Play and tape recording system for gambling games

Abstract

ames is a service provided by casinos which allows players to purchase VHS video cassettes or DVDs of any games they participated in during the time they spent at the casino. To provide this service, casinos install video cameras at optimal locations around the various types of gaming tables afforded by the casino. The cameras are equipped with transmitters which make it possible to wirelessly transmit the recorded video to a remotely positioned recorder.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

[0001]This patent application claims priority under 35 USC 119(e)(1) from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/209,381 filed Mar. 6, 2009, of common inventorship and title herewith.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002]The present invention pertains to the field of monitoring gambling activities, and more specifically to the field of video recording gambling games.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003]The prior art has put forth several ideas for the purpose of monitoring gambling games. Among these are:

[0004]U.S. Pat. No. 6,935,952 to Walker and Schneider describes a method and apparatus for remote gaming.

[0005]US Patent Application 2003/0224854 to Joao describes an apparatus and method for facilitating gaming activity and/or gambling activity utilizing computer pathways.

[0006]US Patent Application 2004/0219982 to Khoo and Ratcliff describes an apparatus and method for automatically tracking gambling habits.

[0007]None of these prior art references describes the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008]It is an object of the present invention to provide a device and method for providing a souvenir video recording of gambling games that an individual or group has participated in.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]FIG. 1 shows a gaming table with cameras mounted on ceiling.

[0010]FIG. 2 shows cameras mounted on ceiling.

[0011]FIG. 3 shows a top perspective view of the gaming table.

[0012]FIG. 4 shows an exemplary recording on compact disc.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013]In the last few decades, gambling has become one of the most popular activities in America. This popularity is not restricted to individuals as many State governments have become hooked on the revenues derived from casinos, slot machines, keno, and lotto. Two decades ago, commercial gambling casinos were prohibited in every state except Nevada and just 13 states had lotteries. There was no such thing as an Indian casino. Between 1976 and 1988, several casinos were legalized in Atlantic City and the number of state lotteries more than doubled.

[0014]Reno is the American city where legal gambling really began in 1931. Almost exactly 75 years ago, Nevada legalized gambling and Reno, then the state's biggest city, was at the heart of the action. As recently as 1976, Nevada was the only state to allow casino gambling, and even lotteries were limited to a mere 13 states.

[0015]Today, in the early years of a new century, 47 of the 50 states have legalized gambling. More than 40 states have betting on horses, 38 states have state-run lotteries and a dozen states have commercially operated casinos. In addition, 28 states have casinos that are run by American Indians.

[0016]In the last 25 years, an astounding transformation has taken place in American culture, economics and politics, to allow gambling, now officially referred to as `gaming,` to reach from Reno and Las Vegas to Atlantic City, Detroit, New Orleans and even Iowa and Mississippi. All told, Americans will wager more than $550,000,000,000 on legal gambling this year--a 3,200% increase since 1976.

[0017]Gaming has become increasingly popular and so the present invention, hereinafter referred to as the Record All Gambling Games, was developed. The present invention makes it possible for those who enjoy gambling to view a video recording of gambling games they have participated in at casinos to hone their gambling skills.

[0018]The Record All Gambling Games is a service provided by casinos which allows players to purchase VHS video cassettes or DVDs of any games they participated in during the time they spent at the casino. To provide this service, casinos install video cameras at optimal locations around the various types of gaming tables afforded by the casino. The cameras are equipped with transmitters which make it possible to wirelessly transmit the recorded video to a remotely positioned recorder.

[0019]Additionally, each camera is assigned an identification number which makes it possible to multiplex transmitted video to simultaneously record multiple video inputs. A player wishing to obtain a video recording of the game notifies the dealer before the gaming begins to activate the camera(s) assigned to the table at which the player is sitting. When the player ends the gaming session, he or she would then pay for and obtain the video tape or DVD from the casino. The player could then view the tape, or tapes, or disc at home, either for enjoyment or to improve his gaming skills.

[0020]Although this invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments, it is not intended to be limited thereto and various modifications which will become apparent to the person of ordinary skill in the art are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as described herein taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

Claims

1. A system for recording gaming activities, comprising:the installation of one or more video cameras at optimal locations around the various types of gaming tables afforded by the casino, wherein the cameras are equipped with transmitters which make it possible to wirelessly transmit the recorded video to a remotely positioned recorder; andwherein each camera is assigned an identification number which makes it possible to multiplex transmitted video to simultaneously record multiple video inputs,a player wishing to obtain a video recording of the game notifies the dealer before the gaming begins to activate the one or more cameras assigned to the table at which the player is sitting;when the player ends the gaming session, he then pays for and obtains the video tape or DVD from the casino;the player could then view the tape, or tapes, or disc at home, either for enjoyment or to improve his gaming skills.

2. A system for recording gaming activities, comprising:the installation of one or more video cameras at optimal locations around the various types of gaming tables afforded by the casino, wherein the cameras are equipped with transmitters which make it possible to wirelessly transmit the recorded input via the Internet to the gamer's computer:wherein each camera is assigned an identification number which makes it possible to multiplex transmitted video to simultaneously record multiple video inputs,a player wishing to obtain a video recording of the game notifies the dealer before the gaming begins to activate the one or more cameras assigned to the table at which the player is sitting;the dealer activates the recording device and sends the file to the player's provided email addresswhen the player ends the gaming session, he then pays for the recording.

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