Universal personal identifier for accessing patron information at a gaming venue
First Claim
1. A method for associating a patron with wagering game play at a gaming machine in a server-based gaming network, the method comprising:
- associating a unique patron identification with the patron;
establishing a patron account for the patron, the patron account being identified by the unique patron identification;
associating the gaming machine with a universal personal identifier device for receiving a universal personal identifier having a patron identification, the universal personal identifier device capable of detecting and transmitting the patron identification;
receiving the patron identification;
comparing the patron identification to the unique patron identification; and
enabling collection of patron accounting data resulting from wagering game play if the patron identification matches the unique patron identification.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for associating a patron with wagering game play at a gaming machine in a server-based gaming network is disclosed. The method includes associating a unique patron identification with the patron, establishing a patron account for the patron where the patron account is identified by the unique patron identification, associating the gaming machine with a universal personal identifier device for receiving a universal personal identifier having a patron identification where the universal personal identifier device is capable of detecting and transmitting the patron identification, receiving the patron identification, comparing the patron identification to the unique patron identification, and enabling collection of patron accounting data resulting from wagering game play if the patron identification matches the unique patron identification. The universal personal identifier device may be a card reader, a touch screen, a biometric device, a Bluetooth™ module device, a microchip scanner, or a combination thereof.
512 Citations
50 Claims
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1. A method for associating a patron with wagering game play at a gaming machine in a server-based gaming network, the method comprising:
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associating a unique patron identification with the patron;
establishing a patron account for the patron, the patron account being identified by the unique patron identification;
associating the gaming machine with a universal personal identifier device for receiving a universal personal identifier having a patron identification, the universal personal identifier device capable of detecting and transmitting the patron identification;
receiving the patron identification;
comparing the patron identification to the unique patron identification; and
enabling collection of patron accounting data resulting from wagering game play if the patron identification matches the unique patron identification. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for associating a patron with spending activity at a point of sale terminal in a server-based gaming network, the method comprising:
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associating a unique patron identification with the patron;
establishing a patron account for the patron, the patron account being identified by the unique patron identification;
associating the point of sale terminal with a universal personal identifier device for receiving a universal personal identifier having a patron identification, the universal personal identifier device capable of detecting and transmitting the patron identification;
receiving the patron identification;
comparing the patron identification to the unique patron identification; and
enabling collection of patron accounting data resulting from spending activity if the patron identification matches the unique patron identification. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A method for associating a patron with wagering game play at a gaming machine in a server-based gaming network, the method comprising:
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associating a unique patron identification with the patron;
establishing a patron account for the patron, the patron account being identified by the unique patron identification;
associating the gaming machine with a Bluetooth™
module for receiving a unique identity bit stream having a patron identification from a Bluetooth™
portable device, the Bluetooth™
module capable of detecting and transmitting the patron identification;
detecting establishment of a Bluetooth™
wireless connection between the Bluetooth™
module and the Bluetooth™
portable device;
receiving the patron identification via the Bluetooth™
wireless connection;
comparing the patron identification to the unique patron identification; and
enabling collection of patron accounting data resulting from wagering game play if the patron identification matches the unique patron identification. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. A server-based gaming network that allows a patron with a universal personal identifier to be associated with wagering game play at a gaming machine, the server-based gaming network comprising:
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a plurality of gaming machines, at least one of the gaming machines comprising;
a value input device;
a video display capable of displaying video images associated with the wagering game play;
a universal personal identifier device configured to receive a universal personal identifier having a patron identification, and configured to detect the patron identification from the universal personal identifier; and
a gaming machine controller operatively coupled to the value input device, the video display and the universal personal identifier device, the gaming machine controller comprising a processor and a memory coupled to the processor of the gaming machine controller, the gaming machine controller being programmed to;
receive the patron identification from the universal personal identifier device, allow the patron to make a wager for the wagering game play, cause a video image representing an outcome of the wagering game play to be displayed on the video display, and determine a value payout associated with the outcome; and
a server operatively coupled to the at least one of the gaming machines, the server comprising;
a server controller, the server controller comprising a processor and a memory coupled to the processor of the server controller, the server controller being programmed to;
associate a unique patron identification with the patron, establish a patron account for the patron, the patron account being identified by the unique patron identification, receive the patron identification from the gaming machine controller, compare the patron identification to the unique patron identification, and enable collection of patron accounting data resulting from the wagering game play if the patron identification matches the unique patron identification. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50)
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Specification