U.S. patent application number 11/202304 was filed with the patent office on 2007-03-15 for inventory manager-chip kiosk.
This patent application is currently assigned to JCM American Corporation. Invention is credited to Ewoud A. Budding, Gwen D. Mathis.
Application Number | 20070060307 11/202304 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37855956 |
Filed Date | 2007-03-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070060307 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mathis; Gwen D. ; et
al. |
March 15, 2007 |
Inventory manager-chip kiosk
Abstract
A chip dispensing kiosk including a vault for holding casino
chips, a dispensing assembly for dispensing selected numbers of
casino chips and security and input systems to allow a pit boss to
access the kiosk and have the kiosk dispense selected numbers of
chips. The kiosk is interactive with the casino's accounting system
so as to report the dispensing of casino chips or receipt of casino
chips.
Inventors: |
Mathis; Gwen D.; (Las Vegas,
NV) ; Budding; Ewoud A.; (Las Vegas, NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DLA Piper US LLP;David B. Abel
1999 Avenue of the Stars, Fourth Floor
Los Angeles
CA
90067
US
|
Assignee: |
JCM American Corporation
|
Family ID: |
37855956 |
Appl. No.: |
11/202304 |
Filed: |
August 11, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/25 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/32 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/025 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A casino chip dispensing kiosk to provide casino chips for a
plurality of chip gaming stations, the kiosk comprising: a housing;
a chip vault configured to be secured within said housing; a
plurality of casino chip stacker assemblies within said chip vault
to bank casino chips; a ticket/bill validator configured to
identify characteristics of tickets; and a control system coupled
to said ticket/bill validator and said chip vault to control the
dispensing of casino chips from said chip vault.
2. The kiosk of claim 1, further comprising: a communication link
to communicate with a casino computer configured to monitor
transactions within the casino over a network.
3. The kiosk of claim 1, wherein said ticket/bill validator is
configured to read encoded data identifying the number and
denomination of casino chips received or requested.
4. The kiosk of claim 1, further comprising: a data input device
for allowing an operator to provide instructions to said control
system of said kiosk.
5. The kiosk of claim 1, wherein said control system includes means
for communicating with a plurality of computers positioned
throughout the casino include at least one of: a pit workstation
computer; a cashier station computer; a count room computer; a chip
gaming station processor; a database server; and a Host Management
System.
6. The kiosk of claim 1, further comprising: A biometric security
device interconnected to said control system for accepting
biometric information to authorize transactions performed by said
casino chip dispensing kiosk.
7. The kiosk of claim 1, wherein said housing and said chip vault
are located in the pit workstation.
8. The kiosk of claim 1, wherein said chip vault further comprises
an electronic tracking device.
9. The kiosk of claim 1, wherein said chip vault further comprises
a chip reader for automatically sensing chip denominations.
10. A casino chip dispensing kiosk for dispensing casino chips,
comprising: a housing; a chip vault for dispensing casino chips; an
input device for entering data into said kiosk; a ticket reader; a
controller interfacing with said input device, ticket reader, and
chip vault for controlling the dispensing of casino chips upon
receipt of instructions via said ticket reader or input device and
authorization information.
11. The kiosk of claim 10, further comprising: a chip reader for
automatically sensing and tabulating chip denominations and
quantities.
12. The kiosk of claim 10, further comprising: a biometric security
device for accepting biometric information to authorize
transactions performed by said casino chip dispensing kiosk.
13. The kiosk of claim 10, wherein said housing and said chip vault
are located in the pit workstation.
14. The kiosk of claim 10, wherein said casino chip dispensing
kiosk is located in or approximate to the casino's table game pit
area.
15. A method of casino table chip transaction management for the
automation and validation of fill event transactions for gaming
tables from one or more chip dispensing kiosks positioned proximate
the gaming tables, the steps comprised of: a) providing at least
one gaming station processor at a gaming table within a pit area of
a casino, b) providing at least one casino chip dispensing kiosk
approximate said pit area of a casino, c) initiating a fill event
request at said at least one gaming station processor at a gaming
table for a quantity of casino chips, d) communicating said request
from said at least one gaming station processor to said at least
one casino chip dispensing kiosk, and e) receiving the requested
quantity of casino chips at the at least one gaming table from said
at least one casino chip dispensing kiosk approximate said pit
area.
Description
[0001] The present invention is generally directed to the field of
casino management and in particular to a device and process whereby
casino chips can be banked and easily accessed by a pit boss to
provide a supply of casino chips to gaming stations within a select
area of the casino. The invention contemplates a kiosk for
dispensing casino chips from a secure vault upon receipt of proper
authorization, and an accounting system to track distributions and
receipts of casino chips.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Modern large casinos have evolved to incorporate hundreds or
thousands of slot machines or other types of coin or ticket
operated gaming machines. However, gaming tables where players can
play blackjack, poker games, roulette or craps remain as a mainstay
of the casino design. Generally, the slot machines are placed
around one or more gaming table pit areas. A single pit area may
include card tables such as blackjack or poker tables, roulette
tables and crap tables. The pit areas are generally positioned in a
central portion of an open area within the casino. Each pit area is
overseen by a pit boss, who is responsible for a significant number
of oversight functions including security, detecting improper play,
and table money management.
[0003] Casinos also include an accounting cage and a back room
area, which is discreetly and securely located away from the center
of activity within a casino. In order to open a gaming table, it is
necessary for the casino to arrange to have casino chips delivered
from a caged vault area across the casino floor to the gaming table
located in a particular pit area or grouping of gaming tables.
Restocking of a gaming table during the course of play may be
necessary if a patron has several wins and additional chips are
necessary. Restocking a gaming table during the course of a play
can be distracting to the players and cause the casinos to lose
revenue if a successful player must wait for additional casino
chips to be delivered to the gaming table.
[0004] Accordingly, it would be beneficial to have the ability to
restock a gaming table with casino chips from a position located
proximate to the pit area. However, since the casino chips can be
utilized as money within the casino, and have values from one
dollar to several thousand dollars, accounting for the casino chips
and security of the casino chips within the accounting system is
mandatory.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention is directed to a chip dispensing kiosk
including a vault for holding the casino chips, a dispensing
assembly for dispensing selected numbers of casino chips and
security and input systems to allow a pit boss to access the kiosk
and have the kiosk dispense selected numbers of chips directly to
the pit boss or his designee at a work station. The kiosk is
interactive with the casino's accounting system so as to report the
dispensing of casino chips or receipt of casino chips. Security
features built into the kiosk as well as into the casino monitor
the dispensing of the casino chips and delivery of the casino chips
to the appropriate gaming table. By the present invention, the
kiosk can be stocked with a substantial number of chips as
necessary to provide the tables within a pit area with sufficient
chips to satisfy the anticipated requirements of a shift or daily
operation, and thereby reduce or eliminate the number of times when
casino chips must be taken from a caged accounting system across
the floor of the casino to the gaming tables.
[0006] Optionally the kiosk can also provide secure storage for
various event transaction documents that may be required to
maintain compliance with existing or future regulations for
tracking chip removal and deposit events at the kiosk. Such
documents can provide not only an accounting trail for the movement
of all chips in and out of the chip kiosk, but also their movement
from and to the various gaming tables and or players in the pit
area managed. These event transaction documents can be in the
preferred form of machine printable and readable tickets or cards
or as a backup in the form of hand written forms that are issued by
the respective pit personnel and inserted into the kiosk for secure
storage until they can be transported along with the other contents
of the kiosk vault to a caged accounting room for verification and
tabulation.
