WO2006094398A1

WO2006094398A1 - Methods and systems for applying additional randomness in a roulette environment

Info

Publication number: WO2006094398A1
Application number: PCT/CA2006/000340
Authority: WO
Inventors: André LAPALME
Original assignee: Labtronix Concept Inc.
Priority date: 2005-03-09
Filing date: 2006-03-09
Publication date: 2006-09-14

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods and systems for applying additional randomness in relation with a roulette game. According to one embodiment, a set of balls comprising a plurality of balls is described, with balls in the set presenting different physical characteristics influencing their outcome generation and increasing the predictability of the outcome resulting from the use of the ball. According to another embodiment, a method comprising to randomly select one ball in a set as above described and using the selected ball to generate an outcome in the roulette game is described. In another embodiment, an automated roulette system comprising a ball container containing a ball set as above described with a mechanism randomly selecting a ball in the set for the next outcome generation process and feeding a ball propelling mechanism is described.

Description

METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR APPLYING ADDITIONAL RANDOMNESS IN

A ROULETTE ENVIRONMENT

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[001] This application claims priority under 35USC§119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application serial no. 60/659,442, filed on March 9, 2005 and entitled "Mechanical Roulette Set and Method to Diminish Predictability of Roulette Outcomes", the specification of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[002] The invention relates to methods and systems for decreasing the predictability of outcomes of a roulette, therefore the invention relates to security improvement in a roulette environment.

STATEMENT OF THE TECHNICALPROBLEM

[003] A technical problem to be solved by the invention is to increase the difficulty of fraudulent players to efficiently predict outcomes of a roulette.

SOLUTIONTO THE STATED PROBLEM

[004] Accordingly, the solution provided by one embodiment of the present invention comprises a set of balls used to generate outcomes in a roulette game. The ball set comprises a plurality of balls with at least two of these balls presenting different physical characteristics influencing the outcome generation process when participating in one.

[005] In an embodiment of the present invention, a method of using the above described set of balls in relation with a roulette game is described. The method comprises randomly selecting one of the ball from the set, using the selected ball to generate an outcome, and identifying the outcome resulting from the use of the selected ball for its use in the roulette game.

[006] Another embodiment of the invention consists in a roulette system using the above described set of balls. The roulette system comprises a roulette device comprising a plurality of identified slots in one of which a ball ends its course to generate an outcome, and a ball feeding system. The ball feeding system for its part comprises a ball container, a ball feeding mechanism, a ball propelling mechanism, and the set of balls with the ball feeding system being adapted to provide a randomly selected ball from the ball set to be used for an outcome generation in the roulette game.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[007] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination with the appended drawings, in which:

[008] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an automated gaming system according to an embodiment of the invention and comprising six player stations;

Figure 2 is a top view of the gaming system of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is side view of the gaming system of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a top view of the gaming system of Figure 1 without head 70;

Figure 5 is a top view of the roulette wheel used to establish outcomes in the gaming system of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a screen shot representative of the graphic user interface (GUI) displayed on an electronic screen of a player station during play of the game of roulette according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 7 is a block diagram illustrating components of the gaming system of Figure 1 involved in outcome generation and wager evaluation processes; and

Figure 8 is a flow chart illustrating steps involved in the play of a round of roulette with the automated gaming system of Figure 1.

[009] It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like features are identified by like reference numerals. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION [0010] In a first embodiment, illustrated on Figures 1 to 3, the invention is an automated mechanical roulette system 10. The system 10 comprises a base 20; a body 25; a platform 30 on which player stations 40 are disposed; an automated driven roulette system 45 protected by a dome 50; a series of support members 60 supporting the system head 70; and complementary screens 80 suitable for providing game history information. Complementary screens 80 may also provide special feature information or advertising information if suitably set. The system further comprises speakers (not visible on this figure) providing the desired audio environment. On this view, a portion of the roulette system 45 is visible (but not identified) when the dome 50 is elevated as illustrated for maintenance.

[0011] Figure 2 illustrates the system 10 through a top view wherein only a portion of the platform 30 and of the player stations 40 are visible; the head 70 hiding most of the player stations 40, the dome 50 and the roulette system 45.

[0012] Figure 3 provides a side view of the system 10. On this view, a portion of the roulette system 45 is visible when the dome 50 is down.

[0013] As illustrated on Figure 4,. the platform 30 comprises in its central portion a cut-out (under dome 50) for disposing the roulette system 45 (see Figure 5). The platform 30 has a generally triangular shape with two player stations 40 disposed back to back on each tip. A support member 60 is also disposed at each tip near the player stations 40 closer to the roulette system 45. The dome 50 is disposed above the roulette system 45 to perform a protective function; i.e., preventing interference by anyone which could influence the course of the ball during a roulette outcome generation process.

[0014] Figure 5 illustrates the roulette wheel 45, particularly the physical roulette layout and a ball 92 used to generate the outcome. The roulette layout presents a series of identified slots 90 suitably designed to receive the ball 92 at the end of its course. The slots 90 are individually identified by a number and a color. The numeral identifications are non-repetitive and are from 0 (or 00) to 36. The coloring identifications are divided in three colors: green for the 0 (and 00 in appropriate cases) identified slot(s), red for half of the over 0 identified slots 90, and black for the remaining part of the slots 90; the colors alternating to never have two adjacent slots 90 of the same color (not shown on the roulette layout of Figure 5 to ensure clarity). The roulette wheel 45 presents slopes that are suitably designed to provide the same probabilities to each slot 90 of receiving the ball 92 at the end of its course while preventing the ball 92 to land anywhere else. Canoes 94 are disposed around the slots 90 to modify the ball course and therefore render the ball landing slot 90 unpredictable. The roulette wheel 45 comprises an edge 100 limiting the ball course into the roulette wheel 45. As the ball 92 decelerates, the ball 92 is forced by the slope to travel form the edge 100 toward the center of the roulette structure to end its course in one slot 90. Outcome identification means, comprising a light emitting diode 96 and light detecting sensors 98, permit roulette outcome identification. Each slot 90 has a corresponding light detecting sensor 98. When the ball 92 lands in one slot 90, the corresponding light detecting sensor 98 does not receive any light signal from the light emitting diode 96 and therefore identifies the ball landing slot 90 to a processor which translates the light detecting sensor 98 position into the roulette outcome.

[0015] To generate a roulette outcome, the section of the roulette wheel 45 that bears slots 90 is driven in one rotational direction, namely clockwise, while the ball 92 is propelled onto the roulette wheel 45 through an ejection conduit 102 disposed on periphery of the roulette structure edge 100 over the normal course of the ball 92 counter clockwise. Thus, as the ball 92 starts its course on the roulette wheel 45, the ball 92 first follows the edge 100, decelerates, may bump onto one or more canoes 94, and ultimately lands in one slot 90.

[0016] Securely disposed in the assembly base 25, a ball container (not shown) containing a set of balls feeds an airflow motor (not shown) with a randomly selected ball, the airflow motor propelling the ball 92 into a conduit (not shown) leading the ball 92 into the ejection conduit 102 when needed. A roulette motor (not shown) drives the rotation of the rotating section of the roulette wheel 45, and a gaming controller 120 (not shown) controls the airflow motor, the ball container and ball feeding mechanism, and the roulette motor. The gaming controller 120 also controls the means detecting the roulette outcome, namely the light emitting diode 96 and the light detecting sensors 98. It further controls the means used to retrieve the ball 92 from the roulette structure once the outcome is generated and identified, what is performed by elevating a portion of the roulette structure for the ball 92 to fall in the ball container disposed under the elevated portion of the roulette wheel structure.. Furthermore, the gaming controller 120 is in communication with the player stations 40. The gaming controller 120 may also be in communication with other components, such as a complementary screen controller, a management system, security and detection systems, and a player tracking system through a local area network (LAN) or a wireless communication network.

[0017] As illustrated on figure 7, a player station 40 is in communication with the gaming controller 120 of the automated gaming system 125. Each player station 40, in the described embodiment, comprises a player station controller 140 exchanging data and signals with other player station components. An electronic screen 142 visible by the player provides information to the player on the conduct of the game. As shown on figure 6, the electronic screen 142 provides a image of a wagering mat 110; a series of counters 112 informing the player on statuses such the amount of credits wagered 112b, the credits remaining available 112a to wager, and the prize won 112c; a message box 114 informing on game state as if wagers are either or not possible to place; and an outcome area 116 informing players on last outcomes; this graphic user interface (GUI) being illustrated on Figure 6. The player stations also comprise player inputting means 144 embodied as touch screens, buttons and/or other sensing surfaces; monetary inputting means 146 such as a coin hopper, card receiving means or a ticket reader; and an awarding means such as a ticket printer. Player stations 40 also comprise memory 150 maintaining programs used by the player station controller 140, data and counter information such as wagering information.

[0018] Figure 7 schematically illustrates functional relationship existing between a player station 40 and the roulette system in regard with the generation of outcomes and the resolution of wagers. The player station controller 140 exchanges signals with the player station components to play the game, and with the gaming controller 120. According to gaming controller signals, different states are set in the game played on the player station 40, resulting in the game being at different steps of its process. For its part, the gaming controller 120 exchanges signals with the roulette mechanism 122 (such as the different motors) and the ball container mechanism 123. Thus, based on gaming controller 120 signals, a randomly selected ball is is lead to the airflow motor to take place in the outcome generation process. Consequently, the gaming controller 120 influences the roulette wheel and ball 124 state, outcome identification means 128, and protecting means 126 including protection-related sensors and dome mechanism. The assembly comprises memory 130 used by the gaming controller 120 to keep programs and registered information.

[0019] The ball container mechanism 123 of the present embodiment comprises a ball container, a ball mixing mechanism and a ball feeding mechanism. Therefore, a randomly selected ball among the balls present in the ball container feeds the airflow motor and takes place in the roulette outcome generation process.

[0020] According to the present embodiment, the balls contained in the ball container have all a similar aspect. However, at least two of these balls have a different physical characteristic among the weight, the moment of inertia of the ball, characteristics of surface of the ball, and bouncing characteristics of the ball. Therefore, in the same outcome initial generating conditions, two balls having different physical characteristics with probably generate different outcomes. For example, one of the ball may bounce differently on canoes or on the slot edges, or may slow down at a different rate.

[0021] Even though the tools available to foresee probable outcomes become more and more efficient (image capture and analysis system performed for example using cell phones), these tools depend on known data for the analysis of probable outcomes. If someone cannot determine the set of data that should be used to perform the analysis because he cannot determine the physical characteristics of the ball used for the current outcome generation process, that person cannot predict the outcome as efficiently as when the same ball is used for the generation of all roulette outcomes.

[0022] Accordingly, another embodiment of the present invention consists in a set of balls wherein at least two of the balls of the set present different physical characteristics while these balls being not easily differentiable. Therefore, whatever is the method used for the determination of the ball to use to generate an outcome, the predictability of outcomes is strongly decreased. For example, at a roulette where a croupier manually places the ball in the roulette, the croupier may not communicate to a patron the identification of the ball to give to the patron an unfair advantage, exactly as in an automated roulette system.

[0023] Another embodiment consists in a set of balls with at least two balls of the set having a different physical characteristic in combination with a ball container and ball selecting device. This embodiment is suitable to be installed on automated roulettes or to be used along with croupier controlled roulette. Upon request, a ball is randomly selected and provided for that ball to be use for the next outcome generation process.

[0024] Figure 8 illustrates steps involved in playing roulette. The process starts with the gaming controller 120 secured in the automated gaming system 10 signalling the player stations 40 that a round (a single outcome generating process) is ready to start (step 150). In accordance, the player stations 40 activate the credit receiving process (step 152) and the wagering process (step 154). During/ these processes, the players may place new credits in their player stations 40 and used the credits available to place wagers on the next roulette outcome. An end wagering process (step 156) is also performed to prevent new wagers from being placed (step 158) when the outcome generation process fulfills an advancement criterion. Thus, the roulette play involves activation of the roulette mechanisms including the roulette motor and the airflow motor (step 170), random selection of a ball to be used to generate the next outcome (step 172) and that ball, after being fed to the airflow motor, being propelled by the latter on the roulette (step 174). According to settings, the end wagering process (step 156) may involve evaluation of the ball speed or a ball travelling duration. After the wagering process has ended on player stations 40 (step 158), the ball 92 ultimately lands in one slot 90, the outcome is identified, and the gaming controller 120 transmits the roulette outcome to the player stations 40 (step 160). Each player station controller 140 resolves registered wagers (step 162) based on the received outcome signal; and pays the player accordingly, typically by increasing and decreasing counter values (step 164). Then, when the time is up, usually the time to retrieve the ball 92 from its landing slot 90 by controlling the height of the roulette for the ball to fall in the ball container (step 180), after which a new round may be initiated (step 150). Depending on embodiments, the balls in the ball container may be continually mixed, mixed before the selection of a ball, or mixed upon reception of a ball after an outcome determination.

