Token authentication

• US 8,645,685 B2
• Filed: 12/05/2006
• Issued: 02/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Nguyen, Binh T., Paulsen, Craig A., Muir, David, Tolles, Harry P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Arani, Taghi
• Assistant Examiner(s): LANE, GREGORY A
• Application Number:
  US11/567,109
• Publication Number:
  US 20070094721A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,618 Days
• Field of Search: 235380-492, 726/16
• US Class Current: 713/159
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/34 Betting or bookmaking, e.g. Internet betting
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 1/06 Coins specially adapted to operate coin-freed mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3251 involving media of variable value, e.g. programmable cards, programmable tokens

Abstract

Methods and devices are described that authenticate portable tokens, such as plastic tokens used in casinos on card tables. The systems and methods assign authentication data to a token. The authentication data is verified when a person tries to redeem value on the token. A person'"'"'s authentication data may be acquired via an interface provided by a gaming machine, for example, and the authentication data stored so that the authentication information is later be read when someone tries to redeem value on the token. Only a person who presents the tokens and authentication data could then negotiate such tokens.

Claims

1. A method of providing a portable gaming token, the method comprising:

assigning an identification number to the portable gaming token;

assigning authentication data to the identification number wherein the authentication data corresponds to security information obtained from an entitled token owner of the portable gaming token, the security information selected from first biometric information associated with the entitled token owner, information that the entitled

token owner knows, and authentication information stored on an authentication object that the entitled token owner possesses, where the authentication data is assigned to the portable gaming token for security to restrict transactions of

value with the portable gaming token in game play on a gaming machine, game play at a gaming table, and

redemption for cash or prizes to the entitled token owner who can present security information corresponding to the authentication data for verification in order to authorize negotiation of the portable gaming token for value, wherein presenting the security information includes the entitled token owner presenting the authentication object;

storing the assigned authentication data and the identification number;

providing the portable gaming token to the entitled owner of the portable gaming token from whom the security information is obtained, and providing value to the entitled owner in a transaction for value with the portable token wherein the entitled owner surrenders the portable gaming token to complete the transaction.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the authentication data and the identification number are stored together in a memory included in the portable gaming token.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the authentication data and the identification number are stored together in a central memory for a server in a gaming system.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the portable gaming token is provided to a person at a gaming machine configured to present one or more games of chance.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving the security information from the entitled token owner that is used to generate the authentication data.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the authentication data is transferable between the entitled token owner and a second person.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the authentication data identifies security information carried by an entitled token owner.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the authentication data identifies security information known by an entitled token owner.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the authentication data includes biometric information.

47. The method of claim 1, wherein the portable gaming token includes a body externally shaped to resemble a coin.

50. The method of claim 1, wherein at least some information stored on the authentication object includes a personal identification number.

51. The method of claim 1, wherein at least some information stored on the authentication object includes second biometric information.

10. A method for redeeming value on a portable gaming token, the method comprising:

assigning an identification number to the portable gaming token;

assigning authentication data to the portable gaming token wherein the authentication data corresponds to security information obtained from an entitled owner of the portable gaming token, the security information selected from first biometric information associated with the entitled owner, information that the entitled owner knows, and authentication information stored on an authentication object that the entitled owner possesses;

storing the assigned authentication data and the identification number;

receiving a request to redeem at least a portion of the value on the portable gaming token in game play on a gaming machine, game play at a gaming table, or redemption for cash or prizes;

receiving second security information selected from biometric information associated with the entitled token owner, information that the entitled token owner knows, and information stored on the authentication object that the entitled owner possesses;

verifying that a person is the entitled token owner of the portable gaming token using the received second security information by comparing the received second security information to the authentication data, wherein the comparison includes comparing the information stored on the authentication object to the corresponding authentication object information assigned to the portable gaming token obtaining; and

authorizing the value in a transaction for value with the portable gaming token wherein the entitled owner surrenders the portable gaming token to complete the transaction if the person is verified as an entitled token owner.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the authentication data and the identification number are stored together in a memory included in the portable gaming token.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the authentication data and the identification number are stored together in a central memory for a server in a gaming system.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the request is received at a gaming machine configured to present one or more games of chance.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the authentication data is transferable between a first person and a second person.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein verifying that the person is an entitled token owner includes a biometric challenge to obtain the security information.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein verifying that the person is an entitled token owner includes verifying personal knowledge for the person to obtain the security information.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the personal knowledge includes one of a PIN number or password.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein the authentication object carried by the person includes is in a form of personal identification.

19. The method of claim 10, wherein the authentication object carried by the person is a card issued by a gaming property to the person carrying the card.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the card does not identify the person by name.

21. The method of claim 10, a wherein the object is a room card for a hotel or casino.

22. The method of claim 10, further comprising revoking the value on the portable gaming tokens when the security information received from the person is not that of an entitled token owner.

23. The method of claim 10, wherein the authentication data stored with the identification number is anonymous.

48. The method of claim 10, wherein the portable gaming token includes a body externally shaped to resemble a coin.

52. The method of claim 10, wherein at least some information stored on the authentication object includes a personal identification number.

53. The method of claim 10, wherein at least some information stored on the authentication object includes second biometric information.

24. A portable gaming token for use in a gaming property, the portable gaming token comprising:

a body;

an identification number that distinguishes the portable gaming token from other portable tokens;

authentication data associated with the identification number wherein the authentication data corresponds to security information obtained from an entitled owner of the portable gaming token, the security information selected from first biometric information associated with the entitled token owner biometric information of the entitled owner, information that the entitled owner knows, and authentication information stored on an authentication object that the entitled owner possesses and assigned to the portable gaming token to restrict redemption of value with the portable gaming token, wherein the entitled owner surrenders the portable gaming token to complete the redemption, to the entitled token owner who can present the security information for verification in order to authorize negotiation of the portable gaming token for value in game play on a gaming machine, game play at a gaming table, and redemption for cash or prizes, wherein presenting the security information includes the entitled token owner presenting the authentication object; and

a wireless transponder that permits wireless communication of the identification number and the authentication data with a reader using a wireless signal that passes through the body.

25. The portable gaming token of claim 24, wherein the body is externally shaped to resemble a coin.

26. The portable gaming token of claim 25, wherein the body is non-circular.

27. The portable gaming token of claim 24, wherein the entitled token owner is a person to whom the portable gaming token was issued.

28. The portable gaming token of claim 24, wherein the entitled token owner is anonymous relative to the authentication data.

29. The portable gaming token of claim 24, further including a digital memory, internal to the body, configured to store the identification number and the authentication data.

30. The portable gaming token of claim 24, wherein the authentication data identifies security information carried by an entitled token owner.

31. The portable gaming token of claim 24, wherein the authentication data identifies security information known by an entitled token owner.

32. The portable gaming token of claim 24, wherein the security information is designed to prevent a non-entitled token owner from transacting the value on the portable gaming token.

33. A server for use in a gaming system, the server comprising:

a processor;

a memory configured to store information for a set of portable gaming tokens, the information for each portable gaming token including

an identification number that distinguishes each portable gaming token from other portable gaming tokens in the set, authentication data associated with the identification number wherein the authentication data corresponds to security information obtained from an entitled token owner of each portable gaming token, the security information selected from biometric information of the entitled token owner, information that the entitled token owner knows, and authentication information stored on an authentication object that the entitled token owner possesses and assigned to each portable gaming token to restrict redemption of value on each portable gaming token, wherein the entitled token owner presents the authentication object and surrenders the portable gaming token to complete the redemption in game play on a gaming machine, game play at a gaming table, and redemption for cash or prizes, to an entitled token owner of said the each token that can present said the security information, wherein presenting the security information includes the entitled token owner presenting the authentication object; and

one of;

a) a private status that designates that the authentication data is needed for redemption of value on the portable gaming token, and b) a public status that designates that the authentication data is not needed for redemption of value on the portable gaming token; and

a communications interface configured to communicate with a first gaming device and a second gaming device.

