| Card game system with automatic bet recognition -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
  Card game system with automatic bet recognitionRelated Patent Categories: Amusement Devices: Games, Including Means For Processing Electronic Data (e.g., Computer/video Game, Etc.), In A Chance Application, Lot Match Or Lot Combination (e.g., Roulette, Lottery, Etc.)The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060160600. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Prov. No. 60/644,208 filed Jan. 14, 2005, incorporated herein by reference. FIELD [0002] The invention relates to systems for monitoring casino card games and card game players whereas the system includes a means for automatic bet recognition. In particular, the invention provides a technique for acquiring an image of a bet at particular times during the play of a card game, processing the image, and monitoring the bets made by the game players during the play of the game. The system may further include one or more data input or acquisition devices to input other information such as the denomination and quantity of chips comprising the bet, the denomination and quantity of chips comprising the inventory of the game table's chip tray, to identify all positions for which game players are actively engaged in the play of the game and scan and identify the card value, rank and suit and disposition of all cards dealt from the game deck to a game hand, a game player and/or a game dealer engaged in the play of the game, and a means for determining the outcome, win/loss, of each game hand according to the game rules and so forth. BACKGROUND [0003] Billions of dollars are wagered annually on card games, therefore a means to accurately monitor, record and identify the amount of each bet and to subsequently determine the outcome (win/loss) of each wager according to the game rules is vital to the successful operation of such card games, as is a real time means for monitoring the inventory of the chip tray associated with the game being played. The amounts bet and the wins and the losses of the games and game players can be significant. Unscrupulous players and employees may be inclined to attempt to cheat during play of the game and/or steal chips from the chip tray. Likewise, it is also possible that an unscrupulous dealer may cheat, or act in cooperation with a player who is cheating. Casinos could save significant amounts of money lost to cheaters and dealer theft with a system that could automatically detect the amount of each bet and then determine the outcome of each game hand, the proper win and loss for each game hand played during a game round or playing session, and a means for reconciling the chip inventory of the chip tray at the beginning of a game round with the chip inventory of the chip tray at the end of each game round in accordance with the amounts won or lost by the players, as determined by the automatic bet recognition system, during a game round. [0004] Conventional types of automatic bet recognition techniques are known. For example, a casino may embed radio frequency identification (RFID) tags in their chips, which are then read by an RFID reader proximate to a betting area. While this technique may be advantageous, it may result in erroneous bets since it may not be able to accurately direct the RFID sensing in a limited region of the table. Patents describing this technique include U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,735,742 and 5,651,548. Another type of automatic bet recognition uses a camera in an attempt to image and then determine the amount of each wager. However, conventional systems of this type use cameras mounted relatively distant from the betting area or use a single camera attempting to image the entire game table, which does not provide an accurate and reliable way to determine the bet. Patents describing this technique include U.S. Pat. No. 6,758,751. SUMMARY [0005] What is needed is a reliable system for acquiring an image of one or more bets associated with a particular seat, position or game player and then processing the image(s) to accurately determine the value of the wager(s). Preferably the chip(s) comprising the bet would be stacked in a vertical position. Such a system could accurately determine the amount of each player's bet(s) and whether or not a bet was won or lost, which would potentially save casinos significant amounts of money. Further, a reliable means for acquiring an image of the game tables chip tray inventory, and accurately calculating the number and denomination of each chip contained in the chip tray, and determining the total value of the chip tray's inventory, in real time, is also needed. The chip tray would preferably be transparent and any chip tray imaging device would be capable of capturing an accurate image of chips placed horizontally in one or more one-half cylinder shaped tubes comprising the chip tray; and whereas the tubes would be slightly angled upward, from the back of the chip tray closest to the dealer, toward the front of the chip tray which would be closest to the players; and whereas the upward angle of each tube would cause the chips to remain flush against one another increasing the accuracy of the chip tray's imaging device. Integrating the automatic bet recognition device and the automatic chip tray imaging device into the system enables the system to generate a real time tabulation of the win/loss of each player, the win/loss of the game table, and to activate an audible or visual alert when a players bet at the end of a game round is inconsistent with the amount that the bet should be, according to the game rules, at the end of a game round; and/or activate an audible or visual alert when the inventory of the chip tray is inconsistent with the amount of chips that should be in the chip tray when the settlement of the bets for the current game round is completed. Further, the system includes a means for the game dealer to enter into the system the amounts of any cash or call bets that would not be identified by the imaging device. [0006] The invention overcomes a number of aforesaid limitations of conventional systems and provides a system and method that can reliably acquire an image of a bet and then process the image to accurately determine the amount wagered. Aspects of the invention can include one or more data input or acquisition devices to input other information such cash or call bets, the denomination and quantity of chips comprising the inventory of the game table's chip tray, debit and credit transactions (fills, chips returned to casino cage, credit issued to and paid by game players), positions or seats occupied by players engaged in the play of the game, cards dealt to each player hand, each players strategy proficiency, the outcome of each game round and so forth. [0007] An exemplary embodiment of the invention includes a bet recognition system for use with a card game. A game table is provided for playing a card game including a bet location for each player. An image capture device is positioned in proximity to the bet location and configured to capture an image of a player's bet. An image processor is coupled to the image capture device and configured to process the image by locating at least one chip and generating a signal representing the chip, comparing the signal to a plurality of stored signatures, and when a match occurs, generating a signal representing the bet. In one aspect, the image processor is configured to generate an error signal when unable to match a candidate signature with at least one of the stored signatures. [0008] An exemplary embodiment of processing an image representing a plurality of chips having a plurality of different denominations comprises the steps of capturing an image representing the plurality of chips, identifying edges of the plurality of chips, segmenting the image into a plurality of individual candidate chips, generating a signature for each of the candidate chips, identifying each of the candidate chips by comparing the signature of each candidate chip to a plurality of stored signatures representing valid chips and associated denominations, and adding denominations associated with each of the valid chips to determine the wager. [0009] An exemplary embodiment of training an image processor to process an image representing a plurality of chips having a plurality of different denominations comprises the steps of capturing a plurality of images representing chips having different denominations, generating a signature for each of the chips having different denominations, and storing the signatures. [0010] The invention provides numerous aspects and advantages to a card game with automatic bet recognition. Advantages of the invention include the ability to identify chips wagered by a player to automatically determine the player's bet for a game hand and the player's win or loss during a playing session. The invention can also track bets during the course of a game to automatically determine the player's betting strategy relative to one or more card count systems programmed into the system. [0011] An exemplary embodiment of the invention includes a chip tray inventory recognition system for use with a card game. A game table is provided for playing a card game including a chip tray to contain the game table's bankroll. An image capture device positioned in proximity to the chip tray and configured to capture an image of the chips comprising the inventory of the chip tray. An image processor coupled to the image capture device and configured to process the image by locating at least one chip and creating a signal representing the chip, comparing the signal to a plurality of stored signatures, when a match occurs, generating a signal representing the bet. In one aspect, the image processor is configured to generate an error signal when unable to match a candidate signature with at least one of the stored signatures. [0012] An exemplary embodiment of processing an image representing a plurality of chips in a chip tray having a plurality of different denominations comprises the steps of capturing an image representing the plurality of chips, identifying edges of the plurality of chips, segmenting the image into a plurality of individual candidate chips, generating a signature for each of the candidate chips, identifying each of the candidate chips by comparing the signature of each candidate chip to a plurality of stored signatures representing valid chips and associated denominations, and adding denominations associated with each of the valid chips to determine the amount of the chip tray inventory. [0013] An exemplary embodiment of training an image processor to process an image representing a plurality of chips in a chip tray having a plurality of different denominations comprises the steps of capturing a plurality of images representing chips having different denominations, generating a signature for each of the chips having different denominations, and storing the signatures. [0014] The invention provides numerous aspects and advantages to a card game with automatic chip tray inventory recognition. Advantages of the invention include the ability to identify the chip tray inventory during real time and provide a running count of the chip tray's inventory and to automatically determine the game tables win or loss during the play of the game; and/or to automatically determine the win or loss of a plurality of game tables coupled to the system during real time. DRAWINGS [0015] These and other features and advantages will become better understood with reference to the description, claims and drawings. [0016] FIGS. 1A-B depict a gaming table system including peripheral components, a computer, memory and peripheral interfaces according to an embodiment of the invention. [0017] FIG. 2 is a flowchart depicting a method according to an embodiment of the invention. [0018] FIG. 3 is a digital image of two stacks of gaming chips on a table, acquired with a conventional digital camera, at a resolution of 960.times.1280.times.3 bytes (24-bit color). [0019] FIGS. 4A-B are exemplary flowcharts showing methods to process digital images of chips according to embodiments of the invention. Continue reading... Full patent description for Card game system with automatic bet recognition Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Card game system with automatic bet recognition patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Card game system with automatic bet recognition or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Wide screen gaming apparatus Next Patent Application: Flexible online instant lottery game Industry Class: Amusement devices: games ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Card game system with automatic bet recognition patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 2.00764 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Accenture , Agouron Pharmaceuticals , Amgen , AT&T , Bausch & Lomb , Callaway Golf |
||
