Game related systems, methods, and articles that combine virtual and physical elements

• US 8,272,945 B2
• Filed: 11/09/2007
• Issued: 09/25/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LNW Gaming Incorporated (Light & Wonder Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Bally Gaming Incorporated (Light & Wonder Incorporated)
• Inventors: Kelly, Bryan M., Eichmann, Kenneth J., Ferrara, Paul J.
• Primary Examiner(s): DEODHAR, OMKAR A
• Application Number:
  US11/938,204
• Publication Number:
  US 20090117994A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,782 Days
• Field of Search: 463 16- 20, 463 25- 29
• US Class Current: 463/25
• 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 networked gaming system with backline wagering, comprising:

a wagering device operable by a first secondary player not participating in a hybrid wagering game to place a number of backline wagers on play of at least one primary participant who participates in the hybrid wagering game;

a hybrid wagering game system comprising at least one physical element manually manipulable by at least one primary participant in the hybrid wagering game as part of a hybrid wagering game and not manually manipulable by any nonparticipant secondary players as part of a hybrid wagering game, the at least one physical element being at least a first game piece without any associated monetary value with which the hybrid wagering game is played, at least one sensor operable to read identifying information from the at least one physical element received at a participant position during the hybrid wagering game, a display that selectively displays at least one virtual element during the hybrid wagering game, the virtual element being at least a second game piece with which the hybrid wagering game is played, wherein the play of the at least one primary participant is assessed based at least in part on values associated with at least the first and the second game pieces, and a processor configured to assess the identifying information read by the sensor and to assess the play of the at least one primary participant based at least in part on the values associated with at least the first and the second game pieces; and

a network connecting the wagering device with the hybrid wagering game, such that the hybrid wagering game is operable to receive a transmitted wager from the wagering device to place at least one of the backline wagers by the first secondary player on the play of at least one of the primary participants in the hybrid wagering game.

2. The networked gaming system of claim 1 wherein the hybrid wagering game includes a playing surface, and wherein the at least one physical element is physically positionable on the playing surface and the at least one virtual element is displayable at least one of on, by or under the playing surface.

3. The networked gaming system of claim 2 wherein the transmitted wager is virtually displayable on the playing surface.

4. The networked gaming system of claim 1 wherein the network comprises a wireless network.

5. The networked gaming system of claim 1 wherein the network comprises a local area network.

6. The networked gaming system of claim 1 wherein the network comprises a wide area network.

7. The networked gaming system of claim 1, wherein the virtual element is without any associated monetary value.

8. The networked gaming system of claim 2 wherein the wagering device is physically incorporated into and manipulable with a touch sensitive area on the playing surface.

9. A networked gaming system, comprising:

a wagering device operable by a first secondary player not participating in a hybrid wagering game to place a number of backline wagers on play of at least one primary participant who participates in the hybrid wagering game;

a hybrid wagering game system comprising at least one physical element manually manipulable by at least one of a dealer or a primary player who are primary participants in the hybrid wagering game as part of the hybrid wagering game and which is not manually manipulable by any nonparticipant secondary players as part of the hybrid wagering game, the at least one physical element being at least a first game piece without any associated monetary value with which the hybrid wagering game is played, at least one sensor responsive to at least one characteristic of the at least one physical element during the hybrid wagering game, a display that selectively displays at least one virtual element during the hybrid wagering game, the virtual element being at least a second game piece with which the hybrid wagering game is played, the virtual element being displayed simultaneously to all participants of the hybrid wagering game, wherein the play of the at least one primary participant is assessed based at least in part on values associated with at least the first and the second game pieces, and a processor configured to assess the play of the at least one primary participant based at least in part on the values associated with at least the first and the second game pieces; and

a network communicably coupling the wagering device with the hybrid wagering game;

the hybrid wagering game operable to receive a transmitted wager from the wagering device to place at least one of the backline wagers by the first secondary player on the play of at least one of the primary participants in the hybrid wagering game.

10. The networked gaming system of claim 9, further comprising:

a playing surface, wherein the at least one physical element is physically associable with the playing surface and the at least one virtual element is visually associable with the playing surface.

11. The networked gaming system of claim 10, wherein the transmitted wager is virtually displayable on the playing surface.

12. The networked gaming system of claim 9, wherein the network comprises a wireless network.

13. The networked gaming system of claim 9, wherein the network comprises a local area network.

14. The networked gaming system of claim 9, wherein the network comprises a wide area network.

15. The networked gaming system of claim 9, wherein the virtual element is without any associated monetary value.

16. The networked gaming system of claim 9 wherein the at least one sensor is configured to read identifying information from the at least one physical element received at a participant position during the hybrid wagering game, the processor further configured to assess the identifying information read by the sensor.

17. The networked gaming system of claim 10 wherein the playing surface includes the wagering device and is configured to receive input from and display output to the first secondary player at a touch responsive area on the playing surface.