Abstract:
Apparatus ( 1 ) for entering and displaying data relating to a participatory event and for use by one or more participants. The apparatus ( 1 ) includes electronic data entry means ( 3 ) for use by each participant to enter data at a time when each participant is to participate in the event and electronic processing means for receiving and processing the data entered by each participant. There is also included display means ( 5 ) for displaying the data processed by the electronic processing means.

Description:
[0001]    This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 12/009,043, filed Jan. 16, 2008, for a Display Apparatus, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/465,956, filed Dec. 4, 2003, for a Display Apparatus, which claims foreign priority benefits to PCT/AU01/01678 filed Dec. 26, 2001, which claims foreign priority to application Serial No. PR 2353 filed in Australia on Dec. 29, 2000, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to apparatus for entering and displaying data. It has particular, application to apparatus for use in games and pastimes, such as card games. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    In many card games, such as the game of Bridge, the rules of the game may require a player to make a bid, or an offer to other players. Whilst this of course be done verbally, in many instances, it would be desirable if the bid or offer could be made silently, or on a confidential basis so that other players are not disturbed by the bidding process, or so as to maintain confidentiality of the bidding process, until all bids have been submitted. Some individuals may however, have a physical impairment, such as a speech defect or trembling hands, in the case of bids which must be submitted in writing, which effectively prevents or inhibits them from participating fully in playing such games. 
         [0004]    Yet other problems also manifest themselves during the bidding process, as would be familiar to players of card games. For example, where written bids are to be submitted, it is possible for some players, on occasion, to be tempted to cheat by writing different sign bids on a slip or piece of paper. Even where a player plays fairly, in those situations where bids are required to be handwritten, often a player&#39;s handwriting may not be particularly legible, or the particular suit that is being bid may not be represented clearly. Quite apart from these issues, once a bid has been submitted, occasionally, players are tempted to (and in fact) change their bids after having submitted them. This can cause significant disruption to the game itself, and on occasion, can result in disputes or conflict between players who become annoyed by attempts by another player (or players) to change bids previously submitted, when it would be considered inappropriate to do so. 
         [0005]    The present invention aims to alleviate one or more of the prior art problems discussed above. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for entering and displaying data relating to a participatory event and for use by one or more participants, said apparatus comprising: 
         [0007]    electronic data entry means for use by each participant in said one or more participants to enter data at a time when said each participant is to participate in said event; 
         [0008]    electronic processing means for receiving and processing said data entered by said each participant; and 
         [0009]    display means for displaying the data processed by said electronic processing means, wherein the participatory event is a card game which requires one or more of the participants to make a bid, and the electronic data entry means enables a participant to enter one or more bids which are processed by the processing means and displayed on the display means. 
         [0010]    Preferably, the participatory event is a card game of the “whist” family, such as Bridge, the game known as “500”, and the like. Games of the “Whist” family involve the taking of tricks and scoring systems that are dependent upon the number of tricks taken during play. Scoring systems of bidding games such as Bridge and “500” are also dependent upon bidding and whether or not the final bid is successful during play. Preferably, the processing means is adapted to calculate scores for display on the display means. For example, the processing means may calculate scores corresponding to the bid or bids made, and the scores are displayed on the display means. 
         [0011]    According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for entering and displaying data relating to a participatory event and for use by one or more participants, said apparatus comprising: 
         [0012]    electronic data entry means for use by each participant in said one or more participants to enter data at a time when said each participant is to participate in said event; 
         [0013]    electronic processing means for receiving and processing said data entered by said each participant; and 
         [0014]    display means for displaying the data processed by said electronic processing means, 
         [0015]    wherein the participatory event is a card game which requires one or more of the participants to make a bid, and wherein the processing means is adapted to calculate scores that are dependent upon the bid or bids made, and the display means is arranged to display the scores calculated by the processing means. 
         [0016]    In a particularly preferred embodiment, the processing means may also be adapted to calculate scores corresponding to the number of tricks taken during play of the card game for display on the display means. 
         [0017]    It is also preferred that the apparatus is electronic, or apparatus which contains electronic components. It is particularly preferred that the apparatus includes a computer or computerised elements. 
