EP0364882A2 - Spielmaschinen - Google Patents

Spielmaschinen Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0364882A2
EP0364882A2 EP89118966A EP89118966A EP0364882A2 EP 0364882 A2 EP0364882 A2 EP 0364882A2 EP 89118966 A EP89118966 A EP 89118966A EP 89118966 A EP89118966 A EP 89118966A EP 0364882 A2 EP0364882 A2 EP 0364882A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
hand
countdown
game
machine
ball
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP89118966A
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English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0364882B1 (de
EP0364882A3 (de
Inventor
Arthur Eaton Helm
Stuart James Keane
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.)
Elton Fabrications Ltd
Original Assignee
Elton Fabrications 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 GB888824245A external-priority patent/GB8824245D0/en
Priority claimed from GB898908803A external-priority patent/GB8908803D0/en
Application filed by Elton Fabrications Ltd filed Critical Elton Fabrications Ltd
Priority to AT89118966T priority Critical patent/ATE103830T1/de
Publication of EP0364882A2 publication Critical patent/EP0364882A2/de
Publication of EP0364882A3 publication Critical patent/EP0364882A3/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0364882B1 publication Critical patent/EP0364882B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F7/00—Indoor games using small moving playing bodies, e.g. balls, discs or blocks
    • A63F7/0058—Indoor games using small moving playing bodies, e.g. balls, discs or blocks electric
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F7/00—Indoor games using small moving playing bodies, e.g. balls, discs or blocks
    • A63F7/0005—Indoor games using small moving playing bodies, e.g. balls, discs or blocks played on a table, the ball or other playing body being rolled or slid from one side of the table in more than one direction or having more than one entering position on this same side, e.g. shuffle boards
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63D—BOWLING GAMES, e.g. SKITTLES, BOCCE OR BOWLS; INSTALLATIONS THEREFOR; BAGATELLE OR SIMILAR GAMES; BILLIARDS
    • A63D13/00—Bagatelles or similar games
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F11/00—Game accessories of general use, e.g. score counters, boxes
    • A63F11/0051—Indicators of values, e.g. score counters
    • A63F2011/0065—Indicators of values, e.g. score counters calculating or indicating a ranking or player performance

