Mobile Device Player Tracking Without Slot Machine Hardware
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional player tracking systems in casinos require expensive hardware installations on slot machines, which is cumbersome and costly, and do not allow for efficient upgrading or installation without existing slot accounting systems.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a mobile device app that allows players to input a unique slot machine ID, using passive or active identification methods such as QR codes or NFC, to associate player activity with the slot machine, thereby eliminating the need for machine-mounted player tracking components and enabling casinos to upgrade to player tracking without additional hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional player tracking systems are implemented with machine-mounted hardware components, then player tracking functionality is achieved, but system complexity and installation cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the player tracking functionality from the slot machine hardware itself and relocates it to the player's mobile device. The mobile device becomes the tracking terminal, eliminating the need for dedicated player tracking hardware on the slot machine while maintaining full tracking functionality through wireless communication with a remote server.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the player's existing mobile device serve multiple functions: it acts as both the gaming interface and the player tracking terminal. This universal approach eliminates the need for separate dedicated tracking hardware, as the mobile device's camera, processor, and wireless capabilities are leveraged for both gaming and tracking purposes.
2Reliability
If player tracking components are added to slot machines, then player identification is enabled, but installation cost and hardware requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the player's own mobile device to perform the identification and tracking functions that would traditionally require dedicated hardware. The mobile device's existing capabilities (camera for scanning, processor for authentication, wireless for communication) are utilized, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for casino-installed identification hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the player tracking terminal functionality in the mobile device software rather than implementing it in physical hardware on the slot machine. This software-based approach replicates all necessary tracking functions without requiring physical hardware installation or modification of the slot machine.
3Reliability
If traditional player tracking hardware is installed on slot machines, then slot activity tracking is achieved, but the system becomes additive and requires existing slot accounting infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the activity tracking function from the slot machine hardware and implements it in the mobile device application. The mobile device captures activity data through the gaming interface and transmits it directly to the remote server, eliminating the need for additive tracking hardware while maintaining integration with existing slot accounting systems through the server connection.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile device is used as an input/output device for a player tracking system for gaming machines, such as slot machines. Each gaming machine has a unique identifier and each player has a unique identifier that is associated with an account of the player. Player credentials are electronically communicated via the mobile device directly to the player tracking system, and each player credential is associated with a player's unique identifier that is maintained by the player tracking system. The mobile device is also used to electronically communicate directly to the player tracking system a gaming machine that the player wishes to play. Prior to initiation of game play on a gaming machine, the player tracking system associates the unique identifier of a player with the unique identifier of a gaming machine that the player wishes to play. A play session is initiated at the gaming machine and game play at the gaming machine is associated with the account of the player, and activity from the play session is captured by the player tracking system. Information is displayed on a display screen of the mobile device during the play session, including data regarding the player that is maintained in the player tracking system.