Gaming system using single player-identification card for performing multiple functions

• US 20070135211A1
• Filed: 08/30/2004
• Published: 06/14/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sg Gaming, Inc. (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sg Gaming, Inc. (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Inventors: Blackburn, Christopher, Schwartz, Richard, Jan, Chih-Hui, Simmermon, James, Block, Rory, Rathsack, Erhard, Warkentin, Terry
• Application Number:
  US10/571,407
• Publication Number:
  US 20070135211A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/29
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3239 Tracking of individual players
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3255 Incentive, loyalty and/or promotion schemes, e.g. comps, gaming associated with a purchase, gaming funded by advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3258 Cumulative reward schemes, e.g. jackpots

Abstract

A gaming terminal comprises an input device for receiving a player card during a wagering game. The input device has a reading component(s) for reading at least two different media on the game card. The gaming terminal includes a display for displaying a randomly selected game outcome and information related to different functions associated with the two different media on the game card. A method of operating a wagering game comprises storing data in at least one database and receiving, at a gaming terminal, a player card from a player. The player card includes first and second distinct media. The first and second media provide information to the gaming terminal. The method includes performing a first function in response to comparing the information on the first media with the data, and performing a second function in response to comparing the information on the second media with the data.

Claims

1. A method of operating a wagering game, comprising:

storing data in at least one database, said data being used for operating said wagering game;

receiving, at a gaming terminal, a player card from a player, said player card including first media and second media distinct from said first media, said first and second media each providing information to said gaming terminal;

performing a first function in response to comparing said information on the first media with said data; and

performing a second function in response to comparing said information on the second media with said data.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said first function relates to tracking a player.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said second function relates to determining access to a restricted-access progressive game.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said second function relates to determining access to a restricted-access progressive game.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said first and second media are both bar codes.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said first and second media are both magnetic strips.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said first and second media provide radio frequency identification signals.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein only one of said first and second media is a bar code.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein only one of said first and second media is a magnetic strip.

10. A gaming terminal capable of playing a wagering game, comprising:

an input device for receiving a single player card from a player during said wagering game, said input device having at least one reading component for reading at least two media on said single game card; and

a display for displaying a randomly selected outcome of said wagering game in response to receiving a wager amount from a player.

11. The gaming terminal of claim 10, wherein said two media are both bar codes and said multiple reading components read bar codes.

12. The gaming terminal of claim 10, wherein said two media are both magnetic strip codes and said multiple reading components read magnetic strip codes.

13. The gaming terminal of claim 10, wherein one of said two media is a radio frequency identification signal and one of said multiple reading components is a receiver.

14. The gaming terminal of claim 10, wherein one of said two media provides information for determining access to a restricted-access progressive game.

15. The gaming terminal of claim 10, wherein one of said two media provides information related to tracking a player.

16. The gaming terminal of claim 10, wherein said two media are on the same side of said single game card.

17. The gaming terminal of claim 10, wherein said at least one reading component includes two reading components.

18. A method of operating a wagering game, comprising:

storing data in a first database and a second database;

receiving, at a gaming terminal, a player card from a player, said player card including first media and second media distinct from said first media, said first and second media each providing information to said gaming terminal;

using information from said first media to identify the player in said first database; and

using information from said second media to identify the player in said second database.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said first database includes data for a casino player tracking system.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said second database includes data for a restricted-access progressive game.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein said first and second media are on the same side of said player card.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein said first and second media are different types of media.