WAGER RECOGNITION SYSTEM

• US 20120122559A1
• Filed: 11/15/2010
• Published: 05/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LNW Gaming Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Bally Gaming Incorporated (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Inventors: Kelly, James V., Nelson, Troy D., Zvercov, Vladislav, Grauzer, Attila
• Granted Patent: US 9,142,084 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/25
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2003/00662 with an electric sensor for playing pieces A63F2009/2444 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2419 Optical
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2425 Scanners, e.g. for scanning regular characters
• 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 17/3232 wherein the operator is informed
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3239 Tracking of individual players
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3251 involving media of variable value, e.g. programmable cards, programmable tokens
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49828 Progressively advancing of work assembly station or assembled portion of work

Abstract

A gaming table apparatus has a gaming table with a gaming table support surface. At least two token sensors are provided which are electrically connected in series to a token sensor controller. The at least two token sensor units are physically restrained by the table support surface. The game controller is in communication with the token sensor controller, wherein the game controller is configured to associate player position data with transmitted wager data received from the token sensor controller.

Claims

1. A gaming table apparatus comprising:

a gaming table support surface;

a token sensor controller;

at least two token sensor assemblies which are electrically connected in series to the token sensor controller;

the at least two token sensor assemblies physically restrained by the table support surface; and

a game controller in communication with the token sensor controller, wherein the game controller is configured to associate player position data with transmitted wager data received from the token sensor controller.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each token sensor assembly comprises a circuit board that does not execute software.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the gaming table support surface comprises a flexible material having electrical wires therein, said wires providing a serial communication link between the at least two sensors and the token sensor controller.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the gaming table support surface comprises a flexible material having electrical wires therein, said wires providing a serial communication link between the at least two sensors and the token sensor controller.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the flexible material is selected from the group consisting of a) felt, b) elastomeric polymer, c) polymeric foam and combinations of a), b) and c).

6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein each token sensor assembly comprises a module that communicates with the serial communication link and a second contact on each token sensor that engages a power source.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein each contact is a plug-in or snap connection.

8. A token sensor for a wagering system, comprising:

a container having a height and side walls which define an inside and outside perimeter of the container, and a top surface and bottom surface of the container;

a translucent cover disposed on the top surface of the side walls;

a circuit board having a top side, a bottom side and an aperture disposed through both the top side and bottom side, wherein the circuit board is secured to the inside perimeter of the container; and

a plurality of light sources disposed on the top side of the circuit board above the aperture and at least one light sensor disposed on the bottom side of the circuit board beneath the aperture, wherein the plurality of light sources enable the at least one light sensor to sense light reflected off chips positioned on the translucent cover having a reflective optical density of white light of at least 1.5 units.

9. The token sensor of claim 8, wherein the translucent cover is removable from the top surface of the side walls.

10. The token sensor of claim 9, wherein the translucent cover is attachable by means of at least one of:

a compression fit, a threaded connector, and/or a mechanical lock.

11. The token sensor of claim 8, wherein the light sources are located at a selected distance from the aperture such that light is transmitted through the translucent cover, reflected off of a token placed on the removable translucent cover and light transmitted back through the translucent cover passes through the aperture and is sensed by the at least one sensor.

12. The token sensor of claim 8, wherein a power source is provided, wherein at least two notches extend through the side walls, wherein said notches are configured to engage a grounding strap, wherein the grounding strap is in communication with an earth ground connection on the power source.

13. The token sensor of claim 8, wherein a power source is provided external to the token sensor, wherein at least two apertures extend through the side walls, wherein power is supplied by means of a wire extending through one opening and data is transmitted by means of a wire extending through one opening, wherein said wires are in communication with said circuit board.

14. A method of manufacturing a gaming table apparatus with an integrated wagering system, comprising the steps of:

placing at least one cushioning layer on a gaming table support surface;

providing multiple openings in the cushioning layer, said openings placed in a selected wagering location on the gaming table support surface;

providing channels in the cushioning layer;

installing at least two token sensor assemblies in series through the multiple openings in the at least one cushioning layer and installing the wiring in said channels;

connecting the token sensor assemblies to the wiring, and connecting the wiring to a token sensor controller.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the token sensor assembly comprises:

a container having a height and side walls which define an inside and outside perimeter of the container, and a top surface and bottom surface of the container;

a translucent cover disposed on the top surface of the side walls;

a circuit board having a top side, a bottom side and an aperture disposed through both the top side and bottom side, wherein the circuit board is secured to the inside perimeter of the container; and

a plurality of light sources disposed on the top side of the circuit board above the aperture and at least one light sensor disposed on the bottom side of the circuit board beneath the aperture, wherein the plurality of light sources enable the at least one light sensor to sense light reflected off chips positioned on the translucent cover, wherein said light sources have a reflective optical density of white light of at least 1.5 units.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the multiple openings are provided in the at least one cushioning layer by placing a template over the at least one cushioning layer, wherein the template defines locations for the at least two token sensor assemblies on the gaming table support surface;

and;

cutting a plurality of recesses in the at least one cushioning layer to allow insertion of the token sensors assemblies.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein one or more channels are cut in a top surface of the at least one cushioning layer for placement of wiring associated with the at least a plurality of token sensor assemblies;

wiring is provided into the one or more channels cut in the top surface of the at least one cushioning layer;

the at least two of token sensor assemblies is installed in series into the corresponding plurality of recesses and associated wiring provided into the one or more channels; and

a second cushioning layer is placed over the at least one cushioning layer, wherein the second cushioning layer has a plurality of recesses corresponding to the locations of at least the plurality of token sensors.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein a gaming table layout is installed on top of the second cushioning layer, and further comprising the steps of cutting openings in the gaming table layout such that said openings are aligned with the openings in the cushioning layer.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein after the gaming table layout is installed on top of the second cushioning layer, a plurality of removable translucent covers are installed on the side walls of the token sensor assemblies.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein one or more channels are cut in a top surface of the at least one cushioning layer for accepting wiring associated with the at least two token sensor assemblies;

wiring is provided into the one or more channels cut in the top surface of the at least one cushioning layer;

the at least two token sensor assemblies are installed into the corresponding plurality of recesses and associated with the wiring provided into the one or more channels; and

a second cushioning layer is placed over the at least one cushioning layer, wherein the second cushioning layer has a plurality of recesses corresponding to the locations of the at least two token sensor assemblies.

21. An apparatus for sensing tokens, comprising:

a plurality of token sensing assemblies connected in series;

a token sensor controller;

a power source; and

a grounding strap in connection with each token sensing assembly and said power source, wherein the power source connection is an earth ground connection.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein each token sensing assembly comprises a circuit board, wherein data is transmitted through a connection in the circuit board.

23. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein each circuit board receives power through a connection in the circuit board.

24. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said connection is a quick-connect connection.

25. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein said connection is a quick-connect connection.