Multi-account access device

• US 10,366,562 B2
• Filed: 09/13/2012
• Issued: 07/30/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CFPH LLC (Cantor Fitzgerald, L.P.)
• Original Assignee: CFPH LLC (Cantor Fitzgerald, L.P.)
• Inventors: Gelman, Geoffrey M., Rushin, Ronald, Alderucci, Dean P., Asher, Joseph M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Renwick, Reginald A
• Application Number:
  US13/614,501
• Publication Number:
  US 20130065679A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,511 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/27 with central registration
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3218 wherein at least part of the system is portable
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3239 Tracking of individual players

Abstract

Verifying eligibility of players attempting to participate in gaming events is disclosed. Communication objects having RFID tags and closed circuits are worn by players within a verification system. A casino desk, hotel concierge, or other entity can administer the system. These RFID tags are adapted to communicate with associated tracking units attached to gaming machines and other devices via radio waves. Each communication object is adapted to alter its communication pattern responsive to any break of its closed circuit. Communication objects may be bracelets, wristwatches or collars, such that object removal results in the closed circuit breaking, thereby disabling or de-authenticating the device. A communication object may emit a signal which can be tied to one of two or more accounts. One of the two accounts may be charged for a player transaction depending on the transaction nature. A server having a verification program and database may also be used.

Claims

1. A system associated with an interface of an electronic device of a merchant to communicate over a communication network with input and output interfaces of electronic devices for electronic purchases over the communication network, the system configured to:

receive an indication from an interface of an electronic device that a user is making a purchase;

receive via a communications network from an interface of an electronic device of the user an identifier of the user;

communicate to an interface of a server the identifier of the user and an identifier of the merchant, wherein the server maintains identifiers for at least a first account of the user and a second account of the user, wherein the first account is associated with the merchant, wherein the user may use the first account for a first set of purchases made at the merchant and not for a second set of purchases, and wherein the user may use the second account for the second set of purchases and not the first set of purchases;

receive from an interface of the server the identifier of the first account, wherein the server determines and communicates the identifier of the first account based on the identifier of the user and the identifier of the merchant;

based on the identifier of the first account, determine whether the user has sufficient funds in the first account to complete the purchase;

communicate with one or more player tracking devices to obtain information from the electronic device of the user which is adapted to be worn by the user and to alter its communication pattern based on status of electronic circuitry of the device;

communicate with a server to verify whether the obtained information regarding the user meets one or more criteria for verifying the user; and

process the first account and the second account based on the verification of the user.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a GPS locating component.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the device is configured to communicate via radio frequency waves.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the device comprises an RFID tag.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a card.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a processor.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a bracelet.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a closed electrical circuit a break in which is detectable.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the second account is for wagering.

10. The system of claim 1 further comprising a gaming player verification system for use in conjunction with one or more gaming machines adapted for accepting wagers, presenting gaming events thereupon and granting monetary awards,

wherein the device of the user is adapted to be worn by the user within the gaming player verification system, wherein the device comprises an RFID tag and an associated closed electrical circuit, is adapted to communicate via radio frequency waves, and is adapted to alter its communication pattern in response to any break of the closed electrical circuit;

and

wherein the gaming player verification system comprises;

one or more player tracking devices adapted to obtain information regarding the user from the device of the user;

at least one computer server having a player verification program adapted to verify whether obtained information regarding the user is adequate according to one or more set criteria for verifying the user, the at least one computer server configured to deny the initiation or continuation of a particular gaming event for the user when the player verification program determines that obtained information regarding the user is unacceptable or when insufficient information regarding the user has been obtained;

the at least one computer server being further configured to charge the second account of the user, wherein the second account when charged by the at least one computer server is selected when the user places wagers;

a communication link or path between the one or more player tracking devices and the at least one computer server; and

at least one database in communication with the at least one computer server, the at least one database containing specific informational data with respect to a plurality of users.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the device of the user is selected from the group consisting of a necklace, a collar, a wrist bracelet, a wristwatch, a belt, and an ankle bracelet, and wherein the player verification program is further adapted to verify multiple submissions of obtained information regarding the user during progress of or between one or more gaming events.

12. A system associated with an interface of an electronic device of a merchant to communicate over a communication network with input and output interfaces of electronic devices for electronic purchases over the communication network, the system configured to:

receive an indication from an interface of an electronic device that a user is making a purchase;

receive via a communications network from an interface of an electronic device of the user an identifier of a first account,

wherein the user has at least the first account and a second account, wherein the first account is associated with the merchant, wherein the user may use the first account for a first set of purchases made at the merchant and not for a second set of purchases, and wherein the user may use the second account for the second set of purchases and not the first set of purchases,

wherein the electronic device has stored thereon an identifier of the user, and comprises a plurality of buttons selectable by the user, including a first button associated with an identifier of the merchant, and

wherein the device determines the identifier of the first account by communicating to an interface of a server the identifier of the user and the identifier of the merchant, wherein the server maintains identifiers for at least the first account of the user and the second account of the user, and wherein the server determines and communicates to the interface of the electronic device the identifier of the first account based on the identifier of the user and the identifier of the merchant;

based on the identifier of the first account, determine whether the user has sufficient funds in the first account to complete the purchase;

communicate with one or more player tracking devices to obtain information from the electronic device which is adapted to be worn by the user and to alter its communication pattern based on status of electronic circuitry of the device;

communicate with a server to verify whether the obtained information regarding the user meets one or more criteria for verifying the user; and

process the first account and the second account based on the verification of the user.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the device comprises a GPS locating component.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the device comprises a processor.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the second account is for wagering.

16. A method of electronic communication over a communication network including communication between an interface of an electronic device of a merchant and input and output interfaces of electronic devices for electronic purchases over the communication network, the method comprising:

receiving by an interface of an electronic device of a computing system associated with a merchant an indication that a user is making a purchase;

receiving by the interface of an electronic device of a computing system via a communications network from a device of the user an identifier of the user;

communicating by the interface of the electronic device of the system to an interface of a server the identifier of the user and an identifier of the merchant, wherein the server maintains identifiers for at least a first account of the user and a second account of the user, wherein the first account is associated with the merchant, wherein the user may use the first account for a first set of purchases made at the merchant and not for a second set of purchases, and wherein the user may use the second account for the second set of purchases and not the first set of purchases;

receiving by the system from the interface of the server the identifier of the first account, wherein the server determines and communicates the identifier of the first account based on the identifier of the user and the identifier of the merchant;

based on the identifier of the first account, determining by the system whether the user has sufficient funds in the first account to complete the purchase;

communicating with one or more player tracking devices to obtain information from the electronic device which is adapted to be worn by the user and to alter its communication pattern based on status of electronic circuitry of the device;

communicating with a server to verify whether the obtained information regarding the user meets one or more criteria for verifying the user; and

processing the first account and the second account based on the verification of the user.