Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TABLE GAME VALIDATION SYSTEM
HAVING A BULK NOTE FEEDER ASSEMBLY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Cross Reference to Related Applications.
[0802] This application incorpor4t5 all'the featurEs of, and claims priority
to the following
US applications:
[0003] "TABLE GAME VALIDATION AND EVENT. AUDIT SYSTEM", No. 10/941,316
filed on September 14, 2005;
[0004] "BULK NOTE FEEDER ASSEMBLY FOR TABLE GAME VALIDATOR
ASSEMBLY", No. 10/958,946 filed on October 4, 2005;
[0005] both of which are Contiriuation In Part applications of U.S.
Application number
10/863,059, filed on June 7, 2004 which is a Continuation of U.S. Application
No. 10/081,756,
filed February 20, 2002, entitled Gaming Table Validator Assembly, now U.S.
Patent No.
6,745,887.
[0006] 2. Field of the Invention:
[0007] The present invention is directed to a bill acceptor adapted for
mounting on a gaming
table and the validation and event audit system for use in a gaming
establishment that automates
the receipt, tracking and event audit process for gaming table transactions.
Certain of the
concepts herein are also useful in the field of kiosk dispensing assemblies
and checkout
counters. In particular, the invention relates to the design, operation and
implementation of a
bill acceptor which can accept a stack of individual notes in a receiving slot
or bulk note feeder
mounted to, or proximate, ?. gaming table, and alternatively accept other
types of markers
utilized in a gaming establishment to account for player use, and the method
by which the
validator processes the notes and markers one at a time and passes validated
notes through to a
secure cash box while also interacting with the back room auditing and control
systems.
[0008] 3. General Background and State of the Art:
[0009] Conventional gaming tables located in casinos are generally used to
play games such
as blackjack, poker, roulette, baccarat, craps and Pai Gow. Variations on
poker games include
Crazyfor Poker, Let It Ride, Three Card Poker, Wild Hold'Em and 357 Poker.
Generally, each
gaming table may have an outer periphery containing a plurality of player
locations and a table
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supervisor or dealer location located opposite the player locations. From the
dealer's location,
the dealer controls the pace and operation of the game including for example
dealing the cards,
paying winning wagers and collecting losing wagers. Gaming establishments
generally cluster
the table games in such a manner that a Pit Boss can oversee and monitor the
action on a
number of gaming tables simultaneously. A Pit Boss can thus be resporasibl?
for fivP to t ,ren+y
aitferent gaming tables.
[0010] The operation of a gaming establishment is highly regulated and
strictly monitored.
The oversight of several gaming tables by a Pit Boss is thus a complicated
task in that the Pit
Boss is responsible for knowing approximately how much money is in play on all
of the gaming
tables, and the Pit Boss must be keenly aware of players who exhibit
suspicious behavior.
These responsibilities often take precedence over the other responsibilities
of a Pit Boss,
including customer service and customer ratings to promote the casino and
enhance the
experience for the preferred customers.
[0011] In view of the present regulation of gaming, systems adapted for use in
the gaming
industry are required to meet very high design and reliability standards. New
systems that allow
automation of the responsibilities presently assigned to the dealers and the
Pit Boss must be
compatible with existing regulations and may become subject to new regulations
that require
modifications after implementation.
[0012] The supervisor or dealer for each table game also has a number of
responsibilities,
including accepting, counting and then exchanging currency or notes received
from a player for
casino chips. Generally, when a player wants to exchange currency or notes for
chips at the
baniing table, the player gives the currency or notes to the dealer. Notes, as
used herein, can
include local and foreign_cur_rency, casino scrip, and casino issued tickets.
The dealer typically
counts out and then spreads the currency or notes on the playing surface of
the gaming table.
Video surveillance systems view each of the tables and may be used to confirm
the dealer's
counting of received notes. The dealer is sometimes required to notify a Pit
Boss when the
dealer is exchanging currency or notes, typically when the amount is over a
certain threshold.
The Pit Boss in turn must maintain a running event audit of the money in play
on each of the
tables that he or she is supervising.
[0013] After receiving an approval from the Pit Boss, the dealer accepts the
currency or
notes and deposits them into a slot accessible from the playing surface of the
gaming table. The
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slot leads to a channel for transporting the currency or notes from the slot
to a cash box located
below the playing surface. A plate may be used to push the currency or notes
into the slot and
ensure that the currency or notes properly fall into the cash box. Generally,
the cash box
beneath the gaming table does not include a stacking assembly to receive and
stack, in an
organized manner, the notes received. Thus, when the cash box is removeci
_from the garring
table and taken to the counting room, the notes must be manually removed,
sorted, stacked and
counted. Gaming regulations may require that the receipts or cashbox on every
table be audited
at least once per day, thus requiring a manual sort and count for each active
gaming table at
least once per day.
[0014] The revenues received on the gaming tables are a significant source of
income for a
casino. Accordingly, the high volume of currency or notes exchanged invites
the risks of
receiving counterfeit currency or notes. Unlike slot machines, wherein the
implementation of
integrated bill acceptors in the slot machines has diminished the casinos'
risk of receiving
counterfeit currency, most gaming tables remain susceptible to this risk. Due
to the increased
sophistication of counterfeiters and the increasing difficulties in
discriminating between
authentic and counterfeit currency, the manual or dealer inspection method of
accepting
currency on gaming tables is inadequate to protect casinos from currency
fraud.
[0015] Further, as the use of casino scrip and casino cash voucher tickets
increases, or other
types of cash equivalents are adopted, there is a risk that these forms of
notes will be
compromised or counterfeited. Many casinos or gaming establishments now have
"ticket out"
systems installed in their slot machines. Such systems are described, for
example, in U.S.
Patent No. 6,048,265 hereby incorporated by reference. Generally, when a
player wishes to
cash. oiit in a ticket out ganie, the casino's central computer system issues
a tracki.ng numbor to
the slot machine and the slot machine prints a bar coded ticket having the
tracking number. The
printed ticket may be used to start play on another slot machine or cashed out
at a cashier
station. Once the bar coded ticket is redeemed, the tracking number is
invalidated. Accurate
accounting of these alternative forms of notes requires that they be validated
upon receipt, and
the validation or authentication requires electronic communication with the
casino's central
computer system in order to cancel out the ticket. Presently, these types of
bar coded tickets
issued by a slot machine can not be accepted at a gaming table as the gaming
table does not
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have a validator communicating with the central computer system to check the
authenticity of
the tracking number of the bar coded ticket.
[0016] A few attempts have been made to patent the use of a bill acceptor
assembly on
electronic gaming tables. For example, U.S Patent No. 5,775,993 ("the '993
Patent") issued to
Fentz et a], discloses a bill acceptor assembly mounted at each player station
located around an
electronic roulette wheel. Simila;dy, in U.S. Patent No. 5,588,650 ("the '650
Patent"), each
player console located around an automated roulette wheel includes a bill
acceptor. In both of
these patents, a computer, not a human being, directs the game. A player can
insert money into
the bill acceptor to earn credits at any time, even though the player may not
be able to place a
bet until the next betting period. Yet, both the '993 Patent and the '650
Patent have two
fundamental flaws. First, both patents use traditional single-feed bill
acceptors where the player
must insert one note at a time into the bill acceptor. The bill acceptors in
the '993 Patent and
the '650 Patent are not designed to accept multiple notes at one time. At a
gaming table, players
may start their betting with a large sum of money which, in the configuration
of the '993 or
'650 Patents, would require each player to feed each note one at a time into
the bill acceptor.
