EP0638882B1 - A system controlling takings and prizes in gaming machines - Google Patents

A system controlling takings and prizes in gaming machines Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0638882B1
EP0638882B1 EP94500119A EP94500119A EP0638882B1 EP 0638882 B1 EP0638882 B1 EP 0638882B1 EP 94500119 A EP94500119 A EP 94500119A EP 94500119 A EP94500119 A EP 94500119A EP 0638882 B1 EP0638882 B1 EP 0638882B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
board
prizes
control means
gaming machines
takings
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP94500119A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0638882A1 (en
Inventor
Jose Ramon Alonso Gonzalez
Vicente Navarret Navarro
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.)
MARIA CRISTESCU SA
Original Assignee
MARIA CRISTESCU SA
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
Application filed by MARIA CRISTESCU SA filed Critical MARIA CRISTESCU SA
Publication of EP0638882A1 publication Critical patent/EP0638882A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0638882B1 publication Critical patent/EP0638882B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F9/00—Details other than those peculiar to special kinds or types of apparatus
    • G07F9/08—Counting total of coins inserted

Definitions

  • the present invention relates, as stated in the heading of this specification, to a system controlling takings and prizes, the purpose of which is at all times to have a count of the money gambled and the prizes awarded in gaming machines giving random prizes or the like to avoid human or mechanical errors causing takings in such machines to be diverted.
  • the systems existing nowadays for controlling money gambled and prizes delivered comprise terminals connected to the gaming machines with a cable, acquiring the data they have in order for a computer to subsequently process such information.
  • This kind of systems implies that there is a need to be variously connected to each of the existing kinds of machines, and also a possibility of erroneous data being inserted for the tests operators run in such machines are recorded as amounts gambled, causing a deflection of the data acquired from the gaming machine.
  • An improvement of these conventional systems consists of the implementation of infrared communication means, which connect the prize machines with certain control devices.
  • the device allows a certain money reserve within the fruit machine to pay out the prizes to be done without and nevertheless cash prizes to be paid out without risking manipulation.
  • Fruit machines serve this function providing an additional key connected to a central control unit.
  • the characteristic data specific to the machine and the final accumulated prize status or each individual prize may alternatively be indicated by means of a data printer or a memory card writing device, which may, if necessary, be used to verify the authenticity of the information before the prize is paid out at one of the cash-registers. Verification can take place directly at the fruit machine or, once the data originating in and recorded at the fruit machine are transmitted to a receiving unit located close to the cash-register, at the very cash-register.
  • German Patent DE-A-4112188 is also known to describe a coin-operated gaming machine provided with a gaming device with symbols, the circular bodies carrying the winning symbols showing, upon being stopped by a central control unit and obtained at random, a game result, as the case may be with a risk gaming device, an automatic gaming device or the like, indicators to display winnings, the accumulated value or the like, and an appropriate remote control operated by press-buttons.
  • the automatic gaming machine contains an emitter coupled to the control unit, activating a respective receiver in the remote control and a receiver coupled to the control unit, which may be activated by the respective remote control emitter, in which the functions may all be transmitted individually or in two-way mode through the emitting-receiving systems.
  • the system for controlling takings and prizes in gaming machines subject of the invention solves the problems that exist nowadays, introducing elements that allow remote infrared signal reading in any kind of prize machines fitted with basic electronic circuits, in which means are inserted for reading information on the game played which the machine produces, storing the information in memory and allowing data to be inserted or stored information to be retrieved, via a terminal outside the machine, both being fitted with an infrared signal emitter-receiver circuit capable of transforming the signals into electric signals.
  • the system comprises the functional association of a control means having three circuits: a supervisor and communications microcontrol; an infrared light communication board associated to the control means and an adaptor board associated to the data terminal.
  • microcontrol circuit is the core of the system since it runs all operations to count and store such information in an internal RAM type memory.
  • the supervisor circuit deals with verifying that the circuit is working properly and is to such end fitted with two different protection systems, a WATCH-DOG system that detects faults in the running of the program and a power cut circuit that warns the microcontrol in order to switch to a low consumption or POWER-DOWN operating mode when a power cut is detected, whereupon the microcontrol is supplied through a standby battery.
  • the communications circuit designed pursuant to rule RS232, allows the control means to be connected to any peripheral fulfilling this rule.
  • Infrared light optical communication of the control means with a data terminal is achieved using two boards, the infrared light communication board connected to the control means, and the adaptor board, which allow PSION ORGANISER II data terminals to be communicated with the control means through the infrared light communication board.
  • This system is therefore new and convenient in that it can adapt to any of the machines existing in the market, whatever the manufacturer, and can read data scanned at certain points of such machines. Furthermore, no physical connection is required to read information for this is achieved by means of an infrared light transmission system.
  • Figure 1 is a block diagram of the system controlling takings and prizes in gaming machines subject of the invention.
  • Figure 2 is an electronic diagram of the control means.
  • Figure 3 is the silk screen printing of the printed circuit board of the control means.
  • Figure 4 is the component side of printed circuit on the control means board.
  • Figure 5 is the weld side of the printed circuit of the control means board.
  • Figure 6 is the electronic diagram of the infrared light communication board.
  • Figure 7 is the silk screen printing of the printed circuit board of the infrared light communication board.
  • Figure 8 is the weld side of the printed circuit of the infrared light communications board.
  • Figure 9 is the electronic diagram of the adaptor board for access to the information through a data terminal.
  • Figure 10 is the silk screen printing of the printed circuit board of the adaptor board.
  • Figure 11 is the weld side of the printed circuit of the adaptor board.
  • Figure 12 is a diagram of the interface between the control means and the various elements of the gaming machine, and the connections with other possible peripherals.
  • the system controlling takings and prizes in gaming machines subject hereof comprises the functional association of a control means (1) and an infrared light communication board (2), on the one hand, both linked to the gaming machine (3), and an adaptor board (4) linked to the data terminal (5) on the other, communication between both sets being provided to take place by infrared signals.
  • the control means (1) upon which the system is based comprises a microcontrol (U1) that runs the counter operations and further acts as an information storage memory that will be supported by a battery (BT1) in the event of a power cut; a supervisor element (U2) that detects both faults in program running and power cuts, and a communications element (U3), designed to establish information transmission electrically towards the infrared light communication board (2).
  • a microcontrol U1 that runs the counter operations and further acts as an information storage memory that will be supported by a battery (BT1) in the event of a power cut
  • BT1 battery
  • U2 supervisor element
  • U3 designed to establish information transmission electrically towards the infrared light communication board (2).
  • the connector (CN1) has contacts through which the information in any machine to which it is connected is readable, in addition to the contacts designed to send information coming from the communication element (U3) to the infrared light communication board (2).
  • the unit formed by the control means (1) is supported by a printed circuit board that in addition to the said elements and associated electronic circuitry, has an element (Ux) used solely to position such board inside the gaming machine (3), in particular at one of the free sockets of the control board in the said machine.
  • the control means (1) being the essential portion of the control system, and as explained in the previous paragraph is fitted inside the gaming machine (3), houses the relevant information on merely reading the same at specific locations of the machine as such, whatever the machine.
  • the infrared light communication board (2) will also be housed within the gaming machine (3), joined to the control means (1) through conductors leaving from the connector (CN2) through which the control means (1) sends information from its memory by means of the communication element (U3).
  • the purpose of the infrared light communication board (2) is none other than to transform the information received electrically from the communication element (U3) into infrared signals, to send the same out, or to transform the infrared signals received into electric signals, being able to transmit the information without having to connect any cable between both elements, viz. optically.
  • This circuit is therefore fitted with an emitter (LD1) and a receiver (IR1)-(U5) through which the information stored in the control means (1) is requested or transmitted. It is thereby possible to have access to the information without having to open the gaming machine (3), once it has been fitted with the above-described two circuits, of the three making up the system.
  • the adaptor board (4) essentially comprises an emitter (LD3) receiving the infrared light communication board (2) signals, an infrared receiver (IR2) receiving the signals from the same board and the elements required for connecting the same to any data reading terminal (5) in any gaming machine and transforming the optical signal into an electric signal.
  • the output connecting this board to the data terminal (5) is located at the points marked (RX), (+5V), (LD4), (C10) and (GND) on the said adaptor board (4).
  • Figures 2 to 11 show all the itemised details of the system circuits and boards.
  • Figure 12 shows connection on the one hand to the gaming machine (3) elements, in particular its CPU (6), which supports the inputs (7) through the electronic money box (8), outputs (9) and mechanical counters (10), and on the other connection to a central computer (11) through a modem (12) or an ORGANISER terminal (13) and a printer output (14).
  • the control means (1) houses the microcontrol (U1) RAM, the machine code, pesetas gambled and pesetas paid out as prizes in its memory.
  • the games played and prizes awarded are recorded by reading the machine CPU (6) generated signals, these same signals reaching the mechanical counters (10) fitted.
  • the information thus obtained is recorded in pesetas within the RAM memory with which the microcontrol (U1) is fitted.
  • the control means (1) locks the electronic money box (8) in order not to allow coins in, in any of the following events: program running fault detected by the WATCH-DOG system, counter input cables sheared and internal control means (1) information corrupt.
  • the control means (1) has a test operating mode in order for technicians to be able to run as many operations as they shall see fit to repair the machine, without these affecting its internal counter.
  • a serial communications port allows the control means (1) to be connected to run a number of operations, namely inserting the machine code in which it is fitted, setting the game and prize counters, locking the counter in test status, switching the counter to record all games played and prizes awarded, looking up the status of the control means (1) to see whether it is in active or locked mode, looking up the status of the money box (8) allowing input of coins, reading the stored machine code, and reading the games and prizes counters, in order to determine the takings and the prize percentage of the machine.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Slot Machines And Peripheral Devices (AREA)
  • Pinball Game Machines (AREA)
  • Management, Administration, Business Operations System, And Electronic Commerce (AREA)
  • Coin-Freed Apparatuses For Hiring Articles (AREA)
  • Safety Devices In Control Systems (AREA)
EP94500119A 1993-08-13 1994-07-04 A system controlling takings and prizes in gaming machines Expired - Lifetime EP0638882B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ES09301807A ES2077503B1 (es) 1993-08-13 1993-08-13 Sistema de control de ingresos y premios para maquinas recreativas
ES9301807 1993-08-13

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0638882A1 EP0638882A1 (en) 1995-02-15
EP0638882B1 true EP0638882B1 (en) 1999-03-03

Family

ID=8282863

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP94500119A Expired - Lifetime EP0638882B1 (en) 1993-08-13 1994-07-04 A system controlling takings and prizes in gaming machines

Country Status (9)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0638882B1 (sk)
AT (1) ATE177235T1 (sk)
BG (1) BG61587B1 (sk)
CZ (1) CZ194494A3 (sk)
DE (1) DE69416751D1 (sk)
ES (1) ES2077503B1 (sk)
HU (1) HUT69824A (sk)
RU (1) RU94031566A (sk)
SK (1) SK95494A3 (sk)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AUPO070496A0 (en) * 1996-06-27 1996-07-18 Aristocrat Leisure Industries Pty Ltd Hard meter for gaming machine

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3066283D1 (en) * 1979-08-15 1984-03-01 Bell Fruit Mfg Co Ltd Amusement apparatus
ES527818A0 (es) * 1982-11-29 1984-12-01 Ainsworth Nominees Pty Ltd Perfeccionamientos en las instalaciones de maquinas de juego
ES2020411A6 (es) * 1990-01-29 1991-08-01 Azkoyen Ind Sa Sistema electronico para control contable en maquinas accionadas por monedas.
DE4112188C2 (de) * 1991-04-13 1995-06-01 Nsm Ag Geldbetätigter Spielautomat mit Fernbedienung
ES2117653T3 (es) * 1992-02-14 1998-08-16 Bally Wulff Automaten Gmbh Dispositivo para el pago de los premios con proteccion contra fraudes en maquinas de juego con dinero.