[0007] As a further anticipated option to the event management of
the chip kiosk system disclosed herein, various forms of secure
electrical or wireless signals can be used for requesting,
approving, and/or confirming such chip transfers between the chip
kiosk and the tables and/or players in the pit area serviced by the
system. These event signals can easily be encrypted by various
means known in the art and can originate either from proprietary
codes keyed into keypads at the kiosk, pit workstation, and/or
gaming tables by pit personnel or through secure transmissions from
wireless portable personal data devices issued to authorized pit
personnel. These signals are then easily monitored and tracked by
one or more of the processors linked to the kiosk system
components. Security of such event signals can be insured through
any number of means known to those skilled in the art including but
not limited to encryption, personal access codes, biometric
scanning devices, proprietary communication protocols, unique RFID
tags, and/or personal unique integrated circuit chip cards.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 schematically depicts a typical pit area including a
number of gaming tables as well as a distributed interconnected
computer system including a hookup to a kiosk and pit work
station.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a casino chip kiosk
according to the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the casino chip kiosk of
FIG. 2 with the vault exposed.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the major components of the
kiosk of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0012] FIG. 1, schematically depicts multiple gaming tables 10 each
having bill acceptors 20 that are interconnected over a low-level
network 130 to an Ethernet 140. These bill acceptors 20 can
function as a chip gaming station processor or one or more tables
may optionally have separate gaming station processors 15
interconnected with the bill acceptors 20 and the low-level network
130. FIG. 1 shows six card tables 10, two roulette tables 10' and
two craps tables 10'', representing a discrete pit area. It is to
be understood that any type and number of chip gaming station
processors 15 or tables 10 can be arranged in a pit area and that
multiple groups of tables, each group being overseen by a Pit Boss,
may be positioned within the casino. A more detailed description of
the components of the systems depicted in FIG. 1 can be found in
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/941,316, and U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/081,756 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,745,887 herein
incorporated by reference.
[0013] The Ethernet 140 may also be connected to a gathering
processor 142, which is responsible for gathering game-related
information from each bill acceptor 20 at each game table 10 via
network 130, and for transferring the game-related information to
other computers on the Ethernet 140. Gathering Processor 142 relays
this information to a router 144. Router 144 is the router for the
Ethernet 140. The data received by the router 144 is relayed to the
pit workstation 146 and to the structured query language Database
Server 148, the Database Server 148 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 148 may also be
interconnected via the Ethernet 140 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 148 to control the printing, verification, and cancellation
of tickets at the gaming machines as well as at the gaming
tables.
[0014] In the foregoing system, the pit workstation 146 is the
primary interface between pit personnel (the Pit Boss or designee)
responsible for a group of gaming tables 10 as shown in FIG. 1, and
the interface with the Database Server 148 and a host management
system 150. The pit personnel can view individual game or table
information at the pit workstation 146 for a given game table 10
and execute system functions on the pit workstation 146 including
printing of certain types of tickets and reporting to the Database
Server 148. Optionally, the pit workstation 146 may be configured
to couple with handheld or portable computer devices 152, 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 146 to receive
updates. Such an interface between a handheld device 152 and the
pit workstation 146 could also be used to initiate, receive,
approve, and/or confirm signals associated with chip transactions
within a given pit area between various pit stations and the kiosk
as carried out by other authorized pit personnel.
[0015] The system of FIG. 1 also depicts a number of additional
computers or workstations connected via Ethernet 140. The console
computer 154 ensures that all functions and processes are conducted
in accordance with the rules and regulations established by the
users and administrators having authority to access the system. The
player tracking gateway computer 156 serves as an interface between
the host management system 150 and the marketing database of a
casino management system. The host management system 150 may have
an administrator terminal 158. The player-tracking gateway computer
156 enables the merge of slot and table tracking into a common
database. Computers operating as the gathering processor 142,
router 144, console computer 154, player tracking gateway computer
156 and the host management system 150 with its administrator
terminal 158 may all be individual applications found within one
computer such as the Database Server 148.
[0016] The Ethernet 140 also provides the capacity for
interconnecting the various computers to one or more chip
dispensing kiosks 162 preferably located proximate to the pit area
between gaming tables 10 or possibly incorporated into the pit
workstation 146. Further, the Ethernet 140 allows interconnection
of the chip dispensing kiosk 162 to the count room computer 166,
located in the count room, so that all information available from
the bill acceptors 20 located at each gaming table 10 as well as
all information from the chip dispensing kiosk 162 is communicated
to the count room computer 166.
[0017] The network topology of FIG. 1 may vary considerably from
casino to casino and from application to application. FIG. 1 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 invention 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 at the
gaming tables 10 with the addition of software modules and the
appropriate hardware connections.
[0018] 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 148. The following discussion of
the various functions to be implemented 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.
[0019] The provision at each of the gaming tables 10 of the bill
acceptors 20 interconnected via the Ethernet 140 to the supervisory
stations allows for a number of transactions or "Events" to be
accounted for at each gaming table 10. Transaction events include,
by way of example only, coded tickets or signals representing the
following types of transactions:
[0020] 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.
[0021] A Fill Event occurs when a gaming table 10 requires
additional casino chips from a cashier station or chip dispensing
kiosk 162. A Fill Event may be requested whenever a gaming table 10
is first opened as the table will need to be provided with casino
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 casino chips. A Fill Event
ticket is either printed at the gaming table 10 by the bill
acceptor 20 or at the pit workstation 146. Once the Fill Event
ticket is printed, it is taken to the chip dispensing kiosk 162,
inserted into the validator therein and, after verification,
security checks and communication with the Database Server 148, the
chip dispensing kiosk 162 dispenses the necessary casino chips. The
casino chips, preferably with the Fill Event ticket, or a duplicate
thereof, are then taken to the gaming table 10 and the Fill Event
ticket is inserted into and read by the bill validator 20, which
reports the Fill Event to the Data Base Server 148.
[0022] A Credit Event is a transaction in which a dealer at a
gaming table returns some, but not all, chips to a cashier or chip
kiosk in the casino in exchange for a credit ticket. The cashier or
chip dispensing kiosk 162 prints a credit ticket that is returned
to the dealer and the credit ticket is inserted into the bill
acceptor 20 so that the system including the Database Server 148
and pit workstation 146 are advised that chips have been taken from
a table and returned to a cashier or chip dispensing kiosk 162.
[0023] A Closer Event occurs when a gaming table is taken out of
service and all casino chips are removed from the gaming table and
returned to the cashier station or alternatively to the chip
dispensing kiosk 162. The chips are counted and the Pit Boss or the
dealer generates a closer ticket either at the pit workstation 146
or at the gaming table 10 on the bill acceptor 20. The closer
ticket is inserted into the bill acceptor 20 where it is recorded.
A copy may also be delivered with the casino chips to the cashier
station or to the chip dispensing kiosk 162. Chips deposited into
the chip dispensing kiosk 162 may be validated and counted to cross
check against the values specified on the closer ticket when the
cash boxes from the bill acceptors 20 are 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.
[0024] It should be noted that while the examples above describe
the specific use of printed event tickets for initiating, approval,
and/or confirmation of the chip transaction or event, one or more
of these functions could optionally be performed and transmitted
between system components trough the use of an electronic signal
followed up by a printed audit record and/or an audit summary
transmitted through the Ethernet 140 to the host management system
150. This system can operate at any level of automation and
accountability allowed by law or casino management policy.
[0025] The chip dispensing kiosk 162 can be optionally process an
event request through direct input to the attached touch pad 226
(shown in FIG. 2) by authorized pit personnel providing the
required secure identification code or information. Such
authorization may be validated by means including but not limited
to providing a unique personal ID badge or card, authorization code
number, and/or other biometric identification. The chip kiosk would
then dispense or receive the chips and document the transaction by
printing or transmitting audit information for system accounting
purposes to the Database Server 148. Such an event transaction
could for example have been initiated on the Pit Boss' own
initiative or by any other method of event request signal
transmission from a table or player including but not limited to
verbal, hand written, or electronic. In the case of a hand written
request form the record may be deposited into an optional document
drop slot 232 in the chip dispensing kiosk 162 for secure storage
in an optional document compartment 281 in the chip vault 240 (see
FIG. 3). A similar optional secure document compartment may be
located in the bill acceptor assembly (not shown).
