WO2009135903A1 - A device and a system and a method of determining at least one bid in a game comprising an auction - Google Patents

A device and a system and a method of determining at least one bid in a game comprising an auction Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2009135903A1
WO2009135903A1 PCT/EP2009/055544 EP2009055544W WO2009135903A1 WO 2009135903 A1 WO2009135903 A1 WO 2009135903A1 EP 2009055544 W EP2009055544 W EP 2009055544W WO 2009135903 A1 WO2009135903 A1 WO 2009135903A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
bidding
cards
container
detector
card
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2009/055544
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Peter Just
Original Assignee
Bridgespinner A/S
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Bridgespinner A/S filed Critical Bridgespinner A/S
Publication of WO2009135903A1 publication Critical patent/WO2009135903A1/en

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F1/00—Card games
    • A63F1/06—Card games appurtenances
    • A63F1/10—Card holders
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F1/00—Card games
    • A63F1/06—Card games appurtenances
    • A63F1/14—Card dealers
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F1/00—Card games
    • A63F1/06—Card games appurtenances
    • A63F1/18—Score computers; Miscellaneous indicators

Definitions

  • a device and a system and a method of determining at least one bid in a game comprising an auction
  • This invention relates to a device for determining at least one bid in a game comprising an auction.
  • the invention further relates to a corresponding system and method.
  • Bridge is one of the world's most popular card playing games and an estimated 70 million people regularly play bridge around the world.
  • Bridge is a 4-person game comprising a complex bidding cycle called an auction with a plurality of bidding conventions.
  • Bridge is also a conservative game comprising a number of written and unwritten conventions regarding the execution of a game of bridge.
  • a convention is, for example, not to speak during a game of bridge and therefore all bids in an auction are performed using bidding cards,
  • Each player normally identified as North (N), South (S), East (E) and West (W) depending on the player's position around a bridge table; has a bidding box comprising a set of bidding cards.
  • a set of bidding cards may contain 35 bidding cards with symbols of calls; 5 denominations - clubs (*), diamonds ( ⁇ ), hearts (Y), spades (*), and notrump (NT) - in seven levels of bidding, numbered 1-7.
  • the 35 bidding cards may be made such that the symbols form tabs and any desired bid may thus be easily reached.
  • the set of bidding cards may contain a number of Pass cards (usually 6-10 cards, commonly colored green), a number of Double cards
  • GB 2 169 518 discloses an electrically operated bidding apparatus of use in a game of bridge.
  • EP 0745411 discloses a device for controlling, presenting and registering the bidding in a game of bridge.
  • the object of the invention is achieved by a device for determining at least one bid in a game comprising an auction, the device comprising a first container and a first detector for reading a marker, wherein the first container comprises a first plurality of bidding cards and an opening; each bidding card in the first plurality of bidding cards comprises a first side comprising a symbol of call identifying said bidding card and a second side opposite to said first side comprising a marker identifying said symbol of call; and wherein each symbol of call is contained in a first part of the respective bidding cards and the marker is contained in a second part of the respective bidding cards, and wherein the first container is adapted to contain the second part of each of said first plurality of bidding cards and wherein the first part of each of said first plurality of bidding cards is adapted to extend outside said first container opening, the first container further comprises the first detector for reading a marker and the first detector is positioned such as to face the second side of a bidding card in the first plurality of bidding cards adjacent to the first
  • bidding cards may be used to make a call in a game comprising an auction. Based on the marker, the symbol of call may be detected by the detector. Further, it is achieved that a plurality of different bidding cards may be distinguished from each other thereby enabling determination of a plurality of different bids made using the first plurality of bidding cards.
  • the device further comprises means for forcing the first plurality of bidding cards towards the first detector 201.
  • the bidding card adjacent to the first detector may be detected by the first detector.
  • the device further comprises geometrical means ensuring that the first plurality of bidding cards are guided in front of said first detector.
  • the first plurality of bidding cards are placed correctly during insertion into the first container and thereby it is ensured that the first plurality of bidding cards may be detected by the first detector.
  • the device further comprises a second container and wherein the second container comprises a second plurality of bidding cards and a second detector and rotating means comprising a flag and wherein the second plurality of bidding cards are adapted to cause said rotating means to rotate during movement of a bidding card adjacent to said rotating means such that the flag of the rotating means may activate said second detector during removal of said bidding card adjacent to said rotating means.
  • the device further comprises an arm mechanically coupled to said second detector such that the flag activates the second detector via said arm.
  • the device further comprises geometrical means ensuring that the second plurality of bidding cards are guided in front of said rotating means.
  • the device further comprises a wireless and/or wired communication link and wherein the device is further adapted to transmit a card called from the first and/or second container via said wireless and/or wired communication link.
  • the device may transmit a call made from the bidding box to a geographical position possibly remote from the bidding box.
  • the game comprises contract bridge and the first detector is an optical detector and the second container further comprises a plurality of compartments, each compartment comprising a part of the second plurality of bidding cards.
  • the second container may comprise a plurality of a plurality of identical bidding cards.
  • Embodiments of the present invention also relates to a system corresponding to embodiments of the device.
  • the invention also relates to a system for registering at least one bid in a game comprising an auction, the system comprising a device according to an embodiment of the device and a communication and scoring module and/or a centra! server, and wherein the system is adapted to transmit a card called from the bidding box according to an embodiment of the device to the communication and scoring module and/or the central server via said wireless and/or wired communication link and wherein the communication and scoring module and/or central server is adapted to store said transmitted call.
  • Embodiments of the present invention also relates to a method corresponding to embodiments of the device.
  • the invention also relates to a method of determining at least one bid in a game comprising an auction via a device comprising a first container and a first detector for reading a marker
  • the first container comprises a first plurality of bidding cards and an opening
  • each bidding card in the first plurality of bidding cards comprises a first side comprising a symbol of call identifying said bidding card and a second side opposite to said first side comprising a marker identifying said symbol of call
  • each symbol of call is contained in a first part of the respective bidding cards and the marker is contained in a second part of the respective bidding cards
  • the first container is adapted to contain the second part of each of said first plurality of bidding cards and wherein the first part of each of said first plurality of bidding cards is adapted to extend outside said first container opening
  • the first container further comprises the first detector for reading a marker and wherein the method comprises positioning the first detector such as to face the second side of a bidding card in the first plurality of bidding cards
  • the method and embodiments thereof correspond to the device and embodiments thereof and have the same advantages for the same reasons.
  • Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a bidding box 100.
  • Figure 2a and figure 2b show an embodiment of the first container 110 in perspective and side view, respectively.
  • Figure 3 shows an embodiment of a method of bidding using the first container 110.
  • Figure 4a and figure 4b show an embodiment of the second container 120 in perspective and side view, respectively.
  • Figure 5 shows an embodiment of a method of bidding using the second container 120.
  • Figure 6 shows an embodiment of registering a number of bids during a game of bridge.
  • FIG. 1a shows an embodiment of a bidding box 100.
  • the bidding box 100 may comprise a first container 110 and a second container 120.
  • the first container 110 comprises a first 111 opening and the second container comprises a second 121 opening.
  • the first and the second container may be connected via a sliding mechanism such that the first and the second containers may be closed forming a single container joined via the opening-faces of the first and the second containers.
  • first and the second container may be being mechanically coupled to each other, e.g. by a glue and/or one or more screws, as indicated in figure 1a.
  • a distal side 127, or part of it, of the second container 120 may be mechanically coupled to a proximal side 117, or part of it, of the first container 110.
  • the first container 110 further comprises a first plurality of bidding cards 112, each bidding card in the first plurality of bidding cards 112 comprising a symbol of call and a marker identifying said symbol of call.
  • the first container may contain 35 bidding cards comprising symbols of calls from 1 club (1 kl) to 7 no trump (7NT) i.e. representing possible calls in a game of bridge and the 35 bidding cards may be positioned as indicated in figure 1 a.
  • Each of the bidding cards in the first plurality of bidding cards 112 may comprise a first side 113, e.g. a front side of the bidding cards. Additionally, each of the bidding cards in the first plurality of bidding cards 112 may comprise a second sidei 14 opposite said first side 113, e.g. a back side.
  • each of the biddings cards in the first plurality of bidding cards 112 may comprise a first part 115, e.g. an upper part extending outside the opening of the first container 110.
  • the first part 115 of the first side 113 of each of the bidding cards in the first plurality of bidding cards 112 may contain the symbol of call of the respective bidding card.
  • each of the bidding cards in the first plurality of bidding cards 112 may comprise a second part 116, e.g. a lower part contained in the first container 110.
  • the second part 116 of the second side 114 of each of the bidding cards in the first plurality of bidding cards 112 may comprise the marker identifying the symbol of call value of the respective bidding card.
  • the marker may, for example, be a bar code and/or Braille and/or a RFID chip and/or any other type of marker enabling a mechanical and/or electromagnetic and/or any other type of determination of the marker identifying the symbol of bid of the bidding card containing the respective marker.
  • the bidding cards in the first plurality of bidding cards may, for example, be made of cardboard or molded plastic.
  • the second container 120 further comprises a second plurality of bidding cards 122, each bidding card in the second plurality of bidding cards 122 comprising a symbol of call.
  • the second container may contain a number of cards comprising symbols of calls such as for example a number of Pass cards (e.g. 6-10 cards), a number of Double cards (e.g. marked X); a number of Redouble cards (e.g. marked XX), an Alert card or tab (light or dark blue), a Stop card (red), and, optionally, a Tournament Director card (orange) i.e. representing possible calls in a game of bridge.
  • a number of Pass cards e.g. 6-10 cards
  • Each of the bidding cards in the second plurality of bidding cards 122 may comprise a first side 123, e.g. a front side of the bidding cards. Additionally, each of the bidding cards in the second plurality of bidding cards 122 may comprise a second side124 opposite said first side 123, e.g. a back side.
  • each of the biddings cards in the second plurality of bidding cards 122 may comprise a first part 125, e.g. an upper part extending outside the opening of the second container 120.
  • the first part 125 of the first side 123 of each of the bidding cards in the second plurality of bidding cards 122 may contain the symbol of call of the respective bidding card.
  • each of the bidding cards in the second plurality of bidding cards 122 may comprise a second part 126, e.g. a lower part contained in the second container 110.
  • the bidding cards in the second plurality of bidding cards may, for example, be made of cardboard or molded plastic.
  • the first and/or second container may comprise a device 1000 as shown in figure 1 b.
  • the bidding box 100 may contain a device 1000 and the first 110 and the second 120 containers may be electrically connected to said device 1000.
  • the bidding box 100 may comprise communication means, such as for example an antenna and/or an electric cable, and the bidding box 100 may be connected to a communication and scoring device via a wireless and/or a wired communication fink, e.g. via the electric cable and/or Bluetooth, and the communication and scoring device may comprise a device 1000 according to figure 1 b.
  • the device 1000 comprises one or more micro-processors 1001 connected with a main memory 1002 and optionally e.g. a storage device 1006 via an internal data/address bus 1004 or the like. Additionally, the device 1000 may optionally also be connected to or comprise a display 1007. Further, the device 1000 comprises communication means 1003 for communication with one or more remote systems via one or more wireless and/or wired communication links 1008 such as, for example, a Bluetooth communication link, a WLAN communication link, an Infrared communication link, a fiber- optical communication link or the like.
  • the memory 1002 and/or storage device 1006 are used to store and retrieve the relevant data together with executable computer code for providing the functionality according to the invention.
  • the micro-processor(s) 1001 is responsible for generating, handling, processing, calculating, etc. the relevant parameters according to the present invention.
  • the storage device 1006 may comprise one or more storage devices capable of reading and possibly writing blocks of data, e.g. a DVD, CD, optical disc, PVR, etc. player/recorder and/or a hard disk (IDE, ATA, etc), floppy disk, smart card, PC card, USB storage device, etc.
  • the device 1000 may optionally comprise a user interface input/output unit 1005 through which a user may interact with the device 1000.
  • Figure 2a and figure 2b show an embodiment of the first container 110 in perspective and side view, respectively.
  • the first container 110 may, for example, have internal dimensions width W1 , thickness T1 and height H1.
  • the first container 110 comprises an opening 111 of dimensions W1 x T1.
  • the first container 110 may, for example, be made in aluminum or molded plastic.
  • the thickness of the first container's wall may, for example, be approximately 1 — 2mm.
  • the first container 110 may comprise a first reader 201.
  • the first reader 201 may, for example, be an optical reader such as a bar code reader comprising a light source and a light detector.
  • the first reader 201 may comprise means for generating and detecting a magnetic field in order to read a passive RFID chip.
  • the first reader 201 may, for example, be placed in the opposite end as the opening 111 of the first container. Alternatively, the first reader may be placed approximately midway between the opening 111 and a bottom 203 of the first container e.g. approximately H1/2 below the opening 111 in the vertical direction of the first container. Alternatively, the first reader 201 may be placed anywhere in the first container 110 enabling the first reader 201 to read the marker of the second side 114 of a bidding card in the plurality of bidding cards 112.
  • the first reader may comprise a detection direction 211 in which detection direction 211 the first reader 201 may be able to detect and identify a marker 212 on the bidding card 213 adjacent to the first reader 201 ,
  • the first reader 201 may be connected to a device 1000 of the first container 110 via a wireless and/or wired communication link.
  • the first reader 201 may be connected to the device 1000 via an IEEE 1394 (FireWire) and/or Universal Serial Bus (USB) communication cable and/or via a Bluetooth communication link.
  • IEEE 1394 FireWire
  • USB Universal Serial Bus
  • the first container 110 may comprise means 202 for pressing at least one bidding card 207, 213 towards a second end-wall 205 of the first container 110, said second end-wall 205 possibly being mechanically coupled to said first reader 201 , e.g. by a glue and/or one or more screws. Thereby is achieved that a force is exerted on at least one bidding card 207 forcing the at least one bidding card 207, 213 towards said first reader 201.
  • the means 202 may, for example, comprise a rectangular plate 202 of thickness PT1 and a width PW1 and a height PH1.
  • the rectangular plate 202 may, for example, be mechanically coupled to a first end-wall 206 via e.g. a hinge or a pivotal joint and the rectangular plate
  • 202 may further be subjected to a spring-force from a spring 204 placed between the rectangular plate 202 and the first end-wad 206 of the first container 110 such as to press the rectangular piate 202 in a direction 208 substantially towards the second end-wall 205 opposite to the first end-wall 205 to thereby force the at least one bidding card 207, 213 in a direction 209 substantially towards said first reader 201.
  • a spring-force from a spring 204 placed between the rectangular plate 202 and the first end-wad 206 of the first container 110 such as to press the rectangular piate 202 in a direction 208 substantially towards the second end-wall 205 opposite to the first end-wall 205 to thereby force the at least one bidding card 207, 213 in a direction 209 substantially towards said first reader 201.
  • the first container 110 may further comprise geometrical means 210.
  • the geometrical means may, for example, ensure that the bidding cards 207, 213 of the first plurality of bidding cards are guided in place in front of the first reader 201. Thereby, the geometrical means may further ensure that one or more bidding cards of the first plurality of bidding cards do not end up on the top 230 of the first reader 201 thereby making detection of the one or more bidding cards impossible along the detection direction 211 of the first reader 201.
  • the geometrical means 210 may, for example, be positioned above the first reader 201 i.e. closer to the opening 111 than the first reader 201. Further, the geometrical means 210 may be mechanically coupled to the second end- wall 205 of the first container 201 e.g. by a glue and/or one or more screws.
  • the geometrical means 210 may, for example, have dimension of height GH1 and width GW1 and thickness GT1.
  • the width GW1 of the geometrical means may, for example, be approximately equal to the width W1 of the first container 110.
  • the width GW1 may be slightly smaller than the width W1 e.g. 0.92 x W1.
  • the height GH1 of the geometrical means 210 may, for example, be substantially equal to the vertical distance from the opening 111 of the first container to the top of the first reader 201.
  • the thickness GT1 of the geometrical means 210 may depend on the distance from the opening 111 of the first container 110 to the top 230 of the reader 201.
  • the thickness GT1 may be a linearly increasing as function of the distance from the opening 111 of the first container 110 e.g.
  • GT1 RT1/D1 x d
  • RT1/D1 is a constant determining the slope of the thickness GT1
  • d is the actual vertical distance from the opening 111
  • RT1 is the thickness of the first reader 201
  • D1 is the vertical distance from the opening 111 to the top 230 of the first reader 201.
  • the thickness GT1 may have any smooth functional relationship with the distance from the opening 111 to the top 230 of the first reader 201 ensuring that the thickness GT1 approximately at the top 230 of the first reader 201 is approximately equal to the thickness RT1 of the first reader 201.
  • the first plurality of bidding cards 112 may each comprise a marker 212 on the first side 113 and on the second side 114 of the second part 116 of the respective bidding cards and a symbol of call 214 on the first side 113 and on the second side 114 of the first part 115.
  • the bidding cards may be placed with either one of the first 113 and the second side 114 facing the first reader 201.
  • Figure 3 shows an embodiment of a method of bidding using the first container 110. If a user of the first container 110, for example, would like to cail 2 diamonds (2ru in figure 1 a) as a bid during an auction, then the user removes the bidding cards up to and including 2 diamonds i.e. 1 clubs, 1 diamonds, 1 hearts, 1 , spades, 1 no trump, 2 clubs and 2 diamonds.
  • 2 diamonds i.e. 1 clubs, 1 diamonds, 1 hearts, 1 , spades, 1 no trump, 2 clubs and 2 diamonds.
  • Step 300 may comprise an initialization and/or power-up of the first reader 201 and/or the device 1000 in the first container 110.
  • the first reader 201 detects a marker of a bidding card 213 adjacent to the first reader 201.
  • the first reader 201 may transmit information regarding the detected marker to the device 1000.
  • step 302 the first reader and/or the device 1000 determines, based on the detected marker, the symbol of call of the bidding card 213 adjacent to the first reader 201.
