WO2006097007A1

WO2006097007A1 - Arrangement for bonus games for so-called life-games

Info

Publication number: WO2006097007A1
Application number: PCT/CH2006/000149
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eugen Kirschenmann
Original assignee: Caslife Gmbh
Priority date: 2005-03-18
Filing date: 2006-03-15
Publication date: 2006-09-21

Abstract

Design for upgrading a so-called Life Game e.g. a game of roulette, Black Jack, etc., preferably equipment being used in casinos or similar facilities, possessing respective electronic equipment for a properly organised course of game e.g. surveillance cameras, displays, etc. Usage of at least one random generator is intended to define and determine winning decisive parameters for additional games and events.

Description

Arrangement for bonus games for so-called Life-Games

The present invention refers to an arrangement for upgrading so-called Life-Game installation according to preamble of claim 1 as well as the usage for this upgrade e.g. for a roulette-game.

In casinos or similar institutions, covering a certain percentage of game equipment by so-called Life-Games e.g. Roulette, Black Jack or Poker, is either common or mandatory.

Due to more frequent and better winning possibilities, more action and a faster game sequence, slot machines have lately superseded so-called Life-Games in many places.

This adversely development causes an inferior demand and usage of Life-Games and sees employees no longer working at full capacity. In addition to the aforesaid downwards trend, Life-Games require far more employees, e.g. a roulette-table requires at least five employees, further decreasing the profitability of Life-Games.

It is an object of the present invention to make so-called Life-gaming more attractive, especially roulette-gaming. As per this invention, performing this object suggests appliance of an arrangement according the wording of claim 1.

BESTATIGUNGSKOPIE Various gaming-equipment, especially roulette-tables, is already electronically equipped, permitting surveillance of gaming, usage of displays (LED, plasma or TFT) or touch pads for the dealer with possibility of interaction (various editable and non-editable information) .

Furthermore, modern roulette-tables area laid out for additional measurement and surveillance equipment e.g. precise measurement of ball and roulette velocity. The integration of information technology, e.g. in form of a "automatic table control system" facilitates administration, access and examination of game relevant data in a professional but user-friendly environment, contributing to meet today' s requirements and standards of economic Life-gaming.

The past has surprisingly shown that modifications to existing equipment, initially laid out for surveillance, can vastly improve attractivity of Life-gaming.

As per this invention, an electronic design to go with e.g. a roulette table featuring a random generator is suggested. Random generators can be triggered by various mechanisms, as known from their usage in the fields of statistics or electronics. Thus, it is not deemed necessary to further describe their functionality.

A random generator can generate a parameter used for triggering a certain event or determining winning amount and winner especially for additional games. The roulette game sequence takes place that is conventionally at a roulette table or at new designed roulette game console. To be further on regarded as a Life- Game, the toss of the ball, respectively the game start, is done by a dealer/groupier . Several countries regard the automated toss of the ball as Life-Game. Upon conclusion of game, the dealer/groupier still has to calculate winning quotas and if necessary pay out in form of jetons/chips.

With usage of the aforesaid random generator, various additional games can be offered to increase attracivity by bridging unappealing time gaps between each game. As per this invention, a wheel-checkpot is used, incrementing with each game by a pre-determined amount of money. The wheel- checkpot can be triggered by a certain event and will be paid out to one or more players. Two types of wheel- checkpot are distinguished/ those with a published jackpot amount and those with jackpot not to be seen by the players/spectators, so-called Magic wheel-jackpots .

Using the random generator as per this invention, a participating player can be determined for pay out, upon announcing that a Magic Wheelcheck Pot has been triggered. The random generator can detect the event itself e.g. by defining a Magic Wheelcheck Pot sum at random causing a winning trigger when the incremented checkpot equals this pre-defined value. A second random generator then determines to which player this checkpot will be paid out. To present this event in a proper and attracting fashion, a - A -

multifunctional display is preferably used, both announcing and displaying the upcoming event.

As per another version, it is possible for the player (s) of the game e.g. roulette, poker or black-jack, etc., to raise, diminish or even lose their winning. In this case, a parameter is defined at random and then compared to a parameter chosen by the player. Identical parameters lead to a duplication of the winning, whereas a diverging parameter (entirely) diminishes it.

Additional versions of the design as per this invention as well as their usage are characterised in the respective claims .

The invention itself will be described more precisely, corresponding to the respective attached figures.

Fig. 1: schematically shows a roulette-table grouping with additional input-, administration- and display equipment; Fig. 2: shows a display for roulette-table administration;

Fig. 3: shows another display possibility with usage of the design as per this invention for an additional game; Fig. 4: schematically shows a game sequence of an additional game for a dealer using a touch pad display and random generator as per this invention, as being shown in Fig. 3, Fig. 5: shows another display possibility of the multifunctional display as being used for additional games with usage of a random generator as suggested per this invention, Fig. 6: schematically shows the structure of an additional game for the dealer, using a random generator as per this invention, as being shown in Fig. 5.

Figure 1 schematically shows a roulette-table grouping 1, comprising of roulette-wheel 3 and roulette-table 11. Basically roulette-wheel 3 comprises of an outer chamfer 5 in which the ball starts its movement and performs a few rotations before falling into a lowered inner-wheel 7. The ball eventually stops in one of the number segments 9. Each segment comprises of separated spots with respective red or black numbers, or, as the case may be, the additional green "0". On game-table 11 the number fields 13 are correspondingly marked, respectively with red or black numbers between "1" and "36" or, as the case may be, the additional green ^w0" or double "0", common for US casinos. Players can bet their chips/jetons 15 on the number fields, on the connection line in between or on the crossing of four number fields. Depending on the position of a bet and the amount of number fields, chances for winning increases while winning amount reduces correspondingly.

To go with conventional roulette-table grouping, a variety of additional electronic equipment is being designed, while figure 1 merely shows a minimum selection, relevant as per - S -

this invention. Basically, a central processing unit 23, e.g. connected with a input display 21, is intended for using. This central processing unit can interface with various peripherals e.g. surveillance cameras, sensors monitoring turnover or measuring ball and wheel velocity, room temperature measuring, near-table air condition, etc. A system to meet these requirements is the available ATC- system (automatic table control) of CasLife GmbH in 6052 Hergiswil, Switzerland.

An input display 21 permits the groupier to edit and display gaming relevant data e.g. name of table, used chip colours and allocation of value per chip colour, etc.

A multifunctional display 25 with optimum legibility is connected to the central processing unit 23, as an LCD, TFT or plasma construction. The multifunctional display 25 displays e.g. last or current winning numbers 31, further gaming relevant information (score) 33 e.g. "ready to play", "new game", "game started", "rien ne va plus" or "game over".

So far, the process and sequence of the game and provided gaming information equals commonly used roulette-tables. Now, additional games or winning possibilities can be offered, using the aforesaid random generator as per this invention. This random generator can be integrated in various equipment e.g. in the central processing unit. Using a Magic wheelcheck pot, the random generator can define the point of time leading to a pay out of the magic wheelcheck pot. Display 25 then displays "Magic Wheelcheck Pot HIT", both informing and attracting players and spectators to the additional game. The random generator defines the chip colour 37 and player eligible for the Magic Wheelcheck Pot, regardless of participation in the last game. The Wheelcheck Pot sum can either be known or unknown.

Hence, the event that eventually triggers the (Magic) Wheelcheck Pot can be defined at random or pre-defined and triggered by the course of playing itself. Especially the Magic Wheelcheck Pot commonly uses a system with a pre- defined spectrum of possible Jackpot sums, stored in the central processing unit 23. The random generator then generates a value within this spectrum and triggers the Jackpot when this value is reached in the course of playing. Several designs and versions are possible, this example merely showcases one possibility.

Figure 2 is a magnification of display 25 from figure 1 with additional information. Winning numbers 31 are again listed with the latest winning number on top. Numbers are displayed in a righted double series with the option of a horizontal seriation.

Sector 32 can display various footage e.g. a camera direct- feed showing the ball movement, allowing players and spectators to follow the course of the game and control if the groupier enters winning numbers properly.

The right side area of the display shows the respective chips/jetons (Wheelchecks) 28 or the respective colours/symbols and the allocated value. Eventually, readout 33 shows the game status.

Upon triggering a (Magic) Wheelcheck Pot, display 36 will announce the upcoming event. The attention of surrounding spectators should be attracted to this event by proper announcement. When the random generator has defined the colour of jeton/chip, display 37 shows the result. Additionally, display 40 can be configured to display the winning amount.

Display 35 merely depicts a possible arrangement which can be custom-designed with additional information and different designs.

Another version sees an additional game subsequent to a roulette-event, giving winning players the possibility of increasing or (partially) losing their stake. Figures 3 and 4 each showcase an additional game.

As an additional game, a winning player can symbolically draw a card, defined via random generator, giving them the possibility of increasing/multiplying or (partially) losing their stake. A player can e.g. bet on the colour of the drawn card. Figure 3 shows a display 25 in the course of an additional game. The additional game is announced by display 43 e.g. titled with "hot card" and the possibility of sound usage. Field 45 displays the randomly drawn card, while fields 47 display drawn cards of previous games. Repeating this additional game upon winning the previous one, gives players the possibility to increase their winning several times e.g. eightfold.

The course of game itself is schematically shown by figure 4, stating if a game has started or concluded. The second line displays possible colours of chips/jetons (Wheelchecks) 53, and below the colour selected by the player. Only colours that won the roulette game are eligible for playing. Line 57 and 55 e.g. have the colours red and black allocated.

The display below visualises respective levels of the game e.g. level 61; as the draw of the first card. Obviously seven players are eligible for playing, triangular symbols show which player chose the winning colour in the course of the first draw. Display 66 correspondingly displays "S" for black. Obviously all active players won. In the second level 62, only six players won, who betted on red, the remaining player betted on the wrong colour. Level 63 shows that another player dropped out, whereas a different ^' player, the second on the left hand side, preferred to withdraw from the game and keep the winning.

Level 64 shows that merely two players remain, who betted correctly on black, one player dropped out and another one withdrew. Eventually, on the fifth level, the last remaining player who betted correctly, multiplied his initial winning 32 times .

According to figure 4, five rounds of playing are intended for the additional game. The additional game is concluded and a new game of roulette is about to start. Before concluding the next game of roulette, another additional game is offered.

Figures 5 and 6 schematically depict another possibility of an additional game, with figure 5 using display 25 and figure 6 showing the scheme and course of game.

The additional game uses a virtual dice instead of a card game, with the random generator defining dice numbers at random. Display 48 shows the respective defined dice numbers while below, the last dice numbers are shown in display 50.

Again, various chip colours 53 are shown along with the player-made decisions in the course of the additional game. Display 47 "H" refers to dice numbers 4 to 6, while display 55 ^λλL" refers to dice numbers 1-3.

Simultaneously, the course of game is depicted in figure β. Figure 6 properly displays the active number fields chosen by the respective players. Levels 61 to 64 each show, which player lost and which player won. Furthermore, it is shown who withdrew when from the additional game. Eventually, figure 6 visualises a winner 67, who made it through all five levels and multiplied his initial winning by 32 times.

