DE102007035156A1 - Card-game system for recording, storing and visualizing moves, playing processes and game flow, especially in card-games, has a playing table with an optical recording device fitted underneath - Google Patents

Abstract

A gaming-/card-table transparent in sections or partly transparent has positions for two or more players. Fitted underneath the table, an optical recording device (30) records pictures of playing-cards that are concealed when placed down. Downstream to the optical recording device, an evaluating device automatically recognizes card values so as to store and process them further. An input/recording device records moves like issuing card values through a moderator, fixing amounts of money or values through individual players, etc.

Description

The The invention relates to an arrangement and a system for detecting, Storage and / or visualization of moves, actions and sequences, in particular at card games.

With Card games are in the present context, especially those Games with at least two players meant to whom a defined number of cards from a stack of a total of 32 to 52 or more (or possibly less) cards are assigned, with the players either one or more moves can do, where, for example, issued more cards or exchanged individual cards can be. Typically, it is played according to certain rules, so that the player wins over the highest rated combination of cards.

State of the art

Some Card games have achieved such popularity that they are for television coverage recorded and thus a larger audience accessible be made. To the transfer for the Make television viewers attractive, it is desirable if all moves recorded and clearly arranged visualized and, if necessary, explained by a commentator can.

to Capture the card values assigned to each player were, are, for example, prepared Cards that are electronically recordable. For this purpose, the Cards are equipped in particular with transponders or so-called RFID identifiers, allowing an electronic capture of all issued cards and their assignment to the individual players is possible.

at Many card games are also in the game by the individual Players money or value amounts set the player with the highest card values or the Player who "goes along" until the last bet is placed wins well-known and finally very popular Variant of such card games is poker, of which there are numerous There are different variants. For the transfer to a larger audience and at tournament events is especially the poker variant "Texas hold'em "became known and popular. This version has each of the maximum ten players has two own cards, the he is lying face down on a table. Continue to exist There are three open-ended cards that each player mentally assign two cards to his own and from them the highest possible combinations can form. A so-called street may be formed, for example, by a player hiding a value "9" and a "boy" in front of him has lying while on the play table in the middle open an "8", a "10" as well as a "lady" can lie.In the combination has this player thus a street, because the cards in the order "8", "9", "10", "Jack" and "Lady" form a street. Other players can have other combinations. It wins the one among those, remain until the end with the "setting" and Do not quit prematurely because they assume that one other player a higher Combination has, the highest combination Has.

Out Many systems and devices are known in the art known for automatic acquisition of playing card values and game progress, but generally quite expensive and also modifications of at least the game chips are indispensable do. In addition, more or less strong in the conventional game histories intervened, which is undesirable in many traditionally oriented players.

task

One The aim of the present invention is a system and a Arrangement for detecting, storing and / or visualizing Game features, -vorgängen and procedures to disposal to provide, which avoid the disadvantages mentioned and if possible little in conventional, traditional gameplay intervene, especially in card games. In particular, should no modifications of the game aids (playing cards and / or Chips) may be required.

This The aim of the invention is the subject of the independent claim reached. Features of advantageous developments of the invention result from the dependent ones Claims.

The The present invention relates to an arrangement for detection, storage and visualization of moves, game events and processes, especially in card games, with an at least partially transparent or semi-transparent gaming table with positions for at least two players, and an underlying optical detection device for capturing images of hidden playing cards, with a the evaluation device downstream of the optical detection device for the automatic recognition of the card values, for their storage and / or for their further processing, and with an input and / or Detection device for detecting plays such as the output of card values through a moderator, the setting of monetary or value amounts by individual players, etc., wherein the input or detection device is coupled to the evaluation device.

A particularly advantageous variant of the present invention allows the automatic recording and evaluation of card games, those with open and face-down cards as well as with game chips or points is played. In particular, the invention for card games Usually used moderated by a dealer (so-called moderator or "dealer").

