WO2008150445A1 - Appareil de distribution d'espèces pour table de jeu électronique - Google Patents

Appareil de distribution d'espèces pour table de jeu électronique Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2008150445A1
WO2008150445A1 PCT/US2008/006852 US2008006852W WO2008150445A1 WO 2008150445 A1 WO2008150445 A1 WO 2008150445A1 US 2008006852 W US2008006852 W US 2008006852W WO 2008150445 A1 WO2008150445 A1 WO 2008150445A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
player
station
card
screen
gaming table
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2008/006852
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Brian D. Haveson
Original Assignee
Haveson Brian D
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Haveson Brian D filed Critical Haveson Brian D
Publication of WO2008150445A1 publication Critical patent/WO2008150445A1/fr

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
    • G07F17/3202—Hardware aspects of a gaming system, e.g. components, construction, architecture thereof
    • G07F17/3204—Player-machine interfaces
    • G07F17/3211—Display means
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
    • G07F17/3202—Hardware aspects of a gaming system, e.g. components, construction, architecture thereof
    • G07F17/3216—Construction aspects of a gaming system, e.g. housing, seats, ergonomic aspects
    • G07F17/322—Casino tables, e.g. tables having integrated screens, chip detection means
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
    • G07F17/3244—Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes
    • G07F17/3248—Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes involving non-monetary media of fixed value, e.g. casino chips of fixed value
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
    • G07F17/326—Game play aspects of gaming systems
    • G07F17/3272—Games involving multiple players
    • G07F17/3276—Games involving multiple players wherein the players compete, e.g. tournament

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to electronic and electromechanical devices used for entertainment gaming activities and more particularly to automated electronic gaming tables. [0005] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • U. S. Patent No. 7,306,516 Iosilevsky discloses an electronic table for engaging in a completely electronic competitive game such as poker in which several of individual player terminals connected to a central processing unit are arranged around a single common display located at the center of the table. Each player has a console with a screen and control elements for activating betting, etc.
  • Other types of electronic gaming tables include blackjack tables, automated roulette and craps tables. However, these tables all require either pre-loading a card with an amount of cash or using special chips or tokens, or alternatively require each player station to have a credit card reader or bill acceptor. None of these systems is efficient and ultimately interrupts or inhibits game play.
  • the present invention provides a gaming table, such as a poker table, for conducting a wagering game.
  • the table preferably has a center screen, and two or more player stations arranged to permit a player to view both a respective player station and the center screen.
  • the game table provides a cashier station with a screen, a player account indicator and a device for authenticating an amount of money wagered by the player integrated into the table.
  • the cashier station assigns the player to a particular player station and manages a game played on the gaming table until play by the player is concluded whereby the ticket printer prints a ticket reflecting an amount of money held by the player.
  • the player account indicator comprises a ticket printer whereby the ticket printer prints a ticket reflecting an amount of money held by the player
  • the player account indicator comprises a magnetic card device printer whereby the magnetic card device electronically adjusts data on a card to reflect an amount of money held by the player.
  • the player account indicator comprises a data file whereby data reflecting an amount of money held by the player is stored on at least one of a database and a handheld device.
  • the device for authenticating an amount of money wagered preferably comprises a bill acceptor, but in alternate embodiments, the device for authenticating an amount of money wagered comprises a magnetic card reader, an optical device, or similar device.
  • the table has nine player stations and one cashier station, and each player station has a screen and a card reader.
  • the cashier station is contained in an upper housing surrounding a player screen and a lower housing disposed directly beneath the upper housing.
  • the present invention also relates to methods of managing a game table by first requiring a player to activate a cashier screen and then assigning a player station to a player by requiring a player identifier created by the player. Funds are accepted from the player,' and the player is then authenticated at the player station via the identifier.
  • the step of requiring a player to activate a cashier screen requires inserting a player card into a card reader, while in other embodiments, this step requires entering a player name and/or a personal identification number.
  • the step of accepting funds from the player involves operating a bill validator to authenticate cash inserted by the player, although in other embodiments, the step may involve accepting funds from the player comprises reading a card selected from the group consisting of a credit card, an ATM card, an optoelectronic card, or an RFID card.
  • the methods of the present invention also include the step of authenticating the player upon exit from a game, most preferably by requiring that the player entering a personal identification number and or having the player insert a player card into a card reader.
  • the invention disclosed herein provides in a preferred embodiment an electronic gambling table, at least one cashier station within comprising a player card reader, a value card reader, a bill acceptance device, and a computerized software system that accepts a PIN and then assigns the player and an amount of cash credit to a particular seat at the electronic gambling that table, the cashier station further comprising a cash distribution device, whereby upon inserting the player card and entering the PIN a ticket used to cash out is created.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a gaming table assembly made in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a gaming table assembly made in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention!
  • FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the gaming table illustrated in FIG.
  • FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the embodiment of the gaming table illustrated in FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 5 is an elevation view of the gaming table illustrated in
  • FIG. 2
  • FIG. 6 is an illustration of an initial screen used by the cashier station of a gaming table made in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 7 is an illustration of a player entry screen used by the cashier station of a gaming table made in accordance with the present invention!
  • FIG. 8 is an illustration of a seat assignment screen used by the cashier station of a gaming table made in accordance with the present invention,'
  • FIG. 9 is an illustration of a name screen used by the cashier station of a gaming table made in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 10 is an illustration of a PIN entry screen used by the cashier station of a gaming table made in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 11 is an illustration of a PIN verification screen used by the cashier station of a gaming table made in accordance with the present invention!
  • FIG. 12 is an illustration of a funds verification screen used by the cashier station of a gaming table made in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 13 is an illustration of a receipt request screen used by the cashier station of a gaming table made in accordance with the present invention ,'
  • FIG. 14 is an illustration of a concluding screen used by the cashier station of a gaming table made in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 15 is an illustration of a player screen during game play used the gaming table made in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 16 is an illustration of a player screen of a gaming table made in accordance with the present invention upon player exit!
  • FIG. 17 is an illustration of an initial screen used by the cashier station of a gaming table made in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 18 is an illustration of a player entry screen used by the cashier station of a gaming table made in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 19 is an illustration of a PIN entry screen used by the cashier station of a gaming table made in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 20 is an illustration of final screen used by the cashier station of a gaming table made in accordance with the present invention upon exit by a player. [0033] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
  • a "table” or “gaming table” includes, but is not limited to, a mechanical or electromechanical or all electronic device and includes a display and a player operated user interfaces.
  • the devices described herein are primarily directed toward playing poker but can be used for any type of game, whether a game traditionally considered gambling, such as card games, dice games or roulette, or "board” games commonly but not necessarily played for entertainment only.
  • the present invention is preferably used in casinos as a gaming device, it can be used in other contexts for amusement only or in venues where prizes are awarded based on game play, e.g., arcades.
  • the present invention is primarily directed to electronic gambling tables, such as the electronic poker table manufactured by Lightning Poker, Inc. of Boothwyn, PA.
  • a system is provided that allows a player to insert a player card, credit card or ATM card and type in a "PIN" number, or insert cash into a bill acceptance device, and then assign the cash to a particular seat at that table.
  • the player then plays from the assigned seat, preferably inserting a player card and entering a PIN number to verify the cash assigned via the first transaction.
  • the cash is available in the player's electronic bankroll assigned to that seat.
  • the player inputs the amount of cash the player wishes to have active on the table for live play. If the player runs out of cash or just wants increase his chip count, he would have the ability to access the "electronic bankroll" established by the initial transaction at the cash station to add cash.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention.
  • a table 100 has a number of player stations 110 arranged around a center screen 150.
  • Each player station 110 has a player screen 105 and near each player station 110 there is preferably a card reader 120.
  • the number of player stations 110 will be 10, although in other embodiments, 8 screens, 6 screens or any other number may be employed.
  • One or more server computers (not visible) run the table 100 and are located within the housing of the table 100 and the table 100 is typically connected to accounting systems (not shown) that are required both to insure the integrity of games conducted on the table 100 and to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
  • At least one cashier station 200 replaces one of the player stations.
  • a cashier station 200 preferably comprises a screen 205, bill acceptor 210, a ticket printer 215 and a card reader 220 for reading either "player cards” or conventional credit cards and ATM cards, as explained in detail below.
  • access to the equipment related to the cashier station 200 is provided via an access door 202 disposed near the cashier station 200 and built into the base of the table 11, as illustrated.
  • FIG. 2 there is shown a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a gaming table 100 made in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention. Similar to the table illustrated in FIG. 1, the table 100 again features a center monitor 150 and player monitors 110.
  • the cashier station 200 again comprises a screen 205, bill acceptor 210, a ticket printer 215 and a card reader 220.
