Casino Table Handheld Device for Secure Electronic Card Play

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Solution Overview

Problem

The casino industry faces challenges with conventional playing cards, including time-consuming operations like shuffling and dealing, security concerns due to cheating, and intimidation factors that deter novice players, while electronic casino gaming tables introduce new issues like security and privacy risks and higher maintenance costs.

Innovation Solution

A casino gaming table system that incorporates a handheld device for players, allowing electronic dealing and display of cards, with features like secure data transmission, authorization, and customizable functionality to prevent unauthorized access to other players' cards, and includes a gaming table controller for managing game data and peripherals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional playing cards are used at casino gaming tables, then players can physically hold and view cards, but shuffling and dealing operations consume substantial time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegame play speedVSAvoidtime for shuffling and dealing
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces physical playing cards with electronic card representations displayed on screens at player positions. The card dealing system uses electronic generation and display of card images rather than physical shuffling and dealing of card decks, eliminating the time-consuming mechanical operations while maintaining the visual experience of card play

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates electronic copies of playing cards as graphical representations displayed on screens. These digital copies replicate the visual appearance and information content of physical cards, allowing players to view their hands and the dealer's cards without requiring physical card handling

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If conventional playing cards are used at casino gaming tables, then dealing operations are simple, but security concerns arise from frequent cheating attempts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegame integrityVSAvoidcheating and collusion
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic card system replaces physical cards with digitally generated representations, eliminating opportunities for physical cheating methods such as marking cards, controlling shuffles, or stealing cards. The electronic generation and distribution of card images ensures game integrity through centralized control and verification

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates monitoring and verification mechanisms that track card distribution and player actions. The electronic system provides feedback loops for detecting unusual patterns or potential cheating attempts, allowing for real-time security intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If electronic displays are used to show player cards at gaming tables, then play speed increases, but security and privacy issues arise from displaying cards on shared screens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplay speedVSAvoidprivacy of player cards
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The display system is segmented into individual private screens at each player position, with each screen showing only that player's cards and relevant game information. This segmentation isolates player information visually, preventing other players and spectators from viewing individual hands while maintaining electronic deal speed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each display location has customized visual content tailored to the specific player at that position. The screen at each player position displays only locally relevant information (that player's cards, bets, and game state), creating a private viewing experience that protects information while enabling fast electronic play

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Loss of time

If electronic casino gaming tables are implemented, then card handling time is reduced, but manufacturing and repair costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetime for card operationsVSAvoidmanufacturing and repair costs
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the electronic display functionality into independent, modular units at each player position rather than requiring a single complex electronic table surface. Each position can be manufactured and repaired independently, reducing the impact of failures and lowering overall manufacturing costs compared to fully integrated electronic tables

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses standard electronic display components and controllers that can be applied across multiple table positions and potentially different game types. This universal approach to electronics reduces manufacturing complexity and allows for easier replacement and repair using standardized parts

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8287380B2Intelligent wireless mobile device for use with casino gaming table systems
Publication Date: 2012.10.16 INTERNATIONAL GAME TECHNOLOGY INC
  • US8287380B2 patent drawing
  • US8287380B2 patent drawing
  • US8287380B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A technique is disclosed for facilitating play of a casino table game at a casino gaming table system which includes a casino gaming table and at least one handheld device. At least a portion of operations or activities relating to the casino game may be performed at a first handheld device. Examples of such operations may include electronically dealing a first card to a first player via the first handheld device, displaying a representation of the first card to the first player via a display at the first handheld device, etc. In at least one embodiment, an association between a selected handheld device and the first player station may be created and used for subsequent game play activities to enable the selected handheld device to be operable to display game play data relating to game play activities associated with the first player station. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the features of a selected handheld device may be enabled/disabled based on the detection of one or more conditions or events. According to specific embodiments, the handheld device may be adapted to provide various functionality for facilitating game play at a casino gaming table. Examples of such functionality may include, for example, allowing a player to select cards for discard/holding; allowing a player to perform wagering activities; retrieving and/or displaying player tracking data; retrieving and/or displaying player account data; displaying game play assistance information; displaying casino layout information; displaying promotional information; etc.