Patent Publication Number: US-2015065235-A1

Title: Computer-based system and method for tracking activity of casino game players and rewards

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/873,728 filed Sep. 4, 2013 for PLAYER TRACKING SYSTEM, which is incorporated in this application as if fully set forth herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to methods and systems for tracking data of casino game players. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Casinos often reward frequent players by offering them monetary rewards, free stays at hotels, free dining at restaurants, and various other rewards. Adequate rewards may encourage the players to return to a particular casino. However, these rewards fail to provide an adequate incentive for a player to increase his/her frequency of play. There is a need in the art for a rewarding mechanism that provides an adequate incentive for a player to make more plays to receive higher rewards. In addition, there is a need for a computer-based rewarding mechanism to encourage a player to play more often in higher stakes games. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A computer-based method and a system for awarding and tracking points for casino game players based on the number of plays that the respective players make in casino games. 
     Casino game players are each associated with a player-identifying device (player ID). The computer-based system includes an identification sensor that detects the player-identifying device. A processor connected to the identification sensor identifies the player. The processor sets the player&#39;s status to active. A memory is connected to the processor for storing a point count for the player. A play sensor is connected to the processor that detects each play of the player when the player&#39;s status is active. The processor increments a point count for the player when the play sensor detects a play made by the player and stores the incremented point count in the memory. The system increments point counts for every player that has a player ID upon detection of each play made by the player. 
     The processor stores play counts of a player as sensed by the play sensor and stores the accumulated play count of the player over a predetermined period of time in the system memory. The processor can determine a player&#39;s accumulated point count based on the stored play count. The play count of a player may be for example, the number of hands played by the player in a card game for a certain period of time. 
     The processor stores the date and time of each play made by a player in the memory. A predetermined value of each play of a casino game can be used to determine the point count for each play. For example, each play of a high-stakes casino game may correspond to a higher point count increment than each play of a low-stake game. 
     Players rewards are based on respective accumulated points. An advantageous feature of the system is that players have the incentive of making more plays to receive higher points in order to qualify for more valuable rewards. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The exact nature of this invention, as well as the objects and advantages thereof, will become readily apparent upon consideration of the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the figures thereof and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating components of a computer-based system for awarding points to players of a casino game; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating components of a computer-based system for awarding points to a plurality of players of a casino game; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic illustration of an infrastructure of the computer-based system; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic illustration of hardware used to implement the computer-based system; 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart diagram showing a computer-based method of incrementing the point counts; 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart diagram showing a computer-based process of incrementing the point counts; 
         FIG. 7  is a flowchart diagram showing a computer-based process of incrementing the point counts; 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart diagram showing a computer-based method of incrementing the point counts and keeping track of start and end times of each play; 
         FIG. 9  is a flowchart diagram showing the steps of updating a database stored in the memory; 
         FIG. 10  is a flowchart diagram showing a computer-based method of updating a database based on plays made by each player of a casino game; 
         FIG. 11  is a tree diagram showing the method steps related to the dealer coordinator, the dealer and the players; 
         FIG. 12  is a block diagram illustrating a computer-based system for issuing player-identifying devices and redeeming accumulated points; and 
         FIG. 13  is an illustration of a display interface for player tracking software with access to the database. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating components of a computer-based system for awarding points to players of a casino game based on the respective plays made by the players. The computer-based system utilizes at least one processor  17 . A “processor” as used hereinafter may refer to a single processor or multiple processors. For example, the multiple processors may be connected through a cloud network, wireless communication link, the Internet or other communication means to perform the described tasks without limiting the scope of the present invention. The processor  17  is connected to a play sensor  11 , an identification sensor  15  and a memory  19 . 
     The identification sensor  15  detects a first player-identifying device (player ID)  13 . Upon detection of the first player ID  13 , the processor  17  sets the first player&#39;s status to active. The memory  19  stores a point count for the first player. The casino may reward a player based on the respective point count. For example, higher point counts can qualify the player for more valuable rewards. 
     The play sensor  11  detects each play of the first player when the first player&#39;s status is active. A “play” as used hereinafter refers to an action of playing or betting by a player, or collection of bets made by the players in a casino game. For example, a play can refer to a hand played or a round of betting in a casino card game. In an embodiment, the play sensor  11  may be a chip-drop sensor that detects collection of chips. For example, when the chips are collected, the processor  17  determines that the first player has played a hand. The processor  17  increments the point count for the respective player as each hand is detected. 
     The processor  17  increments the point count of the first player when the play sensor  11  detects a play by the first player and stores the incremented point count in the memory  19 . The system similarly increments point counts for other players with active statuses upon detection of the respective plays. 
     A play sensor  11  can be utilized to determine placement of a bet by the player before collection of bets. For example, multiple play sensors  11  can be utilized, each being placed in proximity of one of the players to detect placement of bets (e.g., chips) before collection of bets. For example, the point count can be incremented based on the number of chips or bets placed by the respective player on a betting area of a casino game table. In other embodiments, the play sensor  11  can automatically or with the assistance of the dealer detect a play based on other factors. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a dealer identification sensor  25  is connected to the processor  17  for detecting a dealer-identifying device  21 . Upon detection of the dealer-identifying device  21 , the processor  17  activates detection by the play sensor  11 . In another embodiment, the processor  17  increments the respective point counts even if the dealer-identifying device  21  is not utilized. 
     Each of a plurality of players carry one of the plurality of player IDs  23 . A plurality of identification sensors  27  are connected to the processor  17  for detecting the plurality of player IDs  23 . The processor  17  identifies the players associated with each of the player IDs  23 . 
     The processor  17  is connected to a plurality of player-active indicators  29 , each corresponding to one of the players. When the player IDs  23  are detected, the processor  17  sets the respective player-active indicators  29  to an on state. For example, the plurality of player-active indicators  29  may be Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) that would blink or be set to an on state for a predetermined time period when the respective player is in an active state. 
     The processor  17  is connected to a plurality of point-increment indicators  31 , each corresponding to one of the players. When the processor  17  increments the point counts of the players, the processor  17  may set the respective point-increment indicators  31  to an on state. For example, the plurality of point-increment indicators  31  can be LEDs that would blink or be set to an on state for a predetermined time period when the respective player is in an active state. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a first processor  53  is connected to a first plurality of identification sensors  57 ,  59 ,  61 ,  63  and  65 , each sensor detecting an identity device of a different player. For example, the first identification sensor  57  can be positioned on a casino game table near a first seat for a first player, and the second identification sensor  59  can be positioned on the table near a second seat and similarly as to the remainder of the first plurality of identification sensors. The first plurality of identification sensors  57 ,  59 ,  61 ,  63  and  65  can be RFID (radio frequency identification) readers spaced apart from one another to minimize electromagnetic interference and maximize accuracy of detection. Although five sensors are shown in  FIG. 3 , one or any number of identification sensors can be utilized, depending on design needs such as the number of seats or players of a particular casino game. 
     A second processor  55  is connected to a second plurality of identification sensors  67 ,  69 ,  71 ,  73  and  75  positioned at a second casino game. The processors  53  and  55  can be connected to a web server  39  and a database  41  via network switches  37  and  43 . The network switches  37  and  43  may be, for example, a Gigabit Ethernet Switch with 10/100/1000 Mbps (Megabits per second). The processors  53  and  55  can be connected to the foregoing hardware components or other hardware components via wireless communication or other communication means without limiting the scope of the present invention. 
     The web server  39  may be, for example, a Microsoft IIS (Internet Information Services) web server for providing a secure, easy-to-manage and modular platform. The database  41  may be, for example, a Microsoft SQL (Structure Query Language) Server for providing a cloud-ready information platform to allow access to player identification data, the point count, the start/end times for the plays, the start/end times of dealers and other data described herein. A dealer coordinator can activate, deactivate or control the computer-based system and monitor detected and tracked data using the dealer coordinator computer  45 . Similarly, a floor man or manager can similarly monitor and control the operations of the computer-based system using a portable electronic device  47  (e.g., a smart phone). The portable electronic device  47  may be connected to the system via a Wi-Fi connection  49 , a wireless access point  51  and the network switches  37  and  43 . In addition, connection to the Internet may be provided through a firewall  35 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a dealer identification sensor  25  may be connected to the first processor  53  for detecting a dealer identification device. The dealer identification sensor  25  can be an RFID sensor that detects an RFID card associated with the dealer. Upon detection of the dealer identification device, the first processor  53  may activate detection of the play sensor  11  to start incrementing the point counts of each player based on the plays being made. The processor  17  also sets a dealer-active indicator  89  (e.g., an LED) to an on state when the dealer-identifying device  21  is detected. 
     The first processor  53  is connected to the identification sensors  57 - 63 . Upon detection of the identification sensors  57 - 63 , the first processor  53  sets the respective player-active indicators  99 ,  101 ,  103  and  105  to an on state. The respective player-active indicators  99 ,  101 ,  103  and  105  may be LEDs positioned near the respective seats of the players. The LEDs would blink or be switched to an on state for a predetermined amount of time to indicate that the respective player near the LED is in an active state. 
     The play sensor  11  may be, for example, a chipdrop sensor  77  that detects depositing of chips in a container. For example, the dealer collects the chips after each player makes plays. The dealer drops the chips into a drop box. The chip-drop sensor  77  generates a signal upon depositing of the chips. For example, the chip-drop sensor  77  may be an infrared break-beam sensor that generates an electrical signal upon depositing of the chips in the drop box. 
     Upon detection of each play by the play sensor  11 , the first processor  53  increments the respective point counts for each of the players. In addition, the first processor  53  sets the respective point-increment indicators  91 ,  93 ,  95  and  97  to an on state for a predetermined period of time. The point-increment indicators  91 ,  93 ,  95  and  97  instill confidence and satisfaction in the respective active players because the players would acknowledge that they are indeed accumulating additional points by making additional plays. 
     Individual displays for each player or a common display can be provided at the casino game for displaying the respective point counts of players. Each player can further log into their respective accounts using a computer such as a portable electronic device (e.g., a smart phone) connected to the processor  17  and/or the memory  19  to view or redeem their respective point counts in substantially real time while playing the casino game or at a later time. 
       FIG. 5  is a flowchart diagram showing the computer-based process of incrementing the point counts according to an embodiment of the invention. In step  107 , a first player ID  13  registered to a first player is detected. The processor  17  identifies the first player. For example, the first player ID  13  may be an RFID card with a unique RFID number. The processor  17  identifies the first player based on the unique RFID number. Alternatively, the first player ID  13  may be a portable electronic device such as a smart phone. The first player ID  13  may be registered to a unique identifying data that would be recognized by the identification sensor  15 . For example, the identification sensor  15  may detect the unique identification data of the first player ID  13  via wireless communication (e.g., Bluetooth). 
     In step  111 , the processor  17  sets the first player&#39;s status to active in step  111 , and in step  113 , the processor  17  detects each play of the first player as sensed by the play sensor  11 . In step  115 , the processor  17  increments the first player&#39;s point count when the play sensor  11  detects a play by the first player, and stores the incremented point count in the memory  19 . 
     The point count increment for each play can be based on the predetermined value of the play for the casino game. For example, plays made at a high stakes casino game (e.g., a no-limit Poker game with high minimum buy-in requirements) may be rewarded more than low-stakes casino games (e.g., a low-limit Poker game). For example, in a high-stakes no-limit Poker game, the points of the active players of the high-stakes game may be incremented by 1.5 points per each play made whereas the points for a lower limit Poker game may be incremented by 1 point per each play made. Under such a rewarding mechanism, a player would be interested in making plays more frequently at a high-stakes game in order to qualify for more valuable rewards. The foregoing point increments are provided as examples. Various other point increments may be utilized based on the characteristics of the promotions and the casino games, and the membership or playing history of the respective players. 
