Method of monitoring a table game using playing cards and gaming chips

Abstract

The inventive gaming equipment for table games using playing cards and tokens comprises a playing table provided with a covering divided into sectors for betting and sections for placing cards faceup, a shoe-type element for storing and distributing playing cards withdrawn therefrom facedown, a computer and a system for supervising the game which is embodied in the form of an optoelectronic device for processing object images on the playing table. Said gaming equipment is provided with a unit for comparing value symbols of the playing cards and which is connected to a unit for identifying and recording the value symbols of the cards extracted from the shoe-type element for cards, a unit for identifying and recording the value symbols of the playing cards which are placed faceup on the sections therefor and a computer.

1 - 3 . (canceled) 
   
   
       4 . A method of monitoring a table game in which playing cards and gaming chips are used, in particular for the game of Black Jack, the method including:
 drawing a card from a card shoe face down, said card shoe being equipped with a playing card face down value imprint recognition and registration unit;   recognising an imprint value of the card drawn from the card shoe using the playing card face down value imprint recognition and registration unit;   placing the card on a gaming table face up in an area designated for placement of said playing cards face up;   recognising the imprint value of the card on the gaming table face up using a playing card face up value imprint recognition and registration unit;   comparing the imprint value from the playing card face down recognition unit with the imprint value from the playing card face up recognition unit using a playing card face down and face up value imprint comparison unit;   where the compared values are found to be consistent, sending the card imprint value to an electronic data processing system programmed in accordance with the game rules, but where the compared values are found to be inconsistent, sending a command to the electronic data processing signal to stop the game.   
   
   
       5 . A method according to  claim 4 , in which the step of recognising an imprint value of the card drawn from the card shoe includes:
 obtaining a plurality of images of the card, at least one of which is an image of the whole card;   converting the plurality of the said images into a plurality of digital signals;   comparing the said digital signals to a known digital signal to determine the rank and suit of the card using a digital signal processor.   
   
   
       6 . A method according to  claim 4 , in which the step of recognising the playing card imprint value of the card on the gaming table face up includes synchronising the values of two playing card face up value imprint and recognition units spaced from each other over the gaming table with each at a different inclination angle to the horizontal surface of the gaming table. 
   
   
       8 . A method of monitoring a table game in which playing cards and gaming chips are used, in particular for the game of Black Jack, the game including the steps of:
 obtaining information about one or more players? bets;   prompting a dealer to draw a card from a card show;   drawing a card from a card shoe face down, said card shoe being equipped with a playing card face down value imprint recognition and registration unit;   recognising an imprint value of the card drawn from the card shoe using the playing card face down value imprint recognition and registration unit;   placing the card on a gaming table face up in an area designated for placement of said playing cards face up;   recognising the imprint value of the card on the gaming table face up using a playing card face up value imprint recognition and registration unit;   comparing the imprint value from the playing card face down recognition unit with the imprint value from the playing card face up recognition unit using a playing card face down and face up value imprint comparison unit;   where the compared values are found to be consistent, sending the card imprint value to an electronic data processing system programmed in accordance with the game rules, but where the compared values are found to be inconsistent, sending a command to the electronic data processing signal to stop the game;   prompting the dealer to draw a further cards, and each time a further card is drawn, following the steps of performing the steps of recognising the imprint value of the card drawn from the card shoe face down, placing the card on a gaming table face up, recognising the imprint value of the card on the gaming table face up, comparing the imprint values from the face down and face up recognition units and sending a command to the electronic data processing system until at least one winner or loser is determined in accordance with the game rules, and;   obtaining information about payouts and collections made by the dealer and comparing them to the at least one players? bets in accordance with the game rules.   
   
   
       9 . A method according to  claim 8 , in which the step of recognising an imprint value of the card drawn from the card shoe includes:
 obtaining a plurality of images of the card, at least one of which is an image of the whole card;   converting the plurality of the said images into a plurality of digital signals;   comparing the said digital signals to a known digital signal to determine the rank and suit of the card using a digital signal processor.   
   
   
       10 . A method according to  claim 8 , in which the step of recognising the playing card imprint value of the card on the gaming table face up includes synchronising the values of two playing card face up value imprint and recognition units spaced from each other over the gaming table with each at a different inclination angle to the horizontal surface of the gaming table.