4784results about "Board games" patented technology

A computer gaming system and method of operation thereof are provided that both drastically reduce the cost of gaming stations and allow contemporaneous access to multiple game programs from a single gaming station. The computer gaming system of the present invention allows for transparent modifications and upgrades to the gaming programs by executing gaming programs on a server / host computer connected to a plurality of client / terminal computers via communication pathways. Each client / terminal computer comprises a client / terminal program that allows input and output streams of the gaming program executed on the server / host computer to be separated and redirected to the client / terminal computers. Since the gaming programs are executed entirely on the server / host computer, with only wagering input and display output operations being executed on the client / terminal computers, the cost of the hardware and software required for each client / terminal computer is greatly reduced. A patron of a client / terminal computer can access any of the gaming programs executed on the server / host computer. Modifications and upgrades of the gaming programs only need to be performed on the server / host computer. By using a stereo head-mounted display together with a joystick input device and wireless communication pathways, the present invention allows a patron to participate in a mobile gaming environment.

A cooperative group gaming apparatus and method therefore including a plurality of gaming machines including means for individual play, means for communal play and communal payout means influenced by any gaming machine participating in cooperative group play, said plurality of gaming machines operatively coupled to at least one controller which, inter alia, communicates with at least one display means for displaying the effects of cooperative group play to game players.

A use enabling method and mechanism to enable use of a disabled game resident on multiple platform gaming machines. When a gaming operator elects to enable a particular disabled game, an enabling device of generates an encrypted Request Code (27) having components identifying the specific gaming machine and the specific game to be enabled. This Request Code (27) is then communicated through a communication coupling (55) to a compatible, mating encoder device (28) operated by the licensing game vendor or game manufacture. In response, the encoder device (28) generates an encrypted Enabling Code (31) which enables use only for the selected game or games, and only in the gaming machine (21) upon which the corresponding Request Code originated. Upon inputting the corresponding Enabling Code (31) into the enabling device (32) incorporated on the particular gaming device, the selected disable game or games may be subsequently enabled for use.

A competitive game simulation machine includes a plurality of moving objects; a game board on which the plurality of moving objects are to be placed; and a controller for controlling motions of the moving objects on the game board. The game board includes a main area used for moving objects to compete a specified game and an auxiliary area wherein the moving objects are movable between the main area and the auxiliary area.

Embodiments of the instant invention are directed to a method, apparatus and system for lottery gaming, wherein a simple, objective, verifiable and reliable method of selecting the winning lottery numbers is provided. In preferred embodiments, a user accesses the game via a wide area network or by some other remote means and inputs required information, including payment information and the user's selections for the game. Prior to any user participating in the game, the game provider selects elements that comprise a winning combination. Preferably, the elements that comprise the winning combination are objective and verifiable elements, such as, for example, a portion of the closing stock market price on a given day for a specified set of markets. As such, the elements comprising the winning combinations are objective and can be verified by all of the users. The definition of the winning combination can be redefined for each new game, or as it is generated from a indicia providing source, can remain the same for all games or a set number of games.

A gaming machine and method for operating the same has gameplay elements provided in a manner that can be visualized, with the gameplay elements having a specific nature which is revealed to the player at a beginning to the game. That is, the player knows the value, or ranking, or position, etc., of the gameplay elements upon inception of the game. In a base level for the game of the gaming machine, no unknown gameplay element or random event is injected into the gameplay elements. This is a full information format for the gaming machine and method, and success is measured by the player's ability to manipulate the gameplay elements presented. A gaming machine and a method for operating the same is also provided with the gameplay elements once again having a specific nature which is known to the player at a start to game play, and in a preferred embodiment not subject thereafter to a random or unknown event, with the gameplay elements being arranged in one of a variety of different arrangements presenting a plurality of choices to a player for subsequent play of the elements. Outcome of the game is dependent upon the choices made by the player, with a given choice potentially influencing the next choice that may be available. Embodiments of the invention in the form of a checkers game and in the form of a poker-type game are disclosed, among others.

A system automatically monitors playing of a game and gathers data in real time. An overhead imaging system automatically images the game table and provides an overhead view of the game table and / or the dealer's chip tray. A lateral imaging system images the gaming area, especially the wagering regions, to provide a lateral view of the chips on the table. An automatic card shoe system dispenses cards and automatically images at least one card immediately prior to its withdrawal from the shoe. A positioning module processes images from the overhead imaging system to automatically track the position of gaming objects such as for example playing cards, chips, currency bills on the gaming table. An identity module processes images from the overhead imaging system to automatically track the identity of gaming objects on the gaming table. A chip identity module processes overhead images of the chip tray and lateral images of the gaming region to automatically determine, the identity and position of gaming chips. A card-shoe software associated with the automatic card shoe system processes signals from the automatic card shoe system to automatically identify the game related value of at least one card immediately prior to its withdrawal from the shoe by a dealer.

The invention relates to a game set which comprises communicating elements, in the form of pieces, figurines, cards or dice, each having a radio-frequency tag provided with an individual identification code. A game board comprises a digital processing circuit which is connected to a plurality of antennas, arranged such as to form a sensor matrix, for detecting the presence, type and position of the communicating elements. Radio-frequency readers are respectively connected to m corresponding input / output terminals of the digital processing circuit. Each radio-frequency reader is connected to an associated group of antennas, preferably by means of a corresponding multiplexer. The game board may consist of a removable assembly of basic boards, each comprising a basic digital processing circuit which is connected to the antennas of the corresponding basic board.

A networked casino game rules violation alert system that captures game data from numerous game security systems / devices in real time, integrates the data, and compiles the integrated data. The system interprets the compiled data, associates the interpreted data with game rules, analyzes and compares the data to determine if there have been invalid actions (i.e., cheating by the player and / or dealer), detects any game anomalies, categorizes the anomalies, generates alerts based on the anomalies and the priority assigned to the anomaly, and dispatches alerts to various systems and alert mechanisms linked to the network. The system can also be used to collect game statistics, per player and dealer, and can determine and respond to historical anomalies as deemed appropriate.

A system automatically monitors playing of a game and gathers data in real time. An overhead imaging system automatically images the game table and provides an overhead view of the game table and / or the dealer's chip tray. A lateral imaging system images the gaming area, especially the wagering regions, to provide a lateral view of the chips on the table. An automatic card shoe system dispenses cards and automatically images at least one card immediately prior to its withdrawal from the shoe. A positioning module processes images from the overhead imaging system to automatically track the position of gaming objects such as for example playing cards, chips, currency bills on the gaming table. An identity module processes images from the overhead imaging system to automatically track the identity of gaming objects on the gaming table. A chip identity module processes overhead images of the chip tray and lateral images of the gaming region to automatically determine, the identity and position of gaming chips. A card-shoe software associated with the automatic card shoe system processes signals from the automatic card shoe system to automatically identify the game related value of at least one card immediately prior to its withdrawal from the shoe by a dealer.

The invention provides a prize redemption system for use with one or more game apparatuses. A game is provided on a game apparatus for a player to play in exchange for monetary input, and prize credits are credited to the player based on the game outcome. A prize selection menu is then displayed by the game apparatus, the menu including one or more prizes, where the player may select a prize that has a prize cost within the player's prize credit amount. The player is dispensed a specific prize ticket that is redeemable for the selected prize. The game apparatus can also provide specific prizes and tournament games played for a tournament prize contributed to by multiple players. An operator can adjust prizes and payout percentages of the system to achieve a desired profitability for game apparatuses. Prize input is entered into a prize table describing multiple available prizes and also describing payout information that indicates a desired amount of payout that the operator wishes to provide back to players of the game apparatus in terms of the value of the prizes. Prize information, such as prize costs and specific prize win ratios, is automatically determined by the system for each of the prizes in view of the desired profitability of the game apparatus.Additionally, the invention provides method and article of manufacture for implementing a user profile-driven gaming and prize redeeming system. The user profile-driven gaming and prize redemption system allows for the tailoring of a user's experience of playing a computer implemented game on a network gaming system by first receiving an identifier selected from a group of identifiers including a user identifier relating to the user (i.e., player) of the network gaming system, a game identifier relating to a particular game played by the user of the network gaming system, and a site identifier relating to the location (i.e. web site) from which the game is being played. The network gaming system then alters the computer-implemented game played by the user in a manner based upon the selected identifier. The foregoing technique may also be applied to a prize redemption system.

A method and apparatus for enhancing security in issuing and redeeming gaming tickets is described in which a machine-readable indicium (preferably barcoding) is embodied in a payout ticket from a gaming machine. When the ticket is presented for redemption, the machine-readable indicium is read automatically (preferably by a barcode reader), to provide electronic signals which are then processed electronically to determine whether the ticket is genuine (valid). In a preferred embodiment, a barcode reader reads from a ticket a validation number which if genuine is a predetermined function of a payout amount and one or more other parameters barcoded on the ticket; an electronic processing unit then determines whether the barcoded data is related according to the predetermined function.

An online game of chance that produces a multi-player extension to an individual, instant lottery-type game and a method of playing the game are disclosed. The game comprises a first, individual phase of play using a virtual game substrate and a second, group phase of play comprising a plurality of virtual game substrates from first phase of play that are arrayed in a matrix. The first, individual phase of play is based on in instant lottery version of the well-known game of tic-tac-toe; the object being to match a plurality of game pieces, e.g., three, in one of a contiguous row, column, and diagonal. The object of the second phase of play is to use the combination of virtual game substrates to produce a match with one or more predetermined winning array combinations. This provides each individual participant with a second chance of winning. With the second phase of play, the combination of virtual game substrates is also movable, which produces even more opportunities for participants to win a prize.

A system for determining the skill of a player eliminates the element of chance by comparing players who have the same initial position. In the case of cards, the initial position is the hand dealt to the player and in tile games, it is the initial distribution and arrangement of tiles. A player with a less than advantageous initial position may win a game over an opponent having a better initial position. It cannot conclusively be said whether this win is due to the good play of the winner or the bad play of the loser. However, it can clearly be said that the winning player has a higher skill level than the losing player.

In some embodiments of the present invention a gambling game system is disclosed, comprising a central station including a plurality of betting-type game devices, and an electronic camera for each game device. A plurality of player stations remotely located with respect to the central stations, each one including a monitor for displaying a selected game device at the central station, and input means for selecting a game device and for placing a bet by a player at the player's station relating to an action involving an element of change to occur at the selected game device.

Physical objects may be employed with a virtual game layout to enhance wager and non-wagered based gaming. Displays subsystems may provide a changeable or selectable virtual game layout with demarcations appropriate to a selected game. A sensor subsystem may detect physical aspects of game related pieces (e.g., playing cards, chips, markers, dice, spinners, tokens, tiles) as well as media (e.g., identity media, financial media). All gaming functions may occur through interaction with a playing surface, as well as functions such as order food, beverages and services. Automated tracking of players, dealers and games may be realized along with bonusing and promotions.

A lottery game system includes a number of lottery tickets, a playing area disposed on each lottery ticket, the playing area having a number of paths each traversing in the playing area. A starting point and a finishing point are disposed on the playing area. A first winning predetermined path begins at the starting point and ends at the finishing point and is initially concealed from a player prior to commencing play of the lottery game. A special point is disposed among the various paths and a second winning path, defined as a portion of the first winning path, begins at the starting point and ends at the special point. The special point is positioned before the finishing point. The second winning path results in a higher winning amount than the first winning path. The lottery game system may further include a lottery wand manipulated by a user wherein the lottery wand remains in contact with said lottery ticket along said winning path. Further, the lottery game system may include at least one lottery terminal which is operative to print at least one playing area and to dispense at least one lottery ticket.

An interactive table has a display surface on which a physical object is disposed. A camera within the interactive table responds to infrared (IR) light reflected from the physical object enabling a location of the physical object on the display surface to be determined, so that the physical object appear part of a virtual environment displayed thereon. The physical object can be passive or active. An active object performs an active function, e.g., it can be self-propelled to move about on the display surface, or emit light or sound, or vibrate. The active object can be controlled by a user or the processor. The interactive table can project an image through a physical object on the display surface so the image appears part of the object. A virtual entity is preferably displayed at a position (and a size) to avoid visually interference with any physical object on the display surface.

One embodiment of the present invention provides for receiving a player identifier, transmitting the player identifier to a central server, receiving data corresponding to the player identifier from the central server, and configuring play of a casino game based on the data.

Methods, apparatus, and computer programs for controlling a view of a virtual scene with a portable device are presented. In one method, a signal is received and the portable device is synchronized to make the location of the portable device a reference point in a three-dimensional (3D) space. A virtual scene, which includes virtual reality elements, is generated in the 3D space around the reference point. Further, the method determines the current position in the 3D space of the portable device with respect to the reference point and creates a view of the virtual scene. The view represents the virtual scene as seen from the current position of the portable device and with a viewing angle based on the current position of the portable device. Additionally, the created view is displayed in the portable device, and the view of the virtual scene is changed as the portable device is moved by the user within the 3D space. In another method, multiple players shared the virtual reality and interact among each other view the objects in the virtual reality.

The method of the present invention involves card games in which the player plays multiple hands of cards during one play session. The cards are dealt out in horizontal fashion and may include three card, five card, seven card or higer card games. The player may wager on each horizontal row of cards dealt separately and each row of cards will be played as a separate poker game. The player may also make a separate wager (Parlay Wager) that will payoff if multiple winning hands are obtained in one play session. Additional versions of the game also provide for additional wagering. For example in a three card three hand game, the horizontal dealing of the cards are such that each row of cards are situated in sequential order so that first hand is directly over the second hand and the second hand is directly over the third so that a three card by three card matrix is created. In addition to having the ability to wager and win the three hands drawn in horizontal fashion and the parlay wager for multiple winning hands, the player also has the ability to win five additional ways (i.e., three vertical paylines and two diagonal combinations paylines).

A persistent authenticating mechanism to map real world object presence into virtual world object awareness are provided. The illustrative embodiments provide a mechanism by which the presence of a real world object is detected and, while the real world object's presence continues to be detected, it is made available for use in a virtual environment. The detection of the real world object provides an identifier of the object which is correlated with information regarding how to represent the object in the virtual environment, how the object may be utilized in relation to other objects in the virtual environment such that the real world object is modeled in the virtual environment, and the like. The detection of multiple real world objects may be performed and identification of each of the multiple objects may be used to determine how these objects may be utilized together in the virtual environment.

A method of playing a wagering game is disclosed which simulates a knowledge base same. The method electronically selects one of the plurality of questions, displays the electronically selected question to the player in the format of the simulated knowledge base game and displays a plurality of electronically selected answers associated with said electronically selected question to the player in the format of the simulated knowledge base game. The method electronically selects one of the answers associated with the electronically selected question, displays the electronically selected answer to the player in the format of the simulated knowledge base game, displays to the player any value assigned to the electronically selected and presented answer in the format of the simulated knowledge based game and awards to the player the displayed value.