Definitions

  • This invention relates to gaming machines being of the type operated by a player and the object of which is to ascertain if the player can reach a particular goal in the play of the machine.
  • the achievement of that goal may for example result in the winning of a competition, the collection of a prize, the assessment of a person's ability or any other achievement which may be selected.
  • the value of the prize when provided is related to the speed at which the player can reach said goal.
  • play of the machine involves the participation of a numbers, say 15 to 20 players, each of which sits in front of his or her own table.
  • the table is arranged as a form of bagatelle and the player rolls a ball across the table with the object of having the ball drop into holes provided in the table.
  • the player achieves a point rating being 1, 2 or 3 points.
  • a corresponding play component moves along a track by one step, and quite simply the object of the game is to have the players compete against each other and the winner being established when his movable component has moved from a common starting line and is first to a common finishing line a number of steps, for example 25 to 50, away from the starting line.
  • Such games are commonly known as "Derbys” insofar as the movable components are usually model horses or the like and are arranged in alignment at the starting line at the start of each game, and each moves along its own track as the points are accumulated by the respective players.
  • These games are extremely popular at fairgrounds and pleasure parks, and create considerable excitement amongst the participants as during the course of play all of the respective horses advance in steps depending upon the performance of the players arranging for their playballs to drop through the appropriate holes in the play table.
  • each play table is provided with its own standard against which the player competes.
  • the player in fact plays against the clock, and there is a clock device associated with each table.
  • the typical arrangement as the player rolls the ball into the respective holes on the table, so one of the hands of the clock steps forward one step for each point scored, and each step may in fact be a step of one minute on the clock face.
  • the other (standard) hand on the clock face may be arranged to move one step per second so that in fact in sixty seconds the said hand will have moved through 360° on the clock face.
  • the player competes against a sweep of that hand by endeavouring to sweep the other hand as a result of play on the table through 360° before the standard hand and if he can succeed in defeating the standard hand, then he should succeed in winning a prize.
  • the present invention operates on this concept and provides a coin operated gaming machine comprising:-
  • the countdown hand If the countdown hand has not completed its countdown before the performance or play hand reaches its goal the countdown hand stops, indicating the level of prize which has been won. If the countdown hand completes its countdown before the play hand reaches its goal, the player loses.
  • the machine of the present invention does not preclude the utilisation of a plurality of the tables and standards and linking same together so that a plurality of players can take part and compete against each other, in which case it would be a simple matter to isolate so as to render inoperative the timed countdown hands of the respective clocks, in which case the respective players would be competing against each other with the objective of reaching his finishing position first, and to achieve this multiple person play, the various tables and clocks would be interlinked so that as soon as one person has achieved a sweep to the finishing position by the appropriate hand of his clock, then a bell or other signal would sound in order to indicate that the game had been won.
  • the interlinked machines would be capable of reset so that each machine would be reset to an initial position following each game.
  • the operator of the machine could if he wished set each of the machines for individual play so that individual players could play independently of other players, and if there were sufficient players then the operator could switch the play to the multiple participant arrangement described above in which the respective participants are competing against each other.
  • the skill part of the machine preferably will comprise the rolling of balls into holes or pockets, but it could take any other form or could involve the throwing of darts, the striking of balls, the utilisation of cues for propelling balls as long as there is some manual control over components such as balls which have free movement after being propelled as a result of direct manual effort or by manual effort through the use of a striking or propelling device.
  • the machines according to the invention will be provided with electrical and electromechanical controls to enable the play of the machine to take place in accordance with the required functioning.
  • electrical and electromechanical controls to enable the play of the machine to take place in accordance with the required functioning.
  • the more desired form of the machine according to the invention is a single player unit, an indication of the play functions of such a unit are given.
  • the machine will be pre-programmed with various sounds to give indications of certain conditions of the machine.
  • the so-called "sound programme" of the machine is given by way of example, and is capable of modification and variation as desired, but typically the sound programme may include sound indication for the insertion of a coin, sound indication for the commencement of the game, sound indication for indicating the player's score when he has achieved a win providing that generally speaking, the higher the player's score, the higher the tone of the sound signal to indicate a win, a sound indication when the player loses a game, a sound indication to indicate a jackpot win which means that the player has achieved the goal before the countdown device has reached a predetermined proportion of the total countdown period, and a sound signal for indicating a fault in the machine or mis-use of the machine.
