WO2015126363A1

WO2015126363A1 - Feature for facilitating game play

Info

Publication number: WO2015126363A1
Application number: PCT/US2014/016908
Authority: WO
Inventors: Chi Hang WONG
Original assignee: Aps Research Limited
Priority date: 2014-02-18
Filing date: 2014-02-18
Publication date: 2015-08-27

Abstract

A system for facilitating play of a game between a physical human dealer and a physical human player disposed about gaming platform including a first motorized stack of value objects disposed at the gaining platform, a first electronically operated player station through which the player can provide input with respect to at least some of the value objects; and an electronically operated dealer station through which the dealer can facilitate play of the game.

Description

FEATURE FOR FACILITATING GAME PLAY

BACKGROUND

[0001] The invention generally relates to systems and methods for providing, conducting and facilitating the play of games at a gaming table.

[0002] Wagering games such as baccarat, blackjack and various poker-based table games are popular games offered in casinos. These games and many others all involve use of playing cards and physical chips and are traditionally played on gaming tables throughout gaming establishments. However, the provision of live table games has a number of associated limitations and disadvantages which have long plagued the casino industry. Many of the limitations and disadvantages stem from the use of physical implements, such as tokens or chips, which can be inefficient and inaccurate while also posing security and game integrity concerns.

[0003] The limitations of live table gaming have led to the introduction of electronic gaming tables or platforms in which a dealer, playing cards and/or chips are recreated virtually. Though electronic gaming tables have some usefulness, these have not caught on and live table games are found throughout gaming establishments worldwide. There are many reasons that players tend to enjoy playing live table games over virtual games. For example, players may prefer interaction with a human dealer and prefer randomly- shuffled physical playing cards and/or physical gaming chips over randomly computer generated virtual playing cards and/or virtual gaming chips. Since electronic gaming tables can provide a more, efficient, accurate and secure gaming environment over live table games, there is a need in the art to modify live table games to include features from electronic gaming tables in a manner that players will find acceptable and appealing at least to improve the security in live table gaming operations, among other things.

SUMMARY

[0004] Some embodiments of the invention are directed to a game play facilitating apparatus for installation on a gaming platform, and usable by a player, the apparatus comprising: a) at least a first visually perceptible representation of a stack of gaming chips, configured such that the stack can be perceived by the player to be movable above and below a surface of the gaming platform; b) a first player input device disposed adjacent the first representation; and c) a control system configured to communicate with the first player input device to provide at least some control over apparent movement of the first representation.

[0005] In some embodiments, the aforementioned apparatus further comprises an illumination device mounted in the representation, wherein the illumination device is in communication with the control system, and the control system is further configured to actuate the illumination device.

[0006] The representation may include one or more translucent windows, have a generally cylindrical shape, and/or be configured to appear as a plurality of gaming chips.

[0007] In some embodiments, the aforementioned apparatus further comprises a lifting device configured to raise and lower the first representation.

[0008] In some embodiments, the aforementioned apparatus further comprises a light source disposed to alternatively illuminate the representation in at least a first color and a second color. [0009] In some embodiments, the first player input device is disposed on the representation. In some embodiments, the first player input device is disposed on a housing that houses the representation.

[0010] In some embodiments, different positions of the representation are indicative of funds available to the player to make a wager in a game being played on the gaming platform.

[0011] In some embodiments, the aforementioned apparatus further comprises an electronically operated display device configured to display game play information.

[0012] In some embodiments, the aforementioned apparatus further comprises a second player input device configured to receive a player instruction other than a wager with respect to a game being played on the gaming platform.

[0013] In some embodiments, the aforementioned apparatus further comprises a dealer input device configured to allow a dealer to provide at least some control over movement of the first representation.

[0014] In some embodiments, the aforementioned apparatus further comprises a second player input device configured to read a playing card.

[0015] Some embodiments of the invention are directed to a game play facilitating apparatus for installation on a gaming table including a substrate having a lower surface and an upper surface, the upper surface providing support for game play thereon, the apparatus comprising: a) an object mounted to a lifting device, the lifting device being configured for moving the object upward and downward through an opening in the substrate to a plurality of positions, wherein each position of the plurality of positions corresponds to a portion of the object being extended through the opening in the gaming table surface; b) a communication device mounted on the object, wherein the communication device includes a user input receiving feature for receiving user input and a display device; and c) a control system in communication with the communication device and lifting device, the control system including a data storage device and a processing device configured for actuating the user input receiving feature to be available for receiving user input, receiving user input, interpreting the received user input, receiving game play information relating to play of a game at the gaming table, determining the outcome of wagers placed in the game based on the game play information and determining the position of the object, wherein the position of the object relates to the determination of the outcome of wagers placed in the game, the control system being configured to cause the lifting device to move the object to the determined position and display game play information on the display device.

[0016] In some embodiments of the aforementioned gaming table the object is configured and dimensioned to appear as a stack of gaming chips.

[0017] Some embodiments of the invention are also directed to a method of assisting a player to play a game, comprising the steps of: providing a first motorized representation of a first stack of gaming tokens; providing a player input device configured to allow the player to tap on or near the first stack of gaming tokens to make a first wager; and providing an electronic display with which the player can verify the first wager.

[0018] In some embodiments the aforementioned method further comprises the step of providing the electronic display with a touch sensitivity facility with which the player can take a non- wager action in the game. [0019] In some embodiments of the aforementioned method, the electronic display is further configured to display game play instructions to the player.

[0020] In some embodiments of the aforementioned method, a controller that recognizes consecutive taps of the housing to indicate that the wager is for a multiple of a value associated with individual ones of the first stack of gaming tokens is included.

[0021] In some embodiments the aforementioned method further comprises the step of providing a second motorized representation of a second stack of gaming tokens, and providing a dealer input device through which the tokens of the first stack can be designated to have a different value from the tokens of the second stack.

[0022] Some embodiments of the invention are directed to a gaming table including a substrate having a lower surface and an upper surface, the upper surface providing support for game play thereon, the gaming table comprising: a) one or more player positions defined on the upper surface, each player position of the one or more player positions including one or more objects, each object of the one or more objects being mounted to a lifting device configured for moving the object mounted thereto upward and downward through an opening in the substrate to a plurality of positions, wherein each of the positions of the plurality of positions corresponds to a different portion of the object being elevated above the upper surface; b) a communication device mounted on each object of the one or more objects, wherein the communication device includes a user input receiving feature for receiving user input; and c) a control system in communication with the communication devices and lifting devices, the control system including a data storage device and a processing device configured for actuating the user input receiving features to be available for receiving user input, receiving user input, interpreting the received user input, receiving game play information relating to play of a game at the gaming table, determining the outcome of wagers placed in the game based on the game play information and determining the position of each object of the one or more objects, wherein the position of each object of the one or more objects relates to the determination of the outcome of wagers placed in the game, the control system being configured to cause the lifting device to move each object of the one or more objects to the determined position.

[0023] Some embodiments of the invention are also directed to a system for facilitating play of a game between a physical human dealer and a physical human player disposed about gaming platform, comprising: a first motorized stack of value objects disposed at the gaming platform; a first electronically operated player station through which the player can provide input with respect to at least some of the value objects; and an electronically operated dealer station through which the dealer can facilitate play of the game.

[0024] in some embodiments of the aforementioned system, the motorized stack of value objects visually represents an amount of money available to the player to play the game.

[0025] in some embodiments, the aforementioned system further comprises a second motorized stack of value objects that visually represents a second amount of money- available to the player to play the game.

[0026] in some embodiments, the aforementioned system further comprises electronics that cooperate with the first motorized stack of value objects to display, at different times, indicia of different monetary values. [0027] in some embodiments of the aforementioned system, the value objects are configured as gaming chips and at least some of the gaming chips are electronically controllable to display different colors at different times.

[0028] in some embodiments, the aforementioned system further comprises a drive motor, gear and gear rack that cooperate to raise and lower the first motorized stack of value objects.

[0029] In some embodiments, the gaming platform comprises a table having a table top surface, and the motorized stack of value objects is installed on the gaming platform such that at least some of the value objects axe moved above and below the surface.

[0030] in some embodiments, the game comprises a card game, and the system further comprises physical cards that are dealt by the dealer to the player and/or virtual cards that are virtually dealt to the player. The type of game may be any type of game, such as poker or baccarat.

[0031] in some embodiments of the aforementioned system the player station comprises a touch-activated interface that the player can use to make a bid in the game. In some embodiments, the touch-activated interface can be accessed by touching the first motorized stack of value objects. In some embodiments, the touch- activated interface can be accessed by making at least one of a sliding motion and a tilting motion with respect to an object.

[0032] in some embodiments the aforementioned system further comprises a second motorized stack of value objects that is visible to the player while the player is in a position to operate the first player station. [0033] in some embodiments the aforementioned system further comprises a second electronically operated player station through which a second player, different from the first player, can take an action with respect to the second player's play of the game. The second electronically operated player station may be disposed at the gaming platform,

[0034] in some embodiments the aforeme tioned system further comprises a server configured to allow a second electronically operated player station to interact with the game through a wide area network.

[0035] In some embodiments of the aforementioned system, the dealer station comprises an interface through which the dealer can enforce a rule of the game.

[0036] in some embodiments of the aforementioned system, the dealer station comprises an interface through which the dealer can affec a height of the first motorized stack of value objects.

[0037] in some embodiments of the aforementioned system, the dealer station comprises an interface through which the dealer can affect a value indicia of at least some of the value objects.

[0038] in some embodiments of the aforementioned system, the dealer station comprises a joy stick type control device through which the dealer can take an action during the game.

[0039] in some embodiments of the aforementioned system, the game dealer station comprises an action -specific interface through which the dealer can trigger an action that is unique to the type of game.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0040] FIGS. 1A, IB and 1C illustrate perspective schematic views of a physical feature assembly and system constructed according to some embodiments of the invention, wherein FIGS. IB and 1C illustrate a support structure and movement of the physical feature from a first position to second position;

[0041] FIG. 2 illustrates perspective view of an embodiment of the object;

[0042] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention;

[0043] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective schematic view of a gaming table constructed according to another embodiment of the invention;

[0044] FIG. 5 provides a view of a player position of the gaming table shown in FIG. 4;

[0045] FIG. 6 provides a view of a dealer position of the gaming table shown in FIG. 4;

[0046] FIGS. 7 - 11 provides views to provide various views of the gaming table which illustrate operation of the gaming table in accordance with the systems and methods of the invention;

[0047] FIG. 12 provides a schematic diagram of a communication and control system for use with some embodiments of the system;

[0048] FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a method according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0049] FIG. 14 illustrates another physical feature assembly and system constructed according to some embodiments of the invention;

[0050] FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate yet another physical feature assembly and system constructed according to some embodiments of the invention; [0051] FIG. 17 illustrates yet another physical feature assembly and system constructed according to some embodiments of the invention; and [0052] FIG. 18 illustrates yet another physical feature assembly and system constructed according to some embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0053] The illustrations presented in this disclosure are intended to be idealized representations of the administration of a wagering game, apparatus for use in the administration of a wagering game, or component thereof, which is used to describe illustrative embodiments. Thus, the drawings are not necessarily to scale.

Furthermore, the figures include schematic representations with certain conventional components removed for ease of illustration and description. It should be readily apparent that such conventional components are within the scope of the invention whether or not they are shown or described in detail. Additionally, elements common between figures may retain the same or similar numerical designation.

[0054] The term "gaming" refers to activities, games, sessions, rounds, hands, rolls, operations, and other events related to wagering games such as web-based games, casino games, card games, dice games, and other games the outcome of which is at least partially based on one or more random events ("chance" or "chances"), and on which wagers may be placed by a player. In addition, the words "wager," "bet,"

"bid," or the like, refer to any type of wager, bet, or gaming venture that is placed on random events, whether of monetary or non-monetary value. Points, credits, and other items of value may be purchased, earned, or otherwise issued prior to beginning the wagering game. In some embodiments, purchased points, credits, or other items of value may have an exchange rate that is not one-to-one to the currency used by the user. For example, a wager may include money, points, credits, symbols, or other items that may have some value related to a wagering game. Wagers may be placed in wagering games that involve the risk of real-world monetary value for the potential of payouts with real world monetary value (e.g., the "play-for-pay," such as "house- banked," "player-banked," "player-pooled" including "player-pooled progressive," and "dividend refund" configurations, each of which is described in more detail below) or in wagering games that involve no real-world monetary risks for the player (e.g., the "play-for-fun" and "social play-for-fun" configurations described in more detail below). As used herein, the term "wager" includes any form of wagering value, including money, casino chips, or other means for payment.

[0055] For the purposes of this description, it will be understood that when an action related to accepting wagers, making payouts, dealing cards, selecting cards, or other actions associated with a player or a dealer are described, the description includes a player or a dealer taking the action, the results of the action on a live or virtual table or display, and, if applicable, the reception or detection of such an action in an electronic form where player and dealer choices, selections, or other actions are received at an electronic interface. This further includes the results of a virtual dealer and virtual players, where the actions described are actually generated by a computer (typically associated with an online game). By way of a further example, if dealing of a card is described herein, the description includes (but is not limited to) the following: the dealing of a card by a dealer from a deck, shuffler, shoe, or other card source and the reception or placement of the card at a table location associated with a player or reception directly by a player; the generation and transmission of an electronic indication or representation of a card from a game play source or server to an electronic receiver, where the receiver may be at a table (using virtual cards) including players and/or virtual players and/or a dealer or virtual dealer, at a public display in a casino, at a remote location (e.g., using online or Internet game play), or at other locations. Also included is the representation of a card on a display or displays, and, if applicable to the action described, an electronic reception of an indication that the card has been received, selected, or otherwise interacted with at a location associated with a player, or, associated with a virtual player. In addition, dealing of a card may refer to revealing a representation of a card on a scratch-off card (also referred to as "scratchers").

[0056] The invention is generally directed to systems and methods for providing, conducting and facilitating the play of games through a gaming platform, such as a live gaming table or electronic gaming table, other form of gaming machine, such as a slot machine, found at gaming establishments, in which game play information is communicated through a physical feature for facilitating game play, such as a physical object operatively associated with a gaming table which is configured to receive game play information, display the game play information in a visible and/or virtual form on or through the object and communicate game play information, such as player decisions, for use in the execution of a game at the gaming table.

[0057] In some embodiments, the invention is directed to a game play facilitating apparatus for installation on a gaming table including a substrate having a lower surface and an upper surface, the upper surface providing support for game play thereon. The game play facilitating apparatus of this embodiment comprising: an object mounted to a lifting device, the lifting device being configured for moving the object upward and downward through an opening in the substrate from an initial position to a secondary position, wherein the secondary position corresponds to a portion of the object being extended through the opening in the substrate; a communication device mounted on the object, wherein the communication device includes a user input receiving feature for receiving user input; and a control system in communication with the communication device and lifting device, the control system including a data storage device and a processing device configured for actuating the user input receiving feature to be available for receiving user input, receiving user input, interpreting the received user input, receiving game play information relating to play of a game at the gaming table, determining the outcome of wagers placed in the game based on the game play information and determining the position of the object, wherein the position of the object relates to the determination of the outcome of wagers placed in the game, the control system being configured to cause the lifting device to move the object to the determined position.

[0058] In some embodiments, the aforementioned apparatus further includes an illumination device mounted in the object, wherein the illumination device is in communication with the control system and the control system is further configured to actuate the illumination device.

[0059] In some embodiments, the object of the aforementioned apparatus further includes one or more translucent windows.

[0060] In some embodiments, the lifting device is attached to the lower surface of the substrate. [0061] In some embodiments, the object is of a cylindrical shape with opposing first and second ends. The lifting device may be connected to the first end. The communication device may be mounted on the second end.

[0062] In some embodiments, the opening is of an annular shape.

[0063] In some embodiments, the communication device comprises a touchscreen display device.

[0064] In some embodiments, the lifting device is configured to move the object to a plurality of positions. Each of the plurality of positions may be a preset distance from one another.

[0065] In some embodiments, the communication device further includes a display device and the control system is configured to display game play information thereon.

[0066] In some embodiments, the aforementioned apparatus further includes one or more game play information input devices in communication with the control system. The one or more game play information input devices in communication with the control system may include a dealer input device or a playing card reading device, such as those found in automated card shufflers and playing card dealing shoes.

[0067] Some embodiments of the invention are also directed to a game play facilitating apparatus for installation on a gaming table that includes: an object mounted to a lifting device, the lifting device being configured for moving the object upward and downward through an opening in the substrate to a plurality of positions, wherein each position of the plurality of positions corresponds to a portion of the object being extended through the opening in the gaming table surface; a communication device mounted on the object, wherein the communication device includes a user input receiving feature for receiving user input and a display device; and a control system in communication with the communication device and lifting device, the control system including a data storage device and a processing device configured for actuating the user input receiving feature to be available for receiving user input, receiving user input, interpreting the received user input, receiving game play information relating to play of a game at the gaming table, determining the outcome of wagers placed in the game based on the game play information and determining the position of the object, wherein the position of the object relates to the determination of the outcome of wagers placed in the game, the control system being configured to cause the lifting device to move the object to the determined position and display game play information on the display device.

[0068] In some embodiments, the user input receiving feature and display device are integrated parts of the communication device.

[0069] In some embodiments, the control system is configured to move the object as a result of receiving user input.

[0070] In some embodiments, the control system is configured to display a monetary value on the display device.

[0071] Some embodiments of the invention are also directed to gaming tables including: one or more player positions defined on the upper surface, each player position of the one or more player positions including one or more objects, each object of the one or more objects being mounted to a lifting device configured for moving the object mounted thereto upward and downward through an opening in the substrate to a plurality of positions, wherein each of the positions of the plurality of positions corresponds to a different portion of the object being elevated above the upper surface; a communication device mounted on each object of the one or more objects, wherein the communication device includes a user input receiving feature for receiving user input; and a control system in communication with the communication devices and lifting devices, the control system including a data storage device and a processing device configured for actuating the user input receiving features to be available for receiving user input, receiving user input, interpreting the received user input, receiving game play information relating to play of a game at the gaming table, determining the outcome of wagers placed in the game based on the game play information and determining the position of each object of the one or more objects, wherein the position of each object of the one or more objects relates to the determination of the outcome of wagers placed in the game, the control system being configured to cause the lifting device to move each object of the one or more objects to the determined position.

[0072] In some embodiments, the object is configured and dimensioned to appear as a stack of gaming chips.

[0073] Some embodiments of the invention are directed to a system for facilitating play of a game between a physical human dealer and a physical human player disposed about gaming platform, comprising: a first motorized stack of value objects disposed at the gaming platform; a first electronically operated player station through which the player can provide input with respect to at least some of the value objects; and an electronically operated dealer station through which the dealer can facilitate play of the game.

[0074] In some embodiments of the aforementioned system, the motorized stack of value objects visually represents an amount of money available to the player to play the game. The system may further include a second motorized stack of value objects that visually represents a second amount of money available to the player to play the game.

[0075] In some embodiments of the aforementioned system, the system further includes electronics that cooperates with the first motorized stack of value objects to display, at different times, indicia of different monetary values.

[0076] In some embodiments of the aforementioned system, the value objects are configured as gaming chips.

[0077] In some embodiments of the aforementioned system, at least some of the gaming chips are electronically controllable to display different colors at different times.

[0078] In some embodiments, the aforementioned system further includes a drive motor, gear and gear rack that cooperate to raise and lower the first motorized stack of value objects.

[0079] In some embodiments of the aforementioned system, the gaming platform comprises a table having a table top surface, and the motorized stack of value objects is installed on the gaming platform such that at least some of the value objects are moved above and below the surface.

[0080] In some embodiments of the aforementioned system, the game comprises a card game, and the system further comprises physical cards that are dealt by the dealer to the player.

[0081] In some embodiments of the aforementioned system, the game comprises a card game, and the system further comprises virtual cards that are virtually dealt to the player. [0082] In some embodiments of the aforementioned system, the player station comprises a touch- activated interface that the player can use to make a bid in the game. In some embodiments, the touch-activated interface can be accessed by making at least one of a sliding motion and a tilting motion with respect to an object.

[0083] In some embodiments of the aforementioned system, the touch-activated interface can be accessed by touching the first motorized stack of value objects.

[0084] In some embodiments, the aforementioned system further includes a second motorized stack of value objects that is visible to the player while the player is in a position to operate the first player station.

[0085] In some embodiments, the aforementioned system further includes a second electronically operated player station through which a second player, different from the first player, can take an action with respect to the second player's play of the game. In some embodiments of the aforementioned system, the second electronically operated player station is disposed at the gaming platform. In some embodiments, the aforementioned system includes a server configured to allow a second electronically operated player station to interact with the game through a wide area network.

[0086] In some embodiments of the aforementioned system, the dealer station comprises an interface through which the dealer can enforce a rule of the game.

[0087] In some embodiments of the aforementioned system, the dealer station comprises an interface through which the dealer can affect a height of the first motorized stack of value objects.

[0088] In some embodiments of the aforementioned system, the dealer station comprises an interface through which the dealer can affect a value indicia of at least some of the value objects. [0089] In some embodiments of the aforementioned system, the dealer station comprises a joystick type control device through which the dealer can take an action during the game.

[0090] In some embodiments of the aforementioned system, the game dealer station comprises an action-specific interface through which the dealer can trigger an action that is unique to the type of game.

[0091] In some embodiments of the aforementioned system, the type of game is a poker game.

[0092] FIG. 1A illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a physical game play facilitating feature and assembly system constructed in accordance with the invention which is generally identified by the reference numeral 10. For illustrative purposes, feature 10 is shown as mounted to a gaming table substrate 12. Feature 10 includes an object 14 connected to a mechanism 16 which is configured for elevating or lowering the object 14 between a plurality of positions relative to surface 18 of gaming table substrate 12 through an opening 19 therein. At each position a different portion of object 14 may be extended through opening 19 and made visible above surface 18. Object 14 can be moved to any such position by mechanism 16 and maintained at that position by mechanism 16 so that the same portion of object 14 remains extended through opening 19 and visible until further movement is actuated by mechanism 16.

