U.S. patent application number 11/937970 was filed with the patent office on 2008-09-04 for systems and methods for nudge roulette.
This patent application is currently assigned to ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY, LTD.. Invention is credited to Christine J. Denlay, John Denlay, Michael Dugan, Gary Frerking, Scott Olive, Lattamore D. Osburn, Gareth Phillips, Kent Reisdorph.
Application Number | 20080214266 11/937970 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39733488 |
Filed Date | 2008-09-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080214266 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Phillips; Gareth ; et
al. |
September 4, 2008 |
Systems And Methods For Nudge Roulette
Abstract
Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a roulette
gaming system including a roulette wheel including a plurality of
numbers, a plurality of indicators associated with the plurality of
numbers, and a game control component adapted to determine an
additional winning number. A winning number is selected from the
plurality of numbers. The game control component is further adapted
to indicate the additional winning number with at least one of the
plurality of indicators.
Inventors: |
Phillips; Gareth;
(Manchester, GB) ; Olive; Scott; (Narrabeen,
AU) ; Osburn; Lattamore D.; (Las Vegas, NV) ;
Denlay; John; (Las Vegas, NV) ; Denlay; Christine
J.; (Las Vegas, NV) ; Dugan; Michael;
(Colorado Springs, CO) ; Frerking; Gary;
(Henderson, NV) ; Reisdorph; Kent; (Henderson,
NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCANDREWS HELD & MALLOY, LTD
500 WEST MADISON STREET, SUITE 3400
CHICAGO
IL
60661
US
|
Assignee: |
ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA
PTY, LTD.
Lane Cove
AU
|
Family ID: |
39733488 |
Appl. No.: |
11/937970 |
Filed: |
November 9, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60858138 |
Nov 10, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/17 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3213
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/17 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A roulette gaming system, the system including: a roulette wheel
including a plurality of numbers, wherein a winning number is
selected from the plurality of numbers; a plurality of indicators
associated with the plurality of numbers; and a game control
component adapted to determine an additional winning number,
wherein the game control component is further adapted to indicate
the additional winning number with at least one of the plurality of
indicators.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein a plurality of additional winning
numbers are determined.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the additional winning number is
determined in randomly selected games.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the additional winning number is
adjacent to the winning number.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein the side of the winning number
the additional winning number is adjacent to is determined
randomly.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the additional winning number is
opposite the winning number.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the additional winning number is
one of a range of additional winning numbers.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein the additional winning number is
determined randomly.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein a player makes an additional
payment to be eligible to win on the additional winning number.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein a bet of a player on a number
determined to be the additional winning number is returned.
11. The system of claim 1, wherein the additional winning number is
determined using a second ball.
12. The system of claim 1, wherein the additional winning number is
determined using a second wheel.
13. A method for roulette gaming, the method including: determining
a winning number from a plurality of numbers, wherein the plurality
of numbers is included in a roulette wheel; determining an
additional winning number from the plurality of numbers; and
indicating the additional winning number with at least one of a
plurality of indicators.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein a plurality of additional
winning numbers are determined.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein the additional winning number
is determined randomly.
16. The method of claim 13, wherein the additional winning number
is adjacent to the winning number.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the side of the winning number
the additional winning number is adjacent to is determined
randomly.
18. The method of claim 13, wherein the additional winning number
is determined based at least in part on the winning number.
19. The method of claim 13, wherein the additional winning number
is determined by a game control component.
20. A computer-readable medium including a set of instructions for
execution on a computer, the set of instructions including: a
winning number determination routine configured to determine a
winning number from a plurality of numbers; an additional winning
number determination routine configured to determine an additional
winning number from the plurality of numbers; and an indication
routine configured to indicate the additional winning number with
at least one of a plurality of indicators.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is related to, and claims the benefit of,
Provisional Application No. 60/858,138, filed on Nov. 10, 2006, and
entitled "Method and System for Improved Roulette Gaming." The
foregoing application is herein incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE
[0003] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention generally relates to roulette gaming.
More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and
methods for nudge roulette.
[0005] In a traditional game of roulette, a player makes one or
more wagers based on where the player believes a ball will stop on
a roulette wheel. For example, in the traditional game, the
roulette wheel is spun and a ball is placed on the wheel. At some
point in time, the ball may land on a track or pocket associated
with one of the numbers on the roulette wheel. In the traditional
roulette game, the number at which the ball stops moving is the
winning number.
[0006] The game of roulette has many wagering opportunities for its
players. However, additional wagering opportunities would provide
the players with more excitement in playing roulette as well as the
opportunity to increase their winnings. Further, with additional
wagering opportunities, more players are likely to play roulette,
thus potentially resulting in increased revenue for the operators
of the improved roulette game.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a
roulette gaming system including a roulette wheel including a
plurality of numbers, a plurality of indicators associated with the
plurality of numbers, and a game control component adapted to
determine an additional winning number. A winning number is
selected from the plurality of numbers. The game control component
is further adapted to indicate the additional winning number with
at least one of the plurality of indicators.
[0008] Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a
method for roulette gaming including determining a winning number
from a plurality of numbers, determining an additional winning
number from the plurality of numbers, and indicating the additional
winning number with at least one of a plurality of indicators. The
plurality of numbers is included in a roulette wheel.
[0009] Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a
computer-readable medium including a set of instructions for
execution on a computer, the set of instructions including a
winning number determination routine configured to determine a
winning number from a plurality of numbers, an additional winning
number determination routine configured to determine an additional
winning number from the plurality of numbers, and an indication
routine configured to indicate the additional winning number with
at least one of a plurality of indicators.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates a roulette gaming system according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates a flow diagram for a method for roulette
gaming according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed
description of certain embodiments of the present invention, will
be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended
drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, certain
embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should be understood,
however, that the present invention is not limited to the
arrangements and instrumentality shown in the attached
drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] Certain embodiments of the presently described technology
provide for additional and alternative betting options for the
traditional game of roulette. Certain embodiments provide betting
options including a winning roulette number and one or more
additional winning "nudge" numbers that may be adjacent to the
winning roulette number. In addition, certain embodiments may be
used to provide betting options which offer higher jackpots than
those traditionally offered by the game of roulette.
[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates a roulette gaming system 100 according to
an embodiment of the present invention. The system 100 includes a
roulette wheel 110, a plurality of indicators 120, and a game
control component 140. The wheel 110 includes a plurality of
numbers 130.
[0015] The game control component 140 is in communication with the
roulette wheel 110 and the plurality of indicators 120. The game
control component 140 may communicate with the wheel 110 and/or the
indicators 120 via a wired or wireless connection, for example. For
example, the indicators 120 and the game control component 140 may
communicate via a wired or wireless network. As another example,
the indicators 120 and the game control component 140 may be
integrally connected with no additional connections or networks
between the indicators 120 and the game control component 140.
[0016] As discussed above, in a traditional game of roulette, a
player makes one or more wagers based on where the player believes
a ball will stop on a roulette wheel. For example, in the
traditional game, the roulette wheel is spun and a ball is placed
on the wheel. At some point in time, the ball may land on a track
or pocket associated with one of the numbers on the roulette wheel.
In the traditional roulette game, the number at which the ball
stops moving is the winning number.
[0017] In operation, the wheel 110 includes a plurality of numbers
130. A winning number 130 is selected. The winning number 130 may
be selected using traditional roulette methods, such as placing a
ball on the spinning wheel 110, for example. As another example,
the winning number 130 may be selected randomly and/or using a
virtual ball, such as in an electronic roulette game.
[0018] In accordance with embodiments of the presently described
technology, additional opportunities are provided for players of
the roulette gaming system 100 to win. In addition to the winning
number selected as described above, one or more additional numbers
130 are determined to be additional winning numbers 130. The
determination of the additional winning number(s) 130 is referred
to as a "nudge." The additional winning numbers may be indicated by
one or more of the plurality of indicators 120, for example.
[0019] The wheel 110 may be similar to a roulette wheel used in
known roulette games, for example. As discussed above, the wheel
110 includes a plurality of numbers 130. Each of the plurality of
numbers 130 are associated with a track or pocket for a ball. The
numbers 130 may be printed or presented around a periphery of
roulette wheel 110, for example. While one set of numbers 130 is
illustrated in FIG. 1, various other sets of numbers 130 may be
used in accordance with embodiments of the presently described
technology. For example, numbers 130 may include a "00" number. As
another example, letters and/or symbols may be used in place of the
numbers 130.
[0020] Each indicator 120 is associated with a number 130. Each
indicator 120 is adapted to indicate and/or display the associated
number 130. In certain embodiments, the indicators 120 are used to
identify the additional winning number(s) 130. In certain
embodiments, an indicator 120 is used to identify the winning
number 130 selected by a ball. In certain embodiments, the
indicators 120 are used to identify the winning number 130 and the
additional winning numbers.
[0021] In certain embodiments, the plurality of indicators 120 is
positioned around the wheel 110. The indicators 120 may not spin
with the wheel 110, for example. Each indicator may be associated
with the number 130 closest to the indicator 120 when the wheel 110
stops moving, for example. In certain embodiments, the plurality of
indicators 120 are included in the wheel 110. The indicators 120
may spin with the wheel 110, for example. Each indicator 120 may be
associated with the number 130 it is positioned closest to on the
wheel 110.
[0022] The indicator 120 may be a light, light emitting diode
(LED), or other visual device, for example. For example, indicators
120 may be embodied in lights that illuminate when selected or
activated, thereby differentiating one illuminated indicator 120
from other, non-illuminated indicators 120. In another example,
indicators 120 may be embodied in the numbers 130. That is, when a
number 130 is selected or activated, the number 130 itself may be
illuminated as indicator 120. In certain embodiments, the indicator
120 may be a display screen listing additional winning numbers.
[0023] The indicator 120 may also be parts of an auxiliary video
display (not shown) which may display the winning number and
additional numbers or may replicate in video form the roulette
wheel and the display of the indictors 120.
[0024] The game control component 140 is adapted to control the
indicators 120. For example, in certain embodiments, the game
control component 140 may communicate with one or more indicators
120 associated with a winning number 130 and direct these
indicators 120 to become illuminated. While players who wagered on
the winning number 130 may win their wager, players who wagered on
a number 130 associated with the illuminated indicators 120 also
may win their wager as well. As another example, the game control
component 140 may communicate with one or more indicators 120 to
indicate associated additional winning numbers 130.
[0025] In certain embodiments, the game control component 140 is
adapted to determine an additional winning number 130. In certain
embodiments, a plurality of additional winning numbers 130 are
determined. For example, two additional winning numbers 130 may be
determined in addition to the winning number 130, for example
numbers adjacent to the wining number on the wheel or one the
wagering layout. In certain embodiments, a random number of
additional winning numbers 130 are determined. For example, in one
game, a single additional winning number 130 may be determined and
in a second game, three additional winning numbers 130 may be
determined.
[0026] In certain embodiments, an additional winning number 130 is
adjacent to the winning number 130. For example, if the winning
number 130 is "4," then the additional winning number 130 may be
"21." In certain embodiments, an additional winning number 130 is
not adjacent to the winning number 130. In certain embodiments, an
additional winning number 130 is opposite the winning number 130.
For example, if the winning number 130 is "26," then the additional
winning number 130 may be "10" for a wheel 110 as illustrated in
FIG. 1.
[0027] In certain embodiments, a range of adjacent numbers 130 is
selected as additional winning numbers 130. For example, if the
winning number 130 is "29," then the additional winning numbers 130
may include the range "7," "28," "12," and "35." As another
example, if the winning number 130 is "29," then the additional
winning numbers 130 may include the range "1," "20," and "14."
[0028] In certain embodiments, one or more numbers 130 adjacent to
one side of winning number 130 are selected as additional winning
numbers, with the side being randomly selected by game control
component 140. For example, if number "11" is the winning number
130 in a game of roulette, the game control component 140 may
randomly select the direction in which indicators 120 are
illuminated to indicate selected additional winning numbers 130.
Therefore, if the game control component 140 selects numbers 130 to
the left of "11," then one or more of indicators 120 associated
with numbers "36," "13," and so on, is illuminated. Conversely, if
the game control component 140 selects numbers 130 to the right of
"11," then one or more of indicators 120 associated with numbers
"30," "8," and so on, is illuminated.
[0029] In certain embodiments, an additional winning number 130 is
selected randomly from the plurality of numbers 130. For example,
an additional winning number 130 may be selected randomly,
independent of the winning number 130. As another example, an
additional winning number 130 may be selected to be a random
distance from the winning number 130. For example, if the winning
number 130 is "35," the additional winning numbers 130 may be
selected to be four numbers away: "32" and "29." In certain
embodiments an additional winning number 130 is predetermined.
[0030] The odds or payouts for the wagers placed on the winning
number 130 and/or additional winning numbers 130 may vary in
accordance with embodiments of the presently described technology.
For example, the payout or odds on a wager placed on a number that
is an additional winning number 130 may be less than or greater
than the odds or payout on the winning number 130.
[0031] In an embodiment of the presently described technology, a
wager placed on a number 130 that is an additional winning number
130 wins (or is paid) only if the player making the wager also paid
an additional amount to be eligible for the additional winning
number 130 associated with an illuminated indicator 120. That is, a
regular wager on the additional winning number 130 is insufficient.
The player must also pay an additional amount to be eligible for
such a win or payout.
[0032] In an embodiment of the presently described technology, an
additional winning number 130 is not determined in every game. For
example, the game control component 140 may randomly select which
games of roulette have a nudge occur. That is, in this embodiment,
not every game of roulette results in additional indicators 120
becoming illuminated once the ball comes to rest at a winning
number 130. Instead, for example, at random games of roulette (with
"game" indicating a new wagering opportunity for players), the game
control component 140 causes indicators 120 to be illuminated while
in other games, no indicators 120 are illuminated. In certain
embodiments, additional winning numbers are selected based on
elapsed time. For example, a nudge may occur 10 times per hour. In
certain embodiments, a nudge occurs when a particular number of
players and/or wagers are made. For example, a nudge may only occur
when at least 5 players are playing the game.
[0033] In an embodiment of the presently described technology, the
nudge occurs for a random number of indicators 120. For example,
the game control component 140 may cause a randomly selected number
of indicators 120 to become illuminated. In this way, the number of
winning illuminated indicators 120 may be randomized for each game
of roulette.
[0034] In an embodiment of the presently described technology,
wagers on numbers 130 that are additional winning numbers 130 are
treated as "mulligans." That is, if a player wagers on a number 130
that is an additional winning number 130, that player does not win
any additional amount, but instead is given his/her wager back. In
this way, the wager is treated similar to a "push" in blackjack.
This embodiment therefore provides players with free plays (a
non-loss of a wager and return of wager, for example) when their
wagers are associated with non-winning numbers 130 but that are
associated with an additional winning number 130.
[0035] In an embodiment of the presently described technology, the
wheel 110 is embodied in a video format. That is, the wheel 110 is
presented graphically on a display device, such as a CRT, LCD, or
computer monitor.
[0036] In an embodiment, multiple roulette wheels 110 are presented
graphically on a display device. In such an embodiment, one
roulette wheel 110 represents a roulette game where the winning
number 130 is selected. The one or more other roulette wheels 110
is used to generate or select one or more "nudge" numbers 130. That
is, the additional winning numbers 130 are determined by playing
one or more additional roulette games on additional graphically
presented roulette wheels 110. The additional games may be played
prior to, after, or concurrent with the roulette game used to
select the winning number 130, for example.
[0037] In another embodiment of the presently described technology,
multiple balls may be used in a single roulette wheel 110 (whether
wheel 110 is an actual wheel or is a graphically represented wheel
presented on a display device as described above) to determine
multiple winning numbers 130. In addition, a plurality of balls may
be used to determine a winning number 130 and one or more
additional winning numbers 130. For example, one or more additional
balls spun around on wheel 110 may be used to determine the
additional winning numbers 130. In an embodiment, the balls used
may be of different colors and/or diameters, for example, in order
to differentiate between the ball that represents the winning
number 130 and the ball(s) that represent additional winning
numbers 130 (the nudge numbers 130), as described above. This
multiple ball embodiment may be presented in a video display, for
example. That is, the multiple balls and roulette wheel 110 may be
graphically presented on a display device, for example. In another
example, a plurality of concentric wheels 110 may be presented on a
display device, with each wheel 110 having one or more balls spun
thereon to determine a winning number 130 on one wheel 130 and one
or more additional winning numbers 130 or nudge numbers 130
determined on each of one or more wheels 130.
[0038] The game control component 140 may be implemented as a
computer or "CPU", for example. In addition, various devices and
apparatuses comprising a processor and capable of carrying out one
or more functions at the direction of a set of instructions for a
computer (such as computer software applications or code) may be
used as game control component 140 without departing from the scope
of embodiments of the presently described technology.
[0039] Certain embodiments of the system 100 may be implemented in
software, firmware, and/or hardware, for example. For example,
certain embodiments may be implemented as a set of instructions or
routines stored on a machine-readable medium, such as a CD, DVD,
CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, hard disk, floppy disk, RAM, ROM, flash memory,
and/or other medium, for execution on a computer and/or other
processing device. Certain embodiments may be implemented on a
standalone gaming terminal, a bank of gaming terminals, a network
of gaming terminals, and/or a client-server system communicating
with one or more gaming terminals and/or other devices, for
example.
[0040] FIG. 2 illustrates a flow diagram for a method 200 for
roulette gaming according to an embodiment of the present
invention. The method 200 includes the following steps, which will
be described below in more detail. At step 210, a winning number is
determined. At step 220, an additional winning number is
determined. At step 230, the additional winning number is
indicated. The method 200 is described with reference to elements
of systems described above, but it should be understood that other
implementations are possible.
[0041] At step 210, a winning number is determined. The winning
number may be similar to the winning number 130, discussed above,
for example. The winning number may be determined using a wheel
similar to the wheel 110, discussed above, for example. The winning
number may be selected using traditional roulette methods, such as
placing a ball on the spinning wheel 110, for example. As another
example, the winning number may be selected randomly and/or using a
virtual ball, such as in an electronic roulette game.
[0042] As discussed above, in a traditional game of roulette, a
player makes one or more wagers based on where the player believes
a ball will stop on a roulette wheel. For example, in the
traditional game, the roulette wheel is spun and a ball is placed
on the wheel. At some point in time, the ball may land on a track
or pocket associated with one of the numbers on the roulette wheel.
In the traditional roulette game, the number at which the ball
stops moving is the winning number.
[0043] At step 220, an additional winning number is determined. The
additional winning number may be similar to the additional winning
number 130, discussed above, for example. In accordance with
embodiments of the presently described technology, additional
opportunities are provided for players of roulette to win. In
addition to the winning number selected as described above at step
210, one or more additional numbers are determined to be additional
winning numbers. The determination of the additional winning
number(s) is referred to as a "nudge."
[0044] In certain embodiments, a plurality of additional winning
numbers are determined. For example, two additional winning numbers
may be determined in addition to the winning number determined at
step 210, discussed above. In certain embodiments, a random number
of additional winning numbers are determined. For example, in one
game, a single additional winning number may be determined and in a
second game, three additional winning numbers may be
determined.
[0045] In certain embodiments, the additional winning number is
determined by a game control component 140. The game control
component may be similar to the game control component 140,
discussed above, for example.
[0046] At step 230, the additional winning number is indicated. The
additional winning number may be the additional winning number
determined at step 220, discussed above, for example. The
additional winning number may be indicated by one or more
indicators, for example. The indicators may be similar to the
indicators 120, discussed above, for example.
[0047] In certain embodiments, each indicator is associated with a
number. Each indicator is adapted to indicate and/or display the
associated number. In certain embodiments, the indicators are used
to identify the additional winning number(s). In certain
embodiments, an indicator is used to identify the winning number
determined at step 210, discussed above.
[0048] The indicator may be a light, light emitting diode (LED), or
other visual device, for example. For example, indicators may be
embodied in lights that illuminate when selected or activated,
thereby differentiating one illuminated indicator from other,
non-illuminated indicators. In another example, indicators may be
embodied in the numbers, similar to the numbers 130, discussed
above. That is, when a number is selected or activated, the number
itself may be illuminated as indicator. In certain embodiments, the
indicator may be a display screen listing additional winning
numbers.
[0049] In certain embodiments, a game control component similar to
the game control component 140 is adapted to control the
indicators. For example, in certain embodiments, the game control
component may communicate with one or more indicators associated
with an additional winning number (such as the one determined at
step 220, discussed above) and direct these indicators to become
illuminated.
[0050] One or more of the steps of the method 200 may be
implemented alone or in combination in hardware, firmware, and/or
as a set of instructions in software, for example. Certain
embodiments may be provided as a set of instructions residing on a
computer-readable medium, such as a memory, hard disk, DVD, or CD,
for execution on a general purpose computer or other processing
device.
[0051] Certain embodiments of the present invention may omit one or
more of these steps and/or perform the steps in a different order
than the order listed. For example, some steps may not be performed
in certain embodiments of the present invention. As a further
example, certain steps may be performed in a different temporal
order, including simultaneously, than listed above.
[0052] Thus, certain embodiments provide systems and methods for
nudge roulette. Certain embodiments have a technical effect of
nudge roulette.
[0053] While particular elements, embodiments and applications of
the present invention have been shown and described, it is
understood that the invention is not limited thereto since
modifications may be made by those skilled in the art, particularly
in light of the foregoing teaching. It is therefore contemplated by
the appended claims to cover such modifications and incorporate
those features that come within the spirit and scope of the
invention.
* * * * *