Voice Coil Motor Dice Platform with Feedback Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automatic gaming systems for games like craps face durability issues, regulatory concerns regarding randomness, and provide a suboptimal user experience due to mechanical durability problems and potential manipulation.
Innovation Solution
A dice gaming system that uses a voice coil motor and magnetic brakes to precisely control the displacement of a platform holding dice, ensuring random throws by calibrating and adjusting throw parameters based on historic data and real-time measurements, and employing RFID technology to accurately determine dice orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a mechanical dice system is used in automatic gaming systems, then the game can be automated without a dealer, but the system suffers from durability issues and mechanical wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical spring-based dice throwing mechanisms with a voice coil motor system that uses electromagnetic fields to accelerate the platform. This substitution eliminates mechanical wear from spring fatigue and mechanical contact, thereby improving durability while maintaining automation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses magnetic fields (analogous to pneumatic/hydraulic fluid pressure) to control platform acceleration and dice throwing. The voice coil motor creates electromagnetic force that propels the platform without mechanical contact, reducing wear and improving reliability
2Extent of automation
If a mechanical dice system is used, then automation is achieved, but regulatory concerns arise regarding the randomness of the mechanical assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors that detect platform position, velocity, and acceleration in real-time. This feedback is used to adjust control parameters dynamically, ensuring that each dice throw meets regulatory randomness requirements while maintaining automated operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts platform acceleration profiles, throw heights, and timing based on random number generation and real-time sensor feedback. This dynamic control ensures each throw is unpredictable and compliant with gaming regulations while fully automated
3Ease of operation
If platform displacement is increased to improve user experience, then throw height and speed increase, but mechanical wear and durability issues worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The voice coil motor system allows for increased platform displacement and throw height without proportionally increasing mechanical stress. The electromagnetic propulsion system can achieve higher speeds and distances with controlled force application, improving user experience while maintaining component longevity
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses controlled periodic acceleration cycles with the voice coil motor, applying force in precise intervals rather than continuous mechanical stress. This allows for higher throw heights and speeds while distributing mechanical load over time, reducing wear
4Manufacturing precision
If precise control of platform displacement is implemented, then throw accuracy improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Sensors continuously monitor platform position and velocity, providing real-time feedback to the control system. This feedback loop enables precise control of platform displacement and throw parameters without requiring overly complex mechanical mechanisms, achieving accuracy through intelligent control rather than mechanical complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The electromagnetic control system replaces complex mechanical positioning mechanisms with software-controlled electromagnetic fields. This allows for precise, programmable control of platform motion without the mechanical complexity of traditional positioning systems
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
The system enhances durability, reduces maintenance, ensures randomness compliant with gaming regulations, and improves user experience by increasing throw height and speed while reducing detection time and error rates.
Implementation Method 1
a force generating means (e.g., a voice coil motor) for moving the platform in response to a control signal
Implementation Method 2
magnetic brakes to precisely control the displacement of a platform holding dice
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices are described herein for calibrating displacement of a platform for throwing dice in a dice gaming system. In one aspect, a method may include obtaining a configured platform displacement during a throw of one or more dice by the dice gaming system. The throw of the dice may be associated with at least one dice throw parameter. The method may also include measuring an actual platform displacement during the throw of dice by the dice gaming system, and comparing the configured platform displacement with the measured actual platform displacement to determine a displacement delta. The method may additionally include adjusting at least one dice throw parameter based on the comparison to decrease the displacement delta for future throws of the one or more dice.