Game deviceThe present invention relates to a game device, including: an input device for inputting numbers and/or combinations of numbers and/or chips and/or information in the form of a matrix of numbers; a result determination device for determining winning numbers and/or winning number combinations and/or winning number matrices; an indicator device for indicating the determined winning numbers and/or the determined winning number combinations and/or the determined winning number matrix; and a prize determining means for determining a prize of the game from the determined prize combination and/or the determined prize matrix compared with the input piece of chips and/or information.
Gaming machines often operate with winning numbers or winning combinations that are "wagered" with gaming chips such that depending on the content, whether or not to guess the numbers corresponds to whether or not to pay the number played, the prize amount. Such chips or winnings may be represented in the form of currency-like equivalents (e.g., tokens) or also in the form of virtual chips, e.g., in the form of game balances or virtual "player life". The game or determination of the corresponding winning number can thus be carried out in many different forms, for example in the form of a lottery game or a roulette game, wherein the determined numbers, combinations of numbers or number fields can be bet and played, i.e. numbers arranged in a determined arrangement on a number field. Alternatively or in addition, a bingo game (bingo game) or also a reel game may be provided, in which a certain number sequence or combination of numbers must appear in a predetermined payline in order to win, for example in a number field or on a reel game background.
A game of winning numbers or a combination of winning numbers is thus played by the random number generator, for example in the form of an electronic component controlled by the automatic game machine, which does not have the possibility that the operator of the automatic game specifies the corresponding winning number for a one-round game.
However, the generation of the winning numbers by such an electronic random number generator makes the corresponding automatic game appear opaque and, therefore, has a limited determination value since the activity to be played or to be guessed may appear too virtual or have an artifact to the automatic machine user and the winning determination may not appear understandable. Therefore, recently, there have been thought of sports competition themes for performing live activities, for example, activities such as guessing or playing by automata. Traditionally, sports competitions such as horse or football games can thus be guessed at the scene. It is also suggested that the results could be transmitted online over multiple chips on an online system and then on the gaming terminal to display the content there. However, such online gaming systems are subject to increased handling risks or safety requirements in order to accommodate the physical separation of the active locations of the gaming terminal on the one hand and the sporting contest or game on the other hand. Not only must it be ensured that the sporting contest on which it is to be quizzed or the game on which it is to be quizzed is conducted in a regular manner, but above all that the time interlocking of activities and the transmission of activities on which it is to be quizzed and the data input for that chip are organized in the following manner: subsequent game outcomes are prevented from being known, and it is therefore also necessary to eliminate subsequent data manipulation.
DE 10309676 a1 describes a system for recording, transmitting and indicating data of a bowling center, which records images of game courses with electronic cameras and provides these for internet access. Further, game result data entered at the bowling center is also provided for internet access, so that the progress of the game and the resulting game result at one game location are indicated and can be tracked at a different game location. With the relative alignment of the system, game or contest participants at different game positions may play against each other. Furthermore, EP 1002558 a2 describes a device for locating the bollard of a pool fairway, which device optically scans the bollard field by means of an image recording device, detects a fallen or still standing bollard by means of image data, compares the image data with preset image data, whereupon a bollard adjuster device is selected by means of a control device in order to re-erect the fallen bollard.
Furthermore, DE 69622153T 2 describes an electronically controlled scoring of a pool lane for a pool of pool studs, which is connected to a monitoring device for scanning a knocked-down column on the pool lane for a pool of stud games and selects a control display at the end of the pool lane for a game to indicate the outcome of the game, i.e. the number of knocked-down columns.
The problem of the present invention is to create an improved random number generator of the kind described above, which prevents the disadvantages of the state of the art and which is to be developed further in an advantageous way. In particular, an interesting winning determination for automatic gaming is to be created that prevents manipulation and fraud of gaming operations and improves security of control, monitoring and analysis of gaming operations.
According to the invention, the above problem is solved by a game device according to claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.
