Computer gaming device with playing pieces

• US 5,791,988 A
• Filed: 07/22/1996
• Issued: 08/11/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Shigehiko Nomi
• Original Assignee: Shigehiko Nomi
• Inventors: Nomi, Shigehiko
• Primary Examiner(s): MANUEL, GEORGE C
• Application Number:
  US08/681,185
• Time in Patent Office: 750 Days
• Field of Search: 463/10, 463/11, 463/12, 463/13, 463/14, 463/15, 463/25, 273/237
• US Class Current: 463/11
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 1/02 Cards; Special shapes of cards card-printing methods B41K, B41M
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2413 Magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/242 Bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2425 Scanners, e.g. for scanning regular characters
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2433 Voice-actuated
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/00157 Casino or betting games horse races A63F3/00082
• 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 9/0402 Rolling boards
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/0413 Cuboid dice

Abstract

A computer gaming device utilizing physical gaming pieces. The gaming device allows for play by a human player against one or more computer players. In one embodiment, the human player alone holds physical gaming pieces. In another embodiment, both computer players and human players hold physical gaming pieces. In one preferred embodiment, the gaming pieces include machine readable playing cards. The gaming device provides the familiar, physical experience of holding gaming pieces while playing against a computer opponent.

Claims

1. A computer gaming device for use by at least one human using machine readable physical gaming pieces comprising:

a computer;

information input means;

gaming piece reading means;

information output means;

a game program running a game on said computer, said game utilizing said machine readable physical gaming pieces; and

at least one computerized player, where said computerized player is controlled by said game program and is a participant in said game program.

2. A computer gaming device as recited in claim 1 further comprising a gaming piece output means for transferring gaming piece custody to said human players.

3. A computer gaming device as recited in claim 2 further comprising a gaming piece input means for accepting gaming piece custody from said human players.

4. A computer gaming device as recited in claim 1 wherein said gaming pieces are playing cards and said game program is a card game.

5. A computer gaming device as recited in claim 4 further comprising a playing card output means for transferring playing card custody to said human players.

6. A computer gaming device as recited in claim 5 further comprising:

a credit input means for accepting credits from said human players; and

a credit output means for disbursing credits to said human players.

7. A computer gaming device as recited in claim 6 further comprising:

a playing card input means for accepting custody of said playing cards deposited by said human players.

8. A computer gaming device as recited in claim 1 wherein said gaming pieces are dice.

9. A computer gaming device as recited in claim 8 further comprising computer controlled dice shaking means.

10. A computer gaming device as recited in claim 8 further comprising a dice output means for transferring dice custody to said human players.

11. A computer gaming device as recited in claim 10 further comprising a dice input means for accepting custody of dice from said human players.

12. A computer gaming device as recited in claim 8 further comprising:

a credit input means for accepting credits from said human players; and

a credit output means for disbursing credits to said human players.

13. A computer gaming device as recited in claim 1 further comprising:

a means for preventing said human player from physically touching said gaming pieces while allowing said human player to view said gaming pieces; and

a gaming piece play selection means informationally coupled to said information input means, wherein said gaming piece play selection means selects from among said viewable, untouchable gaming pieces for at least one piece to play.

14. A computer gaming piece device as recited in claim 13 wherein said touch prevention means is comprised of a transparent material selected from the group consisting of transparent glass and transparent polymer.