System for recognizing a gaming chip and method of use

• US 6,567,159 B1
• Filed: 06/15/2000
• Issued: 05/20/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Bicycle Casino
• Original Assignee: Gaming Analysis, Inc.
• Inventors: Corech, Hertsel
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Zandra V.
• Assistant Examiner(s): STOCK JR, GORDON J
• Application Number:
  US09/593,936
• Time in Patent Office: 1,069 Days
• Field of Search: 356/71, 40/275, 453/58, 273/126.R, 273/353, 273/290, 273/291, 273/305, 473/588, 209/580, 156/406, 156/407, 156/408, 250/226, 250/221, 250/222.1, 250/559.4
• US Class Current: 356/71
• CPC Class Codes: B07C 5/3422 using video scanning devices, e.g. TV-cameras
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/255 Details, e.g. use of specially adapted sources, lighting or optical systems

Abstract

A system (20) for recognizing gaming chips (500) includes pairs of light emitting devices P₁ through P_n, each pair emitting light (28) of a different color. The light (28) is reflected off of the surface (502) of the gaming chip (500), is sensed by a light detector (32), digitized by an analog to digital converter (33), and compared with stored intensity profiles for various denomination gaming chips (500). When a match is obtained, system (20) issues a signal indicating the color, and thus denomination, of the gaming chip (500). An energizing circuit (26) produces a constant current to ensure a constant light intensity level. An automatic adjustment circuit (40) changes the constant current to accommodate for factors such as component aging. Adjustment circuit (40) is controlled by a calibration feature wherein light (28) is reflected off of a calibration surface (42) while system (20) is in use.

Claims

1. A system for recognizing a gaming chip, the gaming chip having a surface, said system comprising:

at least one light emitting device which when energized emits light of a predetermined color;

an energizing circuit for energizing said light emitting device;

a calibration surface;

when so energized, said light from said light emitting device striking said calibration surface, said calibration surface emitting reflected light;

a light detector for receiving said reflected light;

a detector circuit for detecting the presence or non-presence of a gaming chip; and

,

said energizing circuit periodically energizing said light emitting device when said detector detects said non-presence of a gaming chip.

2. A system for recognizing a gaming chip, the gaming chip having a surface, said system comprising:

at least one light emitting device which when energized emits light of a predetermined color;

an energizing circuit for energizing said light emitting device;

when so energized, said light from said light emitting device striking the surface of the gaming chip, the surface of the gaming chip emitting reflected light;

said light emitting device energized a plurality of times;

a light detector for receiving said reflected light;

each time said light detector receives said reflected light from said of light emitting device, said light detector providing an output signal proportional to an intensity of reflected light;

said output signals routed to an analog to digital converter which converts said output signals into a series of time-sequenced digital intensity values;

said analog to digital converter providing said series of time-sequenced digital intensity values to a computer wherein an earliest portion and a latest portion of said time-sequenced digital intensity values are discarded.

3. A method for recognizing a gaming chip having a surface, comprising:

providing a gaming chip, the gaming chip having a surface;

providing a plurality of pairs of light emitting devices, each said pair emitting light of a different color, an energizing circuit for energizing said pairs of light emitting devices, when so energized, said light from said pairs of light emitting devices striking the surface of the gaming chip, the surface of the gaming chip emitting reflected light, and a light detector for receiving said reflected light;

energizing said pairs of light emitting devices in rapid sequential order;

said light detector receiving and measuring said reflected light as each said pair of light emitting devices is energized;

comparing said reflected light from said pairs of energized light emitting devices with a plurality of pre-established intensity profiles, said plurality of pre-established intensity profiles corresponding to a plurality of different denomination gaming chips;

when said reflected light from said pairs of energized light emitting devices matches one of said plurality of pre-established intensity profiles, providing an indication of the denomination of the gaming chip;

energizing said pairs of light emitting devices a plurality of times, resulting in a corresponding plurality of time-sequenced reflected light intensity values;

discarding a first portion and a last portion of said plurality of time-sequenced intensity values; and

,

prior to said step of comparing, averaging a remaining portion of said plurality of time-sequenced intensity values.

4. The method according to claim 3, further including:

providing an adjustment circuit; and

,

said adjustment circuit automatically adjusting said first intensity level so as to produce a pre-established second intensity level.