GAME RELATED SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND ARTICLES THAT COMBINE VIRTUAL AND PHYSICAL ELEMENTS
First Claim
1. A hybrid wagering game apparatus, comprising:
- a playing surface;
one or more physical elements selectively positionable on the playing surface, the one or more physical elements including at least one physical game piece having a respective monetary value associated therewith, the at least one physical game piece having a bottom side that is placed on the playing surface during game play and having the respective monetary value optically coded on the bottom side;
one or more virtual elements comprising one or more virtual game pieces displayable on at least a portion of the playing surface;
at least one processor;
at least one sensor positioned below the playing surface to detect at least a placement and the optically coded respective monetary value of the at least one physical game piece having the respective monetary value associated therewith as an award paid to a player as a result of a game outcome;
wherein the at least one sensor is communicably coupled to the at least one processor to provide information indicative of the placement of the award to the at least one processor; and
wherein the at least one processor is configured to compare the award against a known paytable for the game to ensure that the award was correct.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed are physical objects which may be employed with a virtual game layout to enhance wager and non-wagered based gaming. Display 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 ordering food, beverages and services. Automated tracking of players, dealers and games may be realized along with bonusing and promotions.
29 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A hybrid wagering game apparatus, comprising:
-
a playing surface; one or more physical elements selectively positionable on the playing surface, the one or more physical elements including at least one physical game piece having a respective monetary value associated therewith, the at least one physical game piece having a bottom side that is placed on the playing surface during game play and having the respective monetary value optically coded on the bottom side; one or more virtual elements comprising one or more virtual game pieces displayable on at least a portion of the playing surface; at least one processor; at least one sensor positioned below the playing surface to detect at least a placement and the optically coded respective monetary value of the at least one physical game piece having the respective monetary value associated therewith as an award paid to a player as a result of a game outcome; wherein the at least one sensor is communicably coupled to the at least one processor to provide information indicative of the placement of the award to the at least one processor; and wherein the at least one processor is configured to compare the award against a known paytable for the game to ensure that the award was correct. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A method of operating a hybrid wagering game apparatus, comprising the steps of:
-
displaying images related to one or more games to be played on a 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, the images including a plurality of virtual game pieces; detecting by at least one sensor, positioned below the playing surface, at least one physical aspect of and an optically coded respective monetary value associated with at least one physical game piece when the physical game piece is placed on the first game playing surface as an award paid to a player as a result of a game outcome; communicating from the at least one sensor to the at least one processor information indicative of the placement and monetary value of the award; and comparing the monetary value of the award against a known paytable for the game to ensure that the award was correct. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification