Method and apparatus for monitoring casinos and gaming

• US 6,579,180 B2
• Filed: 12/13/2001
• Issued: 06/17/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Walker Digital Table Systems LLC (Walker Innovation Inc. (f/k/a Patent Properties, Inc.))
• Original Assignee: MindPlay LLC (Light & Wonder Incorporated)
• Inventors: Soltys, Richard, Huizinga, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): ONEILL, MICHAEL W
• Application Number:
  US10/015,507
• Publication Number:
  US 20020042298A1
• Time in Patent Office: 551 Days
• Field of Search: 463/12, 463/13, 463/16-22, 463/25-28, 463/40-42, 273/309
• US Class Current: 463/25
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/242 Bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/00157 Casino or betting games horse races A63F3/00082
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0639 Performance analysis of employees; Performance analysis of enterprise or organisation operations
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3202 Hardware aspects of a gaming system, e.g. components, construction, architecture thereof
• 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 17/3241 Security aspects of a gaming system, e.g. detecting cheating, device integrity, surveillance computer security G06F21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3251 involving media of variable value, e.g. programmable cards, programmable tokens

Abstract

A system automatically monitors playing and wagering of a game. A card deck reader automatically reads a symbol identifying a rank and suit from each card in a deck of cards. A chip tray reader automatically images the contents of a chip tray, to periodically determine the number and value of chips in the chip tray, and to compare the change in contents of the chip tray to the outcome of game play for verifying that the proper amounts have been paid out and collected. A table monitor automatically images the activity occurring at a gaming table. Periodic comparison of the images identify wagering, as well as the appearance, removal and position of cards and other game objects on the gaming table. The system automatically determines the outcome of games, including losses and takes.

Claims

1. A wager monitoring system, comprising a computer programmed to monitor wagering on a gaming table by:

determining a respective amount of each of a number of wagers on the gaming table;

determining an outcome of the game play;

automatically determining a respective amount of a number of payouts and takes based on the determined waters and the determined outcome of the game play; and

a chip tray imager having a field-of-view encompassing at least a portion of a chip tray and coupled to provide chip tray information to the computer.

2. A wager monitoring system, comprising a computer programmed to monitor wagering on a gaming table by:

determining a respective amount of each of a number of wagers on the gaming table;

determining an outcome of the game play;

automatically determining a respective amount of a number of payouts and takes based on the determined waters and the determined outcome of the game play; and

a card deck reader coupled to provide card deck sequence information to the computer.