Biometric Player Verification System for Gaming Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current player tracking systems in casinos face issues such as incorrect attribution of gaming habits when a player leaves a machine without retrieving their card, unauthorized use of tracking cards, and temporary session termination leading to lost 'time of play' credits.
Innovation Solution
A system that continuously verifies the presence of a player by obtaining and analyzing biometric data samples, such as thermal images or biometric scans, to ensure that the same player remains at the gaming machine during a session, updating the reference template as necessary to maintain accurate tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If player tracking cards are used to identify players, then player gaming habits can be monitored and tracked, but incorrect attribution of gaming habits occurs when a player leaves without retrieving their card
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously captures biometric data (such as facial images) of the player during the gaming session and compares it against the reference biometric data. This continuous feedback mechanism ensures that if a player leaves or another player takes over, the system detects the change and terminates the session, preventing incorrect attribution of gaming habits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical card-based identification system with a biometric verification system. Instead of relying on physical cards that can be lost or misused, the system uses automatic biometric capture and comparison to verify player identity, significantly improving both identification accuracy and attribution reliability.
2Loss of information
If player tracking cards store biographic information, then player identity can be recorded, but unauthorized use of tracking cards allows other players to accrue points
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the physical card-based identification with biometric verification. Biometric data cannot be transferred or shared like physical cards, eliminating the harm of unauthorized usage while retaining player identity information through secure biometric templates.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a biometric reference template from the player's biometric data and continuously compares live biometric captures against this template. This copying and comparison mechanism ensures that only the authorized player can accrue points, as their biometric features must match the reference template.
3Productivity
If player tracking system monitors gaming activity continuously, then accurate player data can be collected, but player session may be terminated during temporary pauses
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous monitoring that would terminate sessions during temporary pauses, the system uses periodic biometric verification at specified intervals. This allows players to take breaks without session termination, as the system only verifies presence at periodic checkpoints rather than continuously.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Prevents incorrect attribution of gaming habits and loss of 'time of play' credits by ensuring that only the intended player continues to play, maintaining accurate tracking and preventing unauthorized use.
Implementation Method 1
The thermal imager continuously obtains thermal images of a target area adjacent to the gaming machine
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for verifying the continued presence of the same player at a gaming machine is provided. The system comprises a device for continuously obtaining verification data samples, wherein each verification data sample relates to one or more physical features of a first player. A subsequently obtained verification data sample is analyzed to determine whether it is substantially similar to a previously obtained verification data sample. If the subsequent verification data sample is substantially similar to the previously obtained verification data sample, then the system determines that the first player continues to be the same player present at the gaming machine.