GB2106294A

GB2106294A - Amusement or gaming machines

Info

Publication number: GB2106294A
Application number: GB08128105A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Colin Powell; Anthony Edward St Aub Reynolds
Original assignee: MARIAN ELECTRONICS Ltd
Current assignee: MARIAN ELECTRONICS Ltd
Priority date: 1981-09-17
Filing date: 1981-09-17
Publication date: 1983-04-07
Also published as: GB2106294B

Abstract

A fruit machine having coin and token slots 3 and 4 and game buttons 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 is provided with an enabling button 12 at the top of a rear door of its casing 1. When it is desired to recharge the machine with tokens, the enabling button 12 is pressed so as to alert the control mechanism of the machine to the fact that a code is to be supplied to the mechanism by way of the game buttons 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. Only when the correct code is supplied to the mechanism will the machine be caused to enter a token refill mode in which tokens may be introduced one at a time into the token slot 4 without obtaining game credits. When it is desired to charge the percentage payout of the machine, the enabling button 12 is again pressed and a different code is supplied to the mechanism by way of the game buttons, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. This will place the machine in a percentage payout mode in which the percentage payout may be increased in steps by repeatedly depressing one of the game buttons 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Amusement or gaming machines This invention relates to amusement or gaming machines, and is more particularly, but not exclusively, concerned with fruit machines.

Fruit machines are coin-operated gaming machines in which fruit symbols or other symbols are displayed by rotary members or a video screen having a simulated image of rotary members thereon or by some other form of display device.

The rotary members are caused to rotate in response to actuation of game buttons by a player, and a money or token prize is awarded when the combination of symbols on the rotary members visible to the player corresponds to a winning combination.

The token, which are generally given instead of money in the case of high value prizes, can be reintroduced into the machine by way of a token slot with the object of obtaining credit for further games or alternatively may be redeemed for money and/or goods. However, the number of tokens held by a machine within a token payout reservoir is limited, so that there must be a facility provided to enable tokens to be reintroduced into the token payout reservoir once they have been redeemed. Hitherto a special key has been provided which when inserted in a keyhole in the machine can be used to actuate a switch in order to place the machine in a "token refill" mode in which tokens can be inserted into the token slot to recharge the token payout reservoir without obtaining credit for further games.

Furthermore it is sometimes necessary to alter the percentage payout of a particular machine, and, to this end, it is generally necessary to gain entry to the mechanism of the machine in order to place the machine in a "percentage payout changing" mode. This again requires use of a special key in order to unlock the back of the machine. The mode of the machine may not therefore be changed by an unauthorised person.

However, great inconvenience can be caused should the key become mislaid.

It is an object of the invention to provide an amusement of gaming machine in which the mode of the machine may be changed without requiring the use of a special key and whilst still maintaining relative security.

According to the invention there is provided an amusement or gaming machine incorporating one or more code switches located at the front of the machine and an enabling switch located so as not to be readily visible from the front of the machine and manually operable externally of the machine without the use of a key, the arrangement being such that, when the enabling switch is actuated, operation of the code switch or of the code switches in a predetermined sequence will cause the machine to enter a mode of operation different from the one which it was previously in.

Preferably the code switches are one or more of the game switches which are operable by a player to control aspects of the game as long as the enabling switch has not been actuated. Only when the enabling switch has been actuated can the code switches be operated to change the mode of the machine, so that there is no possibility of the mode accidentally being changed by the player operating the appropriate game switches during normal play.

Where the machine is of a type which uses tokens, the arrangement may be such that, when the enabling switch and the appropriate code switch or switches have been operated, the state of the machine is changed from its normal play mode to a token refill mode. Conveniently, when the machine is in the token refill mode, tokens may be introduced into a token slot without obtaining credit for further games in order to recharge the machine.

Additionally or alternatively, where the machine is a gaming machine of a type in which the percentage payout may be altered, the arrangement may be such that, when the enabling switch and the appropriate code switch or switches have been operated, the state of the machine is changed from its normal mode to a percentage payout changing mode. Furthermore it is advantageous if, when the machine is in the percentage payout changing mode, actuation of one of the game switches causes the percentage payout to be changed.

The enabling switch is preferably a pushbutton switch on a rear door of the machine.

In order that the invention may be more fully understood, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a fruit machine in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a block diagram of the mode control system of the machine; and Figure 3 is a flow chart of the operation of the control system.

Referring to Figure 1 the machine comprises a casing 1, a video display unit 2, coin and token slots 3 and 4 and game buttons comprising a game-initiating button and four game feature buttons 6, 7, 8 and 9. The video display unit 2 which incorporates a cathode ray tube is provided for displaying a simulated image 10 of three game reels and an additional gamble reel bearing fruit and other symbols. A respective game feature button 6, 7, 8 or 9 is associated with each reel. The casing 1 is provided with a rear door (not shown) and an enabling button 12, as indicated by broken lines in Figure 1, is provided at the top of the door.

