WO2023047113A1

WO2023047113A1 - Chip tray apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2023047113A1
Application number: PCT/GB2022/052400
Authority: WO
Inventors: Richard Cammegh
Original assignee: Cammegh Limited
Priority date: 2021-09-22
Filing date: 2022-09-22
Publication date: 2023-03-30

Abstract

A chip tray apparatus comprising a chip tray frame secured to a substrate and a chip tray detachably coupled to the chip tray frame, wherein the chip tray includes a plurality of chip slots; the chip tray frame includes a plurality of chip sensors, wherein each chip sensor is aligned with a respective one of the chip slots when the chip tray is coupled to the chip tray frame; and wherein each chip sensor senses the number of chips in the respective chip slot.

Description

Chip Tray Apparatus

The present invention relates to a chip tray for use in a casino or other gambling or gaming establishment.

Conventionally, chip trays arrange gambling chips in an orderly manner. Each gaming table tends to include one or more chip trays.

The casino normally employs staff to check the status of the chip trays and to add or to remove chips from the respective trays as appropriate. This can be a labour-intensive operation for larger establishments. In addition, it is difficult for the establishments to track the gambling chips in operation at any time.

It is known to include electronic mechanical apparatus in chip trays to measure the number of chips in the chip tray. US9,795,870 describes such an arrangement. However, such chip trays tend to be expensive to manufacture.

In the context of the present invention, the terms gambling establishment, gaming establishment and casino are used interchangeably.

US2012/241344 and US2014/291399 both require the chips to include RFID chips which enables individual chips to be identified and tracked. However, casinos may use several thousand gaming chips and to enable each gaming chip with an RFID chip would be a very costly exercise.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved chip tray apparatus.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a chip tray apparatus comprising a chip tray frame secured to a substrate and a chip tray detachably coupled to the chip tray frame, wherein the chip tray includes a plurality of chip slots; the chip tray frame includes a plurality of chip sensors, wherein each chip sensor is aligned with a respective one of the chip slots when the chip tray is coupled to the chip tray frame; and wherein each chip sensor senses the number of chips in the respective chip slot. The invention provides a two-part chip tray apparatus, wherein the chip tray frame forms the first part and is secured to a substrate, such as a gaming table; and the chip tray forms the second part and is detachably coupled to the chip tray frame. In this way, the chip tray may be a conventional and relatively cheap component that is detachably secured to the chip tray frame, and the chip tray frame, which is secured to the substrate, includes the chip sensors. It will be appreciated that a gambling establishment may have more chip trays than chip tray frames and the chip trays are compatible with all of the chip tray frames. Thus, a first chip tray associated with a given chip tray frame may be replaced with a second chip tray in the event that the first chip tray starts to run out of chips or is getting too full. In this way, the chips may always be transported around the gaming establishment in chip trays, which improves security.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the chip tray frame includes a transmitter connected to a remote receiver, wherein the transmitter transmits data to the receiver relating to the number of chips in each chip slot. Thus, each chip sensor is suitably connected to the transmitter (either directly or indirectly) such that data from the chip sensors relating to the number of chips in each chip slot may be transmitted to the remote receiver via the transmitter. The skilled person will appreciate that the remote receiver may form part of a remote server or other computing device. Accordingly, the remote computing device may be able to track the number of chips in each chip slot either in real time or periodically. In this way, the chip tray may be replaced proactively when the number of chips that are present in one or more of the chip tray slots falls outside of a predetermined range. This avoids the need for employees to check the chip trays periodically, as the system may be substantially automated.

In the context of the present invention, the transmitter may be connected to the remote receiver via a wired connection or via a wireless connection. Thus, the transmitter may comprise a wireless signal transmitter.

An additional advantage is that the gaming establishment is able to determine the numbers, value and locations of the chips that are currently in use within the establishment.

It is common for gaming establishments to include more than one gaming table. Accordingly, the chip tray may include an identification element and the chip tray frame may include an identification sensor which identifies the chip tray coupled thereto according to its identification element. In this way, the chip tray associated with the chip tray frame may be specifically identified. Therefore, the locations of the various chip trays may be tracked. Suitably, in embodiments in which the chip tray frame includes a transmitter, the identification sensor may be connected to the transmitter such that identification data relating to the chip tray identification element may be transmitted to the remote receiver in addition to the data relating to the number of chips in each of the chip slots.

The identification element may include an RFID component, such as NFC apparatus; or it may comprise an alphanumerical, an alphabetical or numerical code, such as encoded by a bar code, etc. It will be appreciated that when the identification element is an RFID component, the identification sensor may be an RFID reader, which powers the RFID component and receives the data transmitted from it once powered. When the identification element comprises an alphanumerical, alphabetical or numerical code associated with the tray, the identification sensor may comprise an optical character recognition component, including, for example, a bar code reader or a QR code reader or any other code reader where the code is associated with the identification element.

In addition to the chip tray including an identification element, the chip tray frame may also include a chip tray frame identification element. In such embodiments, the transmitter may include data relating to the chip tray frame identification element and the data relating to the chip tray frame identification element may also be transmitted to the remote receiver by the transmitter.

In this way, the remote receiver may receive data which identifies the chip tray frame (which, for example identifies a specific gaming table), identifies the chip tray currently associated with that chip tray frame, and the number of chips present in the chip tray. Accordingly, the chip use/turnover at any specific location within the gaming establishment may be monitored.

In an embodiment of the invention, the chip tray and/or the chip tray frame includes a tray locking apparatus, wherein the tray locking apparatus has a locked configuration in which the chip tray is locked relative to the chip tray frame, and a released configuration in which the chip tray is removeable from the chip tray frame. It will be appreciated that the locking apparatus suitably includes a moveable lock element. Thus, the chip tray may include the moveable lock element, which may be received by a receiver defined by or carried by the chip tray frame; or the locking apparatus of the chip tray may comprise a lock element receiver and the chip tray frame may include the moveable lock element. As the chip tray may not be powered, when the chip tray includes the moveable lock element, the moveable lock element is suitably manually moved from a locked configuration in which it is engaged with the lock receiver to an unlocked configuration in which it is disengaged from the lock receiver. However, in embodiments in which the chip tray frame includes the moveable lock element, this may be a powered lock element, which may be moved pneumatically, hydraulically or magnetically via a solenoid driver, as the chip tray frame is suitably connected to an electrical power source.

Thus, the chip tray frame is suitably connected to an electrical power source, which powers the transmitter, where present, and the chip sensors.

Accordingly, a chip tray may be locked to a respective chip tray frame and may only be removed from the chip tray frame if the tray locking apparatus is placed in the released configuration. For example, only certain employees may be able to unlock the locking apparatus to remove a first chip tray from a chip tray frame and to lock a second chip tray relative to the chip tray frame.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the tray locking apparatus may include a sensor which senses the configuration of the tray locking apparatus. The sensor is suitably connected to the transmitter (either directly or via the processor) such that data relating to the configuration of the tray lock apparatus may be transmitted to the remote receiver.

In order to improve security of the chips within a chip tray, especially during transportation of the chip tray, the chip tray may include a lid which is detachably coupled to the chip tray. For example, the lid may be selectively locked to the chip tray or released from the chip tray. Thus, the lid and/or the chip tray may include one or more lid locks, wherein the lid locks have a locked configuration in which the lid is locked in place relative to the chip tray (i.e. the lid is prevented from being removed from chip tray) and a released configuration in which the lid is removeable from the chip tray. Optionally, the apparatus may include a lid lock sensor which senses the configuration of the or each lid lock. The lid lock sensor may also be connected to the transmitter such that data relating to the configuration of the lid lock sensor may also be transmitted to the remote receiver.

Suitably, in embodiments in which the chip tray includes both a part of a tray locking apparatus and a lid which includes a lid lock, the lid lock may be connected directly or indirectly to the tray locking apparatus, whereby configuring the lid lock in its released configuration automatically configures the tray locking apparatus in its locked configuration or causes the tray locking apparatus to be configured in its locked configuration. For example, the lid lock may be key- operated which moves a lock tab, and movement of the lock tab may activate the tray locking apparatus. Thus, the lock tab may mechanically engage an element of the tray locking apparatus or the tray locking apparatus may be operated via a solenoid or similar operating component and the solenoid is activated by the lock tab. Accordingly, in an embodiment of the invention, the chip tray and/or the chip tray frame includes a chip tray locking apparatus, wherein the chip tray locking apparatus has a locked configuration in which the chip tray is locked relative to the chip tray frame, and a released configuration in which the chip tray is removeable from the chip tray frame; the chip tray includes a lid, wherein the lid includes one or more lid locks, wherein the or each lid lock has a locked configuration in which the lid is locked in place relative to the chip tray (i.e. the lid is prevented from being removed from chip tray) and a released configuration in which the lid is removeable from the chip tray; wherein the chip tray locking apparatus is configured in its locked configuration when the lid lock is in its released configuration; and wherein the chip tray locking apparatus is configured in its unlocked configuration when the lid is coupled to the chip tray and the lid lock is in its locked configuration. Thus, the only way to release the chip tray from the chip tray frame is when the lid is locked to the chip tray. Accordingly, the chip tray can only be transported with a locked lid.

It will be appreciated that such an arrangement provides an effective security measure - the chips within the chip tray may only be accessed when the lid has been unlocked and the effect of unlocking the lid locks the chip tray to the chip tray frame.

In an embodiment of the invention, each chip sensor includes an emitter which emits (i) electromagnetic waves having a predetermined frequency or range of frequencies, (ii) sound waves having a predetermined frequency or range of frequencies, or (iii) a mixture of electromagnetic waves and sound waves, each having a predetermined frequency or range of frequencies; and a receiver which receives reflected electromagnetic waves and/or sound waves.

For example, the emitter may emit light in the visible, ultra violet or infra red parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. Additionally or alternatively, it may emit sound having ultrasonic frequencies.

In an embodiment of the invention where the emitter emits light, it may be in the form of laser light. Thus, the emitter may be a laser light emitter. The emitter may also emit ultrasound waves.

Thus, the invention may include a light emitter and a light receiver and/or a sound emitter and a sound receiver. When the invention includes a sound emitter (e.g., an ultrasound emitter), the receiver may include a focussing element in order to focus the reflected sound waves towards the receiver.

It will be appreciated that the field of view of the wave receiver may be restricted, limited or controlled. This may be achieved via software programmed into the emitter/receiver, software programmed into the processor and/or a physical element which restricts, controls or focusses the reflected waves with respect to the receiver. For example, where the emitter/receiver includes a physical element to control, limit of focus the reflected waves, the physical element may be trumpet shaped or conical.

The skilled person will understand that the number of chips in a respective chip slot may be calculated based on the time taken for the electromagnetic waves and/or sound waves to travel from the emitter to the chip closest to the emitter and back to the receiver. Thus, the receiver may receive the emitted electromagnetic/sound waves after they have been reflected from the endmost chip in the chip slot. In such cases, the more chips in the chip slot, the less time will elapse between the waves being emitted from the emitter and received by the receiver, as the flow path will be shorter (the endmost chip will be located closer to the emitter). If the time that has elapsed between the waves being emitted and received is known and the speed of the waves is known, then the distance travelled by the waves can be precisely calculated. From the distance travelled, it is possible to calculate the position of the endmost chip and therefore also the number of chips within the chip slot. In such embodiments, the chip tray suitably includes a plurality of windows, wherein each window is associated with a respective chip slot; each window is transparent to the waves (e.g., light waves) emitted by the emitter; and each window is aligned with a respective emitter and receiver. The windows may simply be apertures or through bores defined by the chip tray or they may comprise a material that is transparent to the waves being emitted by the emitter, for example, the windows may be transparent to light.

It will be appreciated that the monitoring of the chips within the chip tray may be done remotely and the chip trays may be replaced automatically. However, there may nevertheless exist situations in which an operator of the gaming table (e.g., the dealer or the croupier) may need to request assistance. Accordingly, the chip tray frame may include a button which is connected to the transmitter, such that when the button is pressed, an alert signal is transmitted to the remote receiver via the transmitter.

As the chip tray apparatus may be used in connection with a card table, the chip tray frame may further comprise a hole card reader, which is able to determine if a hole card (i.e., a card not visible to the players at the table) has a pre-determined value. Such hole card readers or "peekers" are well known in the gaming industry and need not be described in detail herein. Hole card readers may operate in an analogue manner using an arrangement of mirrors and a viewing window or they may operate in a digital manner using an electronic sensor or camera. In embodiments in which the hole card reader is a digital hole card reader that senses data relating to the hole card(s), such data may be transmitted to the remote receiver via the transmitter. In this way, the frequency of certain events taking place may be monitored and compared with the expected frequency.

