Table game tracking
The present invention relates to a system and method for identifying and tracking gaming objects and game states on a gaming table. Through the use of imaging devices and identity and positioning modules gaming objects are detected. An identity and positioning module identifies the value and position of cards on the gaming table. An intelligent position analysis and tracking (IPAT) module performs analysis of the identity and position data of cards and interprets them intelligently for the purpose of tracking game events, game states and general game progression. As a game progresses it changes states. A game tracking module processes data from the IPAT module and keeps track of game events and game states. Ambiguity resolution mechanisms such as backward tracking, forward tracking and multiple state tracking may be used in the process of game tracking. All events on the gaming table are recorded and stored on video and as data for reporting and analysis.
1. A method of tracking the progress of a game on a gaming table using game table tracking equipment comprising:
recording data frames using game table tracking equipment while said game is in progress, said data frames representing gaming table objects used in play of said game for each game event in the progress of the game;
establishing a state of said game from machine processing of said data frames and a set of rules of said game to determine said state for each of said data frames;
wherein said state is determined using a corresponding one of said data frames when said corresponding one of said data frames and said set of rules provide sufficient information to accurately define said state; and
wherein said state is determined using one or more of said data frames later than said state and a corresponding one of said data frames when said corresponding one of said data frames and said set of rules provide insufficient information to accurately define said state.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein said state is established when said game event in said data frame is coherent with respect to a previous one of said states and said set of rules.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein said recording data frames comprises recording overhead images of said gaming table while said game is in progress.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein said recording data frames comprises recording data collected from RFID sensors within said gaming table.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein said recording data frames comprises recording data collected from proximity detection sensors within said gaming table.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein a first one of said states is defined by a plurality of parameters related to a plurality of playing cards positioned on said gaming table.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein said method is embodied in computer instructions in a computer readable medium.
8. A system of for tracking the progress of a game on a gaming table comprising:
a processor for recording data frames and game states as data while said game is in progress, said data frames representing gaming table objects used in play of said game for each game event in the progress of the game;
a processor for establishing states of said game for each of said data frames by processing said data frames in accordance with rules of said game;
wherein said state is determined using a corresponding one of said data frames when said corresponding one of said data frames and said set of rules provide sufficient information to accurately define said state; and
wherein said state is determined using one or more of said data frames later than said state and a corresponding one of said data frames when said corresponding one of said data frames and said set of rules provide insufficient information to accurately define said state.
9. The system of claim 8 wherein said processor for establishing determines whether said game event is or is not coherent with respect to said state and said set of rules.
10. The system of claim 8 further comprising:
a processor for storing a back buffer of previous data frames;
a processor for storing a front buffer of future data frames;
a processor for utilizing either or both of said back buffer and said front buffer to create said second state from said first state based upon a current data frame.