Self-contained dice shaker system

• US 8,079,593 B2
• Filed: 07/27/2009
• Issued: 12/20/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Nicely, Mark C., Wells, William R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Gene
• Assistant Examiner(s): Collins, Dolores
• Application Number:
  US12/509,837
• Publication Number:
  US 20110018194A1
• Time in Patent Office: 876 Days
• Field of Search: 273/145.CA
• US Class Current: 273/145.CA
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/0406 Dice-throwing devices, e.g. dice cups

Abstract

The disclosure relates generally to different devices, methods, systems, and computer program products for a self-contained dice shaker assembly. The self-contained dice shaker assembly may include a container device defining an opening into an interior configured for receipt of one or more dice and a sensor assembly in communication with the container interior. The sensor assembly may be configured to monitor, in accordance with one or more predetermined parameters, the shake quality of the dice in the container during a shaking event. The self-contained dice shaker assembly may include an identification assembly operable to identify the outcome of a respective outcome face of each die associated with the outcome of a shaking event.

Claims

1. A gaming assembly comprising:

a gaming table;

a notification assembly;

a remote communication device operably coupled to the notification assembly; and

a self-contained dice shaker assembly configured for receipt of one or more dice within an enclosed interior thereof, the shaker assembly including;

(a) a container device defining an opening into the interior,

(b) a cover member cooperating with the container device to selectively cover the opening thereof, in a closed condition,

(c) a cover sensor operable to detect the proper positioning of the cover member over the opening of the container device, in the closed condition,

(d) an identification assembly operable to identify the outcome of a respective outcome face of each die associated with the outcome of the shaking event,

(e) a communication interface in communication with the remote communication device, wherein the notification assembly is operable to indicate the outcome of each of the one or more dice, as determined by the identification assembly,

(f) a sensor assembly in communication with the interior and configured to monitor the shake quality of the dice in the container during a shaking event, in accordance with one or more predetermined parameters, and

(g) a signal assembly configured to signal a user, during the shaking event, whether the one or more predetermined parameters have been satisfied, indicating the quality of the shaking event.

2. The gaming assembly according to claim 1, wherein the cover sensor includes one or more micro-switch devices positioned between and in contact with the cover member and the container device, proximate the opening into the container interior thereof.

3. The gaming assembly according to claim 1, wherein the dice shaker assembly further includes a lock assembly operable to selectively lock the cover member to the container device in a locked condition when the cover member is the closed condition during the shaking event.

4. The gaming assembly according to claim 1, wherein the dice shaker assembly further includes a monitoring system operably coupled to the sensor assembly, the monitoring system having a processor device and memory, and being operable to monitor whether or not the predetermined parameters have been satisfied during the shaking event.

5. The gaming assembly according to claim 4, wherein:

the signal assembly is operably coupled to the monitoring system.

6. The gaming assembly according to claim 1, wherein the identification assembly include at least one lens device in communication with the interior of the container when the cover member is oriented in the closed condition.

7. The gaming assembly according to claim 6, wherein the identification assembly includes an infrared unit operably coupled to the lens device.

8. A gaming assembly comprising:

a gaming table;

a notification assembly;

a remote communication device operably coupled to the notification assembly; and

a self-contained dice shaker assembly configured for receipt of one or more dice within an enclosed interior thereof, the shaker assembly including;

(a) a sensor assembly in communication with the interior, and configured to monitor the shake quality of the dice in the container during a shaking event, in accordance with one or more predetermined parameters,

(b) an identification assembly operable to identify the outcome of a respective outcome face of each die associated with the outcome of the shaking event,

(c) a communication interface in communication with the remote communication device, wherein the notification assembly is operable to indicate the outcome of each of the one or more dice, as determined by the identification assembly, and

(d) a monitoring system operably coupled to the sensor assembly, the monitoring system having a processor device and memory, and being operable to monitor whether the predetermined parameters have been satisfied during the shaking event.