  • the first reader 201 and/or the device 1000 may determine that no bid has been made and thus the method may return to step 301.
  • the first reader 201 and/or the device 1000 may determine that a bid has been made and the method may proceed to step 303.
  • a call may be determined from the determined symbol of call of the bidding card, determined by the marker, adjacent to the first reader 201. If the first reader 201 and/or the device 1000 determined that the symbol of call of the bidding card adjacent to the first reader 201 was, for example, 2 hearts, then the first reader and/or the device may determine that the call was 2 diamonds i.e. the highest symbol of call of the removed cards by the user. The first reader 201 and/or the device 1000 may transmit the determined call to e.g. a communication and scoring module and/or a central server. Alternatively or additionally, the determined call may be stored in the first reader 201 and/or the device 1000.
  • the first reader 201 and/or the first device 1000 may determine whether the auction has finished e.g. by receiving a signal from the communication and scoring module and/or from the central server. If the auction has finished, the method ends in step 305. Alternatively, a marker of another bidding card may be detected by the first reader 201 in step 301 and the method may continue from step 301.
  • Figure 4a and figure 4b show an embodiment of the second container 120 in perspective and side view, respectively.
  • the second container 120 may, for example, have internal dimensions width W2, thickness T2 and height H2.
  • the second container 120 comprises an opening 121 of dimensions equal to W2 x T2 or substantially equal to W2 x T2 e.g. (W2 x 0.95) x (T2 x 0.95).
  • the second container 120 further comprises one or more compartments 401 - 404 e.g. one compartment 401 - 404 for each type of bidding card contained in the second container 120 and each compartment 401 - 404 comprising one or more bidding cards.
  • the second container 120 may comprise a first compartment 401 containing one or more pass bidding cards and a second compartment
  • the first compartment 401 may comprise 6 - 10 pass bidding cards 405; the second compartment 402 may comprise 2 - 4 double bidding cards 406; the third compartment 403 may comprise 2 - 4 redouble bidding cards 407; and the fourth compartment 404 may comprise a stop bidding card 408 and an alert bidding card 409.
  • Each type of bidding card may comprise a tab enabling a visual and/or tactile identification of each type of bidding card.
  • Each of the one or more compartments 401 - 404 may comprise a second end-wall 410 - 413.
  • the second end-walls 410 - 413 may have a form corresponding to or substantially corresponding to the form of the bidding cards contained in the respective compartments 401 - 404 i.e. the bidding cards of the first compartment 401 have the same form as end-wall 410 etc.
  • Each of the one or more compartments 401 - 403 may comprise means 202 for pressing the one or more bidding cards 405 - 407 of the respective compartments towards the second end-wall 410 - 412 of each of the respective compartments of the second container 120.
  • the means 202 may, for example, comprise a rectangular plate 202 of thickness PT2 and a width PW2 and a height PH2.
  • the rectangular plate 202 of compartment 401 may, for example, be mechanically coupled to a first end-wal! 414 via e.g. a hinge or a pivotal joint and the rectangular plate 202 may further be subjected to a spring-force from a spring 204 placed between the rectangular plate 202 and the first end-wall 414 of the second container 120 such as to press the rectangular pfate 202 in a direction 208 substantially towards the second end-wail 410 of the first compartment 401 opposite to the first end-wall 414 to thereby force the at least one bidding card 405 in a direction 209 substantially towards said second end-wall 410.
  • Each of the one or more compartments 401 - 404 may further comprise a second reader 415 - 417 e.g. a micro-switch or the like.
  • Each micro-switch 415 - 417 may be mechanically coupled to an arm 418 e.g. via one or more screws, glue or the like.
  • the arm 418 may be mechanically coupled to a bottom side 421 of the second container 120 via a pivotal joint.
  • the second reader 415 - 417 may, for example, be placed in the opposite end as the opening 121 of the second container e.g. in the bottom 421 of the second container. Additionally, the second reader 415 - 417 may be mechanically coupled to the end-wall 410 - 412 of each respective compartment comprising a second reader 415 - 417.
  • the second reader 415 - 417 may, for example, be of dimensions height
  • the second reader 201 in each compartment may be connected to a device 1000 of the second container 110 via a wireless and/or wired communication link.
  • the second reader 415 - 417 may be connected to the device 1000 via an IEEE 1394 (FireWire) and/or Universal Serial Bus (USB) communication cable and/or via a Bluetooth communication link.
  • IEEE 1394 FireWire
  • USB Universal Serial Bus
  • each of the one or more compartments 401 - 404 may comprise at least one cylindrical wheel 422 mechanically coupled to a shaft 425 e.g. via glue and/or one or more screws.
  • the cylindrical wheel 422 may be mechanically coupled to a flag 428 e.g. via one or more screws and/or glue.
  • the flag may, for example, comprise a piece of hard plastic or metal such that when the cylindrical wheel 422 rotates then the flag may exert a first force 431 on the arm 418 which in turn may exert a second force 432 on the micro-switch 415 - 417 of the compartment comprising the cylindrical wheel, thereby possibly activating the micro-switch if the second force is of a magnitude sufficiently large to activate the micro-switch.
  • the shaft 425 may be mechanically coupled to the side-walls 433 of the second container 120.
  • the shaft 425 may be mechanically coupled to the side-walls via springy means, e.g. spiral-springs, thereby enabling the shaft 425 and thus the at least one cylindrical wheel 422 to provide a force enabling the flag to be returned to an initial position after a bidding card has been removed.
  • the shaft 425 may be mechanically coupled to the side-walls via means enabling the shaft to springy translate in a direction (horizontal direction in figure 4b) perpendicular to the bidding card plane thereby enabling the shaft and thus the cylindrical wheel to be forced in a direction against the at least one bidding card in e.g. the first compartment 401.
  • one or more of the compartment 401 - 404 may not contain a second reader.
  • the compartment 404 comprising the stop bidding card and the alert bidding card may be unmonitored by a second reader.
  • the bidding cards of the different compartments 401 - 404 may have different form e.g. different width such that, for example, a pass bidding card of the first compartment 401 may not be placed in the second and/or third and/or fourth compartments due to a width of the pass bidding card not being manageable by the second and/or third and/or fourth compartments.
  • the second container 120 may further comprise geometrical means 210.
  • the geometrical means 210 may further ensure that one or more bidding cards of each compartment do not end up on the micro- switch and/or in between the micro-switch and the arm thereby making detection of the one or more bidding cards impossible.
  • the geometrical means 210 may, for example, be positioned above the second reader 415 i.e. closer to the opening 111 than the second reader 415. Further, the geometrical means 210 may be mechanically coupled to a side- wall 433 of the second container 120 e.g. by a glue and/or one or more screws.
  • the geometrical means 210 may, for example, have dimension of height
  • the width GW2 of the geometrical means may, for example, be approximately equal to the width W2 of the second container 120. Alternatively, the width GW2 may be slightly smaller than the width W2 e.g. 0.92 x W.
  • the height GH2 of the geometricai means 210 may, for example, be substantially equal to the vertical distance from the opening of the second container to the top of the second reader 415.
  • the thickness GT2 of the geometrical means 210 may depend on the distance from the opening of the second container 120 to the top of the second reader 415.
  • the thickness GT2 may have any smooth functional relationship with the distance from the opening of the second container 120 to the top of the second reader 415 ensuring that the thickness GT2 approximately at the top of the second reader 415 is approximately equal to the thickness RT2 of the second reader 415.
  • the cylindrical wheel 422 of the compartment 401 containing the first bidding card 407 starts to rotate counterclockwise from an initial position and the flag 428 of the cylindrical wheel 422 presses against the arm 418 of the second reader 415.
  • the second reader 415 may be activated by the force 432 exercised on it by the arm 418 and the second reader 415 may generate a detection signal.
  • the detection signal may be transmitted to and stored in the device 1000 and/or a central server and/or a communication and scoring device via the wireless and/or wired communication link.
  • the spiral spring of mechanically coupling the shaft 425 to the side-walls of the second container 120 exerts a force forcing the cylindrical wheel 422 and the flag 428 in a clockwise rotation to the initial position of the cylindrical wheel 422 and the flag 428.
  • the cylindrical wheel 422 may be translated in the horizontal direction in order to be forced against e.g. a second bidding card of the first compartment 401.
  • Figure 5 shows an embodiment of a method of bidding using the second container 120. If a user of the second container 120, for example, would like to call pass (e.g. using a card from the first compartment 401 ) as a bid during an auction, then the user removes a first pass bidding card from the plurality of pass bidding cards in the second container 120.
  • call pass e.g. using a card from the first compartment 401
  • the user removes a first pass bidding card from the plurality of pass bidding cards in the second container 120.
  • Step 500 may comprise an initialization and/or power-up of the second reader 415 and/or the device 1000 in the second container 120.
  • step 501 the cylindrical wheel 422 starts to rotate when the user starts to remove the first pass bidding card.
  • the flag 428 contacts the arm 418, which in turn activates the second reader 415 (micro-switch).
  • the activation of the second reader 415 indicates a removal of a bidding card from the compartment of the second reader 415.
