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  Gaming apparatus and systemsUSPTO Application #: 20070013127Title: Gaming apparatus and systems Abstract: Gaming apparatus, e.g. an Electronic Gaming Machine (EGM) (1), includes a controller (2) for implementing a Sic Bo game. The controller (2) includes a display (5) on which is displayed a first dice tumbler (9) including a set of dice and betting board (10), as well as further dice tumblers (11) each including a further set of dice that can be bet on and played at the same time as betting on and playing the set of dice in the first dice tumbler (9). The apparatus may also allow multiple sets of dice betting using a plurality of physical sets of dice and an electronic betting terminal. (end of abstract)
Agent: Inskeep Intellectual Property Group, Inc - Torrance, CA, US Inventor: Benjamin James Ellis USPTO Applicaton #: 20070013127 - Class: 273146000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Amusement Devices: Games, Chance Devices, Dice The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070013127. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This invention is related to and claims priority from Australian Patent Application No. 2004900127, filed 12 Jan. 2004; and PCT Application No. PCT/AU2005/000026 filed on 12 Jan. 2005 entitled Gaming Apparatus and Systems, which are each incorporated herein by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to gaming apparatus and systems. It relates for example to electronic gaming machines and to networked gaming systems, such as Intranet and/or Internet-based gaming systems. BACKGROUND [0003] Gaming machines have been a popular form of entertainment for many years. This popularity has been enhanced by the advent of electronic gaming machines, and by computer-based gaming systems, such as are provided over the Internet. [0004] Many different types of game are payable. They include for example standard slot-machine type games with spinning reels, poker machines, keno, bingo, blackjack, roulette, Sic Bo, pachinko and the like. [0005] A user will typically place a bet, press a button or pull a lever to begin a game, and will win or lose based upon the gaming machine's play algorithm and random number generator. [0006] An aim of the present invention is to provide gaming apparatus having novel features for enhancing and increasing user participation. [0007] Viewed from one aspect, the present invention provides gaming apparatus for playing Sic Bo, the apparatus including: a plurality of sets of dice; input means for allowing a user to place a bet or bets on the plurality of sets of dice during a round of betting; means for determining the win status of the plurality of sets of dice after a round of rolls; and means for displaying the bet outcome, the bet outcome being based on the input bet or bets and on the win status of the sets of dice. [0008] The invention provides a Sic Bo gaming apparatus in which a user may place a bet or bets on and play more than one set of dice per round, and so may play a number of sets of dice simultaneously, with e.g. a single bet being duplicated across all of the sets. Each set of dice is preferably housed in a separate dice tumbler. [0009] Sic Bo is a dice game in which the player tries to predict the outcome of a multiple, usually three dice roll. Players place bets on a betting board with multiple betting options and payouts before the result is revealed. The bets may be placed either before or after the dice are rolled. The winning combination of dice is identified and the winning bets are indicated on the betting board. [0010] The present invention provides a new approach to playing Sic Bo that can add extra interest to the game over and above the usual game play. It benefits players by making the game more interesting, with, for example, rolling sets of dice simultaneously, rolling sets of dice in rapid succession, and the possibility of a number of different win options. It also benefits the gaming operators by helping to increase use of their machines and play rates. [0011] The sets of dice themselves may be simulated/virtual sets of dice, for example each in a virtual tumbler, generated electronically e.g. with a random number generator determining a winning dice combination, and with an animation of a dice tumbler cover being removed to reveal a set of dice. In this case, the apparatus will include means for simulating a plurality of sets of dice tumblers and for displaying them upon a gaming screen of the apparatus. [0012] Alternatively, or in combination with virtual sets of dice, the sets of dice may be real physical sets of dice that e. g. may be provided within a casino or the like, for example in dice tumblers. In this case, the apparatus may include a number of physical dice tumblers, each including a set of dice, together with electronic betting facilities, e.g. a plurality of betting terminals that e. g. may be overseen by a central controller. In this case, the roll of the dice results from the tables may be input into the electronic betting facilities. This may be achieved automatically through electronic detection circuitry associated with the sets of dice and/or tumblers, or by a croupier or the like entering the winning numbers into a suitable input terminal and the relevant winning combination being identified. [0013] The physical sets of dice and/or tumblers may be provided as normal Sic Bo tables or may be provided by themselves without the usual betting board, dice and tumblers could be separate from one another or provided on the same table. [0014] The physical sets of dice and tumblers may be located together, e.g. in a gambling pit, with a plurality of betting terminals adjacent to them, in which case the user of a terminal can see all of the dice tumblers. The dice tumblers may also be remote from the terminals, e.g. spread throughout a casino and/or even in another venue. In the former case, a terminal need not provide a representation of the dice tumblers themselves on its screen, as they can be seen, although it may still be preferable to do so. In the latter case, as a user cannot see the physical dice tumblers that they are playing, the terminal will display the results of the roll of the sets of dice by the dice tumbler, and may for example display a plurality of virtual dice tumblers that roll the sets of dice in a manner reflecting the roll of the dice in the physical dice tumblers. In one embodiment, the apparatus may display video images of the sets of dice and/or tumblers, e.g. overhead shots of the sets of dice, e.g. through the use of suitable camera apparatus. These images may be real time video sequences of the sets of dice and/or tumblers or snap-shots of the sets of dice tumblers after the sets of dice have been rolled by the dice tumblers and revealed. [0015] The number of sets of dice bet on per round may be fixed, e.g. at three, four or five dice tumblers, or any other desired number, or may be variable. The number of sets of dice played may be selected by the user, and/or may be chosen automatically, e.g. based on the bet or bets laid, and/or could be decided randomly. [0016] The apparatus may allow a user to chose which of the sets of dice from a number of sets of dice they wish to play, e.g. to allow them to replace a set of dice on which they lose or win by a new set of dice. For example, if there are a number of physical sets of dice to choose from a user may choose specific ones to bet on. [0017] The betting on the plurality of sets of dice may take any suitable form. [0018] An advantage of the present invention is that all of the sets of dice may be bet upon through a single Sic Bo betting board, a bet on the board being repeated or otherwise allocated across the sets of dice. [0019] In one preferred form, the same bet amount is replicated across the sets of dice. In another embodiment, bets are placed on the sets of dice according to a set formula, e.g. a first amount is placed on one set of dice e.g. in a single tumbler, and higher or lower amounts are placed on the other sets of dice e.g. in other tumblers. The bet allocation is preferably made automatically, without user input, although the latter is possible. Bet allocation may also vary depending on the amount and type of a main bet. [0020] The invention may in one aspect be seen as allowing a player to bet on a first main set of dice e.g. in a first tumbler using the associated betting board, and automatically applying that bet to a number of further sets of dice, e.g. in further tumblers, that can then all be played at the same time. [0021] The bet type may take any of the usual forms associated with Sic Bo. Continue reading... Full patent description for Gaming apparatus and systems Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Gaming apparatus and systems patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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