GB2296806A - Control apparatus for gaming machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A control apparatus 10 for a gaming machine has a control unit 12 monitoring real time from a clock 14. When a memory unit 16 determines that a stored predetermine time has been reached, for example when the machine 22 requires to be disabled, the control unit 22 is actuated to prevent further credit being accepted by the machine. Once a player of the machine has finished with the machine, the control unit 12 can either then switch off the power supply 20, or disable penpheral devices of the machine, to prevent further use. An independent power source 24 enables a further predetermined time to be monitored by the memory unit 16 after which the power source 20 can be switched back on. <IMAGE>

Description

Control of Gainq Hachines This invention relates to apparatus and a method for the control of coin or credit operated machines for use particularly, but not exclusively, in amusement with prizes or gaming machines (hereinafter referred to as "gaming machines").

Gaming machines may have to comply with the opening/closing hours of the premises in which they are situated. Frequently gaming machines are provided with simple external time switches which turn off the power supply to the machine at a specified time. Use of such time switches gives the user of the machine no warning of the imminent loss of power, and therefore the playing of any credits or winnings accumulated during the playing of the machine are suspended.

According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for the control of credit operated machines, the apparatus comprising means for monitoring real time, means for preventing the insertion of further credit into the machine after one first predetermined time has been monitored, means for preventing further operation of the machine once credit accumulated prior to said use predeterminesd time has been exhausted, and means for reinstating operation of the machine after another predetermined time has been monitored.

Preferably a plurality of predetermined times are stored in suitable data retention means within the credit operated machine. The retention means may be operable to alter the predetermined times for example by means of external or internal switches or a provided RS232 connection. The data retention means may have a power supply independent to a power supply of the machine, for example a battery.

The means for preventing further operation of the machine may be adapted to switch off the power supply of the machine, or alternatively may be adapted to disable the periperhal elements of the machine.

The apparatus may also comprise means for allowing the machine to be operated in a standard format should a fault in real time monitoring occur.

The invention further provides a gaming machine having an apparatus as described in any of the five proceeding paragraphs.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the single figure of the accompanying drawing which is a block diagram of control apparatus.

Referring to the drawing, a gaming machine control apparatus 10 comprises a control unit 12 operably connected to a real time clock 14 and a memory device 16. The memory device 16 may be a random access memory unit which is used to store predetermined times which can be altered through the use of internal or externa switches 18. Any other suitable memory altering medium can be used, for example an RS232 connection port, remote control operator, as barcode reader.

The control unit is also operably connected to an external power source 20 (and thereby to the mains supply 21), used to supply a gaming machine 22, and to an independent power source 24 such as a battery. A control conductor 26 is connected between the control unit 12 and a credit accepter 30, and a control conductor 28 is connected between the control unit 12 and the machine 22.

In use, the control unit 12 monitors the real time as supplied by the clock 14, and checks the memory unit 16 to determine if any stored predetermined time has been reached.

When it is approaching time to switch off or disable the machine 22, for example to comply with the opening/closing hours of the premises in which they are situated, a first predetermined time will be monitored.

The control unit 12 will then prevent further credit being accepted by the credit accepter 30 via the control conductor 26. The player of the machine 22 may then continue to exhaust the credits inserted prior to the first predetermined time and claim any winnings accumulated. Once the player has finished using the machine 22, the control unit 12 may either switch off the power supply 20, or disable the peripheral devices of the machine 22 via control conductor 28, to prevent further use.

When supply 20 is switched off, the independent power source 24 continues to supply power to the control unit 12 whereby the latter can further monitor the clock 14. When a second predetermined time in the memory unit 16 is monitored either the peripheral devices of the machine 22 are enabled via the control conductor 28, or the power source 20 is switched on.

Various modifications may be made to the apparatus 10 as described above, without departing from the scope of the present invention. In particular, should the control unit 12 observe a fault or corruption in the time clock 14 or the memory device 16, the unit will switch the machine to a default mode. This dispenses with the provision for automatically switching the machine 22 on and off, and allows the machine 22 to operate in a standard format.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing Specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims (13)

Claims:-

1. Apparatus for the control of credit operated machines, the apparatus comprising means for monitoring real time, means for preventing the insertion of further credit into the machine after one first predetermined time has been monitored, means for preventing further operation of the machine once credit accumulated prior to said use predeterminesd time has been exhausted, and means for reinstating operation of the machine after another predetermined time has been monitored.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein a plurality of predetermined times are stored in suitable data retention means within the credit operated machine.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein the retention means is operable to alter the predetermined times.

4. Apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein the retention means is operable by means of external switches.

5. Apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein the retention means is operable by means of internal switches.

6. Apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein the retention means is operable by means of a provided RS232 connection.

7. Apparatus according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the means for preventing further operation of the machine is adapted to switch off the power supply of the machine.

8. Apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the means for preventing further operation of the machine is adapted to disable the periperhal elements of the machine.

9. Apparatus according to any of the preceding Claims, including means for allowing the machine to be operated in a standard format should a fault in real time monitoring occur.

10. A gaming machine having an apparatus according to any of the preceding Claims.

11. Apparatus for the control of credit operated machines, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12. A gaming machine substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

13. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding Claims.