     Referring now to another embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , the processor  17  accumulates the first player&#39;s play count as sensed by the play sensor  11  and stores the accumulated play count of the first player in the memory  19 . In step  119 , the processor  17  determines or increments the first player&#39;s point count based on the accumulated play count. The first player or authorized casino personnel can retrieve the first player&#39;s respective point count and play count. The play count of the player may correspond to, for example, the number of hands played by the first player in a card game. 
     Referring now to another embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , upon detection of each play in step  113 , the processor  17  increments the first player&#39;s point count in step  121  and store the incremented point count in the memory  19 . Furthermore, upon detection of each play in step  113 , the processor  17  can further accumulate the first player&#39;s play count as sensed by the play sensor  11  and store the accumulated play count of the first player in the memory  19 . 
       FIG. 8  is a flowchart diagram showing the computer-based process of incrementing the point counts and keeping track of date and time of each play. In step  79 , the dealer is identified as discussed above with respect to  FIG. 4 . The processor  17  updates the dealer&#39;s profile by storing the start time of the identified dealer in the memory  19 . The start time may correspond to the time that the dealer starts dealing the casino game. In step  81 , the processor  17  activates detection by the play sensor  11 . In steps  107 ,  109  and  111 , the first player ID  13  is detected, the first player is identified, and the first player&#39;s status is set to active as discussed above with respect to  FIG. 5 . 
     Upon setting the first player&#39;s status to active or upon detection of the first player ID  13 , the processor  17  stores the first player&#39;s start time. The start time may refer to the time that the first player has started playing the current casino game. In step  131 , the first player-active indicator (e.g., an LED) can be set to an on state as discussed above with respect to  FIG. 4 . 
     In step  133 , the chips are collected at the end of each play. The dealer or the players may deposit the chips and the dealer may collect the chips. In other embodiments, the chips can be collected by others or deposited automatically without limiting the scope of the present invention. In step  135 , the play sensor  11  detects each play of the first player. Upon detection of the play made by the first player, the processor  17  increments the first player&#39;s point count in step  136 . 
     In step  137 , the processor  17  stores the incremented point count and stores the store the date and time of each play of the first player in the memory  19 . In step  139 , the processor  17  sets the first point-increment indicator  91  to an on state. The processor  17  continues to record each play and increment the point counts for active players. 
     When the identification sensor  15  no longer detects the first player ID  13 , the processor  17  determines that the processor  17  has left the casino game and sets the first player&#39;s status to inactive. For example, the identification sensor  15  can be an RFID sensor that detects removal of the RFID device of the first player based on the respective RF electromagnetic field. When the first player&#39;s status is inactive, the respective point count is no longer incremented until the first player&#39;s status is set to active again. Other algorithms and criteria may be utilized to determine whether the first player has left the casino game. For example, the player ID can be a membership card with a magnetic strip such that swiping the membership card would indicate start and/or end for the respective player. 
     In step  143 , when the dealer identification sensor  25  no longer detects the dealer-identifying device  21 , the processor  17  determines that the dealer has left the casino game and deactivates the detection by the play sensor  11 . For example, the dealer identification sensor  25  can be an RFID sensor that detects removal of the RFID device of the dealer based on the respective RF electromagnetic field. In an embodiment, when the dealer is replaced with another dealer, the play sensor  11  remains active. In other embodiments, other algorithms and criteria can be utilized to determine whether the dealer has left the casino game. For example, the dealer-identifying devices can be a dealer card with a magnetic strip such that swiping the dealer card would indicate start and/or end for the respective player. In step  145 , when the dealer leaves the casino game, the processor  17  updates the dealer&#39;s profile with the end time. 
