EP3244379A1 - System and method for collection and analysis of video data relating to the course of the game on a gambling table in casinos - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for recording and analyzing video data (VD1 to VD3) relating to the course of the game on at least one gaming table (2) in casinos, in which the gaming table (2) has a playing field (3) with a plurality of game field sections (3.1 to 3.3) in which the course of the game on the gaming table (2) is arranged from at least two different side perspectives via at least one first and second camera units (6, 7) arranged at the edge of the gaming table (2) and at least one above the gaming table (2) from a bird's eye view third camera unit (8) is detected in each case in the form of video data (VD1 to VD3) in which the captured video data (VD1 to VD3) are transmitted to a video analysis unit (UAE) and in the video analysis unit (UAE) by means of at least one analysis routine (AR) be analyzed and from this a game history on the gaming table (2) real-time game data base are generated.

Description

The invention relates to a system and a method for capturing and analyzing video data concerning the course of the game on a gaming table in casinos according to the preamble of claims 1 and 10.

In games of chance, especially card games such as baccarat or poker in casinos, it often comes to manipulation of the game by individual players or a group of players located at a table, often involving the game master or croupier, for example, make unauthorized moves or other manipulations of the game operate. Therefore, extensive monitoring of the course of the game by the croupier who conducts the game of chance at the respective gaming table, and in addition by a so-called "pit supervisor" who supervises the course of the game at several gaming tables in addition to the croupier, is required to manipulate the course of the game to prevent individual players and / or the croupier himself. A reliable monitoring of the game to avoid such manipulation options in gambling, especially card games is therefore very labor intensive. On the basis of this, it is desirable to automatically record the course of the game of gambling, in particular of card games at associated gaming tables, and prepare it for efficient and reliable monitoring of the course of the game.

From the DE 602 24 961 T2 For example, there is known a card game monitoring system, game table, and monitoring method in which the card game monitoring system comprises an identification information recording device, an identification information reading device, a control device, a game money money processing device, a display device, an output device, and a recording device. The identification information recording device is embodied here in the form of a wireless, preferably passive transmission device which is integrated in the game card in order to be able to read out the game cards lying on the gaming table or the digit information located thereon wirelessly via the identification information reading device arranged on the gaming table.

Also game chips or tokens are already known from the prior art, which also have an integrated wireless transmitting device that can be read via appropriately provided on the gaming table reading devices and thus the on the Game table currently located number and / or the monetary value of the chips can be determined automatically.

A disadvantage of the known monitoring systems only monitoring of specially equipped playing cards and / or chips is possible. Also disadvantageous only certain transactions of a game play can be monitored individually and isolated from each other. An allocation of the collected information to individual players and / or evaluation of their gaming behavior, in particular a monitoring of the cooperation of the croupier in manipulation operations is therefore not possible because only a small fraction of existing in a game history transaction information for automated evaluation is available.

Proceeding from this, the object of the invention is to specify a system and a method for capturing and analyzing video data relating to the course of a gambling game, in particular card games on at least one gaming table in casinos, which enables an improved automated evaluation and, based thereon, monitoring of the course of the game. The object is achieved on the basis of features of the preamble of claim 1 and 10 respectively by its characterizing features.

The essential aspect of the system according to the invention for capturing and analyzing video data relating to the course of the game on at least one gaming table in casinos is that the course of the game on the respective gaming table consists of at least two different side perspectives on at least one first and second camera units arranged peripherally on the gaming table and is captured from a bird's eye view via at least one arranged above the game table third camera unit each in the form of video data, the captured video data are transmitted to a video analysis unit and analyzed in the video analysis unit by means of at least one analysis routine executed therein and therefrom a game history at the game table in Real-time performance data base is generated. Particularly advantageously, the game is recorded at a game table by means of several differently positioned camera units from different perspectives and / or angles and directions and thereby created a video data base from the means of a downstream video analysis unit particularly advantageous an "electronic mapping" of the game history is generated. The game data base contains the transaction data relevant for the automated monitoring of the game activity. In this way, at least the relevant events of the course of the game are particularly advantageously mapped into a game data base which, in addition to monitoring the course of the game for manipulation, can also be used for further, in particular also economic, evaluations. In addition to the reduction of Surveillance personnel thereby a more efficient operation of the casino is achieved with increased security against manipulation.

