(12) United States Patent
`Bradford et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 6,612,928 Bl
`*Sep.2,2003
`
`I 1111111111111111 11111 lllll lllll lllll 111111111111111 11111 1111111111 11111111
`
`
`
`
`
`US006612928B 1
`
`(54) PLAYER IDENTIFICATION USING
`BIOMETRIC DATA IN A GAMING
`ENVIRONMENT
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Russel Tower Bradford, Incline
`Village, NV (US); Robert Anthony
`Luciano, Jr., Reno, NV (US); Russ
`Frederick Marsden, Gardnerville, NV
`(US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Sierra Design Group, Reno, NV (US)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by O days.
`
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis(cid:173)
`claimer.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/908,878
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Jul. 17, 2001
`
`Int. Cl.7 ................................................. A63F 13/00
`(51)
`(52) U.S. Cl. ......................................................... 463/29
`(58) Field of Search .............................. 463/29, 22, 16,
`463/42
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,326,104 A
`5,473,144 A
`5,613,912 A
`
`7 /1994 Pease
`12/1995 Mathurin, Jr.
`3/1997 Slater
`
`5,802,199 A * 9/1998 Pare, Jr. et al. ............. 382/115
`5,991,431 A
`11/1999 Borza
`5,995,630 A
`11/1999 Borza
`6,026,166 A
`2/2000 LeBourgeois
`6,099,408 A
`8/2000 Schneier
`6,113,493 A
`9/2000 Walker
`6,149,055 A
`11/2000 Gatto
`6,154,131 A
`11/2000 Jones, II
`5/2001 Cumbers
`6,234,900 Bl
`7/2001 Schneier
`6,264,557 Bl
`10/2001 Hasegawa
`6,296,101 Bl
`10/2001 Black
`6,307,956 Bl
`6,363,485 Bl * 3/2002 Adams et al.
`* cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner-Melvin
`Jones
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Russ F. Marsden
`
`.............. 713/186
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A system and method for using two authenticators to iden(cid:173)
`tify a player in a gaming environment is disclosed, where the
`second authenticator is based on biometric data. The two
`authenticators allow a two-level authorization process,
`where the second authenticator, being based on biometric
`data, allow a player to quickly and easily authenticate
`documents while remaining at game machines, authenticate
`electronically based transfers into and out of accounts at
`game machines, and further allow casinos and other estab(cid:173)
`lishments having age requirements and operating in an open
`environment to confirm that an underage person is not
`enabling the game play button (making use of the game
`machine thereby).
`
`68 Claims, 16 Drawing Sheets
`
`General Game Device Having A Fingerprint (Or Other Biometric) Reader Coupled
`To An Independent Embedded System With Needed I/0 Device(s)
`
`400,,/7/
`
`404
`
`408
`
`FP Reader (Or Other
`Biometric Device)
`Coupled To
`Independent
`Embedded System
`
`410
`
`412
`
`(cid:143) (cid:143) (cid:143)
`
`FP Reader (Or Other
`Biometric Device)
`Coupled To
`Independent
`Embedded System
`
`416
`
`~418
`
`424
`
`422
`
`~
`
`Biometric Device
`Information
`Mana er
`
`Serial Protocol
`Interface
`
`RGC
`
`Ethernet
`Interface
`
`414
`
`IPR2022-00600
`Apple EX1004 Page 1
`
`

`

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`d •
`
`--------(cid:141)
`rJ 114
`
`112
`
`/
`
`Having A Fingerprint (Or Other Biometric) Reader
`
`General Gaming Device
`FIGURE 1
`
`(cid:143)
`(cid:143)
`(cid:143)
`
`108
`
`I
`
`I I
`
`I I
`
`I
`
`-~
`
`Biometric Device
`
`(Or Other
`FP Reader
`
`-110
`
`102
`
`104
`
`100 /I/
`
`IPR2022-00600
`Apple EX1004 Page 2
`
`

`

`i,-
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`
`0 8
`
`~ = ......
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`~
`•
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`d •
`
`210
`
`Converter
`
`Numeric Data
`
`Data Or Image To
`
`And Raw
`
`Biometric Device)
`
`(Or Other
`FP Reader
`
`•
`r214
`
`202
`
`212
`
`(cid:143)
`(cid:143)
`(cid:143)
`
`I
`
`I I
`
`I I
`
`~~ I
`
`204
`
`/1/
`
`200
`
`Having A Fingerprint (Or Other Biometric) Reader
`
`General Gaming Device
`FIGURE 2
`
`IPR2022-00600
`Apple EX1004 Page 3
`
`

`

`i,-
`~
`~
`N
`\0
`N
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`a-...
`_,.a-...
`rJ'J.
`e
`
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`'JJ. =(cid:173) ~
`
`~
`
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`~N
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`
`0 8
`
`~ = ......
`~ ......
`~
`•
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`d •
`
`(cid:143)
`(cid:143)
`(cid:143)
`
`I
`
`I I
`
`I I
`
`I
`
`__
`
`/l/310
`
`Biometric Device)
`:Pattern Matcher! FP Reader (Or Other
`Numeric Data
`
`And Data
`
`Base
`
`302
`
`--------(cid:141)
`I
`N 314
`
`312
`
`304
`
`/l/
`
`300
`
`Of A Player Fingerprint (Biometric) Data Base
`Reader (Or Other Biometric Reader) And Copy
`General Gaming Device Having A Fingerprint
`
`FIGURE 3
`
`IPR2022-00600
`Apple EX1004 Page 4
`
`

`

`i,-
`~
`~
`N
`\0
`N
`i,-
`a-...
`-..a-...
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`e
`
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`
`,i;;..
`
`8
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`
`~ = ......
`~ ......
`~
`•
`r:JJ.
`d •
`
`\__
`
`422
`
`42~
`
`424
`
`~418
`
`416
`
`To An Independent Embedded System With Needed 1/0 Device(s)
`
`General Game Device Having A Fingerprint (Or Other Biometric) Reader Coupled
`
`FIGURE4
`
`412
`
`410
`
`Devices
`OtherI/q
`
`Embedded System
`
`Independent
`Coupled To
`
`Biometric Device)
`FP Reader (Or Other
`
`408
`
`400/7/
`
`414
`
`Interface
`Ethernet
`
`RGC
`
`Interface
`
`Serial Protocol
`
`Manager
`
`Information
`
`Biometric Device
`
`j
`j
`Embedded System !
`fro Reade~
`i Coupled i
`!
`~-·· (cid:141) Directly !
`! Devices !
`!
`Biometric Device)
`i Other uoi
`FP Reader (Or Other ]
`
`Independent
`Coupled To
`
`j
`
`406
`
`1 ........................................
`
`---l
`
`(cid:143)
`(cid:143)
`(cid:143)
`
`1 i ........................
`
`l
`
`1 i ........................
`
`~ i ........................
`
`.........................
`
`IPR2022-00600
`Apple EX1004 Page 5
`
`

`

`_______________________________________________
`
`!
`,
`:
`
`R
`
`R
`
`R
`
`••••
`
`R
`
`------~------~
`
`PS
`
`GD
`
`526
`
`524x
`
`518
`
`516
`
`514x
`
`514d
`
`514c
`
`514b
`
`)514a
`
`'"""'
`O'I
`0 ....,
`Ul
`~ ....
`'JJ. =(cid:173) ~
`
`N
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`~ '?
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`
`0 8
`
`~ = ......
`~ ......
`~
`•
`r:JJ.
`d •
`
`R
`
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`
`GD
`
`GD
`
`ss
`
`TG
`
`I GD
`
`••••
`
`I
`
`GD
`
`GD
`
`GD
`
`GD
`
`RGC
`
`512----.
`
`r---------------------~---------------------------
`
`Data Communications Network
`
`504
`
`502
`
`Tracking Machine
`
`Machine, And/Or Traditional Player
`
`Monitoring
`
`500
`
`And Player ID Database Machine
`Fingerprint (Biometric) Analysis
`
`Measurement) Database(s) In Networked And Non-networked Environments
`
`Finger Print Readers (Or Other Biometric Device) And Finger Print (Or Other Biometric
`
`FIGURE 5
`
`508
`
`520a 52;:-----;::7-
`
`i,-
`~
`~
`N
`\0
`N
`i,-
`a-...
`_,.a-...
`rJ'J.
`e
`
`SS
`:
`______ _
`
`I
`
`I
`
`528
`
`r---rm- ----------rm--
`
`GD
`
`:
`
`I
`
`524a
`
`__/
`
`510
`
`506
`
`IPR2022-00600
`Apple EX1004 Page 6
`
`

