Abstract:
A casino style system and method involving the use of a pair of spinning tops to generate random outcomes. A dealer&#39;s top and player&#39;s top are spun simultaneously before which players are able to place wagers on a series of colors (e.g., red, green, blue and yellow) and/or symbols (e.g., wild jokers) depicted on different facets of the tops and win awards responsive to random outcomes generated by said tops once toppling over. The tops are adapted to land such that a single facet is facing upwards identifying a color/symbol. Players may be able to place combo outcome wagers on specific combinations of random outcomes generated by the tops. A calibration/balance device is used to check and maintain the randomness of the tops.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The embodiments of the present invention relate to a system and method involving a pair of spinning tops to generate random outcomes on which players can place wagers. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Casino gaming continues to expand throughout the world. The Internet and mobile devices have accelerated the growth of gaming. While there are numerous popular games of chance in the market, it would be beneficial to develop a gaming system and method involving spinning tops to generate random outcomes. 
     Thus, it would be advantageous to develop a system and method for conducting a casino style game utilizing a pair of spinning tops to generate random outcomes upon which players may place wagers. Beneficially, the game is played upon a gaming table akin to a blackjack table. Virtual spinning tops may also be used in a digital, virtual or online environment. 
     SUMMARY 
     The embodiments of the present invention are broadly related to a casino style system and method involving the use of a pair of spinning tops to generate random outcomes. In one embodiment, players are able to place wagers on a series of colors (e.g., red, green, blue and yellow) and/or symbols (e.g., wild jokers) depicted on different facets of the tops and win an award responsive to colors of said series of colors being identified by the tops once they stop spinning and topple over. The tops are adapted to land such that a single facet is facing upwards identifying a color/symbol. In another embodiment, players are able to place combo wagers based on specific outcomes of both tops. 
     A gaming table facilitates a live embodiment of the game. In one embodiment, the gaming table depicts wager areas and corresponding odds. In one embodiment, wager areas are illuminated to highlight the colors/symbols which the wager area represents. Means for recording game outcomes allow for tracking multiple consecutive game outcomes. 
     The embodiments of the present invention are suitable for live gaming tables or may be distributed via electronic formats such as a standalone gaming machines, gaming machine networks, smart phones, tablets and computer terminals. 
     Other variations, embodiments and features of the present invention will become evident from the following detailed description, drawings and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a block diagram of an electronic gaming device of the type which may facilitate electronic embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  shows a block diagram of a wireless system which may be used to facilitate remote play of the game according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 3A-3D  illustrate various views of a top utilized to generate random game outcomes according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a gaming table layout according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a flow chart detailing one live system methodology of conducting a casino game according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 6A-6C  illustrate views of a calibration/balance device for a top according to the embodiments of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a flow chart detailing one electronic system methodology of conducting a casino game according to the embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive feature illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention claimed. 
     Those skilled in the art will recognize that the virtual, digital and online embodiments of the present invention involve both hardware and software elements which portions are described below in such detail required to construct and operate a game method and system according to the embodiments of the present invention. 
     As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the present invention may be embodied as a system, method or computer program product. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.), or an embodiment combining software and hardware. Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of a computer program product embodied in one or more computer readable medium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon. 
     Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may be utilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readable storage medium would include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), and optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that can contain or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. 
     A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signal with computer readable program code embodied thereon, for example, in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may take any variety of forms, including, but not limited to, electromagnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. A computer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium that is not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate, propagate, or transport a program for use by or in conjunction with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. 
     Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF and the like, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. 
     Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of the present invention may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like or conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language, AJAX, PHP, HTML, XHTML, Ruby, CSS or similar programming languages. The programming code may be configured in an application, an operating system, as part of a system firmware, or any suitable combination thereof. The programming code may execute entirely on the user&#39;s computer, partly on the user&#39;s computer, as a standalone software package, partly on the user&#39;s computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on a remote computer or server as in a client/server relationship sometimes known as cloud computing. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user&#39;s computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider). 
     Aspects of the present invention are described below with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram. 
     These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram. 
     The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices to produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagrams. As used herein, a “gaming device” and “gaming machine” should be understood to be any one of a general purpose computer, as for example a personal computer or a laptop computer, a client computer configured for interaction with a server, a special purpose computer such as a server, or a smart phone, tablet computer, personal digital assistant or any other machine adapted for executing programmable instructions in accordance with the description thereof set forth herein. 
     In addition to gaming tables, the embodiments of the present invention may be facilitated by an electronic gaming device whereby multiple players play against one another under the control of a central server as described herein. Besides mobile devices, the electronic gaming device may be a standalone device and bar-top device forming part of a gaming device network or not. A block diagram of the electronic gaming device  100  is shown in  FIG. 1 . The exemplary electronic gaming device  100  may include a central processing unit (CPU) also deemed a processor  105  which controls the electronic gaming device  100  based on instructions stored in program read-only memory (ROM)  110  and pay table ROM  115 . Program ROM  110  stores executable instructions related to the operation of the gaming device  100  and which are generally permanent. CPU  105  may be connected to a video controller  120  which provides output to one or more video displays  125 . Similarly, an audio controller  130  provides audio output as dictated by the CPU  105  through speakers  135 . The aforementioned components, and others, may be attached to a circuit board forming a motherboard. In another embodiment, the electronic gaming device  100  may be linked to a central game server which allows players to select from a number of games via the electronic gaming device  100 . In such an embodiment, one or more processors integrated into the central server control the gaming device  100  based on instructions stored in program ROM  110 . 