  • the second reader 415 may transmit information regarding the detected removal of a pass bidding card to the device 1000 and/or to a communication and scoring device and/or to a central server.
  • step 502 the means 202 and the cylindrical wheel 422 presses against a second pass bidding card and/or the end-wall 410 in the first compartment 401 and the flag is returned to the initial position due to the force exerted on the shaft and cylindrical wheel via the spiral spring.
  • the second reader 415 and/or the first device 1000 may determine whether the auction has finished e.g. by receiving a signal from a communication and scoring module and/or from a central server. If the auction has finished, the method ends in step 504. Alternatively, the removal of another bidding card may be detected by the second reader 415 in step 501 and the method may continue from step 501.
  • each of the compartments 410 - 413 and the cylindrical wheel 422 are made e.g. of metal or another electrical conducting material such that if a last bidding card in a compartment is removed, an electrical circuit comprising the cylindrical wheel and the end- wall and the shaft and possible an electrical source, such as a battery, is closed and the second container may generate a signal e.g. via a detector such as a voltmeter, indicating that the respective compartment does not contain any further bidding cards.
  • the generated signal may, for example, be transmitted to the central server and/or the communication and scoring module.
  • Figure 6 shows an embodiment of a system for registering a number of bids during a game of bridge.
  • one or more calls made by each player N, S, E, W, during an auction in a game of bridge, each player using a bidding box 100 comprising a first 110 and a second 120 container for bidding is transmitted via a wireless and/or wired communication link 603 - 606 of each respective bidding box to a central server 601.
  • the central server 601 may be a device according to figure 1b and may store the bids received from bidding boxes 100 of each of the players in a database e.g. in a storage device 1006 and/or in a memory 1002 such as
  • the central server 601 may, for example, index each bid in the database by position (N, S, E, W) and/or by hand (value and denomination of the cards of the player making the respective bid) and/or time of day and/or date and/or player name and/or tournament name, etc. Additionally, once a contract has been made in the game of bridge, each bid may be associated with the contract in which each respective bid was made.
  • the central server 601 may perform analysis on the bids made, for example correlating the hands of the players to their respective bids and analyzing whether a bid made with a given hand was optimal.
  • the bidding boxes 100 may transmit the bids via a communication and scoring module 602.
  • the communication and scoring module 602 may, for example, be a device according to figure 1b.
  • the analysis made by the central server 601 may be transmitted 607 back to the players for display, e.g. via the communication and scoring module 602.
  • the analysis may, for example, be transmitted back to the players during the auction in order to enable the players to analyze their bidding during the auction.
  • one or both of the containers of the bidding box may comprise a battery for powering the respective reader of each container.
  • the transmission of data from the first reader and/or the second reader and/or the bidding box to the communication and scoring module and/or the central server may be encrypted.
  • the transmission of data from the first reader and/or the second reader and/or the bidding box to the communication and scoring module and/or the central server may be unencrypted.
  • the transmission of data from the central server to the communication and scoring module may be encrypted.
  • the transmission of data from the central server to the communication and scoring module may be encrypted.
  • the transmission of data from the communication and scoring module to central server may be encrypted.
  • the transmission of data from the central server to the communication and scoring module may be encrypted.
  • the central server 601 and the bidding boxes may communicate via a wireless and/or wired communication link.
  • the system 600 may be adapted to use wireless communication, e.g. via Bluetooth, between the central server 601 and the bidding boxes 100 if the total number of players is below or equal to e.g. 8 players (for example 2 times 4 players playing at two bridge tables). If the total number of player is above 8 players, the system 600 may be adapted to use wired communication, e.g. via USB cables, between the central server 601 and the bidding boxes 100 in order to reduce cross talk between data transmitted from the respective bidding boxes and the central server 601.
  • wireless communication e.g. via Bluetooth
  • the system 600 may be adapted to use wired communication, e.g. via USB cables, between the central server 601 and the bidding boxes 100 in order to reduce cross talk between data transmitted from the respective bidding boxes and the central server 601.
  • the central server may, for example, comprise a switch, which switch switches between enabling the central server 601 to communicate wirelessly with the bidding boxes 100 if the total number of players connected to the central server 601 is below or equal to 8 and enabling the central server 601 to communicate via wire with the bidding boxes 100 if the total number of players connected to the central server 601 is above 8.
  • a dimension of an approximate value may, for example, mean that the given dimension is within a given interval of the given value e.g. ⁇ 10% of the given value.
  • any of the technical features and/or embodiments described above and/or below may be combined into one embodiment.
  • any of the technical features and/or embodiments described above and/or beiow may be in separate embodiments.
  • any of the technical features and/or embodiments described above and/or below may be combined with any number of other technical features and/or embodiments described above and/or below to yield any number of embodiments.

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for determining at least one bid in a game comprising an auction, the device comprising a first container (110) and a first detector (201) for reading a marker (212), wherein the first container comprises a first plurality of bidding cards and an opening; each bidding card in the first plurality of bidding cards (213) comprises a first side comprising a symbol of cali identifying said bidding card (213) and a second side opposite to said first side comprising a marker identifying said symbol of call; and wherein each symbol of call is contained in a first part of the respective bidding cards and the marker is contained in a second part of the respective bidding cards, and wherein the first container is adapted to contain the second part of each of said first plurality of bidding cards and wherein the first part of each of said first plurality of bidding cards is adapted to extend outside said first container opening (111), the first container further comprises the first detector (201) for reading a marker (212) and the first detector is positioned such as to face the second side of a bidding card in the first plurality of bidding cards adjacent to the first detector (201) to thereby enable the first detector to determine the marker identifying the symbol of call of the bidding card adjacent to the first detector (201).

Description

A device and a system and a method of determining at least one bid in a game comprising an auction
Field of the invention This invention relates to a device for determining at feast one bid in a game comprising an auction. The invention further relates to a corresponding system and method.
Background of the invention Bridge is one of the world's most popular card playing games and an estimated 70 million people regularly play bridge around the world. Bridge is a 4-person game comprising a complex bidding cycle called an auction with a plurality of bidding conventions. Bridge is also a conservative game comprising a number of written and unwritten conventions regarding the execution of a game of bridge.
A convention is, for example, not to speak during a game of bridge and therefore all bids in an auction are performed using bidding cards, Each player; normally identified as North (N), South (S), East (E) and West (W) depending on the player's position around a bridge table; has a bidding box comprising a set of bidding cards.
A set of bidding cards may contain 35 bidding cards with symbols of calls; 5 denominations - clubs (*), diamonds (♦), hearts (Y), spades (*), and notrump (NT) - in seven levels of bidding, numbered 1-7. The 35 bidding cards may be made such that the symbols form tabs and any desired bid may thus be easily reached.
Additionally, the set of bidding cards may contain a number of Pass cards (usually 6-10 cards, commonly colored green), a number of Double cards
(red, usually marked X); a number of Redouble cards (blue, XX), an Alert card or tab card (light or dark blue), a Stop card (red), and, optionally, a Tournament Director card (orange).
In order to improve as a bridge player, it is important to be able to, among other things, evaluate an auction played, In order to evaluate an auction, it is necessary to register the bids made during an auction.
GB 2 169 518 discloses an electrically operated bidding apparatus of use in a game of bridge.
US 4,030,764 discloses a bridge bidding indicator.
EP 0745411 discloses a device for controlling, presenting and registering the bidding in a game of bridge.
Due to the conservatism of the bridge game, it would, however, be advantageous to be able to register bids performed using bidding cards.
Summary of the invention It is an object of the present invention to, among other things, enable registration of bids during an auction using bidding cards.
The object of the invention is achieved by a device for determining at feast one bid in a game comprising an auction, the device comprising a first container and a first detector for reading a marker, wherein the first container comprises a first plurality of bidding cards and an opening; each bidding card in the first plurality of bidding cards comprises a first side comprising a symbol of call identifying said bidding card and a second side opposite to said first side comprising a marker identifying said symbol of call; and wherein each symbol of call is contained in a first part of the respective bidding cards and the marker is contained in a second part of the respective bidding cards, and wherein the first container is adapted to contain the second part of each of said first plurality of bidding cards and wherein the first part of each of said first plurality of bidding cards is adapted to extend outside said first container opening, the first container further comprises the first detector for reading a marker and the first detector is positioned such as to face the second side of a bidding card in the first plurality of bidding cards adjacent to the first detector to thereby enable the first detector to determine the marker identifying the symbol of call of the bidding card adjacent to the first detector.
Thereby is achieved that bidding cards may be used to make a call in a game comprising an auction. Based on the marker, the symbol of call may be detected by the detector. Further, it is achieved that a plurality of different bidding cards may be distinguished from each other thereby enabling determination of a plurality of different bids made using the first plurality of bidding cards.
In an embodiment, the device further comprises means for forcing the first plurality of bidding cards towards the first detector 201.
Thereby is achieved that the bidding card adjacent to the first detector may be detected by the first detector.
In an embodiment, the device further comprises geometrical means ensuring that the first plurality of bidding cards are guided in front of said first detector.
Thereby is achieved that the first plurality of bidding cards are placed correctly during insertion into the first container and thereby it is ensured that the first plurality of bidding cards may be detected by the first detector.
!n an embodiment, the device further comprises a second container and wherein the second container comprises a second plurality of bidding cards and a second detector and rotating means comprising a flag and wherein the second plurality of bidding cards are adapted to cause said rotating means to rotate during movement of a bidding card adjacent to said rotating means such that the flag of the rotating means may activate said second detector during removal of said bidding card adjacent to said rotating means.
Thereby is achieved that a plurality of bids using a plurality of identical bidding cards may be detected from each other thereby enabling determination of a plurality of bids made using the second plurality of bidding cards.
In an embodiment, the device further comprises an arm mechanically coupled to said second detector such that the flag activates the second detector via said arm.
Thereby is achieved that the precision of the positioning of the flag may be reduced.
In an embodiment, the device further comprises geometrical means ensuring that the second plurality of bidding cards are guided in front of said rotating means.
Thereby is achieved to increase the probability of detecting removal of a card inserted into the second container.
In an embodiment, the device further comprises a wireless and/or wired communication link and wherein the device is further adapted to transmit a card called from the first and/or second container via said wireless and/or wired communication link. Thereby it is achieved that the device may transmit a call made from the bidding box to a geographical position possibly remote from the bidding box.
In an embodiment, the game comprises contract bridge and the first detector is an optical detector and the second container further comprises a plurality of compartments, each compartment comprising a part of the second plurality of bidding cards.
Thereby is achieved that the second container may comprise a plurality of a plurality of identical bidding cards.
Embodiments of the present invention also relates to a system corresponding to embodiments of the device.
As mentioned, the invention also relates to a system for registering at least one bid in a game comprising an auction, the system comprising a device according to an embodiment of the device and a communication and scoring module and/or a centra! server, and wherein the system is adapted to transmit a card called from the bidding box according to an embodiment of the device to the communication and scoring module and/or the central server via said wireless and/or wired communication link and wherein the communication and scoring module and/or central server is adapted to store said transmitted call.
The system and embodiments thereof correspond to the device and embodiments thereof and have the same advantages for the same reasons.
Embodiments of the present invention also relates to a method corresponding to embodiments of the device.
As mentioned, the invention also relates to a method of determining at least one bid in a game comprising an auction via a device comprising a first container and a first detector for reading a marker, wherein the first container comprises a first plurality of bidding cards and an opening; each bidding card in the first plurality of bidding cards comprises a first side comprising a symbol of call identifying said bidding card and a second side opposite to said first side comprising a marker identifying said symbol of call; and wherein each symbol of call is contained in a first part of the respective bidding cards and the marker is contained in a second part of the respective bidding cards, and wherein the first container is adapted to contain the second part of each of said first plurality of bidding cards and wherein the first part of each of said first plurality of bidding cards is adapted to extend outside said first container opening, the first container further comprises the first detector for reading a marker and wherein the method comprises positioning the first detector such as to face the second side of a bidding card in the first plurality of bidding cards adjacent to the first detector and determining the marker identifying the symbol of call of the bidding card adjacent to the first detector.
The method and embodiments thereof correspond to the device and embodiments thereof and have the same advantages for the same reasons.
Brief description of the drawings
Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a bidding box 100.
Figure 2a and figure 2b show an embodiment of the first container 110 in perspective and side view, respectively.
Figure 3 shows an embodiment of a method of bidding using the first container 110. Figure 4a and figure 4b show an embodiment of the second container 120 in perspective and side view, respectively.
Figure 5 shows an embodiment of a method of bidding using the second container 120.
Figure 6 shows an embodiment of registering a number of bids during a game of bridge.
Detailed description of the drawings
Figure 1a shows an embodiment of a bidding box 100. The bidding box 100 may comprise a first container 110 and a second container 120. The first container 110 comprises a first 111 opening and the second container comprises a second 121 opening.
The first and the second container may be connected via a sliding mechanism such that the first and the second containers may be closed forming a single container joined via the opening-faces of the first and the second containers.
Alternatively, the first and the second container may be being mechanically coupled to each other, e.g. by a glue and/or one or more screws, as indicated in figure 1a. For example, a distal side 127, or part of it, of the second container 120 may be mechanically coupled to a proximal side 117, or part of it, of the first container 110.
The first container 110 further comprises a first plurality of bidding cards 112, each bidding card in the first plurality of bidding cards 112 comprising a symbol of call and a marker identifying said symbol of call. For example, the first container may contain 35 bidding cards comprising symbols of calls from 1 club (1 kl) to 7 no trump (7NT) i.e. representing possible calls in a game of bridge and the 35 bidding cards may be positioned as indicated in figure 1 a.
Each of the bidding cards in the first plurality of bidding cards 112 may comprise a first side 113, e.g. a front side of the bidding cards. Additionally, each of the bidding cards in the first plurality of bidding cards 112 may comprise a second sidei 14 opposite said first side 113, e.g. a back side.
Further additionally, each of the biddings cards in the first plurality of bidding cards 112 may comprise a first part 115, e.g. an upper part extending outside the opening of the first container 110. The first part 115 of the first side 113 of each of the bidding cards in the first plurality of bidding cards 112 may contain the symbol of call of the respective bidding card.
Additionally, each of the bidding cards in the first plurality of bidding cards 112 may comprise a second part 116, e.g. a lower part contained in the first container 110. The second part 116 of the second side 114 of each of the bidding cards in the first plurality of bidding cards 112 may comprise the marker identifying the symbol of call value of the respective bidding card.
The marker may, for example, be a bar code and/or Braille and/or a RFID chip and/or any other type of marker enabling a mechanical and/or electromagnetic and/or any other type of determination of the marker identifying the symbol of bid of the bidding card containing the respective marker.
The bidding cards in the first plurality of bidding cards may have dimensions width approximately BW1 = 64mm and height approximately BH1 = 60- 115mm and thickness approximately BT1 = 0.1 mm. The bidding cards in the first plurality of bidding cards may, for example, be made of cardboard or molded plastic. The second container 120 further comprises a second plurality of bidding cards 122, each bidding card in the second plurality of bidding cards 122 comprising a symbol of call. For example, the second container may contain a number of cards comprising symbols of calls such as for example a number of Pass cards (e.g. 6-10 cards), a number of Double cards (e.g. marked X); a number of Redouble cards (e.g. marked XX), an Alert card or tab (light or dark blue), a Stop card (red), and, optionally, a Tournament Director card (orange) i.e. representing possible calls in a game of bridge.
Each of the bidding cards in the second plurality of bidding cards 122 may comprise a first side 123, e.g. a front side of the bidding cards. Additionally, each of the bidding cards in the second plurality of bidding cards 122 may comprise a second side124 opposite said first side 123, e.g. a back side.
Further additionally, each of the biddings cards in the second plurality of bidding cards 122 may comprise a first part 125, e.g. an upper part extending outside the opening of the second container 120. The first part 125 of the first side 123 of each of the bidding cards in the second plurality of bidding cards 122 may contain the symbol of call of the respective bidding card.
Additionally, each of the bidding cards in the second plurality of bidding cards 122 may comprise a second part 126, e.g. a lower part contained in the second container 110.
The bidding cards in the second plurality of bidding cards may have dimensions width approximately BW2 = 70mm and height approximately BH2 = 80-100mm and thickness approximately BT2 = 0.1mm. The bidding cards in the second plurality of bidding cards may, for example, be made of cardboard or molded plastic. The first and/or second container may comprise a device 1000 as shown in figure 1 b. Alternatively, the bidding box 100 may contain a device 1000 and the first 110 and the second 120 containers may be electrically connected to said device 1000. Alternatively, the bidding box 100 may comprise communication means, such as for example an antenna and/or an electric cable, and the bidding box 100 may be connected to a communication and scoring device via a wireless and/or a wired communication fink, e.g. via the electric cable and/or Bluetooth, and the communication and scoring device may comprise a device 1000 according to figure 1 b.
The device 1000, comprises one or more micro-processors 1001 connected with a main memory 1002 and optionally e.g. a storage device 1006 via an internal data/address bus 1004 or the like. Additionally, the device 1000 may optionally also be connected to or comprise a display 1007. Further, the device 1000 comprises communication means 1003 for communication with one or more remote systems via one or more wireless and/or wired communication links 1008 such as, for example, a Bluetooth communication link, a WLAN communication link, an Infrared communication link, a fiber- optical communication link or the like. The memory 1002 and/or storage device 1006 are used to store and retrieve the relevant data together with executable computer code for providing the functionality according to the invention. The micro-processor(s) 1001 is responsible for generating, handling, processing, calculating, etc. the relevant parameters according to the present invention.
The storage device 1006 may comprise one or more storage devices capable of reading and possibly writing blocks of data, e.g. a DVD, CD, optical disc, PVR, etc. player/recorder and/or a hard disk (IDE, ATA, etc), floppy disk, smart card, PC card, USB storage device, etc. The device 1000 may optionally comprise a user interface input/output unit 1005 through which a user may interact with the device 1000.
Figure 2a and figure 2b show an embodiment of the first container 110 in perspective and side view, respectively.
The first container 110 may, for example, have internal dimensions width W1 , thickness T1 and height H1. The first container 110 comprises an opening 111 of dimensions W1 x T1.
The first container 110 may, for example, be made in aluminum or molded plastic. The internal dimensions of the first container may, for example, be approximately W1 = 80mm and approximately T1 = 24mm and approximately H1 = 62mm. The thickness of the first container's wall may, for example, be approximately 1 — 2mm.
Additionally, the first container 110 may comprise a first reader 201. The first reader 201 may, for example, be an optical reader such as a bar code reader comprising a light source and a light detector. Alternatively or additionally, the first reader 201 may comprise means for generating and detecting a magnetic field in order to read a passive RFID chip.
The first reader 201 may, for example, be placed in the opposite end as the opening 111 of the first container. Alternatively, the first reader may be placed approximately midway between the opening 111 and a bottom 203 of the first container e.g. approximately H1/2 below the opening 111 in the vertical direction of the first container. Alternatively, the first reader 201 may be placed anywhere in the first container 110 enabling the first reader 201 to read the marker of the second side 114 of a bidding card in the plurality of bidding cards 112. The first reader may comprise a detection direction 211 in which detection direction 211 the first reader 201 may be able to detect and identify a marker 212 on the bidding card 213 adjacent to the first reader 201 ,
The first reader 201 may, for example, be of dimensions height RH1 and width RW1 and thickness RT1. In an embodiment, RH1 < H1 and RW1 < W1 and RT1 < T1. For example, the dimensions of the first reader 201 may be approximately RW1 = 60mm and approximately RT1 = 8mm and approximately RH1 = 18mm.
Further, the first reader 201 may be connected to a device 1000 of the first container 110 via a wireless and/or wired communication link. For example, the first reader 201 may be connected to the device 1000 via an IEEE 1394 (FireWire) and/or Universal Serial Bus (USB) communication cable and/or via a Bluetooth communication link.
Additionally, the first container 110 may comprise means 202 for pressing at least one bidding card 207, 213 towards a second end-wall 205 of the first container 110, said second end-wall 205 possibly being mechanically coupled to said first reader 201 , e.g. by a glue and/or one or more screws. Thereby is achieved that a force is exerted on at least one bidding card 207 forcing the at least one bidding card 207, 213 towards said first reader 201.
The means 202 may, for example, comprise a rectangular plate 202 of thickness PT1 and a width PW1 and a height PH1. In an embodiment, PT1 < T1 and PW1 < W1 and PH1 < H1. For example, the dimensions of the means 202 may be approximately PW1 = 65mm and approximately PT1 = 2mm and approximately PH1 = 20mm.
The rectangular plate 202 may, for example, be mechanically coupled to a first end-wall 206 via e.g. a hinge or a pivotal joint and the rectangular plate
202 may further be subjected to a spring-force from a spring 204 placed between the rectangular plate 202 and the first end-wad 206 of the first container 110 such as to press the rectangular piate 202 in a direction 208 substantially towards the second end-wall 205 opposite to the first end-wall 205 to thereby force the at least one bidding card 207, 213 in a direction 209 substantially towards said first reader 201.
Additionally, the first container 110 may further comprise geometrical means 210. The geometrical means may, for example, ensure that the bidding cards 207, 213 of the first plurality of bidding cards are guided in place in front of the first reader 201. Thereby, the geometrical means may further ensure that one or more bidding cards of the first plurality of bidding cards do not end up on the top 230 of the first reader 201 thereby making detection of the one or more bidding cards impossible along the detection direction 211 of the first reader 201.
The geometrical means 210 may, for example, be positioned above the first reader 201 i.e. closer to the opening 111 than the first reader 201. Further, the geometrical means 210 may be mechanically coupled to the second end- wall 205 of the first container 201 e.g. by a glue and/or one or more screws.
The geometrical means 210 may, for example, have dimension of height GH1 and width GW1 and thickness GT1. The width GW1 of the geometrical means may, for example, be approximately equal to the width W1 of the first container 110. Alternatively, the width GW1 may be slightly smaller than the width W1 e.g. 0.92 x W1.
The height GH1 of the geometrical means 210 may, for example, be substantially equal to the vertical distance from the opening 111 of the first container to the top of the first reader 201. The thickness GT1 of the geometrical means 210 may depend on the distance from the opening 111 of the first container 110 to the top 230 of the reader 201. For example, the thickness GT1 may be a linearly increasing as function of the distance from the opening 111 of the first container 110 e.g. GT1 = RT1/D1 x d, where RT1/D1 is a constant determining the slope of the thickness GT1 , d is the actual vertical distance from the opening 111 , RT1 is the thickness of the first reader 201 and D1 is the vertical distance from the opening 111 to the top 230 of the first reader 201. Thus, when d = D1 then GT1 = RT1.
In general, the thickness GT1 may have any smooth functional relationship with the distance from the opening 111 to the top 230 of the first reader 201 ensuring that the thickness GT1 approximately at the top 230 of the first reader 201 is approximately equal to the thickness RT1 of the first reader 201.
For example, the dimensions of the geometrical means 210 of the first container may be approximately GW1 = 68mm and approximately GH1 = 36mm. The thickness of the geometrical means may, for example, be approximately GT1 = 10mm above the top of the first reader 201 and approximately 0.1 mm at the opening 111.
In an embodiment, the first plurality of bidding cards 112 may each comprise a marker 212 on the first side 113 and on the second side 114 of the second part 116 of the respective bidding cards and a symbol of call 214 on the first side 113 and on the second side 114 of the first part 115. Thereby, the bidding cards may be placed with either one of the first 113 and the second side 114 facing the first reader 201.
Figure 3 shows an embodiment of a method of bidding using the first container 110. If a user of the first container 110, for example, would like to cail 2 diamonds (2ru in figure 1 a) as a bid during an auction, then the user removes the bidding cards up to and including 2 diamonds i.e. 1 clubs, 1 diamonds, 1 hearts, 1 , spades, 1 no trump, 2 clubs and 2 diamonds.
The method starts in step 300. Step 300 may comprise an initialization and/or power-up of the first reader 201 and/or the device 1000 in the first container 110.
In . step 301 , the first reader 201 detects a marker of a bidding card 213 adjacent to the first reader 201. The first reader 201 may transmit information regarding the detected marker to the device 1000.
In step 302, the first reader and/or the device 1000 determines, based on the detected marker, the symbol of call of the bidding card 213 adjacent to the first reader 201.
If the bidding card 213 adjacent to the first reader 201 is determined to comprise the 1 clubs (1 kl in figure 1 ) symbol of call, the first reader 201 and/or the device 1000 may determine that no bid has been made and thus the method may return to step 301.
Alternatively, if the bidding card adjacent to the first reader does not comprise the 1 clubs symbol of call, the first reader 201 and/or the device 1000 may determine that a bid has been made and the method may proceed to step 303.
In step 303, a call may be determined from the determined symbol of call of the bidding card, determined by the marker, adjacent to the first reader 201. If the first reader 201 and/or the device 1000 determined that the symbol of call of the bidding card adjacent to the first reader 201 was, for example, 2 hearts, then the first reader and/or the device may determine that the call was 2 diamonds i.e. the highest symbol of call of the removed cards by the user. The first reader 201 and/or the device 1000 may transmit the determined call to e.g. a communication and scoring module and/or a central server. Alternatively or additionally, the determined call may be stored in the first reader 201 and/or the device 1000.
In step 304, the first reader 201 and/or the first device 1000 may determine whether the auction has finished e.g. by receiving a signal from the communication and scoring module and/or from the central server. If the auction has finished, the method ends in step 305. Alternatively, a marker of another bidding card may be detected by the first reader 201 in step 301 and the method may continue from step 301.
Figure 4a and figure 4b show an embodiment of the second container 120 in perspective and side view, respectively.
The second container 120 may, for example, have internal dimensions width W2, thickness T2 and height H2. The second container 120 comprises an opening 121 of dimensions equal to W2 x T2 or substantially equal to W2 x T2 e.g. (W2 x 0.95) x (T2 x 0.95).
For example, the dimensions of the second container may, for example, be approximately W2 = 80mm and approximately T2 = 33mm and approximately H2 = 70mm.
The second container 120 further comprises one or more compartments 401 - 404 e.g. one compartment 401 - 404 for each type of bidding card contained in the second container 120 and each compartment 401 - 404 comprising one or more bidding cards. The thickness of a compartment may be approximately CT = 15mm. Additionally, the width and height of the one or more compartments 401 - 404 may be similar to the width W2 and height H2 of the second container 120.
For example, the second container 120 may comprise a first compartment 401 containing one or more pass bidding cards and a second compartment
402 containing one or more double bidding cards and a third compartment
403 comprising one or more redouble bidding cards and a fourth compartment 404 containing a stop bidding card and an alert bidding card.
For example, the first compartment 401 may comprise 6 - 10 pass bidding cards 405; the second compartment 402 may comprise 2 - 4 double bidding cards 406; the third compartment 403 may comprise 2 - 4 redouble bidding cards 407; and the fourth compartment 404 may comprise a stop bidding card 408 and an alert bidding card 409.
Each type of bidding card may comprise a tab enabling a visual and/or tactile identification of each type of bidding card.
Each of the one or more compartments 401 - 404 may comprise a second end-wall 410 - 413. The second end-walls 410 - 413 may have a form corresponding to or substantially corresponding to the form of the bidding cards contained in the respective compartments 401 - 404 i.e. the bidding cards of the first compartment 401 have the same form as end-wall 410 etc.
Each of the one or more compartments 401 - 403 may comprise means 202 for pressing the one or more bidding cards 405 - 407 of the respective compartments towards the second end-wall 410 - 412 of each of the respective compartments of the second container 120.
The means 202 may, for example, comprise a rectangular plate 202 of thickness PT2 and a width PW2 and a height PH2. In an embodiment, PT2 < T2 and PW2 < W2 and PH2 < H2. For example, the dimensions of the means 202 may be approximately PW2 = 65mm and approximately PT2 = 2mm and approximately PH2 = 20mm.
The rectangular plate 202 of compartment 401 may, for example, be mechanically coupled to a first end-wal! 414 via e.g. a hinge or a pivotal joint and the rectangular plate 202 may further be subjected to a spring-force from a spring 204 placed between the rectangular plate 202 and the first end-wall 414 of the second container 120 such as to press the rectangular pfate 202 in a direction 208 substantially towards the second end-wail 410 of the first compartment 401 opposite to the first end-wall 414 to thereby force the at least one bidding card 405 in a direction 209 substantially towards said second end-wall 410. Similarly, for example, the same applies to compartments 402 and 403.
Each of the one or more compartments 401 - 404 may further comprise a second reader 415 - 417 e.g. a micro-switch or the like. Each micro-switch 415 - 417 may be mechanically coupled to an arm 418 e.g. via one or more screws, glue or the like. In an embodiment, the arm 418 may be mechanically coupled to a bottom side 421 of the second container 120 via a pivotal joint.
The second reader 415 - 417 may, for example, be placed in the opposite end as the opening 121 of the second container e.g. in the bottom 421 of the second container. Additionally, the second reader 415 - 417 may be mechanically coupled to the end-wall 410 - 412 of each respective compartment comprising a second reader 415 - 417.
The second reader 415 - 417 may, for example, be of dimensions height
RH2 and width RW2 and thickness RT2. In an embodiment, RH2 < H2 and RW2 < W2 and RT2 < T2. For example, the dimensions of the second reader 415 - 417 may be approximately RW2 = 8mm and approximately RT2 = 8mm and approximately RH2 = 18mm.
Further, the second reader 201 in each compartment may be connected to a device 1000 of the second container 110 via a wireless and/or wired communication link. For example, the second reader 415 - 417 may be connected to the device 1000 via an IEEE 1394 (FireWire) and/or Universal Serial Bus (USB) communication cable and/or via a Bluetooth communication link.
Further, each of the one or more compartments 401 - 404 may comprise at least one cylindrical wheel 422 mechanically coupled to a shaft 425 e.g. via glue and/or one or more screws. The cylindrical wheel 422 may be mechanically coupled to a flag 428 e.g. via one or more screws and/or glue. The flag may, for example, comprise a piece of hard plastic or metal such that when the cylindrical wheel 422 rotates then the flag may exert a first force 431 on the arm 418 which in turn may exert a second force 432 on the micro-switch 415 - 417 of the compartment comprising the cylindrical wheel, thereby possibly activating the micro-switch if the second force is of a magnitude sufficiently large to activate the micro-switch.
The shaft 425 may be mechanically coupled to the side-walls 433 of the second container 120. For example, the shaft 425 may be mechanically coupled to the side-walls via springy means, e.g. spiral-springs, thereby enabling the shaft 425 and thus the at least one cylindrical wheel 422 to provide a force enabling the flag to be returned to an initial position after a bidding card has been removed.
Additionally, the shaft 425 may be mechanically coupled to the side-walls via means enabling the shaft to springy translate in a direction (horizontal direction in figure 4b) perpendicular to the bidding card plane thereby enabling the shaft and thus the cylindrical wheel to be forced in a direction against the at least one bidding card in e.g. the first compartment 401.
In an embodiment, one or more of the compartment 401 - 404 may not contain a second reader. For example, the compartment 404 comprising the stop bidding card and the alert bidding card may be unmonitored by a second reader.
In an embodiment, the bidding cards of the different compartments 401 - 404 may have different form e.g. different width such that, for example, a pass bidding card of the first compartment 401 may not be placed in the second and/or third and/or fourth compartments due to a width of the pass bidding card not being manageable by the second and/or third and/or fourth compartments.
In an embodiment, the second container 120 may further comprise geometrical means 210. The geometrical means 210 may further ensure that one or more bidding cards of each compartment do not end up on the micro- switch and/or in between the micro-switch and the arm thereby making detection of the one or more bidding cards impossible.
The geometrical means 210 may, for example, be positioned above the second reader 415 i.e. closer to the opening 111 than the second reader 415. Further, the geometrical means 210 may be mechanically coupled to a side- wall 433 of the second container 120 e.g. by a glue and/or one or more screws.
The geometrical means 210 may, for example, have dimension of height
GH2 and width GW2 and thickness GT2. The width GW2 of the geometrical means may, for example, be approximately equal to the width W2 of the second container 120. Alternatively, the width GW2 may be slightly smaller than the width W2 e.g. 0.92 x W.
The height GH2 of the geometricai means 210 may, for example, be substantially equal to the vertical distance from the opening of the second container to the top of the second reader 415.
The thickness GT2 of the geometrical means 210 may depend on the distance from the opening of the second container 120 to the top of the second reader 415. For example, the thickness GT2 may be a linearly increasing as function of the distance from the opening of the second container 120 e.g. GT2 = RT2/D2 x d, where RT2/D2 is a constant determining the slope of the thickness GT2, d is the actual vertical distance from the opening, RT2 is the thickness of the second reader 415 and D2 is the vertical distance from the opening to the top of the second reader 415. Thus, when d = D2 then GT2 = RT2.
In general, the thickness GT2 may have any smooth functional relationship with the distance from the opening of the second container 120 to the top of the second reader 415 ensuring that the thickness GT2 approximately at the top of the second reader 415 is approximately equal to the thickness RT2 of the second reader 415.
For example, the dimensions of the geometrical means 210 of the second container may be approximately GW2 = 74mm and approximately GH2 = 42mm. The thickness of the geometrical means may, for example, be approximately GT2 = 8mm above the top of the second reader 201 and approximately 0.1 mm at the opening 121.
When a first bidding card 405 is removed from the first compartment 401 of the second container 120, the cylindrical wheel 422 of the compartment 401 containing the first bidding card 407 starts to rotate counterclockwise from an initial position and the flag 428 of the cylindrical wheel 422 presses against the arm 418 of the second reader 415. The second reader 415 may be activated by the force 432 exercised on it by the arm 418 and the second reader 415 may generate a detection signal. The detection signal may be transmitted to and stored in the device 1000 and/or a central server and/or a communication and scoring device via the wireless and/or wired communication link. When the bidding card 405 has been removed, the spiral spring of mechanically coupling the shaft 425 to the side-walls of the second container 120 exerts a force forcing the cylindrical wheel 422 and the flag 428 in a clockwise rotation to the initial position of the cylindrical wheel 422 and the flag 428. Additionally, the cylindrical wheel 422 may be translated in the horizontal direction in order to be forced against e.g. a second bidding card of the first compartment 401.
Figure 5 shows an embodiment of a method of bidding using the second container 120. If a user of the second container 120, for example, would like to call pass (e.g. using a card from the first compartment 401 ) as a bid during an auction, then the user removes a first pass bidding card from the plurality of pass bidding cards in the second container 120.
The method starts in step 500. Step 500 may comprise an initialization and/or power-up of the second reader 415 and/or the device 1000 in the second container 120.
In step 501 , the cylindrical wheel 422 starts to rotate when the user starts to remove the first pass bidding card. During the removal of the first pass bidding card, the flag 428 contacts the arm 418, which in turn activates the second reader 415 (micro-switch). The activation of the second reader 415 indicates a removal of a bidding card from the compartment of the second reader 415. The second reader 415 may transmit information regarding the detected removal of a pass bidding card to the device 1000 and/or to a communication and scoring device and/or to a central server.
In step 502, the means 202 and the cylindrical wheel 422 presses against a second pass bidding card and/or the end-wall 410 in the first compartment 401 and the flag is returned to the initial position due to the force exerted on the shaft and cylindrical wheel via the spiral spring.
In step 503, the second reader 415 and/or the first device 1000 may determine whether the auction has finished e.g. by receiving a signal from a communication and scoring module and/or from a central server. If the auction has finished, the method ends in step 504. Alternatively, the removal of another bidding card may be detected by the second reader 415 in step 501 and the method may continue from step 501.
