Apparatus and method for automatically tracking gambling habits

• US 20040219982A1
• Filed: 05/02/2003
• Published: 11/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Denis Khoo, Raymond F. Ratcliff
• Original Assignee: Denis Khoo, Raymond F. Ratcliff
• Inventors: Khoo, Denis, Ratcliff, Raymond F. III
• Application Number:
  US10/428,468
• Publication Number:
  US 20040219982A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/42
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3237 about the players, e.g. profiling, responsible gaming, strategy/behavior of players, location of players
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3239 Tracking of individual players

Abstract

The invention provides an accurate and automatic method of tracking a player'"'"'s gambling habits in a casino while playing at a gaming table. Currently, this is done by visual observation by a casino worker within most casinos.

A casino is able to track a player'"'"'s gambling habits by using RFID technology to track the amount of a bet by a particular player. First, a player identifies him or herself. Preferably, through the use of an identification card and an identification card reader. Each gaming chip is embedded with a transponder which allows each gaming chip to be tracked during a bet. The gaming table is equipped with an antenna, which is controlled by a transceiver. Ultimately, the player'"'"'s gaming habits are tracked and stored within the casino'"'"'s computer system.

Claims

1. A method for tracking gambling habits on a gaming table comprising the steps of:

embedding a plurality of gaming chips with transponders;

programming each said embedded transponder with information about the gaming chip;

identifying a betting region on said gaming table where at least one of said gaming chip is placed for betting;

identifying a player playing at said betting region;

reading said information from at least one of said gaming chip in said betting region; and

storing said information about said gaming chip in said betting region and identity of said player.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said storing step further comprises the substeps of:

transmitting said information about said gaming chip in said betting region and identity of said player to a server over a data network; and

storing said information in a data storage.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said step of identifying said player is by inserting an identification card into a slot embedded within said gaming table for reading.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said step of identifying said player is by presenting an identification card to a casino worker.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said information programmed onto said embedded transponder comprises of a unique identifier and a monetary value.

6. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said step of reading said information from at least one of said gaming chip in said betting region is through the use of a transceiver and an antenna.

7. The method as recited in claim 6, wherein said antenna is customized to a specific power output and specific radio frequency, as to only read from said gaming chips in said betting region.

8. A method of tracking gambling habits on a gaming table comprising the steps of:

embedding a gaming chip with a transponders;

programming said embedded transponder with information about said gaming chip;

associating a player with said gaming chip;

identifying a betting region on said gaming table where said gaming chip is placed for betting;

reading said information from said gaming chip in said betting region;

storing said information about said gaming chip and said player.

9. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein the step of associating further comprises the substeps of:

inserting said player'"'"'s identification card into a slot embedded within said gaming table for reading;

identifying a gaming chip holding area;

placing said gaming chip in said gaming chip holding area; and

reading said programmed information about said gaming chip from said gaming chip holding area.

10. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein said programmed information comprises of monetary value, unique and identifier.

11. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein the reading step is through the use of a transceiver and antenna.

12. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein said antenna is customized to a specific power output and specific radio frequency, as to only read from said gaming chip in said betting region.

13. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein the storing step further comprises the substeps of:

transmitting said information about said gaming chip in said betting region and said player to a server over a data network; and

storing said information into a data storage.

14. An apparatus comprising:

a gaming chip, having a transponder embedded within, said transponder containing information about said gaming chip;

a gaming table with an identified region for placing bets;

a transceiver and antenna for obtaining information about said gaming chip when placed within said identified region;

a processor for associating said identified region with a player; and

a storage medium for storing said information about said gaming chip and said player associated with said identified region.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a transmitting means for transmitting said information about said gaming chip and said player.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a server system for awarding points to said player based on said information about said gaming chip.

17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said antenna is customized to a specific power output and specific radio frequency, as to only read from said gaming chip in said identified region.

18. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising an identification card reader and slot embedded within said gaming table.

19. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said information about said gaming chip includes a unique identifier and a monetary value.

20. An apparatus comprising:

a gaming chip, having a transponder embedded within, said transponder containing information about said gaming chip;

a gaming table with an identified region for placing bets;

a transceiver and antenna for obtaining information about said gaming chip when placed within said identified region;

a processor for associating said gaming chip with a player; and

a storage medium for storing said information about said gaming chip and said player associated with said gaming chip.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said antenna is customized to a specific power output and specific radio frequency, as to only read from said gaming chip in said identified region.

22. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising an identification card reader and slot embedded within said gaming table.

23. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said information about said gaming chip includes a unique identifier and a monetary value.