WO2000016863A1 - Gaming apparatus and method - Google Patents

Gaming apparatus and method Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2000016863A1
WO2000016863A1 PCT/US1999/020737 US9920737W WO0016863A1 WO 2000016863 A1 WO2000016863 A1 WO 2000016863A1 US 9920737 W US9920737 W US 9920737W WO 0016863 A1 WO0016863 A1 WO 0016863A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
game
display
player
card
wager
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1999/020737
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Elia R. Tarantino
Eric Maiss
Robert A. Luciano
William Bertram
Original Assignee
Game Data, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Game Data, Inc. filed Critical Game Data, Inc.
Priority to AU58196/99A priority Critical patent/AU5819699A/en
Publication of WO2000016863A1 publication Critical patent/WO2000016863A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G07CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07FCOIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/32Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63FCARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F3/00Board games; Raffle games
    • A63F3/00003Types of board games
    • A63F3/00157Casino or betting games

Definitions

  • This invention relates to casino games and more particularly to a game table for
  • producing criteria include fees according to lapsed time, or time on a device, or simply
  • Cheating is not limited to card marking. Other ways to alter the odds of the
  • poker hand possible the higher the hand, the higher the payout. See, for example,
  • a casino game table may use separate video displays for
  • each player position is equipped with a small, p ⁇ vate v ⁇ eo display unit positioned and constructed so that it can be viewed only by the player at the
  • the dealer position includes a video display that is
  • a casino caid table includes a graphic
  • the present invention comprises a casino table having a graphic display screen
  • the created display images may include playing card representations, graphics forming a dealer position for game
  • the table top display is formed
  • optical rear projection techniques that operate to project images (i.e., the card
  • projection techniques may include a mirror that is positioned to receive the images
  • the table top display may include a matrix of closely-positioned cathode ray tube (CRT) displays or liquid crystal displays (LCD's) or other large-area panel
  • CTR cathode ray tube
  • LCD liquid crystal displays
  • LCD panel or conventional plasma panel display may also be used to display the
  • the table top display may include touch-screen capability so that representations of
  • game controls can be displayed at a dealer position and at player positions to facilitate
  • the table is programmed, all with the benefits of dealer and player interactions among
  • position may include touch-sensitive positions as input devices and associated graphic representations as graphic outputs that guide game play including, for example,
  • number of player positions may include a number of associated wager representations
  • touch sensitive and individual areas may be made touch sensitive in conventional
  • Such game tables may be interactively linked via computer networks to facilitate contests and tournaments between remote locations.
  • Figure 1 is a top view of the game table constructed according to one
  • Figure 2A is a sectional rear view of the game table shown in Figure 1, showing
  • the image generating and projection apparatus used to form and project images onto the rear surface of the table top screen
  • Figure 2B is a sectional view of the table top
  • Figure 3A is a pictorial illustration of a region of the display for viewing at a
  • Figure 3B illustrates one embodiment of a graphic display on the table top
  • Figure 3C is a flow chart of the programmed routine for illustrating playing
  • Figure 3B; Figure 4A is a pictorial illustration of one display configuration at a dealer site
  • Figure 4B is a block diagram of one computer network for operating a casino
  • Figure 4C is a picto ⁇ al illustration of a cluster of game tables of Figure 1
  • FIGS 4D and 4E are block schematic diagrams of embodiments of computer
  • Figure 5 A is an alternate embodiment of the table top display of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 5B is a picto ⁇ al illustration of one operating mode of the embodiment of
  • Figures 6A and 6B comp ⁇ se a flow chart of the programmed routine by which
  • a casino game table 14 including a base member 12 for supporting
  • the table top 10 that is a display screen upon which is displayed playing card
  • the table top 10 may include one or more cathode ray tubes (CRT) as
  • the table top 10 forms part of a rear image projection system with the table
  • top 10 forming a projection screen that provides a substantially ho ⁇ zontal viewable
  • a projection system including an image projector 40, and a table I/O network interface 28, and a computer
  • player sites 22 22a, 22b, . , 22f
  • dealer site 26 26
  • Each of the player sites 22a-22f may display playing card representations and game-
  • play controls and wagering controls suitable for the conduct of game play may
  • Network interface 28 may link a number of sensors and touch-sensitive areas at player and dealer sites to a single computer 36.
  • individual computers may be provided to operate each player and dealer
  • Active players may be identified to the dealer (and to other players) as icons 25
  • These icons 25 may also be touch-sensitive regions, as
  • games e.g., any one of the variations of poker, baccarat, etc.
  • games can use the present
  • bill charges or bill-drop security box 11 and a credit-card, or smart- card, reader 13 may also be housed in the table near the dealer site 26 to facilitate
  • each player site 22a-22f may
  • game plays in a casino's database of player information upon which casino privileges
  • Picture-in-picture displays may be
  • the table top 10 includes an image-receiving surface 20 that may include a translucent light diffuser, or conventional image filter, and may include a protective top layer 19 to provide anti-
  • the top layer 19 may
  • a diffuser screen or a directional viewing filter may include touch-sensitive
  • An image-receiving surface 20 is disposed as a lower layer beneath
  • the top layer 19 to receive projected images from a conventional image projector 40.
  • the image generating and projection system 28, 36, 40 is shown housed in the
  • the I/O interface 28 and computer 36 operate in response to
  • control signals from player controls (preferably, connected via signal conductors 38 to
  • the computer 36 (which, for example, may be a programmed personal computer) is connected to a conventional personal computer
  • image projector 40 as an output device Touch-sensitive areas of the top layer 19 of the
  • table top 10 may be connected as input devices via signal lines 38 and I/O interface 28
  • additional detectors 37 such as infrared (IR) or
  • image detectors 37 may be positioned m alignment with wager areas 27 (or bonus
  • the image projector 40 (which may be of a type available, for example, from nView Corporation of 860 Omni Boulevard, Newport News, Na.) is positioned and
  • reflector systems may be arranged with respect to piojector 40 to pioject generated
  • the computei 36 In use, the computei 36 generates the necessary image data for display at the
  • a typical display at the dealer site 26 is illustrated in Figs 3A and 3B, and a typical display at the dealer site 26 is
  • participant sites positioned about the table top configured for a game of 5-card poker.
  • FIG. 3A one embodiment of a player site 22b is illustrated.
  • player site 22b is also applicable to the other player sites as well.
  • the player site 22b includes touch-sensitive areas 50, 52, and 56 that overlay images displayed thereon by the projector 40.
  • a WAGER sensor 37 is illustrated in Figure 3A.
  • aligned with wager area 50 detects a wager placed thereon by a player in order to
  • the BONUS wager area 52 may include a similar sensor that detects a wager which indicates the player's desire
  • Card representations 56a, 56b are displayed at a card area when the player has
  • the card representation 56 is shown in face-down
  • the area of the card representation 56 is also touch-sensitive so
  • the player need only touch the area (i.e., the cards representations 56a, 56b) as an input to the computer 36 which controls generation and projection of an image that
  • the card representations 'dealt' to a player may not be face down, but may be dealt face
  • layers of the table top illustrated in Figure 2B may include rest ⁇ ctive viewing filters at
  • Player sites to inhibit viewing outside of a limited viewing angle occupied only by such player Player sites that are not active may be deleted from the display or may
  • player sites not occupied by active players may be
  • Figure 3B Specifically, as one or more card representations are displayed, for
  • a senes of digital images may be stored, for example, at successively-
  • representations are displayed As a player removes finger touch from the area in which
  • the card representat ⁇ on(s) are displayed, the I/O network 28 and computer 36 detect the
  • scroll back routine 47 may be implemented by the computer 36 sequentially accessing the digital images in successively-addressed locations in mass storage in the reverse
  • player site is identified to the dealer, for example, by an encircled number (1, 2, ... , 5)
  • card representations 60 will appear for each participating player (when 'dealt', as described
  • Figure 4A illustrates, by the card representations 60a, 60c, 60d, and
  • one color e.g., green
  • another color e.g., yellow
  • Figure 4A also indicates which of the players is then active for the dealer's
  • player at player site 22d is presently active (i.e., in a condition to receive additional
  • Dealer site 26 also includes a number of touch-sensitive areas that form the
  • touch-sensitive area 70 when touched by the dealer provides input to the computer 36 that a player has decided not to take any more cards, but is satisfied with the current
  • selected touch-sensitive areas for control functions such as "SPLIT” and "HIT” may be displayed and made active at a player site 22 rather than at a dealer site
  • sensitive areas at the dealer site 26 may include a SURRENDER area 82 that allows
  • An INSURANCE area 84 allows a player to indicate an insurance wager
  • a CHECK area 86 allows the dealer, when an ace or 10-point card representation turns up for the dealer on the initial
  • input devices such as mechanical button switches, IR sensors, and the like, may be
  • present invention is computer programmed.
  • certain of the dealer and related components are computer programmed.
  • player control representations can be made to appear and disappear in the same location, depending upon the mode of game play then existing, so that control
  • game play may be interactively controlled by dealer and players
  • protective top layer 19 may contain touch-sensitive assemblies and/or may serve as a
  • FIG. 4B there is shown a block diagram of a local network
  • Computer 36 controls the table display 40, or optionally may control individual displays 40' such as at individual player and dealer sites, or individual
  • computer 36 receives inputs from touch-sensitive areas 19, 50, 52, 56 at dealer and player sites, and also receives inputs from bet sensors that may operate as touch sensors
  • the computer 36 also receives inputs from bill acceptor 11 and readers 13, 29 of credit cards and player identification cards to bill acceptor 11 and readers 13, 29 of credit cards and player identification cards to bill acceptor 11 and readers 13, 29 of credit cards and player identification cards to bill acceptor 11 and readers 13, 29 of credit cards and player identification cards to bill acceptor 11 and readers 13, 29 of credit cards and player identification cards to bill acceptor 11 and readers 13, 29 of credit cards and player identification cards to bill acceptor 11 and readers 13, 29 of credit cards and player identification cards to
  • controller 42 as shown in Figure 4B, with a central computer 44 using standard
  • TCP/IP bus protocols 46 standard Ethernet connections, and the like. Operation of a plural number of tables 14 on a central computer 44 also greatly facilitates collection of
  • an individual table 14 may include a plurality of individual relatively small-
  • touch-sensitive input controllers 55 as inexpensive modularized assemblies, for linking, together to a main table controller or computer 57, as shown in the block
  • controllers 105 may all be linked, as shown in the block diagram of Figure 4E, to a
  • common table controller 107 for example including an interface 28 and computer 36,
  • the computer 36 In the embodiments of casino game tables described above, the computer 36 is
  • each display or areal portion of an entire display assigned a
  • table top display may be changed, for example, from green to blue or red, or the like, at
  • the dealer then notifies the players that the wager period is ended, and presses 63 the
  • start area 75 or a NEW GAME area 80.
  • the wagers are recorded by the computer
  • representative identification numerals 62 change color (or be altered in other visually- contrasting manner) in the displayed image at the dealer site 26, in the manner
  • Play proceeds according to game play rules through various player options and dealer actions 71, 73, 77, 79, 81, 85, 87-93 to conclusion of the dealt hands
  • Card representations that are "dealt" according to game play may be made to
  • the computer 36 may
  • dealer and player sites may be animated to represent water or cloudy sky, or
  • background display as well as the participant sites may be conveniently altered, for example, by changing from green background to blue background, or the
  • a sound system (not shown) may also be used to provide an aural
  • the computer 36 may also be used to provide sound bytes or music in conventional
  • a good "hit” card e.g., drawing an 8 to a hand of 13
  • a fanfare upon
  • Game play is continued under control of the computer 36 which displays an enlarged image of card representations 60 at the dealer site 26 to show the active hand.
  • game play may begin with the first participating player to the immediate
  • the player with the then-active hand will indicate his desires either verbally or non-verbally (e.g., head shakes, hand
  • touch-sensitive areas i.e., take a hit, stand, or if he has a pair, split them.
  • touch-sensitive areas i.e., take a hit, stand, or if he has a pair, split them.
  • a player or the dealer may also speed up or slow down the rate of game play in response to a touch-sensitive control input that alters the pace of
  • game plays, for example, for statistical analyses, tallies of winnings within a time
  • representations are displayed in touch-sensitive areas which may be touched by the
  • participant and players under control of the computer 36 throughout
  • Such changes at random times may include elections to 'shuffle' the deck of card
  • a computer-controlled display screen as the table top of a casino game table in
  • the card representations may be displayed as exploding when a player receives a point total exceeding that established by game rules (i.e., the player "busts").
  • the table top may be animated to display a representation of water, with the
  • Streaming video may include real-time commercial casino
  • Sound processors or other sources of sounds or music may be included to
  • Sounds can be any animation or streaming video. Sounds can be any animation or streaming video. Sounds can be any animation or streaming video. Sounds can be any animation or streaming video. Sounds can be any animation or streaming video. Sounds can be any animation or streaming video. Sounds can be any animation or streaming video. Sounds can be any animation or streaming video. Sounds can be any animation or streaming video. Sounds can be any animation or streaming video. Sounds can be any animation or streaming video. Sounds can be any animation or streaming video. Sounds can be any animation or streaming video. Sounds.
  • actions taken during game play e.g., if playing blackjack, sounds for taking a card
  • a voice can be provided congratulating
  • receiving a very good hit card e.g., receiving
  • table top display shown in Figure 1 may be formed of a matrix of closely-positioned CRT or LCD or plasma-panel
  • embodiment is formed as a matrix of a plurality of individual display units 100 (100a, 100b, ..., 100s), closely and preferably seamlessly positioned adjacent one another.
  • the display units 100a- 100s are coupled via bus cable 104 to a computer or data
  • processor 106 that may include a work station or PC computer with NGA or other
  • Such touch screen capability as an on-screen
  • manual input may be provided by the computer or processor unit 106, for example, by
  • scanned display device 100 caused by a finger or wagering token positioned within a
  • FIG. 5B there is shown a pictorial view of a casino game
  • each player site and dealer site are accompanied by displays of one or more touch-
  • bonus play For example, sevens may be predesignated for bonus play according to the
  • wager may be placed in the BONUS area 52 only if the player desires to participate in
  • bonus pay Payouts to the player, and to other players who participate in bonus play,
  • a player may initially draw two 7s, and decide to draw
  • the player may elect to draw a fourth card in the hopes of drawing a fourth 7 for a 20,000 to 1 payout for himself and a 1000 to 1 payout for each other player betting on
  • sequences could be utilized as well, such as multiple 7s in one suit (e.g., spades) to
  • betting on BONUS play in amounts, or at all, may be determined at the election of the
  • the host casino may establish rules requiring that if the player is
  • the player may win over the dealer in the blackjack game and may also take a chance in
  • BONUS play may be facilitated by, but not
  • the gaming apparatus and method of the present invention greatly facilitate casino game play under real-time interactive control of a live dealer.

