Patent Publication Number: US-11037394-B2

Title: Tabletop/furniture game screen methods

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to electronic gaming machines and more particularly to an electronic gaming machine implemented in a furnishing such as piece of furniture. 
     Electronic Gaming Machines (EGM) found in casinos and other gaming venues provide electronic versions of games such as video poker, slots, roulette, blackjack, etc. Such EGMs are built into freestanding cabinets which are typically rather large. In other cases, EGMs may be mounted on a bar top. However, this type of installation reduces the usable space of the bar top. Currently, and as a result, gaming areas are limited in their design by these bulky gaming cabinets that are usually lined up in rows around a gaming floor. In addition to limited design options for gaming floor layout, these designs for EGMs also limit their use to casinos and similar venues. Other venues, such as restaurants, bars, nightclubs, etc. are reluctant to provide EGMs onsite due to their bulk. Hence, there is a need in the art for improved implementations of electronic gaming machines. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     In certain embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a furnishing comprising a display device disposed on a player accessible surface of the furnishing and a sensor providing an electrical signal indicating a presence of a player within a predetermined distance of the display device and a location of the player relative to the display device. A processor can be coupled with the display device and the sensor. A memory can be coupled with and readable by the processor and can store therein a set of instructions which, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to receive the electrical signal from the sensor and detect the presence of the player within the predetermined distance of the display device and the location of the player relative to the display device based on the electrical signal. The instructions can further cause the processor to present an instance of the electronic game on the display device. An orientation of the instance of the electronic game as presented on the display device can be dynamically adapted based on the detected presence of the player within the predetermined distance of the display device and the location of the player relative to the display device. 
     According to another embodiment, an electronic gaming machine can comprise a furnishing having a player accessible surface. A first display device can be disposed on the player accessible surface and can form a first portion of the player accessible surface. A first sensor can be disposed at a first location on the furnishing and can provide an electrical signal indicating a presence of a first player within a predetermined distance of the first display device and a location of the first player relative to the first display. A second display device can be disposed on the player accessible surface and can form a second portion of the player accessible surface. A second sensor can be disposed at a second location and can provide an electrical signal indicating a presence of a second player within a predetermined distance of the second display device and a location of the second player relative to the second display device. A processor can be coupled with each of the first display device, the second display device, the first sensor, and the second sensor. A memory coupled with and readable by the processor and can store therein a set of instructions which, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to receive the electrical signal from the first sensor and detect the presence of the first player within the predetermined distance of the first display device and the location of the first player relative to the first display device based on the electrical signal from the first sensor. The instructions can further cause the processor to present a first instance of the electronic game on the first display device, wherein an orientation of the first instance of the electronic game as presented on the first display device is dynamically adapted based on the detected presence of the first player within the predetermined distance of the first display device and the location of the first player relative to the first display device. The instructions can further cause the processor to receive the electrical signal from the second sensor and detect the presence of the second player within the predetermined distance of the second display device and the location of the second player relative to the second display device based on the electrical signal from the second sensor. The instructions can further cause the processor to present a second instance of the electronic game on the second display device, wherein an orientation of the second instance of the electronic game as presented on the second display device is dynamically adapted based on the presence of the second player within the predetermined distance of the second display device and the location of the second player relative to the second display device. The instructions can further cause the processor to coordinate the first instance of the electronic game with the second instance of the electronic game. 
     According to yet another embodiment, a method for providing an electronic game through a display device disposed within and forming a surface of a furnishing can comprise receiving, by a processor of the furnishing, an electrical signal from a sensor of a plurality of sensors. Each sensor of the plurality of sensors can be disposed at a different location on the furnishing. The electrical signal can indicate a presence of a player within a predetermined distance of the display device and a location of the player relative to the display device. The presence of the player within the predetermined distance of the display device and the location of the player relative to the display device can be detected by the processor of the furnishing based on the received electrical signal. An instance of the electronic game can be presented by the processor of the furnishing on the display device. An orientation of the instance of the electronic game as presented on the display device can be dynamically adapted based on the detected presence of the player within the predetermined distance of the display device and the location of the player relative to the display device. 
     Additional features and advantages are described herein and will be apparent from the following Description and the figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  are illustrations of various views of an exemplary furnishing according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  are illustrations of various views of an exemplary furnishing according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is an illustration of an exemplary furnishing according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4A-4C  illustrate examples of detecting presence and location of a player and presenting game instances on a furnishing which are oriented based on the presence and location of the player according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating various components of an exemplary furnishing according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary process for providing an electronic game through a furnishing according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating additional details of a process for providing an electronic game through a furnishing according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary process for providing an electronic game through a plurality of furnishings according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in connection with an electronic gaming machine implemented in a furnishing such as piece of furniture. Generally speaking, an electronic gaming machine can comprise any type of electronic device providing an electronic version of a game of chance including, but not limited to, video poker, video roulette, video black jack, video craps, video slots, video bingo, video pachinko, etc. A furnishing can be considered any type of furniture, fittings, or other decorative accessories, such as pictures, digital displays, etc. Typical electronic gaming machines are unwieldy to move once they are installed in a particular location because of their size. Even if the machine can be downsized to a moveable size, it usually provides a view of the game from only a single perspective, usually to a player standing or sitting in front of the machine. 
     According to one embodiment, lightweight display devices such as Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED), Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), E-Ink, etc. can be used to integrate electronic games in to a variety of different furnishings such as screens or windows that can be mounted on walls or tables and other furniture to allow gameplay in spaces that would not normally support gaming such as restaurants, lounges, cafes, or poolside. Sensors, such as motion, proximity, weight, heat, heartrate detectors, etc. can be embedded into the side of the table or other furnishing and can be used to detect the presence and location of one or more people around the furnishing. Based on this information, the display of the electronic game on the display device can be dynamically adapted. For example, when a potential player sits down or stands near the table or other furnishing, the display can be reoriented and/or resized based on where the player is sitting or standing. 
       FIGS. 1A and 1B  are illustrations of various views of an exemplary furnishing according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. More specifically,  FIG. 1A  illustrates a top view of a furnishing  100 , specifically a table, in which an electronic gaming machine can be implemented while  FIG. 1B  illustrates a side view of the same table. As illustrated in this example, a furnishing  100  can comprise one or more display devices  110 A- 110 D disposed on a player accessible surface  105  of the furnishing  100 , in this case, the top surface. The one or more display devices  110 A- 110 D can be mounted on the player accessible surface  105  of the table and can appear to be the glass on the table top. When multiple display devices are used, as illustrated here, brackets can physically connect the screens or the display devices  110 A- 110 D can interconnect through plug-in type connectors. However, in other implementations, a single display device may be used which can be logically divided into different portions equivalent to the display devices  110 A- 110 D as illustrated here and which can be controlled separately as if they where different physical devices and as will be described herein. 
     One or more sensors  115 A- 115 D can be disposed in the furnishing  100  at different locations. For example, the sensors  115 A- 115 D can be mounted on or embedded in an edge of the table top as illustrated here. The sensors  115 A- 115 D can be positioned so that a detection zone or the sensor can cover a position at which a player or spectator would sit or stand if playing or watching a game on one or the display devices  110 A- 110 D. Each sensor  115 A- 115 D can provide an electrical signal indicating a presence of a player within a predetermined distance of the display device and a location of the player relative to the display device  110 A- 110 D. The sensors  115 A- 115 D can comprise any one or more types of sensors using a variety of technologies known in the art. For example, the sensors  115 A- 115 D can comprise proximity sensors based on ultrasonic, capacitive, photoelectric, inductive, or magnetic detection. Additionally, or alternatively, sensors  115 A- 115 D can comprise motion detectors based on infrared light, ultrasound, or microwave/radar detection technology. Image sensors, e.g., digital cameras, camera modules and other imaging devices based on CCD or CMOS technology can additionally or alternatively be used as one or more of the sensors  115 A- 115 D. According to one embodiment, not only the player but objects on or carried by the player can be detected by the sensors  115 A- 115 D. For example, the sensors  115 A- 115 D may comprise Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) readers which can detect RFID tags embedded in a card, fob, etc. carried by the player. Additionally, or alternatively, one or more sensors  115 A- 115 D may detect a mobile device of the player using Near Field Communications (NFC) or other short range communications technologies. 
     The presence and location of a player relative to one of the display devices  110 A- 110 D can be detected based on the electrical signal from one of the sensors  115 A- 115 D and an instance of the electronic game present on one or more of the display devices  110 A- 110 D. An orientation of the instance of the electronic game as presented on the display devices  110 A- 110 D can be dynamically adapted based on the detected presence and location of the player relative to the display devices  110 A- 110 D. That is, one or more of the display devices  110 A- 110 D can be selected to present the instance of the game based on which of the sensors  115 A- 115 D detected the player and the orientation and/or size of the instance of the game can be adapted to display on the selected one or more display devices  110 A- 110 D. The game instance can then be executed and conducted through the one or more display devices  110 A- 110 D. According to one embodiment, the display devices  110 A- 110 D can comprise touch sensitive displays and the player can interact with and/or control the game instance, e.g., place wagers, select options, take other actions, etc., through touch gestures on the display device  110 A- 110 D. 
     According to one embodiment, the furnishing  100  can further comprise a wireless communications interface  120 , e.g., a Near Field Communications (NFC) and/or Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) transceiver, mounted beneath or within the display devices  115 A- 115 D or elsewhere on the furnishing  100 . Information indicating an account of the player used to fund game play credit for the electronic game can be received through the wireless communications interface  120 , e.g., from a mobile device of the player executing a casino or mobile wallet application. 
     According to one embodiment, the furnishing  100  can be adapted to communicatively connect with another, nearby or physically adjoining furnishing. For example, the furnishing  100  can detect a second piece of furniture or other furnishing (not shown here), e.g., through the wireless communications interface  120 . Additionally, or alternatively, the furnishing  100  can include a wired communications interface including a wired connection  125  through which the furnishing can be physically and electrically connected with another furnishing (now shown here). In either case, the furnishing can be communicatively connected with the other piece of furniture or furnishing and instance of the electronic game presented on display devices  110 A- 110 D of the furnishings can be coordinated. For example, players at the different furnishings can participate in a competitive tournament in which the players play the electronic game against each other, e.g., a video poker tournament. In other cases, coordinating the instances of the electronic game can comprise conducting a player pool in which each player contributes some amount of game play credit, i.e., pays into the pool, and where the game play credit available in the pool, and perhaps winnings, if any, can be shared between the participating players. 
     In some cases, the display devices  110 A- 110 D can comprise touch sensitive displays. In such cases, players can interact with the instances of the electronic games presented on the display devices  110 A- 110 D through common gestures, e.g., tap, drag and drop, pinch, etc. Coordination of the presented instances of electronic game can also be based on such gestures. For example, a player may drag and drop a graphical representation of a game piece, chip, card, etc. to another display device  110 A- 110 D. Additionally, or alternatively, a player may drag and drop an entire instance of the electronic game from a display device  110 A on which it is currently being presented to another display device  110 D when the player wants to more to a different location around the furnishing  100 . 
       FIGS. 2A and 2B  are illustrations of various views of an exemplary furnishing according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. More specifically,  FIG. 2A  illustrates a top view of a furnishing  200 , specifically ab ottoman, in which an electronic gaming machine can be implemented while  FIG. 2B  illustrates a side view of the same ottoman. As illustrated in this example, a furnishing  200  can comprise one or more display devices  110 A- 110 D disposed on a player accessible surface  105  of the furnishing  100 , in this case, the top surface as described above, i.e., the one or more display devices  110 A- 110 D can be mounted on the player accessible surface  105  of the table and can appear to be the glass on the table top. In other implementations, a single display device may be used which can be logically divided into different portions equivalent to the display devices  110 A- 110 D as illustrated here and which can be controlled separately as if they were different physical devices and as will be described herein. 
