Patent Publication Number: US-8991825-B2

Title: Ball ejection system and method for wheel games

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/829,854 entitled BALL EJECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR WHEEL GAMES, filed on May 31, 2013, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 14/171,542, Applicant Reference Number 061025.00011 entitled BINGO GAME SYSTEM WITH SPINNING WHEEL OUTCOME PRESENTING FEATURE, filed on Feb. 3, 2014, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 14/120,329, Applicant Reference Number 061025.00013 entitled REMOTE GAMING TERMINAL AND PLAYER INTERFACE, filed on May 14, 2013, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
     A portion of this disclosure contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of this patent document as it appears in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, patent file or records, but reserves all copyrights whatsoever in the subject matter presented herein. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The invention is directed to wagering games, and more particularly, roulette games typically found in gaming establishments, such as those involving a roulette wheel, playing surface, playing positions for multiple players, playing cards, and a dealer, or virtual representations thereof. 
     Roulette is a well-known casino game which has been played for many years. A typical roulette game consists of a table with betting layout adjacent to a roulette wheel rotor or ring mounted for rotational motion within a support structure. The ring includes a circular array of numbered segments bearing numbers 1 through 36 defined on its upper surface. American Roulette wheels typically have rings which also include the numbers 0 and 00 disposed at diametrically opposite locations on the upper surface, whereas European Roulette wheels include only the number 0. The numbers 1 through 36 are not disposed in numerical order, but rather are typically disposed in a predetermined arrangement, such that roulette wheels located in different casinos will have the same standard predetermined number ring arrangement. The numbers disposed in a circular array in the number ring region of the wheel bear the alternating colors of red and black, with the exception of the 0 and/or 00 numbers, which are typically colored green. A ring of pockets corresponding in number to the plurality of numbers of the ring lies adjacent, but radially inward of the ring, on the typical roulette wheel. A typical roulette wheel further includes a circular, inclined ball track radially outward of the ring. 
     In operation of a typical roulette game, players place chips or tokens on a betting layout located on a roulette table, and then the croupier or dealer spins the roulette wheel and the roulette ball is placed in motion along the circular ball track in the opposite direction of the rotation of the wheel. As the wheel slows, the ball moves radially inward and comes to rest in one of the pockets associated with a particular one of the numbers of the number ring. After the ball comes to rest in one of the pockets, the croupier or dealer settles the various wagers placed on the table layout in accordance with predetermined rules and wager odds and the process is repeated. 
     Gaming establishments or casinos continually require new games to offer their players. Players are typically attracted to games that provide relatively decent odds of winning, as compared with other casino games, and can be played rapidly. It has been found that many of the games which have been successful also offer lively game play features that further serve to heighten player interest in such games. Naturally, casino operators seek to provide the most popular games for their gaming patrons. 
     Thus, there is a need for systems and methods which resolve one or more of the problems identified above, among other things. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     The invention is generally directed to various embodiments of providing a roulette wheel system that allows for controlled ejection of a ball or controlled game illumination during game play. 
     Some embodiments of the invention are directed to a ball ejection system for a roulette game. The ball ejection system includes a roulette wheel including a plurality of slots, at least one sensor, at least one ejector element, and a first driving mechanism. Each slot is defined by side walls and a bottom surface. Each bottom surface further includes an opening. The at least one sensor is positioned within each of the plurality of slots and are configured to emit a signal when detecting a ball within the slot. The ejector element is positioned below the roulette and includes at least one air blower. The air blower is configured to blow air circumferentially around the roulette wheel in response to the detection of a ball on one of the sensors. Finally, the first driving mechanism is in communication with the at least one ejector element and configured to cause the initiation of the at least one air blower. 
