Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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GAMING SYSTEM AND GAME CONTROLLER
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to game controllers and
gaming systems using dice to generate a result for use in
a game outcome.
Background of the Invention
Use of automatic electronic gaming systems in the gambling
industry is popular. Some known electronic gaming
machines use mechanical motion to produce a random result
upon which a game outcome is based in accordance with game
rules. Some electronic gaming systems are based on
traditional casino games such as dice games which
electronically read the result of a dice throw or roll.
Known dice gaming systems use optical sensors to read
indicators, typically a number or a pattern of dots, on
the uppermost surface of a dice at rest on a table to
determine the result of a dice roll. A known problem with
optical detection systems is that the accuracy of the read
result may be compromised by environmental noise such as
reflections or changing light conditions. Such
limitations of optical dice reading systems can also be
prone to fraudulent exploitation where a machine is
tricked into reading a false result.
Summary of the Invention
An aspect provides a result generator for a gaming system
comprising:
one or more dice, each die having a plurality of
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facets each facet provided with an identification circuit
having a readable identification code which is unique
within the random number generator;
a support platform having an upper surface for
supporting the dice while at rest;
an agitator adapted to cause mechanical movement of
the dice to generate a random dice roll result;
a dice reader disposed below the upper surface of the
support platform comprising a plurality of electronic
detectors adapted to read the identification code of each
dice facet resting against the upper surface of the dice
support platform to determine the dice roll result.
In an embodiment the agitator is operatively connected to
the support platform to move the support platform to cause
the dice roll. For example, the agitator can move the
support platform in accordance with a given sequence of
movements comprising one or more throw movements and one
or more vibrations. An example of the given sequence of
movements to generate the dice roll comprises:
a first initiating movement to initiate movement of
the dice;
a first vibration at a first vibration level adapted
to cause continued motion of the dice;
a second initiating movement; and
a second vibration at a second vibration level lower
than the first vibration level to assist the dice in
attaining a rest state wherein one dice facet of each die
rests against the upper surface of the support platform.
The initiating movement can be a rapid mechanical
movement.
in an embodiment each identification circuit is adapted to
transmit the identification code in response to a query
signal. In an embodiment the electronic detectors of the
dice reader each comprise a coil for transmission and
reception of electromagnetic signals, the coils being
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arranged in a substantially planar array substantially
parallel to the support surface and each coil electrically
connected to a demodulation and control circuit comprising
one or more demodulators and a controller. Each coil can
be selectively activated via the controller to send query
signals for reception by an identification circuit of a
dice facet resting on the support surface, and receive any
identification code signal transmitted in reply for
demodulation.
In an embodiment the array of coils comprises a first
layer of coils arranged in a grid pattern and a second
layer of coils positioned below the first layer, arranged
in a grid pattern offset laterally from the first layer
such that each coil of the second layer partially overlaps
one or more coils of the first layer.
In an embodiment the relative positions of the coil array
and support platform can be adjusted laterally and dice
reading includes the steps of executing a first dice
reading pass wherein each coil is selectively activated
for reading identification circuits with the coil array in
a first position relative to the support platform,
changing the relative position of the coil array to a
second position relative to the support platform, and
executing a second dice reading pass wherein each coil is
selectively activated for reading identification circuits.
For example, the coil array can be laterally movable
relative to the support platform.
In an embodiment two or more dice are provided and the
dice reader is adapted to detect for each die the position
of the die on the support surface and the identification
code of the facet against the support platform.
In an embodiment the dice reader can be adapted to detect
for each die an identical die position and identification
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code of the facet against the support platform a plurality
of times to determine a dice roll result.
In an embodiment an identical position and identification
code must be detected for each die four times to determine
a valid dice roll result upon which a game outcome may be
based.
In an embodiment each identification circuit is an
io induction powered identification circuit. In an
embodiment identification circuit power is induced from
electromagnetic fields generated by the detectors. For
example, each identification circuit can be a radio
frequency identification (RFID) tags attached to or
embedded in a facet of the dice.
In one embodiment each dice facet includes an illuminator
,adapted to illuminate the facet and coupled to the
identification circuit of an opposite facet, such that an
uppermost facet of a die will be illuminated when an
identification code of a facet resting on the support
surface is read. The illuminator can be powered by the
power induced in the identification circuit of the
opposite facet by the detectors.
in an embodiment each dice includes one or more shields
adapted to significantly attenuate any power induction and
signals of the identification circuits of dice facets to
inhibit the detector reading signals from dice facets
other than a dice facet resting on the dice support
platform.
According to another aspect there is provided a game
controller comprising:
a result generator comprising:
one or more dice, each die having a
plurality of facets each facet provided with an
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identification circuit having a readable
identification code which is unique within the
random number generator;
a support platform having an upper surface
5 for supporting the dice while at rest;
an agitator adapted to cause mechanical
movement of the dice to generate a random dice
roll result; and
a dice reader disposed below the upper
surface of the support platform comprising a
plurality of electronic detectors adapted to
read the identification code of each dice facet
resting against the upper surface of the support
platform while to determine the dice roll
result,
an outcome evaluator adapted to apply game rules to a
roll result of the result generator and determine one
or more game outcomes for each player based on game
play instructions and wagers received from each
player.
According to another aspect there is provided game system
comprising:
one or more player terminals, each adapted to
receive wagers and game play instructions from a
player and display game outcomes to the player;
a game controller comprising:
a result generator comprising:
one or more dice, each die having a
plurality of facets each facet provided
with an identification circuit having a
readable identification code which is
unique within the random number generator;
a support platform having an upper
surface for supporting the dice while at
rest;
an agitator adapted to cause
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mechanical movement of the dice to generate
a random dice roll result; and
a dice reader disposed below the upper
surface of the support platform comprising
a plurality of electronic detectors adapted
to read the identification code of each
dice facet resting against the upper
surface of the dice support platform to
determine the dice roll result, and
an outcome evaluator adapted to apply game rules to a
roll result of the random number generator and
determine one or more game outcomes for each player
based on game play instructions and wagers received
from each player.
Brief Description of the Drawings
An embodiment, incorporating all aspects of the invention,
will now be described by way of example only with
reference to the accompanying drawings in which
Figure 1 is a block diagram of a game system having a
result generator
Figure 2 illustrates dice adapted for use with the result
generator of Figure 1
Figure 3 illustrates an embodiment of a result generator
Figure 4 is a detailed block diagram of an embodiment of a
random number generator
Figure 5 is a flowchart of an example of a dice roll
process
Figure 6 is a flowchart of an example of a dice read
process
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Figure 7 illustrates an embodiment of dice reader detector
coil array
Figure 8 illustrates and example of a dice facet
identification circuit and an electronic detector circuit
Figure 9 is a flow chart of an example of a game play
process
Detailed Description
The present invention relates to result generator for
rolling dice to produce a random result and reading the
dice roll result. The result generator 110 comprises one
or more dice 120, an agitator 130 and a dice reader 140,
as illustrated in Figure 1. The dice 120 rest on an upper
surface of a support platform which may form part of the
agitator or may be a separate part of the result generator
assembly. The dice 120 each have a plurality of facets
225 and each facet 225 is provided with an identification
circuit 240 having an identification code which is unique
within the result generator and readable by the dice
reader 140. The result generator may include a single die
or a plurality of dice. The number of dice may depend on
a game being played using the random number generator. In
the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3 three dice 320 are
used.
The agitator 130 is adapted to cause mechanical movement
of the dice to generate a random dice roll result. For
example the agitator rolls or throws the dice as would be
done by a croupier or player in amanual dice game. In
the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, the agitator 330
includes the device support platform 335 and a motor 360
which causes the dice support platform 335 to move in a
controlled manner to provide mechanical impetus, for
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example by jerking and vibrating, to cause the dice to
roll. Alternative forms of agitator such as a mechanical
arm for moving the dice, tumbler or a cup in which the
dice are shaken are also envisaged.
The dice reader 140 is disposed below the dice support
surface to read the dice roll result, after the dice roll,
when the dice 120 are at rest on the support platform.
The device reader 140 comprises a plurality of electronic
detectors adapted to read the identification code of each
dice facet resting against the support platform's upper
surface, in other words the bottom facet of each dice, to
determine the dice roll result. For example, by reading
the identification code of the bottom facet the dice
reader can determine which facet is on top and hence the
number or symbol of the top facet.
The result generator 110 can be included in a game
controller 150 of a gaming system 100. In the embodiment
illustrated in Figure 1 the gaming system 100 comprises a
controller 150 which is in data communication with one or
more player terminals 180. The controller 150 includes
the result generator 110, a processor 190 that processes
the game play instructions and dice roll results in
accordance with game play rules 175 and outputs game play
outcomes to the player terminals 180. The game play
instructions can be stored as program code in a memory 170
but can also be hardwired. Herein the term "processor" is
used to refer generically to any device that can process
game play instructions in accordance with game play rules
and may include: a microprocessor, microcontroller,
programmable logic device or other computational device, a
general purpose computer (e.g. a PC) or a server.
Each of the player terminals 180 includes the components
required for a player to enter game play instructions
which can include wagers to play the games. Each player
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terminal can include a credit mechanism 182 to enable a
player to input credits and receive payouts, a player
input mechanism 187 to enable a player enter game play
instructions and a display 185 or other output mechanism
for presenting game information and outcomes to the
player.
The credit mechanism 182 may a coin or token input chute
or bill collector and matching dispenser, or alternatively
a card reader for reading a smart card, debit card or
credit card. A reading device may also be provided for
the purpose of reading a player tracking device, for
example as part of a loyalty program. The player tracking
device may be in the form of a card, flash drive or any
is other portable storage medium capable of being read by the
reading device.
The display 185 and/or other output mechanism may be a
video display unit, such as a cathode ray tube screen
device, a liquid crystal display, plasma screen, any other
suitable video display unit or other output mechanism. A
player terminal may be provided with more than one display
unit or type of display for example a player terminal may
be provided with a screen type display and another form of
output mechanism, such as a series or lights or a panel of
selectively illuminated symbols and speakers for audio
outputs. Different game information may be communicated
by each display or output mechanism.
The player input mechanism 187 can be any suitable form of
user input mechanism which enables a player to input game
play instructions, for example a bank of buttons for
enabling a player to interact with the gaming machine, a
key board or keypad, a touch screen etc. The player input
mechanism may include a plurality of input mechanisms or
interfaces, for example one or more banks of buttons and
one or more touch screens etc.
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An embodiment of a dice roll based result generator will
now be described in detail with reference to Figures 4 to
7. The result generator includes a plurality of dice 120.
The dice are rolled using the agitator 130. In the
embodiment illustrated the agitator 130 includes the dice
support platform 420 which is movable, driven by a motor
430 controlled by a motion controller 435. Motor is used
in this context to describe an apparatus for moving the
platform and may be hydraulic, for example a plurality of
hydraulic jacks, controllable by the motion controller
435. The motion controller 435 is adapted to control a
movement sequence for the agitator to cause a dice roll
which can be hard coded into the motor or programmable,
such as using a control processor. For example, the
motion controller may be implemented in a programmable
logic device or processor coded with a sequence of motor
control instructions which when executed control the motor
and any other agitator hardware to execute a sequence of
define movements. Alternatively, the motion controller
may be hardware apparatus, for example comprising a set of
gears, cams, pistons etc arranged to cause a plurality of
defined movements of the support platform when driven by
the motor, and a mechanical timing device adapted to cause
shifting between the different hardware apparatus such
that the plurality of defined movement are executed in a
defined sequence.
A significant challenge in electronic gaming systems using
mechanical random result generation is creating motion
which reliably generates a random result, as well as
accurately reading the random result.
An example of a movement sequence is illustrated in Figure
5. in this embodiment the dice support platform is moved
to roll the dice. The dice roll starts with the dice
support platform in an initial position 510. An
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initiating motion 520 serves to initiate movement of the
dice. The initiating motion applies a rapid mechanical
impetus to the dice, for example by rapidly jerking the
dice support platform vertically. The dice support
platform is then vibrated 530 at a first level of
vibration which has a vibration amplitude and frequency
adapted to keep the dice in motion. A second rapid
mechanical impetus is then applied 540, to simulate a dice
throw. For example the support platform can be jerked
again to perform a dice throw 540. The support platform
is then vibrated at a second vibration level 550. The
second vibration level is adapted to cause any dice
resting on an edge to fall so it will rest flat on a facet
but the vibration of the support surface is not sufficient
enough to cause a dice resting flat on a facet to roll to
another facet. For example the second vibration level can
have a lower vibration amplitude and lower vibration
frequency than that of the first vibration level. After a
period of vibration at the second vibration level, which
enables the dice to settle on the support platform, the
vibration stops 560 and the support platform positioned
ready for the dice to be read 570. The dice reading
position for the support platform may be the same as the
initial position from which the dice roll is started. The
second period of vibration at the second vibration level
is an optional vibration step which has the advantage of
minimising the chance of a dice resting on an edge and
hence the dice roll result being invalid.
An identification circuit 240 is provided in each facet
225 of each dice 120. in an embodiment, each
identification circuit is a passive radio frequency
identification (RFID) circuit. Each circuit is adapted to
transmit an identification code which is unique within the
result generator. The passive RFID circuits are powered
by current induced in the circuit when the circuit is in
the presence of an alternating electromagnetic field of an
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appropriate strength and frequency. The electromagnetic
field can be generated from detector circuitry used for
reading the identification code of the RFID circuit. For
example, the dice reader may comprise a plurality of
detector coils which are driven by an alternating current
source to generate the electromagnetic field which is used
for powering the RFID circuits and reading the
identification code. Current induced by the
electromagnetic field is rectified to power the
identification circuit, thus no independent power storage
is required for the identification circuit. The
identification circuit is adapted to modulate the received
electromagnetic signal to transmit the circuit's
identification code. The identification code may be
hardwired into the circuit or stored in circuit memory
such as PROM memory during manufacture of the circuit. In
an embodiment using passive RFID circuits, the
electromagnetic signal to power the identification circuit
is provided using detector coils of the dice reader which
are positioned below the upper surface of the dice support
platform to read the identification code of the dice
facets resting on the support surface. The RFID circuit
is adapted to modulate the electromagnetic signal, and
this modulation is in turn received by the detector coils
and demodulated by a detector circuit to read the
identifier of the dice facet resting on the dice support
surface.
To avoid a false detection from identification circuits on
the side facets the dice can be provided with shielding
250 in each facet to cause attenuation of the detection
signal such that the stronger signal of the identification
circuit of the lowermost facet, closest to the detector
coils, can be distinguished from any relatively weaker
signal received from the identification circuits of side
facets.
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The dice reader of this embodiment includes a plurality of
detector coils arranged in an array 700 as illustrated in
Figure 7 where the detector coils 710 are arranged in a
planar grid pattern. For example, for a result generator
having dice which are approximately 5cm cubes, to read
these dice in a circular area of about 50cm in diameter, a
7 x 7 detector coil array may be used where each detector
coil is approximately 6.5cm in diameter. To avoid any
"void" areas where magnetic flux of the alternating
io electromagnetic field is zero, a second layer of detector
coils may also be provided in the array, these coils 720
of the second layer being offset diagonally by half a coil
diameter from the first layer of the array. For example,
the first layer of the array may be provided on a first
printed circuit board 715 and the second layer of the
array on a second printed circuit board which is offset
from the first board 715. Alternatively, the two layers
of coils of the array may be printed on different layers
of a single circuit board. In an alternative embodiment a
single layer coil array may be used and the coil array
moved between two or more positions during the reading
process to compensate for any void areas and ensure the
entire support surface is scanned for dice reading. An
advantage of a two layer coil array as described above is
that the movement of the coil array becomes optional or
may be minimised as it is not necessary to compensate for
void areas. For example, in an embodiment where movement
of the coil array is unnecessary, the detector coil array
may optionally be embedded in or attached to the dice
support platform.
An example of a passive RFID identification circuit 840
and an electronic detector 800 is illustrated in Figure 8.
As described above, the identification circuit 840
includes a receiving circuit 845, for receiving an
oscillating signal transmitted by the detector 800, a
contactless interface 850 adapted to rectify the receiving
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oscillating current to power the circuit and read the
identification code from programmable read only memory
(PROM) 860 which is then used to modulate the oscillating
signal to transmit the identification code to the detector
800 via the detector coil 810. The detector 800 includes
an oscillator 830 to provide the oscillating signal which,
in turn, is transmitted by the coil 810 to cause the
electromagnetic field which powers the identification
circuit 840. A modulated signal received from the
identification circuit 840 is demodulated using
demodulator 820 to provide the identification code as an
output digital signal to the dice reader controller.