  • These various sound signals are programmed to operate automatically in sequence with the play of the machine.
  • a single player machine will operate in the following fashion.
  • the player inserts a coin into the machine and the coin receipt sound signal will emanate from the machine.
  • a ball is discharged into a ball pick-up tray and the user can pick-up the ball and roll it along a bagatelle table when a "roll ball" light is illuminated on the machine.
  • the play hand and countdown hand are zeroed and in fact are positioned at the midnight position on the countdown clock face.
  • the countdown hand does not commence its countdown until the player has made his first score by causing the ball to fall through one of the score apertures.
  • the player continues to roll the ball whilst the countdown hand steps around the clock face back to the midnight position.
  • the play hand steps by a particular angle, which may be as high as 30° so that in fact the player has to score 12 points to complete his play in any particular game and the object is to reach the 12 o'clock position before the countdown hand which, in such event will stop at the position to which it has moved indicating the level of prize won by the player.
  • the machine can be varied to vary the speed of countdown in order to vary the percentage success which can be expected of a large number of players who play the machine over a long period, to adjust the pay-out level of the machine.
  • the various sound signals emanate from the machine as appropriate.
  • the win sound signal may for example be a short burst of a recognisable noise such as the playing of Riverside chimes for a short period i.e. of the order of three and a half seconds. If the jackpot is won, the playing of the chimes may take place for a longer period; say seven seconds.
  • the machine will indicate a fault condition and will in fact block out the play balls preventing the player from further mis-using the machine. If such a mis-use is detected, the machine may be arranged to impose a penalty on the player by delaying return of the ball for a delay period for example of the order of five seconds.
  • Fig. 1 a machine according to one embodiments of the invention.
  • the machine comprises a plurality of play tables 10 which are in the form of inclined bagacken in that the user sits on a stool or other support 12 at the lower end of the table and he is supplied with a ball. This ball he rolls up the table in an effort to cause the ball to drop through the holes 14A,B,C.
  • Holes 14A,B,C are of the same diameter, and the ball is of a size so as to be capable of passing through each hole with only slight clearance.
  • the holes 14A,B,C are designated so as to represent different numbers of "points" in the play of the game and thus holes 14A represent one point, holes 14B represent two points, and holes 14C represent three points.
  • the table is a suitable mechanism to detect which hole the ball has passed through, in order to record the numbers of points to be awarded each time the ball passes through a hole.
  • Such means for sensing and recording and control is electronic and/or electromechanical and particulars thereof are suppled hereinafter.
  • the cable 20 which is shown as extending from the underside of the table 10 to a rear cabinet 22 provides a means for transmitting signals representative of the points scored at each time the ball drops through a hole 14, and the cabinet 22 as shown is provided on the front face thereof with a clock dial 24 (which may for decorative purposes represent Big Ben) and the clock dial is analogue in nature and is provided with two hands 26 and 28.
  • the hand 26 is the "timing" or "countdown” hand
  • hand 28 is the "points" or "performance of play” hand.
  • Fig. 1 Because the machine of Fig. 1 has the capability of being used with other similar machines in ganged fashion, there is a corridor 30 between the tables 10 and the cabinets 22 to enable an operator to walk therebetween, and to this end platform 32 on which the operator may walk is provided as shown.
  • the timing hand 26 at the commencement of play starts from the 12 o'clock position shown and then steps round at one second intervals through one revolution of the hand 26 until the hand returns to the 12 o'clock position.
  • This period of one minute represents the game play time, and the object of this mode of operation is for the player to "beat the clock" in that each time the ball falls through a hole 14A, 14B or 14C, the hand 28 makes the appropriate step or appropriate number of steps corresponding to the point or points scored.
  • the hand 28 would step by an angle representing the three points which may be three seconds, or could be fifteen seconds.
  • the control mechanism can be adjusted so that for example the hand 28 steps by twice or three, four or five times a one-second angular interval for each point scored on the play at the table 10.
  • a plurality of the machines described are arranged side by side as shown partly in Fig. 1 so that a plurality of players may sit at the individual machines.
  • the machines may furthermore be ganged by appropriate adjustment by switching of the control means so that in fact the players are competing against each other and in which case the time hands 26 may be immobilised.
  • the person who first completes one revolution of the points hand 28 by his skill in propelling the ball through the holes 14A, 14B and 14C will be the winner, and the control circuit may also provide a means for indicating when a game has been won, and by which player.
  • the game has particular advantage over the known Derby game described herein in that a player can watch the sweep of the hand of the clock or movement or change in other countdown means in his attempt to reach a winning position, which in itself generates excitement. Additionally, because the individual machines can be arranged so that individual plays can take place, the operator does not require over seat 12 to be filled before he can commence play of the machine.
