Configuration of Interfaces for a Location Detection System and Application

• US 20080150678A1
• Filed: 11/13/2007
• Published: 06/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Proxense, LLC
• Original Assignee: Proxense, LLC
• Inventors: Kelly, Bryan, Giobbi, John J., Brown, David L., Hirt, Fred S.
• Granted Patent: US 9,269,221 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.2
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00261 the keyless data carrier having more than one function
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00182 operated with unidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link

Abstract

A system and method provides efficient and highly reliable customer and asset tracking. A Personal Digital Key (PDK) is associated with and carried by a user or fixed to an asset. The PDK wirelessly communicates with a receiver/decoder circuit (RDC) that can be coupled to a variety of electronic devices. The RDC authenticates the PDK based on received data and stores information to track customers and provide improved service. The RDC can be coupled to or integrated with a variety of electronic devices. The operation of the electronic device is determined based on an identification code of the detected PDK and an identification code of the RDC. The electronic device, the PDK or both can be configured with a personalized user interface and execute specific functions based on stored state information associated with the PDK and RDC identification codes.

Claims

1. A method for configuring operation of an electronic device coupled to a receiver/decoder circuit, the receiver/decoder circuit (RDC) adapted to wirelessly communicate with a personal digital key (PDK), the method comprising:

wirelessly detecting the PDK with the RDC;

receiving from the PDK a PDK identification code identifying the PDK;

identifying the electronic device corresponding to the RDC; and

configuring operation of the electronic device based on the PDK identification code.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the electronic device corresponding to the RDC comprises:

receiving from the RDC an RDC identification code identifying the RDC.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein configuring operation of the electronic device is further based on the RDC identification code.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein configuring operation of the electronic device comprises:

determining a user function executable by the electronic device; and

configuring at least one of the electronic device and the PDK with a user interface based on the user function.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein determining a user function executable by the electronic device comprises:

determining PDK state information associated with the PDK identification code.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein determining a user function executable by the electronic device comprises:

determining RDC state information associated with an RDC identification code received from the RDC.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein configuring at least one of the electronic device and the PDK comprises:

displaying a menu on a viewing screen, the menu comprising a visual representation of the user function;

assigning a soft key to a menu option from the menu, wherein selection of the soft key causes the selected user function to execute.

8. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

executing an automated function based on the PDK identification code.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein executing an automated function comprises:

causing a personalized message to display on a viewing screen, the personalized message specific to a patron associated with the PDK identification code.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein executing an automated function comprises:

storing in an event log, the PDK identification code and a selected user function.

11. The method of claim 4, wherein the electronic device is a gaming machine, wherein the PDK is associated with a casino patron and wherein configuring at least one of the electronic device and the PDK with a user interface comprises:

determining a patron'"'"'s preferred game settings based on data stored in association with the PDK identification code; and

configuring the gaming machine to match the preferred game settings of the patron.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

determining a promotional offer to offer the patron to entice the patron to play the gaming machine; and

displaying the promotional offer on a viewing screen of the gaming machine.

13. The method of claim 4, wherein the electronic device comprises a hotel welcome kiosk, wherein the PDK is associated with a hotel guest and wherein configuring at least on of the electronic device and the PDK with a user interface comprises:

acquiring stored guest information for the guest associated with the PDK identification code;

assigning a room based on the acquired guest information; and

authorizing the guest to enter the room.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein authorizing the guest to enter the room comprises:

storing an association between the PDK identification code and a room RDC identification code, the room RDC identification code associated with a room RDC placed outside the assigned room;

responsive to the room RDC detecting the PDK within a proximity zone of the room RDC, performing an authentication test on the PDK; and

responsive to the authentication test indicating that the PDK identification code is associated with the room RDC identification code, causing the door to unlock for the guest.

15. The method of claim 4, wherein the electronic device comprises a cashier kiosk and wherein configuring at least one of the electronic device and the PDK with a user interface based on the user function comprises:

determining account information stored in association with the PDK identification code;

presenting fund transfer options on a display screen; and

responsive to receiving a selection to transfer funds, executing an electronic funds transfer between specified accounts.

16. The method of claim 4, wherein the PDK is associated with an employee and wherein configuring at least one of the electronic device and the PDK with a user interface based on the user function comprises:

performing an authentication test to determine if the employee is authorized to perform service functions;

responsive to determining that the employee is authorized, configuring a display with service options associated with the service functions;

responsive to the employee selecting a service option, executing the specified service function; and

storing a record of the specified service function, the employee and time of service.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the electronic device is a gaming machine and wherein a player can continue a player session while the service function is executing.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein configuring operation of the electronic device comprises configuring the electronic device to:

determine preferences of the patron based on preference information stored in association with the PDK identification code; and

alert a staff member of a patron'"'"'s location and preferences and dispatch the staff member to the patron'"'"'s location.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

updating a location map carried by the staff member to indicate the patron'"'"'s location in real time as the patron moves.

20. The method of claim 2, wherein the PDK is fixed to an asset, wherein configuring operation of the electronic device comprises configuring the electronic device to:

determine a location of the RDC based on location information stored in association with the RDC identification code;

determining a time that the PDK is detected by the RDC; and

storing the location and the time of detection in a log to track movement of the asset.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

responsive to determining that the asset moves outside of a designated allowed zone, triggering an alarm.

22. A tracking system comprising:

a receiver/decoder circuit (RDC) adapted to wirelessly receive a personal digital key (PDK) identification code from a PDK;

a configuration module adapted to communicate with the RDC, the configuration module receiving the PDK identification code and determining configuration data based on the PDK identification code; and

an electronic device adapted to receive the configuration data from the configuration module and operate according to instructions specified by the configuration data.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the configuration module comprises:

a PDK database storing PDK state information associated with the PDK identification code;

an RDC database storing RDC state information associated with an RDC identification code identifying the RDC; and

decision logic adapted to receive the PDK state information and the RDC state information and determine the configuration data.

24. The system of claim 22, wherein the decision logic is further adapted to determine a user function executable by the electronic device based on at least one of the PDK state information and the RDC state information and determine configuration of a user interface of at least one of the electronic device and the PDK.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the decision logic is further adapted to determine an assignment of a soft key to the user function.

26. A configuration module for configuring operation of an electronic device coupled to a receiver/decoder circuit (RDC), the RDC adapted to wirelessly communicate with a personal digital key (PDK) identifiable by a PDK identification code, the configuration module comprising:

a PDK database adapted to store PDK state information associated with the PDK identification code; and

decision logic adapted to retrieve the PDK state information from the PDK database and determine configuration data specifying operation of the electronic device based on the PDK state information.

27. The configuration module of claim 26, further comprising:

an RDC database adapted to store RDC state information associated with an RDC identification code, the RDC identification code identifying the RDC; and

wherein the decision logic further specifies the configuration data based on the RDC state information.

28. The configuration module of claim 26, wherein the decision logic is further adapted to determine a user function executable by the electronic device and configure at least one of the electronic device and the PDK with a user interface based on the user function.