[0026] The chip dispensing kiosk 162 can preferably receive, read
and respond to printed event tickets as discussed above where the
tickets are received through the ticket/bill acceptor slot 222 in
the chip dispenser kiosk 162 and stored in ticket/bill compartment
251 in the chip vault 240. When the chip vault 240 is returned to
the caged counting area of the casino both the optional document
compartment 281 and the ticket/bill compartment 251 are emptied so
that the paper documents and tickets removed there from can serve
as tracking documentation. Then providing redundant monitoring
information through the network to those with access to the system
and the Database Server 148.
[0027] As a further option an event signal could be received by the
chip dispensing kiosk 162 electronically either by means of its
network connection from those authorized to access the Ethernet 140
for generating such event requests or additionally through wireless
communication by means of a secure transmission from an authorized
handheld computer device 152. To ensure security for such an event
signal acceptance various means of encryption could be utilized in
conjunction with the device's communication protocol as well as
other possible requirements for authorization code submission.
Again the audit trail can consist of printed transaction audit
reports and/or electronic audit reports directly to the Database
Server 148.
[0028] The bill acceptors 20 which may act as the chip gaming
station processor in the absence of a separate chip gaming station
processor 15 can be programmed so that they will accept a number of
different types of notes besides currency. The bill acceptors 20
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, as well
as opener tickets, credit tickets and closer tickets. 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.
[0029] FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of a chip dispensing kiosk
162 of FIG. 1. The chip dispensing kiosk 162 includes a housing 200
having a door 202 secured via a hinge 204 and a lock 206 to the
housing 200. On the front of the housing 200 is a chip dispensing
tray 210 to which casino chips can be dispensed in a manner such
that they remain organized in rows or stacks. On the top of the
housing 200 the chip dispensing kiosk 162 can include a chip
deposit bezel 212 leading to a chip drop slot 214. Casino chips
placed in the chip deposit bezel 212 drop through the chip drop
slot 214 and are counted within the chip dispensing kiosk 162 and
then sorted and stacked within the chip dispensing kiosk 162. Also
located on the top of the housing 200 is a kiosk control assembly
220. The kiosk control assembly 220 includes a ticket/bill acceptor
slot 222, a screen display 224 and a touch pad or touch screen 226.
The kiosk control assembly 220 includes the electronics that
control the operation of the chip dispensing kiosk 162. Preferably,
the control assembly 220 is electrically interconnected to the
distributed network system so that the information available to and
from the distributed network system can be utilized by the chip
dispensing kiosk 162. This electrical interconnection can be either
by wire/cable or alternatively by means of a wireless link to the
router 144 connected to the Ethernet 140.
[0030] FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of the chip dispensing
kiosk 162 having a chip vault 240 removed from the inside thereof.
The chip vault 240 includes a chip dispensing chute 242 on the
front thereof that mates with and provides chips to the chip
dispensing tray 210 of the chip dispensing kiosk 162. The chip
vault 240 also includes a chip receiving drop slot 244, which is
configured to be below the chip drop slot 214 and chip validator on
the top of the chip dispensing kiosk 162. The chip vault 240 also
includes either or both of an optical coupler 246 or an electronic
coupling contacts 248 to provide information and data exchange
capabilities as well as power to the chip vault 240 from the chip
dispensing kiosk 162. In addition, the chip vault 240 preferably
includes a ticket/bill intake slot 250 through which tickets or
cash received by the ticket/bill acceptor slot 222 are passed for
storage within the ticket/bill compartment 251 of the chip vault
240. Optionally the chip vault 240 also includes a document intake
slot 280 juxtaposed to the document drop slot 232 of the chip
dispensing kiosk 162 through which documents pass to the secure
document compartment 281.
