Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to casino apparatuses, particularly to casino apparatuses for use in facilitating, supplementing or enhancing product output and efficiency.

Background to the Invention

The following discussion of the prior art is intended to facilitate an understanding of the invention and to enable the advantages of it to be more fully understood. It should be appreciated, however, that any reference to prior art throughout the specification should not be construed as an express or implied admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.

Currently available sources of gambling opportunities include casino apparatuses within a casino environment, such as sic bo for example, wherein some form of physical random number generator is used to obtain at least one win condition. Such apparatuses generally include an operator, the role of whom is often to control the pace of a particular game and to maximise the number of betting opportunities in a given game or time period, providing maximal potential returns for a player, increasing excitement, fun and enhancing the overall consumer experience.

While it is possible to train said operators or dealers to reduce the length of time spent during a particular gambling opportunity, and therefore increase the number of gambling opportunities per given time period, these human-driven systems can be inherently incapable of maximising the number of gambling opportunities per given time period to the full potential.

Use of game-time in some casino games, using currently available technology, is therefore less than optimally efficient in its offering of reward and enjoyment for a user. In multi-stage games, like sic bo for example, only a single round of betting per game is facilitated.

This carries the disadvantage of limiting the number of possible betting opportunities within a game, together with limiting the number of betting options and type of bets available to a player. This therefore results in fewer betting opportunities and a likelihood of reduced enjoyment, and diminished overall experience for a player. Current systems in a casino environment increasingly include some form of automated feature, often for the purpose of improved efficiency and removal of human error. These automations may be in the sorting of casino chips and in data tracking, among others. Such automations and data tracking methods can be used to identify bottlenecks in a casino apparatus and may be used to train and optimise said systems to reduce the time spent during the length of a betting opportunity. However, these systems still do not completely maximise the number of betting opportunities per given time period.

It is therefore desirable to maximise the number of possible betting opportunities in one game, preferably providing, administering, facilitating or supplementing a product to improve technical efficiency, which may provide a greater source of reward, while also preferably increasing enjoyment and suspense for a player. It is an object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate one or more of the deficiencies of the prior art, or at least to provide a useful alternative.

Summary of the invention

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a casino apparatus comprising, three physical random number generators, wherein the three physical random number generators each comprise an operative period; the operative periods of the three physical random number generators having a start time and an end time; wherein during the operative period a random number is generated, the operative period comprising a betting period; a detector arranged to detect the generated random number; a gaming terminal, arranged to provide a betting interface; a memory unit in digital communication with the detector; and a control unit, arranged to control the gaming terminal, the memory unit and each of the three physical random number generators; the betting interface comprising, an input portion accepting input from a user, the input comprising: betting information during a betting period; wherein the betting interface further comprises an output portion providing output information to a user comprising betting odds; the memory unit being arranged to store previously detected random numbers from the detector; wherein each end time of the operative period is controlled by the control unit, each operative period end time being staggered according to a time interval; and wherein following each operative period end time, the control unit adjusts the betting odds provided to the user according to the random number detected by the detector.

In the context of the present invention, the term“gaming” will be understood by the skilled addressee to mean“gambling”. In some embodiments, there are preferably exactly three physical random number generators. In such embodiments, the exactly three physical random number generators preferably each comprise exactly one operative period.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a casino apparatus comprising, a physical random number generator, wherein the physical random number generator comprises a plurality of operative periods; each of the operative periods of the physical random number generator being arranged in sequence, separated by a time interval and having a start time and an end time; wherein during the operative period a random number is generated, the operative period comprising a betting period; a detector arranged to detect the generated random number; a gaming terminal, arranged to provide a betting interface; a memory unit in digital communication with the detector; and a control unit, arranged to control the gaming terminal, the memory unit and the physical random number generator; the betting interface comprising, an input portion accepting input from a user, the input comprising: betting information during a betting period; wherein the betting interface further comprises an output portion providing output information to a user comprising betting odds; the memory unit being arranged to store previously detected random numbers from the detector; wherein the start time and end time of each operative period is controlled by the control unit; and wherein following each operative period end time, the control unit adjusts the betting odds provided to the user according to the random number detected by the detector.

