Abstract:
An anti-cheating device for a gaming machine which prevents or detects the insertion of a cheating device through the coin slot or a coin chute. In a first preferred embodiment, an emitter/detector assembly transmits and detects and energy beam cast across the cross section of the coin chute. The insertion of a cheating device through the coin chute disrupts the beam resulting in a “tilt” of the machine or an alarm. In another preferred embodiment, a coin director prevents access to the coin counter through the coin slot by an elongated cheating device, thereby preventing manipulation of the counter.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application claims priority from copending U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/241,811, filed Oct. 19, 2000, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates to anti-cheating devices for gaming machines. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, the present invention relates an anti-cheating device for a slot machine, or the like, which detects or prevents the entry of a cheating device.  
           [0004]    2. Background of the Invention  
           [0005]    Gaming machines such as slot machines, draw poker machines, bingo machines, and the like are prevalent in casinos around the world. Such machines deal primarily in cash, tend to accumulate rather large sums of cash before collections are made, and, since all of the money is not removed from a machine in service, theft is difficult to detect. Thus, these machines are prime targets for tampering.  
           [0006]    The evolution of cheating devices has, thus far, kept pace with the evolution of gaming machines. Techniques and devices were developed for tampering with purely mechanical slot machines. Methods included the use of magnets, drilling or cutting holes in the enclosure of the machine, using counterfeit “slugs”, or even a coin on a string. As gaming machine manufacturers replaced mechanical assemblies with electronic alternatives, cheating devices were developed to cheat these machines as well. For example, a generation of gaming machines employed mechanical devices to time the reels but used electronic circuitry to pay-out coins. A known cheating device used on this generation of machine would provide a contact closure causing the circuitry to continuously activate the feeder motor. The user of such a device could simply operate the feeder motor until the coin hopper was empty.  
           [0007]    Over the past several years, gaming machine manufacturers have replaced the vast majority of mechanical components employed in such machines with electronic circuitry. Programmable circuits, especially microprocessor devices, have allowed manufacturers to incorporate a number of anti-cheating devices and methods which deter such cheating. For example, modern slot machines include a coin comparator which compares the magnetic signature of an inserted coin against the signature of a reference coin. Access to the coin counter is gained only if the compare is successful. If there is not a match, the inserted coin is directed to the coin return and the machine does not give a credit for the deposited coin. Such devices are effective in preventing a person from using counterfeit coins or slugs. A further example of an existing anti-tampering device is the optical coin counter used in the majority of modem slot machines. This device provides three LED&#39;s which emit light across a coin path to three detectors. After a coin has been successfully compared, it falls through the coin path, sequentially disrupting the light striking the detectors. If a coin does not properly break the beams (e.g., traveling in the wrong direction through the coin counter as would a coin on a string), the counter produces an output which “tilts” the slot machine thereby alerting casino workers and disabling the machine.  
           [0008]    While these devices perform satisfactorily to prevent tampering in limited areas, they are wholly ineffective in discouraging cheating by the sophisticated thief using specially made cheating tools. Such tools are typically inserted either through the coin slot or through the coin chute and used to manipulate features internal to the gaming machine. For example, it is known that a tool may be formed from a thin elongated sheet of plastic which may be inserted in the coin slot. Without disclosing the mechanics of defeating the existing anti-cheating devices, it has been demonstrated that such a tool can be used to accumulate in excess of  40  credits per second on many slot machines. A user of such a tool can rapidly accumulate hundreds, or even thousands, of credits and then simply press the “cash out” button to receive cash from the machine.  
           [0009]    In another example of sophisticated cheating, a tool is inserted through the coin chute to temporarily disable the coin detector on the feeder which pays out a jackpot. Such feeders attempt to feed a coin until a coin is detected or for several seconds if no coin is detected. Thus, with such a tool in place, a user will receive several coins for each coin the machine attempts to payout. With a modem slot machine, a person can accumulate credits by simply inserting coins and then, with a cheating tool in place, press the “cash out” button to receive several times the amount actually inserted in the machine. While most gaming machines are programmed to initiate a service call if too many consecutive attempts to feed a coin are unsuccessful, an experienced thief can receive as many as forty coins for each coin the machine attempts to pay out, without detection by the machine.  