  • a TV monitor may be used to display the time digitally.
  • one field 34 illustrates the running time against which the player has to compete, whilst field 36 shows the player's point score or time.
  • the game is 37 seconds old, whilst the player managed to achieve a score representing 47 seconds in the same period and therefore he is ahead of the clock. If the figure 1.00 is achieved in field 36 before field 34, then the player wins whereas if the machine reaches the reading of 1.00 in field 34 before it is reached in the field 36, the machine wins.
  • Fig. 1 is somewhat diagrammatic, and Figs. 3 to 5 show the appearance of a practical machine.
  • the machine shown comprises a casing 50 which is supported by legs 52 and 54, being rear legs and a single front leg.
  • the rear legs 52 are adjustable in height in order to vary the front to rear inclination of the casing 50.
  • the front leg 54 is attached to a base plate 56 which rests on the floor, and the base plate also supports a player seat 58 of the construction shown.
  • the casing 50 essentially comprises an upright back portion 60 and a table portion 62 which extends generally at right angles to the upright back portion 60 so as to be substantially horizontal, although as will be clear from the following, it is important that the table surface 64 on which the ball is rolled during the play of the game should be sloping from back to front in a downwards direction.
  • the front portion 62 has at the front thereof a ball pick-up tray 66 from which the play ball can be removed by hand, and the play table 64 is partially covered by protective screen 68 of transparent material, which as shown in Fig. 4 can be pivoted upwardly in order that the play surface 64 can be cleaned.
  • a coin receiving mechanism 70 To the right hand side of the pick-up tray 66 is a coin receiving mechanism 70 with a coin slot 72 for receiving coins to initiate play of the game.
  • the rear of the casing 60 is shaped on the front face thereof as indicated so as to simulate a clock tower (in particular Beg Ben clock tower), and in a panel 72 is a clock face 74 provided with the hands 76 and 78 which correspond to the hands 26 and 28 already described in relation to Fig. 1. It will be noticed that in the arrangement of Figs. 3, 4 and 5, the walkway 30 is omitted, as the machine is a single player machine. Play of the game using the machine illustrated in Figs. 3, 4 and 5 is identical to that already described in relation to Fig.
  • a token pay-out chute is located centrally of the rear 60 at the front of the rear portion of the machine and where it meets the front portion 62.
  • the pay-out chute is indicated by reference 84.
  • the various apertures 14A, B and C are located behind a simple ball return aperture 86.
  • the ball falls through aperture 86 if it does not pass through an aperture 14A-14C and it is returned to the pick-up tray 66 as long as the game is in play, but no points are scored.
  • Figs. 6 to 15 show circuit diagrams of the control system of the machine illustrated in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, referring to Fig. 6, the block diagram shows that the control circuit is provided with a printed circuit board 100 which is supplied with various voltage supplies via a transformer 102, and the printed circuit board 100 drives a series of lamps and indicators 104 as referred to generally hereinbefore, and described hereinafter in greater detail. Additionally, the board 100 drives a hopper and meter circuit 106 via supply and return lines 108, 110 because certain feedback is required from the hopper and meter circuit 106.
  • the board 100 is connected to a token count down motor 112, a score motor 114, a ball trap solenoid and standard coin mechanism 116, a score and ball trap switches circuit 118, and an electronic coin insertion mechanism 120.
  • Circuits 112, 114, 116 and 120 are coupled to the circuit board by supplying return lines 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, 132, 134 and 136 for the supply and return of signals to and from the respective circuits.
  • Circuit 118 has a return supply signal line 138 only.
  • the circuit board 100 comprises a main processor unit 140 which is connected to similar adaptors 142 and 144 which are known as versatile interface adaptors.
  • Processor chip 140 specifically is chip 6502 as manufactured by whilst the interface adaptors 142 and 144 are chips type 6522 as manufactured by
  • adaptor 142 is also indicated in Figs. 8, 9 and 14 by the description VIA 8, whilst adaptor 144 is illustrated in Figs. 10, 11 and 15 by the description VIA A.
  • Fig. 12 shows that certain outputs of the processor 140 are fed to an address decoder 146 some of whose outputs are directed to the variable interface adaptors 142, 144.
  • the terminals PA0, PA1, PA2 and PA3 are connected to the electronic coin detection mechanism which signals on one of these inputs depending upon the coin which is inserted.
  • Line 150 represents a coil of ten value input signal
  • line 152 represents a coin of twenty value input signal
  • line 154 represents the a coil of fifty value input signal
  • line 156 represents the a coin of one hundred input signal. It is assumed that each game on the machine costs a coin of ten value.
  • the signals from these lines indicate to the adaptor the value of the coins inserted, and via other circuits the machine indicates the total amount of credit in the machine, and also initiates operation of the sound system to indicate that one or more coins has or have been received in the machine.
  • the processor through the adaptor 142 creates an inhibit signal on lines PA4, PA5, PA6 and PA7 which prevents the insertion of any further ten, twenty, fifty or one hundred value coin when a game is in play.
