U.S. patent application number 11/937863 was filed with the patent office on 2008-07-24 for systems and methods for morphing casino chips.
This patent application is currently assigned to ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY, LTD.. Invention is credited to Christine J. Denlay, John Denlay, Michael Dugan, Gary Frerking, Scott Olive, Lattamore D. Osburn, Gareth Phillips, Kent Reisdorph.
Application Number | 20080176642 11/937863 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39641804 |
Filed Date | 2008-07-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080176642 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Phillips; Gareth ; et
al. |
July 24, 2008 |
Systems And Methods For Morphing Casino Chips
Abstract
Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a casino
chip including a morphable surface including an alterable
characteristic and a processor. The morphable surface is adapted to
change the alterable characteristic. The processor is adapted to
control the morphable surface to change the alterable
characteristic in response to an input.
Inventors: |
Phillips; Gareth;
(Manchester, GB) ; Olive; Scott; (Narrabeen,
AU) ; Osburn; Lattamore D.; (Las Vegas, NV) ;
Denlay; John; (Las Vegas, NV) ; Denlay; Christine
J.; (Las Vegas, NV) ; Dugan; Michael;
(Colorado Springs, CO) ; Frerking; Gary;
(Henderson, NV) ; Reisdorph; Kent; (Henderson,
NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCANDREWS HELD & MALLOY, LTD
500 WEST MADISON STREET, SUITE 3400
CHICAGO
IL
60661
US
|
Assignee: |
ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA
PTY, LTD.
Lane Cove
AU
|
Family ID: |
39641804 |
Appl. No.: |
11/937863 |
Filed: |
November 9, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60865287 |
Nov 10, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/25 ;
273/288 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 2009/245 20130101;
A44C 21/00 20130101; A63F 3/00697 20130101; A63F 2003/00826
20130101; A63F 2009/2458 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/25 ;
273/288 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24; A44C 21/00 20060101 A44C021/00 |
Claims
1. A casino chip including: a morphable surface including an
alterable characteristic, wherein the morphable surface is adapted
to change the alterable characteristic; and a processor adapted to
control the morphable surface to change the alterable
characteristic in response to an input.
2. The casino chip of claim 1, wherein the input includes one of an
external system, a control signal, a player tracking system, a
sentry, and a gaming table.
3. The casino chip of claim 1, wherein the morphable surface is a
face of the casino chip.
4. The casino chip of claim 1, wherein the morphable surface is
adapted to change only when the casino chip is not in the
possession of a player.
5. The casino chip of claim 1, wherein the morphable surface is
changed based at least in part on an event.
6. The casino chip of claim 1, wherein the morphable surface is
changed automatically.
7. The casino chip of claim 1, wherein the alterable characteristic
includes the color of the casino chip.
8. The casino chip of claim 1, wherein the morphable surface
includes an alterable display.
9. The casino chip of claim 8, wherein the alterable display is
adapted to identify a player, wherein the casino chip belongs to
the player.
10. The casino chip of claim 9, wherein the player is identified by
at least one of a name, at least one initial, a color, a pattern,
and a room number.
11. The casino chip of claim 8, wherein the processor is further
adapted to change the value displayed on the chip.
12. The casino chip of claim 11, wherein the processor changes the
value in the presence of other casino chips.
13. The casino chip of claim 12, wherein the processor changes the
value by dividing the value across the casino chip and at least one
blank chip.
14. The casino chip of claim 13, wherein the value is divided
evenly across the chips.
15. The casino chip of claim 11, wherein the processor changes the
value of in response to a bonusing event.
16. The casino chip of claim 8, wherein the alterable display is
adapted to display information in a different language.
17. The casino chip of claim 8, wherein the alterable display is
adapted to display a value in a different currency.
18. The casino chip of claim 8, wherein the alterable display is
adapted to display an advertisement.
19. The casino chip of claim 8, wherein the alterable display is
adapted to display a rule for a game being played by a player.
20. The casino chip of claim 8, wherein the alterable display is
adapted to display a help message to a player.
21. The casino chip of claim 8, wherein the alterable display is
adapted to display a reminder to a player.
22. The casino chip of claim 1, wherein the casino chip is valid
only within a casino.
23. The casino chip of claim 1, wherein the casino chip acts as an
electronic purse.
24. A method for altering the appearance of a casino chip, the
method including: receiving a control signal at a casino chip;
processing the control signal at a processor in the casino chip;
and controlling a morphable surface of the casino chip to change an
alterable characteristic of the morphable surface based at least in
part on the control signal.
