Casino games

• US 8,485,893 B2
• Filed: 03/06/2012
• Issued: 07/16/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alphard SPRL
• Original Assignee: Think Tek Incorporated
• Inventors: Rowe, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Elisca, Pierre E
• Application Number:
  US13/413,547
• Publication Number:
  US 20120165091A1
• Time in Patent Office: 497 Days
• Field of Search: 463/25, 463/9, 463/37
• US Class Current: 463/25
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3272 Games involving multiple players
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3293 Card games, e.g. poker, canasta, black jack

Abstract

Apparatus and methods related to multi-player casino games are described. An electronic gaming device is provided that allows a live player to compete against a virtual player in a multi-player wager-based game. The electronic gaming device can comprise a multi-player game engine that does not distinguish between virtual players and live players. The electronic gaming device can be configured to simulate the decision making of a virtual player and associated behaviors of the virtual player during game play. In some instances, the simulated behaviors of the virtual player output at the electronic gaming device can be learned by a live player so that the live player can make better or more advantageous game play decisions. The simulated behaviors of the virtual player can be conveyed to the live player via visual images, such as simulated facial expressions of the virtual player.

Claims

1. A non-transitory computer readable medium for storing a computer program used by a computer, the computer program executed by the computer to generate a game including betting, the computer readable medium comprising:

computer code for generating the game wherein the game is played between at least one live player and at least one virtual player;

computer code for receiving one or more bets from the live player related to a play of the game;

computer code for determining one or more bets from the virtual player related to the play of the game;

computer code for determining behavioral information associated with the virtual player wherein the behavioral information is conveyed to the live player via a virtual character associated with the virtual player;

computer code for outputting the behavioral information via an output mechanism wherein the behavioral information when correctly interpreted by the live player increases a live player'"'"'s chance of winning the game played against the virtual player; and

computer code for determining a winner of the game wherein the live player receives an award for winning the game.

2. The computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein the computer is a portable hand-held device.

3. The computer readable medium of claim 1, further comprising computer code for establishing communications with a remote device configured to receive inputs from the live player associated with the live player'"'"'s play of the game.

4. The computer readable medium of claim 3, wherein the remote device is a hand-held electronic device.

5. The computer readable medium of claim 3, wherein the remote device is a remote server.

6. The computer readable medium of claim 3, further comprising computer code for receiving the inputs from the live player via the remote device.

7. The computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein the award is all or a portion of the one or more bets determined for the virtual player.

8. The computer readable medium of claim 1, further comprising computer code for rendering an animation of the behavioral information of the virtual player.

9. The computer readable medium of claim 8, wherein the animation is an animation of the player'"'"'s face.

10. The computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein the award is cash or an indicia of credit redeemable for cash.

11. The computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein a version of the game is for play in a casino.

12. The computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein the game includes a plurality of virtual players.

13. The computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein the game includes a plurality of live players.

14. The computer readable medium of claim 1, further comprising computer code for determining one or more decisions for the virtual player related to the play of the game.

15. The computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein the behavioral information is selected to reveal information related to one of a current game position of the virtual player, a decision made by the virtual player, a decision to be made by the virtual player, a game strategy of the virtual player or combinations thereof.

16. The computer readable medium of claim 1 further comprising computer code for generating a visual presentation of the game.

17. The computer readable medium of claim 16 further comprising computer code for controlling output of the visual presentation to a display.

18. The computer readable medium of claim 1 wherein the game is a card game.

19. The computer readable medium of claim 1 wherein the computer is a gaming device including a display and an audio device for outputting the game.

20. The computer readable medium of claim 1 wherein a bet amount is received from the live player before a start of the game.

21. An electronic device configured to generate a game including betting, the electronic device comprising:

a controller, including a processor and a memory, the controller configured to

     1) generate the game wherein the game is played between at least one live player and at least one virtual player;

     2) receive one or more bets from the live player related to a play of the game;

     3) determine one or more bets from the virtual player related to the play of the game;

     4) determine behavioral information associated with the virtual player wherein the behavioral information is conveyed to the live player via a virtual character associated with the virtual player;

     5) outputting the behavioral information to an output mechanism wherein the behavioral information when correctly interpreted by the live player increases a live player'"'"'s chance of winning the game played against the virtual player; and

     6) to determine a winner of the game wherein the live player receives an award for winning the game.

22. The electronic device of claim 21, wherein the electronic device is a portable electronic device.

23. The electronic device of claim 21, wherein the output mechanism is a display.