# US 2008/0188299 A1 · Monitoring and Controlling of Gaming Entertainment > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2008/0188299 A1 - Document ID: US20080188299A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 11/909,893 - Filed: 2006-03-28 - Published: 2008-08-07 - Earliest claimed: 2005-03-28 - Inventors: Robert Charles Angell; James Richard Lavoie - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20080188299A1 ## CPC - G07F 17/3239: {Tracking of individual players} - G06Q 20/40: Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check credit lines or negative lists - G07C 9/28: the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence - G07F 17/329: {Regular and instant lottery, e.g. electronic scratch cards} - G07F: COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS (coin sorting G07D3/00; coin testing G07D5/00; {handling coins or paper currencies apart from payment activated apparatus G07D; payment architectures, schemes or protocols G06Q20/00}) - G06Q: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - G07C: TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE ## Abstract An effective means of promoting and enforcing responsible gaming activity on an individual basis is disclosed. A wide area network of gaming terminals is utilized, and does not require the gaming terminals to be centrally monitored or controlled. Eligible players register with the Gaming Authority using proof of age and identity resulting in the issuance of a unique personal device which the player must use to enable a gaming machine. The gaming terminals are equipped with a fitment containing the appropriate hardware and software to monitor and control game play. The fitment includes an identification verifier and a receiver for the unique personal device. The fitments are adaptable to fit into various gaming devices manufactured by providers in the industry. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for monitoring and controlling gaming equipment comprising: providing a unique personal device; verifying a player's identity using the unique personal device at a gaming terminal; and operating the gaming terminal or not operating the gaming terminal in accordance with information received from the unique personal device. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising setting a loss-limit for the player, the loss-limit allowing a maximum amount of money to be played in a given time period, the information received from the unique personal device comprising the loss-limit. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the step of verifying the player's identity further comprises verifying a biometric datum from the player. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, wherein the biometric datum is a fingerprint. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3 wherein the biometric datum is an ocular scan. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3 wherein the biometric datum is a facial recognition. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the step of verifying the player's identity comprises verifying a personal identification number. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the unique personal device is a SmartCard. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein said unique personal device is one of a card with a magnetic stripe, portable memory stick or radio-frequency device. ### Claim 10 A gaming monitor and control device comprising: a unique personal device comprising identifying data; a device reader, the device reader configured to interface with a gaming terminal and the unique personal device; a processor operatively connected to the device reader, the processor reading data from the device reader and stored on the unique personal device, the processor authorizing use of the gaming terminal in accordance with data received from the device reader and unique personal device. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The device of claim 10 wherein the data received from the unique personal device comprises a loss-limit, the loss-limit allowing a maximum amount of money to be played in a given time period. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The device of claim 10, further comprising a biometric reader, the biometric reader verifying a biometric datum from the player. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The device of claim 12, wherein the biometric datum is one of a fingerprint, an ocular scan, or a facial recognition. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the step identifying data comprises a personal identification number. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The device of claim 10 wherein the gaming terminal is one of a video gaming terminal, slot machine, video poker, lottery terminal, Keno terminal, or a pay-per-play game. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10 wherein said unique personal device is one of a card with a magnetic stripe, SmartCard, portable memory stick or radio-frequency device. ### Claim 17 A method for monitoring and controlling the use of regulated goods and services comprising: providing a unique personal device; verifying a purchasers identity using the unique personal device at a goods and services terminal; and operating the goods and services terminal or not operating the goods and services terminal in accordance with information received from the unique personal device. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17 further comprising setting a limit for the purchaser, the limit allowing a maximum amount of money to be spent on the goods and services in a given time period, the information received from the unique personal device comprising the limit. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18 wherein the goods and services terminal comprises one of a gaming terminal, video poker terminal, lottery terminal, Keno terminal, pay-per-play terminal, tobacco vendor, alcohol vender. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the step of verifying the purchaser's identity includes of one of personal identification number, fingerprint scan, ocular scan, facial recognition scan.