EP0436050B1

EP0436050B1 - Slot machine

Info

Publication number: EP0436050B1
Application number: EP90100097A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ryutaro Kishishita
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-12-29
Filing date: 1990-01-03
Publication date: 1994-04-27
Anticipated expiration: 2010-01-03
Also published as: AU611602B1; DE69008504D1; ATE105095T1; CA2006887C; DE69008504T2; EP0436050A1; AU4761590A; ES2052072T3

Abstract

Since game media used in a slot machine according to the present invention can be collectively supplied for a plurality of games when games are played continuously, it is not necessary for the game medium to be supplied at every game. The winning dispensation of the game media at the time of the play of a plurality of games is not conducted at each winning of the game. Numerical values representing the number of the game media to be dispensed at each of the winning games are accumulated at each of the winning of the game a data representing the dispensation numerical data. The winning dispensation is conducted with the game media on condition that the dispensation numerical data is present at the request made with determining the number of the media to be dispensed by a player within a range of the data or the player request when the player completes the play with the slot machine.

Description

The invention relates to a slot machine according the first part of claim 1.
In general, a slot machine is operated by a coin supplied by a player for a game, the player then operating the reels of the slot machine so as to rotate and stop the reels. The slot machine determines whether or not the combination of the symbols formed on the surfaces of the reels corresponds to any of successful combinations in a state in which the reels have been stopped. If it is determined that the player is successful, a predetermined number of winning medals or coins are dispensed.
On the other hand, other types of slot machines have been known in which the game medium, such as the above-described coin or medal, is replaced by numerical information stored in a magnetic card or an IC card; the numerical information corresponding to a predetermined number of the game media. The card storing the above-described numerical information is arranged to be read by a reader provided in the slot machine so as to start the operation of the slot machine.
Hitherto, in conventional slot machines there arises a problem in that the player suffers from a complicated operation in order to supply the game medium to the slot machine since the medals or coins serving as the game media are supplied to the slot machine for every game and the winning dispensation is conducted at every game if the player wins the game.
Furthermore, since it is necessary for the slot machine to dispense the winning dispensation at every game, it must store a large number of medals or coins to be dispensed for the winning dispensation in a hopper or the like provided therein.
On the other hand, the slot machine of the type in which numerical data written in a magnet card or the like is used as an alternative to the game medium is able to overcome the above-described problem taken place with the slot machines of the type which are operated by medals or coins. However, the slot machine of the type in which numerical data is used fails to provide the player with all the excitement of the game since the winning dispensation is conducted with numerical data.
A slot machine with the features of the first part of the main claim is disclosed in DE-A-31 39 585. With the winning dispensation mechanism disclosed in this reference the whole amount of winning dispensation can be dispensed if the gambler actuates a button during the games.
DE-A-26 46 706 discloses a slot machine which is actuated by coins. A winning determination mechanism capable of storing numerical data is provided. Therein successive winning dispensation is stored.
The object of the invention is to improve the slot machine according to the first part of the main claim in that a higher variety in game playing is achieved.
This object is solved by a slot machine having the features of the main claim.

