Abstract:
The present invention relates to a gaming system ( 100 ) comprising a local gaming device ( 101 ) and a first remote gaming device ( 108 ). If player of the respective devices ( 101/108 ) fulfils a predetermined gaming behaviour criterion then gaming information is shared between common gaming interface portions of the respective devices ( 101/108 ). The invention provides an improved interaction between local ( 103 ) and remote players ( 107 ), resulting in a more realistic gaming experience for the local players as well as for the remote players. The invention also relates to a corresponding method, server, computer program product and remote gaming device.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a gaming system suitable for use in a gaming house environment, and more particularly to a gaming system where a game can be played by participants remotely as well as at the physical game site. 
         [0002]    The invention also relates to a corresponding method, server, computer program product and remote gaming device. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Gaming systems for use in a gaming environment, such as a casino, have a limited maximum number of participants able to play the game simultaneously due to, for example, the size of the specific gaming site or other physical limitations to the gaming system. There is also a disadvantage that a certain game might also be played at a specific location at the casino, and therefore the participant might have to find his way through the entire casino to locate the specific game he or she wants to play. 
         [0004]    A solution to this problem is found in US 2003/232651, which provides a system for controlling and managing bets for a game played remotely from where the underlying live game is played. The system comprises an underlying game table, a camera, a plurality of player consoles and a game display. The game display acquires gaming information from the underlying game table by means of the camera. Participants playing the game remotely have a player console and follow the game by watching the game display. A game controller, connected to each remote player consoles, controls and manages bets and information from the different units. This solution gives the participants the opportunity to play the desired game at a remote location, and also provides a game suitable for a large plurality of participants. 
         [0005]    However, the remote gaming system provided in US 2003/232651 does not provide a game in which the players, participating at a remote distance and participating at the physical gaming site, fully interact with each other. A player participating at the physical gaming site only interact with the other players at the physical gaming site, and not with the players participating at a remote distance from the physical gaming site. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    Based on the above, an object of the present invention is thus to provide a system having improved interaction between players participating at a remote distance from a game site and players participating at the physical game site. The invention is based on the understanding that an improved interaction between local players and remote players will provide a more realistic gaming experience for the local players as well as for the remote players. 
         [0007]    According to an aspect of the invention, these and other objects are achieved by a gaming system comprising a local gaming device comprising a processor and a display area, wherein the display area is configured to provide a gaming interface having a common gaming interface portion configured to allow interaction of at least one local player, a first remote gaming device comprising a processor and a display unit, wherein the display unit is configured to provide a gaming interface having a common gaming interface portion configured to allow interaction of a first remote player, wherein the first remote gaming device is communicatively coupled to the local gaming device over a network, and the common gaming interface portion provided on the display area of the local gaming device and the common gaming interface portion provided on the display unit of the first remote gaming device share gaming information if at least one of the local gaming device and the first remote gaming device determines, by means of at least one of its respective processors, that at least one of the local player and/or the first remote player fulfils a predetermined gaming behaviour criterion. 
         [0008]    Advantages with the invention include for example the possibility for remote players to “participate” in a game at the physical game site, i.e. at the local gaming device, as well as at an “adjacent location” (e.g. in the same room) as the local gaming device. Hereby, the system allows for a large plurality of players to participate in the game simultaneously. In order to enable interaction between the local player and the first remote player, a predetermined gaming behaviour criterion determines whether the gaming information of the first remote player and/or the gaming information of the local player will be shared. 
         [0009]    The local gaming device should, in the context of the present application, be understood to relate to a gaming device for any type of game played in a gaming environment, such as roulette, craps, baccarat, black jack, etc. The type of game played should not be limited for the use of the above mentioned system. 
         [0010]    The criterion for sharing gaming information is based on the gaming behaviour of the player. Such a criterion may comprise a number of different criteria, such that for a player to share his gaming information, at least one of the predetermined gaming behaviour criteria must be fulfilled. The gaming behaviour for fulfilling the criterion may, for example, comprise the bet size carried out by the player, such that if the player bets a large amount at a game, the gaming information about the bet(s) will be shared. Another example of a gaming behaviour criterion may comprise the betting history of the player. For example, if the player is in a winning trend, i.e. is currently successful in his betting, that may fulfill the gaming behaviour criterion such that the gaming information is shared. The betting history may further comprise a predetermined number of bets executed by the player, such that if the player has participated in a game at a certain time. Furthermore, the predetermined gaming behaviour criterion may comprise the similarity of betting between the local player and the remote player. For example, in a specific game of baccarat the remote player may place his bet on the local player. Therefore, the gaming information of the local player may be shared with the remote player if they have similar gaming behaviour. This may of course be applied in the opposite way, i.e. that the local player places his bet on the remote player. 
         [0011]    The predetermined gaming behaviour criteria may be different for the local player compared to the remote player, e.g. such that a higher activity level is required for the remote player, or vice versa. The gaming behaviour criterion may therefore be dependent on if the player is participating at the local gaming device or at a remote gaming device. 
         [0012]    The gaming interface(s) described may contain a private gaming interface portion and a common gaming interface portion. The private gaming interface portion may only be available for the specific player. The private gaming interface portion may, for example, contain the players money account, cash balance, etc. On the other hand, the common gaming interface portion may contain, for example, the amount of betting executed by the player, the current bet, etc. In a roulette game, for example, the common gaming interface portion may contain the roulette wheel, the roulette layout and the current bets executed. If the local player and/or the first remote player fulfill the predetermined gaming behaviour criterion, the information of his common gaming interface portion may be shared. The amount of information shared may be controlled by the predetermined gaming behaviour criterion as well, i.e. more or less information may be shared depending on the gaming behaviour of the player. 
         [0013]    The expression “local player” should be understood to mean a player of the game, who participates at the physical game site. “Remote player” should therefore be understood to mean a player who interacts with the local gaming device by participating from a distance of the game. This could for example be in a hotel room, at home or in other parts of the gaming environment. The specific location of the remote player is not limited to the scope of the present application. 
         [0014]    The system according to the present invention may advantageously comprise a second remote gaming device comprising a processor and a display unit, wherein the display is configured to provide a gaming interface comprising a common gaming interface portion configured to allow interaction of a second remote player, wherein the second remote gaming device is communicatively coupled to at least one of the local gaming device and the first remote gaming device over a network, and the common gaming interface portion provided on the display unit of the first remote gaming device and the common gaming interface portion provided on the display unit of the second remote gaming device are configured to share gaming information if at least one of the local gaming device, the first remote gaming device and the second remote gaming device determines that at least one of the first and/or second remote player fulfils the predetermined gaming behaviour criterion. 
         [0015]    If the remote player fulfils the predetermined gaming behaviour criterion, his gaming information may be shared to other remote players, as well as to the local player. Hence, the system may also comprise a “third remote gaming device”, a “fourth remote gaming device”, etc. 
         [0016]    As above mentioned, the amount of gaming information shared between the players may vary depending on the specific predetermined gaming behaviour criterion. Also, the sharing of gaming information may not be mutual, i.e. a remote player who fulfils the predetermined gaming behaviour criterion may share information but may not receive gaming information from players who do not fulfill the predetermined gaming behaviour criterion. If the gaming information of all remote and local players would be available, it may be impossible for players to get a grip of other players gaming behaviour, thus reducing the interaction between the participants. This is especially the case if a large plurality of players simultaneously participating in the game. 
         [0017]    The predetermined gaming behaviour criterion may also vary within the game, due to a dynamic activity level of the game. The dynamic activity level adjusts according to the gaming activity, such that a game with many participants having a high betting activity increases the activity level for sharing gaming information in relation to a game with few participants having a low betting activity. Furthermore, as mentioned above, the gaming behaviour criterion may be different for the local player compared to the remote player, such that a game with a large number of local players requires a higher activity level for a remote player to share gaming information in order to provide a maximum number of players sharing their gaming information. 
