Digital Gaming Table with Transparent Substrate and Cloth Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional gaming tables face challenges such as difficulty in picking up cards due to 'wringing' on smooth surfaces, inability to quickly change game layouts, lack of video content integration, and limited player interaction, which detract from the live gaming experience and hinder player loyalty systems.
Innovation Solution
A digital gaming table with a transparent substrate, a diffuse synthetic cloth layer, and a compressible layer that allows video content projection, combined with wireless transceivers and optical receivers to bind mobile devices to specific locations, enabling touch input and electronic transactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a smooth rigid table surface is used, then video content projection and electronic displays are enabled, but cards adhere to the surface through wringing making them difficult to pick up
Solution Approach 1:
The table surface is divided into different regions with different properties: smooth rigid areas for video projection and electronic displays, and textured felt areas for card handling. This local differentiation allows each region to optimize its function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The table combines multiple materials with different characteristics: rigid transparent substrate for projection, felt fabric for card handling, and compressible cushioning layers. This composite structure integrates the benefits of smooth surfaces for electronics and textured surfaces for card manipulation.
2Ease of operation
If traditional felt fabric is used, then cards can be easily picked up, but game layout changes require removing and replacing the entire felt
Solution Approach 1:
The game layout information is segmented into discrete digital elements that can be independently modified and displayed on electronic screens integrated into the table, rather than being fixed in the felt fabric. This allows rapid layout changes without physical modification.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical system of physical felt replacement is replaced with an electronic display system that can dynamically change game layouts through software updates, enabling instant adaptation to different games and rules.
3Ease of operation
If opaque felt surface is used, then traditional gaming feel is maintained, but video content and electronic displays cannot be integrated
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the table surface have different optical properties: transparent areas allow video projection and electronic displays, while opaque felt areas maintain the traditional gaming aesthetic and feel. This localized differentiation enables both functions coexist.
Solution Approach 2:
The table uses composite construction with transparent substrates and opaque felt layers strategically positioned to create zones for different functions, combining the visual appeal of traditional felt tables with the capabilities of modern electronic displays.
4Extent of automation
If player positions are not uniquely identified, then player loyalty systems cannot track individual players, but implementing identification systems increase table complexity
Solution Approach 1:
Players use their own mobile devices which automatically serve as identification and tracking tools. The system leverages the player's existing device rather than requiring additional hardware at the table, reducing overall system complexity while enabling automated player tracking.
Solution Approach 2:
Mobile devices serve multiple functions: they are the player's personal identification, the interface for game control, the display for player-specific information, and the tool for loyalty program participation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate systems for each function.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a traditional gaming feel with integrated video content, facilitates easy game layout changes, and enhances player interaction and loyalty systems by allowing mobile device binding and electronic transactions, improving the overall gaming experience.
Implementation Method 1
the processor receives light signals such as camera flash from the mobile device to determine the specific location of the mobile device on the surface, to the exclusion of other mobile devices on the surface
Implementation Method 2
when the mobile device nears the surface its proximity is determined based upon a wireless signal received by or from the surface transceiver
Implementation Method 3
Interposed between the substrate and cloth layer is a transparent compressible layer to enable deflection of the cloth layer relative to the substrate
Data Source
AI summary
A system, digital table and method for binding a mobile device to a location on the digital table are disclosed. The digital table has a transparent substrate, a diffuse cloth layer having the feel of felt and suitable for backlighting with an interposed compressible layer. A wireless table transceiver is provided to detect a mobile device on the table and to cause the mobile device to emit a code with its camera flash detected by an optical receiver to bind the mobile device to a specific location on the gaming table surface. Content such as digital images or lighting arrangements are directed through the substrate and compressible layer to the underside of the cloth where they are visible at the cloth layer adjacent to the mobile device location. In an embodiment the orientation of the mobile device may be determined for configuring content. Interaction between the mobile device and table is supported to move virtual items such as gaming chips between the mobile device and the digital table.