Patent Application
20250118146
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a gaming table.
Recently, the popularity of “live dealer games” has grown tremendously with the explosion of online casinos. “Live dealer games” refer to games in which players participate in a table game featuring a “live dealer” (i.e., a physical human being who deals playing cards or otherwise operates physical gaming equipment rather than a random number generator as the dealer). The live game action may occur at a physical table, but the players may play from a location remote from the table, and may still be at the casino or may be remote from the casino.
A live dealer game may be available for a variety of live casino games, such as, for example, poker, baccarat, roulette, craps, blackjack, among others. The remote player may receive game data from, for example, a game server, such as what cards have been dealt by a live dealer, and also transmits information to the game server, for example, which wagers have been made or cards played by the remote player. Additionally, the information communicated to the remote player from the game server may include a live video feed of the dealer and game-play at the gaming table, and also an indication of game data generated, such as a rank and suit of each dealt card, the result of a roulette wheel spin, the value of a dice thrown, among others.
A gaming table system is provided including a gaming table having a table top having at least one table top opening, at least one light emitting device located within the table top opening, a light geometry plate corresponding to the at least one light emitting device, wherein the light geometry plate has a light geometry plate opening to dictate a shape of light projected through the light geometry plate opening, a transparent material covering the at least one light emitting device and the light geometry plate, and a top surface material covering the table top opening and the light geometry plate, wherein light from the light emitting device can be projected on the top surface material in shape dictated by the light geometry plate.
In one embodiment, the light geometry plate opening has an L-shape.
In embodiments, the gaming table system may also include a table top foam having a table top foam opening substantially aligned with the table top opening, wherein the light geometry plate is accommodated by the table top foam opening and a rail extending around at least a partial perimeter of the gaming table and protruding above the table top, wherein the rail accommodates at least one of or both of an upper rail lighting configured to illuminate a dealer located adjacent to the table and a lower rail lighting configured to provide dealing information to the dealer.
In embodiments, the upper rail lighting includes a continuous strip of lighting and the lower rail lighting includes multiple individually controllable light emitting devices.
In embodiments, the gaming table system may also include an overhead camera system that is configured to capture footage of gaming activity at the gaming table, wherein the overhead camera system is configured to analyze whether cards on the gaming table are in a correct location and orientation and a card shoe, wherein the card shoe comprises a detector to determine card information of a card extracted from the card shoe and communicate the card information to the overhead camera system.
In one embodiment, the top surface material is substantially opaque, but wherein light from the visual indicator projected onto a first side of the top surface material is visible on a second opposite side of the top surface material.
In one embodiment, a gaming table system includes a gaming table having a table top surface on which a card game can be played, a visual indicator providing a visual guide as to where a playing card should be placed, the visual indicator comprising a light emitting device and configured to display a light-based shape on the table top surface when the light emitted device emits light, a camera configured to capture footage of the table top surface, and a dealer display device in communication with the camera and configured to provide an indication when the playing card is placed in a correct location.
In one embodiment, the visual indicator is covered by the table top surface such that the light-based shape is projected onto the table top surface from a side opposite to a surface on which the card game can be played, for example, the light-based shape may be projected onto the table top surface from below the table top surface.
In one embodiment, the visual indicator is covered by the table top surface such that the visual indicator is not visible through the table top surface.
In one embodiment, the gaming table system includes a card show, wherein the camera is configured to compare card data from the card shoe to footage of the card dealt and communicate comparison data with the dealer display device. In one embodiment, the card data comprises at least one of a card location, a card orientation, a card suit, and a card rank.
In the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying figures of the drawing which form a part hereof, and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments which may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be used and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure presented herein.
Exemplary systems and methods shall be described with reference to
In embodiments as described in more detail below, a gaming table has a number of lighting features that improve the gaming experience for the dealer and for the player. In one embodiment, the gaming table has lights located under a top surface of the table (e.g., a felt coving a table top) that provide a visual guide to the dealer for locations on the table on which to place and align the cards so that players can see their cards on their computer or phone screen. As will be appreciated, there can be a number of different configurations for the lights depending on the nature of the game. In another embodiment, the table has lights on an upper portion of a rail or other edge portion of the gaming table, wherein the lights are directed towards the live dealer to more clearly illuminate the dealer for the users playing remotely. In yet another embodiment, the gaming table may have lights on a lower portion of the rail to provide an indication to the live dealer as to when to (and when not to) deal a card and, in some case, provide directional assistance as to where to deal a card, for example, to the left side or right side of the table.