Abstract

A casino game table (14) and method (figs. 6A-6B) for interactive live table game play such as blackjack, poker, and the like, includes a computer-controlled display (10) forming an upper member of the table to display gaming images including card representations. The game table may include a dealer position (26) and a number of player positions (22) at which are displayed representations of game cards and other game images during game play. Alternative embodiments of computer-controlled displays include rear projection systems (fig. 2A), and matrices of contiguously-assembled cathode-ray display devices (fig. 5A) or liquid-crystal or plasma-panel display devices. A method of bonus play associated with a casino card game is disclosed that may be implemented with actual cards or in an embodiment of computer-controlled graphic display system that displays game images in association with touch-sensitive regions as inputs to the computer controlling the display that is viewable on the playing surface of the table.

Description

GAMING APPARATUS AND METHOD
Field of the Invention:
This invention relates to casino games and more particularly to a game table for
playing a variety of casino games such as blackjack, poker, and the like, using various
embodiments of computer-controlled display screens disposed in a table top under
control of a processing system that drives the graphics displays of card representations
for game play in response to activations of touch sensitive regions by players and
dealer.
Background of the Invention:
For table games, casinos sometimes measure the number of games dealt per
hour by a dealer. This measure can depend upon such variables as the type of game
being played, the number of players, and the like. Many casino table games, such as
poker, use a percentage of each game's pot (cumulative wagers of the players during
any round of game play) as the casino's revenue-producing criteria. Other revenue-
producing criteria include fees according to lapsed time, or time on a device, or simply
flat fees. Thus, it is beneficial to have a large number of players. However, play time
usually increases with increased count of players participating in the table game
because of more cards to deal, more card shuffles are required, more deck changes and
dealer errors are encountered, and more hands are available to evaluate. In addition, the game can also be affected by cheating. A new deck of cards
can be marked so that an unscrupulous and cunning player can shift the odds away
from the other participants during game play. To minimize card-marking, a deck of
cards is short-lived and will be used for only several shuffles before being discarded
for a new deck. Even though there is an after-market for used decks of cards, new card
purchase is a large and expensive burden of doing casino business.
Cheating is not limited to card marking. Other ways to alter the odds of the
game in favor of a particular player include suborning the dealer (termed "cross-
roading" in the art). If the dealer is sufficiently proficient, he/she can shuffle and "stack" a deck of cards for any eventual delivery. This form of cheating cannot be
obviated by a change of cards, but may be somewhat limited thereby except when a pre-set deck, or "cooler", is introduced to the table as a result of collusion between
players and dealer.
Certain known electronic video poker and blackjack games are structured to
present card representations on a video display screen for the play of a hand of poker,
or blackjack, or the like. Usually, such games do not pit the player against another
human player but against the machine instead. Most video poker games currently
available are constructed so that to win the player tries to obtain the highest ranking
poker hand possible: the higher the hand, the higher the payout. See, for example,
U.S. Pat. No. 5,356,140. Also, users of video poker and blackjack games may be
disappointed by the absence of the camaraderie often found and enjoyed by participants in a communal game Also lacking is the competitive feeling of pitting oneself against
the skill and luck of others Games of these types are initiated and prompted by the
player via interactivity only with the associated machine
There are game tables that are structured to overcome many of the problems
descπbed above For example, a casino game table may use separate video displays for
a live dealer and for each of a multiple number of player positions In such game
tables, each player position is equipped with a small, pπvate v^eo display unit positioned and constructed so that it can be viewed only by the player at the
corresponding player position while the dealer position includes a video display that is
viewable by the dealer and all players at the game table. See, for example, U.S. Pat.
No 5,669,817
Summary of the Invention:
In accordance with the present invention, a casino caid table includes a graphic
display system for displaying card representations dealt to players and a dealer
Broadly, the present invention comprises a casino table having a graphic display screen
forming the top of the table Image creation apparatus including a data processor
operates to create images such as representations of playing cards, the table felt, player
and/or dealer controls, and the like, for display on a surface that forms the table top.
The system-created display images of cards and controls, and the like, are presented on
the table top as a graphic display viewable by the players The created display images may include playing card representations, graphics forming a dealer position for game
supervision, and a number of player positions.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the table top display is formed
using optical rear projection techniques that operate to project images (i.e., the card
representations, etc.) onto a back or rear surface of the table top display for viewing on
an upper or playing surface of the table top by the players. In this one embodiment, the
projection techniques may include a mirror that is positioned to receive the images
from the image creation and projection apparatus to be reflected onto, or to be directly projected onto the rear surface of the table top display. In another embodiment of the
invention, the table top display may include a matrix of closely-positioned cathode ray tube (CRT) displays or liquid crystal displays (LCD's) or other large-area panel
displays to display the required game play representations. Alternatively, one large
LCD panel or conventional plasma panel display may also be used to display the
required game play representations.
In other embodiments of the game table of the present invention the surface of
the table top display may include touch-screen capability so that representations of
game controls can be displayed at a dealer position and at player positions to facilitate
combined touch-oriented controls of game play of the particular casino game for which
the table is programmed, all with the benefits of dealer and player interactions among
themselves and with the computer-controlled table-top display. For example, a dealer
position may include touch-sensitive positions as input devices and associated graphic representations as graphic outputs that guide game play including, for example,
directing that cards be dealt, m the order they are to be dealt, and the number of cards
that are to be dealt, according to the rules of the particular game. In addition, each of a
number of player positions may include a number of associated wager representations
with sensors that detect the placement of a wager, which can then also be indicated at
the dealer position. Alternatively, the entire viewing surface of table top may be made
touch sensitive and individual areas may be made touch sensitive in conventional
manner for controlling diverse graphical images that are operational duπng game play,
or that are collateral to game play, such as advertising, reservation entπes, accounting
tallies, and the like. Such game tables may be interactively linked via computer networks to facilitate contests and tournaments between remote locations.
Physical cards and the associated costs of card are eliminated, and the
opportunities for cheating and suborning the dealer are substantially eliminated. In
addition, game play is speeded up, security is increased, and new games and rules
variations may be conveniently implemented using new computer programs that vastly
simplify reconfigurations of the table without requiring any physical alterations.
