Remote gaming eligibility system and method using RFID tags

• US 8,425,314 B2
• Filed: 08/09/2011
• Issued: 04/23/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Benbrahim, Jamal
• Primary Examiner(s): Hylinski, Steven J
• Application Number:
  US13/206,424
• Publication Number:
  US 20110300928A1
• Time in Patent Office: 623 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.3, 340/573.1, 340/573.4, 463/29
• 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 player verification system comprising:

a player tracking subsystem, said player tracking subsystem comprising a wireless transceiver;

at least one communication object configured to be securely worn by a player, and comprising an RFID tag;

a computer, in communication with the player tracking subsystem, the computer having a player verification program; and

a database in communication with the computer;

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 and is configured to;

transmit, responsive to receiving a signal from the wireless transceiver, first information regarding the 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;

permit the 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

permit multiple reuse, within the player verification system, by at least one of the player and one or more different users;

the database contains data needed to verify whether the first information is acceptable; and

the player verification program is configured to verify whether the first information is acceptable, and to deny presentation of a gaming event when the player verification program determines that the first information is unacceptable or when the communication object has sent a signal responsive to detection of an attempted removal or tampering effort.

2. The player verification system of claim 1, wherein the player is registered participant in the player verification system, and the first information comprises identification information of the player.

3. The player verification system of claim 1, wherein the gaming player verification system is configured to permit an anonymous player to play the gaming event, and the first information comprises anonymous information that does not include the identity of the player.

4. A player verification method comprising:

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

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

receiving first information regarding the player from the RFID tag;

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

verifying whether the first information is acceptable;

granting the request when the first information is 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 and, subsequent to denying the request, recording the first 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 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 player and one or more different users.

5. The player verification method of claim 4, further comprising denying the request when the communication object is no longer worn by the player.

6. The player verification method of claim 4, wherein the player is a registered participant in a player verification system, and the first information comprises identification information of the player.

7. The player verification method of claim 4, wherein the first information comprises anonymous information that does not include the identity of the player.

8. The player verification method of claim 4, further comprising associating the request with a player account associated with the player.

9. The player verification method of claim 4, further comprising:

re-obtaining the first information from the communication object;

re-verifying whether the first information is acceptable; and

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

10. The player verification method of claim 9, wherein the re-obtaining and the re-verifying steps are periodically performed.

11. The player verification method of claim 9, wherein the re-obtaining and the re-verifying steps are performed at random intervals.

12. The player verification method of claim 4, wherein the communication object comprises a GPS locating component.

13. The player verification method of claim 4, further comprising encoding the communication object with one or more unique identifiers when the attempted removal or tampering effort has been detected.

14. A player verification 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;

a player verification program;

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 player tracking device comprises a wireless transceiver that is configured to obtain information regarding a player from a communication object, the communication object comprising an RFID tag, 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 regarding the player, and receive from the RFID tag a signal responsive to detection of an attempted removal or tampering effort;

the player verification program is configured to verify whether the first information is acceptable;

the master gaming controller is configured to (a) deny provision of a gaming event when the player verification program determines that the first information is unacceptable or when the player tracking device receives the signal responsive to detection of an attempted removal or tampering effort, and (b) record, subsequent to denying provision of the gaming event, the first information as information relevant to potential fraud; and

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, and is configured to

be securely worn by the player

permit the 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

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

15. The player verification system of claim 14, wherein the player is registered participant in the player verification system, and the first information comprises identification information of the player.

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

17. The system of claim 14, 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.

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

19. The system of claim 14, wherein the communication object comprises a GPS locating component.

20. 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 player, wherein the communication object comprises an RFID tag;

said communication object being further configured to

transmit, responsive to receiving a signal from the wireless transceiver, first information regarding the 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,

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 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 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;

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 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 player and one or more different users.

21. The gaming player verification system of claim 20, wherein at least a portion of the first information becomes unacceptable when the communication object is no longer worn by the player.

22. The gaming player verification system of claim 20, wherein the player verification program is adapted to verify multiple submissions of the first information regarding the player during the one or more gaming events.

23. The gaming player verification system of claim 20, 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 is acceptable.

24. The gaming player verification system of claim 20, wherein the communication object comprises a GPS locating component.

25. The gaming player verification system of claim 20, 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.

26. The gaming player verification system of claim 20, wherein the first 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.

27. A gaming player verification system comprising:

a wireless transceiver;

at least one player-wearable communication object comprising an RFID tag and configured to

transmit, responsive to receiving a signal from the wireless transceiver, first information regarding a 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; and

logic coupled to the wireless transceiver and to the barcode reader, the logic configured to determine (A) whether the first information is acceptable, and (B) 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 and B;

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 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 player and one or more different users.

28. The gaming player verification system of claim 27 wherein the logic is further configured to deny verification of the player when the communication object is not worn by the player.

29. The player verification system of claim 27, wherein the player is registered participant in the player verification system, and the first information comprises identification information of the player.

30. The player verification system of claim 27 wherein the gaming player verification system is configured to permit an anonymous player to play the gaming event, and the first information comprises anonymous information that does not include the identity of the player.

31. The gaming player verification system of claim 27 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.