Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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A METHOD FOR EXHIBITNG A CARD GAME
BACKGIZ~LTND ~F THE 1NVENTI~N
1. Field of the Invention.
[0001] The present invention'relates to a video format for exhibition of a
card game and
more particularly to a method for exhibiting video images of a card game, such
as poker game, in
which a plurality of video frames of video images of the game in progress are
presented with
textual/graphic, .data regarding the status of the game including each
player's cards . and each
player's bet in a manner which does not detract from a viewer's 'interest in
viewing a recording
of the game.
2. Description of the Prior Art.
[0002] Various methods are known for eachibiting card games, such as poker
games. One
method is disclosed in US Patent No. 5,451,054. The method described in the
'054 patent
requires a custom poker table co~gured with a plurality of card viewing
windows adjacent each
players station, built into the playing surface of the poker table, and a chip
receptacle fir each
player. The card viewing windows enable each of the players to place their
cards face d~wn on
the window so that the players cards can be displayed to the viewing audience
without rev eating
the cards to the other players. The chip receptacle is used for electronically
keeping track of
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each players' total number of chips. Other data pertinent to the poker game,
such as player
\' names, each player's cards and bet is added as text boxes to the video
recording during editing.
Although the text boxes provide important data relating to the current status
of the poker game,
such as each player's cards and bets, the exhibition method disclosed in the
'054 patent utilizes a
format in .which the text boxes are displayed in lieu of the game itself.
Unfortunately, poker
games are rather short and quick. Interruption of the game to display the text
information, thus
distracts the viewer's attention to the game.
[0003] The custom poker table disclosed in the '054 patent was used during a
poker
tournament called the "Poker Ii4illion Tournament," broadcast from the
Ladbroke Casino on the
Isle of Flan by Fox Sports Net. FIG. 7 is a video shot from underneath the
viewing window on
the poker table. As shown, the viewing window is used to display a player's
cards to the viewing
audience without revealing the player's cards to other players. While the
cards are being viewed
by the viewing 'audience, for example, as illustrated in Figure 7, the poker
game is continuing in
the background out of view of the viewing audience. Even though ' each
player's hands is
displayed by way of the viewing window, the viewing audience will, miss a
substantial portion of
the.poker game while the player's cards are being displayed.
[0004] .. FIG. 8 illustrates a video format used in the video presentation of
the World Heads
Up Poker Championship, played on June 2 through June S, 2001. As shown, the
video format
includes ann exemplary video frame, generally identified with the reference
numeral 2~. The
exemplary video frame 20 gs sectgoned int~ a pair of player ~rie~ring windows
22 aid 24,
disposed in the upper left and right hand corners of the video frame 20, which
represenu. video
images of two of the players. The video presentation of the poker tournament
is presented in a
upside-down T-shaped viewing window 26. The T-shaped viewing window 26
represents a
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camera shot viewing down on the table which shows, for example, three of the
dealer's cards,
collectively identified with the reference numeral 28. The player's cards are
superimposed on
the presentation window 26 and disposed underneath the player viewing windows
22 and 24,
respectively. For example, as shown, the cards identified what the reference
numerals 30 and 32
are associated with the playex, in the player window 22. Similarly, the cards
identified with the
reference numerals 34 and 36 are disposed beneath the player exhibited in the
viewing window
24. A bottom viewing window 38 is selectively used as a rectangular
presentation area, for
example, to illustrate the dealer's cards. Alternatively, the bottom viewing
window 38 is used to
form part of the viewing window 26.
[0005] The configuration of the player viewing windows 22 and 24 and the T-
shaped video
image presentation area 26 illustrated in FICa. 8 is not conducive to
presenting video images of
the players seated around the table playing the game. As such, thevideo format
illustrated in
FIG. 8 detracts from the viewing audience's view of the poker tournament
itself.
