Patent Publication Number: US-2010130279-A1

Title: Selection apparatus

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a selection apparatus and more particularly to a selection apparatus for use with a gaming apparatus such as a roulette wheel. 
     BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION 
     Roulette is a well-known casino game. A typical roulette wheel includes a number ring bearing a circular array of numbered segments bearing number 1 though 36. In addition, the number ring typically includes the numbers 0 and 00 disposed at diametrically opposite locations on the number ring, or a “0” on its own. The numbers 1 through 36 are not disposed in numerical order, but 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 colour of red and black, with the exception of 0 and 00, which are typically coloured green. A ring of pockets corresponding in number to the plurality of number of the circular number ring lies adjacent, but radially inward of the number ring, on the typical roulette wheel. In addition, a typical roulette wheel includes a circular, inclined ball track, disposed above, and radially outwardly of the number ring. 
     During a typical roulette game, players place chips or tokens on a betting layout (or selection apparatus) provided on a roulette table, and then the croupier or dealer spins the roulette wheel to place to ball in motion about the circular ball track. As the wheel slows, the ball moves radially inwardly and come to rest in one of the pockets associated with a particular number 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. 
     Typically, the betting layout comprises a grid of numbered areas arranged in numerical order. Since the numbers of the number ring are not disposed in numerical order, it is difficult for a player to place chips/tokens on the betting layout so as to select a pair or group of neighbouring segments/pockets on the roulette wheel. To do so, the player is required to note which segments/pockets neighbour each other on the roulette wheel, and to place chips/tokens on the betting layout so as to select the desired segments/pockets separately. Either not enough time is available between spins of the roulette wheel to enable a player to make such a selection, or the time between spins is increased which reduces the rate of game play. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a selection apparatus for use with a gaming apparatus having an ordered array of winning areas which are adapted to be selected by selection means, each winning area being associated with one of a plurality of identifiers, wherein the selection apparatus comprises: a first ordered array of alternately offset selection areas; and a second ordered array of alternately offset identifier areas interleaved with the first ordered array such that each area of each array is adjacent to a plurality of areas of the other array, wherein each identifier area is associated with one of the plurality of identifiers such that the ordering of the identifier areas is the same as the ordering of the winning areas. 
     The interleaving pattern of alternately offset areas enables a single selection area to be used to select a plurality of adjacent areas. Thus, embodiments of the invention enable a user to use a single selection area to select a plurality of identifiers which are neighbours in the array of winning areas. Because the ordering of the identifier areas is the same as the ordering of the winning areas, it is simple for a user to select a group of neighbouring areas in array of the winning areas. Selections which correspond to segments or portions of the array of winning areas may therefore be made in straight-forward manner. 
     The areas may be arranged such that the neighbouring areas of the winning and identifier areas with which an identifier is associated are associated with the same identifiers. 
     Embodiments may be used in conjunction with a roulette wheel, therefore enabling a player of the roulette game to bet on ball landing in a segment of to the wheel (i.e. one of a plurality of pockets which are grouped together in the ring of pockets). 
     Since the ordering of the selection apparatus is made to correspond to the ordering of the winning areas of the gaming apparatus, the selection apparatus can be used in conjunction with a variety of gaming apparatuses having, for example, different numbers of winning areas and/or different arrangements of winning areas. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of playing a game, the method comprising the steps of: providing a gaming apparatus having an ordered array of winning areas which are adapted to be selected by selection means, each winning area being associated with a number; providing a selection apparatus comprising: a first ordered linear array of alternately offset selection areas; and a second ordered linear array of alternately offset identifier areas interleaved with the first ordered array such that each area of each array is adjacent to a plurality of areas of the other array, wherein each identifier area is associated with a number such that the ordering of the identifier areas is the same as the ordering of the winning areas; selecting a first selection area of the first ordered linear array so as to select a plurality of identifier areas adjacent to the first selection area with a single selection; operating the gaming apparatus in accordance with predetermined rules so as to select a winning area; and determining if the selected winning area corresponds with any one of the selected plurality of identifier areas. 
     According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of playing a game, the method embodied in a computer program product for use with a computer system, the computer program product comprising a computer readable medium having computer readable program means embodied in the medium for performing the steps of the method, the method comprising the steps of: providing a gaming apparatus having an ordered array of winning areas which are adapted to be selected by selection means, each winning area being associated with a number; providing a selection apparatus comprising: a first ordered linear array of alternately offset selection areas; and a second ordered linear array of alternately offset identifier areas interleaved with the first ordered array such that each area of each array is adjacent to a plurality of areas of the other array, wherein each identifier area is associated with a number such that the ordering of the identifier areas is the same as the ordering of the winning areas; selecting a first selection area of the first ordered linear array so as to select a plurality of identifier areas adjacent to the first selection area with a single selection; operating the gaming apparatus in accordance with predetermined rules so as to select a winning area; and determining if the selected winning area corresponds with any one of the selected plurality of identifier areas. 
     Further developments of the invention are the subject-matter of the dependent claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       An example of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying diagrams, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an illustration of a first embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  shows a modification to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  shows another modification to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 4  is an illustration of a roulette table according to an embodiment of the invention 
         FIGS. 5-9  show various embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the selection apparatus is for use with a roulette wheel (not shown) having a circular array of winning areas or pockets which are adapted to be selected by a ball. Each winning area or pocket on the roulette wheel is associated with a number between “0” and “36”. The winning areas on the roulette wheel are not arranged in numerical order, but are instead arranged in a numerically mixed-up arrangement or order. The numbers in the circular array of the wheel bear the alternating colour of red and black, with the exception of 0, which is coloured green. 
