| Room key based in-room player tracking -> Monitor Keywords |
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Room key based in-room player trackingRelated Patent Categories: Amusement Devices: Games, Including Means For Processing Electronic Data (e.g., Computer/video Game, Etc.), Access Or Authorization (e.g., Game Selection, Security, Etc.)Room key based in-room player tracking description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070167229, Room key based in-room player tracking. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/100,205, entitled "ROOM KEY BASED IN-ROOM PLAYER TRACKING" filed Mar. 15, 2002, which is incorporated herein by referenced. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to gaming machines such as video slot machines and video poker machines. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods and apparatus for providing remote gaming extensions to gaming machines. [0003] Typically, utilizing a master gaming controller, a gaming machine controls various combinations of devices that allow a player to play a game on the gaming machine and also encourage game play on the gaming machine. For example, a game played on a gaming machine usually requires a player to input money or indicia of credit into the gaming machine, indicate a wager amount, and initiate a game play. These steps require the gaming machine to control input devices, including bill validators and coin acceptors, to accept money into the gaming machine and recognize user inputs from devices, including touch screens and button pads, to determine the wager amount and initiate game play. After game play has been initiated, the gaming machine determines a game outcome, presents the game outcome to the player and may dispense an award of some type depending on the outcome of the game. [0004] As technology in the gaming industry progresses, the traditional mechanically driven reel slot machines are being replaced with electronic counterparts having CRT, LCD video displays or the like and gaming machines such as video slot machines and video poker machines are becoming increasingly popular. Part of the reason for their increased popularity is the nearly endless variety of games that can be implemented on gaming machines utilizing advanced electronic technology. In some cases, newer gaming machines are utilizing computing architectures developed for personal computers. These video/electronic gaming advancements enable the operation of more complex games, which would not otherwise be possible on mechanical-driven gaming machines and allow the capabilities of the gaming machine to evolve with advances in the personal computing industry. [0005] To implement the gaming features described above on a gaming machine, a number of requirements unique to the gaming industry must be considered. The gaming machine on the casino floor is a highly regulated device. It is licensed, monitored, taxed and serviced. Typically, within a geographic area allowing gaming, i.e. a gaming jurisdiction, a governing entity is chartered with regulating the games played in the gaming jurisdiction to insure fairness and to prevent cheating. For instance, in many gaming jurisdictions, there are stringent regulatory restrictions for gaming machines requiring a time consuming approval process of 1) new gaming hardware, 2) new gaming software and 3) any software modifications to gaming software used on gaming machines. [0006] Besides regulating gaming hardware and software, a gaming jurisdiction may regulate many other aspects of gaming including where games of chance are played (e.g. casinos, stores, restaurants and other venues), who may participate in game play (e.g. enforcing age restrictions) and where regulated gaming machines may be located (e.g. particular areas of a casino). To obtain an operating license, a casino is required to adhere to the rules and regulations of the gaming jurisdiction in which it is located. Further, a licensed casino that fails to adhere to local gaming regulations may have its operating license revoked. To enforce the legal requirements of gambling in a particular jurisdiction, such as enforcing age restrictions, casino operators typically use visual surveillance, such as cameras, and security personnel. [0007] Currently, there is some desire by both game players and casino operators to expand game playing opportunities on gaming machines beyond the traditional casino floor area. For example, there have been attempts to place gaming machines into hotel rooms. All of these attempts have failed. A major factor in the failure of in-room gaming was the control of under-age players, i.e. preventing underage persons from gambling or participating in the gaming experience. Thus, in most jurisdictions there are laws against in-room game play. [0008] In view of the above, it would be desirable to provide methods and apparatus for extending the opportunities for playing regulated gaming machine beyond traditional casino floor locations where gaming machines are generally located. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] This invention addresses the needs indicated above by providing apparatus and methods for generating in-room gaming services. In one element of the present invention, an authentication instrument is used to authorize various services at hotel-casino complex, such as but not limited to in-room gaming, in-room sports wagering, room access, safe access, mini-bar access, Electronic Fund Transfers (EFT), player tracking services and in-room entertainment services (e.g., video games and movie channels). A smart card, an electronic token and a magnetic striped card are examples of hardware that may be used as authentication instruments. For in-room gaming, the authentication instrument may be used to authorize, in a secure and legal manner, in-room game play sessions on an entertainment terminal connected to a remote gaming machine. [0010] One aspect of the present invention provides a method of providing a game of chance. The method may be generally characterized as comprising: i) in response to reading authentication instrument information from an authentication instrument in a door access device, granting access to a room; ii) in response to reading authentication instrument information from the authentication instrument in an entertainment