AUTOMATED DATA COLLECTION SYSTEM FOR CASINO TABLE GAME ENVIRONMENTS

• US 20080113772A1
• Filed: 10/10/2007
• Published: 05/15/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Meza, Eduardo Samuel, McPhail, Gavin, Moser, Timothy W., Harris, Roger William, Pankas, Steven M., Burrill, Nevin A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,795,061 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/25
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/322 Casino tables, e.g. tables having integrated screens, chip detection means
• 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

Various techniques are disclosed for facilitating player tracking activities and/or player rating activities at a casino gaming table. One aspect is directed to different techniques for automatically starting, suspending, resuming and/or ending player tracking sessions at one or more table games. Another aspect is directed to different techniques for automatically starting, suspending, resuming and/or ending player rating sessions at one or more table games.

Claims

1. A gaming table system comprising:

at least one processor;

at least one interface operable to provide a communication link to at least one other network device in a gaming network; and

memory;

the system being operable to;

automatically detect a presence of a first player at a gaming table;

determine a first set of criteria relating to initiation of a player tracking session for the first player;

automatically determine whether the first set of criteria has been satisfied;

delay initiation of the player tracking session for the first player in response to a determination that the first set of criteria has not been satisfied; and

automatically initiate the player tracking session for the first player in response to a determination that the first set of criteria has been satisfied.

2. The system of claim 1 being further operable to:

determine a second set of criteria relating to initiation of a player rating session for the first player;

automatically determine whether the second set of criteria has been satisfied;

delay initiation of the player rating session for the first player in response to a determination that the second set of criteria has not been satisfied; and

automatically initiate the player rating session for the first player in response to a determination that the second set of criteria has been satisfied.

3. The system of claim 2 being further operable to:

track, in response to initiating the player rating session for the first player, player rating information associated with activities performed by the first player at the gaming table.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the first set of criteria includes at least one criteria selected from a group consisting of:

criteria relating to detection of a player tracking device associated with the first player as satisfying specified location criteria;

criteria relating to detection of the first player'"'"'s location as satisfying specified location criteria;

criteria relating to detection of a presence of at least one gaming chip within a wagering zone associated with the first player;

criteria relating to detection of a presence of at least one gaming chip within a wagering zone associated with a specific player station at the gaming table;

criteria relating to a change in at least one state of game play at the gaming table;

criteria relating to detection of a continuous presence of the first player near the gaming table for a predetermined amount of time; and

criteria relating to detection of a continuous presence of the first player'"'"'s player tracking device near the gaming table for a predetermined amount of time.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the first set of criteria includes at least two criteria selected from a group consisting of:

criteria relating to detection of a player tracking device associated with the first player as satisfying specified location criteria;

criteria relating to detection of the first player'"'"'s location as satisfying specified location criteria;

criteria relating to detection of a presence of at least one gaming chip within a wagering zone associated with the first player;

criteria relating to detection of a presence of at least one gaming chip within a wagering zone associated with a specific player station at the gaming table;

criteria relating to a change in at least one state of game play at the gaming table;

criteria relating to detection of a continuous presence of the first player near the gaming table for a predetermined amount of time;

criteria relating to detection of a continuous presence of the first player'"'"'s player tracking device near the gaming table for a predetermined amount of time; and

criteria relating to determination of an identity of the first player.

6. The system of claim 1:

wherein the first set of criteria specifies a first event relating to detection of a presence of the player'"'"'s player tracking device as being located within a predetermined region of space; and

wherein the first set of criteria specifies a second event relating to detection of a presence of at least one gaming chip within a specified gaming chip placement area.

7. A gaming table system comprising:

at least one processor;

at least one interface operable to provide a communication link to at least one other network device in a gaming network; and

memory;

the system being operable to;

automatically detect a presence of a first player at a gaming table;

initiate a player tracking session for the first player;

determine a first set of criteria relating to suspension of the player tracking session for the first player;

automatically determine whether the first set of criteria has been satisfied; and

automatically suspend the player tracking session for the first player in response to a determination that the first set of criteria has been satisfied.

8. The system of claim 7 being further operable to:

delay suspension of the player tracking session for the first player in response to a determination that the first set of criteria has not been satisfied.

