Gaming Table Sensors for Electronic Wagering and Bonus Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing table games in casinos face challenges in implementing progressive jackpots, managing promotions, and enabling remote participation and conversion of electronic funds into physical gaming chips, limiting player interaction and convenience.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilizes embedded sensors and user interface devices at gaming tables to enable electronic fund access, display promotions, and facilitate remote reservation of gaming positions, allowing players to wager electronically and convert funds into physical chips, while supporting bonus games and progressive jackpots through a communication network and mobile device integration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If physical gaming chips and cash conversion is used for wagering, then players can participate in live table games, but the process requires manual chip conversion by dealers and limits player convenience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of chip conversion with an electronic system. Players use mobile devices to electronically wager funds, which are then automatically converted to physical chips by a chip dispenser mechanism, eliminating the need for dealer manual conversion and reducing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables players to independently initiate chip conversion through their mobile devices without requiring dealer intervention. The electronic wagering system automatically processes the conversion request and triggers the chip dispenser to provide the appropriate physical chips to the player's position.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional table game layouts are used, then players can occupy positions at the table, but players must physically find and occupy open positions which limits remote participation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a communication network and mobile device interface as an intermediary between the player and the physical gaming table. Players can remotely reserve positions through their mobile devices, which communicate with the table system via the network, allowing advance reservation and remote management of gaming positions without requiring immediate physical presence.
3Adaptability or versatility
If progressive jackpots are implemented in table games, then player engagement is enhanced, but there is no mechanism to receive progressive side wagers and allocate funds to the jackpot
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device interface and electronic wagering system serve multiple functions: they handle base game wagers, progressive side wagers, promotions, and position management. This multi-functional system consolidates what would otherwise require separate mechanisms, reducing overall complexity while enabling progressive jackpot features.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication network acts as an intermediary to collect progressive side wagers from players' mobile devices, allocate funds to the progressive jackpot pool, and track participation. This intermediary system simplifies the complex task of managing progressive wagers across multiple players and tables.
4Ease of operation
If electronic funds accounts are integrated with table games, then players can access electronic funds for wagering, but the system requires integration with loyalty clubs and electronic account management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the electronic funds account system with the existing loyalty club infrastructure. Players' loyalty accounts serve as their electronic funds repositories, combining two functions into one system. The mobile device interface provides unified access to both loyalty program benefits and electronic wagering funds, reducing the need for separate account management systems.
Data Source
AI summary
At least one example of the present disclosure includes a system having a gaming table, a sensor embedded into the gaming table, and a user interface device. The sensor is configured to sense an action that occurs at a player station of the gaming table. The user interface device is associated with the player station (e.g., at the player station, in communicative connection with a device at the player station, etc.). The user interface device is configured to one or more of present, via a video display in response to the sensed action, a bonus feature, or access, via a casino network in response to the sensed action, a player electronic fund account. Access to the player electronic fund account can include use of electronic funds from the player electronic fund account for one or more games available at the gaming table.