Avatar as security measure for mobile device use with electronic gaming machine

• US 9,443,384 B2
• Filed: 11/24/2015
• Issued: 09/13/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Price, Derrick, Nelson, Dwayne R., Kleppen, Dennis Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Hylinski, Steven J
• Application Number:
  US14/950,854
• Publication Number:
  US 20160078725A1
• Time in Patent Office: 294 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/71 using secure communication between game devices and game servers, e.g. by encrypting game data or authenticating players
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/792 for payment purposes, e.g. monthly subscriptions
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/30 Authentication, i.e. establishing the identity or authorisation of security principals
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/31 User authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/34 involving the use of external additional devices, e.g. dongles or smart cards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/35 communicating wirelessly
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/36 by graphic or iconic representation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/4014 Identity check for transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3209 Input means, e.g. buttons, touch screen
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3211 Display means
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3218 wherein at least part of the system is portable
• 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 17/3237 about the players, e.g. profiling, responsible gaming, strategy/behavior of players, location of players
• 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 17/3244 Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes

Abstract

A gaming system compatible with patron-controlled portable electronic devices, such as smart phones or tablet computers, is described. The gaming system is configured to establish a secure communication session between an electronic gaming machine and a portable electronic device. The system can confirm that a communication session is secure by displaying pre-selected content unique to the portable electronic device. The content can be continuously displayed on the EGM during the active communication session to indicate that the session is secure.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving, from a first portable electronic device including a touch screen and a processor, a service request signal for a designated service;

receiving, from the first portable electronic device, displayable security content accessible through the portable electronic device, the security content being selectable by the person using the first portable electronic device, said security content including a visually displayable representation;

causing a second electronic device to display the person-selected security content to confirm to the person that a designated level of security exists between the first portable electronic device and the second electronic device in relation to the designated service, wherein the designated services occurs during a period of time during which the first portable electronic device and the second electronic device are in a substantially same proximity to each other; and

causing a transfer of monetary value associated with the designated service to be made by the person.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the person-selected security content includes person-selected text.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the person-selected security content includes a person-selected photograph.

4. The method of claim 1, which includes continuously displaying the person-selected security content on the display of the second electronic machine until a designated event occurs.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the service includes a communication session between the first portable electronic device and the second electronic device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the security content is directly received by the second electronic device from the first portable electronic device.

7. A method comprising:

receiving, from a first portable electronic device including a touch screen and a processor, a service request signal for a designated service;

receiving, from the first portable electronic device security, displayable security content accessible through the portable electronic device, the security content being selectable by the person using the first portable electronic device, said security content including a visually displayable representation;

determining if the person-selected security content is appropriate in a designated environment, and if the person-selected security content is appropriate, causing a second electronic device to display the person-selected security content to confirm to the person that a designated level of security exists between the first portable electronic device and the second electronic device in relation to the designated service, wherein the designated service occurs during a period of time during which the first portable electronic device and the second electronic device are in a substantially same proximity to each other; and

causing a transfer of monetary value associated with the designated service to be made by the person.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the person-selected security content includes person-selected text.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the person-selected security content includes a person-selected photograph.

10. The method of claim 7, which includes continuously displaying the person-selected security content on the display of the second electronic machine until a designated event occurs.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein the service includes a communication session between the first portable electronic device and the second electronic device.

12. The method of claim 7, which includes, if the person-selected security content is not appropriate in the designated environment, transmitting a request for different person-selected security content to the first portable electronic device.

13. The method of claim 7, wherein the security content is directly received by the second electronic device from the first portable electronic device.