     A user interface  140  may respond to buttons on button panel or display incorporating touch screen technology or any other devices providing means for users to communicate with, and instruct, the electronic gaming device  100 . Wager memory  145  stores an amount of money/credits deposited into the electronic gaming device  100  by a player and specific wager information related to each play of the electronic gaming device  100 . Payout system  150  includes a coupon printer or similar device for receiving money/coupon from the electronic gaming device  100 . 
     Those skilled in the art will recognize that the configuration and features of the electronic gaming device  100  disclosed herein are exemplary and may be altered in any number of ways without impacting the embodiments of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  shows a block diagram of a wireless system  200  which may be used to facilitate remote play of the game according to the embodiments of the present invention. The wireless system  200  comprises a game server  205 , including one or more processors  210  running game software, and remote devices  215 - 1  through  215 -N (e.g., smart phones) configured to access said game server  205  facilitating game play on the remote devices  215 - 1  through  215 -N. In another embodiment, the video game according to the embodiments of the present invention may be in the form of a software application (“App”) downloadable onto smart phones, tablets or computers and playable via processing power and a user interface associated therewith. Wired connections may be used as well. 
       FIGS. 3A through 3D  show various views of a top  300  used to generate random outcomes. The top  300  cylindrical handle  305  via which a player is able to spin the top  300  between a thumb and index or middle finger. A top body  310  joins the handle  305 . The body  310 , from the handle  305  enlarges by a conical section  315  to a cylindrical, outer surface defining an octagonal pattern comprising eight flat facets  320 - 1  through  320 - 8 . To maintain symmetry, in one embodiment, the flat facets  320 - 1  through  320 - 8  are dimensioned equally. In this manner, the possibility is equal that each side  320 - 1  through  320 - 8  ends face-up once the top is spun and topples. The body  310  conically tapers to a point  325  which is axially aligned along spin axis A. The top  300  is balanced about spin axis A to further assure the random generation of outcomes. 
     Each of the facets  320 - 1  through  320 - 8  defines a game outcome. In one embodiment, the top  300  includes two red facets, two blue facets, two green facets, a yellow facet and a joker (“wild”) facet. The coloring of the facets may be facilitated by paints, inks, decals or any other suitable coloring means. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other indicia, including symbols and numbers, may be placed on the facets. In one embodiment, the top  300  is fabricated of acrylic or other high density material and is 2.7 inches tall with a 1.52 inch diameter conical section and 1 inch long handle. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the materials and dimensions (and number of facets) of the top  300  may be altered without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     Operation of the top  300  is very straightforward and simple for players and dealers for reasons set forth below. A person grasps the top  300  by the handle  305  and spins the top  300  on the table layout  400 . Eventually, due to influences of the gravity and friction, the top  300  topples landing on one of the flat facets  320 - 1  through  320 - 8  and causing an oppositely positioned flat facet  320 - 1  through  320 - 8  to appear face up. It is the face-up facet which corresponds to the random outcome color or symbol for the game. 
       FIG. 4  shows a gaming table layout  400 . The layout  400  is configured to cover the top of an accurate-shaped gaming table akin to a blackjack table and other casino game tables. The layout  400  depicts a single outcome wager area  410  comprising single wager outcomes and combo wager area  420  comprising combo wager outcomes. A chip rack  430  accommodates chips from which the dealer may pay winning wagers and store losing wagers. A chip drop slot  432  allows chips to be dropped into a table drop box in a well-known manner. As shown, the single wager outcomes comprise red, green, blue, yellow and joker from left to right from the players&#39; perspective and the combo wager outcomes comprise red/green, red/blue, green/blue, joker/joker, yellow/red, yellow/green and yellow/blue from left to right from the players&#39; perspective. In one embodiment, single wager outcomes for red, blue and green pay 1 to 2; single wager outcome for yellow pays 1 to 1 and single wager outcome for joker pays 3 to 1 for a single outcome (if the outcome appears on both tops, it pays double). In one embodiment, combo wager outcomes for red/green, red/blue and green/blue pay 5 to 2; combo wager outcome joker/joker pays 50 to 1 and combo wager outcomes yellow/red, yellow/green and yellow/blue pay 9 to 2. If two jokers appear all bets are automatic winners. 
     Combo wagers are paid responsive to specific combinations of outcomes occurring on spins of the two tops. For example, to win the 50 to 1 payout on the joker/joker combo wager requires the dealer and player to each spin a joker outcome. Similarly, a red/green combo wager is paid responsive to one red outcome and one green outcome regardless of whether the dealer or player spins the red or green outcome. Jokers are deemed wild such that all players win double on single outcome wagers responsive to the player or dealer spinning a joker. For example, if the dealer spins a red and the designated player spins a joker, the outcome is deemed two reds meaning single outcome wagers are paid double. In addition, a wager on a single outcome joker is paid 3 to 1. 
     In one embodiment, a display maintains records of a pre-established number of past outcomes of a plurality of consecutive games (akin to a roulette display). The display tracks outcomes of both tops as spun by the dealer and player. 
       FIG. 5  shows a flow chart  500  detailing one methodology for conducting a game utilizing two tops as described above. At  505 , players place single outcome wagers and combo outcome wagers. At  510 , a designated player and the dealer each spin a top simultaneously. At  515 , the outcomes of each spinning top are observed and recorded by means of one or more pucks, markers or lighted table portions. At  520 , winning single outcome wagers and combo outcome wagers are paid and losing single outcome wagers and combo outcome wagers are collected. At  525 , the outcomes are optionally displayed. The game progresses in this manner. Designated players may continue spinning for a pre-established number of spins (e.g., 1) or as long as they win a wager or in any method desired by the operator/casino until the top is passed to a next player. 
       FIGS. 6A-6C  illustrate views of a calibration/balance device  600  for tops  300  according to the embodiments of the present invention. The calibration/balance device  600  is used by operators, casinos and/or gaming commissions to make sure the tops  300  are functioning properly (i.e., providing truly random outcomes). The device  600  is configured to check the facets and concentricity. One operation of the calibration/balance device comprises: (i) sliding the top body under dial indicator  605 ; (ii) pressing “0” on the dial indicator setting the measurement of the first facet to a zero position; (iii) incrementally rotating the top three times (on each successive facet to measure each of the four planes of axis) thereby checking all facets; (iv) placing the top body on the raised block  610 ; (v) sliding the top handle under the dial indicator  605 ; (vi) incrementally rotating the top seven times to check concentricity. The calibration/balance device  300  rejects any top that varies more than 0.005″. 
     The calibration/balance device  300  utilizes a mechanism  615  (for visual observation of the top) that contains a fixed horizontal post  620  with a cupped face to accept the handle or bottom point of a top. The opposite end contains a similar post  625  with a cupped face that can be loosened or tightened with a screw mechanism  630  to snugly affix a top and allow rotation of the top freely about its spin axis A (shown in  FIG. 3A ). The operator/casino ensures that a top spins freely about its spin axis and comes to a smooth random stop. Any weighting or gaffing of the top, not apparent by its clear acrylic design, is revealed when the top comes to rest at a favored facet. An imperfect top, will rock back and forth as it comes to rest with a heavy side face down. Any top displaying such anomalous behavior is destroyed by the operator/casino. 
     The embodiments of the present invention may also be implemented in an online, digital or virtual environment by system and method means represented in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . In such an embodiment, players access a dedicated gaming website and sign on to play at a virtual table. Appropriate software, memory and processor power control a pair of virtual, spinning tops. The outcomes of the tops are driven by a random number generator. Play of the game is the similar to that set forth in the flow chart  500  such that the programmed processor handles wager acceptance, spinning top outcomes, wager payouts and collections and passage of the player&#39;s top from player to player. Advantageously, and for purposes of excitement and anticipation, the electronic embodiment can display a virtual depiction of the two tops spinning prior to toppling and showing a depiction of the randomly determined outcome. 
     Accessing the online, digital or virtual environment is facilitated by electronic gaming devices including smart phones, tablets, laptops and desktops in a conventional manner via electronic user interfaces (e.g., touchscreen, keyboard, etc.). Standalone gaming devices such as slot machines may also be utilized to access a networked online, digital or virtual environment hereunder. 
       FIG. 7  shows a flow chart  700  detailing one electronic system methodology of conducting a casino game according to the embodiments of the present invention. At  705 , players place single outcome wagers and combo outcome wagers via a gaming device user interface such as a touchscreen. At  710 , a random number generator controlled by a processor determines random outcomes for a virtual player&#39;s top and virtual dealer&#39;s top. This determination may be conducted during the spinning of the tops at  715  as well. Indeed, at any time prior to the spinning tops being shown toppling at  720 . At  715 , a designated player and the virtual dealer in the form of a programmed processor each cause two virtual tops to spin simultaneously on gaming device displays. The spinning of the tops may be dictated by a designated player input or pursuant to a timer. At  720 , the outcomes of each virtual spinning top are presented (e.g., spinning tops shown toppling) on the displays of the electronic gaming devices and recorded by means of memory. At  725 , a history of outcomes may be depicted on the displays of the electronic gaming devices. At  730 , winning single outcome wagers and combo outcome wagers are paid and losing single outcome wagers and combo outcome wagers are collected. The game progresses in this manner. Designated players may continue spinning for a pre-established number of spins (e.g., 1) or as long as they win a wager or in any method desired by the operator/casino until the system passes the ability to cause the virtual tops to spin to a new player. 
     Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to several embodiments, additional variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.