CN1767879A - A method for exhibitng a card game - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for exhibiting a card game, such as a poker game, in which graphic and text data is superimposed on continuous video images of the game in progress to inform the video viewing audience of each player's cards and each player's bets. In this manner, the video viewers can get the feel of the game from each player's perspective, while viewing the game at the same time. The graphic and text data is superimposed on the video image in the form of popup boxes which can be selectively displayed in an unobstructive manner.

Description

A way to demonstrate a game of poker

technical field

The present invention relates to a video format for displaying a poker game, and more particularly to a method for displaying video images of a poker game (e.g., a poker game) in which multiple video frames of the video image of the game in progress are The way the viewer views the interesting picture of the game record is presented together with textual/graphical data about the state of the game including each player's cards and each player's wager.

Background technique

Various methods are known for displaying poker games, such as poker. One method is disclosed in US Patent No. 5,451,054. The method described in the '054 patent requires a conventional poker table with a plurality of card viewing windows built into the deck of the poker table adjacent each player's location, and a card viewing window for each player. Chip container. The card viewing window enables each player to place their cards face down on the window so that the player's cards can be displayed to a spectator without exposing the cards to other players. Chip containers are used to electronically track each player's total chip count. Additional data about the poker game, such as the players' names, each player's cards and stakes, are added as text boxes to the video recording during editing. While text boxes provide important data about the current state of the poker game (eg, each player's cards and wagers), the presentation method disclosed in the '054 patent utilizes a format in which text boxes are displayed instead of the game itself. Unfortunately, the game of poker is rather short and fast. Thus, interrupting the game to display textual information distracts the viewer from the game.

The customary poker table disclosed in the '054 patent was used during a poker tournament called "Poker Millions," which was broadcast by Fox Sports Net from the Isle of Man Ladbroke Casino in Ladbroke Casino. Figure 7 is a video taken from under a viewing window on a poker table. As shown, the viewing window is used to display the player's cards to the audience without exposing the player's cards to other players. While the spectator is looking at the cards (such as illustrated in Figure 7), the poker game continues in the background out of view of the spectator. Although the cards in each player's hand are displayed through the viewing window, the viewer still misses a substantial portion of the poker game when the players' cards are displayed.

Figure 8 illustrates the video format used in the video presentation of the World Heads Up Poker Championship (World Heads Up Poker Championship) held from June 2 to June 5, 2001. As shown, the video format includes an exemplary video frame, generally indicated by reference numeral 20 . The exemplary video frame 20 is divided into a pair of player viewing windows 22 and 24, positioned at the upper left and upper right corners of the video frame 20, which represent video images of two players. The video display of the poker tournament is displayed in an inverted T-shaped viewing window 26 . T-shaped viewing window 26 represents a camera lens looking down onto the table showing, for example, three dealer's cards, collectively indicated by reference numeral 28 . The player's playing cards are superimposed on the display window 26 and placed under the player viewing windows 22 and 24, respectively. For example, cards indicated by reference numerals 30 and 32 are associated with players in player window 22 as shown. Similarly, playing cards indicated by reference numerals 34 and 36 are positioned below the players displayed in viewing window 24 . Bottom viewing window 38 may optionally be used as a rectangular display area, for example, to illustrate the dealer's cards. Alternatively, bottom viewing window 38 is used to form part of viewing window 26 .

The configuration of the player viewing windows 22 and 24 and the T-shaped video image display area 26 illustrated in FIG. 8 is not conducive to presenting the video images of the players sitting around the table. Likewise, the video format illustrated in FIG. 8 reduces viewer viewing of the poker tournament itself.

