Amusement devices: games – Including means for processing electronic data – In a chance application
Reexamination Certificate
1997-05-09
2001-02-27
Harrison, Jessica J. (Department: 3713)
Amusement devices: games
Including means for processing electronic data
In a chance application
C708S250000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06193607
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to random number generators for electronic applications, and more specifically, to an improved random number generator for electronic game applications where the random numbers generated are further decoded using a novel method.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Many electronic devices require random number generators. In particular, in games of chance such as poker, roulette, and slot machines, randomness is critically important to ensure proper payment of winnings.
In considering a random number generator, there are several important and desirable characteristics. First, every possible permutation in the designated range of numbers must be obtainable. Second, the probability of a permutation appearing is the same as the probability of any other permutation. Thirdly, the occurrence of a permutation does not favor or disfavor the occurrence of any other permutation. Fourthly, it is desirable that the random number generator generates random permutations having a large period before it recycles. Lastly, it is desirable that the random number generator uses minimal hardware and has fast execution speed.
Random number generators of the prior art do not always have these desirable characteristics. In fact, many prior art generators do not provide every possible permutation in the designated range of numbers with equal probability, while other generators may require extensive computational hardware to carry out complex algorithms.
Moreover, due to the constraints associated with the register size of a computer, many random number generator algorithms are not able to generate random numbers with large periods without an increase in the complexity of the algorithm to the point where generation of uniformly random numbers becomes an unacceptably expensive proposition.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an objective of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for generating random numbers for use in electronic applications where every possible permutation is randomly obtainable.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for generating random numbers for use in electronic applications where the probability of each permutation is the same as the probability of any other permutation.
Still another objective of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for generating random numbers for use in electronic applications where the occurrence of one permutation does not favor or disfavor the occurrence of any other permutation.
Still another objective of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for generating random numbers for use in electronic applications where the random numbers generated has a large period before recycling.
Still another objective of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for generating random numbers for use in electronic applications where only minimal hardware is required.
Still another objective of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for generating random numbers for use in electronic applications where the execution speed is fast.
Still yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for decoding generated random numbers for a particular application in an efficient manner.
Briefly, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for generating random numbers for use in electronic applications where, in one embodiment, a two-dimensional random number generator is constructed to include a first generator for providing a random index to a table of random permutations generated by a second generator. In the preferred embodiment, the first random number generator is a Marsaglia mother generator and the second generator is a shift register generator.
Furthermore, in the decoding of a random number into several numbers for a specific application, a modulus decoding method is disclosed for extracting numbers from a generated random number in an efficient manner.
Note that the present invention can be used in a variety of applications and devices, even though the following description pertains to game applications.
An advantage of the present invention is that it provides a method and apparatus for generating random numbers wherein every possible permutation is randomly obtainable.
Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a method and apparatus for generating random numbers for use in electronic applications where the probability of each permutation is the same as the probability of any other permutation.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a method and apparatus for generating random numbers where the occurrence of one permutation does not favor or disfavor the occurrence of any other permutation.
Still another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a method and apparatus for generating random numbers where the random numbers generated has a large period recycling.
Still another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a method and apparatus for generating random numbers for use in electronic applications where only minimal hardware is required.
Still another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a method and apparatus for generating random numbers for use in electronic applications where the execution speed is fast.
Still yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for decoding generated random numbers for a particular application in an efficient manner.
These and other objects and advantage of the present invention will no doubt become obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art after having read the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments.
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Donnelly Oppenheimer W.
Hamrick Claude A. S.
Harrison Jessica J.
Silicon Gaming, Inc.
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