[0093] In this embodiment, mechanism 16 is an electromechanical system including a drive motor 21 and pinion gear 20 having teeth which are engaged with the teeth defined in a gear rack 22 connected to the underside of object 14. Mechanism 16, that is, drive motor 21, gear 20 and gear rack 22 are mounted or engaged with one another through conventional means to the underside of gaming table substrate 12, such that drive motor 21, gear 20 and gear rack 22 are not visible when viewing surface 18 of gaming table substrate 12. On the opposing side of surface 18, that is, underneath gaming table substrate 12, mechanism 16 may be covered by a housing or support structure, such as support structure 17 shown in FIGS IB and 1C. It should be understood that object 14 and/or mechanism 16 may be attached to table substrate 12 by a support structure 17, or any other conventional mounting method or components, including but not limited to brackets and fasteners, such as nuts and bolts.

[0094] It should be readily apparent that mechanism 16 may comprise other components for causing the movement of object 14, and may comprise a variety of motors, such as stepper or servo motors, solenoids, or other systems for causing movement of object 14, such as pneumatic or hydraulic systems, or any others known in the art.

[0095] FIGS. IB and 1C illustrate exemplary support structure 17 which may be used for supporting mechanism 16 and mounting feature 10 to a substrate 12, and the movement of object 14 from a first position in FIG IB to a second position in FIG 1C.

[0096] As shown in FIGS. 1A, IB, 1C and 2, an object 14 in this embodiment is designed, dimensioned and configured to resemble a stack of conventional physical clay or clay composite gaming tokens or chips, that is, having a generally cylindrical disc-like shape with similarly spaced circumferential indentations to represent multiple gaming chips in a uniform stack. It should be understood that object 14 may be configured to resemble other items, such as coins, money or bars for example. Drive motor 21 is capable of causing gear 20 to rotate in either forward or reverse resulting in gear rack 22 being driven in opposing linear directions, which therefore causes object 14 to move either up or down relative to surface 18. As such, object 14 can be used to visually indicate an amount of chips based on the portion of object 14 visible above surface 18.

[0097] In this embodiment, object 14 has a substantially hollow body with a closed upper end 24, thus defining an interior space 25 therein which is generally tube-like in this embodiment. Object 14 includes a plurality of translucent windows 26 defined in circumferentially spaced locations about the circular outer wall 27 of object 14. An illumination device (not shown) is mounted proximal or within the interior space defined by object 14 to direct light into the interior space of object 14 which is visible through windows 26. The illumination device may be one or more LED lights configured to illuminate in various colors, such as red, blue and green. In some embodiments, object 14, that is, primarily outer wall 27 and upper end 24 other than windows 26, is black-colored or substantially non-transparent so that no light from the illumination is visible on object 14 other than at windows 26. By actuating the illumination device, object 14 provides the appearance of a stack of chips with each chip having colored edge spots or inserts with the color corresponding to a denomination for the chip. The combination of coloring visible through windows 26 and visible elevation of object 14 above the surface 18 may be used to indicate an amount of money in the same manner as a stack of individual gaming chips.

[0098] In some embodiments, there may be a plurality of LED lights disposed within object 14 which can illuminate various colored lights to provide a visual appearance of a stack of chips in which one or more chips have varying colors (and thus varying monetary values) based on the colored lights being visible through windows 26. [0099] Object 14 may further include a display device 28, such as an organic light emitting diode (OLED) or the like, disposed centrally within upper end 24. Display device 28 may be configured to display a variety of information, including graphical information or alphanumeric values, such as monetary values.

[00100] In some embodiments, display device 28 is a communication device and may be a touchscreen device or integrated with a touch sensor, such as a capacitive touch sensor, thus facilitating communication of data from device 28 through a network to other components, such as an operating or control system. Device 28 may consist of, without limitation, a cathode ray tube display (CRT), a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light-emitting diode display (LED), active-matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED), a plasma display, and/or any suitable visual output device capable of displaying graphical data, colors and/or text to a user. Moreover, in some embodiments device 28 may include and consist of, without limitation, a keyboard, a keypad, a touch- sensitive screen, a scroll wheel, a pointing device, a barcode reader, a magnetic card reader, a radio frequency identification (RFID) card reader, an audio input device employing speech-recognition software, and/or any suitable device that enables a user to input and communicate data, such as input actions relating to making selections and placing wagers, into a control system and/or to retrieve data from a control system. A single component, such as a touch screen, a capacitive touch screen, and/or a touchless screen, may function as display device 28. Alternatively, the communication device may include one or more sensors to detect the movement of, and/or a threshold amount of pressure applied to the object, such as object 14. For example, one or more pressure sensors, switches (such as reed or limit switches), and/or the like may be arranged relative to the object to detect motion or the movement of, and/or pressure applied to, the object.

[00101] FIG. 3 illustrates multiple objects such as object 14 that may be used to resemble various denominations of chips in an embodiment referred to as feature 110. In this illustrative example, object 114a indicates a denomination of five dollars as indicated on display device 128a and a denomination of twenty-five dollars is indicated on display device 128b of object 114b. Based on the elevation of objects 114a and 114b relative to table surface 118, which have been adjusted by mechanisms 116a, 116b and 116c, the player has four, five dollar chips and two, twenty-five dollar chips, thus providing an indication that the player's has seventy dollars in chips. Object 114c may be used to provide special wagering or bonus wagering opportunities that can be displayed on display device 128c. For example, in embodiments wherein display device 128c is integrated with touch sensitive technology or other device capable of detecting a player input action, such as a touch event, and communicating the input action as a player selection, players may tap on display device 128c to actuate a wager.

[00102] FIG. 4 illustrates a gaming table 212 constructed in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. Table 212 is configured and dimensioned as a conventional poker room-type table, that is, a generally oval shaped surface 218 with a dealer position 230 and nine independent player positions 232. Dealer position 230 in this embodiment includes a computerized dealer interface 234. Dealer interface 234 is in communication with features 210 mounted at each player position 232 to control and operate objects 214, including the illumination of illumination devices mounted therein and display devices 228, in order to facilitate wagering during the play of a game at table 212, among other things. In some embodiments, each player position 232 also includes a computerized interface for displaying game cards or other information.

[00103] Feature 210 at each player position 232 includes two arrays of chip columns 236 and 238 containing objects 214. The radially outer array 236 is used to display the monetary position of the player in the game, that is, the money the player has at his or her disposal in the game. The radially inner array 238 is used to indicate amounts wagered or at stake during a wagering round.

[00104] FIGS. 5-11 provide an exemplary description of gaming table 212 in operation. For illustrative purposes, eight of the nine player positions 232 are occupied with the fourth player position 232 being the vacant player position 232. All objects 214 of arrays 236 and 238 are positioned within the same plane of surface 218 to indicate a monetary position of zero at that player position 232 and display device 228 of an object 214c in array 236 indicates the status of the "Player 4" position 232 by displaying the word "VACANT" thereon as shown in FIG. 5.

[00105] Assuming a player wishes to enter the game at table 212, the player would sit down at the Player 4 position 232 and provide the dealer with cash, chips, debit or credit card, or some other monetary equipment. Assuming that the player provides the dealer with $5000 in physical chips, the dealer would take the chips and place in a chip rack at dealer position 230, and using the dealer interface 234, which may include a joystick type control device as shown in FIG. 6, the dealer assigns $5000 to the Player 4 position 232.

[00106] Dealer interface 234 communicates with feature 210 at the Player 4 position 232 and actuates the operation of feature 210, including elevating one or more objects 214 in array 236, illuminating the illumination devices within the body of the one or more objects 214 and displaying the appropriate denominations of each elevated object 214 on display devices 228 in array 236 to represent multiple stacks or columns of chips which equal $5000. As shown in FIG. 7, array 236 of the Player 4 position 232 has changed so that object 214a displays "STACK $5000" on display device 228a to indicate the entire value of the entire stack, object 214b which is elevated above surface 218 to a level that represents eight chips and displays "500" on display device 228b to indicate the denomination of the chips, object 214c which is elevated above surface 218 to a level that represents eight chips and displays "100" on display device 228c to indicate the denomination of the chips, and object 214d which is elevated to above surface 218 to a level that represents eight chips and displays "25" on display device 228d to indicate the denomination of the chips. The illumination devices of objects 214b, c and d are illuminated in different colors to further facilitate recognition of each chip denomination represented by the stack.

[00107] For illustrative purposes table 212 will be described as if the game being played on table 212 by the players is Texas Hold'em poker. However, it should be readily apparent that any wagering game may be played on table 212.

[00108] As a new game begins, a small blind of $10 is automatically posted on behalf of Player 1, as shown in FIG. 8. Display device 228d of array 238 displays "SMALL BLIND" and display device 228e displays "5" and object 214e is elevated to the two chip level above surface 218 to represent $10. The same amount is deducted from the array 236 of Player 1 by lowering object 214e of array 236 relative to surface 218 the equivalent to two $5 chips. The Player 2 position 232 would be the big blind and $25 would automatically be posted on the array 238 associated with the Player 2 position 232.

[00109] Assuming Player 3 folds, either by informing the dealer or by pressing a display device 228 to communicate a fold, the array 238 of the Player 4 position 232 displays "YOUR TURN NOW" with each word on a separate display device 228b,c,d while flashing to attract attention, as shown in FIG. 9. Player 4 decides to wager $150. To do so, Player 4 taps on display device 228c of array 236 which is the $100 representative chip stack with a finger. This tap is detected by the system and automatically actuates object 214d of array 238 to elevate above the surface 218 to a level equivalent to one chip while display device 228c displays "BET $100" and display device 228d displays "$100" and illuminates to illumination device to a color which represents the chip denomination. Object 214c of de-elevates or lowers relative to the surface 218 to a level equivalent to seven chips, that is, one less chip to represent the $100 wager. Display device 228a reflects the change in value of the chips in array 236 by displaying "STACK 4900" thereon, as shown in FIG. 10. Display device 228d of array 238 and/or illumination devices within object 214d flash to indicate that the wager is not confirmed and may be adjusted. Player 4 then taps the display device 228d of array 236 twice with a finger to wager $50, which results in object 214e of array 238 elevating to a level above surface 218 equivalent to two chips, display device 228e displaying "25" and illuminating the illumination device to indicate the appropriate color for the $25 denomination chip. As shown in FIG. 11 , display device 228a of array 236 displays "STACK $4850" to indicate the change in value of the chip stack at the Player 4 position 232 and display device 228c of array 238 displays "BET $150" based on the amount of chips represented in array 238. Thus, all amounts displayed on display device 228, and game play information such as blinds, bets, raises, etc. are indicated and updated in real-time. Similarly, the elevations and colors of objects 214 are updated in real-time.

[00110] Object 14 or 214 and the mechanism for operating object 14 or 214, such as mechanism 16, and a display device such as device 28 or 228 are generally in communication with a control system 350 for receiving data, information or signals from devices 28 or 228 and transmitting data, information or signals which actuate mechanism 16 causing the movement of object 14 or 214 and communication with devices 28 and 228. The control system may be located in any suitable location and may be centralized or distributed in its location and functionality. The communication connection with control system 350 may be provided through a network, such as for example, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), or any conventional wired or wireless connections. As shown in FIG. 12, control system 350 may be in communication with a communication or input device 334 which may be positioned at a gaming table such as gaming table 212 for enabling a gaming operator or dealer to actuate movement of objects 14 or 214 in accordance with a starting monetary amount, such as upon a player sitting down at the table and providing the dealer with money to play in a game, or to adjust the monetary amount possessed by a player as represented by the elevation of object 14 or 214 upon the outcome of game play at table 212. Device 334 may include a touch screen display, keyboard, keypad or any other device for entering information.

[00111] Control system 350 may include a processor 352 and a memory device

354 coupled to the processor 352. The memory device 354 may include a computer readable medium, such as, without limitation, random access memory (RAM), read- only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), flash- memory, a hard disk drive, a solid state drive, a diskette, a flash drive, a compact disc, a digital video disc, and/or any suitable device that enables the processor 352 to store, retrieve, and/or execute instructions and/or data. Controller 350 may be further connected to a computer system 362 for administrative and backend support, among other things.

[00112] Processor 352 may interpret an input action detected at a communication device, such as device 28 or 228 and apply the interpreted information in the game. For example, input actions detected relating to wagering may be interpreted as wagers in the game. Processor 352 may also receive game play information, resolve the wagers and determine monetary value held by each player, as well as the position of the object 14 or 214, both initially based on the dealer input and after wagers are resolved, and then actuate the mechanism, such as mechanism 16, to cause the movement of objects 14 or 214 for each player into a new position representative of the monetary value held by that player, and/or change the display on device 28 or 228 to reflect a new total value or new chip denomination for the stack, as appropriate.

[00113] In the illustrated embodiment, control system 350 is in communication with a player account server 356, a database server 358 and a database 360, which are connected through a network such as, for example, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), dial-in-connections, cable modems, wireless modems, and/or special high-speed Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) lines, or any other wired or wireless connections. Moreover, at least one administrator workstation 362 may also be connected to the network and control system 350. [00114] Database server 358 is connected to the database 360 to facilitate transmitting data to and from the database 360. The database 360 contains information relating to a variety of matters, such as, for example, account information related to a user, user profile information, game type, payout values associated with each game outcome, wagers, wager amounts, wager types, average wagers per game or contest, and image data for display on either of display devices 28 or 228 for example. Database 360 may include a centralized database or may be stored remotely and may be non-centralized.

[00115] In operation, players may achieve a starting monetary position of object 14 based on a variety of actions. For example, players may provide money to a dealer at the gaming table 12 for the dealer to enter the amount received in input device 334. Upon receiving the information control system 350 will adjust the elevation of object 14 accordingly. Alternatively, players may identify themselves such as through a player rewards card or other means and be provided with credit, the amount of which may be obtained through communication with player account server 356. It should be understood that the credit may be derived through a variety of ways, such as promotional points or obtained by providing a monetary amount to at a remote location.

[00116] Once the starting position is quantified by control system 350, control system 350 signals mechanism 16 to actuate so that object 14 elevates above surface 18 an amount corresponding to the starting position.

[00117] As discussed above, gaming table 12 may be any gaming platform, such as live table games played with physical playing cards, shuffling devices, card shoes, dice, roulette wheels and dealers, electronic gaming tables played with display screens mounted on the table and virtual cards and/or using virtual dealers, or player versus player or players configured tables, such as tables in poker rooms, and with any types of games, such as poker, poker variations, Baccarat, Craps, roulette, and blackjack.

[00118] It is envisioned that in some embodiments control system 350 may be connected with gaming implements, such as cameras, roulette ball or dice position detection systems, card reading shoes or shuffling devices, or used in a virtual system, which enables the receipt of game play information and facilitates the determination of the outcomes of wagers placed in a game at the table 12. In such embodiments, control system 350 may automatically adjust the elevation of objects 14 upon an outcome determination to reflect winning or losing wagers and the ultimate impact thereof on the starting position of the player. In other embodiments, wins or loses, or the game outcome, may be entered by the dealer into input device 334 for control system 350 to process and subsequently administer a change in the elevation of the positions of objects 14 accordingly.

[00119] FIG. 13 provides an exemplary method 400 which involves a step 402 for receiving a monetary amount, which may be through a player buying in with points, cash, tickets (such as in a ticket in/ticket out system), electronic access to an account, credit card, marker, or the like. The position of object or objects is adjusted accordingly as shown by step 404. A control system receives detection of a wager through communication device positioned on and operatively associated with the object or objects in step 406, and the position of the object or objects is adjusted accordingly relative to the amount of the wager detected. Upon hand or game completion, wager reconciliation is initiated either by the dealer (e.g., specifically inputting a signal or command) or automatically (such as by card reading systems) in step 408 and the position of the object or objects is adjusted based on the new monetary position of the player in step 410.

[00120] In alternative embodiment as shown in FIG. 14, a feature 510 includes object 514 having a communication device 529 disposed on outer wall 527. Communication device 529 in this embodiment extends longitudinally the cylindrical body of object 514. Communication device may be any device such as those described above with respect to communication device 28 or 528 in this embodiment, such as a touch-sensitive device, which is enabled to detect player input actions and correlating the detected input as player selections during game play.

[00121] In other embodiments, a communication device may be disposed around or integrated with the outer wall of an object, such as object 14, and configured to change the appearance of the outer wall, and thus the perceived value of the chip column or stack represented thereby. For example, the outer wall of an object such as object 14 may be composed of a wrap around display device that can display gaming chips or other information.

[00122] In another alternative embodiment, an object, such as object 14 is mounted for detecting pressure placed thereon.

[00123] In another alternative embodiment as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, an object 614 is mounted to a substrate 612 and configured as a toggle switch or otherwise mechanically mounted for movement in one or more directions and for detecting that movement. Thus, a player may push or pull on object 614 one or more times to indicate one or more player selections or decisions, similar to a toggle-type switch. For example, a player may push once on object 614 to indicate a matching wager or push twice to indicate a raise. Although not shown, in instances where there is a plurality of objects 614 in an array, pushing on all object 614 may indicate the desire to wager the entire amount possessed by the player at the player position, that is, the player selects to go "all-in" during the game. A player may pull on object 614 to take reverse a decision or collect a wager.

[00124] In FIG. 17, an object 714 is configured to be slid and/or tilted with respect to a substrate 712 as shown by the arrows representing movement in FIG. 17. The sliding action, whether back or forth, may indicate a player wager or the taking back of a wager, for example.

[00125] In FIG. 18, an object 814 is configured to have an outer wall 827 which is substantially composed of a wrap-around display device 829. Display device 829 can display representations of stacks of gaming chips of any color in order to facilitate presenting a representation of a monetary value, along with, in some embodiments, the movement of object 814 up or down relative to substrate 812.

[00126] It should be understood that in all the embodiments disclosed herein, player input received via the objects may be interpreted based on the game play, situation or action occurring at the moment the selection is made, and therefore the same input action may indicate a different player selection at different times during game play or between game play.

[00127] In some embodiments, a game play facilitating apparatus for installation on a gaming table or machine including a substrate having a lower surface and an upper surface, the upper surface providing support for game play thereon, includes: an object mounted to a lifting device, the lifting device being configured for moving the object upward and downward through an opening in the substrate from an initial position to a secondary position, wherein the secondary position corresponds to a portion of the object being extended through the opening in the substrate; a communication device mounted on the object, wherein the communication device includes a display device; and a control system in communication with the communication device and lifting device, the control system including a data storage device and a processing device configured for actuating a display on the display device, which may be based on game play information, and determining the position of the object, wherein the position of the object relates to the determination of the outcome of wagers placed in the game, the control system being configured to cause the lifting device to move the object to the determined position.

[00128] It should be understood that systems such as those described herein may be adapted and configured to function independently or may also interact with other systems or applications, such as for example, a casino management system or player tracking system. As such, the wagering data may be recorded and stored in connection with player information retrieved from the control system in order to provide bonuses or complimentary items.

[00129] Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that any of the systems and methods of the invention may include various computer and network related software and hardware, such as programs, operating systems, memory storage devices, data input/output devices, data processors, servers with links to data communication systems, wireless or otherwise, and data transceiving terminals, and may be a standalone device or incorporated in another platform, such as an existing electronic gaming machine, portable computing device or electronic platforms with multiple player positions. Those skilled in the art will further appreciate that the precise types of software and hardware used are not vital to the full implementation of the methods of the invention so long as players and operators thereof are provided with useful access thereto or the opportunity to play the game as described herein.

[00130] It should be readily apparent that additional computerized or manual systems may also be employed in accordance with the invention in order to achieve its full implementation as a system, apparatus or method.

[00131] While exemplary systems and methods, and applications of methods of the invention, have been described herein, it should also be understood that the foregoing is only illustrative of a few particular embodiments with exemplary and/or preferred features, as well as principles of the invention, and that various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, the described embodiments should not be considered as limiting of the scope of the invention in any way. Accordingly, the invention embraces alternatives, modifications and variations which fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth herein, and in the accompanying patents and patent applications, which disclose, systems, methods and features, all of which may be employed with the invention described herein.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A system for facilitating play of a game between a physical human dealer and a physical human player disposed about gaming platform, comprising:

a first motorized stack of value objects disposed at the gaming platform; a first electronically operated player station through which the player can provide input with respect to at least some of the value objects; and an electronically operated dealer station through which the dealer can facilitate play of the game.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the motorized stack of value

objects visually represents an amount of money available to the player to play the game.

3. The system of claim 2, further comprising a second motorized stack of value objects that visually represents a second amount of money available to the player to play the game.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising electronics that cooperates with the first motorized stack of value objects to display, at differen times, indicia of different monetary values.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the value objects are configured as gaming chips.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein at least some of the gaming chips are electronically controllable to display different colors at different times.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a drive motor, gear and gear rack that cooperate to raise and lower the first motorized stack of value objects,

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the gaming platform comprises a table having a table top surface, and the motorized stack of value objects is installed on the gaming platform such that at least some of the value objects are moved above and below the surface.

9. ^rI¾e system of claim 1, wherein the game comprises a card game, and the system further comprises physical cards that are dealt by the dealer to the player.

10. ^rI¾e system of claim 1, wherein the game comprises a card game, and the system further comprises virtual cards that are virtually dealt to the player.

11. ^rI¾e system of claim 1, wherein the player station comprises a touch-activated interface that the player can use to make a bid in the game.

12. ^rI¾e system of claim 11, wherein the touch-activated interface can be accessed by touching the first motorized stack of value objects.

13. ^rI¾e system of claim 1, further comprising a second motorized stack of value objects that is visible to the player while the player is in a position to operate the first player station.

14. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second electronically operated player station through which a second player, different from the first player, can take an action with respect to the second player's play of the game,

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the second electronically operated player station is disposed at the gaming platform,

16. The system of claim 14, further comprising a server configured to allow a second electronically operated player station to interact with the game through a wide area network.

17. ^rI¾e system of claim 1, wherein the dealer station comprises

an interface through which the dealer can enforce a rule of the game.

18. ^rI¾e system of claim 1, wherein the dealer station comprises an interface through which the dealer can affect a height of the first motorized stack of value objects.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein the dealer station comprises an interface through which the dealer can affect a value indicia of at least some of the value objects.

20. ^rI¾e system of claim 1, wherein the dealer station comprises a joystick type control device through which the dealer can take an action during the game.

21. ^rI¾e system of claim 1, wherein the game dealer station comprises an action- specific interface through which the dealer can trigger an action that is unique to the type of game.

22. The system of claim 1, wherein the type of game is a poker game,

23. The system of claim 11, wherein the touch- activated interface can be accessed by making at least one of a sliding motion and a tilting motion with respect to an object.