METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INTEGRATED CUSTOMER TRACKING AND BROWSING
First Claim
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1. A method of providing gaming incentives, comprising the steps of:
- receiving a first transmission from a secure memory device in a terminal communicatively coupled to one of a plurality of first gaming devices of a first casino;
wherein the secure memory device is issued to a member of a first incentive program of the first casino, the memory device having a secure memory for storing and retrieving tamperproof customer incentive information and a customer-unique identifier;
wherein the terminal exchanges information between the secure memory device and the one of the plurality of gaming devices;
wherein the plurality of first gaming devices includes at least a subset of first gaming devices that are communicatively isolated from any entity communicatively connected with any of the other of the plurality of first gaming devicescollecting first information describing member-related gaming device activity of the one of the plurality of first gaming devices;
securely transmitting the first information regarding the member-related gaming device activity to the memory device for storage in the secure memory;
receiving a second transmission from the secure memory device in a second terminal communicatively coupled to one of a second plurality of gaming devices of a second casino commercially distinct from the first casino;
wherein the second terminal exchanges information between the secure memory device and the one of the second plurality of gaming devices;
wherein the plurality of second gaming devices includes at least a subset of second gaming devices that are communicatively isolated from any entity communicatively connected with any of the other of the plurality of second gaming devices;
enrolling the member of the first incentive program of the first casino in a second incentive program of the second casino;
collecting second information describing member-related gaming device activity of the one of the second plurality of gaming devices of the second casino;
securely transmitting the second information regarding the member-related gaming device activity to the memory device for storage in the secure memory.
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Abstract
A system and method for tracking customer activity without need for an extensive interconnecting network. The system includes a plurality of gaming devices that are communicatively isolated from one another. Information, including tracked customer activity, bonus requirements, and in one embodiment, personal information, is stored on a memory device communicable with the gaming devices. This allows implementation of an incentive program at reduced cost because the service devices themselves need not be networked together.
120 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of providing gaming incentives, comprising the steps of:
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receiving a first transmission from a secure memory device in a terminal communicatively coupled to one of a plurality of first gaming devices of a first casino; wherein the secure memory device is issued to a member of a first incentive program of the first casino, the memory device having a secure memory for storing and retrieving tamperproof customer incentive information and a customer-unique identifier; wherein the terminal exchanges information between the secure memory device and the one of the plurality of gaming devices; wherein the plurality of first gaming devices includes at least a subset of first gaming devices that are communicatively isolated from any entity communicatively connected with any of the other of the plurality of first gaming devices collecting first information describing member-related gaming device activity of the one of the plurality of first gaming devices; securely transmitting the first information regarding the member-related gaming device activity to the memory device for storage in the secure memory; receiving a second transmission from the secure memory device in a second terminal communicatively coupled to one of a second plurality of gaming devices of a second casino commercially distinct from the first casino; wherein the second terminal exchanges information between the secure memory device and the one of the second plurality of gaming devices; wherein the plurality of second gaming devices includes at least a subset of second gaming devices that are communicatively isolated from any entity communicatively connected with any of the other of the plurality of second gaming devices; enrolling the member of the first incentive program of the first casino in a second incentive program of the second casino; collecting second information describing member-related gaming device activity of the one of the second plurality of gaming devices of the second casino; securely transmitting the second information regarding the member-related gaming device activity to the memory device for storage in the secure memory. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An apparatus for providing gaming incentives, comprising the steps of:
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means for receiving a first transmission from a secure memory device in a terminal communicatively coupled to one of a plurality of first gaming devices of a first casino; wherein the secure memory device is issued to a member of a first incentive program of the first casino, the memory device having a secure memory for storing and retrieving tamperproof customer incentive information and a customer-unique identifier; wherein the terminal exchanges information between the secure memory device and the one of the plurality of gaming devices; wherein the plurality of first gaming devices includes at least a subset of first gaming devices that are communicatively isolated from any entity communicatively connected with any of the other of the plurality of first gaming devices means for collecting first information describing member-related gaming device activity of the one of the plurality of first gaming devices; means for securely transmitting the first information regarding the member-related gaming device activity to the memory device for storage in the secure memory; means for receiving a second transmission from the secure memory device in a second terminal communicatively coupled to one of a second plurality of gaming devices of a second casino commercially distinct from the first casino; wherein the second terminal exchanges information between the secure memory device and the one of the second plurality of gaming devices; wherein the plurality of second gaming devices includes at least a subset of second gaming devices that are communicatively isolated from any entity communicatively connected with any of the other of the plurality of second gaming devices; means for enrolling the member of the first incentive program of the first casino in a second incentive program of the second casino; means for collecting second information describing member-related gaming device activity of the one of the second plurality of gaming devices of the second casino; means for securely transmitting the second information regarding the member-related gaming device activity to the memory device for storage in the secure memory. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification