US20150343303A1

US20150343303A1 - Random number generator

Info

Publication number: US20150343303A1
Application number: US14/724,655
Authority: US
Inventors: Douglass A. HILL
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-05-28
Filing date: 2015-05-28
Publication date: 2015-12-03

Abstract

A random dice generator having a rack, a die table coupled to the rack, an arm rotatable coupled to the rack, a tumbler cup coupled to the arm opposite the arm coupling to the rack, and at least one image capture device. The arm can be rotatable between a loading position and a rolling position. The tumbler cup can receive at least one die when the arm is in the loading position and the tumbler cup releasing the at least one die into the die table when the arm is in the rolling position. The at least one image capture device determining the value of the at least one die received in the die table.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/004,069, filed May 28, 2014, the contents of which are entirely incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

The subject matter herein generally relates to random number generation. More specifically, the subject matter herein relates to random dice roll generation.

BACKGROUND

Known random number generators use algorithms to generate numbers. Though algorithms can generate numbers, they cannot achieve pure randomness.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Implementations of the present technology will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a random dice generator;

FIG. 2 is a side plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a random dice generator;

FIG. 3 is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of a random dice generator;

FIG. 4 is a side plan view of an exemplary embodiment a rotatable arm; and

FIG. 5 is a cross section view of an exemplary embodiment of the rotatable arm of FIG. 4 taken along line A-A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among the different figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described herein can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the related relevant feature being described. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and the proportions of certain parts may be exaggerated to better illustrate details and features. The description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the embodiments described herein.
Several definitions that apply throughout this disclosure will now be presented.
The term “coupled” is defined as connected, whether directly or indirectly through intervening components, and is not necessarily limited to physical connections. The connection can be such that the objects are permanently connected or releasably connected. The term “outside” refers to a region that is beyond the outermost confines of a physical object. The term “inside” indicates that at least a portion of a region is partially contained within a boundary formed by the object. The term “substantially” is defined to be essentially conforming to the particular dimension, shape or other word that substantially modifies, such that the component need not be exact. For example, substantially cylindrical means that the object resembles a cylinder, but can have one or more deviations from a true cylinder. The term “comprising” means “including, but not necessarily limited to”; it specifically indicates open-ended inclusion or membership in a so-described combination, group, series and the like.
The present disclosure is described in relation a random dice generator having a rack, a dice table coupled to the rack, an arm rotatable coupled to the rack, a tumbler cup coupled to the arm opposite the arm coupling to the rack, and at least one image capture device. The arm being rotatable relative to the rack between a loading position and a rolling position. The tumbler cup receiving at least one die when the arm is in the loading position, and the tumbler cup releasing the at least one die into the dice table when the arm is in the rolling position. The at least one image capture device can determine the value of the at least one die received in the dice table.
In at least one embodiment the random dice generator can include a rack having a dice table and an arm rotatable between a loading position and a rolling position. The arm having a tumbler cup to receive at least one die and release the at least one die into the dice table as the arm rotations from the loading position to the rolling position. The rack can have a plurality of dice table and rotatable arms coupled thereto. Each dice table can have more than one dice table section, and each arm having more than one tumbler cup. Each dice table section rotationally aligned with a tumbler cup and configured to receive at least one die as the arm rotations from the loading position to the rolling position.
The at least one image capture device can be a camera and can be configured to capture more the face of the at least one die. In at least one embodiment, the at least one image capture device captures the face of the at least one die in each dice table section.
When the arm is in the rolling position the arm will knock the at least one die out of the tumbler cup. A slip clutch will open the shutter because it is driven on the shaft of the arm. The opposing side of the random dice generator can have an arm in the loading position. The two arms can be mechanically linked to balance the system and reduce actuation forces. The at least one die can enter a funnel engaged into the tumbler cup. The die slide into the tumbler cup, and the arm rotates the shutter into the closed position. The arm transitions from the loading position to the rolling position.
The random dice generator can have two die into each of six die table sections per side. The machine can roll 12 dice per side, and generate a roll every 3 seconds.
FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a random dice generator. The random dice generator 100 can have a rack 101. A die table 102 and rotatable arm 105 can be coupled to the rack 101. The arm 105 can be transitionable between a loading position 150 and a rolling position 200. The arm 105 can have a tumbler cup 104 coupled at one end. In the illustrated embodiment, the tumbler cup 104 is coupled to the arm 105 at an end opposite the end coupled to the rack 101.
