Method and apparatus for monitoring casinos and gaming
First Claim
1. A gaming table monitoring system to monitor a game played at a gaming table, comprising:
- a bank on the gaming table for holding a number of chips associated with a house;
a chip reader positioned to image the chips in the bank, the chip reader having an output to carry a bank image signal corresponding to the image of the chips in the bank;
a table imager positioned to image at least a chip placement portion of a playing surface of the gaming table including a number of chips on the playing surface associated with at least one player, the table imager having an output to carry a table image signal corresponding to the image of the playing surface portion and the chips on the chip placement playing surface portion; and
a computer coupled to the outputs of the bank reader and the table imager and programmed to track the chips in the bank and the chips on the playing surface portion of the gaming table.
13 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system automatically monitors playing and wagering of a game. A chip tray reader automatically images the contents of a chip tray, to periodically determine the number and value of chips in the chip tray, and to compare the change in contents of the chip tray to the outcome of game play for verifying that the proper amounts have been paid out and collected. A table monitor automatically images the activity occurring at a gaming table. Periodic comparison of the images identify wagering, as well as the appearance, removal and position of cards and other game objects on the gaming table. The system can produce measurements relevant to providing automated security, real-time accounting and providing a basis for automatically allocating complimentary player benefits.
-
Citations
29 Claims
-
1. A gaming table monitoring system to monitor a game played at a gaming table, comprising:
-
a bank on the gaming table for holding a number of chips associated with a house;
a chip reader positioned to image the chips in the bank, the chip reader having an output to carry a bank image signal corresponding to the image of the chips in the bank;
a table imager positioned to image at least a chip placement portion of a playing surface of the gaming table including a number of chips on the playing surface associated with at least one player, the table imager having an output to carry a table image signal corresponding to the image of the playing surface portion and the chips on the chip placement playing surface portion; and
a computer coupled to the outputs of the bank reader and the table imager and programmed to track the chips in the bank and the chips on the playing surface portion of the gaming table. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A system to monitor wagering, comprising:
-
a chip tray reader to read identifying information from chips in a chip tray, the chip tray reader having an output to carry a chip tray information signal;
a table imager positioned to image at least a portion of a gaming table playing surface, the table imager having an output to carry a table image signal corresponding to the image; and
a computer coupled to the chip tray reader to receive chip tray information signal and coupled to the table imager to receive the table image signal. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19)
-
-
17. A gaming table monitor, comprising:
-
a chip tray having a base including a front portion, and a chip carrying surface supported by the base, the chip carrying surface including a number of wells sized to receive chips therein;
a first table imaging camera mounted in the chip tray, the first table imaging camera having a first table imaging field-of-view extending outwardly from the front portion of the base; and
a first chip imaging camera mounted in the chip tray, the first chip imaging camera having a chip imaging field-of-view extending upwardly from the chip carrying surface.
-
-
20. A method of monitoring a transactions in a game played on a gaming table monitoring system to monitor a game played at a gaming table, comprising:
-
successively imaging a number of chips in a chip bank;
successively imaging at least a chip placement portion of a playing surface of the gaming table; and
tracking the chips in the bank and on the chip playing portion of the playing surface. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29)
-
-
27. A method of monitoring a transactions in a game played on a gaming table monitoring system to monitor a game played at a gaming table, comprising:
-
successively imaging a number of chips in a chip bank;
successively imaging at least a chip placement portion of a playing surface of the gaming table; and
determining at least one of a total number of chips or a total value of chips in the chip bank in a first chip placement portion image;
determining at least one of a total number of chips or a total value of chips in the chip bank in a second chip placement portion image; and
determining a change in at least one of the total number of chips or the total value of chips in the chip bank between the first chip placement portion image and the second chip placement portion image;
determining at least one of a total number of chips or a total value of chips in at least a portion of the chip placement portion of the playing surface of the gaming table in a first chip bank image;
determining at least one of a total number of chips or a total value of chips in at least a portion of the chip placement portion of the playing surface of the gaming table in a second chip bank image; and
determining a change in at least one of the total number of chips or the total value of chips in the at least a portion of the chip placement portion of the playing surface of the gaming table between the first chip bank image and the second chip bank image.
-
Specification