[0006] Fig. 9 illustrates yet another video format for exhibiting a poker
game. This format
was presented in a televisi~n production entitled "Inside the World Series of
Poker," presented
on the Discovery Channel. As shown, the exemplary video frame of video images
illustrated in
FIG 9 is~ from a perspective from behind the dealer. As shovim,~'four ~(4)
community cards,
..,~.,~.~.,.~. .
collectively identified with the reference numeral 40, are shown face-up on
the table while the
f fth community card 42 is being placed face up on tkae table by the dealer.
The video format
used in this e~~hibiti~n does not allow the audience t~ learn the identity o~
any of the playeg's
cards, normally face do~rn, until revealed by the players. moreover, betting
infora~nati~n can
only be derived from the video image, if possible.
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[0007] The format utilized in FIG 9 is an undesirable format for exhibiting a
poker game for
several reasons. First, the audience is unable to get a feel for the game as
its being displayed
since, the audience is not made aware of each individual player's hand until
the player turns his
normally face down cards face up. In addition, betting information can only be
derived from the
video image which means the audience must count the number of.chips played by
each of the
players in an attempt to keep track of these bets. Also, when players bet a
stack of ships, the
audience is unable to determine the exact amount of the bet. Finally, such a
format does not
easily allow the audience to keep track of each player's bets.
[OOOg] Fig. 10 illustrates another known video format which integrates both
video images of
the poker game along with graphic/textual information regarding the status of
the game. As
shown, an exemplary video frame, generally identified with the reference
numeral 44, is divided
into a generally rectangular video image viewing window 46 and a generally L-
shaped
graphics/text presentation area 48. The graphics/texf presentation area 4g is
used to exhibit '
various types of information including the player's names, identified in the
text boxes 50 and 52;
graphic images of the cards associated with each of the players, generally
identified with the
referenced numerals 54 and 56; and the odds associated with each player, by
way of text boxes,
generally identified with the reference numeral 5~ and 60, 62 and 64. Near the
bottom of the
graphics/text presentation area 48, graphical images. of each of the community
cards, collectively
identified with the reference numeral 66, are identified.
[00~~] As sho~r~n, the player ~rrgith is ~a~rored to sa~~in with a pair of
aces while the odds are
zero that player Jones with a 2 0~ spades and an ~ of diamonds will win.
'I°he odds also shop that
there is a zero percent chance of a game ending in a tie.
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[0010] The format presented in Fig. 10 was used at the 31 st Annual World
Series of Poker at
the Binion's Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, produced by Ross Television
Productions for the
Discovery Channel. This format requires a reduced size video image
presentation window which
_. .
detracts from viewer's interest in the game. Moreover, betting information is
not included.
:~4
Thus, there is a need for a video format for exhibition of a card game, such
as a poker game,
which does not detract from the viewer's interest in viewing the game whilc at
the same time
provides the viewing audience with at least information as to each player's
cards and each
player's bet.
SUMMARY OF TI-IE INVENTI~N
[0011] The present invention relates to a method for exhibiting a card game,
such as a poker
game, in which graphic and text data is selectively superimposed on video
frames which include
the video image of the card game in a relatively unobstructive manner in order
to inform the
viewing audience, of each player's cards and each player's bets. In this
manner, viewers can get
the feel of the game from each player's perspective during the game and at the
same time view
the card game in a relatively unobstructed matter. The graphical and text data
may be
superimposed on the video image in the form of pop-up boxes which can be
selectively
displayed on top of the video image and removed.
DESCRIPTI~N ~F THE DRAWINCrS
[001] These and other advantages of the present invention will be readily
underst~~d with
reference to the following specification and attached drawing wherein:
[001] FIC 1 is an exemplary video format of an e~~emplary frame of a card
game, such as a
poker game, illustrating superimposed graphic and text matter on the video
frame in acc~rdance
with the present invention.
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[0014] FIG 2 is a sectional elevational view of a portion of a game table for
use with the
present invention which includes a vertically oriented camera disposed, for
example, in a side
bumper of the poker table for enabling the viewing audience to view the
player's cards, shown
with a player in phantom placing the cards before the camera.
