US 12,704,579 B2 · Location awareness in a casino environment using low-power technologies

Abstract

The present disclosure concerns a low-power location awareness system for electronic devices (e.g., mobile devices) operating inside significant locations (e.g., a casino environment), wherein the electronic device includes an improved proximity-sensing feature (e.g., via a mobile app executing on a player's device) that provides the option to track the player within the (in this example) casino environment. To address security (and power-consumption) concerns, the proximity-sensing feature may utilize a two-level fencing verification process, i.e., geofencing and beacon fencing, before availing itself to the beacon sightings. In other words, the proximity-sensing features (e.g., displaying a coupon deal or customized greetings) will be made available to the mobile app and/or electronic device only after both fencing verification requirements are met. These techniques help to optimize the use of battery power while the electronic device is implementing the proximity-sensing features by operating in two location-awareness modes: beacon monitoring mode and beacon ranging mode.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An electronic device, comprising:

one or more processors;
memory;
and
control logic, implemented using the one or more processors and memory, configured to perform operations, comprising:
monitoring for changes in a location of the electronic device;
confirming, based on the monitored location changes, that the electronic device is within a geofence region associated with a first significant location;
receiving a list of beacons associated with an entrance of the first significant location;
initiating a beacon monitoring mode in response to the received list of beacons;
receiving, in response to the beacon monitoring mode, an entry notification from at least one of the beacons associated with the entrance of the first significant location;
confirming, in response to the received entry notification, that the electronic device is inside the first significant location;
initiating a beacon ranging mode in response to the confirmation that the electronic device is inside the first significant location;
approximating a location of the electronic device inside the first significant location based on beacon sighting information received from the beacon ranging mode;
receiving an exit notification from at least one beacon associated with the first significant location;
and
terminating the beacon ranging mode in response to the received exit notification.

12 more elements

One or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computer-executable instructions, which, when executed by one or more processors of an electronic device, cause the electronic device to perform the following operations:

monitoring for changes in a location of the electronic device;
confirming, based on the monitored location changes, that the electronic device is within a geofence region associated with a first significant location;
receiving a list of beacons associated with an entrance of the first significant location;
initiating a beacon monitoring mode in response to the received list of beacons;
receiving, in response to the beacon monitoring mode, an entry notification from at least one of the beacons associated with the entrance of the first significant location;
confirming, in response to the received entry notification, that the electronic device is inside the first significant location;
initiating a beacon ranging mode in response to the confirmation that the electronic device is inside the first significant location;
approximating a location of the electronic device inside the first significant location based on beacon sighting information received from the beacon ranging mode;
receiving an exit notification from at least one beacon associated with the first significant location;
and
terminating the beacon ranging mode in response to the received exit notification.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Location awareness in a casino environment using low-power technologies

Life of this patent

Location awareness in a casino environment using low-power technologies

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20