Furthermore, at least one player in a first game field section and at least the game master are advantageously assigned a second game field section and a central third game field section is provided between the first and second game field sections, which are preferably analyzed independently of one another by the analysis routine. Due to the special analysis of given image sections of the recorded video data, an efficient and targeted analysis for the provision of defined transaction data is possible.

In an advantageous embodiment variant of the invention, the temporal changes of the video data provided by the different camera units are analyzed and subsequently evaluated with each other, so that advantageously the relevant transaction data can be generated with the least possible computational effort.

In a preferred embodiment, the first and second camera units are spaced apart from each other and arranged opposite each other above the game table, which are preferably arranged at different distances to the playing field and / or with different detection angles with respect to the playing field. In this case, the first and second camera units are designed to record the course of the game from two different side perspectives.

Advantageously, the third camera unit is designed to record the course of the game from a bird's eye view.

The first and second camera units are designed, for example, as digital, preferably IP-capable, pinhole camera units and the third camera unit as a digital, preferably IP-capable, dome camera unit.

The first camera unit acquires first video data concerning the course of the game from a first side perspective, the second camera unit second video data relating to the game progress from a second side perspective, and third video data concerning the gameplay from the bird's eye view from the third camera unit.

Further advantageously, the game data base is updated dynamically and thus maps the course of the game in real time in the form of a multiplicity of transaction data determined via the analysis routine.

In order to transmit the video data in real time, the video analysis unit is connected to the camera units via at least one local network, and particularly advantageously the video analysis unit is connected to a central database unit in which the generated performance data base is stored.

The invention likewise relates to a method for capturing and analyzing video data concerning the course of the game on at least one gaming table in casinos, in which the gaming table has a game field with a plurality of game field sections, wherein the course of the game on the gaming table consists of at least two different side perspectives on at least one first and second, arranged on the edge of the gaming table camera units and bird's eye view of at least one arranged above the game table third camera unit is detected in each case in the form of video data in which the captured video data is transmitted to a video analysis unit and analyzed in the video analysis unit by means of at least one analysis routine and it is used to create a data model that maps the game progress on the gaming table in real time.

Further advantageously, at least one player is assigned a first game field section and at least the game master is assigned a second game field section and a central third game field section is provided between the first and second game field sections, which are analyzed by the analysis routine preferably independently of one another. Furthermore, by means of first and second camera units, the course of the game is recorded in the form of first and second video data from different side perspectives, in particular different detection angles with respect to the playing field, and the course of play in the form of the third video data from the bird's eye view by means of the third camera unit.

In an advantageous embodiment variant, the number and / or position of the chips located on the playing field, in particular in the first and third playing field sections, is determined from the provided video data by means of the analysis routine.

Also, by analyzing the video data, in particular the third video data, the state of a closed, unrecorded game table can be monitored by appropriate analysis of the video data.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment variant, the change in the number, type and / or the value of the chips recorded in a chip pickup unit and / or on the playing field is determined continuously or at predetermined times by means of the analysis routine by analyzing the video data. This can in particular The height of a stack of tokens and the colors of the chips contained therein can also be determined from the first and second video data.

Further developments, advantages and applications of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments and from the figures. In this case, all described and / or illustrated features alone or in any combination are fundamentally the subject of the invention, regardless of their summary in the claims or their dependency. Also, the content of the claims is made an integral part of the description.

Fig. 1

ein schematisches Blockschaltbild eines erfindungsgemäßen Systems zur Erfassung und Analyse von Videodaten betreffend den Spielverlauf an zumindest einem Spieltisch in Kasinos,

Fig. 2

eine schematische Draufsicht auf einen derartigen Spieltisch und

Fig. 3

ein schematisches Blockschaltbild der Videoanalyseeinheit.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the figures of exemplary embodiments. Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic block diagram of a system according to the invention for the acquisition and analysis of video data concerning the game play on at least one gaming table in casinos,

Fig. 2

a schematic plan view of such a game table and

Fig. 3

a schematic block diagram of the video analysis unit.

In FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an inventive system 1 for recording and analysis of video data VD1 to VD3 concerning the game play on a gambling table or game table 2 shown in casinos.

The game table 2 is set up, for example, for performing card games with several players SP and at least one croupier CP. For this purpose, the gaming table 2 has a playing field 3 with, for example, at least one first playing field section 3.1 assigned to each player SP and at least one second playing field section 3.2 assigned to the croupier CP. Furthermore, at least one central third playing field section 3.3 is provided, which is preferably located between the first and the second playing field section 3.3 and in which a plurality of transactions of the gambling or card game often take place.

Depending on the particular game of luck, the first and / or central third game field section 3.1, 3.3 can have different field-like markings or similar markings, in which, for example, the stakes are placed by the respective player SP. The structure of the playing field 3, in particular of the first and third playing field section 3.1, 3.3 are thus each dependent on the rules of the game on the respective game table 2 played lucky game. The playing field sections 3.1 to 3.3 can in this case be spaced apart from each other, then adjacent to each other or at least partially overlapping each other. In the following, it is assumed, in particular in the case of the Baccarat card game, that the placing of the stakes of the individual players SP takes place in each case in the first field section 3.1 assigned to them.

For example, during a card game there are several game cards SK and / or so-called chips or chips J. Such chips J are preferably made of plastic, coin-like chips or game chips that are used in casinos as play money. Depending on the color and / or the numbers or numbers applied to them, these are assigned different values of a given currency, unambiguously.

FIG. 2 shows, for example, a schematic plan view of the game table 2, currently sitting on the example of two players SP and a croupier CP and a card game is performed. In first game field sections 3.1 assigned to the players SP, there are by way of example the game cards SK and chips J of each player SP. In the second game field section 3.2 assigned to the croupier CP, for example, a card shoe unit 4 for outputting the game cards SK and a chip pickup unit 5 for receiving the chips J not in the game are provided in a card game. Playing cards SK and chips J are also provided by way of example in the third field section 3.3.

This in FIG. 1 System 1 shown by way of example also comprises at least one first and second camera unit 6, 7 arranged at the edge or in the edge area of the playing field 3 and facing the playing field 2, and at least one third camera unit 8 arranged above or above the playing table 2 a ceiling mounting is formed. The first and second camera units 6, 7 thus form "table camera units" connected to the gaming table 2, and the third camera unit 8 displays a "ceiling camera unit" arranged approximately vertically above the center of the gaming table 2.

The first and second camera units 6, 7 are designed to detect the course of the game from a first or second side perspective in the form of first and second video data VD1, VD2, ie by means of the first and second camera units 6, 7, the course of the game on the game table 2 from electronically detected two different side perspectives, preferably in the form of a plurality of temporally chronologically consecutive frames comprising image data stream.

The first and second camera unit 6, 7 are spaced from each other and preferably spaced from each other to the playing field 2 are arranged above the game table. The detection angle of the first and second camera units 6, 7 relative to the plane spanned by the playing field 3 is selected differently. The first and second camera units 6, 7 preferably have a different distance d1, d2 to the playing field 3 or to the surface of the gaming table 2, so that the game play can be detected by the first and second camera units 6, 7, in particular from different height perspectives. The distance d1 to the playing field 3 or to the surface of the gaming table 2 of the first camera unit 6 is preferably greater than the distance d2 of the second camera unit 7.

In one embodiment variant, the first and / or second camera unit 6, 7 are accommodated in the holding unit of a display device 9, 10 and designed, for example, as pinhole camera units. Furthermore, these are in particular designed as digital camera units 6, 7, preferably as Internet protocol-capable or IP-capable digital camera units 6, 7.

The third camera unit 8 is realized, for example, as a dome camera unit, which is designed to receive the playing field 2 and thus the course of the game from a bird's-eye view. By means of the third camera unit 8, the course of the game is recorded from the bird's eye view in the form of third video data VD3, which in turn comprise a multiplicity of temporally chronologically consecutive individual images and thus form a so-called image data stream. Also, the third camera unit 8 is preferably realized as a digital camera unit that is Internet Protocol-enabled.

The video data VD1 to VD3 generated by said camera units 6 to 8 are transmitted via suitable transmission media, wired or wireless to a video analysis unit VAU. Preferably, the transmission of the video data VD1 to VD3 takes place in real time over a local area network LAN, using the Internet Protocol (IP).

For example, a central database unit DWH, also called a data warehouse unit, is connected to the video analysis unit VAU. The central database unit DWH is set up correspondingly for the present video data analysis purposes, in particular for merging and compressing the video data VD1 to VD3 provided by different camera units 6-8 and possibly also other data from data sources, in particular sensor units, described in more detail below.

Furthermore, a display and / or control device ASE is connected to the central database unit DWH, via which the recorded and analyzed video data VD1 to VD3 as well as the results obtained by the analysis of these can be displayed to the user. For this purpose, the display and / or control device ASE preferably has a plurality of monitor units and at least one control panel, in particular a keypad and an input unit.

Furthermore, at the in FIG. 1 the central database unit DWH still connected to a content management system CMS, via which a central administration and / or target group-dependent presentation of text or multimedia data for display via a web browser on different computer systems is provided.

Also, additional sensor units may be provided on the gaming table 2, via which, in addition to the described image capture, further transaction information can be detected automatically during the course of the game of chance. For example, in the card shoe unit 4, a sensor may be provided, via which the type and / or the value of the currently issued game card SK can be detected. The transaction data provided by such additional sensor units are likewise transmitted to the video analysis unit VAU and can be evaluated by the latter in addition to the analysis of the current game progress.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic block diagram of the video analysis unit VAE, in accordance with the invention an analysis routine AR is performed, via which the detected by the different camera units 6, 7, 8 and transmitted to the video analysis unit VAE video data VD1 to VD3 are linked together and therefrom a game history on the gaming table 2 real-time performance data base is generated. The generated data base comprises a plurality of transaction data obtained from the video data VD1 to VD3, which represent the time course of selected game events and, in general, represent a "three-dimensional" electronic image of the course of the game in real time.

In the analysis routine AR known methods for the analysis of video data in real time use, their basic structure and operation in the WO 2006/107997 A2 or the DE 10 2007 034 010 A1 are described. In this case, changes in the individual images of the image stream of the video data VD1 to VD3 are detected and closed by appropriate analysis or evaluation of the changes to the presence of specific events.

The analysis routine AR has a plurality of analysis subroutines for generating the game data base forming transaction data, via which selected game conditions and / or game events in the form of transaction data from the provided video data VD1 to VD3 are determined by appropriate video analysis. The generation of video data VD1 to VD3 according to the invention from different perspectives, namely at least two different side perspectives and the bird's-eye view as well as the possibly additional evaluation of further sensor data, automatically makes it possible to detect and analyze the course of the game and for the first time makes it a game data base reproducing the game progress in real time be generated.

For example, the analysis routine AR has a position determination routine PBR, by means of which the number and / or position of chips J on the gaming table 2 or the playing field 3, in particular in the first and central third game field section 3.1, 3.3 from the provided video data VD1 to VD3 by appropriate Video analysis is determined. For this purpose, in particular the first and second video data VD1, VD2 provided by the first and second camera units 6, 7 and the third video data VD3 provided by the third camera unit 8 are analyzed with respect to the changes in the first and central third game field sections 3.1, 3.3. By means of the position determination routine PBR, therefore, the number and / or position of chips J in the first and / or third field sections 3.1, 3.3 is determined as a function of the video data VD1 to VD3 provided.

