The invention relates to an electromechanical machine capable of implementing the game of roulette.

The machine comprises at least one user interface comprising at least one touch screen as well as an electromechanical roulette arranged on an horizontal plane.

Machines are known adapted to implement the game of roulette comprising a user interface and a simulator, adapted to simulate the operation of a roulette. These machines comprise a processing unit, which comprises systems and/or executes computer programs capable of allocating wins, namely capable of establishing when the player is in the conditions of being able to win the game, based on pre-set parameters, such as for example number of games, quantity of money collected, ratio between quantity of money collected and paid out to the user for the win.

Furthermore, machines are known, adapted to implement the game of roulette comprising an electromechanical device, adapted to cause the central disc to rotate relative to an inclined plane. This solution, however, does not allow the game of roulette to be implemented in a correct manner, as the device has the possibility of controlling the position in which the disc can be stopped, thus changing the probabilities of winning the game, and this happens because the disc of the roulette does not lie on a horizontal plane.

Moreover, roulettes are known, in which the cylinder has a diameter ranging from 60 to 80 cm.

This size of the cylinder is normally used for roulettes adapted to be used in gambling houses and clubs. Therefore, these sizes turn out to be excessive when they are used to manufacture a machine for implementing the game of roulette for one single player at the time. In known solutions, different players simultaneously play the game of roulette where the machine comprises one single central roulette with a plurality of play stations.

The object of the invention is to provide a machine to implement the game of roulette, in which one single player at the time can play the game, maintaining all the features of the game of roulette. The invention allows the game of roulette to be implemented taking up a small space.

An aspect of the invention relates to a machine having the features set forth in appended claim 1.

The accessory features of the machine are set forth in the dependent claims.

The features and advantages of the machine will be best understood upon perusal of the following description of different embodiments of the machine with reference to the accompanying drawings, which respectively show what follows :

• figures 1A and IB show different views of a first embodiment of the machine to implement the game of roulette; in particular, figure 1A shows the machine in a front view; whereas figure IB shows the machine in a side view revealing the electromechanical mechanism for the operation of the roulette;

• figures 2A and 2B show different views of a second embodiment of the machine to implement the game of roulette; in particular, figure 2A shows the machine in a front view; whereas figure 2B shows the machine in a side view revealing the electromechanical mechanism for the operation of the roulette;

• figure 3 shows a detail of the machine according to the invention and, in particular, the electromechanical mechanism associated with the roulette in a first sectional view, which also shows, in transparency, some devices comprised in the electromechanical type roulette according to the invention;

• figure 4 shows the electromechanical mechanism associated with the roulette of figure 3 in a second sectional view, which reveals, in transparency, some devices comprises in the electromechanical type roulette;

• figure 5 shows a possible conformation of a roulette ;

· figure 6 shows, in a schematic manner, the electrical and/or functional connection between the control system and the elements of the machine.

With reference to the aforementioned figures, number 2 indicates, as a whole, the machine to implement the game of roulette.

Machine 2 according to the invention comprises: an outer structure 21, adapted to define the space occupied by machine 2; a user interface 3 comprising at least one touch screen 31, through which a player "P" can interact with machine 2; and a roulette 4.

Roulette 4 comprises, in turn: a central disc 41, to which a shaft 411 is fixed; and a cylinder 45, defining the space occupied by roulette 4. Said central disc 41 rotates around shaft 411 relative to said cylinder 45, which is fixed. Machine 2 according to the invention further comprises an electromechanical mechanism 5, which is connected to said shaft 411 being adapted to cause said central disc 41 to rotate during the game; and a ball introduction device 7, adapted to introduce a ball into roulette 4 so as to play the game.

Machine 2 further comprises a ball recovery mechanism 75, adapted to recover the ball from roulette 4 at the end of the game; and a control system 8, adapted both to implement a computer program comprising the rules of the game of roulette; and to control, for example by monitoring their operation and/or by giving them instructions, said electromechanical mechanism 5, said ball introduction device 7 and said ball recovery mechanism 75, as well as to interact with said user interface 3, based on said rules.

For the purposes of this description, by saying said control system 8 is adapted to implement a computer program comprising the rules of the game of roulette" we mean that control system 8 executes a computer program where there are specified the commands and their logical/time sequence to control and/or operate the devices (5, 7, 75) of roulette 4 and the other devices of machine 2, such as for example user interface 3, according to the rules of the game of roulette. For example, this program establishes when to start the rotation of central disc 41, when to introduce the ball, when to recover the ball and so on. This aspect of machine 2 will not be further described in detail because the possible embodiments of the computer program are infinite, besides being known.