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
BG98972A (bg) 1995-05-31
ATE177235T1 (de) 1999-03-15
EP0638882A1 (en) 1995-02-15
BG61587B1 (bg) 1997-12-30
HU9402051D0 (en) 1994-09-28
RU94031566A (ru) 1996-06-20
ES2077503A1 (es) 1995-11-16
ES2077503B1 (es) 1996-06-16
CZ194494A3 (en) 1995-04-12
HUT69824A (en) 1995-09-28
DE69416751D1 (de) 1999-04-08
SK95494A3 (en) 1995-07-11

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
AU783074B2 (en) Video gaming apparatus for wagering with universal computerized controller and I/O interface for unique architecture
EP0015081B1 (en) Entertainment machines
US5611730A (en) Progressive gaming system tailored for use in multiple remote sites: apparatus and method
US6866581B2 (en) Video gaming apparatus for wagering with universal computerized controller and I/O interface for unique architecture
JPS59121468A (ja) デ−タ収集システム
RU17678U1 (ru) Система для проведения игр с дополнительными выигрышами в единой информационно-призовой сети
JP2003126497A (ja) 識別データ設定方法および遊技情報管理システム
JPH11221353A (ja) 電子遊技機
EP0638882B1 (en) A system controlling takings and prizes in gaming machines
JPH0654947A (ja) 遊技機および遊技情報収集装置
JP4115653B2 (ja) 遊技媒体貸出用台間機
JPS6159592A (ja) 貨幣処理装置
JP2791722B2 (ja) 景品交換システム
RU2202124C2 (ru) Сетевой контроллер системы игровых устройств, система игровых устройств и способ управления системой игровых устройств единой информационно-призовой сети
RU17442U1 (ru) Сетевой контроллер системы игровых устройств и система игровых устройств единой информационно-призовой сети
JP2728378B2 (ja) パチンコ遊技装置の制御装置
JPH05131047A (ja) 回胴式遊技機装置
DE19502132A1 (de) System zur Abfrage von Daten eines münzbetätigten Unterhaltungsautomaten
JPH05151442A (ja) 台間玉貸機、アドレス装置およびパラレル・シリアル変換装置
JP2000102666A (ja) 電子遊技機
JP2791721B2 (ja) 景品交換システムのタ−ミナル
JP2004113272A (ja) 遊技用管理装置
JPH1063882A (ja) 着脱回数検出機能付きｉｃメモリカード搭載装置
JPH10340310A (ja) 端末機器、バーコードリーダおよびバーコードデータ伝送装置
JPH10192552A (ja) ゲーム機およびゲーム機管理システム

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19950317

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19970818

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: THE PATENT HAS BEEN ANNULLED BY A DECISION OF A NATIONAL AUTHORITY

Effective date: 19990303

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 19990303

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 19990303

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRE;WARNING: LAPSES OF ITALIAN PATENTS WITH EFFECTIVE DATE BEFORE 2007 MAY HAVE OCCURRED AT ANY TIME BEFORE 2007. THE CORRECT EFFECTIVE DATE MAY BE DIFFERENT FROM THE ONE RECORDED.SCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 19990303

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 19990303

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 19990303

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 19990303

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 19990303

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 19990303

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 177235

Country of ref document: AT

Date of ref document: 19990315

Kind code of ref document: T

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 69416751

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 19990408

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 19990603

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 19990604

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 19990605

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 19990704

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 19990704

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 19990704

EN Fr: translation not filed
NLV1 Nl: lapsed or annulled due to failure to fulfill the requirements of art. 29p and 29m of the patents act
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20000131

26N No opposition filed
GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 19990704

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: MM4A