`

`i,-
`~
`~
`N
`\0
`N
`i,-
`a-...
`_,.a-...
`rJ'J.
`e
`
`'"""'
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`0 ....,
`~ ....
`'JJ. =(cid:173) ~
`
`O'I
`
`8
`0
`N
`~N
`~ '?
`'JJ.
`
`~ = ......
`~ ......
`~
`•
`r:JJ.
`d •
`
`Invoke Privileged Screen Enabling
`
`Go To Game With FP System
`
`...
`
`-
`
`610
`
`abase
`Record
`
`(Or Other Biometric Record) In A Dat
`
`_._
`
`...,
`
`...,
`
`...
`....
`
`618
`
`616
`
`614
`
`612
`
`Create Database Entry
`Process Fingerprint data,
`
`608
`
`,,
`
`I
`
`Read At Least One Fingerprint
`
`60 61
`
`u
`
`No
`
`Yes
`
`Train?
`
`604
`
`Is A Biometric Measurement)
`
`If First Authenticator
`
`(May Occur In Box 606 Or Box 612
`
`Provide A First Authenticator To Player
`
`6 )
`
`V
`
`Proceed To Customer Service Counter
`
`To Authorized Casino Person
`Present ID, Provide Information
`
`•
`
`6
`
`6
`
`Authorized Casino Person Exits
`
`Transaction With New BD Entry
`
`Explain Use To Player; Show Example
`
`Desired
`
`i
`
`Input FP or FPs, As Needed Or
`
`Initial FP Read
`
`i
`
`Privileged State Or Screen •
`•
`
`( END
`i
`
`L..,f\
`
`Authorization And ID Transactions
`Enabled For Augmented FP-based
`
`Player
`
`IPR2022-00600
`Apple EX1004 Page 7
`
`

`

`i,-
`~
`~
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`\0
`N
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`a-...
`_,.a-...
`rJ'J.
`e
`
`'"""'
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`0 ....,
`-..J
`~ ....
`'JJ. =(cid:173) ~
`
`N
`~N
`~ '?
`'JJ.
`
`0 8
`
`~ = ......
`~ ......
`~
`•
`r:JJ.
`d •
`
`W2G Information
`
`Allow Player To Fill In
`
`724
`
`Request Fingerprint
`When Player Finished
`
`726
`
`Stored With Initial ID
`
`Using Information From Database
`
`Create Completed W2G Form
`
`To Player And Request Fingerprint
`
`Acknowledge W2G Generation
`
`Yes
`
`720
`
`1/0
`
`712
`
`Corresponding Record In Database
`Processed Fingerprint Data With
`Process Fingerprint Data, Check
`
`Invoked
`
`Manual W2G Process
`
`722
`
`END
`
`716
`
`714
`
`Request Player ID
`
`710
`
`708
`
`Providing Automated, High Assurance W2G Processing
`Measurement) In A Two-level Authentication Process
`A Method Of Using A Fingerprint (Or Other Biometric
`
`FIGURE 7
`
`702
`
`Having A Fingerprint Reader
`
`Play At Gaming Device
`Registered User Begins
`
`700
`
`IPR2022-00600
`Apple EX1004 Page 8
`
`

`

`i,-
`~
`~
`N
`\0
`N
`i,-
`a-...
`_,.a-...
`rJ'J.
`e
`
`'"""'
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`0 ....,
`00
`~ ....
`'JJ. =(cid:173) ~
`
`N
`~N
`~ '?
`'JJ.
`
`0 8
`
`~ = ......
`~ ......
`~
`•
`r:JJ.
`d •
`
`Providing Automated, High Assurance W2G Processing
`
`Biometric Measurement) In A Two-level Authentication Process
`
`A Second Method Of Using A Fingerprint (Or Other
`
`FIGURE 8
`
`804 1W2G Event Occurs
`
`802 !Player Uses ID At Start Of Play
`
`Reader
`
`Device Having A Fingerprint
`Player Begins Play At Gaming
`
`800
`
`Player Confinns With FP
`
`To Fill In W2G Information
`
`Player Uses 1/0 Device
`
`822
`
`820
`
`END
`
`814--~--
`
`Invoked
`
`Manual W2G Process
`
`812
`
`Yes
`
`I/0
`
`810
`
`With Player Fingerprint
`Confirm Information
`
`Let Player Know W2G Completed;
`
`818
`
`Yes
`
`W2G?
`
`To Fill In
`
`Player To Use I/O
`
`"'-.. No
`
`Available?
`
`808
`
`I/O
`
`Stored With Initial ID
`
`Using Information From Database
`
`Create Completed W2G Form
`
`816
`
`W2G?
`
`nformation To Complete_
`
`No
`
`Contain Enough
`Database Entry
`
`IPR2022-00600
`Apple EX1004 Page 9
`
`

