# US 2013/0281176 A1 · Casino games > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0281176 A1 - Document ID: US20130281176A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/921,163 - Filed: 2013-06-18 - Published: 2013-10-24 - Earliest claimed: 2009-11-05 - Assignees: Think Tek, Inc. - Applicants: Think Tek, Inc. - Inventors: Richard ROWE - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130281176A1 ## CPC - G07F 17/3293: {Card games, e.g. poker, canasta, black jack} - G07F 17/32: for games, toys, sports, or amusements - G07F 17/3272: {Games involving multiple players} - G07F: COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS (coin sorting G07D3/00; coin testing G07D5/00; {handling coins or paper currencies apart from payment activated apparatus G07D; payment architectures, schemes or protocols G06Q20/00}) ## Abstract Apparatus and methods related to multi-player casino games are described. An electronic gaming device is provided that allows a live player to compete against a virtual player in a multi-player wager-based game. The electronic gaming device can comprise a multi-player game engine that does not distinguish between virtual players and live players. The electronic gaming device can be configured to simulate the decision making of a virtual player and associated behaviors of the virtual player during game play. In some instances, the simulated behaviors of the virtual player output at the electronic gaming device can be learned by a live player so that the live player can make better or more advantageous game play decisions. The simulated behaviors of the virtual player can be conveyed to the live player via visual images, such as simulated facial expressions of the virtual player. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A non-transitory computer readable medium for storing a computer program used by a computer, the computer program executed by the computer to generate a game, the computer readable medium comprising: computer code for generating the game wherein the game is played between at least one live player and at least one virtual player; computer code for receiving first decision information from the live player related to the play of the game; computer code for determining second decision information for the virtual player related to the play of the game; computer code for determining behavioral information associated with the virtual player wherein the behavioral information is conveyed to the live player via a virtual character associated with the virtual player; computer code for outputting the behavioral information via an output mechanism wherein the behavioral information when correctly interpreted by the live player increases the live player's chance of winning the game played against the virtual player; and computer code for determining a winner of the game wherein the live player receives an award for winning the game. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein the first decision information or the second decision information is associated with one or more bets. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein the behavioral information is selected to reveal information related to one of a current game position of the virtual player, a decision made by the virtual player, a decision to be made by the virtual player, a game strategy of the virtual player or combinations thereof. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The computer readable medium of claim 1, further comprising computer code for detecting an event that triggers an output of the behavioral information wherein behavioral information is determined in response to detecting the event. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The computer readable medium of claim 4, wherein the event is associated with one or more of a current game position of the virtual player, a past game position of the virtual player, a winning streak of the virtual player, a losing streak of the virtual player, a game state of the game which requires the virtual player to make a decision, a decision made by the live player, a random factor or combinations thereof. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The computer readable medium of claim 1, further comprising computer code for detecting an event and computer code for determining whether to output the behavioral information in response to the event. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein the behavioral information is triggered and presented prior to revealing a decision of the virtual player. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein the behavioral information is triggered and presented after revealing a decision of the virtual player. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The computer readable medium of claim 1, further comprising computer code for receiving a selection of a first virtual player to play the game for the live player. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The computer readable medium of claim 9, further comprising computer code for receiving an input from the live player which overrides a decision made by the first virtual player. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein the game is a poker game. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The computer readable medium of claim 1, further comprising computer code for rendering an animation of the behavioral information of the virtual player. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein the animation includes a rendering of the virtual player's face. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The computer readable medium of claim 1, further comprising computer code for selecting one or more images of an actual person wherein the one or more images of the actual person are selected to convey the behavioral information of the virtual player. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The computer readable medium of claim 1 further comprising computer code for generating a visual presentation of the game. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein the computer is a portable hand-held device. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The computer readable medium of claim 1, further comprising computer code for establishing communications with a remote device configured to receive inputs from the live player associated with the live player's play of the game. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The computer readable medium of claim 17, wherein the remote device is a hand-held electronic device. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The computer readable medium of claim 17, wherein the remote device is a remote server. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The computer readable medium of claim 17, further comprising computer code for receiving the inputs from the live player via the remote device. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein the game is a turn-based game. ### Claim 22 An electronic device configured to generate a game, the electronic device comprising: a controller, including a processor and a memory, the controller configured to 1) generate the game wherein the game is played between at least one live player and at least one virtual player; 2) receive first decision information from the live player related to the play of the game; 3) determine second decision information for the virtual player related to the play of the game; 4) determine behavioral information associated with the virtual player wherein the behavioral information is conveyed to the live player via a virtual character associated with the virtual player; 5) outputting the behavioral information to an output mechanism wherein the behavioral information when correctly interpreted by the live player increases the live player's chance of winning the game played against the virtual player; and 6) to determine a winner of the game wherein the live player receives an award for winning the game.