Self-contained dice shaker system

• US 8,376,362 B2
• Filed: 11/18/2011
• Issued: 02/19/2013
• 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): Fernstrom, Kurt
• Assistant Examiner(s): COLLINS, DOLORES R
• Application Number:
  US13/300,442
• Publication Number:
  US 20120061913A1
• Time in Patent Office: 459 Days
• Field of Search: None
• 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 self-contained dice shaker assembly comprising:

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 configured to monitor, in accordance with one or more predetermined parameters, the shake quality of the dice in the container during a shaking event.

2. The dice shaker assembly according to claim 1, further including:

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

3. The dice shaker assembly according to claim 2, wherein the cover member is configured to have varying degrees of light transparency.

4. The dice shaker assembly according to claim 2, further including:

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

5. The dice shaker assembly according to claim 4, 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.

6. The dice shaker assembly according to claim 2, further including:

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.

7. The dice shaker assembly according to claim 1, further including:

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.

8. The dice shaker assembly according to claim 1, further including:

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.

9. The dice shaker assembly according to claim 8, 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.

10. The dice shaker assembly according to claim 9, further including:

an identification assembly operable to identify the outcome of a respective outcome face of each die associated with the outcome of the shaking event.

11. The dice shaker assembly according to claim 1, further including:

a communication interface operable to enable communication with a remote communication device.