U.S. patent application number 12/523078 was filed with the patent office on 2010-03-25 for social game.
This patent application is currently assigned to VIDEOB HOLDINGS LIMITED. Invention is credited to Sagi Harari, Silver Teigar.
Application Number | 20100075734 12/523078 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38180314 |
Filed Date | 2010-03-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100075734 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Harari; Sagi ; et
al. |
March 25, 2010 |
SOCIAL GAME
Abstract
A method and apparatus for enabling multiple players to
participate in an online game in a landbased gaming terminal. Each
player is associated with a color or a pattern, by selecting the
color or pattern using for example buttons on the screen. The
player deposits money, places a wager, and chooses a number or
color to bet on using his or her unique color. Once the game is
activated, the terminal determines for each player his or her
balance and winning according to the result of the game. Each
player can individually cash his or her balance, or all players can
cash their balances at once.
Inventors: |
Harari; Sagi; (Douglas,
GB) ; Teigar; Silver; (Douglas, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OLIFF & BERRIDGE, PLC
P.O. BOX 320850
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22320-4850
US
|
Assignee: |
VIDEOB HOLDINGS LIMITED
Douglas, Isle of Man
UK
|
Family ID: |
38180314 |
Appl. No.: |
12/523078 |
Filed: |
January 15, 2007 |
PCT Filed: |
January 15, 2007 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IB07/50118 |
371 Date: |
July 14, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/17 ;
463/42 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/34 20130101;
G07F 17/3286 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/17 ;
463/42 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A terminal for enabling at least two players to simultaneously
play a game, the terminal comprising: at least two coded buttons,
wherein each of the at least two players presses a different coded
button prior to depositing a sum or prior to placing a bet or prior
to choosing a bet sum; a display, the display displaying: at least
two coded numeric displays for displaying an one or more of the
group consisting of: balance, a winning sum, a losing sum, or a bet
sum, for each of the at least two players, wherein each coded
numeric display corresponds to one of the at least two coded
buttons; and a presentation of the game.
2. The terminal of claim 1 wherein the game is a roulette game.
3. The terminal of claim 2 wherein the presentation of the game
shows a roulette wheel divided into a predetermined number of
parts, wherein each part carries a different number.
4. The terminal of claim 2 wherein the presentation of the game
shows a roulette wheel divided into thirty-seven parts, each of the
thirty-seven parts carrying a number ranging between zero and
thirty-six, wherein each part carries a different number.
5. The terminal of claim 1 wherein the game is a baccarat game.
6. The terminal of claim 1 wherein the at least two coded buttons
are touch-sensitive areas on the display.
7. The terminal of claim 1 wherein the at least two coded buttons
and the at least two coded numeric displays are color coded.
8. The terminal of claim 1 wherein the at least two coded buttons
and the at least two coded numeric displays are pattern coded.
9. The terminal of claim 1 wherein the terminal further comprises a
numeric keypad for entering a number.
10. The terminal of claim 9 wherein the number is a voucher
number.
11. The terminal of claim 9 wherein the number is a credit card
number.
12. The terminal of claim 1 further comprising an at least one
betting button for indicating a bet.
13. The terminal of claim 12 wherein the at least one betting
button is selected from the group consisting of: a button denoting
the numbers between one and eighteen; a button denoting the numbers
between nineteen and thirty-six; a button indicating odd numbers;
or a button indicating even numbers.
14. The terminal of claim 1 comprising a display having a first
window for showing the roulette wheel and a second window for
enabling the at least two players to deposit a sum, to play a
roulette game pr to cash out money.
15. The terminal of claim 1 comprising a display having a single
window presenting displays alternating between showing the roulette
wheel and enabling the at least two players to deposit a sum, to
play a roulette game pr to cash out money.
16. A method for playing a game using a terminal by at least two
players, the method comprising the steps of: activating a button
associated with one of the at least two players; each of the at
least two players depositing a sum; each of the at least two
players placing a bet; each of the of the at least two players
indicating a bet sum; activating a button to activate the game; and
determining a sum won or lost by each of the at least two
players.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein the button associated with one
of the at least two players is color coded.
18. The method of claim 16 wherein the button associated with one
of the at least two players is pattern coded.
19. The method of claim 16 further comprising a step of displaying
the sum won or lost by each of the at least two players.
20. The method of claim 16 further comprising a step of cashing out
a balance by at least one of the at least two players.
21. The method of claim 16 wherein the game is a roulette game.
22. The method of claim 16 wherein the game is a baccarat game.
23. A computer readable storage medium containing a set of
instructions for a general purpose computer, the set of
instructions comprising: activating a button associated with one of
at least two players; each of the at least two players depositing a
sum; each of the at least two players placing a bet; each of the of
the at least two players indicating a bet sum; activating a spin
button to spin a roulette wheel; and determining a sum won or lost
by each of the at least two players.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a social game in general,
and to a terminal for multi-player mini roulette in particular.
[0003] 2. Discussion of the Related Art
[0004] Games involving betting are popular. An example to such a
game is a roulette game which involves spinning a walled wheel
comprising thirty seven parts, numbered zero to thirty six. A small
ball spins within the wheel, and when the wheel and the ball come
to a stop, the part of the wheel on which the ball stopped is the
winning number. Prior to spinning the wheel one or more players
place their bets. Each bet can be a number between one and thirty
six. Alternatively, a player can bet on the number to be odd, even,
in the range of zero to twelve, thirteen to twenty-four, or
twenty-five to thirty-six. If the ball stops on the part marked
with a zero, the game operator collects the bets.
[0005] Traditional games, including roulettes are social games,
wherein an operator activates the game and collects the bets from
multiple players. Another type of games is terminal-based games,
such as terminal-based roulette, wherein a player is using a gaming
terminal, which imitates the traditional game. In such roulette
terminals, either a physical wheel is rotated, or a computerized
illustration is provided. However, each such gaming terminal is
limited to one person playing at a time. If a number of people wish
to play simultaneously, they either have to take turns, or to
decide on a common bet and keep track of their relative
contributions to the bet, and calculate their winnings and loses,
which often leads to disputes.
[0006] There is therefore a need for a gaming terminal that would
enable a multiplicity of people to play a game simultaneously using
a terminal, without having to agree on a bet or to keep the balance
of each individual's winnings or loses.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel
method and apparatus for enabling multiple players to participate
in an online game, without having to keep track of each player's
balance. The disclosed invention provides a terminal which
associates a color with each player, so that the deposit, bet,
balance and cash out of each player are displayed with this color
so that different players' actions and balances are easily
distinguishable.
[0008] In accordance with the disclosed invention, there is thus
provided a terminal for enabling two or more players to
simultaneously play a game, the terminal comprising: two or more
coded buttons, wherein each player presses a different coded button
prior to depositing a sum or prior to placing a bet or prior to
choosing a bet sum; a display, the display displaying: two or more
coded numeric displays for displaying a balance or a winning or
losing sum for each of player, wherein each coded numeric display
corresponds to one coded button; and a presentation of the game.
The game is optionally a roulette game, and the presentation of the
game preferably shows a roulette wheel divided into thirty-seven
parts, each of the thirty-seven parts carrying a number ranging
between zero and thirty-six, wherein each part carries a different
number. The game can also be a baccarat game, or any other
game.
[0009] Within the terminal, the coded buttons are touch-sensitive
areas in a display. Within the terminal, the coded buttons and the
coded numeric displays are optionally color or pattern coded. The
terminal optionally comprises a numeric keypad for entering a
number. The number is optionally a voucher number, or a credit card
number. The terminal optionally comprises a betting button for
indicating a bet. The betting button can be selected from the group
consisting of: a button denoting the numbers between one and
eighteen; a button denoting the numbers between nineteen and
thirty-six; button indicating odd numbers; or a button indicating
even numbers. The terminal optionally comprises a display having a
first window for showing the roulette wheel and a second window for
enabling the players to deposit a sum, to play a roulette game or
to cash out money. The terminal can comprise a display having a
single window presenting displays alternating between showing the
roulette wheel and enabling the players to deposit a sum, to play a
roulette game or to cash out money.
[0010] Another aspect of the disclosed invention relates to a
method for playing a game using a terminal by two or more players,
the method comprising the steps of: activating a button associated
with one player; each player depositing a sum; each of player
placing a bet; each player indicating a bet sum; activating a
button to start the game; and determining a sum won or lost by each
player. Within the method, the button associated with one player
can be color coded or pattern coded. The method can further
comprise a step of displaying the sum won or lost by each player,
or a step of cashing out a balance by a player. Within the method,
the game can be a roulette game or a baccarat game.
[0011] Yet another aspect of the disclosed invention relates to a
computer readable storage medium containing a set of instructions
for a general purpose computer, the set of instructions comprising:
activating a button associated with one of two or more players;
each of player depositing a sum; each player placing a bet; each
player indicating a bet sum; activating a spin button to spin a
roulette wheel; and determining a sum won or lost by each
player.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] Non-limiting embodiments of the invention will be described
with reference to the following description of exemplary
embodiments, in conjunction with the figures. The figures are
generally not shown to scale and any sizes are only meant to be
exemplary and not necessarily limiting. In the figures, identical
structures, elements or parts that appear in more than one figure
are preferably labeled with a same or similar number in all the
figures in which they appear, in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a gaming terminal in a
deposit state, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
disclosed invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a gaming terminal in a
bet state, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
disclosed invention;
[0015] FIG. 3 is an illustration of a landbased gaming terminal in
a playing state, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the
disclosed invention;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the main components of the
instructions code executed by a gaming terminal, in accordance with
a preferred embodiment of the disclosed invention;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the main steps performed when
playing a multi-player roulette, in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the disclosed invention; and
[0018] FIG. 6 is an illustration of the disclosed invention, when
used in a terminal for playing a game of baccarat.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0019] The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the
prior art by providing a novel solution which enhances and adds to
the capabilities of currently available online games, and discloses
multi-player games, such as multi-player roulette or baccarat
games.
[0020] In a preferred embodiment of the disclosed invention, a
gaming terminal is providing players with a game, such as a
roulette game. Unlike ordinary gaming terminals, a terminal
according to the disclosed invention supports deposits by multiple
players, wherein each player is assigned a differentiating factor,
such as a distinct color or pattern. The terminal lets each player
to deposit or cash-out separately, by letting the player indicate
his color (or other factor), for example by pushing a button prior
to performing the relevant operation. When the terminal is in
"play" state, each player selects the bet sum and makes his own
choices, again, after choosing his or her assigned color. The bet
sum and total balance are displayed for each player and are
indicated by the relevant color. After the game was activated, for
example in roulette after the wheel as spun and has stopped, and
the result is known, each user's balance is calculated based on his
or her previous balance, bet sum and result, and the win and new
balance are displayed.
[0021] Reference is now made to FIG. 1, showing a roulette gaming
terminal according to the disclosed invention in a deposit or
cash-out state. The terminal shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 is
generally a commercially available terminal, such as Butterfly
manufactured by Favola of Italy (www.favolasrl.it), or Nevada
manufactured by Tab-Austria (www.tab.at). The terminal comprises a
memory and CPU (no shown) for running one or more applications,
such as the disclosed roulette application. The terminal can run
any operating system, such as any type of Windows operating system
by Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Linux, or others. Each
application is preferably a collection of machine instructions and
data structures cooperating to provide the desired effect, and
implemented in software, hardware, or a combination thereof. The
instructions can be provided in any programming language and in any
format, such as an executable, a collection of methods, functions,
libraries, DLLs or others. The terminal can further comprise a
connection to a communication network such as the internet, so that
updates or changes to the provided applications can be downloaded.