[0025] It is intended, while block diagram illustrates system components communicating with each other, that those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention may be embodied through a combination of hardware and software components. These components are illustrates as such in the appended block diagrams solely to teach their functionalities and relationship. Thus, programmable computers, computer applications or operating systems may be suitable to perform functions illustrated by one or more illustrated components without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0026] Furthermore, in case of some functional components being possible to be embodied as functional methods, these methods may be embodied in a machine or a system, carried out as a computer readable medium, a processing-readable memory, or communicated as an electrical or electro-mechanic signal.

[0027] Thereupon, the intent of the above document is to efficiently teach the invention through exemplary embodiments, while solely the appended claims are intended to define the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A roulette system for playing a roulette game, comprising:

- a roulette device comprising a plurality of identified slots in one of which a ball ends its course to generate an outcome in the roulette game; and

- a ball feeding system comprising a ball container, a ball feeding mechanism, a ball propelling mechanism and a set of a plurality of balls with one of the balls of the set being randomly selected to be used for the generation of an outcome in the roulette game, wherein at least two balls of the set of balls have a different physical characteristic influencing the outcome generation in the roulette game and therefore increasing difficulty of prediction of outcomes in the roulette game.

2. The roulette system of claim 1, wherein the physical characteristics relate to at least one of the weight, the moment of inertia, the characteristics of surface, resilience of the ball, material composition of the ball, and bouncing characteristics of the ball.

3. The roulette system of claim 1, wherein the ball feeding system is adapted to mix the set of balls between each ball selection to ensure randomness of the ball selection.

4. The roulette system of claim 1, wherein the roulette device is controlled by a gaming controller for providing an automated game.

5. The roulette system of claim 1, wherein the ball feeding system is confined in a secure area of the roulette system.

6. The roulette system of claim 1, wherein the set of balls comprises at least eight balls.

7. The roulette system of claim \, wherein less than one half of the set of balls presents similar physical characteristics.

8. The roulette system of claim 1, wherein the balls are similar in visual aspect.

9. A method of generating outcomes in a roulette game wherein a landing position of a ball in an identified slot determines the roulette game outcome, the method comprising:

- randomly selecting a ball in a set comprising a plurality of balls wherein at least two of the balls present a different physical characteristic influencing the outcome generation process;

- using the selected ball to generate said outcome; and

- identifying the outcome based on the landing position of the selected ball in the roulette game.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising maintaining a constant number of balls to select from, the maintenance of the number of balls being performed through reinsertion in the set of balls of the selected ball once the outcome has been generated.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising feeding a propelling device with the selected ball for the ball to be propelled on a roulette wheel.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising electronically controlling when the described steps are performed based on controlled states in the roulette game.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the balls have similar visual aspects.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising mixing the balls to ensure randomness of the ball selection.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said step of mixing the balls is performed between each ball selection.

16. A set of a plurality of roulette balls used to generate outcomes in a roulette game, the set comprising at least two balls presenting a different physical characteristic, wherein the characteristic difference of the balls influences outcome generations using these balls and therefore increase difficulty of predicting the outcome generated using one of the balls of the set.

17. The ball set of claim 16, wherein the balls of the set present the same visual aspect.

18. The ball set of claim 16, wherein the physical characteristic comprises at least one of a weight, a moment of inertia, a surface characteristic, and a bouncing characteristic.

19. The ball set of claim 16, wherein the balls are provided in a container wherein the balls are mixed.

20. The ball set of claim 19, wherein the container further comprises a ball feeding mechanism permitting to select one ball from the ball set.