Poker training devices and games using the devices

Abstract

A method and equipment for playing a game of a type wherein a player conceals his emotional state from other players. A device translates an internal emotional state of a player into a display perceptible by others near the player. The device may comprise a sensor unit, and a securing device for securing the sensor unit in contact with the player's skin, the sensor unit detecting a physical parameter indicative of the player's emotional state and issuing a detection signal; and a display unit attached to the sensor unit for receiving the detection signal and issuing a display indicative of the player's emotional state.

1 . A device for translating an internal emotional state of a user into a display perceptible by others near the user, comprising: 
 a sensor unit, and a securing device for securing the sensor unit in contact with the skin of a user,    said sensor unit comprising a sensor for detecting at least one physical parameter indicative of said user's emotional state and issuing a detection signal; and    a display unit attached to said sensor unit for receiving said detection signal and issuing a display indicative of said emotional state.    
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said sensor comprises at least one of a temperature sensor, an EMG sensor, and a GSR sensor.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , further comprising circuitry for processing said detection signal by amplifying said detection signal, or by selecting components of said detection signal indicative of said emotional state, or both.  
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said sensor circuit, display unit and securing arrangement form a headband.  
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said sensor circuit, display unit and securing arrangement further comprise lenses and thereby form eyeglasses.  
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said sensor unit is securable in a position in which said display is not visible to the user.  
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said display comprises at least one of a light display, a sound generator, and a vibration generator.  
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , further comprising circuitry for selecting one or more of said light, sound and vibration display.  
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein said circuitry further sets the intensity of said one or more display.  
     
     
         10 . A method of translating an internal emotional state of a user into a display perceptible by others near the user, comprising the steps of: 
 securing a sensor unit in contact with the skin of a user, in a position in which said display is perceptible by others near the user,    detecting with said sensor unit a physical parameter indicative of said user's emotional state and issuing a detection signal; and    receiving said detection signal with a display unit attached to said sensor unit and issuing a display indicative of said emotional state.    
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , comprising the step of sensing at least one of temperature, muscle tension and skin resistance of said user.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , comprising the step of securing said sensor unit in a position in which said display is not visible to the user.  
     
     
         13 . A method of playing a game having a predetermined set of equipment and rules, including a step wherein a player conceals his emotional state from other players, said method comprising the steps of: 
 providing said players with said game equipment and said rules;    providing each of said players with a device capable of translating an internal emotional state of a player into a display perceptible by others near the player, said device comprising:    a sensor unit, and a securing device for securing the sensor unit in contact with the skin of the player,    said sensor unit comprising a sensor for detecting a physical parameter indicative of said player's emotional state and issuing a detection signal; and    a display unit attached to said sensor unit for receiving said detection signal and issuing a display indicative of said emotional state;    wherein each player secures said device in a place on said player's body where said display unit is perceptible by the other players.    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , comprising the step of sensing at least one of temperature, muscle tension and skin resistance of said user.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said sensor unit is securable in a position in which said display is not visible to the user.  
     
     
         16 . A method of playing a game having a predetermined set of equipment and rules, including a step wherein a player conceals his emotional state from other players, said method comprising the steps of: 
 providing said players with said game equipment and said rules;    providing said players with a device which translates an internal emotional state of a player into a display perceptible by others near the player.    
     
     
         17 . Equipment for a game having a predetermined set of equipment and rules, including a step wherein a player conceals his emotional state from other players, comprising: 
 said game equipment and said rules; in combination with    a device for translating an internal emotional state of a player into a display perceptible by others near the player, said device comprising:    a sensor unit, and a securing device for securing the sensor unit in contact with the skin of the player,    said sensor unit comprising a sensor for detecting a physical parameter indicative of said player's emotional state and issuing a detection signal; and    a display unit attached to said sensor unit for receiving said detection signal and issuing a display indicative of said emotional state;    said device being securable in a place on said player's body where said display unit is perceptible by the other players.    
     
     
         18 . The equipment of  claim 17 , wherein said sensor comprises at least one of a temperature sensor, an EMG sensor, and a GSR sensor.  
     
     
         19 . The equipment of  claim 17 , wherein said sensor unit is securable in a position in which said display is not visible to the user.