• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    The present invention generally relates to a compact multi-user gaming system, and specifically to a multi-user gaming system in the form of a gaming table, provided with an integrated automated mechanical gaming machine visibly viewable by the users during a gaming operation. The invention also relates to a corresponding control method and a computer program product.For publication: Fig. 1
    公开号:SE1630018A1
    申请号:SE1630018
    申请日:2016-01-30
    公开日:2017-07-31
    发明作者:Eiterjord Jimmy；Nordahl Mats
    申请人:Tangiamo Ab；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    COMPACT MULTI-USER GAMINING SYSTEM TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention generally relates to a compact multi-user gamingsystem, and specifically to a multi-user gaming system in the form of a gaming table,provided with an integrated automated mechanical gaming machine visibly viewable by theusers during a gaming operation. The invention also relates to a corresponding control method and a computer program product.
    BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Gaming systems for use in a gaming environment, such as a casino, have alin1ited maximum number of participants able to play the game simultaneously due to, forexample, the size of the specific gaming site or other physical lirnitations to the gamingsystem. There is a general desire to allow for more players per each area unit within such a gaming environment.
    SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAccording to an aspect of the invention, the above is at least partly alleviated by a gaming system, comprising a transrr1issive multi-user touch interface comprising at leasttwo defined gaming portions provided for a first and a second user, respectively, atransmissive display screen, and an automated mechanical gaming machine, the automatedmechanical gaming machine being a structural device providing a function of a game ofchance and having at least a visual front portion, and a control unit connected to the multi-user touch interface, the transrr1issive display screen and the automated mechanical gamingmachine, wherein the gaming system is provided as a gaming table, the multi-user touchinterface and the transmissive display screen are adj acently configured above at least thefront portion of the automated mechanical gaming machine allowing the users to view at leastthe front portion of the automated mechanical gaming machine through the transmissivemulti-user touch interface and the transrr1issive display screen, and the control unit isarranged to receive at least an input from a user using the multi-user touch interface and anoutput from the automated mechanical gaming machine, and to control the transmissivedisplay screen to display, within at least one of the defined gaming portions, a correlation between the user input and the output from the automated mechanical gaming machine.
    By means of the invention, an integrated solution may be provided where theautomated mechanical gaming machine is arranged “beneath” the user interface and thedisplay, allowing users to have direct visible access to the automated mechanical gamingmachine while at the same time moving away from the prior art solution where the automatedmechanical gaming machine typically is arranged “on the side” of the gaming table. Thepresented solution greatly improve, as compared to prior art, the number of players that canplay at a single table.
    Preferably, the automated mechanical gaming machine may be a roulettewheel comprising a roulette ball. Alternatively, the automated mechanical gaming machinemay be a dice-shaking device and comprising at least one dice. The automated mechanicalgaming machine may also be an electronic card shuffler comprising a plurality of playingcards. Accordingly, different implementations may be possible in regards to the controllableexternally arranged hardware random number generator for providing the random number. ln accordance to the invention, the automated mechanical gaming machine isprovided away from the user in such a manner that the automated mechanical gamingmachine may not be readily physically manipulated by the users. Thus, an improved safety ofthe gaming system is provided. lt should be understood that the user interface typically is a single userinterface shared between the users (plurality of users). lt is advantageous to configure theuser interface and the control unit such that the different users may access the user interfacesimultaneously while being separately identified. ln an embodiment the least two definedgaming portions are expected to be solely operated by the separate users.
    Preferably, the information presented at the display screen and the inputexpected at the user interface may be updated, for example allowing different types of gamesto be played using the same type of automated mechanical gaming machine. In regards to theautomated mechanical gaming machine being a dice-shaking device, it may for example bepossible to adjust the information presented to be switched between e.g. the dice game Craps,“Sic Bo” (also sometimes referred to as “Cussec”, “Tai Sai”, “Dai Siu”, “Big and Small” or“Hi-Lo”), Fish-Prawn-Crab/Hoo Hey How, Grand Hazard/Chuck-a-Luck/Birdcage, etc. Thesame of course counts for an implementation where the automated mechanical gamingmachine is a roulette wheel. Also, it could be possible to adapt the gaming system such thatthe type of automated mechanical gaming machine may be exchanged, e. g. between different types of roulette wheels (e. g. single or double zero), etc.
