FR2666672A1 - INSTALLATION TO PARTICIPATE REMOTELY AND DIRECTLY TO CASINO GAMES. - Google Patents

Abstract

The installation uses video, computer and electronic payment means, comprising: -a) a central management and control unit (10), -b) at least one camera (21a) for recording images relating to a game table (20a) placed in a games room (2) of a casino; -c) at least one input unit (22a) for information relating to the progress of a game on said table, this input unit being placed in said room; -d) a multiplicity of game terminals (40) connected to the central unit, suitable for transmitting messages between the latter and respective players located outside the games room, and each comprising a screen specific to display the image recorded by the camera; and -e) an account control unit (31) arranged in the cashier (3) of the casino and capable of exchanging with the central unit information relating to the accounts of external players.

Description

-1

  Installation allowing to participate at a distance and in

rect to casino games

  The invention relates to an installation for participating

  per remote and live at casino games.

  The object of the invention is to enable players to

  casino, for example in their hotel room or booth, to participate in

  games taking place in the casino, located in particular within the

  of the hotel or boat, along with the players around and with the casino tables. The installation according to the invention makes use of video, computer and electronic means, comprising: a) a central management and control unit, b) at least one image recording apparatus relating to a control table. game placed in a gambling hall of a casino; c) at least one information input unit relating to the running of a game on said table, this input unit being disposed in said room; d) a multiplicity of decentralized units connected to the central unit, capable of transmitting messages between the latter and respective players located outside the game room, and each comprising a clean screen

  displaying the image recorded by said recording apparatus

tration; and -

  -e) an account control unit arranged in the casino cashier and suitable for exchanging with the central unit of

  information about external player accounts.

  The video means, including the image recording apparatus and the corresponding display screen, allow each outside player to watch the game taking place.

  on the table as if he were present in the playroom.

  The computer means, which constitute the essential of the installation, allow the external player to participate effectively in the game by expressing all the options to his

  disposition (choice of the table, object and amount of stakes).

  The computer resources also allow permanent control and memorization of all information on the progress of games and the evolution of funds available at the casino and on the tables, as well as the accounts of external players. Monetary means make it possible to create and manage the accounts of the external players according to the deposits which they carry out,

their bets and their winnings.

  In particular, the decentralized unit or game terminal includes a video screen allowing the player to see and monitor the game live, electronic means allowing him to know at any time the account he has and manage his game, and computer resources

  allowing him, by touching a touch screen, to select

  play and actively participate as if he were in the playroom (he puts his finger on

  number 36 and the amount he wants to bet on that

mero).

  Independently of the participation of the external players, the computer means allow an automatic control

  games and financial flows in the case

  and a memorization of the corresponding data, which can be consulted at any time by the casino management and the supervisory authorities. This results in much greater control possibilities, and

  considerable staff savings compared to the f unction-

a classic casino.

  Advantageously, each decentralized unit comprises a screen capable of displaying messages relating to the progress of the game on said table, and messages intended to evoke

  responses from the player, and data entry means 10 for recording game and other options.

  very messages introduced by the player.

  The message display screen is preferably a touch screen which is also the means of entry of

data.

  In general, the installation according to the invention comprises two or more image recording apparatuses and corresponding information input units associated with

  respective game tables, and the input means of

  the image recorded by any of the devices, and to participate in the choice of

  to any of the corresponding games.

  The invention also provides that each decentralized unit

  includes a printer to deliver to the player, to the

  of a game session, a game bulletin reproducing in printed form the game options, the results of the game, the player's winnings or losses, as well as

identification of the player.

  Other optional features of the invention are indicated below. Each decentralized unit comprises a card reader,

  to extract from a card introduced therein

  formations allowing the central unit to determine the amount of credit available to the player.

  The card reader is able to extract from a card

  at the beginning of a game session, an amount of credit

  said in the memory of it, and to record

  a new amount of credit at the end of the game session.

  The central unit is able to keep constantly updated the account status of each player outside based

  of its initial amount, wagers and winnings of the player.

  The central unit comprises means for determining,

  at the end of each stroke made on a gaming table, the

  seems to be winning combinations, and to calculate the ratios of each combination, the overall gains of the

  winners and the overall result, positive or negative

tif, from the casino.

