Apparatus for Improved Live Table Game

Abstract

A system comprising a camera and a processor is programmed to identify cards dealt at a gaming table. By identifying the cards as they are dealt, the security of the gaming table may be improved. In addition, new betting opportunities may be provided based upon the increased information made available. The system may also be used to directly award prizes to players. The prizes may be awarded in conjunction with or independent of traditional game play.

1 . A device for generating data from a casino table game that uses a deck of playing cards distributed one at a time from a ramp of a shoe, the device comprising:
 a window having a front and a back surface;   a means for relatively positioning the window adjacent to the ramp of the shoe where the playing cards are distributed such that each playing card traverses at least a portion of the front surface of the window;   a camera positioned such that it has a line of sight from the back surface of the window to the playing cards passing over the front surface;   the camera operatively connected to a processor, the processor operatively connected to a memory;   wherein the processor is programmed to detect the presence of a playing card when the playing card is in the line of sight of the camera, the processor further programmed to capture at least a first image of the playing card when detected by the processor, and the processor is programmed to determine at least either a suit, rank or numerical attribute of the playing card.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the means for relatively positioning the window further comprises a cradle, the cradle having a housing, the housing comprising a top housing surface and the window; the top housing surface having a means for securing the shoe relative to the cradle. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the camera and the processor are located within the housing. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the shoe rests on a table top of the casino table game and the window is located in the table top. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the processor utilizes a neural network to evaluate the at least first image of the playing card and determine at least either a suit, rank or numerical attribute of the playing card. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the processor captures a plurality of images of the same playing card as it traverses the front surface and wherein for at least two of the images of the same playing card the processor determines at least either the suit, rank or numerical attribute of the playing card associated with the at least two images. 
     
     
         7 . A device for generating data from a casino table game that uses a deck of playing cards distributed one at a time from a ramp of a shoe, the device comprising:
 a housing having at least a top housing surface, the top housing surface being flat and at least as long and wide as the shoe, the top housing surface having at least two members extending above the top housing surface that hold the shoe in place;   the housing having a window, the window having a front and a back surface and a left and right side, the window relatively positioned to the shoe when the shoe is held in place on the top housing surface such that the window is adjacent to the ramp, a guide flap on each of the left and right sides of the window, each guide flap extending at least partially above the front surface, the guide flaps encouraging each playing card distributed from the shoe to traverse at least a portion of the front surface of the window;   a camera positioned in the housing such that it has a line of sight from the back surface of the window to the playing cards passing over the front surface;   the camera operatively connected to a processor, the processor operatively connected to a memory;   wherein the processor is programmed to detect the presence of a playing card when the playing card is in the line of sight of the camera, the processor further programmed to capture at least a first image of the playing card when detected by the processor, and the processor is programmed to determine at least either a suit, rank or numerical attribute of the playing card.