     The selection apparatus comprises a first ordered linear array of alternately offset selection areas ( 10 ), and second ordered linear array of alternately offset identifier areas ( 12 ) interleaved with the first array such that each area of each array is adjacent to a plurality of areas of the other array. For ease of identification, the selection areas ( 10 ) are shaded and the identifier areas contain a coloured number signifying the number (and colour) which they are associated. 
     Each identifier area ( 12 ) is associated with one of the numbers of the roulette wheel, and the associations between the identifier areas ( 12 ) and the numbers are such that the ordering of the identifier areas ( 12 ) is the same as the ordering of the winning areas on the roulette wheel. More specifically, the neighbouring areas of the winning ( 10 ) and identifier ( 12 ) areas with which a number is associated are associated with the same numbers. 
     By way of example, the winning area associated with the number “25” on the roulette wheel is neighboured by a winning area associated with the number “2” on one side and neighboured by a winning area associated with the number “17” on the other side. Similarly, to ensure that the ordering of the identifier areas ( 12 ) is the same as the ordering of the winning areas ( 10 ) on the roulette wheel, the identifier area ( 12   a ) associated with the number “25” is neighboured by the identifier area ( 12   b ) associated with the number “2” on one side in the second array and neighboured by an identifier area ( 12   c ) associated with the number “17” on the other side in the second array. 
     In other words, the neighbouring winning areas of a winning area with which a specific identifier is associated are associated with the same identifiers as the neighbouring areas ( 12   b,    12   c ) of the identifier area ( 12   a ) with which the specific identifier is associated. 
     The interleaving pattern of the first and second ordered linear arrays means that the majority of the selection areas ( 10 ) are adjacent to three identifier areas ( 12 ). For example, a first selection area ( 10   a ) is adjacent to first ( 12   a ), second ( 12   b ) and third ( 12   c ) identifier areas which are associated with the numbers “25”, “2” and “17”, respectively. By selecting the first selection area ( 10   a ) (by placing a token or chip in the first selection area, for example), a user can select the three areas ( 12   a,    12   b,    12   c ) adjacent to the first selection area ( 10   a ) with a single selection. Since the ordering of the identifier areas ( 12 ) is the same as the ordering of the winning areas on the roulette wheel, such single selection selects a three winning areas which are neighbours on the roulette wheel. Thus, in the example given above, a single token or chip can be placed in the first selection area ( 10   a ) to bet on the three numbers “25”, “2” and “17” which are grouped together on the roulette wheel. A section of the roulette wheel comprising three numbers can therefore be selected by selecting a single selection area ( 10   a ). Of course larger sections of the roulette wheel can be selected by selecting more than one selection area ( 10 ) as necessary. 
     Modifications to the selection apparatus of  FIG. 1  are shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 .  FIG. 2  shows a selection apparatus which is adapted to cater for a European style roulette wheel which comprises the numbers “0” and “00” in addition to the numbers “1” through “36”.  FIG. 3  shows a selection apparatus which is adapted to cater for an American style roulette wheel which comprises the numbers “0” and “00” in addition to the numbers “1” through “36”, and arranged in a different numerical order to a European style roulette wheel. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4  roulette table according to an embodiment of the invention comprises a roulette wheel  20  on the upper surface of a table  22 . Also provided on the upper surface of the table  22  is the selection apparatus  24  of  FIG. 1 . During the operation of a roulette game using the roulette table shown, players place chips or tokens on the selection apparatus  24  to select a plurality of neighbouring numbers on the roulette wheel  20 , and then the croupier or dealer spins the roulette wheel to place to ball in motion about the circular ball track. As the wheel slows, the ball moves radially inwardly and come to rest in one of the pockets associated with a number of the roulette wheel  20 . After the ball comes to rest in one of the pockets, the croupier or dealer settles the various wagers placed on the selection apparatus  24  in accordance with predetermined rules and wager odds and the process is repeated. 
     While specific embodiments have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications will be apparent to a person skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     For example, the selection apparatus can be adapted to cater for gaming apparatuses comprising different numbers of winning areas, and can be also be used with identifiers other than numbers, such as symbols, letters, logos, colours, patterns and the like. 
     By way of example,  FIGS. 5-9  show various embodiments of the invention. Specifically,  FIGS. 5 and 6  shows alternative selection layouts, wherein the layout of  FIG. 6  is adapted to be more compact than the layout of  FIG. 5 .  FIGS. 7A and 7B  also show alternative layouts having different area requirements.  FIGS. 8A and 8B  show yet further alternatives, wherein the layouts are adapted to only cater for the number “0” in addition to the numbers “1” through “36” and not an additional number “00”. Finally,  FIGS. 9A and 9B  show yet further alternatives, wherein the layout of  FIG. 9A  comprises a single “0” in addition to the numbers “1” through “36” and not an additional number “00”, whereas the layout of  FIG. 9B  comprises the numbers “0” and “00” in addition to the numbers “1” through “36”. 
     Furthermore, although embodiments have been described being used in conjunction with a roulette wheel, other embodiments may be used in conjunction with other gaming apparatus where one or more winning areas are selected using selection means, the selection means being random or controlled.