         [0018]    In one embodiment of the present invention, a camera of the local gaming device acquires gaming information from the local gaming device to be provided to the remote gaming device. Furthermore, the display unit at the local gaming device acquires gaming information from the remote gaming device(s), if the remote player(s) fulfils at least one of the predetermined gaming behaviour criteria. Alternatively instead of using the display unit there may be provided a video projector for projecting the gaming information of the remote player(s) onto the common gaming interface at the local gaming device. In such a case for example in relation to the poker and/or roulette, the game cloth (e.g. poker or roulette cloth) may be adapted for receiving images from a video projector. 
         [0019]    The camera may visually acquire the gaming activity at the local gaming device and provide the information to the remote players, and the display unit acquires gaming information from the common gaming interface portion of the remote player to the local gaming device, if the remote player fulfils at least one of the predetermined gaming behaviour criteria. 
         [0020]    The local gaming device may alternatively comprise a multi-player touch screen. For example, in a roulette game, the roulette layout may comprise a multi-player touch screen, such that bets are executed by pressing the desired number on the roulette layout. This may not only reduce the need of gaming chips, but also provides a game where bets and pay-out can be carried out in a fast and efficient manner. 
         [0021]    Additionally, the invention may further comprise means for acquiring gaming information from the remote gaming device comprising transmittal of commands, executed by the remote player, on the electronic multi-player touch gaming device. By providing means for acquiring gaming information from the remote player, who fulfils at least one of the predetermined gaming behaviour criteria, his bets will be visible to the local players in the same manner as the bets executed by the local players. Thus, an improved interaction between the players is provided, since the local players can follow the gaming behaviour of the remote player. 
         [0022]    Furthermore, the remote gaming device may comprise a touch screen. Preferably, the touch screen is a multi-touch screen. The touch screen may allow the remote player to place his bet by pressing at the desired position on the touch screen of his remote gaming device, i.e. in a similar manner as placing a bet at the local gaming device. Hence, the interaction of the remote player is improved as he will have a similar gaming interface as standing at the physical game site. 
         [0023]    Furthermore, the remote gaming device may be provided at the local gaming device. Thus, a local player may receive a remote gaming device at the local gaming device, comprising his private gaming interface portion as well as his common gaming interface portion, and seamlessly continue to play the game at a remote distance from the physical game site. 
         [0024]    According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for operating a gaming system. This aspect provides similar advantages as discussed above. 
         [0025]    According to still another aspect, there is provided a server for a gaming system. Also this aspect provides similar advantages as discussed above. 
         [0026]    The system may for example be located in the same location as the local gaming device, but may of course be configured to communicate with the local gaming device and thus be located elsewhere away from the local gaming device. Accordingly, the stream of information between the local gaming device and the remote gaming device may for example take place over a network connection such as the Internet. 
         [0027]    Still further, according to an aspect there is provided a computer program product comprising a computer readable medium having stored thereon computer program means for causing a server to operate a gaming system as discussed above. Also this aspect provides similar advantages as discussed above. 
         [0028]    The computer readable medium may be one of a removable nonvolatile random access memory, a hard disk drive, a floppy disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a USB memory, an SD memory card, or a similar computer readable medium known in the art. 
         [0029]    According to still a further aspect, there is provided a remote gaming device for a gaming system, the gaming system further comprises a local gaming device having a gaming interface comprising a common gaming interface portion configured to allow interaction of at least one local player, and a server for operating the gaming system, wherein the remote gaming device comprises a gaming interface comprising a common gaming interface portion configured to allow interaction of a first remote player and the remote gaming device is further configured to provide gaming bets to the server, receive gaming information from the common gaming interface of the local gaming device, display the gaming information from the common gaming interface of the local gaming device if it is determined that a predetermined gaming behaviour criterion is fulfilled. 
