Amusement devices: games – Including means for processing electronic data – Credit/debit monitoring or manipulation
Reexamination Certificate
1998-01-20
2001-03-13
O'Neill, Michael (Department: 3713)
Amusement devices: games
Including means for processing electronic data
Credit/debit monitoring or manipulation
C463S047000, C273S14800B
Reexamination Certificate
active
06200218
ABSTRACT:
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
The present invention relates to gaming and in particular to handling and evaluating gaming chips.
The invention is primarily intended for use on casino floors with table games which involve the use of a mixture of different types of gaming chip. Typically, each different type of gaming chip is pre-assigned a certain monetary value and the chips are distinguished by shape and/or colour. However, it is also known to use chips which are assigned to a particular player and are given a certain value at the start of the game. Thus a player may elect to use chips of a particular colour and shape and have a particular value assigned to them. He may also chose to change the value during the game. It is often necessary between or during the course of such games to have a quick and easy way of evaluating the use of the gaming chips.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In a first aspect, the invention provides a gaming chip system for indicating the value of gaming chips. Different chips are represented and assigned a monetary value, which is then displayed.
In a second aspect, the invention provides a gaming chip system for evaluating a collection of gaming chips. Means is provided for representing a plurality of different gaming chips, and means for assigning monetary values to each of the different gaming chips. A display displays the assigned monetary value of each gaming chip and evaluating means counts the number of chips for each type, and calculates the monetary value of each gaming chip type using monetary values assigned by the assigning means.
The present invention provides a quick and simple way of assigning values to the different gaming chips. The different types of gaming chip may be represented by the system in a number of different ways. A particularly convenient way of representing the gaming chips is provided if the different types of gaming chip can be attached to the gaming system. Therefore, it is preferable if the means for representing a plurality of gaming chips comprises means for attaching a plurality of different gaming chips to the gaming system. This has the advantage, that the gaming system can be used with a variety of different gaming chips. Hence, the gaming system may be used with many different varieties of gaming chip.
It is also preferably if both the players and a game supervisor can read the values assigned to the different types of gaming chip. Therefore, it is preferably if the means for representing a plurality of different gaming chips provides a double sided display. Similarly, it is preferable if the first display means are double sided.
The values assigned to each different type of gaming chip are displayed by the first display means. These are located in the vicinity of the representation of the gaming chip to which they correspond. It is preferably that the first display means displays alpha numeric characters. Therefore, the first display mean may be used to display either the value assigned to each different gaming chip or the status of each gaming chip. For example, the first display means may be used to indicate if a gaming chip is free for selection by a player or if it is already in use.
A monetary value may be assigned to a chip in a number of ways. In many table games, it is preferable if the different types of gaming chip can only take on a certain value from a predetermined range. For example, in Britain, the values may be 25p, 50p, £1, £2, £2.50, £5, £10, £20, £50. Therefore, it is preferable if means are provided for incrementing the assigned monetary value through a range of predetermined values. The values are incremented in ranges according to the country of installation
The gaming chip system may be used with other components on a casino floor. Therefore, it is preferable if communication means are provided so that the assigned monetary value of a particular chip can be communicated to another component. For example, a component which validates the choice of assigned monetary value.
At the end of a game or sequence of games, the assigned monetary values may need to be reset. This can be conveniently done if a clear button is provided which clears all of the assigned monetary values. Therefore, it is preferable if the system further comprises means for clearing or zeroing the assigned monetary values of each of the different gaming chips and indicate that they are available for use. It is also preferable if this clear button when pressed allows the communication means to transmit a signal to another component to clear or zero all values previously communicating to the other component by the gaming system.
The use of the gaming system is regulated by a supervisor. To avoid players changing the assigned values while the supervisor is distracted, it is preferable if the gaming system further comprises security means. The security means can be simply implemented by providing a switch which disables the means to assigned monetary values. The switch, can only be operated by the supervisor. In order to show whether or not the security means are switched on or off, it is preferable to have a security indicator e.g. a light, which indicates when the assigned values may be changed. It is also preferable of the security status can be communicated to another component e.g. a validation system.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3936054 (1976-02-01), Garcia
patent: 4755941 (1988-07-01), Bacchi
patent: 4882473 (1989-11-01), Bergeron et al.
patent: 5103081 (1992-04-01), Fisher et al.
patent: 5166502 (1992-11-01), Rendleman et al.
patent: 5179517 (1993-01-01), Sarbin et al.
patent: 5216234 (1993-06-01), Bell
patent: 5429361 (1995-07-01), Raven et al.
patent: 5470079 (1995-11-01), LeStrange et al.
patent: 5580310 (1996-12-01), Orus et al.
patent: 5676376 (1997-10-01), Valley
patent: 5735742 (1998-04-01), French
patent: 5781647 (1998-07-01), Fishbine et al.
patent: 5895321 (1999-04-01), Gassies et al.
patent: 37663585 (1986-10-01), None
patent: 42 40 886 A1 (1994-07-01), None
patent: 0455315A2 (1991-11-01), None
Gottlieb, Rackman & Reisman, Inc.
John Huxley Limited
O'Neill Michael
White Carmen
LandOfFree
Gaming chip system does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Gaming chip system, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Gaming chip system will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2465129