EP0615775A2 - Dispositifs de jeu et machines - Google Patents

Dispositifs de jeu et machines Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0615775A2
EP0615775A2 EP94301877A EP94301877A EP0615775A2 EP 0615775 A2 EP0615775 A2 EP 0615775A2 EP 94301877 A EP94301877 A EP 94301877A EP 94301877 A EP94301877 A EP 94301877A EP 0615775 A2 EP0615775 A2 EP 0615775A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
die
faces
enclosure
face
game apparatus
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP94301877A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0615775A3 (fr
Inventor
Alan Claypole
Brian Carter
Anthony Twist
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
MAYGAY MACHINES Ltd
Original Assignee
MAYGAY MACHINES Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by MAYGAY MACHINES Ltd filed Critical MAYGAY MACHINES Ltd
Publication of EP0615775A2 publication Critical patent/EP0615775A2/fr
Publication of EP0615775A3 publication Critical patent/EP0615775A3/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
    • G07F17/3202—Hardware aspects of a gaming system, e.g. components, construction, architecture thereof
    • G07F17/3204—Player-machine interfaces
    • G07F17/3211—Display means
    • G07F17/3213—Details of moving display elements, e.g. spinning reels, tumbling members
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F9/00—Games not otherwise provided for
    • A63F9/04—Dice; Dice-boxes; Mechanical dice-throwing devices
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F9/00—Games not otherwise provided for
    • A63F9/24—Electric games; Games using electronic circuits not otherwise provided for
    • A63F2009/2401—Detail of input, input devices
    • A63F2009/2436—Characteristics of the input
    • A63F2009/2442—Sensors or detectors
    • A63F2009/2444—Light detector

