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  Card game simulatorThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060049580. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority from copending provisional application Ser. No. 60/608,644, filed Sep. 9, 2004. TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The invention relates generally to devices for coordinating game play and more particularly to systems for simulating participation in card games. BACKGROUND ART [0003] The rules of most games feature some combination of timing, scoring, and randomness. While most card games do not include timing restrictions, scoring is significant. The scoring may be based upon point totals, possession of chips, or movement along a board (such as in Pinochle). In card games, the randomness aspect is provided by card shuffling and deck cutting before the cards are distributed to the players. [0004] While card games are popular, there are frustrations. For example, deck shuffling requires a dexterity that may not be available to young persons and the elderly. Another possible frustration relates to the need to keep track of items, such as chips or specialty game pieces. Moreover, there are occasions in which players disagree as to the rules of a game or are not aware of certain rules. [0005] Game simulators may be used to electronically simulate playing of a card game. U.S. Pat. No. 4,380,334 to Minkoff et al. describes an electronic card game simulator having a display and a number of input keys. Electronic data processing circuitry allows automatic play of a hand of gin rummy in opposition to an operator. The simulator deals a hand of cards to the operator and to the electronic opponent. The play of the electronic component is controlled by circuitry to simulate the play of a human in accordance with the rules of the game. [0006] Another game simulator is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,926,327 to Sidley. In the system of Sidley, poker is electronically simulated on a number of individual player consoles. Each player console is interconnected with a central computer unit which simulates and controls the game. Additionally, the central computer unit tabulates and displays all betting information for each participant. At each player console, the player's own cards are displayed, as well as the "up-cards" of the other players or the number of cards drawn by the other players (depending upon whether the game being played is stud poker or draw poker). Each player console also allows the player to input certain data to the central computer unit at specific times during the game. While known card game simulators are beneficial, further advancements are available. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] A card game simulator includes storage of a rules base having programming specific to enforcing rules of a number of discrete card games and includes at least one main display that is responsive to a processor to generate visual representations of activities that are to be accessible in common to all players during the enforcement of the rules of a particular card game. In addition to the main unit, there are a number of individual player units that are separately responsive to the processor of the main unit. Each player unit includes a player display that is enabled to generate visual representations of activities specific to a participant to whom the player unit is assigned. The combination of the main display for activities that are common to all players and the player displays for individualized activities provides an effective means for electronically simulating a wide variety of card games. [0008] Each player unit is preferably dimensioned for use as a hand-held device. The main unit is dimensioned for use as a table-top device. Each player unit includes an input means for enabling player selections, which may include the use of touch-screen technology. However, player selections may be entered using less complex approaches, such as the manipulation of buttons or a toggle. The type of player selection will depend upon the card game being electronically simulated. The use of the rules base store does not restrict the card game simulator to any one type of game, such as poker. Rather, programming may be entered for enforcing rules specific to unrelated games, such as Pinochle and childhood games. The card game simulator includes a program input for entering and updating the programming of the rules base store. Thus, the rules of additional games may be entered as described. Preferably, the rules base store and the processor are enabled to also implement electronic simulation of games which do not require cards, such as dice games and board games which require specialty game pieces (e.g., the tiles used in the board game sold under the trademark SCRABBLE). [0009] The rules base store defines the rules for each card game, including rules related to card distribution, scoring, and the sequence for enabling player selections via the input means of the different player units. The main unit and the player units define a system that is dedicated to providing electronic simulation of the games. The player units may be wired to the main unit to enable the necessary signal exchanges. Alternatively, the player units may exchange signals with the main unit using a wireless technology. [0010] The rules base store may be a number of different logic modules which are plugged into the main unit on an as-needed basis. In another embodiment, the main unit includes sufficient memory for storing rules for a large number of games. An advantage of the invention is that when the system is activated, the simulator automates shuffling, dealing, scoring, and adherence to the rules of the game being played. The individual player units allow each participant to view the cards dealt to that participant and allow the manipulation of the cards by use of the input means of the player unit. Discarded cards from the various players may appear in the main display of the main unit. [0011] As an optional feature, the system may enable the tracking of play for subsequent evaluation of strategy. For example, during the electronic simulation of a Bridge game, each decision may be stored, so that the effectiveness of decisions can be discussed while the system is in a review mode that presents the sequence of decisions. [0012] The system may also include a connection capability (such as a standard USB connector) to other devices or systems. Thus, a scanner may be coupled to the system to enable capture of images of specialty cards and the like. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one example of a modular networked gaming system for providing card game simulation in accordance with the invention. [0014] FIG. 2 is an example of one of the player units of FIG. 1. [0015] FIG. 3 is an example of the main unit in the system of FIG. 1. [0016] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of selected components of the system of FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0017] FIG. 1 shows a system for implementing the card game simulator 10 in accordance with the invention. The simulator includes a main unit 12 and a number of player units 14 and 16. While only two player units are shown, typically there are a greater number of player units, allowing more individuals to participate. In the system of FIG. 1, a plug-in memory module is inserted into the main unit 12 to allow the selection of the number of players and the game to be played. The system simulates traditional game play by electronically shuffling and dealing the "virtual cards" to each player. The shuffling and dealing aspects are simulated using the main display 18 of the main unit. Each player unit has a player display 20 that provides a visual representation of cards dealt to the player assigned to the particular player unit. The player units are shown as having a fanned configuration that simulates the conventional approach to holding the number of cards. Each player in turn is allowed to draw or play cards from the player's hand by touching or pressing the appropriate buttons or the appropriate areas of the player display. Cards which have been played or discarded appear on the main display 18 of the main unit. Alternatively or additionally, the played or discarded cards may be shown on a portion of the player display held by the individual player. The system monitors the play, confirms that the players make legal moves, and tracks all aspects of the game, including betting and/or scoring. [0018] FIG. 2 shows a player unit 14 with some variations from the player unit 16 shown in FIG. 1. The player unit may be a hand-held device or may be configured to rest on a tabletop. The unit includes a video screen 20 to display the cards of the particular player. Additional information may be provided, such as the amount of money or the number of chips in the possession of the player. Continue reading... Full patent description for Card game simulator Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Card game simulator patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Card game simulator or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Strap equipped with pointing unit Next Patent Application: Casino draw poker game Industry Class: Amusement devices: games ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Card game simulator patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.16373 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Medical: Surgery , Surgery(2) , Surgery(3) , Drug , Drug(2) , Prosthesis , Dentistry |
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