terminal, initiating a game play session on the entertainment terminal where the game play session comprises playing at least one game of chance using the entertainment terminal; iii) establishing communications between the entertainment terminal and the gaming machine where the gaming machine is located outside of the room; iv) initiating the game of chance using an input device connected to the entertainment terminal; v) generating a game outcome on the gaming machine; and vi) displaying the game outcome for the game of chance generated on the gaming machine on the entertainment terminal where the game of chance may be selected from the group consisting of slot games, poker, pachinko, multiple hand poker games, pai-gow poker, black jack, keno, bingo, roulette, craps and card game. [0011] In particular embodiments, the authentication instrument may be selected from the group consisting of a smart card, a magnetic striped card, an electronic token, a cell phone and a personal digital assistant. The authentication instrument information may be read in the door access device from the authentication instrument using a magnetic striped card reader, a smart card reader, an electronic token acceptor and a wireless interface. Further, the authentication instrument information may be read in the entertainment terminal from the authentication instrument using a magnetic striped card reader, a smart card reader, an electronic token acceptor and a wireless interface. The authentication instrument information stored on the authentication instrument may be a combination of information selected from the group consisting of 1) an authorization number that is used to approve the game play on the entertainment terminal, 2) a transaction number that is used for all games of chance initiated using the authentication instrument, 3) a betting limit, 4) a Personal Identification Number, 5) patron identification information, 6) player tracking information, 7) an expiration date, 8) a magnetic combination that is used to gain access to an entertainment terminal, 9) credits of indicia, 10) promotional credits used only for wagers in the game of chance, 11) one or more player preferences used to configure a gaming machine, 12) one or more encryption keys, 13) an authentication instrument identification number, 14) one or more gaming machine serial numbers, 15) biometric information, 16) an authorization number that is used to authorize sports wagering on the entertainment terminal, 18) an authorization number that is used to configure the authentication instrument to authorize a movie to be displayed on the entertainment terminal, 19) an authorization number that is used to configure the authentication instrument to authorize a video game of skill to be played on the entertainment terminal, 20) a magnetic combination that is used by a door access device to unlock a door, 21) a time and a date when the authentication instrument was issued and 22) a location where the authorization instrument was issued. [0012] In other embodiments, the method may comprise one or more of the following: a) sending a message requesting an approval for the game play session to an authentication server; and receiving the approval for the game play session from the authorization server, b) sending a message requesting an authorization for the game play session to an authentication server; receiving a rejection for the game play session from the authorization server; and terminating the game play session, c) in response to reading authentication instrument information from the authentication instrument in the entertainment terminal, using the authentication information to determine a list of services available on the entertainment terminal; and displaying a menu of the determined services on the entertainment terminal, d) storing game play session information to a non-volatile memory device located on the entertainment terminal, e) receiving a wager for the game of chance, f) displaying a bonus game on the entertainment terminal, g) detecting the authentication instrument being removed from an authentication port in the entertainment terminal; and terminating the game play session, h) receiving an input signal indicating a player dispute; and contacting a remote attendant station, i) displaying game play history information to the entertainment terminal where the game play history information is used to resolve the dispute, j) initiating a player tracking session for the games of chance played on the entertainment terminal and k) configuring the entertainment terminal using commands transmitted from a remote device. [0013] Another aspect of the present invention provides a method of issuing an authentication instrument used for at least granting room access privileges and granting gaming privileges. The method may be generally characterized as including: 1) validating an identity of a patron to receive the authentication instrument, 2) determining the room access privileges where the room access privileges comprise at least granting access to a room with an entertainment terminal that is configured to receive inputs used to play a game of chance and that is configured to display the outcome of the game of chance; 3) configuring the authentication instrument to grant the determined room access privileges; 4) determining gaming privileges where the gaming privileges comprise at least: i) allowing the entertainment terminal to be used to play the game of chance or ii) preventing the entertainment terminal from being used to play the game of chance; 5) configuring the authentication instrument to grant the determined gaming privileges; 6) storing a configuration of the authentication instrument to an authentication server where the configuration of the authentication instrument is a combination of authentication instrument information; and 7) issuing the authentication instrument to the patron where the game of chance is selected from the group consisting of slot games, poker, pachinko, multiple hand poker games, pai-gow poker, black jack, keno, bingo, roulette, craps and card game. [0014] In particular embodiments, the room access privileges to the room may be granted based upon a fee, a room price, a customer history and combinations thereof. Whereas, the gaming privileges may be granted based upon a room price, a