System and methods for randomizing playing instruments for use in online gaming
First Claim
1. An automated method comprising:
- (a) physically randomizing a plurality of physical playing instruments without the utilization of a random number generator, each playing instrument having at least one identifier, wherein the randomization process includes a scrambling process comprising;
(i) introducing a plurality of playing cards in an inclined chamber having a base comprising an elevated portion and a lowered portion, wherein the plurality of playing instruments are introduced with the first side facing down with respect to the base and the second side facing upwards;
(ii) introducing a vacuum force upon at least a portion of the lowered portion of the chamber wherein the first side of at least one playing instrument is pulled against the chamber base; and
(iii) rotating the chamber, wherein the first side of the plurality of playing instruments remains substantially downward, and the at least one playing instrument pulled against the chamber base rotates at substantially the same velocity as the chamber until rotating to a location within the elevated portion of the chamber that is not substantially proximate to the vacuum force, wherein the first side of the at least one playing instrument ceases to be pulled against the chamber base.(b) electronically determining the identity of at least two physical playing instruments in a sequential order before initiation of a game; and
(c) electronically storing the identity of the at least two playing instruments of (b) on one or more computer-readable mediums to create a virtual deck of virtual playing instruments derived from the physical plurality of playing instruments for use in one or more electronic games, wherein the identity of the at least two playing instruments is stored in correlation to the sequence the identities were determined in (b).
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Accused Products
Abstract
Aspects of the present invention provide systems and methods relating to online gaming utilizing virtual playing instruments generated from physical playing instruments. According to one aspect of the invention, physical playing instruments are utilized in a gaming environment that may be scrambled, shuffled, and/or played remotely over a network. In one embodiment, the physical playing instruments are traditional poker-style gaming playing cards. The playing instruments include at least one identifier that may be read upon being dealt, such as identified and stored on a computer-readable medium before a game. In one such embodiment, computer-executable instructions may utilize the information on the computer-readable medium in conjunction with one or more games. Further aspects relate to validating the playing instruments and/or systems before, during, and/or after conducting one or more games with the playing instruments.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. An automated method comprising:
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(a) physically randomizing a plurality of physical playing instruments without the utilization of a random number generator, each playing instrument having at least one identifier, wherein the randomization process includes a scrambling process comprising; (i) introducing a plurality of playing cards in an inclined chamber having a base comprising an elevated portion and a lowered portion, wherein the plurality of playing instruments are introduced with the first side facing down with respect to the base and the second side facing upwards; (ii) introducing a vacuum force upon at least a portion of the lowered portion of the chamber wherein the first side of at least one playing instrument is pulled against the chamber base; and (iii) rotating the chamber, wherein the first side of the plurality of playing instruments remains substantially downward, and the at least one playing instrument pulled against the chamber base rotates at substantially the same velocity as the chamber until rotating to a location within the elevated portion of the chamber that is not substantially proximate to the vacuum force, wherein the first side of the at least one playing instrument ceases to be pulled against the chamber base. (b) electronically determining the identity of at least two physical playing instruments in a sequential order before initiation of a game; and (c) electronically storing the identity of the at least two playing instruments of (b) on one or more computer-readable mediums to create a virtual deck of virtual playing instruments derived from the physical plurality of playing instruments for use in one or more electronic games, wherein the identity of the at least two playing instruments is stored in correlation to the sequence the identities were determined in (b). - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An automated system comprising:
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an automated apparatus configured for physically randomizing a plurality of physical playing instruments in absence of a random number generator, each playing instrument having at least one identifier, wherein the apparatus comprises a chamber positioned at an incline such that the chamber has a lower portion and an elevated portion, the chamber having a base and further being configured to receive the plurality of playing instruments with a first side facing down with respect to the chamber and a second side facing upwards;
the chamber further comprising;a vacuum configured to exert a vacuum force upon at least a portion of the lowered portion of the chamber wherein the first side of at least one playing instrument is pulled against the chamber base; and a motor configured to rotate the chamber, wherein the first side of the plurality of playing instruments remains substantially downward, and the at least one playing instrument pulled against the chamber base rotates at substantially the same velocity as the chamber until rotating to a location within the elevated portion of the chamber that is not substantially proximate to the vacuum force, wherein the first side of the at least one playing instrument ceases to be pulled against the chamber base. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method comprising:
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(a) retrieving from a computer-readable medium, electronic information comprising a collection of virtual playing instruments sequentially arranged, wherein the sequential arrangement of the playing instruments has been determined by a method comprising; (i) physically randomizing a plurality of physical playing instruments without the use of a random number generator until a user input is received from a remote user through a network, wherein each playing instrument comprises at least one identifier; (ii) electronically determining the identity of at least two playing instruments in a sequential order before initiation of a game; and (iii) electronically storing the identity of the at least two playing instruments of (ii) on one or more computer-readable mediums to create a virtual deck of virtual playing instruments derived from the physical plurality of playing instruments for use in one or more electronic games, wherein the identity of the at least two playing instruments is stored in correlation to the sequence the identities were determined in (ii); (b) requiring the receipt of an electronic signal through a network from at least one remote user comprising a user input selected from the group consisting of; (i) a user input configured to cut the virtual deck of playing instruments, thereby determining the initiation point for distribution of the at least two virtual playing instruments; and (ii) a user input configured to indicate the at least one remote user does not wish to cut the virtual deck, wherein the receipt of the electronic signal detects utilization of remote automated programs; and (c) initiating a game according to pre-defined rules that include the distribution of at least two virtual playing instruments in sequential order to one or more players. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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Specification