Also, a game speed routine SGR is provided, via which in each case the time duration of several games, in particular card games is detected and thus a measure of the average speed of a game can be determined. For this purpose, by evaluating the video data VD1 - VD3, the first setting by a player SP after a previously completed game and thus the beginning of a new game is detected, which is evaluated as a predetermined event. The end of the game is determined, for example, by the return of the playing cards SK by the croupier CP into the card slipper unit 4. The time of occurrence of this event is determined by corresponding analysis of the first to third video data VD1-VD3, and the time duration of a game is calculated taking into consideration the timing of the game start. In addition, the average time duration of a player's placement process can be determined depending on the output of the subsequent playing card SK.

In order to create the game data base which dynamically depicts the course of the game, it is also possible to provide a monitoring routine CTP via which the state of a closed, ie currently unplayed, game table ("closed table") is monitored. For this purpose, the third video data VD3 provided by the third camera unit 8 are preferably used evaluated. In particular, it is checked whether there is no change in the third video data VD3 related to the first and / or third game field sections 3.1, 3.3, ie no game activity is given. In addition, it can also be checked whether an operating unit provided on the gaming table 2 is activated or not by the croupier CP, ie whether the table is in operation or not.

The game movements of the individual players SP in the first game field sections 3.1 and / or the third central game field sections 3.3 are evaluated by corresponding analysis of the video data VD1-VD3 in the area of the mentioned sections and from this the time of setting of their mission is determined by means of an insert routine ESR related to the rest of the game, in particular to capture a late bet by the respective player.

Through a Jetonumlaufroutine JUR the change in the number, type and / or the value recorded in the Jetonaufnahmeeinheit 5 and / or located on the field 2 chips J are detected during the course of the game continuously or at predetermined times. From the knowledge of this transaction information or by appropriate evaluation of the transaction data provided by the Jetonumlaufroutine JUR corresponding to a variety of other information about the current game action in a casino can be derived. For example, it can thus be used to determine in real time the token currently in circulation on all gaming tables of a casino and, therefrom, the associated monetary value.

Preferably, the first and second video data VD1, VD2 provided by the first and second camera units 6, 7, which in particular show the first and / or third playing field sections 3.1, 3.3 from different side perspectives, are analyzed by means of a Jeton stacking routine JSR and from this the number of several superimposed Stacked chips J and, if necessary, additionally determines their value. In particular, the height of the stack of tokens and the colors of the chips J located therein are determined from the first and second video data VD1, VD2. As a result, the game use of one or more players or the entire game can be detected.

In addition to the analysis subroutines of the analysis routine AR, which are already described in more detail, there may be provided, for example, the highest value of a jet J in the first and / or third field section 3.1, 3.3 or the bidding zone of the playing field 2 or the purchase of a new player at one check open game table 2.

The mentioned analysis subroutines of the analysis routine AR thus enable a dynamic recording and analysis of the current game play at gambling tables in casinos.

The invention has been described above by means of exemplary embodiments. It is understood that numerous changes and modifications are possible, without thereby departing from the invention underlying the idea of the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

system

2

gaming table

3

matchfield

3.1

first field section

3.2

second field section

3.3

third field section

4

Card shoe unit

5

Jeton receiving unit

6

first camera unit

7

second camera unit

8th

third camera unit

9

display

10

display

ASE

Display and / or control device

d1, d2

distances

CP

croupier

CMS

Content Management System

CTP

monitor routine

DWH

central database unit

ESR

use routine

J

tokens

JUR

Jeton circulation routine

JSR

Chip stacking routine

LAN

local network

PBR

Positioning routine

SGR

Game Speed routine

SP

player

SK

deck

UAE

Video analysis unit

VD1

first video data

VD2

second video data

VD3

third video data

Claims (15)

