GB2462690A

GB2462690A - Roulette game with additional wager

Info

Publication number: GB2462690A
Application number: GB0815493A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony Dennis Boulton
Original assignee: Project Leisure Ltd
Current assignee: Project Leisure Ltd
Priority date: 2008-08-23
Filing date: 2008-08-23
Publication date: 2010-02-24
Also published as: GB0815493D0; GB2462690A8

Abstract

A roulette game includes means for wagering on the possible occurrence of one or more additional game events which result in a win/lose game outcome. The additional game events comprise game elements which can change between or during games, such as the colour of the ball 28, 30, the colour of the wheel 26, or the nature of the betting grid 24, and the game outcome comprises a win if the additional game event was predicted correctly. The betting grid 24 may include an area 32 for indicating the additional wager. The game may comprise physical apparatus in the form of a wheel 26 and betting areas 24, 32, with the additional wager being physically resolved, e.g. by releasing a normal ball 28 or specially coloured ball 30 onto the wheel 26. Alternatively, the game may be electronically simulated, with the wheel 26 and betting areas 24, 32 generated on a display 16, and the additional wager being resolved using a processor (12, fig. 1) which controls the display, e.g. to simulate the release of a normally coloured ball 28 or specially coloured ball 30, or to change the appearance of the wheel 26 and/or betting grid 24.

Description

TITLE

Apparatus, methods, computer programs and computer-readable storage mediums for enabling a user to play Roulette.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention relate to apparatus, methods, computer programs and computer-readable storage mediums for enabling a user to play Roulette. In particular, they relate to apparatus, methods, computer programs and computer-readable storage mediums for enabling a user to play Roulette in an electronic device.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Roulette is a gambling game which includes a betting surface for receiving bets (called a layout' in the art) and a wheel for receiving a ball. The betting surface is divided by markings into a plurality of different areas, each of which correspond to a location on the wheel.

Initially, one, or more bets may be placed on the betting surface by placing chips into one or more of the different areas. The wheel is then spun and a ball is released into the wheel. Eventually, the ball settles in one of the locations on the wheel. If the ball settles in a location which corresponds to an area in which a person has placed a bet, that person receives an amount of financial credit.

From the above, it should be appreciated that the game of Roulette provides a limited number of opportunities for a person to place bets and possibly receive an amount of financial credit.

Therefore, it would be desirable to provide an alternative apparatus for enabling a user to play Roulette.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 5.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided apparatus for enabling a user to play Roulette comprising: means for providing a plurality of game elements; and means for enabling a user to predict the occurrence of one or more of the game elements in a game session, wherein one or more of the plurality of game elements are changeable between game sessions and if the user correctly predicts the occurrence of one or more of the game elements, a first game outcome is provided.

One or more of the plurality of game elements may be changeable during a game session.

The plurality of game elements may comprise a Roulette wheel, a first object for release on the Roulette wheel and a second object for release on the Roulette wheel. The second object may have a characteristic different to the first object.

The apparatus may be configured so that the user may only predict the occurrence of one or more of the game elements prior to the release of an object on the Roulette wheel.

The means for enabling a user to predict the occurrence of one or more of the game elements may enable the user to predict the release of the second object. If the user predicts the release of the second object prior to the release of the second object, the first game outcome may be provided.

The means for providing the Roulette wheel, the first object and the second object may include a processor for controlling a display to display the roulette wheel, the first object and the second object. The means for enabling a user to predict the release of the second object may include a user input device.

The processor may be configured to control the display to display a first area associated with the second object. The user input device may be controllable by a user to select the first area prior to the release of the second object to enable the user to predict the release of the second object.

The user input device may be associated with the second object and may be configured to receive an input from the user to enable the user to predict the release of the second object.

1 5 The user input device may be configured for enabling the user to predict the release of the second object for a following game session. The user input device may be configured for enabling the user to predict the release of the second object for a plurality of following game sessions.

The means for enabling a user to predict the release of the second object may comprise a body having a surface including a first area associated with the second object. The first area may be selectable by the user to enable the user to predict the release of the second object.

The second object may be a different colour to the first object. The first object and the second object may be balls.

The first game outcome may be a financial reward for the user.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided a method for enabling a user to play Roulette, the game of Roulette comprising a plurality of game elements, the method comprising enabling a user to predict the occurrence of one or more of the game elements in a game session, wherein one or more of the plurality of game elements are changeable between game sessions and if the user correctly predicts the occurrence of one or more of the game elements, a first game outcome is provided.