[0031] Generally, the chip vault 240 includes a housing 252 mounted
on a plurality of wheels 254 to allow the chip vault 240 to be
moved about the floor of a casino or mounted on a pallet for moving
within a casino and configured to be easily inserted into and
aligned with the inside of the chip dispensing kiosk 162. The one
side 256 of the chip vault 240 may be hingedly attached so as to
allow access to the inside of the chip vault 240 to allow for
restocking of the chips contained therein in the count room. Of
course any side or even the top of the chip vault could be hinged
or provide a door opening for this purpose. However, once the chip
vault 240 leaves the count room, it is secured and cannot be opened
and there is no access to the contents until it is placed within
the chip dispensing kiosk 162 and establishes data communication
with the chip dispensing kiosk 162 to report that it has been
securely inserted into the chip dispensing kiosk 162 and that the
door 202 of the chip dispensing kiosk 162 has been closed and
secured. The chips secured within the chip vault 240 cannot be
removed other than via dispensing from within the chip dispensing
kiosk 162 wherein each dispensing is tracked and monitored and only
permitted upon proper security and authorization.
[0032] Optionally the chip vault can include a tracking device 285
to allow the casino to physically track the location of the chip
vault at all times as it is moved through the casino between the
chip dispensing kiosk and the caged counting room. Such technology
is commonly used today in many forms. Global positioning system
("GPS") devices and Global System for Mobile Communications ("GSM")
devices provide the capability to show the location of the attached
device relatively accurately on a real time basis. RFID tags can
also be used for this purpose.
[0033] FIG. 4 depicts a block diagram of the major components of
the chip dispensing kiosk 162 as well as the chip vault 240. The
kiosk control assembly 220 houses a control system 260, which is
the primary controller for the entire chip dispensing kiosk 162.
The control system 260 is in operative communication with the
Ethernet 140, as described with respect to FIG. 1, and there by
with the various other casino computer terminals. Within the chip
dispensing kiosk 162, the control system 260 interacts with a
ticket/bill validator 262, which is positioned behind the
ticket/bill acceptor slot 222. The ticket/bill validator 262 can be
a standard note validator, which is available from JCM American of
Las Vegas Nev., which is capable of reading a bar coded ticket as
well as reading various currencies. For purposes of the chip
dispensing kiosk 162, however, the primary aspect of the
ticket/bill validator 262 will be to read bar code or otherwise
encoded tickets having specific information and any instructions
concerning the dispensing of casino chips. If a standard note
validator is used here the control system 260 could obviously be
programmed to dispense chips in return for cash inserted
therein.
[0034] The control system 260 is also electrically interconnected
to the screen display 224. The screen display 224 can be an LED
type of display or a plasma display, which can provide or display
information concerning the status of the chip dispensing kiosk 162,
including the amount and number of casino chips, which are stored
in the chip vault 240 at any given time, the amount of chips
requested in a fill event ticket inserted into the ticket/bill
validator 262, and the amount of chips deposited into the chip
dispensing kiosk 162 via the chip deposit bezel and chip drop slot
214. The screen display 224 may also include a biometric security
device such as a thumb print scanner or hand scanner that will
allow added security to control access to the chips within the chip
dispensing kiosk 162. Thus, for example, only the Pit Boss would be
able to access the casino chips within chip dispensing kiosk 162
and authorize the chip dispensing kiosk 162 to dispense chips by a
thumb or a hand scan on the biometric screen on the screen display
224.
[0035] The control system 260 is also electrically interconnected
to the touch pad or key pad 226. The touch pad or key pad can be
either a touch screen prompt of information that can be typed into
the control system 260 or keypads such as standard numeric or
alphanumeric keys, which may be used to enter data into the control
system 260 to provide specific instructions on various events that
may be necessary. For example, the touchpad or keypad could be
utilized to identify a specific Pit Boss who will be authorized
during the course of a shift to access the chip dispensing kiosk
162, to input specific information as to chip requests or fill
events necessary for a specific table and other similar types of
data inputting.
[0036] The control system 260 is preferably also interconnected to
a chip reader 268. The chip reader is positioned below the chip
drop slot 214 to read chips that are inserted through the chip drop
slot and passed to the chip vault 240 via drop slot 244 on the top
of the chip vault 240. The chip reader 268 may be an optical reader
or an RFID reader capable of reading, characterizing information on
chips as they pass thru the drop slot 214. RFID reading devices of
the type that can read RFID embedded chips are known in the art as
discussed within U.S. Pat. No. 5,735,742 to Chip Track
International. Alternatively, the chip reader may be an optical
reader or a combination of an optical and an RFID reader. The
optical reader identifies certain encoded optical information on a
surface of casino chips to provide an indication of the value of
each casino chip as it passes through the drop slot 214.
[0037] The control system 260 is electrically interconnected to
communication devices 270, which could include optical devices 272,
or electrical devices 274 that can communicate across the space
between the chip dispensing kiosk 162 and the removable chip vault
240. Within the chip vault 240, an optical receiver/emitter 246 and
electrical contacts 248 are configured to be oppositely disposed
with respect to the electrical devises 274 and optical devises 272
of the communications devices of the chip dispensing kiosk 162 when
the chip vault 240 is properly in placed within the chip dispensing
kiosk 162. Preferably, the chip vault 240 includes a memory and
control component 294 that is communicatively coupled to the
electrical contact 248 and optical receiver/emitter 246, so that
information concerning the amount of chips, for example, that are
stored in the chip vault 240 may be communicated to the control
system 260 as well as communicated to a count room, so as to
download information as to either the number of chips remaining at
the end of a shift that may be returned to the count room or the
number of chips, which are stored within the chip vault 240 prior
to its being delivered to the chip dispensing kiosk 162.
[0038] Preferably the chip dispensing kiosk 162 would have an
uninterruptible power source (UPS) which provides protection from
power spikes as well as providing battery backup in case of power
failures. This will not only ensure preservation of data but also
allow sufficient time to complete any data or chip processing that
may be happening at the time of an eventual power outage.
[0039] The chip vault 240 may also include a ticket/bill stacker
296, which, if necessary, includes electrical power coupling to
allow a power drive motor to drive belts to store tickets received
by the ticket/bill validator of the chip dispensing kiosk 162
within the chip vault 240, so that when the chip vault 240 is taken
from the chip dispensing kiosk 162 to the count room, the tickets
identifying each dispensing of casino chips can be compared with
the information in the memory and control component 294, concerning
chips, which were deposited via the drop slot, and the amount of
chips remaining in the chip vault 240, to properly account for the
intake and dispensing of each chip to and from the chip vault
240.
[0040] In operation, the chip vault 240 is loaded with a certain
number of chips within the count room and, once the chips are
loaded, the chip vault is secured in a locked and closed position.
The number of chips and each denomination of each chip is reported
via the optical coupling 246 to the memory control component 294 of
the chip vault 240. Thereafter, the chip vault 240 is delivered to
the location of a chip dispensing kiosk 162. If a chip vault 240 is
already in the chip dispensing kiosk 162, it is removed and a new
fully stocked chip vault 240 is inserted. The chip vault 240 is
secured in place and the door 202 is locked. Once the door is
locked, the locking of the door is reported to the control system
260 of the chip dispensing kiosk 162. The control system 260 then
communicates through the communication devices with the chip vault
240 to download the information from the memory as to the stocking
of casino chips within the chip vault 240. The control system 260
then communicates the identification of the particular chip vault
240 as well as the amount of chips within the chip vault 240 to the
casino database server 148. Once the casino database server 148
verifies with the count room that the correct number of chips and
the particular chip vault 240 are correct, the control system 260
of the chip dispensing kiosk 162 is authorized to access chips in
the chip vault 240. The control system 260 reports to the chip
vault 240 that the identification of the chip vault 240 has been
validated and then the chip vault 240 will be unlocked to allow
dispensing of chips from the chip dispensing kiosk 162 and
specifically the chip vault 240 therein.