As noted from the foregoing, a number of electronic/electrical components may form part of the apparatus. Accordingly, the chip tray frame may include a processor, wherein the processor processes data from the chip sensors relating to the number of chips in the respective chip slot. The processor may also process signals from other components that form part of the apparatus, for example, one or more identification sensors, a lid lock sensor, a tray locking apparatus sensor, a call button, an electronic/digital hole card reader, etc. where these components are included within the apparatus. The processor may also include a clock and/or date apparatus whereby the data transmitted to the remote receiver may be date stamped and/or time stamped. As noted above, the apparatus may be used in connection with any gaming table. As such, the substrate to which the chip tray frame is secured may include a gaming table. However, gaming establishments may also wish to load a chip tray with a known and recorded number of chips. As this is typically done in a cashier's room, the substrate may also include a cashier's table. In this way, the remote receiver is capable of recording data relating to the placement of a known number of chips within an identified chip tray and that the chip tray was subsequently locked with a lockable lid. The movement of that tray from the cashier's table to a gaming table can also be monitored. This provides for the movement of the chips to be monitored and audited at various points and times.

The skilled person will appreciate that the features described and defined in connection with the aspects of the invention and the embodiments thereof may be combined in any combination, regardless of whether the specific combination is expressly mentioned herein. Thus, all such combinations are considered to be made available to the skilled person.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a chip tray apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, with the solenoid actuated locking apparatus removed for clarity;

Figure 2 shows a different cross-sectional view of the chip tray apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention to the one shown in Figure 1 also with the solenoid actuated locking apparatus removed for clarity;

Figure 3 shows an exploded perspective view of the chip tray apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the assembled chip tray apparatus shown in Figure 3 and;

Figure 5 shows a different cross-sectional view of the chip tray apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 2.

For the avoidance of doubt, the skilled person will appreciate that in this specification, the terms "up", "down", "front", "rear", "upper", "lower", "width", etc. refer to the orientation of the components as found in the example when installed for normal use as shown in the Figures. Figures 1, 2 and 5 show a cross-sectional view through a chip tray apparatus 2 according to the invention. The chip tray apparatus 2 includes a chip tray frame 4 which is secured to a table 6, such as a gaming table (e.g., a roulette table, a blackjack table or a poker table) by any known securing arrangement.

The chip tray frame 4 includes a first end wall 8 and an intermediate wall 10. The first end wall 8, the intermediate wall 10 and a pair of side walls 12a, 12b together define a chip tray receiver, within which a chip tray 14 may be located.

The intermediate wall 10, the pair of side walls 12a, 12b and a second end wall 16 define a compartment 18, which is closed by a cover element 20.

Located within the compartment 18 is an array of laser emitters/receivers 22 which are carried on a common support element 24. The laser emitter/receiver 22 is a known component and is commercially available. The skilled person will appreciate that in an alternative embodiment (not shown), the laser emitters/receivers 22 may be replaced with or augmented by ultrasonic emitters/receivers. In such embodiments, the reflected ultrasonic waves are focussed onto an ultrasonic sensor by a trumpet-shaped focussing element.

The laser emitters/receivers 22 (and/or ultrasonic emitters/receivers) are connected to a processor 26 which is located beneath the chip tray frame 4. The processor 26 further includes a near field communication component (NFC) (not shown) which is powered by the processor 26, which in turn is connected to an electrical power source. The function of the NFC component is discussed in more detail below.

The intermediate wall 10 defines therethrough a plurality of windows 28, wherein each of the windows 28 is aligned with a corresponding laser emitter/receiver 22. The windows comprise a material which is transparent to the laser light, such that laser light emitted by each of the laser emitter/receiver 22 is able to pass through a respective one of the windows 28 formed within the intermediate wall 10 and into the chip tray receiver.

