Multiplayer gaming system

• US 9,508,228 B2
• Filed: 05/23/2014
• Issued: 11/29/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Novomatic AG
• Original Assignee: Novomatic AG
• Inventors: Kirnsttter, Florian
• Primary Examiner(s): SKAARUP, JASON M
• Application Number:
  US14/286,448
• Publication Number:
  US 20140256398A1
• Time in Patent Office: 921 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3225 Data transfer within a gaming system, e.g. data sent between gaming machines and users
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3262 Player actions which determine the course of the game, e.g. selecting a prize to be won, outcome to be achieved, game to be played
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3276 wherein the players compete, e.g. tournament
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3286 Type of games

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to gaming systems for playing ball games where a ball is launched into a gaming area. More particularly, the present invention relates to a multiplayer gaming system comprising a ball game device having a launching mechanism for launching a ball into a gaming area to start a game, the gaming system further comprising a start control means for controlling start of the launching mechanism and a plurality of gaming terminals for a plurality of players, said gaming terminals including an input device for inputting a prediction and/or a bet for the outcome of a game. In accordance with the present invention, the input device of each gaming terminal includes start signal input means for inputting a start signal for starting the launching mechanism, wherein the start control means of the gaming system includes a random signal generator for randomly selecting one of the plurality of gaming terminals for each game to generate the start signal and a display signal generator for generating a display signal indicative of the gaming terminal selected for the generation of the start signal.

Claims

1. A multiplayer gaming system comprising:

a ball game device having a launching mechanism for launching a ball into a gaming area to start a game, the gaming system further comprising a start controller for controlling start of the launching mechanism and a plurality of gaming terminals for a plurality of players, the gaming terminals comprising an input device for inputting at least one of a prediction and a bet for an outcome of a game, wherein the input device of each gaming terminal comprises a start signal inputter for inputting a start signal for starting the launching mechanism, wherein the start controller comprises a random signal generator for randomly selecting at least one of the gaming terminals for enabling to generate the start signal and a display signal generator for generating a display signal indicative of the gaming terminal to be selected for the generation of the start signal, wherein the start controller is responsive to a timer device providing for a time frame for placing predictions and/or bets on the outcome of a game, wherein a selector is adapted to select the gaming terminal for the generation of the start signal at a predetermined first point of time within said time frame and wherein the display signal generator is adapted to control the display signal to occur and to be displayed at a predetermined second point of time after said time frame;

an acceptor configured to detect or accept a physical item, the physical item being associated with a monetary value to establish a credit balance based on the monetary value;

an input device configured to accept a wager, the wager being deducted from the credit balance; and

a cashout button configured to initiate a payout from the credit balance to the player.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the start controller comprises an activator for activating the start signal inputter of the selected gaming terminal and/or a deactivator for deactivating the start signal inputter of all unselected gaming terminals.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the start controller includes a start signal processor for receiving and processing the start signals of all gaining terminals, said start signal processor configured to identify and forward only the starting signal of the gaming terminal selected for generation of the starting signal and to disregard starting signals of unselected gaming terminals.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein each gaming terminal comprises a displayer responsive to the display signal indicative of the gaming terminal selected for enabling to generate the start signal, wherein the displayer comprises a monitor for displaying an invitation symbol for inviting the player to input the start signal and/or light signaller associated with the start signal inputter.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a game server connectable to the ball game device and all gaming terminals, wherein a selector and/or the display signal generator is included in or connected to the game server.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the gaming terminals comprise communicators for allowing communication of the terminals with each other, wherein a selector and/or the display signal generator are included in or connectable to at least one of the gaming terminals.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the ball game device comprises a communicator for communicating with the gaining terminals, wherein a selector and/or the display signal generator is included in and/or connectable to the ball game device.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the gaming terminals comprises a display device for displaying the outcome of a game and/or images related to a game as provided by at least one camera, and/or at least one display device for displaying a wagering field including a plurality of wagering fields corresponding to the possible outcomes of a game and allowing for placing a bet and/or a prediction on a specific outcome, wherein the display device comprises a touch screen monitor.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the ball game device comprises a rotatably supported wheel forming at least a part of the gaming area, wherein the launching mechanism is adapted to launch the ball onto said rotatable wheel.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the acceptor comprises a bill validator and/or a coin acceptor.