Patent Description:
Roulette is a popular wagering game played in casinos and other gaming establishments. In mechanical versions of the game (versus video generated), a roulette ball is launched into an angled annular track encircling a spinning roulette wheel. The roulette ball continues to rotate around the annular track in an opposite direction of the spinning roulette wheel creating friction between the roulette ball and the annular track. The friction created between the roulette ball and the annular track causes the ball to lose momentum. Upon losing sufficient momentum, the roulette ball exits the annular track and follows a spiraling path towards the roulette wheel.

As it follows the spiraling path, the roulette ball may engage with one or more of the ball stops (or canoes) intervening between the annular track and the roulette wheel, causing the ball to jump about. Eventually the roulette ball comes to rest in one of the numerous equally-spaced ball slots located along a circumference of the roulette wheel. Each ball slot among the equally-spaced ball slots is isolated from adjacent ball slots by separators positioned radially outward and corresponds to a particular number and color. The particular number represents a result for the game cycle that began when the roulette ball was launched.

As the roulette ball comes to rest, a marker (or dolly) is placed on an area of a felt betting area (or layout) identifying the particular number and color corresponding to the ball slot in which the roulette ball came to rest. Winning and losing bets for that game cycle to be placed on the felt betting area are then determined according to the result. Once the losing bets are collected and the winning bets are paid, a new game cycle starts.

In addition to causing the roulette ball to lose momentum, the friction between the roulette ball and the annular track may also erode some material from the annular track. That material eroded from the annular track and/or the ball becomes dust within the roulette wheel and the annular track. Another opportunity for the creation and dispersion of dust arises any time the roulette ball engages with a ball stop. As subsequent balls are launched into the angled track, interaction between the dust and subsequent roulette balls may impact a later game cycle.

For example, randomization of the later game cycle's result may be reduced by interaction with the dust. Also, subsequent roulette balls may rotate slower around the annular track, which increases game cycle times and further reduces randomization. At some point, dust generated by the friction renders the roulette table aesthetically displeasing, which negatively impacts the players' experience. The dust may also slow down game play cycles, thereby making the roulette table less productive. Furthermore, removing the dust creates maintenance downtime during which the roulette table is unavailable for gameplay.

While seemingly straightforward as far as games are concerned, new players to roulette can find all of the different types of possible bets confusing. Bets can be placed on "red/black" (all red or black numbers and excluding <NUM> and <NUM>), on "even/odd" (all even or odd numbers and excluding <NUM> and <NUM>), on "low/high" numbers <NUM>-<NUM> or numbers <NUM>-<NUM>, on "dozen" or "third" (<NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> or <NUM>-<NUM>, on "column" (all numbers in one of three columns when the table is viewed from its end), on "straight up" (any single number), on "<NUM>" or "<NUM>" (some tables only use "<NUM>"), on "row" (<NUM> and <NUM>), on "top line" or "basket" (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>), on "six line" (any six numbers from two horizontal rows), on "split" (any two adjoining numbers vertical or horizontal), on "street" (any three numbers horizontal, such as <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> or <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, etc.), and on "corner" (any four adjoining numbers in a block, such as <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> or <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, etc.). It can take significant time for players to place bets in all of these different ways, which forces dealers to push players to finish bets, or if a machine is being used a timer to be employed, which can frustrate players.

<CIT> discusses a gaming device including at least one wagering station and a rotor. The rotor supports a series of symbols arranged about a center. The rotor also supports a series of landings arranged adjacent to the series of symbols. In operation, at least one ball travels along the rotor and eventually reaches a landing. One or more of the elements of the gaming device has a designated shape, construction or function to enable designated operations of a primary game, a secondary outcome determiner or a combination thereof.

<CIT> discusses a gaming system having a centralized controller coupled to an array of game apparatus; a display device, including a plurality of prize object displays, for displaying a bonus event prize for at least one game apparatus in the array; and provision for holding prize objects in an individually controlled manner, is disclosed. The gaming system includes a plurality of game apparatus, each game apparatus having a plurality of prize objects where at least one prize object is a dynamic prize object, the latter being distinguishable from other prize objects; and a central controller in communication with the plurality of game apparatus, the central controller being configured to assign a prize value to a selected prize object if the selected prize object is a dynamic prize object and cause the prize value to be displayed to a player on the associated game apparatus, is disclosed.