During normal play a game is enabled by inserting a coin into the coin slot 3 or a token into the token slot 4. Depression of the game-initiating button 5 will then cause the image 10 on the screen of the video display unit 2 to change so as to simulate rotation of the three game reels. The game reels will cease rotating one at a time and, if the combination of symbols visible when all the game reels have stopped rotating corresponds to a winning combination, a prize in the form of one or more coins or tokens will be awarded by way of a payout tray 1 3. In addition the player may be awarded one or more game features with a view to increasing the probability of gaining a prize or the value of the prize. For example the player may be given the option of holding or nudging one or more of the game reels by means of the game feature buttons 7, 8 and 9.Such game features are known per se and will not therefore be described in greater detail.

Alternatively the player may be awarded a gamble feature according to which he is given the option of pressing the game feature button 6 in order to cause the gamble reel to rotate before coming to rest with certain symbols visible to the player. If substitution of one of the symbols visible on the gamble reel when it has come to rest for one of the symbols visible on one of the game reels would give a winning combination, the player may press the game feature button associated with that game reel in order to cause a red cursor to move downwards over the symbol to be substituted for on that game reel and a further red cursor to move downwards over the symbol on the gamble reel which is to be substituted. As the cursors move over these symbols the symbol on the game reel will be replaced by the symbol previously on the gamble reel and vice versa.

When it is desired to recharge the machine with tokens, the enabling buttons 12 at the back of the machine is pressed so as to alert the control mechanism of the machine to the fact that a code is to be supplied to the mechanism by way of the game buttons. Only when the correct code is supplied to the mechanism will the machine be caused to enter a token refill mode. For example, the code may be the binary number 00100 followed by 00011 corresponding to depression of only the game feature button 7 followed by simultaneous depression of the game-initiating button 5 and the gamble button 6. When this button 5 has been pressed the mode of the machine will immediateiy be changed as indicated by the replacement of the image 7 on the screen by the legend "Token Refill".The tokens may then be introduced one at a time into the slot 4 without obtaining game credits, and the total number of tokens entered will be recorded by a counter (not shown). The machine is automatically returned to its normal play mode once 30 seconds has elapsed since the last token has been introduced into the machine or since the machine mode has been changed if no tokens have been entered.

When it is desired to change the percentage payout of the machine, the enabling button 12 is again pressed so as to alert the machine to the fact that a code is to be supplied by way of the game buttons. In this case the appropriate code may be 00001 corresponding to depression of only the game-initiating button 5. When the correct code has been supplied to the machine the mode of the machine will immediately be changed to the percentage payout changing mode. In this mode the percentage payout indicated by a counter (not shown) may be increased in steps by repeatedly pressing the gamble button 6. In order to decrease the percentage payout the counter is repeatedly stepped until the maximum percentage payout is reached after which the counter will begin counting again from the minimum percentage payout in response to further repeated operation of the gamble button 6.When the desired new percentage payout has been reached this value is substituted for the previous payout value by pressing the game feature button 7 and the machine is automatically returned to its normal play mode.

Referring to Figure 2 switches A, B, C, D, E and F actuatable by the buttons 12, 9, 8, 7, 6 and 5 respectively are connected to input circuits 20.

The input circuits 20 supply game control or mode changing instructions to a microprocessor 21 which is controlled by a programme stored in a ROM 22. The microprocessor 21 supplies appropriate signals to the video display 23. The mode changing codes may be set within the ROM or by switching circuitry connected to the switches.

Figure 3 shows a flow chart for changing the mode of the machine to the token refill mode in response to the sequence of operations: 1. press enabling switch A 2. Press switch D 3. Press switches E and F simultaneously The actual code comprises two steps, i.e. steps 2 and 3 above, and five separate coding switches are provided, i.e. switches B to F. The number of different codes using this number of steps and switches, and assuming that no more than two switches are to be operated simultaneously, (5+4+3+2+1)2=225.

It will be appreciated therefore that there is little change of a person who is unacquainted with the correct code being able to change the mode of the machine if a two-step code is used. If a fourstep code is used the number of possible combinations become 50625.

If any of the game buttons are pressed while the machine is in the token refill mode the machine will automatically be returned to its normal play mode.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, instead of the machine being automatically returned to the normal play mode after lapse of a certain time, it is necessary to introduce a further code into the machine by way of the game buttons in order to cause the machine to re-enter the normal play mode.

Claims (Filed 17 Sept. 1982).