25. The method of claim 24, wherein the control signal is received
at the casino chip.
26. The method of claim 24, wherein the control signal is received
at the morphable surface of the casino chip.
27. The method of claim 24, wherein the control signal is from an
external system.
28. The method of claim 24, wherein the control signal is from a
processor of the casino chip.
29. The method of claim 24, further including detecting the
presence of at least one other casino chip.
30. The method of claim 29, wherein the morphable surface is
altered to indicate a new value based at least in part on the
presence of the at least one other casino chip.
31. The method of claim 30, wherein the new value of the casino
chip represents the average of the sum of the values of the casino
chip and the values of the at least one other casino chip.
32. The method of claim 31, wherein the value of the at least one
other casino chip is altered based on the new value of the casino
chip.
33. The method of claim 24, further including displaying a new
currency with the morphable surface of the casino chip.
34. The method of claim 24, further including displaying a new
language with the morphable surface of the casino chip.
35. A morphable casino chip system, the system including: a
morphable casino chip including a morphable surface and a
processor, wherein the processor is adapted to change an alterable
characteristic of the morphable surface; and a trigger providing a
stimulus to the casino chip to affect a change in the morphable
surface of the chip.
36. The system of claim 35, wherein the trigger is provided by an
external system.
37. The system of claim 36, wherein the external system includes a
gaming table.
38. The system of claim 36, wherein the external system includes an
account.
39. The system of claim 36, wherein the external system includes a
sensor.
40. The system of claim 35, wherein the trigger is provided by
another casino chip.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is related to, and claims the benefit of,
Provisional Application No. 60/865,287, filed on Nov. 10, 2006, and
entitled "Systems and Methods for Morphing Casino Chips." The
foregoing application is herein incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] [Not Applicable]
MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE
[0003] [Not Applicable]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention generally relates to casino chips.
More specifically, the present invention relates to systems and
methods for morphing casino chips.
[0005] Casinos utilize chips, such as poker-style chips, to
represent a player's funds. Casinos may desire to change the
appearance of chips for a variety of reasons. For example, casinos
may desire to place promotions on chips or change chips
periodically to make counterfeiting more difficult. However, in
order to change the appearance or update chips, casinos must have
new chips manufactured, which is expensive and takes time. A large
casino may have several thousands of gaming chips of varying
denominations in circulation at any time, including chips held in
inventory for lost or unredeemed chips or chips that are worn and
are taken out of circulation. New chips would have to be specified
and manufactured. This is an added expense to the casino.
[0006] Since the gaming chips are fabricated with imprinted
symbols, they cannot be altered other than by being replaced. For
special events or bonusing, it would be advantageous to be able to
easily change the appearance of at least a portion of at least some
chips in circulation.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a
casino chip including a morphable surface including an alterable
characteristic and a processor. The morphable surface is adapted to
change the alterable characteristic. The processor is adapted to
control the morphable surface to change the alterable
characteristic in response to an input.
[0008] In one embodiment, the chips include at least a portion
defined by a display. For example, the face of the chip may have an
electronic display on one or both sides. When the display is
energized the desired image is displayed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates a morphing casino chip according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 illustrates a morphing casino chip system according
to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 3 depicts a flow diagram for a method for alerting the
appearance of a casino chip according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0012] FIG. 4 illustrates an enlarged view of a chip and system
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed
description of certain embodiments of the present invention, will
be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended
drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, certain
embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should be understood,
however, that the present invention is not limited to the
arrangements and instrumentality shown in the attached
drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates a morphing casino chip 100 according to
an embodiment of the present invention. The chip 100 includes at
least one morphable surface 110 and a processor 120.
[0015] In operation, the chip 100 is adapted to morph. That is, the
chip 100 has an alterable characteristic that may be changed. For
example, the color, graphic design, value, and/or indicators on the
chip 100 may be altered. The alterable characteristic may be
changed either remotely or through contact with a controlling
device, for example.
[0016] The chip 100 may morph at least in part using the morphable
surface 110, for example. The morphable surface 110 may include one
or more faces and/or sides of the chip 100.
[0017] The morphable surface 110 may include and/or be made out of
a material that may be altered. The material may be alterable
electrically, for example. For example, the morphable surface 110
may be made of a material such as electronic ink (e-ink). As
another example, the morphable surface 110 may include a plastic
display, light emitting diodes (LEDs), micro-mirrors, and/or a
liquid crystal display (LCD).