     Also as described above, one or more sensors  115 A- 115 D, such as motion sensors, can be disposed in the furnishing  200  at different locations. For example, the sensors  115 A- 115 D can be mounted on or embedded in an edge of the table top as illustrated here. The sensors  115 A- 115 D can be positioned so that a detection zone or the sensor can cover a position at which a player or spectator would sit or stand if playing or watching a game on one or the display devices  110 A- 110 D. Each sensor  115 A- 115 D can provide an electrical signal indicating a presence of a player within a predetermined distance of the display device and a location of the player relative to the display device  110 A- 110 D. 
     The presence and location of a player relative to one of the display devices  110 A- 110 D can be detected based on the electrical signal from one of the sensors  115 A- 115 D and an instance of the electronic game present on one or more of the display devices  110 A- 110 D. An orientation of the instance of the electronic game as presented on the display devices  110 A- 110 D can be dynamically adapted based on the detected presence and location of the player relative to the display devices  110 A- 110 D. The game instance can then be executed and conducted through the one or more display devices  110 A- 110 D. As noted above, the display devices  110 A- 110 D can, in some cases, comprise touch sensitive displays and the player can interact with and/or control the game instance, e.g., place wagers, select options, take other actions, etc., through touch gestures on the display device  110 A- 110 D. 
     Also as described above, the furnishing  200  can further comprise a wireless communications interface (not illustrated here), e.g., a Near Field Communications (NFC) and/or Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) antenna(s). Information indicating an account of the player used to fund game play credit for the electronic game can be received through the wireless communications interface, e.g., from a mobile device of the player executing a casino or mobile wallet application. Additionally, or alternatively, the furnishing  200  illustrated here as well as the furnishing  100  described above with reference to  FIGS. 1A and 1B  can comprise one or more card readers  205 A and  205 B and/or one more ticket readers  210 A and  210 B. In such cases, the card readers  205 A and  205 B can be used to read account information from a card of the player, e.g., account information from a casino card, credit card, debit card, etc. used to fund game play credit. The ticket printers  210 A and  210 B can be used to output information indicating a payout to the player based on a result of the electronic game, e.g., a printed ticket indicating winnings collectable when presented to a teller or cashier. 
     As with the furnishing  100  described above, the furnishing  200  illustrated in  FIGS. 2 a    and  2 B and described here can be adapted to communicatively connect with another, nearby or physically adjoining furnishing. For example, the furnishing  200  can detect a second piece of furniture or other furnishing (not shown here), e.g., through a wireless communications interface (not shown here) on or within the furnishing  200 . Additionally, or alternatively, the furnishing  200  can include a wired communications interface including a wired connection (not shown here) through which the furnishing can be physically and electrically connected with another furnishing (now shown here). In either case, the furnishing can be communicatively connected with the other piece of furniture or furnishing and instance of the electronic game presented on display devices  110 A- 110 D of the furnishings can be coordinated as described above. 
       FIG. 3  is an illustration of an exemplary furnishing according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure. In this example, the furnishing  300 , whether a table, ottoman, or other furnishing, is substantially round or circular. Similar to the examples described above and as illustrated in this example, the furnishing  300  can comprise one or more display devices  310 A- 310 D disposed on a player accessible surface of the furnishing  300 . In other implementations, a single display device may be used which can be logically divided into different portions equivalent to the display devices  310 A- 310 D as illustrated here and which can be controlled separately as if they were different physical devices and as will be described herein. 
     Also as described above, one or more sensors  115 A- 115 D, such as motion sensors, can be disposed in the furnishing  300  at different locations. For example, the sensors  115 A- 115 D can be mounted on or embedded in an edge of a table top or ottoman. The sensors  115 A- 115 D can be positioned so that a detection zone or the sensor can cover a position  305 A- 305 D, such as a seat or chair, at which a player or spectator would sit or stand if playing or watching a game on one or the display devices  110 A- 110 D. Each sensor  115 A- 115 D can provide an electrical signal indicating a presence of a player within a predetermined distance of the display device and a location of the player relative to the display device  110 A- 110 D. 