[0015] FIG 3 is a perspective view illustrating a player showing his cards to
the camera
illustrated in FIG 2.
[0016] FIG 4 is an exemplary view of a exemplary optional text box
illustrating each
player's current chip count in accordance with an aspect of the present
invention.
[0017] FIG 5 is an exemplary view of an optional video frame of a card player
and
superimposed data regarding the player's current status in the game in
accordance with an aspect
of the present invention.
[001] . FIG 6 is an exemplary view of another .optional frame for displaying
.various
information regarding an individual player in accordance with another aspect
of the invention.
[0019] FIG 7 is a representation of a video frame from a previously exhibited
poker
tournament, identified as the Poker Million, broadcast from the Ladbroke
Casino located in the
Isle of Man by Foac Sports Net, illustrating a camera shot from underneath the
table through a
window on the table.
[002~] FIG ~ is a representation of a video format ~f a previously exhibited
poker
t~urraament, entitled the ~~rld's I~e~.ds-LTp PolEer Championship, played on
dune 2 - June 5,
2001.
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[0021] FIG 9 is a representation of a video format of a previously exhibited
video production
entitled "Inside the World Series of Poker" produced by Ross Television
Productions for the
Discovery Channel.
[0022] FIG 10 is a representation of a video format of a previously exhibited
video
production, entitled the "31 st Annual World Series of Poker," produced by
Ross Television
Productions for the Discovery Channel. ..
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(0023] The present invention relates to a method for exhibiting a card game,
such as a poker
game. In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, the video
format of the card
game is exhibited such that the viewing area on the television screen or
monitor is optimised for
display of the video images of the Bard game while including pop-up text and
graphics
information boxes wluch provide the viewing audience with information
regarding the status of
the game such as each player's cards, their bets and optionally additional
information. The video
format produced by the method in accordance with the present invention enables
continuous
presentation of the card game illustrating the players and the poker table at
a minimum, while at
the, same time providing the video audience with the stators of the game
obstructing as little as
possible of the game in order to give the viewing audience the feel of the
game to thereby
increase interest in viewing the game.
(~~2~] As illustrated and described herein, the method and resulting video
format is
presented for a poker gaane9 for e~~ample a poker tourraarrbent. The
e~~earaplarry game exhibit~;d is a
seven (7) card poker game in which five (5) dealer cards are dealt face up and
placed on a poker
table. Each of the players are dealt two (2) cards face down. Each player's
hand thus consists of
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face down two (2) cards plus the five (5) community cards. The player with the
best poker hand
wins the game.
[0025] The poker game described above is typically played at poker
tournaments, such as a
"Poker Million", the "World Series of Poker" and the "World Poker Tour".
However,, the
method and resulting video format is clearly applicable to other games, such
as other card games
in which there is very little movement or action on the part of the players
and/or games which
last a relatively short period of time. The method and resulting video format
in accordance with
the present invention compensates for the little amount of player action
during the games by
optimizing the video image display of the game by allowing virtually
continuous presentation of
the card game and utilizing pop-up text and graphic boxes, superimposed on the
video image, in
a relatively unobstructive manner to inform the viewing audience of the
various information
regarding the status of the game including each player's cards and bet. These
pop-up data boxes
may be selectively displayed in different areas, of the video image viewing
window to avoid
overlaying important features of the video image of the game. ~ By optimizing
the video images
of the game and providing pop-up text and graphic boxes which include the
player's cards and
current bet, the resulting video format in accordance with the present
invention enables a
viewing audience to follow the game from each player's perspective during the
game thus
increasing the viewer's interest in the game. As will be discussed in more
detail below,
additional information may also be optionally provided to further enhance the
audience interest
in vievaing the game. -
[002] In accordance ~rith one aspect of the invention, a small video camera
100 (~I~ 2)
may be vertically mounted with respect to the playing surface of a poker table
104, for example,
in a bumper portion 102 of the table 104. As shown best in FICA 2, the bumper
portion 102 is
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raised from the playing surface of the poker table 104, forming a wall around
the poker table
104. The video camera 100 is thus vertically mounted with respect to the
playing surface of the
poker table 104 to provide a more natural presentation of the player's cards.
As a player lifts his
cards as shown in FIGS 2 and 3 to view the cards himself, the cards are also
exposed to the video
,b
camera 100. As shown best in FIG l, a video camera 100 is provided for each
player, adjacent
each player's station around the poker table 104.
(0027] This video information can be used to present each player's cards to
the viewing
audience during the game in one of several ways. In particular, a signal from
a video camera 100
may be coupled to a microprocessor (not shown) by way of an analog digital
converter and
compared with stored video images to automatically identify the player's
Bards, for example as
disclosed in US Patent Number 5,451,054, hereby incorporated by reference, so
that the player's
cards can be identified in the form of a graphic/text box to the viewing
audience in real time.
Alternatively, the video shots of the player's cards as illustrated in FIG 3
can be used strictly
during video editing of the card game. In this situation, the player's card
information along with
the player's name may be input into a pop-up text/graphic box. By utilizing a
vertically oriented
video camera, for example, disposed in the bumper portion 102 of a poker
table.104, the player's
actions are more natural than the system disclosed in US Patent Number 5,
451,054 in which the
players are required t~ slide.their cards over a viewing window on the surface
of the table.
(002] The video format in accordance with the present invention is illustrated
in FIG 1.
Unlike the knowa~ ~rideo format illustrated in FIG ~, the vide~ format in
accordance with the
present invention optimizes the frames of video image of the poker game in
progress by utilizing
most if not all of the video frame 10~ for the video images of the game in
progress rather than
dividing the display area 106 into viewing different video windows as in the
known meth~ds as
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discussed above. By optimizing the video image of the poker game in progress
within the video
frame 106, a more natural exhibition of the poker game from the standpoint of
the viewing
audience can be presented.
[0029] As used herein, a video image is defined to mean an image recorded by
one of more
video cameras. These video images may represent a static frame or multiple
frames in
accordance with, for example, a standard format, such as NTSC or PAL formats
or other
standard or non-standard formats. Stop. action video refers to a freeze frame
of the video image.
[0030] A pop-up data box refers to a text/graphics box which can be overlaid
over the video
image in a video frame using conventional off the shelf special effects video
editors, such as
Adobe After Effects and the like. These special effects video editors allow
the pop-up data
boxes to be programmed to be visible for any desired amount of time and can be
selectively
placed anywhere in the video frame 106. Use of such special effects video
editors is well known
within the art.
[0031] Refernng to FIG 1, the video format in accordance with the present
invention is
illustrated. An exemplary video format is presented for example, for a video
poker tournament.
As shown, a video image of a poker table 104 is illustrated along with three
players, identified
with the reference numerals 108, 110 and 112 and a dealer 114. As mentioned
previously, video
cameras 100 are disposed, for example, in the bumper portion 102 of the poker
table 104. In
addition, a main video camera (not shown) is used to record successive
fraaaaes of the main video
image, identified with the reference: numeral 116, for example, a, poker game
in progress which
includes a video display of the action of the players 108, 110 and 112 around
the poker table 104
and optionally a dealer 114. As the game is being played, various pop-up data
bores are
displayed and overlaid over a selected portion of the video frame 106 in an
unobstructive
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manner. As shown in FIG. l, most if not the entire video frame 106 is used for
the video image.
The pop boxes are selectively positioned so as to obstruct a minimal portion
of the main video
image.116 of the game in progress, if any at all. As discussed previously,
these pop-up data
boxes include various data regarding the status of the game to increase the
audience interest in
the game. For example, individual pop-up data boxes 118 and 1r20 may be
provided for each
player. Each pop-up data box may be provided with a portion 120 for the
player's name as well
as portions 122 and 124 for each player's cards and a portion 126 for the
player's current bet. A
turn arrow 128 may also optionally be provided to indicate which player has
the current turn.
