Method, Apparatus and System for Determining the Presence of a User at a Device Such as a Gaming Machine

Abstract

A method and system for verifying the continued presence of the same player at a device such as a gaming machine without identifying the identity of the player is provided. The system comprises a device for continuously obtaining verification data samples, wherein each verification data sample relates to one or more physical features of a first player. A subsequently obtained verification data sample is analyzed to determine whether it is substantially similar to a previously obtained verification data sample. If the subsequent verification data sample is substantially similar to the previously obtained verification data sample, then the system determines that the first player continues to be the same player present at the gaming machine.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for verifying the continued presence of a player at a device during gaming, said device including apparatus for acquiring a biometric data sample of the player, the method comprising:
 configuring a processor for (a) receiving a first verification biometric data sample wherein a verification data sample relates to one or more physical features of the player at the device, (b) designating said first verification data sample as a reference template and (c) receiving a second verification data sample of said player at the device at a time period after said reference template was obtained; and   enabling said processor for (a) comparing the second verification data sample to the reference template to ascertain, regardless of the identification of the player, and if said second verification data sample is substantially similar to the reference template (b) resolving that the first player remains present at the gaming device and if the second verification data sample is not substantially similar to the reference template (c) resolving that said player is no longer present at the device.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  comprising enabling said processor, if the second verification data sample is not substantially similar to the reference template, for issuing a signal indicative that the said player is no longer present at said device. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  comprising enabling said processor, if the second verification data sample is not substantially similar to the reference template, for issuing an alert signal indicative that the said player is no longer present at said device. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  comprising enabling said processor, if the second verification data sample is not substantially similar to the reference template and it has been resolved that said player is no longer present at the device, for prompting said player to transmit player identifying information for confirming that the player is still present at the device. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  comprising said providing said apparatus for acquiring verification data samples as a thermal image, image from a camera, image from a video camera, image from an image-capturing device, electronic field imaging data, retinal scan, iris scan, voice sample, fingerprint image or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising receiving renewed second verification data samples at random intervals. 
     
     
         7 . A system for verifying during gaming the continued presence of a user to a gaming device connected to a network regardless of the identity the user, said gaming device having apparatus for capturing biometric data samples of a user of the gaming device and for transmitting said samples on said network, the system comprising:
 a processor configured (i) to receive said biometric data samples transmitted on said network during gaming, (ii) to designate a first data sample as a reference sample and (iii) to compare a later biometric data sample to said reference template and if said later biometric sample received during gaming is substantially similar to said reference template (iv) generate a first signal indicative of the continued use by the user of the gaming device and if said later biometric sample is not substantially similar to said reference template (v) generate a prompt signal to the player for prompting said user to transmit user identifying information for confirming that the user is still using the device; and   a transmitter for transmitting at least said prompt signal to the device over said network to the user of the device.   
     
     
         8 . A system for verifying during gaming the continued presence of a user to a gaming device connected to a network regardless of the identity the user, said gaming device having apparatus for capturing biometric data samples of a user of the gaming device and for transmitting said samples on said network, the system comprising:
 a processor configured (i) to receive said biometric data samples transmitted on said network during gaming, (ii) to designate a first data sample as a reference sample and (iii) to compare a later biometric data sample to said reference template and if said later biometric sample received during gaming is substantially similar to said reference template (iv) generate a first signal indicative of the continued use by the user of the gaming device and if said later biometric sample is not substantially similar to said reference template (v) generate a second signal; and   a transmitter for transmitting at least said second signal to the device over said network to indicate that the user is no longer using said device.