Gaming Table Scale and Display for Accurate Wager Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current table gaming systems face challenges in accurately and efficiently managing wagers, prone to errors and collusion due to reliance on human dealers, and struggle to maintain the social ambiance of traditional gaming environments while attempting to automate processes.
Innovation Solution
A table system with a gaming surface, designated areas for chip placement, a scale for weight measurement, and a processor to identify chip values, combined with an electronic camera and display system to visually indicate the number and value of chips, ensuring accurate wager tracking and reducing human intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If human dealers physically count and manage wagers, then player interaction and social ambiance are maintained, but errors and collusion occur leading to fraudulent outcomes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of manual wager counting and management by human dealers with an automated electronic system. Sensors detect physical chips on the table surface, and a processor automatically calculates wager amounts, eliminating the need for human intervention in wager verification. This substitution prevents collusion and errors while maintaining the physical presence of chips for social interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary electronic system consisting of sensors, processors, and display devices that mediate between the physical chips and the wager verification process. This intermediary automatically detects chip positions, identifies chip values, and communicates wager information to players and casino monitoring systems, serving as a neutral third party that eliminates fraud while preserving the social gaming environment.
2Reliability
If fully electronic tables with virtual cards and electronic wagering are implemented, then fraud and collusion are eliminated, but the social ambiance and player comfort are significantly altered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the gaming system into distinct functional components: physical chips that players handle for social interaction, sensors that automatically detect chip positions, processors that calculate wagers, and display devices that show wager information. This segmentation allows the system to maintain physical elements for player comfort while automating verification functions for reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional system where physical chips serve both social purposes (player interaction and ambiance) and functional purposes (wager verification through sensor detection). The same physical chips that players touch and move are also detected by sensors to automatically verify wager amounts, eliminating the need for separate electronic wagering interfaces and preserving the traditional gaming experience while ensuring accuracy.
3Ease of operation
If dealers physically distribute and collect wagers, then player interaction is maintained, but significant training periods are required and human errors occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service wager verification system where the sensors and processors automatically detect chip positions and calculate wager amounts without requiring trained human dealers. The system serves itself by autonomously verifying wagers, eliminating the need for extensive personnel training while allowing players to continue interacting socially by physically placing chips on the table.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides accurate and transparent wager management, reducing errors and collusion, while maintaining a social gaming environment by visually displaying chip values and numbers, enhancing player comfort and security.
Implementation Method 1
A scale is positioned beneath the at least one area configured to provide electrical signals indicating weight placed in the at least one designated area
Implementation Method 2
An electronic camera having an image capture area that include the at least one designated area
Data Source
AI summary
A table system assists in determining wagering events. The system has a gaming surface; at least one player position on the gaming surface; and at least one area is designated at the at least one player position for placement of wagers in the form of chips. A scale is positioned beneath the at least one area configured to provide electrical signals indicating weight placed in the at least one designated area. A processor is configured to receive the electrical signals and execute code to identify numbers of chips placed in the at least one designated area. The processor is further configured to provide signals indicating the identified number of chips to a display on the gaming table surface at the player position. The display is configured to provide a visual indication of at least the number of chips or the value of chips.