Brief Description of the Drawing

Fig. 1: is a front elevational view which illustrates an embodiment of a slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2: is a block diagram which illustrates an essential operation of the slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 3: is a cross sectional view which illustrates an example of a portion of the slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, game media being arranged to be supplied through the portion;
Fig. 4: is a block diagram which illustrates an example of a game played with the slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 5: is a flow chart which illustrates a procedure of a game played with the slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
Fig. 6: is a side cross sectional view which illustrates a tray for the dispensed game media.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.
Referring to Fig. 1, reference numeral 1 represents a case for the slot machine, the case being in the form of a rectangular shape longitudinally elongated when viewed in a front elevational view. There are three display openings 2a formed in the upper portion of a front panel 1a so that symbols formed on the surfaces of three reels 2 are shown through the three display openings 2a. In a portion below the display openings 2a there is provided an operation panel 5 in which operation buttons 3a and 3b to 3d for controlling the start and stop of the reels 2 are provided therein, an operation switch board 4 consisting of a ten-keyboard to be described later being also provided in the portion below the display openings 2a.
Reference numeral 6 represents a receiving tray for supplying game medium, the receiving tray 6 being disposed below the operation panel 5. The receiving tray 6 having an outlet port 6a which is communicated with a passage duct 7. The passage duct 7 has a supply-media counter portion 7a at an intermediate position thereof, the supply-media counter portion 7a having a counter sensor (omitted from illustration) so as to count the number of the game medium which has been supplied to the receiving tray 6.
On the other hand, the lower portion of the front panel 1a is arranged to be an opening 8 extending laterally so that a receiving tray 9 for receiving dispensed game medium can be set in this opening 8. Reference numeral 9a represents a receiving-tray detection switch capable of detecting whether or not the receiving tray 9 has been set properly.
The receiving tray 9 has an outlet port 10a of a dispensation duct 10 disposed in the case 1 of the slot machine so as to bring the outlet portion 10a into the position of the outlet port 10a.
The dispensation duct 10 has a dispensation-media counter portion 11 in an intermediate position thereof, the dispensation-media counter portion 11 being capable of counting the number of the game media to be dispensed.
The above-described slot machine is a slot machine designed similarly to conventional slot machines since when the start button 3a is depressed after a game medium has been supplied thereto, the three reels 2 are rotated simultaneously, and when the stop buttons 3b to 3d are then selectively depressed so as to stop the rotation of each of the reels 2, the combination of the symbols formed on the surfaces of the reels 2 is used to determine whether or not a player wins the game, the combination of the symbols on a previously provided winning line being subjected to the determination.
However, the slot machine according to the present invention is structured in a different manner from the conventional slot machines, the different being lies in a manner for supplying the game media, a manner for playing the game, the contents of the game, and a manner for dispensing the game media when a player wins the game. Then, these factors will be respectively described.
First, the manner for supplying game media in the slot machine according to the present invention is arranged in such a manner that game media of the number for a plurality of games is collectively supplied prior to a start of a play since a plurality of games are successively conducted without a supply of the game media for each game.
Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view which illustrates a mechanism for receiving the game media supplied collectively.
Referring to Fig. 3, the receiving tray 6 for receiving the supplied game media is fastened to an opening 1b for fastening the receiving tray 6 in such a manner that the receiving tray 6 is able to be freely laid and stood via a horizontal pivot 6b, the opening 1b being formed in the front panel 1a. Thus, the receiving tray 6 is laid at the time of the slot machine is used. According to the present invention, it is necessary for the receiving tray to be arranged to be able to be laid and stood. It is necessary for the same to be able to receive the game media.
Reference numeral 7 represents the passage duct through which the game media passes, the passage duct 7 being connected to the game-media receiving opening 6a connected to a bottom plate 6c of the receiving tray 6 in the fastening opening 1b formed in the front panel 1a. The duct 7 being connected to an intermediate tray 7b comprising the counter portion 7a consisting of a counter for counting the passing game media and a sensor for it, the duct 7 being then connected to a circular passage (omitted from illustration) through which the supplied game media passes.
Thus, a plurality of game media corresponding to a plurality of number of games is supplied to the receiving tray 6. Referring to the example shown in Fig. 3, the game media supplied to the receiving tray 6 is introduced into the passage duct 7 by standing the receiving tray 6. The counter portion 7a of the passage duct 7 into which the game media has been introduced counts the number of the game media so as to output the accumulated value to be described later.
The game media to be used in the slot machine according to the present invention may be media whose number can be counted, for example, medals, coins, small steel balls, or the like. An example in which the balls are used as the game media will be described hereinafter.
