GB2384193A

GB2384193A - Method for operating a gaming device and gaming device

Info

Publication number: GB2384193A
Application number: GB0308433A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Hoedl; Dominik Berger; Arno Kukule; Gerhard Schmulder
Original assignee: GRIPS Electronic GmbH
Current assignee: GRIPS Electronic GmbH
Priority date: 2000-10-12
Filing date: 2001-10-11
Publication date: 2003-07-23
Anticipated expiration: 2021-10-11
Also published as: RU2003112615A; GB2384193B; AU2002218228A1; WO2002030532A1; DE10050519C1; RU2267157C2; GB0308433D0; GB2384193A9

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a gaming device (9), in addition to a gaming device (9). The gaming device (9) comprises at least one roulette basin (1) having a roulette ball (6) circulating therein.; a movement sensor (7) which is used to detect the movement of the roulette ball (6), e.g. the speed or the duration of a revolution thereof; a simulation means (10) for calculating two characteristic moments (t 0 , t 1) of the game from the movement data of the movement sensor (7), e.g. the moment (t 0 ) when the roulette ball (6) rolls past a specific place and the moment (t 1 ) when the roulette ball (6) comes to rest in a field; a generating means (3) used to determine at least one winning value and/or a joker symbol once a signal is received from the simulation means (10); a gaming value sensor (8) which is used to detect the played value of the roulette basin (1); a means of comparison (4) for comparing the played value with the winning value and/or joker symbol; and a control means (2) which controls an optical and/or acoustic (5) display in sync with the moments t 0 and t 1 calculated by the simulation means and generates a signal corresponding to the result of the means of calculation (4). The corresponding method and gaming device (9) for carrying out said method are especially characterized in that the game becomes more attractive by synchronizing the display with the gaming process without forcing the player to change his or her gaming habits.

Description

Method of operating a gambling apparatus and a gambling apparatus The

subject of the invention relates to a method of operating a gambling apparatus and to a gambling apparatus.

Such subject-matter is known for example from US No 5 743 798 A disclosing a roulette gambling apparatus in which a motion sensor detects 10 motion data of a roulette ball, which data are transmitted to a regulating device for further processing. That regulating device actuates inter alla various displays and loudspeakers.

In addition it is known from DE 197 29 881 how a winnings quota which is fixed in an advance in particular in the classic roulette game can 15 be ascertained variably and in dependence on a number of winnings. For that purpose a roulette ball is spun on a roulette table and at the same time at least one random number is ascertained by a random generator. A comparison device triggers a signal if the value on the roulette bowl is the same as for example two of the random numbers produced by the random 20 generator. If the random numbers are the same as the result of the roulette game higher winnings than the normal winnings are distributed.

An aspect of crucial significance for attractiveness of the game is that the display of the random numbers, referred to hereinafter as the winnings value, is adapted in respect of time to the progress of the game.

25 Based on that consideration the aim of the present invention is to provide a method with which an acoustic and/or optical display can be synchronized with the progress of the game; a further aim of the invention is to provide a gambling apparatus which is particularly suitable for carrying out the method.

30 In accordance with the invention that aim is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1 and by a gambling apparatus having the features of claim 9. Further developments and configurations which can be

used individually or in combination with each other are recited in the respective appendant claims.

The method of operating a gambling apparatus, in accordance with the invention, is based on the notion that a motion sensor detects the 5 motion of a roulette ball which rolls or is spun in a roulette bowl, such as for example the speed of the ball or the time taken for it to complete a revolution. A simulation means determines at least two characteristic times to and to of the course of the game from the motion data of the motion sensor and sends a signal to a generating means which ascertains at least 10 one winnings value and/or a so-called joker character. A comparison means compares the value which is paid out in the roulette bowl and which is detected by a game value sensor, to the winnings value and/or the joker character. A control means actuates an optical and/or acoustic display synchronously with the times to and t1 and in dependence on the 15 comparison result of the comparison means sends or triggers a signal to the display.

Preferably in accordance with the invention times which are characteristic of the roulette game are selected for synchronization.

Synchronously in relation to the display control means that the pattern in 20 respect of time of the display is to follow what happens in the game in order to support that. The time to specifies the beginning of the 'thrilling' phase of the roulette game. It is firstly the starting time of the roulette ball that presents itself for the time to, that is to say the moment in time when the ball begins to roll or when the ball rolls past a given location, for 25 example the motion sensor, for the first or the second time.

For example the following times present themselves for the time t1: when the ball which is rolling around in the bowl comes away from the edge of the bowl and rolls in the roulette wheel which usually rotates in the opposite direction; the time of so-called 'Rien ne va plus'; or later, when 30 the ball comes to rest on an area.

Alternatively, for the time to, it would be possible to select the moment in time when the roulette ball comes to rest on an area while the time to selected could be the moment in time when, in the roulette bowl,

I the rotating wheel with the areas thereon comes to a halt at least for a logical second in the change in direction. As may be desired, the display may be furnished somewhat before, at the same time as or somewhat after the specified times.

5 Preferably the time to is calculated from the movement of the roulette ball, in particular the initial co-ordinates and the initial speed thereof. It is also possible however that calculation is effected with the speed of rotation after a few revolutions. The aim of this calculation is to calculate in advance the pattern of motion of the roulette ball, from the 10 data of the motion sensor. Preferably proposed for that purpose is the use of a self-learning algorithm with which summa summarum device-typical aspects as well as friction can be taken into consideration. The speed of revolution can either be directly determined by a speed-sensitive motion sensor or by a location-sensitive motion sensor, with the assistance of the 15 time which the roulette ball needs to circulate one or more times in the bowl. In accordance with a preferred development of the method at least two and preferably at least three and at least four winnings values and/or joker characteristics are ascertained by the generating means. They can be 20 represented by means of the optical display in succession, preferably displaced for example in each case by 400 ms.

The generating means and/or the comparison means are preferably of such a design configuration that, besides winnings values, for example in the form of roulette numbers, the joker characters can also be generated.

25 Depending on the respective nature involved those joker characters are either rated as coincident numbers of winnings, independently of the number paid out by the roulette bowl, or however only when the number paid out belongs to a given group of numbers, which is characteristic for the roulette game, such as for example 'red', 'black', 'even', 'odd', etc. In 30 that way the game can advantageously be made even richer in diversification. In addition the players have additional advantageous possible ways of providing for fine tuning of winning probabilities.

I cd In accordance with a further configuration of the invention preferably a random number generator is used as the generating means for the winnings value. Common, commercially available random number generators present themselves for that purpose. In particular however a 5 random generator is advantageous, which prefers combinations of values with at least two equal numbers in a presentable degree beyond statistical equidistribution. The advantages in that respect are that the probability of additional winnings and the reduction that this involves in the yield of the roulette game can thus be predetermined in any fine gradation and that 10 even with a relatively low number of for example only three winnings values, it is possible to achieve a higher winnings probability which is attractive to the gambler. The advantage of the lower number of winnings values lies on the one hand in the clearer representation on the optical display and on the other hand in the fact that winnings combinations with 15 an extremely low level of probability cease to apply, as would otherwise occur for example in the case of the requirement of five winnings values, and which the game operator would have to take into account by paying out extremely high jackpots.

Preferably in accordance with the invention the winnings values can 20 however also be ascertained in such a way that a cyclically continuous sequence of the values which can be paid out by the roulette bowl is triggered at the time to and stopped again at the time t1. The winnings value is then determined from the last sequence member of the cyclic sequence of values. In that respect the person who sets the roulette ball 25 spinning in the roulette bowl functions as a means for giving a random number, in a similar manner to the case with an actual roulette game. It is important in regard to this manner of ascertaining winnings values that the accuracy of the motion sensor and also the algorithm for determining the time to can be or is determined sufficiently finely to simulate the real 30 randomised, that is to say chaotic, pattern of movement of the roulette ball in the roulette bowl, which leads to a genuine random number.

In accordance with a further preferred embodiment the generating means ascertains at least one winnings value and/or a joker character by

l) 4; means of at least one other roulette gambling table, preferably three or four other gambling tables, by using the gambling results thereof as winnings values. The advantage of this method is that it is possible in this way to play roulette, in such a way as to spread beyond a roulette table.

5 In accordance with a further configuration the generating means ascertains a winnings value and/or a joker character by means of a predetermined time function which is dependent on the time of day and/or the date.

