GB2544889A - Gaming machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A gaming apparatus comprises ball enclosure 11 housing balls 20, ball agitator 30 and an opening 12 through which balls can enter columns 1-10. Each ball comprises a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag 21. Each column comprises a platform 50 movable between discrete levels along the column, wherein each level has an associated RFID tag reader 22 to read the RFID tag of a ball supported on the platform at that level. The platform may vibrate to adjust the orientation of the ball on the platform to ensure the RFID tag is readable. The platform may be moved by a stepper motor 4.4, and may occlude the opening in its uppermost position. Each ball may correspond to a playing card (60, fig. 5). The agitator may comprise vanes 31, 32 on a rotatable frame 33. The apparatus may comprise a ball pushing member 40 to clear balls from the upper ends of the columns. Also disclosed is a method of simulating shuffling and dealing a deck of cards by agitating the plurality of balls and lowering the balls on the platforms along the columns, wherein each of the RFID tags correlates with an assigned playing card.

Description

GAMING MACHINE

The present invention relates to a gaming machine, in particular to an apparatus for playing card games having a randomization means in which randomised hands of cards are presented to a user in a simulation of the distribution of cards by a card dealer.

Background of the Invention

Automated terminals in which users are presented with displays representing dealt hands of cards are well known in the art. Such terminals are commonly referred to a poker machines.

The present invention provides an alternative terminal to such known machines. Summary of the Invention

In one aspect of the invention there is provided a gaming apparatus comprising: an enclosure adapted to house a plurality of balls, the enclosure comprising a ball agitation means located therein and an opening through which individual balls can exit the enclosure and enter into one or more columns located substantially below and in communication with said enclosure; wherein each ball comprises a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag located within said ball; wherein each column is provided with a movable platform, each platform being adapted to support a ball or balls and being movable within the column between an upper in use position and a plurality of discrete levels along said column; wherein each discrete level along each column has an associated RFID tag reader adapted to read the RFID tag of a ball on a platform at that level, and wherein each platform is vibratable so that the orientation of a ball on said platform can be agitated to ensure that the RFID tag within said is readable by the RFID reader.

In this way, error free reading of the RFID tags within the balls is guaranteed.

Conveniently, gaming apparatus further includes a control system to control the operation, functionality and game play of the apparatus, the control system comprising a Terminal Control Module, a Tower Control Module, and a Column Control Module.

Optionally, the Terminal Control Module, a Tower Control Module, and Column Control Module are in mutual communication via a converter operable to convert RS485 signals to USB and vice versa.

Optionally, the converter operable to convert signals from RS485 to USB is an FTDI converter.

Advantageously, the Column Control Module comprises an individual column control module for each of the columns of the apparatus.

Optionally, each platform is movable along a respective column by means of a stepper motor.

Optionally, each platform is vibratable by means of a vibratory motor operable on said platform.

Optionally, the vibratory motors comprise a solenoid.

Advantageously, each ball corresponds to a playing card of a deck of playing cards.

Optionally, when at the upper in use position, the movable platforms occlude the opening(s) of the ball enclosure.

Optionally, the ball agitation means comprises one or more members or vanes arranged on a rotatable frame, the frame being rotated by means of a motor located externally of the enclosure.

Optionally, the gaming apparatus further comprises a ball pushing member adapted to distribute the balls on the columns.

Optionally, the ball pushing member comprises a distal end which engages with a ball pushing frame, and a proximal end which extends to a location proximate to the opening of the ball enclosure, wherein the ball pushing member is translated back and forth along the bottom of the opening along the ball pushing frame so that its proximal end is operable to engage balls located at the upper ends of the columns.

In this way, the balls are cleared away from the tops of columns and/or pushed into the columns as the platforms lower.

Conveniently, translation of the ball pushing member is effected by a motor.

Optionally, dependent on the game rules, there are provided ten columns.

Optionally, dependent on the game rules, there are seven discrete levels along each column.

It is to be recognised that the number of columns, and the number of discrete levels within each column, can be varied.

Optionally, the apparatus further comprises one or more of: a bill acceptor; one or more monitors; a door sensor; a terminal keyboard; a printer; a strip light.

Optionally, the strip light is an LED strip light located at the top of the apparatus in use on the sides of ball enclosure.

Optionally, there are provided two monitors.

Optionally, one or more monitors may be a touchscreen monitor.

Optionally, the printer is a Ticket In/Ticket Out (TITO) printer.

Conveniently, the Terminal Control Module comprises a computer system which serves as a computing means for gaming software of the apparatus recorded on a memory.

Optionally, the computer system comprises a motherboard and an I/O board. Optionally, the computer system is a QUIXANT QXI-4000 computer system. Optionally, the memory is a SSD (Solid State Drive) hard drive.

Optionally, the memory is a flash memory.

Advantageously, the computer system of the Terminal Control Module is connected to the bill acceptor through a COM port, to a monitor through a Display port, and to a touchscreen through USB connection.

Conveniently, the Tower Control Module comprises a tower controller that controls the ball agitation means motor and the ball pushing motor.

Conveniently, each Column Control Module comprises a column controller that controls a stepper motor associated with a movable platform of the apparatus, the RFID tag readers associated with a column of the apparatus, and a vibratory motor operable to vibrate a platform of the apparatus.

In another aspect of the invention there is provided a ball enclosure and ball column assembly, wherein the ball enclosure is adapted to house a plurality of balls, the enclosure comprising a ball agitation means located therein and an opening through which individual balls can exit the enclosure and enter into one or more columns located substantially below and in communication with said enclosure; wherein each column is provided with a movable platform, each platform being adapted to support a ball or balls and being movable within the column between an upper in use position and a plurality of discrete levels along said column; wherein each discrete level along each column has an associated RFID tag reader adapted to read an RFID located within a ball on a platform at that level, and wherein each platform is vibratable so that the orientation of a ball on said platform can be agitated to ensure that the RFID tag within said is readable by the RFID reader.

Another aspect of the invention is provided in the method of simulating the shuffling and dealing of the cards in a deck or decks of playing cards, the steps comprising this method are: agitating a plurality of balls in an enclosure; pushing the balls into one or more columns located substantially below said enclosure; lowering the balls on platforms along the one or more columns to one or more discrete levels; reading RFID tags contained with the balls at the or each discrete level; correlating the respective RFID tags with assigned playing cards; and displaying graphics to show the assigned playing cards in the form of a hand of dealt cards.

Optionally, the method further comprises the step of vibrating one or more platforms balls to ensure that the RFID tag(s) contained in the ball(s) located thereon is/are successfully read.

The various aspects of the present invention can be practiced alone or in combination with one or more of the other aspects, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the relevant arts. The various aspects of the invention can optionally be provided in combination with one or more of the optional or advantageous features of the other aspects of the invention. Also, optional or advantageous features described in relation to one example can optionally be combined alone or together with other features in different examples of the invention.

Various examples and aspects of the invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying figures. Still other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the entire description thereof, including the figures, which illustrates a number of exemplary constructions and aspects and implementations. The invention is also capable of other and different examples and aspects, and its several details can be modified in various respects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive. Furthermore, the terminology and phraseology used herein is solely used for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as limiting in scope. Language such as "including," "comprising," "having," "containing," or "involving," and variations thereof, is intended to be broad and encompass the subject matter listed thereafter, equivalents, and additional subject matter not recited, and is not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps. Likewise, the term "comprising" is considered synonymous with the terms "including" or "containing" for applicable legal purposes.

Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles and the like is included in the specification solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not suggested or represented that any or all of these matters formed part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention.

In this disclosure, whenever a composition, an element or a group of elements is preceded with the transitional phrase "comprising", it is understood that we also contemplate the same composition, element or group of elements with transitional phrases "consisting essentially of”, "consisting", "selected from the group of consisting of”, “including”, or "is" preceding the recitation of the composition, element or group of elements and vice versa.

All numerical values in this disclosure are understood as being modified by "about". All singular forms of elements, or any other components described herein are understood to include plural forms thereof and vice versa. References to directional and positional descriptions such as upper and lower and directions e.g. “up”, “down” “front”, “rear”, “upper”, “lower” etc. and related terms are to be interpreted by a skilled reader in the context of the examples described and are not to be interpreted as limiting the invention to the literal interpretation of the term, but instead should be as understood by the skilled addressee.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1a is a schematic perspective illustration of an exemplary gaming apparatus in accordance with the invention;

Figure 1b is a detailed schematic illustration of a ball enclosure and column assembly in accordance with the invention;

Figures 2a, 2b and 2c are schematic end, front and perspective views of the ball enclosure and column assembly;

Figure 2d is a partial exploded view of Figure 2c;

Figure 3 is a detailed schematic illustration of a platform vibration means of the gaming apparatus;

Figure 4 is a schematic illustration showing a plurality of balls located within the respective columns of the apparatus;

Figure 5 is an exemplary ball/playing card correspondence table; and Figure 6 is a schematic logical diagram of the control means of the apparatus. Detailed Description of the Invention

Referring initially to Figures 1a and 1b, there is shown a gaming apparatus comprising a ball enclosure 11 adapted to house a plurality of balls 20, the enclosure comprising a ball agitation means 30 located with said enclosure. The ball enclosure in substantially in the form of a drum and is located in use at raised position on a main body, or tower, 14 of the gaming apparatus as shown in Figure 1a.

Each ball corresponds to a playing card from a deck of playing cards.

With reference to Figures 1b and Figures 2b, 2c and 2d, the ball agitation means 30 comprises one or more members or vanes 31, 32 arranged on a rotatable frame 33. The rotatable frame is rotated by means of a motor 3.3 located externally of the enclosure as shown in Figures 2a, 2b and 2c. Motor 3.3 may be connected to the rotatable frame 30 by means of a drive belt 35 as shown in Figures 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d.

As shown in Figure 2a, the ball enclosure 11 has an opening 12 through which individual balls 20 can exit from the ball enclosure and fall into one of a plurality of columns 1 to 10 that are located below and in communication with said enclosure 11. In one arrangement, opening 12 may be an elongate slot which extends substantially across the lower end of enclosure 11. Alternatively, the opening may comprise of a number of individual apertures. Columns 1 to 10 are disposed towards the front in use face of main body 14 so that they are substantially visible to a user of the apparatus. It will be noted however that as shown in Figures 1b, 2a, 2c and 4, in one arrangement the upper in use end or row of each column 1 to 10, i.e. the end of the column proximate the ball enclosure 11, is obscured from view of a user by means of a top cover 13 of the ball enclosure . Top cover 13 of the ball enclosure 11 has the property of darkening. Cover 13 is translucent or comprises a tinted or darkened effect such the outline or presence of the balls in the ball enclosure is visible in use. However, as shown in Figure 4, the lower end 13a of the top cover is be provided with an enhanced smoked or darkened effect, or may comprise a strip or other occlusion means, that is sufficient to fully obscure the view of a user through said lower end and thus prevent said user from observing the top row of each column 1 to 10.

It will be appreciated that other obscuring means may by employed, for example a panel or other member. Thus the columns 1-10 have defined invisible and visible areas, the invisible area defining a first or uppermost row across the columns. As described below, opening 12 is closed over by movable platforms 50 when the balls are being agitated in the ball enclosure.

In Figure 4, numbered balls are shown as being visible through the lower end 13a of top cover 13, however it will be appreciated that this is for illustration proposes only, and that in use, the balls located behind the lower end 13a of top cover 13 are obscured from view as described herein.

With reference to Figures 2a, 2c and 2d, there is also provided a ball pushing member 40 adapted distribute the balls on the columns 1 to 10. Ball pushing member 40 can also clear balls away from the tops of columns 1 to 10 in the event there is an issue which prevents one or more balls from entering a column. Ball pushing member 40 comprises a distal end which engages with a ball pushing frame 41 (Figure 2d) and a proximal end 42 (Figure 2a) which extends to a location proximate the opening 12 of the ball enclosure 11. The ball pushing member 40 is translated back and forth along the bottom of opening 12 along frame 41 so that its proximal end 42 clears away balls that are obstructing the passage into one or more columns as platforms 50 lower. Motion of the ball-pushing member, 40 along frame 41 is affected by a ball pushing motor 3.2.

The ball agitation means 30 ensures that the balls 20 are randomized within the ball enclosure 11 and so enter the columns 1-10 in a randomised manner.

As shown in Figure 3, inside each ball 20 there is a unique radio frequency identification (RFID) tag 21. In this way, each ball is unique within the apparatus, and contains information on its RFID tag to correlate it to a specific assigned playing card. This identification information is readable by RFID readers as described below.

As shown in Figure 4, each ball also has a number printed onto it.

With reference to Figure 5, there is shown an exemplary ball-card correspondence table, showing concordance of numbered balls 20 with various exemplary playing cards 60.

With reference to Figures 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d and 3, each column 1 to 10 is provided with an associated movable platform 50. Each platform 50 is adapted to support a ball 20, and is movable within a column between an uppermost in use position and a plurality of discrete levels along the length of said column. In the embodiment shown in the figures, there are seven discrete levels along the length of each column. When in the uppermost in use position, the adjacent movable platforms occlude the opening(s) 12 of the ball enclosure 11 thereby preventing the balls 20 from exiting the ball enclosure into the respective columns. As a platform 50 is moved downwards from the uppermost position, balls 20 are able to exit the ball enclosure and enter the column associated with the platform.

The respective corresponding ‘levels’ of the adjacent columns define rows as shown in Figure 4.

Motion of each platform 50 up and down a column is affected by a stepper motor 4.4 which is connected to the platform by means of a rod 52 as shown in Figures 2a to 2d.

As shown in Figures 2a, 2b and 2c, at each of the seven discrete levels of each column there is an associated RFID tag reader 22, each RFID tag reader 22 being adapted to read the RFID tag 21 of a ball 20 on a platform 50 when positioned at that tag reader’s level. In this way, playing card identity information from each ball, at each level, and in each column (and therefore ‘row’) is readable by the respective RFID readers and is transmitted to an antenna unit board (4.2, see Figure 6) of the apparatus. Preferably, the RFID readers 22 are RFID antennae.

Through the agitation of the balls 20 in the ball enclosure 10, the apparatus simulates the effect of shuffling the playing cards. Moving the randomised balls into the respective columns 1 to 10 the apparatus simulates the distribution of the shuffled playing cards by a card dealer. In this way, the apparatus is particularly adapted to simulate the actions of a dealer and a player in the game of poker and any other Casino card games in their various formats.

As described above, and as shown schematically in Figure 4, the respective corresponding ‘levels’ of the adjacent columns 1 to 10 define rows. Thus each row of balls 20 in the columns represents the random hand of cards dealt by a dealer in a card game. Figure 5 is an exemplary concordance of numbered balls 20 with various exemplary playing cards 60. Such a correspondence of balls to cards may be displayed to a user via a user interface in the form of the touchscreen monitor 1.3 as described below.

As the first row (i.e. uppermost row 1 ) is obscured behind a top cover of the ball enclosure 13 as shown in Figure 4, the balls 20 in this row represent dealt facedown cards, the playing faces of which the player cannot see. As the platforms 50 move down to the next discrete level (i.e. the second row), the balls become visible and so represent the cards being turned face-up. As the platforms 50 move down to the next discrete level (i.e. the third row), the balls previously occupying the second row represent laid down cards.

As the RFID tag 21 in each ball 20 is fixed at a set orientation, it is possible that a the orientation of a ball 20 sitting on a platform 50 is such that the RFID tag 21 cannot be read by the adjacent in use RFID reader 22. This is because an RFID tag 21 oriented at an oblique angle with respect to a tag reader 22 might not receive an electromagnetic signal and therefore cannot respond. As shown in Figure 3, to overcome this problem each platform 50 is vibratable so that the orientation of a ball 20 on the platform can be adjusted to ensure that the RFID tag 21 is moved into a position whereby it is readable by the RFID reader or antenna 22. To affect vibration, each platform 50 comprises a pivotally mounted lever arm 54, which is pivotally movable upon activation of a vibratory motor 4.5 to which the lever arm is connected at one end. The vibratory motor may be a solenoid or other suitable device.

The apparatus further includes a control system to control the operation, functionality and game play of the apparatus.

As shown schematically in Figure 6, the control system comprises a Terminal Control Module (1A), a Tower Control Module (3A) and a Column Control Module (4A), which are in mutual communication via a converter (2A) operable to convert RS485 signals to USB and vice versa. Optionally, the converter operable to convert signals from RS485 to USB is an FTDI converter.

Column Control Module (4A) comprises an individual column control module for each of the columns 1 to 10 of the apparatus.

With reference to Figure 6, the main element of the Terminal Control Module (1A) comprises a QUIXANT QXi-4000 computer system (1.1) which serves as a computing machine for gaming software of the apparatus that is recorded on a SSD hard drive (not shown). The computer system QXi-4000 (1.1) is connected to a bill acceptor 1.2 of the apparatus through a COM port. The computer system QXi-4000 (1.1) is also connected to a first monitor 1.3 and a second monitor 1.5 of the apparatus through a display port (not shown). In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1a,, the first monitor 1.3 is a touch screen monitor (or ‘touchscreen’). The second monitor 1.5 is used to display demonstration jackpot information or predefined video content. While the first monitor 1.3 and the second monitor 1.5 are shown as separate devices, in an alternative arrangement they may be integrated.

The Terminal Control Module (1A) interacts with the bill acceptor 1.2 via ID003 protocol. Other devices of the apparatus such as a door sensor 1.4, a TITO printer 1.6, a terminal keyboard 1.7 and an LED strip light 1.8, are controlled by the computer system QXi-4000 (1.1). It will be appreciated that while a QUIXANT QXi-4000 computer system is specifically described, any suitable computing system may be employed.

The bill acceptor 1.2, touchscreen monitor 1.3, second monitor 1.5, door sensor 1.4, TITO printer 1.6, terminal keyboard 1.7, and LED strip light 1.8 (located at the top of the apparatus and on the sides of the ball enclosure 11) are also shown in Figure 1a.

The Terminal Control Module (1A) interacts with the Tower Control Module (3A) and the Column Control Module (4A), of the system through the FTDI controller (2A) whose main function is to convert the USB signal into an RS485 interface protocol.

With reference to Figure 6, the main element of Tower Control Module (3A) is a tower controller 3.1. The tower controller 3.1 controls two motors: motor 3.3 which rotates the ball agitation means 30 to shuffle the balls; and the ball pushing motor 3.2 which pushes balls into the respective columns after shuffling. Six terminal meters 3.6 (Total IN, Total OUT, MONEY IN, CANCEL CREDIT, JACKPOT, GAMES) are connected to the tower controller 3.1 through a meter controller 3.5 integrated into the tower controller. Tower LEDs 3.4 and meter LEDs (not shown) are controlled by tower controller 3.1 via I2C bus. In addition to the elements shown in Figure 6, four optical sensors (not shown) (two for each motor 3.2, 3.3) are employed for better control of the ball agitating means 30. The main function of the optical sensors is positioning of the ball agitating means 30 and ball pushing member 40.

All components of the Tower Control Module (3A) interact with each other via RS485.

Column Control Module (4A) comprises an individual column control module for each of the columns 1-10 of the apparatus.

The main element of the respective Column Control Modules (4A) is a column controller 4.1. The column controller 4.1 controls the stepper motor 4.4 that moves the platform 50 of each column with balls 20 located thereon up or down. The RFID reader antennas 22 (Figures 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d) which are placed on LED boards 4.3 and which are controlled by a antenna unit board 4.2, produce the signals, and read RFID tags 21 of the balls 20. As shown in Figure 4, depending on the column number (i.e. 1 to 10), the module can have seven ballreading RFID antennas 22 (for the two central columns, i.e. columns 5 and 6, respectively) or six ball-reading RFID antennas 22 (for the eight left and right columns, i.e. columns 1-4 and 7-10, respectively). As described previously, each platform 50 is equipped with a vibratory motor 4.5 required for imparting vibration to the balls 20 on the platforms to ensure correct RFID tag 21 reading as the balls interact with the RFID reader antennae 22 of the antenna unit.

All components of the Tower Control Module interact with each other via RS485.

Conveniently, the apparatus can be initially taught which balls 30 are located into the ball enclosure 11 and how the balls correspond to playing cards. A complete apparatus initialization process includes pushing all the balls 30 into the columns 1 to 10, recognizing all the RFID tags 21, checking the RFID tags for uniqueness, and assigning playing cards 60 identities to the corresponding balls 20 as shown by way of example in Figure 4.

Operation of the apparatus to affect game play is described as follows.

Via a user interface displayed on the touchscreen monitor 1.3 as shown in Figure 1a, a player selects a poker variation or Bankers Rules Card Game (for this example, Three Card Poker or Casino Stud Poker as well as games Casino Hold’em, Let it Ride, Crazy for Poker) and then selects the bet size. When a “Deal” button (not shown) is pressed, balls 20 in the ball enclosure 11 are shuffled by the ball agitating means 30. The player may extend the ball mix by holding down the “Deal” button such that the ball agitating means 30 will continue to rotate and mix the balls. Once the “Deal” button is released, the ball agitating means stops rotating and balls are delivered to the columns. By pressing a “Long Shuffle” button (not shown) a player can extends shuffling time in the same manner as holding the “Deal” button. During shuffling, the platforms 50 are positioned at the uppermost ends of their respective columns 1 to 10 in order to prevent balls from dropping into said columns. When shuffling is complete, the platforms 50 move one step down and balls drop to the first discrete level of the columns (i.e. the top row; which is invisible to the player). For the game of Three Card Poker only columns 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, and 10 are required to be used. For the game of Casino Stud Poker, all columns 1 to 10 are used). For other card games the movement and the amount of balls is configurable and dependent of the game rules. As soon as platforms move down to the first discrete level, i.e. the top row across the columns, the RFID tags 21 in the respective balls 20 are read by the respective RFID antennae 22. If a reading fails, the vibratory motor 4.5 attached to the platform or platforms vibrates and makes the ball or balls 22 located thereon rotate. This procedure is necessary for the correct reading of the RFID tags 21 in balls. When all RFID tags 21 have been read (for example, in Three Card Poker there are six tags, and in Casino Stud Poker there are ten tags), balls 22 are unambiguously ‘converted’ into playing cards 60 which are displayed on the monitor/ touchscreen monitor 1.3 as shown in Figure 5. The platforms 50 of cards to be shown to the player move one step down so that the player can see the balls which were previously positioned in the invisible area of the columns. For Three Card Poker, three player’s cards are shown (i.e. the balls in balls in columns 1, 2 and 3). For Casino Stud Poker, five player’s cards and one dealer’s card are shown (balls in columns 1 to 6 (i.e. columns 1 - 5 for the player and column 6 for the dealer)). Then the game continues according to the poker rules. When the rest of the dealer’s cards are shown, platforms 50 with the dealer’s cards (i.e. balls in columns 8, 9 and 10 for Three Card Poker, and in columns 6 to 10 for Caribbean Poker) move one level down so that the player can then see the balls which correspond to the dealer’s cards.

In the games in which players can replace their cards, when the player has selected the cards to be replaced and presses a “Replace” button on the user interface, platform(s) 50 containing the selected balls move one more level down. As a result new ball(s) 20 drop into the relevant column(s) and can be seen by the player. New player’s “cards” (i.e. balls) are positioned on the second line of the columns.

It will be appreciated that the user interface is a graphical user interface provided by terminal software, and that as well as being provided by the user interface on the touchscreen monitor 1.3, the “Deal”, “Long Shuffle”, “Replace” buttons may also be physically provided on the terminal keyboard 1.7.

With reference to Figure 5, via the user interface in the form of the touchscreen monitor 1.3 as shown in Figures 1a and Figure 5, a player may reset the current card-ball correspondence settings, by tapping the “SPLIT ALL” button or graphic on the touch screen 1.3. To randomly set correspondence between all balls and cards a player taps the “RANDOM CONNECT” button or graphic on the touchscreen. To unbind a card from a ball, the player selects a desired card that is bound to a ball by tapping it on the touchscreen and then taps the “SPLIT” button on the screen. To bind a card to a ball, the player selects a desired card by tapping it on the touchscreen and selects a desired ball by tapping it and tapping the “CONNECT” button. The player may finish the ball-card correspondence setup procedure by tapping the “BACK” button on the touchscreen.

Claims (18)

Claims

1. A gaming apparatus comprising: an enclosure adapted to house a plurality of balls, the enclosure comprising a ball agitation means located therein and an opening through which individual balls can exit the enclosure and enter into one or more columns located substantially below and in communication with said enclosure; wherein each ball comprises a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag located within said ball; wherein each column is provided with a movable platform, each platform being adapted to support a ball or balls and being movable within the column between an upper in use position and a plurality of discrete levels along said column; wherein each discrete level along each column has an associated RFID tag reader adapted to read the RFID tag of a ball on a platform at that level, and wherein each platform is vibratable so that the orientation of a ball on said platform can be adjusted to ensure that the RFID tag within said is readable by the RFID reader.

2. A gaming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein each platform is movable along a respective column by means of stepper motor.

3. A gaming apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein each platform vibrates by means of a vibratory motor operable on said platform.

4. A gaming apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each ball corresponds to a playing card of a deck of playing cards.

5. A gaming apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the movable platforms occlude the opening of the ball enclosure when at an uppermost position in use.

6. A gaming apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the ball agitation means comprises one or more members or vanes arranged on a rotatable frame, the frame being rotated by means of a motor located externally of the enclosure.

7. A gaming apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the machine apparatus further comprises of a ball pushing member adapted to clear balls from the upper ends of the respective columns.A gaming apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the ball pushing member comprises a distal end which engages with a ball pushing frame, and a proximal end which extends to a location proximate to the opening of the ball enclosure, wherein the ball pushing member is translated back and forth along the bottom of the opening along the ball pushing frame so that its proximal end is operable to engage balls located at the upper ends of the of the columns.

8. A gaming apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein there is provided ten columns.

9. A gaming apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus further comprises one or more of: a bill acceptor; a monitor; a touchscreen; a door sensor; a terminal keyboard; a printer; a strip light.

10. A gaming apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus further comprises a control system to control the operation, functionality and game play of the apparatus, the control system comprising a Terminal Control Module, a Tower Control Module, and a Column Control Module.

11. A gaming apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the Terminal Control Module, the Tower Control Module and the Column Control Module are in mutual communication via an RS485 to USB converter.

12. A gaming apparatus as claimed in claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the Column Control Module comprises a column control module for each of the columns of the apparatus.

13. A gaming apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the Terminal Control Module comprises a computing means for gaming software of the apparatus recorded on a memory device.

14. A gaming apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the Tower Control Module comprises a tower controller that controls the ball agitation means motor and the ball pushing motor.

15. A gaming apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein each Column Control Module comprises a column controller that controls a stepper motor associated with a movable platform of the apparatus, the RFID tag readers associated with a column of the apparatus, and a vibratory motor operable to vibrate a platform of the apparatus.

16. A method of simulating the shuffling and dealing the cards of a deck or decks of playing cards, the method comprising the steps of: agitating a plurality of balls in an enclosure; pushing the balls into one or more columns located substantially below said enclosure; lowering the balls on platforms along the one or more columns to one or more discrete levels; reading RFID tags contained with the balls at the or each discrete level; correlating the respective RFID tags with assigned playing cards; and displaying graphics to show the assigned playing cards in the form of hand of dealt cards.

17. A method as claimed in claim 17, further comprising the step of vibrating one or more platforms balls to ensure that the RFID tag(s) contained in the ball(s) located thereon is/are successfully read.

18. A ball enclosure and ball column assembly, wherein the ball enclosure is adapted to house a plurality of balls, the enclosure comprising a ball agitation means located therein and an opening through which individual balls can exit the enclosure and enter into one or more columns located substantially below and in communication with said enclosure; wherein each column is provided with a movable platform, each platform being adapted to support a ball or balls and being movable within the column between an upper in use position and a plurality of discrete levels along said column; wherein each discrete level along each column has an associated RFID tag reader adapted to read an RFID located within a ball on a platform at that level, and wherein each platform is vibratable so that the orientation of a ball on said platform can be agitated to ensure that the RFID tag within said is readable by the RFID reader.