U.S. patent application number 11/428244 was filed with the patent office on 2007-03-01 for gaming table having an inductive interface and/or a point optical encoder.
This patent application is currently assigned to Bally Gaming, Inc.. Invention is credited to Richard Soltys.
Application Number | 20070045959 11/428244 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37496801 |
Filed Date | 2007-03-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070045959 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Soltys; Richard |
March 1, 2007 |
GAMING TABLE HAVING AN INDUCTIVE INTERFACE AND/OR A POINT OPTICAL
ENCODER
Abstract
A gaming table includes an inductive interface and/or a point
optical encoder. The inductive interface is located beneath a
playing surface of the gaming table and electromagnetically
communicates with devices on the gaming table, such as a card shoe.
The inductive interface generates an electromagnetic field between
the source and the device without these items being in physical
contact. Both electrical power and data are transferable through
the electromagnetic field. Both the inductive interface and the
devices are programmable. The point optical encoder can be in
electromagnetic communication with the inductive interface and
operate to optically read cards, successively, as the cards are
individually removed from the card shoe. The inductive interface
generates an electromagnetic field between the source and the
device without these items being in physical contact. Both
electrical power and data are transferable through the
electromagnetic field. Both the inductive interface and the devices
are programmable.
Inventors: |
Soltys; Richard; (Mercer
Island, WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SEED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW GROUP PLLC
701 FIFTH AVE
SUITE 5400
SEATTLE
WA
98104
US
|
Assignee: |
Bally Gaming, Inc.
Las Vegas
NV
|
Family ID: |
37496801 |
Appl. No.: |
11/428244 |
Filed: |
June 30, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60713272 |
Aug 31, 2005 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
273/274 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/322 20130101;
G07F 17/3293 20130101; G07F 17/32 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/274 |
International
Class: |
A63F 3/08 20060101
A63F003/08 |
Claims
1. A gaming system comprising: at least one device having a first
inductive interface member; and a gaming table having a second
inductive interface member located beneath a table surface, the
first inductive interface member of the at least one device
operably responsive to the second inductive interface member,
wherein at least a portion of the table surface physically
separates the at least one device from the second inductive
interface member of the gaming table.
2. The gaming system of claim 1 wherein the at least one device is
configured to enhance play at the gaming table.
3. The gaming system of claim 1 wherein the second inductive member
of the gaming table comprises a first planar coil positioned
therein.
4. The gaming system of claim 1 wherein the first inductive
interface of at least one device comprises a coil operable to carry
a current induced from an electromagnetic field.
5. The gaming system of claim 1 wherein the second inductive
interface of the gaming table comprises a coil operable to generate
an electromagnetic field when the coil is subjected to an
alternating current.
6. The gaming system of claim 1 wherein the table surface is a felt
cover that covers at least a portion of the gaming table.
7. A gaming table configured to carry at least one device, the
gaming table comprising: a playing surface on which a game is
played; a first inductive member positioned beneath the playing
surface; and a second inductive member positioned within a device,
the first inductive member operable to be in electromagnetic
communication with the second inductive member, wherein at least a
portion of the table surface physically separates the first
inductive member from the second inductive member.
8. The gaming table of claim 7 wherein the first inductive member
and the second inductive member exchange machine-readable data via
the electromagnetic communication.
9. The gaming table of claim 7 wherein the first inductive member
transfers electrical power to the second inductive member via the
electromagnetic communication.
10. The gaming table of claim 7 wherein the playing surface is
opposed by a bottom surface.
11. The gaming table of claim 10 wherein the first inductive member
is positioned beneath the bottom surface.
12. The gaming table of claim 10 wherein the first inductive member
includes at least one inductive coil positioned beneath the bottom
surface.
13. The gaming table of claim 7 wherein the playing surface
includes: an insulator member having a top surface and a bottom
surface; and a felt cover having a top surface opposed from a
bottom surface, wherein the top surface of the insulator member is
coupled to the bottom surface of the felt cover.
14. The gaming table of claim 7 wherein the first inductive member
includes a first coil and the device includes a second coil.
