Remote gaming eligibility system and method using RFID tags

• US 8,016,667 B2
• Filed: 07/22/2004
• Issued: 09/13/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Benbrahim, Jamal
• Primary Examiner(s): Bumgarner; Melba
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hylinski; Steven J.
• Application Number:
  US10/897,822
• Publication Number:
  US 20060019745A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,609 Days
• Field of Search: 463/29, 463/42, 463/43, 463/39, 463/40, 340/568.2
• US Class Current: 463/29
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/321 using wearable devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/341 Active cards, i.e. cards including their own processing means, e.g. including an IC or chip
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3206 Player sensing means, e.g. presence detection, biometrics
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3239 Tracking of individual players
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/082 Features insuring the integrity of the data on or in the card
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system

Abstract

Systems and methods for verifying the eligibility of players attempting to participate in gaming events are disclosed. Communication objects having RFID tags and closed electrical circuits are individually assigned to and worn by players within a gaming player verification system, which can be administered by a casino desk, hotel concierge, or other operating entity. These RFID tags are adapted to communicate with associated player tracking units attached to gaming machines and other devices via radio frequency waves, and each communication object is adapted to alter its communication pattern in response to any break of its closed electrical circuit. Bracelets, wristwatches or collars can be used as communication objects, such that the removal of such an object from a player cannot be accomplished without breaking the closed electrical circuit contained therein, thereby disabling or de-authenticating the device. A computer server having a player verification program and database may also be used.

Claims

1. A gaming player verification system comprising:

a player tracking subsystem having a wireless transceiver and a barcode reader;

at least one communication object configured to be securely worn by a registered player associated with the gaming player verification system, and comprising an RFID tag and a rewritable bar code, said communication object being further configured to

transmit, responsive to receiving a signal from the wireless transceiver, first information identifying the registered player to the wireless transceiver via the RFID tag,

detect an attempted removal or tampering effort, and transmit a signal responsive to detecting said attempted removal or tampering effort,

display the rewritable barcode, for reading by the barcode reader, second information identifying the registered player;

a computer in communication with the player tracking subsystem, the computer having a player verification program adapted to verify whether the first information and the second information are acceptable, and to deny presentation of a gaming event when the player verification program determines that the first or the second information is unacceptable or when the communication object has sent a signal responsive to detection of an attempted removal or tampering effort;

and

a database in communication with the computer, the database containing data needed to verify whether the first information and the second information is acceptable;

wherein the communication object;

comprises an object selected from the group comprising a necklace, a collar, a wrist bracelet, a wristwatch, a belt, and an ankle bracelet;

is configured to permit the registered player to readily remove the communication object, said removal resulting in the RFID tag sending a signal responsive to detection of an attempted removal; and

is configured to permit multiple reuse, within the player verification system, by at least one of the registered player and one or more different users.

2. A method of providing automated player verification in association with a gaming environment, the method comprising:

receiving a request by a registered player to play a gaming machine;

obtaining information regarding the registered player from a communication object configured to be securely worn by the registered player, wherein the communication object comprises an RFID tag, and a rewritable bar code;

receiving first information identifying the player from the RFID tag;

reading second information identifying the player from the rewritable bar code;

determining whether the communication object has detected an attempted removal or tampering effort;

verifying whether the first information and the second information is acceptable;

granting the request when the first information and the second information are acceptable and the communication object has not detected an attempted removal or tampering effort;

denying the request when the first information or the second information is unacceptable or when the attempted removal or tampering effort has been determined;

subsequent to denying the request, recording the first information and the second information as information relevant to potential misuse of the gaming machine; and

suspending a gaming session at the gaming machine;

wherein the communication object;

comprises an object selected from the group comprising a necklace, a collar, a wrist bracelet, a wristwatch, a belt, and an ankle bracelet;

is configured to permit the registered player to readily remove the communication object, said removal resulting in the RFID tag sending a signal responsive to detection of an attempted removal; and

is configured to permit multiple reuse, within the gaming environment, by at least one of the registered player and one or more different users.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising denying the request when the communication object is no longer worn by the player.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

associating the request with a player account associated with the player.

5. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

re-obtaining the first information and the second information from the communication object;

re-verifying whether the first information and the second information are acceptable; and

granting the request if the first information and the second information are acceptable or denying the request if the first information or the second information is not acceptable.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the re-obtaining and the re-verifying steps are periodically performed.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the re-obtaining and the re-verifying steps are performed at random intervals.

8. The method of claim 2, wherein the communication object comprises a GPS locating component.

9. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

encoding the communication object with one or more unique identifiers when the attempted removal or tampering effort has been detected.

10. A system comprising:

an electronic gaming machine configured to accept wagers, present gaming events and grant monetary awards, said electronic gaming machine comprising a master gaming controller adapted to provide and control one or more gaming events;

a player tracking device having a wireless transceiver and a barcode reader and adapted to obtain information regarding a registered player from a communication object configured to be securely worn by the registered player, the communication object comprising an RFID tag, and a rewritable barcode, the player tracking device configured to

transmit an activation signal via radio frequency waves and receive from the RFID tag, responsive to transmitting the activation signal, first information identifying the player,

read second information identifying the player from the rewritable barcode, and

receive from the RFID tag a signal responsive to detection of an attempted removal or tampering effort;

a player verification program adapted to verify whether the first information and the second information are acceptable;

wherein

the master gaming controller is configured to deny provision of a gaming event when the player verification program determines that the first information or the second information is unacceptable or when the player tracking device receives the signal responsive to detection of an attempted removal or tampering effort, and

the master gaming controller is further configured to record, subsequent to denying provision of the gaming event, the first information and the second information as information relevant to potential fraud;

a first communication link between the player tracking device and the player verification program; and

a second communication link between the player verification program and the master gaming controller;

wherein the communication object;

comprises an object selected from the group comprising a necklace, a collar, a wrist bracelet, a wristwatch, a belt, and an ankle bracelet;

is configured to permit the registered player to readily remove the communication object, said removal resulting in the RFID tag sending a signal responsive to detection of an attempted removal; and

is configured to permit multiple reuse, within the player verification system, by at least one of the registered player and one or more different users.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the master gaming controller is further adapted to deny provision of the gaming event when the communication object is no longer worn by the player.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the player verification program is adapted to verify multiple submissions of the first information and the second information regarding the player during the one or more gaming events.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the communication object comprises a GPS locating component.

14. A gaming player verification system, comprising:

at least one computer server having a player verification program adapted to verify whether information regarding a player obtained at a first gaming location is acceptable according to one or more set criteria for verifying the player;

a player tracking subsystem having a wireless transceiver and a barcode reader;

at least one communication object configured to be securely worn by a registered player, wherein the communication object comprises an RFID tag, and a rewritable bar code

said communication object being further configured to

transmit, responsive to receiving a signal from the wireless transceiver, first information identifying the registered player to the wireless transceiver via the RFID tag,

detect an attempted removal or tampering effort, and transmit a signal responsive to detecting said attempted removal or tampering effort,

display the rewritable barcode, for reading by the barcode reader, second information identifying the registered player;

wherein the at least one computer server is adapted to deny a request from the player to play a gaming event when the player verification program determines that the first information or the second information is unacceptable, or when the communication object has sent a signal responsive to detection of an attempted removal or tampering effort, and

wherein the at least one computer server is further adapted to record, subsequent to denying the request, the first information or the second information as information relevant to potential fraud;

a first communication link between the player tracking device and the at least one computer server;

a second communication link between the at least one computer server and the master gaming controller; and

a content transmission system that writes information to the RFID tag and to the rewritable barcode of the communication object;

wherein the communication object;

comprises an object selected from the group comprising a necklace, a collar, a wrist bracelet, a wristwatch, a belt, and an ankle bracelet;

is configured to permit the registered player to readily remove the communication object, said removal resulting in the RFID tag sending a signal responsive to detection of an attempted removal; and

is configured to permit multiple reuse, within the player verification system, by at least one of the registered player and one or more different users.

15. The gaming player verification system of claim 14, wherein at least a portion of the first information and the second information becomes unacceptable when the communication object is no longer worn by the player.

16. The gaming player verification system of claim 14, wherein the player verification program is adapted to verify multiple submissions of the first information and the second information regarding the player during the one or more gaming events.

17. The gaming player verification system of claim 14, further comprising:

at least one database in communication with the at least one computer server, the at least one database containing data needed to verify whether the first information or the second information is acceptable.

18. The gaming player verification system of claim 14, wherein the communication object comprises a GPS locating component.

19. The gaming player verification system of claim 14, wherein the gaming event comprises a gaming device adapted to permit suspension of a gaming session requested by the player, and wherein the gaming device is further adapted to terminate the suspended gaming session after a period of time.

20. The gaming player verification system of claim 14, wherein the first information and the second information comprises anonymous information that does not include the identity of the player, and wherein the gaming player verification system is adapted to permit an anonymous player to play the gaming event.

21. A gaming player verification system comprising:

a wireless transceiver;

a barcode reader;

at least one player-wearable communication object comprising an RFID tag, and a rewritable bar code, and configured to

transmit, responsive to receiving a signal from the wireless transceiver, first information identifying a registered player to the wireless transceiver via the RFID tag,

detect an attempted removal or tampering effort, and transmit a signal responsive to detecting said attempted removal or tampering effort,

display the rewritable barcode for reading by the barcode reader second information identifying the registered player, and;

logic coupled to the wireless transceiver and to the barcode reader, the logic configured to determine (A) whether the first information is acceptable, (B) whether the second information is acceptable, and (C) whether the communication object has sent a signal responsive to detection of an attempted removal or tampering effort, and to verify the player based on a logical combination of the determinations for A, B and C;

wherein the communication object;

comprises an object selected from the group comprising a necklace, a collar, a wrist bracelet, a wristwatch, a belt, and an ankle bracelet;

is configured to permit the registered player to readily remove the communication object, said removal resulting in the RFID tag sending a signal responsive to detection of an attempted removal; and

is configured to permit multiple reuse, within the player verification system, by at least one of the registered player and one or more different users.

22. The gaming player verification system of claim 21 further comprising a computer adapted to write the second information to the rewritable bar code.

23. The gaming player verification system of claim 21 wherein the logic is further configured to deny verification of the player when the communication object is not worn by the player.

24. The gaming player verification system of claim 23 wherein the at least one player-wearable communication object further comprises a pulse monitor configured to sense a pulse of the player and to send a signal to the RFID tag indicating an absence of the pulse, wherein the RFID tag is configured to alter a pattern of data transmitted to the wireless transceiver when the pulse is absent, and wherein the logic is configured to deny verification of the player when the wireless transceiver receives the altered pattern of data.

25. The gaming player verification system of claim 21 wherein the first information and the second information comprise redundant information.