Multiplayer interactive video gaming device

Abstract

A multiplayer interactive video gaming device is provided. The device includes a computer workstation assembly, at least one player station, and an interface assembly in operative communication with at least one data port of the computer workstation assembly and configured to receive player input messages from a plurality of the player stations and to output the player input messages to the computer workstation assembly by one or more of the at least one data ports. The interface assembly is operably associated with the at least one player station to route the player input messages from the at least one player station to the computer workstation assembly according to a predetermined protocol so that player input messages generated from simultaneous activation of a plurality of input devices are output to the computer workstation assembly without information loss.

1 . A multiplayer card gaming system comprising: 
 a) a plurality of spatially separate player stations, each said player station including: 
 at least one game play selection input device for allowing a player to enter game play selections into said system;  
 a currency acceptor for entering currency to facilitate game play;  
 at least one output device for communicating game play outcome to a player;  
 input monitoring means for monitoring actuation of said at least one input device and said currency acceptor and converting inputs received from said at least one input device and said currency acceptor into messages that identify the input and the one of said player stations at which the input has been entered, and;  
 output controlling means for controlling operation of said at least one output device in response to messages related to game play outcome;  
   b) a single game processor interfaced to said plurality of player stations; and    c) a single display monitor connected to said single game processor for displaying game play of each player station together;    wherein, said single game processor is programmed to execute a multiplayer video card gaming program in response to messages received from said input monitoring means of said player stations, determine an outcome of said gaming program for each of said player stations, display said outcome on said single display monitor, generate game play outcome messages, each said message being addressed to one of said player stations, and transmit said game play outcome message to said output controlling means for the one of said player stations identified by said address information.