System for recording and analyzing video data (VD1 to VD3) relating to the course of the game on at least one gaming table (2) in casinos, in which the gaming table (2) has a playing field (3) with several playing field sections (3.1 to 3.3), in which the Game progress on the gaming table (2) from at least two different side perspectives on at least one first and second camera units (6, 7) arranged at the edge of the gaming table (2) and a bird's eye view of at least one third camera unit (8) arranged above the gaming table (2) ) is detected in each case in the form of video data (VD1 to VD3) in which the captured video data (VD1 to VD3) are transmitted to a video analysis unit (UAE) and analyzed in the video analysis unit (UAE) by means of at least one analysis routine (AR) and from it a play data base which maps the game progress on the gaming table (2) in real time is generated. System according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one player (SP) a first game field section (3.1) and at least the game conductor (CP) a second game field section (3.2) are assigned and between the first and the second game field section (3.1, 3.2) central third field section (3.3) is provided, which are preferably analyzed independently of each other by the analysis routine (AR). System according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the temporal changes of the video units (VD1 to VD3) provided by the different camera units (6, 7, 8) are analyzed and subsequently evaluated in association with each other. System according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first and second camera unit (6, 7) objected to each other and are arranged opposite each other above the game table (2). System according to claim 4, characterized in that the first and second camera unit (6, 7) are arranged at different distances (d1, d2) to the playing field (3) and / or with different angles of attack to the playing field (3), the first and second camera units (6, 7) second camera unit (6, 7) are preferably formed to record the gameplay from two different side perspectives. System according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the third camera unit (8) is designed to record the gameplay from a bird's-eye view. System according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the first and second camera units (6, 7) as digital, preferably IP-capable Lochkameraeinheiten and the third camera unit (9) as a digital, preferably IP-capable dome camera unit are formed and / or in that first video data (VD1) concerning the course of the game from a first side perspective, from the second camera unit (7) second video data (VD2) concerning the course of the game from a second side perspective and from the third camera unit (8 ) third video data (VD3) regarding the gameplay are recorded from the bird's eye view. System according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the game data base is updated dynamically and maps the game progress in real time in the form of a plurality of transaction data determined via the analysis routine (AR) and / or for transmitting the video data (VD1 - VD3 ) in real time the video analysis unit (UAE) is connected to the camera units (6 - 8) via at least one local area network (LAN). System according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the video analysis unit (UAE) is connected to a central database unit (DWH) in which the generated performance data base is stored. Method for recording and analyzing video data (VD1 to VD3) relating to the course of the game on at least one gaming table (2) in casinos, in which the gaming table (2) has a playing field (3) with a plurality of game field sections (3.1 to 3.3), in which the Game progress on the gaming table (2) from at least two different side perspectives via at least one first and second camera units (6, 7) arranged at the edge of the gaming table (2) and from a bird's eye view via at least one third camera unit (8) arranged above the gaming table (2) ) is detected in each case in the form of video data (VD1 to VD3) in which the captured video data (VD1 to VD3) are transmitted to a video analysis unit (UAE) and analyzed in the video analysis unit (UAE) by means of at least one analysis routine (AR) and from it a game model on the gaming table (2) in real time mapping data model (DM) is generated. A method according to claim 10, characterized in that at least one player (SP) is a first field portion (3.1) and at least the gap conductor (CP) a second pitch portion (3.2) are assigned to and between the first and the second pitch portion (3.1, 3.2) central third field section (3.3) is provided, which are preferably analyzed independently of each other by the analysis routine (AR). A method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that by means of first and second camera unit (6, 7) of the game history in the form of first and second video data (VD1, VD2) from different side perspectives, in particular different detection angles with respect to the playing field (2) detected is and / or that by means of the third camera unit (8) of the game history in the form of the third video data (VD3) is detected from a bird's eye view. Method according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that by means of the analysis routine (AR), the number and / or position of the on the playing field (3), in particular in the first and third game field section (3.1, 3.3) located chips (J) from the video data provided (VD1 to VD3) is determined and / or that by means of the analysis routine (AR) by analyzing the video data (VD1 to VD3), in particular the third video data (VD3) the state of a closed, unplayed game table (2) is monitored. Method according to one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that by means of the analysis routine (AR) by analysis of the video data (VD1 to VD3) the change of the number, type and / or value of the recorded in a Jetonaufnahmeeinheit (5) and / or on the field (2) chips (J) is determined continuously or at predetermined times. A method according to claim 14, characterized in that from the first and second video data (VD1, VD2), the height of a Jetonstapels and the colors of the therein Jets (J) is determined.

Images