Wireless Optical Mobile Controller for Wagering Game Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wagering game manufacturers face challenges in developing innovative ways to track players and enhance the use of account-based wagering systems, as existing methods may not provide sufficient entertainment value or player engagement.
Innovation Solution
A mobile controller, such as a pocket-sized wireless device or fob, is used to authenticate and control wagering game sessions wirelessly, allowing users to interact with wagering game machines via unique identifiers, motion patterns, and button inputs, enabling secure and convenient access to player accounts and gaming activities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional player tracking methods (magnetic card readers) are used, then player identification and account access are achieved, but player engagement and entertainment value are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical magnetic card reading system with a wireless optical detection system. The mobile controller uses LEDs to emit light patterns that are detected by an optical sensor in the wagering game machine, eliminating the need for physical card insertion and magnetic stripe reading. This substitution enables more engaging interaction methods while maintaining reliable player identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static card-based identification to dynamic motion-pattern-based authentication. Players perform specific motions with the mobile controller (such as waving or circular movements) that are detected by the optical sensor, allowing for more engaging and versatile player interaction while maintaining secure account access.
2Ease of operation
If wireless mobile controllers with motion detection are implemented, then player engagement and convenience are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary optical detection system that bridges the mobile controller and the wagering game machine. The mobile controller contains LEDs that emit light as an intermediary signal, and the wagering game machine contains an optical sensor that detects these light patterns. This intermediary optical communication method enables wireless control without requiring complex direct wireless communication hardware in the mobile controller.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile controller serves multiple functions: it acts as a player identification device, a motion input device, and a wireless communication device. The same LED-based optical system is used for both authentication (detecting specific light patterns) and control (detecting motion patterns), reducing the need for separate specialized components and simplifying the overall system.
3Reliability
If secure wireless authentication is implemented, then account security is maintained, but player engagement and entertainment value are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication system transitions from static verification to dynamic motion-based verification. Instead of simply reading a fixed magnetic stripe, the system detects dynamic motion patterns performed by the player with the mobile controller. This dynamic approach maintains security by verifying unique player actions while significantly enhancing engagement and entertainment value.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the passive magnetic card reading system with an active optical detection system that requires player participation. The mobile controller actively emits light patterns and the player actively performs motions, creating a more engaging authentication process that maintains security while adding entertainment value through interactive verification.
Data Source
AI summary
A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include detecting, wirelessly, an identifier associated with a portable wireless device. In some embodiments, the identifier is assigned to a wagering game player account. The operations can further include initiating a wagering game session for the wagering game player account, via a wagering game machine, in response to detecting the identifier. The operations can further include detecting, wirelessly, a use of the portable wireless device in response to player input via the portable wireless device and, based on the use of the portable wireless device, authorizing initiation of the wagering game session and/or performing one or more activities via a wagering game application during the wagering game session.