Gaming System and Game Controller

Abstract

A result generator for a gaming system comprising: one or more dice, each die having a plurality of facets each facet provided with an identification circuit having a readable identification code which is unique within the random number generator; a support platform having an upper surface for supporting the dice while at rest; an agitator adapted to cause mechanical movement of the dice to generate a random dice roll result; a dice reader disposed below the upper surface of the support platform comprising a plurality of electronic detectors adapted to read the identification code of each dice facet resting against the upper surface of the dice support platform to determine the dice roll result.

1 . A result generator for a gaming system comprising:
 one or more dice, each die having a plurality of facets each facet provided with an identification circuit having a readable identification code which is unique within the random number generator;   a support platform having an upper surface for supporting the dice while at rest;   an agitator adapted to cause mechanical movement of the dice to generate a random dice roll result;   a dice reader disposed below the upper surface of the support platform comprising a plurality of electronic detectors adapted to read the identification code of each dice facet resting against the upper surface of the dice support platform to determine the dice roll result.   
   
   
       2 . A result generator as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the agitator is operatively connected to the support platform to move the support platform to cause the dice roll. 
   
   
       3 . A result generator as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the agitator moves the support platform in accordance with a given sequence of movements comprising one or more throw movements and one or more vibrations. 
   
   
       4 . A result generator as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the given sequence of movements to generate the dice roll comprises:
 a. a first initiating movement to initiate movement of the dice;   b. a first vibration at a first vibration level adapted to cause continued motion of the dice;   c. a second initiating movement; and   d. a second vibration at a second vibration level lower than the first vibration level to assist the dice in attaining a rest state wherein one dice facet of each die rests against the upper surface of the support platform.   
   
   
       5 . A result generator as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the initiating movement is a rapid mechanical movement. 
   
   
       6 . A result generator as claimed in  claim 1  wherein each identification circuit is adapted to transmit the identification code in response to a query signal. 
   
   
       7 . A result generator as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the electronic detectors of the dice reader each comprise a coil for transmission and reception of electromagnetic signals, the coils being arranged in a substantially planar array substantially parallel to the support surface and each coil electrically connected to a demodulation and control circuit comprising one or more demodulators and a controller. 
   
   
       8 . A result generator as claimed in  claim 7  wherein each coil is selectively activated via the controller to send query signals for reception by an identification circuit of a dice facet resting on the support surface, and receive any identification code signal transmitted in reply for demodulation. 
   
   
       9 . A result generator as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the array of coils comprises a first layer of coils arranged in a grid pattern and a second layer of coils positioned below the first layer, arranged in a grid pattern offset laterally from the first layer such that each coil of the second layer partially overlaps one or more coils of the first layer. 
   
   
       10 . A result generator as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the relative positions of the coil array and support platform can be adjusted laterally and dice reading includes the steps of executing a first dice reading pass wherein each coil is selectively activated for reading identification circuits with the coil array in a first position relative to the support platform, changing the relative position of the coil array to a second position relative to the support platform, and executing a second dice reading pass wherein each coil is selectively activated for reading identification circuits. 
   
   
       11 . A result generator as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the coil array is laterally movable relative to the support platform. 
   
   
       12 . A result generator as claimed in  claim 15  comprising two or more dice wherein the dice reader is adapted to detect for each die the position of the die on the support surface and the identification code of the facet against the support platform. 
   
   
       13 . A result generator as claimed in  claim 12  wherein the dice reader is adapted to detect for each die an identical die position and identification code of the facet against the support platform a plurality of times to determine a dice roll result. 
   
   
       14 . A result generator as claimed in  claim 13  wherein an identical position and identification code must be detected for each die four times to determine a valid dice roll result upon which a game outcome may be based. 
   
   
       15 . A result generator as claimed in  claim 6  wherein each identification circuit is an induction powered identification circuit. 
   
   
       16 . A result generator as claimed in  claim 15  wherein identification circuit power is induced from electromagnetic fields generated by the detectors. 
   
   
       17 . A result generator as claimed in  claim 16  wherein each identification circuit is a radio frequency identification (RFID) tags attached to or embedded in a facet of the dice. 
   
   
       18 . A result generator as claimed in  claim 16  wherein each dice facet includes an illuminator adapted to illuminate the facet and coupled to the identification circuit of an opposite facet, such that an uppermost facet of a die will be illuminated when an identification code of a facet resting on the support surface is read. 
   
   
       19 . A result generator as claimed in  claim 18  wherein the illuminator is powered by the power induced in the identification circuit of the opposite facet by the detectors. 
   
   
       20 . A result generator as claimed in  claim 15  wherein each dice includes a shield adapted to significantly attenuate any power induction and signals of the identification circuits of dice facets such that detector does not read any signals from diced facets other than a dice facet resting on the dice support platform. 
   
   
       21 . A game controller comprising:
 a result generator comprising:   one or more dice, each die having a plurality of facets each facet provided with an identification circuit having a readable identification code which is unique within the random number generator;   a support platform having an upper surface for supporting the dice while at rest;   an agitator adapted to cause mechanical movement of the dice to generate a random dice roll result; and   a dice reader disposed below the upper surface of the support platform comprising a plurality of electronic detectors adapted to read the identification code of each dice facet resting against the upper surface of the support platform while to determine the dice roll result, an outcome evaluator adapted to apply game rules to a roll result of the result generator and evaluate one or more game outcomes for each player based on game play instructions and wagers received from each player.   
   
   
       22 . A game system comprising:
 one or more player terminals, each adapted to receive wagers and game play instructions from a player and display game outcomes to the player;   a game controller comprising:
 a result generator comprising: 
 one or more dice, each die having a plurality of facets each facet provided with an identification circuit having a readable identification code which is unique within the random number generator; 
 a support platform having an upper surface for supporting the dice while at rest; 
 an agitator adapted to cause mechanical movement of the dice to generate a random dice roll result; and 
 a dice reader disposed below the upper surface of the support platform comprising a plurality of electronic detectors adapted to read the identification code of each dice facet resting against the upper surface of the dice support platform to determine the dice roll result, and 
   an outcome generator adapted to apply game rules to a roll result of the random number generator and determine one or more game outcomes for each player based on game play instructions and wagers received from each player.