This invention relates to a detection device for use in casinos.

In the game of roulette, once the ball has landed on a number, the dealer places a dolly on the layout and chips associated with the winning number. This prevents punters from placing bets after the ball has dropped on the winning number. However, although it is illegal to place chavals or corners or neighbours (chips physically adjacent to the winning number position on the layout), after the ball has dropped, it is still possible to do this without detection.

An object of the present invention is to provide a means for detecting such illegal placements.

Accordingly the present invention provides a casino dolly including sensor means arranged to detect the presence or movement of a hand or similar object and/or the movement of chips, within a predetermined distance (for example up to 130mm) from the dolly, and alarm means

responsive to the sensor means and arranged to give an alarm signal in response to such detection, for example for detecting the presence of a hand near the dolly.

The sensor means preferably uses passive infra red detection.

The alarm means may, for example, be visual or audio. Preferably the dolly includes an on/off switch easily operable by the person placing and removing the dolly or the switch is automatic or remotely controlled. The dolly will normally incorporate a battery to operate the sensor and alarm.

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

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side view of a dolly, and

Figure 2 is a section through the dolly of Figure 1.

The dolly 12 incorporates a hollow base portion 13 of about 30mm diameter housing a battery 14. The base is intended to be placed on the part of the board/layout denoting a winning number together with the chips thereon, as soon as a ball has landed so as to prevent punters from late placing of bets on that position. The size of the

winning rectangle is normally 82ram by 107mm. The base portion 13 is connected by a hollow tube 15 carrying connecting wires from the battery to an upper portion 16 which acts both as a handle and a housing carrying alarm means 18, 18a and sensors 17a focused on the space all around the base portion 13. The sensors are arranged to detect the presence of a hand or like object within a predetermined distance, such as 130mm, of the outer walls of the base portion or to detect temperature change or movement, for example of chips, within that distance, and to initiate the alarm means. The sensors are passive infra red (PIR) detection but other technologies could be used such as microwaves, capacitive effects, radio wave absorption, active infra red or optical. This embodiment of dolly has a height of about 70mm but the necessary criteria is that the sensors are positioned at sufficient height (preferably 30 to 60mm) and arranged so as to cover the predetermined area around the dolly where late bets could win.

Control means in the form of three printed circuit boards 17 acts in cooperation with the sensors to operate the audio and/or visual alarm 18, 18a in response to detection of a substantial object or movement within such space. The lower part includes an on/off switch 19 for disconnecting the sensors from the battery, the switch being positioned to be easily operated, for example, by the thumb of a user holding the dolly so that the alarm will

not be operated inadvertently. The switch could be remotely operated or automatic, for example being only switched on when the dolly is upright. In the present example the dolly incorporates a tilt switch 21 and PIEZO 22 so that the dolly is only operative when it is upright and only arms itself after a predetermined delay of, for example, two to ten seconds after being placed upright.

This prevents the dolly from alarming when the dealer is "clearing away" directly after placing the dolly on the winning number. It may be sensitive to the capacitance of the dealer's hand to produce the delay.

The sensors can include any element, whether mechanical, electrical, optical or some combination thereof, that can detect chip or hand motion within a predetermined distance of the dolly. The sensors can, for example, include transceivers that provide signals in any frequency range such as infrared, ultraviolet, microwave, audible, or other.

The control means can include any type of element, whether mechanical, optical or some combination thereof, that controls operation of the alarm in response to motion detection by the sensor. The control means, can, for example, include a microprocessor, analog or digital circuitry, or a combination thereof, that receives a signal from the sensors representing that motion has been detected

and, in response, provides an alarm issue control signal to the alarm.

The alarm can include any element that responds to a control signal, whether electric, optical or other, to provide an alarm signal. The alarm signal itself can be optical, electric or other. The alarm can be an LED (light emitting diode), a loud speaker, or a horn, for examples.

In the form shown in the Figures there are four flashing red LEDs 18a visible in the top surface so that they will be picked up by security cameras above the dolly. There is additionally a green LED 23 which lights to show the dolly is armed and an amber LED 24 which indicates when the battery is low. There is additionally the audio alarm 18.