privacy. 
     The first section  372  may include some or all of the components described above for  FIGS. 3A-C . In particular, the first section  372  includes a gaming ticket ejection slot  374   a  through which a gaming ticket produced by a printer component (not shown) may be ejected to a user. The first section  372  may also include a gaming ticket acceptor/reader  374   b  that can receive gaming tickets and read and apply any residual value on the received gaming ticket to a value available for a new gaming ticket. The first section  372  may include a credit/debit card reader  384  into which a user may insert a credit or debit card, either wholly or in part. The credit/debit card reader  384  may include one or both of a card chip reader or a magnetic strip reader. The first section  372  may further include a cash acceptor  376  to accept currency. The first section  372  may further include a coin acceptor  378 . Alternatively or additionally, the first section  372  may include a casino chip acceptor. 
     The keypad section  380  may be similar to the keypad section  360  described in relation to  FIG. 3C . In this embodiment the keypad section  380  may also include a magnetic strip reader  382  to allow a user to swipe a credit or debit card. In additional and or alternative embodiments, the keypad section  380  may also include a credit/debit card chip reader (not shown). 
     The first section  372  may include a processor as described above to coordinate operations with the keypad section  380 , the printer component, the credit/debit card reader  384 , the cash acceptor  376 , and the coin acceptor  378 . The processor may receive entries from, and transmit instructions to, the keypad section  380  over an electronic connection contained within the first connection arm  386   a  and the second connection arm  386   c.    
     The processor may have a first communication link with a validation service, as described above, to receive validation of a charge request entered by a user on the keypad section  380  for a credit or debit card inserted into the credit/debit card reader  384 . The processor may have a second communication link with a casino accounting service, as described previously. 
       FIG. 3E  shows an embodiment of a shielded keypad  390 . The shielded keypad  390  includes a housing  392  that may include circuitry for receiving inputs from various keys. The shielded keypad  390  may include the numeric keypad  396   a  and one or more operational keys, such as the BACK key  396   b , ENTER key  396   c , and the CLEAR/CANCEL key  396   d . In other embodiments, the shielded keypad  390  may include additional and/or alternative operational keys. 
     The shielded keypad  390  includes an exterior view shield  394  that extends from the housing  392 . In the embodiment shown, the exterior view shield  394  extends around three sides of the housing  392  and reduces the direction from which a hand or finger on any of the keys  396   a - c  may be observed. The shielded keypad  390  also includes an alphanumeric, or other format, display  398  on which the key entries, or encrypted symbols, may be displayed. 
     In various embodiments, the shielded keypad  390  may be implemented as a touchpad displaying visual keys rather than physical keys. Such a touchpad embodiment may include a unidirectional display that allows the displayed images to be seen from a limited viewing angle. Such a unidirectional display may be implemented by a directional viewing screen placed on the touchpad. These embodiments may also include an exterior view shield  394 . 
       FIG. 4A  shows a configuration  400  for how a credit/debit card reader  402  may be placed within a gaming device  412 . It is to be understood that the configuration  400  is exemplary, and intended to show a relationship of the credit/debit card reader  402  to other components in the gaming device  412 . Other configurations will be recognized as within the scope of this disclosure. 
     The gaming device  412  may contain one or more components  414  that may implement various functions of the gaming device  412 . These components may include various payment intakes, such as gaming ticket input/outputs, a bill acceptor, a casino chip intake, various electronic computing and communication components, displays for showing the game being played, and the like, described previously. These components may be separated or contained in a single electronic case internal to the gaming device  412 . 
     The credit/debit card reader  402  may be a component separate from the component(s)  414  in order to allow for retrofit into an existing gaming device  412 , or for ease of manufacture at the time the gaming device  412  is itself manufactured, or for easier removal for maintenance and/or upgrade. 
     The credit/debit card reader  402  may include any combination of the features now to be described. The credit/debit card reader  402  may include a card insert reader  404  into which a user may insert a debit or credit card (hereinafter, just “card”). The card insert reader  404  may be configured to read a magnetic strip on the card, or to read information from a chip on the card. Additionally and/or alternatively, the credit/debit card reader  402  may include a magnetic strip reader  410  through which a user may slide a card. 