  The central unit includes means for storing

  re all the bets, the results, the winnings and the financial results of each stroke made on all

game tables.

  The account control unit is adapted to receive from the central unit control information relating to

  to the account of each outside player.

  The account control unit includes a reader / writer

  memory card reader to be entered in the memory

  Re card an amount of credit or change it in correspondence of sums paid by a player at the cashier

the casino or vice versa.

  The image recording apparatus is connected to a device

  recognition tool to constantly compare the image of a characteristic element of the game table

  to a pre-recorded reference image and to announce

  the result of a stroke as a result of this comparison.

  reason. The installation may further comprise an automatic game unit connected to or part of the central unit, simulating at least one game on a game table and allowing the outside players, by means of their decentralized unit. , to play

  outside the hours of operation of said table.

  Means for recording on permanent media

  all the data processed by the central unit.

  Displays to display permanently, for the direction of the casino management and / or the chefs de partie and / or players present in the gaming room, data relating to the evolution of the accounts of the fund, tables

games and distant players.

  Means allowing the management of the casino to question

  keep the CPU permanently on all information

treated by it.

  Sound recording means arranged in the game room and reproduction means associated with each decentralized unit for restoring the sound environment of

the game room.

  Other features and advantages of the invention

  will come out of the detailed description below, and

  annexed drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an installation according to the invention;

  FIG. 2 diagrammatically represents a table of rou-

  lette and the elements of the installation associated with it; FIG. 3 represents a decentralized unit forming part of the installation of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 represents the elements of the installation located in the casino box; Figure 5 shows the central management and control unit; Figures 6, 7 and 9-11 show the contents of various display screens; and Figure 8 shows a computer coding of

put roulette game.

  The essential elements and functions of the installation according to the invention will first be described with reference to FIG. 1 which shows the distribution of these elements.

in four subsets.

  The first subset is a central management and control unit 10, comprising one or more powerful computers associated with peripheral elements, which manages the entire system. This central unit can be located in the direction or in the administration. 1 of the casino. The second subassembly is formed of elements located in the casino game room 2 It includes, for each of the games in which the outside players can participate, for example for a game of roulette taking place on a

  roulette table shown schematically under the reference

  20a, at least one image recording apparatus, for example a television camera 21a, capable of filming the table 20a during the game, and a unit 22a of information input relating to the unfolding the game on the table a Figure 1 also shows a second game table

  b, on which can also be played a game of rou-

  lette or any other casino game, and to which are associated

  a camera 21b and an information input unit 22b respectively analogous to the camera 21a and the unit 22a The number of gaming tables associated with the installation

can be chosen arbitrarily.

  The third subassembly comprises the elements located in the cashier 3 of the casino, including a control unit

of accounts 31.

  Finally the fourth subset is constituted by a unit

  decentralized 40 disposed in a room 4 outside the casi-

  no, such as a hotel room or a boat cabin, and allowing a player in that room to enter

  in connection with the casino to participate in the games

rolling on the gaming tables.

  Of course, while the first three subassemblies are unique in an installation according to the invention, the fourth subset exists in a number of copies corresponding to the number of premises equipped to receive external players, which can reach a hundred.

or even more.

  Before setting out briefly the operation of the plant

  It should be noted that this operation is not autonomous, subject to the possible intervention of an automatic gaming unit as described below, but depends on that of an existing casino with a cash register and cash room. games containing game tables, players who may be present around these gaming tables and deposit their bets directly Where appropriate, the

  casino can operate without the installation according to the

  tion. Remote participation in the games assumes that the species used by the players in the game room are replaced for the outside players by means

  Each player must therefore, before being able to

  to play games, make a deposit at the cashier's 3

  to have a credit account at the casino.

  The payment may be made in a conventional manner

these or by check.

  According to a preferred mode of operation, the opening of the player's account with the casino is materialized by the

  issue of a memory card, in the memory of which

  is entered the amount of the credit The registration of the

  sum in memory is performed by a reader / recorder

  memory card 32 (FIG. 4) incorporated in the account control unit 31, the latter including means enabling the cashier to enter the sum remitted by the

  player, which is transmitted to the Central Unit 10.