  • the inhibit signals on these terminals of adaptor 142 apply inhibit outputs on lines 158, 160, 162 and 164 inhibiting in the electronic coin mechanism 120 the further insertion of coins during play.
  • the ball trap solenoid embodied in the machine is enabled from the adaptor 144 through the circuit 166 comprising an amplifier 168 and a triac 170 providing an output on the ball trap solenoid enabling line 172, so that the ball is released to the player as described hereinbefore. At the same time there may be a sound indication to the effect that the ball has been released.
  • a score unit and a countdown unit which respectively are illustrated in Fig. 10.
  • the countdown unit is connected to terminals PA4, PA5, PA6 and PA7 of the adaptor 144, whilst the scoring circuit is connected to terminals PA0, PA1, PA2 and PA3.
  • the circuit connected to terminals PA4, PA5, PA6 and PA7 is rendered operative and in fact only one of the output lines 174, 176, 178 and 180 is enabled, depending upon the rate of movement required of the countdown hand 78 in Fig. 3, and that hand commences its countdown as explained hereinbefore.
  • the commencement of the countdown may also combined operation of the sound signal representing countdown as explained hereinbefore.
  • Fig. 8 illustrates the circuitry for the meter and hopper logic.
  • the circuits on terminals PB1 and PB2 of adaptor 142 serve to count the total numbers of coins inserted in the machine and respectively the total number of coins or tokens paid out.
  • Fig. 8 also shows via circuit 190 a hopper motor driver circuit which is enabled when a player wins a game as described hereinbefore. Via terminal PB5 and line 192 the hopper motor is driven via the amplification circuit 190, the hopper motor being connected between terminals 194 and 196.
  • the hopper count circuit On terminals PB3 and PB4 the hopper count circuit is connected via lines 198 and 200, the hopper count mechanism counting the numbers of tokens or coins paid out by the machine.
  • Fig. 11 the switches input logic is illustrated, and it will be seen that this includes two switch registers 202 and 204 connected in series, and switch register 202 is connected to the adaptor 144.
  • Line 206 represents the input from the ball score switches which in turn drives the score stepping motor through the lines 182, 184, 186 and 188 as shown in Fig. 10.
  • the score switch circuit is operated from three switches located in channels along which the ball passes in travelling under the machine table after it has passed through a hole. If it passes through a hole 14C, then it rolls over each of the three switches in turn. If it passes through hole 14B, it rolls over two switches in turn, and if it passes through hole 14A it passes over only one switch hence the provision of the different score signals.
  • the shift register 202 by virtue of the clock input CB1 constantly samples the signals on terminals P1 - P7 which include a tilt switch signal on line 208, and a ball trap signal 210. If the tilt switch signal shows that the machine has been tilted, then the machine automatically is stopped, and a fault indication is displayed.
  • the ball trap solenoid circuit is indicated in Fig. 15 by reference 212 and the solenoid which traps the ball is operated at the appropriate time at the end of a game provided that there is no credit remaining in the machine. It is necessary therefore for the shift register 202 constantly to monitor the condition of the ball trap switch. At the end of each game, the countdown and score hands are automatically zeroed via their drive circuits as shown in Fig. 10, and as soon as a score is received on score switch line 206, the next game is started.
  • the sound circuits are operated to indicate the win in the manner as hereinbefore described.
  • the level of the win can be detected by comparing the degree to which the countdown motor has stepped from the initial position.
  • Fig. 13 shows the power supplies provided for the circuit described.
  • the transformer 102 provides 50 volts AC, 7 volts AC, 18 volts AC and 14 volts AC.
  • the 50 volts AC supply line 214 provides direct 50 volts AC for the solenoids, whilst the circuit 216 provides a 50 Hz square wave block pulse on line 218.
  • the 7 volt AC supply provides through a rectifier 219 and smoothing circuits, a 5 volts DC supply 220 for the logic circuits.
  • the 18 volts AC through a rectifier 222 provides 24 volts DC supply for the stepper motors and hoppers as indicated by reference 224, whilst the 14 volt supply provides through a rectifier 226 14 volts DC for the lamps on line 228, and 12 volts DC supply for the coin payout mechanisms on line 230.
  • Fig. 14 illustrates the connection of a shift register 232 to the adaptor 142 and the shift register outputs 1A - 4A and 1B - 4B provides output lines for the game lamps which are "game over" lamps whilst the second shift register 234 connected in series with shift register 232 provides the output for clock lamps and decorative lamps on output terminals 1A - 4A and 1B - 4B of the shift register 234.
  • Fig. 12 shows that the processor 140 is connected to the clock supply circuit 218 (see also Fig. 13) for the driving of the processor, and a further circuit 236 is provided for enabling reset of the processor if the processor performs what is known as “looping" and requires to be reset to enable it to control the operation of the control system.
  • Fig. 11 is shown as connected to the shift register 204 a bank of switches coupled to terminals P1 - P8 of shift register 204.
  • These switches can be used for optional additional features of operation of the machine. For example when the machine is in play, and the player loses, the ball may well and probably will be returned to the ball collection cup 66 in Fig. 3. A player who has lost may well be inclined to steal the ball. However by closing the switch SW1 connected to P8 of shift register 204, for example, the machine may be arranged such that if the player returns the ball he will receive payment of one token. By the selective closing of the switches connected to terminals P1 - P8, so additional optional features can be applied into the play of the machine.