<CIT> discusses a game device that includes: a rotation body including a plurality of pockets for housing a moving body at a peripheral edge part, that is rotatably arranged around a center axis of the center part; a rotation drive part rotating the rotation body around the center axis; and a collection part collecting the moving body which is housed in the pocket by releasing the moving body from the pocket to a horizontal direction, when the rotation body rotates.

<CIT> relates to a roulette wheel apparatus, and in particular to a ball launcher for use in a gaming system such as a roulette wheel apparatus and roulette wheel apparatus comprising the ball launcher. According to <CIT>, the ball launcher comprises a pair of launch tubes adapted to be connected to the airflow generator and defining different launching directions, wherein the ball gate for gating the ball into one of the launch tubes includes a ball shuttle adapted to be moveable from a ball-receiving station to each one of said pair of launch tubes to transport the ball from the ball-receiving station to one of said launch tubes.

The present disclosure relates generally, but not exclusively, to the field of gaming, particularly roulette gaming.

The present disclosure describes particular embodiments and their detailed construction and operation. The embodiments described herein are set forth by way of illustration only and not limitation. Those skilled in the art will recognize, in light of the teachings herein, that there may be a range of equivalents to the exemplary embodiments described herein. Most notably, other embodiments are possible, variations can be made to the embodiments described herein, and there may be equivalents to the components, parts, or steps that make up the described embodiments. For the sake of clarity and conciseness, certain aspects of components or steps of certain embodiments are presented without undue detail where such detail would be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the teachings herein and/or where such detail would obfuscate an understanding of more pertinent aspects of the embodiments.

Disclosed herein are methods, systems, and computer readable storage media that provide for increased randomization of roulette results and improved guest satisfaction. Some embodiments of the present invention are described herein in terms of an automated roulette wagering system for illustrative purposes. However, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to an automated roulette wagering system, but rather may be implemented in various wagering systems - both automated and manual - that provide similar functionalities as an automated roulette wagering system.

<FIG> illustrates an automated roulette wagering system <NUM> in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown by <FIG>, automated roulette wagering system <NUM> includes roulette machine <NUM>, central display <NUM>, and a plurality of play stations <NUM>. While six play stations <NUM> are illustrated in the embodiment depicted by <FIG>, one skilled in the art will recognize that roulette wagering system <NUM> may include any number of play stations associated with roulette machine <NUM>.

For example, roulette wagering system <NUM> may include one play station, two play stations, ten play stations, and so on. In an embodiment, roulette wagering system <NUM> may not include any play stations <NUM>. For example, roulette wagering system <NUM> may be servicing one or more remote clients not physically proximate to roulette wagering system <NUM>. That is, roulette machine <NUM> of roulette wagering system <NUM> may be an unattended live table game of chance providing game cycle results to one or more play stations physically remote from roulette machine <NUM>. In an embodiment, roulette wagering system <NUM> may be servicing a combination of local play stations (e.g., play stations <NUM>) and remote play stations.

In an embodiment, roulette wagering system <NUM> is located at a first geographic location and is providing game cycle results to remote clients physically located at one or more remote geographic locations that are not physically proximate to the first geographic location. For example, roulette wagering system <NUM> may be located in a warehouse and provide game cycle results to remote clients located in a casino located a few miles away from the warehouse. As another example, roulette wagering system <NUM> may be located in a first casino and provide game cycle results to remote clients located in a second casino or gaming establishment. The first casino and the second casino or gaming establishment may be located in a different city, state, country, etc..

Roulette machine <NUM> is configured to operate unattended live roulette games in which a physical roulette ball is launched into an angled annular track encircling a roulette wheel. In an embodiment, roulette machine <NUM> may be configured to operate any known live table game of chance. Each live roulette game operated by roulette machine <NUM> is composed of a game cycle. The game cycle of the live roulette game begins as a roulette ball is positioned to be launched into the annular track. The roulette ball is launched into the annular track and rotates around the annular track a plurality of times. In an embodiment, the roulette ball is rotated around the annular track in a first direction and the roulette wheel is spinning about a central axis in a second direction opposing the first direction. Friction between the roulette ball and the annular track reduces a momentum of the roulette ball until gravity causes the roulette ball to exit the annular track.

Upon exiting the annular track, the roulette ball follows a path towards the center of the roulette wheel along a downward slope intervening between the annular track and the roulette wheel. As the roulette ball follows the path towards the center of the roulette wheel, the roulette ball may interact with one or more ball stops positioned about the downward slope. When the roulette ball encounters the roulette wheel, the roulette ball bounces a plurality of times and then settles into one of a plurality of ball slots positioned around an outer circumference of the roulette wheel. The game cycle concludes as the roulette ball settles in one of the plurality of ball slots. A game cycle outcome is determined based on a number and possibly also a color corresponding to the particular ball slot in which the roulette ball settled.

Each live roulette game operated by roulette machine <NUM> is also composed of a betting window associated with the game cycle. The betting window includes a bet open time and a bet close time. The bet open time represents a point in time in which the betting window transitions from a closed state to an open state. After the bet open time, the betting window is in the open state and a player is allowed to place one or more bets or wagers on the associated game cycle. In an embodiment, the player is allowed to place one or more side bets or wagers on at least one additional game of chance when the betting window is in the open state.

The bet close time represents a point in time in which the betting window transitions from an open state to a closed state. After the bet close time, the betting window is in the closed state and the player is no longer allowed to place bets or wagers on the associated game cycle. In an embodiment, the bet close time precedes a time that the roulette ball settles in one of the plurality of ball slots. In an embodiment, the bet close time precedes a time that the roulette ball exits the annular track. In an embodiment, the bet close time is adjustable based on an inertial value associated with the roulette ball.

In operation, roulette machine <NUM> utilizes one or more random number generators to control various mechanical aspects of the live roulette games. The one or more random number generators are used to increase a randomization of events composing the live roulette games. Increasing the randomization of events composing the live roulette games reduces a likelihood that game cycle results are predictable. For example, random number generators may dictate a velocity that a roulette ball is launched into the angled annular track, a number of times that a roulette ball rotates around the angular track, a direction the roulette ball spins while rotating around the angular track, a timing of various events composing the live roulette games, and the like.

Central display <NUM> is configured to present players and other guests of the casino or other gaming establishment with information associated with the live roulette games operated by roulette machine <NUM>. Such information may be presented in a visual format, an auditory format, or a combination thereof. The information presented by central display <NUM> may include information regarding individual results of previous game cycles, a state of a current betting window associated with roulette machine <NUM>, statistics about previous games cycles, an operating condition of roulette machine <NUM>, a progressive jackpot associated with roulette machine <NUM>, and the like. In an embodiment, central display <NUM> is further configured to present players and other guests of the casino or other gaming establishment with advertising media.

Each play station among the plurality of play stations <NUM> is generally configured to enable a player to participate in the live roulette games operated by roulette machine <NUM>. In an embodiment, each play station among the plurality of play stations <NUM> is further configured to enable the player to participate in at least one additional game of chance. In an embodiment, the at least one game of chance is operated by a gaming device other than roulette machine <NUM>. For example, a play station <NUM> may enable the player to fund a credit balance for placing bets, place bets on games of chance (e.g., the live roulette game operated by roulette machine <NUM>), receive winnings associated with bets placed on games of chance, and the like. In an embodiment, a play station may enable the player to interact with an object associated with a game of chance. Examples of such objects include dice, a ball, a wheel, and the like.

As best seen in <FIG>, play station <NUM> may present a graphical user interface ("GUI") <NUM> that enables a player to participate in the live roulette games operated by roulette machine <NUM>. For example, GUI <NUM> may display account information <NUM> to a player that represents a maximum credit balance that is available to the player for wagering on the live roulette games. In an embodiment, a player may insert currency, tickets, tokens, and the like into play station <NUM> in order to increase the maximum credit balance. In an embodiment, a player may electronically transfer funds from another account using play station <NUM> in order to increase the maximum credit balance.

GUI <NUM> may also display an electronic representation of a felt betting area <NUM> (or layout) for live roulette games operated by roulette machine <NUM>. The player may wager on the live roulette games by placing one or more virtual chips <NUM> onto the felt betting area <NUM>. For example, the player may place virtual chips <NUM> onto an area of felt betting area <NUM> that identifies a particular ball slot in which the player believes a roulette ball will come to rest within a particular game cycle. As another example, the player may place virtual chips <NUM> onto an area of felt betting area <NUM> that identifies a particular range of ball slots in which the player believes a roulette ball will come to rest. The player may also place virtual chips <NUM> onto felt betting area <NUM> to bet that during a particular game cycle a roulette ball will come to rest in a ball slot associated with a particular color (e.g., red or black). As another example, the player may also place virtual chips <NUM> onto felt betting area <NUM> to bet that a roulette ball will come to rest in a ball slot associated with an odd or even number.

A wagering update area <NUM> of GUI <NUM> may also present information regarding an amount currently wagered by the player on the live roulette games operated by roulette machine <NUM>. Information regarding a payout amount won by the player through previous bets may also be presented to the player in wagering update area <NUM>. In an embodiment, wagering update area <NUM> may also present the player with information regarding an aggregate amount wagered and/or won in a current session. In an embodiment, wagering update area <NUM> may also present the player with information regarding an aggregate amount wagered and/or won within a predetermined period of time (e.g., hour, day, month, year, lifetime, etc.).

GUI <NUM> may also present a status update area <NUM> that provides the player with information about a current game cycle of the live roulette games operated by roulette machine <NUM>. For example, status update area <NUM> may inform the player that a betting window associated with the current game cycle is in an open state. The betting window is in the open state between a bet open time and a bet close time. As long as the betting window remains in the open state, the player is free to wager on the current game cycle of the live roulette games. The betting window associated with the current game cycle transitions from the open state to a closed state when the bet close time is reached. Status update area <NUM> may inform the player that a betting window associated with the current game cycle is in the closed state.

A historical data area <NUM> of GUI <NUM> may provide the player with information about results from previous game cycles of the live roulette games. For example, historical data area <NUM> may display a sequence of individual results from the previous game cycles. As another example, historical data area <NUM> may display statistical information about the previous game cycles. The statistical information may include a percentage of a predetermined number of previous game cycles in which the roulette ball came to rest in a particular color, a ball slot associated with an odd number, a particular range of ball slots, and the like.

<FIG> illustrate a roulette machine <NUM> in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, roulette machine <NUM> may be used to implement roulette machine <NUM> of roulette wagering system <NUM> in <FIG>. As best seen in <FIG>, a transparent cover <NUM> (e.g., a glass dome) encases an underlying roulette wheel <NUM> such that aspects related game play remain visible. Transparent cover <NUM> may provide a physical means of isolating roulette wheel <NUM> from an environment surrounding roulette machine <NUM>. By isolating roulette wheel <NUM>, transparent cover <NUM> reduces the likelihood that game cycle results are impacted by influences present in the environment surrounding roulette machine <NUM>. Examples of such influences include dealers, players, external dust, air flow, and the like.

Turning to <FIG>, a top down view of roulette machine <NUM> is provided after transparent cover <NUM> has been removed. As shown by <FIG>, roulette machine <NUM> includes roulette wheel <NUM>, annular track <NUM>, and ball launch tube <NUM>. In operation, a roulette ball is launched from ball launch tube <NUM> into annular track <NUM> at launch point <NUM> as each game cycle commences. In the example depicted by <FIG>, the roulette ball is launched in a direction represented by the arrow associated with designator <NUM>. As the roulette ball rotates around roulette wheel <NUM>, roulette wheel <NUM> is rotating in an opposing direction represented by the arrow associated with designator <NUM>.

In an embodiment, roulette machine <NUM> further includes at least one inertial data sensor <NUM> associated with annular track <NUM>, such as being incorporated into the annular track <NUM> in some manner. Inertial data sensor <NUM> is configured to obtain inertial information associated with a roulette ball launched into annular track <NUM>. Examples of such inertial information include a velocity that the roulette ball is launched into annular track <NUM>, deceleration of the roulette ball's velocity after being launched into annular track <NUM>, and the like. The inertial information obtained by inertial data sensor <NUM> may be used to determine inertial-related information associated with the roulette ball subsequent to being launched into annular track <NUM>, and the like. Such inertial-related information may include a number of time that the roulette ball rotates within angular track ("ball revolutions"), a direction the roulette ball spins while rotating around angular track <NUM>, a velocity that the roulette ball spins while rotating around angular track <NUM>, and the like.

In an embodiment, roulette machine <NUM> further includes at least one image sensor <NUM>. The at least one image sensor <NUM> is configured to capture image data associated with particular game cycles of the live roulette games operated by roulette machine <NUM>. Image sensor <NUM> may provide the captured image data to a controller associated with roulette machine <NUM> as a video stream, a sequence of individual image frames, raw image data, and the like. In an embodiment, a controller (in the form of a computer system, see Figure <NUM>) associated with roulette machine <NUM> may configure image sensor <NUM> by specifying a frame-rate, a resolution, a color value, a video stream encoding format, a subset of the image sensor's available pixels to activate and/or deactivate, and the like.