[0032] The video format in accordance with the present invention provides the
video viewing
audience with a distinct advantage ~ver the live viewing audience and viewers
of other video
formats, namely, the video, viewing audience of the video format in accordance
with the present
invention will be provided with information regarding each player's cards and
current bet while
the game is in progress. Thus, the video viewing audience will be able to get
a better feel for the
game while it is in progress to further stimulate viewer interest in watching
video replays of a
poker game. In addition to the data boxes .118, 120 which identify the
player's cards.and bets,
additional data boxes may be provided to increase viewer interest. For
example, a data box 128
may optionally be provided which illustrates the community cards, collectively
identified with
the reference numeral.130.
[003] As mentioned above, for the particular game being illustrated, five (5~
cards are dealt
by the dealer 114 face up. These five (5) cards, identified herein as the
coanmunity csr~ls 130,
many be displag~ed in a pop-up data box 128. These cards 130 may be displayed
as showal with
alphanumeric characters .and symbols or images of the cards themselves may be
shown.
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Similarly, the data boxes 118 may also illustrate alphanumeric images and
symbols of the
playing cards or alternatively display images of the cards themselves.
[0034] As shown in FIG 1, the pop-up data box 128 illustrating the community
cards 130
allows the video viewing audience to easily view each player's entire hand. As
mentioned above
for the particular game illustrated, each player's hand consists of the five
(S) community cards
130 plus the two (2) individual cards dealt face down to the player 108, 110,
112. As shown, the
player Jones has a pair of aces and a pair of Bights. The player Smith has
three (3) Bights and a
pair of nines. The indicator arrow 128 indicates that it is currently Smith's
turn. The audience at
this point is aware that Smith's hand can win. As indicated, Smith "calls". At
this point, the
viewing audience knows that Smith will win the hand before Smith himself.
[0035] ~ther. pop-up boxes may be deployed and overlaid over portions of the
video frame .
106. For example,' a pop-up box 130 may be used to present the odds to the
audience. In
addition, other pop-up boxes 132 and.134 may be used to identify the pot size
for the current
hand. A pop-up box 136 may be used for additional information regarding lingo
used in the
game, hand update or a prior play. All of the pop-up boxes 118, 120, 128, 130,
132,134 and 136
may be overlaid over the video image being displayed in the frame 106 for
example, adjacent to .
the main video image 116 of the poker game. In this way the main video image
116 is optimized
while at the same time providing the viewing audience with at least minimal
information
regarding the status of the game including the identity of each player's face
~ down cards ~s well
as each playea~'s bet.
[0036] In addition to the video format illustrated in FIG 1, additional
information regarding
the game may be provided as illustrated in FIGS 4, 5, and 6. For example, FIG
4 illustrates one
or more text boxes 140 and 142 which provide data regarding each player's chip
count . The
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pop-up box 140 may be configured as a banner with the words "Chip Count" and
the title of the
competition, for example "World Poker Tour." A data box 142 may be used to
identify each of
the players by name and the value of their current chip count. These pop-up
boxes 140 and 142
may be overlaid over a video frame 106 for example, between games.
[0037] FIGS 5 and 6 illustrate additional formats for informational video
frames, for
example, to be used between games. In particular FIG 5 illustrates a freeze
frame video image of
a poker player with a data box 144 at the bottom of the viewing window 106
illustrating the
player's current status. FIG 6 illustrates yet another format for providing
additional information
regarding a player. The format illustrated in FIG 6 is configured such that
the video frame 106 is
used for the text box and includes a video window 146 which has a freeze frame
or video frames
of a player. As shown, various textual information may be provided within the
video windodv
146. For example, the player's first and last name,' age, town and past
achievements. These
video formats may be used between poker games to fuither enhance a viewer's
interest in
viewing the.,poker games.
[0038] Qbviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention
are possible in
light of the above teachings. Thus, it is to be understood that, within the
scope of the appended
claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically
described above.
[0039] What is claimed and desired to be covered by a Letters Patent is as
follows:
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