Gambling chip recognition system

Abstract

A computer implemented gambling chip recognition system having the ability to capture an image of a stack of gambling chips and automatically processing the image to determine the number of chips within the stack and the value of each. The system processor determines the classification for each chip in a stack by way of processing performed in real time on the image of the stack of gambling chips. The system further includes the ability to communicate the information derived from the stack of gambling chips to a video monitor and the ability to communicate the information to a main database where information is being compiled and stored about an individual gambler.

1 . A method of determining a value of a stack of a plurality of wagering chips, comprising: 
 capturing image data of a stack of wagering chips, said image data coming from a captured image providing a view wherein a side of said stack of wagering chips is at least as prominent as the top of said stack of wagering chips;    determining from the captured image data a count of wagering chips;    determining from the captured image data a value of each wagering chip; and    determining a value of the stack of wagering chips using wagering chip value and wagering chip count.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the count of wagering chips in the stack is determined by identifying the boundaries of each wagering chip in the stack.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein capturing of image data of multiple stacks of wagering chips is performed by multiple cameras.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the value of each wagering chip is determined using a classification scheme.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the classification scheme uses data related to at least one characteristic selected from the group consisting of: geometry, feature pattern and size of each wagering chip.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein capturing image data is a continuous process.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of determining a count of each wagering chip comprises digitizing an output from an imager.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  and further comprising displaying at least one determined value, the determined values consisting of at least one of wagering chip count, wagering chip value and stack value.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the value of each wagering chip is determined by a color classification scheme.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein red, green and blue color values are determined for each wagering chip in the stack.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the count of chips is determined using horizontal edge detection extraction.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein chip value is determined using vertical edge extraction.  
     
     
         13 . A method for determining the number of gambling chips and the value assigned each gambling chip within a stacked pile of a plurality of gambling chips comprising: 
 providing image data of the stacked pile of gambling chips said image data coming from a captured image providing a view wherein a side of said stack of wagering chips is at least as prominent as the top of said stack of wagering chips;    determining from the image data the location of individual gambling chips in the stacked pile of gambling chips;    determining from the image data the value of individual gambling chips in the stacked pile of gambling chips;    using the location of individual gambling chips to provide a count of gambling chips within the stacked pile of gambling chips;    using a feature indicating value on individual gambling chips selected from the group consisting of geometry, pattern and size to provide image data relating to the value of individual gambling chips in the stacked pile of gambling chips; and    from the count of gambling chips and value of individual gambling chips in the stacked pile of gambling chips, automatically determining the value of the stacked pile of chips.    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the image data used to provide a count of individual gambling chips is digitized data.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein a total luminance image provided from the image data is used to determine the count of gambling chips in the stacked pile of gambling chips.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13  wherein image data of the stacked pile of chips is provided as continuous image data.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the image data comprises edges of features on a visible portion of the gambling chip within the stacked pile of gambling chips to determine a chip feature sequence for each chip.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13  wherein there are multiple sources that comprise imagers for providing image data at a single gaming table, the single gaming table has multiple areas for placing stacked piles of chips and at least one of the imagers has a field of view that encompasses each one of the multiple areas for placing stacked piles of chips, and the imagers have a pan tilt mechanism.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13  wherein there are multiple sources for providing image data at a single gaming table.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the multiple sources for providing image data comprise imagers.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the single gaming table has multiple areas for placing stacked piles of chips and at least one of the imagers has a field of view that encompasses each one of the multiple areas for placing stacked piles of chips.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19  wherein said imagers have a pan tilt mechanism.  
     
     
         23 . A method of determining a value of a stack of wagering chips, comprising: 
 capturing an image of a stack of wagering chips, said captured image providing a view wherein a side of said stack of wagering chips is at least as prominent as the top of said stack of wagering chips;    determining from said captured image a count of wagering chips;    determining from said captured image a value of each wagering chip; and    determining a value of the stack of wagering chips using wagering chip value and wagering chip count.    
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the value of each wagering chip is determined using a classification scheme related to at least one wagering chip characteristic selected from the group consisting of: geometry, feature pattern and size of each wagering chip.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein said step of determining a value of each wagering chip includes processing information from at least said side of said stack of wagering chips.  
     
     
         26 . A method of determining a value of a stack of wagering chips, comprising: 
 capturing image data of a stack of wagering chips using an imager positioned at an angle having a substantial horizontal component with respect to said stack of wagering chips;    determining from said captured image data a count of wagering chips;    determining from said captured image data a value of each wagering chip; and    determining a value of said stack of wagering chips using wagering chip value and wagering chip count.    
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the value of each wagering chip is determined using a classification scheme related to at least one wagering chip characteristic selected from the group consisting of: geometry, feature pattern and size of each wagering chip.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein said step of determining a value of each wagering chip includes processing information from at least a side of said stack of wagering chips.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein said imager is positioned such that a captured image of said stack of wagering chips provides a view wherein a side of said stack of wagering chips is at least as prominent as the top of said stack of wagering chips.  
     
     
         30 . A method of determining a value of a stack of wagering chips, comprising: 
 capturing image data of a stack of wagering chips;    determining from the captured image data a count of wagering chips based on the sides of each chip in said stack of wagering chips;    determining from the captured image data a value of each wagering chip based on the sides of each chip in said stack of wagering chips; and    determining a value of the stack of wagering chips using wagering chip value and wagering chip count.