Figure 9 illustrates another video format for showing a poker game. The format was presented in a television production called "Inside the WorldSeries of Poker" that aired on the Discovery Channel. As shown, the exemplary video frame of the video images illustrated in FIG. 9 is a perspective from behind the dealer. As shown, four (4) cards of the community (collectively indicated by reference numeral 40 ) are displayed face up on the table, while a fifth card of the community is being placed face up on the table by the dealer. The video format used in this demonstration does not allow viewers to learn the contents of any player's cards, usually face down, until the player reveals them. Furthermore, information on stakes can only be derived from video images, if possible

The format utilized in FIG. 9 is an undesirable format for displaying a poker game for several reasons. First, because the spectator does not know the cards in each individual player's hand until the player turns their normally face-down cards face-up, the spectator cannot get a feel for the game as it is displayed. Plus, wagering information can only be derived from video images, which means viewers must count how many chips each player plays if they try to keep track of those wagers. Likewise, when a player wagers a stack of chips, the spectator cannot determine the exact amount wagered. Finally, such a format does not readily allow viewers to keep track of each player's bets.

Figure 10 illustrates another known video format that integrates video images of a poker game with graphical/textual information about the state of the game. As shown, an exemplary video frame (generally indicated by reference numeral 44) is divided into a generally rectangular video image viewing window 46 and a generally L-shaped graphics/text presentation area 48. Graphical/text presentation area 48 is used to display various types of information, including: the names of the players identified in text boxes 50 and 52; graphic images of the cards associated with each player, generally identified by reference numerals 54 and 56; Reference numerals 58 and 60, 62 and 64 identify the odds of winning or losing associated with each player in the form of text boxes. Near the bottom of the graphic/text presentation area 48, a graphic image of each community card (collectively identified by reference numeral 66) is identified.

As shown in the figure, player Smith (Smith) is lucky to win with a pair of aces, while player Jones (Jones) has zero chance of winning with a 2 of spades and an 8 of diamonds. The odds also show that the game has a zero percent chance of ending in a draw.

The format presented in Figure 10 was used at the 31st Annual World Series of Poker held at the Binion Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, produced by Ross Television Productions for the Discovery Channel. This format requires a reduced size of the video image presentation window which reduces the viewer's interest in the game. Also, wagering information is not included.

Accordingly, there is a need for a video format showing a poker game, such as a poker game, that does not detract from the viewer's interest in watching the game, while at the same time providing the viewer with at least information about each player's cards and each player's wager.

Contents of the invention

The present invention relates to a method of presenting a poker game, such as a poker game, in which graphical/textual data is selectively superimposed in a relatively unobtrusive manner on a video frame including a video image of the poker game to inform the viewer that each Each player's cards and each player's bet. In this way, the viewer can get a feel for the game from the perspective of each player during the game, while viewing the poker game in a relatively unobtrusive manner. Graphics and text data can be superimposed on the video image in the form of a pop-up box that can be selectively displayed on top of the video image and removed.

Description of drawings

These and other advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent with reference to the following specification and drawings, in which:

1 is an exemplary video format of an exemplary frame of a poker game, such as a poker game, illustrating superimposed graphics and text content on a video frame in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a cut-away front view of a portion of a gaming table for use with the present invention, including a placement on, for example, a poker table for enabling a spectator to view a player's cards displayed together with a phantom of the cards being placed in front of the camera. A vertically oriented camera in the side rail of a poker table.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a player displaying his cards to the camera illustrated in FIG. 2 .

4 is an exemplary view of exemplary selectable text boxes illustrating each player's current chip count in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.

5 is an exemplary view of selectable video frames of a poker player and overlay data regarding the player's current state in the game, according to an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary view of another optional screen displaying various information about an individual player according to another aspect of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a representation of video footage from a previously shown poker tournament titled "Poker Millions" sponsored by Fox Sports Net from Redbury in the Isle of Man Ladbroke Casino broadcast with illustrations from a camera shot under the table through a window in the table.

FIG. 8 is a representation in video format of a previously presented poker tournament titled World Attention Poker Championship, held June 2-June 5, 2001. FIG.

Figure 9 is a representation of the video format produced by Ross Television Productions for a previously presented video titled "Inside the World Series of Poker" produced for the Discovery Channel.

Figure 10 is a representation of the video format of a previously presented video produced by Ross Television Productions for the Discovery Channel titled "31st Annual World Series of Poker".

Detailed ways

The present invention relates to a method of displaying a poker game, such as poker. According to an important aspect of the present invention, the video format of the poker game is shown so that the viewing area on a television screen or monitor is optimized for displaying the video image of the poker game, including pop-up text and graphic information boxes , which provides viewers with information about the state of the game such as each player's cards, their bets, and optional additional information. The video format produced according to the method of the present invention enables the continuous presentation of a poker game with minimal illustration of the players and the poker table, while at the same time providing the video viewer with the state of the game in as unobtrusive a way as possible to give the viewer a sense of the game, And then increase the interest of watching the game.

As illustrated and described herein, the methods and resulting video formats are used to present poker games, such as poker tournaments. The exemplary game shown is a seven (7) card poker game in which five (5) dealer cards are dealt face up and placed on the poker table. Each player is dealt two (2) cards face down. Thus, each player's hand consists of the two (2) cards face down plus the five (5) community cards. The player with the best poker hand wins the game.

The above poker games are often played in poker tournaments such as the Poker Million, World Series of Poker and World Poker Tour. However, the method and resulting video format are certainly applicable to other games, such as other poker games where player parts have little movement or action and/or games that last for a relatively short period of time. The method and resulting video format according to the present invention optimizes the display of video images of the game in a relatively unobtrusive manner by allowing for a virtually continuous presentation of the poker game and utilizing pop-up text and graphic boxes superimposed on the video image. The viewer is informed of various information about the state of the game including each player's cards and stakes to compensate for the player's lack of action during the game. These pop-up data boxes can be selectively displayed in different areas of the video viewer to avoid overlaying important features of the game's video viewer. By optimizing the video image of the game and providing pop-up text including the player's cards and current bets, the resulting video format according to the present invention enables the viewer to follow the game from each player's point of view during the game, thereby increasing viewer awareness. interest in the game. As will be discussed in more detail below, additional information may also optionally be provided to further enhance viewer interest in viewing the game.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a small video camera 100 ( FIG. 2 ) may be mounted vertically relative to the playing surface of the poker table 104 , such as within the shelf 102 of the table 104 . As best shown in FIG. 2 , the stand portion 102 is raised from the playing surface of the poker table 104 to form a wall surrounding the poker table 104 . Thus, mounting the video camera 100 vertically relative to the playing surface of the poker table 104 provides a more natural presentation of the player's cards. The cards are likewise exposed to the video camera 100 when the player lifts his cards to look at himself as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 . As best shown in FIG. 1, each player is provided with a video camera 100 surrounding a poker table 104 adjacent to his position.

During play, this video information may present each player's cards to the viewer in one of several ways. Specifically, the signal from the video camera 100 may be connected to a microprocessor (not shown) through an analog-to-digital converter and compared with stored video images to automatically identify the player's cards, such as in the U.S. Disclosed in Patent No. 5,451,054, which is incorporated herein by reference, so that a player's cards can be identified in the form of graphics/text boxes to be communicated to viewers in real time. Alternatively, video capture of a player's cards is used strictly during video editing of a poker game as illustrated in FIG. 3 . In this case, information for the player's cards may be entered into a pop-up text/graphic box along with the player's name. By utilizing a vertically oriented video camera, such as it could be placed in the poker table 104 stall 102, player movements are more natural than in the system disclosed in US Pat. Slide their cards on the window.

A video format according to the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1 . Unlike the known video format illustrated in FIG. 9 , the video format according to the present invention utilizes most, if not all, of the video frame 106 of the video image of the game in progress, rather than generally dividing The display area 106 is divided into different video windows to optimize the video imagery of the poker game in progress. By optimizing the video image of the poker game in progress within the video frame 106, a more natural presentation of the poker game from the viewer's perspective may be presented.

As used herein, a video image is defined to mean an image recorded by one of a plurality of video cameras. These video images may represent a still picture or pictures according to, for example, standardized formats such as NTSC or PAL formats or other standard or non-standard formats. A stop-motion video refers to a frozen frame of the video image.

A pop-up data frame refers to a text/graphics box that is overlaid on top of a video image in a video frame by using a conventional off-the-shelf special effects video editor such as "Adobe After Effects" or similar products. These special effects video editors allow pop-up data boxes to be programmed to be visible for any desired time and selectively placed anywhere in the video frame 106 . The use of such special effects video editors is well known in the art.

Referring to Figure 1, which illustrates a video format according to the present invention. An exemplary video format for, for example, a video poker tournament is shown. As shown, a video image of a poker table 104 is illustrated along with three players identified as reference numbers 108 , 110 and 112 and a dealer 114 . As mentioned above, the video camera 100 is disposed, for example, in the stall 102 of a poker table 104 . In addition, a primary video camera (not shown) is used to record a sequence of primary video images identified by reference numeral 116, such as a sequence comprising players 108, 110, and 112 surrounding the poker table 104 and optionally a dealer 114. poker game in . As the game progresses, various pop-up data boxes are displayed and cover a selected portion of the video frame 106 in a non-obtrusive manner. As shown in FIG. 1, most, if not all, of the video frames 106 are used for video images. The popover is selectively positioned to obstruct only the least, if any, portion of the main video image of the game in progress. As discussed above, these pop-up data boxes include various data about the state of the game to increase viewer interest in the game. For example, a single pop-up data box 118 and 120 may be provided for each player. Each pop-up data box may have a section 120 for the player's name, sections 122 and 124 for the player's cards, and a section 126 for the player's current wager. Also optionally provide a card playing arrow 128 to indicate which player's turn it is now to play a card.

The video format according to the present invention offers video viewers a distinct advantage over live viewers and viewers of other video formats in that the video viewer according to the video format of the present invention will be provided with information about each player's cards and current bets as the game is played . Thus, the video viewer is able to get a better feel for the game being played, which in turn motivates the viewer to watch the video replay of the poker game. In addition to the data frames 118, 120 identifying the players' cards and wagers, additional data frames may be provided to increase the interest of the viewer. For example, a data frame 128 (collectively identified by reference numeral 130) describing the set of cards may optionally be provided.

As noted above, for the particular game illustrated, the dealer 114 deals five (5) cards face up. These five (5) cards, referred to herein as the total 130 , may be displayed in the pop-up data box 128 . These cards 130 may be displayed with alphanumeric characters and symbols, or images of the cards themselves may be displayed. Similarly, data box 118 may also illustrate alphanumeric images or symbols of playing cards, or display images of the cards themselves.

As shown in FIG. 1 , a pop-up data box 128 illustrating a total of cards 130 allows a video viewer to easily view each player's full hand. As noted above, for the particular game illustrated, each player's hand consists of five (5) total cards 130 plus two (2) face-down cards dealt to each of the players 108, 110, 112 . As shown, player Jones has a pair of Aces and a pair of 8s. Player Smith has three (3) 8s and a pair of 9s. Indication arrow 128 indicates that it is now Smith's turn. The audience knows at this point that Smith's hand will win. As indicated, Smith calls. At this moment, the audience knows that Smith will win the hand before Smith himself.

Other pop-up boxes may be arranged and overlaid on portions of the video frame 106 . For example, pop-up box 130 may be used to present odds to the viewer. Additionally, other pop-up boxes 132 and 134 may be used to identify the size of the current player's pot. Pop-ups 136 may be used to display additional information about jargon used in the game, updates to the players, or previous games. All of the pop-up boxes 118, 120, 128, 130, 132, 134, and 136 may overlay the video image displayed in the frame 106 (eg, adjacent to the main video image 116 of the poker game). In this manner, the main video image 116 is optimized while at the same time providing the viewer with at least minimal information about the state of the game including identification of each player's face-down cards and each player's wager.

