Patent Publication Number: US-11657675-B2

Title: Casino apparatus

Description:
This application is a national stage application under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of PCT Application No. PCT/GB2019/051881, filed Jul. 3, 2019, which claims the benefit of Great Britain Application No. 1810911.6, filed Jul. 3, 2018. The entire contents of each of PCT Application No. PCT/GB2019/051881 and Great Britain Application No. 1810911.6 are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to casino security systems, in particular to security systems for preventing theft from casino apparatuses. 
     BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION 
     Casinos derive a great deal of revenue from gaming machines such as mechanical and video slots and table games such as poker and twenty-one. Three important factors to casino operators related to providing these games are: 1) minimizing operating costs, 2) responding to the desires of players, their customers, which are constantly shifting and 3) providing a secure and honest gaming experience. Minimizing operating costs involves factors, such as minimizing the labour and maintenance costs associated with providing a game at a gaming machine or at a table. Responding to the desires of players involves factors, such as changing games on a gaming machine, providing new types of games, rearranging a layout and distribution of gaming machines and/or table games on a casino floor and providing player incentives via casino-sponsored loyalty programs. Finally, providing a secure and honest gaming experience involves such factors as providing tamper-proof gaming machines and table games, and secure gaming platforms that meet regulatory requirements and providing security monitoring systems that help deter theft and other potential crimes such as tampering with a casino apparatus in order to control an outcome. 
     The factors described above are reflected in the history of technology development associated with the gaming industry. For example, casino monitoring systems were introduced to minimize costs associated with gathering accounting data from gaming machines. Until the advent of casino monitoring systems the accounting of coin-in, coin-out, and other data associated with each machine was done manually. 
     The introduction of casino monitoring systems provided the means for a casino operator to gather this data electronically using a communication network. This reduced the cost for the casino by reducing the expense of the manual data gathering associated with each gaming machine. 
     To provide a secure gaming experience, gaming machines and table games include security measures, such as locked cabinets for securing resources that may be targets of theft or tampering, such as deposited money or gaming software. Further, external security systems, such as camera systems are provided for monitoring employee and player behaviour including detecting illegal actions. To ensure an honest gaming experience, gaming machines tend to be highly regulated. For instance, gaming software and hardware associated with determining an outcome of game and dispensing money from a gaming machine can undergo a regulatory approval process that takes up to a year before the gaming software or hardware can be utilized in the field, such as on a casino floor. Further, after deployment, regulator approved gaming software and hardware are secured and monitored in a gaming device such that changes or modifications are readily detectable. 
     The technological advances, described above, each viewed in isolation, have contributed to minimizing operating costs, responding to the desires of players and providing a secure and honest gaming experience. However, these advances viewed as a whole have also created problems. Currently, gaming machines on a casino floor can be connected to many different and separately maintained networks. For instance, a single gaming machine on a casino floor, which may include thousands of gaming machines, can be connected via wired connections to separate WAP, player tracking, link progressive and TITO networks. Maintaining many different networks and their associated infrastructure can be quite costly, and real-time identification of theft or corruption is increasingly unlikely. 
     Monitoring currently involves the use of casino security cameras. Current forms of monitoring tend to require security cameras to be permanently focused on, for instance, a gaming machine, gaming table or chipping machine, and is generally reliant upon a surveillance team to be continually monitoring each machine to identify, characterise and record activity on said machines. This method is flawed, and is open to human error, as it generally relies upon said activity being witnesses at the correct moment. Such activity can easily be missed in current methods, should the surveillance team be busy dealing with another incident. The activity could be viewed retrospectively, but may rely upon the activity being detailed and/or captured by personnel on the gaming floor, to provide to the surveillance team with date and time stamps in order to practicably trawl through recorded footage to identify the activity. Not only does this generally present a time- and resource-intensive process, but it can also mean that the activity is not able to be reviewed for a lengthy time after the activity has taken place, which poses a number of concerns for a security system. 
     Some machines are arranged to emit a high-pitched alarm sound when opened without authorisation. This does not, however, prevent tampering with a machine by authorised personnel. 
     Machines may log, internally, if the machine was opened. This log will typically capture the date and time, however, the log does not generally contain detail of the user, or detail of the activity performed while open. 
     Other disadvantages of current machines include the tendency for maintenance to be initiated unnecessarily, which can lead to unnecessary down-time of the machine. 
     It is therefore desirable to provide a secure apparatus for use in a casino, overcoming the problems posed by current technology. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a secure casino apparatus comprising,
         a casing and a cavity within the casing, the casing comprising an access member arranged to provide access to said cavity;   a sensor arranged to detect said access to the cavity and provide an access signal;   an image capture apparatus arranged to provide image data of the cavity when the image capture apparatus is activated;   a memory arranged to store the image data; and   a processor arranged to process the image data and the access signal; wherein the processor is further arranged to activate the image capture apparatus for an activation period when an access signal is provided by the sensor.       

     In preferable embodiments, the access member is a door. In said preferable embodiments, the access member is arranged to be opened, and thereby providing access to the cavity. In further preferable embodiments, the access member comprises a locking mechanism arranged to be actuated by an unlocking member. Preferably the unlocking member is one selected from: a key; a wireless fob; a code; a sequence of digits. 
     Access to the cavity, in the context of the present invention, will be understood by the skilled addressee to mean access to the cavity gained by an individual. In the context of the present invention, the individual may optionally be an individual who is authorised to access the cavity. The individual may be an individual who is not authorised to access the cavity. Access to the cavity may be obtained by actuating the access member. In certain embodiments, access to the cavity may be obtained using a method that does not involve actuating the access member. 
     Image data of the cavity, in the context of the present invention, will be understood by the skilled addressee to mean image data comprising an image, the image providing a view of at least a portion of the cavity. In preferable embodiments, the image data comprises an image providing a view of the cavity and activity performed within said cavity. In preferable embodiments, the activity may comprise activity performed by the secure casino apparatus and/or activity of an individual having accessed the cavity. 
     Preferably the image capture apparatus is located substantially inside the cavity. 
     Preferably the access comprises a duration, and wherein the sensor is arranged to provide the access signal throughout the duration of said access. More preferably the processor is arranged to activate the image capture apparatus for the duration of said access. 
     Preferably the access comprises a duration, and wherein the sensor is arranged to provide the access signal at intervals of predetermined length throughout the duration of said access. More preferably the activation period is not shorter than the predetermined length. 
     Preferably the processor is arranged to activate the image capture apparatus for a predetermined buffer period after the duration of said access. 
     In accordance with preferable embodiments, the secure casino apparatus further comprises an image transmission member arranged to transmit the image data. Preferably the image transmission member is arranged to transmit the image data by live-streaming said image data. Preferably the image transmission member is arranged to transmit the image data to a remote device, the remote device comprising one selected from the range: a display screen located on the secure casino apparatus; a server; a mobile device; a computer. 
     Preferably the secure casino apparatus further comprises a signal transmission member arranged to transmit the access signal. 
     Preferably the access detected by the sensor comprises a mode, the mode being one selected from the range: authorised access, or unauthorised access. Preferably the processor is arranged to determine the mode from the access signal. 
     Preferably the secure casino apparatus further comprises an alerting member arranged to provide an alert when the alerting member is activated. Preferably the alert comprises at least one selected from the range: an electronic mail; a text message; a dashboard alert; an alarm; a software feature; a video message; a screen animation; an audible alert; a supersonic audio alert. 
     In preferable embodiments wherein the access detected by the sensor comprises a mode, the mode being one selected from the range: authorised access, or unauthorised access, and wherein the processor is arranged to determine the mode from the access signal, preferably the processor is further arranged to activate the alerting member when an access signal having a unauthorised access mode is provided by the sensor. 
     Preferably the secure casino apparatus is one selected from the range: a gaming token sorting apparatus; a chipper; a gaming terminal; an electronic gaming machine; a gaming token transport device; a currency transport device; a dice spinner; a game ball spinner; a dice shaker. 
     In the context of the present invention, the term “gaming” will be understood by the skilled addressee to mean “gambling”. 
     Preferably the cavity is arranged to transport, store and/or sort one selected from the range: physical currency; gaming tokens; a data storage device; identification data. 
     In embodiments wherein the secure casino apparatus is a gaming token sorting apparatus, which may optionally be a chip sorting apparatus, the cavity is preferably a cavity within the gaming token apparatus wherein gaming tokens are transported, stored and/or sorted. In embodiments wherein the secure casino apparatus is a gaming terminal or an electronic gaming machine, the cavity is preferably a cavity wherein gaming tokens and/or currency are transported, stored and/or sorted. 
     Preferably the processor is further arranged to perform pattern recognition on the image data, and is further arranged to transform an access signal having a unauthorised access mode into an access signal having an authorised access mode; wherein the processor is arranged to carry out the transformation upon recognition of a known pattern. 
     Preferably the secure casino apparatus further comprises an identification member arranged to identify an individual. 
     In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a casino apparatus security system, the security system comprising:
         a secure casino apparatus comprising:
           a casing and a cavity within the casing, the casing comprising an access member arranged to provide access to said cavity;   a sensor arranged to detect said access to the cavity and provide an access signal; an image capture apparatus arranged to provide image data of the cavity when the image capture apparatus is activated;   a memory arranged to store the image data;   a processor arranged to process the image data and the access signal; and   an image transmission member arranged to transmit the image data; wherein the processor is further arranged to activate the image capture apparatus for an activation period when an access signal is provided by the sensor;   
           the security system further comprising:       