     Some embodiments of the invention are directed to an illumination system for a roulette game. The illumination system includes a roulette wheel, a lighting pedestal, and a controller. The roulette wheel is mounted for rotational motion. The lighting pedestal is centrally mounted above the roulette wheel and also mounted for rotational motion. The lighting pedestal also includes at least one LED light holder and at least one LED light. The holder is mounted to the lighting pedestal and the at least one light is mounted to the holder. Finally, the controller is connected to the at least one LED light and configured to activate at least one LED light as a function of the rotation motion of the roulette wheel. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other advantages of the invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings: 
         FIG. 1   a  is a side view of the roulette system including the present invention; 
         FIG. 1   b  is a top of the roulette system; 
         FIG. 2   a  is cross section of the internal roulette components; 
         FIG. 2   b  is a zoom-in of the cross section of the internal roulette components; 
         FIG. 2   c  is a top view of the internal roulette wheel components within the system; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic view of the internal components within the system; 
         FIG. 4   a  is an additional cross-sectional view of the roulette feature within the system; 
         FIG. 4   b  is a zoom-in of the lighting pedestal including an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-section of another embodiment of the roulette table components within the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a zoom-in of the embodiment found in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a diagram of a network system including an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIGS. 8 through 13  illustrate various embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION 
     The exemplary embodiments herein relate to roulette systems, and particularly, a roulette system that includes a ball ejection mechanism and illumination system in order to generate an interactive roulette game with a predetermined outcome. 
     In some embodiments, the invention involves a roulette wheel mounted for rotational motion, having a plurality of slots defined by side walls and a bottom surface or landing, wherein an ejector element is positioned in the landing and configured for transverse motion from a planar position with the landing surface to a protruded position into the slot, whereby a ball in the slot is contacted by the ejector element and ejected from the slot when the ejector element is in the protruded position causing the ball to travel radially outward due to the contact with the ejector element and centrifugal motion of the spinning roulette wheel. The ejector element may be driven by a motor for driving the ejector element into the slot space defined by the side walls. 
     In some embodiments, the invention further includes sensors for detecting the location of the ball in the slot and a computing device for actuating the corresponding ejector element. In some embodiments, the ejectors are operated for a preset amount of time after the ball is introduced. In some embodiments, the ball may be introduced by hand or a propulsion device. 
     In some embodiments, the rotational motion of the wheel may be hand or mechanically driven by a driving mechanism. 
     In some embodiments, the ejector elements are used to maintain an outcome from being determined, that is, the ball from remaining in any one slot, for a period of time, such as in between game play. For example, the ejector elements may be used to attract play by keeping the ball moving within the roulette wheel device, if the roulette wheel is motorized, and then upon all wagers being placed, the game may be begin, such as by decreasing or increasing the rotational speed of the wheel, with the ejectors being disabled such that the ball may land and remain within one slot for purposes of determining a game outcome. Once the outcome is determined the game play may resume. 
     It should be readily apparent that the system may be employed with other wheel-based games that include a ball other than roulette. 
     In some embodiments, the invention involves a roulette wheel body mounted in a wheel body support device for rotational motion, which includes a plurality of illumination devices mounted on the wheel body or the support device. The illumination devices may be mounted circumferentially about the wheel and positioned to direct light radially inward such that each slot of the roulette wheel is illuminated. 
     In some embodiments, the invention further includes a computing device for controlling the illumination, to attract play or so that certain colors may be illuminated to indicate game play status, such as when wagers are permitted, or to indicate the winning outcome. 
     In some embodiments, the computing device may include a random number generator for determining the winning slot which is then displayed by the illumination devices. For example, the wheel may be illuminated by the illumination devices in a sequence about the circumference of the wheel that simulates rotational motion and then stop at the randomly determined location corresponding with a slot on the roulette wheel. 
     In some embodiments, one or more illumination devices may be mounted in the center of the rotating wheel and positioned to direct illumination radially outward. 
     It should be readily apparent that the system may be employed with other wheel-based games that include a ball other than roulette. 
     The invention may be combined with a live game that includes one or more remote kiosks or gaming stations. Each station is configured to receive and determine wagers based on one or more live games played at a nearby or remote location. The system is therefore configured to include devices which monitor the one or more live games, such as a roulette game presented within the current invention, in which a physical reel or other gaming elements are activated or employed, and collect the game play data from each of the games. In some embodiments, the game play data is manually entered for collection by the system. The game play data collected is transmitted to the terminals and used to determine the outcome of wagers placed at the terminals. The stations may be any apparatus or device capable of receiving and transmitting data, including devices which either process game play data or do not process game play data, including “thin-client” or “smart” devices. The stations present the live game information for each of the live games on a display device and further include a data input device for facilitating the entry of wagers. Thus, players interested in placing wagers on a live game are not confined to a single location or even the casino floor as the games continue. 