In machine 2 according to the invention, said roulette

4 lies on a horizontal plane "XY", so as to make the game of roulette as similar as possible to the game played in gambling houses.

Furthermore, in machine 2, said cylinder 45 of roulette 4 has a diameter that is smaller than 40 cm. By so doing, machine 2 maintains compact sizes.

Control system 8 implemented in machine 2 according to the invention comprises a ball position detection system 81, adapted to determine the winning number during each single game. Said ball position detection system 81 is redundant. In this way, the machine is capable of determining the winning number during one single game, reducing possible errors.

Control system 8 is not provided with win allocation systems. By so doing, the winning event is determined by the very causality of the game of roulette.

Machine 2 allows the game of roulette to be implemented in an automatic manner, thus not requiring the intervention of an operator, such as a croupier, who is in charge of the game. As a matter of fact, the game is managed by the computer program, which is executed by control unit 8. The machine is adapted to implement the game of roulette so that only one single player "P" can take part, maintaining the very causality of the roulette, though reducing the space occupied by machine 2.

The sizes and the arrangement of the roulette permit the creation of compact machine, which can be used by one single person to play.

In a preferred - though not limiting - embodiment, said cylinder 45 has a diameter ranging from 20 to 40 cm, for example equal to 35 cm or equal to 22 cm. Machine 2 according to the invention, in a possible embodiment, is configured in such a way that said roulette 4 is arranged at a lower height than said screen 31. In this way, player "P", from one single playing station, is capable of monitoring screen 31 of user interface 3 and is capable of looking at roulette 4 during its rotation, so as to check in person the winning number of each single game. According to alternative embodiments, which are not shown herein, screen 31 and roulette 4 are arranged at the same height, for example they lie on same plane "XY" .

In a possible embodiment of machine 2, said screen 31 lies on a plane that is inclined relative to a vertical plane "XZ". Preferably, said screen 31 lies on a plane that is inclined both relative to said vertical plane "XZ" and relative to said horizontal plane "XY" . By so doing, in particular for those machines in which screen 31 is arranged at a greater height than roulette 4, you can reduce the effects caused by the reflection of light on screen 31, thus allowing player "P" to clearly see the information content appearing on screen 31, without reflections on the screen itself.

In a possible embodiment of machine 2, said electromechanical mechanism 5, said ball introduction device 7 and said ball recovery mechanism 75 are located under said roulette 4 relative to a vertical axis "Z". By so doing, the total space taken up by machine 2 is reduced.

In a preferred embodiment of machine 2, electromechanical mechanism 5, said ball introduction device 7 and said ball recovery mechanism 75 substantially lie within a volume defined by the projection along the axis defined by shaft 411 of central cylinder 41, preferably parallel to said vertical axis "Z" of the roulette 4. This embodiment leads to a further reduction of the space occupied by machine 2; furthermore, by means of this configuration, it is possible to replace, all together, the group of devices used to move and manage roulette 4 in case of faults, thus reducing the time needed for maintenance interventions. This solution permits a reduction of the times in which the machine is not working.

Machine 2 according to the invention further comprises a payment system 23, through which player "P" makes payments before and/or during the game and/or collects the wins .

These payment systems 23 can feature different embodiments, depending on the needs. This payment system 23, indeed, can be configured so as to accepts cash payments, both coins and notes, and/or payments through digital currency, for example credit cards and/or prepaid cards, so as to allow player "P" to buy virtual chips to be used to place bets during the game. Other types of payment, for example through coupons, can be implemented in payment system 23.

Said payment systems will not be described any further, as they are already known as such to a person skilled in the art.

Machine 2 according to the invention further comprises a printing device 24. Said printing device 24 allows machine 2 to produce paper communications for player "P". By so doing, player "P" can receive documents and or receipts concerning the game he/she is playing or has played. Machine 2 according to the invention is a machine designed so as to allow the game to be played by one single player at the time, maintaining all the features of the game of roulette that can be obtained playing with a traditional roulette.

In order to make the machine as efficient as possible, control system 8 is configured so as to carry out the phases of a game of roulette in less than 3 minutes, for example less than 2 minutes. In this way, the number of possible games, over a predetermined amount of time, can be very high. This result can also be obtained thanks to the fact that only one single player "P" takes part in each game .

In a preferred embodiment, actuator device 76 comprised in ball recovery mechanism 75 is adapted to lift a wheel cone 42 of roulette 4. This technical solution allows the ball to be automatically recovered when it stops in a pocket 432 of roulette 4.

