Apparatus and method for monitoring gambling chips
AssigneeCasino Software & Services
InventorOliver M. Schubert
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A sensor is disposed in proximity to the gaming table. The sensor is adapted to sense an occurrence of an event on a surface of the gaming table and to output a change-of-state signal. The video camera or video cameras that are disposed in proximity to the gaming table are configured and positioned to be activated to collect the video information relating to activities on the gaming table, and circuitry is adapted to detect the change-of-state signal from the sensor. The circuitry further is adapted to activate the video camera or video cameras to automatically collect the video information upon the detection by the circuitry of the change-of-state signal from the sensor.
Claims71
An apparatus for collecting video information relating to gaming activities, the apparatus comprising:
- a gaming table having an upper surface, a lower surface and a perimeter surrounding the upper surface of the gaming table, the upper surface lying in a plane which is substantially parallel to a support surface upon which the gaming table rests, wherein a plurality of lines can be defined along the perimeter of the gaming table, each of the plurality of lines being defined to extend normally to the upper surface and to intersect the perimeter at a different point along the perimeter, the plurality of lines defining a surrounding wall of a volume of space above the upper surface, wherein the volume of space extends upwardly and normally above the upper surface, and wherein the volume of space is defined within the surrounding wall;
- and
- at least one video camera disposed in the volume of space above the upper surface or below the lower surface, the at least one video camera being adapted to collect video information pertaining to gaming activities being conducted on the upper surface of the gaming table;
- wherein the at least one video camera comprises a line-of-sight, which comprises an axis of the video camera defined between a focal point on a lens of the video camera and a focal point on a target at which the video camera is aimed, the video camera being positioned of the gaming table so that the line-of-sight of the video camera forms an angle with the plane of the upper surface that is less than about 45 degrees.
An apparatus for collecting video information relating to activities on a gaming table, the apparatus comprising:
- a sensor disposed in proximity to the gaming table, the sensor being adapted to sense an occurrence of an event on a surface of the gaming table and to output a change-of-state signal;
- at least one video camera disposed in proximity to the gaming table, the at least one video camera being configured and positioned to be activated to collect the video information relating to activities on the gaming table;
- circuitry adapted to detect the change-of-state signal from the sensor, the circuitry further being adapted to activate the at least one video camera to automatically collect the video information upon the detection by the circuitry of the change-of-state signal from the sensor.
A video camera assembly for use on a gaming table, the video camera assembly comprising:
- a frame adapted to be coupled to a gaming table and to support a chip tray, wherein the frame comprises a length and a width which correspond in dimension to a length and a width of the chip tray;
- and
- a plurality of video cameras secured to the frame, each of the plurality of video cameras being adapted to be focused on an individual bet position on the gaming table.
A method of collecting video information relating to activities on a gaming table, the method comprising the following steps:
- providing at least one sensor in proximity to the gaming table, the sensor being adapted to sense the occurrence of an event on the surface of the gaming table and to output a change-of-state signal;
- providing at least one video camera in proximity to the gaming table, the at least one video camera being configured and positioned to be activated to collect the video information relating to activities on the gaming table;
- the at least one sensor outputting a change-of-state signal, in response to the sensor sensing the occurrence of an event on the surface of the gaming table;
- detecting by a circuit the change-of-state signal from the at least one sensor;
- and
- the circuit activating the at least one video camera to automatically collect the video information, upon the detection by the circuit of the change-of-state signal from the at least one sensor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.