Room key based in-room player tracking

Abstract

A disclosed authentication instrument is used to authorize various services at a 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.

Description

[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 mo...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a system for generating in-room gaming services in a hotel-casino complex. The system uses an authentication instrument to authorize various services, such as in-room gaming, in a secure and legal manner. The authentication instrument can be a smart card, a magnetic striped card, an electronic token, or a cell phone. The instrument can be read in the door access device or the entertainment terminal. The system also includes a method for granting room access privileges and gaming privileges to the entertainment terminal. The authentication instrument can be validated, and the configuration of the instrument can be stored and transmitted from a remote device. The technical effects of the invention include improved security and access control for in-room gaming services and increased convenience for guests.

Problems solved by technology

Further, a licensed casino that fails to adhere to local gaming regulations may have its operating license revoked.

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.

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