         [0018]    Preferably, the data entry means takes the form of a key pad which comprises a plurality of keys, where each key is associated with an entry of an individual item of data. For example, the keypad could include keys with codes for particular characters, letters of the alphabet, symbols or numerals (or combinations of two or more of these). For playing card games of the Whist family which involve bidding such as bridge, typically, the data entry means would comprise a keypad containing a plurality of keys, the keys containing the symbols associated with individual card suits, and numbers or symbols used to identify the number of tricks in a particular suit the player or players are bidding for. 
         [0019]    Where two or more players are involved in playing a game (such as Bridge) the apparatus could comprise more than one data entry means, in which case, each individual player would have his or her own individual data entry device (such as an individualised keypad for each player). Preferably, the data entry means would be linked by suitable means to the display means, so that upon entering data on the data entry means, the data so entered is transferred and displayed on the display means. Preferred examples of the linkage/transfer means would include computer cables and other electronic cables for linking electronic apparatus. 
         [0020]    The display means is preferably an electronic device which is capable of displaying data entered via the data entry means. Typically, the display means would take the form of a computer screen, a television screen or a like electronic apparatus. The display means could be integrally formed with one or more units of the data entry means, or alternatively, it could be physically separate from one or more units of the data entry means. In the latter case, for example, the display means could take the form of a screen for displaying bids, scores or other information to an audience viewing play during a card game. The display means could also take the form of a display which is televised or broadcast to locations remote from where the game is being played (such as via a television broadcast, over the Internet, or via other wireless means of the kind readily appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art). 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]    Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0022]      FIG. 1  represents a plan view of a first embodiment of an apparatus made in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  represents a plan view of a form of a data entry means for use in connection with the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  represents a plan view of a second embodiment of apparatus made in accordance with the present invention; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  is an alternative form of data entry means incorporating a display means. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0026]    Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  represents a gaming apparatus (generally denoted as  1 ), constructed in accordance with the present invention. As will be apparent from  FIG. 1 , apparatus  1  is a gaming apparatus for use in associate with a card game (such as Bridge, 500 or the like). The apparatus  1  takes the form of four data entry units, each denoted by numeral  3  together with a display means  5 . 
         [0027]    Each of the data entry units  3  takes the form of a keypad, containing a number of keys  7 . As can be seen, individual keys can be activated by pressing them, so as to code for the entry of particular information (such as for example, a number or a character). As can be seen from  FIG. 1  each of the keys  7  codes, when activated (such as for example, by pressing the key), for either a number, or a character (such as a card suit). 
         [0028]    Referring more particularly to  FIG. 1 , each keypad  3  contains keys  21  bearing symbols corresponding to each of the four suits in a standard deck of cards, i.e. clubs, diamonds, hearts and spades. The keypad  3  also contains a key  22  bearing the symbol NT which enables a player to make a bid in “No Trumps”, and a set of numbered keys  23  bearing the numerals 1 to 7. Thus if a player wishes to bid, for example, two diamonds, the player presses the keys bearing the diamond symbol and the numeral “2”. The keypad also includes a key  24  bearing the symbol “/” which a player can use to enter a “pass” bid and a key  24 ′ bearing the symbol “//” which can be used to conclude the bidding. The keypad  3  further includes keys  25  bearing the symbol “X” and the symbol “XX”. These keys  25  may be respectively used if a player wishes to “double” (key marked X) or “redouble” (key marked XX) a previous players bid. The keypad  3  may also include keys  26  for indicating the location of the dealer, e.g. SOUTH DEALER, and keys  27  marked “VUL” for indicating whether the player or players are “vulnerable”. The keypad  3  may also include an “ON/OFF” switch or key  28 , a key  30  marked “ALERT” which can be used as an ENTER key for submitting a bid, and a CLEAR key  29  for clearing a bid before it is submitted. 
         [0029]    In particular preferred embodiments of the invention, the keypad could be made so that the keys  7  are touch sensitive, or are sensitive to some other activation stimulus (such as for example, temperature). Preferably, and particularly where a player suffers from a physical impairment (such as trembling hands), the keys would be sensitive to minimal stimuli (eg, to very small pressures) in order to activate them. In yet further embodiments of the invention, rather than the data entry means taking the form of a keypad, voice activation means could be used in order to submit a bid. Voice activation would be particularly suitable for handicapped persons who are unable to move their arms or hands in order to activate even a touch-sensitive keypad or the like. 
         [0030]    Irrespective of the form which the data entry means take (i.e. whether they take the form of a keyboard, keypad or a voice activated or other device), data entered by the data entry means is submitted, following entry, to a display means, for display. 
         [0031]    The data entered is transferred from the data entry means (in whatever form that means takes) to the display means used in the particular form of the apparatus. The transfer is achieved via a suitable linkage/transfer means. Typical examples of such means would include the following: 
         [0032]    1. electronic cables (and particularly cables suitable for data transfer in computers or computer related equipment); 
         [0033]    2. wireless means, such as transfer via infra-red radiation, microwaves, radio waves, or other forms of electromagnetic radiation; and 
         [0034]    3. transfer via the Internet. 
         [0035]    Typically, the data would be submitted via one or other such linkage/transfer means, to a central processing unit, which would process the data, so as to create particular displays on the display means. In the apparatus depicted in  FIG. 1 , each keypad  3  could thus submit data to a central processing unit (not shown in the drawings) which would manipulate or convert the data in order to provide the desired displays of information on the display device  5 . Alternatively or further, each data entry means (such as the keypad  3  shown in the accompanying drawings) could itself contain a central processing unit or computer to process or assist in processing the data, before submitting it to the display. In this respect,  FIG. 2  depicts an alternative embodiment of a data entry means, in which processing means (not shown) are provided in the data entry unit itself, so as to provide a digital read-out on each unit of the data entry means (such as the digital keypad  9 , depicted in  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0036]    In the embodiment of the invention depicted in  FIG. 1 , the display  5  comprises a plurality of cells  11 , each of which is intended to display individual data about each of the four players playing the game in the version of the apparatus shown in that drawing. Persons of ordinary skill in the art would understand however that the content of the display means that in any particular form of the invention will depend on the nature of the data desired to be displayed, and this in turn, may also depend upon the data processing means (including any software) used in particular in embodiments, to display the desired information. Such persons would also readily understand that in addition to displaying information relating to bids submitted by individual players or by teams of players, a display means for use in connection with the present invention could display many other kinds of data (such as for example, progress scores in a game or match, team information, or any other desired information for that matter). 
         [0037]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the apparatus  1  is shown as comprising separately, the display  5 , and the individual data entry means  3 , in the form of the four separate keypads depicted. In other embodiments of the invention however, the display means  5  and the data entry means  3  could be formed integrally. In the embodiment of the invention depicted in  FIG. 1 , the display  5  is shown as a display which might be laid flat on the horizontal surface (such as a table at which a card game might be played), so that players would be able to view rival bids from where they were sitting. In yet further embodiments of the invention however, the display might (for example) comprise an upright display (such as a television screen, computer screen or other form of suitable display for use in the invention), so that not only the players, but also third parties (such as an audience) could view bids submitted, the progress of a game, progress scores, final scores or other desired information. 
         [0038]    Shown in  FIG. 3  is a further embodiment of the apparatus  1  showing each individual data entry means  3  formed integrally with the display means  5  as a single unit. 
         [0039]    In similar manner to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the individual data entry means  3  can include keys  21  bearing symbols representing the four suits, a key  22  marked NT representing “No Trumps”, numbered keys  23 , a key  24  bearing the symbol “/” for indicating a “pass” bid, a key  25  bearing the symbol “X” for making a “double” bid, a dealer key  26  marked “DLR”, a “Vulnerable” key  27  marked “VUL”, an “ENTER” key  30 , and a key  35  bearing the symbol “ALERT”. The “ENTER” key  30  may be used when a player wishes to enter or submit a bid, and the “ALERT” key  35  may be used when a player wishes to review the bids that have been made. Depression of the “ALERT” key  35  causes the display means to display all bids that have been made. One of the keypads  3  in  FIG. 3 , e.g. the one marked “NORTH”, may also include keys  31  marked “Table No.”, “Border No.”, “Player No.” or “Section” Keys  32  for submitting table, board or player numbers to a central computer, e.g. in bridge tournaments when several players or teams are competing against each other. 
         [0040]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , the display means  5  includes a plurality of cells  11  associated with each player&#39;s data entry means  3  for displaying the bids of the players as they are made. In  FIG. 3  player WEST has opened the bidding with one club, followed by NORTH who has bid one diamond, EAST who has bid one heart and SOUTH who has bid one spade. WEST then bid one No Trump, NORTH made a pass bid, EAST bid two clubs followed by passes by SOUTH, WEST and NORTH to conclude the bidding. 
         [0041]    It is a feature of the processing means of the apparatus  1  that only bids which rank higher than the previous bid are accepted for display on the display means. At the end of the bidding, the final bid may be transmitted to a central computer. The data entry means of the apparatus of  FIG. 3  includes a key  33  marked “SCORE”. This key  33  is intended to be used when the playing of a deal is completed to activate the display  11  to indicate the scores depending upon whether or not the final bid or “contract” is successful. For example, at the end of the play of a deal player NORTH can use the numbered keys  23  to enter number of tricks made by the players who had the final bid. When player NORTH presses the “score” key  33 , the processing means (not shown) of the apparatus automatically calculates the score using the final bid and the number of tricks made in accordance with the usual scoring system of the game, e.g. Bridge, 500, etc. The calculated score is then displayed on the display  11  and may also be transmitted to the central computer. 
         [0042]    Shown in  FIG. 4  is a further alternative embodiment of a data entry means which includes processing means (not shown) and also a digital read-out display unit  13  together with a key pad  15  for data entry by a participant. 
         [0043]    The data entry means of  FIG. 4  is a hand held portable unit  20  which may be used by an individual player. The unit  20  may be used for calculating scores in a bidding card game, such as Bridge, in which the scoring system is dependent upon the final bid or contract and whether or not the contract is successful, and it may also be used for transmitting bids and scores to a central computer. As in the embodiments of  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the keypad  15  includes keys  21  bearing symbols corresponding to each of the four suits, a key  22  bearing the symbol NT representing “No Trumps” and a set of numbered keys  23  which enable a player to make a bid. A single key  34  marked “--/X/XX” enables a player to make a “pass” bid or a “double” or “redouble” bid depending upon the number of times the key  34  is pressed. Another key  37  marked VL/NVL can be used to indicate whether the player or team is vulnerable or not. The keypad  15  also includes an “on/cancel” key  38  marked “ON/AC”, and OFF key  39  and an ENTER key  40 . The unit  20  has further keys  41 ,  42  respectively marked “CNT” for “Contract” and “TRK” for “Trick” which a player may use to select between “Contract” and “Trick”. If CNT is selected, the keys  23  bearing the numbers 8, 9 and 0 are rendered inactive, so that the player can only use keys numbered 1-7 in conjunction with any one of keys  22  to submit a bid. If TRK is selected, the player can input any number of tricks (0-13 in Bridge) made during play using the numbered keys  23 . When a bid or a number of tricks is input, the processing means (not shown) within the hand held unit can calculate the score corresponding to the bid or number of tricks from the usual scoring criteria for the game, e.g. Bridge, 500, etc., which is then displayed on the digital display  13 . The keypad  15  shown in  FIG. 4  also includes arrow keys  43  and  44  marked respectively with an up arrow ↑ and a down arrow ↓. When a bid or number of tricks has been entered using the keys  21 ,  23  and  41  or  42 , the arrow keys  43  and  44  may be used to raise or lower the bid or numbers of tricks by an increment of one, and the corresponding score is automatically re-calculated by the processing means and displayed on the digital display  13 . 
         [0044]    In yet further embodiments of the present invention, the display means could take the form of a means for televising, broadcasting or transmitting bid, score or game data not only so that the players themselves or an audience in the immediate physical vicinity of the players could view it, but also so that persons located at a remote location could follow the progress of the game and the conduct of the players. For example, in a yet alternative embodiment of the invention, the players could enter data on their keypad for transmission to a computerised processing unit or a display, where the display would be broadcast via television, the Internet or via a similar means, so that audiences located anywhere in the world could watch the progress of a competition involving a card game, such as Bridge, in accordance with the use of the present invention. 
         [0045]    Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described specifically with reference to the card games Bridge, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that the invention is by no means limited to use for that game. Persons of ordinary skill in the art would readily understand that the invention could be applied to many other uses involving card games which require participants to bid in the game, and could take many other constructional forms, beyond those described in the preferred embodiments referred to in this specification. Accordingly, persons of ordinary skill in the art would readily appreciate that these, and other modifications or variations are embraced within the spirit and scope of the present invention, which extends to every novel feature and combination of features described in this specification and the accompanying drawings.