Secure Mobile Logon for Gaming Machines via PED Input

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Solution Overview

Problem

Casino patrons are hesitant to enter sensitive information on electronic gaming machines (EGMs) due to concerns about privacy, as the screens can be easily viewed by others, leading to reluctance in participating in games.

Innovation Solution

A gaming system that allows patrons to input sensitive information directly onto their portable electronic devices (PEDs), which are then securely communicated to the EGM or server for validation, maintaining privacy by displaying the information only on the smaller PED screen.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If patrons enter sensitive information on electronic gaming machine screens, then transactions can be completed, but privacy is compromised because screens can be easily viewed by others

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransaction completionVSAvoidprivacy exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the sensitive information input function from the gaming machine itself and relocates it to the patron's mobile device. The mobile device displays and captures the sensitive information (PIN, account number, etc.) locally on its own screen, which the patron can control and shield from others. The gaming machine only receives the validated information through secure communication, never displaying it on its public screen.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile device acts as an intermediary between the patron and the gaming machine for sensitive information transactions. It receives the patron's input, validates it locally, and then communicates with the gaming machine through secure channels. This intermediary role protects the patron's privacy while enabling transaction completion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If patrons are concerned about privacy, then they will not participate in games, but game engagement decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprivacy protectionVSAvoidgame engagement

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables patrons to service their own privacy needs by using their personal mobile devices to input and control sensitive information. The mobile device's screen serves as a private display that the patron can position and shield as needed, giving them direct control over their privacy during transactions without requiring casino staff intervention or changing the gaming machine's public display design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If sensitive information is displayed on gaming machine screens, then transactions can proceed, but security risks increase due to potential viewing by others

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransaction processingVSAvoidsecurity risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent moves the sensitive information display from the two-dimensional public screen of the gaming machine to the mobile device's screen, which exists in a different spatial dimension relative to the patron (held in their hand or pocket). This dimensional change allows the information to be displayed in a private space that the patron controls, eliminating the security risk of public viewing while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS20250166456A1Methods and apparatus for providing secure logon to a gaming machine using a mobile device

Publication Date: 2025.05.22 INTERNATIONAL GAME TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

A gaming system compatible with patron-controlled portable electronic devices, such as smart phones or tablet computers.