In order to determine the winning numbers or winning number combinations or winning number matrices, it is therefore proposed to use a skill game or a skill sport or skill competition, the result of which is a discrete number, and to transmit the discrete number to the control of the game device. The number or combination of numbers determined from the game outcome may be used in the gaming device as a winning number or a winning combination of numbers or rather than a random number or combination of random numbers generated by an electronic random number generator. To the extent that it is possible for the user of the slot machine to indicate the course of the game of skill, this is advantageous in that the creation of the random number is transparent, i.e. it is an understandable or visible activity, and thus enhances the confidence level of the system. At the same time, the system provides reliable random numbers in a sufficiently short time interval. According to the present invention, the result determination means of the game apparatus (by which the winning number, the combination of winning numbers and/or the matrix of winning numbers is determined) includes: a monitoring device for monitoring at least one skill gaming/sports facility on which at least one participant can play a skill game/sports, the skill game/sports producing at least one game outcome, wherein the monitoring device comprises game outcome determination means for determining a game outcome; and a determination device for determining a winning number and/or a winning number combination and/or a winning number matrix from one or more determined game results. The winning number, the winning number combination or the winning number matrix can directly correspond to the corresponding value of the one or more game outcomes, but can also preferably be derived taking into account predetermined calculation or generation rules.
A skilled game/sports within the meaning of this registration may thus comprise different forms of games or competitions or generally live activities, which may be held by amateurs or professionals without profit opportunities for entertainment or in competition forms with competition features and without profit opportunities. In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the monitoring device is thus assigned to a post game lane or bowling lane, on which a standing game post or pin (pin) can be knocked over at the lane end in a familiar manner by rolling the ball forward on the lane. The discrete number used as a result is thus the corresponding number of playposts or flag poles that are knocked over by one attempt and also by multiple attempts. Alternatively or in addition, the monitoring device can also monitor a shooting range facility, which can be a bow and arrow facility, a strong crossbow facility, a pistol or rifle facility, or also a dart facility. The value used as a result is thus the target ring or target plate, respectively, hit.
The number sought or the combination of numbers sought may be determined in different ways depending on the type of slot machine for which the game result in discrete value form is intended. If a single winning number is found, for example in the form of a lottery or roulette game, the determining means may comprise a determining means for determining a number from a plurality of numbers according to specifiable computing instructions. By using a plurality of values for the number determination, the predictability and danger of manipulation can be reduced, since the contingency component of the skill game has a greater impact. For example, the outcome of a pin-stroke game or bowling activity of multiple players may be added on different lanes, for example, in the following manner, or the outcome of one player in each attempt may be added: the number to be created or the winning number is added as the sum of the game posts hit over by four competing post game players in one round.
Alternatively or additionally, if not a single number but a sequence of numbers or a matrix of numbers is to be determined, the above-mentioned determining means may comprise an assigning means for assigning the single value or the calculated number to a corresponding number slot in the sequence of numbers or matrix of numbers according to the specifiable attribution specification. Advantageously, in the case of monitoring a pool or bowling lane, the corresponding game posts knocked over by each participant in a round may form the value of one line, while the game posts knocked over in each round may form a plurality of further lines of a matrix of numbers.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the gaming terminal of the gaming establishment has a wagering area that indicates possible winning numbers and/or winning number combinations, and in which the corresponding user can enter or wager on the desired winning number and/or winning number combination and/or also the desired winning field area. The betting areas can thus in principle be formed mechanically in the form of betting tables, for example, but in particular also virtually in the form of screen indications, for example on a touch screen, in order to facilitate simple input of the corresponding chips. The betting areas described above can thus be configured in different ways, wherein the betting areas in particular must not correspond to targets of the skill game or skill sports, i.e. in case the plunger game lane corresponds to the positioning of the game plunger. Advantageously, the betting area may contain a matrix of numbers or a collection of numbers selected at different alignments, which form possible winning numbers, for example in the manner of a roulette betting area.
In order to facilitate simple operation and handling of the game terminal, in a further embodiment of the invention an indication means is provided in the betting area, which indication means can be controlled by a determination means of the game device in dependence on the game result of the skill game/skill sport activity and is arranged to indicate the determined winning number. In particular, the indicator means may be assigned to the winning number set in the betting zone, for example, in the following manner: the winning bet area is illuminated or spotlighted in a particular color. Alternatively or in addition, an indicator device can also be assigned to the aforementioned betting area, which indicator device marks the winning number, for example backlit or spotlighted in a particular color. For the winning indication, the winning number bet on it can be emphasized, for example, in a special manner (for example, by a constant or flashing backlight or illumination) by means of the above-mentioned indicator device. Alternatively or in addition, it is also possible to emphasize the number that is not a winner but is bet on it in a special way, for example by illuminating it in a color indicating a failure.
In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention not only the result but also the course of the skill game/skill sport activity is indicated on the game terminal. It is therefore advantageous to provide a screen on the gaming terminal that indicates the images recorded by the cameras on the skills gaming/sports facilities. Thus, the user of the game terminal can track the progress of the contest after betting, in order to then be notified of the activities conducted in the manner described above.
The monitoring device may thus advantageously monitor a plurality of lanes of the skill game facility/skill sports facility via respective monitoring devices to monitor the outcome of the game by different participants on the plurality of lanes of the facility. The determining means may then determine the number or combination of numbers sought from the results of the game for the different lanes. In principle, this can be monitored in different ways. For example, the monitoring device may include a camera that observes the post game field and identifies the number of posts or pin poles knocked over by the image evaluation device (preferably by comparison before and after). Alternatively or in addition, the result determination means for determining the result of the game may also be integrated in an adjuster device which automatically sets the game post or flag pole, for example in the following manner: the result determination means recognize the displacement of the threads on which the respective playing posts hang when they are knocked over, or recognize the playing post still standing and/or knocked over by means of a gripper with a threadless adjuster device, for example by means of a gripper head with a gripper device initially returning to the adjuster position and catching, wherein the playing post still standing can be recognized.
In the case of a game or sports situation with different lanes, the assignment of individual lanes to participants is advantageously determined or assigned by means of a random number transmitter, i.e. the combined pair of corresponding participant and corresponding lane is determined. Thus, improved contingency profiles may be achieved as existing lane characteristics (e.g., such as different light incidence rates, different lane inclinations, or different flatness of the game lanes) are integrated in the determination of the number or combination of numbers. Advantageously, the participants are thus determined from the participant pool by the random number generator and assigned to the corresponding lane, or conversely, the lane is assigned to the selected participant. Advantageously, the number of participants may be greater than the number of lanes to be played. Alternatively or additionally, the allocation of gaming devices, in particular the allocation of bowling or bowling balls to participants may be determined.
In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a plurality of skill game positions/skill sports positions in the form of bowling balls or pin game lanes arranged in different places or also in different countries can also be monitored by a plurality of monitoring devices of the kind described above, so that the corresponding skill game facility/skill sports facility can be selected by means of a suitable selection device, the game result of which can then be used to determine the winning number, or a winning number combination or a winning number matrix. Thus, in principle, the selection can be made in different ways and ways. For example, the selection means may comprise an electronic random number generator by which the skills gaming/sports facilities for winning number determination are selected in a random manner. Alternatively or in addition, the gaming terminal may also include an input tool by which a user of the gaming terminal may select a skills gaming/skills sports facility for prize number determination. This gives the corresponding user of the game device a greater transparency and a feeling of absolute safety with respect to manipulation, since the determination of the winning number or the winning number combination is dependent on the user's choice of a skill game facility/skill sports facility. Nevertheless, with the above selection means, the degree of contingency of the winning number determination is further increased, since the influence of different skill game facilities/skill sports facilities and the progress of the skill game thereon (these games may be different, for example, with a first bowling facility and with a second dart facility) are integrated in the winning number determination.
In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the selection means may thus feature distribution means which make it possible to select different skill game facilities/skill sports facilities for different number slots of a number combination or number matrix in the following manner: for example, a first skill game facility/skill sports facility is selected for a first column of a number matrix and the determined game result is used accordingly, a second skill game facility/skill sports facility is selected for a second column of the prize number matrix and the game result determined there is used, and a third skill game facility/skill sports facility (or, if applicable, the first skill game facility/skill sports facility) is selected for a third column of the prize number matrix and the game result determined there is used.
The above-described allocation of different selected skill game facilities/skill sport facilities to individual number slots can thus in principle be carried out in different ways. For example, the dispensing means may comprise an electronic random number generator to dispense in a random manner. But alternatively or additionally, input means may be provided at the gaming terminal which allow the above-described dispensing to be performed by a user of the gaming device.
In order to prevent manipulation with respect to game control, it is proposed to selectively separate data and files for controlling or monitoring game operation at a plurality of locations into different data stores, so that only a central control or monitoring computer (which, if applicable, may consist of a plurality of, separate computer units) has access to all the necessary data. In particular, data for the participants and data for the sports equipment are separated so that the allocation of the participants and the gaming equipment or lane to each other can be monitored and controlled centrally. Advantageously, each game participant is provided with a participant memory separate from the gaming device memory, in which participant data, in particular identification data, such as a participant identification, is stored, is read out by means of a receiving/reading device and archived in a database, the gaming device data is also stored in the database, and/or archived in a further database, and wherein the gaming device data stored in the database or databases and the participant data are distributed to one another with the aid of distribution means, and wherein updated readouts of the gaming device data and the participant data are performed and the allocations of the updated readout gaming device data and the updated readout participant data are compared with allocations previously allocated by the allocating means. In the case of the use of the partitioned and separate holding means of the data to be held in the plurality of memory locations on the game apparatus (in the case of a plunger game lane on a ball) and on the players, the handling possibilities are substantially reduced, in particular also because the connection of the relevant data (relating on the one hand to the game apparatus and/or the game lane and on the other hand to the players) is established at the central computer and at a database allocated to the central computer in a location which is separate and separate from the players. Furthermore, the control of the allocation of the participants and the game device thus becomes visible and can also be prescribed by the computer system only shortly before the start of the game, wherein the manipulation of the game device and the game device memory attached thereto becomes difficult. In particular, the allocation generated by the allocation means can also be used to specify an activation position. The updated readings of the gaming device data and participant data and the monitoring of the distribution of the updated readings along with the distribution previously distributed by the distribution means allows for an assertion as to whether the generated gaming device/participant distribution is adhered to.
Depending on the type of memory elements used on the gaming device and the participants, the readout of the gaming device data stored in the gaming device memory and the participant data stored in the participant memory can thus be performed actively or passively. For example, a memory provided for the gaming device and/or the participant can be provided with an active transmitter unit, so that in this case a passive receiving means for reading out or receiving data is sufficient. Alternatively or in addition, it is also possible to provide only passive and on-demand transmitter units on the game device and/or the participants, so that in this case advantageously active reading devices for reading out the respective data are used, which actively interrogate the memory devices on the game device and/or the participants with respective signals.
In particular, the RFID element can be used as a gaming device memory and/or a participant memory, wherein it is advantageous in this case if the above-mentioned receiving/reading means are designed as RFID reading means. The use of such an RFID element and a corresponding RFID reading device has the advantage that, among other things, no "visual contact" between transmitter and receiver is necessary, and that a high-resolution position location is possible, i.e. a data read-out can be carried out in a simple manner as long as the RFID tag is located to the right of the place where it is located, and that it can work with low power consumption values.
Alternatively or in addition to such an RFID element or RFID reading means, a bar code element can also be used as a participant memory or gaming device memory, the bar code of which contains corresponding information, in particular a gaming device identification or a participant identification. As a reading device, a bar code reader can advantageously be used with the aid of a bar code element which can be read.
In the case of the above-described use of separate memory elements on the gaming device and the participants, the allocation of the participants and the gaming device to each other can be defined and reversed in a short time in order to eliminate the benefit of manipulation on a particular gaming device. A computer system for monitoring or controlling game operation, which computer system has access to at least one database in which game device data is archived in separate memory locations, assigns particular participants to particular game devices and displays this on an indicator panel or another suitable indicator means shortly before the game begins. In particular, the computer may thus feature or be connected to an electronic random number generator such that the electronic random number generator automatically performs the allocation of gaming device data to participant data such that the determined gaming device is allocated to the determined participant in a random manner.
In a further embodiment of the invention, a monitoring device is provided which monitors whether the allocation specified by the allocation devices of the participants and the game apparatus is also complied with. The activity may be skipped or stopped, for example, depending on the monitoring signal released by the monitoring device.
In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a monitoring device is additionally or alternatively provided, which monitors whether the respective game apparatus is used on the "correct" lane assigned by the computer. In this case, the game device data can be read out from the storage device of the game device by means of a receiving/reading device which is designed in such a way that the game device data of the respective game device are read out only from the respective device located on the respective lane. Advantageously, the corresponding RFID reading device may be integrated in the pool of the stud game, for example placed under the surface of the pool.
Advantageously, the allocation of the fairway to the gaming apparatus data and/or participant data values stored in the database is also carried out automatically by the random number generator, wherein the computer-aided allocation of fairways to the gaming apparatus data and/or participant data is indicated on the above-mentioned indicator means before the game starts.
Advantageously, the above-mentioned monitoring device for observing a lane may comprise a release device which only releases the corresponding lane if the game apparatus data and/or the player data read out by the reading device located on this lane correspond to a defined assignment of lanes to game apparatuses and/or players. The release means may thus be provided in turn on a central computer for controlling the operation of the game, so as to prevent operation of the lane if the game apparatus and/or the participant stands on the wrong lane.
In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the monitoring of the skills gaming/sports facilities is also advantageously variably controlled by suitable monitoring means, for example, to a camera or cameras depending on the gaming device data read out from the gaming device memory and/or depending on the participant data read out from the participant memory and/or an efficient distribution of this gaming device and participant data. For example, such control causes the computer to activate and/or deploy in each case a corresponding camera with a currently active game participant in the coverage area. Alternatively or in addition, the switching between different camera positions may be set in dependence on gaming device data read out from the gaming device memory, wherein in particular the installation of switching means provided on the skills gaming/skills sports facility for relying on gaming device data may be set. For example, a switching means may be provided which switches the camera position and/or activates the corresponding camera if the game apparatus is taken out of the game apparatus storage and placed on or close to the lane.
The invention is further explained later on the basis of a preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings related to the invention. These figures show:
FIG. 1: a schematic illustration of a multi-lane skill game/skill sports facility in the form of a pool game lane, which is monitored by a plurality of cameras and connected to a game server, to which a plurality of game terminals are connected,
FIG. 2: one schematic illustration of a control or monitoring device for game play on the plunger game lane of fig. 1, showing the interaction of a central computer system with participant memory and gaming device memory and game controls,
FIG. 3: a time lapse graph with two timelines, showing the interaction of the control of the betting operation controlling the game betting,
fig. 4A, 4B: a partial illustration of a gaming terminal of the gaming system from fig. 1, showing the wagering areas displayable on a screen of a gaming terminal according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, according to which illustration the wagering areas are designed in the form of a roulette wagering area, wherein the partial figures 4A and 4B show the wagering areas at different game stages,
FIG. 5: a partial illustration of a gaming terminal of the gaming system of fig. 1 showing the wagering areas displayable on a screen of a gaming terminal according to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the wagering areas are designed in the manner of a bingo wagering area, wherein different numbers may be wagered in different rows, and
FIG. 6: historical data relating to the activity for each lane and an indication of a statistical evaluation of that data,
fig. 7 and 8: FIG. 1 is a partial illustration of a gaming terminal of the gaming system showing a wagering area displayable on a screen of a gaming terminal according to a further embodiment of the present invention, wherein the wagering area has a plurality of paylines along which numbers to be predicted must appear in order to achieve a prize in a reel game manner, and
FIG. 9: according to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the gaming terminal comprises a selection device for selecting at least one or more of the column game lanes for the determination of the winning number by means of the game result of at least one selected column game lane, wherein different column game lanes for the determination of the winning number are selectable for different reels of the reel game.
The skills play/sports facility shown in fig. 1 comprises a plurality of lanes L1, L2, L3, Ln and may advantageously be designed to throw or roll a bowling ball form of game apparatus V1, V2, V3, Vn to a playpost or pin placed at the end of a lane as a post-strike play lane facility.
As shown in fig. 1, two cameras 7 and 8 are assigned to the skills gaming/sports facility 1 in the depicted embodiment, which cameras monitor different parts of the skills gaming/sports facility 1 in order to be able to transmit the corresponding games in the form of television images.
Advantageously, it is possible for the skills gaming/sports facility 1 to register more participants with the aid of the central computer 3 than the skills gaming/sports facility 1 has fairways. If, for example, a pool lane facility is provided with four lanes, eight different players can be registered, for example, wherein one player can be registered for each lane, so that a subset of the players registered in a game play can compete. Team of multiple participants may also play on a corresponding lane, as applicable. Each gaming activity may only authorize a maximum determined number of enrolled participants to play on the corresponding lane in each case, while participants that are not selected for the gaming activity may rest or may have the possibility of controlling the system or may be assigned to other tasks, such as the setting of lane services and/or game posts.
Referring to fig. 2, for start-up, each participant T1, Tn is assigned to a participant memory TS1, TSn, preferably in the form of an RFID card with the corresponding participant identification TID1, TIDn, wherein the registration of the corresponding participant is carried out by reading out the corresponding participant memory TS1, TSn by means of suitable receiving and/or reading means (for example in the form of an RFID reader) before the game operation, wherein the corresponding associated participant identification TID is determined and stored in a first memory area M1 of the central database 2. The registration may be performed with the help of a suitable interface 31 for user guidance, preferably with an interface 31 with a graphical user surface.
Furthermore, the game devices V1, V2, V3, Vn are equipped with a respective game device memory, preferably in the form of an RFID element, which is assigned to a respective game device identification S1, S2, S3, Sn. Referring to fig. 1 and 2, in a subsequent step, also before the game operation, registration of the game device identification is carried out by reading out the game device memory by suitable receiving or reading means, wherein the game device identification S1, S2, S3, Sn is determined and transmitted to the above-mentioned database 2, in which the game device identification is archived in a second memory area M2.
Preferably, sets of game devices may be registered whereby each game uses only one of these game devices and other ball sets may be used as replacements to be substituted after a determined number of games or when determined.
After the active registration of the game devices V1, V2, V3, Vn and the participants T1, Tn, the central computer 3 automatically performs the allocation of participants to the game devices before the game starts and indicates this allocation on the indicator 4. As shown in fig. 2, the computer 3 may thus feature a random number generator RNG which performs the allocation of participants to the gaming devices in a random manner.
Advantageously, the computer 3 also automatically performs the assignment of game devices to the corresponding lanes, wherein this assignment to lanes is also advantageously performed by the random number generator RNG in a random manner. This allocation is also indicated on the indicator 4 before the game starts.
The game devices V1, V2, V3, Vn are then to be registered on the respective lanes L1, L2, L3, Ln of the skill game facility/skill sports facility 1 in correspondence with the allocation and selection specified on the indicator 4. This is monitored, for example, by means of corresponding game apparatus memories provided on the balls, wherein the receiving/reading devices R1, R2, R3, Rn are advantageously assigned to the corresponding lanes L1, L2, Ln, for example attached to one of the ball receptacles 200 assigned to the corresponding lane, in order to read out the game apparatus memory of the ball. The above-mentioned receiving/reading devices R1, R2, R3, Rn monitor the game device identifications S1, S2, S3, Sn and assign these to a release device 5 arranged in the computer 3. If the correct player holds the correct ball and stands in the correct lane, the corresponding lane and the corresponding ball are released in the ball store 200.
In this case, the participant memories TS1, TS2, TSn of the respective participants are also read out by the receiving/reading devices P1, P2, Pn provided there. This can be done, for example, by the corresponding participant inserting his RFID card into the respective reading device P1, P2, P3, Pn or letting the card communicate contactlessly. According to fig. 2, the read participant identifications TID1, TID2, TIDn are then sent to the above-mentioned release means 5 in order to compare them with the allocation specified by the computer 3 according to the indicator 4. If the correct player is on the correct lane, the corresponding lane or the column adjuster device D1, D2, D3, Dn assigned to the lane is released. The respective column adjuster devices D1, D2, D3, Dn may be connected to the computer 3 by a wired and/or wireless data connection 34.
If all the players are on the prescribed lane and if all the game devices V1, V2, V3, Vn are on the correct lane, the computer 3 generates a corresponding activation signal which is made to indicate in a suitable manner also on the indicator 4, for example.
Depending on which participant becomes active and plays the lane, the corresponding camera 7 or 8 is activated in order to transmit the attempt. The switching of the above-mentioned cameras 7, 8 can advantageously be controlled by means of a reading device identification. If, for example, a switching device 9, 10 is provided on the ball store 200 of the skill game facility/skill sports facility 1, which registers the movements of the respective game apparatus V1, V2, Vn, the respective cameras 7, 8 can be put into operation or the images provided by them can be released for transmission, wherein, for example, the camera angle of the computer 3 can be placed on a lane on which balls are taken from the ball store 200.
Advantageously, an updated determination of the participant < - > gaming device < - > lane combination can be made before each game play and/or before a specified number of games are played, wherein a selection from all registered participants can also be made. Advantageously, the computer 3 performs the above automatically. In the case of the above-mentioned updated determination of the participants, the game apparatus and the lane and their mutual allocation, the security against manipulation or collusion fraud is improved.
As shown in fig. 3, in the partial diagrams (a) and (b), the gaming-operated control and monitoring system may also be used to select a transmission and/or wager control device 300 that controls wagering on gaming activities and indicates the realized winnings. As shown in a comparison of the two time axes in fig. 3, first as shown in fig. 3(a), in a pre-game waiting phase 41, at a game establishment event 46, the above-described selection and allocation of participants, gaming devices and lanes is performed with the aid of the computer 3 and indicated on the display 4 as "game establishment", wherein after a bid calculation event 47, a determination and indication of the winning rate of the game outcome may also be performed. Subsequently, the betting time slot 42 for accepting bets on, for example, the game terminal is opened by the above-described betting operation control means, and is closed again shortly before or immediately before the respective game is started. If the above betting time slot has been automatically closed by the device, a start signal 48 for the game is given and the game activity during the live event time slot 43 is transmitted and indicated on the game terminal through the satellite connection 400 via the cameras 7 and 8. After the game is over, the game result may be retransmitted in slow motion, i.e. specifically over the end time slot 44, for example. After the confirmation event 49, the bet operation control means announces the result and displays the winning as a winning animation 45.