9. The system of claim 7 wherein the first set of criteria includes at least one criteria selected from a group consisting of:

criteria relating to detection of an absence of a presence of the first player within a predetermined range of the gaming table;

criteria relating to detection of an absence of a presence of the first player'"'"'s player tracking device within a predetermined range of the gaming table;

criteria relating to detection of an absence of first player gaming activity for a specified amount of time; and

criteria relating to detection of an absence of first player wagering activity for a specified amount of time.

10. The system of claim 7 being further operable to:

determine a second set of criteria relating to resumption of the suspended player tracking session for the first player;

automatically determine whether the second set of criteria has been satisfied; and

automatically resuming the suspended player tracking session for the first player in response to a determination that the second set of criteria has been satisfied.

11. The system of claim 7 wherein the second set of criteria includes at least one criteria selected from a group consisting of:

criteria relating to re-detection of a presence of the first player within a predetermined range of the gaming table;

criteria relating to re-detection of a presence of the first player'"'"'s player tracking device within a predetermined range of the gaming table;

criteria relating to detection of first player gaming activity at the gaming table; and

criteria relating to detection of first player wagering activity at the gaming table.

12. A gaming table system comprising:

at least one processor;

at least one interface operable to provide a communication link to at least one other network device in a gaming network; and

memory;

the system being operable to;

automatically detect a presence of a first player at a gaming table;

initiate a player tracking session for the first player;

determine a first set of criteria relating to ending of the player tracking session for the first player;

automatically determine whether the first set of criteria has been satisfied; and

automatically end the player tracking session for the first player in response to a determination that the first set of criteria has been satisfied.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the first set of criteria includes at least one criteria selected from a group consisting of:

criteria relating to detection of an absence of a presence of the first player within a predetermined range of the gaming table;

criteria relating to detection of an absence of a presence of the first player'"'"'s player tracking device within a predetermined range of the gaming table;

criteria relating to detection of an absence of first player gaming activity for a specified amount of time;

criteria relating to detection of an absence of first player wagering activity for a specified amount of time;

criteria relating to detection of the first player at a first location of the casino;

criteria relating to detection of the first player'"'"'s player tracking device at a first location of the casino.

14. The system of claim 12 being further operable to:

delay ending of the player tracking session for the first player in response to a determination that the first set of criteria has not been satisfied.

15. A gaming table system comprising:

at least one processor;

at least one interface operable to provide a communication link to at least one other network device in a gaming network; and

memory;

the system being operable to;

automatically detect a presence of a first player at a gaming table;

determine a first set of criteria relating to initiation of a player rating session for the first player;

automatically determine whether the first set of criteria has been satisfied;

delay initiation of the player rating session for the first player in response to a determination that the first set of criteria has not been satisfied; and

automatically initiate the player rating session for the first player in response to a determination that the first set of criteria has been satisfied.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein the first set of criteria includes at least one criteria selected from a group consisting of:

criteria relating to detection of a player tracking device associated with the first player as satisfying specified location criteria;

criteria relating to detection of the first player'"'"'s location as satisfying specified location criteria;

criteria relating to detection of a presence of at least one gaming chip within a wagering zone associated with the first player;

criteria relating to detection of a presence of at least one gaming chip within a wagering zone associated with a specific player station at the gaming table;

criteria relating to a change in at least one state of game play at the gaming table;

criteria relating to detection of a continuous presence of the first player near the gaming table for a predetermined amount of time; and

criteria relating to detection of a continuous presence of the first player'"'"'s player tracking device near the gaming table for a predetermined amount of time.

17. The system of claim 15 being further operable to:

determine a second set of criteria relating to suspension of the player rating session for the first player;

automatically determine whether the second set of criteria has been satisfied; and

automatically suspend the player rating session for the first player in response to a determination that the second set of criteria has been satisfied.

18. The system of claim 15 being further operable to:

determine a second set of criteria relating to suspension of the player rating session for the first player;

automatically determine whether the second set of criteria has been satisfied; and

automatically suspend the player rating session for the first player in response to a determination that the second set of criteria has been satisfied;

delay suspension of the player rating session for the first player in response to a determination that the second set of criteria has not been satisfied.

