US6527271B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for monitoring casinos and gaming
Assignee: Walker Digital Table Systems LLC
•
Filing: 2002-01-22
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Granted: 2003-03-04
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Expires: 2022-01-22
Abstract
Abstract A system for automatically monitoring playing and wagering of a game includes a chip tray reader that 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 may be positioned in the chip tray to automatically image the activity occurring at a gaming table.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard Soltys
- 👤 Richard Huizinga
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 05:20
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F17/00; G07F17/32; G07F17/3241; G06; G06Q; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/06; G06Q10/063; G06Q10/0639; G07F17/3202; G07F17/3216; G07F17/322; G07F17/3225; G07F17/3232; G07F17/3237; G07F17/3244; G07F17/3251; A; A63; A63F; A63F9/00; A63F9/24; A63F2009/2401; A63F2009/2411; A63F2009/2419; A63F2009/242; A63F3/00; A63F3/00003; A63F3/00157
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
A chip tray reader for storing chips for wagering, comprising: a chip tray having a chip carrying surface including a top side and a bottom side, the top side forming a number of wells sized to receive chips therein, a window formed in each of the wells to expose a portion of a circumference of any chips when located in the wells; a reading head positioned beneath the bottom side of the chip carrying surface, the reading head having a field-of-view including at least a portion of at least one of the windows; a drive mechanism coupled to drive the reading head.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
A chip tray reader for storing chips for wagering, comprising: a chip tray having a chip carrying surface including a top side and a bottom side, the top side forming a number of wells sized to receive chips therein, a window formed in each of the wells to expose a portion of a circumference of any chips when located in the wells; a reading head positioned beneath the bottom side of the chip carrying surface, the reading head having a field-of-view including at least a portion of at least one of the windows; a drive mechanism coupled to drive the reading head.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The chip tray reader of claim 1 , wherein the drive mechanism coupled to drive the reading head with respect to the windows.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The chip tray reader of claim 1 , wherein the drive mechanism received in the chip tray and coupled to drive the reading head with respect to the wells.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The chip tray reader of claim 1 , wherein the drive mechanism received in the chip tray and coupled to selectively align the reading head with each of the windows.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The chip tray reader of claim 1 wherein the reading head is a two-dimensional array imager having an image field covering at least two of the windows.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The chip tray reader of claim 1 wherein each of the wells have a semi-circular cross-section.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The chip tray reader of claim 1 , further comprising: a tinted covering positioned over the window, the tinted covering being at least partially transparent in a selective range of light.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The chip tray reader of claim 1 wherein the reading head is sensitive to a non-visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
77 words
An apparatus for temporarily holding wagering pieces, comprising: a carrying surface having a number of receptacles formed therein, each of the number of receptacles sized to receive a number of stacked wagering pieces, and each of the number of receptacles having a window formed therein; and a reading head opposed across the carrying surface with respect to the wells, the reading head having a field-of-view including at least a portion of at least two of the windows.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
77 words
An apparatus for temporarily holding wagering pieces, comprising: a carrying surface having a number of receptacles formed therein, each of the number of receptacles sized to receive a number of stacked wagering pieces, and each of the number of receptacles having a window formed therein; and a reading head opposed across the carrying surface with respect to the wells, the reading head having a field-of-view including at least a portion of at least two of the windows.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 9 , further comprising: a drive mechanism coupled to successively position a field of view of the reading head with respect to each of the windows.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the reading head is a two-dimensional array imager having an image field covering at least two of the windows.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 9 , further comprising: at least one light source positioned beneath the bottom side of the chip carrying surface; and wherein the reading head is sensitive to a non-visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 9 , further comprising: at least one table imaging camera mounted in the apparatus and having a first table imaging field-of-view extending outwardly from a front portion of the apparatus.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
89 words
An apparatus for temporarily holding wagering pieces, comprising: a carrying surface having a number of receptacles formed therein, each of the number of receptacles sized to receive a number of stacked wagering pieces, and each of the number of receptacles having a window formed therein; a reading head opposed across the carrying surface with respect to the wells, the reading head having a field of view; and a drive mechanism coupled to successively position the field of view of the reading head with respect to each of the windows.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
89 words
An apparatus for temporarily holding wagering pieces, comprising: a carrying surface having a number of receptacles formed therein, each of the number of receptacles sized to receive a number of stacked wagering pieces, and each of the number of receptacles having a window formed therein; a reading head opposed across the carrying surface with respect to the wells, the reading head having a field of view; and a drive mechanism coupled to successively position the field of view of the reading head with respect to each of the windows.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the reading head is a two-dimensional array imager having an image field covering at least two of the windows.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 14 , further comprising: at least one light source positioned beneath the bottom side of the chip carrying surface; and wherein the reading head is sensitive to a non-visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
67 words
The apparatus of claim 14 , further comprising: a rail extending laterally with respect to the wells wherein the reading head is mounted for movement along the rail and wherein the drive mechanism includes a motor, a pulley and a belt, the motor coupled to drive the pulley, the pulley coupled to drive the belt and the belt coupled to drive the reading head along the rail.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 14 , further comprising: at least one table imaging camera opposed across the carrying surface with respect to the wells and having a first table imaging field-of-view extending outwardly from a front portion of the apparatus.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-03-03 | 2006-09-02 | 2007-03-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-03-03 | 2010-09-02 | 2011-03-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-03-03 | 2014-09-02 | 2015-03-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |