US6533662B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for monitoring casinos and gaming
Assignee: Walker Digital Table Systems LLC
•
Filing: 2002-01-18
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Granted: 2003-03-18
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Expires: 2022-01-18
Abstract
Abstract A system automatically monitors playing and wagering of a game, including the performance of employees. A card deck reader automatically reads symbols from each card in a deck, 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, and a table monitor automatically images the activity occurring at a gaming table. The system determines the win/loss percentage of the players and the dealer, as well as a number of other statistically relevant measures. The measurements provide automated security and real-time accounting.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard Soltys
- 👤 Richard Huizinga
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 01:56
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: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
A method of monitoring employee efficiency for a game played at a gaming table, comprising: determining an actual change in the value of a bank at the table for a number of game plays; determining a theoretical change in a value of the bank for the gaming number of game plays; and automatically comparing the determined actual change in the value of the bank to the determined theoretical change in the value of the bank.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
75 words
A method of monitoring employee efficiency for a game played at a gaming table, comprising: determining an actual change in the value of a bank at the table for a number of game plays; determining a theoretical change in a value of the bank for the gaming number of game plays; and automatically comparing the determined actual change in the value of the bank to the determined theoretical change in the value of the bank.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 wherein determining a theoretical change in the value of the bank for the number of plays of the game, includes selecting the theoretical change in value from a lookup table.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 1 wherein determining a theoretical change in the value of the bank for the number of plays of the game, includes statistically calculating the theoretical change in value based on a set of odds for the game and the number of plays of the game.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
73 words
The method of claim 1 wherein determining a theoretical change in the value of the bank for the number of plays of the game, includes monitoring at least one value of at least one game piece; and statistically calculating the theoretical change in value based on a set of odds of the game, the number of plays of the game, and the at least one value of the at least one game piece.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
71 words
The method of claim 1 wherein determining a theoretical change in the value of the bank for the number of plays of the game, includes monitoring a value of a hand of a plurality of cards; and calculating the theoretical change in value based on a set of odds of the game, the number of game plays, and the values of each of a number of the cards forming the hand.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 1 wherein determining a theoretical change in the value of the bank for the number of game plays, includes monitoring a value of at least one die; and calculating the theoretical change in value based on a set of odds of the game, the number of game plays, and the value of the at least one die.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
77 words
The method of claim 1 wherein determining a theoretical change in the value of the bank for the number of game plays, includes monitoring a value at least one gaming wheel; and statistically calculating the theoretical change in value based on a set of odds of the game, the number of game plays, and the value of each spin of the at least one gaming wheel where each of the spins is one of the game plays.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: determining a rate at which hands of cards are dealt at the gaming table by a current dealer; and displaying the determined rate at which the hands of cards are dealt at the gaming table by the current dealer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: determining a rate at which hands of cards are dealt at the gaming table during a current shift; and displaying the determined rate at which the hands of cards are dealt at the gaming table during the current shift.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: determining a rate at which hands of cards are dealt at the gaming table over a time period; and displaying the determined rate at which the hands of cards are dealt at the gaming table over the period of time.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: determining an average number of players per game dealt to by a current dealer at the gaming table; and displaying the determined average number of players per game dealt to by the current dealer at the gaming table.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: determining an average number of players per game dealt to during a current shift at the gaming table; and displaying the determined average number of players per game dealt during the current shift at the gaming table.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: determining an average number of players per game dealt to during a time period including at least two shifts; and displaying the determined average number of players per game dealt during the time period including at least two shifts.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: determining a number of times the bank at the gaming table is short for a current dealer; and displaying the determined number of time the bank at the gaming table is short for the current dealer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: determining a number of times the bank at the gaming table is short for a current shift; and displaying the determined number of time the bank at the gaming table is short for the current shift.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: determining a number of times the bank at the gaming table is short for a time period including at least two shifts; and displaying the determined number of time the bank at the gaming table is short for the time period including at least two shifts.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: determining a cumulative amount by which the bank at the gaming table is short for a current dealer; and displaying the determined cumulative amount by which the bank at the gaming table is short for the current dealer.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: determining a cumulative amount by which the bank at the gaming table is short for a current shift; and displaying the determined cumulative amount by which the bank at the gaming table is short for the current shift.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: determining a cumulative amount by which the bank at the gaming table is short for a period of time including at least two shifts; and displaying the determined cumulative amount by which the bank at the gaming table is short for the time period including at least two shifts.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: determining an elapsed amount of time during which a current dealer deals hands of cards at the gaming table; and displaying the determined elapsed amount of time that the current dealer deals hands of cards at the gaming table.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: determining an elapsed amount of time of during which hands of cards are dealt at the gaming table during a current shift; and displaying the determined elapsed amount of time of during which hands of cards are dealt at the gaming table during the current shift.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: determining an elapsed amount of time of during which hands of cards are dealt at the gaming table during a time period including at least two shifts; and displaying the determined elapsed amount of time of during which hands of cards are dealt at the gaming table during the time period including at least two shifts.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: determining an amount of idle time during which a current dealer is not dealing hands of cards while operating the gaming table; and displaying the determined amount of idle time during which the current dealer is not dealing hands of cards while operating the gaming table.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: determining an amount of idle time for a current shift at the gaming table during which hands of cards are not being dealt at the gaming table; and displaying the determined amount of idle time for the current shift at the gaming table during which hands of cards are not being dealt at the gaming table.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
74 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: determining an amount of idle time for a time period including at least two shifts at the gaming table during which hands of cards are not being dealt at the gaming table; and displaying the determined amount of idle time for a time period including at least two shifts at the gaming table during which hands of cards are not being dealt at the gaming table.
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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) | 2006-03-17 | 2006-09-16 | 2007-03-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-03-17 | 2010-09-16 | 2011-03-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-03-17 | 2014-09-16 | 2015-03-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |