Multiball Roulette Interface With Timed Launches to Prevent Collisions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing roulette systems face challenges in managing multiple balls launched simultaneously, as they often result in collisions that invalidate game outcomes due to interference between balls landing in the same pocket.
Innovation Solution
A system with a stationary rim and angled tracks that launches multiple roulette balls with varying initial rotation velocities and timed offsets to avoid collisions, using sensors to manage ball positions and a movable cone to store balls, ensuring independent outcomes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple roulette balls are launched simultaneously or in quick succession, then the number of selections that can be placed during each game cycle increases, but collisions between balls may occur that interfere with their landing and invalidate game outcomes
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the single annular track into multiple separate annular tracks (first annular track, second annular track, etc.), each capable of receiving and retaining a ball independently. This segmentation prevents balls from colliding with each other while still allowing multiple balls to be in play simultaneously, thus increasing selections per game cycle without compromising outcome validity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single-track two-dimensional path to a multi-track three-dimensional arrangement where balls can occupy different vertical levels (uppermost track, intermediate tracks, lowermost track). This dimensional separation allows multiple balls to coexist without interference, maintaining reliability while enabling higher productivity.
2Reliability
If a croupier manually launches multiple balls one after another, then ball interference can be minimized by timing, but the game cycle time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the manual mechanical launching method with an automated ball launching system that uses mechanical or electromagnetic mechanisms to propel balls onto the tracks. This automation allows for precise control of launch timing and velocity, ensuring balls are launched at optimal intervals to prevent interference while maintaining fast game cycle speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that automatically detect when balls have exited tracks or landed in pockets, and triggers the launching mechanism to release the next ball accordingly. This self-regulating mechanism eliminates the need for manual timing while preventing ball interference, thus maintaining reliability without sacrificing productivity.
3Reliability
If the annular track is designed to retain balls in circular motion, then ball outcomes are determined by friction and gravity, but adding multiple tracks increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
Each annular track is designed with identical characteristics (slope, curvature, friction properties) so that they all function in the same manner to determine ball outcomes through friction and gravity. This universal design ensures independent and fair outcomes for each ball while the modular repetition of the track structure minimizes the complexity increase compared to a single-track system.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Ensures fair and uninterrupted gameplay by maintaining separation between balls, allowing for simultaneous or sequential multi-ball games with independent outcomes and enhanced player engagement.
Implementation Method 1
friction between the roulette ball and the annular track and gravity cause the ball to lose momentum
Implementation Method 2
friction between the roulette ball and the annular track and gravity cause the ball to lose momentum
Implementation Method 3
A system with a stationary rim and angled tracks that launches multiple roulette balls with varying initial rotation velocities
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed for gaming operations, interfaces, and variations for multi-ball roulette games. In various embodiments, systems and methods may include a roulette wheel, a ball launcher, a pocket sensor, and a controller to manage a round of play. The controller may generate an animation on an interactive graphical user interface of a player station and receive bet information during a betting window. A first roulette ball and a second roulette ball may be launched on the roulette wheel. The pocket sensor may provide information related to a position of the first roulette ball, which triggers a game modification based on a first symbol associated with the position. The pocket sensor may then provide information related to the second roulette ball. Animations related to the gameplay and wager resolution may be provided on the interactive graphical user interface.