       FIG. 9  is a flowchart diagram showing the steps of updating the database  41  stored in the memory  19 . In steps  79 ,  107 ,  115 ,  141  and  143 , the processor  17  updates the database  41  stored in the memory  19  as shown in  FIG. 9  and as disclosed above with respect to  FIG. 8 . 
       FIG. 10  is a flowchart diagram showing a computer-based method of updating a database based on plays made by each player of a casino game. In step  149 , the dealer coordinator  147  enables the hardware of the casino game. For example, the dealer coordinator  147  can enable the operations of the processor  17  and the memory  19 . In step  153 , the dealer  151  activates detection by the play sensor  11 . In step  157 , the players  155  of the casino game may position their respective player IDs  23  (e.g., RFID cards) on marked locations of the casino game table in order to allow effective detection. In other embodiments, the play sensor  11  may detect the player IDs  23  even if they are at a distance from the table. In other embodiments, the player IDs  23  may be portable electronic devices (such as smart phones) that transmit the identification data to the play sensor  11 . 
     In step  159 , the processor  17  may identify the respective players  155  upon detection of the player IDs  23 . The database  41  may associate identification data of each player with the point count data. In step  161 , the respective player-active indicators  29  are set to an on state as discussed above with respect to  FIG. 2 . In step  163 , at the end of each play, the dealer  151  collects the chips and deposits them into a chip-drop container (e.g., a drop box). For example, each play may correspond to a hand played at a card game such that after each played hand the dealer  151  places the chips into the chip-drop container. In step  165 , the play sensor  11  detects depositing of the chips, and the processor  17  increments the point counts of the active players  155  accordingly. 
       FIG. 11  is a tree diagram showing the method steps related to the dealer coordinator  147 , the dealer  151  and the players  155 . The dealer coordinator  147  can initially “open” the casino game by enabling the hardware in step  149  discussed above with respect to  FIG. 4 . After the casino game is over, or when point counting is no longer desired, the dealer coordinator  147  can deactivate the table hardware and “close” the casino game. 
     Referring to step  169  of  FIG. 11 , the dealer  151  can place a dealer-identifying device  21  in proximity of the identification sensor  15 . As a result, the processor  17  activates the point counting process disclosed above with respect to  FIG. 5 . Once the point counting process is activated, the bets are collected in step  173 , and the play sensor  11  detects the collection of the bets. In step  175 , the processor  17  increments the point count for each of the players  155  with an active status. 
     Referring to step  157  of  FIG. 11 , the players  155  may place their respective player IDs  23  in proximity of the respective identification sensors  27  to allow identification. In step  181 , the processor  17  sets their respective statuses to active. When a player no longer desires to play the casino game, the player can remove the respective player ID in step  183 . In step  185 , the processor  17  sets the player&#39;s status to inactive and no longer increments the point count for the player until the player&#39;s status is re-activated upon return to a casino game. 
       FIG. 12  is a block diagram illustrating a computer-based system for issuing player-identifying devices and redeeming accumulated points. A first computer  193  may be connected to the processor  17  and the memory  19 . When a new player  191  seeks to sign up for membership, the first computer  193  may issue a new player ID using the player ID generator  189 . The player ID generator  189  may generate an RFID-enabled membership card. The first computer  193  stores the identification data of the new player  191  in the memory  19 . The first computer  193  may be stationed at a customer service station for issuing player IDs  23 . A customer service representative may operate the first computer  193 . The computer-based system may further grant access to a new player  191  for utilizing the first computer  193  (with a secure log-in access) to receive a player ID. After signing up, an identification sensor may detect the identity data of the portable electronic device using wireless communication (e.g., Bluetooth communication) as discussed above with respect to  FIG. 5 . 