[0018] FIG. 4 illustrates an enlarged view of a chip 100 and system
220 according to an embodiment of the present invention. With
reference to the embodiment of FIG. 4, the chip 100 has a display
surface 110 which may be defined as a small electronic display such
as an LCD, polymer display, or the like. The surface 110 may be on
one or both faces of the chip 100, for example. The processor 120
may be powered by induction when it comes in close proximity of a
power source or the processor 120 and surface may be powered by a
battery 121, for example.
[0019] In certain embodiments, the morphable surface 110 is adapted
to provide a display to a player. For example, the morphable
surface 110 may display an image of the player on the chip 100. As
another example, the morphable surface 110 may display advertising
text, pictures, and/or video. As another example, the morphable
surface 110 may display an image, logo, casino or company name. As
another example, the morphable surface 110 may display a color,
pattern, room number, identification number, name, initials, and/or
custom symbol representing the player. As another example, the
morphable surface 110 may indicate the value of the chip 100. As
another example, the display may remind a player to play when it is
the player's turn in a game, provide help to the player such as a
suggest play or move, and/or display rules. For example, a player's
chips 100 may flash when it is the player's turn to play while
sitting at an electronic gaming table. As another example, the chip
100 may display the rules of the game that the player is standing
closest to.
[0020] The system 220 may communicate with the chip 100 through a
wireless network. For example, it may be desired to change all or
some of the chips 100 to, for example, have advertising or other
message appear on the surface 110. The system 220 would broadcast
the message to the casino floor. The message would be received by a
receiver in the chip 100 which transmits the message to the
processor 120 to control, the surface 110 to display the desired
message.
[0021] In addition to or in lieu of wireless transmission, a close
proximity or contact device may be used. For example, gaming tables
or their chip trays may have devices to communicate with the
processor 120 to control the surface 110, for example.
[0022] The chip 100 may be adapted to communicate. For example, the
chip 100 may be adapted to communicate with a casino system 220
such as an accounting system, a player tracking system, or a chip
management system. As another example, the chip 100 may be adapted
to communicate with another chip 100. The chip 100 may be adapted
to communicate wirelessly, for example. For example, a wireless
signal may be transmitted with a particular chip identifier. The
processor 120 may receive the signal and compare the chip
identifier to an identifier of the chip 100. For example, each chip
100 may have a unique identifier. When the processor 120 detects
that the transmitted chip identifier matches the chip identifier of
the chip 100, the value of the chip 100 may be changed. For
example, a mystery bonus may be transmitted for the chip 100
doubling the value associated with the chip 100. As another
example, the morphable surface 110 of the chip 100 may change color
and/or may display a different numerical value to represent the new
value associated with the chip 100. As another example, the
morphable surface 110 may morph to display a different image or
graphic, such as a name or logo.
[0023] In certain embodiments, the chip 100 morphs when the player
receives the chip 100. The chip 100 may morph to indicate the
player the chip belongs to, for example. For example, the chip 100
may morph a color, pattern, room number, identification number,
name, initials, and/or custom symbol representing the player. As
another example, a blank chip may morph to indicate the value of
the chip 100 when a player exchanges money for it.
[0024] In certain embodiments, the chip 100 remains unaltered after
being received by the player. For example, a casino cashier may
cause a blank chip 100 to morph to represent a value requested by a
player before giving the chip 100 to the player. The chip may then
maintain that value while in the possession of the player and be
treated like a standard casino chip until returned to the casino,
where it may be reset.
[0025] In certain embodiments, the morphable surface 110 on the
chip 100 may be changed. For example, the representation of a
celebrity performing at the casino may be displayed on the chip 100
during the period of the performance and then be replaced by an
upcoming act.
[0026] In certain embodiments, the chip 100 may be morphed based on
an event. For example, the chip 100 may flash and/or change color
based on the outcome of a game. As another example, when the player
wins a wager the value of the chip may change to reflect the win.
In another embodiment, the system 220 may randomly select one or
more chips 100 currently in circulation in the casino and broadcast
a wireless message to the selected chips whereupon the surfaces 110
of each would flash a color to designate that the player possessing
the chip has won a prize.
[0027] In certain embodiments, the chip 100 may morph to foil
counterfeiters. For example, new designs could be implemented on a
periodic basis. The designs may be changed frequently so that
counterfeiting becomes difficult. In certain embodiments, the chip
100 morphs randomly to a new design or security feature. In certain
embodiments, the chip 100 morphs periodically to a new design. For
example, the chip may cycle through a sequence of designs, changing
once every 20 minutes.
[0028] In certain embodiments, the value of the chip 100 may be
changed. A casino may award a mystery bonus, for example. In
certain embodiments, the chip 100 may participate in floor-wide
bonusing when the chip is at a table. For example, the chip 100 may
receive a signal for bonusing from a dealer, table, or external
system.
[0029] In certain embodiments, the chip 100 is adapted to
communicate with other chips 100. For example, chips 100 may
communicate using techniques similar to those described above. A
stack of chips may communicate to acquire the same characteristics,
such as the same currency or language, for example.
[0030] In certain embodiments, a player may move funds to or from a
chip. The funds may be moved to another chip 100, for example. For
example, a player may have a $100 chip and 4 blank chips. The blank
chips may be placed near the $100 chip, and then the $100 may be
activated to transfer $25 to each of the 4 blank chips.
Alternatively, the $100 may be spread event across all 5 chips, $20
each.
[0031] In certain embodiments, the transfer from one chip to
multiple chips may not be evenly distributed. For example, the $100
may be distributed among the 5 total chips as follows: $50 to one
chip, $25 to one chip, $15 to one chip, and $5 to the two remaining
chips.
[0032] In certain embodiments, the chip 100 may support more than
one language. For example, the chip may display rules for a game in
both English and Spanish.
[0033] In certain embodiments, the chip 100 may support more than
one currency. For example, the chip 100 may support values in both
Dollars and Yen.
[0034] In certain embodiments, the chip 100 may hold value only
within a casino. For example, when the chip 100 is detected leaving
the casino, the funds may be transferred to the player's account.
In certain embodiments, the chip 100 may be disabled when the
player leaves the casino. For example, a perimeter sentinel or
sentry may detect the chip 100 leaving the casino. The value of the
chip 100 may be uploaded to the player's casino account, for
example.
[0035] In certain embodiments, the chip 100 operates as an
electronic purse carrying a value which the player can
download/upload during play. At a gaming table, some or all of the
value may be downloaded to the game as credits for gaming, for
example. As another example, the chip 100 may interact with a
player account, bank account, credit card, and/or cash station to
transfer funds to and from the chip 100.
[0036] FIG. 2 illustrates a morphing casino chip system 200
according to an embodiment of the present invention. The system 200
includes a chip 210 and an external system 220. In certain
embodiments, the system 200 may include external systems such as a
gaming table 222, an account 224, and/or a sensor 226.
[0037] The chip 210 is in communication with the external system
220.
[0038] The chip 210 may be similar to the chip 100, described
above, for example.
[0039] In operation, the chip 210 receives a trigger providing a
stimulus. The trigger may be received from the external system 220,
for example. The trigger may be a control signal, for example. In
response to the stimulus, the chip 210 may morph. That is, the chip
210 may change an alterable characteristic of a morphable surface
of the chip 210.
[0040] For example, a chip 210 belonging to a player may receive a
trigger from an electronic gaming table indicating that it is now
the player's turn in the game. The chip 210 may then flash to alert
the player that it is the player's turn.
[0041] As another example, a chip 210 may receive a signal
indicating that money has been transferred from the player's
account 224 to the chip 210. The chip 210 may then update its
appearance to reflect the added value. The account 224 may be part
of an account system or a player tracking system, for example.
[0042] As another example, the account 224 may include a profile
for the player. The profile may indicate a preferred default bet
for the player. The chip 210 may receive a signal from a gaming
table 222 indicating that the player has joined the game. The chip
210 may receive a signal from the account 224 indicating the
player's default bet for the particular game. The chip 210 may then
morph to display the preferred default bet.
[0043] As another example, a chip 210 may be allowed to include a
value only within a casino. The chip 210 may receive a signal from
a sensor 226. The sensor 226 may be a perimeter sentinel or sentry.
When the sensor 226 detects that the chip 210 is about to leave the
casino, the sensor 226 may signal the chip 210 to transfer its
value to an account for the player, such as account 224. The chip
210 may then morph to become a blank chip.
[0044] In certain embodiments, the chip 210 may receive a trigger
providing a stimulus from another chip 210. For example, a stack of
chips 210 may communicate to acquire the same characteristics, such
as the same currency or language. The stack of chips 210 may
communicate to move funds between the chips 210. The funds may be
moved to another chip 210, for example. For example, a player may
have a $100 chip and 4 blank chips. The blank chips may be placed
near the $100 chip, and then the $100 may be activated to transfer
$25 to each of the 4 blank chips. Alternatively, the $100 may be
spread event across all 5 chips, $20 each.