     The presence and location of a player relative to one of the display devices  310 A- 310 D can be detected based on the electrical signal from one of the sensors  115 A- 115 D and an instance of the electronic game present on one or more of the display devices  310 A- 310 D. An orientation of the instance of the electronic game as presented on the display devices  310 A- 310 D can be dynamically adapted based on the detected presence and location of the player relative to the display devices  310 A- 110 D. The game instance can then be executed and conducted through the one or more display devices  310 A- 310 D. As noted above, the display devices  310 A- 310 D can, in some cases, comprise touch sensitive displays and the player can interact with and/or control the game instance, e.g., place wagers, select options, take other actions, etc., through touch gestures on the display device  310 A- 310 D. Additionally, or alternatively, the presentation of electronic game instances on the display devices  310 A- 310 D can be coordinated. For example, the presentation can be coordinated to display a spinning roulette wheel or provide a graphical representation of a card or chip being passed to or from one or more of the players. 
     While some examples of furnishings  110 ,  200 ,  300  are provided here, these should not be considered to be an exhaustive list. Rather numerous variations are contemplated and considered to be within the scope of the present invention. For example, embodiments of a furnishing as described herein can also include, but are not limited to, a desk, a countertop, a picture or display hung on a wall, a window, a wall or partition, etc. Additionally, the various functions described herein with reference to any particular type of furnishing or a particular embodiment should be considered to be interchangeable between any embodiment or type of furnishing contemplated. 
       FIG. 4A-4C  illustrate examples of detecting presence and location of a player and presenting game instances on a furnishing which are oriented based on the presence and location of the player according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. More specifically,  FIG. 4A  illustrates a furnishing  100  such as a table as described above as seen from above and including an initial display  410  which can be presented on the one or more display devices  110 A- 110 D described above. Also as described above, sensors  115 A- 115 D, such as motion sensors, can be disposed in the furnishing  100  at different locations. For example, the sensors  115 A- 115 D can be mounted on or embedded in an edge of the table top. Each sensor  115 A- 115 D can be positioned so that a detection zone  415 A- 415 D of the sensor can cover a position  305 A- 305 D at which a player or spectator would sit or stand if playing or watching a game on the furnishing  100 . Each sensor  115 A- 115 D can provide an electrical signal indicating a presence of a player within a predetermined distance of the furnishing  100  and a location of the player relative to the furnishing  100 , i.e., within the detection zone  415 A- 415 D of a sensor  115 A- 115 D. 
     When no players are detected, the initial display  410  can cover most or all of the top, player accessible surface  105  of the furnishing  100 . This initial display  410  can include, for example, text, graphics, visual effects, etc. to draw attention to the electronic game available on the furnishing, provide instructions or demonstrations for the electronic game. In other cases, the initial display  410  can present pictures, videos, etc. for entertainment, esthetics, etc. In yet other cases, the display devices  110 A- 110 D may remain off and the initial display  410  can therefore appear as part of the glass top of the furnishing  100 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 4B and 4C , the sensors  115 B and  115 C can detect players  415 A and  415 C that sit down at or approach the furnishing  100 . The content presented on the display devices  110 A- 110 D can be dynamically adapted, e.g., the content of the initial display  410  can change including being resized and reoriented and instances of the electronic game  410 A and  410 B can be presented to each player  415 A and  415 B through the display devices  11 A- 110 D. When an additional player  415 C approaches or sits at the furnishing  100 , as detected by a sensor  115 D, the presented instances of the electronic game  410 A and  410 B can be resized and an additional instance of the electronic game  410 C can be presented. 
     As noted above, the furnishing  100  can further comprise a wireless communications interface  120 , e.g., an NFC and/or BLE transceiver, mounted beneath or within the display devices  115 A- 115 D or elsewhere on the furnishing  100 . Through the wireless communications interface  120 , the furnishing can communicatively connect with a mobile device  420 A- 420 C of the players. Information indicating an account of the player used to fund game play credit and/or pay out winnings for the electronic game can be received through the wireless communications interface  120 , e.g., from the mobile device  420 A- 420 C of the player executing a casino or mobile wallet application. 
