Device, System, and Method for Facilitating Communications Between Electronic Gaming Machines and Mobile Devices

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2018293841-A1
Application number	US-201715482668-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Apr 7, 2017
Priority date	Apr 7, 2017
Publication date	Oct 11, 2018
Grant date	—

Abstract

Various system, method, and device embodiments are disclosed for establishing and utilizing a wireless connection between an electronic gaming machine and a mobile device associated with a player. Such embodiments include use of a first component configured to communicate information with the mobile device using near-field communications and use of a second component configured to automatically pair the mobile device with the mobile interface device, using a Bluetooth connection, wherein the pairing of the mobile device with the mobile interface device utilizes the information communicated to the mobile device using the first component.

First claim

1 . A mobile interface device for establishing a wireless connection between an electronic gaming machine and a mobile device associated with a player, comprising:
a first component configured to communicate pairing information to the mobile device; and a second component configured to automatically pair the mobile device with the mobile interface device, using a Bluetooth connection; wherein the pairing of the mobile device with the mobile interface device utilizes the pairing information communicated to the mobile device using the first component.

2 . The mobile interface device of claim 1 , wherein the pairing information includes a unique identifier associated with the mobile interface device.

3 . The mobile interface device of claim 2 , wherein the pairing information includes an encryption key; and wherein the encryption key is configured for use in securing data communicated between the mobile interface device and the mobile device on top of the Bluetooth connection.

4 . The mobile interface device of claim 3 , wherein the encryption key is uniquely generated for each pairing of the mobile device with the mobile interface device.

5 . The mobile interface device of claim 1 , wherein the pairing information is communicated to the mobile device using near-field communications.

6 .- 15 . (canceled)

16 . A method for identifying a player to an electronic gaming machine using a mobile device, comprising:
establishing a near-field communications link between the electronic gaming machine and the mobile device; communicating, over the near-field communications link, information needed to pair the electronic gaming machine to the mobile device using Bluetooth; and pairing the electronic gaming machine with the mobile device over a Bluetooth connection.

17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the information communicated includes at least one encryption key; wherein the at least one encryption key is provided for use in securing data communicated between the electronic gaming machine and the mobile device over the Bluetooth connection.

18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the establishing of the near-field communications link between the electronic gaming machine and the mobile device occurs automatically upon the mobile device entering an electromagnetic field emitted from a near-field communications antenna provided by a mobile interface device provided with the electronic gaming machine.

19 . The method of claim 18 , comprising:
identifying a player to a casino management system; wherein the casino management system is communicatively coupled to a peripheral controller provided in the electronic gaming machine; wherein the peripheral controller is communicatively coupled to a mobile interface device provided in the electronic gaming machine; wherein the mobile interface device is configured to establish the near-field communications link; and wherein the mobile interface device is configured to pair the electronic gaming machine with the mobile device.

20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the identifying of the player to the casino management system occurs after a launching on the mobile device of at least one application program configured for use with the casino management system.

21 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the at least one application program enables the player to perform at least one operation of redeeming an award, cashing-in, and cashing-out.

22 . A mobile interface device for establishing a wireless connection between an electronic gaming machine and a mobile device associated with a player, the mobile interface device comprising:
a component configured to automatically pair the mobile device with the mobile interface device using a Bluetooth connection; wherein the automatic pairing of the mobile device with the mobile interface device utilizes pairing information communicated to the mobile device from the mobile interface device.

23 . The mobile interface device of claim 22 , wherein the component comprises an antenna disposed adjacent to a periphery of a display of the electronic gaming machine.

24 . The mobile interface device of claim 22 , wherein the mobile interface device is disposed, at least in part, within a gaming cabinet of the electronic gaming machine.

25 . The mobile interface device of claim 24 , wherein the pairing information is communicated to the mobile device after the mobile device touches a designated area of the gaming cabinet.

26 . The mobile interface device of claim 24 , wherein the pairing information is communicated to the mobile device after a tag comprising a near-field communications antenna touches a designated area of the gaming cabinet.

27 . The mobile interface device of claim 22 , wherein the pairing information includes an encryption key.

28 . The mobile interface device of claim 27 , wherein the encryption key is periodically updated to re-authenticate the mobile device to the mobile interface device.

29 . The mobile interface device of claim 22 , wherein the Bluetooth connection is configured to operate with a low power Bluetooth power class.

30 . The mobile interface device of claim 22 , wherein the component is configured to connect the mobile device to the mobile interface device using the Bluetooth connection after automatically pairing the mobile device with the mobile interface device.

Assignees

• Jcm American Corp

Inventors

• Kubajak David
• Mohrhardt Dominic

Classifications

• G07F17/3237

  about the players, e.g. profiling, responsible gaming, strategy/behavior of players, location of players · CPC title

• G07F17/3239

  Tracking of individual players · CPC title

• G07F17/3218

  wherein at least part of the system is portable · CPC title

• G07F17/3211

  Display means · CPC title

• H04W76/14

  Direct-mode setup · CPC title