Gaming system having a display/input device configured to interactively operate with external device

• US 8,439,756 B2
• Filed: 11/07/2008
• Issued: 05/14/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Baerlocher, Anthony J., Campbell, Kimberly M., Champagne, Christiaan R., Davis, Dwayne A., Elias, Hans, Ennis, Damien C., Khamis, Michael P., Myers, David N., Palmer, David M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Suhol, Dmitry
• Assistant Examiner(s): LARSEN, CARL VICTOR
• Application Number:
  US12/267,120
• Publication Number:
  US 20090197676A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,649 Days
• Field of Search: 463/37
• US Class Current: 463/37
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3202 Hardware aspects of a gaming system, e.g. components, construction, architecture thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3211 Display means
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/322 Casino tables, e.g. tables having integrated screens, chip detection means
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3239 Tracking of individual players
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3276 wherein the players compete, e.g. tournament
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/34 depending on the stopping of moving members in a mechanical slot machine, e.g. "fruit" machines

Abstract

A game table having a multiplayer interactive display/input device which enables multiple players to play primary or base wagering games and/or secondary or bonus games using the display/input device. The display/input device enables multiple players to simultaneously interact with the game table and the various games using the same display/input device. In various embodiments, the game table operates with one or more separate physical input devices, each having one or a plurality of the encoded patterns and each being sized and configured to be placed on top of the game table. The separate physical input devices enable the player to interact with the display/input device.

Claims

1. A gaming system comprising:

a game table having a single multiplayer display/input device; and

at least one processor configured to operate with the single multiplayer display/input device to;

(a) enable each of a plurality of players to simultaneously make inputs for a play of a primary wagering game using the single multiplayer display/input device, said inputs include wagers on the play of the primary wagering game, and

(b) for the play of the primary wagering game;

(i) cause the single multiplayer display/input device to display a plurality of randomly determined primary wagering game symbols, and (ii) after the display of the plurality of randomly determined primary wagering game symbols, cause the single multiplayer display/input device to receive a selection of at least one of said displayed randomly determined primary wagering game symbols from a separate physical input device configured to interact with the single multiplayer display/input device, said separate physical input device having a housing, a mechanical actuator supported by the housing, and a passive encoded pattern positioned on a bottom portion of the mechanical actuator, wherein the single multiplayer display/input device is configured to identify the passive encoded pattern and said mechanical actuator is moveable by at least one of the plurality of players.

2. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the separate physical input device includes a plurality of different passive encoded patterns, and the single multiplayer display/input device is configured to identify each of the passive encoded patterns.

3. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the single multiplayer display/input device is configured to identify the passive encoded pattern to determine a position of the separate physical input device on the game table.

4. The gaming system of claim 3, wherein the at least one processor is configured to operate with the single multiplayer display/input device to display at least a part of the play of the primary game based on the position of the separate physical input device on the game table.

5. The gaming system of claim 3, wherein the at least one processor is configured to operate with the single multiplayer display/input device to display at least a part of the play of the primary game under the separate physical input device on the game table based on the position of the separate physical input device on the game table.

6. The gaming system of claim 3, wherein the at least one processor is configured to operate with the single multiplayer display/input device to display at least a part of the play of the primary game adjacent to the separate physical input device on the game table based on the position of the separate physical input device on the game table.

7. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is configured to operate with the single multiplayer display/input device to display an outcome of the play of the wagering game after identifying movement of the mechanical actuator.

8. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the single multiplayer display/input device is configured to identify movement of the mechanical actuator by identifying a shadow cast by the mechanical actuator.

9. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the separate physical input device includes a plurality of mechanical actuators and the single multiplayer display/input device is configured to identify movement of each of the mechanical actuators.

10. The gaming system of claim 9, wherein the at least one processor is configured to operate with the single multiplayer display/input device to select and display one of a plurality of different outcomes for the play of the primary wagering game based on an identification which of the plurality of mechanical actuators was moved by one of the players.