     According to one embodiment, if a player  420 A is not focused on the game, as determined based on the player&#39;s  420 A interaction with the presented electronic game instance  410 A, or lack thereof, the electronic game instance  410 A can be altered. For example, the electronic game instance  410 A can be paused or can enter casual mode in which a preset bet limit for the electronic game that casual plays in the background while the player converses with someone else or is otherwise distracted. When a player  415 B leaves or moves away from the furnishing as detected by a sensor  115 B, the electronic game instance  410 B presented to the player  415 B can enter a pause state that can last for an operator or player predetermined amount of time. If the player  415 B does not return within the predetermined amount of time, the electronic game instance  410 B presented to that play can end, logging the player out, and crediting the player&#39;s  415 B account with any credits remaining. 
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating various components of an exemplary furnishing according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated in this example, a furnishing  100  can comprise a processor  505 . The processor  505  may correspond to one or many computer processing devices. For instance, the processor  505  may be provided as silicon, as a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), an Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), any other type of Integrated Circuit (IC) chip, a collection of IC chips, or the like. As a more specific example, the processor  505  may be provided as a microprocessor, Central Processing Unit (CPU), or plurality of microprocessors that are configured to execute the instructions sets stored in a memory  510 . Upon executing the instruction sets stored in memory  510 , the processor  505  enables various functions of the furnishing  100  as described herein. 
     The memory  510  can be coupled with and readable by the processor  505  via a communications bus  515 . The memory  510  may include any type of computer memory device or collection of computer memory devices. Non-limiting examples of memory  510  include Random Access Memory (RAM), Read Only Memory (ROM), flash memory, Electronically-Erasable Programmable ROM (EEPROM), Dynamic RAM (DRAM), etc. The memory  510  may be configured to store the instruction sets depicted in addition to temporarily storing data for the processor  505  to execute various types of routines or functions. 
     The processor  505  can also be coupled with one or more communication interfaces  520  via the communications bus  515 . The communication interfaces  520  can comprise, for example, a NFC, BLE, WiFi, cellular, and/or other type of wireless communications interface. Additionally, or alternatively, the communications interfaces  520  can comprise one or more wired interfaces including but not limited to a Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0 or 3.0 interface, for example. The furnishing  100  can further comprise one or more displays  110 , sensors  115  disposed at different locations on the furnishing, a card reader  225 , and/or a ticket printer  210  each as described above and communicatively coupled with the processor  505  through the communications bus  515 . 
     The memory  510  can store therein sets of instructions which, when executed by the processor  505 , cause the processor  505  to provide an electronic game through the furnishing as described herein. For example, the memory  510  can store a set of detection instructions  525  which, when executed by the processor  505 , can cause the processor  505  to receive an electrical signal from a sensor  115 . As described, the electrical signal can indicate a presence of a player  415  within a predetermined distance of the display device  110  and a location of the player  415  relative to the display device  110 . The detection instructions  525  can further cause the processor  505  to detect the presence of the player  415  within the predetermined distance of the display device and the location of the player relative to the display device based on the electrical signal. 
     The memory  510  can also store a set of presentation instructions  530  and a set of game play instructions  535 . Generally speaking, the game play instructions  535 , when executed by the processor  505 , can cause the processor  505  to generate and execute instances of an electronic game. The presentation instructions  530 , when executed by the processor  505 , can cause the processor  505  to present a generated instance of the electronic game on the display device  110 . An orientation of the instance of the electronic game as presented on the display device  110  can be dynamically adapted based on the detected presence of the player  415  within the predetermined distance of the display device  110  and the location of the player  415  relative to the display device  110 . 
     The memory  510  can also store a set of payment/payout instructions  540 . Generally speaking, the payment/payout instructions  540 , when executed by the processor  505 , can cause the processor  505  to receive, through the communications interface, e.g., wirelessly from a mobile device  420  of the player  415 , information indicating an account of the player used to fund game play credit and/or payout winnings for the electronic game. Additionally, or alternatively, the payment/payout instructions  540  can cause the processor  505  to read account information from a card of the player via the card reader  225 , the account information identifying a financial account of the player  415  used to fund game play credit for the electronic game. The payment/payout instructions  540  can additionally or alternatively cause the processor  505  to output, through the ticket printer  210 , information indicating a payout to the player  415  based on a result of the electronic game. 
