FR2775910A1 - Roulette wheel automatic scoring system used in Casinos and other gaming establishments - Google Patents

Abstract

The system has a rotating wheel section with outer cavity and inner cavity part and ball return mechanism. The ball return ducting mechanism retains the balls and releases then on command to optimize the score. The score is found using a microprocessor

Description

CASINO ROULETTE USED IN ADDRESS GAME

WITH AUTOMATIC SCORES.

  The present application relates to the use of a casino type caster in skill game intended for amusement games of the rotary caster type producing numbers or numbers from 6 to 37 holes by selection of a of these holes in which a ball will be admitted, further comprising electronic counting means and automatic ascent of the game ball, intended to equip

  games rooms, funfairs, recreation rooms and other establishments.

  In the field of games using a roulette, it is known the manually driven casino roulette in which a ball is thrown manually at each game, which requires a permanent control of the casino staff: croupier and other, on the results. Furthermore, such a structure is not suitable

  for the equipment of games rooms for the general public where each device must be autonomous.

  The device according to the invention provides a solution and relates to a game for producing scores, of the type comprising a roulette provided with a turntable around a vertical axis in the hollowed out part of a fixed peripheral tray in the form of bowl and a ball, the turntable provided with perforations regularly distributed circumferentially, in that its shaft is connected to a drive gearmotor and under the rotary plate is arranged a lower recovery plate intended to direct the ball passing through one of the perforations of the plate towards a chute for bringing said ball opposite opposite means for raising and transferring the ball towards the rotating plate of the caster to means for detecting the passage of the ball connected on the one hand to a microprocessor with a calculator connected to a display of numbers or scores, the means of transfer of the ball towards the turntable of the roulette comprise at level d e the lateral exit to the plate a system for retaining the ball, when it passes and for releasing by controlled means, at a given time, chosen by the player in order to attempt

  bring the ball into a chosen hole on the turntable giving it the highest score.

  The ball retaining system consists of a system for guiding the descent of the bowl so as to form articulated means for preventing the ball from returning to the means for raising it on which a retaining member is provided. the ball, normally in the projecting position on the path of the ball

  and movable laterally under the action of the control means.

  The retaining member consists of a flap pivoting about an axis perpendicular to the axis of the guide system, between an oblique projecting position inside the guide system so as to retain the ball by lateral pinching and an erased position or the extreme part of said flap is released from the guide system according to another solution the retaining member consists of a member disposed transversely to the axis of the guide system, such as a finger or a shutter flap and controlled in transverse sliding by the control means to fade laterally to ensure the

release of the ball.

  The end of the guide means has, seen from above, a truncated cone or pyramid shape in order to ensure a precise position of the trajectory of the ball when it is released, the means of actuation of the member retainers consist of an electromagnet arranged transversely, horizontally or vertically as a guide system and coupled by articulation to said retainer and the power supply of which is ensured from a control button accessible to the player.

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  As a variant, the actuating means of the retaining member consist of a manual control with a pull-back spring, the lateral outlet to the plate of the guide system is oriented in a radial plane to the rotating plate in an inclined manner corresponding to the angle of the defined fixed bowl

  circumferentially to the turntable.

  The ball retaining flap can either be made up of a flat plate or limited to a wire, supported on one or two rods forming a hinge pin so that this wire is located substantially in an area between a plane passing through the axis of the ball and a slightly higher plane so as to ensure the blocking of the ball well by preventing it from passing over it under the effect of its speed of arrival in this descending zone. According to particular features with random number determination, the means for detecting the passage of the ball are arranged on the chute, the microprocessor is provided with means for producing a random number at the time of detection and the plate of

  recovery is fixed and provided with inclined parts directing the ball towards the chute.

  According to a second embodiment, the determination of the number or score is conditioned by the values assigned to each of the holes of the turntable and in this case, on the one hand each hole is assigned a given value and are provided with sensor means , arranged for example on the periphery of the rotating plate, intended to selectively capture the hole crossed by the ball and the value assigned to it and to transmit it to the microprocessor, and on the other hand, either the lower recovery plate is such that it keeps the ball in the hole in which it is engaged on a turn of the turntable to allow the sensor to measure the value when the hole considered passes opposite and then allow the evacuation of the ball towards the chute, or the ball recovery tray under the turntable is located below it and is integral with lowering and / or tilting means

  ordered after detection of the passage of the ball or reading of the value of the hole where the ball is located.

  The means for detecting the value assigned to the holes may be optical means for reading the

  bar codes assigned to each hole in the tray.

  In addition, the turntable is translucent or made of opaque material perforated with radial orifices each passing through the axis of a hole so as to let pass a light beam emitted by a transmitter which is either cut by the ball present in a hole , information entered by a sensor opposite, either reflected in the case where the ball is made of material or coated with a reflective material so that the light beam emitted on the periphery or in the interior of the plate is captured after reflection by the means

  sensors arranged on the same side as the transmitting means.

  Thus, the sensor means, for example with optical transmitter and receiver of the presence of the ball in a hole, control the actuation of the optical reading means, of identification means, for example barcode of the corresponding hole, the latter being preferably arranged each time behind the corresponding hole with respect to the direction of movement so as to be read immediately after the

  detection of the presence of the ball.

  According to one embodiment, the recovery plate is then articulated around a horizontal axis disposed on the side opposite to the feed chute and connected on the side opposite to the articulation axis to controlled lowering means after detection of the value of the hole in which the ball is located so that

  the ball escapes from the hole in the turntable only in the area opposite the hinge pin.

  According to other characteristics, the assembly is arranged on a frame in a box surmounted by a window of

  protection towards the front of the device making the elements inaccessible.

  The means for raising and transferring the ball consist, on the one hand, of a chute or conduit in an inclined plane rising peripherally to the bowl and progressively approaching it to open internally, and on the other hand, d '' an ejector or launcher for example with controlled spring

  manually or motorized, for example of the electromagnetic type.

  A more detailed description will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings which represent:

  Fig 1: a top view of the caster, Fig 2: a vertical section view of the assembly, according to A.A. in fig 1,

  Fig 3: a view of a ball retaining system (top view).

  The configuration of this game with reference to these drawings includes the roulette system composed of a circular plate hollowed out in the form of a ring provided, on its inner face, with a peripheral bowl (1), fixed on a plate (2) in the center of which rotates a conical cylinder (3) whose flat and horizontal base has holes (4), regularly distributed around its periphery to allow a ball (5) to pass towards the lower part of the cylinder (3); this being mounted on an axis (6) and driven in rotation by a geared motor (7), the game ball (5), after rebound on the plate and on the cone of the cylinder (3) is recovered by the plate ( 8) lower than the cylinder (3), to feed, after passing through one of the holes (4), a chute (9) for recovering, guiding and centering the ball (5) towards the recovery point, ci being equipped with presence detectors (10) connected in the case of FIG. (2), on the one hand, to the score counting means and, on the other hand, to the actuation control means of the ascent system automatic (12) of the ball (5) to an orifice (13) provided on one side of the bowl (1) fixed on the plate (2). The ascent system comprising the means (12) for raising and transferring the ball (5) preferably consists of a propulsion and elevation tube for the ball in the form of a chute or duct (12) in plan inclined rising towards the periphery of the bowl (1) and gradually approaching it to open out internally (13) on the one hand, and on the other hand, an ejector or launcher for example with a spring controlled manually or motorized by example of the electromagnetic type (11), arranged axially at the base of said chute propelling the ball (5) in the chute or tube towards the orifice (13) opening into the bowl (1) surrounding the roller (3), or by an elevation system

  vertical coupled to motorized means by means of an eccentric.

  The number of holes in the cylinder plate is not limiting depending on the 0 thereof, it

  can reach 36 holes, even 37 holes by counting the hole assigned to zero.

  The determination of the score is ensured not only randomly by the generator but conditioned by the value assigned to the hole through which the ball has passed, this being obtained by means of selective collection of the value of the orifice crossed by the ball transmitting it to the microprocessor and to the computer, these means being constituted for example by the use of a light beam (15 ′) directed from the center towards the outside of the plate (3) then made for example of translucent material whose outer periphery carries identification means, example bar code opposite each hole so that a captnce cell (15) disposed peripherally at a given point secured to the frame (2) transmits to the microprocessor and to the computer, the read value assigned to the hole (4) through which the ball (5) is engaged thereby cutting the light beam. The recovery bottom (8) of the ball under the turntable being in this case located at the upper height, directly under the underside of the turntable so as to hold the ball (5) in the hole in which it is engaged on at least part of a turn by being either integral with lowering means and

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  tilt (14), controlled after the sensor has read the value of the hole (4) where the ball is located, is provided with a zone below against for the evacuation of the ball at a point on the periphery of this bottom, so as to maintain the ball in the hole on at least part of the course to allow the reading of the only zone which is not lit before the evacuation of the ball (9). This version with score determined by the value of the hole crossed can be implemented by other types of sensors which can be electrical or mechanical, each time transmitting the value corresponding to the hole crossed by the ball to the microprocessor and to the computer. In the case of optical sensor means, the light transmission can be ensured, as a variant, by radial bores made in a rotating plate of opaque material each passing through the axis of a hole (4); the capture can also be carried out, in this case, by reflection of a beam emitted on the periphery on a ball then made of reflective material or provided with a reflective coating, comprising on the one hand, sensor means, for example with optical transmitter and receiver of the presence of the ball (5) in a hole controlling the actuation of means provided, on the other hand for optical reading, means for identifying the corresponding hole (4), for example bar code. The latter being disposed each time behind the corresponding hole (4) relative to the direction of movement so as to be read immediately after the detection of the presence of the

ball (5).

  According to another variant, the ball is made of metallic or magnetic material entirely or only at the level of an insert and the sensor means are of the magnetic type combined with reading means

  the value of the magnetic or optical hole.

  According to Figure 2, the recovery plate (8) of the ball (5) is articulated at one end about an axis (4 and actuated in inclination by a motorized eccentric mechanism (14) or any other electromagnetic and mechanical means ; at the outlet of the feed chute (9) is positioned the

  ascent of the ball (5) towards the bowl (1).

  The roulette game, when provided with means for detecting the value assigned to the hole crossed, can be used in addition to a game of skill, in this case, the roulette being horizontal, the system (16) ( 16 ') retaining the ball (5) in trapezoidal shape is installed on the inclined slope of the bowl making it possible to pinch the ball (5) as it passes and to release it by the spacing of one of the walls (16) by controlled electromagnetic means (17), allowing the player to be able to attempt

  to bring the ball (5) into a chosen opening of the turntable, giving it the best score.

  In this case, the turntable has, between the various holes (4) distributed circumferentially,

  radial partitioning means (18).

  So that the player is informed that a ball is in the standby release position, or that the release areas are provided visible to the player and / or light warning means and / or

  Audible signals are provided, activated from a presence sensor located in the waiting area.

Claims (7)

CLAIMS I - Scoring production game device, of the type comprising a roulette provided with a plate (3) rotating around a vertical axis (6) in the central hollowed out part of a peripheral plate (1) fixed in shape bowl and a ball (5) the said plate (3) was provided with perforations (4) regularly distributed circumferentially, in that its shaft (6) is connected to a geared motor (7) and under this rotary plate is arranged a lower recovery plate (8) intended to direct the ball (5) passing through one of the perforations (4) of the plate towards a feed chute (9) of said ball opposite to means for raising ( 12) and for transferring the ball to the turntable of the caster, detection means (10) (15) of the passage of the ball (5) connected on the one hand, to a microprocessor with a computer connected to a display of numbers or scores, characterized in that the transfer means (12) of the b ille (5) towards the turntable of the caster (13) comprise at the level of the lateral outlet to the tray a system (16) (16 ') for retaining the ball (5) when it passes and for releasing it by controlled means (17) (17 ') at a given time chosen by the player in order to attempt to bring the ball (5) into a chosen orifice of the turntable, giving him the best score.   2 - Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the system (16) 16 ') for retaining the ball (5) consists of a descent guide system so as to form articulated anti-return means (19) of the ball (5) to the means for raising the latter (13) on which is provided a retaining member (20) of the ball (5) normally in projecting position on the path of the ball and displaceable laterally   under the action of the control means (17).   3 - Device according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the retaining member (16) (16 ') is   consisting of a flap pivoting about an axis perpendicular to the axis of the guide system, between an oblique projecting position inside the guide system so as to retain the ball (5), by pinching   lateral and an erased position or the extreme part of said flap is released from the guide system.   4 - Device according to claim 1 and 2 characterized in that the retaining member consists of a member disposed transversely to the axis of the guide system such as finger or shutter shutter and controlled by transverse sliding by the control means for sideways erase to ensure the release of the ball.   - Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the end   guide means has, seen from above, a truncated cone or pyramid shape so   to ensure a precise position of the trajectory of the ball, upon release.   6 - Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means   actuation of the retaining member consist of an electromagnet disposed transversely, horizontally or vertically as a guide system and hitched by articulation to said retaining member and whose electrical power is supplied from a button accessible to the player.   7 - Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 characterized in that the means   actuation of the retaining member consist of a manual pull lever recalled by spring.   8 - Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outlet   lateral to the guide plate is oriented in a radial plane to the turntable so   inclined corresponding to the angle of the fixed bowl (1) defined circumferentially to the turntable.   9 - Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the means (12) for raising and transferring the ball (5) consist on the one hand, of a chute or conduit (12) in inclined plane rising towards the periphery of the bowl (1) and gradually approaching it to open internally (13), and on the other hand, an ejector or launcher, for example with spring manually controlled or motorized by   example of the electromagnetic type (11), arranged axially at the base of said chute.   - Arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the   turntable (3) comprises, between the various holes (4) distributed circumferentially, means for radial partitions (18).