  • a lock 202 permits access for cash removal, maintenance tasks such as replenishing the ticket printer and repairs.
  • the lock 202 is preferably the type used throughout casinos that is opened by a universal key unique to that casino or that section of the casino.
  • FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the gaming table illustrated in FIG. 2.
  • player monitors 110 surround the center screen 150 and the cashier station 200 is conveniently positioned at one end of the table.
  • a standard 10-player table becomes a 9'player table with a cashier station 200 replacing the tenth player position.
  • a 7 player table with a cashier station 200 replacing the eighth position can be created, and so on.
  • the cashier station 200 can be placed along the side of the table 100, or in any location, that is, a cashier station 200 can replace any player monitor 110.
  • a single cashier station 200 may employ multiple cashier stations 200 by replacing two or more player monitors 110.
  • FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the embodiment of the gaming table illustrated in FIG. 2.
  • the cashier station 200 preferably includes a lower housing 220 that securely encloses the operational portions of the bill acceptor 210 and a ticket printer 215 described above.
  • the lower housing be a secure housing without doors or removable sections.
  • the lock 202 on the cashier station 200 allows an upper housing to swing upwardly or be removed entirely, thereby permitting access to the interior of the lower housing 220 by authorized personnel.
  • the interior of the lower housing includes the mechanism of a bill acceptor or "bill validator” 210, such as the MEI CASHFLOW® SC83 MEI West Chester, PA, USA and may also include a ticket printer 215, for example a thermal ticket printer for cashless gaming, such as the GEN2TM printer made by FutureLogic, Inc. of Glendale, CA, USA.
  • Both types of devices are used throughout the gaming industry worldwide and are preferably the same as those used on slot machines and similar devices to facilitate operations by the casino in terms of cash collection as well as to facilitate maintenance and repair. For example, U.S.
  • Patent No. 7,255,215 discloses a table game bill validator assembly in which the bill acceptor assembly accepts bills, vouchers, scrip, tickets and/or currency at a gaming table.
  • a ticket system is not used and instead, magnetic or optical cards are "loaded" with cash.
  • a data reflecting the player's cash is transferred to a database. The data can be stored by the operator and/or transmitted to a device held by the player, such as a dedicated device, a PDA, a phone or the like.
  • FIG. 5 is an elevation view of the gaming table illustrated in
  • the lower housing 220 is preferably attached to the table 100 so that it is secure and unobtrusive. If the lower housing 220 does not extend to the floor, rug vacuuming and access to the table 100 is less obstructed. It will also be realized from the foregoing descriptions of FIGS. 2- 5 that a cashier station 200 can be retrofit into an existing gaming table 100 if desired.
  • FIGS. 6-20 illustrate "screen shots" of the typical graphical displays visible to a user. As explained in further detail below, some of the information shown is displayed on the screen associated with the cashier station 200 (or the screen of the kiosk 500), while other information is shown on a player monitor 110.
  • FIG. 6 there is shown an illustration of an initial screen of cashier station 200 (or the screen of the kiosk 500). In this mode, the screen is functioning as a "cashier.” As shown, the screen is an initial greeting to the player and provides a message that a position on a table 100 is open and ready for play.
  • a "player card” controls play so that the identity of the player is known, either for regulatory purposes, security or simply to track play for marketing and similar commercial purposes.
  • the player card can be dispensed with and, as explained below, cash may simply be inserted.
  • a player card is used, it is inserted into a card reader 220 described above and play is authorized.
  • the next screen visible on the cashier screen is shown in FIG. 7 and asks the player to select which type of transaction is desired: enter a game as a new player, add funds for an existing player or "ticket out" to exit a game.
  • FIG. 7 The instance where it is desired to enter a game as a new player is shown in FIG.
  • the function of selecting a seat may be partially or fully automated to permit the venue to manage players and games efficiently.
  • the next screen presented to the player by the cashier station is shown in FIG. 9.
  • the player is asked to provide a name, which can be a legal name or a nickname that will preferably (but not necessarily) be displayed both on the player station 110 and to the other players on the center screen 150.
  • the next screen shown in FIG. 10 asks the player to select a personal identification Number ("PIN”) and as shown in FIG.
  • PIN personal identification Number
  • the PIN is important because it allows control of a player's account as the player movies between the cashier station and the seat assigned, and also allows a player to leave the seat and verification upon cashing out.
  • a player After being assigned a seat and entering a name and a PIN, a player must now add cash to the table. Typically, either inserting a value card such as a credit card, ATM card or special cash card purchased from a cashier that can be a magnetic stripe card, an optoelectronic card, or an RFID card.
  • a value card such as a credit card, ATM card or special cash card purchased from a cashier that can be a magnetic stripe card, an optoelectronic card, or an RFID card.
  • a value card such as a credit card, ATM card or special cash card purchased from a cashier that can be a magnetic stripe card, an optoelectronic card, or an RFID card.
  • a value card such as a credit card, ATM card or special cash card purchased from a cashier that can be a magnetic stripe card, an optoelectronic card, or an RFID card.
  • the term "card” is to be construed broadly and includes circular tokes, plastic cards
  • the cashier station includes a card reader
  • the player may simply feed cash into the bill acceptor 210 described above.
  • the cashier station verifies the amount the player has instructed the system to add to the table and preferably requests a positive response to finish the transaction.
  • the system may print a receipt for the player using the ticket in/ticket out printer 215 described above.
  • a final screen, shown in FIG. 14 shows that the transaction is complete and the player may proceed to a particular player station 110 and begin play.
  • 15-16 illustrate a set of screens displayed on the player station 110 during game play.
  • a player proceeds to a player station 110.
  • the card reader helps ensure integrity of the game and security of the player's funds, as well as assist with generating data for regulatory compliance. In certain embodiments, it will not be necessary or desirable to provide a player card. However, in order to activate a seat and participate in a game, the player will have to enter the PIN chosen as part of the sign in procedure described above. Supplying the PIN will activate the player station 110 and the correct player name and amount of money added to the table will appear, along with other game information.
  • FIG. 15 illustrates the end of a hand of poker.
  • a player named “Ron” has $150 left in his account and has pressed the "CASHOUT” button.
  • the player station then deactivates game play and instructs the player to proceed back to the cashier station.
  • FIG. 18 which is again similar or identical to that illustrated in FIG. 7.
  • the "TICKET OUT" function is selected, and the player is asked to enter a PIN, as seen in FIG. 19.
  • the ticket printer 215 is activated and a ticket printed.
  • a typical "final" screen evidencing the transaction is shown in FIG. 20.
  • the kiosk permits multiple tables 100 to be interconnected to a single "cash station" if desired.
  • a single room having multiple tables 100 can be managed from a single kiosk.
  • the kiosk can accept payments, manage which players are assigned to certain tables and permit players having winnings or cash balances remaining to "cash out" at the end of play, as described above with reference to the cashier station 200 integrated into the table 100.
  • the kiosk preferably includes a screen, bill acceptor and a ticket printer, the details of which are explained above.
  • the embodiments of the present invention may be implemented with any combination of hardware and software. If implemented as a computer-implemented apparatus, the present invention is implemented using means for performing all of the steps and functions described above.
  • the embodiments of the present invention can be included in an article of manufacture (e.g., one or more computer program products) having, for instance, computer useable media.
  • the media has embodied therein, for instance, computer readable program code means for providing and facilitating the mechanisms of the present invention.
  • the article of manufacture can be included as part of a computer system or sold separately.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Management, Administration, Business Operations System, And Electronic Commerce (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne une table de jeu sur laquelle sont effectuées des mises. La table présente un écran central et deux postes joueurs ou plus disposés pour permettre à un joueur de voir à la fois un poste joueur respectif et l'écran central ; la table de jeu a aussi un poste caissier comportant un écran, un indicateur de compte de joueur et un appareil pour authentifier une somme d'argent misée par le joueur intégrés à la table. Le poste caissier attribue au joueur un poste joueur particulier et dirige un jeu joué sur la table de jeu jusqu'à la fin du jeu du joueur, l'imprimante de tickets imprimant alors un ticket indiquant la somme détenue par le joueur. Dans des modes de réalisation préférés, le poste caissier comprend un lecteur de carte et un validateur de billets pour accepter les fonds.
PCT/US2008/006852 2007-05-31 2008-05-30 Appareil de distribution d'espèces pour table de jeu électronique WO2008150445A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US93252107P 2007-05-31 2007-05-31
US60/932,521 2007-05-31

