Portable Gaming Terminals for Asynchronous Tournament Play

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional table game tournaments face limitations such as inconvenient scheduling, difficulty in accessing real-time player data, and intimidation for new players, which hinder participation and engagement.

Innovation Solution

The development of electronic gaming terminals and systems that enable asynchronous tournament play, provide easy access to player data, allow switching between tables, and facilitate simultaneous play, offering features like practice modes and portable device participation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional table game tournaments use fixed scheduling and physical presence requirements, then tournament organization is simplified, but player convenience and accessibility deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplayer convenienceVSAvoidtournament system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of fixed scheduling and physical presence with an electronic/digital system that enables asynchronous participation. Players can access tournament information and submit gameplay data through electronic devices at any time, eliminating the need for coordinated physical attendance while the central server automatically manages tournament logistics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a central server as an intermediary between players and the tournament organization system. This intermediary automatically collects gameplay data, tracks player progress, and provides tournament information, reducing the need for direct player-to-organizer coordination and enabling flexible participation schedules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If traditional tournaments require real-time visual monitoring of other players' chip stacks, then information accuracy is maintained, but accessibility and ease of obtaining information deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetournament information accessibilityVSAvoidinformation access ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical visual monitoring method with an electronic information delivery system. The central server automatically provides tournament information including other players' chip stacks through electronic devices, eliminating the need for visual observation while improving information accessibility and accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements automated feedback mechanisms where the system continuously provides players with information about other players' chip stacks and tournament status. This automated feedback loop ensures players have accurate, up-to-date information without manual effort, improving both information accessibility and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Extent of automation

If traditional table games use physical chips and manual tracking, then game authenticity is preserved, but automation and ease of data management deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetournament management automationVSAvoidgaming system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces physical chips and manual tracking with electronic data representation and automated digital tracking. Gameplay data is automatically captured and processed by the central server, eliminating manual chip handling while maintaining game integrity through electronic verification systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates digital copies of physical gaming elements (chips, cards, dice) that can be tracked and managed electronically. These digital representations maintain the essential characteristics of physical elements while enabling automated tracking, data management, and analysis without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS10460555B2Table game play using portable electronic devices

Publication Date: 2019.10.29 FRESH IDEA GLOBAL

AI summary

Table game systems can include player terminal(s), electronic gaming table(s), and/or a remote server. A player terminal can have an outer housing, a controller located therewithin or thereabout, input and output component(s), and a communications interface to an outside gaming network having other functionally similar gaming device(s), gaming table(s), and a remote server. The controller and/or server can facilitate providing table game information to a player, which information can include table game tournament information. A player terminal can facilitate asynchronous and individually paced tournament play, switching between different tournament tables on demand, and play of tournament and/or non-tournament table games thereat simultaneously. Portable computing devices can be used as player terminals and can permit players to play in actual or practice play-along modes.