1. An amusement or gaming machine incorporating one or more code switches located at the front of the machine and an enabling

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. a winning combination, a prize in the form of one or more coins or tokens will be awarded by way of a payout tray 1 3. In addition the player may be awarded one or more game features with a view to increasing the probability of gaining a prize or the value of the prize. For example the player may be given the option of holding or nudging one or more of the game reels by means of the game feature buttons 7, 8 and 9. Such game features are known per se and will not therefore be described in greater detail. Alternatively the player may be awarded a gamble feature according to which he is given the option of pressing the game feature button 6 in order to cause the gamble reel to rotate before coming to rest with certain symbols visible to the player. If substitution of one of the symbols visible on the gamble reel when it has come to rest for one of the symbols visible on one of the game reels would give a winning combination, the player may press the game feature button associated with that game reel in order to cause a red cursor to move downwards over the symbol to be substituted for on that game reel and a further red cursor to move downwards over the symbol on the gamble reel which is to be substituted. As the cursors move over these symbols the symbol on the game reel will be replaced by the symbol previously on the gamble reel and vice versa. When it is desired to recharge the machine with tokens, the enabling buttons 12 at the back of the machine is pressed so as to alert the control mechanism of the machine to the fact that a code is to be supplied to the mechanism by way of the game buttons. Only when the correct code is supplied to the mechanism will the machine be caused to enter a token refill mode. For example, the code may be the binary number 00100 followed by 00011 corresponding to depression of only the game feature button 7 followed by simultaneous depression of the game-initiating button 5 and the gamble button 6. When this button 5 has been pressed the mode of the machine will immediateiy be changed as indicated by the replacement of the image 7 on the screen by the legend "Token Refill".The tokens may then be introduced one at a time into the slot 4 without obtaining game credits, and the total number of tokens entered will be recorded by a counter (not shown). The machine is automatically returned to its normal play mode once 30 seconds has elapsed since the last token has been introduced into the machine or since the machine mode has been changed if no tokens have been entered. When it is desired to change the percentage payout of the machine, the enabling button 12 is again pressed so as to alert the machine to the fact that a code is to be supplied by way of the game buttons. In this case the appropriate code may be 00001 corresponding to depression of only the game-initiating button 5. When the correct code has been supplied to the machine the mode of the machine will immediately be changed to the percentage payout changing mode. In this mode the percentage payout indicated by a counter (not shown) may be increased in steps by repeatedly pressing the gamble button 6. In order to decrease the percentage payout the counter is repeatedly stepped until the maximum percentage payout is reached after which the counter will begin counting again from the minimum percentage payout in response to further repeated operation of the gamble button 6.When the desired new percentage payout has been reached this value is substituted for the previous payout value by pressing the game feature button 7 and the machine is automatically returned to its normal play mode. Referring to Figure 2 switches A, B, C, D, E and F actuatable by the buttons 12, 9, 8, 7, 6 and 5 respectively are connected to input circuits 20. The input circuits 20 supply game control or mode changing instructions to a microprocessor 21 which is controlled by a programme stored in a ROM 22. The microprocessor 21 supplies appropriate signals to the video display 23. The mode changing codes may be set within the ROM or by switching circuitry connected to the switches. Figure 3 shows a flow chart for changing the mode of the machine to the token refill mode in response to the sequence of operations: 1. press enabling switch A 2. Press switch D 3. Press switches E and F simultaneously The actual code comprises two steps, i.e. steps 2 and 3 above, and five separate coding switches are provided, i.e. switches B to F. The number of different codes using this number of steps and switches, and assuming that no more than two switches are to be operated simultaneously, (5+4+3+2+1)2=225. It will be appreciated therefore that there is little change of a person who is unacquainted with the correct code being able to change the mode of the machine if a two-step code is used. If a fourstep code is used the number of possible combinations become 50625. If any of the game buttons are pressed while the machine is in the token refill mode the machine will automatically be returned to its normal play mode. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, instead of the machine being automatically returned to the normal play mode after lapse of a certain time, it is necessary to introduce a further code into the machine by way of the game buttons in order to cause the machine to re-enter the normal play mode. Claims (Filed 17 Sept. 1982).

switch located so as not to be readily visible from the front of the machine and manually operable externally of the machine without the use of a key, the arrangement being such that, when the enabling switch is actuated, operation of the code switch or of the code switches in a predetermined sequence will cause the machine to enter a mode of operation different from the one which it was previously in.

2. A machine according to claim 1, wherein the code switches are one or more of the game switches which are operable by a player to control aspects of the game as long as the enabling switch has not been actuated.

3. A machine according to claim 1 or 2, of a type which uses tokens, wherein the arrangement is such that, when the enabling switch and the appropriate code switch or switches have been operated, the state of the machine is changed from its normal play mode to a token refill mode.

4. A machine according to claim 3, wherein, when the machine is in the token refill mode, tokens may be introduced into a token slot without obtaining credit for further games in order to recharge the machine.

5. A machine according to any preceding claim, being a gaming machine of a type in which the percentage payout may be altered, wherein the arrangement is such that, when the enabling switch and the appropriate code switch or switches have been operated, the state of the machine is changed from its normal mode to a percentage payout changing mode.

6. A machine according to claim 5, wherein, when the machine is in the percentage payout changing mode, actuation of one of the game switches causes the percentage payout to be changed.

7. A machine according to any preceding claim, wherein the enabling switch is a pushbutton switch on a rear door of the machine.

8. An amusement or gaming machine substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.