EP1463009A2 - Machine de divertissement - Google Patents

Machine de divertissement Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1463009A2
EP1463009A2 EP04251775A EP04251775A EP1463009A2 EP 1463009 A2 EP1463009 A2 EP 1463009A2 EP 04251775 A EP04251775 A EP 04251775A EP 04251775 A EP04251775 A EP 04251775A EP 1463009 A2 EP1463009 A2 EP 1463009A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
display device
machine according
entertainment machine
main display
play
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP04251775A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1463009A3 (fr
Inventor
Dov Liam Randall
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Brightstar Lottery UK Solutions Ltd
Original Assignee
IGT UK Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GB0307139A external-priority patent/GB0307139D0/en
Priority claimed from GB0324490A external-priority patent/GB0324490D0/en
Application filed by IGT UK Ltd filed Critical IGT UK Ltd
Publication of EP1463009A2 publication Critical patent/EP1463009A2/fr
Publication of EP1463009A3 publication Critical patent/EP1463009A3/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
    • G07F17/3202—Hardware aspects of a gaming system, e.g. components, construction, architecture thereof
    • G07F17/3204—Player-machine interfaces
    • G07F17/3211—Display means
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
    • G07F17/326—Game play aspects of gaming systems
    • G07F17/3267—Game outcomes which determine the course of the subsequent game, e.g. double or quits, free games, higher payouts, different new games

Definitions

  • This invention relates to coin-operated player operable entertainment machines of the kind having a main display device which in play of a game operates to display a selected combination of symbols.
  • coin is intended also to cover notes, tokens, charge or credit cards or any other means of supplying credit or monetary value.
  • Entertainment machines of the above kind which are fruit machines or poker machines typically have three or four reels with symbols around their peripheries.
  • the reels rotate behind a window and then come to rest each displaying one or more selected symbols through the window on one or more win lines.
  • An award is made available to the player in the event that a predetermined winning combination of symbols is displayed on the (or one) win line.
  • An object of the present invention is to enable game play to be completed quickly without unduly discouraging player interest.
  • a coin-operated player-operable entertainment machine having a main display device operable in play of a game to display a selected combination of symbols, characterised by the provision of a plurality of secondary display devices each operable to display a selected outcome and which is operable in association with the main display device, whereby in successive games respective said secondary display devices are operable in association with the main display device.
  • play is transferable from the main display device to the secondary display devices such that play is transferable in a subsequent game to a respective said secondary display device during operation of a different said display device to which play transferred in a preceding game.
  • the duration of play of a game can be prolonged because the period of operation of the main display device can be supplemented by the period of operation of the respective supplementary display device.
  • the rate of purchase of games can be at a high level because further games can be started before completion of preceding games.
  • the main display device can be operated again in a second game before operation of the supplementary display device of the first game has ended. Further games can overlap in this way depending on the duration of operation of the main and supplementary display devices.
  • the main display device may operate for say 3 seconds, and each supplementary display device may operate for say 7 seconds.
  • games can be started at 3 second intervals, each game can last 10 seconds, and three games can run at the same time.
  • the supplementary display device may operate for a common duration and may be of like kind. However, if desired the supplementary display devices may be of different duration and/or of different kinds.
  • Transfer from the main display device to a respective said supplementary display device may occur automatically under control of the machine, and/or at the initiation of the player e.g. by operating a control button or the like, the supplementary display device being selected on any random, pseudo random or predetermined basis.
  • Transfer may arise whenever the main display device operates or only on some occasions. For example availability of transfer may be determined by the symbol combination selected with the main display device. Transfer may only be available when the selected combination is of a predetermined category e.g. when it is not a winning combination. In one embodiment transfer becomes available and is automatically initiated whenever the selected combination is not a winning combination.
  • a substitute operation may occur to ensure that game play is prolonged, preferably on every such occasion.
  • This substitute operation may be of a spurious nature which has no affect on the game. For example, especially in the case where the selected symbol combination displayed on the main display device is a winning combination and this prevents transfer of play to a respective supplementary display device, substitute operation may then come into effect to produce flashing lights or sounds or the like before the game ends.
  • the main display device is operated after sufficient game credit has been staked e.g. by the insertion of coins or other credit means, without requiring actuation of a player control.
  • the secondary display devices may operate respectively in association with operations of the main display device without requiring operation of a player control for each game. Accordingly, it is possible for multiple games, say four games, to be played, possibly simultaneously, within an overall game play period.
  • An award may be made available to the player if the selected symbol combination displayed on the main display device is of a predetermined winning nature. There may be different awards for different winning combinations and these may constitute available payouts.
  • the outcomes of the supplementary display devices may also correspond to awards if of a predetermined winning nature. There may be different winning outcomes with different awards for each supplementary display device, or there may only be one winning outcome, other outcomes not being of a winning nature.
  • the (or each) winning outcome of each supplementary display device may be the same as, or different from, the (or each) outcome of the (or each) other supplementary display device.
  • supplementary devices There may be any suitable number of supplementary devices which may be equal to the number which can operate at the same time, or which may be a different number. In one embodiment there are more supplementary devices than can be operated at the same time.
  • a predetermined stake is required to be credited to the machine for the playing of a game and the arrangement may be such that a number of games can only be initiated for play at the same time if sufficient stakes have already been credited for that number of games. Alternatively it may be possible to provide stakes when required for the games.
  • the main display device may take any suitable form but is preferably of the kind which provides a display of changing or moving symbols which comes to rest with the selected combination of symbols displayed at a win zone.
  • the display device is of the kind having actual or simulated rotatable symbol bearing reels, particularly as hereinbefore described.
  • supplementary display devices may take any suitable form.
  • they comprise multiple display elements which are actuated in accordance with a predetermined or random pattern or sequence to give a moving or changing display which comes to rest with a selected such element actuated to indicate the outcome associated therewith.
  • the display elements may be actuated by illumination thereof e.g. by back illumination of transparent or translucent areas with lamps, or by use of LEDs or otherwise.
  • the display elements are arranged in a sequence, e.g. in a column or ladder, and are actuated in turn along the sequence, possibly backwards and forwards along the sequence, e.g. up and down in the case of the aforesaid column or ladder.
  • only one element, e.g. an end element of the sequence, may correspond to a winning outcome.
  • Figure 1 shows a fruit machine having a floor-standing box shaped housing 1 having a front wall which includes upper and lower glass panels 2, 3, a number of operating buttons 4, 5, a coin slot 6 and a payout opening 7.
  • the housing 1 there are three axially aligned reels 8 having say 20 symbols at regularly spaced positions around their peripheries.
  • the reels 8 are axially rotatable and are drivably connected to respective stepper motors 9.
  • the reels 8 are arranged behind a window 10 defined by a printed region of the lower glass panel 3.
  • Each reel 8 can be arrested by the respective stepper motor 9 in any of 20 stopping positions in which one symbol is in precise registration with a horizontal win line in the centre of the window 10 and two further symbols are visible above and below the win line.
  • the stepper motors 9 are connected to a microprocessor-based control unit 11. This unit is also connected to a coin-mechanism 12, a pay-out mechanism 13, and the buttons 4, 5.
  • the upper panel 2 has five like supplementary display devices 14 comprising a row of five side by side upright columns 15-19 each consisting of ten aligned LEDs 20 which are connected to the control unit 11.
  • decorative display regions 21 are provided on the upper panel 2 and these can be back lit with lamps 22 which are also connected to the control unit 11.
  • the player inserts coins into the coin mechanism 12 through the slot 6 sufficient to generate credit for one or more games.
  • a predetermined stake value is required to play a game.
  • the credit value available for playing games (or the number of such games credited) is shown on an alphanumeric display 24 on the panel 2 connected to the unit 11.
  • a game commences after a start button 4 has been pressed and the reels 8 spin and then come to rest so as to display a combination of symbols on the win line.
  • the displayed symbol combination is assessed by the control unit 11 and a win indication is given in the event that the combination is of a predetermined winning nature. Winning combinations are indicated on a win chart printed on the top panel 2.
  • the reels 8 spin and come to rest a predetermined period of time, say 3 seconds, after pressing the start button 4.
  • the lamps 22 used to back light the decorative display are actuated so as to flash.
  • the sound generator 23 is actuated to generate a tune or sequence of sounds.
  • Flashing of the lamps 22 and actuation of the sound generator 23 continues for a predetermined period of time, say 7 seconds, after the reels 8 have come to rest. A payout can then be obtained by operating a button 5.
  • the reels 8 stop play transfers automatically to a selected one of the supplementary display devices 14, and one of the LEDs 20 is actuated so as to be illuminated.
  • the actuated LED is selected at random.
  • the LEDs 20 of the selected display device 14 are switched in sequence so that only one LED is illuminated at any time, and the pattern of illumination progresses up the respective column 15-19, from LED to LED, from the originally selected LED up to the top of the column.
  • the pattern of illumination then progresses down the column 15-19 to the bottom of the column. Movement up and down the column 15-19 between the top and bottom positions is repeated for a predetermined period of time, say 7 seconds.
  • the rate of switching of the LEDs 20 is sufficiently rapid to give several cycles of movement up and down the column whilst allowing visual separation of the individual illuminated LEDs.
  • switching of the LEDs 20 stops leaving the last actuated LED still illuminated. If this is the top LED in the respective column 15-19 this corresponds to a winning outcome and an award of predetermined value is made available to the player. If the last actuated LED is not the top LED, this corresponds to a losing outcome.
  • the game including spin of the reels 8 and either actuation of the lamps 22 and sound generator 23 or transfer of play to the selected column 15-19, always has a predetermined minimum duration, say 10 seconds.
  • the player can press the start button 4 to start a second game.
  • the start button 4 becomes operable for this purpose, as indicated by illumination of the button 4, as soon as the reels 8 stop spinning.
  • the player can then play a second game, involving spin of the reels 8 followed by actuation of the lamps 22 and sound generator 23 or transfer of play to a selected column 15-19, before the first game has ended i.e. during the period of actuation of the lamps 22 and sound generator 23 or operation of the selected supplementary display device 14 of the first game.
  • the second game therefore proceeds at the same time as the actuation of the lamps 22 and sound generator 23 or operation of the device 14 of the first game, whereby it can occur that play of the second game results in two of the columns showing movement of lights up and down at the same time.
  • the arrangement may be such that transfer in the first credited game is to the first column 15 at one end of the row of columns, e.g. the left end as shown in the drawings, and in subsequent games the next columns 16-19 in the row are successively selected.
  • the LEDs 20 are switched to give cycles of rising and falling illumination for a predetermined duration as described above in relation to the first game.
  • the maximum number of games which can be credited in advance may be five, and when all game credit has been used up, transfer in the next game may start again at the left end column 15.
  • the credit limit may be different from the number of supplementary display devices 14, and transfer for any game may be to the next column 15-19, or back to the left end column 15 when the previous column was the right end column 19.
  • each game has a predetermined significant duration, say 10 seconds, without having to wait for the full duration before a subsequent game can be started.
  • a predetermined significant duration say 10 seconds
  • the start button 4 instead of requiring successive operations of the start button 4 to play successive games, after providing sufficient game credit for e.g. four games, the start button 4 is pressed and this causes four games to be played automatically one after the other.
  • the secondary display devices are actuated simultaneously to run for a predetermined maximum period, say 10 seconds.
  • the sections 15-19 are then deactuated successively in correspondence with successive operations of the reels 8.
  • a first section 15 is deactuated
  • a second 3 second period the second section 16 is deactuated (after 6 seconds operation)
  • a third 3 second period the third section 17 is deactuated (after 9 seconds operation)
  • the fourth section 18 is deactuated after 1 second (after 10 seconds total operation of this section).
  • the arrangement may be such that the fourth section 18 may be deactuated after the fourth 3 second period (i.e. after 12 seconds).
  • the player is awarded prizes depending on the outcome of the four operations of the reels 8 and the automatically initiated operations of the four sections 15-19.
  • the sections 15-19 are actuated successively, in correspondence with the four successive operations of the reels 8, with an overall predetermined maximum period between actuation of the first section 15 and deactivation of the fourth section 18, of say 10 seconds.
  • the first section 15 may be actuated for 3 seconds during a first 3 second operation of the reels 8
  • the second 16 and third 17 sections may be actuated for respective 3 second periods during second and third 3 second operations of the reels 8
  • the fourth 18 section may be actuated for 1 second during the fourth 3 second operation of the reels 8.
  • time combinations may be used, such as 3 seconds for each of the first 15 and second 16 sections, and 2 seconds for each of the third 17 and fourth 18 sections to make up 10 seconds in total.
  • the first three sections 15-17 may be actuated for longer periods than the reels 8, e.g. successively for 10, 7 and 4 seconds so that all four sections 15-18 have an overlapping period of simultaneous actuation.
  • the overall limit for actuation of the sections may be 12 seconds whereby e.g. the fourth section 18 may be actuated for 3 seconds rather then 1 second.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Slot Machines And Peripheral Devices (AREA)
EP04251775A 2003-03-28 2004-03-26 Machine de divertissement Withdrawn EP1463009A3 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0307139 2003-03-28
GB0307139A GB0307139D0 (en) 2003-03-28 2003-03-28 Entertainment machines
GB0324490A GB0324490D0 (en) 2003-10-21 2003-10-21 Entertainment machines
GB0324490 2003-10-21

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1463009A2 true EP1463009A2 (fr) 2004-09-29
EP1463009A3 EP1463009A3 (fr) 2005-07-27

Family

ID=32827048

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP04251775A Withdrawn EP1463009A3 (fr) 2003-03-28 2004-03-26 Machine de divertissement

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1463009A3 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU2013209366B1 (en) * 2013-07-26 2014-04-17 Konami Gaming, Inc. Gaming machine and methods of allowing a player to play a gaming machine having multiple games with the same reel
US9916727B2 (en) 2013-09-18 2018-03-13 Konami Gaming Incorporated Gaming machine, method of controlling gaming machine, and computer-readable recording medium

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2333880B (en) * 1998-07-09 2001-03-14 Barcrest Ltd Entertainment machines
GB0011366D0 (en) * 2000-05-10 2000-06-28 Igt Uk Limited Entertainment machine
GB2379789A (en) * 2001-07-03 2003-03-19 Igt Uk Ltd Entertainment machine with supplementary feature concurrent with main game

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU2013209366B1 (en) * 2013-07-26 2014-04-17 Konami Gaming, Inc. Gaming machine and methods of allowing a player to play a gaming machine having multiple games with the same reel
AU2014203683B2 (en) * 2013-07-26 2014-10-02 Konami Gaming, Incorporated Gaming machine and methods of allowing a player to play a gaming machine having multiple games with the same reel
US9047741B2 (en) 2013-07-26 2015-06-02 Konami Gaming, Inc. Gaming machine and methods of allowing a player to play a gaming machine having multiple games with the same reel
US9508230B2 (en) 2013-07-26 2016-11-29 Konami Gaming, Inc. Gaming machine and methods of allowing a player to play a gaming machine having multiple games with the same reel
US10013856B2 (en) 2013-07-26 2018-07-03 Konami Gaming, Inc. Gaming machine and methods of allowing a player to play a gaming machine having multiple games with the same reel
US10878665B2 (en) 2013-07-26 2020-12-29 Konami Gaming, Inc. Gaming machine and methods of allowing a player to play a gaming machine having multiple games with the same reel
US9916727B2 (en) 2013-09-18 2018-03-13 Konami Gaming Incorporated Gaming machine, method of controlling gaming machine, and computer-readable recording medium
US20180151021A1 (en) 2013-09-18 2018-05-31 Konami Gaming, Inc. Gaming machine, method of controlling gaming machine, and computer-readable recording medium
US10255760B2 (en) 2013-09-18 2019-04-09 Konami Gaming, Inc. Gaming machine, method of controlling gaming machine, and computer-readable recording medium

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Publication number Publication date
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