[0041] When a gaming table requires a chip fill event, the gaming
table prints out a chip fill ticket on its bill validator 20.
Alternatively, the Pit Boss may print out a fill event ticket at
the pit work station 146. The fill event ticket is then taken to
the chip dispensing kiosk 162 and inserted into the ticket/bill
acceptor slot 222 from which it is taken and scanned by the
ticket/bill validator 262. The ticket/bill validator 262 identifies
the total number of casino chips, which are being requested, the
denominations of each of those chips and the number of each
denomination and any other specific information concerning a
dispense request, which is coded on to the fill event ticket. This
information is communicated to the control system 260 of the chip
dispensing kiosk 162. The control system 260 then communicates
through the Ethernet 140 with the casino database server 148 to
obtain validation of the ticket and the request for the dispensing
of casino chips. Once the database server 148 validates the
authenticity of the ticket, the control system 260 communicates
with the chip vault 240 to dispense a specific number and
denominations of chips. The chip vault 240 includes a dispense
assembly, which will dispense the proper number of each
denomination of casino chips to the chip dispense slot 242, and
from there to the chip dispense tray 210 of the chip dispensing
kiosk 162. The chip dispense ticket is then passed to the stacker
within the chip vault 240 for stacking and storage. The memory and
control component 294 is updated to identify the number of chips
that were dispensed and the denomination of each chip dispensed.
Confirmation of the dispensing of the chips is communicated back to
the control system 260. Optionally the chip dispensing kiosk may
include a ticket printer (not shown) but such as is often used in
the gaming machines and table bill acceptors 20.
[0042] The Pit Boss or one of the other pit personnel such as the
dealer can then take chips from the chip dispense tray 210 of the
chip dispensing kiosk 162 to the specific gaming table requesting a
fill event. Preferably, another fill event ticket corresponding to
the ticket provided to the chip dispensing kiosk 162 can be printed
and received either from the pit work station 146 or the chip
dispensing kiosk 162 to be moved with the chips and inserted into
the validator 20 at the gaming table and thereby the number of
chips provided to the specific gaming table for a fill event is
recorded and communicated back through the Ethernet to the database
server 148. In this manner, the casino can track the dispensing of
each chip from the chip dispensing kiosk 162 to the gaming tables
10 and confirm that the chips have been received at the specified
gaming table. If a period of time in excess of the anticipated time
necessary to take the chips from the chip dispensing kiosk 162 to a
specific gaming table is exceeded, an alert system can be provided
to advise the Pit Boss and/or security personnel.
[0043] It should be noted here that while the pit work station 146
and the chip dispensing kiosk 162 are shown and described as
separate devices, it would be easy for one skilled in the art to
integrate these two devices into the same or adjacent location or
structure. In which case the description and functions of the work
station and kiosk would remain the same but could be performed
without having to provide duplicate component devices such as touch
pads, validators, and printers.
[0044] The chip vault 240 may include a plurality of chip stackers
into which columns or stacks of chips are deposited and maintained.
The chip stackers can be configured to drop specific numbers of
chips to the chip dispense tray as required. In addition, the vault
240 may include a chip distributor, which will distribute chips
received at the top of the chip dispensing kiosk 162, to distribute
them for stacking within the respective stacks of chips by specific
denominations. The distributor is provided below the drop slot 244
and is configured so that it can be direct each received chip to a
proper location within the chip stackers.
[0045] In view of the foregoing discussion, it may be readily
understood that alternative embodiments are contemplated. 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 embodiment, but is instead set forth in the appended
claims and the legal equivalents thereof.
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