Virtual Loyalty Card Integration for Wireless Player Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic gaming machines have high operating costs due to maintenance requirements, labor costs, and downtime, while features like bill validators and loyalty programs increase convenience but also costs, necessitating a balance between cost reduction and player satisfaction.
Innovation Solution
Implement a secondary processor in the gaming machine, such as a candle device or cabinet module, to provide enhanced gaming functions and communication capabilities without modifying the regulated gaming software, allowing for wireless interactions, image capture, and improved maintenance scheduling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional physical loyalty cards and card readers are used, then player tracking and rewards programs are enabled, but device complexity and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical card reader system with a wireless communication system using mobile devices. Instead of requiring physical cards and card readers, the system uses wireless protocols (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi) to communicate with mobile devices, eliminating the need for dedicated card reading hardware while maintaining player tracking functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a wireless communication intermediary (mobile device) that acts as a mediator between the player and the gaming system. The mobile device contains the player's loyalty information and communicates wirelessly with the gaming device, replacing the direct physical card insertion mechanism.
2Reliability
If maintenance operations require locked enclosures and security systems, then security and regulatory compliance are improved, but labor costs and maintenance time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-diagnostics and monitoring capabilities within the gaming device that automatically detect and report maintenance needs. The system can monitor its own operational status, identify potential issues before they become critical, and provide diagnostic information to maintenance personnel, reducing the need for frequent manual inspections and interventions.
3Ease of operation
If bill validators and additional features are added to gaming machines, then player convenience is improved, but operating costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the mobile device serve multiple functions: it acts as a loyalty card, a communication interface, a display device, and a control input. By leveraging the player's existing mobile device for multiple purposes, the system eliminates the need for separate dedicated hardware components that would increase operating costs.
Data Source
AI summary
A gaming machine including a secondary processor coupled to a player tracking system for tracking game play of a patron using a virtual player loyalty card is described. A virtual player loyalty card can be created by associating an existing physical player loyalty card with a newly created mobile loyalty card account. The mobile card can be virtually inserted into an electronic gaming machine when a portable electronic device with an associated mobile application is in the vicinity of an electronic gaming machine. Once the mobile card is virtually inserted into the gaming machine, the patron's game play at the gaming machine can be tracked.