         [0030]    Advantageously, the remote gaming device is at least one of a mobile phone, a PDA, a laptop and a tablet computer. 
         [0031]    Other objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention will appear from the following detailed disclosure, from the attached dependent claims as well as from the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0032]    These and other aspects of the present invention will now be described in more detail, with reference to the appended drawings showing at least one example embodiment of the invention, wherein: 
           [0033]      FIG. 1  schematically illustrates a gaming system according to a currently preferred embodiment of the invention comprising a local gaming device and a plurality of different remote gaming devices, 
           [0034]      FIG. 2  shows an alternative gaming system comprising local gaming device having a multi-touch gaming interface, 
           [0035]      FIG. 3  illustrates the GUI of a remote gaming device, and 
           [0036]      FIG. 4  provides a flowchart of an embodiment of the method for operating a gaming system. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0037]    The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which currently preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided for thoroughness and completeness, and fully convey the scope of the invention to the skilled addressee. Like reference characters refer to like elements throughout. 
         [0038]    In the following description, the present invention is described with reference to a gaming system  100  for playing a game located in a gaming house environment. The game can be played at the physical game site as well as at a location situated at a remote distance from the physical game site. Furthermore, the players, participating at the local game site and the players participating remotely from the physical game site, interact with each other based on a predetermined gaming behaviour criterion. 
         [0039]    It should be noted that this by no means limits the scope of the present invention, which is equally applicable for a game located elsewhere, such as in a private house, at a hotel etc. 
         [0040]      FIG. 1  illustrates a schematic view of a gaming system  100 , where a local gaming device  101  having a display area is situated in a gaming house environment. The local gaming device  101  illustrated in this embodiment is a generic gaming table having a croupier  102  and a number of local players  103  playing the game. The players  103  place their bet by use of gaming chips, cards or the like, depending on the specific game played and the croupier  102  collect and distribute the gaming chips or cards accordingly. The maximum number of local players  103  able to play the game simultaneously is determined by, for example, the size of the table and the number of seats around the table. 
         [0041]    At the local gaming device  101 , a camera  104  and a projector  105  are provided. The camera  104  is arranged such that it acquires at least a part of the local gaming device  101  and the projector  105  is arranged such that it can illuminate the gaming layout  106  of the local gaming device  101 . 
         [0042]    The gaming layout  106  of the generic gaming table illustrated in  FIG. 1 , i.e. the layout (display area) where bets are executed, comprises a screen/cloth having a material susceptible for illumination of the projector. 
         [0043]    Additionally, a number of remote players  107 ,  107 ′,  107 ″ can participate at the game from a position located at a distance from the local gaming device  101 , such as at home, in a hotel room, in another part of the gaming house, etc. The remote players  107 ,  107 ′,  107 ″ each have a remote gaming device  108 ,  108 ′,  108 ″ comprising a processor and a display unit having a private gaming interface portion  109 ,  109 ′,  109 ″ and a common gaming interface portion  110 ,  110 ′,  110 ″. The private gaming interface portion  109 ,  109 ′,  109 ″ may only be available for the specific player and may, for example, contain the players money account, cash balance, etc. On the other hand, the common gaming interface portion  110 ,  110 ′,  110 ″ may contain, for example, the amount of betting executed by the player, the current bet, the gaming layout interface etc. To be able to participate in the game, the remote players  107 ,  107 ′,  107 ″ place their bets on the common gaming interface portion  110 ,  110 ′,  110 ″ of their remote gaming device  107 ,  107 ′,  107 ″. 
         [0044]    Furthermore and with reference to  FIG. 1  in conjunction with  FIG. 4 , a server  111  is connected to the local gaming device  101 . The server  111  receives the gaming activity of the local gaming device  101  from the camera  104  for determining, S 1 , a gaming behaviour for the at least one local player  103 . Additionally, the server  111  also receives the gaming activity of the remote player(s), i.e. the bets executed on the common gaming interface portion  110 ,  110 ′,  110 ″ of the remote gaming device, for each remote player  107 ,  107 ′,  107 ″ for the purpose of determining, S 2 , a gaming behaviour for the first remote player. 
         [0045]    The server  111  is further configured to select a number of bets, executed by the local players  103  and the remote players  107 ,  107 ′,  107 ″, that fulfils a predetermined gaming behaviour criterion, S 3 . Thereafter, the server  111  sends the bet(s) of the selected remote player(s) to the projector  105 . The projector  105  illuminates the bets, executed by the selected remote player/players, on the gaming layout  106  of the local gaming device  101 . Hereby, local players  103  interact with the selected remote players as their bets are visually illustrated among the bets executed by the local players  103 , i.e. gaming information is shared, S 4 , between the local players  103  and the remote players  107 ,  107 ′,  107 ″. 
         [0046]    Furthermore, the server  111  may also be configured to filter the bets executed by the local players  103  before sending the gaming activity to the different remote gaming devices  108 ,  108 ′,  108 ″. Hence, the remote players  107 ,  107 ′,  107 ″ may only interact with selected local players and /or selected remote players. 
         [0047]    The predetermined gaming behaviour criterion may contain a number of criteria. Dependent on, for example, the specific game played or the number of local- or remote players participating in the game, the predetermined gaming behaviour may vary. For example, in a specific game of baccarat, a player may place his bet on another player. Therefore, a criterion for sharing gaming information in such a game of baccarat may comprise the similarity of betting activity between players, such that a player may share his gaming information to other players historically placing their bets in a similar way. 
         [0048]    Another example of a gaming behaviour criterion may comprise the highest betting activity, such that the player placing the highest bet shares his gaming information. Furthermore, a player who is in a winning trend may share his gaming information for a predetermined number of continuing bets. 
         [0049]    Yet another example of a predetermined gaming behaviour criterion may be if a number of friends participates the game, these friends may share gaming information in order to enable interaction between each other for example based on being friends through a social network such as e.g. Facebook. In such a case the login information used for the social network may e.g. be used for identifying the remote player(s) for each other. A still further example of a predetermined gaming behaviour criterion may comprise the location of the player; such that a player located adjacently to the local gaming device automatically fulfils the predetermined gaming criterion. 
         [0050]    An embodiment of the local gaming device is illustrated in  FIG. 2 , where the generic local gaming device  101  in  FIG. 1  is replaced by a local gaming device  101  comprising an electronic multi-player touch screen  201 . Local players  103  participates the game at the local gaming device  101  and the croupier  102  as well as the local players  103  may, by pressing at a desired number, card or the like, select his choice of action. Hereby, the need of gaming chips, card, dices or the like is reduced. 
         [0051]    For example, in a game of craps, the participants may select the number they intend to bet on by pressing on that specific number, and instead of rolling a physical dice on the table, the dice may be rolled by executing a specific motion on the multi-player touch screen, which simulates the rolling of the dice. 
         [0052]    The electronic gaming device may also allow participants to deposit their money to a private banking account which they, at the electronic gaming device, control. Hereby, the handling of money is reduced and the distribution of winnings is handled automatically. Furthermore, the use of an electronic multi-player touch screen  201  eliminates the need of a camera  104  and a projector  105  as discussed above. 
         [0053]    In the same manner as described for the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the server  111  receives the gaming information from the local gaming device  101  as well as from each of the remote gaming devices  108 ,  108 ′,  108 ″. The server  111  selects a number of bets, executed by the local players  103  and the remote players  107 ,  107 ′,  107 ″, that fulfils at least one of the predetermined gaming behaviour criteria. Thereafter, the server  111  sends the gaming information of the selected remote player/players to the local gaming device  101 , where those bets are marked on the multi-player touch screen  201  in the same manner as the bets executed by the local players  103 , thus interacting the local players  103  with the selected remote player/players. 
         [0054]    The server  111  also sends the gaming information of the selected local players and/or the selected remote players to each of the remote gaming devices  108 ,  108 ′,  108 ″ participating in the game. The server  111  may send different gaming information to each of the remote gaming devices  108 ,  108 ′,  108 ″ depending on the predetermined gaming behaviour criteria. For example, one remote player  107  may receive the gaming information of all the local players  103  participating in the game, but another remote player  107 ′ may only receive the gaming information from other remote players  107 ,  107 ″. 
         [0055]    Referring to the embodiment of  FIG. 1  as well as  FIG. 2 , the common gaming interface portion  110 ,  110 ′,  110 ″ of the remote gaming device  108 ,  108 ′,  108 ″ comprises a gaming interface similar to the local gaming device  101 , such that the local gaming device  101  is illustrated on the remote gaming device  108 ,  108 ′,  108 ″. Hereby, the remote player  107 ,  107 ′,  107 ″ may visually see his bet among the plurality of bets executed by the selected players and thus interact in the game. 
         [0056]    In the exemplary embodiment of roulette and with reference to the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the user interface of the remote device(s) may comprise a section  112  where the spinning roulette wheel  113  is provided. The spinning roulette wheel  113  may be a real time video feed of the roulette wheel  113  present at the local gaming device  101 , but may due to regulations alternatively be represented by any type of combination of live and virtually created video feeds fulfilling the requirements. As an example, in some cases the regulations restricts from providing a live video feed of a roulette wheel outside of the casino environment. 
         [0057]    The remote gaming device  108 ,  108 ′,  108 ″ may comprise a cellular phone, a laptop computer, a stationary computer, a tablet computer, etc, and the remote gaming device  108 ,  108 ′,  108 ″ may, for example, communicate with the local gaming device  101  wirelessly or with other suitable means. 
         [0058]    Furthermore, according to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the local gaming device  101  may provide remote gaming devices  108 ,  108 ′,  108 ″, such that a player who does not get a seat at the local gaming device  101  may be provided with a remote gaming device  108 ,  108 ′,  108 ″ from the croupier  102  in order to participate remotely. Also, a local player  103  intending to leave the table may receive a remote gaming device  108 ,  108 ′,  108 ″, comprising his common gaming interface portion  110 ,  110 ′,  110 ″ as well as his private gaming interface portion  109 ,  109 ′,  109 ″, such that he may seamlessly continue to participate in the game from a position located at a distance from the local gaming device  101 . 
         [0059]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , where an exemplary embodiment of a remote gaming device  108  is illustrated. The remote gaming device  108  in this embodiment comprises a touch-screen  301  having a private gaming interface portion  109  and a common gaming interface portion  110 . 
         [0060]    The private gaming interface portion  109  is only available to the remote player and includes, for example, his cash balance, money account etc. On the other hand, the common gaming interface portion  110  may comprise the gaming layout interface  302 , the betting executed by the player, the current bets etc. The remote player share, when fulfilling at least one of the predetermined gaming behaviour criteria, his common gaming interface portion  110  to other participants of the game. 
         [0061]    A remote gaming device  108  comprising a touch-screen  301  enables the remote player to place his bet by pressing at the desired number, card or the like. Hence, the procedure of placing bets on the remote gaming device may be similar to placing a bet at the local gaming device  101  illustrated in  FIG. 2 , thus improving the interaction of the game to the remote player. 
         [0062]    In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measured cannot be used to advantage. 
         [0063]    The invention has mainly been described above with reference to a few embodiments. However, as is readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art, other embodiments than the ones disclosed above are equally possible within the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended patent claims. For example, there may be other predetermined gaming behaviour criteria, depending on the specific game played. As an example, in a game of craps, the player rolling the dice may directly fulfill the predetermined gaming criterion such that due to the fact that he is the active player. Additionally, as is noted, the determination of the gaming criteria may be made using a distributed approach, e.g. by means of a processor comprised with the server, local device, or any of the remote devices.