In a possible embodiment, said wheel cone 32 is constrained to shaft 411 both with respect to rotation movements around the axis of the shaft itself and for longitudinal movements along the axis of shaft 411. Central disc 41, on the other hand, is constrained to shaft 411 for rotary movements of the shaft itself, but does not affect the linear movements of shaft 411.

In this embodiment, said actuator device 76 is adapted to move shaft 411 of central disc 41 along the longitudinal axis of shaft 411. In this way, wheel cone 42 is lifted relative to the rest of central disc 41. By so doing, the ball can fall into a channel, not shown herein, which leads the ball to a storing device and/or to ball introduction device 7. In a possible embodiment, said actuator device 76, for example a motor connected to a worm screw portion, is adapted to act upon a threaded portion of shaft 411, permitting its rotation anyway when electromechanical mechanism 5 acts upon said shaft 411. Said actuator device 76 allows shaft 411 to be moved along the longitudinal extension of the shaft itself. The movement of shaft 411, caused by actuator device 76, allows wheel cone 42 to be lifted. When actuator device 76 is operated, the worm screw portion acts upon the threaded portion of shaft 411 and, depending on the rotation direction of the worm screw, the shaft is lifted or lowered, sliding on guides. In a preferred embodiment, said threaded portion of shaft 411 is arranged at a lower height than the portion of shaft upon which electromechanical device 5 acts.

In a preferred embodiment, actuator device 71 of ball introduction mechanism 7 is adapted to introduce the ball into the area defined by cylinder 45 at a speed that is such as to cause the ball to make a revolution in ball track 452 in approximately one second. In this way, you can ensure a number of revolutions of no less than three on upper edge 451 of the roulette, thus leading to the feeling of waiting and/or uncertainty, which are typical of the game of roulette.

In a preferred - though not limiting - embodiment, ball introduction mechanism 7 further comprises a launching mechanism comprising, in turn, a spring and/or a bellows element; and a guide 72 to guide the ball towards said roulette 4. Said actuator device 71 is adapted to move a launching mechanism by acting upon said mechanism so that the launching mechanism itself stores potential energy, for example by compressing or stretching said spring and/or said bellows element, which is then turned into kinetic energy following the release and/or compression of the launching mechanism itself by actuator device 71.

Said ball introduction device 7 can be electromechanical or manual.

Control system 8 comprises a ball position detection system 81 of the redundant type.

In a possible embodiment, said detection system 81 comprises optical systems, such as presence detection systems and/or visual systems, such as video cameras.

Preferably, at the center of each pocket 432 and/or close to the edge of wheel cone 42, for each pocket, there is a sensor, adapted to detect the presence of the ball.

Generally speaking, other types of sensors and/or systems can be implemented, equally adapted to detect the presence of the ball in a predetermined area of the roulette, such as for example by determining in which pocket the ball stopped.

In any case, detection system 81 is designed so as to comprise redundant devices used to detect in which pocket 432 the ball stopped, so as to be sure in the determination of the pocket where the ball stopped.

In a preferred - though not limiting - embodiment, said electromechanical mechanism 5 comprises a motor 50; and transmission means 51, preferably a belt.

Said motor 50, by means of said transmission means 51, can cause the rotation of central disc 41.

Generally speaking, said roulette 4 comprises a central disc 41, adapted to rotate, and a fixed cylinder 45. On said central disc 41 there is fixed a number ring 44, which is located in the outer region of central disc 41, at the boundary with fixed cylinder 45 of roulette 4. The conformation of said number ring 44 is inclined, as it has the same inclination as the concave part of cylinder 45, so as to allow the ball to fall from the walls of cylinder 45 sliding on number ring 44, without altering its movement. Number ring 44 is fixed to central disc 41 in a removable manner, so that it can easily be replaced in case the numbers should not be readable any longer or in case of need to change the position of roulette 4 moving the number ring 44 so that the numbers correspond to different pockets 432.

Roulette 4 further comprises a separator ring 43, which consists of a ring divided into thirty-seven or thirty-eight sectors. The diameter of separator ring 43 can be changed based on the sizes of number ring 44 and of wheel cone 42.

Said separator ring 43 comprises a plurality of separators 431, which are arranged so as to define pockets 432. The size of each pocket 432 is at least equal to the diameter of the ball plus 50% of the diameter itself, whereas the other features are variable, left to the free fantasy of the constructor so as to affect the "causality" of the roulette.