           [0010]    While a given cheating device may only be usable on a specific model of gaming machine, modifications may be made to create a similar tampering device for all known gaming machines. Thus, a thief armed with a relatively small assortment of tools can quickly cheat an array of machines, taking substantial amounts of cash in a relatively short period of time. Cheating tools tend to be relatively small and often formed mainly from transparent materials. An experienced thief can easily carry and use such tools with little risk of detection.  
           [0011]    It is thus an object of the present invention to provide an anti-cheating device which prevents or detects the insertion of a cheating device through the coin slot of a gaming machine.  
           [0012]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide an anti-cheating device for a gaming machine which prevents or detects the insertion of a cheating device through the coin chute.  
           [0013]    It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an anti-cheating device for a gaming machine which may be easily incorporated into an existing machine.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0014]    The present invention provides an anti-cheating device for a gaming machine which satisfies the needs and alleviates the problems mentioned above. In a preferred embodiment, the anti-cheating device prevents or detects the insertion of a cheating device through the coin slot. Known cheating devices which successfully defeat both the coin comparator and the coin counter employ, by necessity, an elongated, substantially rigid foundation. Thus, the insertion of such a device may be prevented by providing a nonlinear coin path, or alternatively, such a device may be detected by sensing for the presence of such an elongated object in the coin path.  
           [0015]    For the purposes of this invention, the terms “anti-cheating” and “anti-tampering” are used interchangeably as are the terms “cheat” or “cheating” and “tamper” or “tampering”. The terms “cheat” or “cheating” and “tamper” or “tampering” are in used reference to the manipulation of a gaming machine to cause the machine to pay-out money either when no money is due to be paid out or in excess amounts when the machine attempts to legitimately pay-out money. The terms “anti-cheating” and “anti-tampering” refer to devices or methods for preventing cheating or tampering.  
           [0016]    In another preferred embodiment, the anti-cheating device detects the presence of a cheating tool inserted through the coin chute by providing an array of emitters and detectors about the coin chute. Disruption of an energy beam emitted by the emitters and normally striking the detectors will, based on the machine owner&#39;s preference, result in one or more of: a “tilt” condition of the machine; an immediate flag of the machine for service; a disabling of the coin feeder; and/or an alarm. Sensing is automatically disabled as the machine properly feeds coins out the chute to avoid false indications of tampering.  
           [0017]    Further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon examining the accompanying drawings and upon reading the following description of the preferred embodiments.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]    [0018]FIG. 1 provides a front view of a gaming machine wherein a preferred embodiment inventive anti-cheating device is incorporated in its general environment.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 2 provides a front internal view of a gaming machine.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 3 provides a rear view of the door of a gaming machine having a coin handling assembly attached thereto.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 4 provides a front view of a partially assembled coin handling assembly with a representative cheating tool inserted therein.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 5 provides a perspective view of a coin counter typically employed in a gaming machine.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 6 provides a perspective view from the left side and front of a preferred embodiment of the inventive anti-cheating coin director.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 7 provides a perspective view from the right side and front of a preferred embodiment of the inventive anti-cheating coin director.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 8 provides a front view of a prior art coin director typically employed in a coin counter.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 9 provides a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the inventive anti-cheating coin director.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 10 provides a perspective view of yet another preferred embodiment of the inventive anti cheating coin director.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 11 provides a perspective view of a coin hopper and coin feeder employed in a gaming machine.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 12 provides a rear view of a preferred embodiment of an emitter/detector assembly incorporated in the inventive anti-cheating device.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 13 provides an electrical schematic diagram of the emitter/detector assembly incorporated in the inventive anti-cheating device.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0031]    Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is important to understand that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the construction illustrated and the steps described herein. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in a variety of ways. It is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.  
         [0032]    While the preferred embodiment of the inventive device is hereinafter shown and described as being incorporated in a slot machine, it should be understood that the invention is not so limited and is applicable to all gaming machines and, in fact, aspects of the invention are applicable to many types of coin operated devices.  
         [0033]    Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals indicate the same parts throughout the several views, a preferred embodiment of the inventive anti-cheating device is incorporated into a slot machine  20  as shown in FIG. 1. Preferably, slot machine  20  comprises: an outer enclosure  22  having a door  24 ; a top portion  26  whereon is displayed jackpot information  28 , a coin tray  30  located beneath chute  32  (FIG. 2) for receiving coins paid out by machine  20 ; a handle  34  for activating a “play”; and reels  36   a - c  which show through corresponding window  38   a - c  in door  24 .  