In an embodiment, the end-wall of each of the compartments 410 - 413 and the cylindrical wheel 422 are made e.g. of metal or another electrical conducting material such that if a last bidding card in a compartment is removed, an electrical circuit comprising the cylindrical wheel and the end- wall and the shaft and possible an electrical source, such as a battery, is closed and the second container may generate a signal e.g. via a detector such as a voltmeter, indicating that the respective compartment does not contain any further bidding cards. The generated signal may, for example, be transmitted to the central server and/or the communication and scoring module.
Figure 6 shows an embodiment of a system for registering a number of bids during a game of bridge. In the embodiment, one or more calls made by each player N, S, E, W, during an auction in a game of bridge, each player using a bidding box 100 comprising a first 110 and a second 120 container for bidding, is transmitted via a wireless and/or wired communication link 603 - 606 of each respective bidding box to a central server 601.
The central server 601 may be a device according to figure 1b and may store the bids received from bidding boxes 100 of each of the players in a database e.g. in a storage device 1006 and/or in a memory 1002 such as
RAM. The central server 601 may, for example, index each bid in the database by position (N, S, E, W) and/or by hand (value and denomination of the cards of the player making the respective bid) and/or time of day and/or date and/or player name and/or tournament name, etc. Additionally, once a contract has been made in the game of bridge, each bid may be associated with the contract in which each respective bid was made.
The central server 601 may perform analysis on the bids made, for example correlating the hands of the players to their respective bids and analyzing whether a bid made with a given hand was optimal.
In an embodiment, the bidding boxes 100 may transmit the bids via a communication and scoring module 602. The communication and scoring module 602 may, for example, be a device according to figure 1b.
The analysis made by the central server 601 may be transmitted 607 back to the players for display, e.g. via the communication and scoring module 602. The analysis may, for example, be transmitted back to the players during the auction in order to enable the players to analyze their bidding during the auction.
In an embodiment, one or both of the containers of the bidding box may comprise a battery for powering the respective reader of each container. In an embodiment, the transmission of data from the first reader and/or the second reader and/or the bidding box to the communication and scoring module and/or the central server may be encrypted. Alternatively, the transmission of data from the first reader and/or the second reader and/or the bidding box to the communication and scoring module and/or the central server may be unencrypted.
In an embodiment, the transmission of data from the central server to the communication and scoring module may be encrypted. Alternatively, the transmission of data from the central server to the communication and scoring module may be encrypted.
In an embodiment, the transmission of data from the communication and scoring module to central server may be encrypted. Alternatively, the transmission of data from the central server to the communication and scoring module may be encrypted.
In an embodiment, the central server 601 and the bidding boxes may communicate via a wireless and/or wired communication link.
In an embodiment, the system 600 may be adapted to use wireless communication, e.g. via Bluetooth, between the central server 601 and the bidding boxes 100 if the total number of players is below or equal to e.g. 8 players (for example 2 times 4 players playing at two bridge tables). If the total number of player is above 8 players, the system 600 may be adapted to use wired communication, e.g. via USB cables, between the central server 601 and the bidding boxes 100 in order to reduce cross talk between data transmitted from the respective bidding boxes and the central server 601. The central server may, for example, comprise a switch, which switch switches between enabling the central server 601 to communicate wirelessly with the bidding boxes 100 if the total number of players connected to the central server 601 is below or equal to 8 and enabling the central server 601 to communicate via wire with the bidding boxes 100 if the total number of players connected to the central server 601 is above 8.
In the above, a dimension of an approximate value may, for example, mean that the given dimension is within a given interval of the given value e.g. ±10% of the given value.
In general, any of the technical features and/or embodiments described above and/or below may be combined into one embodiment. Alternatively or additionally any of the technical features and/or embodiments described above and/or beiow may be in separate embodiments. Alternatively or additionally any of the technical features and/or embodiments described above and/or below may be combined with any number of other technical features and/or embodiments described above and/or below to yield any number of embodiments.
Although some embodiments have been described and shown in detail, the invention is not restricted to them, but may also be embodied in other ways within the scope of the subject matter defined in the following claims. In particular, it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
In device claims enumerating several means, several of these means can be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims or described in different embodiments does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. it should be emphasized that the term "comprises/comprising" when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

Claims

Claims
1. A device for determining at least one bid in a game comprising an auction, the device comprising a first container and a first detector for reading a marker, wherein the first container comprises a first plurality of bidding cards and an opening; each bidding card in the first plurality of bidding cards comprises a first side comprising a symbol of call identifying said bidding card and a second side opposite to said first side comprising a marker identifying said symbol of call; and wherein each symbol of call is contained in a first part of the respective bidding cards and the marker is contained in a second part of the respective bidding cards, and wherein the first container is adapted to contain the second part of each of said first plurality of bidding cards and wherein the first part of each of said first plurality of bidding cards is adapted to extend outside said first container opening, the first container further comprises the first detector for reading a marker and the first detector is positioned such as to face the second side of a bidding card in the first plurality of bidding cards adjacent to the first detector to thereby enable the first detector to determine the marker identifying the symbol of call of the bidding card adjacent to the first detector.
2. A device according to claim 1 , wherein the device further comprises means 202 for forcing the first plurality of bidding cards towards the first detector 201.
3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the device further comprises geometrical means 210 ensuring that the first plurality of bidding cards are guided in front of said first detector 201.
4. A device according to anyone of claims 1 to 3, wherein the device further comprises a second container and wherein the second container comprises a second plurality of bidding cards and a second detector and rotating means comprising a flag and wherein the second plurality of bidding cards are adapted to cause said rotating means to rotate during movement of a bidding card adjacent to said rotating means such that the ffag of the rotating means may activate said second detector during removal of said bidding card adjacent to said rotating means to thereby enable the second detector to determine the removal of a bidding card from the second plurality of bidding cards.
5. A device according to claim 4, wherein the device further comprises an arm mechanically coupled to said second detector such that the flag activates the second detector via said arm.
6. A device according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the device further comprises geometrical means 210 ensuring that the second plurality of bidding cards are guided in front of said rotating means.
7. A device according to anyone of claims 1 to 6, wherein the device further comprises a wireless and/or wired communication link and wherein the device is further adapted to transmit a card called from the first and/or second container via said wireless and/or wired communication link.
8- A device according to anyone of claims 1 to 7, wherein the game comprises contract bridge and the first detector is an optical detector and the second container further comprises a plurality of compartments, each compartment comprising a part of the second plurality of bidding cards.
9. A system for registering at least one bid in a game comprising an auction, the system comprising a device according to anyone of claims
1 to 8 and a communication and scoring module and/or a central server, and wherein the system is adapted to transmit a card called from the bidding box according to anyone of claims 1 to 8 to the communication and scoring module and/or the central server via said wireless and/or wired communication link and wherein the communication and scoring module and/or central server is adapted to store said transmitted call.
10. A method of determining at least one bid in a game comprising an auction via a device comprising a first container and a first detector for reading a marker, wherein the first container comprises a first plurality of bidding cards and an opening; each bidding card in the first plurality of bidding cards comprises a first side comprising a symbol of call identifying said bidding card and a second side opposite to said first side comprising a marker identifying said symbol of call; and wherein each symbol of call is contained in a first part of the respective bidding cards and the marker is contained in a second part of the respective bidding cards, and wherein the first container is adapted to contain the second part of each of said first plurality of bidding cards and wherein the first part of each of said first plurality of bidding cards is adapted to extend outside said first container opening, the first container further comprises the first detector for reading a marker and wherein the method comprises
• Positioning the first detector such as to face the second side of a bidding card in the first plurality of bidding cards adjacent to the first detector and
• Determining the marker identifying the symbol of call of the bidding card adjacent to the first detector.
11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the device further comprises a second container and wherein the second container comprises a second plurality of bidding cards and a second detector and rotating means comprising a flag and wherein the method further comprises
• Rotating said rotating means during movement of a bidding card adjacent to said rotating means; and
• Activating said second detector via the flag of the rotating means during removal of said bidding card adjacent to said rotating means.
PCT/EP2009/055544 2008-05-08 2009-05-07 A device and a system and a method of determining at least one bid in a game comprising an auction WO2009135903A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DKPA200800660 2008-05-08
DKPA200800660 2008-05-08

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Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1176543A1 (en) * 1999-12-03 2002-01-30 Sega Corporation Card stack reader, card thereof, card case, method for manufacturing card, game machine using the same, computer-readable recorded medium on which game program is recorded
US20020187821A1 (en) * 2001-06-08 2002-12-12 Mindplay Llc Method, apparatus and article for random sequence generation and playing card distribution
AU2003231630A1 (en) * 1999-04-21 2003-09-11 Walker Digital Table Systems, Llc A Card Deck Reader And Method Of Reading Cards

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU2003231630A1 (en) * 1999-04-21 2003-09-11 Walker Digital Table Systems, Llc A Card Deck Reader And Method Of Reading Cards
EP1176543A1 (en) * 1999-12-03 2002-01-30 Sega Corporation Card stack reader, card thereof, card case, method for manufacturing card, game machine using the same, computer-readable recorded medium on which game program is recorded
US20020187821A1 (en) * 2001-06-08 2002-12-12 Mindplay Llc Method, apparatus and article for random sequence generation and playing card distribution

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