Barcode Card Deck Simulating Roulette Wheel Spin

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Solution Overview

Problem

Gaming regulations restrict casinos from using traditional roulette wheels, necessitating an alternative method to provide an authentic roulette experience to customers.

Innovation Solution

A specially designed deck of 38 playing cards with barcodes, a card shuffler, a bar code scanner, and a computer system that simulates a roulette wheel spin by randomly drawing cards and displaying a 3D animated visualization of the ball landing on a monitor, replacing the physical wheel and ball.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a traditional roulette wheel and ball are used, then an authentic roulette game experience is provided, but gaming regulations restrict casinos from using such mechanical roulette equipment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to provide roulette game experienceVSAvoidregulatory restrictions on mechanical roulette equipment

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual copy of the roulette wheel and ball through computer-generated imagery. Instead of using a physical roulette wheel, the system displays a 3D animated representation on a monitor, which visually replicates the traditional roulette experience without requiring actual mechanical roulette equipment. This allows casinos to offer roulette games while complying with regulations that prohibit mechanical roulette devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical roulette wheel and ball system with an electronic/card-based system. A specially designed deck of 38 cards with barcodes is used to determine the winning number, and a computer system with 3D animation displays the virtual roulette wheel spin. This substitution eliminates the need for physical roulette machinery while maintaining the game's core functionality and visual appeal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a card-based system with barcodes and computer visualization is used, then regulatory restrictions are complied with, but the complexity of the system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompliance with gaming regulationsVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the card deck serve multiple functions: each card represents a specific roulette number and color, the barcode on each card provides data for the computer system, and the physical card drawing action simulates the roulette spin. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall system architecture despite the technological advancements required for compliance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The barcode scanner acts as an intermediary between the physical card and the computer system. Instead of requiring direct complex communication between all system components, the barcode serves as a simple intermediary carrier of information that bridges the physical card-based random number generation with the electronic visualization and processing systems, thereby reducing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If a physical roulette wheel and ball are used, then the game is simple to operate, but the equipment occupies significant space and requires maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of game operationVSAvoidspace required for roulette equipment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a visual copy of the roulette wheel and ball through computer-generated 3D graphics displayed on a monitor. This virtual representation occupies minimal physical space while maintaining the visual appearance and operational simplicity of the traditional roulette game. The animated visualization provides the same visual feedback to players without requiring actual mechanical equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical roulette wheel and ball with a card-based random number generation system combined with electronic visualization. The physical cards are easily handled and shuffled, and the computer system handles the visualization and result determination, eliminating the need for large mechanical roulette equipment while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS8066562B1Method of simulating a traditional roulette game experience

Publication Date: 2011.11.29 CHEROKEE NATION ENTERTAINMENT LLC

AI summary

A method of simulating a traditional casino roulette game experience using a specially designed deck of thirty eight (38) playing cards to determine a winning number rather than via a spin of the roulette wheel. The deck includes one card for each single unique number from the roulette wheel, i.e. 00, 0, and numbers 1-36. The deck is shuffled so that the cards are drawn at random to simulate a spin of the roulette wheel. The dealer activates the shuffler to draw a card from the shuffled deck. A bar code on the drawn card is read into a computer via a scanner. Scanning the card activates the computer to provide a visual representation of a spin of the roulette wheel on a monitor located near the roulette table. The visualization shows the ball landing on the unique number of the roulette wheel dictated by the drawn card.