         [0034]    Continuing with FIG. 1 and with further reference to FIG. 2, enclosure  22  houses: shelf  40  which supports reels  36   a - c ; coin hopper/feeder assembly  42  for discharging coins through dispenser chute  32  and coin chute  132  (FIG. 3), into tray  30 ; and electronic circuit board assembly  44  which provides outputs to reel motors  60   a - c  to selectively spin reels  36   a - c  and coin feeder motor  46  (as best seen in FIG. 11), as well as inputs for buttons  50 ,  52 ,  54 , and  56  on door  24 , for a switch (not shown) operably connected to handle  34 , for coin handler assembly  100  (FIG. 3) and from various tilt sensors. Shaft encoders (not shown) are in rotational communication with reels  36   a - c  and produce a signal received by circuit board assembly  44  whereby each reel  36   a - c  can be precisely stopped to display the portion of each reel  36   a - c  through windows  38   a - c , respectively, as determined by circuit board assembly  44 . If circuit board assembly  44  calls for a jackpot, reels  36   a - c  are stopped to correspond to a pay-out as indicated in the jackpot information  28  and the appropriate number of credits are displayed in window  64  on door  24 .  
         [0035]    To operate the machine, a user typically begins by dropping coins or tokens in coin slot  48 . Next, the user pulls handle  34  to activate a “play”. Upon pulling the handle, the circuitry on circuit board  44  determines where reels  36   a - c  should stop, enables power to reel motors  60   a - c , and then one-by-one stops reels  36   a - c  at the predetermined position after a predetermined period of time. If a jackpot is indicated, circuit board  44  adds the appropriate number of credits to the number displayed in window  64 . If credits are shown, the user may use credits in lieu of coins by pressing button  54  on door  24  or may play three credits and activate a play by pressing button  56 . In addition, the a user may initiate a play by pressing button  52  rather than pulling handle  34 .  
         [0036]    Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 11, when desired, the user can convert credits to coins, by user pressing the “cash out” button  50  on door  24 . Upon receipt of the signal from button  50 , circuit board  44  enables electrical power to feeder motor  46  which rotates disk  68  to lift individual coins from hopper  62 . As each coin nears the top of disk  68 , the coin passes through an aperture (not shown), to coin detector  74  and through channel  72  before being discharged through chute  32 . Circuit board assembly  44  (FIG. 2) counts each coin detected by detector  74  and disables power to feeder motor  46  when the appropriate number of coins have been discharged.  
         [0037]    Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, coin handler  100  includes coin comparator,  102  which compares the magnetic signature of a reference coin  104  to an inserted coin. If there is a match, the inserted coin is allowed to continue down the coin path. If, on the other hand, the magnetic signatures do not match, the inserted coin is discharged out a coin return path  106 . As a coin continues down the coin path, it passes through optical coin counter  108 .  
         [0038]    Referring to FIG. 5, coin counter  108  includes emitter board  110 , detector board  112  and coin director  114 . As best seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, the inventive coin director  114  includes first coin guide  118  and second coin guide  116 . Light emitting diodes located on emitter board  110  are positioned to shine through apertures  120 ,  122 , and  124  to strike corresponding detectors on detector board  112 . It should be noted that, most preferably, guide  118  protrudes to obstruct access to aperture  124  by elongated objects such that cheating tools cannot be inserted to reach aperture  124 .  
         [0039]    A better understanding of the invention can be gained by comparing the prior art coin director  200  as shown in FIG. 8. Coin guides  202  and  204  are positioned, as in the present invention to direct a coin to pass sequentially over apertures  206 ,  208 , and  210 . However, coin director  200  is constructed such that a coin may fall through coin director  200  without striking either guide  202  or  204 . FIG. 4 shows a coin handler  100  with the coin counter  108  removed and an elongated of plastic tool  130  inserted in the coin path in the same manner as a cheating tool would be inserted. With the coin counter  108  removed, it can be seen that, with prior art coin director  200 , such a tool can gain access to all three apertures  206 ,  208 , and  210 . Light emitting diodes properly located on tool  130  could be manipulated appropriately to, in turn manipulate the detectors on detector board  112 .  