customer history, ages of patrons that have access to the room and combinations thereof. The authentication instrument may be selected from the group consisting of a smart card, a magnetic striped card, an electronic token, a cell phone and a personal digital assistant. Further, the combination of authentication instrument information is selected from the group consisting of 1) an authorization number that is used to approve the game play on the entertainment terminal, 2) a transaction number that is used for all games of chance initiated using the authentication instrument, 3) a betting limit, 4) a Personal Identification Number, 5) patron identification information, 6) player tracking information, 7) an expiration date, 8) a magnetic combination that is used to gain access to an entertainment terminal, 9) credits of indicia, 10) promotional credits used only for wagers in the game of chance, 11) one or more player preferences used to configure a gaming machine, 12) one or more encryption keys, 13) an authentication instrument identification number, 14) one or more gaming machine serial numbers, 15) biometric information, 16) an authorization number that is used to authorize sports wagering on the entertainment terminal, 18) an authorization number that is used to configure the authentication instrument to authorize a movie to be displayed on the entertainment terminal, 19) an authorization number that is used to configure the authentication instrument to authorize a video game of skill to be played on the entertainment terminal, 20) a magnetic combination that is used by a door access device to unlock a door, 21) a time and a date when the authentication instrument was issued and 22) a location where the authorization instrument was issued. [0015] In other embodiments, the method may comprise one or more of the following: a) determining entertainment privileges where the entertainment privileges comprise at least: i) allowing the entertainment terminal to be used to play video games, ii) allowing the entertainment terminal to be used to display one or more premium movie channels and iii) allowing the entertainment terminal to be use for Internet access; and configuring the authentication instrument to grant the determined entertainment privileges where the entertainment privileges may be granted based upon a fee, a room price, a customer history and combinations thereof, b) receiving the authentication instrument from the patron; and configuring the authentication instrument provided by the patron, c) reading information from the authentication instrument provided by the patron, d) determining player tracking privileges for the authentication instrument where the player tracking privileges allow the authentication instrument to be used as a player tracking card, communicating with a player tracking server; and configuring the authentication instrument to grant the player tracking privileges, e) determining cashless system privileges for the authentication instrument where the cashless system privileges allow the authentication instrument to be used to store credits used as a wager for the game of chance; communicating with a cashless system server; and configuring the authentication instrument to store the credits and f) receiving a payment for the credits stored on the authentication instrument. [0016] Yet another aspect of the present invention provides in a gaming machine, a method of generating a game play session on an entertainment terminal in communication with the gaming machine via a network. The method may be generally characterized as comprising: 1) establishing communications with the entertainment terminal; 2) receiving from the entertainment terminal authentication instrument information read from an authentication instrument; 3) requesting approval for the game play session from an authentication server using the authentication information received from the entertainment terminal; 4) receiving an input signal to initiate a game of chance from the entertainment terminal; 5) generating the game outcome for the game of chance; and 6) displaying the game outcome for the game of chance on the entertainment terminal where the game of chance may be selected from the group consisting of slot games, poker, pachinko, multiple hand poker games, pai-gow poker, black jack, keno, bingo, roulette, craps and card game. [0017] In particular embodiments, the authentication instrument information may be read from the authentication instrument using a magnetic striped card reader, a smart card reader, an electronic token acceptor and a wireless interface. In addition, the authentication instrument may be selected from the group consisting of a smart card, a magnetic striped card, an electronic token, a cell phone and a personal digital assistant. Further, the authentication instrument information received from the entertainment terminal may be a combination of information selected from the group consisting of 1) an authorization number that is used to grant or deny access to the game of chance on the entertainment terminal, 2) a transaction number that is used for all games of chance initiated using the authentication instrument, 3) a betting limit, 4) a Personal Identification Number, 5) patron identification information, 6) player tracking information, 7) an expiration date, 8) a magnetic combination that is used to gain access to an entertainment terminal, 9) credits of indicia, 10) promotional credits used only for wagers in the game of chance, 11) one or more player preferences used to configure the gaming machine, 12) one or more encryption keys, 13) an authentication instrument identification number, 14) one or more gaming machine serial numbers, 15) biometric information, 16) a time and a date when the authentication instrument was issued and 17) a location where the authentication instrument was issued. [0018] In other embodiments, the method may comprise one or more of the following: a) receiving credit information from the entertainment terminal; and establishing credits on the gaming machine, b) contacting a cashless system server to validate the credit, c) receiving player tracking information from the entertainment terminal; d) contacting a player tracking system server; and establishing a player tracking session on the gaming machine, e) receiving a message