Rod 410 connected to central disc 41 comprises adjustment means, adapted to change the height of central disc 41 so as to perfectly align the movable part of the roulette (fixed disc and discs connected thereto) with fixed cylinder part 45. Rod 410 can be customized, as it can accommodate a logo identifying machine 2 and/or the place where machine 2 is installed. Cylinder 45 of the roulette - and, in particular, the part that is visible to the user - can be made of valuable materials, such as solid wood, so as to look as much as possible like traditional roulettes .

Generally speaking, said cylinder 45 is made so as to be capable of supporting the movable parts (central disc 41) of roulette 4 and of bearing all internal stresses, which are typical of the game, and external stresses, such as for example accidental hits.

Upper edge 451 has a shape that is such as to prevent the ball from being thrown out while spinning and its inward-convex shape forms a sort of tunnel where the ball can slide without excessive vibrations and/or jumps.

Ball track 452 is the channel where ball introduction device 7 introduces the ball itself into the roulette.

Guide 72 of introduction device 7 is shaped so as to be joined to said track 452. Guide 72 is joined to said track 452 in such a way that the ball, in its rotation, cannot go back into said guide 72, for example if guide 72 remains open.

Said wheel cone 42 is shaped so as to offer a way out for the ball when it bounces or slides beyond separator ring 43 getting out of the base of pockets 432. Wheel cone 42 has the shape of a cone so as to prevent the ball from getting back into the same pocket 543 from which it had gotten out .

Roulette 4 and the devices (5, 7, 75) for its automation ensure a large number of games per hour and roulette 4 can be manufactured so as to significantly reduce the possibility that the ball, after having entered a pocket 432, slides on the wheel cone 42, thus loosing precious seconds.

Figure 1A shows a first embodiment of machine 2 in a front view.

This embodiment is especially suited to be used so as to allow user "P" to remain comfortably seated. The longitudinal extension is along said axis "Z" of machine 2.

According to this embodiment, said payment system 23 and said printing device 24 are arranged on the two sides of roulette 4, thus widening the transverse extension of machine 2. In this way, the portion of outer structure 21 on the side of roulette 4 can be used by player "P" to rest the arms and/or personal belongings while playing.

Figure IB shows the machine of figure 1A in a side view where you can see how a player "P" can approach machine 2.

The figure at least partly shows electromechanical mechanism 5, ball introduction device 7 and/or ball recovery device 75 for the operation of roulette 4.

This figure also shows how roulette 4 and the devices

(5, 7, 75) for its automation are compact and take up a small space. According to this figure, roulette 4 lies on a horizontal plane "XY", whereas screen 31 is inclined relative to a vertical plane "ZY".

Figure 2A shows a second possible embodiment of machine 4 in a front view. This embodiment is especially adapted to be used by a player who remains in a substantially straight position.

In this embodiment, said payment system 23 and said printing device 24 are arranged at a lower height than said roulette 4, thus permitting a reduction of the transverse extension of machine 2 compared to the embodiment of figure 1A.

Figure 2B shows the machine in a side view, which at least partly reveals electromechanical mechanism 5, ball introduction device 7 and/or ball recovery device 75 for the operation of roulette 4.

This figure proves, again, that roulette 4 and the devices (5, 7, 75) for its automation are compact and take up a small space, thus allowing to have a compact machine 2, maintaining all those features that are typical of the game of roulette.

Figure 3 shows roulette 4 in a sectional view as well as electromechanical mechanism 5, ball introduction device 7 and/or ball recovery device 75.

This figure reveals an embodiment of electromechanical mechanism 5, in which motor 50, by means of transmission means 51, in particular a belt, is capable of causing the rotation of said shaft 411, thus allowing central disc 41 to rotate. Said shaft 411 is fitted on cylinder 45 by means of rolling means 412, for example ball bearings, so as to be capable of rotating.

Ball introduction device 7, in the embodiment shown, comprises an actuator device 71, in particular an electric motor, which is capable of operating the launching mechanism comprising a spring and a bellows element.

Said actuator device 71 is capable of moving the launching mechanism as shown by the arrows indicated in the figure, stretching a spring and said bellows element. When actuator device 71 releases said launching mechanism, for example by releasing said spring, a force is exerted upon the bellows element, which gets compressed. The compression of the bellows element compresses the air it has on the inside, so as to exert a force upon the ball. The force exerted by the compressed air upon the ball is such as to cause the ball to run along the path defined by guide 72 and be introduced into roulette 4 according to the specific needs. As already mentioned above, said launching mechanism can comprise, in an alternative embodiment, a spring and a pusher, adapted to hit the ball so as to exert a force upon the ball following the release of said spring. This last embodiment can be implemented by means of electromechanical devices, in which the actuator is an electric motor, or it can be manual. In this last embodiment, in which the operator, by acting upon the actuator element, moves the launching mechanism, there is further provided a device adapted to make sure that the ball can be introduced into the guide only if it receives a pushing force that is sufficient for it to cover the entire path of the guide and, after having reached the inside of the roulette, make the number of revolutions indicated above.

