Television – Special applications – Observation of or from a specific location
Patent
1996-04-18
1998-09-01
Chin, Tommy P.
Television
Special applications
Observation of or from a specific location
348155, 463 17, 463 22, 273142R, H04N 718
Patent
active
058017666
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF A INVENTION
The present invention relates to a security system for use in gambling casinos and at gambling tables. More specifically the present invention relates to a security system for the game of roulette, although it should be noted that it can be adapted for use with other gambling games.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The commonest form of cheating at a gambling table involves placing one's stake or increasing the size of one's initial stake after the outcome of a game is known. This usually involves pushing chips onto the winning number--known in the trade as "column pushing" or placing additional chips on top of existing chips--known in the industry as "top hatting".
Casinos are, of course, well aware of the possibility of cheating and already take measures to prevent this. Croupiers and dealers are expected to observe the players at their tables and the bets placed by them. However, at a busy table it is simply not possible to keep a watch on all of the players all of the time, and besides this cannot prevent cheating where the croupier and players are working in collusion with each other as sometimes happens. Table inspectors may mingle with the players to observe the play and in many casinos it is now common practice to have each of the tables monitored by a security camera the output of which is transmitted to a security room where casino staff look for any irregularities or cheating. The problem is that many cheats have become very adept and will not attempt to cheat whilst conscious of being observed. Furthermore, many cheats work in teams to divert the attention of those around a table whilst one of their number adds to or moves an existing bet, or places a new bet. Even the provision of security cameras has its limitations Although cameras allow security staff to see the layout of each table, they cannot always determine the exact moment when the outcome of a particular game at a particular table is known so as to be on the look out for any cheating.
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
GB0A02084830 discloses a camera system for monitoring a rotating roulette wheel and displaying the image on a television screen to the participants. Essentially it comprises a camera mounted above the roulette wheel and adapted to be rotated therewith, thereby providing a slow motion or still image of the roulette wheel. However, the camera system has no facility for automatically detecting attempts to cheat at the games.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a security system for use in casinos and at gambling tables which allows late bets, that is to say chips placed or moved after the betting has been closed, to be detected.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a security system for the game of roulette which is able to indicate remotely the progress of each game.
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a security system for use at a roulette table comprising a video camera adapted in use to monitor the roulette wheel and the betting area of the roulette table, frame capture means, first frame comparator means for comparing successive video images of the roulette wheel to detect the relative position of the ball therein, processor means for determining when the speed of the ball around the roulette wheel has dropped below a predetermined threshold signifying the end of the game, second comparator means for comparing successive video images of the betting area of the roulette table to detect movement therein, and indicator means for indicating when any movement occurs in the betting area at or immediately after the end of the game.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a security system for use in casinos and at gambling tables comprising means for continuously monitoring the activity at a table, means for detecting the end of each game at the table, and means for detecting any movement over a predefined area of the table during and immediately after each game.
Conveniently, the monitoring means
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Aristocrat (Europe) Limited
Chin Tommy P.
Lee Y.
LandOfFree
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