Brief Description of the Drawings:
Figure 1 is a top view of the game table constructed according to one
embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a game table top that forms a rear
projection screen upon which images can be displayed to represent a dealer position, a
number of player positions, and playing card representations;
Figure 2A is a sectional rear view of the game table shown in Figure 1, showing
the image generating and projection apparatus used to form and project images onto the rear surface of the table top screen;
Figure 2B is a sectional view of the table top;
Figure 3A is a pictorial illustration of a region of the display for viewing at a
player location or site on the table top of the game table of Figure 1 ;
Figure 3B illustrates one embodiment of a graphic display on the table top
display under control of a touch-sensitive region at a player location to selectively view
and hide values of the card representations provided to a player at the player site shown
in Figure 3A;
Figure 3C is a flow chart of the programmed routine for illustrating playing
card representations in scrolled up configuration for viewing by a player, as shown in
Figure 3B; Figure 4A is a pictorial illustration of one display configuration at a dealer site
of the game table of Figure 1 ,
Figure 4B is a block diagram of one computer network for operating a casino
game table of Figure 1 ;
Figure 4C is a pictoπal illustration of a cluster of game tables of Figure 1
forming an interlinking computer network;
Figures 4D and 4E are block schematic diagrams of embodiments of computer
network configurations for operating a game table of Figure 1;
Figure 5 A is an alternate embodiment of the table top display of Figure 1 ;
Figure 5B is a pictoπal illustration of one operating mode of the embodiment of
the table top display of Figure 1; and
Figures 6A and 6B compπse a flow chart of the programmed routine by which
one form of game play proceeds according to the present invention
Description of the Preferred Embodiment:
Referπng now to the top view and rear sectional views of Figures 1 and 2A,
there is illustrated a casino game table 14 including a base member 12 for supporting
the table top 10 that is a display screen upon which is displayed playing card
representations and other graphical representations of card play (I e castles of vaπous
shapes and colors), according to the game being played, in place of actual playing cards
The table top 10 may include one or more cathode ray tubes (CRT) as
illustrated in Figure 5A, or liquid crystal displays (LCD), or other large-area display panel In another embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in the sectional view of
Figure 2 A, the table top 10 forms part of a rear image projection system with the table
top 10 forming a projection screen that provides a substantially hoπzontal viewable
display surface 18 and an image-receiving rear surface 20 A projection system (including an image projector 40, and a table I/O network interface 28, and a computer
or data processor 36) operates to generate images, representing a number (six, although
any number will suffice) of player sites 22 (22a, 22b, . , 22f) and a dealer site 26
Each of the player sites 22a-22f may display playing card representations and game-
play controls and wagering controls suitable for the conduct of game play, and may
also display an information viewport 23a-23f m which wageπng credits, game tallies,
or the like, may be displayed, for example, upon touch command of a touch-sensitive
area of the surface, as later described herein. Network interface 28 may link a number of sensors and touch-sensitive areas at player and dealer sites to a single computer 36.
Alternatively, individual computers may be provided to operate each player and dealer
site under local-area control and interaction of a computer 36 via the interface 28 as
later described herein.
In addition to images representing player cards, there may also be displayed at
each player site 22a - 22f, wager locations 27 and game-directing controls as illustrated
in Figure 4A, and the like, as generated by the computer 36. Display images are
generated by the computer 36 in response to game-directing, controlling inputs
received from dealer and players for projection of such images onto the image receiving surface 20 on the rear side of the table top 10 for viewing on the top surface
18. Active players may be identified to the dealer (and to other players) as icons 25
(for example, in contrasting colors for active and inactive status) on the portion of the display 26 near the dealer site. These icons 25 may also be touch-sensitive regions, as
later described herein, for example, to implement transfers of credits for a bill drop or a
credit card entry to a selected player under the control of a dealer. The present
invention is described with reference to conventional blackjack casino game,
supplemented by a novel bonus component that may form an alternate embodiment of
the game, as later described herein. However, it should be noted that other casino table
games (e.g., any one of the variations of poker, baccarat, etc.) can use the present
invention merely by reprogramming the computer 36 using a selection of resident
programs for generating images appropriate for the desired casino game. Supplemental
component such as bill charges or bill-drop security box 11 and a credit-card, or smart- card, reader 13 may also be housed in the table near the dealer site 26 to facilitate
wagering activity under a dealer's control. Additionally, each player site 22a-22f may
be equipped with a card reader 29a- 29f of the type that enables a player to register
game plays in a casino's database of player information upon which casino privileges
or courtesy accommodations can be allocated. Picture-in-picture displays may be
conveniently implemented in the casino game table of the present invention, for
example, to display game rules, instructions, or help tips to any player at any stage of
game play, or to display advertisements or generally any display-worthy images.
In the illustrated embodiments of Figures 2A and 2B, the table top 10 includes an image-receiving surface 20 that may include a translucent light diffuser, or conventional image filter, and may include a protective top layer 19 to provide anti-
reflective surface as well as physical security against breakage. The top layer 19 may
be a diffuser screen or a directional viewing filter, and may include touch-sensitive
regions thereon. An image-receiving surface 20 is disposed as a lower layer beneath
the top layer 19 to receive projected images from a conventional image projector 40.
The image generating and projection system 28, 36, 40 is shown housed in the
table base member 12. The I/O interface 28 and computer 36 operate in response to
control signals from player controls (preferably, connected via signal conductors 38 to
touch-sensitive regions of the display surface 18 or top layer 19) to generate the images
for the player and dealer positions 22, 26 respectively, under program control that is
appropriate for the desired casino game. For that reason, the computer 36 (which, for example, may be a programmed personal computer) is connected to a conventional
image projector 40 as an output device Touch-sensitive areas of the top layer 19 of the
table top 10 may be connected as input devices via signal lines 38 and I/O interface 28
for operating to convey control information received at the vaπous touch-sensitive
areas to the computer 36 Alternatively, additional detectors 37 such as infrared (IR) or
other image detectors 37 may be positioned m alignment with wager areas 27 (or bonus
wager areas 52, as shown in Figure 3A) to detect the presence of a wager in an area 27
associated with a player site 22a-f, as an input to the I/O interface 28, or to detect the
presence of a fmger at a touch sensitive area of the display as a control input to the computer 36
The image projector 40 (which may be of a type available, for example, from nView Corporation of 860 Omni Boulevard, Newport News, Na.) is positioned and
aligned to directly project luminous images formed by the computer 36 onto the image -
leceiving surface 20 of the table tap 10 Of course, other appiopπate lens and/or
reflector systems may be arranged with respect to piojector 40 to pioject generated
gaming images onto the image-receiving rear surface 20
In use, the computei 36 generates the necessary image data for display at the
player and dealer sites 22, 26, including card representations of distinctive card values,
wageπng positions, payout values, game controls, and the like One typical display at a
player site is illustrated in Figs 3A and 3B, and a typical display at the dealer site 26 is
illustrated in Figure 4A Of course, other embodiments of sites at which game play participants (i.e., players or dealer) may interactively control game play are also
possible, for example, as illustrated in Figure 5B, and including all substantially similar
participant sites positioned about the table top configured for a game of 5-card poker.
Referring now to Figure 3A, one embodiment of a player site 22b is illustrated.
Other player sites (22a, 22c, ..., 22e) are substantially identical so that the description
herein of player site 22b is also applicable to the other player sites as well. As
illustrated in Figure 3A, the player site 22b includes touch-sensitive areas 50, 52, and 56 that overlay images displayed thereon by the projector 40. A WAGER sensor 37
aligned with wager area 50 detects a wager placed thereon by a player in order to
participate in the casino game being played (i.e., blackjack). The BONUS wager area 52 may include a similar sensor that detects a wager which indicates the player's desire
to participate in a bonus play associated with the underlying game, as later described herein. While any one of a number of bonus play situations may be used, disclosed
later herein is one embodiment of bonus play that is preferred.