The effort involved in feeding each note can be time consuming and
frustrating, and even more
so if the bill acceptor does not accept every note on the first feeding
attempt.
[0017] Second, incorporating a bill acceptor into a computerized gaming table
does not
involve the same difficulties as incorporating a bill acceptor into a
conventional gaming table
operated by a human dealer. On the computerized gaming table, a computer using
preprogrammed software manages each player's credits, operates the game,
calculates and pays
out all winnings, and collects any losing wagers. No casino tokens or notes
are dispensed until
a player cashes out. On-the other hand, a ganiing table supervisor, dealer or
operator has to do
all of the cash intake, chip or token distribution and wagering transaction
functions by himself
or herself. In addition, the operator is given the responsibility of watching
each player to ensure
that he/she does not cheat. Neither the '993 Patent nor the '650 Patent
explain or address the
many concerns of how to incorporate the bill acceptor into a human operated
gaming table. For
example, neither patent discloses how the operator would know how much money
has been
inserted into the bill acceptor. This disconnect in information would prevent
the operator from
knowing how many tokens to give back to the player.
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[0018] Accordingly, a system for accepting valid currency and rejecting
counterfeit
currency on a conventional gaming table would be beneficial to the gaming
industry. Such a
system would increase the casino's profitability by decreasing the amount of
counterfeit
currency it may receive. Moreover, a bill acceptor capable of accepting and
validating a stack
of notes would significantly decrease the delay involved in feeding one note
at a, time imtc- thP
bill acceptor. fmplementation oIe bill acceptor's into the operation of gaming
tables in a casino
environment allows a number of additional improvements over the existing
metllods of
operation. In view of the degree of sophistication involved and the necessary
design and
operation of such a bill acceptor that will be serviceable in the gaming
industry, it may also be
appreciated that a bill acceptor satisfying the requirements of the gaming
industry will have
wide application to a number of applications, including for example self serve
kiosks and
checkout counters.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0019] The present invention is directed to a note or bill acceptor, which
will accept various
notes, located on a gaming table. Due to, the expansion of the types of
currency and currency
substitutes which are accepted by current bill acceptors on current casino
gaming machines,
bills, vouchers, script, tickets and currency will be hereinafter collectively
referred to as "notes."
The bill acceptor of the present invention is directed to providing an
efficient way to accept
notes on a gaming table and simultaneously discriminate between authentic and
counterfeit
notes. Accordingly, a bill acceptor for accepting and rejecting notes on a
gaming table is set
forth which includes a validator assembly having a slot for receiving notes
and an associated
transport mechanism to pull the notes from the slot through the validator
assembly. i'f the note
is not authentic, the note can be transported to a bill rejection slot. If the
note is authentic, the
transport mechanism directs the note through an enclosed path down through (or
around) the
surface of the gaming table to a cash box. The bill acceptor is mounted to the
gaming table with
a mounting bracket, preferably so as to take advantage of the existing slot in
the top of the
gaming table into which the dealer or operator would normally insert the
notes.
[0020] According to the present invention, a player or the dealer places a
single or multitude
of notes down a wide slot leading to a bill acceptor. The bill acceptor
removes one note at a
time from the others and uses various optical and magnetic sensors to
determine the authenticity
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of each note. If the note does not meet the standards of the bill acceptor for
any reason, the note
is rejected. The transport mechanism may divert the rejected note to a bill
rejection slot, where
the note is returned to the playing surface of the gaming table. An override
"Accept" function
or button, to allow the dealer to accept a questionable note, is also
contemplated to allow the
dealer to accept the notes, even though the bill acceptor is rejecting them.
Alternatively, the
rejected note inay nonetheless be accepted with the" remainder of the valid
currency, for a
variety of reasons, if the bill acceptor software is programmed accordingly.
If the note is valid,
a transport mechanism conveys the note to a cash box for storage. A display
may indicate the
total value of the notes received.
[0021] The accepted notes may be securely and orderly stacked inside the cash
box if the
cash box is configured to include a stacker. A lock on the cash box door
prevents unauthorized
access to the notes inside the cash box. Moreover, the bill acceptor and cash
box can be
assembled from more than one component to ensure ease of installation onto the
gaming table.
Further, a bill guard can be installed around the bill acceptor to minimize
the possibility that a
player would reach over the gaming table and attempt to remove the notes as
they were being
fed into or rejected from the bill acceptor.
[0022] Incorporation of the bill acceptor into the gaming table allows for
significant
improvements in the protection against fraudulent practices as well as the
event auditing for
each gaming table. The bill acceptor is communicatively coupled to the
casino's central
computer system, either by hard wiring or wireless communication systems. The
bill acceptor
can be programmed to identify and accept counterfeit notes while notifying
security or
supervisory personnel of the receipt of such a note or notes. The bill
acceptor can also be
programmed to allow 1"or a full event auditing of all transactions, including
credit issuances,
markers, token fills voided tickets and markers and other types of casino
transactions. Further,
the fill acceptor may be configured to provide information on the exact status
of all transactions
to the Pit Boss, either upon activation of a display or reporting function or
via a hard wired or
wireless communication system.
[0023] The above described and many other features and advantages of the
present
invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed
description in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a gaming table with an installed bill
acceptor.
[0025] FIG. 2 is a representative cross sectional view of the bill acceptor
and a cash box
assembly.
[00261 FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a mounting bracket for mounting the
bill acceninr to
tne gaming table.
[0027] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a cashbox housing and power assembly of
the bill
acceptor.
[0028] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative configuration for a bill
acceptor and a
bill guard installed on a gaming table.
[0029] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of a
bill acceptor for
mounting on a gaming table.
[0030] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a bill
acceptor for
mounting on a gaming table.
[0031] FIG. 8 is a top view of a note feeder portion of the bill acceptor of
FIG. 7.
[0032] FIG. 9 is a side view of the note feeder portion of the bill acceptor
of FIG. 7.
[0033] FIG. 10 is a cross sectional cutaway side view of the note feeder
portion of the bill
acceptor of FIG. 7.
[0034] FIG. 11 is cross-sectional view of the lock assembly of the note feeder
portion of the
bill acceptor along a line 11-11 shown in FIG. 8.
[0035] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the note feeder portion of the bill
acceptor rotated to
expose the validator assembly.
[0036] . FIG. 13 is u. perspective view of the bill acceptor of FIG. 7 with a
note &Ueder rotuteU
upward and with the validator assembly being pulled out.
[0037] FIG. 14 is a schematic representation of a system that interconnects
the bill acceptors
on multiple gaming tables with a computer system according to the present
invention.
[0038] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of system event transactions for the
bill acceptor.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0039] Figure 1 provides a perspective view of a card type of gaming table 10
having a base
12 and a playing surface 14. The gaming table 10 as depicted has a dealer
station 16 opposed
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by semi-circularly arranged player positions. The gaming table 10 will
normally have a drop
slot 18, positioned proximate the dealer station 16, which defines a hole in
the gaming table 10
and allows for notes to be deposited into a cash box contained proximate the
base 12, or within
the base. While a card type gaming table is depicted, the invention is
applicable to other types
of gaming tables such as craps tables and roulette tables.
[0040] As further illustTated in the exemplary embodiment of Figure 1, a bill
acceptor 20 is
positioned on the playing surface 14 of the gaming table 10. The bill acceptor
20 includes a
housing 22 and a mounting bracket 24 to secure the housing 22 to the gaming
table 10. The
housing 22 includes a beze126 upon which notes can be stacked and sequentially
fed through a
slot 28 into the bill acceptor 20. The slot 28 generally comprises an opening
dimensioned to
receive the notes.
[0041] Figure 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of the bill acceptor 20 and an
associated cash
box 40 removed from the gaming table 10 of Figure 1. Within the bill acceptor
20, the notes are
transported through a validator assembly 30 by a transportation assembly 32,
as discussed
below. A bill separator 36 may be located proximate the slot 28. The notes
pass from the bill
separator 36 through a bill discriminator 38 to determine if the notes are
authentic. The bill
acceptor 20 also includes, at an opposite end of the housing 22, a bill
dispenser slot 34. In the
event that the bill discriminator 38 determines that a note inserted into the
validator assembly 30
is not authentic, the transportation assembly 32 passes the note through the
housing 22 to the
bill dispenser slot 34.
[0042] As illustrated, notes are to be inserted into the bill acceptor 20
through the slot 28.
Notes rejected by the validator assembly 30 are ejected through the bill
dispenser slot 34. Valid
notes ai-e deflected downward th_rough a slot 35 located.on the underside of
the housing 22
which is to be positioned over the drop slot 18 of the gaming table 10. In an
alternative
embodiment, the notes are directed to a location along the back edge of the
gaming table 10 to
then be transported to the cash box 40.
[0043] A power assembly 42 draws the valid notes away from the validator
assembly 30
and deposits them into the cash box 40, which is to be mounted below the
playing surface 14 of
the gaming table 10. The power assembly 42 also supplies power to and
exchanges information
with the validator assembly 30 through a power connector located on the
underside of the
housing 22 as discussed below. The cash box 40 is contained within a cash box
housing 78
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having a cash box door 43 and a door lock 44 to prevent unauthorized access to
the contents of
the cash box 40. The cash box 40 may simply be an open container having a slot
in the top
through which the notes are inserted. As depicted in FIG. 2 the cash box 40
receives and stacks
the notes. While the cash box 40 may have a single stacker for all of the
notes, it may be
preferable to have two stacker sections as depicted, wherein first stacker
section 45 receives and
neatly stacks currency. A second stacker 46' can be used to stack a selected
currency
denomination or alternatively all non-currency notes accepted by the bill
acceptor. As another
alternative, the second stacker 46 could be used to store "fill slips"
signifying additional chips
being brought to the gaming table. Thus, the second stacker 46 could be used
to store all
documents, or all non-currency items, received by the bill acceptor.
Accordingly, for this dual
stacker cash box, the power assembly 42 will have a transport system and a
deflector 47 to
allow the notes to be directed to the appropriate stacker along a first
transport path 48 or a
second transport path 49.
[0044] The validator assembly 30 contains a circuit board mounted validator
processor 50
which is also preferably connected to a central computer or server (shown in
FIG. 14) of the
casino. The validator processor 50 has various processing capabilities which
are known in the
art. Upon receipt of a note and determination of validity, a signal is sent to
the casino processor
or server signifying receipt as well as the denomination of the note. The
value of the notes
accepted by the validator assembly 30 can then be displayed on an LCD display
54.
[0045] There may be situations where some or all of the notes received are
rejected from the
validator assembly 30 even though it may be apparent to the dealer that the
rejected notes are
authentic. In this and other situations, the dealer may want to accept the
notes ir. spite of the
refiisal of the validdtor assembly 30. To override the decision of the
validator assembly 30, the .
dealer could activate an override input, such as an Accept button 56 which is
electrically
connected (not shown) to the validator processor 50. Pressing the Accept
button 56 will force
the validator assembly 30 to accept the notes and the transportation assembly
32 to transport the
notes to the cash box 40. Software associated with the bill acceptor 20 can be
provided to keep
track of the number of notes received as a result of the dealer overriding the
validator assembly
30.
[0046] If a player wants to place a bet with a dealer operating a casino game
on the gaming
table 10, casinos generally require the player to use the casino's own tokens
to play. The player
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may already have casino tokens in possession or may give notes to the dealer
who will
exchange the notes for an equivalent value of casino tokens. To validate the
notes received
from the player, the dealer or player places the stack of notes on the bezel
26. The bill separator
36 pulls off one note at a time through the slot 28. The technology of bill
separators is known
in the art, which includes feeding devices such as printers, photocopiers,
currency counters, and
automated teller machines that feed one sheet of paper, such as a note, from a
stack of paper or
notes.
[0047] The notes are then pulled into the bill discriminator 38 by the
transportation
assembly 32. Because they are electrically connected to one another, the bill
discriminator 38
can instruct the transportation assembly 32 to direct and transport validated
notes into the cash
box 40 and invalid notes to the bill dispenser slot 34. The transportation
assembly 32 includes
belts 60 and 62 that transport the note from the bill discriminator 38 to the
deflector 64.
Depending on the authenticity of the note processed, the bill discriminator 38
will send a signal
to a deflector 64 which directs the pathway of the note through the validator
assembly 30. If the
note is authentic, the deflector 64 will remain in an initial position to
direct the notes
downwards towards the cash box 40. In the event the note is not authentic
according to the bill
discriminator 38, the deflector 64 moves from the initial position to a
secondary position to
deflect the note to an exit or horizontal pathway out of validator assembly
30.
[0048] It is understood that the transportation assembly 32 discussed above is
an exemplary
embodiment for illustration purposes only. Other transportation systems well
known or apparent
to one skilled in the art are to be included within the scope of the present
invention. In addition,
in ai-i alternative.embodiment, the slot 28 and the bill dispenser slot 34 may
be the same.
[0049] As ill strated in the cross-sectional view of Figure 2, the
transportation assembly 32
transports valid notes past the deflector 64 to slot 35, which is positioned
opposite a narrow
extension of the power assembly 42, configured to extend up through the drop
slot 18 of the
gaming table 10. At the top of the narrow extension is a slit 70 into which
the notes are
directed. After entering the slit 70, the note passes between two wheels 72
and 74, driven by
belts 66 and 68, respectively which draw the note down towards the cash box 40
and away from
the validator assembly 30. The belt 66 extends down to the top of the cash box
40 to direct
notes to the first stacker 45 of the cash box 40 if a deflector 47 is in an
initial position according
to the type of note. Belt 68, driven by a motor drive 69 and passing over or
around various idler
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wheels, drives belt 66 and controls the direction of notes directed to the
second stacker 46 of the
cash box 40 if the deflector 47 moves to a second position.
[0050] The bill acceptor 20 may be composed of multiple modules that
facilitate installation
on a gaming table 10, including for example the mounting bracket 24, the
validator assembly
30, and the cash box housing 78 which contains the power assembly 42 as well
as the cash box
40. The validator assembi y 30 can be an independent component and compact
assembly, for
example, about the width and length of two U.S. currency bills placed
consecutively
lengthwise. The mounting bracket 24 is adapted to receive and securely hold
the validator
assembly 30 to the gaming table 10.
[0051] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the mounting bracket 24 may have a base plate
84 that is
connected to two plates 86 extending upward and two plates 88 extending
downward. The base
plate 84 has an opening 90 that is similar in size to the opening of the drop
slot 18. The upward
plates 86, which rise upward from the base plate 84 and contain overhangs 92
and 94, secure the
validator assembly 30 from the top, underside, and each side parallel to the
length of the
validator assembly 30. A locking mechanism may be provided on the validator
assembly 30 so
that it can mate and lock with a lock receiver to secure the validator
assembly 30 to the
mounting bracket 24.
[0052] The plates 88, which extend downward from the base plate 84, are
parallel to the
wider wall of the drop slot 18. The lower ends of the plates 88 extend down
the full length of
the drop slot 18. At the lower end, the plates 86 may include flanges 96 that
clip to the
underside of the gaming table 10. To install the mounting bracket 24, the
plates 88 are inserted
into and pushed through the drop slot 18. After the flar~ges 96 extend past
the end of the drop
slot 18, the fl a.ngQs_ 96 grip onto the gaming table 10,, preventing the
removal of the mounting
bracket 24. To remove the mounting bracket 24 from the gaming table 10, the
flanges 96 must
be squeezed together from below the gaming table 10.
[0053] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the top of the narrow extension of the power
assembly 42
includes a plurality of pin contacts 100 located extending from the power
assembly 42 toward
the validator assembly 30. The pin contacts 100 may be spring-loaded to
maximize contact
between the pin contacts 100 and contacts located on the base of the validator
assembly 30. The
pin contacts 100 and contacts on the validator assembly 30 are made of alloys
that allow
transfer of electrical power and data between the validator assembly 30 and
the power assembly
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42. Alternatively, pin contacts 100 may be used primarily to transfer power
from the power
assembly 42 to the validator assembly 30, whereas an optical coupling device
102 on the power
assembly 42 communicates with an optical coupling device on the validator
assembly 30 to
transfer data information.
[0054] The pin contacts 100 are attached to a power supply and controller in
the Dower
assembly 42. A cable 10-' can be provided to couple power to the power
assembly 42 and also
electrically couple the controller of the power supply 42 to a computer server
(shown in FIG.
14) in the casino. Alternatively, wireless technology can be used to
communicate information
between the bill acceptor 20 and a computer server in the casino.
[0055] As illustrated in FIG. 5, a bill guard 106 attaches to the gaming table
10 and is
positioned near the bill acceptor 20. The bill guard 106 minimizes the
possibility that a player
could reach onto the gaming table and remove the notes as they were being fed
into or rejected
from the bill acceptor. The bill guard 106 can be made of a translucent
material such as high
impact plastic. The bill guard 106 will allow the dealer and players to watch
the bills as they
are inserted into or rejected from the validator assembly 30. The bill
acceptor 20 depicted in
Figure 5 is an alternative embodiment, where the bezel 26 and the bill
dispenser 34 are
positioned on the same side of the validator assembly 30.
[00561 As depicted in an alternative embodiment in Figure 6, the bill acceptor
20 is
enclosed within an integrated housing 78 containing the cash box 40. To
install the bill
acceptor 20 on the gaming table 10, a hole is cut into the gaming table 10.
The hole may need
to be larger than the drop slot 18. The bill acceptor 20 is mounted through
this hole such that
the validator assembly 30 is above the playing surface 14 and the cash box 40
is below.
Mounting meinbLi~s 76 are provided to secure the bill acceptor 30 to the
gaming table 10. . The
internal components of the bill acceptor 30 in the exemplary embodiment, such
as the
transportation assembly 32, bill separator 36, and the bill discriminator 38,
would be used in this
alternative embodiment.
[0057] In view of the foregoing discussion, it may be readily understood that
alternative
embodiments are contemplated. For example, a slot for receiving money can be
located
proximate to each player position. Because the slot includes an opening
adapted to receive
notes, the slot could be located on the playing surface of the gaming table,
along the border of
the gaming table or under the playing surface of the gaming table. A player
could insert a note
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into the slot or place the note on a bezel leading to the slot. A bill
separator positioned
proximate the slot could pull off one note at a time from the bezel. A
transportation assembly
generally similar to the system disclosed above would transport the note to a
bill discriminator.
There may be at least one bill discriminator per table to validate notes
received from the slots.
Valid notes may be transported to one central cash box or a plurality of cash
boxes per gaming
table. if one bill discrimiiiator is installed proxirnate to each player
position, a cash box may be
installed proximate to each bill discriminator. This increases the number of
cash boxes that
need to be replaced by the casino personnel, but it also increases the
cumulative note storage
capacity on a gaming table. In addition, the increased storage capacity may
decrease the
frequency of replacements of filled cash boxes with empty ones. It is also
possible to install
only one central cash box per gaming table regardless of the number of bill
discriminators. In
such a configuration a transportation assembly positioned within or below the
top of the gaming
table will carry valid notes to a cash box and will return invalid notes to
the player.
[0058] Once the bill discriminator determines the denomination and
authenticity of the
received note, the bill discriminator may send a signal to an LCD display 54
visible to the dealer
and/or the player to indicate how much money a particular player has inserted.
The LCD
display 54 may indicate the total amount received, or list all of the bills
and their amounts in
addition to the total amount received. Further, by providing a numeric LCD
display 54 showing
the amount of received on the surface of the gaming table, security cameras
can more readily
monitor the intake of money or notes and disbursement of chips by the
operator. After giving
the equivalent amount in casino tokens to the player, the dealer can reset the
reading on the
LCD display. in this manner, the dealer can still control when the bets are
placed, but docsn't
._waste time in ceiiecting, counting and verifying the authenticity of the
notes collected. In_the,
event the notes are rejected, the notes may be returned through the slot used
for inserting money
or a separate slot for rejected notes.
[0059] FIG. 7 depicts another embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 7, bill
acceptor 120 is
to be mounted on the gaming table 10 in a manner whereby a bulk note feeder
assembly 110 is
positioned at the edge of the gaming table 10 next to where the dealer will
stand. The bulk note
feeder assembly 110 includes a bulk note chute 112 having a tapering and
curving cross
sectional configuration allowing the dealer to insert a stack of up to twenty
or thirty notes into
the bill acceptor 120. The bill separator described above will be enclosed in
a housing 134 and
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positioned opposite a bottom opening of the bulk note chute 112 to
sequentially pull the notes
from the bulk note chute 112 into the bill acceptor 120. Notes to be rejected
(if the computer
software is so programmed) are passed to a note dispense assembly 114
positioned on the
gaming table 10 inset from the bulk note chute 112. The bulk note chute 112 is
pivotally
mounted to the note dispense assembly 114 such that the bulk note chute 112
can swing upward
and l,i,ovide access to thf- bill separator and va?idaLorVssembly within the
housing 134. A lock
assembly is provided to fix the bulk note chute 112 in place.
[0060] The bill acceptor 120 may be mounted onto. the table 10 or along the
edge of the
table 10 so that the location of the bill acceptor 120 is convenient to use
for the dealer and the
housing 134, which encloses the validator assembly 30 and the cash box 40, is
hidden under the
table 10. For instance, in a gaming table application, the bill acceptor 120
may be coupled to an
edge of a gaming table 10 so that the bulk note chute 112 is located near a
dealer's right hand.
The bulk note chute 112 has an intake opening 136 adapted to receive the
notes. For instance,
the intake opening 136 may receive thirty or more notes at one time.
[0061] To mount the bill acceptor 120 to the edge of a gaming table 10, a
cavity 138 may be
formed on the edge of the gaming table 10. The cavity 138 may be cut into the
gaming table 10
and sized to receive a neck portion 140 of the bulk note feeder assembly 112
so that the note
dispense assembly 114 protrudes from the top surface of the gaming table 10
while the housing
134 is located underneath the gaming table 10. The bulk note chute 112
protrudes from the
edge of the gaming table 10. Drinks that may be accidentally spilled onto the
gaming table are
prevented from entering the bulk note chute 112 and the note dispense assembly
114.
Alternatively, the bulk note feeder assembly 110 may be configured so that the
top surface is
flush with the tol> surface of the gaming table 14 once it is mounted to the
gaming table 10.
[0062] One or more notes inserted into the intake opening 136 are sequentially
processed
by the validator assembly 30, as described above, to determine whether each of
the notes is
valid or not. The validator assembly 30 may have an inlet slot 28 (shown in
FIG. 13) that is
adapted to take in one note at a time from the plurality of notes inserted
into the intake opening
136 of the bulk note chute 112. In particular, the inlet slot 28 may take in
each of the plurality
of notes along the narrow edge of the rectangular shape note. As such, the
notes inserted into
the intake opening 136 of the bulk note chute 112 will be provided to the
inlet slot 28 of the
validator 30 along a predetermined orientation, i.e., along the narrow edge of
the rectangular
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shape note. The validator assembly 30 and cash box 40 held within the housing
134 may be
placed underneath the gaming table 10 for safe keeping and out of the way of
the dealer and
players around the gaming table. With the intake opening 136 of the bulk note
feeder assembly
110 protruding from the side 142 of the gaming table, a dealer may locate the
intake opening
136 by touch and insert the notes into the intake opening 136 to minimize
losing eye contact
with eiie players around tIre table,whiie di=opping rh67iiotes into the intake
openirig 136 of the
note feeder 132.
[0063] FIG. 8 is a top view of the bulk note feeder assembly 110 showing the
intake
opening 136 adapted to receive notes and the note dispense assembly 114 having
a note
rejection slot 144 adapted to dispense notes that are invalid or cannot be
authenticated by the
validator assembly 30. The notes inserted into the intake opening 136 may be
transported to the
validator assembly 30 located underneath the gaming table 10 to determine
whether each of the
notes is valid or not. The valid notes may be stored in the cash box 40
provided within the
housing 134. The invalid notes or notes that cannot be authenticated by the
validator assembly
30 may be rejected through the note rejection slot 144. The intake opening 136
and the note
rejection slot 144 may be provided on the top surface of the note feeder 132
to allow a dealer to
conveniently insert at least one note into the intake opening 136, and
retrieve the rejected notes,
if any, from the rejection slot 144.
[0064] A hinge 130 may be provided between the bulk note chute 112 and the
note dispense
assembly 114 to allow the bulk note chute 112 to pivot between a downward
position (as shown
in FIG. 9) and an upward position (as shown in FIG. 13) relative to the note
dispense assembly
114. The hinge 130 may be configured such that vvhen the bulk note chute 112
is in the upward
position, the Elage 130 may maintain the bulk note chute 112 in the upward
position without a
holding pin or other staying device. The bulk note chute 112 may include a
lock assembly 128
so that when the bulk note chute 112 is in the downward position, the lock
assembly 128 locks
the bulk note chute 112 in place relative to the note dispense assembly 114 to
prevent the bulk
note chute 112 from pivoting upwards. As discussed in more detail below, when
the bulk note
chute 112 is in the upward position, the inlet slot 28 of the validator
assembly 30 may be
exposed and the validator assembly 30 may be withdrawn from the housing 134
for
maintenance.
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[0065] FIGS. 9 and 10 show a side view, and a cross-sectional cutaway view,
respectively
of the bulk note feeder assembly 110 as illustrated in FIG. 7. As illustrated
in FIGS. 7-10, the
bulk note chute 112 is defined by an inner wall 152 which, in the construction
as shown in FIG.
7, is essentially aligned with the edge of the table 10. Opposite the inner
wall 152 is the outer
wall 154, which is slanted inward toward the inner wall 152 to define the bulk
note chute 112.
The front outer wall 15-L preferably includes a tactile indicator 158 which
may include raised or
depressed lettering, an arrow or dollar signs, etc. as depicted in FIG. 8.
Oppositely disposed
side walls 162 and 164 extend from the inner wall 152 to the outer wall 154 to
define the side
boundaries of the bulk note chute 112. The side walls 162 and 164 are either
curved or taper
towards one another at their lower edges. The taper is adapted so that bills
which are not
edgewise aligned can be dropped into the top of the bulk note chute 112 and,
as they drop out
the bottom of the bulk note chute 112, they will be more organized edgewise by
the tapering
effect of the side walls 162 and 164. A display panel 166 may be incorporated
into a surface of
either the inner wall 152 or the outer wall 154. Alternatively, the display
panel 166 can be
incorporated onto the note dispense assembly 114.
[0066] As best depicted in the side view of FIG. 9 and the cross-section view
of FIG. 10, the
outer wall 154 extends up higher than the inner wall 152. This may provide a
raised surface so
that when the dealer brings the notes backward from the table, they can be
placed into the bulk
note chute 112 and engaged against the outer wall 154 thereof without first
dropping below the
level of the table 10. As also illustrated in the cross-sectional view of FIG.
10, the outer wall
154 extends up to a crest 168 from which it extends outward and then downward
as shown at
handle 170 to form a recess 172 suitable for gripping and lifting the bulk
note chute 112
upward.
[0067] Attached to the bottom of the walls forming the intake opening 136 is
the chute 150.
The chute 150 is defined by a top wall 182 which intersects and transitions
from the bottom of
the inner wall 152 of intake opening 136. The bottom of chute 150 is formed by
the bottom
wall 184 which extends from a smooth transition at the bottom of outer wall
154 and gradually
curves from a vertically upward angle to a horizontal termination point at the
bottom of the
chute 150. Side walls 186 and 188 are continuous with the side walls 162 and
164, respectively,
and together with the bottom wall 184, define the channel of the chute 150. At
the lower edge
of the chute 150 is a flange assembly 190 which allows interconnection and
securement to the
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front edge of the validator assembly 30 so that an outlet slot 192 formed at
the bottom of chute
150 aligns with the inlet slot of the validator assembly 30.
[0068] The bottom wall 184 of chute 150 may include one or more slots or holes
194 which
do not interfere with the progress of the bill or stack of notes as it
progresses over the surface of
the bottom wall 184. The holes 194 prevent liquids poured or spilled into the
bulk note chute
i 12 irom passing fronl the bulk note chute 112~''into the bill validator
assembly 30. As
illustrated, the cross-sectional view of FIG. 10, the surfaces of the bulk
note chute 112 and in
particular the transition between intake opening 136 and the chute 150 are
configured so as to
allow the smooth progression of notes inserted to the intake opening 136 down
through chute
150 and so that they can be provided to the validator assembly 30.. If a stack
of notes having a
thickness greater than the width or height of the channel chute 150 at its
base are placed into the
intake opening 136, the upper most notes will be constrained by the top wall
182 until enough
notes are removed from the bottom of this stack by the validator assembly 30
to allow all of the
notes to drop to the bottom and, sequentially, be pulled into the validator
assembly 30. By this
configuration, a stack of notes may be quickly and efficiently processed once
inserted into the
intake opening 136 by the bill acceptors 120.
[0069] Before inserting a plurality of notes into the intake opening 136, a
dealer may
organize the plurality of rectangular shape notes so that they are roughly
aligned relative to each
other. The dealer may then insert the plurality of the notes along their
narrow edges first into
the intake opening 136. The outer wall 154 of the intake opening 136 may have
a tactile
indicator 158 such as an arrow which points in the downward direction. The
tactile indicator
158 may be in the form of a large recessed arrow. The tactile indicator 158
may optionally
include sensc I-s to detect the motion of the notes passing through the cbute
150 Ato monitor the
location of the notes within the chute 150. Depending on the location of the
notes in the chute
150, the tactile indicator 158 functions as a touch sensed indicator for the
dealer or user that the
notes inserted into the intake opening 136 may need to be pushed further into
the chute 150.
[0070] The tactile indicator 158 may be back lit to indicate that the note or
a stack of notes
need to be pushed further into the chute 150. Once inserted into the chute
150, the notes may be
then transported by gravity or a vacuum down the note chute 150 toward the
inlet slot 28 of the
validator assembly 30. The chute 150 has a smooth curved configuration so that
the notes may
be inserted substantially along the vertical axis into the intake opening 136
and exit out of the
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chute 150 substantially along a horizontal axis. The curved configuration of
the chute 150
aligns the stack of rectangular shape notes so that the notes exit through the
outlet 192 in an
orderly fashion along their narrow edges and into the inlet slot 28 of the
validator assembly 30.
The validator assembly 30 may be provided with the bill separator 36, as
described above, to
pull one note at a time from the notes provided through the chute 150.
[0I; 7fl The chute 130 nlay be secured to the note'feeder 132 via fastening
mechanisms such
as screws. The internal surfaces of the chute 150 may be coated with a
substance to minimize
the friction between the interior surface of the chute 150 and the notes so
that the notes pass
through the chute 150 easily.
[0072] When the bulk note chute 112 is in the downward position, a set of
fingers 196
located below the outlet 192 insert into openings in the validator assembly 30
so as to align the
chute 150 and validator assembly 30. A set of pins 200 on the validator
assembly 36 may act as
sensors such that when the chute 150 is coupled to the validator assembly 30,
the sensor pins
200 indicate to the validator assembly 30 that the bulk note feeder assembly
110 is in the
downward position. Once the validator receive a signal from the sensors, the
validator 30 may
indicate through the display panel 166 that bill acceptor 130 is able to
receive notes. In
addition, a variety of information about the notes may be provided to the
display panel 166. For
instance, the validator assembly 30 may provide information about the total
amount of notes
inserted. The different denominations of notes included in a stack of notes;
and rejected notes,
if any, from the stack of notes. The validator assembly 30 may also provide
information about
the working status of the bill acceptor 120 and the validator assembly 30. The
validator
assembly 30 may also be connected to a network within a casino so that dealers
can be provided
with messag~ ~, through the display panel 166 on each of the gaming tables.
[0073] FIG. 11 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the lock assembly 128
along the line 11
- 11 shown in FIG. 8. The lock assembly 128 may have a lock cylinder 204
adapted to receive
a key to rotate the lock assembly 128 between locked and unlocked positions.
In the unlocked
position, the bulk note feeder assembly 110 may pivot upward relative to the
note dispense
assembly 114 and move between the downward and upward positions. In the
unlocked
position, the note feeder 132 of the bulk note chute 112 may be detached from
the note dispense
assembly 114 and the chute 150 so that the note feeder 132 may be replaced
with a note feeder
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having different dimensions configured to receive different sized notes. This
way, currencies
from other countries may be inserted into the note feeder 132 of the bill
acceptor 120.
[0074] The cross-sectional view of FIG. 10 of the bulk note feeder assembly
110 best
illustrates note dispense chute 206 within the note dispense assembly 114. The
note dispense
chute 206 extends from a bill dispense slot 34 on the top of validator
assembly 30 to the note
i cj,~.ction- slot 144 oi'.the iiute di5l:re-rise assenlbiy i i4: "'ln FIG. 6,
the bill tiisperise slot 34 of th~
validator assembly 30 is shown on the back end of the housing 22.
Alternatively, the bill
dispense slot 34 may be formed on a forward top surface of the housing 22 so
that notes rejected
through the bill dispense slot 34 may be provided to the note dispense chute
206 located above
the bill dispense slot 34. If one or more notes cannot be validated or
authenticated by the
validator assembly 30, then the invalid note may be rejected through the bill
dispense slot 34 of
the validator assembly 30 and passed to the note dispense chute 206 which
directs the invalid
note to the note rejection slot 144. A dealer may retrieve the invalid note
from the note
rejection slot 144 and give back the invalid note to the player who provided
the invalid note to
the dealer. Depending on the venue in which the bill acceptor is employed,
i.e., gaming table,
kiosk or the like, the note dispense chute 186 may or may not be employed.
[0075] FIG. 12 illustrates the bulk note chute 112 in the upward position
which exposes the
validator assembly 30. FIG. 13 illustrates that once the bulk note chute 112
is in the upward
position, the validator assembly 30 may be withdrawn from the housing 134 for
maintenance or
servicing. This figure illustrates the inlet slot 28 and the bill dispense
slot 34 of the validator
assembly 30. The validator assembly 30 may be removed or withdrawn partially
without
exposing the cash box 40 within the housing_134 to minimize the risk of the
cash box being
stolen or F-;cing tampered with by an unauthorized person. This aliows a
technician to
troubleshoot the validator assembly 30 in the event of a jam without having to
disassemble the
entire bill acceptor 120.
[0076] The housing 134 may have a lower jaw 208 adapted to pivot about a pivot
point 210
on the housing 134. The lower jaw 208 may pivot between a lower position as
shown in FIG.
13 and an upward position as shown in FIG. 7. The lower jaw 208 may have
locking edges 210
adapted to engage with the flange of the chute 150 when the bulk note feeder
assembly 110 is in
the lower position, and the lower jaw 208 is pushed up towards the upward
position.
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[0077] FIG. 14, schematically depicts multiple gaming tables 10,1010,2010 each
having bill
acceptors 20,30,120 that are interconnected over a low-level network 1130 to
an Ethernet 1140.
FIG. 14 shows six card tables 10, two roulette tables 1010 and two craps
tables 2010, however,
it is to be understood that any type and number of tables 10,1010,2010 can be
interconnected
and that multiple groups of tables, each group being overseen by a Pit Boss,
may be
?n,*. ~rconnectedF ~, Ts.~.~e Ethcru a,114-0 jiia.y aiso ot conntbtecà to a
gathering processor'I 142 which
is responsible for gathering game-related information from each bill acceptor
20,30,120 at each
game table 10,1010,2010 via network 1130 and for transferring the game-related
information to
other computers on the Ethernet 1140. Gathering Processor 1142 relays this
information to a
router 1144. Router 1144 is the router for the Ethernet 1140. The data
received by the router
1144 is relayed to the pit workstation 1146 and to the structured query
language Database
Server 1148, the Database Server 1148 houses the system database for the
casino and, in most
cases, the majority of the system applications themselves. In addition to the
validators of the
various gaming tables, the Database Server 1148 may also be interconnected via
the Ethernet
1140 or a second low level network 1131 to a plurality (n) of gaming machines
within the
casino, or within other casinos, and to the note validators therein. This
interconnectivity allows
the Database Server 1148 to control the printing and cancellation of tickets
at the gaming
machines as well as at the gaming tables.
[0078] In the foregoing system, the pit workstation 1146 is the primary
interface between
pit personnel responsible for a group of gaming tables 10,1010,2010 as shown
in. FIG. 14, and
the interface with the Database Server 1148 and a host management system 1150.
The pit
personnel can view individual game or table information at the pit worksiation
1146 for a giver
game tablF 1 t?,1010,2010 and execute system functions on the pit workstation
1146 including
printing of certain types of tickets and reporting to the Database Server
1148. Optionally, the
pit workstation 1146 may be configured to couple with handheld or portable
computer devices
1147, such as personal data assistants ("PDA"), to download information
directly to the PDA
for pit personnel and/or the Pit Boss, so that the Pit Boss does not need to
stay by the pit
workstation 1146 to receive updates.
[0079] The system of FIG. 14 also depicts a number of additional computers or
workstations connected via Ethernet 1140. The console computer 1154 ensures
that all
functions and processes are conducted in accordance with the rules and
regulations established
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by the users and administrators having authority to access the system. The
player tracking
gateway computer 1156 serves as an interface between the host management
system 1150 and
the marketing database of a casino management system. The host management
system 1150
may have an administrator terminal 1158. The player-tracking gateway computer
1156 enables
the merge of slot and table tracking into a common database. Computers
operating as the
gathering processor 1142, router. 1144, console coinputer = i'154, piayer
tracking gateway
computer 1156 and the host management system 1150 with its administrator
terminal 1158 may
all be individual applications found within one computer such as the Database
server 1148.
[0080] The Ethernet 1140 also provides the capacity for interconnecting the
various
computers to cash or vending kiosks 1162 as well as to cashier stations 1164
throughout the
casino, either of which can provide players with a location to exchange
vouchers, tickets and/or
chips for cash. Further, the Ethernet 1140 allows connection to the count room
computer 1166,
located in the count room, so that all information available from the bill
acceptors 20,30,120
located at each gaming table 10,1010,2010 is communicated to the count room.
When a cash
box from a bill acceptor 20,30,120 is delivered to the count room, the
accumulated cash and
other notes removed from the individual cash box can be verified against the
electronically
gathered information.
[0081] The network topology of FIG. 14 may vary considerably from casino to
casino and
from application to application. FIG. 14 is simply an illustration of an
approach and is not
meant to limit the teachings of the present invention as contained herein. The
computer systems
may be personal computer-based systems having conventional input such as
keyboards, mouse
controls, touch screens, bar code/ticket readers and printers: The teachings
of the system of the
present :_wention are independent of the specific nature and type of computer
system and input
devices as casinos generally have these computer components in place. The
existing computer
systems can be augmented to accommodate the advantages made available by
implementation
of the bill acceptors 20,30,120 at the gaming tables 10,1010,2010 with the
addition of software
modules and the appropriate hardware connections.
[0082] As in the case of the networked computer system, the specific
implementation of the
necessary software programs to integrate the present invention into a casino
management
system will need to be compatible with the existing or to be implemented
software in the
Database Server 1148. The following discussion of the various functions to be
implemented
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into the software module are therefore described in a manner to be exemplary
in nature, it being
understood that the concepts herein can be developed by those skilled with the
various software
operating systems utilized by casinos.
[0083] The provision of the bill acceptors 20 interconnected via the Ethernet
1140 to the
supervisory stations allows for a number of additional transaction or "Events"
to be accounted
for at each garning table f fl; l0'10,2010-. "Y'here are a rinb-er of
transaction e'vents c6titemplated
by the present system, as illustrated in the flow chart of FIG. 15.
Transaction events include, by
way of example only, coded tickets representing the following types of
transactions:
[0084] An Opener Event is, for example, the receipt of a note, cash or ticket
for example a
ticket printed by a slot machine, from a player that is exchanged for tokens
or chips when a
player wishes to join or continue playing on the gaming table 10,1010,2010.
[0085] A Credit Event is a transaction in which a dealer at a gaming table
returns chips to a
cashier or chip bank in the casino in exchange for a credit ticket. The
cashier prints a credit
ticket that is returned to the dealer and credit ticket is inserted into the
bill acceptor so that the
system including the Database Server 1148 and pit workstation 1146 are advised
that chips are
being taken from a table and returned to a cashier or chip bank.
[0086] A Fill Event occurs when a game table 10,1010,2010 requires additional
chips from
a cashier station or chip bank. A Fill Event may be requested whenever a
gaming table
10,1010,2010 is first opened as the table will need to be provided with chips.
A Fill Event may
also be required when there is a substantial buy-in by -a player or when a
player wins a
substantial amount and the table requires additional chips. A Fill Event
ticket is either printed
at the gaming table 10,1010,2010 by the bill acceptor 20,30,120 or at the pit
worksiation 1146.
Once tl_ 'rill Event ticket is printed, it is taken to a cashier station to
serve as the receipt of
tokens from the cashier. The cashier scans the Fill Event ticket in a manner
such that it is
reported to the Database Server 1148 and issues the tokens. The tokens,
preferably with the Fill
Event ticket, are then taken to the Gaming Table 10,1010,2010 and the Fill
Event ticket is
inserted into the bill validator 20.
[0087] A System Marker Event is the issuance of marker, or credit, provided to
a casino
patron. For example, a patron known to the casino may request from the Pit
Boss or another
supervisor that a marker be issued. Upon such a request, the Pit Boss may
initiate a transaction
whereby a marker ticket is printed, for example at the Pit Workstation 1146 of
FIG. 14, and
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accepted or signed for by a patron. The marker ticket is essentially a
withdrawal from or charge
against an account maintained by the casino for the specific patron. The
issuance of the System
Marker is reported to the Database Server 1148, as well as to the host
management system 1150
and the count room. The patron (or Pit Boss) takes the marker ticket to a
gaming table and the
marker ticket is inserted into the bill acceptor 20,30,120 so that the dealer
may issue playing
. .
