GAMING TABLE DEVICE

Abstract

A gaming-table device (T) comprising: a gaming table that defines a playing zone (ZT3, ZNT1) that is fitted with a detection and identification system (SDT1, SDNT1) for identifying and detecting items; a computer (12) that is provided with software that is capable of retrieving and analyzing detection information that is sent by the item detection and identification system (SDT1, SDNT1); chips that are placed on an identified playing zone, so that the detection system (SDT1, SDNT1) generates detection information that is sent to the computer (12) so as to be analyzed thereby; and software that generates action information as a result of analyzing detection information, the action information being sent to an identified playing zone (ZT3, ZNT1) so as to activate a specific function that can be used by a player.

Claims

1. A gaming-table device, in particular of the casino type, the device being characterized in that it comprises: at least one gaming table (T) with a gaming mat that defines at least one identified playing zone (ZT3, ZNT1) that is precisely defined locally, the identified playing zone (ZT3, ZNT1) being fitted with at least one detection and identification system (SDT1, SDNT1) for identifying and detecting items, such as chips (J1, J2) and/or tokens, dice, playing cards, and/or electronic devices (13); at least one computer (12) that is provided with software that is capable of retrieving and analyzing detection information that is sent by the item detection and identification system (SDT1, SDNT1) of said at least one playing zone (ZT3, ZNT1); chips (J1, J2) and/or tokens that are placed on the gaming mat, and in particular on said at least one identified playing zone (ZT3, ZNT1), so that the item detection and identification system (SDT1, SDNT1) of said playing zone (ZT3, ZNT1) generates detection information that is sent to the computer (12) so as to be analyzed thereby; and software of the computer (12), which software further generates action information as a result of analyzing detection information, the action information being sent to an identified playing zone (ZT3, ZNT1) that may be the zone from which the detection information came or that may be some other identified playing zone, the identified playing zone that receives the action information activating a specific function that can be used by a player, thereby offering said player additional playing means.

2. A gaming-table device according to claim 1, wherein the identified playing zone (ZNT1) is not visibly located on the gaming mat while it is not activated.

3. The gaming-table device according to claim 1, wherein the identified playing zone (ZNT1) is defined by a light source (LED) that is triggered by the action information, thereby informing the player that the identified playing zone is activated.

4. The gaming-table device according to claim 1, wherein the identified playing zone (ZNT1) is a touch screen.

5. The gaming-table device according to claim 1, wherein a screen (E) associated with the identified playing zone (ZT3) displays visual information that can be read in relation with the action information.

6. The gaming-table device according to claim 1, wherein the item detection and identification system (SDT1, SDNT1) comprises a wireless sensor of the RFID, (NFC), Bluetooth, Infrared, or WIFI type, enabling the player to place an electronic device and/or a membership card on the identified playing zone that is thus detected and then identified using a suitable process.

7. The gaming-table device according to claim 1, wherein the computer (12) is positioned in the proximity of the gaming table and/or remotely and connected to a computer network.

8. The gaming-table device according to claim 1, wherein the computer (12) retrieves and analyzes detection information coming from playing zones situated on a single gaming table or on a plurality of distinct tables.

9. The gaming-table device according to claim 1, wherein the information received by the computer (12) enables the software: to measure the amount of a bet on a single playing zone; to associate a bet amount with a single playing zone or with a group of playing zones, by addition; to associate a bet or a group of bets with an entity that is uniquely identified; to send information to one or more playing zones as a function of its analysis.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein the software compares the results of its analysis with information that is contained in a database, so as to send action information to said at least one identified playing zone.

Description

[0040] In the drawings:

[0041] FIG. 1 shows a conventional gaming table as seen by a player, with the playing zones marked on the mat of the gaming table.

[0042] FIG. 2 shows a gaming table with the playing zones that are optionally made visible and that are fitted with a respective detection system.

[0043] FIG. 3 shows a detail of a playing zone that is visibly marked on the mat of the gaming table and that is fitted with a detection system.

[0044] FIG. 4 shows a complete hardware architecture for implementing the device of the invention.

[0045] FIG. 5 shows an unmarked playing zone that detects the presence of a mobile device.

[0046] FIG. 6 shows a playing zone that is fitted with a detection system and that is provided with light-emitting diodes (LEDs) at the periphery of the playing zone.

[0047] As mentioned above, FIG. 1 shows a baccarat gaming table T, similar to the prior art, that does not have the device of the invention. The player sees five series, each of three playing zones ZT1, ZT2, and ZT3 marked on the gaming mat that are betting zones, namely zones in which chips and/or tokens are placed in order to place bets, namely a PLAYER playing zone, a BANKER playing zone, and a TIE playing zone. In this embodiment, the zones are exclusively betting zones, but this is not essential. The number of series and the number of zones in each series is purely illustrative, and in no way limiting.

[0048] FIG. 2 shows a gaming table T that may be the FIG. 1 gaming table, but that is now provided with detection and identification systems for detecting and identifying gaming elements, which systems are placed under the playing zones, which themselves are optionally marked.

[0049] A detection and identification system SDT1 positioned under a playing zone ZT3 marked on the gaming mat T makes it possible to detect specific gaming elements (chips J1, J2, tokens, dice) that are fitted with detectable means (e.g. RFID, NFC) and that are placed exclusively within the surface area defined by the marking on the mat and visible to the player, in accordance with the rules of the game in question. Nevertheless, a detection and identification system SDT1 may be capable of detecting any other gaming elements (telephones, membership cards, . . . ) having a size that is not limited by the surface area defined by the mark. It is not essential for all of the marked zones ZT1, ZT2, and ZT3 to be fitted with a respective detection and identification system SDTk.

[0050] A detection and identification system SDNT1 positioned under a playing zone ZNT1 that is not marked on the mat T makes it possible to detect various gaming elements, not only chips J1, J2 and tokens but also other elements. It is the functions provided by the invention that mainly define the use of the zone. There are no constraints on the number of detection and identification systems for playing zones that are not marked on the mat.

[0051] In FIG. 2, the playing zone ZT3 is a marked or visible zone that the player can easily locate, whereas the playing zone ZNT1 is not marked and thus cannot be seen so long as it is not activated.

[0052] All of the systems SDT1 and SDNT1 may be provided with respective wired connections C1 and C3 that connect them to a data concentrator 10. The connections may be two-way, namely transmitting information from each detection and identification system SDT1 or SDNT1 to the concentrator 10, and also transmitting information from the concentrator 10 to at least one detection and identification system SDT1 and/or SDNT1. However, the transfer of information from or to a detection and identification system may be performed using wireless technology.

[0053] FIG. 3 shows both a detection and identification system SDT1 positioned under the marked playing zone ZT3 (TIE), and also the wired connection C3. The detection and identification system SDT1 may have a surface area that is greater than the corresponding marked zone ZT3, but it is made so as to detect specific gaming elements (chips/tokens) only when they are placed within the surface area of the marked zone ZT3. Thus, in FIG. 3, the chip J1 is detected and identified by SDT1, whereas the chip J2 is not detected. In FIG. 3, it should also be observed that a screen E may be associated with the zone ZT3 for communicating readable information to the player. In this embodiment, the screen E is situated adjacent to the zone ZT3, but it is also possible to incorporate it in the zone, or, on the contrary, to offset it further away from the zone. The screen E is activated at the same time as the zone ZT3, or later.

[0054] FIG. 4 shows an architecture that is possible, but not limiting, for complete implementation of the invention, in which the gaming table T is fitted with the concentrator 10 that is connected to a computer 12 by means of a cable 11. In this architecture, the software installed on the computer 12 asks the concentrator 10 for information about the gaming elements detected on the optionally-marked playing zones provided on the table T, which information is conveyed through the cable 11. In this same architecture, the software sends information to the concentrator 10 in response to the previously-received information.

[0055] Other architectures are possible, such as the use of a plurality of computers and/or pieces of software in order to perform the tasks of the software installed on the computer 12 shown in FIG. 4. Another possible architecture is to replace the concentrator 10 and its cable 11 with wireless communication between the detection systems installed in the table T and the computer 12.

[0056] FIG. 5 shows a detection and identification system SDNT1 positioned under an unmarked playing zone ZNT1, that is capable of detecting and identifying an electronic device placed on the gaming mat T, in non-limiting manner on the detection surface area of the system SDNT1. Compared to the gaming elements specific to a real bet (chips/tokens), the detection and identification of the electronic device is not restricted to the surface area of an equivalent marked zone, as in FIG. 3.

