SENTINEL/GUARD FOR PROTECTING A PREDEFINED GAMING AREA

• US 20080113774A1
• Filed: 11/07/2007
• Published: 05/15/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Christine Denlay
• Original Assignee: Christine Denlay
• Inventors: Denlay, Christine
• Application Number:
  US11/936,652
• Publication Number:
  US 20080113774A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/25
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/35 communicating wirelessly
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3232 wherein the operator is informed
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3241 Security aspects of a gaming system, e.g. detecting cheating, device integrity, surveillance computer security G06F21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3251 involving media of variable value, e.g. programmable cards, programmable tokens

Abstract

Certain embodiments provide systems and methods for monitoring and authorizing communication and activity in a gaming environment. Certain embodiments provide a system for electronic gaming and monitoring. The system includes an electronic gaming chip capable of being activated or inactivated based at least in part on a command received at the chip. The chip stores value and identification information and provides the value and identification information when authorized as activated. The system further includes a sentinel monitoring communication in a certain monitored area and authorizing activation and use of the chip based on the identification information. Additionally, the system includes a table intelligence facilitating game play using the chip based on authorized received from the sentinel.

Claims

8. A method for monitoring and authorizing electronic transmissions in a gaming environment including at least one electronic gaming chip, at least one sentinel adapted to monitor and authorize communication in a monitored area of the gaming environment, and at least one table intelligence adapted to facilitate game play using the at least one electronic gaming chip, said method comprising:

monitoring communication in a certain monitored area;

receiving an identification signal from an electronic gaming chip at a sentinel, said identification signal comprising value and identification information for said electronic gaming chip;

identifying said electronic gaming chip based on said identification information;

verifying said value for said electronic gaming chip;

authorizing activation and use of said electronic gaming chip for game play with a table intelligence.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said authorizing step turns said chip on within said monitored area and off when said chip leaves said monitored area.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising blocking data transmissions entering said monitored area that originate outside of said monitored area.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising updating said value associated with said chip based on authorization from said sentinel.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

receiving a communication from said electronic gaming chip at said table intelligence; and

transmitting, from said table intelligence, a request for identification and authorization of said electronic gaming chip by said sentinel.

13. The method of claim 8, further comprising authorizing, by said sentinel, activation of a portable gaming table providing mobile game play to a user in conjunction with said table intelligence, said portable gaming table storing identification information and providing said identification information for mobile game play when authorized by said sentinel.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said sentinel turns said portable gaming table on within said monitored area and off when said portable gaming table leaves said monitored area.

15. A system for monitoring and regulating electronic devices in a gaming environment, said system comprising:

a sentinel including a processor, a memory, a transmitter and a receiver, said sentinel adapted to

     1) monitor communication in a certain area of the gaming environment;

     2) identify an electronic gaming device based on identification information included in a received identification signal; and

     3) authorize activation and use of said electronic gaming device based on said identification information, said sentinel generating an authorization signal to enable said activation and use.

1. A system for electronic gaming and monitoring, said system comprising:

an electronic gaming chip capable of being activated or inactivated based at least in part on a command received at said chip, said chip storing value and identification information and providing said value and identification information when authorized as activated;

a sentinel monitoring communication in a certain monitored area and authorizing activation and use of said chip based on said identification information; and

a table intelligence facilitating game play using said chip based on authorized received from said sentinel.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a database including chip identification information for use by the sentinel in verifying and authorizing the chip.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a portable gaming table providing mobile game play to a user, said portable gaming table storing identification information and providing said identification information for mobile game play when authorized by said sentinel.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said chip comprises a morphable chip including a processor, a memory, and a morphable surface having at least one alterable characteristic.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said sentinel turns said chip on within said monitored area and off when said chip leaves said monitored area.

6. The system of claim 3, wherein said sentinel turns said portable gaming table on within said monitored area and off when said portable gaming table leaves said monitored area.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said sentinel blocks data transmissions entering said monitored area that originate outside of said monitored area.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein said sentinel comprises an electronic gaming chip.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein said sentinel comprises an electronic, portable gaming tablet.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the transmitter and receiver of said sentinel are combined as a transceiver.

19. The system of claim 15, further comprising a plurality of sentinels.

20. The system of claim 15, further comprising a cage computer in communication with said sentinel, said cage computer including a database having identification information for use in identifying said electronic gaming device.

22. The system of claim 15, wherein said certain area of the gaming environment comprises a casino gaining area.

23. The system of claim 15, wherein said certain area of the gaming environment comprises at least one of a poolside area and a dining area.

24. The system of claim 15, wherein said sentinel generates at least one of a field and a signal to interfere with unauthorized transmissions in said certain area.

20-1. The system of claim 15, further comprising a remote computer in communication with said sentinel, said remote computer including a database having identification information for use in identifying said electronic gaming device.