,-hlps or token,- ~~ ' ~i ~...: ~.i,_~t ..1~~' =.~terit to tlit; valu;; oi
"ihe m rkei; ticket.
[0088] The acceptance of the System Marker by the bill acceptor 20,30,120 is a
System
"issuance" to "receipt" Marker Receipt Event. The issuance of the System
Marker is reported
to the Database Server 1148, as well as to the host management system 1150 and
the count
room.
[0089] A Closer Event occurs when a gaming table is taken out of service and
all chips are
returned to the cashier station. The chips are counted and the Pit Boss, or
the -cashier generates a
closer ticket either at the pit workstation 1146 or at the gaming table
10,1010,2010 on the bill
acceptor 20,30,120. The closer ticket is inserted into the bill acceptor
20,30,120 where it is
recorded. A copy may also be delivered with the tokens to the cashier station.
When the cash
box from the bill acceptor 20,30,120 is taken to the counting room, all of the
transactions from
the Opening Event to the Closing Event are tabulated and compared to the notes
in the cash box
including the transaction event tickets.
[0090] To allow for circumstances where communication with the casino's
central Database
Server 1148 may not be available, provision is made to allow a Pit Boss to
generate a Manual
Marker. The Manual Marker may be a marker ticket that is issued on credit or
against a deposit
for selected patrons. A Manual Markerticket may be printed for example at the
pit-workstation
1146 ca~?r': rg a Manual Marker Event. When thc Manual Marker is 'Laken to the
gaming table
and accepted by the bill acceptor, whereupon a Manual Marker Receipt Event
occurs, and the
dealer issues to the player a selected number of chips represented by the
Manual Marker. The
Manual Marker Event and Manual Marker Receipt Event will be reported to the
Database
Server 1148 when system communications are restored.
[0091] As will be appreciated by casino management personnel, the allowance
for positive
on-line validation and reporting of each of the foregoing transaction events
is a substantial
improvement in the overall accountability and security of gaming table
transactions.
Specifically, all interactions between the cashier stations, Pit Boss, player
transactions, and the
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count room are reported to the Database Server 1148. The reporting functions
required by
gaming control boards can be generated by the Database Server 1148 on whatever
schedule is
desired. In addition, the Pit Boss can be freed up to attend to customer
needs, and to more
effectively monitor the games, as the pit workstation 1146 and PDA 1147 advise
the Pit Boss of
all significant transactions.
[0092] ihe rxtl#! a:.-a:cptoi 20 caii4*&-programn.ied so that it accept a-
number of different types of notes besides currency. The bill acceptor
20,30,120 may also
preferably include a printer which allows the bill acceptor to print out
various types of tickets
including for example a cash out ticket that can be issued to a player. These
features, together
with the interconnection to the casino server system allow for a number of
enhancements in the
control of the table gaming events that benefit the patron. As a first
example, by the
incorporation of the bill acceptors 20,30,120 at each gaming table
1031010,2010, a customer
who receives a printed ticket from a slot machine type of gaming device having
a ticket-in and
ticket-out capabilities can provide the printed ticket at the gaming table.
The ticket can be
scanned and accepted by the bill acceptor 20,30,120 which intercoimects
through the network
1130 to the Database Server 1148 to verify the ticket that had been printed by
the slot machine.
Once the Database Server 1148 validates the ticket, it sends a signal back to
the operator of the
game table (and the Pit Boss) to indicate the amount of money, in the form of
tokens or chips, to
be provided to the player/patron.
[0093] If necessary, any differential between multiples of the value of chips
and the amount
of a ticket can be printed and issued as a new ticket by the bill acceptor.
For example, if a
player provides a ticket having a value. of $58 to a gaming table ha-ving a
minimum chip value
of $5. bill acceptor 20,30,120 can print ouL a $3 ticket while the dealer
distributes $55 in
chips to the customer. In this configuration, the bill acceptor 20,30,120
reads the bar code on
the ticket, sends a signal to the server thereby providing the tracking number
from the bar code
of the ticket to the Database Server 1148. The Database Server 1148 checks the
ticket number
as against the issuance number which it provided when the ticket was printed
by a slot machine
and from that number determines if the ticket has previously been redeemed. If
the ticket
number has not been redeemed, then the Database Server 1148 provides a signal
to the bill
acceptor 20,30,120 at the table 10,1010,2010 indicating the amount of credits
to be redeemed
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CA 02579346 2007-03-06
WO 2006/031918 PCT/US2005/032798
against the ticket. The amount can be displayed to the dealer and optionally
to the player on a
display screen which may be included on the bill acceptor 20,30,120.
[0094] In view of the foregoing discussion, it may be readily understood that
alternative
embodiments are contemplated. For example, a slot for receiving money can be
located
proximate to each player position. Because the slot includes an opening
adapted to receive
notes, the,:slvt c~ iA~ loeate,d on. tl"ic piui~~
yg -ui la~,~~b~:~'th~ g~ti~xg table, along the'bc~rder of
the gaming table or under the playing surface of the gaming table. A player
could insert a note
into the slot or place the note on a bezel leading to the slot. A bill
separator positioned
proximate the slot could pull off one note at a time from the bezel. A
transportation assembly
generally similar to the system disclosed above would transport the note to a
bill discriminator.
There may be at least one bill discriminator per table to validate notes
received from the slots.
Valid notes may be transported to one central cash box or a plurality of cash
boxes per gaming
table. If one bill discriminator is installed proximate to each player
position, a cash box may be
installed proximate to each bill discriminator. This increases the number of
cash boxes that
need to be replaced by the casino personnel, but it also increases the
cumulative note storage
capacity on a gaming table. In addition, the increased storage capacity may
decrease the
frequency of replacements of filled cash boxes with empty ones. It is also
possible to install
only one central cash box per gaming table regardless of the number of bill
discriminators. In
such a configuration a transportation assembly positioned within or below the
top of the gaming
table will carry valid notes to a cash box and will return invalid notes to
the player.
[0095] Once the bill discriminator determines the denomination and
authenticity of the
received note, the bill discriminator may send a signal to an LCD display 54
visible .to the dealer
and/Rr {ire player to indicate how much money a particular player has
inserted. The LCD
display 54 may indicate the total amount received, or list all of the bills
and their amounts in
addition to the total amount received. Further, by providing a numeric LCD
display 54 showing
the amount of received on the surface of the gaming table, security cameras
can more readily
monitor the intake of money or notes and disbursement of chips by the
operator. After giving
the equivalent amount in casino tokens to the player, the dealer can reset the
reading on the
LCD display. In this manner, the dealer can still control when the bets are
placed, but doesn't
waste time in collecting, counting and verifying the authenticity of the notes
collected. In the
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event the notes are rejected, the notes may be returned through the slot used
for inserting money
or a separate slot for rejected notes.
[0096] Having thus described different embodiments of the invention, other
variations and
embodiments that do not depart from the spirit of the invention will become
readily apparent to
those skilled in the art. The scope of the present invention is thus not
limited to any one
particular bwv.is .tzoie, d ;~et ~'<?rtka :-nd-th--lEgal ciiuivalents .
thereof.
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