15. A gaming table having a playing surface and at least one device
located proximate to the gaming table, the at least one device
having a device inductive member, the gaming table comprising: a
table inductive member positioned beneath the playing surface; and
a power source coupled to the table inductive member to induce an
inductive interface between the table inductive member and the
device inductive member.
16. The gaming table of claim 15 wherein the table inductive member
and the device inductive member exchange machine-readable data via
the inductive interface.
17. The gaming table of claim 15 wherein the table inductive member
transfers electrical power to the device inductive member via the
inductive interface.
18. A gaming system comprising: table means for supporting at least
one device; cover means for covering the table means; first
inductive means for carrying a current in the presence of an
electromagnetic field, the first inductive means positioned in the
at least one device; and second inductive means for generating the
electromagnetic field, wherein the second inductive means is
physically separated from the first inductive means by at least a
portion of the cover means.
19. The gaming system of claim 18 wherein the cover means comprises
a felt cover that covers at least a portion of the table means.
20. The gaming system of claim 18 wherein the first inductive means
comprises a coil positioned in the at least one device.
21. The gaming system of claim 18 wherein the second inductive
means comprises a coil positioned below a top surface of the cover
means.
22. A method of communication between a device positioned near a
gaming table and the gaming table, the gaming table having a first
inductive member and the device having a second inductive member
positioned to form or interface with the first inductive member,
the method comprising: energizing the first inductive interface of
the gaming table to generate an electromagnetic field; and
receiving an amount of electromagnetic energy at the second
inductive interface of the device from the generated
electromagnetic field.
23. The method of claim 22 wherein energizing the first inductive
interface of the gaming table includes supplying a plurality of
electrical signals encoding information to the first inductive
interface.
24. A gaming table having a playing surface, the gaming table
comprising: a card shoe positioned on the playing surface of the
gaming table, the card shoe including a housing and a chute, the
housing holding a plurality of playing cards, the chute configured
to permit the playing cards to be removed, one-at-a-time, from the
card shoe; and a point optical encoder positioned in the gaming
table proximate the chute of the card shoe, the point optical
encoder including an illumination source and a sensor, the
illumination source operable to direct light onto at least a
portion of at least one of the playing cards after the at least one
of the playing cards is removed from the card shoe, the sensor
positioned to receive at least some of the light reflected from the
at least one of the playing cards.
25. The gaming table of claim 24 wherein the illumination source is
an infrared light source.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.
119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/713,272 filed
Aug. 31, 2005.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This description generally relates to the field of table
gaming, and more particularly to devices for automating the play
and/or monitoring of activities associated with table games, card
games in particular.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Gaming tables come in three main forms, card tables, craps
tables, and roulette tables. Card tables are the most prominent on
most casino floors. Games like blackjack, pai gow, baccarat, and
poker are all played on card tables. The dealer is usually on one
side of the table while the players form a half circle around the
table.
[0006] Craps tables are typically shaped as a tub. Craps tables
have a place for two dealers and a box area for a dice-throwing
participant to stand or sit at one end of the table. The
non-dice-throwing participants gather around the rest of the table
and place their bets wherever they can find a spot.
[0007] Another type of gaming table is a roulette table, which is a
long table with a roulette wheel located at one end. The surface of
the table has a layout of numbers where wagering participants place
wagers.
[0008] Many casinos, regardless of the type of gaming table, are
moving toward automating their gaming tables in a variety of ways
and for a variety of purposes, which often overlap, such as
security, player tracking, employee tracking, game efficiency, and
others. In general, security devices may include video cameras,
card shoes, card shoe readers, and/or card discard readers; player
and/or employee tracking devices may include magnetic card strip
readers; game efficiency devices may include automatic card
shuffling machines, chip trays, and/or a NO PEEK.RTM. device used
in blackjack. These various devices represent just a small sample
of the types of equipment that may be located on, in, or near a
gaming table. In many cases, these devices are in communication
with each other and/or with a local or remote computer system.
[0009] The aforementioned devices are generally connected to the
gaming table and/or computer network through an array of cables,
attachments, and electrical connections that must be routed,
separated, insulated, maintained, and monitored under each gaming
table. The devices may need to be disconnected and then reconnected
whenever maintenance is performed on the table, for example
changing out the table felt, and/or if the casino wants to
re-configure the table, for example converting a blackjack table to
a baccarat table. Dealing with these numerous connections increases
the time, and thus the cost, to change a table felt or re-configure
the table. In the gaming industry, it is important that the gaming
table and/or automated device be operative throughout the day as
much as possible. The casinos do now want to have to turn patrons
away due to lack of space, perceived crowded conditions, and/or
unavailability of a preferred table.
[0010] As described above, automating a gaming table often requires
the interaction among a number of devices, some of which may
include sensitive and fragile optical equipment. One such device is
a card shoe reader that includes optical equipment for optically
reading the playing cards before or as the cards are removed from
the card shoe reader. If the card shoe reader becomes damaged or
inoperative, it may be time consuming to remove and replace the
card shoe reader, during which time the gaming table will not be
available for play. Thus, it would be desirable to use a card shoe,
which does not include optical equipment, yet still be able to
quickly and accurately read playing cards before the cards are
provided to the participants of the game. It is further desired
that such a system for accurately reading cards be less expensive
than existing card shoe readers with optical equipment incorporated
therein.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] In one aspect, a gaming system includes at least one device
having a first inductive interface member; and a gaming table
having a second inductive interface member located beneath a table
surface, the first inductive interface member of the at least one
device operably responsive to the second inductive interface
member, wherein at least a portion of the table surface physically
separates the at least one device from the second inductive
interface member of the gaming table.
[0012] In another aspect, a gaming table configured to carry at
least one device includes a playing surface on which a game is
played; a first inductive member positioned beneath the playing
surface; and a second inductive member positioned within a device,
the first inductive member operable to be in electromagnetic
communication with the second inductive member, wherein at least a
portion of the table surface physically separates the first
inductive member from the second inductive member.
[0013] In yet another aspect, a gaming table having a playing
surface and at least one device located proximate to the gaming
table, the at least one device having a device inductive member,
the gaming table includes a table inductive member positioned
beneath the playing surface; and a power source coupled to the
table inductive member to induce an inductive interface between the
table inductive member and the device inductive member.
[0014] In still yet another aspect, a gaming system includes table
means for supporting at least one device; cover means for covering
the table means; first inductive means for carrying a current in
the presence of an electromagnetic field, the first inductive means
positioned in the at least one device; and second inductive means
for generating the electromagnetic field, wherein the second
inductive means is physically separated from the first inductive
means by at least a portion of the cover means.
[0015] In still yet another embodiment, a method of communication
between a device positioned near a gaming table and the gaming
table, the gaming table having a first inductive member and the
device having a second inductive member positioned to form or
interface with the first inductive member, the method includes
energizing the first inductive interface of the gaming table to
generate an electromagnetic field; and receiving an amount of
electromagnetic energy at the second inductive interface of the
device from the generated electromagnetic field.
[0016] In yet another embodiment, a gaming table having a playing
surface includes a card shoe positioned on the playing surface of
the gaming table, the card shoe including a housing and a chute,
the housing holding a plurality of playing cards, the chute
configured to permit the playing cards to be removed,
one-at-a-time, from the card shoe; and a point optical encoder
positioned in the gaming table proximate the chute of the card
shoe, the point optical encoder including an illumination source
and a sensor, the illumination source operable to direct light onto
at least a portion of at least one of the playing cards after the
at least one of the playing cards is removed from the card shoe,
the sensor positioned to receive at least some of the light
reflected from the at least one of the playing cards.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] In the drawings, identical reference numbers identify
similar elements or acts. The sizes and relative positions of
elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For
example, the shapes of various elements and angles are not drawn to
scale, and some of these elements are arbitrarily enlarged and
positioned to improve drawing legibility. Further, the particular
shapes of the elements as drawn, are not intended to convey any
information regarding the actual shape of the particular elements,
and have been solely selected for ease of recognition in the
drawings.
[0018] FIG. 1 is a rear, top, left side, isometric view of a gaming
environment with a gaming table that includes an inductive
interface member and a point optical encoder, according to one
illustrated embodiment.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of one inductive interface member
in a gaming table in electromagnetic communication with another
inductive interface member located in a device carried by the
gaming table, according to one illustrated embodiment.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a layout of an inductive
interface system in a gaming table, according to one illustrated
embodiment.
[0021] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of another layout of an inductive
interface system in a gaming table, according to another
illustrated embodiment.
[0022] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a top portion of a
gaming table comprising a cover and an insulator, in which
inductive interface members are located beneath the insulator,
according to the illustrated embodiment.
[0023] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the top portion of the
gaming table of FIG. 5 in which inductive interface members are
located beneath the cover, according to another illustrated
embodiment.
[0024] FIG. 7 is a bottom, plan view of a bottom surface of a top
portion of a gaming table, in which the bottom surface includes a
wound coil inductive interface member, according to one illustrated
embodiment.
[0025] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the top portion of the
gaming table and the wound coil inductive interface member taken
along line 8-8 of FIG. 7.
[0026] FIG. 9 is a side, elevational view of a gaming table having
a recessed pocket formed therein and an inductive interface member
positioned in the pocket and in electromagnetic communication with
a card shoe reader, according to one illustrated embodiment.
[0027] FIG. 10 is a top, plan view of a playing surface of the
gaming table of FIG. 1 showing one layout of inductive interface
members.
[0028] FIG. 11 is a top, plan view of a playing surface of the
gaming table of FIG. 1 showing another layout of inductive
interface members.
[0029] FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of a gaming table having
a point optical encoder and a card shoe positioned nearby.
[0030] FIG. 13 is a schematic view of the point optical encoder of
FIG. 12 reading a playing card.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0031] In the following description, certain specific details are
set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various
embodiments of the invention. However, one skilled in the art will
understand that the invention may be practiced without these
details. In other instances, well-known structures associated with
computers, computer networks, communications interfaces, power
interfaces, power sources, power converters, power supplies and/or
optical readers have not been shown or described in detail to avoid
unnecessarily obscuring the description.
[0032] Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the
specification and claims which follow, the word "comprise" and
variations thereof, such as, "comprises" and "comprising" are to be
construed in an open, inclusive sense, that is as "including, but
not limited to."
[0033] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment"
or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or
characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is
included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the
phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places
throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to
the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features,
structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable
manner in one or more embodiments.
[0034] The headings provided herein are for convenience only and do
not interpret the scope or meaning of the claimed invention.
[0035] This description generally relates to a casino gaming table
having at least some devices or systems associated with a gaming
table. Power and/or cameras can be provided without physically
connecting the devices or systems to electrical connectors. The
devices or systems associated with gaming may be used to automate,
enhance, monitor, and/or detect some aspect of the game being
played at the gaming table, the dealer's actions, and/or the
player's actions.
[0036] For purposes of clarity and brevity, the gaming table
described and illustrated herein is a blackjack gaming table.
However, it is understood and appreciated that this description is
generally applicable to a variety of casino-type games and/or
gaming tables.
Gaming Table Having Automation Devices
[0037] FIG. 1 shows a gaming environment 10 where a card game such
as blackjack is played at a gaming table 12 by a number of
customers or players 14 and a game operator or dealer 16. Again,
while blackjack is used as an example, the teachings herein are
applicable to a variety of wagering games and/or gaming tables on
which games like craps, baccarat, poker, wheel of fortune, and/or
roulette, for example, may be played.
[0038] The gaming table 12 includes a top or playing surface 18
where the majority of the gaming action occurs during the game.
Gaming table surfaces are typically made of a felt-type material
and are demarcated with printed symbols identifying areas on the
table that have special purposes. For example, on the blackjack
table 12, there are typically seven to nine player positions, with
seven shown in the illustrated embodiment. Each player position
aligns with an associated wagering area or betting circle 20
printed on the gaming table 12. The wagering area 20 indicates
where a particular player should place a wager 22 during the game.