approving the game play session from the authentication server, f) receiving a message disapproving the game play session from the authentication server; and terminating the game play session, g) receiving a request for game history information from a remote attendant station; and displaying game play history information to a remote display, h) configuring the entertainment terminal to enable the game play session, i) storing game play history information and j) when a betting limit is exceeded, stopping the game play session. [0019] Another aspect of the present invention provides in an authentication server that stores configuration information for a plurality of authentication instruments, a method of authorizing authentication instrument transactions on an entertainment terminal in communication with a gaming machine. The method may be generally characterized as comprising: 1) receiving a transaction request message for an authentication instrument transaction from at least one of the gaming machine and the entertainment terminal where the request message contains authentication instrument information read from an authentication instrument; 2) identifying the authentication instrument using information stored in an authentication database; 3) comparing authentication instrument information read from the authentication instrument with information stored in the authentication database; 4) approving or rejecting the authentication instrument transaction; and 5) sending a reply message at least one of the gaming machine and the entertainment terminal indicating the authentication instrument transaction has been approved or rejected where at least one of the authentication instrument transactions is for a game play session on the entertainment terminal where the game play session comprises the play of one or more games of chance selected from the group consisting of slot games, poker, pachinko, multiple hand poker games, pai-gow poker, black jack, keno, bingo, roulette, craps and card game. In one embodiment, the authentication instrument transaction may be for a sports wagering session on the entertainment terminal. [0020] In particular embodiments, the authentication instrument information may be read from the authentication instrument using a magnetic striped card reader, a smart card reader, an electronic token acceptor and a wireless interface. Further, the authentication instrument is selected from the group consisting of a smart card, a magnetic striped card, an electronic token, a cell phone and a personal digital assistant. In addition, the authentication instrument information read from the authentication instrument may be a combination of information selected from the group consisting of 1) an authorization number that is used to approve the game play on the entertainment terminal, 2) a transaction number that is used for all games of chance initiated using the authentication instrument, 3) a betting limit, 4) a Personal Identification Number, 5) patron identification information, 6) player tracking information, 7) an expiration date, 8) a magnetic combination that is used to gain access to an entertainment terminal, 9) credits of indicia, 10) promotional credits used only for wagers in the game of chance, 11) one or more player preferences used to configure a gaming machine, 12) one or more encryption keys, 13) an authentication instrument identification number, 14) one or more gaming machine serial numbers, 15) biometric information, 16) an authorization number that is used to authorize sports wagering on the entertainment terminal, 18) an authorization number that is used to configure the authentication instrument to authorize a movie to be displayed on the entertainment terminal, 19) an authorization number that is used to configure the authentication instrument to authorize a video game of skill to be played on the entertainment terminal, 20) a magnetic combination that is used by a door access device to unlock a door, 21) a time and a date when the authentication instrument was issued and 22) a location where the authorization instrument was issued. [0021] In other embodiments, the method may comprise one or more of the following: a) when the game play session is approved, remotely configuring the entertainment terminal to provide the game play session, b) when the game play session is approved, remotely configuring the gaming machine to provide the game play session, c) prior to receiving the transaction request message, receiving a request to issue the authentication instrument; generating authentication instrument information that is stored on the authentication instrument; the authentication instrument to a device used to store information to authentication instruments; and storing the generated authentication instrument information to the authentication database where the authentication instrument information is at least a magnetic combination used with a door access device and gaming privilege information used to approve a game play session on the entertainment terminal and e) generating a record of the authentication instrument transaction and storing a record of the authentication instrument transaction. [0022] Another aspect of the present invention provides an entertainment terminal for playing a game of chance. The entertainment terminal may be generally characterized as comprising: 1) a communication interface; 2) a display screen; 3) one or more input mechanisms, 3) a device designed to read authentication instrument information from an authentication instrument; and 4) a microprocessor configured i) to present the game of chance on the display screen using instructions received via the communication interface from a master gaming controller located on a gaming machine, ii) to send information from input signals generated from the one or more input mechanisms used to play the game of chance to the master gaming controller via the communication interface and iii) to grant or deny access to the game of chance using the authentication instrument information read from the authentication instrument where the game of chance is selected from the group consisting of slot games, poker, pachinko, multiple hand poker games, pai-gow poker, black jack, keno, bingo, roulette, craps and card game. 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