Methods and apparatus for providing secure logon to a gaming machine using a mobile device

• US 10,706,677 B2
• Filed: 06/05/2018
• Issued: 07/07/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Nelson, Dwayne R., LeMay, Steven G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lim, Seng H
• Application Number:
  US16/000,240
• Publication Number:
  US 20180286178A1
• Time in Patent Office: 763 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2457 Display screens, e.g. monitors, video displays
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/24 Electric games; Games using electronic circuits not otherwise provided for video games A63F13/00; computerized gaming systems G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3209 Input means, e.g. buttons, touch screen
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3211 Display means
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3223 Architectural aspects of a gaming system, e.g. internal configuration, master/slave, wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3225 Data transfer within a gaming system, e.g. data sent between gaming machines and users
• 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 17/3251 involving media of variable value, e.g. programmable cards, programmable tokens

Abstract

A gaming system compatible with patron-controlled portable electronic devices, such as smart phones or tablet computers, is described. When a transaction is initiated on an EGM that requires the input of Sensitive Information data, such data can be input directly from the Player/Patrons Portable Electronic Device. Hence, such input of their Sensitive Information data is more discrete, and generally out of plain view from the other Player/Patrons.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a processor; and

a memory device which stores a plurality of instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to;

detect if a mobile device is within a designated range of a designated area of a housing of an electronic gaming machine, wherein said mobile device stores authentication information associated with a player, and

responsive to the mobile device being detected to be within the designated range of the designated area of the housing of the electronic gaming machine;

generate a logon code, and

cause the generated logon code to be wirelessly transmitted to the mobile device, wherein a determination occurs whether to automatically log in the player based on the generated logon code and the stored authentication information.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the player is automatically logged in responsive to a server determining that a logon code wirelessly transmitted from the mobile device to the server matches the logon code wirelessly transmitted to the mobile device.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the authentication information is wirelessly transmitted to the server with the logon code.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the server determines if the authentication information is associated with a player account.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein when executed by the processor after the logon code is wirelessly transmitted to the mobile device, the plurality of instructions cause the processor to wirelessly receive data from the mobile device.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the data includes a logon code and the stored authentication information.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein when executed by the processor, the plurality of instructions cause the processor to automatically log the player in if the logon code wirelessly transmitted from the mobile device matches the logon code wirelessly transmitted to the mobile device.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein wirelessly transmitting the login code to the mobile device includes emitting near-field radio waves.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the login code expires after a period of time.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the processor is supported by the housing of the electronic gaming machine.

11. A method of operating a device, said method comprising:

detecting if a mobile device is within a designated range of a designated area of a housing of an electronic gaming machine, wherein said mobile device stores authentication information associated with a player, and

responsive to the mobile device being detected to be within the designated range of the designated area of the housing of the electronic gaming machine;

generating, by a processor, a logon code, and

causing the generated logon code to be wirelessly transmitted to the mobile device, wherein a determination occurs whether to automatically log in the player based on the generated logon code and the stored authentication information.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the player is automatically logged in responsive to a server determining that a logon code wirelessly transmitted from the mobile device to the server matches the logon code wirelessly transmitted to the mobile device.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the authentication information is wirelessly transmitted to the server with the logon code.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the server determines if the authentication information is associated with a player account.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising, after the logon code is wirelessly transmitted to the mobile device, wirelessly receiving data from the mobile device.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the data includes a logon code and the stored authentication information.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising automatically logging the player in if the logon code wirelessly transmitted from the mobile device matches the logon code wirelessly transmitted to the mobile device.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein wirelessly transmitting the login code to the mobile device includes emitting near-field radio waves.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein the login code expires after a period of time.