[0057] The detection and identification system SDNT1 may also send information to the electronic device as a function of the rules specific to the game and of the state of play. A simple example of use is to send the amount of a player's bet to the electronic device so as to display the value on the screen.

[0058] FIG. 6 shows a detection and identification system SDNT1, and its wired connection C1, positioned under an unmarked playing zone ZNT1, and provided with an LED strip at the periphery of its detection surface area Ak. On receiving specific information via the connection C1, the detection system SDTN1 controls the LEDs individually or in groups or as a whole. Control of the LEDs enables an unmarked playing zone ZNT1 to appear visually on the mat T, and thus enables an active playing zone to be added for the player. The new playing zone as made visible in this way is not exclusively for detecting and identifying specific gaming elements (chips, tokens).

[0059] Very generally, the software of the computer 12 generates action information as a result of analyzing detection information sent by the item detection and identification system SDT1, SDNT1 of at least one playing zone ZT3, ZNT1 on which one or more detectable gaming elements are placed, the action information then being sent to an identified playing zone that may be the zone from which the detection information came or that may be another identified playing zone, the identified playing zone that receives the action information activating a specific function that can be used by a player. The placing of one or more chips or tokens on a playing zone that is provided with a detection and identification system may thus activate: [0060] a new playing zone on which the player can place a bet; [0061] a new playing zone on which the user can place a telephone, a tablet, or a laptop computer, or even a membership or loyalty card; [0062] light sources (e.g. LEDs) that define a new playing zone; [0063] a screen that is associated with a marked playing zone or with a newly activated playing zone for communicating readable information to the player; [0064] a touch screen that may be incorporated in the gaming table and that is associated with the table, or even a touch screen of a laptop computer, a telephone, or a tablet that is connected (e.g. by WIFI or Bluetooth) to the table; [0065] a new function or an additional function of the playing zone in which the chips or tokens have been placed; [0066] additional playing means.

[0067] By delivering information to the playing zones or directly to the players, the device of the invention creates interactivity and increases the functions that the player can use in order to adapt gaming strategy, increase chances of winning, diversify tactics, advantageously accumulate loyalty card points, etc.

[0068] Example: an application of the invention with a virtual effect of a player's bet

[0069] All of the TIE zones of a baccarat table are fitted with the detection system for detecting chips and tokens.

[0070] For each player, another playing zone (PLAYER or BANKER or a dedicated zone) is capable of reading a player's membership card associated with the player's loyalty-points account.

[0071] Once the device of the invention has recognized the client's account, said client is able to compare the bets placed on the player's TIE zone with a database table that defines a multiplier for loyalty points acquired as a function of the bet.

[0072] Thus, by way of example, if the amount of the bet lies in a betting range that enables the player to multiply by 2 the loyalty points that would normally be acquired, then the device automatically adds this new number of loyalty points to the player's account.

[0073] Example: an application of the invention with a physical effect of a player's bet

[0074] Each main betting zone of a blackjack table is fitted with the detection system for detecting chips and tokens.

[0075] Beside each main betting zone there is situated another playing zone that is not marked on the mat (thus not visible to the player) and that is fitted with LEDs at its periphery.

[0076] The device is thus capable of detecting the player's bet on the player's main betting zone, and of comparing it to a database table that defines a minimum-bet threshold that enables a second betting zone to be activated.

[0077] Thus, if a player places a bet above the threshold, the device sends information to the unmarked playing zone on the mat so that the LEDs light up and thus cause a new active playing zone to appear that is visible to the player.

[0078] By means of the invention, detecting a certain chip and/or token value in an initial playing zone causes new gaming opportunities to be activated in a new playing zone or even in the initial playing zone, and the player can use these opportunities in order to change the play of the current game or in order to access another game. The activated playing zone may be incorporated in the gaming table, being made visible during activation, or it may be associated with the table, or it may even be formed by the touch screen of a smartphone. The player thus has the possibility of acting directly on the play of the game, by deciding whether or not to take up the opportunities that are offered as a function of the bets that have been placed. This interactivity makes it possible to increase considerably the extent of game strategies.