     The credit/debit card reader  402  may include, or be connected to, a touchpad  406   a  into which a user may enter information. The touchpad  406   a  may be implemented as a keypad with physical buttons, such as keypad section  310 , or may be implemented as a touch screen display. The credit/debit card reader  402  may include, or be connected to, a display  406   b  on which information may be displayed to the user. The touchpad  406   a  and the display  406   b  may be a single unit or separate parts of the credit/debit card reader  402 . In various embodiments, the touchpad  406   a  and/or the display  406   b  may be separate components of an electronic gaming device, and connected (such as by wires, electro-optical means, or other connections) to the credit/debit card reader  402 . For example, the touchpad  406   a  may be presented visually on a touch-enabled display screen of an electronic gaming machine, such as described previously in regard to the gaming display screen  179  of the gaming device  172  shown in  FIG. 1D . 
     The credit/debit card reader  402  may optionally include a visual reader  408  operable to read a QR code symbol or other visual inputs from a user. The credit/debit card reader  402  may also include an antenna (not shown) operable to detect and receive near field electromagnetic signals, such as from a cellphone app that connects to a user&#39;s banking account. 
     The credit/debit card reader  402  may include a first communication link  418  to other components  414  of the gaming device  412 , such as to a processor or a computing unit of the gaming device. Such a computing unit may maintain a user&#39;s gaming account and update it based on a validated charge to the user&#39;s debit account. The credit/debit card reader  402  may transmit over the communication link an alert message that an invalid attempt to charge a card has been made. In one example, this may occur after a card has been reported stolen. The alert message may direct the computing unit of the gaming device  412  to alert security personnel of the casino without making the unauthorized user aware of the alert. The first communication link  418  may be a physical connection, such as twisted pair wires, serial or parallel cable, coax cable, fiber optic cable or another physical connection. Alternatively, the first communication link  418  may be a wireless electromagnetic transmission link, such as by WiFi, a laser optic link, or another electromagnetic technology. 
     The credit/debit card reader  402  may include a second communication link  416  that connects to a credit or debit card validation service, such as the validation service  108  described previously. The second communication link  416  may be distinct from the first communication link  418 . Embodiments in which the second communication link  416  is distinct from the first communication link  418  may allow for resistance to hacking or other types of computer program attacks on the gaming device  412  by separating or “encapsulating” a user&#39;s electronic access to his or her debit card account from access to a casino&#39;s network. The second communication link  416  may be a physical connection, such as a fiber optic cable or another type, or combination of types, of physical link. The second communication link  416  may also use, either completely or in part, a wireless electromagnetic transmission link. 
       FIG. 4B  shows a block diagram  420  of components that may be included in a credit/debit card reader  422  that is configured to be included as a part of an electronic gaming device. The credit/debit card reader  422  may include a card/chip/RFID (radio frequency identification component) reader  424  into which a user may insert a debit or credit card (or just “card”) to make a charge request to the account of that card. The card/chip/RFID reader  424  may include an opening in the exterior of credit/debit card reader  422 . The card/chip/RFID reader  424  may have internal components configured to read information regarding the account from any of a magnetic strip, a RFID component, or an integrated circuit chip on the card. The information may include the card&#39;s account number and other user information, as well as privacy protections. 
     The credit/debit card reader  422  may also include a keypad  426   a  and a display  426   b . The keypad  426   a  and the display  426   b  may be separate devices or a combined unit, such as a touchpad on which icons are displayed at locations for the user to press or touch. A user may enter information on the keypad  426   a , which may include a standard numeric keypad, an alphabetic keyboard, or buttons for other types of input. The display  426   b  may show information to the user, such as information regarding entries made on the keypad  426   a , prompts for further entries, or other information. 
