Secure Smart Card Operations

• US 20100197383A1
• Filed: 04/08/2010
• Published: 08/05/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Cunningham II, William R., MacMillan, Scott J., Rader, Richard, Espin, Marc, Bartholomew, Robert P., Petersen, Erik B.
• Granted Patent: US 9,123,204 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/25
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/105 Arrangements for software license management or administration, e.g. for managing licenses at corporate level
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/34 involving the use of external additional devices, e.g. dongles or smart cards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2109 Game systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/24 Credit schemes, i.e. "pay after"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/34 using cards, e.g. integrated circuit [IC] cards or magnetic cards
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/382 insuring higher security of transaction
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/409 Device specific authentication in transaction processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 2220/10 Usage protection of distributed data files
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3241 Security aspects of a gaming system, e.g. detecting cheating, device integrity, surveillance computer security G06F21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3251 involving media of variable value, e.g. programmable cards, programmable tokens
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3281 wherein game attributes are transferred between players, e.g. points, weapons, avatars

Abstract

Various embodiments described or referenced herein are directed to different devices, methods, systems, and computer program products for facilitating cashless digital transactions (e.g., in a casino environment). A wager-based gaming machine may include a memory device capable of storing a first credit balance representing an amount of credit available for wagering. The wager-based gaming machine may include a communication interface configured to communicate with a portable electronic device capable of storing a second credit balance representing a second amount of credit available on the portable electronic device. The wager-based gaming machine may include a secure transaction device. The secure transaction device may be operable to transmit to the portable electronic device a request to update the second credit balance, the request including security authorization information. The secure transaction device may also be operable to receive from the portable electronic device an indication that the second amount of credit has been updated in accordance with the request, when it is determined that the security authorization information complies with one or more security authorization requirements. The secure transaction device may also be operable to update the first credit balance stored in the first memory device in accordance with the request.

Claims

1. A wager-based gaming machine comprising:

a master gaming controller configured to control one or more games of chance;

a wager input device operable to receive an indication of a wager to play the one or more games of chance;

a value output device configured to output an indication of value including an award based on play of the one or more games of chance;

a first memory device capable of storing a first credit balance representing a first amount of credit available for wagering to play the one or more games of chance;

a communication interface configured to communicate with a portable electronic device having a first processor and a second memory device, the second memory device capable of storing a second credit balance representing a second amount of credit available on the portable electronic device; and

a secure transaction device comprising a second processor and a third memory device, the processor operable to;

transmit to the portable electronic device, via the communication interface, a first request to update the second credit balance, the first request including security authorization information;

receive from the portable electronic device, via the communication interface, when it is determined that the security authorization information complies with one or more security authorization requirements, an indication that the second amount of credit has been updated in accordance with the request; and

update the first credit balance stored in the first memory device in accordance with the request.

2. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the first request includes a request to transfer a designated credit amount from the portable electronic device to the gaming machine.

3. The gaming machine of claim 2, wherein the first request is transmitted responsive to a determination that the first credit balance has reached a first credit threshold.

4. The gaming machine of claim 3, wherein the second processor of the secure transaction device is further operable to determine, using a predetermined auto-transfer amount and the first credit threshold, the designated credit amount.

5. The gaming machine of claim 2, wherein the first request is transmitted responsive to a request received from a user of the gaming machine.

6. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the first request includes a request to transfer the designated credit amount from the gaming machine to the portable electronic device.

7. The gaming machine of claim 6,

wherein the master gaming controller is operable to place the gaming machine in an out-of-service state in response to a request received from the secure transaction device;

and

wherein the second processor of the secure transaction device is further operable to;

determine, in response to a request to cash out, whether the communication interface is in communication with the portable electronic device;

transfer, in response to a determination that the communication interface is not in communication with the portable electronic device, the first credit balance from the first memory device to the third memory device;

transmit a request to the master gaming controller, the request indicating that the gaming machine should be placed in the out-of-service state; and

transmit a request to perform a no-card-cash-out operation.

8. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the second processor of the secure transaction device is further operable to:

determine a first offline window for the portable electronic device, the first offline window representing a time period in which the portable electronic device may be used for cashless gaming without authenticating with one or more cashless gaming servers;

determine a first on-line use of the portable electronic device, the first on-line use corresponding to a most recent time in which the portable electronic device was authenticated with the one or more cashless gaming servers;

determine, using the first offline window and the first offline use, whether the first offline use is within the first offline window;

permit, when the first offline use is within the first offline window, use of the portable electronic device without the portable electronic device authenticating with the one or more cashless gaming servers.

9. The gaming machine of claim 6, wherein the second processor of the secure transaction device is further operable to:

receive from the portable electronic device, via the communication interface, identification information associated with the portable electronic device;

transmit, to a cashless gaming server, a first message including the received identification information;

receive, from the cashless gaming server, a second message including an indication that further use of the portable electronic device has been at least partially blocked; and

output a notification that further use of the portable electronic device has been blocked.

