Devices and systems for payment entry and gaming funds transfer

Abstract

A gaming funds transaction device is disclosed that includes a user interface device, and in some embodiments a keypad section having input keys and a display, by which a gamer may obtain a gaming ticket with value added using a credit or debit card. The gaming funds transaction device may have a communication link to a financial institution or another validation service to obtain validation of a request to charge a credit or debit card. The user interface device may be connected to an input and printing section by a flexible arm, or may be an integrated component.

1 . A portable electronic device for funding a gaming machine comprising:
 a housing;   a card reader contained by the housing, the card reader configured to read information from at least one of a credit card or a debit card;   a display contained by the housing;   a first communication link configured to communicate with the gaming machine;   a second communication link configured to communicate with a remote validation of funds entity associated with the credit card or the debit card;   a processor operably connected to one or more of the following: the card reader, the display, the communication device, and the internet communication device; and   executable instructions running on the processor which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:
 detect a credit card or a debit card being read by the card reader; 
 responsive to a charge request prompted by a user, transmit a validation of funds request to the validation of funds entity using the internet communication device; and 
 responsive to receiving a validation of funds notice from the validation of funds entity, transmit, using the communication device, a message to the gaming machine to credit the validated funds for play. 
   
     
     
         2 . The portable electronic device of  claim 1  wherein the card reader includes one or more of the following: a card insert slot, a card slide slot, NFC-based wireless technology and RFID-based wireless technology. 
     
     
         3 . The portable electronic device of  claim 1  further comprising a printer. 
     
     
         4 . The portable electronic device of  claim 1  further comprising a visual reader operable to read a QR code or bar code symbol. 
     
     
         5 . The portable electronic device of  claim 1  wherein the second communication link is configured to communicate with a smart device. 
     
     
         6 . The portable electronic device of  claim 1  wherein the first communication link and the second communication link are both wireless. 
     
     
         7 . A portable electronic device for funding a gaming machine comprising:
 a card reader configured to read information from at least one of a credit card or a debit card;   a user interface;   a communication link with the gaming machine;   a second communication link with a remote validation of funds entity associated with the credit card or the debit card;   a processor in communication with, or managing, one or more of the following: the card reader, the user interface, the communication link, and the internet communication link; and   executable instructions running on the processor which, when executed by the processor, cause:
 detection of a credit card or a debit card being read by the card reader; 
 prompt a user to enter information related to a charge request via the user interface; 
 responsive to the charge request being entered and authorized by the user, transmit a validation of funds request to the validation of funds entity using the internet communication link; and 
 responsive to receiving a validation of funds notice from the validation of funds entity, transmit, via the communication link, a message to the gaming machine to credit the validated funds for play. 
   
     
     
         8 . The portable electronic device of  claim 7  wherein the card reader includes one or more of the following: a card insert slot, a card slide slot, NFC-based wireless technology and RFID-based wireless technology. 
     
     
         9 . The portable electronic device of  claim 7  further comprising a printer. 
     
     
         10 . The portable electronic device of  claim 7  wherein the second communication link is configured to communicate with a smart device. 
     
     
         11 . The portable electronic device of  claim 7  further comprising a visual reader operable to read a QR code or bar code symbol. 
     
     
         12 . The portable electronic device of  claim 7  wherein the first communication link and the second communication link are both wireless. 
     
     
         13 . A portable electronic device for funding a gaming machine comprising:
 a card reader configured to read information from at least one of a credit card or a debit card;   a user interface in the form of a touchscreen display and/or keypad;   a processor operably connected to the card reader and user interface, the processor running executable instructions causing the processor to:
 detect a credit card or a debit card being read by the card reader; 
 responsive to a charge request prompted by a user via the user interface, transmit, using a first communication link, a validation of funds request to a source of funds associated with the at least one of a credit card or a debit card; and 
 responsive to receiving a validation of funds notice from the validation of funds entity, transmit, using a second communication link, a message to the gaming machine to credit the validated funds for play. 
   
     
     
         14 . The portable electronic device of  claim 13  wherein the card reader includes one or more of the following: a card insert slot, a card slide slot, NFC-based wireless technology and RFID-based wireless technology. 
     
     
         15 . The portable electronic device of  claim 13  further comprising a printer. 
     
     
         16 . The portable electronic device of  claim 13  further comprising a visual reader operable to read a QR code or bar code symbol. 
     
     
         17 . The portable electronic device of  claim 13  wherein the second communication link is configured to communicate with a smart device. 
     
     
         18 . The portable electronic device of  claim 13  wherein the first communication link and the second communication link are both wireless.