19. The system of claim 15 being further operable to:

determine a second set of criteria relating to suspension of the player rating session for the first player;

automatically determine whether the second set of criteria has been satisfied;

automatically suspend the player rating session for the first player in response to a determination that the second set of criteria has been satisfied;

determine a third set of criteria relating to resumption of the suspended player rating session for the first player;

automatically determine whether the third set of criteria has been satisfied; and

automatically resume the suspended player rating session for the first player in response to a determination that the third set of criteria has been satisfied.

20. The system of claim 15 being further operable to:

determine a second set of criteria relating to ending of the player rating session for the first player;

automatically determine whether the second set of criteria has been satisfied; and

automatically close the player rating session for the first player in response to a determination that the second set of criteria has been satisfied.

21. The system of claim 15 being further operable to:

determine a second set of criteria relating to ending of the player rating session for the first player;

automatically determine whether the second set of criteria has been satisfied;

delay closing of the player rating session for the first player in response to a determination that the first set of criteria has not been satisfied; and

automatically close the player rating session for the first player in response to a determination that the second set of criteria has been satisfied.

22. The system of claim 21 wherein the second set of criteria includes at least one criteria selected from a group consisting of:

criteria relating to detection of an absence of a presence of the first player within a predetermined range of the gaming table;

criteria relating to detection of an absence of a presence of the first player'"'"'s player tracking device within a predetermined range of the gaming table;

criteria relating to detection of an absence of first player gaming activity for a specified amount of time;

criteria relating to detection of an absence of first player wagering activity for a specified amount of time;

criteria relating to detection of the first player at a first location of the casino; and

criteria relating to detection of the first player'"'"'s player tracking device at a first location of the casino.

23. A method for managing player tracking information in a gaming network, the gaming network including a first gaming table, the method comprising:

automatically detecting a presence of a first player at the first gaming table;

determining a first set of criteria relating to initiation of a player tracking session for the first player;

automatically determining whether the first set of criteria has been satisfied;

delaying initiation of the player tracking session for the first player in response to a determination that the first set of criteria has not been satisfied; and

automatically initiating the player tracking session for the first player in response to a determination that the first set of criteria has been satisfied.

24. The method of claim 23 further comprising:

determining a second set of criteria relating to initiation of a player rating session for the first player;

automatically determining whether the second set of criteria has been satisfied;

delaying initiation of the player rating session for the first player in response to a determination that the second set of criteria has not been satisfied; and

automatically initiating the player rating session for the first player in response to a determination that the second set of criteria has been satisfied.

25. The method of claim 24 further comprising:

tracking, in response to initiating the player rating session for the first player, player rating information associated with activities performed by the first player at the first gaming table.

26. The method of claim 23 wherein the first set of criteria includes at least one criteria selected from a group consisting of:

criteria relating to detection of a player tracking device associated with the first player as satisfying specified location criteria;

criteria relating to detection of the first player'"'"'s location as satisfying specified location criteria;

criteria relating to detection of a presence of at least one gaming chip within a wagering zone associated with the first player;

criteria relating to detection of a presence of at least one gaming chip within a wagering zone associated with a specific player station at the first gaming table;

criteria relating to a change in at least one state of game play at the first gaming table;

criteria relating to detection of a continuous presence of the first player near the first gaming table for a predetermined amount of time; and

criteria relating to detection of a continuous presence of the first player'"'"'s player tracking device near the first gaming table for a predetermined amount of time.

27. The method of claim 23 wherein the first set of criteria includes at least two criteria selected from a group consisting of:

criteria relating to detection of a player tracking device associated with the first player as satisfying specified location criteria;

criteria relating to detection of the first player'"'"'s location as satisfying specified location criteria;

criteria relating to detection of a presence of at least one gaming chip within a wagering zone associated with the first player;

criteria relating to detection of a presence of at least one gaming chip within a wagering zone associated with a specific player station at the first gaming table;

criteria relating to a change in at least one state of game play at the first gaming table;

criteria relating to detection of a continuous presence of the first player near the first gaming table for a predetermined amount of time;

criteria relating to detection of a continuous presence of the first player'"'"'s player tracking device near the first gaming table for a predetermined amount of time; and

criteria relating to determination of an identity of the first player.

