U.S. patent application number 10/730521 was filed with the patent office on 2004-06-17 for automatic table game.
This patent application is currently assigned to Stargames Corporation Pty Ltd.. Invention is credited to Choo, Jason, Frost, Brian, Herring, Peter James, MacDonald, Andrew, McBurnie, Dougall Alasdair, Williams, Jim.
Application Number | 20040116177 10/730521 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 3820210 |
Filed Date | 2004-06-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040116177 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Frost, Brian ; et
al. |
June 17, 2004 |
Automatic table game
Abstract
A gaming table in which the outcome of the game is determined
manually, and in which players place bets electronically and wins
or losses are calculated electronically. The gaming system is
applicable to any suitable game including roulette.
Inventors: |
Frost, Brian; (Cronulla,
AU) ; Choo, Jason; (Ashfield, AU) ; Williams,
Jim; (Richmond, AU) ; MacDonald, Andrew;
(South Melbourne, AU) ; McBurnie, Dougall Alasdair;
(Albert Park, AU) ; Herring, Peter James;
(Heathmont, AU) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SACCO & ASSOCIATES, PA
P.O. BOX 30999
PALM BEACH GARDENS
FL
33420-0999
US
|
Assignee: |
Stargames Corporation Pty
Ltd.
Milperra
AU
Crown Limited
Southbank
AU
|
Family ID: |
3820210 |
Appl. No.: |
10/730521 |
Filed: |
December 8, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10730521 |
Dec 8, 2003 |
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10095412 |
Mar 12, 2002 |
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6659866 |
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10095412 |
Mar 12, 2002 |
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09661154 |
Sep 13, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
463/17 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3225 20130101;
A63F 3/081 20130101; G07F 17/32 20130101; G07F 17/3262 20130101;
G07F 17/3276 20130101; A63F 5/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/017 |
International
Class: |
A63F 009/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 8, 2000 |
AU |
PQ6107 |
Claims
1. A gaming table, comprising: at least one game outcome
determining device, exclusive of a card game, and configured for
determination of a random outcome for a game based upon at least
one direct physical interaction of a person with said device, said
direct physical interaction affecting said random outcome in a way
that is exclusive of any intervening automation; a plurality of
player terminals exclusively at said gaming table, each terminal
including a player user interface to permit a player to select at
least one outcome of the game occurring exclusively at said gaming
table and to make wagers on said at least one outcome; and at least
one processor for comparing said wagers to said random outcome for
determining winning ones of said wagers, and for crediting winning
proceeds directly to said player terminals.
2. The gaming table according to claim 1 further comprising a
dealer terminal operatively coupled to said at least one processor,
said dealer terminal including a dealer user interface configured
to permit a dealer, after receipt of payment from a player, to
directly credit one of said player terminals.
3. The gaming table according to claim 2 wherein said dealer user
interface is configured to permit a dealer to pay out to a player
upon request a remaining credit balance on a player terminal in use
by said player.
4. The gaming table according to claim 1 wherein said roulette
wheel is configured for at least one of manual spinning and manual
dispensing of a roulette ball by a dealer.
5. A method for operating a gaming table, comprising: receiving at
a plurality of player terminals exclusively at said gaming table
respective player selections of a game outcome occurring
exclusively at said gaming table and player wagers on said
respective player selections of said game outcomes; determining a
random outcome for a game based upon at least one direct physical
interaction of a person with a game outcome determining device,
said direct physical interaction affecting said random outcome in a
way that is exclusive of any intervening automation; and comparing
automatically said random outcome to said respective player
selections; and, determining winning ones of said wagers responsive
to said comparing step, and crediting winning proceeds directly to
said player terminals based on said player wagers.
6. The method according to claim 5 wherein said step of manually
operating said roulette wheel is performed by a dealer.
7. The method according to claim 5 further comprising receiving a
player credit entry at a dealer terminal after receipt of payment
from a player, and responsive to said entry directly crediting one
of said player terminals.
8. The method according to claim 7 further comprising the step of
determining a remaining credit balance on a player terminal in use
by said player, and cashing out a player from said player terminal
upon request by clearing any credit balance from said player
terminal and paying said credit directly to said player.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates to table games such as roulette,
traditionally played in casinos and similar gaming
establishments.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0002] Games of chance have been part of many societies for
centuries and are ever present today. Casinos exist to provide
gambling entertainment to the community in the form of many
different games.
[0003] These games can generally be divided into two categories.
The first is automatic games, such as poker machines, in which a
player bets on various outcomes being generated. These outcomes are
generated automatically, using sophisticated random (all pseudo
random) number generators. The player wins or loses depending upon
the outcome of a particular game.
[0004] The second category of games is know as a table game, in
which a human operator, known as a dealer or a croupier, determines
the outcome of the game and pays betting players accordingly. Such
table games include roulette and blackjack. In the case of
blackjack, players are dealt a number of cards by a dealer, who
also deals him or herself some cards. The cards themselves
determine the outcome of a particular game, directed by the dealer,
and influenced by individual players' choices of various parts of
the game.
[0005] Simplistically, in roulette, players bet on where they think
a ball, spun within a wheel divided into thirty seven regions
marked from 0-36, will land. After bets are placed, the wheel is
spun and the ball is dropped onto the spinning wheel and is allowed
to move freely until coming to rest in one of the thirty seven
regions of the wheel. Those players who bet on the correct number
win, while those who did not, lose.
[0006] In both scenarios of the table games described above, all
actions, including players betting, game outcome determination,
calculation of winners and losers and subsequent settlement, are
conducted manually.
[0007] This presents a number of problems. Firstly, mistakes can be
made by the player in placing a bet, resulting in an invalid bet,
while mistakes may be made by the croupier in determining winners
and more particularly, in calculating and paying out wins.
Furthermore, it is not uncommon for some players to attempt to
cheat by surreptitiously increasing or decreasing a bet while the
croupier is not looking once the outcome of a game is known.
[0008] Another problem lies with the comfort and confidence of the
players. One of the attractions of automatic gaming machines is
that the player does not need to deal with other people, which is
an advantage if the player is not entirely familiar with or
confident about the rules of the game and may be intimidated by
other people observing this.
[0009] Another disadvantage of traditional gaming tables is that
generally, only six players can play at a table at any one time.
This is an inefficient use of space. Furthermore, their number
within a given establishment is limited by legislation.
[0010] Due to the limited number of tables, it is often difficult
for players to find a place available at a table.
[0011] Further, due to the requirement of the croupier having to
maintain full control including supervising players, taking bets,
determining the outcome of the game, calculating and paying
winnings, collecting losses and all the while trying to be aware of
any instances of cheating, the number of players per table must be
limited so as not to overtax the croupier. Accordingly, the overall
profit of the casino derived from the game is limited because the
ratio between the croupier's salary and the income generated from
the players is not high.
[0012] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a table game which improves security and increases profit
to the casino
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0013] In broad terms the present invention provides a casino
gaming table, in which the game itself is conducted using
traditional, manual systems, and the players place bets and wins or
losses are calculated using electronic means.
[0014] The core advantage of such an arrangement is that the
croupier need only physically conduct the game elements--for
example, spinning a roulette wheel. The croupier need not watch for
irregularities or calculate wins and losses. As a result, play can
proceed more rapidly, and more players can be accommodated
simultaneously.
[0015] According to one aspect, the present invention provides a
gaming table system including;
[0016] a gaming surface, at least one manual random game outcome
determinator, game outcome data capturing means and one or more
electronic player terminals to allow one or more players to place
bets electronically.
[0017] According to a further aspect, the present invention
provides a method for operating a casino gaming table, said table
including player terminals for players to electronically place bets
on the outcome of a game, said method including the steps of:
[0018] electronically receiving a betting amount from a player;
[0019] manually determining a game outcome;
[0020] calculating win/loss data in accordance with the outcome of
the game; and
[0021] electronically updating player terminals in accordance with
said win/loss data.
[0022] Preferably, the system will include processing means for
calculating win/loss data in accordance with the outcome of the
game.
[0023] Preferably, the system also includes updating means for
updating customer credit values in accordance with the win/loss
data.
[0024] The system may also provide a countdown to inform the
players of the time remaining before all bets must be placed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[0025] The invention will now be described in more detail with
reference to the following figures.
[0026] FIG. 1 shows a typical layout of a preferred embodiment of
the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 2 shows a schematic block diagram of the layout of FIG.
1, showing how the various elements of the system are
connected;
[0028] FIG. 3 shows an example of a screen display of a player
terminal of the present invention; and
[0029] FIG. 4 shows an example of a screen display of the System
Game Controller of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0030] As can be seen from FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the
present invention will include a gaming table 1, around which
players will sit and operate respective automatic player terminals
2. The game outcome determinator in this case will be a traditional
roulette wheel 3, which is operated in the normal manner by a human
operator.
[0031] Situated close to the gaming table where the outcome is
determined, is Central Controller (CC) 4 (not shown in FIG. 1).
Central Controller 4 is connected to player terminals 2 as well as
to a System Game Controller (SGC) 5. The player terminals 2 are
used for placement of bets, display of winning bets, cash balances
and promotional and other informative data. The screen of player
terminal 2 displays an image of a playing surface related to the
participating gaming table. Players may place their bets by
following the instructions displayed on the screen as will be
described in more detail below, with reference to FIG. 2.
[0032] The arrangement of the present invention may also include a
"display tree" 6, which is used to display the outcome of the game.
Optionally, the display tree may also display the outcome of any
number of the preceding games.
[0033] The CC 4 acts as an interface between the player terminals 2
and the SGC 5. The CC 4 monitors and processes payment amounts,
buy-in amounts, winning results and bet positions.
[0034] The SGC 5 communicates with the CC 4 and can also be used to
provide data and statistical information to Casino databases. The
dedicated gambling table dealer operates the SGC to register buy-in
amounts and allocates these to individual player terminals and
processes winning and losing results. It also maintains transaction
records and communicates winning result information to the CC 4,
and provides information to the gaming table operator and CC 4
regarding cash out amounts when players finish playing.
[0035] A schematic diagram of a typical layout of the invention is
shown in FIG. 2, where like elements described above in relation to
FIG. 1 are labelled accordingly.
[0036] Casino management databases 9 are connected to the SGC 5 via
dedicated application server software. Furthermore, peripheral
elements may include a Note Acceptor 7 that is connected to the SGC
5 via a serial interface and is responsible for processing all
local currency. Under control of the croupier, notes fed into the
Notes Acceptor will result in a credit being issued to the
corresponding player's terminal for use throughout the game.
[0037] The Components
[0038] SGC
[0039] The SGC 5 controls game execution. While the croupier spins
the roulette wheel to generate the game outcome, it is the SGC 5
that is responsible for handling buy-in and collect amounts,
maintaining transaction history, processing patron ratings and
generally administering the game.
[0040] Before the commencement of a game, the SGC 5 sends a new
game request to the central controller which then confirms that all
terminals are synchronised. The SGC 5 then initiates the countdown
by sending the Central Controller 4 a "Start Game" command, with
the associated time limit which is then relayed to the player
terminal screens and acknowledged.
[0041] The countdown time is the time allowed for players to place
their bets. At the completion of the countdown period, the player
terminals 2 will send respective betting information to the Central
Controller 4. If no bet is placed for a particular terminal within
this time, the terminal 2 sends a "zerobet" packet to Central
Controller 4.
[0042] At the completion of the countdown, the Central Controller 4
sends a message to the SGC 5 that the countdown has expired and
polls for the acknowledgement from each terminal. All associated
bet details are then passed to the SGC 5 via the Central Controller
4. At this time, bets can no longer be placed, and the amount bet
is deducted from the account balances stored on the respective
player terminals 2. The croupier then calls "No More Bets", and
spins the wheel to determine the winning number. The winning number
is then confirmed by the croupier, as is discussed in more detail
below, and is sent to the Central Controller 4. The SGC 5 then
calculates win/loss data for each player terminal 2, and each is
then updated accordingly through the Central Controller 4.
[0043] The countdown feature is also particularly advantageous to
both players and the casino. The countdown allows players to be
aware of the remaining time before having to place their bet. In
traditional systems, there is no systematic way of knowing when the
"end of bets time" is approaching. The croupier may call "last
bets", but the final time is variable within limits. It is possible
that the croupier will call "no more bets" just before a player
decides where and in what amount to place the bet. When this
happens, the player misses out on participating in that game and
the casino misses out on the opportunity of winning the player's
money.
[0044] With the countdown feature, this situation is avoided
because the player can see that the final time for placing a bet is
approaching, and knows exactly how much time remains in which to
place the bet. Accordingly, if the player intends to place the bet
for that particular game, he or she is more likely to do this
before the betting time expires. In this way, the player will not
be excluded from the given game for having missed out on placing
the bet, and the casino is able to have bets placed in a more
consistent manner, contributing to the increased profits provided
by the system of the present invention.
[0045] CC
[0046] The CC is a multi-line user system running several processes
needed to co-ordinate the game. The CC's role includes:
[0047] Game handler--calculation of winning amounts, updated player
credits and handling of the game state;
[0048] Player terminal handler--detection of newly-connected player
terminal units, configuration of the player terminal units, upgrade
of the player terminal unit software, detection of malfunctioning
or disconnected units;
[0049] Casino Management system handler--transfer between local
database and casino specific database, maintain integrity of data
by moving essential data off the gaming floor and onto the area of
high security;
[0050] Local database handler--provide a standard interface that
game systems according to the present invention can access;
[0051] Local database--reliably store gaming data required for the
reliable running of the game system, provide access to real time
information needed during a game;
[0052] Gaming hardware handler--transformation of the signals from
third party hardware into a format suitable for the system of the
present invention;
[0053] Firewall--isolates the player terminal units from an
external network, promoting a basic level of security, allowing the
game system to exist on a single casino network without
interference.
[0054] Player Terminals
[0055] The player terminals are employed as the interface between
the player and the system of the present invention. The main
components of the player terminal include:
[0056] Touch screen monitor--display of all selectable game
features that relate to the dedicated gaming table;
[0057] Pentium PC--interface between player functions as
interpreted by the touchscreen monitor, which is then relayed to
the CC in conjunction with,
[0058] Interface Board--housed in a logic cage, handles all
security issues and maintains the link ID of the player terminal
machines.
[0059] Associated peripherals include, but are not limited to, bill
acceptor, attendant key, accounting key, door sensors and player
terminal specific software.
[0060] The operation of the player terminal 2 and screen display
will now be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 shows an
example of a display that may be presented to a player on his or
her corresponding player terminal. To play a game, the player must
begin by pressing the "Buy In" button 201 on the player terminal
screen 200. The buy-in amount, (ie. the amount of cash given by the
player to the croupier) will be processed by the croupier through
the SGC 5 and credited via the Central Controller 4 to the player's
terminal.
[0061] As described above, before the commencement of a game, the
SGC 5 sends a "Start Game" signal to the Central Controller 4,
which in turn ensures that all player terminals are synchronised so
that each player is given the same time in which to place their
bets. During the countdown, bets can be placed by dragging the
selected denomination chip (202-207) over the betting layout 208 to
the desired location.
[0062] Chips can be placed over existing chips on the layout to
increase the bet at that location. Once the chip is placed on the
layout, the size of the chip will reduce by about 20-30% so as to
best fit on the layout area. It will then change to a standard
colour and the number value in the middle of the chip will display
the total bet amount on the layout at that particular location. For
example, if two $5 chips, two $2 chips and a $1 chip are placed on
a single location on the layout, the image of the chip at that spot
will display a value of $15. To remove a bet, the chip is selected
and dragged off the layout to reduce the amount of the bet. This
dragging may be done via a conventional mouse device, or may be
done simply by dragging a finger across the screen of the touch
screen terminal.
[0063] The display on the terminal will also indicate the time
remaining for betting (209), the current balance (210), the current
amount bet (211) and the win amount (212). The current balance is
updated at the completion of each game cycle and is equal to the
previous cash balance plus any wins for that game minus the cash
bet in that game.
[0064] At the completion of the countdown, the Central Controller 4
will poll all the active player terminals, and then send all of the
bet details and balances to the SGC 5. If the amount bet does meet
the minimum requirement of the table and is greater than zero, then
a message will be displayed on the player terminal status bar 213,
and an "invalid bet" message will be displayed on the player
terminal and also sent to the SGC 5.
[0065] After the winning number and winning wages information is
received from the SGC 5, the Central Controller 4 passes the
information to each player terminal, and the player terminal will
flash the winning combinations of only those chips on the betting
layout that have won. When the gaming cycle begins again, the
layout display will be cleared of all bets placed in the previous
game.
[0066] A number of other options are available and may be
controlled by buttons on the display screen:
[0067] the "RECALL" button 214, is used to repeat the betting
layout of the last game cycle;
[0068] the "CASH OUT" button 221 is used to inform the dealer that
the player wishes to collect his or her cash balance. The croupier
will then process this request through the SGC 5. During this
processing time, the player terminal 2 is disabled from betting.
The cash balance will then be returned to zero balance on the
player terminal via the Central Controller 4 and the payment will
be completed with the croupier paying to the player the cash
equivalent of the balance in the form of gaming chips.
[0069] the "BUY-IN" button 201, as described above, is used to
inform the croupier that the player wishes to join the game and/or
to deposit funds in the player terminal cash balance. The croupier
then processes the "buy-in" through the SGC 5. During this process,
the player terminal is still able to process bets. The "buy-in"
process will add the "buy-in" amount to the cash balance on the
player terminal via the Central Controller 4 and then will be
confirmed by the player.
[0070] The "TIERRE" button 215, applies the following bet to the
layout: a six-piece piece wager with one piece each on 5/8 split,
10/11 split, 13/16 split, 23/24 split, 27/30 split and 33/36
split.
[0071] The "ORPHANS" button 216, applies the following bet to the
layout; a five piece wager with one piece each on: 1 straight up,
6/9 split, 14/17 split, 17/20 split and 31/34 split:
[0072] The "GRAND SERIES" button 217 applies the following bet to
the layout: a nine piece wager with one piece each on: 4/7 split,
12/15 split, 18/21 split, 19/22 split, 32/35 split, and two chips
each on 25/29 corner and 0/2/3 street.
[0073] The "NEIGHBOURS" button 218 applies the following bet to the
layout, a five piece wager covering the winning number from the
previous spin, and the two numbers either side of it on the
roulette wheel.
[0074] The "CLEAR" button 219 is used to clear the layout during
the bet countdown.
[0075] The "HELP" button 220 is used to display game results,
pay-out structures and system definitions.
[0076] The "TIME LIMIT" slider 209 is used to represent the betting
countdown clock. It is in a scale of seconds and configurable
depending on the time limit set for the game on the SGC 5. Once the
slider reaches zero seconds, the player terminal will disallow any
transactions by the player on the terminal.
[0077] An optional display on the terminal screen might also allow
the player to view bets placed by other players. This may take the
form of other players' chips being displayed in different colours
on the display of the board layout.
[0078] The function of the SGC 5 will now be described in more
detail with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 shows an example of a
screen display 500, which may be viewed by the croupier running the
game, and represents various options available. Every screen on the
SGC has a status bar 501, which displays comments and instructions
relevant to the operation of the game, and the game clock 502, that
allows the croupier to see the current amount of time remaining for
bet allocation on the player terminal 2. The main screen on the SGC
5 allows the croupier to view all player terminal locations with a
status, which may be defined by a colour code. In FIG. 4, the
various player terminals are represented by squares located along
the borders of the SGC 5 screen display and numbered 504 to 514.
Various information is displayed on different player terminal
squares to represent the current status of particular player
terminals. For example, player terminal 503 is indicated as being
disabled, while the display of terminal 507 indicates that the
player on that terminal has just bought in to the game. Terminals
509 and 510 indicate that the players have selected the "cash out"
option as described above, and are collecting the balance of the
credit allocated to their terminal in the form of gaming chips.
[0079] Block 515 will initiate a "New Game", which initiates a
command to the Central Controller 4 to commence the game clock for
setting on all active player terminals. The "New Game" button will
be disabled when game countdown has commenced, or when the game is
in pause mode, and will be re-enabled once the winning number is
confirmed. The "Winning Number" button 516 will display the winning
number, and will need to be confirmed by the croupier, who views
the actual outcome of the game by observing the actual position of
the ball on the roulette wheel 3, and verifying that the actual
winning number is the same as that displayed in box 516. This
confirmation is done by the croupier touching box 516. If the
number displayed in box 516 is incorrect, confirmation will be
declined, and the SGC 5 will advance the croupier into a "winning
number input and confirmation" screen. This will allow the number
to be manually input and confirmed. The "winning number" box 516
will also display a message to direct the croupier to spin the ball
on the roulette wheel. This message is displayed once the SGC 5 is
informed by the Central Controller that all transactions have been
completed.
[0080] Alternatively, the system will not read the winning number
at all. Rather, the croupier will observe the outcome of the game
and enter the winning number into the system. The system then
processes the input information as previously described.
[0081] Administration box 517 allows the croupier to control a
number of specific functions, such as pausing a current game,
configuring min/max bets and opening and closing the table.
[0082] The system described above accordingly provides many
advantages over current table games. In particular, the system
improves security in that it is far more difficult for a player to
attempt to cheat, and reduces the risks of miscalculations being
made by the croupier. Furthermore, the system allows more players
to play per table, is more attractive to players who may be
otherwise intimidated, provides greater flexibility in betting
options and improves the ratio of earnings to outgoings for the
casino in terms of croupier salary per number of players.
[0083] While the above description has been focussed on the game of
roulette, it will be understood that the principles of the
invention may be equally applied to any suitable gaming table, to
provide the above advantages. Such suitable table games include Sic
Bo, Big Wheel, Two Up and Mini Baccarat.
[0084] It will also be appreciated that the above description has
been given in relation to a preferred embodiment only, and is not
meant to be limited to the specifics of the disclosure, which may
vary in many ways as would be understood by the person skilled in
the art, within the scope of the present invention.
* * * * *