The figure also shows the path of said guide 72, which is indicated with broken lines. As shown, said guide 72 is arranged so as to make a helical path, for example with the shape of a spiral .

In the preferred embodiment, said guide 72 extends, relative to said axis "Z", starting from the height at which said introduction device 7 is arranged up to the point in which the ball is introduced, in the area of the height of ball track 452 of upper edge 451.

Furthermore, the figure partially reveals ball recovery mechanism 75 and actuator device 76. This figure also shows how roulette 4 and the devices (5, 7, 75) for its automation are compact and take up a small space.

The figure further indicates the point in which the electromechanical mechanism 5 acts upon shaft 411 by means of transmission means 51.

This figure also shows how ball recovery mechanism 75 is arranged in such a way that actuator device 76 acts upon a distal end of shaft 411, which is opposite the end of the shaft itself to which said wheel cone 42 is arranged in a rigid manner.

Furthermore, the figure reveals how the devices (5, 7, 75) enabling the automation of roulette 4 are compact and are properly arranged so as to ensure a reduced space occupation.

The figure further shows the arrangement of actuator device 71 relative to ball introduction device 7.

Figure 4, compared to figure 3, allows the identification of the preferred embodiment, in which, in order to reduce the space occupied, the actuator and/or motor devices (50, 71, 76) of the different devices/mechanisms are arranged so that the respective shafts are arranged along axes that are perpendicular to one another .

Figure 4 shows a casing comprising electronic connectors. This casing is adapted to contain part of the control system and, in particular, the remote portion, adapted to convert electronic signals emitted by processing unit 82 into electrical signals, adapted to control the actuator motors /devices . Figure 5 shows a possible conformation of a roulette 4, which reveals the different parts comprised therein. Roulette 4 comprised in machine 2 according to the invention is a miniature copy, as it has a diameter that is smaller than the 60 cm of traditional roulettes. Indeed, roulette 4 comprised in machine 2 ensures all the variables that are typical for the game of roulette.

Figure 6 shows, in a schematic manner, the electrical connection between control system 8 and the elements of machine 2.

In the embodiment, control system 8 preferably is centralized, so as to have one single processing unit 82. Said control system 8, besides executing the computer program contained in memory support 83, is capable of interfacing, both to control and to monitor, with said payment system 23, said printing device 24 and with user interface 3. In particular, in the communication with the user interface, it is capable of monitoring and managing said screen 31 and possible keys 32.

Said control system 8 is further capable of interfacing: with said electromechanical mechanism 5, for example by controlling motor 50; with said ball introduction device 7, in particular by controlling said actuator device 71; and with said ball recovery device 75, in particular by controlling said actuator device 76.

Finally, the control system is capable of monitoring, by receiving the relative data, said ball position detection system 81, so as to identify the winning number of each game and continue with the execution of the computer program concerning the game of roulette. Machine 2, in particular user interface 3, comprises loudspeakers - not shown - adapted to emit sounds adapted to attract and/or involve the player, before the beginning of the game, during the game - depending on the different phases of the roulette game - and after the game, for example to signal wins.

Outer casing 21 can have an extension along said axis "Z" that ranges from approximately 1 m, as you can see for example in the embodiment of figure IB, to approximately 1.8 m, as you can see for example in the embodiment of figure 2B.

These different embodiments can allow player "P" to interact with machine 2 in different positions, for example standing straight or seating on a chair.

Embodiments that are equally adapted to provide a machine 2 according to the invention, which are not described herein, but are obvious for a person skilled in the art in the light of this description and from the drawings, must be considered as part of the scope of protection of the invention.

NUMERICAL REFERENCES

Machine 2 Outer structure 21

Payment system 23

Printing system 24

User interface 3

Screen 31 Keys 32

Roulette 4

Central disc 41

Rod 410 Shaft 411

Rolling means 412

Wheel cone

42

Separator ring 43 Separators 431

Pockets 432

Number rings 44

Cylinder 45

Upper edge 451 Ball track 452

Diamonds 453

Electromechanical mechanism 5

Motor 50

Transmission means 51 Ball introduction device 7

Actuator device 71

Guide 72

Ball recovery device 75

Actuator device 76 Control system 8 Ball position detection system 81

Processing unit 82

Memory support 83

Player P Vertical axis Z

Horizontal plane XY

Vertical plane XZ