Multiplayer interactive video gaming device

Abstract

An improved multiplayer interactive video gaming device includes a plurality of independent player stations, each including at least one data input device configured to output a player input signal responsive to player activation. A computer game assembly executes a video card gaming program responsively to player game instructions. An interface assembly receives signals output by the plurality of player stations and outputs signals corresponding to particular data input devices. A personal computer assembly receives the output signals from the interface device via a data input port and executes the video card gaming program responsively thereto.

1 . (canceled) 
   
   
       2 . A multiplayer interactive video gaming machine for playing a card game in which cards are dealt at least to each player, said machine comprising:
 a player portion comprising a substantially semi-circular table and a plurality of independently operable player stations mounted substantially equiangularly about an arcuate periphery of said table, each said player station including a plurality of player activated controls by which each player can designate said player's decisions in connection with the play of said card game;   a single display viewable from each of said player stations;   means programmed with steps for playing said card game and responsive to said player activated controls for displaying simultaneously upon said single video display all cards that have been dealt that are currently in play.   
   
   
       3 . The machine according to  claim 2  wherein said displaying means is programmed with steps for simulating the play of a live casino table card game and displays upon said single video display a simulation of the play of cards in said live casino table card game. 
   
   
       4 . The machine according to  claim 3  wherein said card game consists essentially of Blackjack. 
   
   
       5 . The machine according to  claim 2  wherein said single video display is positioned substantially adjacent to and substantially parallel to a linear periphery of said table. 
   
   
       6 . The machine according to  claim 3  wherein said single video display is positioned substantially adjacent to and substantially parallel to a linear periphery of said table. 
   
   
       7 . The machine according to  claim 4  wherein said single video display is positioned substantially adjacent to and substantially parallel to a linear periphery of said table. 
   
   
       8 . In a multiplayer interactive video gaming machine for playing a card game in which cards are dealt at least to each player, said machine having a player portion comprising a plurality of spatially separate player stations including a plurality of player activated controls by which each player can designate said player's decisions in connection with the play of said card game, the improvement comprising:
 a single video display viewable from each of said player stations;   a computer-based data processing device operating according to an event-driven computer program for playing said card game and responsive to said player activated controls for displaying simultaneously upon said single video display all cards that have been dealt that are currently in play.   
   
   
       9 . The machine of  claim 8  wherein said data processing device operates according to an event-driven computer program for simulating the play of a live casino table card game and displays upon said single video display a simulation of the play of cards in said live casino table card game. 
   
   
       10 . The machine of  claim 9  wherein said card game consists essentially of Blackjack. 
   
   
       11 . The machine of  claim 8  wherein said data processing device operates according to an event-driven computer program for simulating the play of a live casino table card game and displays upon said single video display a simulation of the play of cards in said live casino table card game. 
   
   
       12 . The machine of  claim 11  wherein said card game consists essentially of Blackjack. 
   
   
       13 . A multiplayer interactive video gaming machine for playing a card game in which cards are dealt at least to each player, said machine comprising:
 a player portion comprising a substantially semi-circular table and a plurality of independently operable player stations mounted substantially equiangularly about an arcuate periphery of said table, each said player station including a plurality of player activated controls by which each player can designate said player's decisions in connection with the play of said card game;   a single display viewable from each of said player stations;   a computer-based data processing device operating according to an event-driven computer program for playing said card game and responsive to said player activated controls for displaying simultaneously upon said single video display all cards that have been dealt that are currently in play.   
   
   
       14 . The machine of  claim 13  wherein said data processing device operates according to an event-driven computer program for simulating the play of a live casino table card game and displays upon said single video display a simulation of the play of cards in said live casino table card game. 
   
   
       15 . The machine according to  claim 14  wherein said card game consists essentially of Blackjack. 
   
   
       16 . The machine according to  claim 14  wherein said card game consists essentially of Poker.