Patent Publication Number: US-10765929-B2

Title: Reconfigurable playing card devices and related systems and methods

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/539,897, filed Nov. 12, 2014, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/903,191, which was filed Nov. 12, 2013, the disclosure of each of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for facilitating the play of wagering games. 
     Wagering games, such as baccarat, blackjack and various poker-based table games are popular games offered in casinos. These games are generally played on physical gaming tables having felt layouts and require a steady supply of playing cards, which are then randomly shuffled and dealt during the game. 
     While it appears that players generally prefer physical playing cards over the presentation of virtual cards displayed on a display device, the use of playing cards and associated equipment, such as card shoes, shufflers and handling systems with card reading devices, represents a significant expense. In addition to purchasing, storing and replacing cards, card shoes and shuffling devices, operators must also employ various methods and systems to ensure the integrity of games in which cards are used. A significant amount of time and effort is spent by casino personnel in connection with the use of playing cards in wagering games. 
     The felt table surfaces are also problematic in that they wear out and must be replaced. Felt surfaces are also limited in that they are game specific. 
     Thus, there is a need in the art for systems and methods that resolve the aforementioned issues relating to the use of playing cards in gaming without negatively impacting player interest in playing games that traditionally involve playing cards. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     The disclosure relates generally to a card-shaped device (hereinafter referred to as a card or card device), system and method, which resolves the aforementioned issues in the art, among other things. 
     Some embodiments of the disclosure are directed to a reconfigurable playing card device, comprising a display device having a peripheral edge and first and second opposing planar sides; and a support frame enclosing the peripheral edges of the display device, wherein the first display side is exposed, the support frame including a processing device, a data storage device and a communication device embedded therein, wherein at least one of the first and second sides are configured to display card images. 
     In some embodiments of the reconfigurable playing card device the display device comprises a flexible LCD. 
     In some embodiments of the reconfigurable playing card device the support frame encloses the second side of the display device. 
     In some embodiments of the reconfigurable playing card device the card images are randomly selected from the data storage device by the processing device. 
     In some embodiments of the reconfigurable playing card device the card images are randomly selected by a remote processing device from a remote data storage device. 
     In some embodiments of the reconfigurable playing card device the cards are detected by the data communication device and the processing device determines the outcome of games. 
     In some embodiments of the reconfigurable playing card device the cards are detected by the data communication device and the remote processing device determines the outcome of games. 
     In some embodiments of the reconfigurable playing card device the card images are detected and used to determine the outcome of games. 
     Some embodiments of the disclosure are directed to a reconfigurable playing card device, comprising: a first display device and a second display device, each of the first and second display devices having a peripheral edge and first and second opposing sides; and a support frame contacting the peripheral edge of each of the first display device and second display device and supporting the first and second display devices in a mounted position wherein the second sides of the first and second display devices are adjacent to one another, and the first sides of the first and second display devices are exposed and mounted in a position facing away from one another, wherein the support frame further includes a processing device configured to randomly select face images of playing cards stored in a data storage device, and a communication device, all embedded therein, wherein one or both of the first and second sides of the display devices are configured to display card images. 
     In some embodiments of the reconfigurable playing card device the first and second display devices comprise a flexible LCD. 
     In some embodiments of the reconfigurable playing card device the support frame encloses the peripheral edge of the first and second display devices. 
     In some embodiments of the reconfigurable playing card device the cards are detected by the data communication device and the processing device determines the outcome of games. 
     In some embodiments of the reconfigurable playing card device the cards are detected by the data communication device and the remote processing device determines the outcome of games. 
     In some embodiments of the reconfigurable playing card device at least one of the first planar sides of the first and second display devices is touch-enabled. 
     In some embodiments of the reconfigurable playing card device a plurality of card images is randomly selected for display. 
     Some embodiments of the disclosure are directed to a reconfigurable playing card device, comprising: a first display device and a second display device, each of the first and second display devices having a peripheral edge and first and second opposing sides; and a support frame contacting the peripheral edge of each of the first display device and second display device and supporting the first and second display devices in a mounted position wherein the second sides of the first and second display devices are adjacent to one another, and the first sides of the first and second display devices are exposed and mounted in a position facing away from one another, wherein the support frame further includes a processing device, a data storage device, and a communication device, all embedded therein, wherein one or both of the first and second sides of each of the display devices are configured to display card images. 
     In some embodiments of the reconfigurable playing card device the first and second display devices comprise a flexible LCD. 
     In some embodiments of the reconfigurable playing card device the support frame encloses the peripheral edge of the first and second display devices. 
     In some embodiments of the reconfigurable playing card device the cards are detected by the data communication device and the processing device determines the outcome of games. 
     In some embodiments of the reconfigurable playing card device the cards are detected by the data communication device and the remote processing device determines the outcome of games. 
     In some embodiments of the reconfigurable playing card device a plurality of card images are randomly selected for display. 
     In some embodiments a plurality of card images are randomly selected for display on one or both of the first and/or second display devices. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Certain embodiments of the disclosure are disclosed with reference to the following drawings: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a front view of an exemplary card constructed according to some embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a rear view of an exemplary card constructed according to some embodiments of the disclosure; and 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a top view of an exemplary gaming table constructed according to some embodiments of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this application. The drawings provide and illustrate specific exemplary embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the embodiments of the disclosure is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive feature illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the embodiments of the disclosure as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the disclosure as claimed. It is also to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a reconfigurable playing card of the disclosure which is generally referred to as card  10 . Card  10  includes opposing sides  12  and  14 , each side  12  and  14  including a display device  16  and  18 , respectively, mounted in an outer support frame  20  such that support frame  20  contacts and encloses the peripheral edges of each display device  16  and  18 . Display devices  16  and  18 , and support frame  20  are constructed out of a resilient yet flexible material. For example, support frame  20  may be constructed of a plastic, rubber or rubberized material while display devices  16  and  18  may be formed of a thin layer of flexible LCD screens or glass, such as a commercially available flexible glass product like CORNING® WILLOW® Glass. 
     A power source  22 , data processing device  24 , memory or data storage device  26 , wireless communication device  28  is also shown as embedded in support frame  20  and in communication with one another and display devices  16  and  18  to support the functionality of displaying card images on one or both sides  12  and  14  in connection with the play of a wagering game. 
     When using cards  10  to play a game, a plurality of cards is dealt to player positions at a gaming table. Upon being dealt, communication device  28  communicates with data processing device  24  and data storage device  26  or another control or processing device and data storage device (not shown), which may be included at a gaming table or card shoe configured to hold a plurality of cards  10 , in order to determine the number of cards  10  dealt and corresponding number of images, that is, card faces having suit and rank, to randomly select for each card  10 . In some embodiments, the cards  10  dealt are linked and programmed to select images for all cards from the same group of images that represent one or more decks of cards or sets of symbols. In other embodiments, each card  10  is configured to randomly select a card image from its onboard data storage device  26  which contains a group of images that may represent one or more decks of cards or symbols, including text. It should be understood that more than one card may be displayed on one or both of the display devices  16  and  18  of card  10 . 
     Communication device  28  receives symbols or card images and other information, depending on the game, which is displayed on display devices  16  and  18 . The card images received may be provided and directed to a plurality of cards  10  according to a random selection process such that the plurality of cards  10  function effectively as if one or more randomized decks of cards had been dealt. In some embodiments, display device  16  is the default front side or face of card  10  whereas display device  18  is the default back of the card. In some embodiments, there is no display device  18  and the back of the card is opaque. 
     Display device  18  may be opaque or present other designs or images, such as the casino trademark, should the usage of card  10  require temporarily hiding the card image, that is, so the card  10  appears as if it is in a “face down” condition. Card  10  may be configured by, for example, communication with a local computerized source, to show the hidden image on the face down display device  16  side on the display device  18  at the back of card  10 , without flipping over the card. In other words, a card image from display device  16  can be shown on display device  18  when a trigger condition is detected, such as when revealing the dealer&#39;s second card in blackjack. 
     Once the wagers are resolved, a signal is received by communication device  28  resulting in the removal of the card image from the display devices  16  and  18 , which can be replaced by game results or other non-card images. Should another game not be started, cards  10  may be deactivated. The signal received by communication device  28  may come from the onboard processing device  24  or another processing device operatively associated with a communication device. 
     In some embodiments, cards  10  are configured such that each card  10  detects being dealt or dispensed from a card shoe and transmits a request via communication device  28  to receive a randomized card value for display from a local source, such as a computer in the table, nearby or in the shoe, which can be limited to communicate to only a certain group of cards  10 . Alternatively, the request may be sent to the onboard data processing device  24  to retrieve a card image from data storage  26 . 
     Regardless of the manner in which the card images are revealed on display devices  16  and  18 , the images are known before the outcome of the game which may be used to automate the determination of the game outcome and delivery of a prize, which may be a payout or credit, for example, and compare with game play data to ensure the integrity and security of the game. Cards  10  can be configured to detect the presence and proximity of other cards  10 , which may be uniquely identifiable by another card  10 . A controller or onboard processing device  24  may then determine the cards  10  in each player position and with the card image information, be able to determine the outcome of game play for each player over each round of a game. 