Previous Systems for automatic recording and / or evaluation of card games put either specially marked cards and specially marked game chips ahead, or the usual gameplay must for the technology used will be greatly changed. Likewise, the draw Most systems only show the results, not the actual history of the game that led to this result. The system according to the invention shows none of these mentioned disadvantages. It can be commercially available cards and chips are used. Likewise, the course of the game does not have to be modified. Of the players is only an additional course of action otherwise, the process of recording and evaluating is required of the game for the Player completely transparent.

A preferred variant of the invention provides that the input and Detection device, a speech detection and / or recognition system for recording and recognizing announcements from the moderator. Farther can the input and Detecting device at least one hand and / or foot switch to the temporary Activation of the language acquisition and / or recognition system for the moderator include.

Basically the table used for playing built like a conventional one Poker table, d. he is in up to ten positions for the players divided. Likewise, a specially designated position for the dealer be provided. To the table belongs a computer unit, eg. a commercial one Personal computer for the recording and evaluation software, preferably under the table, for example, is housed in a table leg. This computer unit includes the evaluation device. The computer is preferably with WLAN equipped to play data on it or to retrieve results. In front of each player, a card scanner is placed under the playing surface. As well There are two control lamps in front of the player. At the position The dealer has a so-called headset and two footswitches.

Of the Dealer can lead the game as usual. In card games with Dealer is stopped anyway, all moves as well Calls and repeating linguistically clearly to misunderstandings z. B. over the height of the effected Avoiding bets between players. He acts as Moderator of the game. With the headset and the foot switch is the dealer now also connected to the table or the computer unit arranged therein. An integrated speech recognition now evaluates the by the dealer transacted Comments on the game play out. The dealer has every comment that the game as such concerns the footswitch to press. This will avoid having a conversation between the dealer and one Players from the computer unit misinterpreted as a turn becomes. The second footswitch serves to correct incorrect entries. About the housed in the headset Speaker informs the table or arranged therein computer unit the dealer, and only this, in linguistic form over the current state of the game. The computer unit repeats first the dealer's Input and then the resulting result. At the poker game is it possible, for example, to put everything in one game ("All in"). The dealer gives this to the computer unit This will immediately determine the amount of the bet and how much the next players at least have to put. Since the computer unit through the voice input a complete overview of the Game situation, it can at any time to the dealer by voice output Give support. The vocabulary used by the computer unit or speech recognition software recognizes, is essentially dependent on the phase in which the game is located. Is a turn in a certain phase not allowed, so the corresponding linguistic expression is not in the list of comments currently recognizable by the computer unit. Due to this narrow vocabulary limitation depending on the game situation the recognition performance of the speech input is significantly increased. outstanding Feature is the use of the foot switch and speech recognition, which hides the processes from the players stay. The detection rate for the speech recognition is increased by the candidate in question Vocabulary in each case depends on the phase in which the game is located. Likewise, by the support of the Dealers largely prevented by the computer unit error.

The Optical detection device of the present system is preferably arranged below the table. It comprises at least one image capture unit, in particular a scanner unit or a camera o. The like. Depending on Size of the table and technical embodiment Is it possible, that one or more optical detection devices under the Table are arranged to record the game progress. In a preferred variant of the invention is each player place respectively associated with an optical detection device.

Of the optically recorded area of each player's place preferably agrees with the for the player usual Storage place for the cards match and is also big enough that several cards can be detected simultaneously. Each Player space is preferably in each case a mark and / or a Edge for each concealed playing card assigned to an optical Facilitate collection. In particular, the arrangement of a contact edge, for example in the form of at least one guide rail, can facilitate the correct placement of the cards. According to one preferred embodiment The invention, which is particularly suitable for "Texas hold'em", is for everyone Player place a storage place for two playing cards provided. The storage edges can in this case in shape a lying, with the long edge facing the player "E" be arranged. The use of such auxiliary equipment has the consequence that the cards are easily stored in exact position can and subsequently only a relatively small area optically detected must become. This saves time and storage capacity, and requires from the players hardly additional Attention.

Of the Card depository has at least one transparent surface, to optically capture the dropped cards from below enable. The transparent surface For example, from glass, plastic, foil o. Ä. Be designed. Preferably is for each card to be deposited each provided its own transparent surface. The size of the transparent area does not have to with the size of the match scanned playing cards; it is sufficient if a maximum of 60% of a map is visible through the area is. To avoid reflection of the cards on the transparent surface and to prevent the player from looking into the capture device, this can be transparent instead colored clear, preferably green, tinted (semitransparent) be.

