Multifunctional integrated image sensor and application to virtual interface technology

Abstract

A gaming apparatus including a template projector, an electronic imaging sensor and an illuminator for sensing optically encoded reflections from gaming pieces, operative to determine the location and orientation of the gaming pieces and for game management.

1 . Gaming apparatus comprising:
 at least one game piece;   a game template projector, operative to project a game template onto a surface;   an illuminator operative to illuminate said surface; and   an imaging sensor viewing said surface for sensing light from said illuminator reflected by at least one optically encoded reflector mounted on said at least one game piece.   
   
   
       2 . Gaming apparatus according to  claim 1  and wherein each of said at least one reflector identifies one of said at least one game piece and is operative to indicate a location of said at least one game piece on said game template. 
   
   
       3 . Gaming apparatus according to  claim 1  and wherein said at least one reflector also identifies a spatial orientation of said game piece. 
   
   
       4 . Gaming apparatus according to  claim 2  and wherein said at least one reflector also identifies a spatial orientation of said game piece.