Gaming security system and associated methods for selectively granting access

• US 20070046423A1
• Filed: 08/28/2006
• Published: 03/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Marcon International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Marcon International Inc.
• Inventors: Baucom, L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,656,272 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.500
• 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

Abstract

In various embodiments, the present invention provides a keyless management system for automating selective access to a lockable device and a method for selectively granting access. The system and method include the lockable device coupled to and secured by a security assembly; a processor remotely located from the device executing one or more algorithms operable for identifying a user, authorizing a predetermined level of command control based upon the identity of the user, receiving a command from the user to provide access to the device to at least one of the users and a third party, and translating the command into a form that may be received by the security assembly; a communications channel operable for communicating the translated command to the security assembly; and a controller proximately located to the device executing one or more algorithms operable for actuating the security assembly in response to the translated command, thereby providing access to the device to at least one of the users and a third party.

Claims

1. A keyless management system for automating selective access to a lockable device, said system comprising:

a command kiosk providing a means to remotely manage multiple lockable devices, wherein said command kiosk comprises;

a touch screen personal computer having a processor executing one or more algorithms operable for identifying a user, authorizing a predetermined level of command control based upon the identity of the user, receiving a command from the user to provide access to the lockable device to the user and a third party, generating and translating the command into a form that may be received by a remote device, where there is at least one remote device;

a radio frequency transceiver;

a biometric scanner for logging the user on to the computer;

a keyless management system software application with a database program, wherein the application provides a listing and a current status of each lockable device controlled by the command kiosk;

a communications channel operable for communicating the translated command to the remote device; and

a security assembly that is the remote device, where the remote device is proximate to the lockable device and provides a means to lock or unlock the lockable device, where said security assembly comprises;

a controller having a unique address, that has one or more algorithms for translating the communicated command and implementing the translated command;

an actuation mechanism actuated by the translated command;

one or more switches for detecting if the status of the actuation mechanism is positively locked or positively unlocked or if the status is in an alert condition or otherwise;

a reporting algorithms for translating the status into a form that may be received by the command kiosk;

a radio frequency transceiver;

a housing for mounting and protecting the security assembly; and

a communications channel operable for communicating the translated status to the command kiosk.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the actuation mechanism is a solenoid that actuates a latch bar.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the lockable device is a chip tray with a lockable lid disposed over a top of the tray, where said tray is recessed within a surface of a table.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the chip tray has a slot that receives the cam and the locking lid has a keyed cam lock, wherein the cam is replaced with a custom cam that is shortened so that it is too short to engage the slot and it is offset below the slot such that when the latch bar is in the locked position, the latch bar projects through the slot and overlaps the custom cam.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the one or more switches for detecting if the status of the actuation mechanism is comprised;

a first micro limit switch that is actuated when the latch bar is actuated; and

second micro limit switch that is depressed when the lockable lid is correctly positioned over the top of the tray.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein when the first micro limit switch is actuated and the second micro limit switch is actuated, the status of the chip tray is locked;

when the first micro limit switch is not actuated and the second micro limit switch is not actuated and the lid is removed, the status of the chip tray is unlocked;

when the first micro limit switch is actuated and the second micro limit switch is not actuated, the status of the chip tray is in an alert condition;

when the first micro limit switch is not actuated and the second micro limit switch is actuated, the status of the chip tray is in an alert condition as the lid is on but not locked.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the algorithm authorizing the predetermined level of command control based upon the identity of the user utilizes at least three levels of access, user level, administrator level and technician level;

and the lockable devices have levels of access, wherein the authorizing algorithm only permits an individual who has successfully logged in to change the status of the lockable device, from locked to unlocked or vice versa, and the individual must have as high or higher level of access than the lockable device'"'"'s access level.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the command kiosk controls from 1 to 20 lockable devices, when the lockable device is a chip tray that is coupled to the security assembly and is mounted to a gaming table.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the housing of security assembly has a flanged flat top, that provides that the entire security assembly when mounted is recessed within the table, such that the top is flush with an upper surface of the gaming table, and when installed the security assembly is covered with a table felt or the like, and is not visible.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further operable for receiving a command from the user to prevent access to the device for at least one of the user and a third party and translating the command into a form that may be received by the security assembly.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the controller is further operable for actuating the security assembly in response to the translated command, thereby preventing access to the device for at least one of the users and a third party.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the security assembly is only actuated temporarily, reverting to an initial state after a predetermined period of time.

7. The system of claim 7, wherein the application provides the touch screen with color coded icons indicating the status of whether the chip tray is locked, unlocked or in the alert condition.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the communications channel of the command kiosk and the communications channel of the security assembly communicate via 56 bit dez encryption using frequency hopping spread spectrum radio frequency operating at 900 MHz.

15. A method for selectively granting access, comprising:

providing a lockable device coupled to and secured by a security assembly;

providing a command kiosk with a processor remotely located from the lockable device executing one or more algorithms operable for identifying a user, authorizing a predetermined level of command control based upon the identity of the user, receiving a command from the user to provide access to the device to at least one of the user and a third party, and translating the command into a form that may be received by the security assembly;

providing a communications channel operable for communicating the translated command to the security assembly;

providing a controller proximately located to the lockable device executing one or more algorithms operable for actuating the security assembly in response to the translated command, thereby providing access to the lockable device to at least one of the user and a third party;

logging in a user with a biometric scanner and confirming against a database of users, where each user has a biometric password and is assigned a level of access;

selecting a lockable device and confirming against a database of lockable devices having a unique address and a level of access, that the user has as high or a higher level of access than the selected lockable device;

assuming that the user has clearance, selecting at least one third party from a list;

actuating a lock on a selected lockable device, or canceling to exit or start the process over; and

recording all entries for possible later generation of a report.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the method for selectively granting access comprises a gaming method for selectively granting access.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the device comprises a lockable device selected from the group consisting of a tray disposed within a surface of a table or an apparatus disposed within a slot machine.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the security assembly comprises a security assembly selected from the group consisting of a lid disposed over a top of the tray coupled with a selectively actuated latch assembly and a door disposed over an opening of the slot machine coupled with a selectively actuated latch assembly.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the processor is further operable for receiving a command from the user to prevent access to the device for at least one of the users and a third party and translating the command into a form that may be received by the security assembly.

20. The method of claim 15, after the step of actuating a lock, further comprising the step of:

automatically logging the user out.

21. The method of claim 15, wherein the security assembly is only actuated temporarily, reverting to an initial state after a predetermined period of time.