     According to one embodiment, the detection instructions  525 , when executed by the processor  505 , can further cause the processor  505  to determine, based on the electrical signal from the sensor  115 , that the player  415  is moving away from the display device  110 . In response to determining that the player  415  is moving away from the display device  110 , the detection instructions  525  can cause the processor to pause the instance of the electronic game for up to a predetermined amount of time and determine, based on the electrical signal from the sensor  115 , whether the player  415  has returned to the display device  110 . In response to determining the player  415  has returned to the display device before expiration of the predetermined amount of time, the detection instructions  525  can cause the processor  505  to resume the instance of the electronic game. In response to determining the player  415  has not returned to the display device before expiration of the predetermined amount of time, the detection instructions  525  can cause the processor to end the instance of the electronic game. In some cases, in response to determining that the player  415  is moving away from the display device  110  and before pausing the instance of the electronic game, the detection instructions  525  can cause the processor  505  to present a message on the display device  110 , the message asking if the player will return, and receive, an answer to the presented message. In response to the received answer indicating the player will not return, the detection instructions can cause the processor  505  to end the instance of the electronic game before expiration of the predetermined amount of time. 
     According to one embodiment, the detection instructions  525 , when executed by the processor  505 , can additionally or alternatively cause the processor  505  to determine that the player  415  is not paying attention to the instance of the electronic game. This determination can be based on interaction of the player  415  with the instance of the electronic game. In response to determining the player is not paying attention to the instance of the electronic game, the detection instructions  525  can cause the processor to alter game play of the instance of the electronic game, e.g., by pausing, entering a casual or automatic mode, etc. 
     As noted above, the furnishing  100  can comprise a first of a plurality of pieces of furniture and wherein the instance of the electronic game presented on the display device of the first piece of furniture comprises a first instance of a plurality of instances of the electronic game. Accordingly, the memory  510  can have stored therein a set of pairing instructions  545  which, when executed by the processor  505 , causes the processor  505  to detect a second piece of furniture of the plurality of pieces of furniture, the second piece of furniture presenting on a display device of the second piece of furniture a second instance of the electronic game, communicatively connect the first piece of furniture with the second piece of furniture through the communications interface  520 , and coordinate the first instance of the electronic game with the second instance of the electronic game. Coordinating the first instance of the electronic game with the second instance of the electronic game can comprise conducting a tournament between the first player and the second player, conducting a player pool between the first player and the second player, and/or presenting a visual effect as described above. 
       FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary process for providing an electronic game through a furnishing according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated in this example, providing an electronic game through a display device disposed within and forming a surface of a furnishing can comprise receiving  605  an electrical signal from a sensor of a plurality of sensors, each sensor of the plurality of sensors disposed at a different location on the furnishing. The electrical signal can indicate a presence of a player within a predetermined distance of the display device and a location of the player relative to the display device. The presence of the player within the predetermined distance of the display device and the location of the player relative to the display device can be detected based on the received electrical signal. 
     An instance of the electronic game can be presented  615  on the display device. An orientation of the instance of the electronic game as presented on the display device can be dynamically adapted based on the detected presence of the player within the predetermined distance of the display device and the location of the player relative to the display device. That is, the orientation and/or size of the presented electronic game instance can be adjusted based on the location of the player and other players around the furnishing. 
     Information indicating an account of the player used to fund game play credit for the electronic game can be received  620 . This information can be received  620 , for example, through a wireless communications interface from a mobile device of the player. In other cases, the information can be received  620  from a card of the player via the card reader. 
     The presented  615  instance of the electronic game can be executed  625  and, during execution of the instance of the electronic game, attention of the player can be detected  630 , e.g., based on the players interactions with the instance of the electronic game. A determination  635  can be made as to whether the player is paying attention to the instance of the electronic game based on interaction of the player with the instance of the electronic game. In response to determining  635  the player is not paying attention to the instance of the electronic game, game play of the instance of the electronic game can be altered  640 , e.g., by pausing, entering a casual or automatic mode, etc. 
