Sound Filtering System for Gaming Environments

Abstract

Methods and systems for providing improved audio environments in relation with gaming systems are described. According to one embodiment, a gaming system comprises a gaming device comprising sound producing components and a sound processing system for transmitting sounds to a player based on sounds produced by the components. The sound processing system comprises a microphone; filtering means filtering the audio signal resulting from the sound capture; and outputting means outputting an audio environment based on the filtered signal. Therefore, the system provides, in real time or with a non-perceivable delay, an improved audio environment reflecting an outcome generation process. In another embodiment, a method is described comprising the steps of capturing outcome generating sounds in a signal, filtering it, and outputting an audio environment accordingly, wherein the method is performed in real time or with an non-perceivable delay. A particular embodiment is an automatic roulette device performing the present method.

1 . A gaming system having a mechanical device capable of generating sounds transmissible to a player to provide said player with an audio environment, the gaming system comprising:
 a gaming device comprising at least one physical component producing said transmissible sounds during an outcome generation process; and   a sound processing system comprising:
 a microphone for capturing said transmissible sounds produced by the gaming device during said outcome generation process and transforming said transmissible sound into an electrical audio signal; 
 filtering means for filtering said electrical audio signal to decrease the intensity of identified parasite frequencies therefore producing a filtered audio signal; and 
 outputting means for transforming said filtered audio signal into player audible sounds taking part in said audio environment. 
   
     
     
         2 . The gaming system of  claim 1 , wherein the sound processing system is capable of processing said sounds in real time or with a non-perceivable delay between the capture of the transmissible sound and the output of the player audible sound. 
     
     
         3 . The gaming system of  claim 1 , wherein the sound processing system is further for processing said transmissible sound through analog processing of the electrical audio signal. 
     
     
         4 . The gaming system of  claim 1 , further comprising processing means for transforming said electrical audio signal into a numerical audio signal, the filtering means being capable of filtering said audio signal by numerically processing said numerical audio signal. 
     
     
         5 . The gaming system of  claim 1 , further comprising memory for storing a sound file, wherein the outputting means is adapted to additionally output audio sound in the audio environment based on said sound file. 
     
     
         6 . The gaming system of  claim 1 , further comprising a controller controlling the power of the filtered audio signal transmitted to the outputting means. 
     
     
         7 . The gaming system of  claim 6 , wherein the controller is further for activating or deactivating the outputting means according to the current state of the outcome generation process. 
     
     
         8 . The gaming system of  claim 7 , wherein the controller is further for controlling when the outputting means processes said transmissible signal according to identification of origin of said transmissible signal. 
     
     
         9 . The gaming system of  claim 6 , wherein the outputting means comprises a plurality of individually controllable sub-outputting means, wherein the controller is for controlling the power of the signal outputted by the sub-outputting means in a cyclic manner to simulate a movement in the gaming environment. 
     
     
         10 . The gaming device of  claim 9 , further comprising detecting means for detecting position of the physical component, with the controller being capable of controlling the power of the audible sounds outputted by the sub-outputting means according to position signals provided by the detecting means. 
     
     
         11 . The gaming system of  claim 1 , further comprising a structure disposed above the player and in which the outputting means are located. 
     
     
         12 . The gaming system of  claim 1 , wherein the gaming device is an automated roulette comprising at least one player terminal on which the player participates in a roulette game. 
     
     
         13 . The gaming system of  claim 1 , wherein the filtering means is embedded on an electronic board. 
     
     
         14 . The gaming system of  claim 1 , wherein the physical component comprises one of a ball, a die, or a first object hitting a second object. 
     
     
         15 . The gaming system of  claim 1 , further comprising detecting means for detecting a particular state in the outcome generation process, and switching means for switching the filtering means from a first filtering configuration to a second filtering configuration. 
     
     
         16 . A method of producing audible sounds to take part in an audio environment in relation with a gaming device generating outcomes, the method comprising:
 capturing transmissible sounds generated by the gaming device during the generation of one said outcome;   transforming the captured transmissible sounds into an electrical audio signal;   filtering said electrical audio signal to decrease intensity of identified parasite frequencies from said electrical audio signal therefore producing a filtered audio signal; and   outputting filtered audible audio sounds based on the filtered audio signal,   wherein the method is performed in real time or with a non-perceivable delay between the capture of the transmissible sounds and the output of the audible sounds.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 transforming the electrical audio signal into a numerical audio signal, wherein said step of filtering said electrical audio signal comprises numerically processing of said numerical audio signal.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising controlling power of outputted audible sounds for a plurality of individually controllable sub-outputting means. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising detecting states experienced by the gaming device during the sound capturing process, and controlling power of the outputted audible sounds for a plurality of individually controllable sub-outputting means to reflect the detected states. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising detecting whether or not the gaining device is generating an outcome, and setting the power of at least one of the electrical audio signal, the filtered audio signal and the outputted audible sounds in accordance with said detection. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising analysing data representing movement of a gaming device component in the gaming device; and individually setting the power, for each of the individually controllable sub-outputting means, of one of a) the filtered audio signal and b) the outputted audible sounds based on the said data analysis. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising detecting a state being reached in said gaming device, and modifying a filtering configuration upon detection of said state being reached. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said step of outputting further comprises outputting audible sounds depending on processing of an audio signal generated based on a memory-stored audio file. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising individually controlling the power of the audio signals depending on captured sound and memory-stored audio files, therefore controlling the audible sounds outputted by an outputting means to include one or a mix of audible sounds depending on the captured transmissible sounds and the memory-stored audio files.