`
`[19]
`
`Hedges et al.
`
`.
`
`54
`
`[
`
`] REMOTE GAMING SYSTEM
`
`[11]
`
`[45]
`
`4,339,798
`
`Jul. 13, 1982
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`[75]
`
`Inventors: Richard A. Hedges, Oakland; David
`L. Shockley, San Francisco; Stanley
`C. Fralick, Saratoga; Paul H. Kane,
`Cupertino, all of Calif.
`
`“Play TV Roulette~Win $1, $10,$100”, Advertisement,
`1971'
`Prima Examiner—Errol A. Kr
`ass
`’y
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm~—Townsend and Townsend
`
`[73] Assignee: Remote Dynamics, Oakland, Calif.
`
`[21] App]. No.: 104,275
`
`[22] Filed:
`
`Dec. 17, 1979
`
`.
`int. (21.3 .............................................. G06F 15/28
`[51]
`[52] us. c1.
`............................... 364/412- 273/138 A-
`’ 340/323 R’
`[58] Field of Search ............... 364/410, 412, 900, 518,
`364/521. 273/138 A 138 R 142 D 274.
`’340/323 R' ’235/92’ GA‘ 358/93,
`’
`’
`
`[56]
`
`]
`
`_
`References and
`US. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`3 786 234
`1/1974 Trent et al. ................ 364/412
`3:810,627
`5/1974 Levy .................
`. 235/92 GA
`
`3,876,208
`4/1975 W'zichtler et al.
`.
`273/138 A
`4,108,361
`8/1978 Krause ................................ 364/412
`
`ABSTRACT
`[57]
`A remote gaming system for use with a wagering or
`gambling establishment such as a casino to enable a
`player’s participation in a selected one of a plurality of
`wagering games from .a remote location. The system
`includes a croupier station, a credit station and a player
`Station temetety teeeted from the WW Station and
`the ete‘ht etetteh‘ The Player Statteh ‘hethdee a hve
`game display for displaying a selected one of a plurality
`et games he‘hg Played at the etehp‘et eteheh’ Sheh as
`craps, roulette or keno. The'player station includes a
`Changeable playboard for displaying a selected one of a
`plurality of wagering possibilities corresponding to a
`selected one of the plurality of games being played and
`for displaying the results of the game played at the
`croupier station. The player station also includes a mi—
`erepteeeeeer for eehttehthg the Operation 0f the live
`game display and the Changeable Playboard‘
`
`10 Claims, 19 Drawing Figures
`
`
`
`
`l
`FROM/TO
`SYSTEM CONTROL i
`STATION
`
`
`
`44 .
`
`
`LIVE GAME
`
`PROCESSOR
`
`
`DISPLAY
`
`
`
`
`
`Zynga Exhibit 1007
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 13, 1982
`
`Sheet10f13 '
`
`4,339,798
`
`
`
`
`
`43
`
`l
`
`I
`
`II
`
`I
`[
`I
`I
`
`r *5 ********’+*—fi
`l
`FROM/r0
`COMMUNICATOR
`SYSTEM CONTROL I
`STATION
`l
`44
`I
`UVE GAME
`I
`DISPLAY
`I
`I
`|
`
`4|
`
`5‘2
`PROCESSOR
`
`‘
`
`50
`
`’
`
`.
`
`
`
`L_ __ __ _- _________ __ __J
`
`y'
`
`
`
`US. Patent
`
`Ju1. 13, 1982
`
`Sheet 2 of 13
`
`4,339,798
`
`CRT
`
`Y
`
`(COMP vam
`
`CONTROLLER
`
`E:::]
`
`COLOR
`
`CRT MONITOR
`DECODE 416
`
`ANALOG
`DETECTOR
`
`55
`
`KEflIMRD
`
`CONTROLLER
`
`ANALOG
`
`MULTIPLEXER
`
`IIIIIIIIIHH
`
`FIG._ BB
`
`COMPARATIVE 71
`MATRIX
`OVERLAY ON
`CRT SAFETY
`GLASS
`
`
`
`US. Patent
`
`J
`
`91
`
`31f03aehS
`
`4,339,798
`
`1omommoxmm.
`mmodE&82085n..5023
`1,u._m<.__<><:98
`
`35
`
`.¥u<r_m
`
`
`
`ZuNoo0200mm
`
`
`
`US. Patent
`
`Jul. 13, 1982
`
`Sheet 4 of 13
`
`4,339,798
`
`FZDOZ<k_2:mm<mUm><I30>
`
`
`
`
`
`m._._ZD.._ommmSDZ...mmm_:._.mooo
`
`mmbzm
`
`wozoommm.
`
`mmogoO...
`
`omawwoxw
`
`
`
`
`
`mjmdj_<><Im<o
`
`«.uozdd
`
`
`
`<159:...mhmm1....
`
`x5"28..HEE_H_EEEEHE
`
`H.200EH.«3.98.98.0:.05
`
`N_.__.o_.m.¢.m.N
`
` _EN
`
`
`
`mum;.'mmE..
`
`
`
`
`
`
`US. Patent
`
`Jul. 13, 1982
`
`Sheet 5 of 13
`
`4,339,798
`
`0000 O
`01me
`N
`
`mmm
`Nrofi'
`
`000000
`qu-
`
`05
`N
`
`no
`N
`
`NNNNNN
`
`ca «9.0Halo
`
`to so In l0
`1:)
`—- N to <r
`L0
`
`l0
`N
`
`FlG.-6
`
`20-3
`KENO
`
`<1-
`
`<1- Q’
`
`<1-
`
`<1",
`
`'I'I'Ila
`II“...
`I,ININININ
`
`m m m to
`
`I5SECONDSTOCLOSE
`
`<_
`
`J
`D.
`
`2
`d:
`0}-
`19ULIJ
`
`2 <
`
`m _
`
`l
`_l
`<
`
`
`
`UNITAMOUNT
`
`NUMBEROFUNITS
`
`HAVE
`
`YOU
`
`ODDSTHISBET
`
`EXCEEDED
`
`
`
`CASHAVAILABLE
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 13, 1982
`
`Sheet 6 of 13
`
`4,339,798
`
`97
`
`INT REQ
`
`KEYBOARD SELV
`DISPLAY SEL
`
`
`
`
`'
`
`ADDRESS
`
`
`
`'
`
`KEYBOARD
`HYS
`CONTROLLERKCLK
`
`‘V;
`
`55
`
`DATA
`56
`57
`
`m 7
`
`778
`
`s73
`
`‘61
`
`
`
`.
`
`‘
`
`Y
`' R‘Y
`. B-Y
`L
`"
`
`'.
`L E‘
`N
`co TRO L R CHROMA
`
`(68047)
`
`62
`63
`64
`67
`
`5§58 MH*
`as
`
`95
`
`
`
`mSPLAY
`
`
`(RAM)
`4
`
`
`
`STORAGE
`
`'92
`
`
`
`ADDRESS
`
`('6)
`
`ADDRESS
`
`U6)
`
`FlG.-7
`
`('2 XZII4)
`
`OS
`97
`
`
`
`DECODE
`
`(8 205)
`
`93
`
`
`
`US. Patent
`
`Jul. 13, 1982
`
`Sheet 7 of 13
`
`4,339,798
`
`I/O SEL
`
`97
`
`ADDRESS DATA
`| 6)
`(8)
`
`95
`
`95
`
`__________
`8? 7
`
`
`
`MAGNETIC
`
`u -
`DATA
`
`
`
`
`
`II.“
`CARD
`
`
`CLOCK READER
`DATA (8)
`
`
`
`(AMP-ZIO)
`
`
`
`22
`
`FlG.-8
`
`‘ GENERATOR
`
`
`
`
`
`US. Patent
`
`Jul. 13, 1982
`
`Sheet 8 of 13
`
`4,339,798
`
`M ICROPROCESSOR
`'
`(8085)
`
`
`
`
`ADDR ALE
`DATA ‘R‘D WRIo/fi
`
`X2
`
`F:|(3.'—h E)
`
`
`
`
`STORAGE
`
`PROGRAMW
`
`
`(2 x 2732)
`>
`
`
`‘9l
`
`"
`
`92
`
`DECODE
`
`
`LOGIC
`
`$205
`
`
`
`
`II
`
`I/O SEL
`
`9
`
`
`
`
`ADDRESS
`BUS
`
`DATA
`BUS
`
`'KEYBOARDSEL
`
`
`
`US Patent
`
`Jul. 13, 1982
`
`Sheet 9 of 13
`
`4,339,798
`
`NUMERICAL
`DISPLAY 8|
`
`PHYSICALLY
`SECURE
`
`NO MORE
`I5 SEC
`BETS
`WARNING
`LIGHT
`LIGHT
`I25 .
`
` LATCHED
`
`
`'08
`
`DATA (4)
`
`
`STROBE
`
`DRIVERS yum:
`m: (8048)
`
`
`
`
`
`PROCESSOR
`
`
`
`ENERYPTTON-I
`
`NUMERICAL a
`I
`
`SPECIAL FUNCTIONW .9 DEVICE
`I
`
`
`KEYBOARD L__(8294) _|
`
`
`
`'05
`
`103
`
`ZOI
`
`CENTRAL
`
`
`PROCESSING
`
`
`UN IT
`
`
`MAG CARD
`
`
`LINE
`READER/
`
`
`
`PRINTER
`WRITER
`
`
`
`FlG.e-ll
`
`To
`PLAYER
`STATION
`
`To
`CROUP IER
`STATION
`
`
`
`US. Patent
`
`Jul. 13, 1982
`
`Sheet 10 of 13
`
`4,339,798
`
`92.
