Card Game Table With Sensor-Based Score Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

In casino card games, as the number of participants increases, dealers face significant challenges in managing scores and bets, leading to increased complexity and the risk of mistakes, particularly in dealing hands and tracking betting amounts.

Innovation Solution

A card game system that includes a card-game table with visually defined regions for participant and house hands, an analysis system to calculate scores and odds, and a display device to provide real-time visual indications, along with a card shuffler and reader to automate card distribution and data processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the number of participants in a card game increases, then the gaming capacity and revenue potential improve, but the complexity of scorekeeping and bet tracking increases, leading to higher risk of mistakes by the dealer

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegaming capacityVSAvoidscorekeeping complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service by allowing the game table and cards to automatically track and report scores and bets. The card table includes sensors that detect chip placements and card movements, automatically updating the game state without requiring manual tracking by the dealer, thus resolving the complexity issue while maintaining high gaming capacity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical tracking system with an electronic detection and processing system. Sensors, processors, and display devices work together to automatically monitor card deals, chip placements, and score calculations, eliminating the burden on dealers while supporting increased participant numbers

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If manual tracking of scores and bets is used, then the system remains simple and easy to operate, but mistakes increase and reliability decreases as the number of hands increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedealer operation simplicityVSAvoidscorekeeping accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements continuous feedback by automatically detecting card values, bet amounts, and game states through sensors, processing this information through a processor, and displaying real-time updates to all participants. This closed-loop feedback system eliminates manual errors while maintaining operational simplicity, as the system self-corrects and updates without dealer intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary electronic system between the physical game elements and the scorekeeping function. Sensors detect physical actions (card deals, chip placements), the processor acts as an intermediary to interpret these actions according to game rules, and display devices present the results, thereby ensuring accurate and reliable tracking without increasing operational complexity for the dealer

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If traditional card game interfaces are used, then the setup remains simple, but player engagement and personalized experience are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterface simplicityVSAvoidplayer engagement capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adds a digital display dimension to the traditional physical card table. Multiple display devices are positioned around the table to provide each participant with personalized views of their hands, scores, and game information. This dimensional addition enhances player engagement and personalization while maintaining the simplicity of the physical table setup

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The system segments the information display by providing individualized displays for each participant rather than a single shared interface. Each player receives personalized information about their specific hands, bets, and game status, enhancing engagement while the modular display architecture keeps the overall system configuration simple and scalable

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3593872B1Card game interface
Publication Date: 2021.12.08 KATZ MARCUS A
  • EP3593872B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3593872B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3593872B1 patent drawingFigure 3a

AI summary

Among other things, a system includes a card-game table that includes visually defined regions on a surface of the card-game table to accommodate one or more card hands of each of one or more participants in addition to one or more separate card hands of a house entity. An analysis system is associated with the card table and configured to receive data representing at least a value associated with each card from a group of cards dealt by a dealer to the one or more hands of each participant in addition to the one or more separate hands of the house; process the received data to calculate scores and odds for the one or more hands of each participant in addition to the one or more separate hands of the house, and generate an output signal indicative of the calculated scores and odds. The system includes as spectator system coupled to the analysis system via a network so that the analysis system can receive a spectator bet from a spectator using the spectator system and the spectator system can receive a final result of a game from the analysis system.