WO2008142427A1

WO2008142427A1 - Input device

Info

Publication number: WO2008142427A1
Application number: PCT/GB2008/001781
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jonathan Caplan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-05-23
Filing date: 2008-05-23
Publication date: 2008-11-27
Anticipated expiration: 2009-11-23
Also published as: CN101730908A; GB0709915D0; EP2171696A1

Abstract

An input device (40) configured to control a game of chance having a variable stake, such as for instance poker, comprising: an analogue user input device (100) connectable with a computer (10), having a regular defined range of movement and arranged to vary the stake in proportion to the magnitude of a single applied movement.

Description

INPUT DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an input device and in particular a computer input device .

Background of the Invention

Online games and in particular, poker games can take a number of different formats, i.e:

Cash Games - Ranging in stake and genre of poker game, these games enable a player to join and leave at any time, i.e. you could play one hand and leave or sit there for 12 hours straight.

Sit-and-Go Tournaments - Usually capped at 1-2 tables, Sif and Go tournaments offer smaller tournaments for players who only wish to play for less than 2 hours . A table would normally consist of 9-10 players. Therefore, these tournaments are normally played as a "knock-out" from the total number of players to the last 2-3 players who share the prize pool according to ranking.

Multi-table Tournaments - These are the tournaments which are not capped in size and online sites generally hold these several times each hour. Multi-table tournaments are usually unlimited in size, i.e. the PokerStars (RTM) Million Dollar tournament on Sundays caters for between 6,000-8,000+ players. Multi-table tournaments offer the opportunity of playing for a relatively small stake, with a huge win potential. Generally 10% of the players receive cash prizes and these are determined according to rank.

Free-roll Tournaments - These are multi-table tournaments that do not have a monetary buy- in. This is usually covered by the operator in order to entice players to play tournaments that have a financial gain, rather than simply for fun money. Prizes are paid per ranking as with normal tournaments of this type. Once in any type of online poker game, it is important for a player to remain focused on the game play, on other player's behaviour, on the range of cards, hands, bets and moves made at any time. Even the slightest hint can give a player a huge advantage . In a typical online game as each hand takes place, each player is dealt their personal cards; these are shown to the player, but not the rest of the players at the table. Each time play comes round to a designated player a number of buttons and a virtual slider appears on the screen. In order to make and confirm a move, a player must make a combination of moves with the mouse, which involves dragging the" virtual slider and clicking the combination of buttons that are required to make a given move. This process will repeat every minute or so as game play continues. A player may have to click, drag and choose the correct option every minute throughout game play, so a player playing for 8 hours solid, is very prone to making a mistake in this process or running out of time to make the move (all moves are timed) which would forfeit the players hand and any money already placed in the pot.

Players are therefore prone to making mistakes due to fatigue or through repetitive moves that are very similar.

Therefore, there is required an apparatus for reducing the risk of these mistakes occurring. Summary of the ^"Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a computer input device for controlling a game of chance including a variable stake comprising an analogue user input device connectable with a computer, having a regular defined range of movement and arranged to vary the stake in proportion to the magnitude of a single applied movement. Moving the analogue user input device varies the stake or bet without requiring the additional action of pressing and holding in another button (such as a mouse button, for instance) and is therefore a single action thereby reducing the risk of setting an incorrect value as may be done when a mouse button is released at the wrong time.

Advantageously, the analogue user input device may be a dial or a slider or wheel or other dedicated device for controlling the size of stake or bet. A dial may be rotated horizontally and a wheel may be rotated in the vertical plane, for instance.

Preferably, the input device further comprises a switch or button configured to place a bet at the variable steak. In other words, once the size of the bet has been determined by the analogue user input device the button may place the bet at this amount.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a user input device comprising a switch configured to restrict access to a game for a predefined period of time. This switch allows the user to "cool down" and therefore minimise the chance of losing the game or making an incorrect move. The user may voluntarily press the switch or other user input detector in order to be locked out of the game for a predetermined period. Preferably'^during this lockout period the user may not be able to continue playing the game .

Advantageously, during the predetermined period the user may be directed to a website. According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of controlling a game of chance comprising the steps of: receiving a first signal from a user input device, determining the game of chance in play, interpreting the received signal according to the determined game of chance to generate a second signal, and transmitting the second signal to control the game of chance.

The method may be performed using a computer such as a PC or Apple Mac (RTM), for instance. The method may be achieved by a computer program or driver loaded on the computer.

Brief description of the Figures

The present invention may be put into practice in a number of ways and embodiments will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a system for playing an online game, including a computer and user input device, according to one aspect of the present invention, given by way of example only; and

Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of the user input device of figure 1 according to an example embodiment;

Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of the user input device of figure 1 according to another example embodiment;

Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram of the user input device of figure 1 according to another example embodiment; Figure 5 shows a schematic diagram of the user input device of figure 1 according to another example embodiment;

Figure 6 shows a schematic diagram of the user input device of figure 1 according to another example embodiment; Figure 7 shows a schematic diagram of the user input device of figure 1 according to another example embodiment;

Figure 8 shows a schematic diagram of the user input device of figure 1 according to another example embodiment;

Figure 9 shows a schematic diagram of the user input device of figure 1 according to another example embodiment; and

Figure 10 shows a plan view of a further embodiment of the present invention.

It should be noted that the figures are illustrated for simplicity and are not necessarily drawn to scale.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiments

Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a computer system 10 having a monitor 20 and keyboard 30. The computer system 10 may be connected or interfaced with a user input device 40. The interface between the computer 10 and the user input device 40 may be by a cable 50 such as a USB cable, for instance, although a wireless interface may be used. Figures 2 - 9 show various example embodiments of the user input device 40. Common features have been given the same reference numeral. Figure 2 shows an example user input device 40 having a dial 100 for controlling the size of a bet or stake. Rotating dial 100 in the way indicated by the "+" or " - " increases or decreases the bet, accordingly. Buttons 110 may have various functions including fold, check and bet and may be customized according to the user or player's preferences. Button 120 is the tilt Joutton. A common cause of extended loss while playing poker, for instance, is when a player is on "tilt". This may also be the time that is hardest to let go and stand up from the table. Therefore, the tilt button may be pressed under such circumstances in which case the computer 10 is directed to a predetermined website for a predetermined period of time, which may be between five and 30 minutes or any other time period predetermined by the user or player. Software loaded on the computer 10 or held within the user input device 40 may contain functionality to act as a guide or tutor to the player. This software may calculate the odds on behalf of the player, update the odds as new cards are dealt or carry out any other simulation of the game. It may simultaneously consider available options and present an optimum solution to the player. These options or preferred moves may be indicated to the player by lighting up various of the buttons 110, dials or sliders. For instance, if it is preferable to fold, the fold button may be illuminated. Alternatively, an audio signal may indicate the various options or a combination of audio and visual indications may be used. Such guide software may help beginners or improve a player's technique.

Figure 3 shows the further embodiment of the user input device 40 including a slider 200 instead of the dial 100 but with similar functionality. The slider 200 may be moved in the directions indicated by arrow 210 to either increase or decrease the bet or stake as indicated by the symbols "+" or

Figures 4 and 5 show further example embodiments of the user input device 40. Figure 5 shows table number indicators and buttons 500 which may be pressed or illuminated to change or indicate which game is in play from various on-line"tables that may be selected independently and played simultaneously.

The remaining Figures 6 - 9 show other example embodiments of the user input device . Certain benefits may be found by using the user input device to play including the ability to play for longer whilst making fewer mistakes or errors. This in turn may lead to higher winning rate. Furthermore, beginners may be trained more quickly. Additional functions that may be incorporated into one or more buttons or dials may include increasing the bets in predetermined sizes. For instance, half the pot, the whole pot or all in.

The page directed to by pressing the tilt button may include a count-down timer or other facilities for allowing the player to "cool off" . This tilt page may also include various relaxation techniques, mental strategies or "blogs" of Other poker tilters and also advertising space.

Additional functionality may be programmed onto the user input device or the computer as additional software as plug-ins. The user input device may also contain some FLASH uploadable memory. Power for the user input device may be provided through the computer via, for instance, a USB connection, from an in-built battery system or mains powered from a suitable power supply unit. Audio effects may be triggered by key presses on the user input device and generated by a speaker system. The audio effects may be downloaded and customized and managed by the computer 10.

A software driver loaded on the connected computer or within the user input device may determine which particular game is being played or which website is being used.

Therefore, a single device may be used to play several games with the driver interpreting the signals for the device accordingly. The driver or drivers may be refreshed as new games are adαecr: A single driver may be used for each g^"ame or one single driver may be used for multiple games. The driver may optionally restrict use of the user input device to a single game, game provider or website. The driver may be some other form of software .

Figure 10 shows a plan view of a further embodiment of the input device 40. This includes: a check/call button 340 - only a single button may be required for both functions,- a fold button 330 - one click to get rid of your hand; raise meter / dial 100 - just a turn and you can increase your raise; bet button 350 - after using the raise meter all you have to press is this button; preset bet buttons 360 - these provide the option to bet preset levels faster; switch table buttons 310 - to change table or game and back again,- program buttons 300 allow customisation to a particular playing style or action; tilt button 120, as described below; and a power button (on/off) . There is also provided a touch pad 370 for use as a pointing controller.

The input device 40 may include some or all of the above buttons and functions. The embodiment shown in figure 10 is around 25cm x 40 cm but may be other sizes.

Programme buttons 300 can be customised to include any or all of the following functionality: call/check; call any,- raise; bet; all-in; check/fold; away,- and tilt. Any or each of the buttons may light up, for instance during tutored play, to indicate a calculated best move.

The device may enable the user to more easily choose game play functions such as 'raise', 'fold', 'check', 'all- in', etc. Each model may be built with different functionality ranging from the following:

• Call/Check Button/Switch

• Call Any Button/Switch • Raise/Bet Button/Switch (this may be achieved by meter or dial)

• Bet Pot Button/Switch

• All-in Button/Switch

• Check/Fold Button/Switch

• Fold Button/Switch

• Away Button/Switch

Tilt Button/Switch (explained above)

Other features may include:

• Large scale quick-press "Check, Fold & Raise" buttons.

• Tutored play - Buttons light up offering best move.

• Easy slide raise dial - Avoids wrong size bets and enables fast betting. • Multi-table functionality - Controller can switch between tables in play or focus on one particular game,

• Customized settings - set the control to make set moves .

• Anti-TILT functionality - avoids emotional responses and enables calm-off time for players.

As will be appreciated by the skilled person, details of the above embodiment may be varied without departing from the scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims.

For example, the buttons, switches and controls may be any suitable shape .

In an alternative embodiment there will be no predetermined period of lockout but the user may not be readmitted to a game until they have visited a particular website. The user may additionally be asked to confirm that they have calmed down before readmission.

The input device 40 may be connected to a TV or other similar interface.

The input device is described above as controlling a game of chance but it may also be used for other types of games or to provide other computer received signals.

Claims

CLAIMS ;

1. An input device configured to control a game of chance having a variable stake comprising: an analogue user input device connectable with a computer, having a regular defined range of movement and arranged to vary the stake in proportion to the magnitude of a single applied movement.

2. The input device of claim 1, wherein the analogue user input device is selected from the group consisting of: a dial, a wheel and a slider.

3. The input device of claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising a switch arranged to restrict access to the game of chance for a predefined period of time.

4. The input device of claim 3, wherein the switch is further arranged to direct the user to a website during the predefined period of time.

5. The input device according to any previous claim further comprising an interface between the computer and the input device .

6. The input device of claim 5, wherein the interface is a USB interface.

7. The input device of claim 5, wherein the interface is a wireless interface.

8. The input device according to any previous claim further comprising a call switch.

9. The input device according to any previous claim further comprising a fold switch.

10. The input device according to any previous claim further comprising a bet switch arranged to place a bet at the variable stake.

11. The input device according to any previous claim further comprising a raise switch.

12. The input device according to any previous claim further comprising an indicator for indicating to the user how to play the game of chance .

13. The input device of claim 12, wherein the indicator is a iight .

14. The input device of claim 12, wherein the indicator is a sound generator.

15. The input device according to any previous claim, wherein the game is poker.

16. A method of controlling a game of chance comprising the steps of: receiving a first signal from a user input device ; determining the game of chance in play; interpreting the received signal according to the determined game of chance to generate a second signal; and transmitting the second signal to control the game of chance .

17. The method^*1^ claim 16, wherein the game of chance ^"is poker.

18. The method of claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the game of chance is remote from the user input device.

19. The method according to any of claims 16-18, wherein the game of chance is played via the Internet.

20. A computer program comprising computer program instructions, that when executed on a computer cause the computer to perform the method of any of claim 16-19.

21. A computer-readable medium carrying a computer program according to claim 20.

22.- A user input device comprising a switch configured to restrict access to a game for a predefined period of time.

23. The user input device of claim 22, wherein the predetermined period of time is configurable.

24. The user input device of claim 22 or claim 23, wherein the switch is further arranged to direct the user to a website during the predefined period of time.