     In another embodiment, the computer-based system may not include the player ID generator  189 . For example, the first computer  193  can be a personal computer or a portable electronic device (such as a smart phone or a tablet) that allows a user to sign up and provide identification information. The portable electronic device can serve as a player ID. 
     In the card game  187 , each play can be for example, a hand played by the players  155 . At the conclusion of each hand of the players  155 , the dealer  151  collects the placed bets (e.g., chips). Upon detection of the played hands, the processor  17  increments the respective point counts and stores the respective point counts in the memory  19 . The processor  17  can be connected to the memory  19  via a network switch  199 . In other embodiments, the processor  17  and memory  19  can be connected via wireless communication or other data communication means without limiting the scope of the invention. 
     A second computer  195  can be connected to the processor  17  and the memory  19  for allowing a previously registered player  197  to access his/her account (e.g., using secure log-in access). The previously registered player  197  can view the respective point count and redeem the respective point count to receive rewards based on the accumulated point count. Furthermore, the previously registered player  197  can update or revise his/her respective identity information. 
     The second computer  195  can be stationed as a kiosk for issuing rewards based on the accumulated point count of the previously registered player  197 . The kiosk can have an identification sensor such as an RED reader for detecting the player ID. The kiosk can further have a display for displaying the respective accumulated point count. The previously registered player  197  can select a promotion using the second computer  195  (e.g., using a touch-screen display). For example, the second computer  195  may be connected to a printer for printing a prize for the chosen promotion (e.g., a bet voucher or a concert ticket) and a record of the respective accumulated point count and play count. 
     In another embodiment, the second computer  195  may be a personal computer or a portable electronic device (e.g., a smart phone or a computer tablet) connected to the processor  17  and/or the memory  19 . For example, the previously registered player  197  may carry the portable electronic device as a player ID. Using the portable electronic device, the previously registered player  197  can keep track of his/her respective play count and accumulated point count in substantially real time, for example, while playing the casino game or afterwards. In other embodiments, a single computer (e.g., a smart phone) may be utilized to perform each of the foregoing processes discussed with respect to the first computer  193  and the second computer  195 . 
       FIG. 13  is a display interface of the player tracking software with access to the database  41 . Authorized personnel may view the identification data of the registered players  155  and their respective point counts using the customers option  211 . A unique identification number  201  and a unique RFID number  203  are assigned to each registered player. The names  205  and contact information  207  along with a photo image  209  of each player may also be retrieved from the memory  19  to the extent such information is available. A search field  221  is provided for searching for a particular player. The data regarding the dealers and other employees and respective stored start/end times may be viewed via the employees option  215 . Other administrative and system configurations and settings (for example, related to the network settings) may be modified using the EMAP option  217  and configuration option  219 . 
     In summary, a computer-based method and a system are provided that track plays made by players of a casino game and reward points to the players based on the number of plays made. An advantageous feature of the computer-based method and system is that players would be interested in making plays more frequently to receive more valuable rewards. 
     Casino game players are each associated with a player IDs. The computer-based system includes an identification sensor that detects a player ID of a player. A processor connected to the identification sensor identifies the player. The processor sets the player&#39;s status to active. The system includes a memory connected to the processor for storing a point count for the player. The system includes a play sensor connected to the processor that detects each play of the player when the player&#39;s status is active. The processor increments a point count for the player when the play sensor detects a play made by the player and stores the incremented point count in the memory. The system increments point counts for every player in an active state at the casino game upon detection of each play made by the player. 
     The processor stores play counts of each player as sensed by the play sensor and stores the accumulated play count in the memory. The processor can determine a player&#39;s accumulated point count based on the stored play count. The processor stores the date and time of each play made by the player. A predetermined value of each play of a casino game may be used to determine the point count for each play. For example, each play of a high-stake casino game corresponds to higher points than each play of a low-stake game. An advantageous feature of this embodiment is that players have the incentive to make more plays at high-stakes casino games more frequently in order to qualify for more valuable rewards.