     a monitoring system comprising a remote device arranged to receive the image data from the image transmission member. 
     Preferably the secure casino apparatus is one according to the first aspect of the present invention. Preferably the remote device comprises one selected from the range: a display screen located on the secure casino apparatus; a server; a mobile device; a computer; media player; data storage device. 
     In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of monitoring access to a secure casino apparatus, the method comprising the steps of:
         i. detecting an access to a cavity comprised within a secure casino apparatus;   ii. activating an image capture apparatus;   iii. storing image data from said image capture apparatus in a memory.       

     Preferably, method is performed using a security system in accordance with the second aspect of the present invention. 
     Preferably the secure casino apparatus is one in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention. 
     Preferably the method further comprises the step of:
         iv. transmitting said image data.       

     Preferably the method further comprises the step of:
         v. providing an alert.       

    
    
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       Specific embodiments will now be described by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG.  1 A  shows an example embodiment of a secure casino apparatus in accordance with a first aspect of the present invention; 
         FIG.  1 B  shows the example embodiment of a secure casino apparatus from  FIG.  1 A  incorporated into a roulette gaming table; 
         FIG.  2    shows a schematic diagram of a secure casino apparatus in accordance with a first aspect of the present invention; 
         FIG.  3    shows an example embodiment of a casino apparatus security system in accordance with a second aspect of the present invention; and 
         FIG.  4    shows an example embodiment of a method in accordance with a third aspect of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     An example embodiment of a secure casino apparatus  10  according to the first aspect of the present invention is shown in  FIG.  1 A . The secure casino apparatus  10  is a token sorting apparatus arranged to supplement a casino table game such as roulette, which uses gaming tokens, such as gaming chips. The secure casino apparatus  10  comprises a substantially cuboidal base  12  having an upper surface  14  supporting an entry aperture  16 . The entry aperture  16  provides a route of entry into an internal cavity  18  of the base  12 . The cavity  18  is bounded within the base  12  by walls and a door  19  providing access to the cavity  18 . The cavity  18  accommodates a conveyor (not shown), arranged to urge gaming tokens accepted by the entry aperture  16  to a sorting mechanism (not shown) arranged to sort the gaming tokens according to the currency value of said gaming tokens. The sorting mechanism comprises a plurality of vertically inclined channels  20  arranged to accommodate stacks of sorted gaming tokens  22 . A camera  24  is positioned in an upper corner of the cavity  18 , and oriented to view and capture image data of the interior of the cavity  18 . At the apex of the inclined channels  20  is positioned a display screen  26 , having a touch-sensitive screen, the screen being declined from the apex of the inclined channels  20  and facing away from the token sorting apparatus  10 . 
     The token sorting apparatus  10  further comprises a plurality of sensors (not shown) arranged to detect operation data relating to the use of the apparatus, including an access signal provided when access to the cavity  18  is detected by way of the door  19 . 
     Located within the base  12  is a processor  28  arranged to accept and process the image data from the camera  24  and the data from the sensors, comprising the access signal. The token sorting apparatus  10  further comprises a memory  30  arranged to store the image data from the camera  24  and the operation data obtained by the sensors. The token sorting apparatus  10  further comprises an image transmission member  32 , a signal transmission member  34  and an alerting member  36  comprised within the base  12 . The processor  28 , memory  30 , camera  24 , display screen  26 , sensors (not shown), the image transmission member  32 , the signal transmission member  34  and the alerting member  36  are all arranged to be in digital communication with one another. 