Again, figures 1 to 6 only depicts possibilities of additional games, their technical functionality, possible groupings and visual finish. It is basically possible to use this design with any game e.g. black jack, various card games, etc., containing at least one random generator. The essential point is the increase of attractivity of so- called Life-gaming by using the random generator as per this invention. The high flexibility enables various combinations of random generators with usage of (Magic) Wheelcheck Pots, competitions, etc. Just as flexible as the type of Jack Pot is the accumulation of its sum. Simultaneous accumulation enables two or more (Magic)

Wheelcheck Pots to accumulate in parallel, triggering the highest (Magic) Wheelcheck Pot upon reaching a pre-defined event. As per this invention, the integration of this design into existing electronic equipment is possible and/or intended. Instead of using virtual cards or dices, as respectively depicted in figures 3 to 6, any game suiting the additional game scheme can be used to increase attractivity of so-called Life-Gaming. The aforesaid additional games permit player to win or lose comparably high amounts of money in a short period of time.

Claims

Patent claims

1. Arrangement for upgrading a so-called Life Game or Life Game similar installation e.g. a game of roulette, multi- roulette and all manual or automated versions of roulette using terminals, card game equipment (Black Jack, Poker, Punto Banco, Baccarat), dice equipment (Craps), etc., preferably equipment being used in casinos or similar facilities, comprising respective electronic equipment for a properly organised course of game e.g. surveillance cameras, displays for appropriate visualisation, characterized in, that the usage of at least one random generator is provided to define or determine at least one event at random, necessary for additional games.

2. Arrangement as per claim 1, characterized in that proper ways of identification, such as chips, jetons, Wheelchecks, etc. are being used to identify the respective players and that a random generator is connected to a storage medium, containing information concerning the ways of identification, permitting to randomly determine a player when an event or additional game takes place.

3. Arrangement as per claim 1 or 2, characterized in that (a) proper storage medium (or media) permit storage of information, relevant for determining or triggering an event, and provides necessary connectivity with the random generator to randomly define a parameter or information that, when reached or hit, triggers the respective event.

4. Arrangement as per one of the claims 1 - 3, characterized in that at least two random generators or respective circuits are contained.

5. Arrangement as per one of the claims 1 - 4, characterized in that a display shows the course of the game along with respective events, the display being further connected with the random generator (s) , displaying the respective randomly defined parameter or information resp. indentified by the random generator (s) .

6. Usage of the arrangement as per one of the claims 1 - 5 for upgrading a game of roulette, accumulating and, upon reaching a certain event, triggering at least one (Magic) Wheelcheck Pot, characterized in that the random generator determines which player is eligible for receiving out of the (Magic) Wheelcheck Pot.

7. Usage as per claim 6, characterized in that the timing/occurrence of an event is determined or defined by a random generator e.g. triggered by a certain roulette number or by accumulating a certain (Magic) Wheelcheck value, etc.

8. Usage as per claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the Magic Wheelcheck Pot sum is not published and upon pay out of a Magic Wheelcheck Pot, the random generator defines a sum within a given spectrum, that, when hit, triggers payment of the (Magic) Wheelcheck Pot.

9. Usage as per one of the claims 6 - 8, characterized in that another sum is accumulated in parallel preferably at each game to the main Jackpot, which sum upon pay out of the (Magic) Wheelcheck Pot is the starting capital for the next (Magic) Wheelcheck Pot.

10. Usage of the arrangement as per one of the claims 1 - 5 for upgrading a game of roulette by at least one additional game, at which players can increase or (partially) lose their winnings, characterized in that, upon winning, players have to choose at least one parameter that is later compared to the winning parameter defined by the random generator, identical parameters correspondingly lead to an increase of winnings.

11. Usage as per claim 10, characterised in that at least one card from a card game is defined by the random generator, with the card or its a colour used as winning parameter.

12. Usage as per claim 10, characterised in that a dice number is defined by the random generator, with the number, its colour or the number field used as winning parameter.

13. Usage as per claims one of the claims 6 - 12, characterized in that a display such as e.g. a TFT-, Plasma- or LCD-Display shows the course of the additional game e.g. winning parameters, winning players and accumulation of jackpot.

14. Usage as per one of the claims 6 - 13 for so-called automated roulette-equipment, where the course of game takes place via terminals such as e.g. at Multiroulette.