Network protocols for real-time monitoring of independent processes.

A system for monitoring of independent processes would consist of a central workstation connected via a local network to several computers dedicated to specialized tasks of different kinds. The purpose is to collect data from these tasks in real time and store them in a central database. The system should meet the following requirements:

• reliability of the involved network connections, including minimization of network collisions;
• multitasking approach in order to be able to deal simultaneously with a large number of connections;
• rate of data transmission adjustable independently for each connection;
• protection from data losing by combined use of the central database and of local storage at each computer on the net;
• ease of extensibility, allowing addition of new data processing modules to the central program with minimum effort, as processes of new types are added on the net;
• compatibility with database standards, allowing the central database to be processed with existing tools.

Such a system was developed in 1995 and 1996 by Dr. Vuza as a part of a multinational project initiated by Mikohn Gaming Corporation and is certified by the document Certificate of Achievement and Accomplishment issued by the named company.

Artificial Intelligence - based System for Activity Monitoring

The purpose of the system is to monitor the activity at a game table in real time and to transmit the information to a central station. It consists of the following components.

• Data acquisition modules, that collect data relevant to game activities from several optical sensors and radio-frequency devices.
• A data processing module, that employs Artificial Intelligence for reconstructing the players' decisions and the dealer's actions by filling the gaps in the limited information provided by the previous modules.
• A data communication protocol for sending data to a central station.
• A custom-built multitasking system that allows the subprocesses which control the various devices in the system to run concurrently.

Such a system has been developed by Dr. Vuza during his participation to the SafeGames project initiated and supervised by SafeGames Inc. and Mikohn Games Corporation, both of Las Vegas, U.S.A, and was presented at World Gaming Congress & Expo, Las Vegas Convention Center, September 1999.