Some examples of making and installing gaming table covers are
discussed in detail in U.S. patent application No. 10/981,132,
filed on Nov. 3, 2004. In addition, the gaming table 12 can have a
padded rim 24, which gives the players 14 a place to lean or rest
and helps to prevent items, such as cards, dice, or chips, from
being accidentally or surreptitiously moved onto or off of the
gaming table 12.
[0039] The table surface 18 may carry one or more devices or
systems for automating, enhancing, monitoring, and/or detecting
some aspect of the game being played at the gaming table. These
devices or systems are illustrated on the surface 18 in the
illustrated embodiment, but can also be located partially or
completely under the table 12, in the table 12, or somewhere in
proximity to the table, for example a video camera (not shown)
mounted above the table 12. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG.
1, a drop box 26, a card shoe reader 28, a discard reader 30, and a
chip tray 32 are located on the table surface 18. The function
and/or purpose of each of these devices will be briefly
described.
[0040] The drop box 26 is where the dealer 16 deposits a player's
currency, voucher, or other payment in exchange for gaming chips 22
(i.e., "a buy in").
[0041] The card shoe reader 28 holds and stores the cards 34 during
the game and may or may not include an automatic shuffling
mechanism. The dealer 16 typically removes the cards 34
individually. Alternatively, the dealer 16 may remove the cards 34
as an entire set (e.g., one or more decks of cards) since many
players 14 appreciate the experience of a game where the cards 34
are dealt from a hand-held deck, rather than being individually
drawn from the card shoe reader 28. The card shoe reader 28
includes optical reading equipment; whereas a card shoe 29 (FIG.
12) does not include optical reading equipment as part of the
device. At least one type of card shoe reader 28 is described in
U.S. Pat. No. 6,460,848.
[0042] In a standard deck of cards 34, some portion of each card
carries identifying information such as a rank and a suit marking
on the face of the card. The rank and the suit markings identify
the value of each card with respect to other cards in a deck. In
addition, the cards 34 can carry other machine-readable symbols
such as a bar code, an area or matrix code, or a stacked code
symbol selected from respective symbologies to encode identifying
information such as the rank and suit of the card, a unique serial
number, and/or other information about the card deck, casino, etc.
Playing cards that carry identifying information that can be read
by an optical reading system are described also in U.S. Pat. No.
6,460,848.
[0043] The discard reader 30 reads the discarded cards or playing
cards collected at the table 12 during and/or after one card game.
Reading may comprise optically or magnetically scanning, imaging,
or otherwise detecting. Specific details regarding the
configuration and operation of at least one type of discard reader
30 is discussed in detail in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,460,848, 6,652,379,
and 6,685,568.
[0044] The chip tray 32 holds the gaming chips and is typically
placed on the table 12 for easy access by the dealer 16. At the end
of a "hand" or game, the dealer 16 collects chips from the losing
players and pays out winnings from the casino's inventory of chips
to any winning players. The dealer 16 places the chips collected
from the losing players into the chip tray 32. The dealer 16 then
pays out the winnings using the required number of chips from the
chip tray 32. Changes to the contents of the chip tray 32 represent
the winnings and loses of the casino ("house") at that particular
gaming table 12. Thus, maintaining an accurate count of the number
and value of the chips in the chip tray 32 can assist the casino in
managing its operations.
[0045] Automating the gaming table 12 typically means that one or
more of the aforementioned devices may be interconnected to
exchange information with one another and/or may be connected to a
central or local computing system (not shown). One type of system
for exchanging information is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,460,848.
In addition, the devices must receive some form of electrical power
to operate.
[0046] Still referring to FIG. 1, an inductive interface member 36
and a point optical encoder 38 are located below and/or flush with
the surface 18 of the gaming table 12 in the region where the card
shoe reader 28 or card shoe 29 (FIG. 12) is located. The inductive
interface member 36 may take the form of an inductor capable of
producing an electromagnetic field. The inductive interface member
36 is electrically coupled to a power cord 40 that receives
electricity from the building's electrical supply system via a
power supply transformer or other power conversion device,
according to the illustrated embodiment. For purposes of clarity in
the illustrated embodiment, the inductive interface member 36 is
shown under the card shoe reader 28 only. It is understood and
appreciated, however, that the inductive interface member 36 may be
large enough to power other devices 30, 32 on the table and/or that
additional inductive interfaces 36 may be located under the other
devices.
Gaming Table with an Inductive Interface
[0047] FIG. 2 schematically shows a first inductive interface
member 36 positioned in a portion of the gaming table 12 and a
second inductive interface member 42 positioned in the card shoe
reader 28. In operation, a first, alternating current "i.sub.1"
moves through to the first inductive interface 36 in the gaming
table 12. The current "i" generates an electromagnetic field 44.
The electromagnetic field 44 induces a second current "i.sub.2" in
the second inductive interface 42. The second current "i.sub.2" is
responsive to the first current "i.sub.1" via the electromagnetic
field 44. Electrical power, energy, data, and/or other information
can be transferred to and from the first inductive interface 36 to
the second inductive interface 42 through/across the
electromagnetic field 44.
[0048] In one embodiment, the electromagnetic field 44 is
convertible into a direct current (DC) by the card shoe reader 28.
The DC current or second current "i.sub.2" can be the source of
continuous, operational power for the card shoe reader 28 or can
operate to recharge a back-up power source, such as a battery, in
the card shoe reader 28. In addition to transmitting power from a
power source or supply, the electromagnetic field can also operate
as a communications link between the inductive interface member 36
and the card shoe reader 28.
[0049] Although the card shoe reader 28 has been used for exemplary
purposes, it is understood that a variety of devices may be placed
on the gaming table 12. These devices may have a unique device
identifier and/or address such that the casino's computing system
can easily recognize the device and activate a corresponding
inductive interface member 36 located in the table 12 to supply
power and/or route communications data accordingly. In addition,
this type of a gaming table 12 permits the table to be easily
modified by installing a new and/or different felt covering and
placing new and/or different devices on the felt covering in
vicinity of respective, inductive interface members 36.
[0050] The inductive interface member 36 can power a single device
or multiple devices. More than one inductive interface member 36
can be used with the gaming table 12. The inductive interface
member 36 and/or the card shoe reader 28, for example, can be
custom programmed to transmit, receive, or otherwise manipulate
data. In this way, the inductive interface member 36 may be made to
accommodate a variety of devices, different batteries, different
powering algorithms, etc.
[0051] FIG. 3 shows a portion 46 of a gaming table 12 having the
playing surface 18 and an opposing bottom surface 19. The inductive
interface member 36 underlies or is beneath the bottom surface 19
of the portion 46 of the gaming table 12, according to one
illustrated embodiment.
[0052] The inductive interface member 36 includes a first inductive
coil 48a and a second inductive coil 48b. The first inductive coil
48a receives electrical energy from a power source 50 through the
electrical cord 40. Optionally, a power supply, electrical
transformer, or other power conversion device 52 is located between
the inductive interface member 36 and the power source 50. The
power conversion device 52 can include transformers and/or other
power converters that operate to condition, rectify, convert,
invert, alter, and/or otherwise modify an electrical parameter or
signal in the circuit between the inductive interface member 36 and
the power source 50. By way of example, the power conversion device
52 may be capable of any of the following operations: transforming
one voltage into another voltage; stepping one voltage to a higher
voltage (i.e., "step-up"); stepping one voltage to a lower voltage
(i.e., "step-down"); and/or controlling the magnetic flux in a coil
located in the power conversion device 52.
[0053] The primary frequencies of the voltage coming from the power
source 50 can, for example, be one of: 50 Hertz (Hz), 60 Hz, and/or
400 Hz. 50 Hz is common in Europe; 60 Hz is common in North
America. The electrical power conversion device 52 may have more
than one primary winding if used for several primary voltages.
