IP Library Granted Patent US 9,437,083
Granted Patent B2
US 9,437,083 · App. 14/231,942 · Granted Sep 6, 2016

Computer gaming device and method for computer gaming

Inventors: Robert S. Burnside (Fayetteville, TX); Jerry W. Biesel (Dallas, TX)
Assignee: RATIONAL FT ENTERPRISES LIMITED
G07F17/3293G07F17/32A63F2001/005A63F2001/008
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,437,083
App. No.
14/231,942
Granted
Sep 6, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system for computer gaming includes a processor configured to provide a first table of a first group of players grouped together to play a first hand and provide to each of the first group of players one or more cards for the first hand. The system includes an interface couple to the processor and configured to receive from a first player of the first group of players a request to fold the one or more cards of the first player. The processor is also configured to automatically move the first player to a second table of a second group of players grouped together to play a second hand.

Claims (42)

1. A gaming system, comprising:

a server provided in communication with a plurality of subscriber terminals, to maintain a virtual gaming environment that includes a lobby area and a plurality of gaming tables, wherein:

the lobby area represents a virtual location for selection by subscribers, from among a plurality of game types, of a type of game to be played, and

each gaming table represents a virtual location for subscribers to play a hand of poker according to a respective selection of game type;

wherein the server, responsive to a first player's action representing a request to fold before gameplay reaches the first player at a first table, automatically moves the player from the first table to a second table to make the player active at the second table without interaction in the lobby area;

wherein gameplay remains active at the first table for at least one other player and server prevents participation by the first player at the first table in response to the request to fold:

wherein the server maintains an appearance that the first player is active at the first table from a time of the request to fold until gameplay at the first table reaches a position of the first player.

2. The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein, in the lobby area, the server presents information identifying a number of gaming tables active for each type of game.

3. The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein, in the lobby area, the server presents information identifying a number of players involved in each type of game.

4. The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the game types include a multi-table tournament.

5. The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein, in response to a request to sit out, the server removes the first player from all gaming tables at the conclusion of the first player's participation in the player's then-current hand.

6. The gaming system of claim 5 , wherein, in response to a request to return to gameplay following the request to sit out, the server places the first player at another gaming table.

7. The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the server determines a location of a dealer button with respect to the first player's seating position at the second table based on a fairness algorithm.

8. The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the server determines a seating location of the first player at the second table based upon a seating location of the first player at the first table.

9. The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the server displays the first player at a common location at the first table and the second table and varies location of a dealer button about the first player's displayed location.

10. The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the server automatically moves all players remaining at the first table to other virtual table(s) upon completion of the hand.

11. A gaming system, comprising:

a subscriber terminal provided in communication with a server, to display a virtual gaming environment to a subscriber, the virtual gaming environment including a lobby area and a plurality of gaming tables, wherein:

the lobby area represents a virtual location for the subscriber to select, from among a plurality of game types, a type of game to be played, and

each gaming table represents a virtual location for the subscriber to play a hand of poker according to the subscriber's selection of game type;

wherein the terminal, responsive to a subscriber's action representing a request to fold before gameplay reaches the subscriber at a first table, without interaction in the lobby area terminates display of the first table, displays the player subscriber at a second table to make the subscriber active at the second table at which the player subscriber plays a new hand of poker, and prevents the subscriber from further play at the first table while gameplay remains active at the first table for another subscriber with an appearance that the subscriber is active at the first table from a time of the request to fold until gameplay reaches a position of the subscriber.

12. The gaming system of claim 11 , wherein, in the lobby area, the terminal displays information identifying a number of gaming tables active for each type of game.

13. The gaming system of claim 11 , wherein, in the lobby area, the terminal displays information identifying a number of players involved in each type of game.

14. The gaming system of claim 11 , wherein the game types include a multi-table tournament.

15. The gaming system of claim 11 , wherein the terminal displays an option for the first player to request to sit out.

16. The gaming system of claim 15 , wherein in response to a request to return to gameplay, the terminal displays the first player at another gaming table.

17. The gaming system of claim 11 , wherein the terminal displays a seating location of the first player at the second table based on a seating algorithm.

18. The gaming system of claim 11 , wherein the terminal displays a seating location of the first player at the second table based upon a seating location of the first player at the first table.

19. The gaming system of claim 11 , wherein the terminal to display the first player at a common location at the first table and the second table, and to display a varied location of a dealer button about the first player's location.

20. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having stored thereon program instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:

interact with a server, to display a virtual gaming environment to a subscriber that includes a lobby area and a plurality of gaming tables, wherein the lobby area represents a virtual location for the subscriber to select, from among a plurality of game types, a type of game to be played, and

each gaming table represents a virtual location for the subscriber to play a hand of poker according to the subscriber's selection of game type; and

responsive to a subscriber's action representing a request to fold before gameplay reaches the subscriber at a first table, interacts with the server to move the subscriber from the first table to a second table to make the subscriber active at the second table without traversing the lobby area to play a new hand of poker,

where the subscriber is prevented from further play at the first table while gameplay remains active at the first table for another subscriber with an appearance that the subscriber is active at the first table from a time of the request to fold until gameplay reaches a position of the subscriber.

21. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 20 , wherein, in the lobby area, to display information identifying a number of gaming tables active for each type of game.

22. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 20 , wherein, in the lobby area, to display information identifying a number of players involved in each type of game.

23. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 20 , wherein the game types include a multi-table tournament.

24. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 20 , further comprising to display an option for the first player to request to sit out.

25. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 24 , wherein in response to a request to return to gameplay, to display the first player at another gaming table.

26. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 20 , further comprising to display a seating location of the first player at the second table based upon a seating algorithm.

27. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 20 , further comprising to display a seating location of the first player at the second table based upon a seating location of the first player at the first table.

28. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 20 , further comprising to display the first player at a common location at the first table and the second table, and to display a varied location of a dealer button about the first player's location.

Assignments (10)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 30, 2024
From: LLOYDS BANK PLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: RATIONAL INTELLECTUAL HOLDINGS LIMITED
Reel/Frame 067269/0442 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 30, 2024
From: LLOYDS BANK PLC, AS SUCESSOR TO DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: RATIONAL INTELLECTUAL HOLDINGS LIMITED (AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO RATIONAL FT ENTERPRISES LIMITED)
Reel/Frame 067269/0792 →
FIRST LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 1, 2020
From: RATIONAL INTELLECTUAL HOLDINGS LIMITED
To: LLOYDS BANK PLC
Reel/Frame 053096/0438 →
ASSIGNMENT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT COLLATERAL RECORDED AT R/F 047248/0004 Recorded Jun 30, 2020
From: DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH
To: LLOYDS BANK PLC
Reel/Frame 053093/0444 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 24, 2020
From: RATIONAL FT ENTERPRISES LIMITED
To: RATIONAL INTELLECTUAL HOLDINGS LIMITED
Reel/Frame 053029/0198 →
FIRST LIEN SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 11, 2018
From: RATIONAL FT ENTERPRISES LIMITED
To: DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH
Reel/Frame 047248/0004 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 10, 2018
From: DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH
To: RATIONAL FT ENTERPRISES LIMITED
Reel/Frame 046309/0415 →
SUPPLEMENT NO. 1 TO THE FIRST LIEN SECURTIY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 6, 2017
From: RATIONAL FT ENTERPRISES LIMITED
To: DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 041891/0835 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 18, 2016
From: RATIONAL INTELLECTUAL HOLDINGS LIMITED
To: RATIONAL FT ENTERPRISES LIMITED
Reel/Frame 038307/0300 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 26, 2014
From: RATIONAL FT ENTERPRISES LIMITED
To: RATIONAL INTELLECTUAL HOLDINGS LIMITED
Reel/Frame 034273/0664 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation 11316573 · Dec 20, 2005
Related Publication 20140213338A1 · Jul 31, 2014