  The player with a credit can use the unit

  40 located in his room or in his office.

  According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the unit 40 comprises, as represented in FIG. 3, a television screen 41, a touch-screen computer screen 42, a memory card reader / writer associated with an introduction slot 43 and a printer associated with an exit slot 44 Some keys 45 can also

to be planned.

  One of these keys 451 may be an "on" key whose depression or touch triggers commissioning

  of the unit and the appearance on the screen 42 of a message of

  instructing the player to insert his memory card into the slot 43 In the case where the unit does not have an "on" key, it is the introduction of the card which causes

  commissioning After the introduction of the card, the information

  the credit amount is transferred from the card memory to the central unit 10, is displayed on the screen 42 and is written by the printer on a strip of paper which is delivered by the slot 44, even

  the date and time of the connection.

  tion then engages, according to a preset program, between the central unit 10 and the player, through the screen 42, which displays the messages from the central unit and records the responses of the player in form

  pressure in a suitable place on the screen.

  For example, the execution of the program may include the choice by the player of the language subsequently used by the central unit. Then, the central unit may ask the player whether he wishes to participate immediately in a game, or if he wants information The proposed information

  may include general information relating to the

  for example the services available in the hotel or

  in the boat, and information concerning more particularly

  the casino, such as the hours of operation and the explanation of the principle of each game. They may also include statistical data relating to the

  past game in Games Room 2, statistics

  developed by the Central Unit 10 from the data

  The program can offer, for example, statistics relating to the output frequency of a given number to a roulette table, the highest winnings and the highest losses recorded over a given period at a given table or in the overall game room, etc. As an illustration, FIG. 10 shows the possible display of the results of the game in progress on two baccarat tables. When the central unit provides on the screen 42 related information

  to a certain game, it can also trigger the

  display, on the television screen 41, recorded images

  on one of the cameras 21 a, 21 b relating to the same game.

  When the player expresses the will to participate in a game, the central unit asks him to choose a table of play His choice being expressed, the player can bet in

  the credit limit of his account.

  gram then provides the division of the touch screen 42 into several ranges for the automatic recording of the bets of the player and the simultaneous display of useful data For example, in the case of the roulette game, a range 421 can display a grid provided numbers and symbols such as the one appearing on the table of

  matching game, while a 422 beach displays different

  your sums of money By putting your finger simultaneously or successively on a specific place of the grid and on a fixed sum, the player expresses his intention to play this sum on the number or the combination of numbers corresponding This process can be repeated so much

that the games are open.

  The opening period of the games is indicated by a green beach 411 appearing on the screen 40 When the closing of the games is imminent, the green beach is replaced by an orange beach 412, which in turn gives way to a red beach 413 when the games are closed These signals are controlled from the games room as will be described below. The player can cancel his bets by placing his finger on a suitable spot of the screen 42, and start again When his choice is final, he must also validate it by

a contact on the screen.

  A third range 423 of the touch screen 42 allows the

  while playing at a distance from a table,

  der and get information on the past game on the same table on the same day or on any previous date A fourth range 424 is used to display the bets, the results of the game and the evolution of the account

  since then have come into contact with the central unit

tral.

  The television screen 41 of the decentralized unit 40 includes

  takes, in the example shown, besides the ranges 411, 412 and 413, a large range 414 for displaying a general image of the chosen game table, and a beach

  smaller 415 for displaying an image, incrusted

  in that of the beach 414, representing a characteristic element of the gaming table, the vision of which informs

  immediately on the result of the game, for example the cylinder

  The two images are obtained by means of two cameras 21a1 and 21a2 (FIG. 2) connected to a control room 23 which makes it possible to send to any decentralized unit 40 the images coming from the cameras 21 al and 21 to 2,

  or those from other cameras associated with other

  gaming machines, according to the commands sent by the central unit 10, indicated for memory in broken line at

Figure 2.

  In the illustrated example, the camera 21 a 2 is also connected to an image recognition device 24 a, known in itself, which constantly compares the image supplied by this camera to a prerecorded image representing the cylinder of immobile roulette without ball When rotating the cylinder, once every turn, the image of the camera coincides with the prerecorded image except

  of the ball, which can thus be located when the

  positive recognition that the ball has become

  bilized on a number, for example number 9 in the figure

  2, it informs the central unit 10 by indicating this number.

  At the same time, the party leader communicates the same information

  to the central unit by means of the input unit of in-

  manual formations 22a, which in the example described comprises a touch screen on which is displayed a grid 221a whose boxes correspond to the different numbers of the roulette A similar screen relating to the game of baccarat is represented by way of example in the Of course, the indications of the apparatus 24a and of the unit 22a must coincide, which constitutes a means of control. The screen of the input unit 22a also has three ranges.

  222a, 223a and 224a allowing the party leader to initiate

  the appearance of the colored beaches 411, 412 and 413 res-

  screens 41 of all the decentra-

  used to play remotely at table 20 a.

  From the result of the blow communicated by the recognition device 24a and by the input unit 22a, or by one of these elements only in a simplified version of the installation, the central unit determines, according to a

  pre-established program, all the winning combinations

  and the amount reported by each unit bet A screen 25 is provided in the game room for

  display this information CPU 10 also calculates

  the winnings of each of the outside players who bet on a winning combination, and this gain is displayed on

  screen 42 of the corresponding decentralized unit, in re-

  keeping the corresponding game option The zero digit or "lost" is also displayed next to each losing combination. Such a display is shown by way of example in FIG. 7 for a roulette wheel.

  and Figure 11 for a craps stroke.

  Beaches 424 are updated accordingly.

  The game options, the corresponding winnings, the balance sheet of

  blow for the player and the new balance are also im-

  Awarded by the unit 40 printer on the paper tape

delivered by the slot 44.

  As soon as the results of the blow are displayed on the screen 42, the faculty is offered to the player to bet again for the next shot, or to go back in the program to change the game table or to request information, or to interrupt the session In case of table change, the screen 41 automatically displays

  the image or images of the new table chosen.

  If during the game the player announces bets exceeding the balance of his account, the central unit indicates it to him by a message displayed on the screen 42 and invites him to reduce the amount of his bets If at the end of Once the balance of the account is zero, the central unit tells the player that he can no longer play and invites him to checkout

to feed his account.

  When the player wishes to end a session, he or she

  signal by pressing an appropriate area on the screen.

  first time on the strip of paper the end of the session time, or any other form marking the end of the game bulletin The memory card reader / writer entered in the card's memory the new balance of the account, and the card is returned to the player This one presses if necessary a "stop" key 452 among the keys 45,

  to disable the decentralized unit 40.

  Reloading a player's account is done at checkout 3, as described above for the opening of an account Similarly, if a player wants to close his account, or take all or part of his winnings , he comes to the cash register with his memory card and the game bulletin issued by the printer of the decentralized unit The cashier introduces the card into the reader 32 and reads on the screen 310 of the 31, the balance entered in its memory, which must be consistent with the balance shown

  at the end of the game report. If necessary, a check

  additional information can be provided by the display of the

  same balance on the screen 310, from the information supplied

  If the amount withdrawn by the player is less than the balance of the account, the new balance after withdrawal is recorded by the control unit 31 in the memory of the card, and it is returned to the player

  who can use it again to play remotely.

  In a variant of the installation according to the invention, the memory card is replaced by a less elaborate card,

  for example a simple magnetic stripe card, readings

  Memory card readers / recorders are replaced by simple magnetic stripe readers The operation of the installation is the same as above, except that the balance of the player's account is not recorded on the card.

  card, but only in the central unit 10.

  It is also possible to design an installation in which the decentralized units operate without a memory card or magnetic card It is then allocated to the player an identification number which he must introduce into the decentralized unit 40 before he can play, by means of the touch screen 42, or by other means such as a keyboard provided on the unit 40 The player must also indicate a confidential code, such a confidential code is also desirable in the case of a decentralized unit to card reader The decentralized unit can then be

  a simple keyboard terminal and screen type Minitel, com

  by a screen for the reproduction of video-type images.

  phone, the keyboard being used instead of the

  the to introduce the player's answers to questions

asked by the central unit.