     The sorting mechanism elements of the sorting apparatus can be as described in, for example, GB2333632A. 
       FIG.  1 B  shows a roulette gaming table  38  having the secure casino apparatus  10  incorporated therein. 
     In use, the user of the token sorting apparatus  10  according to the embodiment shown is a croupier attending to the gaming table  38 . The token sorting apparatus  10  is arranged to receive information from an automated roulette wheel  40  incorporated into the gaming table  38 , relating to the stage of the roulette game, and various other operation data associated with the use of the roulette wheel  40 . In use, the token sorting apparatus is used to aid in the operation of a table game like roulette. In a game of roulette, patrons wager gaming tokens, which are collected by a croupier into a slot within the upper surface of the gaming table, leading into the cavity of the token sorting apparatus. Following sorting, the sorted gaming tokens are returned to the croupier in stacks for distribution to winners in the roulette game. 
     In use, access to the token sorting apparatus  10  using the door panel  19 , which may be for repair or maintenance, is detected by the sensor and as a result the processor activates the camera  24  for an activation period. In the embodiment shown, the sensor is arranged to detect an access to the cavity  18  and provide an access signal at predetermined intervals, in the embodiment shown, the predetermined interval is 10 seconds. The activation period in the embodiment shown is 30 seconds. As such, in the embodiment shown, if access to the cavity  18  is no longer detected by the sensor, the camera  24  is arranged to continue recording for a period after said access has ceased. 
     In the embodiment shown, the image transmission member  32  is arranged to live-stream the image data to a remote device when the image data is received by the processor  28  following activation of the camera  24  by the processor  28 . 
     In the embodiment shown, the alerting member  36  is arranged to transmit an email alert and/or a dashboard notification to a remote device when an access signal is received by the processor  28  from the sensor. The dashboard notification will be understood by the skilled reader to mean a notification appearing on a display screen. 
     In the embodiment shown, the remote device discussed in relation to the image transmission member  32  and the alerting member  36  is a computer operated by one or more surveillance personnel tasked with remote monitoring of casino apparatuses. The computer is in communication with the image transmission member  32  and the alerting member  36  over a network. When connected to the network, the image transmission member  32  and the alerting member  36  are arranged to transmit a dashboard alert, and email alert and/or another form of text-based alert. In the embodiment shown, recording of activity and image data, which may be transmitted to the computer, occurs on the secure casino apparatus. Embodiments of the present invention will be appreciated wherein the secure casino apparatus does not transmit data or notifications to a remote device. 
     In use, access to the token sorting apparatus  10  cavity  18  can be easily monitored since an alert is provided to a surveillance team when access is detected. This means that continuous visual surveillance of what may be a great number of casino apparatuses by the surveillance team is not required, and thus reduces the likelihood of human omission. 
     In the embodiment 10 shown, the door  19  comprises a lock which may be opened, or actuated, using a dedicated Dallas key. A Dallas key provides low-speed data, signalling, and power over a single conductor, and can be incorporated into a key fob for use in, for example, actuating locking mechanisms comprised with door panels of token sorting apparatuses as discussed in relation to the presently described embodiment. 
     In a typical casino environment, only a select few personnel, whose duties require relevant access to the cavity  18  of the token sorting apparatus  10 , are authorised to carry the correct Dallas key designed to actuate the lock of the door panel  19 . Use of the correct Dallas key to actuate the door panel is an example of an authorised access to the cavity  18  of the token sorting apparatus  10  of the embodiment shown, and upon detection by the sensor, would cause the sensor to provide an access signal to the processor  28 . In the embodiment shown, the sensor includes a first sensor for detecting the use of a Dallas key (i.e. detecting a consensual actuation of the access member), and a second sensor for detecting the opening of the door  19 . An example of a first sensor may include: (examples of sensors which may be used for detecting Dallas keys). An example of a second sensor may include: a motion sensor; (examples of sensors which may be used for detecting opening of the door). In the embodiment shown, the processor  28  is arranged to process the access signal received from the sensor, and arranged to determine the mode of access, whether this be an authorised access or an unauthorised access. 
     Any other means of gaining access to the cavity of the token sorting apparatus of the embodiment shown, without use of said dedicated Dallas key described above, are examples of unauthorised access to the cavity  18 . Examples of such unauthorised access may be through tampering with the locking mechanism comprised with the door panel  19 . In the embodiment shown, an access signal sent by the sensor, and having an unauthorised mode, is determined by the processor  28  if the second sensor detects an opening of the door panel  19  while the first sensor does not detect the presence of a Dallas key. 
     A schematic diagram of an example embodiment of a casino apparatus security system  50  in accordance with the second aspect of the present invention is shown in  FIG.  2   , the security system  50  comprising: a casino apparatus  52  comprising a cavity  55  and an access member  54  arranged to provide access to said cavity upon actuation of said access member  54 ; said access having a mode  56 , the mode  56  comprising one selected from: authorised access  58 , and unauthorised access  59 ; a sensor  60  arranged to detect the access, and further arranged to provide a signal  62 ; an image capture apparatus  64  arranged to provide image data upon activation of said image capture apparatus  64 ; a memory  66  arranged to store the image data; a processor  68  arranged to process the image data and the signal  62 ; wherein the processor  68  is arranged to activate the image capture apparatus  64  for an activation period when an access signal  62  is provided by the sensor  60 . 
     In the embodiment 50 shown, the casino apparatus  52  takes the form of a token sorting apparatus, a chipper, as described in relation to  FIG.  1 A . 
     The security system of the embodiment shown  50  is further detailed in  FIG.  3   , which comprises a secure casino apparatus  52  substantially as previously described in relation to  FIG.  1 A , having an image transmission member (not shown), a signal transmission member (not shown) and an alerting member (not shown), all arranged to communicate with the a surveillance team computer  70  by way of a server  68 . 
       FIG.  4    shows an example embodiment of a method  80  according to the third aspect of the present invention, the method comprising the steps of:
         i. detecting an access to a cavity comprised within a secure casino apparatus  82 ;   ii. activating an image capture apparatus  84 ;   iii. storing image data from said image capture apparatus in a memory  86 ;   v. transmitting said image data  88 ; and   vi. providing an alert  90 .       

     It will be appreciated that the above described embodiments are given by way of example only and that various modifications thereto may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.