In some embodiments, there is preferably only a single physical random number generator. In such embodiments, preferably the random number generator comprising exactly three operative periods. In some embodiments there are preferably exactly three physical random number generators, each having at least one operative period. In preferable such embodiments, the exactly three physical random number generators each have exactly one operative period.

Preferably the time interval is predetermined. Preferably the time interval is adjustable.

Preferably the gaming terminal comprises a display screen, and may optionally be incorporated into a touch-screen display or tablet. Optionally the gaming terminal is a gaming table. In embodiments wherein the gaming terminal is a gaming table, the table comprises a betting region displaying betting options for accepting bets. In such embodiments the gaming table preferably further comprises the function of occluding or prohibiting one or more betting options. Optionally the gaming table further comprises a display screen arranged to display betting odds, which may be adjustable or variable according to the game being played.

The or each random number generator of the present invention is physical, with the random number generation constituting a live event during a perceivable operative period - as opposed to being software-derived, wherein the generation of a random number may be considered to be instantaneous. The operative period of the or each random number generator, which may optionally be a dice shaker, has a start time and end time.

Operative periods of the or each random number generator occur sequentially. As such, a plurality of betting periods are provided, the available betting periods of the or each random number generator preferably being staggered, such that they occur within an interval of one another. This preferably allows for the maximum number of operative periods of each random number generator per game, maximising betting opportunities for a user and increasing potential returns.

Preferably the duration of the operative period is controlled by way of the control unit, the control unit operating the or each physical random number generators such that a plurality of betting periods is provided per game.

The gaming terminal comprises a betting interface which accepts user input, preferably in the form of touching a touch-sensitive screen, to define a selection of betting options on which to bet, and associated betting information. Input betting information may comprise a number, a group and/or category of numbers, along with a betting currency value. The gaming terminal also comprises an output which preferably provides feedback to the user based on the result of a random number generator and preferably includes a jackpot sequence, should the user successfully predict the outcome of a random number generator. The output preferably further comprises a live, real-time, visual display of the or each random number generator. In instances where there are more than one random number generators displayed visually on the gaming terminal at one time, the gaming terminal preferably further comprises a visual indication of which random number generator is active, i.e. is in its operative period. Preferably, the user may choose to bet or not to bet during the betting period of an operative period, and most preferably the user may only bet on one random number generator at any one time. As such the betting periods of the or each random number generators are preferably to be staggered. Using the present invention, the provision of a plurality of sequential live events during a game enables the user to minimise time spent waiting for the same source of betting opportunities to once again be made available for betting, or time spent moving to another source of betting opportunities and waiting for said source to be made available for betting. As such the user is preferably allowed to minimise the waiting time, and maximise the number of betting opportunities in one game.

Preferably the control unit is arranged to adjust the one or more betting options and betting odds determined by a precedingly generated random number.

Preferably the control unit is further arranged to occlude and/or prohibit one or more betting options determined by a preceding random number generated.

In preferable embodiments, the betting options and the betting odds displayed to a user are determined according to a random number generated during any preceding operative period. For example, in embodiments wherein the casino apparatus is used to play sic bo, comprising three 6-sided dice, preferably each die is sequentially thrown or shaken in turn, providing three sequential operative periods, and corresponding betting periods. In such embodiments, during the betting period of the first die, all sic bo betting options are preferably possible, and the betting odds preferably reflect this. Once the end of the operative period of the first die is reached, and a random number is generated, detected and stored, said random number is used to adjust the available sic bo betting options and corresponding betting odds, to eliminate those options which are no longer possible. A player is provided with a second option to place a bet, this time on said adjusted odds, during the betting period occurring within the operative period of the second die. Upon generation, detection and storage of the second generated random number, the sic bo betting options and corresponding odds are once again adjusted as before, eliminating those options which are no longer possible. In the example embodiment described, the player is then provided with a third and final betting opportunity during the betting period of the operative period of the third die. In such an embodiment, instead of being provided with only a single betting opportunity per game, the player is provided with a plurality of betting opportunities, which themselves may be dependent or independent of one another. In an example embodiment wherein the betting opportunities are dependent of one another, accumulating bets may be possible.

Preferably the or each physical random number generator comprises a die. More preferably the die is a 6-sided die. Preferably the or each physical random number generator is a dice shaker. More preferably the dice shaker comprises an occluding member arranged to occlude the die during at least a portion of the operating period of the die. More preferably the occluding member is a hood. Most preferably the control unit is arranged to control the occluding member.

In some preferable embodiments, the apparatus is used to supplement the play of sic bo, in which case the random number generators comprises three 6-sided dice, each within a dice shaker having an occluding hood. The occluding hood is preferably arranged to occlude the dice during a portion of the operative period, preferably during which the corresponding dice shaker shakes its respective die. Preferably the occluding hood is used to prevent cheating and also to add to the excitement of playing sic bo.

Embodiments will be appreciated wherein any appropriate physical random number generator is used.

Preferably, the betting interface may be used to access previous betting information from the memory unit, preferably for the purpose of re-inputting the previous betting information during a subsequent betting period. In such optional embodiments, optionally an easy-access“repeat bet” function is provided.

Preferably, the gaming terminal permits the input of betting information for only one random number generator at a time. In embodiments wherein the gaming terminal is a gaming table, the input of betting information may optionally be performed by placing chips on a region describing the desired betting option.

Currently, the functionality of many casino apparatuses does not permit the committing of previously submitted betting information to a memory device. Therefore, it is currently not possible on most live events systems to duplicate a previously made bet on a future event, such as, for example, the same physical random number generator. In order to maximise the number of betting opportunities possible in a given time period, it would therefore be preferable for a user to duplicate previously submitted betting information in order to avoid the time required to re-enter the same information time and time again. A more preferable feature would be to allow a user to duplicate previously made bets across different physical random number generators, when said physical random number generators become available for betting, and so that no concurrent betting takes place. In duplicating bets across different physical, the user may be allowed to further minimise time spent re-entering the same betting information as has already been entered. Preferably a user is provided with information that includes an indication of when a random number generator is available for betting. Combined with the preferable feature of having a user be able to duplicate previously submitted betting information across different operative periods, the user is therefore allowed to minimise the time spent idle at a gaming terminal.

According to preferable embodiments, the start time and/or end time of any of: the operative period; the betting period; may be adjusted. In most preferable embodiments the duration of any of: the operative period; the betting period; may be adjusted. The operative period preferably further comprises an exit period of adjustable start time and duration. Preferably, the operative period further comprises a‘no more bets’ period of adjustable start time and duration.

A predetermined time interval is preferably used to separate the operative periods and/or betting periods of the random number generators from one another. The predetermined time interval preferably serves as a separation between betting events such that there are no concurrent bets taking place by a single user on different random number generators, and suspense and excitement may be built between betting periods.

The gaming terminal preferably provides a view of and access to all of the betting options available to a user. The output portion of the betting interface preferably outputs a view of at least one of the or each random number generator. The casino apparatus preferably further comprises at least one camera providing a view of at least one of the or each random number generator to the gaming terminal to be output to a user. Preferably the view provided to the gaming terminal to be output to a user is real-time video

The gaming terminal is enabled to provide the user with all of the betting options available for a particular random number generator, betting period or operative period. These options are preferably provided by way of the output portion which, in optional embodiments, also includes a visual display of at least one of the or each random number generators. In embodiments wherein the output portion comprises a visual display of at least one of the or each random number generators, the visual display is preferably obtained using at least one camera.

Preferably said gaming terminal is remote to the or each random number generator. In most preferable embodiments, the casino apparatus comprises a plurality of gaming terminals. The gaming terminals are preferably each enabled to access all of the available random number generators of the casino apparatus, with each being controlled by the control unit in order to unify the output portion of each of the gaming terminals. The gaming terminals preferably have access to the same information as each other at all times, with none of the gaming terminals provided with any advantage, technical or otherwise, over the others.

Preferably the casino apparatus further comprises at least one camera providing a view of at least one of the or each random number generators to the gaming terminal to be output to a user. More preferably, the view provided to the gaming terminal to be output to a user is real time video. Still more preferably, said gaming terminal is remote to said at least one of the or each random number generators.

Preferably the apparatus is used to play sic bo. A number of different random number generators are currently available, such as those hereinbefore described. The apparatus of the present invention is preferably forward compatible with future iterations of random number generators where these may be applicable to the present apparatus.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of facilitating a casino apparatus, the method comprising the steps of:

a) initiating an operative period of the first of a plurality of physical random number generators;

b) initiating a betting period of said first physical random number generator; c) accepting betting information input from a player into one or more gaming terminals;

d) concluding said betting period;

e) initiating a “no more bets” period of said first physical random number generator;

f) generating, detecting and revealing a random number;

g) concluding said operative period;

h) eliminating betting options and/or win conditions according to said random number, leaving one or more remaining win conditions;

i) repeating steps a) to g) for each remaining physical random number generator in sequence;

j) initiating an exit period;

k) assessing said input betting information against remaining win conditions, and issuing a jackpot to a player whose input betting information matches one or more of said remaining win conditions. Preferably the steps of the method of the third aspect are performed by an apparatus according to the first or second aspects.

In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer program product including a program for a processing device, comprising software code portions for performing the steps of the method of the third aspect of the present invention, when the program is run on the processing device.

The computer program product according to the fourth aspect, wherein the computer program product comprises a computer-readable medium on which the software code portions are stored, wherein the program is directly loadable into an internal memory of the processing device.

Detailed Description

Specific embodiments will now be described by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of the components of an example embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a flow chart depicting an example sequence of events occurring during operation of apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 3A shows a view of an example output portion of a gaming terminal according to the first aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 3B shows a view of an example output portion of a gaming terminal according to the first aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 3C shows a view of an example output portion of a gaming terminal according to the first aspect of the present invention; and

FIG. 3D shows a view of an example output portion of a gaming terminal according to the first aspect of the present invention. With reference to FIG. 1 , there is provided a schematic representation of an example embodiment of a casino apparatus 10 according to the present invention. A control unit 12 taking the form of a computer connected to a server, is in digital communication with a first physical random number generator 14, a second physical random number generator 15, and a third physical random number generator 16, a first gaming terminal 18, a second gaming terminal 20 and a third gaming terminal 22. The first physical random number generator 14, the second physical random number generator 15 and the third physical random number generator 16 take the form of a first, second and third automated dice shaker 14, 15, 16 respectively, each having an operative period comprising a betting period.

The first automated dice shaker 14, the second automated dice shaker 15 and the third automated dice shaker 16 each comprise a 6-sided die, a platform arranged to shake the die, a transparent dome housing the platform and the die, and an occluding hood member arranged to pivot about a pivot point between an open position and a closed position, such that when the hood is in the closed position, the hood occludes the platform and the die.

The faces of the die indicate betting options available to a player. The betting options in the example embodiment shown include a plurality of numbers (depicted on said die faces by a quantity of“pips” equalling said numbers) and two colours, wherein each die face comprises a single number (of“pips”) and a single colour. In the embodiment shown, the dice comprise an detecting member arranged to detect the random number generated by each of said dice. One such example of a detection member, as included in the example embodiment, is an orientation detection member arranged to detect the orientation of the dice, and therefore arranged to determine the face-up value of said dice depicting the random number generated by said dice. The orientation detection member comprises an accelerometer and a processor arranged to interpret an output from an accelerometer. Other embodiments will be appreciated which comprise any suitable detection member arranged to detect a random number generated by a physical random number generator, such as for example, an imaging member arranged to be used in conjunction with a processor and a pattern recognition computer program product.