`

`J~
`0-
`O'I
`
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`
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`
`0 8
`N
`~~
`.g
`'JJ.
`
`~ = ......
`~ ......
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`•
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`d •
`
`:t
`
`Reader ( Or Makes use Of Other I
`Finger On Read Fingerprint
`
`Biometric Device)
`
`I 910
`
`I
`
`Requirement And Puts
`
`Anticipates Biometric Input
`
`Player Responds To Indicia Or
`
`Fingerprint (Or Other Biometric)
`
`I Use Indicia To Ask Player For 1-------------~
`
`Let Player Know W2G Completed; I
`
`908
`
`906 I Using Information From Database
`Create Completed W2G Form
`
`Stored With Initial ID
`
`I 912
`
`Continue To Play
`
`I
`
`1(cid:141)
`
`W2G Eve:t Occurs
`
`I
`
`904
`
`High Assurance W2G Processing
`
`Process Providing Automated, Real Time,
`
`Biometric Measurement) In A Two-level Authentication
`
`Another Method Of Using A Fingerprint (Or Other
`
`FIGURE 9
`
`Player Uses Initial ID At Start
`
`902 I Of Plav; DB Full Enabled
`
`Reader)
`
`Reader (Or Other Biometric
`Device Having A Fingerprint
`Player Begins Play At Gaming
`
`900
`
`IPR2022-00600
`Apple EX1004 Page 10
`
`

`

`i,-
`~
`~
`N
`\0
`N
`i,-
`a-...
`_,.a-...
`rJ'J.
`e
`
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`0
`~ ....
`'JJ. =(cid:173) ~
`
`N
`~N
`~ '?
`'JJ.
`
`0 8
`
`~ = ......
`~ ......
`~
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`r:JJ.
`d •
`
`1020
`
`1018
`
`1016
`
`, 1022
`
`END
`
`Transactions
`
`Player Enabled For FP-Augmented EFT
`
`Associated With EF A
`Create Database Entry
`Process Fingerprint data,
`
`1010
`
`Privileged State Or Screen
`
`Authorized Casino Person Exits
`
`Read At Least One Fingerprint
`
`1008
`
`Transaction With New BD Entry
`
`Explain Use To Player; Show Example
`
`1006
`
`1014
`
`Input FP or FPs, As Needed Or
`
`Desired
`
`(EF A); Provide Initial ID
`
`Create Electronic Funds Account
`
`1004
`
`Initial FP Read
`
`1012
`
`Invoke Privileged Screen Enabling
`
`Go To Game With FP System
`
`To Authorized Casino Person
`Present ID, Provide Information
`
`1002
`
`Measurement) As A Second Authenticator
`
`One Fingerprint (Or Other Biometric
`Funds Account (EF A) Using At Least
`Method Of Creating An Electronic
`
`FIGURE 10
`
`Proceed To Customer Service Counter
`
`1000
`
`IPR2022-00600
`Apple EX1004 Page 11
`
`

`

`i,-
`~
`~
`N
`\0
`N
`i,-
`a-...
`_,.a-...
`rJ'J.
`e
`
`'"""'
`O'I
`0 ....,
`'"""'
`'"""'
`~ ....
`'JJ. =(cid:173) ~
`
`N
`~N
`~ '?
`'JJ.
`
`0 8
`
`~ = ......
`~ ......
`~
`•
`r:JJ.
`d •
`
`Funds Transfers (EFTs) With High ID Assurance
`
`Two-level Authentication Process Providing Automated Electronic
`
`Using A Fingerprint (Or Other Biometric Measurement) In A
`
`FIGURE 11
`
`1
`
`Authe~ticator
`
`1104 1
`
`Request Player's First
`
`I
`
`11 0? I EFT Request Occurs
`
`1100
`
`Device Having A Fingerprint Reader
`
`Registered User Begins Play At
`
`Transaction Record
`
`Record Transaction In An Associated
`
`Complete Transfer, Update EF A,
`
`1134
`
`Set Alert If Criteria Enabled And Met
`An Associated Transaction Record;
`Record Attempted Transaction In
`
`1136
`
`END
`
`1114
`
`End Transaction
`No EFT Possible
`
`1116
`
`First
`
`Request And Process Fingerprint Data
`
`i-------,______
`
`To Indicate A Transfer Amount
`
`Player Uses Interactive 1/0 Device
`
`Or Insufficient Funds
`
`ransfer; Notify Player Of Transfe
`Use Predetermined Amount To
`Check Availability Of Funds;
`
`1122
`
`Corresponding Record In Database
`Processed Fingerprint Data With
`1120• Process Fingerprint Data, Check
`
`Player And Request Fingerprint
`
`Acknowledge Request To
`
`1112
`
`To Transfer
`
`To Allow Player To Choose Amount
`
`To Show Player Available Funds And/Or
`
`Use Interactive 1/0 Device
`
`1110
`
`1108
`
`1106
`
`IPR2022-00600
`Apple EX1004 Page 12
`
`