As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the chip tray frame 4 carries a pair of solenoid actuated locking apparatus 30 which are secured to the bottom of the chip tray frame 4 (shown in Figure 5). The two solenoid actuated locking apparatus 30 each includes a moveable locking element 32 (shown in Figure 3). The locking elements 32 have a locked configuration in which each of the locking elements 32 engages a respective portion of the chip tray 14 (not shown), and an unlocked configuration in which the locking elements 32 are disengaged from the respective portions of the chip tray 14. The solenoid actuated locking apparatus 30 are controlled by the processor 26. In connection with this, the compartment 18 includes a lid sensor (not shown), which senses when a lid 34 is connected to the chip tray 14 (discussed in more detail below). If the lid sensor senses that the lid 34 is secured to the chip tray 14, then a first control signal is transmitted to the processor 26 and the solenoid actuated locking apparatus 30 are maintained in their unlocked configuration (i.e., the chip tray 14 is unlocked from the chip tray frame 4). However, when the lid sensor senses that the lid 34 has been detached from the chip tray 14, a second control signal is transmitted to the processor 26 and the processor 26 actuates the solenoid actuated locking apparatus 30 such they adopt their locked configuration, wherein the chip tray 14 is locked to the chip tray frame 4 via the locking elements 32.

Also connected to the processor 26 is a "call" button 36 (also shown in Figure 3), which a user may press to request assistance. The call button 36 transmits a call signal to the processor 26, which in turn transmits a second call signal to a remote receiver via a wireless transmitter (not shown) which forms part of the processor 26. Associated with the call button 36 is an LED status light 38. The LED status light 38 can emit various different colours of light and is also connected to the processor 26. For example, the LED status light 38 may emit a first colour light to indicate that the call request is pending and a second colour to indicate that the call request is being actioned. In this way, the processor also includes a wireless signal receiver (not shown) which is capable of receiving status signals from the remote receiver.

The call button 36 and the LED status light 38 are located at one end of the cover element 20. At a mid-portion of the cover element 20 is a hole card reader or "peeker" 40. These devices are well known in the art and include a card receiving aperture 40a which receives a portion of downwardly facing card. An arrangement of mirrors or prisms 40c (shown in Figure 5) is located within the compartment 18 which project an image of the portion of the downwardly facing playing card onto a viewing window 40b. In this way, a dealer may view a portion of a downwardly facing playing card which is inserted into the card receiving aperture 40a without revealing the card to the or each player at the table. As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the chip tray 14 defines a plurality of chip slots 42 which are sloped downwards from a front wall 44 of the chip tray 14 towards a rear wall 46 of the chip tray 14. In this way, gambling chips 48 located within each slot are urged towards the rear wall 46 of the chip tray 14 under the action of gravity.

The front wall 44 defines therein a plurality of chip tray apertures 50. Each of the chip tray apertures 50 are aligned with a corresponding frame window 28 when the chip tray 14 is received within the chip tray receiver portion of the frame 4. In this way, laser light (shown as "L" in Figure 1) emitted by each laser emitter/receiver 22 passes through the respective frame window 28, through the respective tray aperture 50 and along the respective chip slot 42. It will then strike an end chip 48 and a portion of the laser light is reflected back along the path L, through the tray aperture 50, through the frame window 28 and is received by the laser emitter receiver 22. Timing data relating to the time taken for the laser light to reach the closest chip and to be received by the laser emitter/receiver is sent to the processor 26. Based on the known speed of light, the distance between the laser emitter/receiver and the closest chip is calculated. From this data and the known width of the gaming chips 48, the number of chips present in each chip slot 42 is calculated by the processor 26.

The chip tray 14 includes an NFC chip (not shown). When the chip tray 14 is located within the chip tray frame 4, the NFC component of the processor 26 activates the NFC chip carried by the chip tray 14 and identity data carried by the NFC chip of the chip tray 14 is transmitted to the NFC component of the processor 26. In this way, the processor 26 identifies the chip tray 14 that is received by the chip tray frame 4 via the unique identification data carried by the NFC chip.

The chip tray 14 defines a pair of locating slots 52 defined by a pair of opposed side walls 54a, 54b of the chip tray 14. The locating slots 52 receive therein a respective locking tab 56 of a lid lock 58 (shown in Figure 2 and discussed in more detail below).

The lid 34 includes a lid frame 62, that defines therein a central aperture, within which is carried a transparent window 64. Opposed ends of one side of the frame 62 carry the two lid locks 58. The lid locks 58 are arranged such that each of the locking tabs 56 is carried by a respective rotatable shaft 66 which rotates about its longitudinal axis. In this way, each of the locking tabs 56 has a locked orientation in which the locking tab 56 is received within a respective one of the locating slots 52, and a released orientation in which it is disengaged from and spaced from the respective locating slot 52 (as shown in Figure 2). An operating key (not shown) is required to rotate the rotatable shafts 66.

