Method for control of gaming systems and for generating random numbers

• US 20060165235A1
• Filed: 12/13/2005
• Published: 07/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/1994
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zynga Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Atwater Ventures Limited
• Inventors: Carlson, Rolf E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,895,640 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 380/268
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 7/58 Random or pseudo-random number generators
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 7/582 Pseudo-random number generators
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements

Abstract

An apparatus for implementing a game having a deterministic component and a non-deterministic component wherein a player uses the game through at least one player interface unit. Each player interface unit generates a player record indicating player-initiated events. A random number generator provides a series of pseudo-random numbers and a rules library stores indexed rules for one or more games. An interface registry stores mapping records where the mapping records are used to associate the player-initiated events to pre-selected rules in the rules library. A control means is coupled to the player interface to receive the output of the player interface unit, coupled to the interface registry, the rules library, and the random number generator. The control means processes the player record and returns an output record to the player interface unit where the output record is determined by executing the game'"'"'s rules with reference to the pseudo-random numbers and predefined combinatorial algorithms for selecting sets of the pseudo-random numbers.

Claims

1. A method of generating random numbers for a gaming machine, the method comprising:

providing a signal comprising a continuously changing deterministic output;

grouping the signal into sets of pseudo-random numbers;

verifying that the sets of pseudo-random numbers comprise independent, uniform, sets of statistically pseudo-random numbers; and

providing at least one of the verified pseudo-random numbers for usage in determining a gaming result.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

temporarily storing the verified sets of statistically pseudo-random numbers; and

distributing a portion of the stored, verified pseudo-random numbers in response to a request for random numbers.

3. A method of generating random numbers for a gaming machine, the method omprising:

generating a series of random numbers,

verifying that the series of random numbers is statistically consistent at a predetermined level of certainty, and

delivering only random numbers that pass the step of verification, the delivered numbers provided for usage in determining a gaming result.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein verification comprises:

dividing the raw random numbers into groups,

testing the statistical consistency of each group of raw random numbers, and

storing the groups of raw random numbers that pass the step of testing.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein generating the raw random number series comprises:

outputting a continuous clock signal,

providing key and seed values, and

producing the series of random numbers in response to the outputted continuous clock signal and the provided key and seed values.

6. The method of claim 3 further comprising producing the series of random numbers with the same seed values, key values, and clock value that existed before a failure to produce in response to the failure to produce.

7. The method of claim 3 further comprising:

transforming a set of the delivered random numbers into random values having non-uniform distribution.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the non-uniform distribution is one of a group comprising:

normal distribution, exponential distribution, gamma distribution, geometric distribution, and hypergeometric distribution.

9. The method of claim 3 further comprising transforming a set of the delivered random numbers into at least one combinational subset.

10. A method of claim 3 wherein generating a series of random numbers further comprises:

outputting a continuously variable signal at a regular interval, receiving an event signal,

logically combining the event signal with the continuously variable signal to provide a combined signal, and

generating the series of random numbers in response to said combined signal.

11. A method of generating random numbers comprising:

generating a series of pseudo-random numbers, and

transforming a set of the generated series of pseudo random numbers into random values having non-uniform distribution.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein generating comprises:

generating a series of random numbers; and

verifying that the series of random numbers is statistically consistent at a predetermined level of certainty,

delivering only random numbers that pass the step of verification.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein verification comprises:

dividing the random numbers into groups, and

testing the statistical consistency of each group of random numbers, storing the groups of random numbers that pass testing.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein generating the random number series comprises:

outputting a continuous clock signal,

providing key and seed values, and

producing the series of random numbers in response to the outputted continuous clock signal and the provided key and seed values.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising producing the series of random numbers with the same seed values, key values, and clock value that existed before a failure in producing in response to the failure in producing.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the non-uniform distribution is one of a group comprising:

normal distribution, exponential distribution, gamma distribution, geometric distribution, and hypergeometric distribution.

17. The method of claim 11 further comprising transforming a set of the delivered random numbers into at least one combinational subset.

18. A method of claim 11, wherein generating random numbers further comprises:

outputting a continuously variable signal at a regular interval,

receiving an event signal,

logically combining the event signal with the continuously variable signal to provide a combined signal, and

generating the series of pseudo-random numbers in response to said combined signal.

19. A method of generating random numbers comprising:

outputting a continuously variable signal at a regular interval, receiving an event signal,

logically combining the event signal with the continuously variable signal to provide a combined signal,

providing key and seed values,

producing a series of random numbers in response to the combined signal and the provided key and seed values,

dividing the random numbers into groups,

testing the statistical consistency of each group of random numbers,

storing the groups of random numbers that pass the step of testing, and

delivering random numbers from the stored groups testing.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

transforming a set of the delivered random numbers into random values having non-uniform distribution in response to a non-uniform distribution request, and

transforming a set of the delivered random numbers into at least one combinational subset in response to a combinational request.

21. An electronic gaming system, comprising:

an electronic gaming device, the gaming device being configured to provide a signal comprising a continuously changing deterministic output, the electronic device further configured to group the signal into sets of pseudo-random numbers, the electronic device being further configured to verify that the sets of pseudo-random numbers comprise independent, uniform, sets of statistically pseudo-random numbers; and

the electronic device is configured to provide at least one of the verified pseudo-random numbers for usage in determining a gaming result.