9. The gaming assembly according to claim 8, wherein the dice shaker assembly further includes:

(d) a container device defining an opening into the interior, and a cover member cooperating with the container device to selectively cover the opening thereof, in a closed condition, and

(e) a cover sensor operable to detect the proper positioning of the cover member over the opening of the container device, in the closed condition, wherein the cover sensor includes one or more micro-switch devices positioned between and in contact with the cover member and the container device, proximate the opening into the container interior thereof.

10. The gaming assembly according to claim 8, wherein the dice shaker assembly further includes:

(d) a container device defining an opening into the interior, and a cover member cooperating with the container device to selectively cover the opening thereof, in a closed condition,

(e) a cover sensor operable to detect the proper positioning of the cover member over the opening of the container device, in the closed condition, and

(f) a lock assembly operable to selectively lock the cover member to the container device in a locked condition when the cover member is the closed condition during the shaking event.

11. The gaming assembly according to claim 8, wherein the dice shaker assembly further includes a signal assembly configured to signal a user, during the shaking event, whether or not the one or more predetermined parameters have been satisfied, indicating the quality of the shaking event.

12. The gaming assembly according to claim 8, further including:

a signal assembly operably coupled with the monitoring system, the signal assembly being operable to signal a user, during the shaking event, whether or not the one or more predetermined parameters have been satisfied, indicating the quality of the shaking event.

13. The gaming assembly according to claim 8, wherein the identification assembly includes at least one lens device in communication with the interior of the container when the cover member is oriented in the closed condition.

14. The gaming assembly according to claim 13, wherein the identification assembly includes an infrared unit operably coupled to the lens device.

15. A gaming assembly comprising:

a gaming table;

a notification assembly;

a remote communication device operably coupled to the notification assembly; and

a self-contained dice shaker assembly configured for receipt of one or more dice within an enclosed interior thereof, the shaker assembly including;

(a) a container device defining an opening into the interior, and a cover member cooperating with the container device to selectively cover the opening thereof, in a closed condition,

(b) an identification assembly operable to identify the outcome of a respective outcome face of each die associated with the outcome of the shaking event, wherein the identification assembly includes at least one lens device in communication with the interior of the container when the cover member is oriented in the closed condition and an infrared unit operably coupled to the lens device,

(c) a communication interface in communication with the remote communication device, wherein the notification assembly is operable to indicate the outcome of each of the one or more dice, as determined by the identification assembly, and

(d) a sensor assembly in communication with the interior and configured to monitor the shake quality of the dice in the container during a shaking event, in accordance with one or more predetermined parameters.

16. The gaming assembly according to claim 15, wherein the dice shaker assembly further includes:

(d) a container device defining an opening into the interior, and a cover member cooperating with the container device to selectively cover the opening thereof, in a closed condition, and

(e) a cover sensor operable to detect the proper positioning of the cover member over the opening of the container device, in the closed condition, wherein the cover sensor includes one or more micro-switch devices positioned between and in contact with the cover member and the container device, proximate the opening into the container interior thereof.

17. The gaming assembly according to claim 15, wherein the dice shaker assembly further includes:

(d) a container device defining an opening into the interior, and a cover member cooperating with the container device to selectively cover the opening thereof, in a closed condition,

(e) a cover sensor operable to detect the proper positioning of the cover member over the opening of the container device, in the closed condition, and

(f) a lock assembly operable to selectively lock the cover member to the container device in a locked condition when the cover member is the closed condition during the shaking event.

18. The gaming assembly according to claim 15, wherein the dice shaker assembly further includes a signal assembly configured to signal a user, during the shaking event, whether or not the one or more predetermined parameters have been satisfied, indicating the quality of the shaking event.

19. The gaming assembly according to claim 15, wherein the dice shaker assembly further includes a monitoring system operably coupled with the sensor assembly, the monitoring system having a processor device and memory, and being operable to monitor whether or not the predetermined parameters have been satisfied during the shaking event.

20. The gaming assembly according to claim 19, further including:

a signal assembly operably coupled to the monitoring system, the signal assembly being operable to signal a user, during the shaking event, whether or not the one or more predetermined parameters have been satisfied, indicating the quality of the shaking event.