The first, second and third gaming terminals 18, 20, 22 each comprise a betting interface comprising an input portion taking the form of a touch-sensitive screen. The touch-sensitive screen is also arranged to provide an output portion, in the form of an interactive display of all of the available betting options for the first, second and third automated dice shakers 14, 15, 16. The touch-sensitive screens of the first, second and third gaming terminals 18, 20, 22 are further arranged to accept an input from a user wherein the input comprises a selection of betting information from the available betting options. Betting information may be input to the input portion by a user, only during the betting period of one of said dice shakers.

The first, second and third automated dice shakers 14, 15, 16 comprise a shaking mechanism, arranged to shake the platform of the first, second and third automated dice shakers 14, 15, 16 for a predetermined length of time and at a predetermined shaking speed. The first automated dice shaker 14, the second automated dice shaker 15 and the third automated dice shaker 16 have an operative period of adjustable start time and end time, the start time and end time being adjustable by the control unit 12. During the operative period the shaking mechanisms of the first automated dice shaker 14, the second automated dice shaker 15 and the third automated dice shaker 16 are activated by the control unit 12.

Following activation of the shaking mechanism of the first automated dice shaker 14, the platform shakes the die and the occluding hood pivots at the pivot point from the open position to the closed position, thereby occluding the platform and the die. A betting period is then initiated during which players may input betting information into the gaming terminal based on the available betting options. Since no random number has yet been generated, all betting options are available. As the betting period progresses, the dice shaker reaches the end time of the betting period, and immediately thereafter enters the start time of a“no more bets” period. During the“no more bets” period, no further betting may be carried out on the present dice shaker which proceeds until the end of the operating period of said dice shaker. The betting period concludes after the betting period end time, and no more bets may be permitted to be input into the input portion. As the dice shaker approaches the end time of its operating period, the shaking mechanism of the first automated dice shaker 14 ceases and the die is allowed to come to rest. The occluding hood of the first automated dice shaker 14 subsequently pivots from the closed position to the open position, revealing the platform and the die thereon, providing the generating random number shown upon the uppermost face of the die. The detecting member detects the generated random number, which is used to inform an updating of the betting options and betting odds displayed on the output portion of the gaming terminal.

The operating period of the second automated dice shaker then proceeds, through the above procedure described for the first dice shaker. Substantially the same process subsequently occurs for the third dice shaker. Following the end time of the operating period o the third dice shaker, a winning condition is determined and an exit period begins, during which gaming terminals into which betting information submitted matches the winning condition are paid out accordingly. Following the determination of a win condition for a particular dice shaker, wherein input of betting information to the input portion which matches the win condition results in a win, the exit period is ceased, signalling the end of the operative period for said dice shaker. In the embodiment shown, betting information cannot be entered for a particular automated dice shaker during the exit period, comprising a“no more bets” period and the determination of a win condition, of the operative period of said dice shaker.

As can be seen in FIG. 3A to 3D, which shows the input and output portion of a gaming terminal 18, 20, 22 of FIG. 1 , the touch-sensitive screen 34 provides a visual display of the betting options 36 to a user. The gaming terminal 18, 20, 22 also provides a visual display of both the first automated dice shaker 38 and the second automated dice shaker 40. The user is provided with the information on which of the first automated dice shaker 14, the second automated dice shaker 15 and the third automated dice shaker 16 is currently active by way of the highlight 42 around the visual display 38 of the first automated dice shaker 14. The highlight 42 remains around the visual display 38 of the first automated dice shaker 14 until the user opts to select the visual display 40 of the second automated dice shaker 15.

It will be appreciated that the above described embodiments are given by way of example only and that various modifications thereto may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.