The wagers for the gaming activities during the betting time slots 42 described above can thus in principle be organized differently. The gaming or gaming terminal 500 to be described, which is connected to a gaming establishment, advantageously has a pointing device 501, for example in the form of one or more displays, an input device 502, for example in the form of a keyboard or a touch screen, in order to be able to enter a chip and other game orders in the device, and an outcome determination device 302 for determination of winning numbers or winning combinations, wherein the aforementioned outcome determination device 302 is provided directly in the gaming terminal 500 and advantageously in a separate gaming server 300 connected to the gaming terminal, which advantageously can select a plurality of gaming terminals 500 and is connected to the skilled sport area 1. As shown in fig. 1, the central computer 3, which controls the monitoring of the column game lane and the game play on the column game lane, can communicate with the central game server 300 via a data connection 33 and a data network WAN as well as a data remote connection, for example in the form of a satellite communication connection 400. The game server 300 may alternatively or additionally be connected to the data network WAN by a wired data connection 35. The game server 300 may be arranged in a casino and may also be arranged separately from the casino to communicate with the game terminals 500 or live casino servers via a suitable data connection.
In order to place a bet on chips in a possibly simple form, the gaming terminal 500 advantageously has a betting area 503 which can be displayed on a screen, for example in the form of a virtual presentation. As shown in fig. 4, the wagering areas 503 may be designed in the form of roulette wagering areas that include a matrix or plurality of numbers that are distributed across the wagering areas 503 at prescribed allocations. For gaming chips, it may be provided that, for example, a separate number of the betting area 503 is mounted on the top or a specific portion of the betting area and thereby a set of determined winning numbers is marked.
The determination of the winning number is then carried out in the manner described above with the game on the pool lane facility 1, wherein it can be provided, for example, to calculate the winning numbers of a plurality of game outcomes in the following manner: consider each attempt on each of these four lanes and then add the number of hits per attempt performed by each lane. In the illustrated example shown in fig. 4A and 4B, since seven game posts on the first lane, two game posts on the second lane, four game posts on the third lane, and three game posts on the fourth lane, that is, sixteen game posts in total, are knocked over, the winning number 16 is determined.
As shown by a comparison of these partial figures 4A and 4B, the process of playing a prize award can be tracked not only on the screen 501 (on which, for example, the images created by the cameras 7 and 8 can be indicated), but also immediately at the betting area 503. Specifically, the corresponding game result achieved on the lane may be indicated in the form of a corresponding knocked-down play column, thereby making it possible to easily follow the determination of the corresponding winning number. The partial view in FIG. 4A shows in the upper indicator plate that a "7" plus "2" number of play posts have been knocked over. If the game is continued, as shown in FIG. 4B, there are other lane results, that is, 4 hit-down play columns and 3 hit-down play columns are indicated and thus the winning number "16" is displayed later.
Also advantageously, a game outcome win ratio assigned to an individual winning number may also be indicated on the wagering area 503, which may be determined, for example, by an electronic game outcome win ratio determination means 303, which may be assigned, for example, to the central game server 300, and which may also be designed as a separate component. As shown in fig. 4A and 4B, the corresponding winning game result rate can be immediately assigned to the possible winning number. For example, FIG. 4A shows that a game result winning rate of 8.81 is indicated for the winning number "3", while a game result winning rate of 3.15 is indicated for the winning number "0". The winning number 16 played in this example is predetermined for a game outcome win rate of 1.10. The electronic game result win ratio determination means 303 may determine the game result win ratio by means of a statistical predictive model and thereby also take into account dynamic influencing variables such as the frequency of the number wagered thereon, the total amount of the number of chips placed next on a number, etc. The winning rate of the game result before the start of the game is specified and indicated on the screen so that the player knows before the game which winning rate of the game result he will obtain.
As shown in FIG. 5, the wagering areas 503 may also be configured in a bingo game, wherein different number slots may be marked in different number rows. Thereby containing in each sequence of numbers the possible game outcomes, i.e. the discrete values of the skill game, so that each number of each sequence of numbers can be played. Advantageously, the number of knocked-down playing pillars on different lanes may thus be assigned to each number sequence, i.e. the game outcome on the first lane may be assigned to the first number sequence, the game outcome on the second lane may be assigned to the second number sequence, etc. If, for example, 7 columns are knocked over on the first lane, the winning number in the first score line will be 7, if no columns are knocked over on the second lane, the winning number in the second score line will be 0, and so on. According to the betting area of fig. 5, additional input possibilities in this case can be made for additional winnings "Combo", wherein here this can be performed by placing the corresponding symbols "B", "O", "W" and "L" in the corresponding betting lines.
A further embodiment is shown in fig. 7 and 8. Here, the betting area 503 is constructed in the manner of a reel game and may comprise a number matrix or a winning area matrix with a plurality of slots, which may be shown, for example, as a pop-up, wherein a determined winning number has to be predicted for the corresponding slot of the betting area 503. Thus, with the placement of the paylines WL1, WL2, WL3, WLn, the determined groups within the bet area can be marked, and then the determined combinations of numbers are to be predicted along the paylines and/or must appear along the paylines in order to achieve a prize. For example, in this case, a reel game device is formed by four (4) reels, wherein each reel is characterized by a plurality of symbols, and wherein here in the indication three corresponding symbols are visually indicated, thus giving a 3 × 4 matrix with 3 rows and 4 columns. Also, comparing the dashed lines as shown in FIG. 7, the determined paylines WL1, WL2, WL3, WLn are defined across the domain of determination of this matrix.
For example, a diagonal win line WL2 may be selected, the diagonal win line marking the first number of slots in the first line, the second number of slots in the second line, and the third number of slots in the third line. Subsequently, the desired winning number appearing along the above-described payline WL2 can be placed through an input device on the gaming terminal. Alternatively or in addition, the summed values appearing in the line as shown in fig. 7 may also be displayed. In the example shown in fig. 8, the sum values 13 and 25 are "wagered" on the first line, for example. On the plunger game facility 1, in the respective rounds, the subsequent 8 game posts on the first plunger game lane, 6 game posts on the second plunger game lane, 6 game posts on the third plunger game lane and 5 game posts on the fourth plunger game lane are knocked over, so that winning numbers 8, 6 and 5 are determined for the above-mentioned winning row or line, which correspond to the winning sum of 8+6+6+5 ═ 25, so that the placed number 25 wins.
In operation as a reel game device, all of the reels may be placed into reel operation by activation of a game initiation signal. In the case of mechanical rollers, the rotation of the roller body about the roller axis of rotation can be a problem, and in the case of video roller designs, this rotation can be demonstrated as a simulation of animation by the pointing device.
Subsequently, the number determined for each lane, which number causes the assigned corresponding lane roller to be stationary, may be used. The evaluation of the winning result can be carried out in a conventional manner by means of numbers or symbols which appear simultaneously along a winning line.
In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it can also be provided that different skill game facilities/skill sports facilities 1 can be used for the determination of different winning numbers or for the determination of the allocation of number slots of winning number combinations. For example, different plunger game lanes at different positions may be indicated on the screen 501 of the gaming terminal 500, for example, the first plunger game lane in Vienna (Vienna), the second plunger game lane in Munich (Munich) and a third plunger game lane in Milan (Milan), wherein the progress of the game in progress there may be indicated, for example, by respective cameras. At the gaming terminal 500, a selection means 510 in the form of a touch screen may advantageously be provided to facilitate the user in selecting a desired ball striking lane for the determination of the "his" winning number. In the exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 9, different plunger tracks or skill game facilities/skill sports facilities X1, X2, Xn can thus be selected in order to determine the winning numbers occurring at the drum game device, wherein in the illustrated exemplary embodiment three drums are provided, the allocation or the stoppage of which winning numbers is controlled by different games in each case. The rollers may be designed as mechanical rollers or as video rollers, for example in the form of symbols which are displayed in a matrix arrangement on an electronic monitor. Alternatively to this configuration, the selection means 510 may be provided on the casino server. Furthermore, the selection means 510 may be designed as a web interface operable and/or configurable via a web browser and may accordingly separate the data of the different plunger game lanes or skill game facilities/skill sports facilities X1, X2, Xn configured and/or selected as a random number or numbers.