Definitions

  • This specification relates to devices and machines incorporating a game in which one or more dice are involved.
  • the disclosure is concerned with methods and devices for sensing the condition of a die automatically after the die has been thrown.
  • UK-A-2147510 describes a game machine incorporating a die which is read electronically. To enable reading, the die is constrained by mounting it on a vertical shaft. This spoils the effect of free tumbling which is desired with dice The value shown on the die is measured indirectly, using an indicator which rotates with the shaft.
  • EP A 426301 describes an amusement machine in which a die is tumbled by an upward air flow in a translucent tube. Each face of the die carries a resonant circuit of a characteristic frequency, and the die is read by identifying the resonant frequency of the downward face using a variable-frequency coil.
  • this application relates to a game device which has a die enclosure, a die in the enclosure, means for throwing the die in the enclosure so as to change its orientation on a random or quasi-random basis, and means for determining the orientation or condition of the die in the enclosure after the throwing.
  • a sensor surface against which the thrown die lies has a plurality of radiation sensors at predetermined positions, to detect selectively whether radiation - e.g. IR or visible light - is reflected at those positions.
  • This technique is particularly suitable for a die which has characteristic surface patterns, such as the conventional patterns of from one to six spots on surfaces of a cube. Radiation sensors are positioned at sufficient of the locations corresponding to such spots or other markings as will enable every face of the die to be distinguished.
  • One or more radiation emitters may also be provided, to direct radiation at the die face.
  • each sensor is associated with its own emitter. Infrared radiation is preferred, since it is harmless and does not distract the player.
  • faces of the die are distinguished from one another by their general reflective property rather than by a distinctive patterning thereof.
  • a die may have faces of different colours which have different reflectivities for the radiation used.
  • the identity of the face is determined by the measured magnitude of the reflected radiation as determined by the sensor. This can be a simple device, using only a single sensor and relying on ambient radiation, or a simple illumination of the face to be sensed.
  • the sensor may give an analogue output which can be used to give a specific identification of each die face.
  • the output from the sensor it may be passed to display means giving a confirmation indication, preferably visual such as on an alphanumeric display, of the value displayed on the die's (upper) face.
  • dice game apparatus comprising a die contained in a die enclosure, means for throwing or tumbling the die in the enclosure and means for sensing the condition of the thrown die e.g. by sensing of radiation reflected from a surface thereof, the enclosure having an open portion for substantially free rotation of the thrown die and at least one guide to guide the falling die into alignment with a sensing portion of the means for determining the die condition.
  • the guide desirably guides the die to a specific location. Preferably, it also guides the die to a specific orientation relative to the sensing portion.
  • the preferred guide uses opposed convergent surfaces, preferably including one or more faces which are straight in section so as to orient the die rotationally (by engagement of flat surfaces thereof) as well as locating it.
  • a game machine in which a dice game as proposed above is provided in combination with means for throwing the die in response to credits converted by a player, and the sensed condition of the thrown die is used to determine an award to the player.
  • the award may be dependent on the correctness of a prediction made by the player as to the condition of the thrown die, and/or a bet made by the player based on such a prediction.
  • the machine may include input means for the player to input such predictions and/or bets.
  • condition of the die may be sensed by means other than reflective radiation.
  • Other possible modes of sensing the condition of the die include determining which face of the die is adjacent a detecting or sensing element - most preferably one on which the die rests with its lowermost face - by any one of the following.
  • a dice throwing device has a chamber 1 with transparent walls, in this case an upright cylinder, in which a die 2 is contained.
  • the top of the cylindrical chamber is closed off by a roof 11, and the base of the chamber is closed off by a floor 12 incorporating a sensing arrangement 30, a dice-throwing arrangement 40 and guides 50.
  • the chamber 1 is large enough inside for the thrown die 2 to tumble freely in its upper part.
  • the die 2 is a cube of the conventional type, with its six flat faces numbered from one to six in patterns of spots, the spots on opposite faces totalling seven.
  • the sensor arrangement 30 has a square sensing face in the centre of the floor 12, corresponding to the size of the faces 21 of the die 2.
  • the means 40 for throwing the die 2 comprises one or more studs, upwardly-drivable by electronic means, which strike the die to throw it up, and an inwardly-projecting resilient interfering element 41 which interferes with the die's upward flight to enhance tumbling thereof.
  • Other means for throwing such as a movable diaphragm under the die, may be used instead.
  • the guides 50 are flat plates inclined downwardly towards respective ones of the four sides of the square sensing surface 31.
  • Fig. 2 shows the sensor surface 31. Spots on the faces of the die 2 may lie at any of nine possible positions on the square. Reflectivity at such positions is determined by individual photo-electronic sensors A to E. Such sensors are commercially available; these ones comprise an infrared emitter housed side-by-side with an infrared phototransistor in a single convenient package.
  • the arrangement used here has sensors A, B and C arranged along one side of the square, with sensor D occupying the centre of the square and E the middle of an adjacent side.
  • the following table shows the sensors which give a positive reading, owing to reflection of the sensor element's IR output back onto its phototransistor by the relatively highly reflective spots of the die, for all of the possible positions. Value on Lower Die Surface Sensors Giving Positive Reading 1 D 2 A or C 3 A+D or C+D 4 A+C 5 A+C+D 6 A+B+C or A+C+E
  • the die 2 has white spots on a black background.
  • any suitable difference in reflectivity will give the desired identification.
  • Figure 3 shows schematically how the array of photosensors "PS" is connected to a hysteresis control "H" which is biased at a suitable threshold level to act as a comparator for the photosensor outputs and gives a clear "spot/no-spot” indication for each sensor location.
  • the output from the comparator goes through an interface I/F to a microprocessor unit MPU, which makes the necessary correlation of the incoming data e.g. in accordance with the Table given above, and thereby determines the actual displayed (upper) value on the die.
  • the sensed spot value initiates generation of the complementary value obtained by subtracting it from seven e.g. if 3 is sensed at the bottom surface, then the display surface must be 4.
  • the MPU can put out this display value to a suitable display e.g. an LED, to complement the die 2 which is itself visible.
  • the MPU as in a conventional games machine, can also be programmed to determine a game outcome e.g. the existence or otherwise of some award, and/or the amount of such an award, on the basis of the determined die value.
  • a game outcome e.g. the existence or otherwise of some award, and/or the amount of such an award, on the basis of the determined die value.
  • Fig. 5 shows a game machine 60 incorporating the dice throwing and reading device in a top part thereof, and having a playing console 51 including control buttons 52 for entering a player prediction about the dice outcome, an LED 53 for the confirmatory display of the die outcome, and, a pay-out pocket 54 for the paying out of any awards. Operation of the machine is initiated by insertion of credits as coins or other suitable tokens through a (per se conventional) slot 56. Initiation of the actual throwing of the die 2 may be automatic at a short interval after the prediction is entered, or directly by actuating a throwing control 57.
  • the spotted die shown is only one possibility.
  • a die having different-coloured faces is another possibility.
  • Such a die can be read much more simply than the spotted die, since the differently coloured faces will have different reflectivities.
  • Reflected light from the lowermost face can be measured by a simple photosensitive resistor (PR in Fig. 4); the analogue output from this converted to a digital value by convertor circuit (DAC) and then fed into the MPU through an interface as before.
  • PR in Fig. 4 simple photosensitive resistor
  • DAC convertor circuit
  • accurate positioning of the die on the sensing surface is less critical, and it may be possible to dispense with the guides
  • the MPU must of course be programmed with the die data enabling it to correlate opposite faces and thereby identify the displayed face by sensing the lowermost face.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Testing Of Coins (AREA)
EP94301877A 1993-03-16 1994-03-16 Dispositifs de jeu et machines. Withdrawn EP0615775A3 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9305341 1993-03-16
GB939305341A GB9305341D0 (en) 1993-03-16 1993-03-16 Game devices and machines

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0615775A2 true EP0615775A2 (fr) 1994-09-21
EP0615775A3 EP0615775A3 (fr) 1995-11-22

Family

ID=10732110

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP94301877A Withdrawn EP0615775A3 (fr) 1993-03-16 1994-03-16 Dispositifs de jeu et machines.

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0615775A3 (fr)
GB (1) GB9305341D0 (fr)

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1996021914A1 (fr) * 1995-01-10 1996-07-18 Nsm Aktiengesellschaft Machine de jeu
GB2309571A (en) * 1996-01-24 1997-07-30 Adp Gauselmann Gmbh Coin-operated entertainment appparatus
WO1998013115A1 (fr) * 1996-09-26 1998-04-02 John Dove Dispositif pour tirer a pile ou face ou similaire
WO1998041296A1 (fr) * 1997-02-27 1998-09-24 Elaut, Naamloze Vennootschap Machine de jeu de des automatique
KR20020068472A (ko) * 2002-05-06 2002-08-27 김영호 게임기용 주사위 표면검출장치
EP1372122A1 (fr) * 2002-06-13 2003-12-17 Yeong Gil Moon Systéme de loterie sur internet par liaison filaire ou sans fil utilisant un générateur de nombres aléatoires
KR20040019436A (ko) * 2002-08-26 2004-03-06 김영호 게임기용 주사위 표면검출장치
WO2009111829A1 (fr) * 2008-03-12 2009-09-17 Elektroncek D.D. Système de jeu et contrôleur de jeu
GB2477024A (en) * 2010-01-13 2011-07-20 Bell Fruit Games Ltd Playing piece tumbler used in a gaming machine
KR20210107274A (ko) * 2020-02-24 2021-09-01 남상길 팔면체 주사위를 이용한 게임장치 및 그 게임방법

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR957746A (fr) * 1950-02-24
GB2147510A (en) * 1983-10-07 1985-05-15 Cirsa Comp Inversiones Sa Indicating module for gaming apparatus
JPH01223988A (ja) * 1988-03-03 1989-09-07 Taito Corp ゲームに用いられる賽子の目の認識方法
GB2228315A (en) * 1988-12-29 1990-08-22 21St Century Snooker Limited Colour recognition system for table ball games
EP0426301A1 (fr) * 1989-09-29 1991-05-08 Harry Levy Amusement Contractors Limited Machine d'amusement
US5021645A (en) * 1989-07-11 1991-06-04 Eaton Corporation Photoelectric color sensor for article sorting

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR957746A (fr) * 1950-02-24
GB2147510A (en) * 1983-10-07 1985-05-15 Cirsa Comp Inversiones Sa Indicating module for gaming apparatus
JPH01223988A (ja) * 1988-03-03 1989-09-07 Taito Corp ゲームに用いられる賽子の目の認識方法
GB2228315A (en) * 1988-12-29 1990-08-22 21St Century Snooker Limited Colour recognition system for table ball games
US5021645A (en) * 1989-07-11 1991-06-04 Eaton Corporation Photoelectric color sensor for article sorting
EP0426301A1 (fr) * 1989-09-29 1991-05-08 Harry Levy Amusement Contractors Limited Machine d'amusement

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 13 no. 546 (C-661) [3894] ,6 December 1989 & JP-A-01 223988 (TAITO CORP.) 7 September 1989, *

Cited By (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1996021914A1 (fr) * 1995-01-10 1996-07-18 Nsm Aktiengesellschaft Machine de jeu
GB2309571B (en) * 1996-01-24 1999-06-02 Adp Gauselmann Gmbh Coin-operated automatic entertainment apparatus
GB2309571A (en) * 1996-01-24 1997-07-30 Adp Gauselmann Gmbh Coin-operated entertainment appparatus
WO1998013115A1 (fr) * 1996-09-26 1998-04-02 John Dove Dispositif pour tirer a pile ou face ou similaire
US6206371B1 (en) 1996-09-26 2001-03-27 John Dove Device for “flipping a coin”, or the like
WO1998041296A1 (fr) * 1997-02-27 1998-09-24 Elaut, Naamloze Vennootschap Machine de jeu de des automatique
BE1010950A3 (nl) * 1997-02-27 1999-03-02 Elaut Nv Teerlingspelautomaat.
US6402141B1 (en) 1997-02-27 2002-06-11 Elaut N.V. Automatic dice game machine
KR20020068472A (ko) * 2002-05-06 2002-08-27 김영호 게임기용 주사위 표면검출장치
EP1372122A1 (fr) * 2002-06-13 2003-12-17 Yeong Gil Moon Systéme de loterie sur internet par liaison filaire ou sans fil utilisant un générateur de nombres aléatoires
KR20040019436A (ko) * 2002-08-26 2004-03-06 김영호 게임기용 주사위 표면검출장치
WO2009111829A1 (fr) * 2008-03-12 2009-09-17 Elektroncek D.D. Système de jeu et contrôleur de jeu
GB2477024A (en) * 2010-01-13 2011-07-20 Bell Fruit Games Ltd Playing piece tumbler used in a gaming machine
KR20210107274A (ko) * 2020-02-24 2021-09-01 남상길 팔면체 주사위를 이용한 게임장치 및 그 게임방법

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9305341D0 (en) 1993-05-05
EP0615775A3 (fr) 1995-11-22

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