Card representations 56a, 56b are displayed at a card area when the player has
placed a wager in the wager area 50, and all other players have placed wagers, and the
game has been initiated by the dealer, as later described herein, and the cards have been
"dealt" in response to execution of the computer program that controls operation of the
casino game being played. The card representation 56 is shown in face-down
orientation. However, the area of the card representation 56 is also touch-sensitive so
that the player need only touch the area (i.e., the cards representations 56a, 56b) as an input to the computer 36 which controls generation and projection of an image that
thus presents the card representations with at least their comers folded up (or, fully face
up) to reveal their values, as shown in Figure 3B. Of course, depending upon the
particular casino table game with which the game table of the present invention is used,
the card representations 'dealt' to a player may not be face down, but may be dealt face
up for all players and dealer to see. Or, alternatively, some card representations may be 'dealt' face down, and some may be 'dealt' face up Where desirable for particular
computer-programmed confιguratιon(s) of the game table of Figure 1, one or other
layers of the table top illustrated in Figure 2B may include restπctive viewing filters at
player sites to inhibit viewing outside of a limited viewing angle occupied only by such player Player sites that are not active may be deleted from the display or may
otherwise be blanked to provide single or multiple displays of player(s) and dealer as game participants. Alternatively, player sites not occupied by active players may be
used as regions for displaying advertising, or schedules of events, or the like
Referring now to Figure 3C, there is shown a flow chart of the piogrammed
routine for displaying card representations in scrolled up display, as illustrated in
Figure 3B Specifically, as one or more card representations are displayed, for
example, at a player site 22b in face down configuration, as illustrated in Figure 3A, a
player may touch the touch-sensitive area where the card representations are displayed,
and the I O network 28 and computer 36 detect 39 the touch to initiate 41 the 'reveal'
sequence. A senes of digital images may be stored, for example, at successively-
addressed locations in mass storage of the computer 36 for access sequentially 43 to control display of successively-incremented 'movements' in the scrolling up of a
comer or co ers of card representatιons(s), to a final display image as shown in Figure
3B showing the card values of the displayed card representations for as long as the
player maintains finger contact with the touch-sensitive area at which the card
representations are displayed As a player removes finger touch from the area in which
the card representatιon(s) are displayed, the I/O network 28 and computer 36 detect the
absence of input, and initiate 47 a scroll back or 'cardack' sequence to face down
configuration again, displaying 49 only the backs of the card representations as shown in Figure 3A until 51 the player again touches the displayed card representations. The
scroll back routine 47 may be implemented by the computer 36 sequentially accessing the digital images in successively-addressed locations in mass storage in the reverse
sequence from the scroll up routine, previously descπbed In this way the displayed
card representations appear to roll back down to face down configuration 49.
One embodiment of a dealer's site 26 is illustrated in Figure 4A Each playei
who participates in the game places a wager at the WAGER aiea 50 in an associated
player site 22b, which wager is detected by the associated touch-sensitive area of the
display or by a sensor 37 responsive to a wager placed in the area 50 of the player site
22b This causes the computer 36 to recognize participating players in order to
generate card images 60a - 60e for each participating player, to be displayed at a player
site 22 and at the dealer site 26 as card pairs 60 Thus, as Figure 4A illustrates, each
player site is identified to the dealer, for example, by an encircled number (1, 2, ... , 5)
62 When a wager is placed in the WAGER area 50 at any of the player sites 22, card representations 60 will appear for each participating player (when 'dealt', as described
below). Other recognitions of a wager placed by a participating player may be
provided, such as a highlighted or color-enhanced display image of the WAGER area
50. For example, Figure 4A illustrates, by the card representations 60a, 60c, 60d, and
60e, that the players using the associated player sites 22a, 22c, 22d, and 22e are
participating in the game. In addition, the encircled numerals 62 may be changed from
one color (e.g., green) to another color (e.g., yellow) to inform the dealer which player
positions 22 have placed wagers in the BONUS area 52 of the associated player site 22
to participate in bonus play. Such BONUS wagers are detected by the associated
sensor to control the computer 36 to display visual enhancements at the dealer site and player site that indicate the BONUS wager thus placed.
Figure 4A also indicates which of the players is then active for the dealer's
attention during the game, for example, by the enlarged or other visually-enhanced representation of the cards 60d for that player. Thus, as Figure 4A illustrates, the
player at player site 22d is presently active (i.e., in a condition to receive additional
cards, if desired) as indicated by the larger card representations 60d (or by other
displayed visual distinctions). As cards are 'dealt' to such active player, responsive to
dealer-activated computer controls, as later described herein, corresponding numbers of
larger card representations are generated and displayed 60d under control of the
computer 36. Dealer site 26 also includes a number of touch-sensitive areas that form the
controls by which the dealer guides the progress of game play. Thus, a touch-sensitive
area 66 overlays a "HIT" area image which, when touched, causes an additional card
representation to be "dealt" to the player then active. The "FOLD" touch-sensitive area
68, when touched by the dealer, provides input to the computer 36 that a player has
surrendered his hand (because his cumulative card value count has exceeded 21, unless
game rules or BONUS play, later described herein, provide otherwise). The "STAND"
touch-sensitive area 70, when touched by the dealer provides input to the computer 36 that a player has decided not to take any more cards, but is satisfied with the current
card values which, according to game play, will not exceed a cumulative value of 21. For more esoteric game play, "SPLIT" and "DOUBLE DOWN" touch-sensitive areas
72, 74 allow multiple hand play in accordance with conventional rules of play.
Alternatively, selected touch-sensitive areas for control functions such as "SPLIT" and "HIT" may be displayed and made active at a player site 22 rather than at a dealer site
26. To end one game, and for dealing cards for a new game, the touch-sensitive
"DEAL' and "NEW GAME" areas 76, 80 are provided as overlays to the
corcesponding images produced thereat under control of the computer 36. Other touch-
sensitive areas at the dealer site 26 may include a SURRENDER area 82 that allows
the dealer to indicate that a player wishes to surrender his/her hand before game play
has concluded and have returned a portion of the wager made by the player when the
game started. An INSURANCE area 84 allows a player to indicate an insurance wager
if the dealer card representations 83 include an ace. A CHECK area 86 allows the dealer, when an ace or 10-point card representation turns up for the dealer on the initial
deal, to check for a blackjack. Other touch-sensitive areas and other touch-responsive
input devices such as mechanical button switches, IR sensors, and the like, may be
provided at selected sites on and around the table top 10 as necessary for dealer and
player actuations during participation in the particular game for which the table of the
present invention is computer programmed. In addition, certain of the dealer and
player control representations can be made to appear and disappear in the same location, depending upon the mode of game play then existing, so that control
representations for only those touch sensitive areas needed for guiding game play
through such then-existing mode are displayed, and are active. Finally, also displayed in the dealer site 26 are card representations 83 for the dealer. With touch-sensitive
controls available to the dealer (and to players) as needed to guide game play through
various stages of a game, progress through interactive game play remains under control
of the live dealer who then also collects wagers, pays out winnings, and generally
controls game play. Training of dealers is thus greatly simplified, and opportunities for
cheating are further diminished since only certain touch-sensitive controls may be
active for only selected possible dealer and player activities throughout various stages
of a game. In this way, game play may be interactively controlled by dealer and players
as implemented under computer control in accordance with the present invention.
Touch-sensitive areas disposed about the upper surface of the table top 14 as
previously described above may include conventional proximity sensors, or IR sensors,
or capacitive sensors including matrix arrays of transparent electrodes disposed on a surface of one or other layers shown in Figure 2B that form the table top 10 The
protective top layer 19 may contain touch-sensitive assemblies and/or may serve as a
protective layer to minimize possible damage to the display screen resulting from
careless or abusive behavior by game participants.