With reference now to
The electronic gaming device 130 allows a user to view and interact with the live play gaming space 110 via, for example, a display screen for viewing a live feed of game-play at the live play gaming space. In addition, the electronic gaming device 130 may be configured to allow user input and to transmit such user input to the server 170 via an interface.
The communication link 150 connects an input device, such as a camera, located at the gaming area 140 with the server 170 to provide a live feed to the user operating the electronic gaming device 130. In one embodiment, the communication link 150 may be arranged as a plurality of communication links such as a local area network coupled to a wireless network. It will be appreciated, however, that there are many different configurations of communication links that could be used in association with the present system 100.
In embodiments, the server 170 may be operated by a gaming operator running the live dealer game or by an entity that is not directly associated with the game. The server 170 may include a number of electronic communication systems that may communicate with one or more devices in the live play gaming space 110 and with one or more electronic gaming devices 130 operated by users. For example, the server 170 may be configured to receive gaming data from the electronic gaming device 130, such as an indication of the rank and suit of cards played, any bets wagered, any game options available to the users or to the dealer, among others. Further, the server 170 may be arranged to communicate with entities not depicted in
The server 170 may be arranged in a variety of configurations and may include a communication interface, a processor, and data storage all linked together via, for example, a system bus. Accordingly, the server 170 may execute computer-readable program instructions stored in data storage to enable a plurality of electronic gaming devices to each play one or more live dealer games, to determine the outcome of game-play decisions and game results at a live dealer game, to transmit the game results to one or more electronic gaming devices, to operate in conjunction with a larger online gaming system (e.g., a separate gaming server, an online casino website, or a web server), or to manage a remote player's credit account, for example.
The server 170 may include discrete servers or may be an integrated server. The server 170, or each discrete server that makes up the server 170 may reside locally in or remotely from the live play gaming space 110. With reference to
Further, the gaming server 200 may generate data for transmission to the users, handle user registration, and act as a credit facility. The gaming server 200 may be, for example, a central gaming server, a peer-to-peer network, a distributed network, or the like. The gaming server 200 may determine the outcome of game-play decisions and game results at the live dealer game and transmit the results to a user playing the game on an electronic gaming device 130 via the communication network 120 and to any other participating remote players at corresponding electronic gaming devices via the communication network 120.
The gaming server 200 may be part of a more elaborate online gaming system which, in addition to the gaming server also includes an online casino website hosted on a casino web server. In one embodiment, the online casino website may be accessible by each user through an electronic gaming device 130 via the communication network 120.
In one embodiment, the gaming server 200 may also include a database having user credit accounts to allow users to deposit and withdraw funds and which maintains a user's balance when the user places wagers in the live dealer game.
The communication network 120 couples the live play gaming space 110 and the server 170 to an electronic gaming device 130 via the communication link 160 and allows data communication between the server 170 and the electronic gaming device 130. In one embodiment, the communication network 120 may be the Internet or a telephone network.
A live feed of gaming action occurring at the gaming table 180 may be captured by the overhead and front facing cameras 220, 230 associated with the gaming table, and the live feed may be transmitted to each electronic gaming device 130 of users participating in the game occurring at the table. Particularly, the overhead camera 220 may be used to show the rank and suit of cards on the table to the users when they are revealed by the live dealer 210 at the table as well as any other gaming-related action. The dealer display device 250 associated with the gaming table 180 may be used to communicate game play of users as well as other information as described below to the dealer 210.
In one embodiment, with continued reference to
With reference also to
In one embodiment, the light emitting device 380 may be located within the table top opening 350 and a visual indicator light geometry plate 390 may be located above (or otherwise in the path of) the light emitting device 380 such that light beamed through the light geometry plate appears in the shape dictated by the light geometry plate. As shown in
Additionally, a piece of transparent or semi-transparent material 400, such as gel foam, may be located on top of the light geometry plate 390 to protect and seal the light emitting device 380 and the light geometry plate 390 within the openings 350, 370 while still allowing light emitted from the light emitting device 380 to be visible through the transparent or semi-transparent material. In one embodiment, the transparent material 400 may be attached to the table top foam 360 via an adhesive or an interference fit, but it will be appreciated that the transparent material may also be attached via other fasteners.
Further, a top surface material 410, such as felt, which forms the playing surface on the gaming table 180 may be used to cover the openings 350, 370, the transparent or semi-transparent material 400, the light emitting device 380, and the light geometry plate 390, wherein light emitted by the light emitting device 380 is visible through the top surface material. With reference again to
With reference also to
With reference to
In another embodiment, as shown in
With reference now to
In one embodiment, the card shoe 260 may be configured to identify, for example, the rank and suit of a card when the card is removed from the card shoe, and thus may include an optical detector. If a card-based live dealer game is played, the optical detector of the card shoe 260 can capture an image of the face of a card as the card passes over the optical reader. In another embodiment, the card shoe 260 may include a bar code reader configured to read a face of each card that contains a unique bar code (or other unique marking) indicating the card's rank and suit, for example, or other relevant information. The bar code reader can then read the bar code on the card as the face of the card is passed over the reader by the live dealer 210. Once the card shoe 260 reads the card data, the card shoe may communicate the card data to the database server 190 which can store the card data. As will be appreciated, other devices may also be used to identify card data and communicate such data to the server 170.
The overhead camera 220 may be located to be able to capture all of the gaming activity occurring at the gaming table 180. For example, the camera 220 may be directed at the playing surface 270 of the gaming table 180 to detect activity occurring on the playing surface, particularly, the exposure of playing cards on the table. In one embodiment, the camera 220 is configured to record a live video feed of game-play at the gaming table 180 which may be transmitted over the communication network 120 shown in
In one embodiment, software associated with the database server 190 can display the cards dealt from the card shoe 260 on the dealer display device 250, for example, as shown in
As part of the user experience playing a live dealer game, the system 100 may allow the user to see the dealer 210 on the display of their electronic gaming device 130 via the use of the front facing camera 230 (see, e.g.,
With reference to
In order to maximize the user's experience, to obtain the best visualization of the dealer through the front facing camera 230, and to potentially eliminate at least some non-table equipped lighting in the live play gaming space 110, the gaming table 180 may include upper rail lighting 510, or subject lighting, that serves to illuminate the dealer 210 to provide an improved visual image of the dealer on the user's electronic gaming device 130. In one embodiment, the upper rail lighting 510 may include a light emitting diode strip that is attached to and extends continuously along an upper portion of the rail 500. When the upper rail lighting 510 is turned on via a controller (such as the dealer display device 250), it is able to illuminate the dealer 210 located opposite to the upper rail lighting. Further, because the upper rail lighting 510 is located against the inside of the rail 500, light from the upper rail lighting is directed towards the dealer. In one embodiment, the rail 500 may also include an upper lip 530 and a lower lip 540 which further assist in directing the light towards the dealer 210. Accordingly, the system 100 may allow bright and hot studio lights often located in a live play gaming space and used to illuminate the dealer to be omitted or reduced, thereby increasing a dealer's comfort and making the dealing experience more enjoyable.
With further reference to
In one embodiment, software associated with the gaming server 200 and the with the overhead and forward facing cameras 220, 230 may be trained regarding various games that can be played on the gaming table. Thereby, when card data for cards displayed on the gaming table 180, stored by the gaming server 200, and confirmed by the overhead camera 220, the software may be used to control the lower rail lighting 510 to, for example, indicate that the dealer should deal a card to the left side, for example, the banker side for a game of baccarat, or to the right side, or player side for a game of baccarat. The lower rail lighting 510 could also, for example, be illuminated in red to indicate to a dealer that no more cards need to be dealt for the present hand.
It should be understood that this and other arrangements described herein are for purposes of example only. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other arrangements and other elements (e.g. machines, interfaces, functions, orders, and groupings of functions, etc.) can be used instead, and some elements may be omitted altogether according to the desired results. Further, many of the elements that are described are functional entities that may be implemented as discrete or distributed components or in conjunction with other components, in any suitable combination and location.
