AU2008100694B4 - Method and Apparatus for Roulette Game - Google Patents

Description

25/07 2008 FRI 15:57 FAX Smoorenburg Pinl *44 IP AUSTRALIA Q003/021 P1/00/002 Regulation 3.2B

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT Application No.

Lodged: 25 July 2008 Innovation Title: METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ROULETTE GAME The following statement is a full description of this innovation, including the best method of performing it known to the Applicant, Crown Melbourne Limited: COMS ID No: ARCS-199763 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:00 Date 2008-07-25 25/07 2008 FRI 15:57 FAX Smoorenburg Pini IP AUSTRALIA Q004/021 00 o

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METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ROULETTE GAME FIELD OF INNOVATION IThe present innovation relates to the field of casino table games. In particular, the innovation relates to a method and apparatus for playing Roulette.

RELATED ART OThroughout this specification the use of the word "inventor" in singular form

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O may be taken as reference to one (singular) inventor or more than one (plural) inventor of the present innovation.

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o Related art Roulette systems comprise known variations to the Roulette 0 10 game.

One example Roulette game of related art comprises, inter alia, a solitary zero indicia in the form of a "single zero" used as a wagering space in a table layout design and as one of a plurality of pockets for receiving a Roulette ball in a Roulette wheel as would be understood by the person skilled in the art. This game can be referred to as European Roulette or "Single Zero" Roulette. A table layout design for players to place bets when playing the European game is shown in figure 1. The corresponding wheel for Single Zero Roulette is shown in figure 4.

Another example Roulette variation of related art is American Roulette known generally as "Double Zero" Roulette by virtue of the introduction of a "double zero" indicia. A description of the "Double Zero" game may be found at http://llwww.gamblingplanetinfo, in which the rules of conventional Double Zero Roulette are disclosed. Double Zero Roulette comprises a table layout, as shown in figure 2, having and "00" numbers adjoining the and and the and number spaces, respectively to provide for a "Five-Line" bet generally known as a "Five Bet". The disclosure of gamblingplanet.info corresponding to the table layout of figure 2 was published on the Internet on or around 13 June 2006. The corresponding wheel for Double Zero Roulette is shown in figure 5 and comprises an introduced "00" compartment that is placed opposite the "single zero" on the wheel.

These related art systems may suffer from predictability and there is a need for additional incentives for increasing the player experience. Furthermore, in other related art there have been attempts to improve the efficiency of both COMS ID No: ARCS-199763 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:00 Date 2008-07-25 25/07 2008 FRI 15:58 FAX Smoorenburg Pinl 444 IP AUSTRALIA [005/021 00 2 S"single" and "double" zero Roulette systems in order to enhance the play of the traditional game from a player's point of view and also improvements in operation t to enhance Roulette systems from a casino or house point of view.

One attempt at addressing some of the above drawbacks in related art systems is found in AU granted patent No 200128650 (782075) in the name of Technical Casino Services Ltd. This disclosure relates to detection of a Roulette

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ball to determine the winning number of a Roulette play by use of video capture of Roulette wheel pockets and comparison with a known sequence of pocket 00oO identities of a Roulette wheel to detect winning number(s). At page 6 of AU 200128650 (782075) there is mention of use of "00" and pockets to be used in an electronic detection and comparison to determine direction of movement of a Roulette wheel. It is considered that the movement detection as disclosed requires maximum separation of the "00" pocket/compartment relative to the "0" pocket on the Roulette wheel in order to minimize error in detection.

Lapsed AU patent application No 2003239274 in the name of Mathews addresses the general problem of gamblers finding conventional Roulette to be "boring" and "too predictable" a game. The solution of Mathews utilizes either a single Roulette wheel with a plurality of balls in play or a plurality of separate Roulette wheels each wheel having one or more tracks for a ball, where excitement in the game is given by the possibility of betting on a plurality of balls simultaneously, rather than merely on a single ball for each spin of the wheel.

There is disclosure with reference to figure 4 in Mathews of a modification of conventional "American" (ie Double Zero) Roulette where the "00" pocket is replaced by a "37" pocket. The replaced "37" pocket is located opposite to the pocket of the Roulette wheel. Also Mathews discloses a known table layout having and "00" adjoining "1 and for a "Five-Line" bet.

AU patent application No 2005203037 in the name of Aruze Corp identifies the problem of a difficulty for a player to view the Roulette ball in light of existing constructions. The Aruze Corp reference provides an air compression system which works with a bank passage to provide a simple mechanism for restarting play and for allowing easy view and access for players. An air compressor/air compression to drive a Roulette ball along a "bank passage" is provided in order to reduce complexity of operation and keep the Roulette ball visible. Aruze Corp COMS ID No: ARCS-199763 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:00 Date 2008-07-25 25/07 2008 FRI 15:58 FAX Smoorenburg Plnt 4-4 IP AUSTRALIA [006/021 00 O 3 Sis disclosed in the context of a conventional Double Zero Roulette system with a "00" compartment placed opposite the compartment on the wheel and a tt known table layout having and "00" adjoining and for a "Five-Line".

Granted AU patent No 2005244551 in the name of Stargames Corporation Pty Limited relates to the provision of a bonus feature to a standard Roulette system. A determination is made of whether a bonus trigger event has occurred Va O and subsequently providing a bonus feature in that event.

International (PCT) patent application with publication No WO 00 82006/061616 in the name of Electrocoin Leisure Limited addresses problems related to game playing apparatus that have complicated displays and electronic features. The solution of Electrocoin provides features of a visual display which simulates a Roulette table, Roulette wheel and motion of ball over wheel and electronic apparatus controlling visual display so that at least one zero space is void for all purposes except termination of the simulated ball. There is a disclosure at page 4 of Electrocoin that the apparatus may be modified by introducing one or more additional zeros as "00" etc in recognition of American Roulette.

International (PCT) patent application with publication No WO 2007/112018 in the name of Nicholas SORGE discusses problems with conventional Roulette systems where the indicia of the game that appears on the table layout ("game surface") and the Roulette wheel is not balanced in as much as numbers can be adjacent each other on a wheel that are also associated with either one or more of the same group, row, and/or column of the game surface or are associated with the same colour.

The solution provided by Sorge provides indicia to be arranged on the game surface (table layout) and Roulette wheel wherein number wagering areas corresponding to certain number indicia are associated with the 1 st or 2 nd colour (ie red or black) and pockets of the Roulette wheel are arranged such that no two adjacent numbers are associated with the same colour, in the same group, column or row of the table layout or adjacent one another on the layout in order to 'balance' the indicia of game. A conventional Double Zero system with a table layout having and "00" adjoining the "1 and spaces for a "Five-Line" is disclosed and in which the 'balance' features of the solution, stipulate that no two COMS ID No: ARCS-199763 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:00 Date 2008-07-25 25/07 2008 FRI 15:58 FAX Smoorenburg Pini IP AUSTRALIA 007/021 00 o 4 0 Sadjacent numbers on the Roulette wheel can be associated with either of the same colour, group, row or column.

The inventor notes that the certain Roulette markets have traditionally played Single Zero Roulette. Double Zero Roulette may not have been accepted by these markets in the past because of a couple of key issues, namely: O" 1: The order of the numbers on a Single Zero wheel is different to that on

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o a traditional Double Zero wheel, and; 02: Some of the betting options available on a Single Zero layout are not O0 o available on a traditional Double Zero layout.

It is in this context that the conventional "Double Zero" product has been trialled in the past but has been unsuccessful in certain markets, where one example is the Australian market.

Moreover, the inventor has determined that no consideration has been given in the past to changing Double Zero Roulette for these "single zero" markets. It has simply been categorized as an unsuitable product in the market and prior trials of Double Zero have simply used the product in its original or traditional state. Further, there appears to be a need for a useful alternative or variation to the accepted double zero game.

The discussion throughout this specification comes about due to the realisation of the inventor and/or the identification of certain related art problems by the inventor and, moreover, any discussion of documents, devices, acts or knowledge in this specification is included to explain the context of the innovation.

It should not be taken as an admission that any of the material forms a part of the prior art base or the common general knowledge in the relevant art in Australia or elsewhere on or before the priority date of the disclosure and claims herein.

SUMMARY OF INNOVATION An object of the present innovation is to alleviate at least one disadvantage associated with the related art mentioned herein. Furthermore, it is an object of the embodiments described herein to overcome or alleviate at least one of the above noted drawbacks of related art systems or to at least provide a useful alternative to related art systems.

COMS ID No: ARCS-199763 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:00 Date 2008-07-25 25/07 2008 FRI 15:58 FAX Smoorenburg Pini IP AUSTRALIA (a008/021 00 oD 0 In a first aspect of embodiments described herein there is provided a ZRoulette apparatus comprising a table layout adapted for placing wagers, the table layout comprising: first elements comprising individual numbered wagering spaces for accommodating individual indicia from at least one to thirty-six (36); 0a second element comprising an individual numbered wagering space for O accommodating a double zero indicia; and a third element comprising an individual numbered wagering space for OO 00 S accommodating a single zero indicia, wherein the third element is configured relative to the first and second elements to form a common boundary with a subset of the first elements and exclude the second element from contact with the first elements.

In another aspect of embodiments described herein there is provided a Roulette apparatus comprising: a table layout adapted for placing wagers comprising first elements for individual numbered wagering spaces accommodating individual indicia from at least one to thirty-six a second element for an individual numbered wagering space accommodating a double zero indicia, and a third element for an individual numbered wagering space accommodating a single zero indicia abutting the second element, wherein the third element is configured to form a common boundary with a subset of the first elements; and a Roulette wheel comprising compartments numbered from at least one (1) to thirty-six a compartment numbered zero and a compartment numbered double zero located adjacent the compartment numbered zero.

In yet a further aspect of embodiments described herein there is provided a method of playing a Roulette game using apparatus comprising a first set of indicia numbered from at least one to thirty-six a second indicia comprising a double zero and a third indicia comprising a single zero wherein the indicia are applied to a betting table layout and a Roulette wheel such that the double zero and the single zero are adjacent, the method comprising the steps of: providing betting options comprising at least one or more of: a zero-two split; a zero-three split; COMS ID No: ARCS-199763 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:00 Date 2008-07-25 25/07 2008 FRI 15:59 FAX Smoorenburg Pini IP AUSTRALIA [009/021 00 o 6 0 Cfirst four comer.

Other aspects and preferred forms are disclosed in the specification andlor defined in the appended claims, forming a part of the description of the N innovation.

In essence, embodiments of the present innovation stem from the realization that in order to address the problem of making a Double Zero Roulette O game adaptable and attractive to the "single zero" or extending the attractiveness 0of traditional "double zero" Roulette market, a solution was to minimize the O0 0 differences between the "single zero" and "double zero" Roulette systems. By combining the double zero indicia with the single zero indicia in close proximity so as to be adjacent on the wheel and/or the double zero excluded from contact with indicia other than the single zero on the table layout, the benefits of both double zero and single zero Roulette can be provided.

Advantages provided by the present innovation comprise the following: The Roulette system is very similar to what players already know; A higher house edge game can be offered without incurring general player dissatisfaction; The differences between Single Zero Roulette and Double Zero Roulette have been minimized to the extent that many players are essentially indifferent between the two products thus leading to higher take up of the less common game.

Further scope of applicability of embodiments of the present innovation will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the innovation, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the disclosure herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further disclosure, objects, advantages and aspects of preferred and other embodiments of the present application may be better understood by those skilled in the relevant art by reference to the following description of embodiments COMS ID No: ARCS-199763 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:00 Date 2008-07-25 25/07 2008 FRI 15:59 FAX Smoorenburg Pini IP AUSTRALIA 010/021 00 o 7 0 taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the disclosure herein, and in which: rFigure 1 illustrates a prior art table betting layout for single zero Roulette; Figure 2 illustrates a prior art table betting layout for double zero Roulette; Figure 3 shows a table betting layout in accordance with a preferred A embodiment; O Figure 4 shows a prior art roulette wheel adapted for single zero Roulette; Figure 5 shows a prior art roulette wheel adapted for double zero Roulette; 00 o Figure 6 shows a Roulette wheel comprising single zero and double zero 0 compartments located adjacent to each other in accordance with a preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Experienced Roulette patrons mostly play according to well known sections of the wheel, therefore the order of numbers and betting options available are of paramount importance. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the innovation and their features have been made as similar to the readily accepted Single Zero Roulette as possible.

By way of comparison, figure 1 shows a single zero Roulette table layout of related art generally indicated by 10 comprising first elements 11 being individual numbered wagering spaces with indicia from one to thirty-six (36) corresponding to the numbered compartments one to thirty-six (36) of a single zero Roulette wheel 40 as shown in figure 4 where the compartments are referenced with the same reference numerals 11. A further element 12 for a single zero indicia is provided at one end of table layout 10, which facilitates the betting options for conventional single zero Roulette. The corresponding compartment for the single zero is indicated at 12 in figure 4. The betting areas indicated by 14 in figure 1 are utilised in accordance with known related art systems for single zero Roulette as would be understood by the person skilled in the art.

Figure 2 shows a conventional double zero Roulette table layout of related art generally indicated by 20 comprising first elements 21 being individual numbered wagering spaces with indicia from one to thirty-six (36) corresponding to the numbered compartments one to thirty-six (36) of a COMS ID No: ARCS-199763 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:00 Date 2008-07-25 25/07 2008 FRI 15:59 FAX Smoorenburg Pint 444 IP AUSTRALIA 0011/021 00 8 0 Sconventional double zero Roulette wheel 50 as shown in figure 5 where the compartments are referenced with the same reference numeral 21. Further n elements 22 and 23 for a single zero indicia and double zero indicia, respectively, is provided at one end of table layout 20, which facilitates the betting options for conventional double zero Roulette. The corresponding compartments for the single zero and double zero are indicated at 22 and 23, respectively, in figure Va O The betting areas indicated by 24 in figure 2 are utilised in accordance with known related art systems for double zero Roulette as would be understood by oO 00 othe person skilled in the art.

With reference to figure 6, in a preferred embodiment, the number order on the Roulette wheel is adapted such that the number compartments on the wheel have been placed in the same order as compartments of a Single Zero Roulette wheel illustrated in figure 4. The extra number double zero indicated at 33 has been placed adjacent to the original number single zero indicated at 32 on the wheel. This makes sense for section betters because both numbers are also adjacent on the preferred table layout as shown in figure 3.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment the layout has been designed to retain all betting options available on the Single Zero table layout of figure 1. Three betting options that are lost on a traditional Double Zero layout of figure 2 are the Zero-Two Split, Zero-Three Split and the First Four Corner as would be understood by the person skilled in the art. These are all very popular wagering areas.

Single Zero Number order With further reference to figure 4, in single zero Roulette systems the number order on the Roulette wheel is as follows: 32, 15, 19, 4, 21, 2, 25, 17, 34, 6, 2713, 36, 11, 30, 8, 23, 10, 5, 24, 16, 33, 1, 20, 14, 31,9, 22, 18, 29, 7, 28, 12, 3, 26, 0.

Traditional Double Zero Number order With further reference to figure 5, in related art double zero Roulette systems the number order on the Roulette wheel differs significantly to that of single zero Roulette and is as follows: 28, 9, 26, 30, 11, 7, 20, 32, 17, 5, 22, 34, 3, 24, 36, 13, 1, 00, 27, 10, 25, 29, 12, 8, 19, 31, 18, 6, 21, 33, 16, 4, 23, 14,2,0.

COMS ID No: ARCS-199763 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:00 Date 2008-07-25 25/07 2008 FRI 15:59 FAX Smoorenburg Pini IP AUSTRALIA [A012/021 00 o9 0 SPreferred Double Zero Number order SWith further reference to figure 6, in accordance with a preferred n embodiment, the number order on the Roulette wheel is as follows: 32, 15, 19, 4, 21,2, 25, 17, 34, 6, 27 13, 36, 11,30, 8, 23, 10, 5, 24, 16, 33, 1, 20, 14, 31, 9, 22, 18, 29, 7, 28, 12, 35, 3, 26, 0, 00.

It is noted that the number order of compartments in the preferred double Va ozero wheel arrangement of figure 6 follows that of a single zero Roulette wheel as shown in figure 4. Another number "double zero" indicated at 33 has been oO 00 oadded to both the wheel and the layout without impacting either the number order C 10 or the available betting options of single zero Roulette but providing a significant alteration to the betting options of known double zero Roulette.

The preferred embodiments provide a modification of traditional Double Zero Roulette that minimizes the differences from Single Zero Roulette. The modifications are 1: Number order on the Wheel: The numbers have been placed in the same order as on the Single Zero wheel.

2: Layout Design. The layout has been designed to preserve the same betting options available on Single Zero Roulette.

The preferred embodiment provided allows for an additional "00" numeral to a table layout to allow for betting options associated with only the being placed adjacent the "1 and indicia of the table layout and also the addition of the "00" compartment upon a Roulette wheel where the "00" is placed adjacent the compartment.

While this innovation has been described in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of further modification(s). This application is intended to cover any variations uses or adaptations of the innovation following in general, the principles of the innovation and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice within the art to which the innovation pertains and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth.

