Intelligent casino gaming table and systems thereof

• US 20080076506A1
• Filed: 09/01/2006
• Published: 03/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Gum, Kevin, Nguyen, Binh, Griswold, Chauncey
• Granted Patent: US 8,333,652 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/16
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3218 wherein at least part of the system is portable
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/322 Casino tables, e.g. tables having integrated screens, chip detection means

Abstract

A technique is disclosed for facilitating play of a casino table game at a casino gaming table system which includes a casino gaming table and at least one handheld device. At least a portion of operations or activities relating to the casino game may be performed at a first handheld device. Examples of such operations may include electronically dealing a first card to a first player via the first handheld device, displaying a representation of the first card to the first player via a display at the first handheld device, etc. In at least one embodiment, an association between a selected handheld device and the first player station may be created and used for subsequent game play activities to enable the selected handheld device to be operable to display game play data relating to game play activities associated with the first player station. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the features of a selected handheld device may be enabled/disabled based on the detection of one or more conditions or events. According to specific embodiments, the handheld device may be adapted to provide various functionality for facilitating game play at a casino gaming table. Examples of such functionality may include, for example, allowing a player to select cards for discard/holding; allowing a player to perform wagering activities; retrieving and/or displaying player tracking data; retrieving and/or displaying player account data; displaying game play assistance information; displaying casino layout information; displaying promotional information; etc.

Claims

1. A method for facilitating play of a casino table game at a casino gaming table system, the casino gaming table system including a casino gaming table and a first handhold device, the casino gaming table including a dealer station and a first player station, the casino game including a plurality of participants including a dealer and a first player, the method comprising:

performing at least a portion of operations relating to the casino game at the first handheld device, wherein said performing includes;

electronically dealing a first card to the first player via the first handhold device; and

displaying, via a first display at the first handhold device, a representation of the first card to the first player.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

transmitting a first portion of card information to the first handhold device, the first portion of card information including information which identifies the first card as a specific playing card which has been dealt to the first player; and

displaying a graphical representation of the specific playing card on the first display of the first handhold device.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

transmitting a first portion of card information to the first handheld device, the first portion of card information including information which identifies the first card as a specific playing card which has been dealt to the first player station; and

displaying a graphical representation of the specific playing card on the first display of the first handhold device.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the first player is occupying the first player station at the casino gaming table, the method further comprising:

creating an association between the first handhold device and the first player station.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the first player is occupying the first player station at the casino gaming table, the method further comprising:

creating an association between the first handheld device and the first player.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising;

creating a first association between the first handheld device and the first player station; and

dynamically configuring the casino gaming table system in response to creating the first association;

wherein the dynamic configuring of the casino gaming table system results in the first handheld device being operable for displaying game play data which relates to game play activities conducted at the first player station.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

creating a first association between the first handheld device and the first player station;

dynamically configuring the casino gaming table system in response to creating the first association;

wherein the dynamic configuring of the casino gaming table system results in the first handheld device being operable to display game play data relating to game play activities associated with the first player station; and

wherein the dynamic configuring of the casino gaming table system further results in the first handheld device not being operable to display other player card information relating to cards which have been dealt to other players at the casino gaming table.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the casino gaming table system includes a second handheld device, and wherein the casino gaming table includes a second player station, the method further comprising;

creating a first association between the first handheld device and the first player station;

creating a second association between the second handheld device and the second player station;

dynamically configuring the casino gaming table system in response to creating the first and second associations;

wherein the dynamic configuring of the casino gaming table system results in the first handheld device being operable for displaying game play data which relates to game play activities associated with the first player station;

wherein the dynamic configuring of the casino gaming table system further results in the second handheld being operable for displaying game play data which relates to game play activities associated with the second player station;

wherein the dynamic configuring of the casino gaming table system further results in the first handheld device not being operable to display second player card information relating to cards which have been dealt to the second player station; and

wherein the dynamic configuring of the casino gaming table system further results in the second handheld device not being operable to display first player card information relating to cards which have been dealt to the first player station.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

detecting that a start of a new round of the casino table game has been initiated at the casino gaming table;

creating a first association between the first handheld device and the first player station during play of the new round of the casino table game;

dynamically configuring the casino gaming table system in response to creating the first association;

wherein the dynamic configuring of the casino gaming table system results in the first handheld device being operable to display game play data relating to game play activities associated with the first player station; and

wherein the dynamic configuring of the casino gaming table system further results in the first handheld device not being operable, during play of the new round of the casino table game, to display other player card information relating to cards which have been dealt to other players at the casino gaming table.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

identifying the first handheld device as being authorized for conducting game play activities associated with the first player station;

determining whether the first handheld device is within a predetermined distance from a first component of the casino gaming table;

transmitting to the first handheld device game play data relating to game play activities associated with the first player station in response to a determination that the first handheld device is within the predetermined distance from the first component of the casino gaming table.

12. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

determining whether the first handheld device is within a predetermined distance from a first component of the casino gaming table; and

preventing transmission of game play data to the first handheld device in response to a determination that the first handheld device is not within the predetermined distance from the first component of the casino gaming table.

8. (canceled)

13. A method for facilitating play of a casino table game at a casino gaming table system, the casino gaming table system including a casino gaming table and a first handheld device, the casino gaming table including a dealer station, a first player station, and a first docking region associated with the first player station, the casino game including a plurality of participants, the method comprising:

detecting, at the first player station, a first active player of the casino table game being played at the casino gaming table;

detecting a presence of the first handheld device within a predetermined distance of the first docking region;

electronically dealing a first card to the first active player via the first handheld device; and

displaying, via a first display at the first handheld device, a representation of the first card to the first active player.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

detecting a presence of a second handheld device within a predetermined distance of the first docking region;

determining that that the second handheld device has not been authorized for conducting game play operations relating to the first player station;

generating at least one error message in response to a determination that that the second handheld device has not been authorized for conducting game play operations relating to the first player station.

15. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

detecting a presence of a second handheld device within a predetermined distance of the first docking region;

determining that that the second handheld device has not been authorized for conducting game play operations relating to the first player station;

preventing game play data relating to the first player station from being transmitted to the second handheld device in response to a determination that the second handheld device has not been authorized for conducting game play operations relating to the first player station.

16. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

verifying that the first handheld device has been authorized for conducting game play activities relating to the first player station during a current round of the casino table game.

17. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

creating a first association between the first handheld device and the first player station during play of a current round of game play being conducted at the casino gaming table;

dynamically configuring the casino gaming table system in response to creating the first association;

wherein the dynamic configuring of the casino gaming table system results in the first handheld device being operable to display game play data relating to game play activities associated with the first player station; and

wherein the dynamic configuring of the casino gaming table system further results in the first handheld device not being operable, during play of the current round of game play, to display other player card information relating to cards which have been dealt to other players at the casino gaming table.

18. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

receiving, via the first handheld device, first game play instructions from the first active player, and

implementing additional game play operations at the casino gaming table based on the received first game play instructions.

19. A casino gaming table system for facilitating play of a casino table game, the casino gaming table system comprising;

a casino gaming table including a dealer station, a first player station, and a first docking region associated with the first player station;

a first handheld device operable to facilitate play of the of a casino table game at the casino gaming table;

the system being operable to;

perform at least a portion of game play operations relating to the casino game at the first handheld device;

electronically deal a first card to the a first player at the first player station via the first handheld device; and

display, via a first display at the first handheld device, a representation of the first card to the first player.

21. The casino gaming table system of claim 19 being further operable to:

transmit a first portion of card information to the first handheld device, the first portion of card information including information which identifies the first card as a specific playing card which has been dealt to the first player; and

display a graphical representation of the specific playing card on the first display of the first handheld device.

22. The casino gaming table system of claim 19 being further operable to:

create a first association between the first handheld device and the first player station; and

dynamically configure the casino gaming table system in response to the creation of the first association;

wherein the dynamic configuration of the casino gaming table system results in the first handheld device being operable for displaying game play data which relates to game play activities conducted at the first player station.

23. The casino gaming table system of claim 19 being further operable to:

create a first association between the first handheld device and the first player station;

dynamically configure the casino gaming table system in response to the creation of the first association;

wherein the dynamic configuration of the casino gaming table system results in the first handheld device being operable to display game play data relating to game play activities associated with the first player station; and

wherein the dynamic configuration of the casino gaming table system further results in the first handheld device not being operable to display other player card information relating to cards which have been dealt to other players at the casino gaming table.

25. The casino gaming table system of claim 19 further comprising:

a second handheld device; and

a second player station at the casino gaming table;

the casino gaming table system being further operable to;

create a first association between the first handheld device and the first player station;

create a second association between the second handheld device and the second player station;

dynamically configure the casino gaming table system in response to the creation of the first and second associations;

wherein the dynamic configuration of the casino gaming table system results in the first handheld device being operable for displaying game play data which relates to game play activities associated with the first player station;

wherein the dynamic configuration of the casino gaming table system further results in the second handheld being operable for displaying game play data which relates to game play activities associated with the second player station;

wherein the dynamic configuration of the casino gaming table system further results in the first handheld device not being operable to display second player card information relating to cards which have been dealt to the second player station; and

wherein the dynamic configuration of the casino gaming table system further results in the second handheld device not being operable to display first player card information relating to cards which have been dealt to the first player station.

26. The casino gaming table system of claim 19 being further operable to:

detect, at the first player station, a first active player of the casino table game being played at the casino gaming table;

p1 detect a presence of the first handheld device within the first docking region;

electronically deal a first card to the first active player via the first handheld device; and

display, via a first display at the first handheld device, a representation of the first card to the first active player.

27. The casino gaming table system of claim 19 being further operable to:

detect a presence of a second handheld device within the first docking region;

determine that that the second handheld device has not been authorized for conducting game play activities relating to the first player station;

prevent game play data relating to the first player station from being transmitted to the second handheld device in response to a determination that the second handheld device has not been authorized for conducting game play activities relating to the first player station.

28. The casino gaming table system of claim 19 being further operable to:

verify that the first handheld device has been authorized for conducting game play activities relating to the first player station during a current round of the casino table game.

29. The casino gaming table system of claim 19 being further operable to:

receive, via the first handheld device, first game play instructions from the first active player; and

implement additional game play operations at the casino gaming table based on the received first game play instructions.

30. The casino gaming table system of claim 19 being further operable to:

identify the first handheld device as being authorized for conducting game play activities associated with the first player station;

determine whether the first handheld device is within a predetermined distance from the first docking region;

transmit to the first handheld device game play data relating to game play activities associated with the first player station in response to a determination that the first handheld device is within the predetermined distance from the first docking region.

31. The casino gaming table system of claim 19 being further operable to:

determine whether the first handheld device is within a predetermined distance from the first docking region; and

prevent transmission of game play data to the first handheld device in response to a determination that the first handheld device is not within the predetermined distance from the first docking region.

20. The casino gaming table system of 19 wherein the first handheld device includes at least one motion detection sensor for detecting motion or movement of the handheld device.

24. (canceled)

32. A casino gaming table comprising:

a gaming table controller including a first processor and memory;

a first player station including;

a first communication system operable to perform wireless data communication with a first handheld device, wherein the data includes first game play data relating to game play activities conducted at the casino gaming table;

the first communication system being operable to transmit first game play data to the first handheld device;

the first communication system being operable to receive, via the first handheld device, first game play input data provided by a first player at the casino gaming table;

the first communication system being operable to perform data communication with the casino gaming table controller;

a first power interface operable to distribute power to the first handheld device;

a second player station including;

a second communication system operable to perform wireless data communication with a second handheld device, wherein the data includes second game play data relating to game play activities conducted at the casino gaming table;

the second communication system being operable to transmit second game play data to the second handheld device;

the second communication system being operable to receive, via the second handheld device, second game play input data provided by a second player at the casino gaming table;

the second communication system being operable to perform data communication with the casino gaming table controller;

a second power interface operable to distribute power to the second handheld device; and

a first hub or switch operable for facilitating data communication between the casino gaming table system and the first and second player stations.

34. The casino gaming table of claim 32, wherein the casino gaming table corresponds to a live casino gaming table.

33. (canceled)

35. A casino gaming table comprising:

a gaming table controller including;

at least one processor;

at least one interface; and

memory

the gaming table controller being operable to;

distribute electronic game play data to wireless handheld devices operated by players at the casino gaming table;

deal electronic cards to participants at the casino gaming table;

verify cards which have been dealt to participants at the casino gaming table;

keep track of wagering activities associated with a game being played at the casino gaming table;

keep track of cards which have been dealt to participants at the casino gaming table;

provide status information relating to game play activities conducted at the casino gaming table;

communicate with other casino gaming network devices including at least one device selected from the group consisting of;

gaming server;

promotion server;

software update server, bonusing system;

game download system;

player tracking system;

accounting server;

back betting system;

progressive play system;

tournament play system; and

ticket in/ticket out system;

control selected peripheral devices including at least one device selected from the group consisting of;

printer, lighting system, card reader, casino chip reader, camera, bill validator, display, player tracking component, and ticket reader; and

determine outcome information associated with player or dealer game play outcomes.

36. The casino gaming table of claim 35:

wherein the outcome information includes payout information relating to a payout amount to be provided to a participant at the casino gaming table; and

wherein the gaming table controller is further operable to provide instructions to the dealer relating to the payout information.

37. The casino gaming table of claim 35 wherein the gaming table controller is further operable to access player ID or player tracking information.

38. The casino gaming table of claim 35 wherein the gaming table controller is further operable to tabulate game play options.

39. The casino gaming table of claim 35 wherein the gaming table controller is further operable to log game history data.

40. The casino gaming table of claim 35 wherein the gaming table controller is further operable to detect, authenticate, or verify use of wagering chips at the casino gaming table.