System and method for casino table operation
A system includes a gaming table, at least one light sensor, an electronic system, and a central computer. The gaming table includes a tabletop covered by a fabric. The at least one light sensor is positioned in proximity to a player position at the gaming table. In addition, the at least one light sensor is positioned beneath the fabric to detect light intensity through the fabric. The electronic system is communicably coupled to the at least one light sensor. Furthermore, the electronic system is operable to detect changes in light intensity at the at least one light sensor. The central computer is communicably coupled to the electronic system. Additionally, the central computer is operable to perform at least one operation based on a status of the at least one light sensor.
1 . A system comprising:
a table including a tabletop covered by a fabric;
a plurality of light sensors positioned beneath the fabric, each light sensor positioned in proximity to a respective occupant position at the table and operable to detect light intensity through the fabric;
an electronic system communicably coupled to the plurality of light sensors, the electronic system operable to detect changes in light intensity at the plurality of light sensors; and
a computer communicably coupled to the electronic system, wherein the computer:
receives information related to detected changes in light intensity at the plurality of light sensors;
determines that an occupant position is inactive based on an absence of detected changes in light intensity at a light sensor of the plurality positioned in proximity to the occupant position while detected changes in light intensity occur at one or more other light sensors of the plurality positioned in proximity to one or more other occupant positions; and
responsive to determining that the occupant position is inactive, modifies an occupancy status associated with the occupant position.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein modifying the occupancy status comprises checking out a registered occupant associated with the occupant position.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the determination that the occupant position is inactive is based on a determination that no changes in light intensity at the light sensor positioned in proximity to the occupant position have been reported for a predetermined period of time.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the electronic system is operable to detect placement of an object over one or more of the plurality of light sensors.
5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the fabric is felt.
6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of light sensors are substantially flush with a top surface of the tabletop.
7 . A system comprising:
a table including a plurality of predetermined occupant positions;
a plurality of light sensors, each light sensor positioned in proximity to a respective occupant position of the plurality of predetermined occupant positions at the table and operable to detect light intensity;
an electronic system communicably coupled to the plurality of light sensors, the electronic system operable to detect changes in light intensity at the plurality of light sensors; and
a computer communicably coupled to the electronic system, wherein the computer:
receives information related to detected changes in light intensity at the plurality of light sensors;
determines that an occupant position is inactive based on an absence of detected changes in light intensity at a light sensor of the plurality of light sensors positioned in proximity to the occupant position while detected changes in light intensity occur at one or more other light sensors of the plurality of light sensors positioned in proximity to one or more other occupant positions; and
responsive to determining that the occupant position is inactive, modifies an occupancy status associated with the occupant position.
8 . The system of claim 7 , further comprising a display device communicably coupled to the computer and positioned in proximity to the table.
9 . The system of claim 8 , wherein: modifying the occupancy status comprises checking out a registered occupant associated with the occupant position.
10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the computer:
transmits information related to the check-out to the display device for display.
11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein, responsive to the transmitting,
the display device indicates a vacancy at the occupant position.
12 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the determination that the occupant position is inactive is based on a determination that no changes in light intensity at the light sensor positioned in proximity to the occupant position have been reported for a predetermined period of time.
13 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the display device:
receives information related to a move of a first occupant from a first occupant position of the plurality of predetermined occupant positions to a second occupant position of the plurality of predetermined occupant positions;
transmits the information related to the move to the computer;
receives confirmation from the computer that the move has been recorded; and
updates a display on the display device responsive to the received confirmation.
14 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the display device:
receives information related to an additional occupant position of the plurality of predetermined occupant positions that will be occupied by an existing occupant at least one existing occupant position of the plurality of predetermined occupant positions;
transmits the information related to the additional occupant position to the computer;
receives confirmation from the computer that a copy has been recorded; and
updates a display on the display device responsive to the received confirmation.
15 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the display device comprises a keypad.
16 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of light sensors are substantially flush with a top surface of the table.
17 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of light sensors are each positioned beneath a covering over a top surface of the table and detect the light intensity through the covering.
18 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the electronic system is operable to detect placement of an object over one or more of the plurality of light sensors.
19 . A method comprising:
receiving, by a computer system, information related to detected changes in light intensity at a plurality of light sensors, wherein the plurality of light sensors are each positioned in proximity to a respective occupant position of a plurality of predetermined occupant positions at a table;
determining, by the computer system, that an occupant position is inactive based on an absence of detected changes in light intensity at a light sensor of the plurality of light sensors positioned in proximity to the occupant position while detected changes in light intensity occur at one or more other light sensors of the plurality of light sensors positioned in proximity to one or more other occupant positions; and
responsive to determining that the occupant position is inactive, the computer system modifying an occupancy status associated with the occupant position.
20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein modifying the occupancy status comprises checking out a registered occupant associated with the occupant position.