`
`9|
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`I64
`
`I65
`
`I66
`
`I67
`
`I68
`
`STATUS
`TABLES
`
`BUFFER
`AREA
`
`TASK
`
`QUEVE
`STACK
`AREA
`
`DISPLAY
`
`STORAGEAREA
`
`
`
`
`FIG.-|2
`
`I63
`
`I62
`
`I6I
`
`I60
`
`I59
`
`I58
`
`I57
`
`I56
`
`I55
`
`I54
`
`l53
`
`I52
`
`I5I
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`-TABLE 2.CRAPS
`
`
`
`
`
`DISPLAY DESCRIPTOR
`
`v—.
`
`GAME CONTROL
`
`TABLE 3,ROULETTE
`
`GAME CONTROL
`
`TABLE L KENO
`MODE CONTROL
`TABLES
`_
`MAG CARD READER
`PROGRAM CODE
`
`ENCRYPTION / DECRYPTION
`PROGRAM CODE
`DISPLAY CONTROL
`PROGRAM CODE
`PLAYER RESPONSE
`PROGRAM CODE
`
`COMMUNICATIONS
`PROGRAM CODE
`
`MONITOR
`*
`PROGRAM CODE
`
`SYSTEM CONSTANTS
`
`DUMP TABLES
`
`‘
`I
`
`
`
`
`I
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`‘
`
`
`MONITOR‘
`
`
`RGS
`
`ZO
`
`
`
`DISPLAY
`
`
`
`MAGNETm
`
` PLAYER
`
`
`STRIPE
`COMMUNWATWN‘
`
`RESPONSE
`CONTROL
`
`DECRYPTION 3:
`READER
`
`
`
`
`ENCRYPTIO
`
`FIG-l3
`
`
`
`US. Patent
`
`Jul. 13, 1982
`
`Sheet 11 of 13
`
`4,339,798
`
`
`
`mumuam>mpzu
`
`
`
`
`
`02_2002.MszmmmH.m
`
`woOU
`
`
`
`5320$895_Sn.2_
`
`
`
`mmzommum5:3".
`
`,.6855
`
`
`
`
`
`20.20.22.228mo<mmu2.m
`
`momOP
`
`
`
`
`
`mummbmmo<mmm220w:
`
`uo<mmu§z.”mmo<wmwz
`
`
`
`mmc<mmw2._._s_wz<m._.émun—“:5
`
`v_ll.o_n_
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`5%.$4.82.:._z<mo“.3:839.33..5.38:onaugmfix._
`
`
`
`
`
`$.55..5”:onmz<o.~
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`mo...n=momwo><.._n_m_o.m
`
`3.55325m33:.Epzm:52th.n.
`
`mamasx9;¢hzmzuoouéozxu,‘
`
`
`
`.203mZmuzmon
`
`
`
`«Enjomhzooom<om>mx
`
`
`
`
`
`O._.moz<s=zoo.w.
`
`
`
`
`
`om<om>mxm=.:.Jomkzoo.m
`
`meJOmkzou
`
`
`.momokm_|.0_n_
`
`
`
`
`
`qumdc.mDthw.V
`
`mamaozo_mm_zmz<E.~AI-lno>:o_._<>wwwnwwI3.55woos..m
`
`mmmmoo<m>>mw,N_zooomm.N
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`m:«Emu—3mmo<mmm2.Nm:mmumnmm0<wmm2.m
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`mzo_._.<o_23_2200
`
`
`
`mmmoomn.Pan—z.
`
`
`
`
`
`20—kdmumoMI...405.200._.mmo<mmmhz.25.00._
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 13, 1982
`
`Sheet 12 of 13
`
`4,339,798
`
`KMJJOszoo#10.N
`
`woz<2200_m
`
`91.0....—
`
`
`
`SEC...9—.>mozw2.:mmmmwm
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`><JQ9O,am...<o_oz_HI...
`
`
`
`
`
`KOLu>om<m1...P<mmum.N,
`
`
`
`mmmw>um”.0400£230
`
`£0400oznomov—odm
`
`.0mun—JomkzonuNIPno
`
`
`
`zo_._.<mmn_oMI...Jomk200€
`
`
`
`
`
`.Bzaoaommom.3,520.0...0.
`
`
`
`mzmmté2.325%Expo
`
`
`
`$03.62.wzo.._.<mun_o.m
`
`
`
`><._n_m.oMNZSEZZd
`
`E538
`
`
`
`oz<.mxw_o.9895
`
`
`
`.32...mZmuzqu
`
`
`
`.._<_own—muh<mmzmoéo
`
`mJoms.>m
`
`
`
`A-<:n_,.,,_<.,m_»<.,mwzm.o.€.,
`
`
`
`moEmgz,
`
`
`
`.0meAOszooPmo.N
`
`th<Pw
`
`
`
`>mkzu.50IO<m
`
`
`
`<._.<ooEuzzzndszdA.»
`
`
`
`Jomkzoo><4¢m5
`
`55:0332:biz
`
`
`
`zmmmbm2.329a82.228m5Emmmukz;«05.5802.320..
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`wk<muzuwoz<l>mozw2>mkzukm<4meat—momma<z.:09Pm:
`
`><._n_w_oMI...2.wzmuhhdm
`
`._._mUTE.
`
`wmhbmErr/v.:u
`
`
`
`zo_k<oo.._fin
`
`mOJOoAd
`
`DZ<EZOUdo
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 13, 1982
`
`Sheet 13 of 13
`
`4,339,798
`
`E:.wmoz<zzoo
`
`mmmoommSaz. zo_._.n.>mouo\zo_
`0:w<um<mummbm.N‘ZO—F<mwn_0MI...JOKFZOU.mm:w<mm<awn—Lam.N
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`<.—.<n_oz<mDhEb‘ZO_P¢>MWWnM_\n_szYkm—m>umwuw<k<ooz<m:...<._.w
`
`
`
`Sago
`\zo..E>mozu._com85>5.96.:50:952.“.._
`
`zo_._.n_>moun_O...<h<omummz<mkdzo_._.n;mown_
`
`
`
`
`
`
`cowNIPno
`
`Omwo_>mo
`
`30m:ommo_>mo
`
`km>muzm
`
`J¢wEcon.02.N<h<o«m.Eomo:.m
`
`
`
`
`
`.uozo_._.<mun_oJoy—#200.N
`
`
`
`om<oo_._.wzo<2‘mzk
`
`tldE
`
`mmuo<um
`
`
`
`om<o0—hmzo<2
`
`.mwodwm
`
`
`
`
`
`MI».20m“.<._.<o04mm.
`
`
`
`
`
`<mm<mumuam._mDP<Pm¢m.55.;OD._
`
`
`
`hon—5.5,,mmmoOmn.Fan-z.
`
`
`
`
`
`wmmo<mmom<oo_._.mzm<2
`
`
`
`
`
`
`I
`
`REMOTE GAMING SYSTEM
`
`4,339,798
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to a remote gaming
`system for use with a wagering or gambling establish-
`ment such as a casino.
`Heretofore, it has not in general been possible for a
`player to participate in wagering games such as rou-
`lette, craps or keno from a remote location because of
`the difficulty involved in maintaining communications
`with the various games, together with maintaining ac-
`curate results of each of the games for each player. For
`example, US. Pat. No. 3,810,627 discloses the capability
`of enabling a player to place a wager on a game from a
`remote location, but does not provide the capability of
`allowing the same player to place a wager on another
`game.
`In order to place wagers on any one of a group of
`ongoing games such as roulette or craps at a casino, it is
`usually necessary that a player be physically present at
`the gaming table itself.
`Moreover, some players would enjoy participating in
`such games but are reluctant to be directly involved at
`the gaming table themselves. A desirable feature of a
`remote wagering system would be to allow a player to
`participate in wagering games from the convenience
`and privacy of his room at a casino or, for that matter,
`from a hotel or motel room remotely located from the
`casino.
`
`In view of the above background, it is an objective of
`the present invention to provide an improved remote
`gaming system.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to a remote gaming
`system for use with a wagering or gambling establish—
`ment such as a casino to enable a player’s participation
`from a remote location.
`
`In one embodiment, the system includes a croupier
`station, a credit station and a player station remotely
`located from the croupier station and the credit station.
`The player station includes means for enabling the
`player to communicate with the croupier station, a live
`game display for displaying a selected one of a plurality
`of games being played at the croupier station (such as
`roulette, craps or keno), playboard means for displaying
`a selected one of a plurality of wagering possibilities
`corresponding to the selected one of said plurality of
`games being played at said croupier station and for
`displaying the results of the game played at said crou~
`pier station, and processor means for controlling the
`operation of the player station.
`The credit station includes means for enabling the
`player station to communicate with the croupier station
`upon determination that a player is authorized to partic-
`ipate in the wagering games in the casino with a prede-
`termined credit limit thereby permitting participation
`by one or more players in a selected one of a plurality of
`games from remote locations.
`In accordance with another embodiment of the pres—
`ent invention, a remote gaming terminal is provided
`which includes a live game display for displaying a
`selected one of a plurality of games being played such as
`craps, roulette or keno. The terminal also includes a
`playboard for displaying a selected one of a plurality of
`wagering possibilities corresponding to a selected one
`of a plurality of games being played. The playboard also
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`2
`displays the results of the game played upon comple-
`tion. The playboard includes means for changing the
`display to enable participation in any of the games being
`played. Processor means are included for controlling
`the operation of the terminal.
`In accordance with another embodiment of the pres-
`ent invention, the system also includes authenticator
`means for verifying that the particular player is autho—
`rized to be played with the selected game in progress
`which prevents unauthorized access to the game in
`progress, thereby providing a security aspect for the
`terminal.
`
`In accordance with the above summary, the present
`invention achieves the objective of providing a remote
`gaming system and terminal for use in a gambling estab—
`lishment for providing participation in wagering on a
`plurality of live games from a remote location.
`Other objects and features of the present invention
`will become apparent from the following description
`when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
`drawings.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram of a remote gaming
`system according to the present invention.
`FIG. 2 depicts a block diagram of a remote gaming
`terminal which forms a portion of FIG. 1.
`FIG. 3A depicts a block diagram showing the imple-
`mentation of a playboard display.
`FIG. 3B depicts a block diagram showing the imple-
`mentation of a keyboard controller for a playboard.
`Together these Figures depict the implementation of a
`playboard which forms a portion of FIG. 2.
`FIG. 4 depicts a diagram of the game of roulette
`which can be displayed on the playboard of FIG. 2.
`FIG. 5 depicts a diagram of the game of craps which
`can be displayed on the playboard of FIG. 2.
`'
`FIG. 6 depicts a diagram cf the game of keno which
`can be displayed on the playboard of FIG. 2.
`FIG. 7 depicts a schematic diagram of a playboard
`controller which forms a portion of FIG. 2.
`FIG. 8 depicts a schematic diagram of a communica-
`tor and authenticator which forms a portion of FIG. 2.
`FIG. 9 depicts a schematic diagram of a processor
`which forms a portion of FIG. 2.
`FIG. 10 depicts a diagram of a croupier station which
`forms a portion of FIG. 1.
`.
`FIG. 11 depicts a diagram of a credit station which
`forms a portion of FIG. 1.
`.
`FIG. 12 depicts the organization of data structures in
`the random access memory and read only memory
`which form a portion of FIG. 9.
`FIG. 13 depicts the organization of program modules
`for controlling the operation of the remote gaming
`terminal of FIG. 2.
`
`FIGS. 14—18 depict more detailed diagrams of the
`program modules of FIG. 13.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`DRAWINGS
`
`Referring now to FIG. 1, a system block diagram of
`a remote gaming system is depicted which includes a
`credit station 9, a croupier station 11 and a player sta—
`tion 10.
`The player station 10 includes a playboard 20 which
`displays, as will be described, the particular game in
`progress which the player will observe by watching
`
`
`
`4,339,798
`
`3
`typical TV monitor 21. Playboard 20 and monitor 21
`are connected to and communicate with the casino
`station 11 by digital coaxial bus 22.
`The croupier station 11 includes one or more gaming
`tables 8 which are monitored by TV cameras 12, 13,
`which provide to player station 10 a display of a game
`in progress via modulator 14 and coaxial bus 22 to dis—
`play monitor 21 at the player station 10. Typically, the
`games which can be displayed at player station 10 are
`craps, keno and roulette, although other games can be
`displayed.
`'
`The credit station 9 includes a minicomputer 32 con—
`nected to modulator 14 via bus 19 and to the croupier
`station 11 via buses 17, 18 which are connected to ca-
`sino display monitors 15, 16 respectively. Credit station
`9 is also connected to player station 10 via coaxial bus
`22 to monitor 30 and bus 31.
`Referring now to FIG. 2, a block diagram of a remote
`gaming terminal 20 of FIG. 1 is depicted which includes
`a live game display 44, playboard 40, authenticator 43,
`communicator 42 and processor 41 for contrOlling the
`operation of the remote gaming terminal (RGT) 20.
`The live game display 44 includes a remotely con-
`trolled color television monitor such as monitor 21 of
`FIG. 1, which is connected by a standard closed circuit
`TV coaxial cable system 22 as depicted in FIG. 1,
`which is in turn connected to TV cameras 12, 13 placed
`to monitor live wagering games in progress at a selected
`one of a plurality of croupier stations in the casino.
`The TV signals are transmitted over cable 22 using
`standard cable-TV frequencies and modulation tech-
`niques through modulator 14 whereby monitor 21 can
`receive and select the desired game at the playing sta-
`tion 10 of FIG. 1. Monitor 21 can be equipped with a
`remote control so tht the player mayg'remotely select a
`game to be played. The remote contrél device is part of
`the playboard 40 of the RGT 20 and is connected via
`bus interface to the processor via bus 50, as described
`below.
`
`The playboard 40 of FIG. 2 is depicted in more detail
`in FIGS. 3A and 3B and includes means for displaying
`the wagering possibilities as well as the results of the
`game, means to accept the wagers intended by the
`player and means to interface the playboard with the
`processor 41 of FIG. 2.
`The player-changeable playboard 40 the implementa—
`tion of which is shown FIGS. 3A and 3B, provides a
`single physical entity which may be rapidly and auto-
`matically controlled by the processor 41 of FIG. 2 to
`allow a player to play any of a plurality of games in
`progress at a casino.
`For example,
`the playboard allows wagering on
`games such as craps, roulette and keno. The use of
`several playboards, one for each game, would be expen-
`sive, cumbersome, and confusing to a player, and as a
`result the playboard depicted in FIGS. 3A and 3B al-
`lows for a plurality of games to be rapidly and automati-
`cally changed by a processor means 41 of FIG. 2 when
`it receives a command from the player that a new game
`has been selected.
`In one embodiment, the changeable playboard FIGS.
`3A and 3B includes color TV monitor 60 connected via
`buses 62, 63, 64 to CRT controller 61, which typically is
`Motorola’s Model 68047, which in turn is connected to
`the processor 41 of FIG. 2.
`Controller 61 generates a composite video signal on
`buses 62, 63, 64 which contains all necessary compo-
`nents such as luminence, chrominace and synchroniza—
`
`4
`tion to display a particular game on monitor 60. Clock
`signals on bus 66 are provided by clock circuit 65,
`which in one embodiment could be a 3.58 MHz oscilla-
`tor.
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`4O
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`An example of a display to be displayed on monitor
`60 is a roulette game depicted in FIG. 4, which contains
`blocks of different colors for displaying possible wagers
`in a format which simulates the format of a playing
`board in the live game selected. Display monitor 60 also
`displays items relative to the player’s account such as
`total credit remaining and items pertinent to the game
`such as wagering limits, payoff odds, and time remain~
`ing in which to enter a bet.
`In FIG. 7, controller 61 generates the display under
`control of a sequence of control bytes of data which are
`stored in a display storage memory 92. Both the proces-
`sor 41 and controller 61 have the ability to access the
`display storage memory 92 via data bus 96. Processor 41
`stores the appropriate control bytes into the display
`storage memory via address bus 95, 97 and decode logic
`93, as determined by the game selected and the subse-
`quent play of the game. Controller 61 of FIG. 3A reads
`the stored data from display storage memory 92 of FIG.
`7 once every 1/30th of a second and generates the ap-
`propriate TV signals on buses 62—64, 67 to cause the
`display of the particular game selected on monitor 60 by
`the processor determined information.
`In FIG. 3B, the playboard also includes a touch sensi—
`tive keyboard which may take one of several forms. In
`one embodiment, a matrix 70 of transparent conductors
`are printed on a sheet of safety glass 71 which in turn is
`mounted over monitor 60 so that each colored block in
`
`the display lies immediately beneath at least one matrix
`cross point. A player touching what appears to be col—
`ored blocks such as to place a bet on a particular num-
`ber in roulette in FIG. 4 will acutally press a corre-
`sponding overlay depress point 70 of FIG. 3B. The
`cross points are periodically scanned at a high rate by a
`keyboard controller 73 such as Intel’s 8278. The princi-
`ples of operation of controller 73 are described briefly
`below.
`Bus 77 is a 4-bit bus which scans display digits and
`provides a column scan to keyboard controller 73 via a
`4 to 16 decoder 72. Bus 78 is a 3-bit bus used to multi-
`plex the row return line back to controller 73 via analog
`multiplexer 75, analog detector 74 and buses 79, 55,
`which is an input
`from multiplexer 75 to indicate
`whether the key currently being scanned is closed.
`Buses 56, 57 indicate, respectively, a hysteresis output
`to analog detector 74 and key clock output to analog
`detector 74 used to reset the detector 74 before scanning
`a key.
`When a player touches a cross point, the capacitance
`of transparent conductor 70 is changed, which is sensed
`by keyboard controller 73, which notes the position of
`the player’s touch and informs processor 41 of FIG. 2
`that a new command is being generated by the player.
`This is done by generating a suitable logic level on an
`interrupt line to processor 41 which reads the encoded
`position of the player’s touch by sending a read com-
`mand to the keyboard controller 73 and capturing the
`resulting data which controller 73 places on a data bus.
`To change from one game to another, only the dis-
`play on monitor 60 need be changed. For each game,
`the display is generated so that the displayed blocks
`always underlie matrix cross points 70 of FIG. 3B. Pro-
`cessor 41 interprets a player’s touch of a particular
`location differently for each keyboard displayed such as
`
`
`
`4,339,798
`
`5
`depicted in FIG. 4 (for roulette), FIG. 5 (for craps), and
`FIG. 6 (for keno). The remote wagering terminal there—
`fore provides means to rapidly and automatically recon-
`figure a single physical playboard to serve for display-
`ing a plurality of possible games as depicted in FIGS.
`4—6. The authenticator 43 of FIG. 2 is depicted in more
`detail in FIG. 8 and provides means to verify that a
`player is authorized to use the remote gaming terminal.
