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US 12,257,516 B2Granted
Automated ball exchange and selection for roulette game cycle optimization
AssigneeInterblock D.O.O.
InventorsMirko Klanjscek, Peter Kroselj
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A roulette machine having a launch device including an automatic ball-change device is described. The ball-change device includes a rotatable main wheel comprising a plurality of pockets, and a rotatable switch wheel switching between an open position and a closed position. The main wheel receives and stores a plurality of roulette balls for future use and facilitates changing of a current game ball and, with the switch wheel, delivering the roulette ball to a launch start position or other desired output. The main wheel and the switch wheel may be independently rotatable, and coordinate with one or more sensors to determine a timing and delivery of a specifically-selected game ball to start a game cycle.
Claims24
An automated ball-change device, comprising:
- a rotatable main wheel comprising a plurality of pockets, each pocket configured to receive and allow one roulette ball to pass through;
- a base plate positioned beneath the main wheel, the base plate comprising an open portion beneath a position of a first pocket of the plurality of pockets, and a solid portion positioned beneath the remaining pockets, wherein the solid portion prevents a roulette ball from passing through;
- a rotatable switch wheel positioned beneath the base plate, wherein the switch wheel comprises a solid top plate and a through hole, wherein rotation of the switch wheel causes a closed position or an position, wherein in the closed position, the solid top plate blocks the open portion of the base plate and prevents the roulette ball from passing, and wherein in the open position, the through hole aligns with the open portion to allow the roulette ball to pass through;
- and
- a controller configured to independently control a rotation of the rotatable main wheel and the rotatable switch wheel.
2 more elements
A method for automated ball-exchange, comprising:
- providing a roulette ball to a first pocket of a main wheel comprising a plurality of pockets, each pocket configured to receive and allow one roulette ball to pass through when the first pocket is aligned, via rotation of the main wheel, with an open portion of a base plate positioned beneath the main wheel;
- determining, via a sensor, a position of the first pocket with the roulette ball;
- rotating the main wheel to align the first pocket with the open portion, and rotating the switch wheel;
- and
- delivering the roulette ball to a launch start position by rotating a switch wheel, positioned beneath the base plate, to an open position, wherein the switch wheel comprises a solid top plate and a through hole, and rotating the switch wheel places the switch wheel in the open position or a closed position, wherein in the closed position, the solid top plate blocks the open portion of the base plate to prevent the roulette ball from passing through, and in the open position, the through hole aligns with the open portion to allow the roulette ball to pass through.
2 more elements
An automated roulette machine, comprising:
- a roulette wheel configured to rotate in a first direction, the roulette wheel 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 for releasing the ball from the roulette wheel at the conclusion of a game cycle;
- an annular tube configured to position the roulette ball to roll around the roulette wheel during a game cycle in a second direction opposite the first direction;
- a launch device configured to launch the roulette ball into the annular tube to initiate the game cycle, the launch device including a propulsion assembly configured to apply a propulsion force to the roulette ball;
- a rotatable main wheel comprising a plurality of pockets, each pocket configured to receive the roulette ball from the trap door;
- a base plate positioned beneath the main wheel, the base plate comprising an open portion beneath a position of a first pocket of the plurality of pockets, and a solid portion positioned beneath the remaining pockets, wherein the solid portion prevents the roulette ball from passing through;
- a rotatable switch wheel positioned beneath the base plate, wherein the switch wheel comprises a solid top plate and a through hole, wherein rotation of the switch wheel causes a closed position wherein the solid top plate blocks the open portion of the base plate and prevent the roulette ball from passing, or an open position wherein the through hole aligns with the open portion to allow the roulette ball to pass through to a start position of the launch device;
- and
- a controller configured to independently control a rotation of the rotatable main wheel and the rotatable switch wheel.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.