[0054] Further shown in FIG. 3 is a converter 54 coupled to the
second inductive coil 48b and in communication with a central
processing unit (CPU) and/or microprocessor 56, according to the
illustrated embodiment. The converter 54 can be an
analog-to-digital (A/D) converter, an optical-to-electrical (OE)
converter, a transformer, or other equivalent device capable of
processing, conditioning, and/or modulating a data signal. The CPU
56 is programmable to send and/or receive communications data to
and from the second inductive coil 48b. In another embodiment, a
second microprocessor 58, which may also include an A/D converter
(not shown), is coupled to the second inductive coil 48b to
process, condition, and/or modulate the current generated in the
second inductive coil 48b.
[0055] FIG. 4 shows the bottom surface 19 of the portion 46 of the
gaming table 12. The bottom surface 19 can be either a felt cover
bottom surface 19a or an insulator bottom surface 19b (FIG. 5). A
multiplexer or coupler 60 is coupled to a plurality of inductive
interface members 36, schematically illustrated, through a bus 62.
It is understood and appreciated that the number of inductive
interface members 36 can vary depending on the type of gaming table
12, the number of devices to be used with the gaming table 12,
and/or the available computing capacity.
[0056] FIG. 5 shows the portion 46 of the gaming table 12 includes
a felt cover 64 positioned on an insulator 66. The insulator 66 may
be comprised of a variety of materials, for example rubber, foam,
plastic, or other similar material. In one embodiment, the
plurality of inductive interface members 36 are positioned in
recessed pockets formed along the insulator bottom surface 19b or
coupled to the insulator bottom surface 19b. FIG. 6 shows an
alternate embodiment where the plurality of inductive interface
members 36 are positioned in recessed pockets formed in the felt
cover bottom surface 19a or coupled to the felt cover lower surface
19a. Locating the inductive interface members 36 away from the felt
cover 64 may advantageously protect the inductive interface members
36 from spills, impacts, or other mishaps that may happen on the
playing surface 18 or near the gaming table 12.
[0057] FIGS. 7 and 8 schematically show one type of inductive
interface member 36 positioned on, in, or proximate to either
surface 19a or 19b of the cover 64 or the insulator 66,
respectively. The inductive interface member 36 comprises a planar
wound coil 68 carried on an insulative substrate material 70, such
as the type of substrate material that is commonly used to
manufacture semiconductors (e.g., FR-4). The electrical connections
are made through suitable vias 69a, 69b. The total thickness "t" of
the inductive interface member 36 is likely substantially smaller
than the thickness of either of the cover 64 or the insulator
66.
[0058] FIG. 9 shows another embodiment where the inductive
interface member 36 is located in a small container 71, which may
be located under the playing surface 18 of the gaming table 12. The
container 71 is positioned in recessed pockets 72 in the gaming
table 12.
Advantages of an Automated Gaming Table with Inductive
Interface(s)
[0059] The gaming table 12 with a single, inductive interface
member 36 capable of powering and/or communicating with a number of
devices may decrease the number and complexity of the electrical
connections and interfaces needed when automating the gaming table
12.
[0060] In addition to the above, the gaming table 12 with the
inductive interface member 36 makes it easy for devices to be
added, removed, and/or replaced. For example, one card reader 28
can be quickly and easily replaced with another card reader 28; no
disconnections and reconnections of wires and/or cables are
necessary. By way of example, if a blackjack table were to be
reconfigured into a baccarat table, automated devices associated
with baccarat could be quickly replaced with the blackjack devices
on the gaming table 12.
[0061] Another possible advantage is that various devices can be
placed on a table without changing electrical connectors and
couplings.
[0062] Yet another possible advantage is that the felt covering can
be continuous, without the need for holes or openings to run
electrical wiring. Having a continuous felt covering on the table
prevents debris from getting under the felt and allows the felt to
be easily and more accurately stretched and adhered to the table,
if necessary. In addition, the continuous felt is easier to
manufacture and install and the devices can simply be placed on
respective demarcations after the table is assembled.
[0063] Still yet another possible advantage of having the inductive
interface member 36 integrated with the gaming table 12 is that the
devices discussed above, and others, do not have to be separately
designed with different electrical configurations and/or
specifications, nor are special adaptors necessary. For example, a
manufacturer of a gaming table automation device would not be
required to make one model according to the United States standard
of 110 or 120 volts and 60 Hz, and another model according to the
European standard of 220 volts and 50 Hz.
