Roulette game random ball release

Abstract

An improved roulette type game in which an electronic Start signal triggers a Launch signal, but only after an electronically generated random time delay.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM [0001] I claim priority of my three U.S. Provisional Applications Ser. No. 60\484990 filed Jul. 3, 2003; Ser. No. 60\495641 filed Aug. 15, 2003; and Ser. No. 60\502456 filed Sep. 11, 2003.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to improvements in gaming devices, and particularly to the game of roulette. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] In the game of roulette, which is played at many gaming houses in the United States and elsewhere, a dealer employed by the gaming house releases a ball which then travels around the periphery of a rotating wheel having circumferentially arranged pockets, until the ball finally stops in a particular pocket. The stopping place of the ball, and a number associated with that stopping place, determines whether particular players have won or lost on their bets, and whether the house has won or lost. [0004] Although it is perhaps a groundless concern, some players worry that the dealer, because of greater familiarity with the a...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] According to my novel method the ball is launched in such a way that the dealer in charge of the game has no direct physical contact with the ball during either its launch or its subsequent travel, and no control over where the ball might stop.

[0008] Further according to my novel method, a mechanical launch mechanism is selected which is capable of launching the ball along a desired path about the wheel periphery; an electronic random time delay device is selected that is capable of energizing the launch mechanism at a random time delay after it has itself been energized; and an isolated manually actuable activation means is utilized for generating a start signal to then energize the electronic random time delay device. When it is desired to launch the ball, therefore, the isolated manually actuable activation means is energized, so that the person who actuates it is unable to either predict or control either the exact time the ball will be launched or its ultimate stopping place.

[0009] According to my invention any of a number of different means may be utilized for communicating a start signal to the electronic random time delay device, including a hard-wired circuit, a radio transmitter, an infrared remote control, or the like.

Problems solved by technology

When it is desired to launch the ball, therefore, the isolated manually actuable activation means is energized, so that the person who actuates it is unable to either predict or control either the exact time the ball will be launched or its ultimate stopping place.

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