In use, a chip tray 14 is secured to a first chip tray frame 4 located within a cashier's office of a gaming establishment, such as a casino. The identity of the chip tray 14 (e.g., tray ABC) is read from the NFC chip (carried by the tray 14) by the NFC component of the processor 26 carried by the first chip tray frame 4. The details of the chip tray 14 and its location (e.g., in chip tray frame 123) in the cashier's office (the fixed location of the chip tray frame 4) are transmitted by the wireless transmitter of the processor 26 to the remote receiver. Thus, the remote receiver receives information that chip tray ABC is secured to chip tray frame 123 at that time.

The chip slots 42 of the chip tray 14 are then filled with a pre-determined number of chips 48. The number of chips 48 in each of the chip slots 42 is calculated (i.e., verified) by the processor based on the data provided by each of the laser emitter/receivers 22. The data relating to the number of chips 48 in each chip slot 42 is also transmitted to the remote receiver and associated with the specific chip tray 14 (chip tray ABC).

The lid 34 is then placed over the chip tray 14 and locked in position by operation of the two lid locks 58 such that the locking tabs 56 are configured in their locked orientations. The lid sensor senses the presence of the locked lid and transmits a first control signal to the processor 26, which in turn transmits an unlock signal to the solenoid actuated locking apparatus 30. The unlock signal configures the locking apparatus 30 in their unlocked configuration (i.e., the locking elements 32 are disengaged from the corresponding portions of the chip tray 14).

The tray 14 is then removed from the first chip tray frame 4 in the cashier's office with its lid 34 securely locked thereto. The tray 14 may then be transported to the desired gaming table (e.g., table 321) to which is secured a second chip tray frame 4. The chip tray 14 is then disposed within the chip tray receiver defined by the second chip tray frame 4.

The processor 26 of the second chip tray frame 4 senses the identity of the chip tray 14 secured thereto via the NFC component and the NFC chip carried by the chip tray 14. The processor then transmits data to the remote receiver such that the remote receiver receives information that the chip tray ABC is now coupled to the chip tray frame 321. The number of chips 48 in each of the chip slots 42 is calculated (i.e., re-verified) by the processor based on the data provided by each of the laser emitter/receivers 22 of the second chip tray frame 4 (table 321). The data relating to the number of chips 48 in each of the chip slots is compared with the previous chip number data.

Assuming that the number of chips 48 in each slot matches the previous chip number data, the lid 34 is unlocked by a user who possesses the correct lid lock key and removed from the chip tray 14.

The removal of the lid 34 from the chip tray 14 is sensed by the lid sensor and the solenoid actuated locking apparatus 30 are configured in their locked configurations, such that the chip tray 14 (tray ABC) is locked to the second chip tray frame (on table 321) via the locking elements 32.

The laser emitters/receivers 22 and processor 26 together monitor the number of chips 48 in each chip slot 42 on a continuous or periodic basis and the remote receiver is updated with the chip number data on a continuous or periodic basis.

When the number of chips 48 in one or more chip slots 42 falls outside of a pre-determined range of chip number values (either too many chips or too few chips), the remote receiver is able to transmit instructions to replace the chip tray 14 (i.e., chip tray ABC) with a replacement chip tray (e.g., chip tray XYZ).

It will be appreciated that the first chip tray 14 is first locked by the locating of the lid 34 in location on the chip tray 14 and the locking of the lid 34 in place by the lid locks 58. The solenoid actuated locking apparatus 30 are then unlocked and the first chip tray 14 (tray ABC) is removed from the second chip tray frame 4 (frame 321). A second chip tray 14 (tray XYZ) is then coupled to the chip tray frame 4 as described above and the first chip tray 14 (tray ABC) is returned to the cashier's office with its lid locked in place.

The number of chips in the first chip tray 14 (tray ABC) and the number of chips in the second chip tray 14 (tray XYZ) are then verified by the first chip tray frame 4 (frame 123) and the second chip tray frame 4 (frame 321) respectively. The verified chip numbers are transmitted to the remote receiver and compared to the previous chip number data for the respective chip trays 14.

In this way, chip trays 14 may only be transported with locked lids associated therewith and the number of chips 48 in each tray can be measured and validated at different points within the establishment. Furthermore, the remote receiver is provided with data relating to the total number of chips 48 and their value that are in use within the establishment at any given time.

Additionally, if it is desired to close a table, for example, the croupier/dealer at that table needs only to press the call button 36. An operative from the cashier's office will then come to the table to remove the chip tray 14 associated with that table using the method described hereinabove.

Claims

1. A chip tray apparatus comprising a chip tray frame secured to a substrate and a chip tray detachably coupled to the chip tray frame, wherein the chip tray includes a plurality of chip slots; the chip tray frame includes a plurality of chip sensors, wherein each chip sensor is aligned with a respective one of the chip slots when the chip tray is coupled to the chip tray frame; and wherein each chip sensor senses the number of chips in the respective chip slot.

2. A chip tray according to Claim 1, wherein the chip tray frame includes a transmitter connected to a remote receiver, wherein the transmitter transmits data to the receiver relating to the number of chips in each chip slot.

3. A chip tray apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein the chip tray includes an identification element and the chip tray frame includes an identification sensor which identifies the chip tray according to its identification element.

4. A chip tray apparatus according to Claim 2 or Claim 3, wherein the chip tray frame includes an identification element and the transmitter transmits data relating to the chip tray frame identification element when transmitting data relating to the number of chips in each slot to the receiver.

5. A chip tray apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the chip tray and/or the chip tray frame includes a tray locking apparatus, wherein the tray locking apparatus has a locked configuration in which the chip tray is locked relative to the chip tray frame, and a released configuration in which the chip tray is removeable from the chip tray frame.

6. A chip tray apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the apparatus further includes a lid which is detachably coupled to the chip tray.

7. A chip tray apparatus according to Claim 6, wherein the lid and/or the chip tray includes one or more lid locks, wherein the or each lid lock has a locked configuration in which the lid is locked in place relative to the chip tray and a released configuration in which the lid is removeable from the chip tray.

8. A chip tray apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the chip tray and/or the chip tray frame includes a tray locking apparatus, wherein the tray locking apparatus has a locked configuration in which the chip tray is locked relative to the chip tray frame, and a released configuration in which the chip tray is removeable from the chip tray frame; the chip tray includes a lid, wherein the lid and/or the chip tray includes one or more lid locks, wherein the or each lid lock has a locked configuration in which the lid is locked in place relative to the chip tray and a released configuration in which the lid is removeable from the chip tray; wherein the chip tray locking apparatus is configured in its locked configuration when the lid lock is in its released configuration; and wherein the chip tray locking apparatus is configured in its unlocked configuration when the lid is coupled to the chip tray and the lid lock is in its locked configuration.

9. A chip tray according to any of Claims 2 to 8, wherein the chip tray frame includes a button connected to the transmitter, such that when the button is pressed, an alert signal is transmitted to the remote receiver.

10. A chip tray according to any of Claims 1 to 9, wherein the chip tray frame includes a hole card reader.

11. A chip tray according to Claim 10, wherein the hole card reader is a digital reader and data relating to the results of each use of the hole card reader is transmitted to the remote receiver.

12. A chip tray apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 11, wherein each chip sensor includes a wave emitter and a wave receiver, wherein the wave is an electromagnetic wave and/or a sound wave.

13. A chip tray according to Claim 12, wherein the wave is a light wave.

14. A chip tray apparatus according to Claim 13, wherein the light emitter is a laser light emitter and the receiver is a light receiver.

15. A chip tray apparatus according to any of Claims 12 to 14, wherein receiver field of view is controlled.

16. A chip tray apparatus according to Claim 15, wherein the receiver field of view is controlled by software or via a physical field of view restricting element.

17. A chip tray apparatus according to any of Claims 12 to 16, wherein the chip tray includes a plurality of windows, wherein each window is associated with a respective chip slot; each window is transparent to the waves emitted by the wave emitter; and each window is aligned with a respective wave emitter.

18. A chip tray apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 17, wherein the chip tray frame includes a processor, wherein the processor processes data received from the chip sensors and calculates the number of chips in the respective chip slot based on the received data and pre-programmed algorithms.

17