[0064] FIG. 10 shows a plurality of inductive interfaces 36a, 36b,
and 36c located beneath the playing surface 18 of the gaming table
12. FIG. 11, on the other hand, shows a unitary, inductive
interface member 36 beneath the playing surface 18. Depending on
the power requirements for operating the devices on the gaming
table 12, one embodiment may be preferable over the other.
Gaming Table with a Point Optical Encoder
[0065] FIGS. 12 and 13 show the point optical encoder 38 located in
the gaming table 12 near a chute 73 of the card shoe 29. Recall,
the card shoe 29 does not necessarily include internal
optical-electric components.
[0066] FIG. 13 schematically shows the point optical encoder 38
reading a playing card being slid across the gaming table 12. The
point optical encoder 38 includes a light source 74 and a light
sensor or detector 76. The light source 74 directs light 78 through
a first lens 80 toward an object 82. A second lens 84 receives
reflected light 86 and then directs the reflected light 86 to the
light sensor 76. The point optical encoder 38 can be operable in a
bidirectional mode. The light source 74 can provide infrared (IR)
or some other frequency range of light. The light 78/86 can be
transmitted to and reflected from the object 82 through a window
88. The window 88 may have an upper surface 90 that is flush with
the playing surface 18. The object 82 can be a playing card 34
having identifying information such as the rank and suit of the
card and/or the machine-readable symbol carried by the card 34, as
previously described.
[0067] In one embodiment, the point optical encoder 38 optically
reads machine-readable symbols carried by the card 34 and may
determine a speed and a direction of the card 34 as the card 34 is
moved over the point optical encoder 38. This information may then
be used to determine whether a card has been fully withdrawn from
the card shoe 29 (FIG. 12) and adequately read, partially withdrawn
and returned, and/or fully withdrawn, but then reversed back over
the encoder 38 and placed back into the card shoe 29 (FIG. 12). The
speed and direction of each of the playing cards 34 is not likely
to be constant from one card to the next because the speed and
direction is dependent on a human dealer's hand motion as well as
other factors.
[0068] Several types of point optical encoders 38 that may be used
in the aforementioned embodiments are described in detail in U.S.
Pat. Nos. 5,317,149; 5,241,172; 4,952,799; and in an international
application, WO 03/006928, published under the Patent Cooperation
Treaty. One type of point optical encoder 38 processes the light
reflected from an object in a photodetector integrated circuit
(IC).
Advantages of the Point Optical Encoder
[0069] The point optical encoder 38 may detect misreads of playing
cards 34 either due to faulty symbols and/or improper maneuvering
of the playing card 34 over the point optical encoder 38. The point
optical encoder 38 may provide a robust, cost effective means to
read playing cards 34 as they are distributed to the players while
maintaining the ambience of the gaming table environment.
[0070] The point optical encoder 38 can be integrated into the
automated gaming table 12 to provide information to the casino's
computing system about expected game outcomes, player strategies,
expected discard values (suit and rank), etc. In addition, the
point optical encoder 38 can be powered by the inductive interface
member 36 positioned in the gaming table 12.
[0071] The various embodiments described above can be combined to
provide further embodiments. All of the above U.S. patents, patent
applications, provisional patent applications, and publications
referred to in this specification, to include, but not limited to
U.S. Patent Application No. 60/713,272 filed Aug. 31, 2005; U.S.
patent application No. 10/981,132; U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,460,848;
6,652,379; 6,685,568; 5,317,149; 5,241,172; and 4,952,799 are
incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Aspects of the
invention can be modified, if necessary, to employ various systems,
devices, and concepts of the various patents, applications, and
publications to provide yet further embodiments of the
invention.
[0072] These and other changes can be made to the invention in
light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the
following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit
the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the
specification and the claims, but should be construed to include
all inductively coupled systems and point optical encoders usable
in the aspect of gaming and methods that operate in accordance with
the claims. Accordingly, the invention is not limited by the
disclosure, but instead its scope is to be determined entirely by
the following claims.
* * * * *