The terminal is preferably further provisioned with a storage
device (not shown) for storing the application and data of the
game. The terminal comprises a display, such as LCD, CRT, or
others, showing the options available to a user, the ongoing game
and additional data, such as balance. The display is preferably a
touch screen, wherein screen areas produce an event which initiates
an action when pressed. Using touch screen enables the addition or
deletion of buttons or parts of the display so as to enable a more
complex or simple presentation of the progress of the game. The
addition or deletion can be performed either constantly or
dynamically as the game evolves, Thus, for example, if at a certain
point in the game no more bets can be placed, the betting button is
removed or disabled, i.e. does not respond to press. Alternatively,
the terminal can comprise physical buttons, mechanical levers or
other elements which produce actions relevant to the game, and the
display only presents the game and information to the players. The
terminal shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 enables a common game
of up to six players at a time. It will be appreciated, however,
that a terminal can be designed to enable any other predetermined
number of players. The display of terminal 100 preferably comprises
a top window 104 and a bottom window 128. Top window 104 is
identical in deposit state, cash-out state and play state, and will
be discussed in detail in association with FIG. 3 below. In
deposit/cash-out state, the user first chooses a color, by pushing
any of buttons 132, 134, 136, 138, 140 or 142. In FIG. 1 the
buttons are indicated by different patterns, wherein a real
terminal would preferably use colors. Once a color is chosen, frame
143 of numeric keypad 130 assumes the pattern or color of the
pushed button, and arrow 156 points at the pushed button. The user
can then type, using numeric keypad 130 located on window 128, a
number associated with a voucher for which he or she already paid
at a cashier. Alternatively the user can type in a user name and a
password, a membership card number, a voucher number or credit card
details, and a sum to be deposited. Once the user enters the
voucher number or otherwise introduces a deposit, his or her
account is credited, and the balance appearing in the corresponding
display reflects the updated sum. For example, if the user pushed
button 134, arrow 156 will point at button 134, and frame 143 will
assume the color of button 1.34. Then, once the user typed the
number of a voucher worth for example 50$ using numerical keypad
130, the number displayed in display 118 will increase in 50$. Once
all players deposited money, a player hits play button 148 and the
terminal changes the displays into a display of a play state, shown
in FIG. 3. When one or more users wish to cash out their balance,
one of them pushes cash-out button 146.
[0022] Referring now to FIG. 2, showing the terminal in cash-out
mode. The top part of the screen is identical to the top part of
the screen in FIG. 1. In lower part 200 of the terminal, the user
can choose whether to push cash-out all button 204, or any of
buttons 208, 210, 212, 214, 216, or 218. If the user selected, for
example button 208, arrow 220 will be highlighted, to point at the
player cashing out. Then, when any user presses cash-out button
224, the terminal cashes out all balances if cash out all button
204 was pressed, or the balance associated with the specific color,
if a specific color was selected using buttons 208, 210, 212, 214,
216, or 218. In cashing out the balance can be provided in cash, in
an individual voucher for each player, in a common voucher to al
players, in crediting an account or the like.
[0023] Referring now to FIG. 3, showing the roulette terminal in
play mode. In play mode, as well as in deposit or cash out mode,
the gaming terminal, generally referenced 300 displays a top window
304 and a bottom window 302. Using bottom window 302, each player
first pushes one of buttons 310, 312, 314, 316, 318 or 320, to
indicate the color he or she is associated with. Frame 324 then
optionally changes its color to indicate the color associated with
the user, and the player selects the sum he wishes to place as
wager on, by pressing or otherwise activating any one of buttons
328. After selecting a button, when the user selects one or more of
the squares numbered one to thirty-six, and an indication to the
bet sum is shown on that square. Alternatively, the player can
select one to eighteen button 344, nineteen to thirty-six button
348, "red" button 350, or "black" button "352". The wager appears
in bet indication 330, 332, 334, 336, 338 or 340, according to the
color associated with the player. Once a player finished entering
the bet and the bet sum, the turn goes to another player who
repeats the process. Thus, on each number or part on which a player
placed wager, such as square 2 of numbered squares 375, or numbers
nineteen to thirty six button 348, coins are illustrated, wherein
each coin is illustrated in the color of the player who placed it
and carries the relevant sum as chosen by the player. Once all
participating players entered the sum and the wager, one player
hits spin button 360. The illustrated roulette wheel 364 on top
window 304 is then illustrated as spinning, and eventually stops.
Once the illustration of the spinning wheel stops, wherever
illustrated small ball 368 is present is the winning number. The
winnings of each player are then calculated according to the result
and the sum he or she bet on, and displayed in displays 370, 372,
374, 376, 378 and 380, according to the colors chosen by the
participating players. Displays 248, 250, 252, 254, 256 and 258
preferably display the winnings of each player per the specific
round (depending on the specific winning number, whether the number
is odd or even, the range the winning number belongs to or the
like), and the balance of each player is preferably displayed in
display 380, 382, 384, 386, 388 and 390, on lower screen 302,
respectively. History bar 395 preferably displays the results of
the last predetermined number of rounds.
[0024] Referring now to FIG. 4, showing the main modules or other
components associated with enabling a gaming terminal to provide
the multiplayer roulette game. The disclosed implementation is
exemplary only, and other divisions or combinations of the
instructions and components can be implemented to perform or enable
the methods of the disclosed invention without departing from the
spirit of the description which follows. The components are
generally composed of graphical user interface (GUI) components 454
and logic components 458. GUI components 454 and logic components
458 interact, such that the displayed information is influenced by
decisions and other operations performed by logic components, and
the logic components act on data received from the user through the
GUI. GUI components include a colored buttons mechanism 462, which
enables a user to select a colored (or otherwise patterned button)
and reflects the selection by coloring other screen elements, such
as frame 143 or coin buttons 224 of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2,
respectively. Deposit mechanism 466 handles receiving the voucher
number from a player, and transferring it to communication
component 470 for receiving the sum associated with the voucher.
Bet sum and bet per player component 470 enables a player to enter
a bet sum and bet contents, and associate them with a specific
color, and thus with a specific deposit. GUI components further
comprise a game activation mechanism 474, such as a roulette
spinning mechanism, for displaying a spinning wheel and little
ball, in an imitation to a physical roulette. Game activation
component 474 notifies the logic components of the winning number,
in order to enable balance determination. An optional component of
GUI components 454 is history display component 478 for displaying
results associated with previous rounds. The displayed data is
retrieved from history keeping component 478. Logic components 458
comprise a communication component 480 for communicating with a
cashier or another point of sale. In a preferred embodiment, one or
more terminals are connected to a game server comprising a random
number generator, which determines a winning number for each round
in each terminal. In these embodiments, communication component 480
is optionally used also for communicating with the game server
receiving the result, such as the winning number for the round. The
communications include receiving a sum associated with a voucher,
and for transmitting a sum associated with a voucher provided to a
user at cash-out. The communication component can also be used for
updates to the software, rules, advertisements displayed to players
or the like. Another component of logic components 458 is winning
determination 482, for determining the wins or loses of each
player, according to the bet sum and the result. Balance
maintenance per player component 484 maintains the balance for each
player, according to the sums deposited by the specific player, the
roulette result and the win or lose determined by component 482.
History keeping component 488 receives a current result from game
activation component 474, and provides the last predetermined
number of results to history display component 478.
[0025] Referring now to FIG. 5, showing a flowchart of the main
steps in using the roulette terminal of the disclosed invention.
