SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATED CUSTOMER ACCOUNT CREATION AND MANAGEMENT

• US 20090276341A1
• Filed: 04/30/2008
• Published: 11/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LNW Gaming Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Bally Gaming Incorporated (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Inventors: Shivashankar, Sethuram, McMahan, Patricia, Kelly, Bryan
• Granted Patent: US 9,563,898 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/30
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0224 based on user history
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/12 Accounting

Abstract

A method and system to automatically create and manage patron accounts using electronic data capture at an automated machine or kiosk, including electronically obtaining personal patron identification information from a patron identification source, such as a driver'"'"'s license, determining if a patron account exists and if the identification source has expired and updating any existing patron account with the captured data. If the patron identification source is current and no account exists, a temporary account is created and a temporary patron account card supplied to the patron along with promotional offers. Patron activity is monitored at the location and used in creating a permanent patron account for providing additional offers, bonuses, and the like to the patron.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method of creating and managing patron accounts using electronic data capture and generating a patron card at an automated kiosk, the method comprising:

electronically obtaining personal patron identification information from a patron identification source;

determining from the personal patron identification information if a patron account exists in a computer system and determining if the patron identification source is expired; and

if the patron identification source is expired, updating the patron account if it exists to indicate that the patron identification source is expired, and if the patron identification source is not expired, updating the patron account if it exists with the captured personal patron identification information, or if no patron account exists, creating a temporary patron account and providing a temporary patron account card.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein electronically obtaining personal patron identification information comprises reading the personal patron identification information with at least one from among a magnetic card reader, a machine-readable symbol reader, a fingerprint sensor, a retina scanner, a photo imaging device, a radio frequency data exchange device, and a driver license scanner.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising providing notification when the patron identification source is expired.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein providing notification includes providing notification to at least one of the patron and a manager of patron accounts.

5. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

inactivating an existing patron account if the patron identification source is expired.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising monitoring patron activity via patron use of the temporary patron account card.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising creating a permanent patron account and printing a patron account card and providing a personal identification number to the patron upon creation of the permanent patron account.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising transferring data from the temporary patron account card to the permanent patron account using the personal identification number.

9. The method of claim 6, further comprising providing a bonus to a patron based on monitored patron activity.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein providing a bonus includes providing at least one from among compensation points, coupons, discounts, entry into a drawing or game of chance, and credit to the patron account.

11. A computer-implemented system for automated patron account creation and management using electronic data capture of patron identification information taken from a patron identification source, the system comprising:

an electronic data capture system configured to electronically obtain personal patron identification information from at least one patron identification source;

a computer system coupled to the electronic data capture system and configured to receive the personal patron identification information from the electronic data capture system, the computer system configured to

determine from the personal patron identification information if a corresponding patron account exists in the computer system and determining if the patron identification source is expired; and

if the patron identification source is expired, updating the patron account if the patron account exists to indicate that the patron identification source is expired, and if the patron account does not exist, not setting up a temporary patron account; and

if the patron identification source is not expired, updating the patron account if it exists based at least in part on the personal patron identification information or, if no patron account exists, creating a temporary patron account; and

a device for creating a temporary patron account card for delivery to the patron.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the electronic data capture system comprises at least one from among a magnetic card reader, a machine-readable symbol reader, a fingerprint sensor, a retina scanner, a photo imaging device, a radio frequency data exchange device, and a driver license scanner.

13. The system of claim 11, further comprising a machine for use by the patron to obtain services or goods or both, the machine coupled to the computer system and configured to be activated and deactivated by the computer system in response to receipt and processing of the personal patron identification information.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the computer system is adapted to monitor machine use by the patron and store data indicative of the machine use in at least one of the patron account and the temporary patron account card.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the computer system is adapted to download data regarding the machine use from the temporary patron account card and to utilize the data in creating and managing a permanent patron account.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the computer system is adapted to create a permanent patron account and to provide a patron personal identification number upon creation of the permanent patron account using the personal patron identification information.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the machine comprises a slot machine.

18. A method of creating and using a temporary casino patron account at a gaming machine, the method comprising:

reading patron identification information from a patron identification source at an electronic data capture device located at the gaming machine;

comparing the personal patron identification information against a patron account database and determining from the comparison if the personal patron identification information matches an existing patron account in the database;

creating a temporary patron account if the personal patron identification information does not match an existing patron account in the patron account database; and

monitoring game play data generated by the patron using the temporary patron account.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising creating a permanent patron account for the patron and transferring game play data from the temporary account into the permanent patron account.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein game play data comprises bonusing data based upon the game play data.

21. The method of claim 18, further comprising providing a player account card to the patron if the comparison of the personal patron identification information matches an existing patron account in the patron account database.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising receiving a personal identification number from the patron and comparing the personal identification number with information associated with the patron account for verification;

and

providing access to the patron to additional casino services when the personal identification number provided by the patron matches the personal identification number associated with the patron'"'"'s account in the patron account database.

23. The method of claim 18, further comprising providing a temporary patron account card to the patron after creating a temporary patron account.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising providing printed coupons to the patron after creating the temporary patron account and providing the temporary patron account card to the patron.