AUTOMATED GAME ASSEMBLY THAT PROVIDES VISUAL IMPROVEMENT OF THE GAME
Cross reference to related applications This application claims priority under 35 USC §1 19 (e) of United States Provisional Patent Application Series No. 60/551, 833, filed on March 1, 2004 and entitled "Assembly of Automated Game that Provides Visual Improvement of the Game ", whose specification is incorporated here as a reference.
Field of the Invention The invention relates to a new device, and more specifically its structure suitably designed to offer an automated casino-type game. The invention also relates to a suitable environment for a plurality of players to place bets on individual player stations and for these bets to be resolved based on an automated gaming device result.
Technical Problem A technical problem to be solved by the invention is to provide players with a better view of the automated gaming functionalities and, additionally, of the automatically generated results of their generation process without having to use an electronic representation or retransmitted representations captured from the process. The vision of the player resulting from the invention is a direct view where the obstacles between the players and the result of the automated game are reduced to almost nothing. In accordance with the above, the resulting improved view of the result and the result generation process promotes the players' confidence in the game. Another technical problem to be solved is one of space. There remains a need to provide an automated gaming environment that is less bulky than that usually used in automated gaming environments. According to the foregoing, the automated gaming environment of the invention becomes advantageous to operators thanks to more efficient space management, which results in an increase in the number of gamblers per unit of gaming installation area. Another problem that the invention aims to solve is to provide a game environment in which players will experience more pleasure. By combining an objective to increase the confidence of the player; an environment in which players give the action as it occurs without the need for electronic equipment; An interactive game environment and a game that players love, the problem is efficiently solved.
Solution to the Established Problem According to the foregoing, the solution provided by one embodiment of the present invention is a new automated gaming environment, more specifically in a first mode, an automated roulette environment. In one embodiment of the present invention, the game environment comprises an automated game system comprising a central station and player stations. The central station comprises a result generating system that generates results and signals the corresponding result signals to the player stations. Player stations are adapted to record bets that a player enters using the means of entry, to resolve the responses recorded based on a result generation system that supplies the result signal, and maintain a player's account in accordance with registered credits, bets and prizes. The automated gaming system is further adapted to receive player stations with its operational face pointing to the side of the player who operates the gaming station when the player faces the result generation system. According to another embodiment, the invention is an automated game assembly comprising a result generation system, a platform that typically circulates the result generation system, and sections that extend adapted to receive player stations. The result generation system and the platform are suitably designed for a player located next to the platform and looking towards the result generation system to have a direct view of a result. The extension sections are adapted to receive the player stations having an operative face pointing towards the player's side when the player looks at the result generating system. A) Yes, the player has an unobstructed view of the system generating results and the results generated.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Additional features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the final drawings, which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an automated game system comprising six stations of player; Figure 2 is a top view of the automated game system with six player station of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side view of the automated game system of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a top view of the automated game system for six players of Figure 1 without the head 70; Figure 5 is an exploded view of the player station annex on the platform of the automated game system of Figure 1; Figure 6 is a top view of the roulette system used to establish the results in the automated gaming system with station for six players of Figure 1; Figure 7 is a representative screen shot of the image displayed on an electronic screen of a player station during the game of a roulette round; Figure 8 is a block diagram illustrating the components of the automated game assembly and the player stations of Figure 1; Figure 9 is a flow chart illustrating the steps involved in the game of a roulette round with the automated game system of Figure 1; Figure 10 is a top view of an alternative mode suitably designed to play a game of dice; Figures 1 1 a and 1 1 b are block diagrams illustrating the components of a system comprising the embodiment illustrated in Figure 10; and Figure 12 is a top view of another embodiment according to the present invention. It will be noted that throughout the accompanying drawings, similar characteristics are identified with similar reference numerals.
Detailed Description of the Modes of the Invention In a first embodiment, illustrated in Figure 1, the invention is an automated mechanical roulette system 10. The system 10 comprises a base 20; a body 25; a platform 30 on which the player stations 40 are arranged; an automatically driven roulette system 45 protected by a dome 50; and a series of support members 60 supporting the head of the system 70 and complementary screens 80 suitable for providing game history information. The companion screens 80 may also provide information of special features or advertising information if it is an appropriate setting. In this view, a portion of the roulette system 45 is visible when the dome 50 is raised as illustrated for maintenance. Figure 2 illustrates system 10 through a top view where only a portion of platform 30 and player stations 40 are visible; the head 70 hides most of the player stations 40, the dome 50 and the roulette systems 45. Figure 3 provides a side view of the system 10. In this view, a portion of the roulette system 45 is visible when the dome 50 is below. As illustrated in Figure 4, the platform 30 comprises in its central portion a cut (under the dome 50) for arranging the roulette system 45 (see Figure 6). The platform 30 has a generally triangular shape with two player stations 40 arranged back to back on each point. A support member 60 is also disposed at each point near the player stations 40 closest to the roulette system 45. The dome 50 is disposed above the roulette systems 45 to develop a protective function; that is, preventive interference by anyone who could influence the course of the "ball" during a process of generating the roulette result. As illustrated in FIG. 4, a player 99 that is located in front of a player station 40 can place bettors using player station input means such as a touch screen that defines the operational side of player station 40. Once a roulette result generation process starts, player 99 can rotate his head or himself approximately 40 degrees to the left (in this example) to see the "ball" that determines the outcome of the roulette. When viewed directly to the roulette system 45, the player has almost no obstruction in his view of the process, only the dome 50 and a portion of the platform 30 is between him and the roulette system 45; the first being transparent and the second being at the same level as the roulette system 45. Thus, no unnecessary obstacle or distance prevents the player 99 from witnessing the process of generating the result. The type of annex used to secure player stations 40 on platform 30 offers the benefit of allowing different models of player stations 40 to be joined. The annex illustrated in Figure 5 is based on a cylindrical connector 41 used as a stop pin in combination with an arc-shaped opening 42 located in the platform 30. The power and communication wires 43 pass from the player station 40 to below the platform 30 through said cylindrical connector 41. Player station 40 rotates according to an attachment axis defined by securing assembly 44 which rotatably connects player station 40 to platform 30. Accordingly, the maximum rotation that player station 40 can develop is determined by the length of the opening of the shape of the arc 42 developed on the platform 30. A metal plate (not shown) attached to the lower surface of the platform 30 prevents access to the wires 43. The plate 30 may be also partially covered by a molding on the triangularly shaped support (not shown) disposed between the platform 30 and the body of the system 25 that supports part of the station's weight, Thus, the resulting assembly allows the reversible mounting and exchange of 40 player that offers some freedom of rotation for improved player comfort. Figure 6 illustrates the roulette system 45, particularly the roulette structure and the ball 92 used to generate the result. The roulette structure comprises 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 not repetitive and range from 0 (or 00) to 36. The color identifications are divided into three colors: green for the 0 (and 00 in appropriate cases) the identified slots or, red for half of the grooves identified on 0 90, and black for the remaining part of the grooves 90; the colors alternate to never have adjacent slots 90 of the same color (not shown) on the roulette of Figure 6 to ensure clarity). The roulette structure 45 presents slopes that are suitably designed to supply the same probabilities to each slot 90 of receiving the ball 92 at the end of its course while preventing the ball 92 from landing elsewhere. The canoes 94 are placed around the slots 90 to modify the course of the ball and thus prevent the ball from landing in the slot 90 more difficultly. The roulette structure 45 comprises an edge 100 which limits the course of the ball in the roulette system 45. As the ball 92 decelerates, the ball 92 is forced by the slope to travel from the edge 100 towards the center of the roulette structure to finish its course in a slot 90. The result identifying means, comprising a light emitting diode 96 and light sensing sensors 98, allow the identification of the roulette results. Each slot 90 has a corresponding light sensing sensor 98. When the ball 92 lands in the slot 90, the corresponding light detection sensor 98 receives no light signal from the light emitting diode 96 and therefore identifies the ball landing slot 90 to a processor that translates the position of light detection sensor 98 in the roulette result. To generate a roulette result, the section of the roulette structure 45 carrying the slots 90 is driven in a rotational direction, ie clockwise, although the ball 92 is propelled on the roulette structure. 45 through an injection conduit 102 arranged in the periphery of the edge of the roulette structure 100 over the normal course of the ball 92. Thus, to the extent that the ball 92 starts its course on the structure of the roulette 45, the ball 92 first follows the edge 100, decelerates, potentially collides with one or more canoes 94, and finally lands in a slot 90. Arranged securely at the base of the assembly 25, an air flow motor (not shown) propels the ball 92 into a conduit, (not shown) that leads the ball 92 toward the injection conduit 102 when needed, an engine of roulette (not shown) drives the rotation of the rotating section of the roulette structure, and a game controller 120 (schematically shown in Figure 8) controls the air flow motor and the roulette engine. The game controller 120 also controls the means detecting the roulette results, namely the light-emitting diode 96 and the light-sensing sensors 98. It further controls the means of recovering the ball 92 from the roulette structure once. that the result is generated and identified, which is developed by raising a portion of the roulette structure so that the ball 92 falls into a receiving container disposed under the raised portion of the roulette structure and leading to the ball of return to the conduit fed by air flow. Additionally, the game controller 120 is in communication with the player stations 40. The game controller 120 may also be in communication with other components, such as a sound controller, a complementary display controller, a management system, systems security and detection, and a ball tracking system through a local area network (LAN) or a wireless communication network. As established, the player stations 40 are in communication with the game controller 120. Each player station 40, in the embodiment described, comprises a player station controller 140 that exchanges data and signals with other player station components. . An electronic screen 142 visible to the player supplies information to the player on the game duct, as illustrated in Figure 7. The electronic screen 142 supplies an image of a betting mat 1 10; a series of counters 1 12 that inform the player about states such as the amount of credits wagered 1 12b, the credits that remain available 1 12a to bet, and the price won 1 12c; a message box 1 14 informs about the state of the game of whether the bets are or are not possible to place; and a result area 1 16 that informs players of the latest results. The player stations also comprise player input means 144 with modalities such as touch screens such as buttons and / or other sensor surfaces; means of monetary income 146 such as a coin awning, means of receiving letters or a ticket reader; and prize means such as a ticket printer. The player stations 40 also comprise the memory 1 50 which maintains the programs used by the player station controller, the data and the counter information such as the betting information. Figure 8 schematically illustrates the functional relationship between a player station 40 and the automated game assembly. The game station controller 140 exchanges the signals with the player station components to play the game, and with the game controller 120. According to the game controller signals, different states are established in the game played on the game controller. player station 40, resulting in the game that is in different stages of its process. For its part, the game controller 120 exchanges signals with the ruler mechanism 122 (such as different motors) that influence the state of the roulette and the ball 124, means of identifying results 1 28, and means of protection 126 that influence sensors related to protection as a dome mechanism. The assembly comprises the memory 130 used by the game controller 1 20 to maintain the programs and the recorded information. Figure 9 illustrates the stages involved in the game of roulette. The process starts with the game controller 120 secured in the automated game system 1 0 which signals the player stations 40 that the round is ready to start (stage 1 50). According to the foregoing, player stations 40 activate the credit reception process (step 1 52) and the betting process (step 154). During these processes, players can make new credits at their player 40 stations and use available credits to place bets on their next roulette results. A bet ending process (step 156) is also developed to prevent new bets from being placed (step 158) when the process of generating results meets the advance criteria. Thus, the roulette game involves the initiation of the roulette game result generation (step 170) taking the form of the game controller 120 that sends the signals to the engine so that the ball 92 is propelled to the roulette structure . In accordance with the adjustments, the bet completion process (step 156) may involve the evaluation of the ball speed or the duration of the ball trip. After the betting process has ended on the player stations 40 (step 158), the ball 92 finally lands in a slot 90, the result is identified, and the game controller 120 transmits the result of the roulette to the stations of player 40 (stage 160). Each player station controller 140 resolves the registered bets (step 162) based on the received signal of results; and it pays the player according to the above, typically increasing and decreasing the counter values (164). Then, when the time is advancing, usually the time to recover the ball 92 from its landing slot 90, a new round begins (step 150). Figure 10 illustrates another embodiment of the invention wherein the game played is a dice game (such as a "crap" game) with the player stations arranged around the result generating assembly 160 which is of two classes: a) Player 180 stations comprising a ticket reader, an electronic screen with a touch screen and a station controller (not visible), and b) player stations 190 with a ticket reader 192, an enhanced electronic screen and a touch screen comparable with bet stations 180, and a station controller (not visible). A player who uses a betting station 180 may place bets on the results of the dice although the player using the player station 190 may additionally apply some control over the process of generating results, such as, depending on the game played, keep the die, modify the die throw shape, etc. Communicatively linked to automated game assembly
160 but next door is the service station 170 which allows players to transfer the money entered in service station 170 into available credits to be wagered. Thus, the player feeds the service station 170 with the amounts he wants to bet at the start of his game session, receives a ticket identifying his account, goes to a bet station 180 or a game station 190, and places his ticket in ticket reader 182 or 192. Station 180 or 190, after reading the ticket, communicates with an account system, transfers the findings to station 180 or 190 where credits are made available for the player to bet . When the player wishes to end his session, he removes the ticket from his station 180 or 190, places it in a service station 170 where the ticket is exchanged for a redeemable voucher that an official can exchange for standard current. Thus, the block diagram illustrating the system for the game of an automated dice game using the assembly of Figure 10 is slightly different from that described above. Figure 11 illustrates the system comprising the automated game setup 200, the player station (s) 220, the player stations 240, and the service station (s) 260. A network (LAN) 290 links the service stations 260, the automated gaming assembly 200 and a central server 280 wherein the account database 282 maintains information about the found transfer, such as the money deposited at the service station (s) 260, the credit transferred to the charging station. Player 220 or the betting station 240, and the credits transferred in vouchers redeemable by the dependents. A secured network 292 maintains communication between the game controller 202 and the station controllers 222 and 224. As illustrated, each service station 260 comprises a controller 262 that: a) maintains communication with the central server 280; b) commands the printing of tickets and vouchers by means of a printer 264 to allow the player to play or redeem the terms won; c) commands the reading of the tickets to be read by a reader 266 when the player finishes his session; and d) access memory 268. Automated die assembly 200 comprises protection means 206 (including a dome) that prevents players from fraudulently influencing the result, a result generating mechanism 204 that is partially controllable by a player at a player station that uses the result control inputs, the die 208, the dice identification means 210 that include image capture and analysis means. These components are more or less controlled by the game controller 202 depending in part on the signals received from the player station for generating the result. The assembly further comprises the memory 212 for storing the necessary programs and recording the information. The player station (s) 220 and betting stations 240 are composed of a controller 222 and 242; an electronic screen 224 and 244 adapted for your particular needs; means of admission 226 and 246 also adapted for their particular needs; a ticket reader 228 and 248; and memory 230 and 250. As stated, the requirements for betting station 220 differ from some of a player station 240. The latter allows the player to influence the process of generating result although the capacity of betting station 220 is limited to placing bets in relation to die results. Thus, a result generating process includes a signal exchange between the game controller 202 and a player station controller 222. Figure 12 illustrates another configuration of an automated game setup. In this other modality, player stations 280 are all facing the same address, which is in the clockwise direction in the figure illustrated. Or that, by preventing players 99 from confronting each other, the experience of anonymous players is as important as playing in individual gaming machines. Other physical modalities are possible according to the class of stations that are suitable for the game, the available equipment, and the services that have to be offered at the player stations. For example, the stations may be essentially located on the platform or partially or almost entirely embedded in the platform. The touch screens, buttons, mats with underlying wired sensors, or screens or many screens of different dimensions, or even without a screen can be used according to the needs. Another example is a remotely located player station of the automated gaming system, which receives both the result signals and the captured images from the automated gaming system. In this case, the player would test the result through the captured image instead of witnessing the result live. Another example could be a montage where the dependent would participate in the game even if the bets are resolved by player stations. As the above modalities were described for the game of roulette and dice games, other games can benefit from similar game systems. The list of suitable games includes bingo, queno, electronic card games or even automated racing games. Additionally, automated game assembly and player station controllers can be adapted to play a pari-mutual game. In accordance with the above, the betting information would be continuously exchanged between player stations. As a result, the betting resolution process, instead of demanding knowledge only of the results and the static payment program, would demand more information from other sources, at least the betting information from the other player stations. The exchange of information would be different but the assembly would remain essentially the same. Other modalities may differ in relation to programs, games, communication, game control, etc. without departing from the scope of the invention. In fact, although the block diagram illustrates the components of the system that communicate with one another, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can have modalities through a combination of hardware and software components. These components are illustrated as such in the final block diagrams only to teach their functionalities and relationship. Thus, programmable computers, computer applications or operating systems may be suitable for developing functions illustrated by one or more illustrated components without departing from the scope of the invention. Additionally, in the case of some functional components that are possible as modalities as functional methods, these methods can be included in a machine or in a system, carried out in a computer readable medium, a readable memory of processing or communicated as a electrical or electromechanical signal. Therefore, the intent of the above document is to efficiently teach the invention through exemplary embodiments, although only the final claims are intended to define the scope of the invention.