In an embodiment, image sensor <NUM> is configured to capture image data on a continuous basis. For example, the image data captured by image sensor <NUM> may provide a live video feed of the live roulette games operated by roulette machine <NUM>. In an embodiment, image sensor <NUM> is configured to capture image data for a predefined period of a particular game cycle. For example, such predefined periods may be associated with a roulette ball being launched into annular track <NUM>, a roulette ball coming to rest in a particular ball slot of roulette wheel <NUM>, a betting window associated with a particular game cycle, and the like.

In an embodiment, image sensor <NUM> is configured to capture image data associated with a particular area of roulette wheel <NUM>. Examples of the particular area include launch point <NUM>, an arc portion of annular track <NUM>, a predefined reference point of roulette wheel <NUM>, a table stop position of roulette wheel <NUM>, and the like.

In an embodiment, roulette machine <NUM> further includes one or more audio output devices <NUM> (e.g., speakers). As best seen in <FIG>, the audio output devices <NUM> may positioned around an outer circumference of roulette machine <NUM>. The audio output devices <NUM> may present audible announcements regarding events associated with roulette machine <NUM>. The audible announcements may enable roulette machine <NUM> to better serve hearing impaired guests. Examples of such events include information about an operating state (e.g., down for maintenance) of roulette machine <NUM>, information about a current game cycle (e.g., a betting window associated with the current game cycle is open), and the like. The audio output devices <NUM> may also provide background music, sound effects, and the like to players and other guests interacting with roulette machine <NUM>.

Because the roulette wheel <NUM> is covered by transparent cover <NUM>, it may not be possible for players to hear the ball as it spins and jumps around on the roulette wheel <NUM>, which for some players changes a favored aspect of the game. Hence, the audio output devices <NUM> may play sounds that correspond to the movement of the ball as it launched, as it moves around the annular track <NUM>, as it bounces around on the roulette wheel <NUM>, and as it settles into a ball slot. Lighting may also be employed to help players follow the movement of the ball.

<FIG> illustrates a ball launch assembly <NUM> in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown by <FIG>, ball launch assembly <NUM> includes a propulsion assembly <NUM>, launch device <NUM>, and ball launch tube <NUM>. In an embodiment, ball launch tube <NUM> is used to implement ball launch tube <NUM> of <FIG>. Ball launch assembly <NUM> is configured to launch a roulette ball into the annular track at a launch point of a roulette machine (e.g., roulette machine <NUM> of <FIG>) coupled to ball launch assembly <NUM>. In operation, ball launch assembly <NUM> receives launch commands from a controller associated with the roulette machine. Each launch command initiates a game cycle of the live roulette games operated by the roulette machine.

In response to receiving a launch command, ball launch assembly <NUM> introduces a roulette ball into the launch device <NUM>, where propulsion from the propulsion assembly <NUM> launches the roulette ball through the ball launch tube <NUM>. Launch device <NUM> imparts a motion to the ball thereby launching the roulette ball into the annular track of the roulette machine. Various means may be used by launch device <NUM> to impart motion to the roulette ball, such as spring-based propulsion, electromagnetic propulsion, vacuum propulsion, pressurized air propulsion, and the like. For example, launch device <NUM> may be implemented using a vacuum generator, a regulated air fan for blowing the ball out of the launch tube, a spring-actuated ball collider, a variable magnet, and the like.

After a prolonged period of operation of a roulette machine, the roulette balls will begin to wear, which can negatively impact the controllability of the roulette machine. Accordingly, the roulette balls need to periodically be replaced. Traditionally, this required that the roulette machine be shut down so the ball launch device <NUM>, typically positioned under the roulette wheel <NUM>, can be accessed. If the roulette machine is going to be shut down, then it might as well be cleaned too, so this often results in the roulette machines being out of operation, and therefore not generating revenue, for a longer period of time, which casino operators did not appreciate. However, just because the roulette balls need to be replaced does not mean that the entire machine really needs cleaning as well, so if roulette balls could be replaced more readily without requiring the roulette machine to be taken out of service, that would be preferable.

According to the invention, an automatic ball-change mechanism or magazine <NUM> is added to the launch device <NUM> so as to further extend the operational period of a roulette machine between maintenance and cleanings. As shown in <FIG>, the magazine <NUM> may include a revolving mechanism <NUM> that includes up to ten roulette balls <NUM>, each of which corresponds to a pocket <NUM> in the revolving mechanism <NUM>. The magazine <NUM> may have <NUM> pockets for ten roulette balls <NUM>. During a game cycle, however, one roulette ball would be in use (the "current game ball") with the other nine roulette balls being stored for future use (the "stored balls"). When it is determined that the current game ball needs to replaced, the revolving mechanism <NUM> of the magazine <NUM> may rotate by one pocket and the next stored ball would become the current game ball. The controller of the roulette machine <NUM> determines when the current game ball would need to be replaced, which may be a predetermined number of game cycles. That predetermined number could be set by a maintenance operator. When all ten balls in the magazine <NUM> have been used (or even when nine balls have been used and the tenth is in use), a maintenance alert is sent indicating that the roulette balls need to be replaced with ten new roulette balls.

The magazine <NUM> may further include a base plate <NUM> over which the revolving mechanism <NUM> rotates, a ball change motor <NUM>, two optical sensors and two inductive proximity sensors. The inductive sensors, which may serve to detect the position of the revolving mechanism <NUM>, are best illustrated in <FIG>, which illustrates a front side of the magazine <NUM>. Sensor <NUM> may be configured to detect when the revolving mechanism <NUM> is in a base position, while sensor <NUM> may be configured to detect when the revolving mechanism <NUM> is in a change position, as further explained below. The optic sensors, which detect the position of a roulette ball, are best illustrated by <FIG>, which illustrates a back side of the magazine <NUM>. Optic sensor <NUM> may be configured to detect when a roulette ball is in the magazine <NUM>, while optic sensor <NUM> may be configured to detect when the current game ball is in the start position within the ball hold-and-start mechanism <NUM>.

<FIG>, <FIG> illustrate operation of the magazine <NUM> during operation of the roulette machine <NUM> during normal roulette game cycles. As shown in <FIG>, the base plate <NUM> may be fixed and the revolving mechanism <NUM> may rotate about it. The base plate may include a through hole <NUM> through which the current game ball may pass when a pocket <NUM> is aligned with the hole <NUM>. This is further illustrated with reference to <FIG>, which shows the magazine <NUM> in its base position. When a game cycle of the roulette machine has finished, the ball slot of the roulette wheel (not shown) holding the current game ball may be positioned over a trap door <NUM>. To remove the current game ball from the roulette wheel <NUM> (not shown), the trap door <NUM> may be opened, causing the ball to fall, via gravity, through an opening <NUM> under the trap door <NUM>. As the magazine is in the base position, there may be an open path through the pocket <NUM> and the through hole <NUM> into the ball hold-and-start mechanism <NUM>, where the current game ball <NUM> waits until launched again.

Once the current game ball has been used a predetermined number of times, for example as many as <NUM>,<NUM> times, the current game ball may be changed to a next roulette ball. The process by which this is may be possible is illustrated in <FIG>. During the game cycle and just before the trap door <NUM> is opened, the revolving mechanism <NUM> may be rotated in a forward direction to the change position. The revolving mechanism <NUM> may stop rotating when sensor <NUM> indicates the revolving mechanism <NUM> is in the change position. The change position is an intermediate position that may be sufficient to block passage of the current game ball <NUM> from falling into the hold-and-start mechanism <NUM>, but may be wide enough to allow the current game ball <NUM> to fall through the opening <NUM> into the pocket <NUM>, as further shown in <FIG>. Once the current game ball <NUM> has been trapped in the pocket <NUM>, the revolving mechanism <NUM> may be rotated forwarded again to the base position, as detected by sensor <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, which may cause the next game ball <NUM> to drop into the hold-and-start mechanism <NUM>, where it waits until launched for the first time. The magazine <NUM>, or more accurately the revolving mechanism <NUM>, may then stay in the base position for the predetermined number of times, before the next roulette ball change is initiated.

In an embodiment, the magazine may also be used to introduce a further random event, the launching of a special roulette ball, referred to herein as a "golden ball. " As illustrated in <FIG>, the golden ball <NUM> may be formed of a phenolic resin that gives the roulette ball a golden color, although other suitable materials generating the same or other colors may also be used. The phenolic resin may be magnetic or not magnetic. The golden ball may have a different appearance than the regular roulette balls <NUM>, which tend to be a white or off-white color. In the embodiment, five golden balls may be used in place of five white balls. The white balls are place in odd pocket positions of the revolving mechanism, such as pockets <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, and the golden balls are place in even pocket positions, such as pockets <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, such that roulette balls are alternated through the revolving mechanism's pockets.

In operation, the white ball <NUM> would be used for some period of time until a random number generator determines that a golden ball <NUM> should be used in place of the white ball <NUM>. When a golden ball <NUM> is to be used, the revolving mechanism may be rotated to trap the current game ball, but the revolving mechanism would not rotate forward again once the current game ball is trapped, but rather reverse so that a golden ball <NUM> is release instead of the white ball. This is further illustrated in <FIG>, wherein the current game ball is the white ball <NUM> in the 7th position and the golden ball is in the 6th position. The golden ball may then be used for one game cycle, trapped when the game cycle is over and replaced with the white ball.

When golden balls are used, a couple of additional inductive proximity sensors may also be used. Sensor <NUM> may be used in the same manner as sensors <NUM> and <NUM> to keep track of when the revolving mechanism is in the even position. Sensor <NUM> senses when a golden ball is being used and provides an alert to the roulette machine <NUM> so different game play for the golden ball can be initiated. Sensor <NUM> may be extra sensitive to either magnetic material used in the golden ball or capable of detecting metal races added to the golden ball coating.

The techniques described above can be implemented on a computing device associated with a gaming device (e.g., a roulette machine operating a live roulette game), a plurality of computing devices associated with a plurality of gaming devices, a controller in communication with the gaming device(s) (e.g., a controller configured to synchronize the gaming devices(s)), or a plurality of controllers in communication with the gaming device(s). Additionally, the techniques may be distributed between the computing device(s) and the controller(s). <FIG> illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a computing system that includes hardware modules, software module, and a combination thereof and that can be implemented as the computing device and/or as the server.

In a basic configuration, the computing system may include at least a processor, a system memory, a storage device, input/output peripherals, communication peripherals, and an interface bus. Instructions stored in the memory may be executed by the processor to perform a variety of methods and operations, including the roulette wheel velocity adjustments and result detection optimization, as described above. The computing system components may be present in the gaming device, in a server or other component of a network, or distributed between some combinations of such devices.

The interface bus is configured to communicate, transmit, and transfer data, controls, and commands between the various components of the electronic device. The system memory and the storage device comprise computer readable storage media, such as RAM, ROM, EEPROM, hard-drives, CD-ROMs, optical storage devices, magnetic storage devices, flash memory, and other tangible storage media. Any of such computer readable storage medium can be configured to store instructions or program codes embodying aspects of the disclosure. Additionally, the system memory comprises an operation system and applications. The processor is configured to execute the stored instructions and can comprise, for example, a logical processing unit, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor, and the like.

The system memory and the storage device may also comprise computer readable signal media. A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signal with computer readable program code embodied therein. Such a propagated signal may take any of variety of forms including, but not limited to, electro-magnetic, optical, or any 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 in connection with the computing system.

Further, the input and output peripherals include user interfaces such as a keyboard, screen, microphone, speaker, other input/output devices, and computing components such as digital-to-analog and analog-to-digital converters, graphical processing units, serial ports, parallel ports, and universal serial bus. The input/output peripherals may also include a variety of sensors, such as light, proximity, GPS, magnetic field, altitude, and velocity/acceleration. RSSI, and distance sensors, as well as other types of sensors. The input/output peripherals may be connected to the processor through any of the ports coupled to the interface bus.

The user interfaces can be configured to allow a user of the computing system to interact with the computing system. For example, the computing system may include instructions that, when executed, cause the computing system to generate a user interface and carry out other methods and operations that the user can use to provide input to the computing system and to receive an output from the computing system.

This user interface may be in the form of a graphical user interface that is rendered at the screen and that is coupled with audio transmitted on the speaker and microphone and input received at the keyboard. In an embodiment, the user interface can be locally generated at the computing system. In another embodiment, the user interface may be hosted on a remote computing system and rendered at the computing system. For example, the server may generate the user interface and may transmit information related thereto to the computing device that, in turn, renders the user interface to the user. The computing device may, for example, execute a browser or an application that exposes an application program interface (API) at the server to access the user interface hosted on the server.

Finally, the communication peripherals of the computing system are configured to facilitate communication between the computing system and other computing systems (e.g., between the computing device and the server) over a communications network. The communication peripherals include, for example, a network interface controller, modem, various modulators/demodulators and encoders/decoders, wireless and wired interface cards, antenna, and the like.

The communication network includes a network of any type that is suitable for providing communications between the computing device and the server and may comprise a combination of discrete networks which may use different technologies. For example, the communications network includes a cellular network, a WiFi/ broadband network, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a telephony network, a fiber-optic network, or combinations thereof. In an example embodiment, the communication network includes the Internet and any networks adapted to communicate with the Internet. The communications network may be also configured as a means for transmitting data between the computing device and the server.

The techniques described above may be embodied in, and fully or partially automated by, code modules executed by one or more computers or computer processors. The code modules may be stored on any type of non-transitory computer-readable medium or computer storage device, such as hard drives, solid state memory, optical disc, and/or the like. The processes and algorithms may be implemented partially or wholly in application-specific circuitry. The results of the disclosed processes and process steps may be stored, persistently or otherwise, in any type of non-transitory computer storage such as, e.g., volatile or non-volatile storage.

As previously noted, the various features and processes described above may be used independently of one another, or may be combined in various ways. All possible combinations and sub- combinations are intended to fall within the scope of this disclosure. In addition, certain method or process blocks may be omitted in some implementations. The methods and processes described herein are also not limited to any particular sequence, and the blocks or states relating thereto can be performed in other sequences that are appropriate. For example, described blocks or states may be performed in an order other than that specifically disclosed, or multiple blocks or states may be combined in a single block or state. The example blocks or states may be performed in serial, in parallel, or in some other manner. Blocks or states may be added to or removed from the disclosed example embodiments. The example systems and components described herein may be configured differently than described. For example, elements may be added to, removed from, or rearranged compared to the disclosed example embodiments.

Conditional language used herein, such as, among others, "can," "could," "might," "may," "e.g.," and the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements, and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without author input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.

Claim 1:
An automated roulette machine (<NUM>), comprising:
a controller for controlling operation of the automated roulette machine (<NUM>)
a roulette wheel (<NUM>) configured to rotate in a first direction, the roulette wheel (<NUM>) including a plurality of ball slots each configured to hold a roulette ball, the roulette wheel being configured to place a ball slot holding the roulette ball over a trap door (<NUM>) for releasing the ball from the roulette wheel at the conclusion of a game cycle;
an annular tube (<NUM>, <NUM>) configured to position the roulette ball to roll around the roulette wheel (<NUM>) during a game cycle in a second direction opposite the first direction;
a launch device (<NUM>) configured to launch the roulette ball into the annular tube (<NUM>) to initiate the game cycle, the launch device (<NUM>) including a propulsion assembly (<NUM>) configured to apply a propulsion force to the roulette ball;
a ball-change magazine (<NUM>) positioned between the roulette wheel (<NUM>) and the launch device (<NUM>) and configured to hold a plurality of roulette balls for future use while allowing the roulette ball to be used a predetermined number of game cycles before a next roulette ball is used in place of the roulette ball, the ball-change magazine (<NUM>) including a revolving mechanism (<NUM>) and a plate (<NUM>) around which the revolving mechanism (<NUM>) is configured to rotate, the plate (<NUM>) forming a through hole (<NUM>) configured to align with the trap door (<NUM>) to allow the roulette ball to pass from the ball slot through the ball-change magazine (<NUM>) and to the launch device (<NUM>), the revolving mechanism (<NUM>) being further configured to rotate a first amount sufficient to trap the roulette ball and prevent it from passing through to the launch device (<NUM>) when the predetermined number has been reached ,as determined by the controller, where a maintenance alert is sent when either: all of the plurality of roulette balls for future use have been used for the predetermined number of game cycles, or all of the plurality of roulette balls for future use except one have been used for the predetermined number of game cycles, and to rotate a second amount sufficient to cause the next roulette ball to be placed into the launch device;
a display (<NUM>) and user interface (<NUM>) for enabling a player to place bets during the game cycle and see results displayed at the conclusion of the game cycle.