The random dice generator 100 can have more than one die table 102 and rotatable arm 105 coupled to each rack allowing numerous dice generations cycles. In the illustrated embodiment, the rack 101 has four die tables 102 and four rotatable arms 105 coupled thereto.
The tumbler cup 104 can have a tumbler shutter 106. The tumbler shutter 106 can transition between an open position 155 and a closed position 205 (shown in FIG. 2). In an open position 155, the tumbler shutter 106 allows tumbler cup 104 to receive at least one die. In the closed position 205, the tumbler shutter 106 prevents the at least one die from exiting the tumbler cup 104. In at least one embodiment, the open position 155 exists when the rotatable arm is in the loading position 150 and the rolling position 200. The closed position 205, exists when the rotatable arm 105 is transition between the loading position 150 and the rolling position 200.
The die table 102 can have dividers creating a plurality of die table sections 108. In the illustrated embodiment, each die table 102 forms three die table sections 108. Each die table section can receive at least one die from the tumbler cup 104. The tumbler cup 104 can also include dividers to make more than one tumbler cup section corresponding to each die table section 108.
The random dice generator 100 can have at least one image capture device position to capture the face of the dice in the die table 102. The at least one image capture device can be a camera, a video camera, an infrared camera, or the like. In at least one embodiment, the image capture device 110 can have a plurality of lenses each focused on a die table section 108. In alternative embodiments, the at least one image capture device 110 can be positioned to capture each die table section 108 simultaneously. In yet another embodiment, the at least one image capture device 110 can be a plurality of imagine capture devices 110 position to capture the face of the at least one die. In the illustrated embodiment, one image capture device 110 is position above each die table section 108.
The die table 102 can have a die table funnel 112. The die table funnel 112 can act to direct the at least one die back into the tumbler cup 104 when the arm 105 is in the loading position 200. In at least one embodiment, the die table 102 can actuate to angle the bottom surface of the die table 102 toward the tumbler cup 104 to cause the at least one die to pass through the funnel 112. In the illustrated embodiment, each die table section 108 has a separate die table funnel 112. Each die table funnel 112 aligning with a tumbler cup 104 section.
The arm 105 can be actuated between the loading position 150 and rolling position 200 by a lateral linkage 114, belt 116, and vertical linkage 118. The lateral linkage 114 can couple to laterally adjacent arms. The vertical linkage 118 can couple to vertically adjacent arms. The belt 116 can couple vertically adjacent arms, horizontally adjacent arms, or all arms coupled to the rack 101. In the illustrated embodiment, the rack 101 has two belts 116, each coupling vertically adjacent arms 105. In alternative embodiments, the rack 101 can have a single belt 116 coupling all arms 105.
The rack 101 can also include a motor 120 to actuate the arm 105. The motor 120 can be linked to a single arm 105 by a vertical linkage. Alternatively, the motor can be linked to the arm 105 by a belt 116. The motor 120 actuates the arm 105 between the loading position 150 and the rolling position 200.
FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of an exemplary embodiment of a random dice generator. The random dice generator 100 can have a die table 102 having a plurality of die table sections 108. The tumbler cup 104 can have a divider 1051 (shown in FIG. 5) creating corresponding sections to align at least one die with each die table section 108.
FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of an arm of a random dice generator. The tumbler cup 104 can have dividers 1051 corresponding to dividers creating die table sections 108 (shown in FIG. 3). The tumbler cup 104 can have a slip clutch 1052 to actuate the shutter 106 between the open position 155 and the closed position 205. The shutter 106 can actuate about shutter pivot 1053.
The embodiments shown and described above are only examples. Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present technology have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the present disclosure, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in the detail, including in matters of shape, size and arrangement of the parts within the principles of the present disclosure up to, and including, the full extent established by the broad general meaning of the terms used in the claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A random dice generator comprising:

a rack;

a die table coupled to the rack;

an arm rotatable coupled to the rack, the arm rotatable between a loading position and a rolling position;

a tumbler cup coupled to the arm opposite the arm coupling to the rack; and

at least one image capture device;

wherein the tumbler cup receives at least one die when the arm is in the loading position and the tumbler cup releases the at least one die into the die table when the arm is in the rolling position;

wherein the at least one image capture device determines the value of the at least one die received in the die table.

2. The random dice generator of claim 1, wherein the rack has a plurality of die table and arms coupled thereto.

3. The random dice generator of claim 1, wherein the rack is mirror image along a longitudinal axis.

4. The random dice generator of claim 1, wherein the arm is actuated by a motor coupled to the rack.

5. The random dice generator of claim 1, wherein the die table has a funnel attached on an exterior surface configured to urge die into the tumbler cup when the arm is in a loading position.

6. The random dice generator of claim 1, wherein the die table has at least one divider forming die table sections.

7. The random dice generator of claim 1, wherein the tumbler cup has at least one divider forming tumbler cup sections.

8. The random dice generator of claim 2, wherein the arms are mechanically linked to one other by at least one vertical linkage, at least one horizontal linkage, and at least one belt.