         [0040]    With the inventive coin director in place, such a tool would strike guide  118  such that the tool could not be inserted to sufficient depth to gain access to apertures  120 ,  122 , and  124 . A tool which could be inserted past guide  118  could not gain access to aperture  124  and therefore could not be used to manipulate the coin counter  108 .  
         [0041]    In another preferred embodiment of the inventive coin director, as shown in FIG. 9, anti-cheating device  220  is placed between coin comparator  102  (FIG. 3) and coin counter  108 . An inserted coin must rotate gate  222  to gain access to the coin counter  108 . It should be noted that gate  222  includes a plurality of arms  224   a - c , preferably three as shown. If an object larger than a coin is inserted, the rotation of arm  224   a , for example, will cause arm  24   b  to hit the inserted object, thereby stopping further rotation of gate  222  and preventing further insertion of the object.  
         [0042]    In yet another embodiment of the inventive coin director, as shown in FIG. 10, an electrical switch  244  is affixed to anti-cheating device  240  such that a coin passing through path  242  will strike actuator  246  to actuate switch  244 . A coin passing through the path will cause switch  244  to produce a pulse of relatively short duration. A cheating device, on the other hand, will cause switch  244  to produce a continuous output. Electronic circuitry could be used to distinguish between a coin and an improper object in the coin path. An object which produced a pulse of too long duration would cause the machine to “tilt” thereby disabling further operation of the machine until reset by an employee of the casino.  
         [0043]    It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the inventive device is not limited to the embodiments discussed hereinabove, the inventive aspect being the prevention or detection of the placement of an elongated object into the machine through the coin slot.  
         [0044]    In still another preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, an emitter/detector assembly  140  is located adjacent coin chute  132  in door  24  to detect the presence of an object in the coin path for coins discharged from the machine. As discussed herein above, when the user chooses to cash out, the electronic circuit board  44  (FIG. 2) causes the coin feeder  42  (FIG. 11) to discharge the appropriate number of coins through the coin chute  132 . A detector sends a signal to circuit board  44  for each coin exiting feeder  42 . In a known method of cheating, a cheating tool is used to divert coins around detector  74 , or disable detector  74 , such that exiting coins are not counted by circuit board  44 . To detect the presence of such a cheating tool, preferably emitter/detector assembly  140  includes a plurality of light emitting diodes  142  ( 4  shown) which emit light for reception by a plurality of photo detectors  144  ( 4  shown). As seen in the schematic diagram, FIG. 13, if one or more beams of light are broken, the affected detector  144  will produce a high signal. The outputs of all of the detectors are routed to a diode “OR” gate  146  such that a high output from one or more detectors will activate the base  148  of transistor  150  causing transistor  150  to turn on. Terminal  152  of relay  154  is connected to the collector  156  of transistor  150  and the emitter  158  is connected to ground such that, when transistor  150  is turned on, coil  160  of relay  154  will be energized, thereby opening normally closed contacts  162 . Contacts  162  may be used to tilt the machine, disable the coin feeder, etc.  
         [0045]    While contacts  162  are preferably normally closed, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that normally open contacts, closed by activation of coil  160  are equally suitable.  
         [0046]    To prevent nuisance activation of the circuit while coins are fed from the machine, transformer  164  is wired in series with feeder motor  46  such that when feeder motor  46  is not operational, a small electrical current will flow through feeder motor  46  and transformer  164  to power emitter/detector assembly  140 . When feeder motor  46  is activated, electrical current flows instead through contacts  166 , diverting current from emitter/detector assembly  140  and preventing the closing of contacts  162 . Thus, emitter/detector assembly will automatically generate a contact closure upon the detection of a cheating device, but not upon the legitimate discharging of coins.  
         [0047]    As will be understood by those skilled in the art that, while the above emitter/detector assembly has been discussed with reference to light emitting diodes and photodetectors, the invention is not so limited. Any type of energy beam emitter could be used in conjunction with a suitable receiver or detector to achieve the desired results. In addition, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that such an energy beam could be modulated to reduce the likelihood that a cheating device could produce a counterfeit signal to defeat the ant-cheating device.  
         [0048]    Thus, the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned above as well as those inherent therein. While presently preferred embodiments have been described for purposes of this disclosure, numerous changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are encompassed within the spirit of this invention.