Preferably the comparison device triggers a different signal 10 depending on the respective number of coincident winnings values and/or joker characters, with the value paid out by the roulette bowl.

The gambling apparatus according to the invention, in particular for carrying out the method according to the invention, includes a roulette bowl in which a roulette wheel is spun; a motion sensor for detecting the motion 15 of the roulette ball such as for example its speed or the time it takes for a revolution; a simulation means for calculating at least two characteristic times to and to of the course of the game from the motion data of the motion sensor such as for example the time (to) at which the roulette ball rolls past a given location and the time (to) at which the roulette ball (6) 20 comes to rest in an area; a generating means for ascertaining at least one winnings value and/or a joker character after receiving a signal from the simulation means; a game value sensor for detecting the value paid out by the roulette bowl; a comparison means for comparing the paid-out value with the winnings value and/or the joker character; and a control means 25 which actuates an optical and/or acoustic display synchronously with the times to and to calculated by the simulation means and triggers a signal corresponding to the result of the comparison means.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment the control device includes an algorithm with which the motion of the roulette ball can be pre 30 calculated. A self-learning algorithm is particularly advantageous as that makes it possible to take account of friction and all device-typical properties.

c tii 6 In an advantageous development of the gambling apparatus the generating means is a random generator which prefers combinations of values with at least two equal numbers in a predeterminable degree beyond statistical equidistribution.

5 In additional preferably in accordance with the invention at least two, preferably three, in particular four, winnings values and/or joker characters can be represented by means of the optical display.

In accordance with a further preferred configuration of the gambling apparatus the simulation means, the generating means, the comparison 10 means and the control means are preferably integrated in a device or in a structural group. Alternatively or cumulatively thereto individual means can be combined to form a control installation, in particular in the form of a data processing installation.

The method and the gambling apparatus required for carrying out 15 the method are advantageously distinguished for example in that synchronization of the display with the course of the game makes it possible to achieve a higher degree of attractiveness for the game. In particular the gambler has a chance of higher winnings without having to wager additional stakes or having to after his gambling habits. On the other 20 hand the game operator can advantageously more precisely predetermine an average reduction in the game return due to enhanced chances of winnings by virtue of configuration of the gambling apparatus according to the invention.

Further advantages and details of the invention are described by 25 means of an embodiment illustrated in the drawing. It will be noted however that the invention is not limited thereto as numerous alterations, in particular in the specific wiring connections of the individual components included in the control installation, are possible without altering the essential content of the invention.

30 In the drawing: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of an embodiment of a gambling apparatus, and

Figure 2 is a time line which diagrammatically describes the configuration in respect of time of the method of operating a gambling apparatus. Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a gambling apparatus 9. The 5 gambling apparatus 9 includes a roulette bowl 1 in which a roulette ball 6 rolls. A motion sensor 7 arranged at the roulette bowl 1 detects the motion of the roulette ball 6 and transmits the data acquired to a simulation means 10. The elapsed time which the roulette ball 6 needs to perform one revolution in the roulette bowl is used to ascertain a rotational speed. As 10 an alternative thereto it is also possible to use a motion sensor 7 by means of which it is possible to directly detect the position of the roulette ball 6 and also the speed thereof, for example by means of a procedure whereby a camera records one or more images which are then evaluated with an image processing procedure. The simulation means 10 calculates from the 15 data of the motion sensor 7 and in particular from the measured rotational speed of the roulette ball 6, the further movement of the roulette ball 6 and preferably two times, for example the starting time of the rolling motion to and the separation time to of the roulette ball 6 from the roulette bowl 1. A generating means 3 is triggered by the simulation means 10 and 20 determines at least two, preferably three, in particular four winnings values as desired, from the quantity of the values which can be paid out for example in a roulette game (for example numbers from 1 to 36 as well as the zero, different colour or number combinations which are symbolised by joker characters, etc). In that respect the generating means 3 ascertains 25 the winnings values for example like a conventional random number generator. It is however particularly advantageous to use a random generator 3 which prefers value combinations with at least two equal numbers in a presentable degree beyond statistical equidistribution. It is however also possible for the generating means 3 to determine the 30 winnings values from the two times to and to, for example by a procedure whereby the time to triggers four cyclically implemented sequences of values which are stopped at the time to and from the respective last member of the sequence of which the winnings value is determined. At the

- h h roulette bowl 1 a game value sensor 8 which can also be combined with the motion sensor 7 to form a unit detects the result of the value paid out by the roulette bowl i and transmits same to a comparison means 4. The comparison means 4 compares the paid-out value to the predetermined 5 number of winnings values and/or joker characters. The control means 2 controls the display 5 synchronously in relation to the two times to and to and in dependence on the comparison result of the comparison means 4. It is important for the operating pattern in respect of time of the display 5 to be synchronized with the characteristic times to and to obtained by the 10 control device 2 so that the thrill pattern of the game (start of the roulette ball 6 and departure thereof from the roulette bowl 1) is promoted. The display 5 is optical and/or acoustic in operation. For example two, preferably three or also more rollers are represented on the display 5, which rollers can virtually rotate. Alternatively or cumulatively it is also 15 possible to display the value history of the course of the last games. If no winnings are achieved the rollers take turns alternately for example after ta seconds with the value history of the results achieved with the roulette game for tb seconds and then disappear to be replaced by the value history.

In the case of a win the virtual rollers flash with the winnings values and/or 20 joker characters which are the same as the value achieved in the roulette game. Depending on the respective configuration involved the rollers can be displayed firstly for ta seconds alone, then for tb seconds alternately with the value history, until then the value history appears alone, or the rollers are faded out only after manual intervention at the time to.

25 Figure 2 shows a time line which describes in greater detail the pattern in respect of time of the method of operating a gambling apparatus 9. At the time t' the roulette ball 6 is spun in the roulette bowl 1 and the thrilling phase of the game begins. The motion of the roulette ball 6 is briefly detected thereupon by the motion sensor 7. The simulation means 30 10 establishes the time to when the ball starts. The control means 2 firstly causes a roller to appear to begin to rotate, on the display 5, then a second roller at the time to' delayed by 400 ms, then a third roller at the time to" displaced by a further 400 ms and then a fourth roller at the time to"

b'' D,,. 6: displaced by still a further 400 ms The generating means 3 ascertains the winnings values. The control means 2 causes a first roller to appear to come to a halt on the display 5, at the time to of the 'rien ne va plus' on the first winnings value ascertained by the generating means 3, then for 5 example 400 ms later a second roller at the time to' on the second winnings value, then a third roller delayed by a further 400 ms at the time to" on the third winnings value and finally - if desired a fourth roller delayed by a further 400 ms in relation to the time to" on the fourth winnings value. At the time t" the roulette ball 6 rests on an area and at the time t"' the wheel 10 rotating in the roulette bowl, with the areas thereon, comes to a halt at least for a logical second in the change in direction thereof. The four rollers which are referred to in this case by way of example are displayed and flash on the display 5 up to the time ta if the comparison means 4 has detected conformity of for example at least two winnings values and/or 15 joker characters with the value which is paid out in the roulette bowl 1 and which is detected by the game value sensor 8. In the case of no winnings the rollers apparently alternate on the display 5 with the value history, in the period of time between two times ta and tb. As from time tb the value history of the previous games appears. In a winnings situation at the time 20 tm the winnings display is stopped manually, and in a special winnings situation preferably by the room manager. Accordingly it is possible to envisage at least two kinds of winnings situations: firstly so-called bonus chances with an only slightly increased pay-out quota, for exernple 2.5-

times stake instead of doubled on the colour red, which occur relatively 25 often and advantageously serve to draw attention to the method according to the invention; and secondly so-called jackpot chances, for example 100-

times stake instead of 36-times for for example the number 22, which can occur correspondingly only seldom.

The invention is suitable in particular for operating a gambling 30 apparatus 9 in which the winnings quotas of the classic roulette game are influenced by the result of an automatic gambling arrangement, wherein the display 5 of the game is matched to the physical movement of the roulette ball 6. Synchronisation of the display 5 with the course of the

tk:\ it game advantageously markedly increases the attractiveness of the game without a gambler having to alter his playing habits.

id! List of references 1 roulette bowl 2 control means 3 generating means 4 comparison means 5 display 6 roulette ball 7 motion sensor 8 game value sensor 9 gambling apparatus 10 simulation means 11 control installation to first time to second time

Claims

v À I: BY CLAIMS

1. A method of operating a gambling apparatus (9), in which a roulette ball (6) is spun in at least one roulette bowl (1); a motion sensor (7) which detects the motion of the roulette ball (6) such as for example the speed thereof or the time that it takes to perform a revolution; a simulation means (10) calculates the further motion of the roulette ball from the motion data of the motion sensor (7) and determines therefrom at least two characteristic times (to, t1) of the course of the game, such as for example the time (to) when the roulette ball rolls past a given location and the time (to) when the roulette ball (6) comes to rest in an area; a generating means (3) after acquiring a signal from the simulation means (10) ascertains at least one winnings value and/or a joker character; a game value sensor (8) detects the value paid out in the roulette bowl (i); a comparison means (4) compares the paid-out value to the winnings value and/or the joker character; and a control means (2) actuates an optical and/or acoustic display (5) synchronously with respect to the at least two times (to' t1) and in dependence on the comparison result of the comparison means (4) triggers a signal to the display (5).

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the simulation means (2) for determining the time (to) and/or (t1) uses an algorithm, in particular a self-learning algorithm.

3. A method according to claim or claim 2 wherein the generating means (3) ascertains at least two, preferably three, in particular four winnings values and/or joker characters.

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4. A method according to one of claims to 3 wherein the generating means (3) used is a random generator which prefers combinations of values with at least two equal numbers to a presentable degree beyond statistical equidistribution.

5. A method according to one of claims to 3 wherein the generating means (3) ascertains at least one winnings value from the times (to, to) calculated by the simulation means (10), in the following steps: - at the time (to) a cyclically implemented sequence of values of the values which can be paid out by the roulette bowl (1) is triggered; - at the time (to) the cyclically implemented sequence of values is stopped; and - the winnings value is determined from the last member of the cyclic sequence of values.

6. A method according to one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the generating means (3) ascertains at least one winnings value and/or a joker character by means of the game results from at least one other roulette table, preferably three and in particular four other roulette tables.

7. A method according to one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the generating means (3) ascertains a winnings value and/or a joker character by means of a time function in dependence on the time of day and/or the date.

8. A method according to one of the preceding claims wherein the control means (2) triggers a different display (5) in dependence on the respective degree of coincidence, ascertained by the comparison means (4), of the winnings values and/or joker characters with the value paid out by the roulette bowl (1).

9. A gambling apparatus (9), in particular for carrying out the method according to one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one roulette bowl (I) in which a roulette ball (6) is spun;

a motion sensor (7) for detecting the motion of the roulette ball (6) such as for example its speed or the time it takes for a revolution; a simulation means (10) for calculating at least two characteristic times (to and to) of the course of the game from the motion data of the motion sensor (7) such as for example the time (to) at which the roulette ball (6) rolls past a given location and the time (to) at which the roulette ball (6) comes to rest in an area; a generating means (3) for ascertaining at least one winnings value and/or a joker character after receiving a signal from the simulation means (10); a game value sensor (8) for detecting the value paid out by the roulette bowl (1); a comparison means (4) for comparing the paid-out value with the winnings value and/or the joker character; and a control means (2) which actuates an optical and/or acoustic display (5) synchronously with the times (to and t1) calculated by the simulation means and triggers a signal corresponding to the result of the comparison means (4).

10. A gambling apparatus (9) according to claim 9 characterized in that the simulation means (2) includes an algorithm, in particular a self-

learning algorithm

11. A gambling apparatus according to claim 9 or claim 10 characterized in that the generating means (3) is a random generator which prefers combinations of values with at least two equal numbers to a presentable degree beyond statistical equidistribution.

12. A gambling apparatus (9) according to claim 9, claim 10 or claim 11 characterized in that at least two, preferably three, in particular four winnings values and/or joker characters can be represented by means of the optical display (5).

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13. A gambling apparatus according to one of claims 9 to 12 characterized in that the simulation means (10), the generating means (3), the comparison means (4) and/or the control means (2) can be combined to form a control installation (it), in particular in the form of a data processing installation, and/or can be integrated in a component.