10. A method of operating a wager-based gaming machine, the method comprising:

storing, in a first memory device on the gaming machine, a first credit balance representing a first amount of credit available for wagering to play the one or more games of chance available on the gaming machine;

transmitting from a secure transaction device on the gaming machine, via a communication interface, a first request to a portable electronic device in communication with the gaming machine, the first request representing a request to update a second credit balance stored on the portable electronic device, the second credit balance representing a second amount of credit available on the portable electronic device, the first request including security authorization information;

receiving from the portable electronic device, via the communication interface, when it is determined that the security authorization information complies with one or more security authorization requirements, an indication that the first amount of credit has been updated in accordance with the request; and

updating the first credit balance stored in the first memory device in accordance with the request.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the first request includes a request to transfer a designated credit amount from the portable electronic device to the gaming machine.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the first request is transmitted responsive to a determination that the first credit balance has reached a first credit threshold.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the second processor of the secure transaction device is further operable to determine, using a predetermined auto-transfer amount and the first credit threshold, the designated credit amount.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the first request is transmitted in response to a request received from a user of the gaming machine.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the first request includes a request to transfer a designated credit amount from the gaming machine to the portable electronic device.

16. The method of claim 15, the method further comprising:

determining, in response to a request to cash out, whether the communication interface is in communication with the portable electronic device;

transferring, in response to a determination that the communication interface is not in communication with the portable electronic device, the first credit balance from the first memory device to the third memory device;

transmitting a request to the master gaming controller indicating that the gaming machine should be temporarily placed in an out-of-service state; and

transmitting a request to perform a no-card-cash-out operation.

17. The method of claim 11, the method further comprising:

determining a first offline window for the portable electronic device, the first offline window representing a time period in which the portable electronic device may be used for cashless gaming without authenticating with one or more cashless gaming servers;

determining a first on-line use of the portable electronic device, the first on-line use corresponding to a most recent time in which the portable electronic device was authenticated with the one or more cashless gaming servers;

determining, using the first offline window and the first offline use, whether the first offline use is within the first offline window;

permitting, when the first offline use is within the first offline window, use of the portable electronic device without the portable electronic device authenticating with the one or more cashless gaming servers.

18. The method of claim 11, the method further comprising:

receiving from the portable electronic device, via the communication interface, identification information associated with the portable electronic device;

transmitting, to a cashless gaming server, a first message including the received identification information;

receiving, from the cashless gaming server, a second message including an indication that the portable electronic device has been blocked; and

outputting a notification that further use of the portable electronic device has been at least partially blocked.

19. A system for cashless gaming, the system comprising:

a gaming machine configured to present one or more games of chance, the gaming machine comprising;

a wager input device operable to receive an indication of a wager to play the one or more games of chance;

a value output device configured to output an indication of value including an award based on play of the one or more games of chance;

a first memory device capable of storing a first credit balance representing a first amount of credit available for wagering to play the one or more games of chance controlled by the master gaming controller; and

one or more communication interfaces;

a portable electronic device in communication with the gaming machine via the one or more communication interfaces, the portable electronic device comprising;

a first processor;

a second memory device capable of storing a second credit balance representing a second amount of credit available on the portable electronic device;

a secure transaction device in communication with the gaming machine via the one or more communication interfaces, the secure transaction device comprising a second processor and a third memory device, the processor configured to;

transmit to the portable electronic device, via the one or more communication interfaces, a first request to update the second credit balance, the first request including security authorization information;

receive from the portable electronic device, via the one or more communication interfaces, when the security authorization information complies with one or more security authorization requirements, an indication that the second amount of credit has been updated in accordance with the request; and

update the first credit balance stored in the first memory device in accordance with the request.

20. The gaming machine of claim 19, wherein the first request includes a request to transfer a designated credit amount from the portable electronic device to the gaming machine.

21. The gaming machine of claim 20, wherein the first request is transmitted responsive to a determination that the first credit balance has reached a first credit threshold.

22. The gaming machine of claim 21, wherein the second processor of the secure transaction device is further operable to determine, using a predetermined auto-transfer amount and the first credit threshold, the designated credit amount.

23. The gaming machine of claim 20, wherein the first request is transmitted responsive to a request received from a user of the gaming machine.

24. The gaming machine of claim 19, wherein the first request includes a request to transfer a first credit amount from the gaming machine to the portable electronic device.

25. The gaming machine of claim 23,

wherein the gaming machine in configured to place itself in an out-of-service state in response to a request received from the secure transaction device;

and

wherein the second processor of the secure transaction device is further operable to;

determine, in response to a request to cash out, whether the one or more communication interfaces are in communication with the portable electronic device;

transfer, in response to a determination that the one or more communication interfaces are not in communication with the portable electronic device, the first credit balance from the first memory device to the third memory device;

transmit a request to the master gaming controller, the request indicating that the gaming machine should be temporarily placed in the out-of-service state; and

transmit a request to perform a no-card-cash-out operation.

26. The gaming machine of claim 19, wherein the second processor of the secure transaction device is further configured to:

determine a first offline window for the portable electronic device, the first offline window representing a time period in which the portable electronic device may be used for cashless gaming without authenticating with one or more cashless gaming servers;

determine a first on-line use of the portable electronic device, the first on-line use corresponding to a most recent time in which the portable electronic device was authenticated with the one or more cashless gaming servers;

determine, using the first offline window and the first offline use, whether the first offline use is within the first offline window;

permit, when the first offline use is within the first offline window, use of the portable electronic device without the portable electronic device authenticating with the one or more cashless gaming servers.

27. The gaming machine of claim 23, wherein the second processor of the secure transaction device is further configured to:

receive from the portable electronic device, via the one or more communication interfaces, identification information associated with the portable electronic device;

transmit, to a cashless gaming server, a first message including the received identification information;

receive, from the cashless gaming server, a second message including an indication that the portable electronic device has been blocked; and

output a notification that further use of the portable electronic device has been at least partially blocked.