Referπng now to Figure 4B, there is shown a block diagram of a local network
for operating a casino game table according to one embodiment of the present
invention Computer 36 controls the table display 40, or optionally may control individual displays 40' such as at individual player and dealer sites, or individual
displays 100a- 100s of a composite display panel 10', as illustrated m Figure 5 A. The
computer 36 receives inputs from touch-sensitive areas 19, 50, 52, 56 at dealer and player sites, and also receives inputs from bet sensors that may operate as touch sensors
50, 52 or as infra-red sensors 37, or the like, the computer 36 also receives inputs from bill acceptor 11 and readers 13, 29 of credit cards and player identification cards to
facilitate ci editing wagei accounts of players, and reporting game play information to a
casino's database of player information, as previously discussed
Referring now to Figure 4C, there is shown a pictorial illustration of a cluster of
such casino game tables, as descπbed above, arranged at spaced locations for
interactive operation as m competition or tournament game play. Each such table 14 of
a plural number of tables have their associated computers 36 networked via a cluster
controller 42, as shown in Figure 4B, with a central computer 44 using standard
TCP/IP bus protocols 46, standard Ethernet connections, and the like. Operation of a plural number of tables 14 on a central computer 44 also greatly facilitates collection of
data generally regarding prize pools, accounting matters, security checks, play history,
and the like.
In other embodiments of the casino game table according to the present
invention, an individual table 14 may include a plurality of individual relatively small-
capacity, inexpensive processors or computers 48 associated with each of a plurality of
displays 53 at dealer and player sites (and as table background display), with individual
touch-sensitive input controllers 55, as inexpensive modularized assemblies, for linking, together to a main table controller or computer 57, as shown in the block
schematic diagram of Figure 4D, via a standard computer bus 59. Alternatively, each of a plurality of modularized individual assemblies associated with each of a plurality
of displays 101, with associated video controller circuitry 103 and touch sensor input
controllers 105, may all be linked, as shown in the block diagram of Figure 4E, to a
common table controller 107, for example including an interface 28 and computer 36,
as previously described.
In the embodiments of casino game tables described above, the computer 36
associated with a table or the central computer 44 associated with a cluster of tables
may include large memory space to store the total pixel arrays of all displays, or for the
entire display area, with each display (or areal portion of an entire display) assigned a
subset array within the memory space to provide the image data to be used for each
particular display or portion of an entire display. This permits resident storage of all display attributes and input responses for several hundred different casino games and
variations thereof. This facilitates programmability of desirable features and
reconfiguration of a table 14, for example, using a resident set-up utility program that
can be accessed and displayed, for example, through the table display or the display at
the dealer's site 26 with associated touch-sensitive control inputs thereat (or via
secured key entries under casino control) when the table 14 and associated circuitry is
powered up, or while a game configuration is in an idle state. Background color on the
table top display may be changed, for example, from green to blue or red, or the like, at
the election of the dealer or the host casino at appropriate times to elevate the mood or temperament of players, or for other purposes.
As illustrated in the flow chart of Figures 6 A and 6B, operation of game play on an embodiment of the game table described above is guided by the live dealer, and a
new game begins when the dealer calls for wagers. Each player occupying a player site
22 of game table 10 (Figure 1) may place a wager 61 in the WAGER area 50 to
indicate participation in the game. If the player so elects, he/she may also place a
wager in the BONUS area 52 for participation in bonus play, as later described herein.
The dealer then notifies the players that the wager period is ended, and presses 63 the
"start" area 75, or a NEW GAME area 80. The wagers are recorded by the computer
36, and the dealer then collects all BONUS wagers and presses 65 the DEAL area 76.
The inputs received by the computer 36 indicating at which player sites 22 wagers were
placed in the WAGER areas 50 and BONUS areas 52 thus controls generation of the
applicable image data 64 by the computer 36 to display card representations 56 as "dealt" 67 to those player sites 22 at which wagers are placed in the wager areas 50. In
addition, the participating players will have their card representations 60 also displayed
(usually face down) at the dealer site 26 to inform the dealer which players are in the
game. Players can view the values of card representations "dealt" to them by touching
69 the displayed card representation, as previously described herein.
Those players who have indicated participation in bonus play, by a token or
wager placed in the BONUS area 52 of the associated player site 22, will have their
representative identification numerals 62 change color (or be altered in other visually- contrasting manner) in the displayed image at the dealer site 26, in the manner
described above. Play proceeds according to game play rules through various player options and dealer actions 71, 73, 77, 79, 81, 85, 87-93 to conclusion of the dealt hands
and payment 92 of winners, if any. The dealer presses CLEAR 95 to clear the displays
of cards and wagers and prepare the table display 10 for the next game.
Card representations that are "dealt" according to game play may be made to
instantaneously appear at each station 22, 26 of the player for which the card(s) is (are)
intended. However, in one embodiment of the present invention, the computer 36 may
be program controlled to produce some animation of the card representations
skimming across the surface 18 (Figure 1) of the table top 14 from the dealer position
26 to the recipient player position 22. Also, non-active regions of the display surface
between dealer and player sites may be animated to represent water or cloudy sky, or
the like. Thus, background display as well as the participant sites may be conveniently altered, for example, by changing from green background to blue background, or the
like, in response to a number of selectable programs that may be resident in computer
36. In addition, a sound system (not shown) may also be used to provide an aural
indication of card movement across the surface 18. A sound system under control of
the computer 36 may also be used to provide sound bytes or music in conventional
manner, for example, of shuffling cards, congratulating a player on a winning hand,
receiving a good "hit" card (e.g., drawing an 8 to a hand of 13), or a fanfare upon
hitting a blackjack.
Game play is continued under control of the computer 36 which displays an enlarged image of card representations 60 at the dealer site 26 to show the active hand.
At the outset, game play may begin with the first participating player to the immediate
right of the dealer, i.e., the player at player site 22a. The player with the then-active hand will indicate his desires either verbally or non-verbally (e.g., head shakes, hand
motions, player activation of a control button or touch-sensor, etc.) to receive a card
i.e., take a hit, stand, or if he has a pair, split them. Alternatively, touch-sensitive areas
for controlling such player decisions may be displayed and activated at a player's site,
as previously described. In response to a player's requests or instructions, the dealer
touches the applicable touch-sensitive areas 66-86 pertaining to the player's desires or
game condition. For example, if the player requests another card, he will so indicate to
the dealer who will then touch the HIT area 66. Conversely, if the player desires no
more cards, he will so indicate to the dealer who will touch the STAND area 70.
Under certain conditions, a player or the dealer may also speed up or slow down the rate of game play in response to a touch-sensitive control input that alters the pace of
program execution by the computer 36. Additionally, under certain circumstances, a
recent history of game play through the dealt hand(s) of cards may be reviewed, for
example, to help resolve a disputed activity or result during game play. This can be
accomplished conveniently by storing all inputs and game activities in the computer 36
for recall in whole or in part per hand of game play, or over a selected number of past
game plays, for example, for statistical analyses, tallies of winnings within a time
interval, and the like.
Traditional game play through random or selective circumstances may be conveniently implemented according to the present invention. For example, if the player has a pair of cards he desires to split, he will so indicate to the dealer who will
touch the SPLIT area 72, causing the two card representations to be displayed at the
corresponding player site 22, spaced apart from one another, side-by-side, and causing
two more cards to be 'dealt' to the player so that the player then has two pairs of card
representations 56 displayed before him at locations at the player site 22 that are touch-
sensitive. He can then play each pair, taking a hit, or standing, as desired. The card
representations are displayed in touch-sensitive areas which may be touched by the
player to provide input to the computer 36 for altering the displayed image to show the
card representations with tumed-up comers, as illustrated in Figure 3B.
Once the active player concludes his active participation, the dealer will so
indicate by touching the STAND area 70, which produces input to the computer 36 that alters the output display to reduce the size of the player card representation 60, as
displayed in the dealer site 26, for that player (The player may still participate in the
bonus play, as descπbed below, provided a wager was set in the BONUS area 52 at the
outset ) At the same time, the computer 36 alters the output display of the dealer's site
26 to enlarge the card representations 60 for the next active player, and play continues
in similar manner though all active player sites
It should be noted that the casino game table according to the present invention
provides multiple game capabilities that may be conveniently reconfigured for other
games, for example for poker, or the like, at the casino's election by simply alteπng the program that controls the display on the playing surface, for example, to include a
plurality of substantially similar participant positions about the table, all under program control of the computer 36 Specific controls for a dealer position sequentially move
game play from player to player in a fixed rotational order (or randomly in other games
such as PAI GOW poker) among the participating players (foi example, to deal
additional caids as lequested by each playei), and specific gaming images and touch-
sensitive areas may simply be displayed and activated at the same or different positions
of participants (i.e., dealer and players) under control of the computer 36 throughout
each phase of game play. Of course, certain operating sequences or game rules may be
altered at any time as desired, at the election of the casino, simply by selecting an
alternate resident program to control gaming operation of the computer-controlled
table Such changes at random times may include elections to 'shuffle' the deck of card
representations when desired, or incorporate the equivalent of additional deck(s) of
cards, or limit the number of players, or the size of wagers, or the like, by selecting
resident program modules or subroutines to accomplish such purposes that can be
conveniently incorporated in conventional manner into the operating routine of a game
program, at the election of the casmo
A computer-controlled display screen as the table top of a casino game table in
accordance with the present invention permits numerous multimedia possibilities that
may be used to provide a game with animation, streaming video, and/or sound, changing background colors or graphics, and the like, at the election of the casino. For
example, the card representations may be displayed as exploding when a player receives a point total exceeding that established by game rules (i.e., the player "busts").
In addition, the table top may be animated to display a representation of water, with the
card representations floating and skimming acioss the display lepresentation of water
Further, the shuffling of the cards by a dealei can be animated, as can the showing of
card representations flying or otherwise skittering from a graphical representation of a
card deck to player sites. Streaming video may include real-time commercial casino
advertisements or other product advertisements, or video of a dealer's hands shuffling
and dealing cards, or video of a fireworks display to highlight a player attaining a
blackjack (if the game being played is blackjack), or hits a bonus jackpot, or some
other award. Sound processors or other sources of sounds or music may be included to
incorporate selected sounds with any animation or streaming video. Sounds can be
provided for shuffling of the deck of cards, dealing the cards, or any of the various
actions taken during game play (e.g., if playing blackjack, sounds for taking a card,
splitting, and/or a decision to double down). A voice can be provided congratulating
the player on achieving a winning hand, receiving a very good hit card (e.g., receiving
an eight (8) on a hand of thirteen (13), or hitting a blackjack).
In an alternate embodiment of the invention, table top display shown in Figure 1 may be formed of a matrix of closely-positioned CRT or LCD or plasma-panel
displays, as illustrated in Figure 5A. Specifically, a table top 10' in this illustrated
embodiment is formed as a matrix of a plurality of individual display units 100 (100a, 100b, ..., 100s), closely and preferably seamlessly positioned adjacent one another.
The display units 100a- 100s are coupled via bus cable 104 to a computer or data
processor 106 that may include a work station or PC computer with NGA or other
video processing platforms for driving one or multiple displays via a network as
previously described to generate the requisite images for the particular game and for
the dealer and player positions, as described above. The images, of course, are
generated for distributed display within or across one or more display units 100 to
display the composite images that form an embodiment of a gaming table according to
the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment of Figure 5A, touch-sensitive
regions suitable for wager detection, card viewing, dealer controls, and the like, as
previously described, may be located substantially anywhere in the surface regions of the assembled matrix of Figure 5 A for sensing by the computer or processor unit 106
in a manner as previously described. Such touch screen capability as an on-screen
manual input may be provided by the computer or processor unit 106, for example, by
sensing in conventional manner capacitive changes at selected coordinates on a raster-
scanned display device 100 caused by a finger or wagering token positioned within a
region of selected coordinates along the raster-scanned display.
Referring now to Figure 5B, there is shown a pictorial view of a casino game
table 14 according to an embodiment of the present invention in which the table-top
display formed thereon is illustrated at one stage or phase of game play to include 6 player sites 22a-22f and a dealer site 26. Displayed card representations 56a, 56b at
each player site and dealer site are accompanied by displays of one or more touch-
sensitive input control areas 56' and display 111, 113 of different bonus designations for the second and fifth player sites relative to the displays of bonus designations at the
remaining player sites. This is one characterization of multiple different game rules
applicable to different players in a common casino game, (or even in simultaneous
games) at the election, for example, of the individual players. Thus, players may select
different bonus options to an underlying casino game (e.g., blackjack, with additional
payout for all 7's as bonus 1 option, or additional payout for 6, 7, 8 as option 2, or the
like), upon activation of a touch-sensitive area 56' (or other manual input device) at a
beginning stage of a new, underlying casino game. The outcome of bonus play does not necessarily depend upon the underlying
game. Rather, predetermined cards and sequences of dealt cards are identified for
bonus play. For example, sevens may be predesignated for bonus play according to the
following jackpot awards:
TABLE 1
Player HAND Player PAYOUT Other Bettor's PAYOUT
7 in first two cards 1.5 TO 1
77 in first two cards 20 TO 1 1 TO 1
777 in first three cards 500 TO 1 25 TO 1
7777 in first four cards 20, 000 TO 1 1,000 TO 1
7777 in predetermined 1 million TO 1 10,000 TO 1 sequence in first four cards
According to Table 1, a player participating in bonus play wins a payout depending
upon the number and sequence of sevens received during any one hand. For example,
if the player's hand (i.e., the originally dealt two cards) contains one seven, he is
entitled to one and one half times the wager he placed in the BONUS area 52. (A
wager may be placed in the BONUS area 52 only if the player desires to participate in
bonus pay. Payouts to the player, and to other players who participate in bonus play,
are based upon the amount of any such bonus wager.) If the player's first two originally dealt cards are both sevens, the player is entitled to 20 times the wager
placed in the BONUS area 52, and each other player wagering on BONUS play is also
entitled to a payout equal to the wager amount on each such player's BONUS area 52.
This, of course, is in addition to any payout attributable to the underlying game itself
(e.g., blackjack). For example, a player may initially draw two 7s, and decide to draw
an additional card, receiving a third 7, in which case he is entitled to a bonus payout of
500 to 1. Additionally, each other player betting on BONUS play is entitled to bonus
payout equal to 25 times the wager amount on each such player's BONUS area 52.
The player may elect to draw a fourth card in the hopes of drawing a fourth 7 for a 20,000 to 1 payout for himself and a 1000 to 1 payout for each other player betting on
BONUS play. And, if the hand of four 7's was dealt in a predetermined sequence of suits, the player would be entitled to one million to one payout for himself, and a
10,000 to 1 payout for each other player betting on BONUS play. Of course, it should
be noted that other cards can be used instead of 7s, i.e., any combination of three cards
can be used instead of 7s, that tally to 21 and a fourth card to attain odds necessary for
large payouts (i.e., 6-7-8 and 9). In addition, multi-deck games, particular suits (and
sequences) could be utilized as well, such as multiple 7s in one suit (e.g., spades) to
attain higher odds and payouts. Also, it should be noted that payouts to other players
betting on BONUS play in amounts, or at all, may be determined at the election of the
casino hosting the game.
Alternatively, the host casino may establish rules requiring that if the player is
dealt 2 sevens in the originally dealt two cards, and takes a hit, receiving a third 7 entitling him to a payout of 500 times the wager in the BONUS area 52 for that player),
the player may win over the dealer in the blackjack game and may also take a chance in
BONUS play at receiving a 4th seven. Thus, he may take another hit to see if he gets 4
sevens, in which case the payout would be 20,000 times the wager placed in the
BONUS area 52. Additionally, any combination of cards, suits, sequences of cards, or
number of consecutively winning hands may be utilized for creating and awarding
BONUS play. And, such BONUS play and awards may be facilitated by, but not
constrained to, operation of the game table and table top display according to the
present invention.
Therefore, the gaming apparatus and method of the present invention greatly facilitate casino game play under real-time interactive control of a live dealer.
Computer-controlled display of gaming images in response to touch-sensitive inputs
provided by dealer and players thus implement progress of game play through all
phases of gaming and wagering, and greatly reduce opportunities for cheating.

Claims

Claims:
1. Gaming apparatus for interactive live table game play among
participants, the apparatus comprising: a display screen forming an upper member of a game table for displaying a
playing surface; and
an image generator associated with the display screen for controlling display of
selected game images for display on the playing surface of the display screen at plural
participant positions thereon.
2. Gaming apparatus as in claim 1 in which the display screen includes a matrix of a plural number of individual display elements assembled in contiguous
array.
3. Gaming apparatus as in claim 2 in which the individual display
elements are cathode-ray tube display devices.
4. Gaming apparatus as in claim 2 in which the individual display
elements are liquid-crystal display elements.
5. Gaming apparatus as in claim 1 in which the image generator includes
an optical projector disposed to project the game images onto a surface of the display screen opposite the playing surface for viewing the game images on the playing
surface.
6. Gaming apparatus as in claim 1 in which the image generator
comprises:
a processor for creating game images including input images for display at a
selected number of the plural participant positions on the playing surface of the display
screen.
7. Gaming apparatus as in claim 6 in which the game images include:
at least two participant positions that each include wager locations and game
play card locations whereat playing card representations and recognition of wager are displayable for viewing on the playing surface.
8. Gaming apparatus as in claim 7 including:
a dealer participant position that includes card representations displayable for
viewing on the playing surface for each player participant.
9. Gaming apparatus as in claim 7 in which the playing surface is touch
responsive at selected locations including at locations at which input images are
displayed.
10 Gaming apparatus as in claim 7, wherein locations at which playing
card representations are displayed for viewing at a participant position are touch
responsive locations
11 Gaming apparatus as claim 6 wherein the image generator is
responsive to activation of touch sensitive locations of the display screen at which
playing card representations are displayed as game images for alteπng the display of
the card representations at the activated touch sensitive location to display a card value
12 Gaming apparatus as in claim 1 including:
a surface layer overlaying the playing surface for viewing therethrough the
game images displayed on the playing surface
13 Gaming apparatus as m claim 1 wherein the playing surface suppresses
glaie and leflections
14 A method of providing a bonus component to a card-based casino game
involving one or more players, the casmo game being of the type in which card are
dealt to each of the one or more players and additional cards are dealt upon request, the
method compπsing-
indicating participation in the cas o game with a first wager,
indicating participation in the bonus component with a second wager, dealing cards to each of one or more participating players pursuant to the casino
game; and
awarding bonus payout to one of the one or more players receiving cards
pursuant to the casino game having card values including one or more of:
a) a card of predetermined card value as one of the first two cards received
by the one player; or
b) two cards of predetermined card values as the first two cards received
by the one player; or
c) three cards of predetermined card values as the first three cards received by the one player; or d) four cards of predetermined card values as the first four cards received
by the one player.
15. The method according to claim 14 in which all of the predetermined
card values are 7's.
16. The method according to claim 14 including:
awarding bonus payment to the one player receiving
e) four cards of predetermined card values in a predetermined sequence of suits
as the first four cards are received in succession by the one player.
17. The method according to claim 14 including:
awarding bonus payout to other of the players who indicated participation in the
bonus component with a second wager, in response to the one player receiving card
values including one or more of b), or c), or d).
18. The method according to claim 16 including:
awarding bonus payment to other of the players who indicated participation in
the bonus component with a second wager, in response to the one player receiving card values including b), or c), or d), or e).
19. The method according to claim 18 in which all of the predetermined
card values are 7's.
20. A method for interactive game play among a plurality of participants
using a gaming table that exhibits at selected locations on a playing surface thereof
computer controlled and generated images including playing card representations, and
that includes computer controls at the selected locations, the method comprising:
initiating computer-controlled game play among the participants under control
of one of the participants at one of the selected location;
actuating computer-controller display of initial playing card representations at a
number of the selected locations at which game play participants are positioned; and selectively, under control of the one participant and at the request of another of
the participants, actuating computer-controlled display of an additional playing card
representation at a location corresponding to the other participant.
21. The method according to claim 20 comprising:
selectively altering the computer-controlled display of a playing card
representation between face down and at least partial face up orientations at a location
corresponding to a participant in response to actuation by that participant of a computer
control at the corresponding location.
22. The method according to claim 21 in which touch sensitive controls are
disposed at locations at which playing card representations are displayed, and the actuation by the participant includes touching the playing surface of the table at a touch
sensitive location corresponding to a displayed playing card representation.
23. The method according to claim 22 in which at least a co er portion of a
playing card representation displayed in face down orientation at a selected location
corresponding to a participant is displayed in curled-up orientation sufficient to exhibit
card value and suit of the playing card representation in response to the participant's
touch of the touch sensitive location.
24 The method according to claim 22 in which a playing card
representation displayed in face down oπentation at a selected location corresponding
to a participant is displayed in face up oπentation in response to the participant's touch
of the touch-sensitive location
25 Gaming apparatus for interactive game play among participants, the apparatus comprising
a display screen forming an upper member of a game table for displaying a playing surface including participant positions disposed thereabout,
an image generator associated with the display screen for controlling display of
selected game images including a wager representation for display on the playing surface of the display screen, and
a sensor on the playing surface in a wager area at at least one participant
position, and coupled to the image generator for detecting placement of a wager on the
wager area for activating the image geneiator to display on the playing surface a
recognition of a wager placed in the wager area
26. Gaming apparatus as in claim 25 in which the image generator forms
the display on the playing surface of the recognition of a wager at the one participant
position and at another location on the playing surface
27. Gaming apparatus as in claim 25 including an auxiliary sensor in an
auxiliary wager area disposed relative to the playing surface at at least the one
participant position, coupled to the image generator for detecting placement of a bonus
wager in the auxiliary wager area for activating the image generator to display on the
playing surface a recognition of the bonus wager placed in the auxiliary wager area.
PCT/US1999/020737 1998-09-21 1999-09-09 Gaming apparatus and method WO2000016863A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU58196/99A AU5819699A (en) 1998-09-21 1999-09-09 Gaming apparatus and method

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US15895698A 1998-09-21 1998-09-21
US09/158,956 1998-09-21

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
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