`In FIG. 8, the authenticator 43 includes a magnetic
`card reader 87 (typically AMP—210) which scans mag-
`netically encoded data on a plastic card. As depicted in
`FIG. 8 the card reader 87 is connected to processor 41
`of FIG. 2 via I/O port 84, which could be Intel’s Model
`8255. I/O port 84 reads the logic level on input line 85,
`86 (which are data and clock signals, respectively) from
`card reader 80 and places data on data bus 96 upon
`command on bus 97 from processor 41 of FIG. 2. In a
`preferred embodiment, processor 41 periodically reads
`the I/O port 84 at a rate exceeding the highest clock
`rate on bus 86 from card reader 87. When the clock
`
`signal makes a transition from low logic level to high
`logic level, I/O port 84 reads and saves the data in data
`bus 85 from the card reader 80. Processor 41 communi-
`cates the sequence of data bits to the credit station 9 of
`FIG. 1 where the sequence is compared to sequences on
`file. If a match is found, a test command is sent back to
`processor 41 which causes a display of a set of tests for
`the player. These tests may require, for example, the
`player to spell out a particular predetermined word, to
`give a predetermined number, or to generate any prede-
`termined sequence of matrix cross point locations. Pro-
`cessor 41 displays a suitable key work number under a
`matrix cross point of FIG. 3B and the player’s response
`to the test is communicates to the system or credit con—
`trol station 9 where it is compared to a predetermined
`sequence. If it matches, the player is entered into the
`system and the RGT 20 of FIG. 2 is enabled. If it does
`not match, an alarm is generated and the RGT 20 of
`FIG. 2 is disabled from further play.
`In other embodiments of the present invention, the
`test sequence may be omitted in which case the match
`of the credit card number provides authorization for the
`player and the RGT 20 is enabled, ,
`In FIG. 8, the communicator 42 of FIG. 2 is depicted
`in more detail and provides a means of secure communi-
`cation between the processor 41 of RGT 20 and the
`system credit station 9.
`-
`Communicator 42 includes a modem 80, a baud rate
`generator 82, and a communications interface 81. The
`modem 80 could be a standard telephone line modem
`such as marketed by Bell Telephone System or as speci-
`fied in the CCITT and serves to convert the digital
`signals from processor 41 into analog signals suitable for
`transmission over telephone lines or other two-line con-
`ductors such as bus 22.
`Band rate generator 82 generates a clock signal on
`bus 83 at the bit rate for which modem 80 is designed,
`which could be 1200 bits per second or 2400 bits per
`second, depending upon the number of remote gaming
`terminals connected to the system. Baud rate generator
`82 also includes a digital divider which outputs one
`pulse per every N pulses input. The digital divider is
`provided with a fast clock signal on bus 98 which may
`be from a separate oscillator or could be a processor
`clock if chosen as a multiple of 2400 bits per second.
`Communications interface 81 is an interface between
`the modem 80 and processor 41 and is typically Intel’s
`Model 8251A. Interface 81 accepts data on bus 96 from
`
`6
`the processor eight bits at a time on command from the
`processor 41 and temporarily stores data, outputting
`data one bit at a time sequentially to modem 80 in syn—
`chronism with the baud rate clock on bus 83. Interface
`
`81 also accepts data sequentially from modem 80 and
`stores it until eight bits have been received which are
`then transmitted to processor over the data bus 96 upon
`demand.
`
`In FIG. 8, an encryption/decryption device 90 pro—
`vides further means to insure that data communicated
`between the remote gaming terminal 20 and the system
`or credit control station are not tampered with by unau-
`thorized sources. As implemented, the device 90 is typi-
`cally an Intel 8294 which is designed to implement the
`National Bureau of Standards encryption algorithm and
`accepts data on bus 96 from processor 41 in 8—bit bytes.
`Processor 41 provides a 56-bit key to the device 90‘and
`sends a mode control encryption or decryption signal
`on bus 97 together with data on bus 96 to be encrypted
`or decrypted as required.
`Device 90 applies the encryption or decryption algo-
`rithm to generate the appropriate data and transmits the
`data on bus 96 to the processor upon command. All data
`transmitted to the credit station is encrypted prior to its
`transmission. All data received from the credit station is
`
`decrypted prior to its use by processor 41.
`Referring now to FIG. 9, the processor 41 of FIG. 2
`is depicted in‘more detail and includes typically Intel’s
`8085 microprocessor 90 to provide computing power,
`read only memory (ROM) 91 to provide sufficient stor-
`age to hold the remote gaming terminal software and
`random access memory (RAM) 92 to hold temporary
`results of processing. Also included is decode logic 93
`to provide means to access the playboard and communi-
`cations devices by providing control signals on a por-
`tiori of bus 97.
`ROM 91, RAM 92 and logic 93 are each connected to
`microprocessor 90 via address bus 95, data bus 96 and
`control bus 97. Address bus 95 is 16 bits-wide allowing
`access to 215 locations in memories 91, 92. Data bus 96
`is 8—bits wide as all data is transferred via 8-bit incre—
`ments or bytes. Control bus 97 provides control signals
`which indicate to all devices in the system whether the
`particular device being addressed by address bus 95 is
`commanded to accept data (write operation) or to place
`data on the data bus for connection to the processor 90
`(read operation).
`Processor 90 controls the address and control buses
`95, 97 respectively. During a write cycle, processor 90
`places data on the data bus and during a read cycle the
`device being addressed places data on bus 96. When the
`playboard or communications devices are being ad-
`dressed by processor 90, the appropriate addresses are
`decoded and a signal selecting the address device is
`generated on bus 97 by logic 93. Control signals from
`logic 93 are output on bus 97 and include display select,
`communications select, keyboard select, encryption
`select and I/O port select.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`3O
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE CROUPIER STATION
`SECTION
`
`65
`
`Referring now to FIG. 10, the croupier station 11 of
`FIG. 1 is depicted in more detail. Croupier station 11
`provides a means for the croupier to input the results of
`the game to the credit terminal or credit station 9 of
`FIG. 1. The croupier station 11 also provides means for
`displaying the results of the game played at the croupier
`station.
`
`
`
`7
`Croupier station 11 of FIG. 10 includes a processor
`101 (typically Intel’s 8048) connected to bus 102, which
`is a physically secure line for providing secure commu-
`nication to the credit station. Processor 101 is con-
`
`8
`the part of the croupier which might result in an incor-
`rect payoff. The croupier must make an error unnoticed
`by anyone viewing the display for the error to be effec-
`tive.
`
`4,339,798
`
`nected via 4-bit bus 112 to a numerical and special func-
`tion keyboard 113. Return information from keyboard
`113 is input to processor 101 via 4—bit return bus 114.
`Croupier station 11 also includes a line driver circuit
`120 connected to processor 101 via 4—bit data bus 108,
`strobe bus 109, and 3-bit address bus 110. Line drivers
`120 are connected to a latched numerical display and
`light driver 122 via 8-bit bus 121. Driver circuit 122 is
`connected to a “IS-SECOND” warning light 125 and a
`“NO MORE BETS” light 126.
`Processor 101 scans keyboard 113 periodically to
`detect key closures. When a key closure is detected,
`processor 101 decodes the key which was closed via
`active scan line 112 and active return line 114. The key
`closure is used to activate the display as explained be—
`low.
`The key closure code is transmitted by processor 101
`over a physically secure line 102 to the credit terminal.
`A physically secure line 102 is provided between the
`credit terminal and the croupier station to prevent de—
`ceptive transmission of false game results.
`In an alternative implementation, an encryption de-
`vice 103, such as Intel 8294, may be used when physical
`security of the communication line cannot be guaran-
`teed. Device 103 is connected to processor 101 via 8-bit
`data line 104 and 3-bit control line 105.
`Keyboard 113 includes a set of ten switches labeled
`with the numbers 0, 1, 2,
`.
`.
`.
`, 9, and special function
`switches labeled “ENTER,” “START,” “ERASE,”
`“15 SEC TO BET” and “NO MORE BETTING.” The
`numerical switches are used to enter the results of the
`game.
`For example, in roulette, the croupier enters the dig-
`its of the numbers upon which the ball lands. For craps,
`the match point and result of each throw are entered.
`Processor 101 displays the number entered on display
`122. If it is correct, the croupier presses “ENTER” and
`processor 101 then sends the number to the credit termi—
`nal. If the croupier makes a mistake, he can correct it by
`using the “ERASE” key. The “15 SEC TO BET” and
`“NO MORE BETS” keys are depressed by the crou-
`pier at the appropriate time. The warnings are automati—
`cally sent to the credit terminal and relayed to the re—
`mote gaming terminals.
`Display 122 includes one (roulette) or two (craps)
`two-digit numerical displays and two warning lights
`125,126. Display 122 is large enough and located so that
`the result entered by the croupier will be readily visible
`to the croupier, the players at the gaming table, the pit
`boss, and the closed circuit TV camera depicted in FIG.
`1 which provides visual results to the remote gaming
`terminals.
`
`The key elements of the croupier station contributing
`to system security are the secure communication means
`102 or 103 and the large display 122.
`Without secure communication, it might be possible
`to break the line and enter a fraudulent result into the
`credit terminal. This could be done to result in incorrect
`payoffs to all players of a certain game.
`Normally, one or more players would notice and
`complain; however, it is conceivable that only a few
`players might be playing and all could be in collusion.
`Display 122 and particularly the large display of the
`results prevents either purposeful or accidental error on
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`3O
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE CREDIT STATION
`Referring now to FIG. 11, the credit station 9 of FIG.
`1 is depicted in more detail. The credit station performs
`the following functions in the system:
`1. Issues credit cards to users.
`2. Establishes user accounts.
`3. Verifies authentication of the player station users.
`4. Accepts commands from users through a player
`station to
`(a) select game;
`(b) place wager.
`5. Accepts game results from croupier station.
`6. Posts results to user’s account.
`7. Sends results to player station for display to user.
`To accomplish the above functions, the credit station
`is configured as shown in FIG. 11 and includes a central
`processing unit (CPU) 201 and a variety of peripheral
`devices including a magnetic disk temporary storage
`unit 202, a magnetic tape archival storage unit 203, a
`CRT terminal 204 (for th