  The decentralized unit shown in Figure 3 includes a third key 453 that the player can use to call the direction or administration of the casino in case

  The use of this key triggers the

  on the screen 414 of the face of an interlocutor, accom-

  accompanied by a written message and / or sound, the sound message can be delivered by a speaker not shown, which can be incorporated in the unit 40, and can reproduce the voice of the speaker When this speaker is present, it can also, in normal operation, serve

  to reproduce the sound atmosphere of the games room,

  linked by one or more unrepresented microphones.

  In an advantageous development of the invention, the decentralized units 40 can be used to play by means of an automatic game unit, especially outside the hours of operation of the casino's gaming tables. This automatic game unit, which can be central unity

  10 appropriately programmed, makes random draws

  res simulating a casino game, for example, in the case

  roulette, draws a number among thirty-seven.

  The result of these prints is processed by the central unit

  in the same way as the results provided by the unit of

  22a and / or by the recognition apparatus 24a.

  The illustrative installation has additional elements that are not essential for the game

  remote, but useful for the management and permanent control of the operation of the casino.

  In particular, for each game table, the party leader has a touch screen 26a that allows him to indicate, in an approximate manner, that is to say, taking into account only the large plates, the sum available to pay

  the winnings of the players present around the table.

  their successive amounts of this sum remain displayed on the screen 26 a display screen 27 has shown the last available sum entered on the screen 26 a, symbolized by the letter A, a sum B representing the total of the stakes of the players for table 20 a, decreased by earnings

  correspondents, since the beginning of the game, and the

  tal C = A + B which represents the overall balance of the table.

  The cashier of the casino has, in addition to the account control unit 31, three display screens 33, 34 and 35

  connected to the central unit 10 The display 33 permanently displays

  the amount of the cash register, symbolized by the letter

  D, the E balance sheet of deposits and withdrawals made by

  the distant players, the sum F = D + E representing the

  given the cash register, the G balance of the bets and winnings of the distant players playing, the algebraic sum H = F + G, and the difference I = H-E representing the sum that would remain in the box if all the players

distant paid their account.

  The screen 34 displays the balance of gains and losses in the game room, provided by the combination of information entered by the touch screens such as 26A, and the screen the overall financial balance for the casino, resulting from

  the combination of information from screens 33 and 34.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the central unit 10 comprises

  a main computer 101 permanently connected to a computer

  102 is ready to enter service without any delay.

  In the event of a failure of the computer 101, an archiving element 11 containing permanent recording media of information such as magnetic tapes will be recorded.

* In case of failure of the computers 101 and 102, a second backup computer 103 can receive the data stored in the archiving element 11 so as to ensure that the data processed by the computer 101 is maintained. -

continue the treatment.

  Figure 8 shows as an example a codification of roulette game bets that can be part of the program.

  processing unit 10.

  Reference 12 indicates a multiplicity of connected screens

  at the central unit and permanently displaying various

  In particular, a series of screens

  the winnings or losses of each game table, grouped by type of game (roulette, baccarat, etc.), and another screen

  shows the results of all the tables (see Figure 9).

  One screen may concern the situation of the fund, and another screen the balance sheet of the gains and losses of all

distant players.

  In addition, a touch screen 13, also connected to the unit

  central bank, allows the casino management to interrogate

  this at any time on any data processed

  games, the checkout, the distant players, etc., which they

  concerning the present moment or situations or events

  past data are provided by the past.

archiving 11.

  The central unit 10, informed of the sums available to each

  game table and at the cash register, and bets registered for each table, is able to decide whether to stop

  the game on a table (the bank has jumped), either

  provision this table and continue the game. Although the invention has been described in detail in relation to

  with a roulette table, of course it applies to

  that with any number of games and any number

  than tables, one or more tables per game.

  All games commonly played on casino tables

  may be used in the invention, in particular the baccarat

  ra, craps, blackjack and american roulette The specific ways described for roulette can be

adapted for other games.

  The elaborate installation described above, which offers very wide games possibilities while allowing control in real time and a posteriori, game by game, table by table, part by part and piecemeal, reducing at the same time time staffing requirements, can be simplified by removing non-essential functions, without departing from the invention Similarly, the means to fill

  each function can be modified.