     Display devices  16  and  18  may also be touch-enabled devices to facilitate greater interactivity between the player and other players, the dealer and the casino operator, or to allow the player to take actions in the game according to the rules. For example, a player may tap on the display device  16  or  18  to discard the card and be dealt a new card. In this example, card  10  would not be discarded but rather a card image displayed would change and be replaced by a randomly selected card image. Players may also access personal information, game play rules and advice. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary gaming table  110  having a display device surface made of the same or a similar material as used for display devices  16  and  18 . Gaming table  110  includes a display device or reconfigurable surface  116  supported by support structure  120 . Surface  116  is in communication with various components shown schematically as being mounted in support structure  120  but which may communicate with surface  116  from remote locations. Surface  116  may provide an interface for selecting a game to be played thereon. If surface  116  is touch-enabled, then the selections may be inputted directly on surface  116 . Surface  116  provides table surface displays that may include player positions such as those provided by traditional felt table surfaces, according to the game selected. Surface  116  can be changed to provide different layouts for different casinos and different table games, with associated wagering options, paytable information and provide for different numbers of player positions. 
     Game play information and images may be accessed from storage in data storage device  126  and executed via data processing device  124  for display on surface  116  through communication device  128 . Thus, card images are displayed at player positions on surface  116  and may be animated to appear as being dealt from a dealer position to the player position. Representations of wagers may also be shown on surface  116 . Gaming table  110  may obtain credit data from player input, such as through a swipe card or through identification of the player at the table and link via communication device  128  with an electronic account. Players may input selections, such as wagers or cards to discard, or otherwise indicate preferences in the game. Processing device  124  randomly selects card images which are then displayed on surface  116  in the game. 
     It should be understood that methods and systems such as those described herein may be adapted and configured to function independently, or may also interact with other systems or applications, such as, for example, a casino management system, bonusing system or player tracking system. It should be understood that the advantages of the disclosure discussed herein comprise only some of the advantages of the disclosure, and the disclosure is not to be limited in any way by such advantages. 
     A processor, processing device, controller, computing device, or computer, such as described herein, includes at least one or more processors or processing units and a system memory. The controller typically also includes at least some form of computer-readable media and for the embodiments discussed above, includes or is in communication with a random number generator, which may comprise a software program. By way of example and not limitation, computer-readable media may include computer-storage media and communication media. Computer-storage media may include volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology that enables storage of information, such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Communication media typically embody computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and include any information delivery media. Those skilled in the art should be familiar with the modulated data signal, which has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. Combinations of any of the above are also included within the scope of computer-readable media. 
     The order of execution or performance of the operations in the embodiments of the disclosure illustrated and described herein is not essential, unless otherwise specified. That is, the operations described herein may be performed in any order, unless otherwise specified, and embodiments of the disclosure may include additional or fewer operations than those disclosed herein. For example, it is contemplated that executing or performing a particular operation before, contemporaneously with, or after another operation is within the scope of aspects of the disclosure. 
     In some embodiments, a processor, as described herein, includes any programmable system including systems and microcontrollers, reduced instruction set circuits (RISC), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), programmable logic circuits (PLC), and any other circuit or processor capable of executing the functions described herein. The above examples are exemplary only, and thus are not intended to limit in any way the definition and/or meaning of the term processor. 
     In some embodiments, a database, as described herein, includes any collection of data including hierarchical databases, relational databases, flat file databases, object-relational databases, object oriented databases, and any other structured collection of records or data that is stored in a computer system. The above examples are exemplary only, and thus are not intended to limit in any way the definition and/or meaning of the term database. 
     This written description uses examples to disclose the disclosure, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. Certain aspects which would be known to those skilled in the art have been omitted so as not to distract from the elements and features of the disclosure. The patentable scope of the disclosure is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Other aspects and features of the disclosure can be obtained from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. The disclosure may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described within the scope of the appended claims. It should also be noted, that the steps and/or functions listed within the appended claims, notwithstanding the order of which steps and/or functions are listed therein, are not limited to any specific order of operation. 
     Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the gaming table, card and card shoe of the disclosure may include various computer and network related software and hardware, such as programs, operating systems, memory storage devices, data input/output devices, data processors, servers with links to data communication systems, wireless or otherwise, and data transceiving terminals, and may be a standalone device, incorporated in the card or shoe or another platform, such as a gaming table. Those skilled in the art will further appreciate that the precise types of software and hardware used are not vital to the full implementation of the system and methods of the disclosure. 
     While exemplary systems and methods, and applications of methods of the disclosure, have been described herein, it should also be understood that the foregoing is only illustrative of a few particular embodiments with exemplary and/or preferred features, as well as principles of the disclosure, and that various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Therefore, the described embodiments should not be considered as limiting of the scope of the disclosure in any way. Accordingly, the disclosure embraces alternatives, modifications and variations which fall within the spirit and scope of the disclosure as set forth in the claims and equivalents thereto.