11. A gaming system comprising:

a game table having a single multiplayer display/input device; and

at least one processor configured to operate with the single multiplayer display/input device to;

(a) enable each of a plurality of players to simultaneously make inputs for a play of a primary wagering game using the single multiplayer display/input device, said inputs include wagers on the play of the primary wagering game, and

(b) for a play of a secondary game;

(i) cause the single multiplayer display/input device to display a plurality of secondary game symbols, said displayed secondary game symbols have a plurality of different awards associated with said symbols, (ii) after the display of the plurality of secondary game symbols, cause the single multiplayer display/input device to receive a selection of at least one of said displayed secondary game symbols from a separate physical input device configured to interact with the single multiplayer display/input device, said separate physical input device having a housing, a mechanical actuator supported by the housing, and a passive encoded pattern positioned on a bottom portion of the mechanical actuator, wherein the single multiplayer display/input device is configured to identify the passive encoded pattern to determine a position of the separate physical input device on the game table and said mechanical actuator is moveable by at least one of the plurality of players, and (iii) cause the single multiplayer display/input device to display at least a part of the play of the secondary game under the separate physical input device on the game table based on the position of the separate physical input device on the game table.

12. The gaming system of claim 11, wherein the separate physical input device includes a plurality of different passive encoded patterns, and the single multiplayer display/input device is configured to identify each of the passive encoded patterns.

13. The gaming system of claim 11, wherein the at least one processor is configured to operate with the single multiplayer display/input device to display at least a part of the play of the secondary game adjacent to the separate physical input device on the game table based on the position of the separate physical input device on the game table.

14. The gaming system of claim 11, wherein the at least one processor is configured to operate with the single multiplayer display/input device to display an outcome of the play of the secondary game after identifying movement of the mechanical actuator.

15. The gaming system of claim 11, wherein the single multiplayer display/input device is configured to identify movement of the mechanical actuator by identifying a shadow cast by the mechanical actuator.

16. The gaming system of claim 11, wherein the separate physical input device includes a plurality of mechanical actuators and the single multiplayer display/input device is configured to identify movement of each of the mechanical actuators.

17. The gaming system of claim 16, wherein the at least one processor is configured to operate with the single multiplayer display/input device to select and display one of a plurality of different outcomes for the play of the secondary game based on an identification which of the plurality of mechanical actuators was moved by one of the players.

18. A gaming system comprising:

a game table having a single multiplayer display/input device; and

at least one processor configured to operate with the single multiplayer display/input device to enable at least one of the plurality of players to;

(a) simultaneously enable each a plurality of players to simultaneously make inputs for separate plays of primary wagering games using the single multiplayer display/input device, said inputs including wagers on the plays of the separate primary wagering games, and

(b) for a play of a common secondary game;

(i) cause the single multiplayer display/input device to display a plurality of secondary game symbols, said displayed secondary game symbols have a plurality of different awards associated with said symbols, (ii) after the display of the plurality of secondary game symbols, cause the single multiplayer display/input device to receive a selection of at least one of said displayed secondary game symbols from a separate physical input device configured to interact with the single multiplayer display/input device, said separate physical input device having a housing, a mechanical actuator supported by the housing, and a passive encoded pattern positioned on a bottom portion of the mechanical actuator, wherein the single multiplayer display/input device is configured to identify the passive encoded pattern to determine a position of the separate physical input device on the game table and said mechanical actuator is moveable by at least one of the plurality of players, and (iii) cause the single multiplayer display/input device to display part of the play of the secondary game under the separate physical input device on the game table based on the position of the separate physical input device on the game table.

19. The gaming system of claim 18, wherein the separate physical input device includes a plurality of different passive encoded patterns, and the single multiplayer display/input device is configured to identify each of the passive encoded patterns.

20. The gaming system of claim 18, wherein the at least one processor is configured to operate with the multiplayer display/input device to display at least a part of the play of the secondary game based on the position of the separate physical input device on the game table.

21. The gaming system of claim 18, wherein the at least one processor is configured to operate with the single multiplayer display/input device to display part of the play of the secondary game adjacent to the separate physical input device on the game table based on the position of the separate physical input device on the game table.

22. The gaming system of claim 18, wherein the at least one processor is configured to operate with the single multiplayer display/input device to display an outcome of the play of the secondary game after identifying movement of the mechanical actuator.

23. The gaming system of claim 18, wherein the single multiplayer display/input device is configured to identify movement of the mechanical actuator by identifying a shadow cast by the mechanical actuator.

24. The gaming system of claim 18, wherein the separate physical input device includes a plurality of mechanical actuators, wherein the single multiplayer display/input device is configured to identify movement of each of the mechanical actuators.

25. The gaming system of claim 24, wherein the single multiplayer display/input device is configured to, for each mechanical actuator, identify movement of said mechanical actuator by identifying a shadow cast by said mechanical actuator.

26. The gaming system of claim 24, wherein the at least one processor is configured to operate with the single multiplayer display/input device to select and display one of a plurality of different outcomes for the play of the secondary game based on an identification which of the plurality of mechanical actuator was moved by one of the players.

27. A gaming system comprising:

a game table having a single multiplayer display/input device; and

at least one processor configured to operate with the single multiplayer display/input device to;

(a) enable each of a plurality of players to simultaneously make inputs for a play of a primary wagering game using the single multiplayer display/input device, said inputs include wagers on the play of the primary wagering game, and

(b) for a play of a secondary game;

(i) cause the single multiplayer display/input device to display a plurality of secondary game symbols, said displayed secondary game symbols have a plurality of different awards associated with said symbols, (ii) after the display of the plurality of secondary game symbols, cause the single multiplayer display/input device to receive a selection of at least one of said displayed secondary game symbols from a separate physical input device configured to interact with the single multiplayer display/input device, said separate physical input device having a housing, a mechanical actuator supported by the housing, and a passive encoded pattern positioned on a bottom portion of the mechanical actuator, wherein the single multiplayer display/input device is configured to identify the passive encoded pattern to determine a position of the separate physical input device on the game table and said mechanical actuator is moveable by at least one of the plurality of players, and (iii) cause the single multiplayer display/input device to display to display at least a part of the play of the secondary game adjacent to the separate physical input device on the game table based on the position of the separate physical input device on the game table.

28. The gaming system of claim 27, wherein the separate physical input device includes a plurality of different passive encoded patterns, and the single multiplayer display/input device is configured to identify each of the passive encoded patterns.

29. The gaming system of claim 27, wherein the at least one processor is configured to operate with the single multiplayer display/input device to display an outcome of the play of the secondary game after identifying movement of the mechanical actuator.

30. The gaming system of claim 27, wherein the single multiplayer display/input device is configured to identify movement of the mechanical actuator by identifying a shadow cast by the mechanical actuator.

31. The gaming system of claim 27, wherein the separate physical input device includes a plurality of mechanical actuators and the single multiplayer display/input device is configured to identify movement of each of the mechanical actuators.

32. The gaming system of claim 27, wherein the at least one processor is configured to operate with the single multiplayer display/input device to select and display one of a plurality of different outcomes for the play of the secondary game based on an identification which of a plurality of mechanical actuators was moved by one of the players.

33. A gaming system comprising:

a game table having a single multiplayer display/input device; and

at least one processor configured to operate with the single multiplayer display/input device to;

(a) enable each of a plurality of players to simultaneously make inputs for a play of a primary wagering game using the single multiplayer display/input device, said inputs include wagers on the play of the primary wagering game, and

(b) for a play of a secondary game;

(i) cause the single multiplayer display/input device to display a plurality of secondary game symbols, said displayed secondary game symbols have a plurality of different awards associated with said symbols, (ii) after the display of the plurality of secondary game symbols, cause the single multiplayer display/input device to receive a selection of at least one of said displayed secondary game symbols from a separate physical input device configured to interact with the single multiplayer display/input device, said separate physical input device having a housing, a mechanical actuator supported by the housing, and a passive encoded pattern positioned on a bottom portion of the mechanical actuator, wherein the single multiplayer display/input device is configured to identify the passive encoded pattern and said mechanical actuator is moveable by at least one of the plurality of players, and (iii) wherein the single multiplayer display/input device is configured to identify movement of the mechanical actuator by identifying a shadow cast by the mechanical actuator.

34. The gaming system of claim 33, wherein the separate physical input device includes a plurality of different passive encoded patterns, and the single multiplayer display/input device is configured to identify each of the passive encoded patterns.

35. The gaming system of claim 33, wherein the single multiplayer display/input device is configured to identify the passive encoded pattern to determine a position of the separate physical input device on the game table.

36. The gaming system of claim 35, wherein the at least one processor is configured to operate with the single multiplayer display/input device to display at least a part of the play of the secondary game based on the position of the separate physical input device on the game table.

37. The gaming system of claim 35, wherein the at least one processor is configured to operate with the single multiplayer display/input device to display at least a part of the play of the secondary game under the separate physical input device on the game table based on the position of the separate physical input device on the game table.

38. The gaming system of claim 35, wherein the at least one processor is configured to operate with the single multiplayer display/input device to display at least a part of the play of the secondary game adjacent to the separate physical input device on the game table based on the position of the separate physical input device on the game table.

39. The gaming system of claim 33, wherein the at least one processor is configured to operate with the single multiplayer display/input device to display an outcome of the play of the secondary game after identifying movement of the mechanical actuator.

40. The gaming system of claim 33, wherein the separate physical input device includes a plurality of mechanical actuators and the single multiplayer display/input device is configured to identify movement of each of the mechanical actuators.

41. The gaming system of claim 40, wherein the at least one processor is configured to operate with the single multiplayer display/input device to select and display one of a plurality of different outcomes for the play of the secondary game based on an identification which of the plurality of mechanical actuators was moved by one of the players.

42. A gaming system comprising:

a game table having a single multiplayer display/input device; and

at least one processor configured to operate with the single multiplayer display/input device to;

(a) enable each of a plurality of players to simultaneously make inputs for a play of a primary wagering game using the single multiplayer display/input device, said inputs include wagers on the play of the primary wagering game, and

(b) for a play of a secondary game;

(i) cause the single multiplayer display/input device to display a plurality of secondary game symbols, said displayed secondary game symbols have a plurality of different awards associated with said symbols, and (ii) after the display of the plurality of secondary game symbols, cause the single multiplayer display/input device to receive a selection of at least one of said displayed secondary game symbols from a separate physical input device configured to interact with the single multiplayer display/input device, said separate physical input device having a housing, a plurality of mechanical actuators supported by the housing, and a plurality of passive encoded patterns respectively positioned on a bottom portion of each of the mechanical actuators, wherein the single multiplayer display/input device is configured to identify the passive encoded patterns and said mechanical actuators are moveable by at least one of the plurality of players, wherein the single multiplayer display/input device is configured to identify movement of each of the mechanical actuators.

43. The gaming system of claim 42, wherein the at least one processor is configured to operate with the single multiplayer display/input device to display at least a part of the play of the secondary game based on the position of the separate physical input device on the game table.

44. The gaming system of claim 42, wherein the at least one processor is configured to operate with the single multiplayer display/input device to display at least a part of the play of the secondary game under the separate physical input device on the game table based on the position of the separate physical input device on the game table.

45. The gaming system of claim 42, wherein the at least one processor is configured to operate with the single multiplayer display/input device to display at least a part of the play of the secondary game adjacent to the separate physical input device on the game table based on the position of the separate physical input device on the game table.

46. The gaming system of claim 42, wherein the at least one processor is configured to operate with the single multiplayer display/input device to display an outcome of the play of the secondary game after identifying movement of the mechanical actuators.

47. The gaming system of claim 42, wherein the at least one processor is configured to operate with the single multiplayer display/input device to select and display one of a plurality of different outcomes for the play of the secondary game based on an identification which of the plurality of mechanical actuators was moved by one of the players.

48. A gaming system comprising:

a game table having a single multiplayer display/input device; and

at least one processor configured to operate with the single multiplayer display/input device to enable at least one of the plurality of players to;

(a) simultaneously enable each a plurality of players to simultaneously make inputs for separate plays of primary wagering games using the single multiplayer display/input device, said inputs including wagers on the plays of the separate primary wagering games, and

(b) for a play of a common secondary game;

(i) cause the single multiplayer display/input device to display a plurality of secondary game symbols, said displayed secondary game symbols have a plurality of different awards associated with said symbols, (ii) after the display of the plurality of secondary game symbols, cause the single multiplayer display/input device to receive a selection of at least one of said displayed secondary game symbols from a separate physical input device configured to interact with the single multiplayer display/input device, said separate physical input device having a housing, a mechanical actuator supported by the housing, and a passive encoded pattern positioned on a bottom portion of the mechanical actuator, wherein the single multiplayer display/input device is configured to identify the passive encoded pattern to determine a position of the separate physical input device on the game table and said mechanical actuator is moveable by at least one of the plurality of players, and (iii) cause the single multiplayer display/input device to display part of the play of the secondary game adjacent to the separate physical input device on the game table based on the position of the separate physical input device on the game table.

49. The gaming system of claim 48, wherein the separate physical input device includes a plurality of different passive encoded patterns, and the single multiplayer display/input device is configured to identify each of the passive encoded patterns.

50. The gaming system of claim 48, wherein the at least one processor is configured to operate with the single multiplayer display/input device to display an outcome of the play of the secondary game after identifying movement of the mechanical actuator.

51. The gaming system of claim 48, wherein the single multiplayer display/input device is configured to identify movement of the mechanical actuator by identifying a shadow cast by the mechanical actuator.

52. The gaming system of claim 48, wherein the separate physical input device includes a plurality of mechanical actuators, wherein the single multiplayer display/input device is configured to identify movement of each of the mechanical actuators.

53. The gaming system of claim 52, wherein the single multiplayer display/input device is configured to, for each mechanical actuator, identify movement of said mechanical actuator by identifying a shadow cast by said mechanical actuator.

54. The gaming system of claim 48, wherein the at least one processor is configured to operate with the single multiplayer display/input device to select and display one of a plurality of different outcomes for the play of the secondary game based on an identification which of the plurality of mechanical actuator was moved by one of the players.

55. A gaming system comprising:

a game table having a single multiplayer display/input device; and

at least one processor configured to operate with the single multiplayer display/input device to enable at least one of the plurality of players to

(a) simultaneously enable each a plurality of players to simultaneously make inputs for separate plays of primary wagering games using the single multiplayer display/input device, said inputs including wagers on the plays of the separate primary wagering games, and

(b) for a play of a common secondary game;

(i) cause the single multiplayer display/input device to display a plurality of secondary game symbols, said displayed secondary game symbols have a plurality of different awards associated with said symbols, and (ii) after the display of the plurality of secondary game symbols, cause the single multiplayer display/input device to receive a selection of at least one of said displayed secondary game symbols from a separate physical input device configured to interact with the single multiplayer display/input device, said separate physical input device having a housing, a mechanical actuator supported by the housing, and a passive encoded pattern positioned on a bottom portion of the mechanical actuator, wherein the single multiplayer display/input device is configured to identify the passive encoded pattern and said mechanical actuator is moveable by at least one of the plurality of players, wherein the single multiplayer display/input device is configured to identify movement of the mechanical actuator by identifying a shadow cast by the mechanical actuator.

56. The gaming system of claim 55, wherein the at least one processor is configured to operate with the multiplayer display/input device to display at least a part of the play of the secondary game based on the position of the separate physical input device on the game table.

57. The gaming system of claim 55, wherein the at least one processor is configured to operate with the single multiplayer display/input device to display an outcome of the play of the secondary game after identifying movement of the mechanical actuator.

58. A gaming system comprising:

a game table having a single multiplayer display/input device; and

at least one processor configured to operate with the single multiplayer display/input device to enable at least one of the plurality of players to

(a) simultaneously enable each a plurality of players to simultaneously make inputs for separate plays of primary wagering games using the single multiplayer display/input device, said inputs including wagers on the plays of the separate primary wagering games, and

(b) for a play of a common secondary game;

(i) cause the single multiplayer display/input device to display a plurality of secondary game symbols, said displayed secondary game symbols have a plurality of different awards associated with said symbols, and (ii) after the display of the plurality of secondary game symbols, cause the single multiplayer display/input device to receive a selection of at least one of said displayed secondary game symbols from a separate physical input device configured to interact with the single multiplayer display/input device, said separate physical input device having a housing, a plurality of mechanical actuators supported by the housing, and a plurality of passive encoded patterns respectively positioned on a bottom portion of each of the mechanical actuator, wherein the single multiplayer display/input device is configured to identify the passive encoded patterns and movement of each of the mechanical actuators, wherein said mechanical actuators are moveable by at least one of the plurality of players.

59. The gaming system of claim 58, wherein the at least one processor is configured to operate with the multiplayer display/input device to display at least a part of the play of the secondary game based on the position of the separate physical input device on the game table.

60. The gaming system of claim 58, wherein the at least one processor is configured to operate with the single multiplayer display/input device to display part of the play of the secondary game under the separate physical input device on the game table based on the position of the separate physical input device on the game table.

61. The gaming system of claim 58, wherein the at least one processor is configured to operate with the single multiplayer display/input device to display part of the play of the secondary game adjacent to the separate physical input device on the game table based on the position of the separate physical input device on the game table.

62. The gaming system of claim 58, wherein the at least one processor is configured to operate with the single multiplayer display/input device to display an outcome of the play of the secondary game after identifying movement of the mechanical actuators.

63. The gaming system of claim 58, wherein the at least one processor is configured to operate with the single multiplayer display/input device to select and display one of a plurality of different outcomes for the play of the secondary game based on an identification which of the plurality of mechanical actuator was moved by one of the players.