  The decentralized units may be located not only in a same ensemble as the casino, such as a hotel, a boat or a shopping center, but also in completely independent premises and away from the casino, for example booths analogous to telephone booths. ,

  installed on public roads or in public places.

  In this case, the decentralized units can be connected

  to the central unit by the telephone network.

  To limit the length of the presentation, we have refrained from describing here the means in hardware and software that the skilled person can easily dispose of, or that he can conceive without difficulty, and that will allow him to put

implement the invention.

Claims (16)

claims   1 Installation allowing remote and live participation in casino games, using video, computer and electronic means, including -a) a central management and control unit (10), -b) at least one apparatus (21a) recording images relating to a gaming table (20a) placed in a gaming room (2) of a casino; at least one information input unit (22 a, 24 a) relating to the running of a game on said table, this input unit being disposed in said room; d) a multiplicity of decentralized units (40) connected to the central unit, capable of transmitting messages between these and respective players located outside the game room, and each comprising a screen ( 40) adapted to display the image recorded by said recording apparatus; and e) an account control unit (31) disposed in the cash register (3) of the casino and able to exchange information with the central unit about the accounts of outside players. 2 Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that each decentralized unit comprises a screen (42) adapted to display messages relating to the progress of the game on said table, and messages intended to elicit responses from the player, and data entry means suitable for recording game options and   other messages introduced by the player.   3 Installation according to claim 2, characterized in that the message display screen (42) is a touch screen which also constitutes the data input means.   4 Installation according to one of claims 2 and 3,   characterized in that it comprises at least two image recording apparatuses (21a, 21b) and at least two information input units (22a, 22b) associated with tables   respectively, and that the data input means (42) make it possible to display, as desired, the recorded image.   registered by any of the devices, and to participate in the selection of any of the corresponding games.   Installation according to one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that each decentralized unit includes a printer capable of delivering to the player, at the end of a game session, a game bulletin reproducing in printed form the game options, the results of the game, the winnings or losses of the game. player, as well as identification data of the player.   Installation according to one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that each decentralized unit includes a card reader adapted to extract from a card that   information is introduced allowing the central unit to   (10) determine the amount of credit available the player.   7 Installation according to claim 6, characterized in that the card reader is adapted to extract from a card   at the beginning of a game session, an amount of credit   said in the memory of it, and to record   a new amount of credit at the end of the game session.   8 Installation according to one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that the central unit is adapted to hold   constantly update the account status of each external player   according to its initial amount, bet and winnings of the player.   9 Installation according to one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that the central unit comprises means for determining, at the end of each stroke made on a gaming table, the set of winning combinations, and for calculating the ratios of each combination, the set   winners and the overall result, posi- tif or negative, of the casino.   Installation according to one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that the central unit comprises means for storing all the stakes, the results, the gains and the financial balance sheet of each stroke made on all the game tables.   11 Installation according to one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that the account control unit is adapted to receive information from the central processing unit.   control of the account of each outside player.   12 Installation according to one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that the account control unit (31) comprises a memory card reader / recorder (32) adapted to record in the memory of the card a credit amount or to modify it in correspondence with amounts.   paid by a player at the casino cashier or vice versa.   13 Installation according to one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that it comprises an automatic play unit   tick connected to or part of the central processing unit   simulating at least one game on a gaming table and allowing outside players, through their decentralized unit, to play outside the hours of operation of said table.   Installation according to one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that it comprises means (11) for   to record on permanent supports all the data   processed by the Central Unit.   Installation according to one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that it includes screens (12, 26a, 27a) suitable for display at all times, for the direction of the casino management and / or party leaders and / or   players in the games room,   to the evolution of the accounts of the fund, the tables of games and outside players -   Installation according to one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that it comprises means (13) enabling the casino management to continuously interrogate the central unit on any information processed. by this one.   Installation according to one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that the image recording apparatus is connected to a recognition device (24a) of its own   to constantly compare the image of a characteristic element   that (201 a) from the gaming table to a prerecorded reference image and to automatically announce the result   at once as a result of this comparison.   Installation according to one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that it comprises means for recording   provided in the games room and means of reproduction associated with each decentralized unit for   restore the sound of the game room.