Below preferably each marked by markings and given card positions each deflection be arranged. Such a deflection device serves to deflect the optical beam path from and to one Position of the image acquisition unit. The image capture unit can be accommodated in a flexible position in this way, in particular it can be arranged near the lower table surface. To this Weise is a flat arrangement of the detection system under the Table possible, so that this does not bother the players and get the footwell remains. The deflection device can have at least one reflector surface, a mirror and / or an at least partially transparent prism or the like.

moreover can each player place one with the optical detection device coupled light source for illuminating the detector be assigned to map images to capture a better picture to obtain. Alternatively you can less light sources may be arranged below the table or can the number of available standing light sources with the number of used optical Detecting devices match or corral with it.

Preferably it is envisaged that the lighting units automatically switched on and off become. As long as no cards over are applied to a detection device, ambient light falls on the Detection means, what is detected by this; the associated lighting unit or units is or are switched off. When the bearing surface is through Cards is hidden, the detection device switches one or a number of their associated lighting units to then the To scan cards. Thereafter, the lighting units before preferably switched off again. In the manner described, the ambient light used to determine the optimal timing of a scan.

The Deflection device, the light source and the optical detection device can be arranged together within a closed housing element. In particular, each player space can be equipped with such a housing element be.

The following is a brief description of the process of recording a poker game by a system according to the present invention:
Before each player, an optical detection device is mounted in the table, which includes, for example, a scanner or an area camera. With the help of this image acquisition unit, the cards (pocket cards) of each player are detected, for example, scanned. The player must place his cards at any time during the game, but before the player uncovers or discards the cards, on the support surface, which is also called the scanner surface. The scanner surface is where the player normally places his cards, and is large enough to place both cards side by side. Guide rails promote the correct placement of the cards over the detection device. The image capture unit is preferably accommodated together with a deflection device and a lighting unit in a flat housing, which is mounted at each player place under the gaming table. The acquisition of the playing cards takes place through a transparent surface in the playing field.

The detection device is coupled to an evaluation device. The evaluation device preferably provides data for optical and / or acoustic reproduction of each current game state.

All Traits and maps detected by the evaluation device are stored and with a time stamp. In a subsequent evaluation Play of the game is characterized not only the assignment of moves possible to a player, but also the time course of the game is traceable. Playback of the game takes place, for example, by downloading the game data or by connecting a monitor to the table. Playback can be on already done and now finished Games are limited to ensure gaming safety. Through the full Recording the moves as well as the oversight of the moves with a timestamp is the subsequent synchronization with possibly existing footage particularly easy. This will the editorial effort to prepare for television broadcasts or Internet delivery minimized games.

embodiment

The Invention will be described below with reference to preferred embodiments explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Same Parts in the figures are basically denoted by like reference numerals and therefore become partial not explained several times.

1 shows a plan view of a game table according to the present invention;

2 shows a plan view of an optical detection unit according to the present invention;

3 shows a sectional view of an optical detection unit according to the present invention;

4 shows a sectional view of a game table according to the present invention in the area of a player's court;

5 shows a plan view of a game table according to the present invention in the area of a player's court; and

6 shows a perspective view of an optical detection unit according to the invention.

Subject of the present utility model is a game table 10 for the automatic recording and evaluation of card games, in which cards are played with open and hidden cards as well as with game chips or points. Priority is the game table 10 designed for card games, usually moderated by a dealer, hereafter referred to as a "dealer." This table is optimized for poker games in the "Texas Holdem" variant, which is currently the most played poker variant played ten players and a dealer.

1 shows a plan view of a game table 10 according to the present invention. The table used in the present invention 10 basically corresponds to a poker table as it is commonly used: it is in ten positions for the players (player seats 12 ) and there is a specially designated position 14 for the dealer. The table 10 includes an evaluation device 20 , This is, for example, a commercial office computer 21 for the recording and evaluation software, preferably under the table 10 in a table leg 11 is housed. The computer 21 is equipped with WLAN to play data on it or to retrieve results.

