Game Table for Combined Actual and Virtual Play

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/659,085, filed Jun. 12, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

The invention described and contemplated herein relates to game tables for actual and virtual tabletop gaming by one or more players in person, remotely or a combination thereof.

Arcades, as well as other social and entertainment venues including taverns and children's restaurants, have historically offered several types of entertainment including physical activities and games, video games, and games which include aspects of both physical and video games. Physical activities included games such as skee ball, ring toss, foosball, darts, billiards, and many others, which were truly physically played using equipment and game elements (e.g., game pieces or props such as balls, rings, paddles, darts, cue sticks, etc. Some arcade games were housed in machines such as pinball machines and air hockey tables, which combined physical contact and interaction with mechanical and electronic elements.

Arcade video game machines were originally floor-supported cabinets which contained a computer programmed with a single game, a video screen and game controllers, such as buttons, joysticks, etc., used by one or more players to interact with and play the video game. Later, more sophisticated arcade video games integrated physical game props (e.g., pistols, motion-enabled chairs and steering wheels, rackets, etc.). Most recently, arcade video game machines include motion-sensing mats, weapons, paddles and rackets, and other game props, as well as virtual reality technology and environments.

Home gaming console systems (e.g., Atari, Nintendo), handheld game devices (Game Boy, Game Gear), and home computer game programs, entered the gaming market by the's, and diverted many gamers from the arcade video games, at least in part, because these systems allowed gamers to play at home. Initially, the earliest home gaming console systems and handheld game devices were programmed with and only able to play a single game

As improvements in computer and screen technologies were developed, home console systems, handheld devices, and home computers, became capable of playing different games on the same systems. With further advances in computing power and speed, as well as internet access and WiFi, video gamers were able to play more sophisticated video games on these systems and devices that included more realistic and three-dimensional graphics, and eventually virtual reality environments and scenarios. Video gamers were also able to play alone or with other players in real time on these systems and devices.

Game table devices are a category of gaming devices which have been popular in both arcades and other entertainment settings (e.g., taverns, children's restaurants), as well as at home. Game tables generally include a tabletop, which has a horizontally oriented interactive liquid crystal display (LCD) screen and a computer system, as well as a set of legs or other support structure which elevates the tabletop to facilitate interacting with games on the LCD screen while standing or sitting. Game tables were capable of playing different games and many kinds, and even enabling remote players to play and interact in real time. However, they have generally been programmed for player interaction primarily with the LCD screen, with or without typical game controller devices, such as buttons, joysticks, etc.

There do not appear to have been gaming tables designed and programmed with the capability to play games which combine video display and interaction with true physical player activity and interaction using physical game props in real time, as well as the ability to engage and play in real time with other players, in person and remote. The game table described and contemplated herein provides such a combination of video, virtual, and actual player interaction with the game and other players.

A game table is provided which enables combined physical game playing and virtual game playing by one or more players which are physically present (in person), remote, or a combination thereof, relative to the game table. The game table comprises: a tabletop which has a casing, a liquid crystal display (LCD) video screen inset within and recessed from a top surface of the casing, and a play area provided on at least a portion of the LCD video screen for one or more physically present players to visually and physically interact with games and other entertainment activities on the game table; a computer and associated components which are, individually or collectively, capable of at least: communicating and executing game software and applications, enabling and managing internet access and communication, enabling and managing player information, in person and remote player activity, and player-to-player communication among in person and remote players; one or more physical game props for use by one or more players physically present at the game table; and an infrared (IR) sensing system which is capable of sensing and collecting physical play information about physical play activity performed by one or more in person players, on or proximate to the play area of the LCD video screen. The IR sensing system is further capable of communicating the physical play information to the computer for performing one or more of interpreting, translating, and converting the physical play information to virtual in-game action for use in game software during play, which enables combined physical game playing and virtual game playing by one or more players.

The game software and applications include one or more types of video games, role playing games, adventure games, strategy games, puzzles, logic games, arcade games, and combinations thereof.

The LCD video screenmay or may not include touchscreen capabilities on at least a portion of its surface, and may include one or more peripheral borders which define the play area therein.

In some embodiments, the IR sensing system includes an IR frame inset in the casing of the table top and extending around an outermost periphery of the LCD video screen, and a plurality of IR sensors mounted in the IR frame which sense the physical play activity and collect and communicate the physical play information to the computer. The plurality of IR sensors mounted in the IR frame may comprise a plurality of IR transmitters and a plurality of IR receivers, which are positioned, evenly spaced or not, and alternatingly or not, around the play area.

Physical play information includes: occurrence and location of touch (finger) points on the LCD video screen, at least one of presence, position, orientation, and movement of one or more physical game props during use by one or more in person players, and combinations thereof. Physical play activity comprises: a finger contact on the LCD video screen, and one or more of addition, movement, manipulation, and removal of a physical game prop.

The physical game props include: a ball, a ring, a paddle, a racket, an arrow, a dart, a cue stick, a hockey puck, a shuffle board puck, a net, a bean bag, a horseshoe, a mallet, a bat, a pistol, a rifle, a joystick, a spinner, a motion-enabled chair, a steering wheel, a motion-sensing mat, multiples thereof, and combinations thereof.

One or more of the physical game props may be a smart prop which includes one or more devices, sensors, transmitters, or a combination thereof, which produce, detect, identify, or a combination thereof, additional physical properties of the first physical prop during use. Such additional physical properties may include one or more of: vibration, force, speed, three dimensional location, and three dimensional orientation.

The game table may further comprise a support structure for supporting and elevating the tabletop. In some embodiments, the support structure is attached to the tabletop and extends therefrom to the ground or floor, and in other embodiments the support structure is attached to the tabletop and also to a stable support structure. The support structure may be adjustable for supporting and holding the tabletop at a desired height or elevation, in a desired orientation, tilted at a desired angle or orientation, and combinations thereof.

The invention described and contemplated herein comprises a digital, interactive game table designed to provide a versatile gaming experience for one or more players who participate in person, remotely, or both. The game table combines the physical engagement of traditional arcade and table games (like foosball, air hockey, pool, and ping pong) with the advanced features of digital technology, enabling a wide array of game types and rules, including games that are not feasible with traditional physical components alone. The game table enables dynamic fields of play as well as an expanded number of players even for games and activities that were traditionally limited in these aspects. For example, without limitation, a player could play air hockey against 2 or 3 other players, simultaneously using the game table described and contemplated herein.

For example, in traditional air hockey on a physical table, it is not possible to change the sizes of the goals, the physics relating to movement, momentum, friction and other properties, or any of the behavior of the puck, in real time. However, such changes and adjustments, and others, are easily possible in the combined physical and virtual environment of the game table described and contemplated herein. Changes and adjustments to the aforesaid properties of game elements and behavior thereof, may be used, for example without limitation, to give one player a temporary (or prolonged) advantage over one or more other players, or to enhance the gaming experience to be more fun and exciting by making game elements such as balls bounce more, farther, faster, etc., or making pucks slide further and faster, or harder to move and slower.

The game table, as described in detail below, includes features and functionality which enables players to use real physical game props, such as paddles, balls, or pool cues, each of which is tracked by and infrared (IR) sensing system which include an IR frame, to interact with the digital elements displayed on a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen. The game table provides a highly diverse and adaptable entertainment experience suitable for home, arcades, hotel lobbies, lounges, and entertainment rooms, as well as taverns and restaurants. Schools and educational centers may also find the game table useful as an interactive learning tool where suitable games and activities are downloaded. The game table enables players to download, purchase, and update games directly to the game table, ensuring a constantly evolving gaming experience. at home arcade, game room, indoor, etc

The game table is capable of enabling actual and virtual game play by one or more players which may be in person, remote, or a combination thereof. More specifically, the game table enables and supports multiplayer gaming, both locally and potentially remotely online, with integrated features that accommodate competitive and cooperative playing, as well as both asynchronous alternating turn-based play, concurrent team-based play, as well as real time play in action based games. The game table includes several features, as well as a computer and related components capable of executing applications, which enable playing many different types of games by multiple players.

Any particular version of the game table may be adapted to enable playing a virtually unlimited number of different types of games including, for example, without limitation, traditional arcade games (e.g., skee ball, ring toss, shuffle board, etc.), table games (e.g., foosball, table hockey, billiards, ping pong, etc.), board games (e.g., monopoly, clue, etc.), and video games. Any and all types of video games can be played on the game table including Space Invaders, role playing games, adventure and strategy games, puzzle games, and many others. Thus, a single game table assembly offers an enormous variety of entertainment and gaming experiences. Players can download new games, customize existing games, and access a variety of themes and settings to enhance the gaming experience provided by the game table.

Generally referring now to the figures, an exemplary embodiment of a game table will now be described having basic components which collectively provide an apparatus capable of providing the game playing and entertainment experiences described above. It will be readily apparent to persons of ordinary skill, however, that the game table is not limited to those basic components, but rather, various additional and alternative components and features are possible and contemplated which further enable a nearly unlimited range of different game playing and entertainment experiences. It should be understood that, while many such additional and alternative components and features will also be described hereinafter, they are not limited to those specifically disclosed and described below.

More particularly, as can be seen in, an exemplary embodiment of a game tableincludes a tabletopand a support structureattached to the underside of the tabletopand extending to the ground or floor, for supporting and elevating the tabletop. The game tablealso includes an IR sensing system, which will be described in more detail later and enables the combination of physical and video game playing. As also described in more detail later, the game tablealso includes a computer (not shown) which is capable of executing (running) game software and applications and capable of internet access and communication.

The figures provide several views of the game table, as follows: perspective view (), top view (), front elevational view (), right side view (), and bottom view ().provides a cross-sectional view of the game table, taken along line A-A inand looking in the direction of the arrows, as well as along line B-B inand looking in the direction of the arrows.show several exemplary physical game props useful for playing hybrid versions, i.e., physical and video, of games on the game table.

With reference in particular now to, the tabletopincludes a casingand an LCD video screenwhich is inset within and recessed from the top surfaceof the casing. The LCD video screenmay or may not include touchscreen capabilities on at least a portion of its surface. Furthermore, the LCD video screenmay or may not provide one or more peripheral borderswhich define a play areatherein. The play areaof the LCD video screenwhich is the primary location on the game tablewhere physically present players visually and physically interact with games and other entertainment activities on the game table.

Continuing with, the game tableincludes an infrared (IR) sensing system which includes an IR framewhich is also inset in the casingand extends around the outermost peripheryof the LCD video screen. The IR frameincludes a plurality of IR sensors, including a plurality of IR transmitters and a plurality of IR receivers (not shown per se), mounted therein. The IR transmitters and IR receivers are positioned, evenly or not, and alternatingly or not, around the play area, for sensing and communicating touch (finger) points on the LCD video screenas well as the presence, position(s), and movement(s) of one or more physical game props (not shown in, but see) being used by players while playing a game. The presence, position(s), and movement of physical game props on or adjacent to the surfaceof the LCD video screenare communicated to the computer for use during execution of the game software being played. This enables the game tableto receive and interpret physical player interactions and translate or convert them into virtual in-game actions.

For example, without limitation, presence, position, and movement information for physical game props sensed by the IR sensing system and communicated to the computer enables the game to monitor and track one or more physical game props during game play. For example, without limitation, the rolling movement of a ball prop or movement of a puck during a billiards or hockey game, respectively, could be tracked, monitored and displayed, in real time and relative to various game elements, in the game environment on the LCD video screen. Through cooperation of the LCD video screen, IR sensing system, and computer, the initial and final landing position of a bean bag prop during a corn hole game, or the movement in three-dimensional space of a pool cue prop during a billiards game, can also be track and displayed, in real time and relative to various game elements, in the game environment on the LCD video screen.

Accordingly, the combination of the durable, high-resolution LCD video screenwith the IR frameof the IR sensing system enabled real-time interaction by players with physical props recognized by the video game played on the game table. Moreover, the integration of traditional physical gaming elements with dynamic digital content by the game table described and contemplated herein, allows for an unprecedented level of customization and variety in tabletop gaming.

The surfaceof the LCD video screenprovides a relatively large, durable, flat surface capable of displaying high-resolution images and animations, and providing visual feedback to player during game play. Materials of construction for the tabletopand especially the LCD video screenand the IR framewith IR sensors should be durable and capable of withstanding impact and movement of physical game props, as well as being capable of transmitting IR signals without interference. Optionally, but preferably, the surfaceof the LCD video screenmay be protected by a clear (transparent) plastic, plexiglass, glass, or similar material, to minimize or prevent breakage and scratching of the screen surface.

Suitable physical game props for use with the game tablemay be any of many different kinds of physical game pieces, articles, tools, etc., depending on the particular game(s) being played. For example, without limitation, physical game props may be one or more of balls, rings, paddles, darts, cue sticks, hockey pucks, shuffle board pucks, nets, paddles, bean bags, horseshoes, mallets, etc. Part of the utility and benefit of have the LCD video screeninset and recessed in the casingof the tabletop, in addition to creating an environment for functioning of the IR frameand IR sensors therein, is to prevent physical game props from falling off the tabletop.

provide perspective views of a few types of contemplated physical game props,,,,,useful with the game table. More particularly,each show a paddle (or mallet),, respectively, which are suitable as physical game props useful for playing hybrid physical-video versions of such games as table hockey, tennis, and others, on the game table. As shown in, a prop such as a paddlemay have optional “feet”which contact the surfaceof the play areaof the LCD video screenduring use. FIG.C shows a puckfor playing hybrid physical-video versions of such games as shuffle board, table hockey, etc. with the game table. To reduce or eliminate the possibility that two pucks, both in motion, could be detected as a single object if they come close or contact one another, followed by inability to know which is which after they separate, each puckmay, as shown in, include a spacer element, such as a bumper, extending laterally therefrom.

shows a pair of pool cues,for playing a hybrid physical-video version of billiards on the game table. Optionally, to facilitate smooth movement of the cue tipalong the surfaceof the LCD video screenduring play, a spacer or buffer elementmay be attached proximate to the cue tip, either extending in one direction therefrom (shown in) so that the pool cuemay be oriented for the spacer elementto contact the screen surface, or even encircling the cue tip, like a bumper (not shown), so that it will contact the screen surfaceregardless of the orientation of the pool cue.

While not necessary, a physical game prop may be a “smart” prop, such as the smart paddleshown in, which includes one or more devices, sensors, transmitters, etc. for enabling the smart prop to communicate with the computer and the IR sensors in the IR frameduring game play, which may enhance the experience of the player(s) during game play. For example, without limitation, in addition to location and movement information, a smart game prop, such as the smart paddleof, may provide force feedback information. Such additional information could, for example, be enabled by including a vibration motor and suitable circuitry in the smart paddle, and when a virtual puck is “hit” while playing a game with the smart paddle, a signal from the computer, the IR sensors IR frame would spin the vibration motor, this can be done by IR sensors in the IR framesignaling the circuitry to spin the vibrator motor in the smart paddle. Additionally, for example without limitation, a smart prop may include a gyroscope device and suitable circuitry for sending and receiving information regarding positional orientation in three dimensions for the smart prop to and from the computer and IR sensors.

It should be noted that, alternatively, or in addition, to the IR sensing system, the game tablecan include the necessary hardware and software for enabling blue tooth connectivity and communication for receiving positional, movement, and other information for smart game props in use with the game table. More particularly, the smart props would each include sensing and transmitting devices (e.g., touch sensors, gyroscopes, buttons, etc.) that sense send such information and communicate that information via blue tooth to the computer for integration and use with the game being played.

Moreover, the IR sensing system (i.e., IR frameand plurality of IR sensors) may serve several purposes, as follows. As already described above, the IR sensing system is for detecting finger contact and position, as well as the position and movement of physical game props on the LCD video screenand, more particularly, on its surface. The IR sensing system may also be used for providing a means to communicate bi-directionally with interactive (“smart”) props, such as a pool cue that senses and communicates speed and/or acceleration (while position is sensed by the position of the pool cue), or an air hockey paddle having switches on it to fire digital projectiles or to act as an input to the system.

Finally, it is also contemplated that the IR sensing system could be useful to detect the orientation of an interactive prop (such as an air hockey paddle, pool cue, etc.), such as by including features (such as touch or positional sensing pads or patches) on the bottom surface of the prop, each such feature having and appearing as distinct detection point by the IR sensing system (or received as distinct detection points by a blue tooth system). Such prop orientation information being provided, via the IR sensing system and computer, to the game software being played, will enable and assist a player with aiming a shot or move in three dimensional space in the game. To produce such prop orientation information must include at least three discrete points, arranged in a triangular pattern which is not equilateral, for the computer to perform triangulation and accurately determine of the prop orientation, which is then communicated to the player.

