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Methodology Initially four
lasers were mounted above the wheel and directed into the ball track
(figure 1). Four light sensors picked up the reflection off the
lasers as the ball traveled around the ball track (figure 2). The
output from the light sensors was fed into a computer (figure 9)
thus allowing us to analyze the ball’s characteristics as
it slowed down. Another laser directed on the rotor logs the decay rate of the rotor (figure 5). It was found that the ball had a very consistent and thus predictable decay rate after the ball had started to 'bite' into the ball track. We use the term 'sweet spot' to indicate the first full revolution after the ball stopped 'skidding'. The 'sweet-spot' occurs somewhere between six and twelve seconds before it begins its descent into the rotor depending on the particular wheel, but is very consistent on any given wheel. Once the rotor decay rate is known and the rotor speed logged from a fixed reference point it is a simple matter to determine which number will be under the reference point at any point in the future (of that spin). As you can see, any competent programmer could write a program consisting of a couple of timing loops and a simple formula. Click here to view the operating instructions for a roulette computer |
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| Figure 1 - Four lasers | Figure 2 - Laser on Ball | |
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| Figure 3 - Fibre Optic Head | Figure 4 - Fibre Optic Sensing Head | |
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| Figure 5 - Logging the rotor | Figure 6 - Pick Up | |
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| Figure 7 - Proptotype laser & pickup 1 | Figure 8 - Prototype Laser & pickup 2 | |
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| Figure 9 - Testing Rig | Figure 10 - Video Camera |