`

`i,-
`~
`~
`N
`\0
`N
`i,-
`a-...
`_,.a-...
`rJ'J.
`e
`
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`0 ....,
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`~ ....
`'JJ. =(cid:173) ~
`
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`~N
`~ '?
`'JJ.
`
`0 8
`
`~ = ......
`~ ......
`~
`•
`r:JJ.
`d •
`
`Fingerprint Data
`
`Request And Process
`
`1220
`
`Request And Process Fingerprint Data
`
`Yes
`
`Yes
`
`Transaction Record
`
`Record Transaction In An Associated
`
`Complete Transfer, Update EF A,
`
`1214
`
`To Indicate A Transfer Amount
`Player Uses Interactive 1/0 Device
`
`1208
`
`To Transfer
`
`To Allow Player To Choose Amount
`
`To Show Player Available Funds And/Or
`
`Use Interactive 1/0 Device
`
`1206
`
`Set Alert If Criteria Enabled And Met
`An Associated Transaction Record;
`12221 Record Attempted Transaction In
`
`END
`1216
`
`"1224
`
`..... (cid:127)
`
`Automated Electronic Funds Transfers (EFTs) With High ID Assurance
`
`Measurement) In A Two-level Authentication Process Providing
`A Second Method Of Using A Fingerprint (Or Other Biometric
`
`FIGURE 12
`
`EF A Request Occurs
`
`1204
`
`Player Uses ID
`
`12021
`
`Having A Fingerprint Reader
`
`Play At Gaming Device
`Registered User Begins
`
`1200 I
`
`IPR2022-00600
`Apple EX1004 Page 13
`
`

`

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`
`1320
`
`Yes
`
`To Player ID
`
`Associated With Temporary ID
`
`Assign Game Play Data Now
`
`Player ID Removed
`
`Associated With Player ID Until
`Store Game Play Data In Records
`
`1308
`
`/ ~ I
`
`No
`
`11314
`
`Determine End Of Play
`
`Use Heuristics To
`
`I 1312
`
`Associated With Temporary ID
`Store Game Play Data In Records
`
`I 1310
`
`Create Temporary ID
`
`Method Of Using EFA For Other Player Data
`
`FIGURE 13
`
`Yes
`
`With Each Gaming Device Using BDIM
`Collect Play And Pay Data Associated
`
`Records Associated With EF A
`
`Transaction In
`
`Continually Record Each Financial
`
`Establish EF A
`
`1304
`
`1302
`
`1300
`
`IPR2022-00600
`Apple EX1004 Page 14
`
`

`

`'° N
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`1412
`
`End
`
`Onto Game; Must All Be Played
`
`All Promotional Credits Downloaded
`
`1410
`
`1408
`
`~I Promotional Credits Not Changed
`
`::>
`
`Yes
`
`Has Display Capabilities
`
`Player Starts Use Of A Gaming Device That
`
`1404
`
`Gaming Credits
`
`An EFA For Promotional
`
`Method Of Using
`FIGURE 14
`
`Game Credits Associated With This EF A
`
`Casino Management Issues Special Promotional
`
`1402
`
`Establish EF A
`
`1400
`
`IPR2022-00600
`Apple EX1004 Page 15
`
`

`

`i,-
`~
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`
`Game Plays As Normal
`
`1506
`
`H
`
`Player Provides Biometric Authenticator
`
`Player Uses "Play" Button;
`
`1504 ..
`
`~
`
`~,
`
`A Fingerprint Reader (Or Other Biometric Reader)
`
`Player Starts Play At Gaming Machine Having
`
`1502
`
`System For Age Verification
`
`A Two Authenticator
`
`Method Of Using
`FIGURE 15
`
`Issue Temporary Or Full Player ID
`
`Establish Player Entry;
`
`•
`
`IPR2022-00600
`Apple EX1004 Page 16
`
`

`

`i,-
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`
`1622
`
`For Play And Verification
`Single Button Apparatus
`FIGURE 16
`
`1618
`
`1616
`
`::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::==
`
`[j
`
`Processor
`
`Biometric Input
`
`ll
`l
`
`(cid:143) l
`(cid:143)
`(cid:143)
`
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`
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`
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`
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`
`Mana er
`Information
`
`Biometric Device
`
`... l .. ,.,.,,,.,, 1614
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`
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`
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`
`1612
`
`1610
`
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`
`System
`
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`Independent
`
`1608
`
`1606
`
`IPR2022-00600
`Apple EX1004 Page 17
`
`

`

`US 6,612,928 Bl
`
`1
`PLAYER IDENTIFICATION USING
`BIOMETRIC DATA IN A GAMING
`ENVIRONMENT
`RELATED APPLICATIONS
`This application claims priority from provisional appli(cid:173)
`cation entitled "Augmented Player Identification Using Fin(cid:173)
`gerprints In A Gaming Environment", filed on Jun. 20, 2001,
`serial No. 60/300,029.
`is
`in full by explicit reference,
`Incorporated herein,
`co-pending
`application Ser. No. 09/788,168
`entitled
`"Method And Apparatus For Maintaining Game State",
`co-pending application Ser. No. 09/838,457 entitled "Data
`Entry System And Method For Gaming Devices", and
`co-pending
`application Ser. No. 09/819,112
`entitled
`"Anonymous Player Identifiers In A Gaming Environment",
`these three referenced applications being owned in their
`entirety by the same entity as this application.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`1. Field of the Invention
`This invention pertains generally to gaming systems.
`More particularly, the present invention relates to a method
`and apparatus for providing addition assurance that a player
`is who they claim to be by using biometric identifiers,
`particularly fingerprints, for player identification at gaming
`devices.
`2. The Prior Art
`High reliability player identification in a gaming environ(cid:173)
`ment is becoming increasingly desirable. In some gaming
`situations either positive identification or a signature or both
`are required. In the United States, an example is the occur(cid:173)
`rence of a gaming event which requires the filing of an
`income tax report form, currently designated by the IRS
`(U.S. Internal Revenue Service) as form W2G. This is
`currently triggered by any winning event involving more
`than $1200. In many higher-stakes games, this would be
`triggered by every winning event. Other situations where
`positive identification is desirable is any type of automated
`funds accounting or transfers and age verification.
`Currently, events which trigger the use of governmental
`forms are handled manually. When a winning event occurs
`at a gaming machine that triggers the need for a W2G, the
`player will need to wait until an attendant comes over and
`enables the payout and handles any required governmental 45
`forms. For funds transfers, a player will typically need to go
`to a customer service counter or separate kiosk; or, a player
`is dependent on the use of their player tracking card ( a
`magnetic strip card), which is easily lost or stolen, which
`could result in the loss of any funds associated with the 50
`magnetic strip card (player ID card).
`In the case of high stakes games, every winning event
`requires a governmental form to be filled out in the U.S. In
`such cases casinos will typically assign one attendant to each
`high stakes player, where the attendant takes care of the 55
`incessant governmental forms. Such requirements are bur(cid:173)
`densome to all concerned, from the casino who must provide
`the personnel to the players who must endure a "hovering
`shadow," regardless of how unobtrusive the casino attempts
`to make the attendants.
`For age verification, the currently used method of con(cid:173)