In front Each player has two control lamps arranged (not shown). At the dealer's location are a headset and two footswitches (not shown).

Every player place 12 each has an optical detection device 30 on. This is in front of each player under the playing surface of the table 10 attached and will be described below with reference to the 2 . 3 and 6 explained in more detail; the arrangement of the detection device 30 is in 4 and 5 clarified. Not every figure is discussed in detail.

With the help of the detection device 30 In each case, the cards (pocket cards) of the player sitting in front of him are recorded, the player at any time during the game, but before the player uncovering or discarding the cards on the designated storage areas 40 must lay.

The shelves 40 are located where the player normally places his cards obligatorily, so that the player does not have to accept a new habit. The shelves 40 are large enough to store several, in the example shown two, side by side and capture. The optical detection of the deposited cards is done by transparent surfaces 44 therethrough. These are preferably tinted green to not disturb the players and give them no insight into the capture unit 30 to grant. In particular, this also prevents reflection of the cards on the transparent surface. The size of the transparent areas need not be the size of the playing cards to be scanned. From a map must by the Area 60% maximum to be able to assign them properly.

It is within the meaning of the present invention that the area to be detected is as small as possible in order to save time and storage capacity. Therefore, it is important that the playing cards as accurately as possible on the small detection area 44 be filed. The player will be guided by guide rails 42 provided on the table 10 are arranged and which the correct placement of the cards above the registration unit 30 promote. An additional in the area of the card storage area 40 arranged armrest 16 allows the player a comfortable sitting and playing position.

The optical detection unit 30 consists of a housing 32 that's under the game table 10 attached to each player (see 4 ). In the case 32 there is a deflection device 34 in the form of a mirror 35 , an image capture unit 36 in the form of a surface camera 37 for digitizing the playing cards and a lighting unit (light source) 38 (please refer 3 ). The use of a mirror 35 as a deflection device 34 mainly serves to reduce the depth of the case, so that the footwell of the players is not significantly restricted. This is especially out 4 seen.

The lighting unit 38 can be switched on and off automatically. As long as no cards on the card tray 40 This is done by the optical detection unit 30 detected by the incident ambient light. Only when a support surface 44 hidden by cards, gives the capture unit 30 a signal for switching on the lighting unit assigned to it 38 to then scan the cards. When the scanning process is completed, the lighting unit will turn on 38 immediately switched off again. In this way, the ambient light is used to determine the optimal timing of a scan.

Further Features and Benefits of the system according to the invention:

The speech recognition

At the dealer's seating position is a headset or receiver headset connector provided, are also at the dealer position or two footswitches (not shown).

The dealer leads the game as usual. In card games with dealer this is anyway required to repeat all moves as well as missions and cards clearly in order to avoid misunderstandings z. B. on the height of the bet between the players to avoid. He acts as the moderator of the game. With the headset and the foot switch, the dealer is now also with the evaluation unit 20 connected. An integrated speech recognition evaluates the comments made by the dealer on the game play. The dealer has to press the footswitch for every comment concerning the game as such. This avoids that a conversation between the dealer and a player from the table is misinterpreted as a turn. The second footswitch is used to correct incorrect entries. The evaluation unit informs about the headset 20 the dealer, and only this, in linguistic form about the current state of the game. The evaluation unit repeats 20 first the input made by the dealer and then the resulting result. In poker, for example, it is possible to put everything in one game ("All in"). The dealer gives this to the evaluation unit 20 This will immediately determine the amount of the bet and how much the next players have to bet at least. Because the evaluation unit 20 Through the voice input has a complete overview of the game situation, they can always afford the dealer by voice output support. The vocabulary that the evaluation unit 20 recognizes, is essentially dependent on the phase in which the game is located. If a move is not allowed in a certain phase, the corresponding linguistic expression is not currently in the list of the evaluation unit 20 recognizable comments. Due to this narrow vocabulary limitation depending on the game situation, the recognition performance of the speech input is significantly increased. Outstanding feature is the use of the foot switch and the speech recognition. This keeps the processes hidden from the players. Equally outstanding is the limitation of the vocabulary depending on the phase in which the game is in order to ensure an increased recognition performance.