The process starts at user input steps 504. At step 506 a player
activates a coded button, thus associating a coding such as the
color of the button with himself for the game. At step 508 a player
deposits a sum, using keypad 130 of FIG. 1, in order to enter a
voucher number. Alternatively, a player can insert bills or coins
into the machine. At step 512, the user places his bet, using
buttons 228, 230, 232, 234 or 236, and at step 516 the user
indicates, using buttons 224 the bet sum. User input steps 504,
including steps 506, 508, 512, 516 can be performed in any desired
order. User input steps 504 can be performed consecutively by one
player, or different players can perform any one of steps 506, 508,
512, 516 followed by a different player performing the same step or
another one. At each stage, if there is a vacant spot, i.e. not all
colors of the terminal are used, new players can join the game.
Once user input steps 504 are done for all players, the game is
activated at step 520 as a response to pressing or otherwise
activating button 240 of FIG. 2. At step 524 the balance is
determined and displayed for each player, based on the previous
balance, the bet sum, the bet and the roulette wheel stopping
point. After activation step 520, either another game can take
place right away, or any one or more players can deposit money,
change their bet, or change their betting sum. At step 528, one or
more players can cash out their balance. The other players can also
cash out their balance, go back to step 504 and deposit, set a bet
or set a bet sum, or go back to step 520 and activate the game with
the same settings.
[0026] It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that
the disclosed invention is not limited to a game of roulette, but
can rather be used for a multi-player version of any online game.
Such games may include any game in which every player plays against
the house, i.e. the computerized system, rather than against
another player. The same model can be used in all these games,
wherein a player chooses a color, a pattern or another distinctive
feature, deposits a sum and places a bet using the indicative
feature, and his or her bet, win, and balance are presented using
the distinctive feature. The display preferably further shows an
illustration, a video, or another presentation of a game.
[0027] Referring now to FIG. 6, showing an exemplary implementation
of the disclosed invention to a baccarat game. On lower screen 400,
each player places his bet on the player, banker, or tie, so that
the coins 404 indicating the bet are colored, patterned, or
otherwise indicated according to the player's indication. The
players' respective balances and bets are shown in areas 416, 418,
420, 422, 424 and 426. Clicking play button 402 will start the card
drawing. Upper screen 408 shows the result of a particular game,
such as drawn cards 412, and the respective player's wins 426, 428,
430, 432, 434, and 436. As mentioned above, the method and
apparatus can be used for any other game played by a group of
players, so that the wins and balances determination is done
automatically, and the players do not have to do the calculations
manually.
[0028] The disclosed invention suggests a method and apparatus for
enabling a group of users to participate simultaneously in an
online game. The number of players that can play simultaneously is
not limited, and is generally determined by taking into account
considerations such as maximal number of players who can still
stand around the terminal and see it, buttons size or color range,
or the like. It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art
that the disclosed invention is not limited to the exemplary
displayed terminals and other terminals, having different user
interfaces can be designed without departing form the spirit of the
disclosed invention. In particular, a terminal having a single
screen can be used. When using a single-screen terminal, the
display on the single screen optionally alternates between
different modes such as payment, placing a wager and making
selections relevant to the game according to users' selections and
actions.
[0029] The present invention has been described using non-limiting
detailed descriptions of embodiments thereof that are provided by
way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the
invention. It should be understood that features described with
respect to one embodiment may be used with other embodiments and
that not all embodiments of the invention have all of the features
shown in a particular figure or described with respect to one of
the embodiments. It is noted that some of the above described
embodiments may describe the best mode contemplated by the
inventors and therefore include structure, acts or details of
structures and acts that may not be essential to the invention and
which are described as examples.
[0030] The present invention is not limited to what has been
particularly shown and described hereinabove. Structure and acts
described herein are replaceable by equivalents, which perform the
same function, even if the structure or acts are different, as
known in the art. The scope of the present invention is defined
only by the claims which follow. When used in the following claims,
the terms "comprise", "include", "have" and their conjugates mean
"including but not limited to".
* * * * *