Abstract:
A system and method for tracking customer activity without need for an extensive interconnecting network. The system includes a plurality of gaming devices that are communicatively isolated from one another. Information, including tracked customer activity, bonus requirements, and in one embodiment, personal information, is stored on a memory device communicable with the gaming devices. This allows implementation of an incentive program at reduced cost because the service devices themselves need not be networked together.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to systems and methods for monitoring and recording transactions, and in particular, to a system and method for tracking customer activity without need for an extensive interconnecting network. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Recent years have seen a rapid expansion of the gaming industry. Much of the income derived from such games is collected at gaming devices like slot machines and video poker games. 
   To attract customers, larger goods and/or service providers (e.g. gaming establishments) implement “frequent player” programs in which players can obtain bonuses and other benefits each time they play machines in that particular establishment or its affiliates. Such “frequent player” or “loyalty” programs may also permit the goods/service provider to monitor customer activity. This permits the service/goods provider to customize the services and goods presented to each customer or group of customers so that each customer&#39;s needs are better met. In many instances, the customer agrees to permit the collection of such information in exchange for lower prices, a bonus program, or other incentives offered by the service/goods provider. In such circumstances, it is important to include some medium or means for keeping track of each customer&#39;s loyalty program. 
   One solution to this problem is to provide a network of interconnected computers or similar devices at the point of sale/service. Each device can collect information regarding the sale and provide that information to a central database, where the data can be stored and analyzed. The problem with this solution is that it requires a substantial investment in the infrastructure (the interconnected network) itself. This substantial investment is typically greater than can be provided by smaller goods/service providers. 
   What is needed is an inexpensive system and method for monitoring and recording gaming activity that eases data collection, reduces the risk of theft, does not negatively influence impulse gaming. What is also needed is a system for providing appropriate incentives, without need for an extensive (and expensive) infrastructure. The present invention satisfies these needs. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   To address the requirements described above, the present invention discloses a method, apparatus, article of manufacture, and a memory structure for providing a customer incentive program with a plurality of service devices. The method comprises the steps of accepting a memory device in a terminal communicatively coupled to one of the plurality of service devices; collecting information describing customer related service device activity, securely transmitting the information regarding the customer-related service device activity to the memory device for storage in the secure memory. In one embodiment, the memory device is issued to a member of the customer incentive program, the memory device has a secure memory for storing and retrieving tamperproof customer incentive information and a customer-unique identifier, the terminal exchanges information between the memory device and the service device, the plurality of service devices includes at least a subset of service devices that are communicatively isolated from any entity communicatively connected with any of the other of the plurality of service devices; and the service device in which the memory device is accepted is communicatively isolated from any entity communicatively connected with any of the other of the plurality of service devices. 
   The apparatus comprises a terminal communicatively coupled to one of the plurality of service devices, wherein the plurality of service devices includes at least a subset of service devices that are communicatively isolated from any entity communicatively connected with any of the other of the plurality of service devices, having a memory device interface for accepting a memory device, wherein the memory device is issued to a member of the customer incentive program, the memory device having a secure memory for storing and retrieving tamperproof customer incentive information and a customer-unique identifier, and a processor, communicatively coupled to the memory device interface, the processor for securely exchanging information between the memory device and the service device, the information including information describing customer related service device activity. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numbers represent corresponding parts throughout: 
       FIG. 1  is a diagram of a plurality of service devices in a networked configuration; 
       FIG. 2  is a diagram of a plurality of service devices, a subset of which are in a non-networked configuration; 
       FIG. 3  is a diagram of a memory device, terminal and service device; 
       FIG. 4  is a diagram showing exemplary operations usable to collect customer-related service device activity; and 
       FIG. 5  is a diagram showing exemplary operations usable to use incentives earned based on stored information derived from customer related device activity. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and which is shown, byway of illustration, several embodiments of the present invention. It is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     FIG. 1  is a diagram of a networked (e.g. communicatively interconnected) plurality of service devices. The service device network  100  includes a plurality of service devices  104 A- 104 C (alternatively referred to as service device(s)  104 ), each coupled to a central processor  102  via network links  106 . The central processor  102  can be coupled to an internal or external database  108 . The service devices  104  can be vending machines, gaming machines, video games, or any other machine that provides goods and/or services to customers. A consumer  114  interfaces with the service devices  104  using input/output (I/O) devices on the service devices. For example, when the service devices  104  are gaming machines, the consumer or user  114  uses the I/O devices to provide monetary value to the gaming device, and depending on the game, may provide other gaming and other inputs as well. The gaming device provides an output display showing the results and status of each game. 
   The owner or operator of the service device network  100  may elect to provide an incentive program to attract more consumers. The incentive program provides the member a reward for consuming the goods or using the service devices  104 . The reward may be provided simply to attract more consumers  114 , or may be provided in exchange for personal information regarding the consumer  114  or the consumer&#39;s preferences and habits regarding the use/consumption of the goods/services offered by the service devices  104 . In one embodiment the incentive program is implemented by use of loyalty cards or other devices  112  that identify the consumer  114 . When the consumer  114  enters the device  112  into an interface  110 , the consumer  114  is identified, and information regarding the use of the service device  104  by the consumer  114  can be transmitted to the central processor  102  for processing and storage in a database  108 , which can be external or internal to the processor  102 . The device  112 , can be a read only device, such as an optical bar code or magnetic card, or may be a read/write device. 
   Unfortunately, the incentive programs based on the service device network  110  require that each of the service devices  104  be networked together. Such networks can be prohibitively expensive for smaller service device owner/operators. 
     FIG. 2  is a diagram of a diagram of hybrid service device network, which includes an interconnected service device network  100  and a distributed service device network (DSDN)  200 . The DSDN  200  comprises a plurality of service devices  204 A- 204 B (hereinafter, service device(s)  204 ). Unlike the interconnected service device network  100 , the service devices  204  of the DSDN  200  are communicatively isolated (they are not networked together). Each of the service devices  204 A- 204 D includes an associated terminal  210 A- 210 D that can accept a memory device  112 . In one embodiment, the memory device  112  is a programmably alterable memory device such as a smartcard or token. Hereinafter, the terms memory device, smart card, and token are used interchangeably to describe this functionality. Similarly, in one embodiment, the terminals  210 A- 210 D may include smartcard reader/writers ( 210 A- 210 D) (hereinafter also referred to as SRWs  210 ). 
   Once the smartcard  112  is accepted, the SRW  210  can read and write data from the smartcard  112 . The smartcard  112  and SRW  210  are each configured so that read and write operations are performed in a secure (non-hackable) way, and so that the contents of the smartcard  112  cannot be altered or duplicated without special authorization. The SRW  210  may also be capable of selecting different operational modes or reprogramming the smartcard  112 . 
   The smartcard  112  is personal to the user  114  and contains the information required for the incentive program. In one embodiment, this information includes personal data about the member  114 . In another embodiment (the opt-out embodiment described below), the smartcard  112  does not store personal data about the member  114 . 
   Once connected to the service device  210 , the smartcard extracts service device activity information. In the gaming establishment context, this service device activity information includes player input(s), gaming machine outcome(s). Input and outcomes can be recorded as singular events. For example, the service device activity can be described (and recorded) as a number of games played, a number of games played per week, a number of games played on particular days or at particular times, the number of wagers, the number of wagers within certain amount bins (e.g. $0.25, $1, or $5), number of particular outcomes (e.g. number of blackjacks, or royal flushes, or queens), combinations (e.g. number of hands with face cards and deuces, number of consecutive winning or non-winning hands). Further, the tracked outcomes can be customizable to the member  114 . For example, the member  114  may select particular “lucky” combinations (personal bonus combinations) for bonus awards (e.g. number of hands with both deuces and queens), and the member&#39;s selection can be stored on the smartcard  112  thereby permitting the member  114  to earn bonuses for these result. 
   The foregoing information can be used to compute and store member bonuses, and to manage special member offers. 
     FIG. 3  is a diagram depicting a memory device  112 , terminal  210 , and service device  204 . The memory device (e.g. smartcard)  112  includes an internal memory  302  and a processor  304 . The memory  302  typically includes both read only memory (ROM) and randomly addressable memory (RAM), and includes a secure memory area for storing passwords, and sensitive data used to implement security routines in the smartcard. The processor  304  response to instructions that may be stored in the ROM/RAM, and performs the smartcard-related functions described herein. 
   Each of the terminals  210  includes a controller  314  and a (smartcard) read/write device  316 . The controller  314  communicates with the smartcard via the read/write device  316 . Communication between the terminal  210  and the service device  210  maybe performed via an interface  318  which obtains status and other information from the service device  210 . 
   The memory device  112  is removably coupleable to the terminal  210 . Once coupled to the terminal the memory device  112  and the terminal  210  can share information as required to implement the incentive program. The terminal  210  (e.g. SRW) may include an internal memory  306  communicatively coupled to a SRW processor  304 . The internal memory  306  may include RAM and/or ROM. 
   The terminal is communicatively (and may be physically) coupled to the service device  204 . Although not necessary to practice the invention, the service device  204  typically includes a processor  312  and a memory  310  that is used to implement service device  204  functions. 
     FIG. 4  is a diagram showing exemplary method steps useable to collect member-related service device  204  activity. The member  114  presents  402  the memory device  112  to the terminal  210 , which accepts  404  and authenticates  406  the memory device  112  using authentication information  408  stored in the memory device  112  and/or the terminal  210 . In one embodiment, the terminal  210  requests that the member  114  enter identifying information (e.g. a name and/or a password) as a part of the authentication process. If desired, the present invention can be implemented without blocks  402 - 408 . In this embodiment, the possessor of the memory device  112  is not authenticated. 
   The member  114  then issues  410  service device  204  commands via an appropriate service device user interface. This may include, for example, entering a monetary denomination (e.g. a $20 bill), and depressing buttons to select game play, including the number of credits to risk, and making additional selections regarding game play (e.g. in a draw poker game, which cards to retain). The service device  204  accepts  412  the commands, and provides  414  a command response. The terminal  210  processes and/or interprets  416  the command response from the service device  204  and provides the activity information, in processed or unprocessed form, to the memory device  112 , where it is stored  418 . 
   Some or all of the terminals  210  also may allow member  114  to read some or all of the information regarding earned bonuses, bonus detail (e.g. number of bonus points, how many jackpots or royal flushes), or bonus requirements stored on the smartcard  112 . 
     FIGS. 3 and 4  show an embodiment of the invention wherein the terminal  210  includes a processor  308  and memory  306  that is used to process and/or interpret the service device  204  activity. However, the processor  304  and memory  302  in the memory device  112  can also perform many or all of the functions performed by the terminal  210  processor  308  and memory  306 . This embodiment permits the present invention to be implemented with a minimum investment in terminal  210  hardware. Sharing functionality between the memory device and the terminal  210  can also increase security and prevent hacking of the memory device  112  and/or the terminal  210 . 
     FIG. 5  is a diagram depicting exemplary method steps used to redeem incentives. The member  114  presents  502  the memory device  112  to the terminal  210 , where it is accepted  504 . Authentication information  508  stored in the memory device  112  and/or the terminal  210  is then used to authenticate the member  114 . As before, this could involve a process whereby the member  114  provides input to the terminal and/or the service device  204  (service device  204  I/O elements can be used to provide input/output interface during authentication, accumulating bonus incentives, or in receiving incentives). 
   The authentication process can be directed solely to processes that are required to authenticate the memory device  112 , rather than the user (e.g., a case where possession of the card alone is sufficient). In this case, the member  114  accepts the risk of losing their memory device  112 . Redemption devices may or may not be networked. 
   The member  114  then requests  510  the incentive. The terminal service device  204  (either directly, or through the I/O devices of the terminal  210 ) accepts  512  the request. The terminal  210  processes/interprets  513  the request. The terminal  210  transmits a message to the memory device  112  requesting incentive/bonus information stored in the memory  302  of the memory device  112 . The memory device  112  retrieves  514  the information, and provides the information to the terminal  210 . The terminal  210  then compares  515  the earned bonus/incentive information received from the memory device  112  with bonus/incentive requirements stored in the terminal  210  and/or the memory device  112  and/or the service device  204 . If the comparison indicates a bonus/incentive award is appropriate, the terminal/memory device  210 / 112  provides  516  a command to the service device  204  to provide the incentive. The service device  204  accepts  518  the command, and provides  520  the bonus/incentive. The terminal  210  receives the directive to provide the incentive from the service device, and commands the memory device  112  to decrement  510  the earned bonus by the amount redeemed. The memory device  112  accepts this command, and decrements  524  the earned bonus by the required amount. If desired, the present invention can be implemented without decrementing the bonus counter (e.g. awarding incentives when bonus thresholds are passed and therefore, triggered). 
   The incentive is then received  526  by the member  114 . Alternatively, the incentive command may cause an alarm or other indication that the member  114 , should be provided with a bonus, and the bonus is provided to the user by appropriate personnel alerted by the alarm. 
