WO2008150445A1

WO2008150445A1 - Cash assignment device for electronic gambling table

Info

Publication number: WO2008150445A1
Application number: PCT/US2008/006852
Authority: WO
Inventors: Brian D. Haveson
Original assignee: Haveson Brian D
Priority date: 2007-05-31
Filing date: 2008-05-30
Publication date: 2008-12-11

Abstract

A gaming table for conducting a wagering game is disclosed. The table 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 also has a cashier station with comprising a screen, a player account indicator and a device for authenticating an amount of money wagered by the player integrated into the table, wherein 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. In preferred embodiments, the cashier station includes a card reader and a bill validator for accepting funds.

Description

[0001] CASH ASSIGNMENT DEVICE FOR ELECTRONIC

GAMBLING TABLE

[0002] This is a continuatiorriirpart of pending United States Patent

Application Serial No. 11/986,006 filed November 19, 2007, which is in turn a continuation of United States Patent Application Serial No. 10/810,255 filed March 29, 2004, now issued as U.S. Patent No.7,306,516 and related to United States Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/932,521 filed, May 31, 2007, both of which are owned by the assignee of the present invention.

[0003] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0004] 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

[0006] Automated electronic gaming tables are known. For example,

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.

[0007] It would therefore be desirable to eliminate the requirement for a player to sign up for a special player card, without the complexity and expense of providing a card reader or other payment facilitator at each and every station of an electronic gaming system.

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] 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. In accordance with the present invention, 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. Preferably, 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. In certain embodiments, the player account indicator comprises a ticket printer whereby the ticket printer prints a ticket reflecting an amount of money held by the player, while in other embodiments 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. In still other embodiments, 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. In a preferred embodiment, the table has nine player stations and one cashier station, and each player station has a screen and a card reader. Most preferably, the cashier station is contained in an upper housing surrounding a player screen and a lower housing disposed directly beneath the upper housing. [0010] 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. In certain embodiments, 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. Preferably, 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.

[0011] Therefore, 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. [0012] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] 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;

[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a gaming table assembly made in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention!

[0015] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the gaming table illustrated in FIG.

2;

[0016] FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the embodiment of the gaming table illustrated in FIG. 2;

[0017] FIG. 5 is an elevation view of the gaming table illustrated in

FIG. 2;

[0018] 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;

[0019] 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!

[0020] 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,'

[0021] 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; and

[0022] 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. [0023] 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!

[0024] 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,"

[0025] 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 ,'

[0026] 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;

[0027] FIG. 15 is an illustration of a player screen during game play used the gaming table made in accordance with the present invention;

[0028] FIG. 16 is an illustration of a player screen of a gaming table made in accordance with the present invention upon player exit!

[0029] 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;

[0030] 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;

[0031] 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; and

[0032] 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

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0034] Although the features and elements of the present invention are described in the preferred embodiments in particular combinations, each feature or element can be used alone (without the other features and elements of the preferred embodiments) or in various combinations with or without other features and elements of the present invention. [0035] As used herein 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. Moreover, although 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.

[0036] The present invention is primarily directed to electronic gambling tables, such as the electronic poker table manufactured by Lightning Poker, Inc. of Boothwyn, PA. In the embodiments described herein, 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.

[0037] At the end of play, when the player is ready to cash out, he presses the "leave table" button. The cash is moved from the table to the electronic bankroll. The player then proceeds to a cash distribution device, such as a "ticket in/ticket out" printer commonly found in casinos and preferably inserts his player card and enters a PIN number. A bar coded ticket is printed out that enables the player to go to any ticket cashing device or cashier to cash out. Other, similar techniques, such as loading a magnetic strip with the chip count data or crediting a centralized database with the player information and the cash amount can also be employed, depending upon the type of cash management system employed, regulatory requirements and other factors such as the size and sophistication of the casino. The details of various embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the drawings.

[0038] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, 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. Typically, but not necessarily, 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. Those skilled in the art understand that the game play on the table 100 must be continuously monitored to varying degrees depending upon the regulatory environment in which the table 100 is played. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, at least one cashier station 200 replaces one of the player stations. In the embodiment illustrated, there are 9 player monitors 110 and the 10^th "position" on the table is 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. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, 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.

[0039] Referring now to 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. [0040] Further details of the gaming table 100 are seen in FIG. 3, which is a top plan view of the gaming table illustrated in FIG. 2. As explained above, player monitors 110 surround the center screen 150 and the cashier station 200 is conveniently positioned at one end of the table. Thus, as illustrated, a standard 10-player table becomes a 9'player table with a cashier station 200 replacing the tenth player position. In other embodiments, a 7 player table with a cashier station 200 replacing the eighth position can be created, and so on. In alternate embodiments, 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. Although it is preferable that a single cashier station 200 be employed, certain embodiments may employ multiple cashier stations 200 by replacing two or more player monitors 110.

[0041] FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the embodiment of the gaming table illustrated in FIG. 2. As seen in FIG. 3, 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. As understood by those skilled in the art and well known in the casino industry, any device that accepts cash must be secured from theft and tampering, and similarly, any device that prints tickets that can be redeemed for cash or credits must also be secured. Therefore, it is preferred that the lower housing be a secure housing without doors or removable sections. Preferably, as explained above, 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 GEN2™ 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 — Iannello et al., incorporated herein by reference, 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. In alternate embodiments of the present invention, a ticket system is not used and instead, magnetic or optical cards are "loaded" with cash. In still further alternate embodiments, 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.

[0042] FIG. 5 is an elevation view of the gaming table illustrated in

FIG. 2. As seen in FIG. 5, 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.

[0043] The operation of systems made in accordance with the present invention is described with reference to FIGS. 6-20, which 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. [0044] Referring now to 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. Preferably, 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. In certain embodiments, the player card can be dispensed with and, as explained below, cash may simply be inserted. In embodiments where 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. [0045] The instance where it is desired to enter a game as a new player is shown in FIG. 8, in which a new player is asked to select a seat from any open seats at the table, or from multiple tables if the cashier screen is part of a kiosk 500. In certain embodiments, the function of selecting a seat may be partially or fully automated to permit the venue to manage players and games efficiently. Upon selecting a seat or being assigned a seat, the next screen presented to the player by the cashier station is shown in FIG. 9. In this step 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. After a player enters a name, the next screen, shown in FIG. 10 asks the player to select a personal identification Number ("PIN") and as shown in FIG. 11, it is most preferable to have the player confirm the PIN by re-typing it. As explained below, 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.

[0046] 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. As used herein, the term "card" is to be construed broadly and includes circular tokes, plastic cards, paper cards or tickets and the like, all of which are known in the gaming and amusement industries.

[0047] As explained above, the cashier station includes a card reader

220, which can be the same as that used to read the player card or can be a second reader. The various technologies used to read such cards are well known and readily implemented in the context of the present invention. Alternatively, the player may simply feed cash into the bill acceptor 210 described above. As illustrated in FIG. 12, 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. As seen in FIG. 13, in certain preferred embodiments, 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. [0048] FIGS. 15-16 illustrate a set of screens displayed on the player station 110 during game play. After the final transaction screen described above with reference to the cashier screen 200, a player proceeds to a player station 110. Adjacent the player station there is preferably a card reader 120, as described above. 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. As seen in FIG. 16, the player station then deactivates game play and instructs the player to proceed back to the cashier station.

[0049] At the cashier station 200 a screen similar or identical to that illustrated in FIG. 6 is displayed to the player and, in preferred embodiments, a card is again inserted to activate the next screen, illustrated in FIG. 18 (which is again similar or identical to that illustrated in FIG. 7). In this instance, the "TICKET OUT" function is selected, and the player is asked to enter a PIN, as seen in FIG. 19. Upon verification of the PIN, the ticket printer 215 is activated and a ticket printed. A typical "final" screen evidencing the transaction is shown in FIG. 20. [0050] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention a table

100 as described above is connected to a kiosk or similar device. In this embodiment, the function and operation of the kiosk is tied to the server computers and 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. Utilizing the kiosk permits multiple tables 100 to be interconnected to a single "cash station" if desired. Thus, for example, 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.

[0051] 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.

[0052] 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.

[0053] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is^

1. A gaming table for conducting a wagering game, comprising 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 further comprising: a cashier station comprising a screen, a player account indicator and a device for authenticating an amount of money wagered by the player integrated into the table, wherein 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.

2. The gaming table of claim 1, wherein the player account indicator comprises a ticket printer whereby the ticket printer prints a ticket reflecting an amount of money held by the player.

3. The gaming table of claim 1, wherein 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.

4. The gaming table of claim 1, wherein 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.

5. The gaming table of claim 1, wherein the device for authenticating an amount of money wagered comprises a bill acceptor.

6. The gaming table of claim 1, wherein the device for authenticating an amount of money wagered comprises a magnetic card reader.

7. The gaming table of claim 1, wherein the device for authenticating an amount of money wagered comprises an optical device.

8. The gaming table of claim 1, wherein the table comprises nine player stations and one cashier station.

9. The gaming table of claim 1, wherein each player station comprises a screen and a card reader.

10. The gaming table of claim 1, wherein the cashier station comprises an upper housing surrounding a player screen and a lower housing disposed directly beneath the upper housing.

11. A method of managing a game table comprising two or more player stations and a cashier station, comprising the steps of requiring a player to activate a cashier screen,' assigning a player station to a player; requiring a player identifier created by the player; accepting funds from the player; and authenticating the player at the player station via the identifier.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of requiring a player to activate a cashier screen comprises the step of inserting a player card into a card reader.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of requiring a player identifier created by the player comprises entering a player name.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of requiring a player identifier created by the player comprises entering a personal identification number.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of accepting funds from the player comprises operating a bill validator to authenticate cash inserted by the player.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of 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.

17. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of authenticating the player upon exit from a game.

18. The method of claim 17, further wherein the step of authenticating the player upon exit from a game comprises the player entering a personal identification number.

19. The method of claim 17, further wherein the step of authenticating the player upon exit from a game comprises the player inserting a player card into a card reader.

20. In 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.