Processing user information in wagering game systems

• US 9,875,597 B2
• Filed: 09/28/2007
• Issued: 01/23/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LNW Gaming Incorporated (Light & Wonder Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Bally Gaming Incorporated (Light & Wonder Incorporated)
• Inventors: Warkentin, Terry D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lewis, David L
• Assistant Examiner(s): MOSSER, ROBERT E
• Application Number:
  US12/443,483
• Publication Number:
  US 20100048291A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,770 Days
• Field of Search: 463 1, 463 25, 463 29, 463 42
• 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 17/3225 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

Abstract

Techniques for processing user information in wagering game systems are described herein. In some embodiments, a system includes a first wagering game system to assign a first set of access credentials to a user, wherein the first wagering system is connected to a first set of wagering game machines. The system can also include a second wagering game system to assign a second set of access credentials to the user, wherein the second wagering system connected to a second set of wagering game machines. The systems can also include a master identifier controller to receive and store the first and second sets of access credentials, to receive requests to access the first wagering game system based on the second set of user access credentials, and to facilitate access the first wagering game system based on the second set of user access credentials.

Claims

1. A wagering game network comprising:

a first wagering game system configured to assign to a user first access credentials for accessing the first wagering game system,

wherein the first wagering game system includes first wagering game machines each including

a first electronic value input device configured to detect a first physical item associated with a first monetary value that establishes a first credit balance;

a first wagering game unit configured to conduct first wagering games and determine first wagers covered by the first credit balance; and

a first payout mechanism configured to make a first payout of the first credit balance;

a second wagering game system configured to assign to the user second access credentials for accessing the second wagering game system, wherein the second wagering game system includes second wagering game machines each includes

an access unit configured to receive the first access credentials, provide the first access credentials to a master identifier controller, and receive from the master identifier controller information for granting access to the second wagering game system based on the first access credentials;

a second electronic value input device configured to detect a second physical item associated with a second monetary value that establishes a second credit balance;

a second wagering game unit configured to conduct second wagering games and determine second wagers covered by the second credit balance;

a second payout mechanism configured to make a second payout of the second credit balance;

the master identifier controller configured to receive and store the first and second access credentials, to receive requests to access the second wagering game system based on the first access credentials, and to transmit the information for granting access to the second wagering game system, based on the second access credentials.

2. The wagering game network of claim 1, wherein the first and second access credentials include one or more selected from the group comprising username, password, and biometric information.

3. The wagering game network of claim 1, wherein the user is selected from the group comprising a wagering game player, a system administrator, and a wagering game machine technician.

4. The wagering game network of claim 1, wherein the first and second wagering game systems track wagers made by the user.

5. The wagering game network of claim 1, wherein the first and second wagering game systems track repairs made by the user.

6. The wagering game network of claim 1, wherein the master identifier controller is further configured to receive requests to access the first wagering game system based on the first access credentials, and to facilitate access the first wagering game system based on the first access credentials.

7. The wagering game network of claim 1, wherein the master identifier controller is further configured to receive the requests to access the first wagering game system from ones of the first wagering game machines.

8. A machine-readable memory device storing instructions that are executable by a machine, the instructions for updating user information across different wagering game systems that include wagering game machines, wherein the wagering game systems are controlled by different entities, the instructions comprising:

instructions to receive, by a first wagering game machine of a first wagering game system, a second access credential associated with a player and, assigned by a second wagering game system;

instructions to transmit, over a communications network, the second access credential to a master identifier controller;

instructions to receive, by the master identifier controller, the second access credential;

instructions to identify, by the master identifier controller based on the second access credential, a first access credential that enables the player to access the first wagering game system via the first wagering game machine;

instructions to transmit, over the communications network, the first access credential to the first wagering game machine;

instructions to enable, by an access unit of the first wagering game machine, the player to access the first wagering game system based on the first access credential;

instructions to detect, via an electronic input device of the first wagering game machine, a physical item associated with a monetary value that establishes a credit balance;

instructions to conduct, via a wagering game unit of the first wagering game machine, a wagering game involving wagers covered by the credit balance; and

instructions to pay the credit balance via a payout mechanism of the first wagering game machine.

9. The machine-readable memory device of claim 8, the instructions further comprising:

instructions to store the first and second access credentials in a database, wherein the first and second access credentials are stored in association with an identifier associated with the player.

10. The machine-readable memory device of claim 8, wherein the first and second access credentials include one or more of username, password, telephone number, address, credit limit, game play preferences, or payment information.

11. The machine-readable memory device of claim 8, wherein the first access credential is not recognized by the second wagering game system.

12. The machine-readable memory device of claim 8, the instructions further comprising:

instructions to determine other information associated with the player; and

instructions to transmit the other information to the first wagering game system.

13. A computer-implemented method for facilitating access to a plurality of wagering game systems, wherein each of the wagering game systems assigns a different player identifier for use in player log-in processes, the method comprising:

receiving, over a network from a wagering game machine, a first player identifier as part of a player log-in process initiated at the wagering game machine, wherein the first player identifier was assigned by a first wagering game system;

receiving, over the network from the wagering game machine, a system identifier indicating that the wagering game machine is part of a second wagering game system;

processing, by a master identifier controller, the first player identifier and the system identifier to identify the second wagering game system;

determining, by the master identifier controller, a second player identifier associated with the first player identifier and with the second wagering game system; and

transmitting the second player identifier to the wagering game machine for use in granting access to the second wagering game system;

receiving, by the wagering game machine, the second player identifier;

enabling, by the wagering game machine, a player to log-in to the first wagering game system based on the second player identifier;

detecting, via an electronic input device of the wagering game machine, a physical item associated with a monetary value that establishes a credit balance;

conducting, via a wagering game unit of the wagering game machine, a wagering game involving wagers covered by the credit balance; and

paying the credit balance via a payout mechanism of the wagering game machine.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the first player identifier is received as a result of one or more actions selected from the group comprising receiving a player card at the remote wagering game machine, and receiving biometric information at the remote wagering game machine.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the system identifier indicates one or more of the group comprising a wagering game machine manufacturer and wagering game system membership information.

16. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

transmitting the second player identifier to a component of the third wagering game system.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the second player identifier is associated with one or more of the group comprising casino patrons, casino administrators, service technicians, wagering game administrators, and wagering game players.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the first wagering game system is selected from the group comprising a manufacturer player tracking system, a casino player tracking system, and a casino configuration system.