Automated wagering recognition system

• US 6,848,994 B1
• Filed: 01/17/2000
• Issued: 02/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Genesis Gaming Solutions Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Genesis Gaming Solutions Incorporated
• Inventors: Garza, Richard, Schoppe, Eric, Knust, Randy L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sager, Mark
• Assistant Examiner(s): ASHBURN, STEVEN L
• Application Number:
  US09/483,854
• Time in Patent Office: 1,842 Days
• Field of Search: 463 9- 14, 463 29- 31, 463/25, 463/42, 348/143, 348/150, 348/161, 348/232, 348/659, 348/662, 348/705, 273/309, 273/460, 273/138.1, 434/110, 434/128, 434/129, 235/375, 235/379, 235/437, 235/454, 382/1, 382/115, 382/116, 382/135, 382/139, 382/140, 382/100, 705/44, 108/50.02, 108/92, 108/23
• US Class Current: 463/25
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/04 Payment circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/042 characterized in that the payment protocol involves at least one cheque
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/341 Active cards, i.e. cards including their own processing means, e.g. including an IC or chip
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/4014 Identity check for transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00127 Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2166 for mass storage, e.g. in document filing systems information retrieval G06F16/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3214 of a date
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3215 of a time or duration
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3226 of identification information or the like, e.g. ID code, index, title, part of an image, reduced-size image

Abstract

A system and method for acquiring and analyzing the bets at a plurality of locations at a plurality of tables is provided. The system includes a gaming table with a raised platform, underneath which is positioned a video camera for each of the wagering locations on the table. The video cameras one each table are coupled together into a multiplexer, and the multiplexers from the plurality of tables are coupled together and into a central computer. The system and method thus eliminate the labor intensive and often inaccurate technique of tracking the gambling habits of patrons at the gaming tables.

Claims

1. A computer implemented gambling tracking system comprising:

a. a central computer;

b. a video multiplexer coupled to the central computer;

c. a gaming table associated with the video multiplexer;

d. a plurality of video imagers on the gaming table, the video imagers coupled to the video multiplexer, and each of the plurality of video imagers directed to a predetermined wagering location on the table;

e. a chip recognition system in the central computer to determine the value of the wagers in each of the wagering locations, the recognition system including an algorithm which takes into account multiple image component planes selected from the group consisting of;

i hue, saturation, and lightness,

ii particle analysis correlation; and

iii a combination i and/or ii;

f. a platform on the table above and adjacent to the predetermined wagering locations wherein each of the plurality of video imagers is located below the platform;

g. an arcuate wall extending between the platform and the table, the arcuate wall defining apertures therethrough, the video imagers positioned behind the arcuate wall and directed through the apertures; and

h. a light below the platform and directed to each of the wagering locations, the light providing illumination projecting from the arcuate wall from below the platform laterally toward a predetermined gaming location.

2. The tracking system of claim 1, wherein the light is positioned within a recess beneath the platform.

3. The tracking system of claim 1, further comprising a trigger coupled to the multiplexer to initiate operation of the system.

4. The tracking system of claim 1, further comprising a data input means to uniquely identify a gambler to the tracking system.

5. The tracking system of claim 4, wherein the data input means comprises a magnetic card stripe reader.

6. The tracking system of claim 1, further comprising data input means for inputting alpha-numeric data manually into the central computer.

7. The tracking system of claim 1, further comprising means for determining which of the wagering locations is active.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the light is underneath the platform.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the table defines a substantially flat side and a arcuate side, and wherein the table further defines a dealer location along the substantially flat side and a plurality of garner locations along the arcuate side.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein each of the plurality of video imagers is directed from a point adjacent one of the plurality of gamer locations generally in the direction of the dealer location.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the predetermined wagering location is adapted to support a stack of wagering chips, including a bottom chip, and wherein the light illuminates the stack of wagering chips, including the bottom chip.