In addition to the video format illustrated in FIG. 1 , as illustrated in FIGS. 4 , 5 and 6 , additional information about the game may be provided. FIG. 4 illustrates one or more text boxes 140 and 142 that provide data regarding each player's chip count. Pop-up box 140 may be configured to have an identification with the text "Chip Count" and the name of the tournament (eg, "World Poker Tour"). Data box 142 may be used to identify each player by name and the value of their current chip count. These pop-up boxes 140 and 142 may overlay the video frame 106 between games, for example.

Figures 5 and 6 illustrate additional formats to be used, for example, for informational video screens between games. FIG. 5 particularly illustrates a freeze-frame video image of a poker player with a data box 144 at the bottom of the viewing window 106 illustrating the player's current status. Figure 6 illustrates another format for providing additional information about a player. The format illustrated in FIG. 6 is configured so that the video frame 106 is used for the text box and includes a video window 146 with a frozen or video frame of the player. Various textual information may be provided within video window 146 as shown. For example, the player's first and last name, age, town, and past grades. These video formats can be used between poker games to further enhance the viewer's interest in watching the poker game.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teaching. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described above.

Claims (21)

1. A method of displaying a poker game comprising the steps of: (a) continuously display video images of a poker game in progress as a series of video frames; (b) displaying in a portion of the video frame a data box comprising current data about the game, the data frame being primarily overlaid on the video frame, thereby allowing simultaneous presentation of the poker game and its status . 2. The method of claim 1, wherein step (b) further comprises: displaying a first data frame comprising a representation of each player's current hand. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein step (b) further comprises: displaying a second data frame identifying each player's current wager. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the first and second data frames are displayed consecutively. 5. The method of claim 3, wherein the first and second data frames are selectively displayed during a portion of the game in progress. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein step (b) includes providing a gaming table surrounded by a bumper with a video camera positioned at each player's position to enable remote Viewing the player's cards from a distance without exposing the cards to other players at the gaming table. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein video images from said video cameras at said player locations are used to identify each player's playing cards for purposes of generating said data in said data frame . 8. A method of displaying a poker game comprising the steps of: (a) providing a gaming table having a plurality of video cameras oriented vertically relative to a playing surface of said poker table; (b) providing a primary video camera for recording video images of said poker game in progress; (c) showing said video image of said poker game in play as a series of video frames; and (d) overlaying the first data frame over a portion of a plurality of said frames representing each player's cards as determined by a vertically oriented video camera at each player's position. 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of overlaying a second data frame representing each player's current wager. 10. The method of claim 8, further comprising a third data frame representing odds of winning and losing for each player. 11. The method of claim 8, further comprising a fourth data frame representing the dealer's cards. 12. The method of claim 8, further comprising a fifth step for providing additional information selected from the group of bingo, hand update or prior play. data frame. 13. The method of claim 8, further comprising a sixth data frame representing a current round size. 14. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of presenting the data frame between poker games. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein said step of presenting a data frame between poker games includes presenting a data frame listing all of said players and their current chip counts. 16. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of illustrating an informational video screen between games, the informational video screen including an image of a player and information about the player. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of illustrating informational video frames includes showing one or more video frames of a player, the video frames having a data frame representing data about the player. 18. The method of claim 16, wherein said step of illustrating informational video frames includes one or more video frames as a data frame and providing a video window within said data frame of a video image of a player. 19. A video format for a video representation of a poker game comprising: a plurality of video frames representing a video image of a poker game in play; and one or more video frames superimposed on said video frames a data frame comprising data about said current state of said game in play. 20. The video format of claim 19, wherein one of the one or more data frames includes data representing each player's current hand of cards. 21. The video format of claim 20, wherein one of the one or more data frames includes data representing each player's current wager.

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