EP0599769B1 - Electronic system for the game of roulette and gambling table usable with said system - Google Patents

Abstract

Electronic system for the game of roulette and gambling table usable with said system. The game is played automatically in its traditional form under the control of a CPU and a logic programme of operation. Chips representing money are avoided and the game clothes (6) are graphic displays on a screen (3). The charges and payments of bets are recorded on an electronic card individualised for each player at the gambling table. The selection of bets is made through command means individualised (4,5) for each player at the gambling table or at distant game terminals. The system allows for the specification of other rules of the game, emission of audiovisual messages in several languages and the printing of data and events of the game. Aplication in casinos and other gambling premises. <IMAGE>

Description

• The invention refers to a system for the controlledplay and prosecution of the game of roulette, which mainlyuses electronic means, as well as the machine or roulettetable usable with said system.
• As it is known, the roulette is a game of chance whereplayers bet amounts of money against the organizingestablishment (casino). The obtention of prize depends on thefinal position of a ball capable of moving erratically on arevolving disc divided into, generally, thirty seven cells orrecesses identified with numbers from 0 to 36 and colouredhalf red and half black. The game is played on a big and longtable on which, on a cloth cover, numbers from 0 to 36 areprinted in a squared reticle, as well as other areas adjacentto said series of numbers, forming a graphic set called gamecloth. A roulette device is placed on one end of the table, ifthere is only one game cloth, or in the middle if there aretwo or more game clothes. The bets are made by placing chipsrepresenting a determined economic value on the squaredreticle, what also serves for identifying the type of betmade. Usual bets are the straight (one number), split (twonumbers), square (four numbers), dozen (twelve numbers), redand black, even and odd, "passe" and "manque", and in somecountries and under different regulations there are othertypes of bets like "sixaine", line, column, street, etc. Eachbet has a prize depending on its own probability.
• The game of roulette, in spite of its simplicity ofconception, has a certain complexity in its prosecution,inasmuch as it envolves several players around each gamecloth, every player with equal or similar chips that,depending on their position on the game cloth mean a type ofbet. Moreover, at the end of each coup it is necessary toremove the chips of losing bets, to pay the prize of winningbets, change and exchange chips, to put them in order of valueand colour, and at the end of every game session to make aninventory and recount of each gambling table. Consequently the casino needs to employ a number of persons (two or more pergame cloth) in different shifts, dedicated to control andmanage the game in each table or game cloth. So the game ismany times slow and there is always the risk of mistake in itsmanagement and control. Moreover, the game requires that theplayer is placed close to the game cloth, many times standing,and with enough degree of memory and attention to the bets hehas made.
• In the state of the art there are electronic orelectromechanic machines of slot machine type that simulate toa great or lesser extent the rules or the mechanism of thegame of roulette, and they work on player against machinebasis with a limited chance, since they must give prizes witha predetermined frequency. However, devices or machines forplaying the real or classic game of roulette are unknown.
• The objective of the present invention is to providetechnical solutions for the drawbacks of the game of roulette.Therefore, objectives to achieve are: reduction of the staffof the casino dedicated to each table or game cloth, toincrease the speed of the game and to remove the risk ofmistake both for the player making bets and the casino payingthe prizes.
• Other objectives are to increase the control of thegame, as well as the speed and reliability of theadministration for the casino, and also to offer the playerthe possibility of playing the game from a location apart fromthe gambling table.
• A system as defined in the preambles ofclaims 1 and 6 is knownfrom DE-A-2.912.193.
• According to the invention it is proposed a system thatmainly comprises electronic means. The system of the inventionkeeps the traditional rules of the game of roulette, whereasit modifies and increases its physical or technical elements.Thus, the roulette as mechanic device in which the thrust ofturning and throwing the ball is done by an employee of the casino (croupier), might be changed by an electromechanicdevice which provokes the rotation of the disk, throws theball and determines the final location (cell) of the ball,even though the latter operation could be also done by opticalmeans.
• In a different embodiment, the roulette device issubstituted by an electronic random number generator.
• The traditional game cloth or clothes are replaced byone or more CRT and/or LCD screens which display with thegreatest fidelity the usual color and graphic distribution ofsaid game clothes: reticle of numbers and areas of simple andmultiple bets.
• Furthermore, the traditional chips in different coloursand values are omitted, and the betting action of the playerplacing chips is carried out by command means, such as adirectional keyboard or analogical simulators of movement(joystick), which displace chips displayed on the screen. Thetask of the employees of the casino to remove the losing betsand to pay the winning ones is done automatically at the endof each coup or by command means.
• The economic exchange of the game is done by means of amagnetic support (card) on which has been previously recordedthe amount of money each player wishes to bet in one or moretimes, and on which prizes and losses are added or deducted,so that the tedious operations of collecting, recounting andexchanging chips are avoided.
• The coordination of the elements which make up thesystem of the invention is done by means of one or more CPUprovided with its own microprocessors, controllers, interfacesand memory supports, which work in response to the commands ofa logic programme of operation.
• The system of the invention is advantageously appliedto an electronic machine which makes up a roulette table, andalso allows for the existence of game terminals located inother places of the casino, in order to avoid the eventualagglomeration of players and the need of the player of beingclose to the gambling table.
• In accordance with the invention, an electronic systemfor the game of roulette comprises:
• at least a CPU provided with its own microprocessors, image,sound and communication controllers, and data input/outputplates,
• memory supports ROM and/or RAM, which contain at least thedata pertaining to the statutory or voluntary regulations ofthe game, the current, statistical and historical data of eachcoup or series of coups, and a logic programme for theoperation and command of the elements of the system,
• one or more CRT and/or LCD screens for the display of thegame cloth and other data, images or messages relative to thegame,
• a magnetic support individualised for each player whichallows for the recording of charges and payments of amounts ofmoney,
• a reader/recorder device for said magnetic support,
• at least a command keyboard of the system for the casino,
• at least a keyboard or command member individualised foreach player, which allows for the selection and control of thebets and the movement of the chips displayed on the screen,
• acoustic means for the transmission of messages,
• voice synthetiser means to transmit messages through saidacoustic means,
• means for the translation of the acoustic and/or visualmessages into several languages,
• one or more printers capable of printing statistical,historical or current data and messages of the progress of thecoups, and
• an independent emergency power supply device for the elements of the system.
• In a more complex form of embodiment, the systemcomprises one or more game terminal machines each one providedat least with one or more CRT and/or LCD screens for thedisplay of the game cloth and other data, images or messagesrelative to the game, a keyboard or command memberindividualised for each player, which allows for the selectionand control of the bets and the movement of the chipsdisplayed on the screen, acoustic means for the transmissionof messages, a reader/recorder device of magnetic supportsindividualised for each player, and at least a commandkeyboard of the game terminal for the casino.
• In other forms of embodiment, the system comprises aroulette device under electromechanic command associated to anumber reading device for the cell finally occupied by theball, or an automatic electronic random number generator assubstitutes for the roulette device, a wavetransmitter/receiver for the remote control of the system bythe casino and for connecting and telecontrolling the gameterminals, and means for connection to a public or privateaudiovisual communication system.
• In accordance with the invention a machine or roulettetable, in particular usable with the system of the invention,comprises:
• at least a CPU provided with its own microprocessors, image,sound and communication controllers, and data input/outputplates,
• memory supports ROM and/or RAM, which contain at least thedata pertaining to the statutory or voluntary regulations ofthe game, the current, statistical and historical data of eachcoup or series of coups, and a logic programme for theoperation and command of the elements of the table,
• one or more CRT and/or LCD screens for the display of thegame cloth and other data, images or messages relative to the game,
• a magnetic support individualised for each player whichallows for the recording of charges and payments of amounts ofmoney,
• a reader/recorder device for said magnetic support,
• at least a command keyboard of the table for the casino,
• at least a keyboard or command member individualised foreach player, which allows for the selection and control of thebets and the movement of the chips displayed on the screen,
• acoustic means for the transmission of messages,
• voice synthetiser means to transmit messages through saidacoustic means,
• means for the translation of the acoustic and/or visualmessages into several languages,
• means for connection to one or more printers capable ofprinting statistical, historical or current data and messagesof the progress of the coups, and
• an independent emergency power supply device for theelements of the table.
• In a further complex form of embodiment, the gamblingtable comprises in addition means for connection to one ormore game terminal machines, each one provided at least withone or more CRT and/or LCD screens for the display of the gamecloth and other data, images or messages relative to the game,a keyboard or command member individualised for each player,which allows for the selection and control of the bets and themovement of the chips displayed on the screen, acoustic meansfor the transmission of messages, a reader/recorder device ofmagnetic supports individualised for each player, and at leasta command keyboard of the game terminal for the casino.
• In other forms of embodiment, a roulette tableaccording to the invention comprises a roulette device underelectromechanic command associated to a number reading devicefor the cell finally occupied by the ball, or an automaticelectronic random number generator, which is displayed on a CRT or LCD screen as substitutes for the roulette device, awave transmitter/receiver for the remote control of themachine by the casino and for connecting and telecontrollingthe game terminals, and means for connection to a public orprivate audiovisual communication system.
• Additionally, in accordance with the invention aterminal machine for the game of roulette, in particularusable with the aforesaid system and/or dependent on thegambling table, comprises at least:
• one or more CRT and/or LCD screens for the display of thegame cloth and other data, images or messages relative to thegame,
• a keyboard or command member individualised for each player,which allows for the selection and control of the bets and themovement of the chips displayed on the screen,
• acoustic means for the transmission of messages,
• a reader/recorder device of magnetic supports individualisedfor each player,
• at least a command keyboard of the game terminal for thecasino, and
• an independent emergency power supply device.
• In other particular forms of embodiment, the terminalmachine comprises the display of a roulette device, a wavetransmitter/receiver for the remote control of the machine bythe casino and for connection to the gambling table, and meansfor connection to a public or private audiovisualcommunication system.
• The sheets of drawing represent:
• Figure 1 is a plan view of an example of a gambling tableaccording to the invention.
• Figure 2 is a plan view of an example of a game terminalaccording to the invention.
• The system, the gambling table and the game terminalsof the invention, as well as other additional advantages willbe better understood from the description which follows of anexample of application of the system in a gambling table andgame terminal with reference to Figures 1 and 2.
• In accordance with the system of the invention, theplayer is located in a game post at a table (in Figure 1 thereare sixteen posts represented) or at a game terminal (inFigure 2 there are three posts represented). The playerinserts in a reader/recorder device (1) the magnetic card hehad previously obtained, for example in the cashdesk of thecasino, which is automatically checked as its authenticity andexistence of credit. A colour or another identification ofchips is assigned to the player, which is displayed forexample on an area or window (2) of the general screen CRT/LCD(3), and starting from that moment, if the player is at theproper time of betting, he canassign/cancel/repeat/consult/finish his bets with the keys(4), and with the joystick (5) put them in the desired placesof the game cloth (6) displayed on the screen (3). When thebetting time is over, the roulette device or the numbergenerator (7) is operated, either manually or automatically inresponse to a temporization of the logic programme ofoperation of the CPU or by punching a keyboard (8) dependenton the casino, and the settling of the number and colourwinning is expected. Automatically, by blinking, flashing,voice, etc., the winning number is identified and the winningbets are displayed on the screen (3), and on the area (2) ofeach player his eventual prize. Then the prizes, which alsocould be announced by voice, are paid and in thereader/recorder device (1) the corresponding notice of paymentor credit is made on the magnetic card of the player, so thata new coup or cycle may be started. The player, by means ofthe keyboard (4), may then leave the game recovering his card,either to come back lately or going to another table or game terminal, or even exchange for money, for example in thecashdesk of the casino, the balance recorded on his card.
• Figure 2 represents a game terminal which operation issubstantially the same as aforesaid for the gambling table.The main difference lies in its dispersed or eventual locationinto the casino, which allows to play from different places ofthe casino and avoids the crowd of people playing or waitingaround the gambling tables. These game terminals, which mayhave a very variable size, or even they can be portable, areconnected to the gambling table by cable or by a wavetransmitter/receiver. In the illustrated example, in additionto the screen (3) which displays the game cloth (6), there isanother screen CRT/LCD (9) for the displaying of the roulettedevice or number generator (7) of the gambling table, so thatthe player follows the game as directly as if he were at thegambling table, although the information about the winningnumber and other acoustic or visual messages relative to thegame also could be displayed on the areas or windows (2) ofthe screen (3), so that the game terminal could be smaller.
• All these events have been coordinated and memorized bythe CPU, so that at any moment and particularly at the end ofeach game session, there is a complete historical, statisticaland accounting information about the operation of everygambling table or game terminal, which can be printed as astatutory or accounting document immediately available.
• It should be understood that the system of theinvention is easily adaptable to different rules of the gameof roulette, for example to the roulette of twenty-fournumbers, and the types of bets could be varied. It is alsounderstandable that all the messages between machine andplayer can be displayed on the screen or be transmitted by thevoice synthetiser, both with the possibility of translationinto several languages. Also it must be understood that partof the historical or statistical information of each table will be available to any player, and that the screens andparticularly the screens of the gambling table and gameterminals are capable of transmitting information orentertainment from a public or private audiovisualcommunication system.

Claims (13)

1. Electronic system for the game of roulettecomprising:

   at least a CPU provided with its own microprocessors, imageand communication controllers, and data input/outputplates,

   memory supports ROM and/or RAM, which contain at least thedata pertaining to the statutory or voluntary regulations ofthe game, the current, statistical and historical data of eachcoup or series of coups, and a logic programme for theoperation and command of the elements of the system,

   one or more CRT and/or LCD screens for the display of thegame cloth and other data, images or messages relative to thegame,

   a magnetic support individualised for each player whichallows for the recording of charges and payments of amounts ofmoney,

   a reader/recorder device for said magnetic support,

   at least a command keyboard of the system for the casino,

   at least a keyboard or command member individualised foreach player, which allows for the selection and control of thebets and the movement of the chips displayed on the screen,

   one or more printers capable of printing statistical,historical or current data and messages of the progress of the coups,
   characterized in that said CPU comprises a sound controller, and by having

   acoustic means for the transmission of messages,

   voice synthetiser means to transmit messages through saidacoustic means,

   means for the translation of the acoustic and/or visualmessages into several languages, and

   an independent emergency power supply device for theelements of the system.
2. Electronic system for the game of roulette, according toclaim 1, characterised by comprising one or more game terminalmachines, each one provided at least with one or more CRT and/or LCD screens for the display of the game cloth and otherdata, images or messages relative to the game, a keyboard orcommand member individualised for each player, which allowsfor the selection and control of the bets and the movement ofthe chips displayed on the screen, acoustic means for thetransmission of messages, a reader/recorder device ofmagnetic supports individualised for each player, and at leasta command keyboard of the game terminal for the casino.
3. Electronic system for the game of roulette, according toclaims 1 or 2, characterised by comprising a roulette deviceunder electromechanic command associated to a number readingdevice for the cell finally occupied by the ball or anautomatic electronic random number generator as substitutesfor the roulette device.
4. Electronic system for the game of roulette, according toclaims 1 to 3, characterised by comprising a wavetransmitter/receiver for the remote control of the system bythe casino and for connecting and telecontrolling the gameterminals.
5. Electronic system for the game of roulette, according toclaims 1 to 4, characterised by comprising means forconnection to a public or private audiovisual communicationsystem.
6. Electronic table for the game of roulette, in particularusable with the system of the preceding claims,comprising:

   at least a CPU provided with its own microprocessors, imageand communication controllers, and data input/outputplates,

   memory supports ROM and/or RAM, which contain at least thedata pertaining to the statutory or voluntary regulations ofthe game, the current, statistical and historical data of eachcoup or series of coups, and a logic programme for the operation and command of the elements of the table,

   one or more CRT and/or LCD screens (3) for the display ofthe game cloth (6) and other data, images or messages (2)relative to the game,

   a magnetic support individualised for each player whichallows for the recording of charges and payments of amounts ofmoney,

   a reader/recorder device (1) of said magnetic support,

   at least a command keyboard (8) of the table for the casino,

   at least a keyboard or command member individualised (4,5)for each player, which allows for the selection and control ofthe bets and the movement of the chips displayed on the screen,

   means for connection to one or more printers capable ofprinting statistical, historical or current data and messages ofthe progress of the coups,
   characterised in that said CPU comprises a sound controller, andby having

   acoustic means for the transmission of messages,

   voice synthetiser means to transmit messages through saidacoustic means,

   means for the translation of the acoustic and/or visualmessages into several languages,and

   an independent emergency power supply device for theelements of the table.
7. Electronic table for the game of roulette, according toclaim 6, characterised by comprising means for connection toone or more game terminal machines, each one provided at leastwith one or more CRT and/or LCD screens (3) for the display ofthe game cloth (6) and other data, images or messages (2)relative to the game, a keyboard or command memberindividualised (4,5) for each player, which allows for theselection and control of the bets and the movement of thechips displayed on the screen, acoustic means for thetransmission of messages, a reader/recorder device (1) ofmagnetic supports individualised for each player, and at leasta command keyboard of the game terminal for the casino.
8. Electronic table for the game of roulette, according toclaims 6 or 7, characterised by comprising a roulette deviceunder electromechanic command associated to a number readingdevice for the cell finally occupied by the ball or anautomatic electronic random number generator which isdisplayed on a CRT or LCD screen, as substitutes for theroulette device (7).
9. Electronic table for the game of roulette, according toclaims 6 to 8, characterised by comprising a wavetransmitter/receiver for the remote control of the machine bythe casino and for connecting and telecontrolling the gameterminals.
10. Electronic table for the game of roulette, according toclaims 6 to 9, characterised by comprising means forconnection to a public or private audiovisual communicationsystem.
11. Electronic terminal machine for the game of roulette,in combination with the system as defined in oneof the preceding claims, characterised bycomprising at least:

    one or more CRT and/or LCD screens (3,9) for the display ofthe game cloth and other data, images or messages (2) relativeto the game,

    a keyboard or command member individualised (4,5) for eachplayer, which allows for the selection and control of the betsand the movement of the chips displayed on the screen,

    acoustic means for the transmission of messages,

    a device reader/recorder (1) of magnetic supportsindividualised for each player,

    at least a command keyboard of the game terminal for thecasino, and

    an independent emergency power supply device.
12. Electronic terminal machine for the game of roulette, according to claim 11, characterised by comprising a wavetransmitter/receiver for the remote control of the machine bythe casino and for connection with the gambling table.
13. Electronic terminal machine for the game of roulette,according to claims 11 or 12, characterised by comprisingmeans for connection to a public or private audiovisualcommunication system.

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