[0045] FIG. 3 depicts a flow diagram for a method 300 for alerting
the appearance of a casino chip according to an embodiment of the
present invention. The method 300 includes the following steps,
which will be described below in more detail. At step 310, a
control signal is received. At step 320, the control signal is
processed. At step 330, a morphable surface is controlled to change
an alterable characteristic. The method 300 is described with
reference to elements of systems described above, but it should be
understood that other implementations are possible.
[0046] At step 310, a control signal is received. The control
signal may be received at a chip similar to the chip 100 and/or the
chip 210, described above, for example. The control signal may be
received by a processor similar to the processor 120, described
above, for example. The control signal may be received by a
morphable surface of the chip similar to the morphable surface 110,
described above, for example. The signal may be received from an
external system, another chip, and/or a processor similar to the
processor 120, described above, for example. For example, the
external system may be an electronic gaming table similar to the
electronic gaming table 222, described above. As another example,
the external system may be an account similar to the account 224,
described above, for example. As another example, the external
system may be a sensor similar to the sensor 226, described above,
for example. As another example, a gaming system may query the chip
using a control signal to determine the chip's value. As another
example, the gaming system may credit winnings from a successful
wager to the chip using the control signal. As another example, a
casino network may send a mystery bonus to a randomly selected chip
using the control signal. As another example, a casino network may
provide a new chip design using the control signal.
[0047] In certain embodiments, the control signal may include an
identifier. The processor may compare the identifier in the control
signal with an identifier of the chip. When the identifier in the
control signal matches the identifier in the chip, the processor
may act on the control signal. When the identifier in the control
signal does not match the identifier in the chip, the processor may
ignore the control signal.
[0048] At step 320, the control signal is processed. The control
signal may be the control signal received at step 310, described
above, for example. The control signal may be processed by a
processor similar to the processor 120, described above, for
example. The control signal may be processed to determine the
manner in which an alterable characteristic of a morphable surface
of a chip should be changed, for example.
[0049] At step 330, a morphable surface is controlled to change an
alterable characteristic. The alterable characteristic of the
morphable surface may be changed based at least in part on the
control signal received at step 210, described above, for example.
The alterable characteristic of the morphable surface may be
changed based at least in part on the processing of the control
signal at step 320, described above, for example.
[0050] The morphable surface may be similar to the morphable
surface 110, described above, for example. The morphable surface
may be adapted to change its color, for example. The morphable
surface may include and/or be made out of a material that may be
altered. The material may be alterable electrically, for example.
For example, the morphable surface may be made of a material such
as electronic ink (e-ink). As another example, the morphable
surface may include a plastic display, light emitting diodes
(LEDs), micro-mirrors, and/or a liquid crystal display (LCD).
[0051] One or more of the steps of the method 300 may be
implemented alone or in combination in hardware, firmware, and/or
as a set of instructions in software, for example. Certain
embodiments may be provided as a set of instructions residing on a
computer-readable medium, such as a memory, hard disk, DVD, or CD,
for execution on a general purpose computer or other processing
device.
[0052] Certain embodiments of the present invention may omit one or
more of these steps and/or perform the steps in a different order
than the order listed. For example, some steps may not be performed
in certain embodiments of the present invention. As a further
example, certain steps may be performed in a different temporal
order, including simultaneously, than listed above.
[0053] Certain embodiments of the present invention may be
implemented in software, firmware, and/or hardware, for example.
For example, certain embodiments may be implemented as a set of
instructions or routines stored on a machine-readable medium, such
as a CD, DVD, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, hard disk, floppy disk, RAM, ROM,
flash memory, and/or other medium, for execution on a computer
and/or other processing device. Certain embodiments may be
implemented on a standalone gaming terminal, a bank of gaming
terminals, a network of gaming terminals, and/or a client-server
system communicating with one or more gaming terminals and/or other
devices, for example.
[0054] Thus, certain embodiments of the present invention provide
systems and methods for morphing casino chips. Certain embodiments
are adaptable to an environment, situation, and/or application.
Certain embodiments are customizable. Certain embodiments provide a
technical effect of a morphing casino chip.
[0055] While the invention has been described with reference to
certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the
art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be
substituted without departing from the scope of the invention. In
addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular
situation or material to the teachings of the invention without
departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the
invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed,
but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within
the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *