EP0892968B1 - Coin-operated leisure machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A coin-operated leisure machine has a play mechanism with symbols (1), at least one bonus mechanism (18, 19) and at least one jackpot box (28) designed as a real money collecting container (29) visible from outside the machine. In order to allow the payment of bonuses only when a predetermined admissible total winning amount per game is not reached, the jackpot box (28) can be filled when certain winning or partial winning combinations are displayed by the play mechanism with symbols (1) and/or certain losses or partial losses are displayed by the bonus mechanism (18, 19), after these winning combinations and/or losses are converted into amounts of money by a computer. The amounts of money accumulated in the jackpot box (28) can be paid out up to a fixed predetermined total winning amount per game when at least another determined winning or partial winning combination is displayed by the play mechanism with symbols (1) and/or another determined loss or partial loss is displayed by the bonus mechanism (18, 19), after said winning combinations or losses are converted by a computer into amounts of money (31).

Description

The invention relates to a money-operated entertainment device with an icon game device based on orbits behind the associated reading windows one a profit or symbol combination indicating loss, at least an additional win game device in which one in the symbol game device profit achieved playable or cumulative is, at least one as from outside the entertainment device Visible collecting container trained real money filling jackpot facility, by the appearance of certain Events in the symbol game facility and / or in the additional prize game facility with valuables is refillable, and a computer-controlled control unit for game control.

Such entertainment devices are in a wide variety Embodiments known. They include an icon game facility, which usually has three circulating bodies, the as rollers, disks, folding card carousels or the like can be trained. On the outside through the reading window visible surface, the circulation body symbols.

The circulating bodies are stopped one after the other; and after the all circulation bodies have come to a standstill, the in symbol combination displayed in the reading windows a profit or loss. Different amounts of money and / or point and / or special game wins or the like provided in promising.

To protect users, regulations are in place in some countries have been enacted, a certain for each competition Maximum bet, a certain minimum term and a maximum Prescribe profit. This is supposed to be the profit outlook the user will be limited to the spread not to support uncontrolled passion for profits.

To now generally a player to use such To stimulate entertainment devices and also during the game to entertain and provide further game incentives, Various measures have already been taken. That's the way it is usual, on these entertainment devices for the player actuators attach, which is usually on the course of the act single circulation body. By pressing one Start button, the player can one or more orbits start, which gives the player a real influence on the Game events are conveyed. For example, by Pressing a button within a certain period of time one of the circulation bodies can be restarted by the player, to give him the opportunity to make a profit Achieve symbol combination. In addition, for the remaining orbital stop buttons are provided to the Allowing players to stop a spinning car body which gives the player the impression that Game events and thus the symbol combination resulting from the game to be able to influence.

Furthermore, known gaming devices often have additional profit play equipment a risk gaming facility on that if a win has already been achieved, press a button can be set. At least one risk manager, the different profit values on profit display elements indicates the profit already achieved and the achievable Profit optically highlighted. About one in the game device existing random generator will decide whether the already profit is lost or increased. When increasing of the profit, this becomes the profit achieved again is displayed and the now achievable profit is visual again highlighted. By pressing the risk button the profit made can be risked again. During execution A risk game is usually a decision about an increase or a total loss of the profit used.

In addition, it is known in gaming devices, the achieved Winning by means of an additional winnings game device Play device, with different Win occupied display fields light up randomly and a display panel showing the profit achieved is illuminated remains to increase or decrease. Here is however, no total loss of the profit used is possible.

Another incentive to play with additional opportunities to win provides an additional profit gaming facility in the form of a jackpot gaming facility representing from a different profit display elements comprehensive light bar is formed. At the Achieve a specific win or loss in the symbol game facility and / or in another additional prize-winning device a certain profit indicator element is lit, the one related to the profit or loss achieved Symbol carries. If a certain number of profit display elements the light bar is lit, the additional Given profit. The light bar of the jackpot game arrangement can also be made of neutral illuminated display elements exist, each time a profit occurs or a loss in the symbol game device and / or Additional profit play facility are lit in turn and when the light bar is fully illuminated, the additional one Trigger profit.

DE 43 29 945 A1 and DE 44 22 369 A1 are money-operated Entertainment devices known in which an externally visible Collection container one as a real money filling jackpot device trained jackpots with valuables up to a predetermined or randomly determined total amount from a value-specific stacking container of a money processing device either directly computer controlled or depending on the occurrence of a particular event in the symbol game facility or the additional win game facility is replenished. These valuables are from the collection container in the presence of a predetermined or randomly determined level or when a certain event occurs in the Symbol game facility or in the additional profit game facility spent as additional profit. there the additional profit spent generally exceeds that fixed total allowable winnings. This will exceeded even further if one scored in the normal game Win at the same time as an extra win in a game is issued.

From DE-A-21 04 209 is a coin-operated game device with Winnings withdrawal device and a symbol game device known, where a maximum allowable profit in the Payout of winnings is not exceeded when through the circulation body of the symbol game device within one predetermined game series made profits become.

It is an object of the invention to be a money-operated To create entertainment device of the type mentioned at the outset, where the issue of additional winnings to a predetermined Maximum is limited to the spread of uncontrolled To limit passion for gaming.

According to the invention the object is achieved in that the Real money jackpot facility due to certain losses or partial losses in the additional winnings game facility up to a computer-controlled level with Amounts of value or valuables can be refilled and the Amounts of value or the valuables after reaching the Level and if at least one other occurs certain loss or partial loss in the additional win game facility can be output computer-controlled as additional profit are, with a fixed predetermined permissible Total winnings not exceeded within one game becomes.

Before the opportunity to make an additional profit consists of the Real Geid Filling Jackpot facility, the Storage tanks previously computer controlled up to a certain one Fill level. First, the additional winnings game facility achieved losses in the collection container of the Real money filling jackpot facility accumulated. Only when one certain fill level in at least one of the collecting containers is reached, there is the possibility of Additional profit by reaching another certain loss or partial loss in the additional win game facility.

According to a further development of the invention Icon game device occurring certain losses or Partial losses converted into value amounts under computer control.

In an advantageous embodiment of the entertainment device will be those that appear in the additional prize game facility certain losses or partial losses during a computer-controlled game series length in value amounts converted and into the real money filling jackpot facility padded, with the beginning of the game series by the Occurrence of one of these events is initiated. Consequently the filling process and the Output process for the Wectaeoenstands by the Game series length determined and limited so that the player Can only achieve additional winnings within this game series. The length of a game series can be fixed or can be set randomly.

A further development of the invention is that Real money jackpot facility made up of at least two Containers exist, which alternately with amounts of value are refillable. The advantage of training the real money filling jackpot facility as two separate collection containers is that one of the sumps continues to fill can be while the other collection container is already filled, but not yet fully or partially for payment has come. In addition, a targeted regular or irregular replenishment of the multiple, from the outside viewable collection container to give the player the To give the impression that the collection container is very much are filled up and thus a quick triggering of the jackpot can be achieved. It is particularly preferred here that after emptying one of the collection containers a certain minimum value is assigned under computer control while the other container continues with Amounts of value can be replenished. This will make the Collection containers to a certain extent with regard to their filling height rocked against each other, with the straight one emptied collection containers with a certain basic filling Amounts of value, possibly in the form of valuables, is provided. The collection container can be used for both Basic filling after emptying as well as during the actual filling process with different ones Amounts of value to be replenished.

In a further development of the invention, the additional profit game device a risk gaming facility and / or Playout. According to a further embodiment of the The idea of the invention consists of the respective additional prize game device from a plurality of illuminable profit-specific display fields.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that in the Risk gaming facility incurred losses in whole or in part as amounts of value or by converting them as valuables into the container or containers are transferred. Sets the So players e.g. one in the symbol game facility achieved a profit of DM 1.80 in the Risk gaming facility and loses it, so this amount in full or, for example, only DM 1, - transfer the real money jackpot facility. Through the partial transfer of the loss will be the game happening designed more variable. The same applies if in the Playout device achieved losses in whole or in part as Amounts of value or by converting them as valuables into the or the collection containers are transferred.

Another embodiment of the invention is that the occurrence of a certain loss or partial loss optically in the additional profit play facility is shown. This can be done on the one hand by the fact that as a visual display at least one indicator light on the Front pane of the entertainment device is arranged so that the player permanently about the appearance of a certain Event in the symbol game facility or in the Additional profit gaming facility is informed. on the other hand can also display any panel of the additional prize game facility at least one indicator light can be assigned. I.e., cass when a certain loss or partial loss occurs the corresponding in the additional profit play facility Display field is marked.

In addition, it is envisaged that the payment of the in the Accumulated amounts of value or Valuables regardless of the maximum achievable level the real money filling jackpot facility takes place, the Output of valuables at any level can be done. In contrast, the payment of the in amounts of value accumulated in the collecting containers or Valuables after reaching the maximum achievable Filling level of the real money filling jackpot facility completely or sometimes up to a predetermined total amount of winnings per Game.

To make the game even more interesting, can be provided in a development of the invention that not from the collection containers of the Real money filling jackpot facility Valuables for at least one other game series remain. This gives the player the opportunity commanded if he continues to play the entertainment device that he to the current level of the collection container Real money jackpot facility can build. Has to be Player for any reason his game or his End game series prematurely, so the following Player provided the same opportunity. This creates a special additional game incentive for him.

There are several in a constructive embodiment of the invention Design variants of the collecting containers of the real money filling jack pot device intended. So everyone can Collecting container as a stacking tube for valuables be trained. The real money jackpot facility In this variant, the amounts contributed converted and as objects of value in those visible from the outside Collection container introduced so that the player visually is constantly faced with the stack of coins. Furthermore Every collection container can hold valuables Disc, box, drum or bowl-shaped his. Around several collection containers or real money jackpot facilities everyone can also realize Collection container in at least two receiving chambers for the Valuables are shared that, as described above, can be refilled differently. Is particularly effective here when each of the collection containers rotates around its central axis is formed, so that an advantageous visual representation effect for the player is achieved.

The valuables are expediently coins, tokens, Receipts or the like.

Furthermore, the collecting container of the real money filling jackpot device one of several illuminable Jackpot leaders formed in the display fields, in which the Amounts of value are accumulated and displayed. Here are no valuables transferred to the jackpot facility, but only shown amounts of value, but can as Additional profits valuables are issued. The same meets the design of the collection container as an LED display to, in which the amounts of value are accumulated and displayed.

These measures according to the invention ensure that an additional profit can only be achieved if a fixed predetermined total allowable amount within of a game is not reached. The maximum achievable Additional profit corresponds at most to the difference of one Profit from the normal game and the maximum allowable Total amount won per game.

Fig. 1

eine Vorderansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Unterhaltungsgerätes,

Fig. 2

eine Vorderansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Unterhaltungsgerätes in einer alternativen Ausführungsform,

Fig. 3

eine Vorderansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Unterhaltungsgerätes in einer weiteren alternativen Ausführungsform und

Fig. 4

eine Vorderansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Unterhaltungsgerätes in einer andersgearteten Ausführungsform.

The invention is further described below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings shows

Fig. 1

2 shows a front view of an entertainment device according to the invention,

Fig. 2

2 shows a front view of an entertainment device according to the invention in an alternative embodiment,

Fig. 3

a front view of an entertainment device according to the invention in a further alternative embodiment and

Fig. 4

a front view of an entertainment device according to the invention in a different type of embodiment.

The housing 2 of the symbol game device 1 of the coin-operated, computer-controlled entertainment device with 1 to 4 points to his Front of a windscreen 3 with reading windows 4, behind them three disc-shaped arranged side by side (Fig. 1, 3 and 4) or roller-shaped (Fig. 2) circular body 5 of the symbol game device 1 are provided. The circulation body 5 are after starting at the beginning of the game during or at the end of the game by a random number generator the control unit is brought to a standstill. In one of The circulation bodies become a plurality of possible latching positions 5 brought to a standstill. The rest positions are on the circumference of the circulating body 5 symbols 6 assigned to the Display the game result in the reading windows 4. From the displayed symbols 6, the player can determine the game result read, especially whether there is a profit a profit plan explained on the windshield 3 from a Combination of the displayed symbols 6 has resulted.

There is a post-start button in the lower area of the gaming device 7 for the left circulation body 5, with which the in the symbol game device 1 displayed symbols of the circulating body 5 can be held or restarted. In the event of a profit by reaching a certain symbol combination a profit distribution in cash, i.e. through coin ejection into an output tray 8, or by adding up in one Credit display 9 take place. In the upper area of the entertainment device there is a coin slot 10, a token slot 11, a bill entry slot 12 and a user card input slot 13 of a not shown Money processing facility with associated, individual value Stack containers. Furthermore, next to that Coin slot 10 a return button 14 arranged by the actuation of one shown in the credit display 9 Credit in the output tray 8 is available.

Furthermore, below the symbol game device 1 are different Indicators provided. So that includes Entertainment device on its front window 3 a special games display 15, a free spins display 16 and a points display 17th

The one in the symbol game device 1 by achieving one randomly determined combination of symbols achieved profit can be key or computer controlled as an insert in a the risk gaming device 18 or 19 are transferred, the are arranged on both sides of the front screen 3. The right risk gaming facility 18 owns several to one risk manager 20 summarized illuminated display panels 21, which in lower area with increasing cash wins and in the upper area in increasing order with the number of special game winnings are occupied. The left risk gaming facility 19 also has a number of risk conductors 22 illuminated display fields 23, which are similar to Money wins and special games are occupied. Risking the profit shown in the risk ladder 20 or 22 usually in that the next higher display field 21st or 23 in relation to the illuminated one which shows the profit Display fields 22 and 23 alternate with one below the risk ladder 20 or 22 attached total loss display field 24 or 25 with the inscription "0" flashes. When actuated a risk button 26 or 27 will either be the next higher Earned profit or lost profit. This The process can continue until the maximum win of special games be continued. The special game winnings are in the special games display 15 and the money winnings in the credit display 9 added up.

In the embodiments of the entertainment device according to the invention 1 to 3 is behind each transparent windshield 3 of the housing 2 in the center a real money filling jackpot device 28 is arranged. This is designed in the form of a collecting container 29. With the entertainment device 1, the collecting container 29 is a transparent stacking tube 30 are in this stacking tube 30 overlapping valuables 31 in the form of Coins accumulated in the collecting container 29 and as an additional profit from this collecting container 29 into the output tray 8 can be transferred.

In addition, the coin-specific display fields 21 and 23 of the risk managers 20 and 22 of the risk gaming facilities 18 and 19 each assigned an indicator light 32, the occurrence of a certain loss or partial loss optically through in the risk game device 18 or 19 Show lighting up.

The embodiment of the entertainment device according to the invention 2 comprises in the center of the windshield 3 from two collecting containers 29 existing real money filling jackpot facility 28. These collecting containers 29 are also as transparent stacking tubes 30 holding valuables 31 trained, which can be filled alternately at different heights are. Above the real money jackpot facility 28 there is a separate optical display 33 in the form an indicator light 32 which indicates the occurrence of a profit or Partial winning combination in the symbol game facility and one Loss or partial loss in the additional winnings game facility represents optically.

Fig. 3 shows an entertainment device in which the real money filling jackpot device 28 collecting containers 29 has a drum-like shape. The collecting container 29 is in two receiving chambers 34 and 35 for receiving the valuables 31 shared from outside the entertainment device are visible. In addition, the collection container 29 rotatable about its central axis 36, the receiving chambers 34 and 35 by not shown, in the peripheral wall of the drum-like collecting container 29 and dispensing openings for the valuables 31 can be filled or can be emptied. The valuables 31 will here by a likewise not shown, in the entertainment device housed transport device from the stacking containers the money processing device into the receiving chambers 34 or 35 filled, and when emptying the receiving chambers 34 and 35, the valuables 31 in the Transfer tray 8 transferred.

In the embodiment of the entertainment device shown in FIG. 4 is the collection container 29 of a jackpot facility 28 one of several illuminated display fields 37 existing jackpot ladder 38. 35 takes place in this jackpot ladder the filling by means of value amounts in the individual display fields 37 progressively from the bottom up, the upper display field 37 represents the maximum fill level.

Claims (23)

1. Money-operated entertainment apparatus, having

   a symbol playing means (1) which displays on rotatable bodies (5) behind associated display windows (4) a combination of symbols which indicates a win or loss,

   at least one additional win playing means (18, 19), in which a win, achieved in the symbol playing means (1), can be played-off or accumulated,

   at least one real money/accumulator jackpot means (28), which is in the form of storage containers (29), visible externally of the entertainment apparatus, and can be filled with valuables (31) by the occurrence of predetermined events in the symbol playing means (1) and/or in the additional win playing means (18, 19), and

   a computer-controlled control unit for controlling the game sequence,

   characterised in that the real money/accumulator jackpot means (28) can be filled with amounts of money or valuables (31) as a result of predetermined losses or partial losses in the additional win playing means (18, 19) up to a level which is determined in a computer-controlled manner, and the amounts of money or the valuables (31) can be issued as an additional win in a computer-controlled manner once the level has been reached and when at least one additional predetermined loss or partial loss occurs in the additional win playing means (18, 19), a fixedly prescribed permissible total win amount not being exceeded within one game.
2. Entertainment apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the predetermined losses or partial losses, which occur in the additional win playing means (18, 19), are converted into amounts of money in a computer-controlled manner.
3. Entertainment apparatus according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the predetermined losses or partial losses, which occur in the additional win playing means (18, 19), are converted into amounts of money during one length of a series of games, which is determined in a computer-controlled manner, and such losses are topped-up in the real money/accumulator jackpot means (28), the beginning of the series of games being instigated by the occurrence of one of these events.
4. Entertainment apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the real money/accumulator jackpot means (28) comprises at least two storage containers (29), which can be selectively topped-up with amounts of money.
5. Entertainment apparatus according to claim 4, characterised in that, once one of the storage containers (29) has been emptied, a predetermined minimum amount of money is associated with said container in a computer-controlled manner, while the other storage container can continue to be topped-up with amounts of money.
6. Entertainment apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the additional win playing means is a risk playing means (18, 19) and/or a playing-off means.
7. Entertainment apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the additional win playing means (18, 19) comprises a plurality of illuminatable individual-win display panels (21, 23).
8. Entertainment apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that losses, which were achieved in the risk playing means (18, 19), can be transferred wholly or partially as amounts of money, or as valuables (31) by converting coins, into the storage container or containers (29).
9. Entertainment apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that losses, which were achieved in the playing-off means, can be wholly or partially transferred as amounts of money, or as valuables (31) by converting coins, into the storage container or containers (29).
10. Entertainment apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the occurrence of a predetermined loss or partial loss in the additional win playing means (18, 19) can be visually displayed in each case.
11. Entertainment apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that at least one indicator light (32) is disposed on the front panel (3) of the entertainment apparatus as the visual display (33).
12. Entertainment apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that at least one indicator light (32) is associated with each display panel (21, 23) of the additional win playing means (18, 19).
13. Entertainment apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the paying-out of the amounts of money or valuables (31), which have accumulated in the storage containers (29), is effected independently of the maximum attainable level of the real money/accumulator jackpot means (28).
14. Entertainment apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the paying-out of the amounts of money or valuables (31), which have accumulated in the storage containers (29), is effected wholly or partially up to a prescribed total amount of wins per game once the maximum attainable level of the real money/accumulator jackpot means (28) has been reached.
15. Entertainment apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterised in that the length of a series of games is fixedly prescribed or is determined in a randomly controlled manner.
16. Entertainment apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterised in that amounts of money or valuables (31), which have not been issued from the storage containers (29) of the real money/accumulator jackpot means (28) within one series of games, are retained for at least one additional series of games.
17. Entertainment apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterised in that each storage container (29) of the real money/accumulator jackpot means (28) is in the form of a stacking tube (30) for valuables (31).
18. Entertainment apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterised in that each storage container (29) has a disk-like, box-like, drum-like or dish-like configuration for accommodating the valuables (31).
19. Entertainment apparatus according to claim 18, characterised in that each storage container (29) is divided into at least two accommodation chambers (34, 35) for accommodating the valuables (31).
20. Entertainment apparatus according to one of claims 18 or 19, characterised in that each of the storage containers (29) is configured to be rotatable about its central spindle (36).
21. Entertainment apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 20, characterised in that the valuables (31) are coins, tokens, vouchers or the like.
22. Entertainment apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 21, characterised in that the storage container (29) of the real money/accumulator jackpot means (28) comprises a jackpot ladder (38), which is formed from a plurality of illuminatable display panels (37), and in which the amounts of money are accumulated and displayed.
23. Entertainment apparatus according to claim 22, characterised in that each storage container (29) of the jackpot means (28) is in the form of an LED display, in which the amounts of money are accumulated and displayed.

Images