Gaming system player identification device

• US 10,621,824 B2
• Filed: 08/16/2017
• Issued: 04/14/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Petersen, Erik B., Higgins, Kevin M., Levin, Matthew
• Primary Examiner(s): McClellan, James S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Iannuzzi, Peter J
• Application Number:
  US15/678,410
• Publication Number:
  US 20180089940A1
• Time in Patent Office: 972 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3213 Details of moving display elements, e.g. spinning reels, tumbling members
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3241 Security aspects of a gaming system, e.g. detecting cheating, device integrity, surveillance computer security G06F21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3244 Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3258 Cumulative reward schemes, e.g. jackpots

Abstract

The present disclosure relates generally to gaming systems and methods which utilize a player identification device to provide to electronic gaming machines certain gaming system functionality and features otherwise not associated with or available in association with the electronic gaming machines existing gaming establishment management systems.

Claims

1. A player identification device comprising:

a player identification device processor;

a player identification card reader configured to read data associated with a player identification card;

a first player identification device communication device configured to, when the player identification device is coupled to an electronic gaming machine, enable the player identification device processor to receive activity data communicated from an electronic gaming machine processor of the electronic gaming machine to a slot machine interface board of a player tracking unit associated with a resident gaming establishment management system;

a second player identification device communication device configured, when the player identification device is coupled to the electronic gaming machine, to enable the player identification device processor to communicate data associated with an event of a non-resident gaming establishment management system to the electronic gaming machine processor;

a third player identification device communication device configured to enable the player identification device processor to communicate the received activity data to the non-resident gaming establishment management system;

and

a player identification device memory device which stores a plurality of player identification device instructions, which when executed by the player identification device processor when the player identification device is coupled to the electronic gaming machine, cause the player identification device processor to operate with said electronic gaming machine processor, the player identification device card reader, the first player identification device communication device, the second player identification device communication device, and the third player identification device communication device to associate the event of the non-resident gaming establishment management system with the electronic gaming machine processor.

2. The player identification device of claim 1, wherein the non-resident gaming establishment management system comprises a cashless wagering server and the event of the non-resident gaming establishment management system comprises increasing an amount of a credit balance.

3. The player identification device of claim 2, further comprising a fourth player identification device communication device configured to enable the player identification device processor to wirelessly communicate with a mobile device, wherein when executed by the player identification device processor, the plurality of player identification device instructions cause the player identification device processor to:

wirelessly receive, from the mobile device, data associated with a cashless wagering account accessed via a mobile device application of the mobile device,

request, from the cashless wagering server, an amount of funds from the cashless wagering account, said amount of funds being determined in association with the mobile device application of the mobile device, and

responsive to the requested amount of funds being approved from the cashless wagering server;

communicate data to the electronic gaming machine processor to cause the electronic gaming machine processor to modify the credit balance based on the requested amount of funds, and

cause a wireless transmission of data to the mobile device, said data associated with a fund transfer confirmation to be displayed by the mobile device.

4. The player identification device of claim 3, wherein the data is wirelessly received from and wirelessly transmitted to the mobile device via a wireless protocol selected from the group consisting of:

a near field communication protocol, a WiFi protocol, a Bluetooth Low Energy protocol, a Bluetooth protocol, and a mobile device network protocol.

5. The player identification device of claim 1, wherein the non-resident gaming establishment management system comprises a progressive award server and the event of the non-resident gaming establishment management system comprises causing, via the progressive award server and when the player identification device is coupled to the electronic gaming machine, the electronic gaming machine processor to provide a progressive award.

6. The player identification device of claim 5, wherein a determination to cause the electronic gaming machine processor to provide the progressive award is based, at least in part, on a determination that the activity data is associated with a designated outcome being generated during a play of a game.

7. The player identification device of claim 1, wherein the non-resident gaming establishment management system comprises a mystery bonus award server and the event of the non-resident gaming establishment management system comprises causing, via the mystery bonus award server and when the player identification device is coupled to the electronic gaming machine, the electronic gaming machine processor to provide a mystery bonus award.

8. The player identification device of claim 7, wherein a determination to cause the electronic gaming machine processor to provide the mystery bonus award is based, at least in part, the activity data and is independent of any displayed event occurring during a play of a game.

9. The player identification device of claim 1, wherein the non-resident gaming establishment management system comprises a content management server and the event of the non-resident gaming establishment management system comprises causing, via the content management server, a display of an externally controlled interface.

10. The player identification device of claim 9, wherein the display of the externally controlled interface occurs in association with a service window displayed, via a universal game adapter, by an electronic gaming machine display device.

11. A player identification device comprising:

a player identification device processor;

a player identification card reader configured to read data associated with a player identification card;

a first communication port configured to, when the player identification device is coupled to an electronic gaming machine, enable the player identification device processor to receive activity data communicated from an electronic gaming machine processor of the electronic gaming machine to a slot machine interface board of a player tracking unit associated with a resident gaming establishment management system;

a second communication port configured to, when the player identification device is coupled to the electronic gaming machine, enable the player identification device processor to communicate activity data associated with an event of a non-resident gaming establishment management system to the electronic gaming machine processor;

an Ethernet port configured to enable the player identification device processor to communicate the received activity data to the non-resident gaming establishment management system;

a display port configured to enable the player identification device processor to operate with at least one display device; and

a player identification device memory device which stores a plurality of player identification device instructions, which when executed by the player identification device processor, cause the player identification device processor to operate with the player identification card reader and at least the non-resident gaming establishment management system to cause a display of the event of the non-resident gaming establishment management system.

12. The player identification device of claim 11, further comprising a wireless interface configured to enable the player identification processor to wirelessly communicate with a mobile device.

13. The player identification device of claim 12, wherein the non-resident gaming establishment management system comprises a cashless wagering server and when executed by the player identification device processor, the plurality of player identification device instructions cause the player identification device processor to:

wirelessly receive, from the mobile device, data associated with a cashless wagering account accessed via a mobile device application of the mobile device,

request, from the cashless wagering server, an amount of funds from the cashless wagering account, said amount of funds being determined in association with the mobile device application of the mobile device, and

responsive to the requested amount of funds being approved from the cashless wagering server;

communicate data to the electronic gaming machine processor to cause the electronic gaming machine processor to modify a credit balance based on the requested amount of funds, and

cause a wireless transmission of data to the mobile device, said data associated with a fund transfer confirmation to be displayed by the mobile device.

14. The player identification device of claim 13, wherein the data is wirelessly received from and wirelessly transmitted to the mobile device via a wireless protocol selected from the group consisting of:

a near field communication protocol, a WiFi protocol, a Bluetooth Low Energy protocol, a Bluetooth protocol, and a mobile device network protocol.

15. The player identification device of claim 11, wherein the non-resident gaming establishment management system comprises a progressive award server and the event of the non-resident gaming establishment management system comprises causing, via the progressive award server and when the player identification device is coupled to the electronic gaming machine, the electronic gaming machine processor to provide a progressive award.

16. The player identification device of claim 15, wherein a determination to cause the electronic gaming machine processor to provide the progressive award is based, at least in part, on a determination that the activity data is associated with a designated outcome being generated during a play of a game.

17. The player identification device of claim 11, wherein the non-resident gaming establishment management system comprises a mystery bonus award server and the event of the non-resident gaming establishment management system comprises causing, via the mystery bonus award server and when the player identification device is coupled to the electronic gaming machine, the electronic gaming machine processor to provide a mystery bonus award.

18. The player identification device of claim 17, wherein a determination to cause the electronic gaming machine processor to provide the mystery bonus award is based, at least in part, the activity data and is independent of any displayed event occurring during a play of a game.

19. The player identification device of claim 11, wherein the non-resident gaming establishment management system comprises a content management server and the event of the non-resident gaming establishment management system comprises causing, via the content management server, a display of an externally controlled interface.

20. The player identification device of claim 19, wherein the display of the externally controlled interface occurs in association with a service window displayed, via a universal game adapter, by an electronic gaming machine display device.