Virtual video stream manager

• US 20040023722A1
• Filed: 08/03/2002
• Published: 02/05/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: VT Tech Corporation
• Original Assignee: VT Tech Corporation
• Inventors: Vuong, Vinh Thanh, Vuong, Son Thanh
• Application Number:
  US10/212,477
• Publication Number:
  US 20040023722A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/40
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3241 Security aspects of a gaming system, e.g. detecting cheating, device integrity, surveillance computer security G06F21/00

Abstract

The present invention relates to an improved system and method for both local and remote players to play a casino game. More specifically, the system and method automatically transmits a video stream comprised of a plurality of video feeds to remote players showing in an efficient manner. In accordance with the present invention, a virtual video stream manager is associated with a gaming table. By monitoring movement and placement of detectable gaming objects, the virtual video manager determines both the game state and the location of the relevant gaming object. Based on the game state and the location of the gaming object, the virtual video controller selects one of a plurality of video cameras to transmit the video to each of the remote players. The virtual video manager selectively customizes the video transmitted to each remote player so that the remote players may independently and efficiently participate in the remote play of a casino game.

Claims

1. An interactive casino having a plurality of casino games adapted for play by both local players and remote players comprising:

A gaming table adapted for playing a casino game, said gaming table including at least one gaming object capable of generating an indication of at least one state of play of said casino game and a location indication of where said gaming object is located on said gaming table;

A detector for detecting said indication to state of play of said gaming game and for detecting the said location indication;

A first plurality of cameras, associated with said gaming table, each of which has said gaming table at least partially in its field of view;

A virtual video manager, associated with said gaming table, adapted for selecting a video stream generated by one of said first plurality of cameras in response to detection by said detector of a specific state of play; and

A network manager, associated with said gaming table, adapted for linking said remote players to said gaming table and for transmitting said video stream selected by said video manager so that each remote player is provided an indication of the value of the gaming object and a unique video stream.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said virtual video manager further comprises means for selecting one of said first plurality of cameras in response to said location indication whereby said selected camera has a field of view that encompasses a portion of said gaming table where said gaming object is positioned.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said virtual video manager selects a psuedo -random sequence of said first set of cameras.

4. The system of claim 1 further comprising a second set of cameras each of which is focused to provide a video stream of a selected portion of said gaming table to provide a video stream of a full screen image of said at least one gaming object when selected by said virtual video manager.

5. The system of claim 4 further comprising a third set of cameras wherein said virtual video manager selects a psuedo-random sequence of video streams generated by said third set of cameras, said virtual video manager selecting said third set of cameras when said state of play indication indicates that the play of the casino game is complete.

6. A system for a casino card game adapted for play by both local players and remote players at a gaming table;

said gaming table having means for detecting the location of cards during the play of said casino card game.

A plurality of video cameras, each having a lens angle subtending at least a portion of said gaming table;

Means for selecting one of said video cameras in response to a detected state of play and a detected location of said cards; and

A network manager for transferring a video stream generated by said selected video camera to at least one remote player.

7. The system of claim 6 further comprising at least one camera having a field of view that does not include said gaming table where said selecting means selects said at least one camera after the completion of said play of said casino card game.

8. The system of claim 6 further comprising:

a second plurality of cameras;

a plurality of wireless video receivers each covering a unique zone of a casino;

a wireless camera coupled to one of said video receivers, said wireless camera transported by a player;

means for selecting either one of said second plurality of video cameras or one of said wireless video receivers when said wireless video receiver is receiving a video stream from said wireless camera.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein said selecting means selects either one of said second plurality of video cameras or one of said wireless video receivers, when said wireless video receiver is receiving a video stream from said wireless camera, in response to a request from said remote player.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein at least one of said local players has a wearable wireless camera.

11. The system of claim 6 wherein said plurality of video cameras includes at least one camera having a lens angle subtending substantially all of said gaming table.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein said plurality of video cameras further includes at least one camera having a lens angle subtending approximately half of said gaming table.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein said plurality of video cameras further includes at least one camera having a field of view sufficient to visually identify the value of each card positioned within the field of view.

14. A method for providing a video stream to a remote player so that said remote player may participate in the play of a casino game at a gaming table located in a casino;

said method comprising the steps of;

Initiating a play of a casino game;

Transmitting a video stream to said remote player a video stream from a first camera, said video stream subtending substantially all of said gaming table;

Detecting an intermediate state in the play of said casino game;

Automatically terminating the transmission from said first camera and initiating transmission to said remote player a video stream from a second camera having a field of view comprising the a portion of said gaming table in response to said detecting step;

Detecting the conclusion of play of said casino game;

Automatically terminating the transmission from said first camera and initiating transmission to said remote player a video stream from a third camera displaying the result of the play of said casino game.

15. The method of claim 14 further including the steps of selecting said first camera from a first plurality of cameras.

16. The method of claim 14 further including the steps of selecting said second camera from a second plurality of cameras.

17. The method of claim 14 further including the steps of selecting said third camera from a third plurality of cameras.

18. The method of claim 14 further including the step of:

Upon detection of the conclusion, automatically transmitting a video stream to said remote player from a fourth camera, said fourth camera displaying a portion of said casino other than said gaming table.

19. The method of claim 18 further including the step of selecting said fourth camera from a fourth plurality of cameras.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein said selecting step is in response to a selection by said remote player.

21. An interactive casino where both local players and remote players may participate in the play of a casino game, said casino comprising:

A plurality of zones, each zone having a plurality of video cameras;

A radio frequency detector circuit, carried by one of said local players;

Means for determining the zone where said one of said local players is located;

Means for selecting one of said plurality of cameras in the zone where said local player is located; and

A network manager for transmitting the video from said selected camera to said remote player.

22. The system of claim 21 wherein said local players are attired in accordance with a selected theme.

23. The system of claim 21 wherein each of said remote players may selectively associate with one of said local players;

said selecting means adapted to transmit to said remote player video from a camera having said selected local player in the field of view.

24. The system of claim 23 wherein said selecting means determines when to select a different camera to transmit video to said remote player.

25. The system of claim 23 wherein said selecting means determines when to select a different camera to transmit video to said remote player in response to the state of play at a gaming table when said local player is playing at said gaming table.

26. An interactive casino where both local players and remote players may participate in the play of a casino game at a gaming table;

said gaming table having means for detecting the location of gaming objects during the play of said casino game, said interactive casino comprising;

A plurality of video cameras, each having a lens angle subtending at least a portion of said gaming table;

A second plurality of video cameras each of said second plurality of video cameras having a field of view showing the at least one of the local players at said gaming table;

Means for selecting one of said first or second plurality of video cameras in response to a detected state of play; and

A network manager for transferring a video stream generated by said selected video camera to at least one remote player.

27. The system of claim 26 wherein said selecting means further includes means for determining when to select a different camera to transmit video to said at least one remote player in response to a detected location of said gaming object.

28. The system of claim 27 further comprising:

A radio frequency detector circuit, carried by one of said local players; and

Means for determining the location of said one of said local players and associating said remote player with said one of said local players wherein said selecting means further includes means for determining when to select a different camera to transmit video to said at least one remote player in response to a detected location of said one of said local players.

29. The system of claim 28 wherein said local players consent to the transmission of their voice and image.

30. The system of claim 26 further comprising means for registering said remote player.