Smart Table Wireless Beacon RFID Currency Exchange
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional casino systems face challenges in seamlessly transitioning between electronic gaming machines (EGMs) and table games due to disparities in wagering currencies, where EGMs use cash or tickets, while table games primarily use chips, leading to inefficiencies in currency exchange and player experience.
Innovation Solution
A smart table system that enables cardless connection via wireless beacons and mobile devices, allowing players to use digital wallets for seamless buy-ins and cash-outs, and facilitating the exchange of tickets for chips or cash through a table ticketing system with RFID sensors and a management server.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If players use physical cash for table games, then currency exchange between EGMs and table games can be performed, but physical cash handling increases operational complexity and reduces efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of physical cash handling with an electronic system. Players use electronic gaming machine tickets or digital wallets to perform buy-ins at table games, eliminating the need for physical cash transactions. The table game system electronically validates tickets or communicates with digital wallets to credit player accounts, thereby substituting manual cash counting and handling with automated electronic processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary electronic ticket system or digital wallet platform that mediates between EGMs and table games. Instead of direct cash exchange, players obtain electronic tickets from EGMs and present them at table games, where the system validates and converts them to table game credits. This intermediary layer streamlines the currency exchange process and eliminates physical cash handling.
2Adaptability or versatility
If players exchange chips for cash at the cage, then currency conversion is achieved, but player convenience deteriorates due to additional trips and time loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables players to perform cash-out operations at the table game itself rather than requiring trips to the cage. The table game system electronically credits player accounts with cash-out amounts, and players can then use these credits at EGMs or withdraw to digital wallets. This preliminary action of completing the currency conversion at the table eliminates the need for additional trips to the cage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service functionality where players can initiate cash-out transactions at the table game using their own electronic devices or player cards. The system automatically processes the cash-out request, validates the transaction, and credits the player's account without requiring dealer assistance or trips to the cage, thereby enabling players to serve themselves.
3Stability of the object's composition
If conventional table games are used, then chip-based wagering is maintained, but integration with EGMs deteriorates due to currency disparity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the table game system multi-functional by enabling it to accept multiple forms of currency: traditional chips, electronic gaming machine tickets, and digital wallet credentials. The system can process transactions in any of these formats and convert between them electronically. This universality allows seamless integration with EGMs while maintaining the traditional chip-based wagering option.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic adaptability to the table game system, allowing it to flexibly switch between different currency types and transaction modes. The system can dynamically adjust between chip-based and ticket-based operations, and between cash-in and cash-out functions, based on player needs and game conditions. This dynamic capability enables smooth integration with EGMs while preserving the stability of the chip-based system.
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
This solution streamlines currency exchange between EGMs and table games, reducing the need for physical cash handling, enhancing player convenience, and improving operational efficiency by allowing ticket-based transactions at table games and EGMs.
Implementation Method 1
a smart table that includes at least one wireless beacon device configured to wirelessly connect with a mobile device of a player
Implementation Method 2
facilitating the exchange of tickets for chips or cash through a table ticketing system with RFID sensors
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a smart table having RFID sensor(s) configured to detect RFID-enabled chips, including a wager area sensor positioned beneath a wager area on a surface of the smart table. The smart table also includes wireless beacon device(s) configured to wirelessly connect with a mobile device of a player. The system includes processor(s) executing instructions configured to: detect, via the at least one wireless beacon device, presence of the mobile device of the player near the at least one wireless beacon device; identify a player identity of the player based on the detected presence of the mobile device; detect an initial wager provided by the player at the smart table based at least in part on sensor data received by the wager area sensor, the sensor data identifying presence of RFID-enabled chip(s) near the wager area; and initiate tracking of a play session associated with the player.