Table game tracking

Abstract

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 and game states as data while said game is in progress;   establishing a first state of said game from machine processing of said data;   identifying an occurrence of a game event that follows said first state;   evaluating whether said game event and a set of rules of said game provide sufficient information to accurately create a second state;   determining that further information is required to accurately create said second state according to the results of said evaluating;   obtaining said further information from said data; and   creating a second state according to said game event, said set of rules and said further information   storing a back buffer of previous data frames;   storing a front buffer of future data frames; and   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 frame.   
     
     
         2 . A method of tracking the progress of a game on a gaming table using game table tracking equipment, the method comprising:
 recording data using game table tracking equipment relating to said game while said game is in progress;   machine processing said data to establish a plurality of potential, simultaneous game states of said game;   identifying an occurrence of a game event that follows said plurality of potential game states;   applying said game event to at least two of said plurality of potential game states to establish at least one new potential game state;   adding said at least one new potential game state to said plurality of potential game states to establish an updated plurality of potential states;   evaluating a likelihood of each potential game state, and;   identifying at least one likely potential game state of said updated plurality based on said evaluating.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising identifying at least one unlikely potential game state and removing said at least one unlikely potential game state from said updated plurality. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said identifying at least one likely potential game state comprises identifying a most likely potential game state. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said evaluating comprises calculating a likelihood score for each potential game state. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein said evaluating a likelihood score comprises counting the total number of cards in a potential game state. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5  wherein said evaluating a likelihood score comprises counting unmatched cards or card hands between a current data frame and a potential game state. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5  wherein said evaluating comprises analyzing a historical record of likelihood scores for a potential game state. 
     
     
         9 . A computer program product comprising a data recording medium storing computer executable instructions for implementing a method of tracking the progress of a game on a gaming table using game table tracking equipment as defined in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         10 . A computer program product comprising a data recording medium storing computer executable instructions for implementing a method of tracking the progress of a game on a gaming table using game table tracking equipment as defined in  claim 2 . 
     
     
         11 . A computer program product comprising a data recording medium storing computer executable instructions for implementing a method of tracking the progress of a game on a gaming table using game table tracking equipment as defined in  claim 5 . 
     
     
         12 . A system for tracking the progress of a game on a gaming table comprising:
 a processor for recording data relating to said game while said game is in progress;   a processor for establishing a plurality of simultaneous, potential game states of said game;   a processor for identifying an occurrence of a game event that follows said plurality of potential game states;   a processor for applying said game event to at least two of said plurality of potential game states to establish at least one new potential game state;   a processor for adding said at least one new potential game state to said plurality of potential game states to establish an updated plurality of potential states;   a processor for evaluating a likelihood of each potential game state, and;   a processor for identifying at least one likely potential game state of said updated plurality based on said evaluating.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12  further comprising a processor for identifying at least one unlikely potential game state and removing said at least one unlikely potential game state from said updated plurality. 
     
     
         14 . The system  claim 12  wherein said identifying at least one likely potential game state comprises a processor for identifying a most likely potential game state. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12  wherein said evaluating comprises a processor for calculating a likelihood score for each potential game state. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 12  wherein said evaluating a likelihood score comprises means for counting the total number of cards in a potential game state. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 12  wherein said evaluating a likelihood score comprises a processor for counting unmatched cards or card hands between a current data frame and a potential game state. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 12  wherein said evaluating comprises a processor for analyzing a historical record of likelihood scores for a potential game state.