When the game media (balls) has been supplied and then the number of the same has been counted, the slot machine is brought into a state in which the slot machine has prepared for the game start in the following manner.
In the procedure of the game with the slot machine there is no necessity of supplying the game media at every game since the game media for a plurality of games has been supplied prior to the start of the game.
However, the number of the game media to be bet for a game is previously determined to be any of one, two, or three in the case where the game media is medals. In the case where the game media is balls, it is determined to be any of 5, 10, or 15. Therefore, the number of the medals or the balls for a game can be instructed. In the case where the number of the game media to be bet for every game is intended to be an equal number, a continuous instruction mode can be selected for the purpose of eliminating the necessity of instructing the number of the game media to be bet for each of the games. The number of the game media to be bet is not limited to the description above. It may be determined optionally.
If a player wins a game during the successive play of the games, the dispensation of the game media is not conducted at each game. When the successive play of the games has been completed or the player requests for the game media to be dispensed, the game media is dispensed.
On the other hand, the slot machine is the same as the conventional slot machine in terms of the operation of the reels and the contents of the game arranged in such a manner that the three reels are rotated by a player and the rotation of each of the reels is stopped by the player at an optional timing so as to subject the combination of the symbols formed on the stopped reels on a winning line to the determination whether or not the player wins the game. However, the slot machine has the reels to be operated in an improved manner to be described later.
Then, the operation of the game medium and the same of the reels during the play of the game with the slot machine will be described with reference to Figs. 2, and 4 to 6.
In the slot machine, when game media of the number larger than that for a game is supplied to the slot machine, the number of the supplied game media is counted by the counter portion 7.
Referring to Fig. 2, reference numeral 12 represents an arithmetic portion for processing the number of the game media, the arithmetic portion 12 comprising an addition counter to which data supplied to the counter portion 7 is supplied so as to be added. The arithmetic portion 12 is arranged in such a manner that data representing the number of medium to be dispensed is supplied thereto from a game-winning dispensation signal generating portion 15 to be described later when the player wins the game.
Data to be dispensed when the player wins the game is formed only when the player wins the game depending upon a determination bade in a game-winning determination portion 13 after the rotation and stop of the reels 2 (with depressing the buttons 3a to 3d).
That is, when the player depresses the operation buttons 3a to 3d disposed in the operation portion 5, an operation control portion 3 of motors 2b of the reels 2 rotates or stops the corresponding motors 2b.
When all of the reels 2 are stopped, the symbols of the reels 2 displayed through the display opening 2a are detected by a symbol-detection portion 13 so as to be subjected to a determination whether or not the player wins the game and a determination about the winning grade in an winning determination portion 14. If it is determined in the winning determination portion 14 that the player wins the game, dispensation data is transmitted to an winning-dispensation signal generating portion 15.
On the other hand, a numeral number representing the number of the game media (the number of the medals or the balls) to be bet a game is determined so as to be supplied to the arithmetic portion 12 for processing the number of the game medium, the supplied numeral number being supplied in the form of data to be subtracted.
According to this embodiment, the number of the game media to be bet a game is input by a key formed on the keyboard 4 in the operation portion 5. For example, when the number of the game media which can be bet for a game is determined to be 1 to 3 in the case where the game media is medals, or when the same is determined to be 5 to 15 in the case where the game media is steel balls, the player depresses a medium setting key 4b and a number key 4a representing the numeral number 1 to 3 or 5, 10, or 15, the medium setting key 4b and the number key 4a being formed on the keyboard 4 so as to instruct the number of the game media.
In principle, the instruction is made for each game. However, according to an example shown in Fig. 2, the number of the game media which has been instructed can be automatically continued by depressing a continuous instruction key 4c.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the collective dispensation for the winning of the games after the games have been completed and the intermediate dispensation for the same during the continuation of the games can be conducted by depressing the key 4a on the keyboard 4.
When the dispensation after the games have been completed is conducted by depressing a game-end dispensation key 4d. However, if there is no positive numeral data in the arithmetic portion 12, the operation of the dispensation key 4d is, of course, invalid.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the dispensation can be required during the continuation of the games. The intermediate dispensation requirement is conducted by operating the numerical key 4a, after an intermediate dispensation number setting key 4e has been depressed, so as to set a desired number of the game media to be dispensed, and by depressing an intermediate dispensation requirement key 4f. The intermediate dispensation is invalid if no numerical data is stored in the arithmetic portion 12. If the stored numerical data is smaller than the determined numerical data, the intermediate dispensation is limited to the stored numerical data.
