Smart chip tray assembly and method

Abstract

A smart chip tray assembly for managing conventional casino chips at a casino table by a dealer and at a casino supervisory location is disclosed. The smart chip tray assembly comprises: a plurality of chip traylets configured to hold the chips; and a pattern of aligned holes and proximity sensors within respective chip traylets. The proximity sensors are configured to sense a presence of individual chips within respective traylets. Additionally, a front panel display in the smart chip tray assembly includes a plurality of traylet displays, with each traylet display corresponding to the respective chip traylet. The front panel display is controlled by a display control button. The chip tray assembly additionally comprises a power source to provide battery and mains power; a communications subsystem to provide wired and/or wireless communication between the smart chip tray assembly and the casino supervisory location; and a CPU which: controls the proximity sensors of each chip traylet; calculates and stores chip traylet chip data; manages the power source, front panel display the communications subsystem. As such, the smart chip tray assembly allows the dealer and supervisory personnel at the table and supervisory personnel in a supervisory location to have up-to-the-moment, real-time information about all of the chips in the smart chip tray.

Claims

1. A smart chip tray assembly for managing conventional casino chips at a casino table by a dealer and at a casino supervisory location, the smart chip tray assembly comprising: a plurality of chip traylets configured to hold the chips, the individual chips characterized by a diameter and a thickness and the chips resting radially within the chip traylet and aligned thickness-to-thickness; a pattern of aligned holes and proximity sensors, within respective chip traylets, the proximity sensors configured to sense a presence of individual chips within respective traylets and respective chip traylets having a longitudinal axis defined therein, the pattern of aligned holes and sensors is aligned symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis and the pattern of aligned holes and sensors having a pitch with a value of substantially ½ of the chip thickness, the pattern configured so that two alternate proximity sensors sense the presence or absence of the individual chip; a front panel display including a plurality of traylet displays, each of the plurality of traylet displays corresponding to the respective chip traylet, the front panel display configured to be controlled by a display control button; a power source configured to provide battery and mains power for the smart chip tray assembly; a communications subsystem configured to provide wired and/or wireless communication between the smart chip tray assembly and the casino supervisory location; a CPU configured to: control proximity sensors of each chip traylet; calculate and store chip traylet chip data; manage the power source; manage the front panel display; and manage the communications subsystem, wherein the smart chip tray assembly is configured so that the dealer and supervisory personnel at the table and supervisory personnel in a supervisory location have up-to-the-moment, real-time information about all of the chips in the smart chip tray.

2. The smart chip tray assembly of claim 1, wherein the front panel display is configured to display at least two modes of information.

3. The smart chip tray assembly of claim 2, wherein a first mode of information includes the traylet display having three sets of information displayed for each chip traylet, including: a chip value; a number of chips; and a total traylet value.

4. The smart chip tray assembly of claim 2, wherein the front panel display is configured to utilize traylet displays to display a total value of chips in the smart chip tray assembly.

5. The smart chip tray assembly of claim 1, wherein the display control button is further configured to control other display modes and to transmit the modes of information displays to a supervisory location.

6. The smart chip tray assembly of claim 5, wherein the communications subsystem is configured to control transmission.

7. The smart chip tray assembly of claim 1, wherein the smart chip tray assembly further comprises a structure and a cover, the cover being substantially transparent and configured to be closed on the structure when the smart chip tray is moved, to securely maintain the chips in position therein.

