Modular Control System for Game Tables

Abstract

The modular control system is a semi-portable control system that is intended to elevate the playing experience of indoor table games. Accordingly, the control system may be attached to an existing game table, to enable a vast array of enhancements and features such as and such as automatic digital score keeping, multi-colored controllable lights, interactive crowd noises and announcer, stat tracking, game analysis, recording video, streaming video, and uploading of video etc. Further, players may interact with the system with their network connected devices or attached control pad or remote control. To accomplish this, a control board that is electrically and electronically connected to multiple audio-visual components and sensors are mounted around the game table. Furthermore, the control board may operate independently or may connect to a proprietary web server which maintains a database of world-wide teams and rankings, which players use to compete in ranked matches.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A modular control system comprising:
 a table game;   a control board;   an audio-visual system;   a sensor system;   a computing system;   the control board comprising a microcontroller;   the table game comprising a first surface, wherein the first surface is a gaming surface of the table game;   the control board being detachably mounted onto a second surface of the table game, wherein the second surface is laterally offset from the first surface;   the audio-visual system, the sensor system, and the computing system being detachably mounted onto the game table; and   the audio-visual system, the sensor system, and the computing system being electronically connected to the control board through the microcontroller.   
     
     
         2 . The modular control system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor system comprises:
 a plurality of sensor devices;   the plurality of sensor devices being mounted adjacent to the first surface of the game table; and   the plurality of sensor devices being electronically connected to the microcontroller.   
     
     
         3 . The modular control system of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of sensor devices is at least one of force sensitive resistors, infrared sensors, speed sensors and ultrasonic sensors. 
     
     
         4 . The modular control system of  claim 1 , wherein the audio-visual system comprises:
 at least one display device;   a plurality of speakers;   at least one camera device;   a plurality of lighting devices; and   the at least one display device, the at least one camera device, the plurality of lighting devices, and the plurality of speakers being mounted around and within the table game.   
     
     
         5 . The modular control system of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of lighting devices is LEDs (light emitting diodes). 
     
     
         6 . The modular control system of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of lighting devices is mounted perimetrically along inner sidewalls of the table game. 
     
     
         7 . The modular control system of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of speakers is mounted adjacent to the first surface. 
     
     
         8 . The modular control system of  claim 4 , comprising:
 at least one enclosure;   the enclosure being mounted onto the table game; and   the enclosure encompassing the display device.   
     
     
         9 . The modular control system of  claim 1 , comprising:
 the computing system being electrically coupled to the audio-visual system; and   the sensor system being electrically coupled to the computing system.   
     
     
         10 . The modular control system of  claim 1 , comprising:
 a wireless communication module;   a remote control device;   a human interface device (HID);   the wireless communication module being mounted onto the control board;   the wireless communication module and the HID being electronically connected to the microcontroller;   the remote control device being communicably coupled to the wireless communication module, wherein operating the remote control device governs working of at least one of the audio-visual system, the sensor system, and the computing system; and   the HID being operably coupled to the audio-visual system, wherein operating the HID governs working of the audio-visual system.   
     
     
         11 . The modular control system of  claim 10 , wherein the HID is mounted adjacent to the first surface of the game table. 
     
     
         12 . The modular control system of  claim 1 , wherein the second surface is positioned lateral to the first surface of the game table. 
     
     
         13 . The modular control system of  claim 1 , comprising:
 a power source; and   the microcontroller being electrically connected to the power source.   
     
     
         14 . A modular control system comprising:
 a table game;   a control board;   an audio-visual system;   a sensor system;   a computing system;   the control board comprising a microcontroller and a wireless communication module;   the table game comprising a first surface, wherein the first surface is a gaming surface of the table game;   the control board being detachably mounted onto a second surface of the table game, wherein the second surface is positioned laterally offset from the first surface;   the audio-visual system, the sensor system, and the computing system being detachably mounted onto the game table; and   the audio-visual system, the sensor system, the computing system, and the wireless communication module being electronically connected to the control board through the microcontroller.   
     
     
         15 . The modular control system of  claim 14 , wherein the sensor system comprises:
 a plurality of sensor devices;   the plurality of sensor devices being mounted adjacent to the first surface of the game table; and   the plurality of sensor devices being electronically connected to the microcontroller.   
     
     
         16 . The modular control system of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of sensor devices is at least one of force sensitive resistors, infrared sensors, speed sensors and ultrasonic sensors. 
     
     
         17 . The modular control system of  claim 14 , wherein the audio-visual system comprises:
 at least one display device;   a plurality of speakers;   at least one camera device;   a plurality of lighting devices; and   the at least one display device, the at least one camera device, the plurality of lighting devices, and the plurality of speakers being mounted around and within the table game.   
     
     
         18 . The modular control system of  claim 14 , comprising:
 the computing system being electrically coupled to the audio-visual system; and   the sensor system being electrically coupled to the computing system.   
     
     
         19 . The modular control system of  claim 14 , comprising:
 a remote control device;   a human interface device (HID);   the HID being electronically connected to the microcontroller; and   the remote control device being communicably coupled to the wireless communication module, wherein operating the remote control device governs working of at least one of the audio-visual system, the sensor system, and the computing system; and   the HID being operably coupled to the audio-visual system, wherein operating the HID governs working of the audio-visual system.   
     
     
         20 . A modular control system comprising:
 a table game;   a control board;   an audio-visual system;   a sensor system;   a computing system;   a remote control device;   a human interface device (HID);   a power source;   the control board comprising a microcontroller and a wireless communication module;   the table game comprising a first surface, wherein the first surface is a gaming surface of the table game;   the microcontroller being electrically connected to the power source;   the control board being detachably mounted onto a second surface of the table game, wherein the second surface is positioned laterally offset from the first surface;   the audio-visual system, the sensor system, and the computing system being detachably mounted onto the game table;   the audio-visual system, the sensor system, and the computing system being electronically connected to the control board through the microcontroller;   the HID being electronically connected to the microcontroller;   the remote control device being communicably coupled to the wireless communication module, wherein operating the remote control device governs working of at least one of the audio-visual system, the sensor system, and the computing system; and   the HID being operably coupled to the audio-visual system, wherein operating the HID governs working of the audio-visual system.