Systems and methods for providing access to wireless gaming devices

• US 20070241187A1
• Filed: 04/18/2006
• Published: 10/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CFPH LLC (Cantor Fitzgerald, L.P.)
• Original Assignee: BGC Partners Incorporated (BGC Group, Inc.)
• Inventors: Burman, Kevin, Alderucci, Dean, Rushin, Ronald, Asher, Joseph, Coffey, James
• Granted Patent: US 7,644,861 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/382
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/1077 Recurrent authorisation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/34 involving the use of external additional devices, e.g. dongles or smart cards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2101 Auditing as a secondary aspect
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2109 Game systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2111 Location-sensitive, e.g. geographical location, GPS
• 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 17/3209 Input means, e.g. buttons, touch screen
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3225 Data transfer within a gaming system, e.g. data sent between gaming machines and users

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 check, 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.

Claims

1. An apparatus capable of communicating with a gaming communication device, the apparatus comprising:

a medium for storing identifying information; and

an emitter for communicating the identifying information to the gaming communication device such that access to the gaming communication device is provided when the identifying information is associated with a user that is authorized to operate the gaming communication device.

2. An apparatus comprising means for producing a signal that is detectable by a gaming communication device such that access to the gaming communication device is provided so long as the signal is being detected.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the apparatus comprises a magnetic card.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the apparatus comprises an RFID transponder.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the apparatus comprises a chip.

6. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the apparatus comprises a bracelet.

7. A gaming communication device operable to:

detect a signal received from an apparatus; and

provide access to the gaming communication device so long as the signal is being detected.

8. The gaming communication device of claim 7 wherein the device comprises a card reader.

9. The gaming communication device of claim 7 wherein the device comprises an electric current.

10. The gaming communication device of claim 7 wherein the device comprises a magnetic filed detector.

11. The gaming communication device of claim 7 wherein the device comprises a wireless mobile station.

12. A gaming communication device comprising:

means for reading information from an apparatus; and

means for providing access to the gaming communication device when the information matches predetermined criteria.

13. A method for controlling access to a gaming communication device, the method comprising:

receiving a signal from an apparatus, the signal including identifying information; and

providing access to the gaming communication device when the identifying information is associated with a user that is authorized to operate the gaming communication device.

14. A method comprising:

detecting a signal from an apparatus; and

providing access to a gaming communication device so long as the signal is being detected.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

receiving identifying information with the signal; and

providing access to the gaming communication device when the identifying information is associated with a user that is authorized to operate the gaming communication device.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising:

communicating the identifying information to a server; and

receiving from the server instructions relating to access authorization.