GENERATING CASINO FLOOR MAPS

• US 20110183732A1
• Filed: 03/23/2009
• Published: 07/28/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sg Gaming, Inc. (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Original Assignee: WSM Gaming Incorporated
• Inventors: Greenberg, Jacob C., Block, Rory L., Trego, Mark K., Lasseter, Laurie E., Sylla, Craig J., Hamlin, Vernon W.
• Granted Patent: US 8,758,102 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/34 Betting or bookmaking, e.g. Internet betting
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3232 wherein the operator is informed
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3239 Tracking of individual players

Abstract

This describes generating casino floor maps. In some embodiments, the casino monitoring system can analyze captured data of casino floor objects. The system can determine meta-data related to any of the casino floor objects and generate one or more overlay objects for each of the casino floor objects. The system can create a casino floor map by superimposing the overlay objects over the captured data (e.g., superimpose the overlay objects onto a live video stream). The system can present the floor map on any suitable device. The system can detect a selection of the overlay objects on the casino floor map and present metadata for a casino floor object associated with the selected overlay object. The system can also determine details of people on a casino floor via close-range biometric scans and measurements. The system can use the scans and measurements to assist people in the casino.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

analyzing video footage of one or more casino floor objects, wherein the video footage includes any one or more of live video data and recorded video data;

determining metadata related to any of the casino floor objects;

generating an overlay object for each of the casino floor objects for which metadata is available;

creating a video casino floor map by superimposing the overlay objects over the video footage of the casino floor objects;

detecting a selection of one of the overlay objects on the video casino floor map; and

presenting metadata for a casino floor object associated with the selected overlay object.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining metadata related to any of the casino floor objects includes collecting metadata related to one or more of the identity of the casino floor objects, operational status of the casino floor objects, history of the casino floor objects, and characteristics of the casino floor objects.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein generating an overlay object comprises creating a dynamic, selectable image that highlights a casino object for which metadata is available.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein superimposing the overlay objects over the video footage includes:

generating a computerized grid scaled to a casino floor layout;

determining locations of the casino floor objects on the casino floor;

placing, for the casino objects, object location identifiers on the computerized grid, wherein the object locations identifiers correlate with the locations of the casino objects on the casino floor;

associating the video footage with the computerized grid so that video images of the casino floor objects coincide with the object location identifiers on the computerized grid; and

positioning the overlay objects to coincide with the object location identifiers corresponding to casino floor objects for which metadata is available.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein presenting metadata for the selected overlay object comprises displaying the metadata in a pop-up image on the video casino floor map, wherein the pop-up image is connected to the single overlay object.

6. One or more machine-readable media having instructions stored thereon, which when executed by a set of one or more processors causes the set of one or more processors to perform operations that comprise:

capturing an image of a casino floor object;

determining a location of the casino floor object in relation to a casino floor landscape surrounding the casino floor object;

generating a virtual object depicting the casino floor object;

generating a virtual casino floor landscape representing the casino floor landscape;

positioning the virtual object in the virtual casino floor landscape approximating the location of the casino floor object on the casino floor landscape, resulting in a virtual casino floor layout map; and

presenting the virtual casino floor layout map.

7. The machine-readable media of claim 6, wherein generating a virtual object depicting the casino floor object includes:

determining, from the image, an object shape and one or more visible characteristics of the casino floor object;

generating a geometric virtual skeleton, shaped like the object shape;

generating one or more virtual textures having a similar appearance to the one or more visible characteristics; and

applying the one or more virtual textures onto the geometric virtual skeleton.

8. The machine-readable media of claim 6, wherein generating a virtual object depicting the casino floor object comprises utilizing a stored image referenced by a player account setting, wherein the stored image represents an identifier of a social contact associated with the player account.

9. The machine-readable media of claim 6, further comprising:

recording a plurality of additional images of the casino floor object over a continuous period of time to a capture activities performed by the casino object; and

animating the virtual object based on the activities performed by the casino floor object.

10. The machine-readable media of claim 6, further comprising:

determining metadata related to any one or more of the identity, operational status, history, and characteristics of the casino floor object;

generating an overlay object related to the casino floor object for which the metadata is available;

positioning the overlay object in the virtual casino floor map in connection with the virtual object;

detecting a selection of the overlay object on the virtual casino floor map; and

presenting the metadata in connection with the virtual object.

11. The machine-readable media of claim 10, wherein generating the overlay object comprises creating a dynamic, selectable image that highlights the virtual object.

12. The machine-readable media of claim 11, wherein presenting metadata for the casino floor object comprises displaying the metadata in a pop-up image on the virtual casino floor map, wherein the pop-up image is connected to the overlay object.

13. A system, comprising:

a casino floor monitoring device including,

a detection unit configured to record perceptible characteristics possessed by casino floor objects; and

a communication unit configured to broadcast any one or more of live video and recorded video of the perceptible characteristics;

a monitoring server including,

a floor monitoring unit configured to receive the recording from the floor monitoring device,

a floor layout manager configured to generate a computerized casino floor layout, and overlay recorded casino objects on the computerized casino floor layout,

and

a monitoring processor configured to

superimpose overlay objects onto the computerized casino floor layout that convey metadata about the casino floor objects.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the monitoring processor is configured to

generate one or more hotspot images that highlight recorded casino objects for which metadata is available, and

superimpose the one or more hotspots on the computerized casino floor layout over the recorded casino objects for which the metadata is available.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the monitoring processor is configured to

generate virtual objects that are similar in shape and appearance to the recorded casino objects, and

control the rendering, texturing, positioning, actions, and appearances of the virtual objects on the computerized casino floor layout.

16. The system of claim 13, further comprising an identification unit configured to collect or calculate metadata, wherein the metadata is related to any one or more of the identity, operational status, history, and characteristics of the casino floor objects.

17. The system of claim 13, further comprising:

an account server configured to control a player account with player preferences regarding how the computerized casino floor layout is presented;

a wagering game server configured to access the player preferences from the account server and convey the player preferences to any one of the monitoring server and a mobile wagering game machine, and

the mobile wagering game machine configured to present the casino floor maps according to the player preferences.

18. A apparatus, comprising:

a casino floor monitoring unit configured to receive a captured image of casino objects on a casino floor; and

a monitoring processor configured to generate a computerized image of a casino floor layout,

generate computerized objects similar in appearance to the casino objects, and

animate the computerized objects based on activities performed by the casino objects.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the monitoring processor is configured to generate overlay objects indicating metadata available about the casino objects, and superimpose the overlay objects onto the computerized image of the casino floor layout.

20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the monitoring processor is further configured to present any one or more of money transactions on a casino floor, a need for security assistance, potential mischievous behavior, special casino guests, jack-pot winners, security hazards, staffing needs, malfunctioning machines, casino traffic-patterns, player history, social contacts, avatars belonging to social contacts, chat boxes, search boxes, available wagering game machines, openings in a wagering game, invitations to a wagering game, available casino staff, and detailed imagery of casino patrons.

21. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a device configured to present the computerized image of a casino floor layout and the computerized objects, wherein the device comprises any one or more of a kiosk, a mobile wagering game machine, a cell phone, a computer monitor, and a touch-screen sensitive monitor capable of responding to finger stroke patterns.

22. A casino monitoring computer device, comprising:

means for monitoring visible characteristics possessed by, and signals generated by, physical objects on a casino floor, resulting in captured data;

means for processing the captured data to generate calculated data regarding activities performed by, or qualities exhibited by, the physical objects;

means for obtaining collected data pertaining to any one or more of the identity, operational status, and historical activity of the physical objects; and

means for generating a single multimedia presentation comprising the captured data, the calculated data, and the collected data.

23. The casino monitoring computer device of claim 22, wherein the captured data comprises any one or more of facial characteristics, clothing characteristics, wagering game behavior, financial transactions, sounds, heat, luminosity, radio signals, live video data, and recorded video data.

24. The casino monitoring computer device of claim 22, further comprising

means for recording the single multimedia presentation, and

means for presenting any portion of the single multimedia presentation for a specific time period in the past.

25. The casino monitoring computer device of claim 22, further comprising means for automatically reacting to information presented in the single multimedia presentation comprising any one or more of signaling a casino staff member of a potential problem in the casino, controlling casino floor lighting based on captured populations of casino patrons, controlling back-lighting on wagering game machines based on captured wagering game activity, signaling when a casino patron has hit a jackpot, signaling unusual or potentially criminal activity by patrons or casino staff, and signaling security personnel of potential hazards.

26. A method comprising:

determining one or more biometric identifiers of a person in a casino;

comparing the one or more biometric identifiers to stored identifying information;

identifying the person based on the stored identifying information; and

presenting an electronic valet on a casino display device to assist the person within the casino.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the electronic valet is a character in a long-standing bonus game.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein the electronic valet is an avatar stored in a player account.

29. The method of claim 26, wherein the one or more biometric identifiers include one or more of a picture of a person on an identification card, a person'"'"'s facial features, a fingerprint, a radio frequency identifier, a gait, an eye color, a hair color, a retinal image, and a voice pattern.

30. The method of claim 26, wherein presenting an electronic valet further includes

receiving a request from the person to show private information,

requesting an additional biometric identifier,

detecting the additional biometric identifier,

verifying the validity of the additional biometric identifier, and

presenting the private information on the casino display device.

31. The method of claim 26, further comprising:

recognizing facial expressions made by the person;

detecting the person'"'"'s mood based on the facial expressions; and

providing assistance, via the electronic valet, based on the detected mood.

32. An wagering game machine, comprising:

a biometric scanning device configured to take up-close reference measurements of one or more unique biometric characteristics of a person on a casino floor; and

a casino monitoring module configured to

record the reference measurements,

compare the reference measurements to one or more stored records containing pre-stored biometric measurements,

identify the person from the one or more stored records, and

personalize functionality of the wagering game machine based on the person'"'"'s identity.

33. The wagering game machine of claim 32, wherein the casino monitoring module is further configured to

scan a picture of the person, and

determine the location of the person on a casino floor.

34. The wagering game machine of claim 32, wherein the casino monitoring module is further configured to

receive a command from the person,

refer to a casino user account for the person,

determine that the casino user account has rights to perform the command, and

perform the command.

35. The wagering game machine of claim 32, wherein the casino monitoring module is further configured to

detect a language of a person'"'"'s voice, and

cause wagering game options to appear in the detected language.

36. The wagering game machine of claim 32, wherein the casino monitoring module is further configured to

detect an avatar character associated with an account for the person, and

present an interactive animation of the avatar character on the wagering game machine.