# US 2014/0151964 A1 · Game Table Systems and Methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0151964 A1 - Document ID: US20140151964A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/705,037 - Filed: 2012-12-04 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-12-04 - Assignees: Phipps Custom Solutions LLC - Inventors: Mark Alway - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140151964A1 ## CPC - A63B 63/08: with {substantially} horizontal opening for ball, e.g. for basketball {(A63B57/40, A63B63/06 take precedence)} - A63B 67/066: {using balls on a horizontal playing ground, e.g. petanque} - A63B 71/0622: {Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user} - A63F 7/0017: {played on a table by two players from opposite sides of the table (A63F7/06 takes precedence)} - A63B 2071/0694: {Visual indication, e.g. Indicia} - A63B 2220/801: Contact switches - A63B 2225/20: with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like - A63B 2225/74: with powered illuminating means, e.g. lights - A63F 2003/00662: {with an electric sensor for playing pieces (A63F2009/2444 takes precedence)} - A63F 2009/0053: {Cups} - A63F 2009/0058: {Drinking glasses} - A63F 2009/2442: {Sensors or detectors} - A63F 2009/2451: {using illumination, e.g. with lamps} - A63F 2250/024: drinkable - A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H) - A63F: CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A game table system adapted used with a plurality of cups and at least one ball, comprising a table structure defining a game surface and a plurality of cup areas, a sensor associated with each of the cup areas; and at least one cup light associated with each of the cup areas. The at least cup light is energized to indicate locations of the cup areas. Each sensor is configured to detect when a cup is supported by the game surface on the cup area associated with that sensor. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A game table system adapted used with a plurality of cups and at least one ball, comprising: a table structure defining a game surface; a plurality of cup areas defined on the game surface; a sensor associated with each of the cup areas; and at least one cup light associated with each of the cup areas; wherein the at least cup light is energized to indicate locations of the cup areas; and each sensor is configured to detect when a cup is supported by the game surface on the cup area associated with that sensor. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A game table system as recited in claim 1, in which the at least one cup light is energized in response to detection of a cup by at least one of the sensors. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A game table system as recited in claim 1, in which the cup light associated with a given cup area is energized when the sensor associated with that given cup area detects the presence of a cup on that given cup area. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A game table system as recited in claim 1, in which first and second cup areas overlap in part, where the sensors associated with first and second overlapping cup areas are arranged to distinguish between a cup placed on the first overlapping cup area and a cup placed on the second overlapping cup area. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A game table system as recited in claim 1, in which each sensor is uniquely associated with each of the cup areas. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A game table system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of emitters. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) A game table system as recited in claim 6, in which each emitter is associated with one of the sensors. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A game table system as recited in claim 1, in which: a plurality of cup lights are arranged in at least one cup array; and each cup array is associated with one of the cup areas. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A game table system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a control system operatively connected to control the cup lights based on the sensors. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A game table system as recited in claim 1, further comprising at least one ball support system that supports the at least one ball using a stream of pressurized air. ### Claim 11 A method of playing a game using a plurality of cups and at least one ball, comprising: defining a game surface; defining a plurality of cup areas on the game surface; associating a sensor with each of the cup areas; and associating at least one cup light with each of the cup areas; energizing the at least cup light to indicate locations of the cup areas; and configuring each sensor to detect when a cup is supported by the game surface on the cup area associated with that sensor. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A method as recited in claim 11, further comprising the step of energizing the at least one cup light in response to detection of a cup by at least one of the sensors. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) A method as recited in claim 11, further comprising the step of energizing the cup light associated with a given cup area when the sensor associated with that given cup area detects the presence of a cup on that given cup area. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) A method as recited in claim 11, in which first and second cup areas overlap in part, further comprising the step of arranging the sensors associated with first and second overlapping cup areas to distinguish between a cup placed on the first overlapping cup area and a cup placed on the second overlapping cup area. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) A method as recited in claim 11, further comprising the step of providing a plurality of emitters, where each emitter is associated with one of the sensors. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) A method as recited in claim 11, further comprising the step of providing at least one ball support system configured to support the at least one ball using a stream of pressurized air. ### Claim 17 A game table system adapted used with a plurality of cups and at least one ball, comprising: a table structure defining a game surface where the game surface defines first and second set-up areas and a field area; a plurality of cup areas defined within each of the set-up areas defined by the game surface; a plurality of sensors supported by the table structure, where each of the sensors is uniquely associated with one of the cup areas; and a plurality of cup light arrays, where each cup light array comprises a plurality of cup lights, and each cup light array is uniquely associated with each of the cup areas; a control system operatively connected to the sensors and the cup lights, where each sensor is configured to detect when a cup is supported by the game surface on the cup area associated with that sensor, and the control system energizes the cup lights such that the cup light arrays indicate a location of at least one of the cup areas. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) A game table system as recited in claim 17, in which first and second cup areas overlap in part, where the sensors associated with first and second overlapping cup areas are arranged to distinguish between a cup placed on the first overlapping cup area and a cup placed on the second overlapping cup area. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) A game table system as recited in claim 17, further comprising a plurality of emitters, where each emitter is associated with one of the sensors. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) A game table system as recited in claim 17, further comprising at least one ball support system that supports the at least one ball using a stream of pressurized air.