   The smartcard  112  mayor may not keep historical data regarding redemption transactions and earned bonuses. When the member  114  redeems bonus points or interfaces with a networked machine, the history of activity/bonus awards stored in the smartcard  112  can be uploaded in the terminal  210 . This information can be to offer the member  114  with additional player benefits or to update the bonus structure to a more or less favorable structure than currently stored in the card  112 . 
   In one embodiment, special redemption stations can be used to collect bonus points (in addition to or m the alternative to the terminals  210  disclosed above). Such redemption stations can be networked and can include special functionality to permit the collection of data and the issuance of the incentive awards. 
   It is noted that the functions shown implemented in the memory device  112  and terminal  210  in  FIG. 5  maybe different than shown. For example, the memory device  112  may include stored incentive/bonus requirements, and the determination if the earned requirements permit an award can take place in the memory device  112  instead of (or in addition to) the terminal  210 . 
   The foregoing can be implemented with 2 types of memory devices, an opt-in memory device, and a non-opt-in (or opt-out) memory device  112 . The baseline (opt-out), card is anonymous, and offers the member  114  a different (and typically, less advantageous) bonus structure than does the opt-in memory device  112 . The opt-in memory device  112  is provided to the user in exchange for the member  114  providing personal information their name, address, and other identifying information that may be useful to correlate with service device  204  use patterns. Such a card may provide increased benefits over the non-opt-in card (i.e. 2-cent bonus per dollar wagered versus a 1 cent per dollar wagered with the opt-put card). Further, either card may change the award as the amount of play (dollars wagered or games played) increases, or when the user plays (giving more bonus for off-peak hours). The opt-in card can also be updated from time to time, with additional information, permitting additional bonuses. For example, an opt-out card may provide 1 cent per dollar wagered, a standard opt-in card may provide 2 cents per dollar wagered, but based on how much the opt-in card is used, the rate of award may be increased as the member plays more. This is made possible because the memory device processor can include programs which allow changes in program execution, permitting adaptable bonus awards. 
   The foregoing invention can also be used with a networked service device incentive system. In this embodiment (illustrated in  FIG. 2 ), the member  114  can use the service devices  204  in the system  200 , accumulating bonus points, and if desired, redeeming earned bonus points at any of the service devices  204 . However, in this embodiment, the member  114  can also present the memory device  112  to a service device  104  in the networked system. In one embodiment, this functionality duplicates that of the un-networked system (i.e. the service device  104  communicates solely with the members memory device  114 ) to accumulate bonus points or award bonuses. In another embodiment, the memory device  112  or the service device communicatively coupled thereto, interfaces with other service devices in the network  100 , the server  102 , and/or the database  108  to accumulate bonus points, award earned bonuses, or simply to report the data stored in the memory device  112  or store updated information regarding bonus requirements. In this embodiment, the memory device  112  operates primarily autonomously but can operate with the networked system when it is desired or available. This permits the occasional collection and retention of data regarding member  114  bonus points and service device activity. This permits opt-in users to retain their earned bonuses, even when the smartcard is lost or stolen, and provides another incentive for members  114  to become opted-in members. 
   One advantage in the foregoing system (with non-networked service devices) is that it permits the customers/members to determine for themselves when and if they would like to trade information regarding gaming activity (and/or personal information) for bonus incentives. For example, a system can be devised in which none of the service devices are networked or otherwise coupled to a central computer or database, and which redemption of bonus points takes place on clearly identified and networked redemption terminals. The customer can then use the smartcard  112  in the ordinary way, secure in the knowledge that gaming activity or personal information will not (indeed, cannot) be shared. However, when the user elects to redeem earned bonus points, the user presents the card to a conspicuously identified networked machine, the information on the card (including game play and optionally, the user&#39;s personal information) can be collected. If the user does elects not to collect the bonus, the gaming activity or personal information is never revealed, but remains stored on the smartcard. The customer is therefore assured that activity and/or personal information stored in the smartcard will not be read until the customer makes the decision as to whether and when they would like to trade personal information for the incentive program. 
   In yet another embodiment of the invention, the member  114  does not have to make an immediate decision regarding whether to become an opted-in member. In this embodiment, the member  114  accepts an opted-out card, and can use the card as described above to collect bonus points. When the user attempts to redeem the bonus points for the incentive award, the member  114  is offered the opportunity to provide personal information in exchange for an enhanced bonus award. 
   CONCLUSION 
   This concludes the description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention. The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto. The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the composition of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.