Gaming system and related method

Abstract

An exemplary gaming system, in one implementation, provides active interaction between one or more players and the gaming system. Such an exemplary gaming system includes a receptacle with one or more holes to receive first gaming objects thrown at it. Chambers attached to a rigid member on the receptacle receive and store second gaming objects that are later released into one or more different spatial directions. An intermediate surface operably connected to a mechanical or an electrical triggering mechanism is included in the receptacle. When the first gaming object falls into the receptacle and hits the intermediate surface, the intermediate surface causes activation of the triggering mechanism to directly or indirectly propel the second gaming objects, through the chambers, into one or more different spatial directions. A hand or foot lever allows players to reset the triggering mechanism for the next game.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A gaming system comprising:
 a surface for receiving one or more first objects;   a mechanically switchable member or an electrical switch for switching states upon the receiving of the one or first objects;   a chamber storing second objects; and   an opening of the chamber for allowing a force, from the switching states of the mechanical release or the electrical switch, to propel the second objects into different spatial directions.   
     
     
         2 . The gaming system of  claim 1 , wherein the first objects are bags made of one or more of cloth, leather, and a synthetic material, and comprising filler. 
     
     
         3 . The gaming system of  claim 2 , wherein the filler is one or more of polystyrene beads, dried beans, metal pellets, wood pellets, and foam. 
     
     
         4 . The gaming system of  claim 1 , wherein (a) the mechanically switchable member for the switching states is configured to switch from a stressed to an unstressed state, or (b) the electrical switch for the switching states is configured to switch from an “off” to an “on” state or from an “on” and an “off” state. 
     
     
         5 . The gaming system of  claim 1 , wherein the first objects are bags that are sized to fit into a hole of an overlying surface to the surface for the receiving of the one or more first objects. 
     
     
         6 . The gaming system of  claim 1 , wherein the second objects are spherical objects or bags comprising fillers. 
     
     
         7 . The gaming system of  claim 1 , wherein the second objects are one or more of ping-pong balls, sponge balls, golf balls, beanbags, and high-bounce balls. 
     
     
         8 . The gaming system of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanically switchable member for the switching states is configured to release a component storing the force. 
     
     
         9 . The gaming system of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical switch for the switching states is configured to release a component storing the force. 
     
     
         10 . The gaming method of  claim 1 , wherein each of the second objects has a different physical or a different mechanical property. 
     
     
         11 . A gaming method for a gaming system comprising a surface, a chamber, an opening of the chamber, a mechanically switchable member or an electrical switch configured for switching states, one or more first objects, and second objects, the gaming method comprising:
 receiving, on the surface, the one or more first objects;   switching states for the mechanically switchable member or the electrical switch, upon the receiving of the one or first objects;   storing, in the chamber, the second objects;   allowing, a force from the switching states of the mechanically switchable member or the electrical switch into the opening of the chamber, the force for propelling the second objects into different spatial directions; and   scoring the gaming method, based at least in part on an action performed on the second objects.   
     
     
         12 . The gaming method of  claim 11 , wherein the first objects are bags made of one or more of cloth, leather, and a synthetic material, and comprising filler. 
     
     
         13 . The gaming method of  claim 12 , wherein the filler is one or more of polystyrene beads, dried beans, metal pellets, wood pellets, and foam. 
     
     
         14 . The gaming method of  claim 11 , wherein (a) the switching states of the mechanically switchable member is by changing from a stressed to unstressed state, or (b) the switching states of the electrical switch is by changing from an “off” to an “on” state or from an “on” and an “off” state. 
     
     
         15 . The gaming method of  claim 11 , further comprising: throwing the one or more first objects into a hole of an overlay surface, the one or more first objects passing through the hole and contacting the surface. 
     
     
         16 . The gaming method of  claim 11 , wherein the second objects are spherical objects or bags comprising fillers. 
     
     
         17 . The gaming method of  claim 11 , wherein the second objects are one or more of ping-pong balls, sponge balls, golf balls, beanbags, and high-bounce balls. 
     
     
         18 . The gaming method of  claim 11 , wherein the switching of the mechanically switchable member releases a component storing the force. 
     
     
         19 . The gaming method of  claim 11 , wherein the switching of the electrical switch releases a component storing the force. 
     
     
         20 . The gaming method of  claim 11 , further comprising: providing a reset mechanism for re-setting the switching state of the mechanically switchable member or the electrical switch.