34. The server of claim 33, wherein the server is operated by a banking organization.

35. The server of claim 33, wherein the first gaming device and the second gaming device are located in different casinos.

36. The server of claim 33, wherein the first gaming device and the second gaming device are located in different states.

37. The server of claim 33, wherein the first gaming device is a gaming machine configured to present one or more games of chance and the second gaming device is a card table.

38. The server of claim 33, wherein the entitled token owner is a person to whom the portable gaming token was issued.

39. The server of claim 33, wherein the entitled token owner is anonymous relative to the authentication data.

40. The server of claim 33, wherein the memory further includes:

instructions for verifying that the person is an entitled token owner using the security information obtained from the person and the authentication data stored with the identification number; and

instructions for authorizing the value when the person is an entitled token owner.

41. A gaming device that restricts transactions of value on a portable gaming token in game play on a gaming machine, game play at a gaming table, and redemption for cash or prizes to use by an entitled token owner of the portable gaming token, the gaming device comprising:

a processor;

a reader configured to transmit a wireless message to the portable gaming token and configured to receive a wireless message from the portable gaming token that includes authentication data for the portable gaming token wherein the authentication data corresponds to security information obtained from an entitled token owner of the portable gaming token, the security information selected from first biometric information of the entitled owner, information that the entitled owner knows, and authentication information stored on an authentication object that the entitled token owner possesses; and

a memory comprising instructions for a) comparing the authentication data with the security information corresponding to the authentication data obtained from a person at the gaming device to determine if the person is an entitled token owner of the portable gaming token, wherein the comparison includes comparing the authentication information stored on the authentication object to the corresponding authentication object information assigned to the portable gaming token, and wherein at least some of the obtained authentication data includes data obtained upon the entitled token owner presenting the authentication object, and b) authorizing the value in a transaction for value with the portable gaming token wherein the person surrenders the portable gaming token to complete the transaction if the person is verified as an entitled token owner of the portable gaming token.

42. The gaming device of claim 41, wherein the gaming device is a gaming machine configured to present one or more games of chance.

43. The gaming device of claim 42, further comprising a token acceptor adapted to receive the portable gaming token from the person.

44. The gaming device of claim 42, wherein the reader is configured to poll the portable gaming token after the portable gaming token is received in the token acceptor.

45. The gaming device of claim 41, wherein the gaming device is a card table.

49. The gaming device of claim 41, wherein the portable gaming token includes a body externally shaped to resemble a coin.

46. A non-transitory computer readable medium including instructions for method for transacting value on a portable gaming token, the instructions comprising:

instructions for assigning an identification number to the portable gaming token;

instructions for assigning authentication data corresponding to security information selected from first biometric information of a entitled owner, information that the entitled owner knows, and authentication information stored on an authentication object that the entitled token owner possesses to the identification number;

instructions for storing the assigned authentication data and the identification number;

instructions for receiving a request to transact the value on the portable gaming token in game play on a gaming machine, game play at a gaming table, and redemption for cash or prizes;

verifying that a person is the entitled token owner of the portable gaming token using the received second security information by comparing the received second security information corresponding to the authentication data, wherein the comparison includes comparing the information stored on the authentication object to the corresponding authentication object information assigned to the portable gaming token; and

instructions for receiving second security information corresponding to the authentication data from a person, the second security information selected from biometric information associated with the entitled token owner, information that the entitled token owner knows, and information stored on the authentication object that the entitled owner possesses;

instructions for verifying that the person is an entitled token owner of the portable token by comparing the received second security information corresponding to the authentication data obtained from the person and the assigned authentication data stored with the identification number, wherein the comparison includes comparing the information stored on the authentication object to the corresponding authentication object information assigned to the identification number; and

instructions for authorizing the value in a transaction for value with the portable token wherein the person surrenders the portable gaming token to complete the transaction when the person is verified as an entitled token owner of the portable gaming token.

54. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 46, wherein at least some information stored on the authentication object includes a personal identification number.

55. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 46, wherein at least some information stored on the authentication object includes second biometric information.