Game related systems, methods, and articles that combine virtual and physical elements
First Claim
Patent Images
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 selectively displayed on the playing surface, the one or more virtual elements including at least one virtual game piece having a respective monetary value associated therewith;
at least one processor; and
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 one or more wagers at least when the at least one physical game piece having the respective monetary value associated therewith is placed as one or more wagers on the playing surface; and
to detect a placement of the at least one virtual game piece having the respective monetary value associated therewith as one or more wagers at least when the at least one virtual game piece having the respective monetary value associated therewith is placed as one or more wagers displayed on the playing surface;
the one or more wagers comprising one or more of the physical or virtual elements, the at least one sensor communicatably coupled to the at least one processor to provide information indicative of the placement of the one or more wagers to the at least one processor.
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Accused Products
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.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A hybrid wagering game apparatus, comprising:
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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 selectively displayed on the playing surface, the one or more virtual elements including at least one virtual game piece having a respective monetary value associated therewith; at least one processor; and 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 one or more wagers at least when the at least one physical game piece having the respective monetary value associated therewith is placed as one or more wagers on the playing surface; and
to detect a placement of the at least one virtual game piece having the respective monetary value associated therewith as one or more wagers at least when the at least one virtual game piece having the respective monetary value associated therewith is placed as one or more wagers displayed on the playing surface;
the one or more wagers comprising one or more of the physical or virtual elements, the at least one sensor communicatably coupled to the at least one processor to provide information indicative of the placement of the one or more wagers to the at least one processor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of operating a hybrid wagering game apparatus, comprising:
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displaying images related to one or more games to be played on at least a first 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 number of virtual game pieces including at least one virtual game related piece having a monetary value associated therewith; detecting by at least one sensor, positioned below the first game playing surface, at least one physical aspect of and a respective monetary value associated with at least one physical game related piece when the physical game related piece is carried on the first game playing surface and placed as a wager on the game playing surface, the physical game related piece having a bottom side for placement upon the first game playing surface and having the respective monetary value associated therewith optically coded on the bottom side; and detecting by the at least one sensor an interaction by an individual with the at least one virtual game related piece having the respective monetary value associated therewith at least when the at least one virtual game related piece having the respective monetary value is placed as the wager on the game playing surface. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification