Biometric for purchases

Abstract

In a method of facilitating the playing of a game via a gaming apparatus, a wager may be received via a value input device. Biometric data associated with a purchase selection may be received, and whether to permit the purchase selection may be determined based on the received biometric data. A video image relating to the game may be displayed on a display unit, and a value payout associated with an outcome of the game may be determined.

1 . A gaming apparatus, comprising: a display unit; an input device to allow a player to make an input selection; and a controller operatively coupled to the display unit, the input device, and a biometric device, the controller comprising a processor and a memory operatively coupled to the processor, the controller being programmed to allow the player to play a game, the controller being programmed to permit the player to make a wager, the controller being programmed to allow the player to make a purchase, the controller being programmed to receive biometric data associated with a purchase selection of the player, the controller being programmed to determine whether to permit the purchase selection based on the received biometric data, the controller being programmed to cause a video image relating to the game to be generated on the display unit, the controller being programmed to determine a value payout associated with an outcome of the game. 
   
   
       2 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the controller is further operatively coupled to a network; wherein the controller is programmed to transmit the received biometric data to an authentication server via the network; wherein the controller is programmed to receive a message from the authentication server via the network that indicates whether the player should be permitted to make the purchase, the message in response to the biometric data transmitted to the authentication server. 
   
   
       3 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 2 , wherein the message from the authentication server indicates whether the transmitted biometric data matches biometric data of a registered player. 
   
   
       4 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the game comprises a game selected from the group of games consisting of video poker, video blackjack, video slots, video keno, and video bingo. 
   
   
       5 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a position sensing device operatively coupled to the controller; wherein the controller is programmed to receive location data from the position sensing device, the location data indicative of the location of the gaming apparatus; wherein the controller is programmed to allow the player to play a game based at least in part on the location data. 
   
   
       6 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 5 , wherein the controller is further operatively coupled to a network; wherein the controller is programmed to transmit the location data received from the position sensing device to an authentication server via the network; wherein the controller is programmed to receive a message from the authentication server via the network indicative of whether the player should be permitted to play a game, the message in response to the location data transmitted to the authentication server. 
   
   
       7 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 6 , wherein the message from the authentication server indicates whether the location of the gaming apparatus is a permitted location. 
   
   
       8 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the controller is further operatively coupled to a network; wherein the controller is programmed to receive a message from the authentication server via the network indicative of whether the player should be permitted to play the game, the message based on a determined location of the gaming apparatus; wherein the controller being programmed to allow the player to play the game is further based on the message from the authentication server. 
   
   
       9 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a smart card reader operatively coupled to the controller; wherein the controller is programmed to compare the received biometric data with biometric data stored on the smart card; wherein the controller is programmed to not permit the purchase selection if the received biometric data does not match the biometric data stored on the smart card. 
   
   
       10 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a value input device to allow the player to deposit a medium of value. 
   
   
       11 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a connector configured to permit a biometric device to removably couple with the gaming apparatus. 
   
   
       12 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a biometric device. 
   
   
       13 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the biometric device comprises a fingerprint scanner. 
   
   
       14 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 13 , wherein the fingerprint scanner is integrated with a button; wherein the controller is configured to determine that the player made the purchase selection when the button is activated. 
   
   
       15 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 13 , wherein the fingerprint scanner is integrated with a touch screen. 
   
   
       16 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 15 , wherein the controller is configured to determine that the player made the purchase selection when a touch on the fingerprint scanner is detected. 
   
   
       17 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 13 , wherein the fingerprint scanner is integrated with a lever; wherein the controller is configured to determine that the player made the purchase selection when the lever is activated. 
   
   
       18 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 13 , wherein the fingerprint scanner is integrated with a smart card. 
   
   
       19 . A method of facilitating the playing of a game via a gaming apparatus, the method comprising: receiving a wager via a value input device; receiving a game play selection; receiving biometric data associated with a purchase selection; determining whether to permit the purchase selection based on the received biometric data; displaying a video image relating to the game on a display unit; and determining a value payout associated with an outcome of the game. 
   
   
       20 . A tangible medium storing machine readable instructions comprising: first code for receiving a wager via a value input device; second code for receiving biometric data associated with a purchase selection; third code for determining whether to permit the purchase selection based on the received biometric data; fourth code for displaying a video image relating to the game on a display unit; and fifth code for determining a value payout associated with an outcome of the game.