Changeable gaming table

Abstract

The present invention relates to a changeable gaming table system including one or more projectors for projecting an image of a game onto the gaming table. The gaming table can be formed of felt. The image can include a playing portion and a betting portion. Game pieces can be received in the playing portion. In one embodiment, the image is changed during or playing of the game. In one embodiment, the image or portions of the image can be highlighted during or after playing of the game.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a changeable gaming table system in which one or more projectors project an image of a game onto a felt table.

2. Description of Related Art

Electronic game machines have been described for displaying a game for plays by a number of players such as poker, bridge or baccarat. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0192094 describes a gaming machine which includes a table display unit which displays an image corresponding to the gaming table. A projecting unit projects images on a screen unit. The screen unit has a light transmitting property and allows light from a front surface and a back surface to pass therethrough. The screen unit is a transmissive screen for a liquid crystal projector.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0199629 describes a multiplayer electronic display gaming apparatus in which virtual playing cards are used. Shuffling, cutting, dealing and return of playing cards are performed using data processing functions without manual manipulation of playing cards. However, players can be uncomfortable playing with an electronic table and electronic cards and prefer a more conventional playing table and conventional deck of cards.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,371,164 describes a projected gaming method including a projector, screen and one or more three-dimensional games, such as a pinball game, and display. The game mechanism game display is displayed on the remote screen by the projector.

It is desirable to provide a gaming table system in which games can be easily changed by projection onto a conventional gaming table to enable the players to have the feel of a conventional game.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a changeable gaming table system including one or more projectors for projecting an image of a game onto the gaming table. The gaming table can be formed of felt. The image can include a playing portion and a betting portion. Game pieces can be received in the playing portion. In one embodiment, the image is changed during or playing of the game. In one embodiment, the image or portions of the image can be highlighted during or after playing of the game.

In one embodiment, game pieces can include a RFID. The RFID can be read by a reader associated with the gaming table or projector. Based on the value of the RFID read by the reader, the image can be changed.

In one embodiment, the image can be generated as a number by a random number generator. The image can represent a target sequence of one or more numbers, characters, pictures, or graphic images.

The invention will be more fully described by reference to the following drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a changeable gaming system in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in greater detail to a preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram a changeable gaming system 10 in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. One or more projectors 14 project image 16 onto surface 17 of game table 12. Surface 17 can be a conventional felt surface to provide a feel of a conventional game. Image 16 can be an image of a gaming table. Image 16 can represent a particular conventional card game such as black jack, poker or baccarat. Image 16 can include playing portion 18 and betting portion 19.

Game pieces 20 are dealt from shuffler 22 to playing portion 18. For example, game pieces 20 can be one or more conventional decks of 52 cards, Mah Jongg tiles, one or more dominoes or die. Bets can be placed in betting portion 19.

Image 16 can be determined by processor 24. Image 16 can be changed by processor 24 during or after playing of the game. For example, different images 16 can be displayed identifying colors or brightness of areas for placement of game pieces 20 during or after playing a game. Image 16 can be changed during or after playing of the game to highlight desired placement of game pieces 20 during the game or to highlight a winning combination of game pieces 20 placed on surface 17. In one embodiment, image 16 can be highlighted as a flashing image for indicating a winning combination of game pieces 20 placed on surface 17.

Image 16 can be changeable by dealing of game pieces 20. In one embodiment, game pieces 20 can include RFID 30. RFID 30 can be read by reader 32. Reader 32 is associated with surface 17 of game table 12 or projector 14. Information from RFID 30 by reader 32 can be forwarded to processor 24. Based on information 34 read by reader 32, image 16 can be changed by processor 24.

In one embodiment, image 16 can be generated as a number by a random number generator 40 used at processor 24. Image 16 can represent a target sequence of one or more numbers, characters, pictures, or graphic images.

In one embodiment, the game is played in a casino. Alternatively, the game can be played on a video screen or over the Internet.

It is to be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative of only a few of the many possible specific embodiments, which can represent applications of the principles of the invention. Numerous and varied other arrangements can be readily devised in accordance with these principles by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A changeable gaming table system comprising:

a gaming table including a surface; and

one or more projectors for projecting an image of a game onto said gaming table.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said surface is formed of felt.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said image is a game of blackjack, poker or baccarat.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said image includes a playing portion.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said image includes a betting portion.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said system further comprises game pieces, said game pieces being received in said playing portions.

7. The system of claim 6 further comprising a shuffler for shuffling said game pieces.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein said image is changed during play of said game.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein said image is changed after playing of said game.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein said image or a portion of said image is highlighted during or after playing of a game.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein said game piece includes a RFID and said image is changed based on a value of said RFID.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the image is a number generated by a random number generator.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein said image is a target sequence of one or more numbers, characters, pictures, or graphic images.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein the game pieces are one or more cards of a deck of 52 cards.

15. The system of claim 1 wherein the game pieces are one or more die.

16. The system of claim 1 wherein the game pieces are one or more Mah Jongg tiles.

17. A method of providing a changeable gaming table system comprising the steps of:

providing a gaming table including a felt surface;

projecting an image of a game onto said gaming table.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein said image is a game of blackjack, poker or baccarat.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein said image includes a playing portion.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein said image includes a betting portion.

21. The method of claim 17 wherein said image is changed during or after playing of a game.

22. The method of claim 17 wherein said image or a portion of said image is highlighted during or after playing of a game.

23. The method of claim 18 further comprising the step of providing a game piece, said game piece being received in said playing portion.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein said game piece includes a RFID and said image is changed based on a value of said RFID.

25. The method of claim 23 wherein the image is a number generated by a random number generator.