  • a test and error reset circuit comprising two switches 240 and 242.
  • the depression of switch 240 which may be accessible only to the machine operator effects test of the operation of the machine. Equally, the switch 242 may be depressed for resetting an error in the machine.
  • the circuit 244 connected to terminal PB0 is a hopper cut-off circuit in the event that the machine detects an error or a fault. For example if a player endeavours to use two balls simultaneously the circuit 244 is enabled and detects an error and therefore terminates any payout.
  • the various lamp drivers shown in Fig. 14 may drive for example "insert coin” lamps, "roll the ball” lamps for prompt purposes, and may also drive a seven segment display lamp which indicates the total number of credits in the machine. Typically, the maximum amount of money which can be placed in the machine at any one time is of value one hundred and the seven segment display will therefore indicate the numeral 9, indicating that there are an additional nine games to be played as well as the initial game.
  • the described circuit effectively controls the operation of the machine to achieve the functions as hereinbefore described.
  • the machine is equipped in its control system, to prevent cheating, by a player using two balls, as indicated herein. If the use of two balls is detected, a two ball error indication light is illuminated and the player is penalised. The two ball error light is cancelled at the end of the game.
  • the error indication and an alarm lets the player know that he has been "caught out”. Cancelling the error at the end of the game ensures that the machine is not unnecessarily left in an "out of order” condition.
  • the control system therefore attempts to disadvantage a player who uses two balls by inhibiting scoring and by indicating an error by displaying the letter F on the 7 segment display and by sounding an alarm.
  • the program will only allow 3 points to be scored between operations of the ball trap micro-switch. If more than 3 points are scored then the two ball error comes on. This should also defeat anyone trying to cheat by using a stick or rod up the table to operate the micro-switches.
  • the ball trap comprises a solenoid as mentioned herein and a ball trap micro-switch.
  • the solenoid controls a gate and opens same when the solenoid is energised to all the balls to roll into the ball tray 66.
  • the ball trap solenoid is energised whenever the player is in credit or a game is in progress.
  • the ball is not trapped if the player still has credit for another game - payouts occur immediately.
  • the roll the ball lamp flashes until the ball operates the trap micro-switch. If the ball is not returned within 10 seconds, the ball missing error is indicated and the alarm sounds. If feature switch SW1 (Fig. 11) is on as described herein, no payout occurs until the ball is returned. The ball missing error is cleared as soon as the ball is returned.
  • the missing ball error comes on if the ball is not in the trap.
  • the control system is equipped to detect other errors, as follows:- E Hopper Empty P Hopper Overpaying c Coin Mech M/S stuck C Excess Credit Registered O Ball Missing t Tilt and when any such error occurs, the indicator flashes and the alarm sounds. Coin mechanisms are inhibited and lock-out coils drop.
  • Tilt error and tilt lamps flash whilst tilt switch to line 208 is operated and for 5 seconds after it is released. No score can be made during this time. Tilt error automatically clears 5 seconds after tilt switch returns to normal.
  • SW1 ON Payout of one token for return of ball SW3 Selects number of points required to Win - 17, 18, 19 or 20.
  • SW4 SW3 SW4 17 points ON ON 18 points ON OFF 19 points OFF ON 20 points OFF OFF
  • Amount paid out depends on which sector the time clock finger is in when the player wins. In general, the greater the margin by which the player beats the clock, the more tokens he wins.
  • each sector must be an integral number of 1/200 parts of a circle (1.8°).
  • Any sector can be any numbers of 1/200 parts of a circle wide.
  • the Test switch 240 is not effective if:- There is credit on A game in progress An error indicated Payout in progress
  • test switch 240 when test switch 240 is pressed:- Lock-out coil energises Inhibits removed from coin mechanism Power removed from motor Tilt, game over, win, table and roll ball lamps all light
  • Clock lamps go out. Clock lamps are used as test indicators for:- Table micro-switch Tilt switch Ball trap switch Test switch Reset switch Coin mech 10p O/P Coin mech 20p O/P Coin mech 50p O/P Coin mech £1 O/P Hopper O/P B Run hopper by pressing reset switch 242.
  • the seven segment light emitting diode display is a processor clock frequency indicator. Showing 1 (on 50 Hz supplies) or E (on 60 Hz supplies) when the clock frequency is correct.
  • test is terminated by pressing the test switch 240 again - the processor is fcorced into a loop and the auto-reset circuit 236 operates.
  • the circuit indicated by lines 198 and 200 relates to the coin delivery detection system.
  • a photo-electric output on line 198 counts the number of coins being dispensed when a win is achieved, the coins being dispensed as a result of energising the hopper motor supplied through lines 194 and 196.
  • the supply to the hopper motor on lines 194, 196 is terminated.
  • the machine according to the invention provides the combination of a player's skill in moving a component which travels freely either against the skill of other players and/or against a pre-set programme as contained in the machine.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Pinball Game Machines (AREA)
  • Time Recorders, Dirve Recorders, Access Control (AREA)
EP19890118966 1988-10-17 1989-10-12 Spielmaschinen Expired - Lifetime EP0364882B1 (de)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT89118966T ATE103830T1 (de) 1988-10-17 1989-10-12 Spielmaschinen.

