BLE Micro-Positioning for Accurate Casino Floor Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Casinos face challenges in accurately and efficiently tracking player positions within large gaming floors to provide targeted services and manage operations, while existing systems are often power-intensive and costly.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a system that utilizes Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons and Peripheral Network Adapters (PNAs) in conjunction with mobile devices to track patrons, casino personnel, and assets, enabling real-time positioning and reduced power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional tracking systems are used in casinos, then player position tracking can be achieved, but power consumption and system cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplayer position tracking accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical or wired tracking systems with a wireless BLE-based system. Mobile devices use their own processors and BLE modules to communicate with beacons, eliminating the need for power-intensive infrastructure while maintaining tracking accuracy through wireless signal-based location determination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operating parameters by using low-power BLE technology instead of traditional high-power tracking methods. The BLE beacons and mobile devices operate at low power levels, enabling continuous tracking without significant power consumption increase, while still achieving accurate position data through signal strength and triangulation methods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If traditional tracking systems are used in casinos, then player position tracking can be achieved, but system cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplayer position tracking accuracyVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs inexpensive BLE beacons that can be easily deployed and removed from physical locations throughout the casino. These low-cost beacons communicate with mobile devices to provide tracking functionality without requiring expensive infrastructure, making the system cost-effective while maintaining measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses universal mobile devices that players already carry for gaming purposes. The mobile devices serve multiple functions: they are used for gambling, communication, and location tracking simultaneously. This eliminates the need for dedicated tracking hardware, reducing system cost while achieving accurate player position tracking

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20260029503A1Systems and methods for micro-positioning in a gaming environment using a wireless low-power personal area network

Publication Date: 2026.01.29 JCM AMERICAN CORP

AI summary

Systems and methods utilizing micro-positioning. The systems and methods detailed herein involve various configurations of components, including using one or more of BLE beacons, BLE tags, mobile I/O, Peripheral Network Adapters (PNA) with mobile I/O, mobile devices and electronic gaming machines (EGM). One or more casino and/or 3rd party network systems may also be utilized to facilitate and utilize the tracking abilities of the systems and methods. The systems and methods allow patrons to be tracked in a space, (e.g., casino floor) and sent promotions based on their location. The system and methods may also be used by the casino to: track player EGM usage, direct slot technicians to EGMs requiring attention, fulfill service requests, direct casino personnel to EGMs requiring cashboxes to be emptied, generate casino floor maps, allow patrons to redeem tickets, cash in chips and pay bills, etc.