Likewise, by the support of the dealer by the evaluation device 20 errors are excluded by the dealer.

The timely reproduction

All games and cards recognized by the table are saved and time-stamped. In a subsequent evaluation or playback of the game is not only the assignment of the moves to a player possible but also the time course of the game traceable. Playback of the game takes place, for example, by downloading the game data or by connecting a monitor to the table. Playback can be limited to games that have already taken place and are now finished To ensure gaming safety. By completely recording the moves as well as providing the moves with a time stamp, the subsequent synchronization with any existing footage is particularly easy. This minimizes the editorial effort required to prepare for television broadcasts or Internet delivery of the games.

So far known systems for automatic recording and / or evaluation of card games put either specially marked cards and specially Marked game chips ahead or the usual gameplay must be for the technique used heavily modified become. Likewise, most systems only record the results and not the actual course of the game leading to this result guided Has.

The arrangement presented here circumvents the above-mentioned disadvantages. It can commercial Cards and chips are used. Likewise, the game does not have to changed become. Players are only required to take an additional course of action otherwise, the process of recording and evaluating the Game for the players completely invisible and imperceptible.

The in the foregoing description, drawings and claims Features of the invention can both individually and in any combination for the realization the invention in its various embodiments of importance be. The invention is not limited to the above embodiments limited. Much more is a variety of variants and modifications conceivable by the idea according to the invention Use and therefore also fall within the scope of protection.

10

gaming table

11

Table leg

12

player Position

14

position the dealer

16

armrest

20

evaluation

21

computer

30

optical detector

32

casing

34

deflecting

35

mirror

36

Image capture unit

37

Areascan

38

lighting unit

40

Cards shelf

42

Contact edge / guide bar

44

transparent area

Claims (11)

Arrangement for recording, storing and visualizing games, games and processes, especially in card games, with an at least partially transparent or semi-transparent game table ( 10 ) with positions for at least two players, and an optical detection device ( 30 ) for capturing images of hidden playing cards, with one of the optical detection devices ( 30 ) downstream evaluation device ( 20 ) for the automatic recognition of the card values, for their storage and / or for their further processing, and with an input and / or detection device for the detection of moves such as the issuing of card values by a moderator, the setting of amounts of money or value by individual players etc ., Wherein the input or detection device with the evaluation device ( 20 ) is coupled. Arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the input and Detection device, a speech detection and / or recognition system for recording and recognizing announcements from the moderator. Arrangement according to Claim 1 or 2, in which the input and detection device at least one hand and / or foot switch for temporary activation the language acquisition and / or recognition system for the moderator includes. Arrangement according to one of Claims 1 to 3, in which the optical detection device ( 30 ) below the table ( 10 ) and at least one image capture unit ( 36 ), in particular a scanner unit or a camera ( 37 ) o. The like. Includes. Arrangement according to claim 4, wherein each player place in each case a marking and / or a contact edge ( 42 ) is assigned for each face card to be hidden. Arrangement according to Claim 4 or 5, in which an optical detection device ( 30 ), the at least one image acquisition unit ( 36 ). Arrangement according to one of claims 4 to 6, wherein each player place one with the image acquisition unit ( 36 ) coupled light source ( 38 ) for illuminating the detector ( 30 ) is associated with map images to be detected. Arrangement according to one of claims 4 to 7, wherein below the card positions a deflection device ( 34 ) for deflecting the optical beam lengangs from and to a position of the optical detection device ( 30 ) is arranged near the lower table surface. Arrangement according to Claim 8, in which the deflection device ( 34 ) at least one reflector surface ( 35 ) and / or an at least partially transparent prism or the like. Arrangement according to one of Claims 4 to 9, in which the deflection device ( 34 ), the light source ( 38 ) as well as the image capture unit ( 36 ) for each player seat within a closed housing element ( 32 ) are arranged. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, in the evaluation the data for optical and / or acoustic Playback of every current game state delivers.