Pre-Calibrated Gaming Table Sensors for Chip and Finger Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Players in table-based wagering games often struggle with confusion regarding the timing and placement of wagers, leading to difficulties in understanding the required wagers and potential complexity in wager and payout structures, which can detract from the gaming experience and increase the risk of errors.
Innovation Solution
A sensor system with pre-calibrated proximity detecting integrated circuits and multi-colored light emitters is used to intuitively indicate permitted wagers and automatically detect player inputs, such as chip placement and hand gestures, without consuming excessive table space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If electronic chip sensors are used to detect wager placement in real time, then game progression speed and automation are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual wager detection and tracking with electronic sensor systems that automatically detect chip placement, player gestures, and game state changes. This substitution of mechanical/manual processes with electronic detection systems directly improves game progression speed while the pre-calibrated nature of sensors mitigates complexity increases
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system performs self-calibration through pre-calibrated proximity detecting integrated circuits that automatically distinguish between chips and fingers without requiring manual adjustment or complex configuration during operation, reducing operational complexity while maintaining high detection accuracy
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple wager types and betting positions are allowed, then game versatility and player options are improved, but player confusion and error risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides immediate visual feedback through light emitters that change color and pattern based on wager acceptance status, time window availability, and sensor detection state. This feedback mechanism guides players through complex wagering options by providing real-time confirmation of valid placements and preventing erroneous bets, thereby maintaining ease of operation despite increased versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The gaming table is divided into multiple distinct betting positions, each with its own dedicated sensor and light emitter system. This segmentation allows players to clearly understand where different wager types should be placed, reducing confusion while maintaining game versatility through support for multiple simultaneous betting options
3Measurement precision
If pre-calibrated sensors are used to distinguish chips from fingers, then detection precision is improved, but manufacturing and calibration complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensors are pre-calibrated during manufacturing to recognize the optical and proximity characteristics of chips versus fingers. This preliminary calibration action is performed once during production rather than requiring complex calibration procedures during installation or operation, achieving high detection precision while simplifying the ease of manufacture by eliminating field calibration requirements
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 enhances player interaction by providing clear visual feedback and reducing confusion, allowing for efficient and accurate wager placement and detection, thereby improving the gaming experience and ensuring timely game progression.
Implementation Method 1
a low profile electro-optical sensor disc has a centrally mounted photo sensor for detecting when a coin is timely placed over the center by a respective player to thus cut off ambient light
Implementation Method 2
a light source, such as a LED, functions as a visual 'Coin Accepted Indicator'
Data Source
AI summary
Gaming tables that support wager-based gaming are provided with input receiving devices that are structured to intuitively message to players what kind of wagers are permitted at which betting positions and when and then to automatically detect timely placement of such wagers at corresponding betting positions. This allows for faster unfolding of gaming action in that player confusion is minimized with respect to which wagers are being called for, when and where. An integrated compact sensor system is provided occupying slightly more table area than that needed for supporting wagering tokens of different denominations. The sensor system includes a large array of full color pixels (e.g., RGB capable pixels) for messaging to the players and proximity detection functionality for detecting 3D player hand gestures.