A dice reader controller can be adapted to selectively
is activate each coil of the array and receive any
identification code transmitted by an identification
circuit activated in response to the activation of the
detector coil. An advantage of selectively activating
each detector coil is that signals from neighbouring coils
will not interfere with each other, and the location as
well as the identification code for each dice facet
against the support platform can be readily determined.
The dice reader controller may be implemented in a
processor as a set of instructions which when executed
cause the processor to control the activation of each
detector coil in sequence and store the detection results
in memory.
In an embodiment the detector coil array is moveable using
motor 450 and detector coil array motion controller 445 in
order to change the position of the detector coil array
700 to confirm accurate detection of each dice. An
example of the dice reading process is illustrated in
Figure 6. The coil array is initiated in a first position
600 for a first detection pass. The dice reader
controller 445 selects a detector coil 610 to be activated
620. if no dice signal is received in response to the
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detection 630, then the next detector is selected 610 and
the detection continues. if a dice signal is received 630
in response to the detector activation 620 then the dice
facet ID output from the demodulator 440 is recorded 640
ari optionally the dice position 650 is also recorded. The
next detector is then selected and the process continues
until the end of the pass 660 where all of the coils in
the array have been activated and any dice facet ID's
read. At the end of the first pass, the detector coil
array is moved to the second pass position 670 and the
controller again performs the detection from the second
position. Each detection pass may include. activating each
detector coil and reading any result more than once. For
example, regulations may require that each dice facet is
read as having the same identification code and same
position a plurality of times before the dice roll result
can be deemed valid. For example, where a dice is resting
on an edge, a different identification code may be read in
one or more passes. Alternatively, if the controller 445
determines that too many identification codes have been
read this may also indicate that a dice is resting on its
edge. if a dice roll result is deemed valid, then the
roll result may be output 690 to the processor of the game
controller to be used to determine game outcomes for each
player. if a roll result is not valid, then the error may
be recorded 685 and an invalid roll result indicated 688
to the processor of the game controller.
An example of a game process will now be described with
reference to Figure 9. A game is initiated by the opening
of a betting interval 900 during which players of the game
may place wagers and input game instructions 910 which are
recorded in game memory. At the conclusion of the betting
interval, betting closes 920 in anticipation of the dice
roll. The dice roll can then be executed as described
above with reference to Figure 5. The dice roll result is
then read as described above with reference to Figure 6.
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If the dice roll result is deemed valid by the dice reader
controller, then the game controller can evaluate outcomes
for each player 960 which are then displayed to the
players. Any prizes are awarded to each player 970 and a
new game can be started 980. if a dice roll result is
invalid 950 then the game controller can indicate an
invalid roll result 990 and take any actions in accordance
with the game rules, such as refunding wagers and
replaying the game, or if the game rules specify, simply
re-rolling the dice.
It should be appreciated that once the dice roll result
generator has been tested and gained regulatory approval
the result generator may be applied in any number of
different dice games.
An advantage of using an electronic dice reader as
described above is that environmental factors such as
changing in lighting or optical reflections will not
influence the reading of the dice roll result. Further,
as each dice facet identification code may be unique or
selected from a large set of possible codes, the
likelihood of substitution of dice or fraud by attempting
to use a false identification circuit in proximity of the
dice reader is unlikely, or may be identified by the dice
reader controller and any appropriate action taken against
the attempted fraud. For example, the dice reader can
identify too many possible codes being read, and indicate
a potential fraud attempt to a game controller and hence a
casino managing authority. The dice reader may also be
employed for reading dice thrown manually by a player or
croupier.
An additional feature which may be provided in dice used
in the result generator is illumination of the uppermost
facet of the dice during the dice reading process. Such a
feature may increase the enjoyment of the players watching
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the dice and also make the dice roll result clearer for
the players to see. This feature may be implemented by
providing an illumination device such as a light emitting
diode (LED) embedded in the dice below each facet. The
LED of the top facet can be switched on to illuminate the
uppermost facet by reading of the identification code of
the lowermost facet of the dice. In an embodiment, the
illuminator can be powered by the induction power which
powers the identification circuit of the lowermost facet.
In the claims which follow and in the preceding
description, except where the context requires otherwise
due to express language or necessary implication, the word
"comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or
"comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to
specify the presence of the stated features but not to
preclude the presence or addition of further features in
various embodiments of the invention.
It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication
is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute
an admission that the publication forms a part of the
common general knowledge in the art, in any country.