The tabletopof the embodiment shown in the figures (see especially, land) has a generally rectangular shape with a lengthand width, and is in a substantially horizontal orientation (i.e., within +/−10% of horizontal). However, other shapes and orientations are possible and may sometimes be preferable, depending on the types of games to be played. For instance, the tabletopmay be square, circular, oval, an irregular or non-geometric shape, or any other shape which is suitable for playing games programmed or downloaded to the computer. Furthermore, the components, such as the casingand LCD video screen, need not be the same shape as one another. For example, without limitation, the casingmay be rectangular while the LCD video screenis oval, or vice versa.

The support structureof the game tableis shown in the embodiment ofas including four legs,,,, but this is not the only suitable and effective configuration of a support structure, which may be anything capable of supporting and elevating the tabletopto a desired height from the ground or floor which is convenient for players to access and interact with the tabletop. For example, alternative support structures (not shown) could include more or less legs,,,, such as 3, 6, or some other number of legs, or two cylindrical supports spaced apart toward opposite ends of the tabletop, or a single cylindrical support extending downward from the center of the tabletop, or even a rectangular housing, among many other possibilities.

Furthermore, the support structuremay, regardless of the particular components, be adjustable so that the height of the tabletopand LCD video screencan be adjusted depending on any of several possible considerations. For example, without limitation, children players often need a lower height than adults, and different adults will often also be more comfortable at different heights than one another, due to their own differing heights and preferences. Some games are also more comfortably played at lower or higher heights than others (e.g., table hockey may be more comfortably played at lower heights than adventure video games).

It is also contemplated that in some embodiments, the game tablemay include an orientation control mechanism (not shown) connected to the tabletop, the support structure, or both, for moving the tabletopfrom one orientation to another. More specifically, an orientation control mechanism could tilt the tabletopinto any orientation between and including the substantially horizontal orientation shown in the figures and a substantially vertical orientation (i.e., within +/−10% of vertical; not shown). For example, in some embodiments, an orientation control mechanism could, without limitation, be capable of tilting the tabletopalong an axis AL which is parallel with the length, or along an axis AW which is parallel with the width, of the tabletop, as can be seen in. The ability to tilt the tabletop(and LCD video screentherewith) into different orientations introduces the option of customizing the gaming experience for players. For example, without limitation, the tabletopcould be tilted into an angled orientation (e.g., 15 to 45 degrees from horizontal) for playing skee ball or corn hole, while tilting the tabletopinto a near vertical or substantially vertical position (e.g., about 0 to 30 degrees from vertical) may allow more comfortable and/or conventional player interaction with a video game (e.g., Space Invaders®, Fortnight®, Roblox®, etc.).

Although not shown per se in the figures, but as mentioned above, the game tablefurther includes a computer and associated components (e.g., internet communication hardware and programming, an operating system such as Android or an equivalent thereof, read only memory, storage memory, internet cable port(s), USB port(s), etc.). The computer is capable of, at least, communicating (uploading, downloading, sending, receiving, etc., over the internet) a wide range of game software and applications, and player information and activity, as well as executing or running games played on the game table, enabling player-to-player communication, and analyzing and managing all of the foregoing information and activity. The computer may, for example, be attached to or mounted on or in the casingof the tabletopor the support structure(depending on the type and configuration of the support structure).

The game tablemay also include additional components for additional functionality or enhancement of the game play experience. For example, one or more sound speakers,may be provided and mounted in a convenient location on the game tablewhere they don't′ obstruct access to, or playing on, the LCD video screen. For example, without limitation, speaker,may be mounted on the bottom of the tabletop, such as on or in the bottom portion of the casingof the tabletop, as shown in. Another useful feature would be a holder or container connected or mounted to the tabletop(e.g., to the casing), or the support structure(e.g., the upper portion of a leg), for holding and storing physical game props.