     The credit/debit card reader  422  may also include a wireless receiver  428  operable to receive wireless transmissions from a user&#39;s mobile communication device, such as a smartphone, smart watch, or the like. Such transmissions from the user&#39;s mobile communication device may be charge requests. The wireless receiver  428  may also include, or be part of, a wireless transmitter/receiver component operable also to transmit wireless signals to the user&#39;s mobile communication device. 
     The credit/debit card reader  422  may include a processor  430  and a memory  432 . The memory  432  may a component of the processor  430  or a separate component communicatively linked with the processor  430 . The memory may be a non-transitory memory, such as disk, ROM, non-volatile RAM, or another form of non-transitory memory. The processor  430  may be operably linked with the card/chip/RFID reader  424 , the keypad  426   a , the display  426   b , and the wireless receiver  428 , and configured to control their operations. 
     In an example, the processor  430  may receive inputs or signals from either the card/chip/RFID reader  424  or the wireless receiver  428  that contain a charge request from a user to charge an amount to the user&#39;s credit or debit accounts. The processor  430  may then execute instructions that cause the display  426   b  to show a message to the user to enter needed information using the keypad  426   a , such as an amount to be charged, a PIN code, or other information. Such a dialog may continue until the processor has received sufficient information to transmit a completed charge request to a validation service. 
     To transmit a charge request to the validation service, the processor  430  may connect to an internet link component  436  in the credit/debit card reader  422  that can format the charge request (or other information) and transmit it over the internet communication link  416  to the validation service. The internet link  436  may also be operable to receive signals on the internet communication link  416  and format the information for use by the processor  430 . 
     In the case the validation service sends a reply that the charge request is valid, the processor  430  may cause the display  426   b  to show a corresponding message. The processor  430  may then use a gaming machine link component  434  to transmit a message over the first communication link  418  to a computing unit of a gaming machine, such as gaming device  412 . The computing unit of the gaming machine may then credit the user&#39;s wagering or betting account available for use for wagers on the gaming machine. 
     In the case the validation service sends a reply that the charge request is not valid, the processor  430  may, in some cases, cause the display  426   b  to indicate a corresponding message, such as there is insufficient funds in the user&#39;s debit card account to authorize the charge request. In still other cases, such as when the card has been reported lost or stolen to the validation service, the processor  430  may instead send an alert message using the gaming machine link  434  to the computing unit of the gaming machine. The gaming machine may then send a corresponding alert to security personnel of the casino operating the gaming machine. 
     The foregoing embodiments depicted in the figures referenced above and the various alternatives thereof and variations thereto are presented, generally, for purposes of explanation, and to facilitate an understanding of various configurations and constructions of a network architecture that facilitates communication by and between various components of a banknote handling system, such as described herein. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that some of the specific details presented herein may not be required in order to practice a particular described embodiment, or an equivalent thereof. 
     Thus, it is understood that the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments are presented for the limited purposes of illustration and description. These descriptions are not targeted to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms recited herein. To the contrary, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. 
     One may appreciate that, although many embodiments are disclosed above, the operations and steps presented with respect to methods and techniques described herein are meant as exemplary and accordingly are not exhaustive. One may further appreciate that alternate step order or fewer or additional operations may be required or desired for particular embodiments. 
     Although the disclosure above is described in terms of various exemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be understood that the various features, aspects, and functionality described in one or more of the individual embodiments are not limited in their applicability to the particular embodiment with which they are described, but instead can be applied, alone or in various combinations, to one or more of the some embodiments of the invention, whether or not such embodiments are described and whether or not such features are presented as being a part of a described embodiment. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments but is instead defined by the claims herein presented. 
     In addition, it is understood that organizations and/or entities responsible for the access, aggregation, validation, analysis, disclosure, transfer, storage, or other use of private data such as described herein—including private financial data—will preferably comply with published and industry-established privacy, data, and network security policies and practices. For example, it is understood that data and/or information obtained from remote or local data sources—only on informed consent of the subject of that data and/or information—should be accessed and/or aggregated only for legitimate, agreed-upon, and reasonable uses.