USE OF WIRELESS SIGNAL STRENGTH TO DETERMINE CONNECTION

• US 20130165232A1
• Filed: 12/22/2011
• Published: 06/27/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: NELSON, Dwayne R., LEMAY, Steven G.
• Granted Patent: US 8,622,836 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/42
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3218 wherein at least part of the system is portable
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3237 about the players, e.g. profiling, responsible gaming, strategy/behavior of players, location of players
• 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

Abstract

A gaming system compatible with patron-controlled portable electronic devices, such as smart phones or tablet computers, is described. The gaming system is configured to detect the presence of portable electronic devices and to determine whether to initiate a wireless communication session with the portable electronic device based on the strength of the signal received from the portable electronic device. If the signal strength exceeds a minimal threshold level, thereby indicating the portable electronic device is near a gaming device, a wireless communication session can be initiated. The signal strength transmitted from the portable electronic device can be monitored during a game play session to determine whether the wireless communication session should remain active or be terminated.

Claims

1. A method in a gaming system comprising:

receiving, via a network interface, detection information indicating a presence of a portable electronic device in a wager-based gaming environment, wherein detection information includes wireless signal data transmitted from the portable electronic device;

determining, using one or more processors, a signal strength from the wireless signal data;

determining, using the one or more processors, whether the signal strength has increased and exceeds a predetermined threshold level; and

upon determining that the signal strength has increased and exceeds the predetermined threshold level, initiating a wireless connection with the portable electronic device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

initiating the wireless connection with the portable electronic device upon determining that the signal strength increased, exceeded the predetermined threshold level, and levels off after becoming stronger.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

initiating the wireless connection upon determining that the signal strength has leveled off for an amount of time exceeding a time threshold.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the detection information is received from one or more electronic gaming machines each including a wireless receiver.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining a location of the portable electronic device using the detection information.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a location from the portable electronic device wherein the location is self-determined by the portable electronic device.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting when the signal strength levels off to a non-zero strength after decreasing; and

determining whether a gaming machine is engaged in an active game play session.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising terminating the wireless connection with the portable electronic device if the signal strength levels off to a non-zero strength after decreasing and the gaming machine is not engaged in an active game play session.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising maintaining the wireless connection with the portable electronic device if the signal strength levels off to a non-zero strength after decreasing and the gaming machine is engaged in an active game play session.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining whether to initiate a wireless connection between the portable electronic device and a nearest EGM not engaged in an active game play session.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving identification information associated with a patron from one of the portable electronic device or an electronic gaming machine, retrieving gaming preference information from a loyalty program account using the identification information wherein the gaming preference information is used to determine whether to initiate a wireless connection with the portable electronic device.

12. A method in a gaming system comprising:

detecting, via a network interface, a presence of a portable electronic device in a gaming environment;

determining, using one or more processors, an available gaming device;

receiving at the gaming device wireless signal data transmitted by the portable electronic device;

monitoring, using the one or more processors, a signal strength from the wireless signal data; and

initiating a wireless communication link between the gaming device and the portable electronic device upon detecting that the signal strength has increased and exceeds a predetermined threshold level.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein initiating the wireless communication link takes place at least 30 seconds after the signal strength exceeds the predetermined threshold level.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the available gaming device is a gaming device not engaged in a game play session nor already paired with another portable electronic device.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the available gaming device is a gaming device engaged in a game play session for a game configured for multiple players.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein initiating the wireless communication link takes place after the signal strength levels off for a period of time after increasing.

17. The method of claim 12, further comprising terminating the wireless communication link after the signal strength falls below the predetermined threshold level.

18. A method in a gaming system including a server, processor, memory and a network interface, the method comprising:

receiving at an electronic gaming machine a wireless signal from a portable electronic device;

monitoring, using one or more processors, a signal strength of the wireless signal received at the electronic gaming machine; and

establishing a wireless communication session between the electronic gaming machine and the portable electronic device if the signal strength has increased and reaches at least a predetermined level.

19. The method of claim 18, establishing the wireless communication session is performed by a secondary controller on the electronic gaming machine that is separate from a game controller.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the secondary controller is located in one of a player tracking unit, a bill validator, a card reader or a printer coupled to the electronic gaming machine.

21. The method of claim 18, further comprising requiring confirmation by a patron prior to establishing the wireless communication session.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein requiring confirmation includes sending a QR code to the portable electronic device.

23. The method of claim 18, further comprising terminating the wireless communication session after the signal strength falls below a predetermined level.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the electronic gaming machine switches to a power saving mode after terminating the wireless communication session.

25. The method of claim 18, wherein receiving a wireless signal from a portable electronic device is performed by a directional antenna in the electronic gaming machine.