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WO2008150445A1 true WO2008150445A1 (fr) 2008-12-11

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20120040751A1 (en) * 2007-04-13 2012-02-16 Igt Gaming machine reservation system

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4593183A (en) * 1982-05-06 1986-06-03 Tokyo Shibaura Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Automatic transaction machine
US5185515A (en) * 1989-10-26 1993-02-09 Hitachi, Ltd. Automated teller machine and method thereof
US5557086A (en) * 1992-02-26 1996-09-17 Nsm Aktiengesellschaft Game machine system with money-processing station
US6626757B2 (en) * 2001-05-21 2003-09-30 R. Martin Oliveras Poker playing system using real cards and electronic chips
US20050215326A1 (en) * 2004-03-29 2005-09-29 Alex Iosilevsky Electronic game table

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4593183A (en) * 1982-05-06 1986-06-03 Tokyo Shibaura Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Automatic transaction machine
US5185515A (en) * 1989-10-26 1993-02-09 Hitachi, Ltd. Automated teller machine and method thereof
US5557086A (en) * 1992-02-26 1996-09-17 Nsm Aktiengesellschaft Game machine system with money-processing station
US6626757B2 (en) * 2001-05-21 2003-09-30 R. Martin Oliveras Poker playing system using real cards and electronic chips
US20050215326A1 (en) * 2004-03-29 2005-09-29 Alex Iosilevsky Electronic game table

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20120040751A1 (en) * 2007-04-13 2012-02-16 Igt Gaming machine reservation system

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