     It should be understood that each of the methods and individual steps recited herein may be partially or wholly carried out in a variety of ways and/or systems, which may include, but are not limited to, an electronic gaming machine (EGM) for use by one or more players, a multiplayer platform which may include a player interface such as a touchscreen display and involve physical or virtual game symbols, a home computer and/or portable computing device, such as a tablet computer or mobile phone capable of communicating with a network or over the Internet, global telecommunication network or world wide web. 
     It should further be understood that the invention is directed to, among other things, methods of providing, conducting and resolving wagering games that include a sequence of controlled and concrete transformative events. Some of these events may involve communications between computing components, indicating preferences, placing wagers, debiting and awarding credits stored in an account, the generation of random data and results for one or more players, the application of randomly-generated data to resolve wagers, the pooling of all wagers placed, the determination of wager outcomes in accordance with preset outcome determining criteria, and the notification of such outcomes along with the designation of a portion of the wager pool for each player and simulated roulette game outcome. The generation of random data may be facilitated by computerized and/or physical implements, such as a random number generator. The transformative events may also include parsing of the data for comparative purposes with preset criteria to determine an outcome in the underlying bingo game. 
     Selected exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be explained with reference to the drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the following description of exemplary embodiments of the invention is provided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. 
     Referring to the figures, where like numerals indicate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, systems and methods of the invention which are configured to cooperate with another in order to provide a bingo game with a roulette feature are described. 
     System Generally 
       FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b  are side and top views of the roulette system  10 , according to an embodiment of the present invention. The system  10  is housed in a cabinet  12  that incorporates all the elements necessary for the function of the system. Additional elements may be in communication with the system by way of access ports and wireless communication accessible through the cabinet  12 . These methods of communication will be discussed in further detail below. 
     Each cabinet  12  includes a service door  16  in order to access the internal components of the system  10 . Also, a dome enclosure  14  sits atop the cabinet  12  in order to allow user to view the internal components of the system  10 . The dome enclosure also allows for the proper functionality of the air blowers  62  that are built into an embodiment of the present invention utilizing the ball ejection system (discussed in further detail below). 
       FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b  are illustrative drawings of a cross section of the internal components of the system  10 . A user looking through the dome enclosure  14  will look and see a functioning interactive roulette table system functioning within the cabinet  12 . Looking at  FIG. 2   a  a user will see the primary visual component of the system  10  including the outer ring  18 , the roulette wheel  20 , the central cover  22 , and the lighting pedestal  24 . 
     The outer ring  18  is the component where a roulette ball will roll along until landing in the desired slot  28 . The outer ring is designed to allow for the movement of the ball resulting from the force provided by the air blower  62  (discussed in further detail below). The outer ring  18  may be static or may also be configured for rotational movement dependent of the appropriate game mechanics that are desired. The outer ring may be made of a desired material (wood, metal, laminate, etc.) that is desired for the appropriate visual appeal and traction of the roulette ball for game play. 
     The roulette wheel  22  is fitted within the outer ring  18  and includes a plurality of slots  28 . The roulette wheel  22  may include the numbers 1 through 36 defined by the plurality of slots  28 . The roulette wheel  22  may be in the American, European, or another alternate format as described above. The numbers may be arranged sequentially or in a predetermined order depending on the desired form of game play. The colors utilized for each of the plurality of the slots  28  on the roulette wheel  20  may also be in a traditional alternating red/black pattern or may also be in any pattern necessary for game play. The roulette wheel  22  is configured to rotate around the center of the system  10  in order to allow for game play. The rotational motion may be manual or mechanical depending on the current embodiment utilized. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, the system  10  also includes a central cover  22 . The central cover  22  is fitted within the roulette wheel  20  and is configured to rotate about the center of the system  10  along with the roulette wheel  20 . In another embodiment of the present invention, the central cover  22  is also configured to move vertically between a first and second. In the first position the central cover allows for a roulette ball to bounce within the top of the system  10  between the outer ring  18 , the roulette wheel  20 , and the central cover  22  until the roulette ball lands on the desired slot  28 . When in the second position the central cover  22  is raised and allows the roulette ball to fall from a slot  28  into a chamber  30 , away from the view of a user. The use of the first and second position for the central cover  22  is used in order to reset game play for the system  10 . Further discussion on the chamber  30  will be address in conjunction with reset of a roulette game within the system  10  below. 
     The lighting pedestal  24  is located in the center of the system  10  below the dome enclosure  14 . In some embodiments the pedestal  24  is configured to rotate independently from the roulette wheel  20  and the central cover  22 . In some embodiments the lighting pedestal also includes additional components, such as an illumination system  66 . 
     Below the roulette wheel there is an ejector mechanism  26 . The ejector mechanism  26  includes an air blower  62  and worked in conjunction with additional components on the roulette wheel  20  in order to initiate the movement of a roulette ball along the outer ring  18  and into a desired slot  28 . In some embodiments of the present invention the ejector mechanism is connected to the chamber  30  by way of a channel  32 . At the conclusion of a roulette game a roulette ball could return to the ejector mechanism by way of the chamber  30  and the channel  32  in order to re-initiate game play. 
       FIG. 2   c  is a top view of the internal components of the system  10  viewed by a user during game play. In addition to the outer ring  18 , the roulette wheel  20 , and the central cover  22 , the additional components of the roulette wheel  20  are also visible to the user from this top view of the system  10 . The roulette wheel  20  is shown comprising a plurality of slots  28 . Each slot  28  is defined by plurality of side walls  32  and a bottom surface  36 . Each slot  28  also includes at least one opening  38  and a sensor  40 . During a regular round of game play, the ejector mechanism  26  will eject a roulette ball onto the outer ring  18  during the simultaneous rotation of the roulette wheel  20 . 
     The air blower  62  or other device will blow air circumferentially along the outer ring  18  in order to keep it moving during game play. Once a desired outcome is determined within the system  10  (discussed further below), the air blower  62  will reverse air flow and draw the roulette ball to the desired slot  28  by way of the opening  38 . Alternatively another device will create a vacuum to draw a roulette ball to the desired slot  28 . By reversing the air flow of the air blower  62  the system generates a vacuum and cause the roulette ball to gravitate towards the desired predetermined slot on the roulette wheel  20 . The vacuum ends once the sensor within the slot  28  detects the roulette ball. Once the sensor  38  detects the roulette ball the game is concluded an appropriate outcome is determined. In some embodiments, the central cover will move from the first position to the second position after the ball is detected on the sensor  38 . This allows the roulette ball to move into the chamber  30  and reset the system  10 . 
     In some embodiments, the ejector mechanism further includes a hammer  41  (not shown). The hammer  41  is configured to have a first and second position, with the first position set just below the plurality of openings  38  of the roulette wheel  20  and the second position configured to traverse the opening  40 . In some embodiments of the present invention a roulette wheel may not leave the top of the system  10  and is instead ejected from a slot  28  by the hammer  41  in order to initiate game play. 
       FIG. 3  is a diagram of the internal schematic of the system  10 . These components are utilized in conjunction with the additional elements of the system  10  in order to initiate and complete the rounds of game play on the roulette wheel  20 . The first component presented within  FIG. 3  is the controller  42 , which coordinated all of the other components within the system  10  in order to initiate game play. The controller  42  may be within the cabinet  12  but may also reside as an external component as well. 
     The system  10  also includes a power supply  44 , which provides electricity to all the components within the system  10 . A display device  46  is utilize in order to run diagnostics and view any necessary information related to the function of the system  10 . An alternate input device  48  may be used to manipulate the information presented on the display device  46  and initiate service instruction necessary for the initiation and service of the system  10 . Examples of an alternate input device  48  may include any input device common with a general use personal computer including a keyboard, mouse, and/or a tactile input interface integrated into the display device  46 . 
     A network interface device  50  connects the system  10  with other network devices in order to allow a user to interact with the system  10 . The network interface device may allow for both wired and wireless connections depending on the needs of the network set up for game play. The integration of the system  10  within a networked environment will be discussed further below. 
     The system  10  also contains a plurality of driving mechanism  52 . Each driving mechanism may be either a lifting (generating vertical movement) motor or a rotating motor and may be used to drive the individual components of the system  10 . 
     A plurality of LED lights  54  is used by the system  10  in order to illuminate the various portions of the system  10  and drive the illumination system  66  of the invention. A plurality of fans  56  are used to maintain the temperature of the system during operation and game play. 
     A plurality of sensors receivers  58  coordinate with the plurality of sensors  40  on the roulette wheel  20  in order to initiate and coordinate game play on the roulette wheel  20 . The plurality of switches  60  regulate access to the access areas of the system  10  (i.e. the service door  16  and the dome enclosure  14 ). 
     The air blowers  62  generate the required air flow needed for the movement of the roulette wheel during game play. Finally, an RNG  64  may be used by the system  10  in order to generate the game outcome that is then display on the roulette by way of the system  10 . 
       FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  show an embodiment of the system  10  that includes an illumination system  66 . The illumination system  66  may be used in order to initiate and generate game play and features related to game play through the use of the plurality of LEDs  54 .  FIG. 4   b  shows a zoom in of the lighting pedestal  24  that incorporates the illumination system  66 . Attached to the lighting pedestal  24  is an LED holder  68 , which is configured to hold a plurality of LEDs  54 . The holder  68  and the lighting pedestal  24  are configured to order to generate a plurality of edges  72  that ensure that the LEDs  54  display light on the plurality of slots  24  on the roulette  20  through an opening  76 . 
     The illumination system  66  allows for the use of the roulette system  10  to operate without a roulette wheel by illuminating it appropriate slot on the roulette wheel  20  during game play. The lighting pedestal  24  and the roulette wheel  20  may rotate independently in order to generate further excitement during game play. The illumination system  66  may also be used to indicate elements of the game, such as the start of a game, the conclusion of a game, etc. The illumination system  66  may also indicate a game outcome generated by the RNG  62  by illuminating the appropriate slot  28  during a game. 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  show another embodiment of the present invention wherein a cable  78  connects the illumination system  66  to the power supply  44 . The cable  78  ensure that there a constant supply of power to the illumination system  66 . This allows for the operation of the illumination system  66  when the central cover is also in the second position. 
     Networked System Generally 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , a networked system  80  comprises one or more game stations  82 , a controller  42 , a system controller  84  and a system  10 . These components may be housed in a unitary housing or remotely positioned with respect to each other, while remaining in communication. Communication between these components may be facilitated by data communication devices connected over a wired or wireless network, using any conventional digital communication devices that are appropriate based on the locations of the system components. 
     Each of the game stations  82  is used by the players in order to interact with the system and initiate game-play. Game stations  82  can take the form of player positions in a multi-player platform, electronic game machine cabinets or remote kiosks, but are not limited to such designs and may also be provided on smartphones, mobile computing devices, thin terminal devices, non-smartphone-type cellphones, tablets, laptops, or any other device configured to communicate within system  10 . In some embodiments, game stations  82  include player input devices, such as keypads and display devices, or touchscreen displays, bill or ticket acceptors and printers, etc. 
     In some embodiments the system  10  incorporates a game station  12 , a player input device, a communication device, and a controller. The game station includes a display device configured to display a user interface with a plurality of game options available for selection. Each game option is associated with a game play presentation, with at least one game options being a live bingo game. The player input device is in communication with the display device and receives selected game options, wherein game play presentations are displayed simultaneously on the display device responsive to the player selected game options. The communication device receives independent game data randomly generated for each of the selected game options. Finally, the controller processes the independent game data received by the communication device for each of the selected game options and facilitating independent game play presentations on the display device as a function of the independent game data. 
     The controller  42  may also include or is in communication with a display module, a random-number generator (RNG) module  62 , a credit module, a betting module, a game module, and an award module, a bingo server, a processing device, a player input module, a communication device, and memory. The display module controls the display device on stations  82  to display various images on the graphical interfaces as discussed herein below, such as a roulette layout, preferably by using computer graphics and/or image data stored in the memory. The credit module communicates with a player account server to manage the amount of player&#39;s credits available for use in system  10  and converts currency or tickets received in stations  12  to credit. The game module includes a game program for use in providing gaming options in accordance with the invention. The game module may communicate with the bingo server to supply bingo cards or tickets to the stations  12  and communicate with the RNG module to obtain numbers from a pool of bingo numbers or balls. The betting module receives the player&#39;s wager information for resolving upon the conclusion of the game and the award module issues payouts for winning wagers. The player input device receives the player inputs in order to interact with the various gaming options and the gaming system  10  overall. The communication device maintains communication between the elements within the gaming system  10 . 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION 
       FIGS. 8 through 13  show multiple exemplary embodiments of the invention, including embodiments of game stations and live game features, which illustrate various industrial applications of the invention, among other things. 
     Particularly,  FIG. 12  demonstrates an industrial application of the invention that integrates a system  10  with a game station  82  into one cabinet  12 . 
     General Considerations 
     A controller, computing device, or computer, such as described herein, includes at least one or more processors or processing units and a system memory. The controller typically also includes at least some form of computer readable media. By way of example and not limitation, computer readable media may include computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media may include volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology that enables storage of information, such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. The terms used herein, such as modules like display module, betting module, award module, servers, etc., are for ease in describing and illustrating features and operations of the invention and are not to be considered limiting in any way. Communication media typically embody computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and include any information delivery media. Those skilled in the art should be familiar with the modulated data signal, which has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. Combinations of any of the above are also included within the scope of computer readable media. 
     The order of execution or performance of the operations in the embodiments of the invention illustrated and described herein is not essential, unless otherwise specified. That is, the operations described herein may be performed in any order, unless otherwise specified, and embodiments of the invention may include additional or fewer operations than those disclosed herein. For example, it is contemplated that executing or performing a particular operation before, contemporaneously with, or after another operation is within the scope of aspects of the invention. 
     In some embodiments, a processor, as described herein, includes any programmable system including systems and microcontrollers, reduced instruction set circuits (RISC), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), programmable logic circuits (PLC), and any other circuit or processor capable of executing the functions described herein. The above examples are exemplary only, and thus are not intended to limit in any way the definition and/or meaning of the term processor. 
     In some embodiments, a database, as described herein, includes any collection of data including hierarchical databases, relational databases, flat file databases, object-relational databases, object oriented databases, and any other structured collection of records or data that is stored in a computer system. The above examples are exemplary only, and thus are not intended to limit in any way the definition and/or meaning of the term database. Examples of databases include, but are not limited to only including, Oracle® Database, MySQL, IBM® DB2, Microsoft® SQL Server, Sybase®, and PostgreSQL. However, any database may be used that enables the systems and methods described herein. (Oracle is a registered trademark of Oracle Corporation, Redwood Shores, Calif.; IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, N.Y.; Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, Wash.; and Sybase is a registered trademark of Sybase, Dublin, Calif.). 
     This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Other aspects and features of the invention can be obtained from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. The invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described within the scope of the appended claims. It should also be noted, that the steps and/or functions listed within the appended claims, notwithstanding the order of which steps and/or functions are listed therein, are not limited to any specific order of operation. 
     Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the systems and methods described herein may be a standalone system or incorporated in an existing gaming system. The system of the invention may include various computer and network related software and hardware, such as programs, operating systems, memory storage devices, data input/output devices, data processors, servers with links to data communication systems, wireless or otherwise, and data transceiving terminals. It should also be understood that any method steps discussed herein, such as for example, steps involving the receiving or displaying of data, may further include or involve the transmission, receipt and processing of data through conventional hardware and/or software technology to effectuate the steps as described herein. Those skilled in the art will further appreciate that the precise types of software and hardware used are not vital to the full implementation of the methods of the invention so long as players and operators thereof are provided with useful access thereto, either through a mobile device, gaming platform, or other computing platform via a local network or global telecommunication network. 
     Although specific features of various embodiments of the invention may be shown in some drawings and not in others, this is for convenience only. In accordance with the principles of the invention, any feature of a drawing may be referenced and/or claimed in combination with any feature of any other drawing. 
     While exemplary systems and methods in accordance with the invention have been described herein and in the accompanying materials, it should also be understood that the foregoing along with the accompanying materials are illustrative of a few particular embodiments as well as principles of the invention, and that various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, the described embodiments should not be considered as limiting of the invention in any way. Accordingly, the invention embraces alternatives, modifications and variations which fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims, including equivalents thereto.