System for supplying screened random numbers for use in recreational gaming in a casino or over the internet

• US 6,272,223 B1
• Filed: 10/28/1997
• Issued: 08/07/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Zynga Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Rolf Carlson
• Inventors: Carlson, Rolf E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Swann, Tod
• Assistant Examiner(s): Meislahn, Douglas J.
• Application Number:
  US08/959,575
• Time in Patent Office: 1,379 Days
• Field of Search: 331/78, 380/46, 380/251
• US Class Current: 380/251
• 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 system for concurrently operating multiple games of chance for personal recreation in a casino or over the Internet;

said system comprising;

a controller;

at least one random number circuit connected to said controller, said at least one random number circuit generating a series of numerical substantially pseudo-random numbers, each of size that is substantially not limited to any specific number of digits or places, and providing said series of pseudo-random numbers to said controller;

said series of pseudo-random numbers comprising a multiplicity of sequential sets of raw numerical values that are long-term random or pseudo-random but that are subject to inclusion of short-term runs or trends in said numbers;

wherein each of said multiplicity of sets of pseudo-random numbers in turn is stored by said controller; and

a verifier connected to said controller, said verifier receiving in turn each of said multiplicity of said stored sets of raw pseudo-random numbers from said controller, said verifier determining whether each of said multiplicity of sets of raw pseudo-random numbers in turn;

is statistically random or pseudo-random, or

instead includes short-term runs or trends;

said verifier thereupon routing said sets of raw pseudo-random numbers based on said determining, as follows;

discarding each of said sets that includes short-term runs or trends, and

supplying substantially each of said sets that is verified as statistically random or pseudo-random, for use in driving said concurrently operating multiple games of chance for personal recreation in a casino or over the Internet; and

said sets of statistically verified pseudo-random numbers being provided substantially continuously.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a buffer having an output for directing verified pseudo-random numbers to usages in said concurrently operating multiple games of chance;

said buffer receiving said series of statistically verified pseudo-random numbers; and

said buffer providing said received series of statistically verified pseudo-random numbers to said output for use in said concurrently operating multiple games of chance for personal recreation in a casino or over the Internet.