28. The method of claim 23:

wherein the first set of criteria specifies a first event relating to detection of a presence of the player'"'"'s player tracking device as being located within a predetermined region of space; and

wherein the first set of criteria specifies a second event relating to detection of a presence of at least one gaming chip within a specified gaming chip placement area.

29. A method for managing player tracking information in a gaming network, the gaming network including a first gaming table, the method comprising:

automatically detecting a presence of a first player at the first gaming table;

initiating a player tracking session for the first player;

determining a first set of criteria relating to suspension of the player tracking session for the first player;

automatically determining whether the first set of criteria has been satisfied; and

automatically suspend the player tracking session for the first player in response to a determination that the first set of criteria has been satisfied.

30. The method of claim 29 further comprising:

delaying suspension of the player tracking session for the first player in response to a determination that the first set of criteria has not been satisfied.

31. The method of claim 29 wherein the first set of criteria includes at least one criteria selected from a group consisting of:

criteria relating to detection of an absence of a presence of the first player within a predetermined range of the first gaming table;

criteria relating to detection of an absence of a presence of the first player'"'"'s player tracking device within a predetermined range of the first gaming table;

criteria relating to detection of an absence of first player gaming activity for a specified amount of time; and

criteria relating to detection of an absence of first player wagering activity for a specified amount of time.

32. The method of claim 29 further comprising:

determining a second set of criteria relating to resumption of the suspended player tracking session for the first player;

automatically determining whether the second set of criteria has been satisfied; and

automatically resuming the suspended player tracking session for the first player in response to a determination that the second set of criteria has been satisfied.

33. The method of claim 29 wherein the second set of criteria includes at least one criteria selected from a group consisting of:

criteria relating to re-detection of a presence of the first player within a predetermined range of the first gaming table;

criteria relating to re-detection of a presence of the first player'"'"'s player tracking device within a predetermined range of the first gaming table;

criteria relating to detection of first player gaming activity at the first gaming table; and

criteria relating to detection of first player wagering activity at the first gaming table.

34. A method for managing player tracking information in a gaming network, the gaming network including a first gaming table, the method comprising:

automatically detecting a presence of a first player at the first gaming table;

initiating a player tracking session for the first player;

determining a first set of criteria relating to ending of the player tracking session for the first player;

automatically determining whether the first set of criteria has been satisfied; and

automatically end the player tracking session for the first player in response to a determination that the first set of criteria has been satisfied.

35. The method of claim 34 wherein the first set of criteria includes at least one criteria selected from a group consisting of:

criteria relating to detection of an absence of a presence of the first player within a predetermined range of the first gaming table;

criteria relating to detection of an absence of a presence of the first player'"'"'s player tracking device within a predetermined range of the first gaming table;

criteria relating to detection of an absence of first player gaming activity for a specified amount of time;

criteria relating to detection of an absence of first player wagering activity for a specified amount of time;

criteria relating to detection of the first player at a first location of the casino;

criteria relating to detection of the first player'"'"'s player tracking device at a first location of the casino.

36. The method of claim 34 further comprising:

delaying ending of the player tracking session for the first player in response to a determination that the first set of criteria has not been satisfied.

37. A method for managing player rating information in a gaming network, the gaming network including a first gaming table, the method comprising:

a plurality of player stations;

at least one processor;

at least one interface operable to provide a communication link to at least one other network device in a gaming network; and

memory;

the method comprising;

automatically detecting a presence of a first player at the first gaming table;

determining a first set of criteria relating to initiation of a player rating session for the first player;

automatically determining whether the first set of criteria has been satisfied;

delaying initiation of the player rating session for the first player in response to a determination that the first set of criteria has not been satisfied; and

automatically initiating the player rating session for the first player in response to a determination that the first set of criteria has been satisfied.

38. The method of claim 37 wherein the first set of criteria includes at least one criteria selected from a group consisting of:

criteria relating to detection of a player tracking device associated with the first player as satisfying specified location criteria;

criteria relating to detection of the first player'"'"'s location as satisfying specified location criteria;

criteria relating to detection of a presence of at least one gaming chip within a wagering zone associated with the first player;

criteria relating to detection of a presence of at least one gaming chip within a wagering zone associated with a specific player station at the first gaming table;

criteria relating to a change in at least one state of game play at the first gaming table;

criteria relating to detection of a continuous presence of the first player near the first gaming table for a predetermined amount of time; and

criteria relating to detection of a continuous presence of the first player'"'"'s player tracking device near the first gaming table for a predetermined amount of time.