8. A method of assembling a smart chip tray assembly for managing conventional casino chips at a casino table by a dealer and at a casino supervisory location, according to the following steps: configuring a plurality of chip traylets to hold the chips, the individual chips characterized by a diameter and a thickness and the chips resting radially within the chip traylet and aligned thickness-to-thickness; forming a pattern of aligned holes and aligning proximity sensors within respective chip traylets, the proximity sensors sensing a presence of individual chips within respective chip traylets and respective chip traylets having a longitudinal axis defined therein, the pattern of aligned holes and sensors is aligned symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis and the pattern of aligned holes and sensors having a pitch with a value of substantially ½ of the chip thickness, the pattern configured so that two alternate proximity sensors sense the presence or absence of the individual chip; including a front panel display controlled by a display control button, the front panel display further including a plurality of traylet displays, each of the plurality of traylet displays corresponding to a respective chip traylet; using a power source to provide battery and mains operation of the smart chip tray assembly; including a communications subsystem to provide wired and/or wireless communication between the smart chip tray assembly and a casino supervisory location; configuring a CPU to: control sensors of each chip traylet; calculate and store chip traylet chip data; manage the power source; manage the front panel display; and manage the communications subsystem, wherein the smart chip tray assembly allows the dealer and supervisory personnel at the table and supervisory personnel in a supervisory location to have up-to-the-moment, real-time information about all of the chips in the smart chip tray.

Description

LIST OF FIGURES

(1) The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a pictorial representation of a smart chip tray assembly, in accordance with embodiments of the current invention;

(3) FIG. 2, which is pictorial representation of Detail A of the front panel display, shown in FIG. 1, in accordance with embodiments of the current invention;

(4) FIG. 3, which is pictorial representation of Detail B of the traylet shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in accordance with embodiments of the current invention;

(5) FIG. 4, which is frontal view of the pictorial representation of the smart chip tray assembly shown in FIG. 1; and

(6) FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the smart chip tray assembly, in accordance with embodiments of the current invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(7) Embodiments of the present invention relate to chip management in a casino setting, and specifically to smart chip tray assembly and method.

(8) Reference is currently made to FIG. 1, which is pictorial representation of a smart chip tray assembly 10, in accordance with embodiments of the current invention. Smart chip tray assembly includes: a tray structure 12; a cover 14; a front panel display 16; a plurality of chip traylets 18, in which a plurality of typical casino chips 20 are placed; a display control button 22; and a mechanical stop 24 for respective dedicated-chip traylets.

(9) In the specification and claims which follow, the word “traylet” is intended to mean an individual tray in which a plurality of chips are maintained, as known in the art. A plurality of traylets, make up the chip tray, as further described hereinbelow. While the exemplary smart chip tray assembly shown in FIG. 1 and discussed hereinbelow has 10 chip traylets, and each traylet holds a maximum of 64 chips, embodiments of the current invention may have more or less than 10 chip traylets therein and each traylet may have more or less than 64 chips therein.

(10) In the specification and claims which follow, the words “chip” and “chips” (as used, for example, in “casino chip”) is intended to mean “conventional casino chip(s)”, as known in the art, the chips not having any modifications/additions, such as, but not limited to: a RF indication/marking and any chip material alteration.

(11) Tray structure 12 provides a sturdy but lightweight enclosure for the smart chip tray assembly. Cover 14 is hinged (to open as shown in the figure) or is otherwise-moveable to allow chips to be added or removed from the smart chip tray assembly (such as when used at the casino table or at supervisory location, such as at a cashier location). When the smart chip tray assembly is moved (for example, when taken to and from the casino table), the cover is closed on the tray structure to securely maintain the chips in position therein. Optionally or alternatively, the cover may be locked in place (not shown in the figures).

(12) Tray structure 12 is opaque and is fabricated from materials such as, but not limited to: plastic and epoxy resin. Cover 14 is substantially transparent or translucent and is fabricated from materials such as, but not limited to: perspex; acrylic; and polycarbonate.

(13) The display control button controls display of a total value of chips in the tray (discussed hereinbelow in subsequent figures) or display of details regarding the chips in each traylet (as shown in the current figure). Mechanical stop 24 is configured at an end of respective traylets, opposed to the display. The mechanical stop serves to limit the number of chips which may be inserted into a respective traylet.

(14) Chips 20 are placed in respective traylets according to the chips' respective values. Typically, chips having the lowest value (for example, $5 each) are placed together in the rightmost traylet, while chips having respectively higher values are placed together in traylets, moving from left to right. (Such a configuration of chips within the tray is similar to the manner of which chips are typically organized in a conventional tray.) However any order of placement of chips in the tray is possible in embodiments of the current invention. The only limitation is that chips having the same value must be placed together in respective traylets.

(15) Detail A identifies details of front panel display 16, which are discussed hereinbelow, FIG. 2, which follows. Detail B identifies details of traylet 18, which are discussed hereinbelow, FIG. 3.

(16) Reference is currently made to FIG. 2, which is pictorial representation of Detail A of front panel display 16, shown in FIG. 1, in accordance with embodiments of the current invention. Apart from differences described below, display 16 and traylet 18 are identical in notation, configuration, and functionality to that shown in FIG. 1, and elements indicated by the same reference numerals and/or letters are generally identical in configuration, operation, and functionality as described hereinabove. Front panel display 16 includes a traylet display 32, corresponding to the respective traylet. Traylet display 32 shows three sets of information for each traylet, including: a chip value 34 (indicated in the figure by a “$” symbol and a value digit); a number of chips 36 (indicated in the figure by a “P” symbol and a number digit); and a total traylet value 38 (indicated in the figure by a bag graphic and a total digit).

(17) In a given traylet, the total traylet value=the chip value (of the traylet)×the number of chips (in the traylet). The display shown in FIG. 2 has respective traylet displays which correctly reflect the traylet contents. For example, the leftmost traylet display in FIG. 2 shows the chip value of $5; the number of chips as 12; and the total traylet value of $60. ($5×12=$60.) Similarly, the rightmost traylet display shows the chip value of $50; the number of chips as 0 (the traylet is empty); and the total traylet value of $0. ($50×0=$0).

(18) Whereas FIG. 2 shows a plurality of traylet displays 32, a discussion of how the number of chips in each traylet is displayed follows. Additionally, other functions associated with display 16 and traylet displays 32 are discussed further with reference to FIG. 4, which follows hereinbelow.

(19) Reference is currently made to FIG. 3, which is pictorial representation of Detail B of traylet 18 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in accordance with embodiments of the current invention. Apart from differences described below, traylet 18 is identical in notation, configuration, and functionality to that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and elements indicated by the same reference numerals and/or letters are generally identical in configuration, operation, and functionality as described hereinabove.

(20) As noted hereinabove, a chip is characterized by a diameter and a thickness. Traylet 18 serves to hold casino chips, which rest radially within the traylet and are aligned thickness-to-thickness as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. As such, the traylet has a semicircular cross section, corresponding substantially to the diameter of the chip, with the traylet configured so that the semicircular cross section is open, as shown in the figure, and ready to hold chips. A longitudinal axis 42 is defined at the base of the semicircular cross section of the traylet.

(21) Traylet 18 includes two sets of lower holes 44 and two sets of upper holes 46. Both the lower holes and upper holes are aligned symmetrically with respect to longitudinal axis 42, along the length of the traylet. Furthermore, the lower and upper holes are aligned alternately along the length of the traylet, as shown in the figure.

(22) Embodiments of the current invention incorporate proximity sensors, as known in the art, to sense the presence/absence of individual chips in the traylet, as further described below. The proximity sensors incorporated in embodiments of the current invention utilize sensing of wavelengths including, but not limited to: optical; infra-red (IR); and UV.

(23) Lower proximity sensors 54 and upper proximity sensors 56 are configured outside of the traylet, as shown in the figure, and the sensors are aligned with respect to longitudinal axis 42, along the length of the traylet, so that respective sensors “view” through respective holes. In other words, lower proximity sensors 54 are aimed through lower holes 44 and upper proximity sensors 56 are aimed through lower holes 46, respectively. In FIG. 3, the dotted lines from the sensors through the holes exemplify how the sensors are aligned and aimed.

(24) Although only two sets of upper and lower proximity sensors are shown in the figure for purposes of clarity, it is to be understood that the number of sensors is equal to the number of holes. Additionally, the lower and upper sensors are aligned alternately along the length of the traylet—corresponding to the configuration of the lower and upper holes, as described hereinabove. Lower sensors 54 are configured having a pitch P.sub.L between adjacent lower sensors and upper sensors 56 are configured having a pitch P.sub.U between adjacent upper sensors. Upper and lower holes have equal, corresponding, respective pitches between adjacent holes.

