Biometric Proximity Authentication for Cardless Customer Tracking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional player tracking systems in casinos and hotels face issues such as card wear, inconvenience in data entry, inability to track customer behavior when the card is not in use, and the need for multiple cards for different transactions, leading to suboptimal customer service and missed marketing opportunities.
Innovation Solution
A portable electronic device with a secured memory that uses biometric authentication and secure wireless communication to establish a link with a reader device, allowing for efficient and reliable customer and asset tracking, eliminating the need for physical cards and enabling seamless transactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional magnetic strip player tracking cards are used, then customer information can be tracked during transactions, but the magnetic strips wear down over time requiring replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the physical magnetic strip card with a digital copy stored in the portable electronic device. The card account information, biometric data, and tracking information are copied from the traditional card system into the device's secure storage, eliminating wear and tear on physical components while maintaining all tracking functionalities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical magnetic strip reading system with an electronic/digital system. Instead of physically swiping a magnetic card through a reader, the system uses wireless communication protocols to transmit data between the portable electronic device and the tracking system, eliminating mechanical wear and improving reliability.
2Productivity
If players must insert and remember to remove tracking cards, then transaction tracking is enabled, but the process is inconvenient and discourages usage
Solution Approach 1:
The portable electronic device automatically performs tracking functions without requiring manual intervention. The device self-manages authentication, data transmission, and session management through biometric verification and wireless communication, eliminating the need for players to consciously insert or remove cards while maintaining accurate tracking.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary authentication and setup actions before transactions occur. Biometric profiles are pre-configured in the device, and automatic authentication is established before the player begins gaming or transacting, so no manual card insertion is needed at the point of use.
3Loss of information
If physical tracking cards are used, then basic transaction data can be collected, but no information is gained when the card is not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The portable electronic device enables continuous tracking of customer behavior throughout the entire visit, not just during active transactions. The device maintains an active connection with the casino's tracking system, continuously collecting data on location, game selection, time spent, and browsing behavior, ensuring no information is lost between transactions.
4Adaptability or versatility
If separate cards are used for gaming and other transactions, then specific transaction types can be tracked, but customers must carry and manage multiple cards
Solution Approach 1:
The portable electronic device serves as a universal tracking and authentication tool for all transaction types. It integrates gaming card functionality, hotel room key capabilities, dining account access, and other casino services into a single device, allowing the same device to be used across all venues and transaction types without requiring separate cards.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method provides biometric authentication using proximity and secure information on a Personal Digital Key (PDK). The PDK is associated with and carried by a user. The PDK wirelessly communicates with a receiver/decoder circuit (RDC) that can be coupled to a variety of electronic devices. The PDK stores a biometric profile of a legitimate user in a secured memory. The PDK acquires biometric input from a user using a biometric reader of the PDK responsive to receiving a request for a biometric authentication of the legitimate user. The PDK compares the biometric input to the biometric profile to determine whether the biometric input matches the biometric profile. A secure wireless communication link is established between the PDK and a reader device responsive to a determination that the biometric input matches the biometric profile and the PDK device is within a predefined proximity of the reader device. The PDK device sends an identification code uniquely identifying the PDK device over the secure wireless communication link to the reader device. The reader device sends information including the identification code to a trusted third-party system for authentication.