39. The method of claim 37 further comprising:

determining a second set of criteria relating to suspension of the player rating session for the first player;

automatically determining whether the second set of criteria has been satisfied; and

automatically suspend the player rating session for the first player in response to a determination that the second set of criteria has been satisfied.

40. The method of claim 37 further comprising:

determining a second set of criteria relating to suspension of the player rating session for the first player;

automatically determining whether the second set of criteria has been satisfied; and

automatically suspend the player rating session for the first player in response to a determination that the second set of criteria has been satisfied;

delaying suspension of the player rating session for the first player in response to a determination that the second set of criteria has not been satisfied.

41. The method of claim 37 further comprising:

determining a second set of criteria relating to suspension of the player rating session for the first player;

automatically determining whether the second set of criteria has been satisfied;

automatically suspend the player rating session for the first player in response to a determination that the second set of criteria has been satisfied;

determining a third set of criteria relating to resumption of the suspended player rating session for the first player;

automatically determining whether the third set of criteria has been satisfied; and

automatically resume the suspended player rating session for the first player in response to a determination that the third set of criteria has been satisfied.

42. The method of claim 37 further comprising:

determining a second set of criteria relating to ending of the player rating session for the first player;

automatically determining whether the second set of criteria has been satisfied; and

automatically close the player rating session for the first player in response to a determination that the second set of criteria has been satisfied.

43. The method of claim 37 further comprising:

determining a second set of criteria relating to ending of the player rating session for the first player;

automatically determining whether the second set of criteria has been satisfied;

delaying closing of the player rating session for the first player in response to a determination that the first set of criteria has not been satisfied; and

automatically close the player rating session for the first player in response to a determination that the second set of criteria has been satisfied.

44. The method of claim 43 wherein the second set of criteria includes at least one criteria selected from a group consisting of:

criteria relating to detection of an absence of a presence of the first player within a predetermined range of the first gaming table;

criteria relating to detection of an absence of a presence of the first player'"'"'s player tracking device within a predetermined range of the first gaming table;

criteria relating to detection of an absence of first player gaming activity for a specified amount of time;

criteria relating to detection of an absence of first player wagering activity for a specified amount of time;

criteria relating to detection of the first player at a first location of the casino; and

criteria relating to detection of the first player'"'"'s player tracking device at a first location of the casino.

45. A system for managing player tracking information in a gaming network, the gaming network including a first gaming table, the system comprising:

means for automatically detecting a presence of a first player at the first gaming table;

means for determining a first set of criteria relating to initiation of a player tracking session for the first player;

means for automatically determining whether the first set of criteria has been satisfied;

means for delaying initiation of the player tracking session for the first player in response to a determination that the first set of criteria has not been satisfied; and

means for automatically initiating the player tracking session for the first player in response to a determination that the first set of criteria has been satisfied.

46. The system of claim 45 further comprising:

means for determining a second set of criteria relating to initiation of a player rating session for the first player;

means for automatically determining whether the second set of criteria has been satisfied;

means for delaying initiation of the player rating session for the first player in response to a determination that the second set of criteria has not been satisfied; and

means for automatically initiating the player rating session for the first player in response to a determination that the second set of criteria has been satisfied.

47. The system of claim 45 wherein the first set of criteria includes at least one criteria selected from a group consisting of:

criteria relating to detection of a player tracking device associated with the first player as satisfying specified location criteria;

criteria relating to detection of the first player'"'"'s location as satisfying specified location criteria;

criteria relating to detection of a presence of at least one gaming chip within a wagering zone associated with the first player;

criteria relating to detection of a presence of at least one gaming chip within a wagering zone associated with a specific player station at the first gaming table;

criteria relating to a change in at least one state of game play at the first gaming table;

criteria relating to detection of a continuous presence of the first player near the first gaming table for a predetermined amount of time; and

criteria relating to detection of a continuous presence of the first player'"'"'s player tracking device near the first gaming table for a predetermined amount of time.

48-117. -117. (canceled)