(25) By setting P.sub.L=P.sub.U and by setting P.sub.L=substantially to one-half the thickness of a chip, two alternate proximity sensors (ie, one upper sensor and one lower sensor) effectively sense the presence or absence of an individual chip. The use of two sensors to sense a single chip further enhances reliability of the smart chip tray assembly.

(26) Reference is currently made to FIG. 4, which is frontal view of the pictorial representation of the smart chip tray assembly shown in FIG. 1. Apart from differences described below, smart chip tray assembly 10 is identical in notation, configuration, and functionality to that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and elements indicated by the same reference numerals and/or letters are generally identical in configuration, operation, and functionality as described hereinabove.

(27) As noted previously, display 16 is composed of a plurality of traylet displays 32. In the current figure, display 16 has individual, large digits in some of the traylet displays—namely 19039, corresponding to $19,039. Embodiments of the current invention include at least two modes of information display on display 16, namely: details of the contents of chips in each traylet—as described hereinabove (refer to discussion of FIG. 2) a total value of chips in the tray—meaning a summation of the plurality of total traylet values 38 (refer to FIG. 2)

(28) Pushing display control button 22 controls display of the two modes of display, as noted below. In this way, at the table the dealer or a supervisor may immediately see a live tally of the contents of the smart tray—either in a detailed traylet-by-traylet view or in a total-value-of-the-tray view. In other words, the traditional and lengthy time (typically 5-7 minutes) to count chips is virtually eliminated.

(29) In addition to changing the modes of information display, pushing display control button 22 can control other display modes and/or transmission of the display modes to a cashier/supervisory location through wired or wireless means, as described hereinbelow. Optionally or alternatively, the details or the total value information may be remotely queried by supervisory personnel in a supervisory location whenever desired, as further described below.

(30) As such, the dealer at the table, and supervisory personnel-whether at the table or in a supervisory location—have up-to-the-moment, real-time information about all of the chips in the smart chip tray.

(31) Reference is currently made to FIG. 5, which is a block diagram of smart chip tray assembly 10, in accordance with embodiments of the current invention. Apart from differences described below, smart chip tray assembly 10 is identical in notation, configuration, and functionality to that shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, and elements indicated by the same reference numerals and/or letters are generally identical in configuration, operation, and functionality as described hereinabove. In addition to display 16 and traylet display 32 (representing, in both cases, a plurality of traylets and corresponding displays) and display control button 22—all previously described—smart chip tray assembly 10 additionally includes: a microprocessor (CPU) 60; a power source 62, an on/off button 64; and a communications subsystem 66.

(32) CPU 60 coordinates all functionality and housekeeping of the smart-chip tray, including: sensor control of each traylet; traylet chip data calculation and storage (including traylet chip totals, as described hereinabove—ref FIGS. 2 and 4); power management; display control; and communications. CPU 60 includes all hardware and software to provide the functionality noted above, as known in the art.

(33) Power source 62 includes two modes of operation: rechargeable and/or replaceable batteries (not shown in the figures) and mains operation. Necessary mains cords and/or power sockets, as known in the art, are not shown in the figures. Typically, the rechargeable and/or replaceable batteries enable the smart chip tray to be brought to the casino table, the batteries having a sufficient charge for at least 12 or more hours of operation. In this way, the smart chip tray may be operated in a totally autonomous fashion for a typical work shift. However, the smart chip tray may optionally be connected to mains power, if available, at the casino table. Alternatively or optionally, the batteries serve to provide back-up power in case of a mains power outage.

(34) The communications subsystem serves to provide wired and/or wireless communication between the smart chip tray and a casino supervisory location-either within the casino or remotely located. Such communication includes, but is not limited to: receipt of command queries from the supervisory location; (command) receipt of smart chip tray input information including definition of chip values in each traylet; telemetry of smart chip tray chip content information (as described hereinabove, ref FIG. 4); telemetry of smart chip tray input information. The communications subsystem includes all software and hardware to provide communication functionality.

(35) It will be appreciated that the above descriptions are intended only to serve as examples, and that many other embodiments are possible within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.