`trolling game use is through physical access. Typically the
`games are in an area that is physically isolated, and an
`attendant checks ID for admission into the areas as a whole.
`Otherwise, each game or set of games must be constantly 65
`monitored by an attendant, even when no one is at the
`machines.
`
`30
`
`2
`Biometric identification systems such as fingerprint read(cid:173)
`ers built by AuthenTec, Inc., in Melbourne, Fla. 32902, are
`known. These readers may supply raw image data to a
`processing unit for storage and analysis, or as is typically the
`5 case with commercial products, will record and transmit
`fingerprint characterization data, not an image. In the later
`case, the fingerprint itself ( an actual image) will not be
`permanently stored; only a numeric characterization is kept.
`Prior art numeric characterization of fingerprints makes
`10 use of a fingerprint's ridges and furrows on the surface of the
`finger. The uniqueness of a fingerprint can be determined by
`establishing a center or reference point, and characterizing
`the pattern of ridges, furrows, and/or other characteristics
`such as ridge bifurcation and/or a ridge ending points
`15 (sometimes called minutiae points) in relationship to the
`center point.
`There are well known limitations when using fingerprint
`characterization data. The faster a fingerprint is read, the
`fewer details may be recorded (for example, establishing 40
`20 correlation points rather than 80). In addition, the ability to
`read fingerprints themselves will vary depending on the
`condition of the skin on the finger, sweat, dirt, etc. Thus, it
`may be the case that a fingerprint read having 80 correlation
`points may produce, in a large database (over 100,000
`25 entries), more than one match. That does not mean that the
`actual fingerprints are the same; rather, it means that the
`recorded characteristics appear to match more than one
`entry. This is typically not an issue in small populations or
`when using a small database, but will arise on occasion.
`There are public and proprietary algorithms that attempt
`to use the data to minimize false positives and maximize
`correct rejections. The characterization data is stored in a
`database where it can be searched for matches. Typically the
`35 searches are sequential, which can result in long search
`times for any particular print if there are thousands to check.
`The amount of data kept per fingerprint also determines the
`search time and uniqueness of the characterization for each
`print.
`Because of the difficulties in collecting, characterizing,
`storing, searching, and uniquely identifying fingerprint data
`(i.e., inexpensive readers may collect 40-50 characterizing
`points, which although reasonably good, may still only be
`unique to an approximate range of 1/10,000), fingerprints
`have not been usable as a single source of identification
`means in a dynamic gaming environment. Many of the
`issues faced by the gaming industry are not faced by other
`industries, which would allow the reasonable implementa(cid:173)
`tion of, as an example, an authentication system based on a
`single fingerprint for a home or office PC where there may
`be 1 to 10 authorized users. Such systems have tiny
`databases, can be relatively slow, and can be reasonably
`fallible (in terms of false positives) and yet meet the authen(cid:173)
`tication needs of the few people and limited environment in
`which such a system will be used. Such systems are not
`suitable for situations as the gaming industry, which must
`meet the needs of both speed and a significantly higher
`degree of assurance in any particular authentication.
`Thus, there is a need to provide an alternative means for
`60 player authentication having reasonably high reliability and
`assurance, coupled with very high authentication speed.
`
`40
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention enables a new and exciting way of
`allowing players to make use of electronic funds accounts,
`automate the generation of certain required forms, and to
`verify their age in a manner that is fast, inconspicuous, can
`
`IPR2022-00600
`Apple EX1004 Page 18
`
`

`

`US 6,612,928 Bl
`
`5
`
`20
`
`3
`be implemented to insure privacy, and provides very high
`assurance to the casino or other establishment using it.
`The invention uses at least two authenticators for each
`player, with the most common implementation using exactly
`two. A common use of a third authenticator is as a "back-up"
`to the second authenticator. The first authenticator may be
`one of many types, with a typical first authenticator being a
`player ID card, a voucher with a unique, encoded, and
`preferably encrypted numerical ID on it, a unique alphanu(cid:173)
`meric sequence, or an RFID tag. Each first authenticator that 10
`is not data itself (i.e., a PIN) has the ability to have data read
`from it (i.e., the data on the magnetic strip of a typical player
`ID card). "First authenticator data" refers to the data that can
`be read from a physical first authenticator card, if such is
`used. To simplify word usage in this disclosure, "first 15
`authenticator" and "first authenticator data" refer to the same
`thing, that is, the information or data that is read from a
`physical item, where that physical item may be used to carry
`the data, or, in the case of an alpha-numeric sequence, is the
`data. Context makes clear if the discussion of a first authen-
`ticator is referring to a physical carrier or the data in the
`physical carrier or both. The second authenticator will be
`based on a biometric reading. The present invention may use
`any biometric reading, although those providing reasonably
`It is 25
`high degrees of uniqueness are clearly preferred.
`expected that at the present time, the predominant biometric
`used will be based on fingerprints.
`A player identification database is also used, where an
`entry corresponding to a player comprises at least one record
`(typically, exactly one record), and the record has fields
`containing data, information, or pointers. The records have
`fields corresponding to a first authenticator and a second
`authenticator, providing authenticator data therein or point-
`ers to authenticator data. The second authenticator will
`always have data that correspond to a biometric measure-
`ment. It is not required that a player release any personal
`information to the casino or establishment to make use of the
`present invention; that is one of its benefits. In many cases
`a player can derive even greater benefits by providing
`certain data to a casino or establishment, as explained below,
`but it is fully expected that a significant number of players
`and a large number of small gambling halls or locations will
`use anonymous
`identifiers (identifiers having no names
`associated with them). Another user of anonymous identi(cid:173)
`fiers will remote gambling establishments, which allows 45
`them to carry out age confirmation without keeping a
`permanent record of each player. Again, there are advan(cid:173)
`tages to a player providing some personal data, but it is not
`necessary to make use of the present invention.
`A player and a casino or establishment uses the present 50
`invention in several steps. The first is to create an entry in the
`player
`identification database, which associates a first
`authenticator and a second authenticator. The player then
`goes and uses a game device. While playing or using a game
`device, the player will eventually take an action that will 55
`require confirmation that they are who they say they are. The
`player presents their first authenticator to the game device,
`which is used to get the associated second authenticator. The
`player indicates they are ready to authorize an action (an
`EFT transfer, a game play, to authorize a form); then, to 60
`authorize the action the player presents their second authen-
`ticator.
`is always
`that the second authenticator
`Remembering
`biometric data, all the player has to do is use the biometric
`reader. In the case of fingerprints, a quick touch of a 65
`fingerprint reader does the job. The second authenticator is
`checked, and if the fingerprint data just read matches the
`
`4
`fingerprint data in the second authenticator, the action is
`authorized and carried out. Now, as long as the player is at
`this game device any further authorizations will only require
`that the player touch a fingerprint reader. This is extremely
`fast and very non-obtrusive, while providing both the player
`and establishment a very high degree of assurance that the
`correct person
`is carrying out
`the actions.
`In one
`embodiment,
`this enables very fast and efficient W2G
`generation----currently a very annoying aspect of any higher
`stakes games.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an example system
`having a fingerprint reader in conjunction with at least one
`other player
`identification means accordance with
`the
`present invention.
`FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of another example
`system having a fingerprint reader in conjunction with at
`least one other player identification means accordance with
`the present invention.
`FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing another
`example system having a fingerprint reader in conjunction
`with at least one other player identification means accor(cid:173)
`dance with the present invention.
`FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of yet another
`example system having a fingerprint reader in conjunction
`with at least one other player identification means accor(cid:173)
`dance with the present invention.
`FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of system configu-
`30 rations for implementing authentication using biometrics in
`accordance with the present invention.
`FIG. 6 is a flow diagram for creating an initial database
`entry to be used with biometrically augmented authentica(cid:173)
`tion in accordance with the present invention.
`FIG. 7 is a flow diagram showing a use of biometrically
`augmented authentication with automated W2G generation
`according to the present invention.
`FIG. 8 is flow diagram showing another example of the
`use of biometrically augmented authentication with auto-
`4o mated W2G generation according to the present invention.
`FIG. 9 is a flow diagram showing yet another example of
`the use of biometrically augmented authentication with
`automated W2G generation according to the present inven(cid:173)
`tion.
`FIG. 10 is a flow diagram showing a method of creating
`an electronic funds account according to the present inven(cid:173)
`tion.
`FIG. 11 is flow diagram showing electronic funds trans(cid:173)
`fers using biometrically augmented authentication according
`to the present invention.
`FIG. 12 is a flow diagram showing another method of
`electronic funds transfers using biometrically enhanced
`authentication according to the present invention.
`FIG. 13 is a flow diagram showing the use of biometri(cid:173)
`cally enhanced
`authentication with electronic
`funds
`accounts keeping additional player data in accordance with
`the present invention.
`FIG. 14 is a flow diagram showing the use of a biometri(cid:173)
`cally enhanced authentication electronic funds account with
`promotional game credits according to the present invention.
`FIG. 15 is a flow diagram showing the use of biometri(cid:173)
`cally enhanced authenticator for age verification according
`to the present invention.
`FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing the functional com(cid:173)
`ponents of a combined play and authorize button according
`to the present invention.
`
`35
`
`IPR2022-00600
`Apple EX1004 Page 19
`
`

`

`US 6,612,928 Bl
`
`5
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF IBE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`Persons of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the
`following description of the present invention is illustrative
`only and not in any way limiting. Other embodiments of the
`invention will readily suggest themselves to such skilled
`persons having the benefit of this disclosure.
`Referring to the drawings, for illustrative purposes the
`present invention is shown embodied in FIG. 1 through FIG.
`16. It will be appreciated that the apparatus may vary as to
`configuration and as to details of the parts, and that the
`method may vary as to details, partitioning, and the order of
`the acts, without departing from the inventive concepts
`disclosed herein.
`The present inv