As the present innovation may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit of the essential characteristics of the innovation, it should be understood that the above described embodiments are not to limit the present COMS ID No: ARCS-199763 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:00 Date 2008-07-25 25/07 2008 FRI 16:00 FAX Smoorenburg Plni 444 IP AUSTRALIA R013/021 00 Cinnovation unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly Zwithin the spirit and scope of the innovation as defined in the appended claims.

n The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative only and not restrictive.

Various modifications and equivalent arrangements are intended to be included within the spirit and scope of the innovation and appended claims.

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Therefore, the specific embodiments are to be understood to be illustrative of the many ways in which the principles of the present innovation may be practiced, in 00 0the following claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover structures as performing the defined function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. For example, although a nail and a screw may not be structural equivalents in that a nail employs a cylindrical surface to secure wooden parts together, whereas a screw employs a helical surface to secure wooden parts together, in the environment of fastening wooden parts, a nail and a screw are equivalent structures.

Various embodiments of the innovation may be embodied in many different forms, including computer program logic for use with a processor a microprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor, or general purpose computer), programmable logic for use with a programmable logic device a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or other PLD), discrete components, integrated circuitry an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC)), or any other means including any combination thereof.

Hardware logic (including programmable logic for use with a programmable logic device) implementing all or part of the functionality where described herein may be designed using traditional manual methods, or may be designed, captured, simulated, or documented electronically using various tools, such as Computer Aided Design (CAD), a hardware description language VHDL or AHDL), or a PLD programming language PALASM, ABEL, or CUPL).

Programmable logic may be fixed either permanently or transitorily in a tangible storage medium, such as a semiconductor memory device a RAM, ROM, PROM, EEPROM, or Flash-Programmable RAM), a magnetic memory device a diskette or fixed disk), an optical memory device a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM), or other memory device. The programmable logic may be fixed in COMS ID No: ARCS-199763 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:00 Date 2008-07-25 25/07 2008 FRI 16:00 FAX Smoorenburg Plni 4 IP AUSTRALIA 4014/021 00 o 11 0 C a signal that is transmittable to a computer using any of various communication Ztechnologies, including, but in no way limited to, analog technologies, digital n technologies, optical technologies, wireless technologies Bluetooth), l networking technologies, and internetworking technologies. The programmable logic may be distributed as a removable storage medium with accompanying printed or electronic documentation shrink wrapped software), preloaded Va o with a computer system on system ROM or fixed disk), or distributed from a server or electronic bulletin board over the communication system the 00 0 Internet or World Wide Web).

"Comprises/comprising" when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof." Thus, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words 'comprise', 'comprising', and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of "including, but not limited to".

COMS ID No: ARCS-199763 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:00 Date 2008-07-25

Claims (5)

1. A Roulette apparatus comprising a table layout adapted for placing 00 wagers, the table layout comprising: first elements comprising individual numbered wagering spaces for accommodating individual indicia from at least one to thirty-six (36); 0 a second element comprising an individual numbered wagering space for Saccommodating a double zero indicia; and OO a third element comprising an individual numbered wagering space for accommodating a single zero indicia, wherein the third element is configured I relative to the first and second elements to form a common boundary with a subset of the first elements and exclude the second element from contact with the first elements.

2. A Roulette apparatus according to claim 1 which further comprises: a Roulette wheel comprising compartments numbered from at least one (1) to thirty-six a compartment numbered zero and a compartment numbered double zero located adjacent the compartment numbered zero.

3. A Roulette apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the compartments of the Roulette wheel are numbered consecutively as: 32, 15, 19, 4, 21, 2, 25, 17, 34, 6, 27, 13, 36, 11, 30, 8, 23, 10, 5, 24, 16, 33, 1, 20, 14, 31, 9, 22, 18, 29, 7, 28, 12, 35, 3, 26, 0, 00. COMS ID No: ARCS-217585 Received by IP Australia: Time 14:18 Date 2008-12-18 18/12 2008 THU 14:19 FAX Smoorenburg Plni IP AUSTRALIA S007/010 0 13 NC-

4. A Roulette apparatus according to claim 1 which further comprises a j Roulette wheel comprising compartments numbered from at least one to thirty- Q six at least one of the aforesaid thirty-six numbered compartments being 00 located intermediate a compartment numbered zero and a compartment numbered double zero.

5. A Roulette apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 00 O (Nq COMS ID No: ARCS-217585 Received by IP Australia: Time 14:18 Date 2008-12-18