US6663490B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for monitoring casinos and gaming
Assignee: Walker Digital Table Systems LLC
•
Filing: 2001-12-13
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Granted: 2003-12-16
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Expires: 2021-12-13
Abstract
Abstract A system automatically monitors playing and wagering of a game, including the gaming habits of players and the performance of employees. A table monitor automatically images the activity occurring at a gaming table, including the placement of wagers. The system detects, among other things wins and losses, and the amounts won and lost by a player. The system provides a basis for automatically allocating complimentary player benefits, for example based on the amounts won/lost or wagered.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard Soltys
- 👤 Richard Huizinga
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 00:50
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: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of tracking customer activity in a casino, comprising; identifying a customer at a gaming table wherein identifying a customer includes: reading a unique serial number from a wagering piece each time the wagering piece is placed as a wager; tracing a path of the wagering piece between the casino and a plurality of customers including the customer; and matching the unique serial number to a customer identifier; automatically determining an amount won or lost by the customer at the gaming table; and determining a level of complimentary benefits to be provided to the customer based on the determined won or lost amount.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of tracking customer activity in a casino, comprising; identifying a customer at a gaming table wherein identifying a customer includes: reading a unique serial number from a wagering piece each time the wagering piece is placed as a wager; tracing a path of the wagering piece between the casino and a plurality of customers including the customer; and matching the unique serial number to a customer identifier; automatically determining an amount won or lost by the customer at the gaming table; and determining a level of complimentary benefits to be provided to the customer based on the determined won or lost amount.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
75 words
A method of tracking a player in a gaming environment, comprising: issuing a wagering piece having a unique serial number to a player having a unique player identifier; storing a relationship between the unique serial number of the wagering piece and unique player identifier; automatically monitoring at least one gaming station for an appearance of the wagering piece placed as a wager by the player; and matching the unique serial number to a customer identifier.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
75 words
A method of tracking a player in a gaming environment, comprising: issuing a wagering piece having a unique serial number to a player having a unique player identifier; storing a relationship between the unique serial number of the wagering piece and unique player identifier; automatically monitoring at least one gaming station for an appearance of the wagering piece placed as a wager by the player; and matching the unique serial number to a customer identifier.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 2 , further comprising: automatically determining a won/lost amount for the wager.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 2 , further comprising: automatically determining a won/lost amount for the wager; and tracking a won/lost amount for the player.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 2 , further comprising: automatically determining a won/lost amount for the wager; tracking a cumulative won/lost amount for the player; awarding complimentary benefits based on the cumulative won/lost amount for the player.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 2 wherein automatically monitoring at least one gaming station for an appearance of the wagering piece placed as a wager by the player includes imaging at least a portion of a gaming station and identifying the image of the gaming station.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
89 words
A method of tracking players in a gaming environment, comprising: associating a unique serial number from a wagering piece with a first player; reading the unique serial number from the wagering piece each time the wagering piece is placed as a wager; determining whether the player won the wager; continuing to associate the unique serial number with the first player if the first player has won the wager; and discontinuing the association between the unique serial number and the first player if the first player has lost the wager.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
89 words
A method of tracking players in a gaming environment, comprising: associating a unique serial number from a wagering piece with a first player; reading the unique serial number from the wagering piece each time the wagering piece is placed as a wager; determining whether the player won the wager; continuing to associate the unique serial number with the first player if the first player has won the wager; and discontinuing the association between the unique serial number and the first player if the first player has lost the wager.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 7 , further comprising: reading the unique serial number from the wagering piece each time the wagering piece is placed in a bank tray; and reading a unique serial number from the wagering piece each time the wagering piece is returned to a cashier.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
73 words
The method of claim 7 , further comprising: reading the unique serial number from the wagering piece each time the wagering piece is placed in a bank tray; determining when the wagering piece is removed from the bank tray; and associating the unique serial number with at least one of a number of players having winning wagers when the wagering piece associated with the unique serial number is removed from the bank tray.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of tracking players in a gaming environment, comprising: associating a unique serial number from a wagering piece with a first player identifier; reading the unique serial number from the wagering piece each time the wagering piece is placed as a wager; maintaining the association between the unique serial number and the player identifier each time the player associated with the player identifier wins a wager; discontinuing the association between the unique serial number and the player identifier each time the player associated with the player identifier loses a wager; and tracking a path of the wagering piece between various gaming tables.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of tracking players in a gaming environment, comprising: associating a unique serial number from a wagering piece with a first player identifier; reading the unique serial number from the wagering piece each time the wagering piece is placed as a wager; maintaining the association between the unique serial number and the player identifier each time the player associated with the player identifier wins a wager; discontinuing the association between the unique serial number and the player identifier each time the player associated with the player identifier loses a wager; and tracking a path of the wagering piece between various gaming tables.
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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) | 2006-12-15 | 2007-06-16 | 2007-12-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-12-15 | 2011-06-16 | 2011-12-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-12-15 | 2015-06-16 | 2015-12-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |