U.S. patent application number 11/280114 was filed with the patent office on 2007-05-17 for playing a game of chance in space.
This patent application is currently assigned to Bigelow Aerospace. Invention is credited to Robert T. Bigelow.
Application Number | 20070108700 11/280114 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38039961 |
Filed Date | 2007-05-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070108700 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bigelow; Robert T. |
May 17, 2007 |
Playing a game of chance in space
Abstract
A method of playing a game of chance in space is claimed. A
container houses a plurality of uniquely identifiable game pieces
and the preferred embodiment utilizes balls. The balls are moved in
a random fashion. Periodically a ball is removed and the value on
the ball is identified. The value is transmitted from the space
structure. The value is also displayed on a display and the image
of the display is transmitted from the space structure.
Inventors: |
Bigelow; Robert T.; (Las
Vegas, NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Franklin E. Gibbs, Esq.;Bigelow Aerospace
1899 West Brooks Avenue
North Las Vegas
NV
89032
US
|
Assignee: |
Bigelow Aerospace
|
Family ID: |
38039961 |
Appl. No.: |
11/280114 |
Filed: |
November 17, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
273/138.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07C 15/001
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/138.1 |
International
Class: |
A63B 71/00 20060101
A63B071/00 |
Claims
1. A method for playing a game of chance in space, the method
comprising the steps of: placing a structure in space comprising; a
container having a plurality of game pieces and each game piece
having a unique value thereon; at least one camera; a display
screen; a display screen controller; a communications system;
moving the game pieces within the container; separating a game
piece from the plurality of game pieces within the container and
the camera receiving the image of the value of the separated game
piece; transferring the image of the unique value of the separated
game piece from the camera to the communications system;
transmitting the image of the unique value of the separated game
piece from the communications system to a location external to the
structure; transferring the image of the unique value of the
separated game piece from the camera to the display controller and
the display controller causing the value to be displayed on the
display and a camera receiving the image of the display;
transferring the image of the display from the camera to the
communications system; and transmitting the image of the display
from the communications system to a location external to the
structure.
2. The method for playing a game of chance in a structure in space
as in claim 1 wherein the game piece is substantially in the shape
of a ball.
3. A method for playing a game of chance in a structure in space,
the structure comprising a container having a plurality of game
pieces and each game piece having a unique value thereon, at least
one camera, a display screen, a display screen controller, and a
communications, the method comprising the steps of: moving the game
pieces within the container; separating a game piece from the
plurality of game pieces within the container and the camera
receiving the image of the value of the separated game piece;
transferring the image of the unique value of the separated game
piece from the camera to the communications system; transmitting
the image of the unique value of the separated game piece from the
communications system to a location external to the structure;
transferring the image of the unique value of the separated game
piece from the camera to the display controller and the display
controller causing the value to be displayed on the display and a
camera receiving the image of the display; transferring the image
of the display from the camera to the communications system;
transmitting the image of the display from the communications
system to a location external to the structure; and causing the
separated game piece to be held in a separate compartment of the
container.
4. The method for playing a game of chance in a structure in space
as in claim 3 wherein the game piece is substantially in the shape
of a ball.
5. The method of playing a game of chance in a structure in space
as in claim 3, wherein the steps are repeated at least twice.
6. The method of playing a game of chance in a space structure as
in claim 5, wherein the selected game pieces are transferred from
the compartment into the container with the plurality of balls.
7. The method of playing a game of chance in a space structure as
in claim 5, further comprising the step of clearing the values from
the display.
8. Playing a game of chance in a structure in space, the structure
comprising a container with a plurality of game pieces and each
game piece having a unique value thereon, at least one camera,
playing the game comprising: means for moving the game pieces
within the container; means for separating a game piece from the
plurality of game pieces within the container; means for
transmitting the image of the value of the separated game piece to
a location external to the structure; means for displaying the
value of the separated game piece on a display; means for
transmitting the image of the display to a location external to the
structure.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to gaming and in particular for
playing a game of chance in space.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] There are a variety of popular games that have traditionally
relied upon the use of a number of uniquely identifiable game
pieces pooled together in a container, mixed in a random fashion,
and chosen from the pool one at a time pursuant to the rules of the
particular game. Often these game pieces are in the form of balls,
however the present invention is not so limited. Such games of
chance include, among others, Bingo, Keno, Powerball, and a variety
of lottery related games.
[0005] In most instances, players can view the action of the balls
being bounced around in the container and then a ball being chosen
from the pool. An air of excitement develops as the players watch
in anticipation of the drawing of the balls from the pool. Each
player hoping the balls chosen will provide them the opportunity to
win the game.
[0006] This is repeated innumerable times in homes and gaming
establishments around the world every day. While the types of games
and the rules vary, many games are familiar to player worldwide.
One such game is bingo.
[0007] In bingo each player has at least one Bingo card. The card
has a matrix of five rows and five columns. The columns are
lettered B I N G 0 from left to right across the top of the matrix
and each bingo card has five numbers in each row except the center
I column which has a "free space" at the intersection of the third
row and the third column. Numbers 1-15 are assigned to the first or
"B" row, 16-30 to the "I" row, etc. In play, there are 75
individually numbered balls mixed together and then balls are
selected one at a time. When each ball is withdrawn, the number is
announced to the players, who cover any corresponding number on
their bingo card. When five matrix locations are covered in a
vertical column, a horizontal row or along one of the two
diagonals, that player yells out "Bingo!" and he wins he game.
[0008] Variations of the game exist to peek the interest of players
and provide variety. In one such variation an extra colored ball
can be added as a wildcard. Rather than achieving five matrix
locations in a row, a pattern such as four corner spots, or each
corner of the card could be identified as a winning combination. In
English Bingo the pool of balls ranges from 1 to 99.
[0009] This variety attracts an assortment of players to the game
and provides the players a diverse range of interesting games to
play. A profitable gaming industry has risen from drawing the
players into the action of the games by displaying the random
movement of the balls, the numerous variations of the rules,
offering of prizes to the winners, and exalting the winners with
public notoriety and recognition.
[0010] However, while each adaptation may appear to be distinct
from the other, there is one common thread running through the
variants. The games are all being played on the planet Earth.
[0011] A variant not yet explored is playing the games in the zero
gravity environment of space. In this venue, the manner in which
balls are randomized must account for the lack of a gravitational
field. Also, the players are given a new incentive to play.
[0012] The players would be participating in more than a game of
chance. They would be integral players in a space-based enterprise
allowing them to take part in the experience of space exploration
and commercialization. A new level of excitement could be offered
to players that would not be available on the Earth.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The present invention is directed to a method of playing a
game of chance in space. A container, a number of game pieces each
having a unique value, a display screen, display screen controller,
at least one camera, and a communications system are placed into
space. The game pieces reside in a container and are moved about in
the container. A number of game pieces are chosen one at a time. A
camera receives the image of the value of the chosen game piece.
The communications system transmits the camera image to a ground
station. The value is also transmitted to a display screen
controller that controls the display screen and the display screen
displays the values of the chosen game pieces. A camera receives
the image of the display screen. The communications system
transmits the image of the display screen to a ground station. At
the end of a game, the chosen game pieces are returned to the
container and the display screen is cleared.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a cutaway view of a container for playing a
game;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a diagram identifying the transmission of the game
piece image information from the structure;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a diagram identifying transmission of the display
information from the structure; and
[0017] FIG. 4 is a diagram identifying transmission of the camera
information from the structure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The present invention may best be understood by reference to
the following description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings.
[0019] The present invention is directed to the use of uniquely
identifiable game pieces in a game of chance. Such game piece could
be, but not limited to, coin-like, square, octagonal, or other
shapes. The preferred embodiment of the present invention is
directed to the use of balls. In alternate embodiments the
mechanical structures used with the game pieces may vary
significantly, however the principles identified remain
substantially the same.
[0020] When a gaming device using balls is operated on Earth, the
gravity figures into the method chosen for randomly moving the
balls. The situation is different where gravity may be negligible
such as when a spacecraft is in orbit about the Earth. In this
situation, the method for moving the balls must account for the
lack of gravity.
[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment for a gaming
device that is adapted for use in a low gravity environment. The
container 10 contains a plurality of balls 12. Fans 14 are used to
rotate the air 16 and thereby cause the balls 12 to move within the
container 10. This movement is characterized herein as random even
though the fans can be used in a fashion to move the balls in a
desired direction. Vents 18 allow for air 16 to flow from the
container into the structure 20.
[0022] With the air 16 flowing through the container 10, the balls
12 collide with one another and with the container 10.
Periodically, a valve 22 is opened. The valve 22 has small vent
openings that allow for the passage of air when the valve is
closed, but not the passage of a ball 12 when the valve is
closed.
[0023] The opened valve 22 allows a ball to enter into a reservoir
26. The valve 22 is the closed and the ball is retained within the
reservoir 26. This is the manner in which a ball 12 is separated
from the balls 12 in the container 10.
[0024] It will be appreciated by those familiar with gaming
equipment and the physics of space flight that the balls can be
moved in a number of ways that are not limited to the air flow of
the preferred embodiment. Magnetized balls and electromagnetic
forces are examples of a number of alternatives that can be
utilized to move the balls.
[0025] Furthermore, a valve is just one way a ball 12 can be
separated from the balls 12 in the container 10. In another
embodiment, a magnetized ball can be attached to an area of the
wall of the container. Thus, removing the ball from play and still
allowing a camera to view the unique identifier on the ball.
Persons skilled in the art would appreciate the variety of ways a
ball could be separated and viewed.
[0026] The positioning of the fans 14 and the air currents created
can be optimized so that the chances of a ball striking the valve
22 are high enough to allow impacts on a regular basis.
[0027] A camera 28 records the image on the ball 12. The image
corresponds to the unique value of each ball. Other means may also
be employed to identify the value of the ball. In an alternate
embodiment each ball could contain a unique magnetic signature
corresponding to the value of the ball. The signature could be read
to reveal the value of the ball. In another embodiment, each ball
could have a bar code on the outside of the ball that would allow a
bar code reader to identify the value of the ball. Still in other
embodiments, each ball could have a micro controller for
transferring information correlating the value of the ball. A
person skilled in the art would appreciate the various ways in
which to determine the unique identifier.
[0028] In FIG. 1, a reader 29 can be used to identify the value of
a ball.
[0029] After the camera 28 records the image, another valve 30 that
is similar to the first valve 24 is opened. A fan 32 directs air in
such a fashion as to force the. ball 12 into a compartment 34.
[0030] The balls 12 that are separated out remain in the
compartment 34 until the end of the game.
[0031] Once the game ends, the fans 14 are turned off, the valves
22, 30 and 36 are opened and the fan 32 directs a current or air
that forces the balls 12 from the compartment 34 back into the
container 10.
[0032] The valves are then closed and another game can be
played.
[0033] Turning to FIG. 2, the information 38 recorded by the camera
28 is sent to a communications device 40 that transmits the
information through an antenna 42 outside of the structure 20. This
can include the information identified by the reader and sent to
the communications device 40. A ground-based receiver 44 can then
receive the signal. In an alternate embodiment, the signal could be
bounced off other satellites or sent to a satellite for relaying
the information to Earth.
[0034] While this indicates a one-way transmission, information can
be sent from a ground station to the structure 20. In one case, the
information sent from the ground station could include commands to
reset the game by returning all the balls 12 into the container 10.
In another instance, the information sent from the ground station
could include commands for operating the fans 14 at certain levels
or individually.
[0035] Furthermore, the camera 28, or other cameras, could be used
to receive images of the balls 12 bouncing inside the container 10.
These images could be sent to a communications device and from
there forwarded to a ground station.
[0036] In FIG. 3, the information 38 received from the camera 28 is
received by a display controller 46. The display controller 46
operates a display 48 that identifies the numbers that have been
identified. Information from the reader 29 can also be sent to the
display controller 46. The display controller 46 would translate
the information for the reader 29 to correspond to a particular
value by means well known in the art. The value would then be
displayed on the display 48. It will be appreciated that the
display 48 can take on many forms. While the display 48 in FIG. 3
is a matrix type display comprised of columns and rows, other types
of displays can be used. In the preferred embodiment, the display
is comprised of light emitting diodes (LEDs) that can be lighted to
indicate a particular value. In alternate embodiments, the display
can be comprised of specific values with a backlight to illuminate
the value as desired. A camera 50 receives the image of the display
48.
[0037] Turning to FIG. 4, the information 52 from camera 50 is
received by a communications device 40 that transmits the
information through an antenna 42 outside of the structure 20. A
ground-based receiver 44 can then receive the signal.
[0038] In alternate embodiments, the transmission of information
from the antennas could be directed to other satellites of space
objects.
[0039] A novel method for playing a game of chance in space has
thus been described. It is important to note that many
configurations can be constructed from the ideas presented. Thus,
nothing in the specification should be construed to limit the scope
of the claims. Further, the embodiments identified are not limiting
as to the scope of the invention.
* * * * *