Automated Chip Tracking for Casino Tournament Tables
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual table tournaments in casinos are time-consuming, costly, and prone to errors due to the need for manual chip counting, limiting player flexibility and requiring dedicated gaming tables that are not used during non-tournament times.
Innovation Solution
A gaming system that uses a central server to automatically track and determine tournament results, allowing players to play both tournament and non-tournament games simultaneously at the same table using chip identification devices, enabling flexible scheduling and reducing the need for dedicated tables.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual chip counting is used to determine tournament results, then player flexibility is improved, but time consumption and error rate increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical system of chip counting with an automated electronic system using cameras, image processing algorithms, and computer vision technology to detect, identify, and count chips on the table, eliminating the time-consuming manual process while maintaining accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing the tournament table to automatically monitor and record its own chip counts and tournament progress without requiring external personnel intervention, with the table itself performing the counting function through integrated sensors and processing units
2Reliability
If dedicated gaming tables are used for tournaments, then tournament accuracy is improved, but space utilization and revenue opportunities decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes gaming tables universal by enabling them to function both as regular gaming tables and as tournament tables through software configuration and automated monitoring systems, allowing a single table to serve multiple purposes and eliminating the need for dedicated tournament-only tables
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces dynamics by allowing tables to dynamically switch between tournament mode and regular gaming mode based on real-time conditions, with the automated chip tracking system activating only during tournaments while maintaining full gaming functionality at all times
3Measurement precision
If manual monitoring of tournament progress is implemented, then player registration accuracy is improved, but employee time and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual monitoring and registration processes with automated electronic systems that use player tracking cards, biometric authentication, or digital registration interfaces combined with computer vision to monitor chip movements and automatically update tournament standings, eliminating the need for manual employee intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback loops where sensors on the table constantly monitor chip positions and automatically communicate with the central tournament management system to update player scores and rankings in real-time, ensuring accuracy without manual verification
Data Source
AI summary
A gaming system and method that enables tournament table games and non-tournament table games to be played simultaneously at a same gaming table with a processor automatically determining the results of the tournament. The players at a gaming table may play a tournament game simultaneously with other tournament players, may play the tournament at different times with tournament players on gaming tables simultaneously playing tournament games as other players play non-tournament games on a same gaming table and a single player may simultaneously or sequentially play tournament and non-tournament games at a gaming table with suitable chip identification devices. During the tournament the gaming system tracks at least the tournament players' wagers wins, losses, and chip totals and/or chip values with suitable chip identification devices and automatically determines the results of the tournament based on the chip identification.