     If or when a determination  635  is made that the player is paying attention to the presented instance of the electronic game, a further determination  645  can be made as to whether the instance of the electronic game is over or is ongoing. If a determination  645  is made that the instance of the electronic game is not over, executing  625  the instance of the electronic game and detecting  630  the attention of the player can continue until a determination  645  is made that the instance of the electronic game is over. In response to determining  645  that the instance of the electronic game is over, a result of the game can be output  650 . For example, winnings can be credited to the account of the player, a redeemable ticket indicating winnings can be printed, etc. 
       FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating additional details of a process for providing an electronic game through a furnishing according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. During execution of an instance of an electronic game, as illustrated in this example, it can be determined  705  the player is moving away from the display device can be based on the electrical signal from the sensor in the furnishing. In response to determining  705  that the player is moving away from the display device, the instance of the electronic game can be paused  710  for up to a predetermined amount of time and a timer for this predetermined amount of time can be set  715 . 
     In some cases, in response to determining  705  that the player is moving away from the display device, a message can be presented  720  on the display device asking if the player will return and a determination  725  can be made based on a received answer to the presented message. In response to determining  725  the received answer indicates the player will not return, execution and presentation of the instance of the electronic game can be ended  730  before expiration of the predetermined amount of time. 
     In response to determining  725  the received answer indicates the player will return, a determination  735  can be made as to whether the timer set to the predetermined amount of time has expired. In response to determining  735  whether the predetermined amount of time has not expired, a further determination  740  can be made as to whether the player has returned. In response to determining not returned, the determination  735  as to whether the predetermined amount of time can again be made. Once a determination  740  is made that the player has not returned and a determination  735  that the predetermined amount of time has expired is made, execution and presentation of the instance of the electronic game can be ended  730 . However, if a determination  735  is made that the predetermined amount of time has not yet expired and a determination  740  is made that the player has returned is made, execution and presentation of the instance of the electronic game can resume  745 . 
       FIG. 8  is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary process for providing an electronic game through a plurality of furnishings according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated in this example, providing an electronic game through a plurality of furnishings can comprise detecting  805 , by a first furnishing, a second furnishing of the plurality of furnishing, e.g., through a wireless of wired communications interface. The first furnishing can be communicatively connected  810  with the second furnishing through the wireless or wired communications interface. A presentation of a first instance of an electronic game on the first furnishing can be coordinated with a presentation of a second instance of the electronic game on the second furnishing. 
     The term “a” or “an” entity refers to one or more of that entity. As such, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more,” and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein. It is also to be noted that the terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” can be used interchangeably. 
     As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the present disclosure may be illustrated and described herein in any of a number of patentable classes or context including any new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof. Accordingly, aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented entirely hardware, entirely software (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or combining software and hardware implementation that may all generally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module,” “component,” or “system.” Furthermore, aspects of the present disclosure may take the form of a computer program product embodied in one or more computer readable media having computer readable program code embodied thereon. 
     Any combination of one or more computer readable media may be utilized. The computer readable media may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readable storage medium would include the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an appropriate optical fiber with a repeater, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. 
     A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signal with computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may take any of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to, electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. A computer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium that is not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate, propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. Program code embodied on a computer readable signal medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination of the foregoing. 
     Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of the present disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Java, Scala, Smalltalk, Eiffel, JADE, Emerald, C++, C#, VB.NET, Python or the like, conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language, Visual Basic, Fortran 2003, Perl, COBOL 2002, PHP, ABAP, dynamic programming languages such as Python, Ruby and Groovy, or other programming languages. The program code may execute entirely on the user&#39;s computer, partly on the user&#39;s computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user&#39;s computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user&#39;s computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider) or in a cloud computing environment or offered as a service such as a Software as a Service (SaaS). 
     Aspects of the present disclosure are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatuses (systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of the disclosure. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable instruction execution apparatus, create a mechanism for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
     These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable medium that when executed can direct a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions when stored in the computer readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instructions which when executed, cause a computer to implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable instruction execution apparatus, or other devices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatuses or other devices to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.