AU680920B2 - System for enhancing networked electronically monitored game machines - Google Patents

Description

"Md ik 4

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT a.

a Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor(s) Address for Service: CREATIVE ARRANGEMENTS PTY LTD Unit 25, 9 Hudson Avenue, CASTLE HILL NSW 2154 Clive Davies, 25/9 Hudson Ave CASTLE HILL NSW 2154 Barker, Blenkinship Associates Patent Attorneys PO Box 34, CHATSWOOD NSW 2067 SYSTEM FOR ENHANCING NETWORKED ELECTRONICALLY MONITORED GAME MACHINES a o.

a a t Invention Title: Details of Associated Provisional Application No: PM3696 4/2/94 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- Y 2 SYSTEM FOR ENHANCING NETWORKED ELECTRONICALLY MONITORED GAME MACHINES The present invention has particular application to casinos where a large number of game machines such as poker machines, slot machines, fruit machines, keno terminals and the like can be monitored by a central remote computer.

The central remote computer may monitor the extent of usage of each machine and furthermore, if a card reader is associated with each machine, may monitor the extent and nature of machine usage by any one i cardholder. Such monitoring however does not enhance the enjoyment of the game playing by any particular individual.

*It is accordingly an object of the present invention to add a further dimension to the games which may be played on individual game machines by the provision of a system which will facilitate the playing of a further game or games dependent upon an individual's playing of individual game machines and involving competition with individuals simultaneously playing on similar game machines.

According to the present invention there is provided a system comprising means to monitor the extent of play by each of a number of individuals on two or more electronically monitored game machines linked to the s ,sefni during a discrete time interval and to allocate a point score to each individual related to the extent of play so monitored; a display adjacent 0 .77

C~L

I each game machine to advise each individual of his or her point score for the time being; a points allocation control dedicated to each machine and adapted to facilitate the selection of a proportion of an individual player's point score and allocation of that proportion towards participation in a supplementary game; visual and/or audio means accessible by two or more individuals playing separate game machines and adapted to communicate information to each supplementary game player so as to facilitate playing of the supplementary game utilising the points allocated thereto by the points allocation controls.

One example of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying diagram being a schematic representation of one possible system in accordance with the present invention.

According to the diagram of figure I there are three poker machines 1, 2 'and 3 each having a supplementary module 4. The supplementary module i includes a liquid crystal display 5 a card reader 6 and a bid button 7.

The poker machines are linked by communication channels 8 to a host computer 9. Each poker machine is additionally provided with a "coin in" counter which is adapted to be read locally by the intellWence in I -4supplementary module 4 and also monitored remotely by computer 9 via communication channel 8. Card reader 6 may additionally be utilised by the player and if a cird holding player has inserted a card in card reader 6 then this additional userinformation is also accessible by the host computer via communication channels 8.

Host computer 9 loads the supplementary module 4 with the rules for a game. Supplementary module 4 then allocates points to the player according to the rules of the game. These points may be in proportion to the .ii :coinage passsed through the poker machine. The points awarded by supplementary module 4 may be displayed on liquid crystal screen 5 in order that the user may be aware of their points tally at any particular time.

Point scores may be intermittently downloaded to computer 9 for each player and be displayed on remote *"sign 10 or alternatively remote sign 10 may be utilised only to display the points tally of the leading player on each of the three machines in order that the players S""of the two other machines may be appraised of the gap between their points and that of the leader.

Supplementary module 4 is provided with audio speaker 11 to faciliate the running of a supplementary game i apart from the games being played on poker machines 1, 2 and 3. The game may for example be an auction of a case of wine or other desirable object, In order to participate in the auction the players of machines 1, 2 and 3 may utilise their accumulated points by pushing one of the three bid buttons 7. If an auction was being broadcast over loudspeaker 11 and for example the player on machine number 1 wished to respond to the auctioneer's call of "Do I hear ten points" then he would press one of his bid buttons 7. The system could be configured such that host computer 9 would not take notice of any bids from machines not having adequate accumulated points for the bid at hand. Once the prize had been won then the auctioneer via computer 9 could deduct points appropriate for the winning bid from the points total for the player concerned. The host *so• computer would be configured so as to ignore bids received from individual machines which do not surpass the pre-existing highest bid, It siould be appreciated that sign 10 may be utilised to display other messages or characters other than the leader's total of accumulated points' for the time being. The identity of the machine from which the current highest bid has originated or alternatively the identity of the player from whom the highest bid has originated may be displayed on sign 10. For example if the supplementary game being played is an auction as abovementioned the sign 10 may display or identify a prize to be won in an auction. The sign may also display the top bid or bids received by the host s *9 6 computer for the time being from individual game machines in respect of such auction.

It should also be appreciated that it is not necessary for a cardholding player to keep playing one machine in order to continue accumulating points during any particular session. Once a cardholder signed off a machine then his points total would remain constant until such time as he inserted his card in another machine and commenced playing another machine whereupon computer 9 would recognise that the same cardholder was involved and would commence crediting points from the new machine

S.

o being played towards the cardholder's existing total.

S

0 Other games apart from auctions could be played utilising a system configured as abovementioned. Usage of a system as abovementioned not only enhances the user's excitement by offering a supplementary game apart from the game being played on the primary machine whereas the system furthermore encourages continuing usage of a variety of machines

S

within the one establishment in order that points may be accumulated for use in relation to supplementary games.

S

The word "proportion" where used hereafter in relation to a player's score should be construed as including the whole or in other words one hundred percent of such score.

Claims (4)

1. A system comprising mineans to monitor the extent of play by each of a number of individuals on two or more electronically monitored game machines linked to the system during a discrete time interval and to allocate a point score to each individual related to the extent of play so monitored; a display adjacent each game machine to advise each individual of his or her point score for the time being; a points allocation control dedicated to ,ach machine and adapted to facilitate the selection of a proportion of an individual player's point *score and allocation of that proportion towards participation in a supplementary game; visual and/or audio means accessible by two :or more individuals playing separate game machines and adapted to communicate information to each supplementary game player so as to facilitate playing of the supplementary game utilising the points allocated thereto by the points allocation controls. 8

2. A system in accordance with claim 1 hereof wherein the audio and visual means accessible by two or more individuals playing separate game machines are provided with a visual display having alpha :numeric display capabilities such display being under the control of oo a host computer comprising part of the system and controlling the parameters defining the supplementary game. ••go

3. A system in accordance with claim 2 hereof wherein the Ssupplementary game is an auction for a nominated prize and the visual display means is capable of displaying the nominated prize to be won in the auction together with the top bid or bids received by the host computer for the time being from the points allocation controls of individual game machines.

4. A system in accordance with claim 3 hereof wherein the host computer is configured so as to ignore bids received from individual machines which do not surpass the pre-existing highest bid displayed on the visual display means. C 0CO I i,-P A system in accordance with claim 4 hereof wherein the host computer is configured so as to communicate to the visual display means the highest bid together with the identity of eithe, c ,qhE st bidder or the game machine upon which the highe: i r is currently playing or both the identity of the game machine and the player. DATED this 21st day of May 1997. Sby their Patent Attorneys Barker Blenkinship Associates