Tracking system using personal digital key groups

• US 7,883,003 B2
• Filed: 11/13/2007
• Issued: 02/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Proxense, LLC
• Original Assignee: Proxense, LLC
• Inventors: Gobbi, John J., Kelly, Bryan, Brown, David L., Hirt, Fred S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Seung H
• Application Number:
  US11/939,451
• Publication Number:
  US 20080149705A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,183 Days
• Field of Search: 235/375, 235/382, 235/376, 340/572.1, 340/686.6
• US Class Current: 235/376
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/35 communicating wirelessly
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0637 Strategic management or analysis, e.g. setting a goal or target of an organisation; Planning actions based on goals; Analysis or evaluation of effectiveness of goals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0209 Incentive being awarded or redeemed in connection with the playing of a video game
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3239 Tracking of individual players

Abstract

A system and method provides efficient and highly reliable customer tracking. A Personal Digital Key (PDK) is associated with and carried by a user. 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. A PDK can be assigned to one more groups of PDKs based on the received data. Specific functions can then be executed based on the group assignments. In a casino environment, the system enables functions such as group gaming, back betting, event tracking, and notification services.

Claims

1. A method for tracking a patron carrying a personal digital key (PDK), the PDK associated with the patron and wirelessly communicating with a receiver/decoder circuit (RDC), the method comprising:

receiving first PDK data from a first PDK via the RDC, the first PDK data identifying the first PDK, wherein receiving the first PDK data includes (1) wirelessly detecting the first PDK in proximity to a wagering player and (2) wirelessly receiving a first PDK identification code from the first PDK identifying the first PDK;

assigning the first PDK to a group based on location of the first PDK; and

executing a specified function assigned to the group.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the group comprises PDKs in proximity to the wagering player and wherein executing the specified function comprises:

responsive to the wagering player winning a wager, crediting an account linked to each PDK in the group.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

wirelessly detecting a second PDK in proximity to the wagering player;

wirelessly receiving a second PDK identification code from the second PDK identifying the second PDK; and

assigning the second PDK to the group.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein executing the specified function further comprises:

displaying a notification that the account has been credited.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the group comprises PDKs in proximity to the wagering player and wherein executing the specified function comprises:

responsive to the wagering player winning a wager, offering a promotion to individuals associated with each PDK in the group.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the group comprises a set of PDKs configured for back betting and wherein executing the function comprises:

responsive to the wagering player winning a bet, crediting an account linked to each PDK in the back betting group; and

responsive to the wagering player losing a bet, debiting the account linked to each PDK in the back betting group.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

wirelessly detecting a second PDK in proximity to the wagering player;

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

configuring the second PDK with the back betting interface; and

responsive to selecting to place the back bet, assigning the second PDK to the group.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein assigning the first PDK to the group comprises:

configuring the first PDK with a back betting interface, the back betting interface allowing a player to select whether or not to place a back bet; and

responsive to the player selecting to place the back bet, assigning the first PDK to the group.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the first PDK data comprises detecting the first PDK in a designated area and receiving a first PDK identification code identifying the first PDK, and wherein assigning the first PDK to the group comprises:

determining if the first PDK identification code is associated with an event based on stored PDK state information; and

responsive to the first PDK identification code being associated with the event, assigning the first PDK to the group.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

wirelessly detecting a second PDK in the designated event area;

retrieving a second identification code identifying the second PDK;

determining if the second PDK identification code is associated with the event based on the stored PDK state information; and

responsive to the second PDK identification code being associated with the event, assigning the second PDK to the group.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein executing the specified function comprises:

determining if a number of PDKs in the group exceeds a threshold; and

responsive to determining that the number exceeds the threshold, initiating a group event.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein initiating the group event comprises starting a tournament for the present event group.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein initiating the group event comprises signaling a staff member to move to the designated event area.

14. A method for tracking a patron carrying a personal digital key (PDK), the PDK associated with the patron and wirelessly communicating with a receiver/decoder circuit (RDC), the method comprising:

receiving first PDK data from a first PDK via the RDC, the first PDK data identifying the first PDK, wherein receiving the first PDK data comprises determining if a first PDK identification code of the first PDK is associated with a second PDK identification code based on stored PDK state information;

assigning the first PDK to a group based on the received first PDK data; and

executing a specified function assigned to the group, wherein executing the specified function includes (1) monitoring for a reportable event associated with the second PDK and (2) responsive to detecting the reportable event, providing a notification to each PDK in the group.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

determining if a third PDK identification code of a third PDK is associated with the second PDK identification code; and

responsive to determining that the third PDK identification code is associated with the second PDK identification code, assigning the third PDK to the group.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein assigning the PDK to the group comprises:

determining if notification service is enabled for the first PDK; and

responsive to determining that the notification service is enabled, assigning the first PDK to the group.

17. A player tracking system comprising:

a receiver/decoder circuit (RDC) wirelessly receiving data from a personal digital key (PDK);

a configuration module including a PDK database storing PDK state information associated with the PDK identification code and decision logic analyzing the PDK state information and determining the assignment, the configuration module communicating with the receiver/decoder circuit, the configuration module outputting configuration data specifying an assignment of the PDK to a group of PDKs and specifying a function to execute based on the assignment; and

an electronic device executing the specified function.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the configuration module further comprises:

an association table storing associations between two or more PDK identification codes, and wherein the assignment is further based on the associations.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the configuration module comprises:

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

decision logic analyzing the RDC state information and determining the assignment.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the electronic device comprises an electronic gaming device.

21. The system of claim 17, wherein the electronic device comprises an electronic display coupled to the RDC.

22. The system of claim 17, wherein the electronic device comprises a server.