Amusement devices: games – Chance devices – Lot mixers and dispensers
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-14
2001-03-27
Passaniti, Sebastiano (Department: 3711)
Amusement devices: games
Chance devices
Lot mixers and dispensers
Reexamination Certificate
active
06206371
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a device for carrying out an operation which may generate a random indication by projecting an indicator member into the air and, when it lands, detecting its orientation. Such an operation may be carried out for amusement, gambling or other purposes, and may be that which is commonly referred to as “flipping (or tossing) a coin”, or “throwing dice”.
Flipping a coin has long been known as an activity which theoretically produces an unpredictable result and thus can be used as a random input parameter in activities such as, for example, decision taking, sports, games, gambling, or the like. A coin or coin-like member is projected into the air in such a way that it spins or tumbles in the air, and when it lands it is inspected to see if its obverse or reverse side is uppermost. In the throwing of dice, a die is used in the form of a cube and its six faces bear different numbers or other indications. Such a die is projected such that it tumbles in the air and/or on a surface whereon it lands, and when it comes to rest the face which is uppermost provides the (theoretically) random indication to be used in the game or whatever. In the past, however, these have essentially been operations carried out manually by a person, and have not been able to be automated in a simple and economical manner. However, if such automation could be achieved it would enable such an operation to be incorporated as an operative feature of amusement or gaming machines. It is broadly the object of the present invention to meet this requirement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, I provide a device comprising a base whereon an indicator member can rest; electromagnetic means for projecting the indicator member above the base; and means for detecting the orientation in which the indicator member comes to rest on the base.
Whilst it is possible by electro-magnetic induction to cause an element of non-ferrous metal to be projected above an electro-magnet, preferably the indicator member is or carries at least one permanent magnet element. It may be a coin member, i.e. have the appearance of a standard coin which is or has been currency in any particular country where the device is to be used, or otherwise is well known, or alternatively it may have the appearance of a coin-like token. Further alternatively, it could be of some other form which is able to rest on a base in one of two or more stable orientations, for example a cube and it may then be a die.
For example, a coin made of non-ferrous material may be machined out in order to receive an appropriately dimensioned permanent magnet element. By way of example, a coin such as a British two-pence piece could have its centre machined to accommodate a neodymium-iron-boron permanent magnet of approximate dimensions of 15 mm diameter and 1 mm thickness. Two such coins could be machined respectively on their obverse and reverse sides to be able to be assembled together with such a permanent magnetic element therebetween, and resemble a standard such coin.
Preferably the electro-magnetic means for projecting the indicator member above the base comprises an electrically energisable coil having a magnetic core with an end portion disposed in or closely beneath said base.
When electrically energised, the effect is to produce a magnetic field which preferably is concentrated at a selected point on the base by having the end portion of the core of tapering configuration. When the coil is energised in the appropriate sense, depending on the orientation of the indicator member on the base, the effect is to project the indicator member above the base by magnetic repulsion.
Preferably said base is of upwardly facing concave configuration, and said core end portion lies at or adjacent a lowermost part thereof so that in the absence of any external influence the indicator member will tend to fall to lie in alignment with said core.
Preferably the device comprises means for constraining the indicator member when it is projected above the base, so that it will always land on the base and not escape.
The means for constraining the indicator member may comprise a wall or walls, preferably at least partially transparent so that the indicator member can be observed, extending upwardly from said base.
There may be a cover member to prevent the indicator member from travelling above an uppermost part of the wall or walls or alternatively the wall or walls could extend upwardly to a distance beyond that to which one can expect the indicator member to be upwardly projected in use.
The means for detecting the orientation of the indicator member when resting on the base preferably comprises means for detecting the polarity of the permanent magnetic field of the indicator member. Conveniently this may be achieved by a Hall effect sensor, which may be disposed in association with the core of the coil. The strength of the field may also be sensed, and such sensing may, as described hereafter, be used to detect the orientation of an indicator member which is capable of resting in more than two stable orientations.
The device preferably further comprises electric circuit means for causing the coil to be electrically energised in the appropriate sense and sufficiently strongly to cause the indicator member to be projected above the base by magnetic repulsion upon such energisation, in accordance with the detected orientation of the indicator member when resting on the base prior to such projection.
After the coil has been thus energised, it may be completely de-energised so that the indicator member falls randomly, uninfluenced by external magnetic forces.
Alternatively, the electric circuit means may provide for energisation of the coil subsequent to projection of the indicator member, in such a way as to influence the way in which the indicator member orientates itself on landing.
The device may be adapted for incorporation in a gaming or amusement machine, and appropriate electronic circuitry may be provided to interface as required with a microprocessor controller of such a machine.
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Collins D
Marshall O'Toole Gerstein Murray & Borun
Passaniti Sebastiano
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