Multi-wager casino games with token detection

• US 9,747,749 B1
• Filed: 08/22/2014
• Issued: 08/29/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Masque Publishing, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Masque Publishing, Inc.
• Inventors: Wisler, James M., Andersen, Anthony G., Ridges, John C., Willemse, Werner W., Willemse, Waldemar A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Coburn, Corbett B
• Application Number:
  US14/466,062
• Time in Patent Office: 1,103 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3202 Hardware aspects of a gaming system, e.g. components, construction, architecture thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3209 Input means, e.g. buttons, touch screen
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/322 Casino tables, e.g. tables having integrated screens, chip detection means
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3225 Data transfer within a gaming system, e.g. data sent between gaming machines and users
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3244 Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3248 involving non-monetary media of fixed value, e.g. casino chips of fixed value
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3258 Cumulative reward schemes, e.g. jackpots
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3293 Card games, e.g. poker, canasta, black jack

Abstract

A system having a plurality of interconnected controls is provided for playing multiple-wager casino card games using gaming tables found at one or more casinos. Both physical and electronic cards can be utilized, depending on game play outcomes. Information related to game play can be sent by one or more table controls to a central control through one or more casino controls for use in generating additional information. A token detection apparatus, which includes a particular one of the table controls, provides un-modulated light for use in detecting whether or not a token is present as part of game play. The token is used in making a progressive/fixed amount wager.

Claims

1. An apparatus for use in detecting at least a first token used in playing a casino game, comprising;

a sensor system that includes a sensor assembly that outputs un-modulated light and receives un-modulated returned light when the first token is present, said sensor assembly including a sensor housing that includes a cover and a light path member joined to said cover, said light path member having a geometric shape and extending in a direction away from the first token when the first token is located on said cover, said light path member having said geometric shape being positioned relative to said cover such that at least portions of said un-modulated light passes from said light path member to the first token when the first token is present and in which at least portions of said un-modulated returned light passes from the first token to said light path member when the first token is present;

an input element;

a control that is responsive to said input element and is used in controlling said un-modulated light that is output by said sensor assembly and that is used in controlling an indication of the first token when the first token is present; and

a table that supports at least said sensor assembly and is associated with said control and said input element and includes at least a first wager area for receiving the first token.

2. An apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sensor assembly includes an emitter for outputting said un-modulated light and a receiver for receiving said un-modulated returned light, said un-modulated light being in an infrared frequency range and said receiver having a light blocking filter associated with passing light associated with at least some part of the infrared frequency range, and in which said light blocking filter is defined as matching with 940 nm wavelength emitters and having a range of spectral bandwidth of 900-950 nms wavelength.

3. An apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sensor system includes a cable having a number of signal wires in communication with sensor housing circuitry and multiplex circuitry, which is electrically connected to said control, and said table comprises a number of layers including a foam layer having at least one recess in which folded portions of said cable are positioned in said at least one recess.

4. An apparatus of claim 1 wherein said geometric shape of said light path member is conical-shaped with a tip that is located more inwardly of said sensor housing than other portions of said conical-shaped light path member.