Device with time varying signal

• US 8,840,018 B2
• Filed: 09/13/2012
• Issued: 09/23/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CFPH LLC (Cantor Fitzgerald, L.P.)
• Original Assignee: CFPH LLC (Cantor Fitzgerald, L.P.)
• Inventors: Gelman, Geoffrey M., Rushin, Ronald, Alderucci, Dean P., Asher, Joseph M.
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, THIEN MINH
• Application Number:
  US13/615,440
• Publication Number:
  US 20130065672A1
• Time in Patent Office: 740 Days
• Field of Search: 235/493, 235/492, 235/454, 235/382, 235/381, 235/375, 235/380
• US Class Current: 235/380
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3223 Architectural aspects of a gaming system, e.g. internal configuration, master/slave, wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3225 Data transfer within a gaming system, e.g. data sent between gaming machines and users
• 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 17/3288 Betting, e.g. on live events, bookmaking
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2463/102 applying security measure for e-commerce
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/105 Multiple levels of security

Abstract

Systems and methods for controlling access to wireless gaming devices and networks are provided. For example, access is controlled through one or more levels of security checks, such as a hard security check instead of or in addition to a soft security check. In a hard security check, the user employs an apparatus such as a card or other physical token that can be used to access the wireless gaming device. Such an apparatus may communicate information that identifies the user to the device or may simply be used to produce a signal without which the device is locked to users. The apparatus may further emit a time varying signal to enhance security.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving a bit sequence at a first time;

determining from a database a first bit sequence,

wherein the database stores a plurality of time periods, including a first time period and a second time period, and further stores a plurality of bit sequences, including a first bit sequence and a second bit sequence,

wherein the database associates the time periods with respective bit sequences, the first time period having the first bit sequence associated therewith and the second time period having the second bit sequence associated therewith,

wherein the database further stores a user identifier, and associates the first and second bit sequences with the identifier, and

wherein determining the first bit sequence comprises determining that the first time falls within the first time period, and determining from the database that the first bit sequence is associated with the first time period;

comparing the bit sequence to the first bit sequence;

permitting an activity if the bit sequence matches the first bit sequence;

receiving another bit sequence at a second time;

determining from the database the second bit sequence, wherein determining the second bit sequence comprises determining that the second time falls within the second time period, and determining from the database that the second bit sequence is associated with the second time period;

comparing the another bit sequence to the second bit sequence; and

permitting an activity if the another bit sequence matches the second bit sequence.

2. The method of claim 1, in which the bit sequence is received from a bracelet comprising a wristband and an RFID tag.

3. The method of claim 2, in which the another bit sequence is received from the bracelet.

4. The method of claim 1, in which the first time period is adjacent in time to the second time period.

5. The method of claim 1, in which the activity and the another activity include the placing of bets.

6. A method comprising:

detecting by a receiver a first signal produced by a wristband associated with a first person;

detecting by the receiver a second signal produced by a wristband associated with a second person;

using a medium, which stores a set of signals each associated with a person, to look up an identity of the second person based on the second signal; and

causing an output device to produce a third signal which is perceptible to humans, the third signal produced based on the identity of the second person.

7. The method of claim 6, in which detecting the first signal comprises detecting different signals according to a programmed schedule, wherein each signal is associated with the first person.

8. The method of claim 7, in which an emitter emits the different signals and repeatedly emits a signal during a first five-minute period, and repeatedly emits a different signal during a second five-minute period.

9. The method of claim 6, in which the output device is a display device.

10. The method of claim 6, in which the output device is a buzzer.

11. The method of claim 6, in which the output device produces the third signal if the identity of the second person corresponds to a friend of the first person.

12. An apparatus comprising:

at least one processor;

a memory having instructions stored thereon that when executed by the at least one processor direct the at least one processor to;

receive a bit sequence at a first time;

determine from a database a first bit sequence,

wherein the database stores a plurality of time periods, including a first time period and a second time period, and further stores a plurality of bit sequences, including a first bit sequence and a second bit sequence,

wherein the database associates the time periods with respective bit sequences, the first time period having the first bit sequence associated therewith and the second time period having the second bit sequence associated therewith,

wherein the database further stores a user identifier, and associates the first and second bit sequences with the identifier, and

wherein determining the first bit sequence comprises determining that the first time falls within the first time period, and determining from the database that the first bit sequence is associated with the first time period;

compare the bit sequence to the first bit sequence;

permit an activity if the bit sequence matches the first bit sequence;

receive another bit sequence at a second time;

determine from the database the second bit sequence, wherein determining the second bit sequence comprises determining that the second time falls within the second time period, and determining from the database that the second bit sequence is associated with the second time period;

compare the another bit sequence to the second bit sequence; and

permit an activity if the another bit sequence matches the second bit sequence.