When the above-described two types of the requirements for the dispensation have been conducted regularly, a command of dispensation is supplied from the arithmetic portion 12 to an operation-control portion 17 of an operating solenoid of a shutter 16 disposed to a counter 11 of a dispensation duct 10. The dispensation command is supplied so as to remain the solenoid 16a of the shutter 16 disposed to the counter 11 in the open side during the counting of the number of the game media to be dispensed.
Thus, the shutter 16 is continued to open the passage 10 until the major portion of the game media to be dispensed is dispensed. When the number of the game media to be dispenses come closer to a predetermined number, for example the number reaches a number which is smaller than the predetermined number by 10, the shutter 16 intermittently opens and closes so as to pass the balls one by one until it reaches the predetermined number. When it reaches the predetermined number, the passage 10 is closed with the output from the operation control portion 17 so as to maintain the passage 10 to be closed.
Therefore, the operation control portion 17 causes the solenoid 16a to close the shutter 16 when the data about the quantity of dispensation generated by the counter 11 and the dispensation command data generated by the arithmetic portion 12 agree with each other.
The above-described dispensation may be conducted in the form of a printing formed on a sheet S by a printer 8 or the like which is individually included in the slot machine as an alternative to the dispensation conducted with the above-described game media.
The dispensation conducted with the printed sheet is conducted by depressing a data-sheet dispensation requirement key 4h before conducting the key operations required in the case where the dispensation conducted with the game media.
In this case, the player who received the printed sheet S can exchange the dispensation data printing on the sheet S for a predetermined premium at a certain place for exchange.
In the slot machine, the contents in the arithmetic portion 12 which calculates the number of the game media, that is, data representing the number of the game media determining a fact whether the player can receive the dispensation is displayed in a display portion 20 formed by liquid crystal or the like in the front panel 1a. Reference numeral 19 represents a portion for controlling the operation of the display Portion 20.
The slot machine to which the game media is supplied and from which winning media is dispensed can be provided with a mechanism for controlling the rotation of the reels 2 as shown in Fig. 4 in order to provide an excitement for the player.
Referring to Fig. 4, the slot machine is provided with a storage portion 21 having a function of temporarily storing a dispensation signal and of calculating the stored signals at a position between the winning dispensation signal generating portion 15 and the arithmetic portion 12. Furthermore, a re-start and stop mechanism capable of re-starting a reel which has been stopped temporarily and of again stopping the same is provided for the slot machine. In addition, a service game (to be called "a gamble game" hereinafter) performed by the operations of the reels is provided.
Referring to Fig. 4, reference numeral 22 represents a re-start/stop circuit (to be called "a re-starting circuit), 22a represents an operation button which can be operated when a trigger signal gT representing a fact that the winning dispensation signal has been supplied from the storage portion 21 to the re-starting circuit 22.
A re-start signal as which can be transmitted from the re-starting circuit 22 when the operation button 22a is depressed and a stop signal ap which can be transmitted from the circuit 22 when the button 22a is again depressed can re-start and stop the corresponding motor 2b for the reel 2 via the portion 3 for controlling the operation of the motor 2b. When the re-start signal as has been formed, the trigger signal aT is supplied to the storage portion 21 for the purpose of calculating the storage data.
A symbol signal detection portion 23 for detecting specific symbols on the reels 2 for the gamble game and a gamble game winning determination portion 24 determine whether or not the symbol on the reel 2 agrees with a predetermined winning symbol. The symbol for the gamble game must be different from the symbols for usual games.
When the winning determination portion 24 for the gamble game transmits a winning signal, the numerical data for the winning dispensation signal stored in the storage portion 21 is subjected to a calculation so as to be increased twice, three times, or an optional rate. If the gamble game winning determination portion 24 transmitts a signal representing blank, the numerical data for the wining dispensation signal for the usual game stored in the storage portion 21 is cancelled.
As described above, if a player wins a game, the player plays the gamble game by a predetermined time on condition that the player has won the usual game.
It is optional for a player to select the gamble game after winning the usual game. For example, if the player immediately conduct a usual game after the player has won the usual game, that is, when the start button 3a for the three reels 2 is depressed, the state of the slot machine preparing for the gamble game is cancelled. However, the continuous selection of the above-described gamble game is limited. For example, one gamble game can be selected when a player wins a usual game, and only an additional gamble game can be selected when the player wins the gamble game, that is, number of opportunities for a player to play the game depending upon the winning of the games is limited to twice. The number of the opportunities can be previously determined.
The above-described usual game and the gamble game are processed according to a flow chart shown in Fig. 5.
Referring to Fig. 5, when a player depresses the start button 3a, the three reels 2 are simultaneously rotated, and thus the usual game is started. Then, when each of the reels 2 is optionally stopped by operating the stop buttons 3b to 3d at a proper timing. When all of the reels 2 are stopped, it is determined by the winning determination portion 14 whether or not the combination of the symbols on the winning line shown through the display windows 2a agrees with winning patterns.
When it is determined that the player has won the game, the winning dispensation data is supplied from the dispensation signal generating portion 15 to the storage portion 21, and simultaneously, the trigger gT for the gamble game is supplied to the re-starting circuit 22 from the storage portion 21 so that the circuit 22 is brought to a state in which the circuit can be operated. When the restart button 22a is depressed in this state, any of the reels which has been previously determined for the gamble game is rotated. Then the player stops the rotation of the reel 2 for the gamble game by depressing either the stop buttons 3b and 3c which corresponds to the predetermined reel 2.
The symbol on the stopped reel 2 at the time of the gamble game and detected by the symbol detection portion 22 is subjected to a determination in the determination portion 23 whether or not the player won the gamble game. If it is determined that the player won the gamble game, a signal representing this fact is supplied to the storage portion 21.
The storage portion 21 calculates so as to, for example, twice the winning dispensation data for a usual game which has been previously stored therein when it receives the winning signal for the gamble game. If no winning signal is supplied to the storage portion 21, the winning dispensation data for the usual game which has been previously stored therein is cancelled.
As described above, winning dispensation data is successively stored as a result of the continuation of the games. Therefore, when the play with the slot machine is completed and the player intended to receive the dispensation with depressing the dispensation requirement key 4d, the solenoid 16a is operated since all of the numerical data in the arithmetic portion 12 is supplied to the portion 17 for controlling the operation of the solenoid 16a which is capable of opening the shutter 16 of the dispensation duct 10. When the solenoid 16a acts to open the shutter 16, the shutter 16 of the duct 10 is opened so that the game media is dispensed. The number of the game media is counted by the counting sensor 11a of the counter portion 11, the count signal being then supplied to the operation-controlling portion 17.
The operation-controlling portion 17 subtracts the numeral values which are successively supplied thereto from the numeral value of the dispensation data which has been previously supplied from the arithmetic portion 12. When the numerical value of the dispensation data becomes zero, the shutter 16 is closed by the solenoid 16a.
During the play of the games, when a player intends to receive dispensation, it is necessary for the player to operate the keys 4a, 4e, and 4f of the keyboard 4 so that the player can receive an intermediate dispensation.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the game media supplied through an outlet port 10a of the dispensation duct 10 to the receiving tray 9 is stopped if the receiving tray 9 has not been set.
That is, the setting portion 8 for the receiving tray 9 shown in Figs. 1 and 3 is provided with a switch 9a which is capable of detecting the setting of the receiving tray. Therefore, if the receiving tray 9 has not been set, the outputs from the dispensation requirement keys 4d, 4e, and 4f can not be supplied to the arithmetic portion 12, the output being transmitted by depressing the keys 4d, 4e, and 4f.
Therefore, the switch 9a is inserted so as to serve as a switch for controlling the operation of the switch circuit 9b inserted between the dispensation requirement keys 4d, 4e, and 4f and the arithmetic portion 12. As a result, if the receiving tray 9 is removed from the switch 9a, the dispensation is stopped even if the dispensation operation has been conducted. The dispensation is conducted again on condition that the receiving tray 9 is again brought into contact with the switch 9a.
As described above, according to the present invention, the game media to be used in the slot machine according to the present invention can be collectively supplied for a plurality of games since the number of the game media can be stored in the form of numerical data in the arithmetic portion which is capable of processing the game data. On the other hand, the number of the game media which have been lost in the games is subtracted from the above-described stored data by the number which has been selectively instructed by the player at every game or automatically and continuously instructed. Furthermore, the dispensation during the play of the games can be optionally conducted in the form of the game media by the player with operating the keyboard with which an optional number can be determined. Therefore, the continuous play of the game can be automatically and smoothly conducted, such play being impossible with the conventional slot machines.
In particular, the slot machine according to the present invention provides a novel excitement since it is arranged in such a manner that the supply and dispensation of the game media is conducted with the game media, but the consumption and winning dispensation during the intermediate point of the play of the games is conducted with the numerical data which can be increased and decreased optionally.

Claims

A slot machine with which games are started by supplying game media such as medals or coins thereto and winning dispensation of said game media is conducted if a player wins the game, said slot machine comprising:
a) a game media receiving mechanism (6) for collectively receiving a multiplicity of said game media for the purpose of continuously conducting a plurality of games one after the other;

b) a winning determination mechanism (12) capable of storing numerical data which is formed by accumulating each winning dispensation numerical data which corresponds to the winning of each respective game in the case where a plurality of games is played continuously one after the other;

c) a winning dispensation mechanism (10, 11)
characterized in that
said winning dispensation mechanism (10, 11) is capable of dispensing a desired number of said game media during the continuation of the games whereas said desired number of said game media can be less than the number of said game media corresponding to said accumulated numerical data and said accumulated numerical data exceeds zero.