Game table for combined actual and virtual play

Abstract

A digital, interactive game table provides a versatile gaming experience for players participating in person, remotely, or both. Players interact both physically and virtually with games played on the game table, which enables playing games not otherwise feasible in heretofore separate physical and virtual gaming environments. The game table includes a tabletop with an LCD video screen recessed into its top surface, an IR frame surrounding the LCD video screen. The IR frame senses and communicates positional and movement information from physical game props (e.g., paddles, pucks, etc.) used by players on or near the LCD video screen. A computer capable of communicating with over the internet and communicating between the LCD screen and IR frame is also included. With these integrated components the game table receives and interprets physical player interactions and converts them into virtual in-game actions.

1 . A game table for 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 comprising:
 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, wherein 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.   
     
     
         2 . The game table of  claim 1 , wherein the LCD video screen includes touchscreen capabilities on at least a portion of its surface. 
     
     
         3 . The game table of  claim 1 , wherein the LCD video screen includes one or more peripheral borders which define the play area therein. 
     
     
         4 . The game table of  claim 1 , wherein 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. 
     
     
         5 . The game table of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of IR sensors mounted in the IR frame comprises 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. 
     
     
         6 . The game table of  claim 1 , wherein the 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. 
     
     
         7 . The game table of  claim 1 , wherein the 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. 
     
     
         8 . The game table of  claim 1 , further comprising hardware and software which enables blue tooth connectivity and communication between the computer and one or more blue tooth-enabled physical game props, each of which has sensing and transmitting devices capable of sensing and communicating positional and movement information via blue tooth to the computer for integration and use with a game being played. 
     
     
         9 . The game table of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more 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. 
     
     
         10 . The game table of  claim 1 , wherein the tabletop further includes one or more ports or other connection features which enable physical electronic connection of one or more physical game props, or one or more wireless communication devices, for wireless connection of one or more physical game props, to the computer. 
     
     
         11 . The game table of  claim 1 , wherein a first physical game prop includes a spacer element which reduces detection and misinterpretation of the first physical game prop as being a single prop with a second physical game prop with which it comes in proximity or contact, as well as enabling accurate detecting and tracking of the first physical game prop during movement away from the second physical game prop. 
     
     
         12 . The game table of  claim 1 , wherein a physical game prop comprises 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. 
     
     
         13 . The game table of  claim 1 , wherein the additional physical properties include one or more of: vibration, force, speed, three dimensional location, and three dimensional orientation. 
     
     
         14 . The game table of  claim 1 , wherein 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. 
     
     
         15 . The game table of  claim 1 , wherein the tabletop further includes one or more control features, each of which is in communication with at least one other feature or component of the game table for controlling various aspects and operations of the game table and game played thereon. 
     
     
         16 . The game table of  claim 15 , further comprising a control panel on which at least one of the one or more control features is operably mounted for access by players. 
     
     
         17 . The game table of  claim 1 , further comprising a support structure for supporting and elevating the tabletop. 
     
     
         18 . The game table of  claim 17 , wherein the support structure is attached to the tabletop and extends therefrom to the ground or floor, or is also attached to a stable support structure. 
     
     
         19 . The game table of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure is 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. 
     
     
         20 . The game table of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more audio devices, one or more containers for holding and storing physical game props, lighting devices facing downward onto at least a portion of the LCD video screen, one or more physical player prompts for reminding or forcing player feedback or action.