GB2405805A

GB2405805A - An amusement with prizes machine incorporating a ball accept/reject mechanism

Info

Publication number: GB2405805A
Application number: GB0320275A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Jones
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-08-29
Filing date: 2003-08-29
Publication date: 2005-03-16
Also published as: GB0320275D0

Abstract

An amusement with prizes machine incorporating a ball accept/reject mechanism. A coin operated amusement machine is fitted with an 'accept/reject' ball mechanism, enabling the player to check or manipulate a ball before either accepting or rejecting the ball within a set time. Reaction time, memory and symbol recognition would all be tested. A number of mechanisms would allow the player to select balls to create a winning line and trigger a payout by the machine. Balls could also be selected to complete a winning line or board on a bingo type game. A video version of the game played on a screen is also provided.

Description

SKILL-BALL MECHANISM

This Invention relates to a coin/credit operated machine in which the 'Skill-Ball mechanism' allows the player to use hislher level of skill in the area of Symbol recognition, Memory and Reaction time to 'accept' or 'reject' various types and sizes of balls entering the Skill-Ball mechanism to win cash prizes.

The game of Bingo will be used in this application to describe the workings of the Skill-Ball mechanism. Bingo is a well known Game of chance in which a number of players sometimes thousands of players mark off numbers on individual sheets of paper or other mechanical means. The numbers between 1 and 90 which are displayed or read out by a person or stored voice data. The player who gets all the numbers on their card filled in first wins, usually a prize of cash or goods. Weather or not a player wins depends on luck only, If his or her numbers are called first they win.

This invention allows for players to play Bingo or other such games of chance but use their skills of symbol recognition, memory and reaction time against a clock timer to win prizes of cash or goods. Thereby making Bingo or other such games of chance games of skill.

The Invention, The 'Skill-Ball mechanism' is designed to hold and display a ball which has a symbol printed on it, then to either accept or reject the ball, once accepted or rejected the ball is replace by the next ball that falls into the mechanism these events create the flow of the game. The player controls the Skill-Ball mechanism's accept or reject action by switches or simulated switches. The quantity and physical size of the balls used would be game design dependent as would the symbols printed on the balls and would match the size of the Skill-Ball mechanism used.

In this example a transparent chamber contains ninety balls numbered 1-90. At the beginning of the game the balls are agitated and flow freely around the chamber.

When a ball enters the mechanism it is displayed to the player in the display part of the mechanism, the player must decide to accept or reject that particular ball depending on weather or not the number displayed on that ball is the same as a number on the bingo card he/she has to play on. If the ball is accepted then the machine indicates on the card that the number has been acquired. If the ball is rejected then it is ejected out of the chamber and is effectively out of that particular game. If a ball/number is accepted that is not on the players card the ball is ejected from play and the player may be penalised somehow, probably losing some of his or her remaining time.

If the player rejects a ball that is on the players card then the ball goes back into the chamber and can re-appear later in the game again with a time penalty award. The game is over when the time runs out.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 shows in perspective, The single Skill-Ball mechanism.

Figure 2 shows an SWP (skill with prize) machine incorporating a single Skill-Ball mechanism.

Figure 3 shows a multiple Skill-Ball mechanism.

Figure 4 shows an SWP (skill with prize) machine incorporating mulitple Skill-Ball mechanism.

Refering to Figure 1.

In this Bingo game example, One of the ninety balls numbered 1-90 'H' flowing around the Skill-Ball mechanism enters at 'A'. the mechanism moves the ball automatically and displays it at 'B' The player would recognise that it as a number six ball and because the number six also appears on the players bingo card 'G' would press the accept switch 'E' the ball at 'B' would be ejected at 'C' and is effectively out of play for the remainder of the game. It is stored in a ball-out-of-play area of the chamber. This ball number is now 'acquired' and is marked as such on the players bingo card 'G'. So when a ball enters at 'A' it is moved automatically within the mechanism to 'B' If the player decides to accept it because the number on the ball is the same as a number on the bingo card, then pressing the accept switch 'E' causes this ball to be ejected at 'C'.

When a ball enters at 'A' it is moved automatically within the mechanism to 'B' if the player decides to reject it because the number on the ball is not on the bingo card, then pressing the reject switch 'F' causes this ball to be ejected at 'C'.

When a ball enters at 'A' it is moved automatically within the mechanism to 'B' and the player presses the reject switch 'F' and the number on the ball is the same as number on the bingo card this results in the ball at 'B' being automatically ejected at D' back into the flowing balls in the chamber, effectively back in the game. This ball will enter at 'A' again sometime later.

When a ball enters at 'A' it is moved automatically within the mechanism to 'B' If the player decides to accept it and the number on the ball is not on the bingo card, then pressing the accept switch 'E' causes this ball to be ejected at 'C'.

When a ball enters at 'A' it is moved automatically within the mechanism to 'B' If the player decides to accept it by pressing the accept switch 'E' but the number on the ball is the not the same as a number on the bingo card, then this ball to be ejected at C' or 'D' depending on game design.

Then quantity and physical size of the balls used would be game design dependent and would match the size of the Skill-Ball mechanism used.

Referring to Figure 2.

This illustrates a single Skill-Ball mechanism in a cabinet. The player can see the balls flowing in a chamber above the Skill-Ball mechanism and uses the accept or reject buttons on the control panel as he/she wishes during the game. The numbers required to win a prize are displayed on a bingo type card which may be printed as a label on the machine or may be a changeable LED or TFT type computer display on which the pattern of numbers or symbols could be change to enhance the game play.

Referring to Figure 3.

Skill-Ball mechanisms can be linked together. (FIG 3) shows two SkillBall mechanisms (1) and (2) linked together. Each Skill-Ball mechanism has its own reject and accept switch. Using the same game example the player has to decide weather to accept or reject numbered balls appearing at 'B' in each of the Skill-Ball mechanisms (1) and (2). Any number of Skill-Ball mechanisms can be linked. Clearly the more Skill-ball mechanisms the more intense is the nature of the game for the player.

Referring to Figure 4.

This illustrates a multiple Skill-Ball mechanism in a cabinet. In this cabinet the player can see the balls flowing in a chamber above the two Skill-Ball mechanisms and uses the two sets of accept or reject buttons on the control panel as he/she wishes during the game. The numbers required to win a prize are displayed on a bingo type card which may be printed as a label on the machine or may be a changeable LED or TFT type computer display on which the pattern of numbers or symbols could be change to enhance the game play.

Claims

1. An amusement machine incorporating one or more skill-ball mechanisms.

2. An amusement machine incorporating one or more skill-ball mechanisms as in claim 1 that is coin/credit-operated.

3. An amusement machine SWP (skill with Prize) incorporating one or more skill-ball mechanisms as in claims 1 or 2 comprising a game commonly known as Bingo with balls numbered 1-90 being struck off a play card against a timer.

Making Bingo a skill game.

4. An amusement machine as in claim 3 that takes the form of a SWP (skill with Prize) comprising one or more skill-ball mechanisms. where the balls are marked with symbols such as numbers or fruit and other symbols commonly used on fruit machines. Making a fruit machine a game of skill.

5. An amusement machine as in claim 3 that takes the form of a SWP (skill with Prize) comprising one or more skill- ball mechanisms. Where the balls are marked with symbols such as numbers, bells, playing-cards, dice, coins, letters of the alphabet.

6. An amusement machine as in claims 1,2,3,4 and 5 that takes the form of a video game using a TV screen, computer CRT or TFT type display which imitates or simulates the mechanical workings of the single or multiple Skill- Ball mechanisms.