Amusement devices: games – Including means for processing electronic data – Credit/debit monitoring or manipulation
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-03
2001-05-22
O'Neill, Michael (Department: 3713)
Amusement devices: games
Including means for processing electronic data
Credit/debit monitoring or manipulation
C463S029000, C463S040000, C463S043000, C463S016000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06234898
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a method of securely controlling a gaming operation and to a system and apparatus for implementing the method.
Games of chance in which a player actively participates in the game and can with money according to the outcome of the game are very popular. Such games are normally played in casinos or other controlled environments.
Electromechanical and electronic gaming apparatus is frequently used, but must generally also be located in a secure environment to prevent tampering with the apparatus. For example, in the case of an electronic gaming apparatus, a person with uncontrolled access to conventional equipment could monitor the flow of data in the equipment and interfere with its operation, for example, by transmitting false instructions to credit a player's account with winnings.
It is an object of the invention to provide a method of and apparatus for controlling a gaming operation which can be operated safely in a non-secure environment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention there is provided a method of controlling a gaming operation in which a player bets on the outcome of a game, the method comprising:
providing secure apparatus comprising secure processor means and associated secure memory means;
storing in the secure memory means first data related to the control and operation of a game and second data relating to gains or losses of a player of the game;
transmitting input signals to the secure processor means from input means operated by the player; and
transmitting output signals from the secure processor means to display means,
wherein the result of the game and the allocation of gains or losses to the player are controlled by operations performed on the stored first and second data and on data derived from the input signals, in the secure apparatus.
Further according to the invention there is provided a system for controlling a gaming operation in which a player bets on the outcome of a game, the system comprising:
secure apparatus comprising secure processor means with associated secure memory means;
input means connectable to the secure processor means and operable by a player of a game to transmit input signals to the secure processor means;
display means connectable to the secure processor means for receiving output signals from the secure processor means representing a result of the game;
wherein the secure memory means stores first data related to the control and operation of a game and second data relating to gains or losses of the player, and wherein the result of the game and the allocation of gains or losses to the player are controlled by operations performed on the stored first and second data and on data derived from the input signals, in the secure apparatus.
The secure processor means and the secure memory means are preferably provided together on a “smart card” comprising a substrate supporting the processor and memory means, associated electronic circuitry, and contact means for permitting communication between the processor means and the input and display means.
The input means may be, for example, a keyboard of a computer, a keypad of a telephone, or a keypad on a dedicated games apparatus.
Alternatively, the input means may comprise a “touch screen” display, a mouse, or any other input with a sufficient number of output states.
The display means may comprise, for example, a television set, a video display unit or monitor, a liquid crystal display or another display.
The secure memory means may include first memory for storing software controlling and operating the game, and second memory storing results of the game and data representing the value of gains or losses of the player which is adjusted according to the outcome of the game.
The invention extends to the secure apparatus of the system.
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Belamant Serge Christian Pierre
Shenker Gavin
O'Neill Michael
Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP
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