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8824245 1988-10-17
GB888824245A GB8824245D0 (en) 1988-10-17 1988-10-17 Improvements relating to machines for gaming amusement education &c
GB8908803 1989-04-19
GB898908803A GB8908803D0 (en) 1989-04-19 1989-04-19 Improvements relating to machines for gaming,amusement,education and the like

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0364882A2 true EP0364882A2 (de) 1990-04-25
EP0364882A3 EP0364882A3 (de) 1991-02-27
EP0364882B1 EP0364882B1 (de) 1994-04-06

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Family Applications (1)

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EP19890118966 Expired - Lifetime EP0364882B1 (de) 1988-10-17 1989-10-12 Spielmaschinen

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EP (1) EP0364882B1 (de)
CA (1) CA2000845A1 (de)
DE (1) DE68914385D1 (de)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6491296B2 (en) 1992-10-02 2002-12-10 Rlt Acquisition, Inc. Arcade game with spinning wheel bonus

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU2009200935A1 (en) 2008-03-13 2009-10-01 Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited A method of gaming, a gaming system and a game controller
US11638866B2 (en) 2019-04-15 2023-05-02 SKEECH Games, LLC Game table
USD985060S1 (en) 2020-04-15 2023-05-02 SKEECH Games, LLC Game table

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2544945A (en) * 1949-12-10 1951-03-13 Williams Patent Corp Combination antitilt and restoring circuit for amusement game apparatus
US2926915A (en) * 1958-01-31 1960-03-01 Frank D Johns Automatic ticket-dispensing skee ball machine
GB2061738A (en) * 1979-11-09 1981-05-20 Bally Mfg Corp Electronic pinball machine
GB2072520A (en) * 1980-03-27 1981-10-07 Tomy Kogyo Co Ball-guiding game
US4363485A (en) * 1980-07-31 1982-12-14 D. Gottlieb & Co. Time based pinball game machine
EP0072923A1 (de) * 1981-07-30 1983-03-02 D. GOTTLIEB & CO. Elektronische Spielvorrichtung
US4548408A (en) * 1983-05-06 1985-10-22 Bally Manufacturing Corporation Bonus ball pinball game
EP0267564A2 (de) * 1986-11-12 1988-05-18 Elton Fabrications Limited Apparate für Spiel, Amusement, Unterricht und dergleichen

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2544945A (en) * 1949-12-10 1951-03-13 Williams Patent Corp Combination antitilt and restoring circuit for amusement game apparatus
US2926915A (en) * 1958-01-31 1960-03-01 Frank D Johns Automatic ticket-dispensing skee ball machine
GB2061738A (en) * 1979-11-09 1981-05-20 Bally Mfg Corp Electronic pinball machine
GB2072520A (en) * 1980-03-27 1981-10-07 Tomy Kogyo Co Ball-guiding game
US4363485A (en) * 1980-07-31 1982-12-14 D. Gottlieb & Co. Time based pinball game machine
EP0072923A1 (de) * 1981-07-30 1983-03-02 D. GOTTLIEB & CO. Elektronische Spielvorrichtung
US4548408A (en) * 1983-05-06 1985-10-22 Bally Manufacturing Corporation Bonus ball pinball game
EP0267564A2 (de) * 1986-11-12 1988-05-18 Elton Fabrications Limited Apparate für Spiel, Amusement, Unterricht und dergleichen

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6491296B2 (en) 1992-10-02 2002-12-10 Rlt Acquisition, Inc. Arcade game with spinning wheel bonus

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0364882B1 (de) 1994-04-06
DE68914385D1 (de) 1994-05-11
EP0364882A3 (de) 1991-02-27
CA2000845A1 (en) 1990-04-17

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