GAME RELATED SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND ARTICLES THAT COMBINE VIRTUAL AND PHYSICAL ELEMENTS

• US 20090118006A1
• Filed: 11/09/2007
• Published: 05/07/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sg Gaming, Inc. (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Bally Gaming Incorporated (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Inventors: Kelly, Bryan M., Eichmann, Kenneth J., Ferrara, Paul J.
• Application Number:
  US11/938,209
• Publication Number:
  US 20090118006A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/31
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/2145 the surface being also a display device, e.g. touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/28 responding to control signals received from the game device for affecting ambient conditions, e.g. for vibrating players' seats, activating scent dispensers or affecting temperature or light controlling the output signals based on the game progress A63F13/50
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/52 involving aspects of the displayed game scene
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/00072 played along an endless track, e.g. monopoly A63F3/00069 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/00643 Electric board games; Electric features of board games electric word or number games A63F3/0421; computer chess G06F; electric raffle games A63F3/081
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/0423 Word games, e.g. scrabble electric A63F3/0421; two-dimensional puzzles with rotating rings or discs A63F9/0811, A63F9/0819
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3206 Player sensing means, e.g. presence detection, biometrics
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/322 Casino tables, e.g. tables having integrated screens, chip detection means
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3286 Type of games

Abstract

Physical objects may be employed with a virtual game layout to enhance wager and non-wagered based gaming. Displays subsystems may provide a changeable or selectable virtual game layout with demarcations appropriate to a selected game. A sensor subsystem may detect physical aspects of game related pieces (e.g., playing cards, chips, markers, dice, spinners, tokens, tiles) as well as media (e.g., identity media, financial media). All gaming functions may occur through interaction with a playing surface, as well as functions such as order food, beverages and services. Automated tracking of players, dealers and games may be realized along with bonusing and promotions.

Claims

1. A method of controlling a game playing system, comprising:

displaying images related to one or more games to be played on at least a first game playing surface, the images including a virtual game layout including a number of demarcations of at least one area associated with the play of the games;

detecting at least one physical aspect of at least one game related piece when the game related piece is at least proximate the first game playing surface; and

controlling the images displayed based at least in part on information indicative of the sensed at least one physical aspect of the at least one game related piece.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein displaying images related to one or more games to be played on at least a first game playing surface includes displaying the images such that the demarcations at least appear to be on or below the first game playing surface.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein displaying images related to one or more games to be played on at least a first game playing surface includes displaying images of a respective portion of the virtual game layout on each of a plurality of display devices such that the virtual game layout formed by the portions of the virtual game layout is continuous.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein detecting at least one physical aspect of at least one game related piece when the game related piece is at least proximate the first game playing surface includes detecting at least one physical aspect of a single game related piece when the game related piece is located on the first game playing surface and when the game related piece is located on the second game playing surface.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein detecting at least one physical aspect of at least one game related piece when the game related piece is at least proximate the first game playing surface includes detecting at least one of a presence/absence of the game related piece from at least a portion of at least one game playing surface, a position of the game related piece on the at least one game playing surface, or an orientation of the game related piece with respect to the at least one game playing surface.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein detecting at least one physical aspect of at least one game related piece when the game related piece is at least proximate the first game playing surface includes optical detecting the at least one physical aspect of the game related piece.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein detecting at least one physical aspect of at least one game related piece when the game related piece is at least proximate the first game playing surface includes optically reading a machine-readable symbol carried by the game related piece.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein detecting at least one physical aspect of at least one game related piece when the game related piece is at least proximate the first game playing surface includes inductively or magnetically detecting the at least one physical aspect of the game related piece.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein detecting at least one physical aspect of at least one game related piece when the game related piece is at least proximate the first game playing surface includes wirelessly interrogating at least one of a radio frequency identification transponder or a resonant circuit carried by the game related piece.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein detecting at least one physical aspect of at least one game related piece when the game related piece is at least proximate the first game playing surface includes detecting the physical aspect of at least one of a playing card, a chip, a marker, a multisided die, a tile, a token, or a spinner.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying images of a number of participant selectable icons; and

providing signals indicative of selected ones of the participant selectable icons in response to detection of participant selection of the participant selectable icons.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein displaying images related to one or more games include displaying a first virtual game layout with a first set of demarcations during a first period and displaying a second virtual game layout with a second set of demarcations during a second period, the second set of demarcations different from the first set of demarcations.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein displaying images related to one or more games includes displaying a first virtual game layout with a set of blackjack demarcations during a first period and displaying a second virtual game layout with a set of poker demarcations during a second period.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein displaying images related to one or more games includes displaying a first virtual game layout with a set of demarcations of a first board game during a first period and displaying a second virtual game layout with a set of demarcations of a second board game during a second period.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying images of a menu including icons representing a number of items that may be ordered; and

detecting participant selections of the icons indicative of a participant request for the item represented by the selected one of the icons.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying images indicative of participant account information for at least one participant in the at least one game.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying images indicative of at least one characteristic of the game related piece.

18. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a value indicative of a net worth of a patron based at least in part on information received from a sensor subsystem that is indicative of the at least one physical aspect of the game related piece sensed by a sensor subsystem.

19. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying instructive information regarding the at least one game.

20. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying video information regarding the at least one game.

21. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying the virtual game layout at a different orientation than previously displayed between portions of the games.

22. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

updating a display of information in response to a movement of a physical game related piece between at least two game playing surfaces.

23. A method of controlling a game playing system, comprising:

displaying images related to one or more games to be played on at least a first game playing surface, the images including a virtual game layout including a number of demarcations of at least one area associated with the play of the games;

detecting at least one physical aspect of at least one game related piece when the game related piece is at least proximate the first game playing surface;

controlling the images displayed based at least in part on information indicative of the sensed at least one physical aspect of the at least one game related piece; and

reading at least one of participant identification media or financial media located proximate at least one game playing surface of the game playing system.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

optically reading at least one machine-readable symbol from at least one of participant identification media or financial media located on at least one game playing surface of the game playing system.

25. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

wirelessly reading information from at least one memory of at least one of participant identification media or financial media located at least proximate at least one game playing surface of the game playing system.

26. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

reading information from at least one of a loyalty program card, a credit card, a debit card, or a prepaid card located proximate at least one game playing surface of the game playing system.

27. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

electronically transferring funds between a financial institution and a participant account based at least in part on information read from at least one of a loyalty program card, a credit card, a debit card, or a prepaid card.

28. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

detecting a number of spots on a face of at least one die.

29. The method of claim 23 further comprising:

detecting a machine-readable symbol on a face of at least one die.

30. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

reading information from a radio frequency identification transponder carried by at least one die.

31. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

receiving information indicative of respective game related pieces associated with each of at least two different participants at a single game playing surface playing a single game.

32. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

receiving information indicative of respective game related pieces associated with each of at least two different participants at a respective game playing surfaces playing a single game.

33. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

receiving information indicative of respective game related pieces associated with each of at least two different participants at a respective game playing surfaces playing in respective games.

34. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

detecting chips within a back betting area associated with a primary participant playing a game.

35. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

detecting chips within a demarcated back betting area associated with a primary participant playing a game.

36. A method of controlling a game playing system, comprising:

displaying images related to one or more games to be played on at least a first game playing surface, the images including a virtual game layout including a number of demarcations of at least one area associated with the play of the games;

detecting at least one physical aspect of at least one game related piece when the game related piece is at least proximate the first game playing surface;

controlling the images displayed based at least in part on information indicative of the sensed at least one physical aspect of the at least one game related piece;

randomly generating a value; and

displaying an image of an indicator that is indicative of the randomly generated value.

37. The method of claim 36 wherein displaying an image of an indicator that is indicative of the randomly generated value includes displaying an image of at least one of a portion of a spinner, a die, a roulette wheel, a playing card, or a bonus card.

38. The method of claim 36 wherein displaying an image of an indicator that is indicative of the randomly generated value includes displaying an image of at least one virtual playing card that is combinable with at least one physical playing card to form a winning combination.

39. The method of claim 36 wherein displaying an image of an indicator that is indicative of the randomly generated value includes displaying an image of at least one of a bonus, a progressive jackpot, or a promotional reward.

40. A method of controlling a game playing system, comprising:

displaying images related to one or more games to be played on at least a first game playing surface, the images including a virtual game layout including a number of demarcations of at least one area associated with the play of the games;

detecting at least one physical aspect of at least one game related piece when the game related piece is at least proximate the first game playing surface;

controlling the images displayed based at least in part on information indicative of the sensed at least one physical aspect of the at least one game related piece; and

displaying an image of an indicator that is indicative of a virtual bonus game.

41. The method of claim 40 wherein displaying the image of the indicator that is indicative of the virtual bonus game is based on an occurrence of an event.

42. The method of claim 40 wherein displaying the image of the indicator that is indicative of the virtual bonus game is based on an occurrence of an appearance of a defined physical card or a combination of physical cards.

43. A method of controlling a game playing system, comprising:

displaying images related to one or more games to be played on at least a first game playing surface, the images including a virtual game layout including a number of demarcations of at least one area associated with the play of the games;

detecting at least one physical aspect of at least one game related piece when the game related piece is at least proximate the first game playing surface;

controlling the images displayed based at least in part on information indicative of the sensed at least one physical aspect of the at least one game related piece; and

displaying representations of virtual chips, virtual playing cards, or virtual dice.

44. The method of claim 43, further comprising:

displaying information that is indicative of a previous location of the at least one game related piece.

45. The method of claim 43, further comprising:

displaying information that is indicative of a current location of the at least one game related piece.

46. The method of claim 43, further comprising:

displaying information that is indicative of a next location of the at least one game related piece.

47. The method of claim 43, further comprising:

visually emphasize an area surrounding a physical playing card on a game playing surface.

48. The method of claim 43, further comprising:

visually emphasizing an area surrounding at least one of a virtual playing card or a physical playing card on a game playing surface that form part of a bonus combination.

49. The method of claim 43, further comprising:

visually emphasizing an area surrounding each of a number of dice on a game playing surface.

50. The method of claim 43, further comprising:

displaying at least a virtual pair of dice with same pattern as a physical pair of dice that have been rolled.

51. The method of claim 43, further comprising:

displaying information indicative of a history of previous rolls of dice.

52. The method of claim 43, further comprising:

displaying information indicative of a history of previous rolls of dice; and

detecting selections by participants of an outcome of a future roll of dice.