The tabletopcould also be provided with lighting, optionally colored, facing downward, such as onto the surfaceof LCD video screen, to provide mood effects, or to communicate game related information to players. Still another feature which would enhance player experience while playing games includes one or more vibration motors (not shown) on or in smart game props, or on or in the casingof the tabletop, for reminding or forcing player feedback or action (i.e., a player prompt).

As is best seen in, the tabletopoften includes one or more control features, such as buttons, switches, levers, etc., at least some of which may, but do not have to be, mounted together on a control panel. Each of the control featuresis in communication with at least one other feature or component of the game tablefor controlling various aspects of the game tableand game(s). For example, aspects which may be controlled using the control featuresinclude, but are not limited to, controlling the support structureto change the elevation, orientation, or both, of the tabletop, selecting and controlling features of the LCD video screensuch as (but not limited to) brightness, color scheme, the size of text, icons, images, etc., adjustment of the sound volume, and aspects of the game being played such as (but not limited to) number of players, difficulty level, version, selection of characters and other variables, etc.

Exemplary dimensions of the game tablewill now be discussed, with reference to, but are not intended to be limiting in any way. A wide range of possible dimensions are possible for the game tableand its components, as long as all components fit and cooperate together to enable one or more players access to and contact with the LCD video screenand its surface. It is contemplated, but not required, that the game tablehave shape and dimensions similar to traditional game tables, such as foosball tables, pool tables, and air hockey tables.

For the exemplary embodiment of the game tableshown in, the tabletopmay have a lengthof about 50 inches (127 centimeters, “cm”) and a width of about 32 inches (81.3 cm), and a thickness of about 3.25 inches (8.3 cm). The greatest table height TH may be about 33 inches (84 cm). Where the supporting structureincludes four slightly angled legs,,, as in the embodiment of, the widest left-to-right span SL of the legs,and,, is about 44 inches (111.8 cm) (see) and the widest front-to-back span SL of the legs,and,, is about 44 inches (111.8 cm) (see).

Many additions, variations, and modifications to the game tableand its features are possible and contemplated, as will be recognized and understood to persons of ordinary skill in the relevant art having the benefit of this disclosure. More particularly, without limitation, the game table is capable of wide variability in the types of games that can be programmed and played. The table can emulate classic games such as air hockey, foosball, pool, and ping pong, with the added ability to modify game rules and physics, such as changing goal sizes, puck behaviors, and adding digital obstacles. Furthermore, playback capabilities may be provided by the game tableand its programming, including instant replay, slow motion replay, and others, to enable review, or simply, reliving, game events such as players making goals in hockey and foosball, making pockets in billiards, and others.

It may also be useful to include and use a privacy screen with the game table, such as, but not limited to, in situations where two or more in person players are present and interacting with the game table, such as playing competitively against one another. More specifically, in an exemplary non-limiting embodiment, the privacy screen comprises a barrier or film which is positioned on the LCD video screen in a location which blocks one player's play area from the view of one or more other players which, for example, enables the one player to hide or conceal game pieces, items, or props (e.g., cards, Scrabble® tiles, accumulated tokens or currency, etc.) from the other players. For example, in one embodiment, the barriers or films may be strips which do not stick to the LCD video screen or play area, but which are slightly tacky to prevent unintentional sliding or other movement when a player uses their finger to contact and activate the LCS video screen or play area during play.

Additional modifications and additions to the game tableare possible for expanding the types of games playable, such as including additional types of physical game props including, but not limited to, a joystick, a spinner, a steering wheel, and other arcade/video game props and devices. Such game props and devices could be plugged or wired into appropriate ports or other connection features for communication with the computer, as well as enabled for wireless connection and communication with the computer to enable an expanded variety of arcade game experiences. Ports and other connection features for wiring and plugging game props and devices into the game table for communication with the computer may be provided in multiple locations around the tabletop.

In addition to video games and hybrid physical-video games, it is contemplated that the game tablecan be programmed and equipped to execute and enable players to engage with other entertainment activities, with or without physical game props, including, but not limited to, board games, puzzles, interactive coloring pages, video content, and many others. For example, a hybrid physical-video version of Monopoly®, with physical game props for the player game pieces, houses, and hotels, and possibly touch screen fields on the LCD video screenfor drawing chance and community chest cards. Puzzles could include jigsaw puzzles, as well as crossword puzzles and more.