    The eXpression “control unit” should be understood to include any type ofcomputing device, such as an ASIC, a rnicro-processor, etc. It should also be understood thatthe actual implementation of such a processing circuitry may be divided between more than asingle device/circuit.
    Further features of, and advantages with, the present invention will becomeapparent when studying the appended claims and the following description. The skilledaddressee realize that different features of the present invention may be combined to createembodiments other than those described in the following, without departing from the scope of the present invention.
    BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The various aspects of the invention, including its particular features andadvantages, will be readily understood from the following detailed description and theaccompanying drawing, in which: Eig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a gaming system according to acurrently preferred embodiment of the invention; Eig. 2 provides detailed information relating to the gaming portions providedfor user interaction; Eig. 3a is a side view of gaming system, comprising an automated mechanicalgaming machine in the form of a roulette wheel; and Eig. 3b provides an alternative automated mechanical gaming machine in the form of a dice-shaking device.
    DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which currently preferred embodiments of theinvention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms andshould not be construed as lin1ited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, theseembodiments are provided for thoroughness and completeness, and fully convey the scope ofthe invention to the skilled addressee. Like reference characters refer to like elementsthroughout.
    Referring now to the drawings and to Eig. 1 in particular, there is depicted agaming system, in the form of a gaming table 100 including a multi-user touch interface and display 102 for a plurality of users/players sharing the same user interface. The display may for example be a dynamically configurable display, such as an LCD panel, connected to acontrol unit (not shown) for handling bets provided by the players. Furthermore, the multi-user touch interface and display 102 comprises a plurality of gaming portions 104. In theillustrated embodiment, the multi-user touch interface and display 102 comprise six relativelyevenly distributed gaming portions 104 which hence allow six users/players tosimultaneously play on the gaming table 100. The gaming table 100 may of course comprisea multi-user touch interface and display 102 having more than six gaming portions 104, orless than six gaming portions. Further details with regards to the gaming portions 104 will begiven below in relation to the description of Fig. 2.
    Moreover, the gaming table 100 comprises an automated mechanical gamingmachine 106 arranged at a position vertically below the multi-user touch interface anddisplay 102, in an enclosed cavity formed beneath the multi-user touch interface and display104. Thus, a user is able to visually monitor the automated mechanical gaming machine 106when standing next to the gaming table 100. The automated mechanical gaming machine 106is in the illustrated example embodiment in Fig. 1 a physical roulette wheel where the ballwill be automatically provided in a spinning motion around the circular track running aroundthe circumference of the roulette wheel. Possibly, the automated roulette wheel 106 uses airpressure to launch the ball onto the brim and a series of optical and proximity sensors to trackthe ball during its path and detect its final position. The tracking information and the finalposition are communicated to the control unit.
    Other automated mechanical gaming machines are of course conceivable suchas e. g. a dice gaming machine for playing the so-called dice game “Sic Bo” as will bedescribed below in relation to the description of Fig. 3b.
    Although the automated mechanical gaming machine 106 can be visuallymonitored by the users, there are situations which will be described further below, when it isdesirable to prevent a user to visually monitor the automated mechanical gaming machine106. In these situations, the multi-user touch interface and display 102 may be arranged in anopaque mode, or lighting thereof may be arranged to prevent user(s) from temporarilyvisually monitoring the automated mechanical gaming machine 106. Preferably, a plurality ofcontrollable light sources are connected to and controlled by means of the control unit, wherea mode (fully active to non-active) may be allowed to dependent on a state of the gamepresented by the gaming system.
    Furthermore, the gaming table 100 comprises a plurality of side panels 108 arranged on side portions of the gaming table 100. Hereby, the vertical long sides and vertical short sides comprise the side panels 108 for preventing the users to gain physical access tothe automated mechanical gaming machine 106. This improves the safety of the gamingsystem since it is not possible for a user to manipulate with the automated mechanical gaming machine 106. Also, the gaming table 100 comprises user terrr1inals 110 at the sidepanels in the vicinity of the respective gaming portions 104. The user terminals allow the userto buy markers or cash out acquired money/markers.