1 0 The plurality of game elements may comprise a Roulette wheel, a first object for release on the Roulette wheel and a second object for release on the Roulette wheel. The second object may have a characteristic different to the first object.

1 5 The user may only be enabled to predict the occurrence of one or more of the game elements prior to the release of an object on the Roulette wheel.

The step of enabling a user to predict the occurrence of one or more of the game elements may enable the user to predict the release of the second object. If the user predicts the release of the second object prior to the release of the second object, the first game outcome may be provided.

The method may further comprise providing a first area associated with the second object. The method may further comprise selecting the first area prior to the release of the second object to enable the user to predict the release of the second object.

The method may further comprise receiving an input from a user input device, associated with the second object, from the user to predict the release of the second object.

The method may further comprise enabling the user to predict the release of the second object for a following game session. The method may further comprise enabling the user to predict the release of the second object for a plurality of following game sessions.

The first game outcome may be a financial reward for the user.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided a computer program that, when run on a computer, performs the method as described in any the preceding paragraphs.

1 5 According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided a computer-readable storage medium encoded with instructions that, when executed by a processor, perform the method as described in any of the preceding paragraphs.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided apparatus for enabling a user to play Roulette comprising: a plurality of game elements; and wherein the apparatus is configured to enable a user to predict the occurrence of one or more of the game elements in a game session, wherein one or more of the plurality of game elements are changeable between game sessions and if the user correctly predicts the occurrence of one or more of the game elements, a first game outcome is provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of various examples of embodiments of the present invention reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of apparatus for enabling a user to play Roulette according to various embodiments of the present invention; Fig. 2 illustrates a plan view of apparatus for enabling a user to play Roulette according to various embodiments of the present invention; and Fig. 3 illustrates a flow diagram of a method for enabling a user to play Roulette according to various embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE

INVENTION

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate apparatus 10 for enabling a user to play Roulette comprising: means 12, 16 for providing a plurality of game elements 24, 26, 28, 30; and means 18, 32 for enabling a user to predict the occurrence of one or more of the game elements 24, 26, 28, 30 in a game session, wherein one or more of the plurality of game elements 24, 26, 28, 30 are changeable between game sessions and if the user correctly predicts the occurrence of one or more of the game elements 24, 26, 28, 30, a first game outcome is provided.

In more detail, Fig. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of an apparatus 10 according to various embodiments of the present invention. The apparatus 10 includes a processor 12, a memory 14, a display 16 and a user input device 18. The apparatus 10 may be any electronic device and may be, for example, a computer, a portable electronic device (such as a mobile cellular telephone, laptop computer, palmtop computer or a personal digital assistant (PDA)) or a dedicated game device. 7.

The processor 12 may be any suitable processor and may be a micro-processor. The processor 12 may be implemented in hardware (e.g. an application specific circuit (ASIC)), have certain aspects in software or be a combination of hardware and software.

The processor 12 is configured to read from and write to the memory 14. The memory 14 may be any suitable memory and may be, for example, a hard disk or flash memory. The memory 14 is configured to store a computer program 20 which, when loaded into the processor 12, enables the processor 12 to perform the methods described in the following paragraphs (e.g. the method illustrated in Fig. 3). The apparatus 10 may receive the computer program 20 via a computer readable storage medium 22 such as, for example, a Compact Disc (CD), a Digital Versatile Disc (DVD), or flash 1 5 memory or from a remote server (e.g. via the internet).

The processor 12 is configured to control the display 16. In particular, the processor 12 may read data from the memory 14, process the data and then control the display 16 accordingly. The display 16 may be any suitable display and may be, for example, an LCD display, a thin film transistor (TFT) display, an LED display, a plasma display panel (pdp) or a cathode ray tube display.

The processor 12 is configured to receive control signals from the user input device 18. The processor 12 may receive a control signal from the user input device 18 and control the display 16 in accordance with the control signal.

The user input device 18 may be any suitable user input device and may be, for example, a keyboard, a keypad, a joystick, a computer mouse or a microphone (with voice recognition software for determining user commands).

In various embodiments of the present invention, the user input device 18 may be incorporated into the display 16 to provide a touch screen.

With reference to Fig. 2, the processor 12 is configured to read the computer program 20 stored in the memory 14 and control the display 16 to display a plurality of game elements which include an area 24 for enabling a user to predict a game outcome (called a layout' in the art), a Roulette wheel 26, a first object 28, a second object 30 and a first area 32. In the illustrated embodiment, the area 24 is a Roulette layout and the first area 32 is incorporated within the area 24. However, it should be appreciated that the first area 32 may be displayed anywhere on the display 16 and does not have to be incorporated within the area 24.

The second object 30 has a characteristic (e.g. appearance, texture etc...) which is different to the first object 28. In the illustrated embodiment, the second object 30 has a different characteristic to the first object 28 in that it is shaded whereas the first object 28 is not shaded. In other embodiments, the 1 5 second object 30 may have a different colour to the first object 28. For example, the first object 28 may be white in colour and the second object 30 may be gold in colour. In various embodiments of the present invention, the first and second objects 28, 30 are balls.

The first area 32 is configured to enable a user to predict the occurrence of the second object 30 in a game session. The first area 32 is associated with the second object 30 such that if the first area 32 is selected prior to the release of one of the objects 28, 30 and the second object 30 is subsequently released, a first game outcome is provided for the user. For example, if the second object 30 is a ball which is gold in colour, the first area 32 may be marked Golden Ball'. If the user places a bet on the Golden Ball first area 32 and the golden ball 30 is subsequently released, a first game outcome is provided for the user. In various embodiments of the present invention, the first area 32 is solely associated with the second object 30 and is not associated with a location on the Roulette wheel 26.

The operation of the game provided by the computer program 20 according to various embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the flow diagram illustrated in Fig. 3.

At block 34, the processor 12 controls the display 16 to display the Roulette layout 24, the Roulette wheel 26 and the first area 32. At this stage, the first object 28 and the second object 30 are not displayed on the display 16.

Next at block 36, the user may control the user input device 18 to predict the occurrence of the second object 30 (i.e. the release of the second object 30 on the Roulette wheel 26) in the following game session or in a plurality of following game sessions. The first area 32 is associated with the second object 30 and the user may control the user input device to select the first area 32 (e.g. by placing a bet of one pound on the first area) prior to the release of one of the objects 28, 30 on the Roulette wheel 26. The user may also place one or more bets on the Roulette layout 24.

If the user does not select the first area 32, the method moves to block 38 and the game is continued (i.e. the game of Roulette continues and one of the objects 28,30 is released on the Roulette wheel 26).

If the user selects the first area 32 (i.e. he predicts that the second object 30 will be released in the following game), the method moves to block 40 and the processor 12 controls the display 16 to display either the first object 28 or the second object 30 being released on the Roulette wheel 26. In various embodiments of the present invention, the first object 28 is released in the majority of instances and the second object 30 may only be released, for example, once in every one hundred and ten instances of release. If the first object 28 is released on the Roulette wheel 26, the method moves to block 42 and the game of Roulette is continued.

If the second object 30 is released on the Roulette wheel 26, the method moves to block 44 and a first game outcome is provided. In various embodiments of the present invention, the first game outcome is a financial reward for the user. For example, the processor 12 may transmit a message to a remote server (via the internet for example) to credit the user's account with an amount of financial credit (one hundred pounds for example). The method then moves to block 46 and the game is continued.

Embodiments of the present invention provide an advantage in that they enhance the game of Roulette as they provide an additional betting opportunity. Embodiments of the present invention enable a user to predict whether a first or a second ball will be released onto the Roulette wheel and obtain a financial reward if they make a correct prediction. Since the game according to embodiments of the present invention is relatively simple to play, newcomers to Roulette may be more tempted to play on the apparatus 10 than on a standard Roulette apparatus.

It should be appreciated that in other embodiments of the present invention, the apparatus 10 may be a physically tangible apparatus which includes a tangible area 24 (e.g. a cloth layout), a tangible Roulette wheel 26 and tangible first and second objects 28, 30. In various embodiments, a Croupier controls the game and performs the method illustrated in Fig. 3. In more detail, the Croupier may initially allow bets to be placed on the area 24 and also on the first area 32. The Croupier may then release the first object 28 or the second object 30 onto the Roulette wheel 26. If the second object 30 is released on the Roulette wheel 26 and if a person has placed a bet on the first area 32, the Croupier provides that person with financial credit. The game of Roulette is then continued.

In still other embodiments, the tangible apparatus 10 may be mechanically controlled and not require a human Croupier.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be appreciated that modifications to the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed. For example, the first area 32 may not be displayed on the display 16. Instead, the user input device 18 may be configured so that the user is able to provide an input to predict the release of the second object 30. In one embodiment, the user input device 18 includes a dedicated key (e.g. marked Golden Ball') which may be pressed to predict the release of the second object 30 in the next game or games of Roulette.

In various embodiments of the present invention, the processor 12 may alternatively or additionally be configured to control the display 16 to change the characteristic of the object 28, 30 after it has been released on the Roulette wheel 26. For example, the first object 28 may be initially released on the Roulette wheel 26 and then change into the second object 30 before the end of the game session (i.e. before or when the object settles in a location on the Roulette wheel 26).

In other embodiments of the present invention, the processor 12 may alternatively or additionally be configured to control the display 16 to change a characteristic (e.g. the appearance) of the Roulette wheel 26 before or after the release of an object 28, 30 onto the Roulette wheel.

In these embodiments, the user may control the user input device 18 to predict the occurrence of a Roulette wheel 26 which has a different characteristic to a standard Roulette wheel 26 (e.g. the different Roulette wheel 26 may be gold in colour) in the following game session or in a plurality of following game sessions. The first area 32 is associated with the different Roulette wheel 26 (e.g. it may be labelled Golden Wheel') and the user may control the user input device 18 to select the first area 32 (e.g. by placing a bet of one pound on the first area) prior to the display of the Roulette wheel 26. The user may also place one or more bets on the Roulette layout 24.

If the user does not select the first area 32, the game session is continued (i.e. the game of Roulette continues and the Roulette wheel 26 is displayed for receiving an object 28, 30), If the user selects the first area 32 (i.e. he predicts the different Roulette wheel 26 will be used in the following game session), the processor 12 controls the display 16 to display either a standard Roulette wheel or the different Roulette wheel. In some embodiments, a standard Roulette wheel may initially be displayed and then changed into the different Roulette wheel before or when the object 28, 30 settles in a location on the Roulette wheel.

In various embodiments of the present invention, a standard Roulette wheel is 1 5 displayed in the majority of instances and the different Roulette wheel may only be displayed, for example, once in every one hundred and ten instances of display. If a standard Roulette wheel is displayed, the game session is continued.

If the different Roulette wheel is displayed, a first game outcome is provided.

In various embodiments of the present invention, the first game outcome is a financial reward for the user. For example, the processor 12 may transmit a message to a remote server (via the internet for example) to credit the user's account with an amount of financial credit (one hundred pounds for example).

The game session is then continued.

In other embodiments of the present invention, the processor 12 may alternatively or additionally be configured to control the display 16 to change a characteristic (e.g. the appearance) of the area 24 (i.e. the layout 24).

In these embodiments, the user may control the user input device 18 to predict the occurrence of a layout 24 which has a different characteristic to a standard layout 24 (e.g. the different layout 24 may be gold in colour) in the following game session or in a plurality of following game sessions. The first area 32 is separate from the layout 24 and is associated with the different layout (e.g. it may be labelled Golden Layout') and the user may control the user input device 18 to select the first area 32 (e.g. by placing a bet of one pound on the first area) prior to the display of the layout 24.

If the user does not select the first area 32, the game session is continued (i.e. the game of Roulette continues and the layout 24 is displayed for enabling users to place bets).

If the user selects the first area 32 (i.e. he predicts the different layout 24 will be used in the following game session), the processor 12 controls the display 16 to display either a standard layout or the different layout. In some 1 5 embodiments, a standard layout may initially be displayed and then changed into the different layout before or when the object 28, 30 settles in a location on the Roulette wheel. In various embodiments of the present invention, a standard layout is displayed in the majority of instances and the different layout may only be displayed, for example, once in every one hundred and ten instances of display. If a standard layout is displayed, the game session is continued.

If the different layout is displayed, a first game outcome is provided. In various embodiments of the present invention, the first game outcome is a financial reward for the user. For example, the processor 12 may transmit a message to a remote server (via the internet for example) to credit the user's account with an amount of financial credit (one hundred pounds for example).

The game session is then continued.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Apparatus for enabling a user to play Roulette comprising: means for providing a plurality of game elements; and means for enabling a user to predict the occurrence of one or more of the game elements in a game session, wherein one or more of the plurality of game elements are changeable between game sessions and if the user correctly predicts the occurrence of one or more of the game elements, a first game outcome is provided.
2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein one or more of the plurality of game elements may be changeable during a game session.
3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of game 1 5 elements may comprise a Roulette wheel, a first object for release on the Roulette wheel and a second object for release on the Roulette wheel.
4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the second object may have a characteristic different to the first object.
5. Apparatus as claimed in any of claim 3 or 4, wherein the apparatus is configured so that the user can only predict the occurrence of one or more of the game elements prior to the release of an object on the Roulette wheel.
6. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 3 to 5, wherein the means for enabling a user to predict the occurrence of one or more of the game elements enables the user to predict the release of the second object.
7. Apparatus as claimed in any claim 6, wherein if the user predicts the release of the second object prior to the release of the second object, the first game outcome is provided.
8. Appaiatus as claimed in any of claims 3 to 7, wherein the means for providing the Roulette wheel, the first object and the second object includes a processor for controlling a display to display the roulette wheel, the first object and the second object.
9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the processor is configured to control the display to display a first area associated with the second object.
10. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 3 to 9, wherein the means for 1 0 enabling a user to predict the release of the second object includes a user input device.
11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the user input device is controllable by a user to select the first area prior to the release of the second 1 5 object to enable the user to predict the release of the second object.
12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 or 11, wherein the user input device is associated with the second object and is configured to receive an input from the user to enable the user to predict the release of the second object.
13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, 11 or 12, wherein the user input device is configured for enabling the user to predict the release of the second object for a following game session.
14. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 10 to 13, wherein the user input device is configured for enabling the user to predict the release of the second object for a plurality of following game sessions.
15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein the means for enabling a user to predict the release of the second object comprises a body having a surface including a first area associated with the second object.
16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the first area is selectable by the user to enable the user to predict the release of the second object.
17. Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the second object is a different colour to the first object.
18. Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the first object and the second object are balls.
19. Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the first game outcome is a financial reward for the user.
20. A method for enabling a user to play Roulette, the game of Roulette comprising a plurality of game elements, the method comprising: enabling a user to predict the occurrence of one or more of the game elements in a game session, wherein one or more of the plurality of game elements are changeable between game sessions and if the user correctly predicts the occurrence of one or more of the game elements, a first game outcome is provided.
21. A method as claimed in claim 20, wherein one or more of the plurality of game elements are changeable during a game session.
22. A method as claimed in claim 20 or 21, wherein the plurality of game elements comprise a Roulette wheel, a first object for release on the Roulette wheel and a second object for release on the Roulette wheel.
23. A method as claimed in claim 22, wherein the second object has a characteristic different to the first object.
24. A method as claimed in claim 22 or 23, wherein the user is only enabled to predict the occurrence of one or more of the game elements prior to the release of an object on the Roulette wheel.
25. A method as claimed in any of claims 20 to 24, wherein the step of enabling a user to predict the occurrence of one or more of the game elements enables the user to predict the release of the second object.
26. A method as claimed in claim 25, wherein if the user predicts the release 1 0 of the second object prior to the release of the second object, the first game outcome is provided.
27. A method as claimed in any of claims 22 to 26, further comprising providing a first area associated with the second object.
28. A method as claimed in claim 27, further comprising selecting the first area prior to the release of the second object to enable the user to predict the release of the second object.
29. A method as claimed in claim 22 to 28, further comprising receiving an input from a user input device, associated with the second object, from the user to predict the release of the second object.
30. A method as claimed in claim 29, further comprising enabling the user to predict the release of the second object for a following game session.
31. A method as claimed in claim 29 or 30, further comprising enabling the user to predict the release of the second object for a plurality of following game sessions.
32. A method as claimed in any of claims 20 to 31, wherein the second object may be a different colour to the first object.
33. A method as claimed in any of claims 20 to 32, wherein the first object and the second object are balls.
34. A method as claimed in any of claims 20 to 33, wherein the first game outcome is a financial reward for the user.
35. A computer program that, when run on a computer, performs the method as claimed in any of claims 20 to 34.
36. A computer-readable storage medium encoded with instructions that, when executed by a processor, perform the method as claimed in any of claims 20 to 35.1 5
37. Apparatus for enabling a user to play Roulette comprising: a plurality of game elements; and wherein the apparatus is configured to enable a user to predict the occurrence of one or more of the game elements in a game session, wherein one or more of the plurality of game elements are changeable between game sessions and if the user correctly predicts the occurrence of one or more of the game elements, a first game outcome is provided.