    Fig. 2 provides detailed information relating to the gaming portions 104provided for user interaction. Specifically, six gaming portions 104 are displayed by meansof the multi-user touch interface and display 102. ln the illustrated embodiment the gamingportions 106 are arranged to correspond to the “normal” set-up of for a roulette game, in thiscase one roulette-game-set-up is provided to each of the users/players. ln accordance to theinvention, it is desirable to arrange the gaming portions 104 such that interaction by a firstuser is not obscuring the possibility for a second user to view the automated mechanicalgaming machine 106. lt should be understood that the gaming portions 104 be allowed to e.g.change position/size during the time frame of a game, e. g. one position/size at the time ofplacement of a bet, and one position/size when an outcome of a game is presented.
    For allowing the different players to place bets, the multi-user touch interfaceand display 102 may comprise identification means (not shown) for differentiate thedifferent users from each other. Such identification means may comprise a multitude ofsensors, and the results captured by the sensor may in turn be correlated for deterrnining theidentity of the user. Other types of technology may also be provided, where the control unitand combination with the user interface are configured to allow differentiation betweendifferent users. ln Fig. 3a there is provided a side view of gaming system, comprising theroulette wheel 106. In the illustrated embodiment it is shown that the roulette wheel isarranged directly underneath the multi-user touch interface and display 102. The multi-usertouch interface and display 102 is in this embodiment shown as two separate parts, i.e.display 302 and user interface 304. As seen from the top, the user interface 304 is arrangedtop most, the display 302 in between, and the roulette wheel 106 arranged below the display302.
    Fig. 3a further presents the control unit 306, arranged in communication withthe roulette wheel 106, the display 302 and user interface 304. The control unit 306 may eachinclude a microprocessor, n1icrocontroller, programmable digital signal processor or another programmable device. The control unit 306 may also, or instead, each include an application specific integrated Circuit, a programmable gate array or programmable array logic, aprogrammable logic device, or a digital signal processor. Where the control unit 306 includesa programmable device such as the n1icroprocessor, rnicrocontroller or programmable digitalsignal processor mentioned above, the processor may further include computer executablecode that controls operation of the programmable device.
    In Fig. 3b there is provided an alternative automated mechanical gamingmachine in the form of a dice-shaking device 308, to be arranged in the enclosed cavityformed beneath the multi-user touch interface and display 102. The dice-shaking device 308comprises a transparent cover 310 covering a plurality of dice 312, internally arranged meansin the dice-shaking device 308 for shaking the dice 312. The means for shaking the dice 312may for example include a mechanically wobbling surface, arranged in a housing 314, that intum shakes the dice 312. The time of shaking of the dice 312 may for example be controlledby means of the gaming control unit 306.
    For automatic determination of the outcome once the time for shaking the dice312 has ended, a symbol recognition arrangement (not shown) is provide. The symbolrecognition arrangement comprises an image capturing device connected to the control unit306. The image capturing device may be a camera, for example comprising a CCD or aCMOS sensor. Additionally, for providing illumination that may be used by the imagecapturing device in capturing an image, the symbol recognition arrangement may be providedwith one or a plurality of light sources, such as a plurality of LEDs. The LEDs may emit lightwithin a visible wavelength, but may also, or instead, err1it light within with an infraredwavelength. Accordingly, the image capturing device may be provided with a filter for onlyallowing light within a specific, corresponding, wavelength range to be allowed to reach thecapturing means of the image capturing device.
    In addition, the control functionality of the present disclosure may beimplemented using existing computer processors, or by a special purpose computer processorfor an appropriate system, incorporated for this or another purpose, or by a hardwired system.Embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure include program productscomprising machine-readable media for carrying or having machine-executable instructionsor data structures stored thereon. Such machine-readable media can be any available mediathat can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine witha processor. By way of example, such machine-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM,EPROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of machine-executable instructions or data structures and whichcan be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with aprocessor. When information is transferred or provided over a network or anothercommunications connection (either hardwired, wireless, or a combination of hardwired orwireless) to a machine, the machine properly views the connection as a machine-readablemedium. Thus, any such connection is properly termed a machine-readable medium.Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of machine-readable media.Machine-executable instructions include, for example, instructions and data which cause ageneral purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing machinesto perform a certain function or group of functions.
    Although the figures may show a sequence the order of the steps may differfrom what is depicted. Also two or more steps may be performed concurrently or with partialconcurrence. Such variation will depend on the software and hardware systems chosen andon designer choice. All such variations are within the scope of the disclosure. Likewise,software implementations could be accomplished with standard programn1ing techniqueswith rule based logic and other logic to accomplish the various connection steps, processingsteps, comparison steps and decision steps. Additionally, even though the invention has beendescribed with reference to specific exemplifying embodiments thereof, many differentalterations, modifications and the like will become apparent for those skilled in the art.Further, a single unit may perform the functions of several means recited in the claims. In theclaims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as lirniting tothe claim. Furthermore, in the claims, the word "comprising" does not eXclude other elementsor steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality.
    Variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected bythe skilled addressee in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, thedisclosure, and the appended claims. The person skilled in the art realizes that the present invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments.
    权利要求:
    Claims (12)
    [1] 1. A gaming system, comprising: - a transmissive multi-user touch interface comprising at least two definedgaming portions provided for a first and a second user, respectively; - a transmissive display screen, and - an automated mechanical gaming machine, the automated mechanical arnin machine bein a structural device rovidin a function of a ame of chance andg g g P g ghaving at least a visual front portion, and - a control unit connected to the multi-user touch interface, the transmissivedisplay screen and the automated mechanical gaming machine,wherein: - the gaming system is provided as a gaming table, - the multi-user touch interface and the transmissive display screen areadjacently configured above at least the front portion of the automated mechanical gamingmachine allowing the users to view at least the front portion of the automated mechanicalgaming machine through the transmissive multi-user touch interface and the transmissivedisplay screen, and - the control unit is arranged to receive at least an input from a user using themulti-user touch interface and an output from the automated mechanical gaming machine,and to control the transmissive display screen to display, within at least one of the definedgaming portions, a correlation between the user input and the output from the automated mechanical gaming machine.
    [2] 2. The gaming system according to claim 1, wherein the multi-user touchinterface and the transmissive display screen are adjacently arranged horizontally above at least the front portion of the automated mechanical gaming machine.
    [3] 3. The gaming system according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein theautomated mechanical gaming machine spans a defined volume and the defined volume is completely integrated underneath the gaming table.
    [4] 4. The gaming system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein theautomated mechanical gaming machine is secured undemeath the gaming table, not allowing users physical access to the automated mechanical gaming machine.
    [5] 5. The gaming system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the automated mechanical gaming machine is a roulette wheel comprising a roulette ball.
    [6] 6. The gaming system according to any one of claims 1 - 4, wherein the automated mechanical gaming machine is a dice-shaking device.
    [7] 7. The gaming system according to any one of claims 1 - 4, wherein theautomated mechanical gaming machine is an electronic card shuffler comprising a plurality of playing cards.
    [8] 8. The gaming system according to any one of claims 1 - 5, wherein the controlunit is configured to overlay a virtual roulette wheel at the display screen at a positioncorresponding to the physical roulette wheel viewable through the transmissive multi-usertouch interface and the transn1issive display screen, and the multi-user touch interface allows for user input at the virtual roulette wheel.
    [9] 9. The gaming system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein thetransmissive multi-user touch interface and the transmissive display screen are combined as one single unit.
    [10] 10. The gaming system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the transmissive multi-user touch interface applies capacitive technology for user input.
    [11] 11. The gaming system according to any one of the preceding claims, furthercomprising a plurality of controllable light sources, connected to and controlled by means of control unit.
    [12] 12. The gaming system according to claim 11, wherein the plurality of lightsources controlled between a fully active and a non-active mode dependent on a state of the game presented by the gaming system.
    类似技术:
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    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    EP3407992A4|2019-07-31|
    SE540876C2|2018-12-11|
    EP3407992A1|2018-12-05|
    WO2017131572A1|2017-08-03|
    US10629023B2|2020-04-21|
    US20190035204A1|2019-01-31|
    CN108697931A|2018-10-23|
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    法律状态:
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    SE1630018A|SE540876C2|2016-01-30|2016-01-30|Compact multi-user gaming system|SE1630018A| SE540876C2|2016-01-30|2016-01-30|Compact multi-user gaming system|
    CN201780008692.6A| CN108697931A|2016-01-30|2017-01-19|Compact multi user game system|
    US16/073,046| US10629023B2|2016-01-30|2017-01-19|Compact multi-user gaming system|
    PCT/SE2017/050053| WO2017131572A1|2016-01-30|2017-01-19|Compact multi-user gaming system|
    EP17744646.5A| EP3407992A4|2016-01-30|2017-01-19|Compact multi-user gaming system|
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