EP1380999B1 - Machines de jeu - Google Patents

Machines de jeu Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1380999B1
EP1380999B1 EP03253385A EP03253385A EP1380999B1 EP 1380999 B1 EP1380999 B1 EP 1380999B1 EP 03253385 A EP03253385 A EP 03253385A EP 03253385 A EP03253385 A EP 03253385A EP 1380999 B1 EP1380999 B1 EP 1380999B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
display
disk
display device
aperture
support structure
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 - Fee Related
Application number
EP03253385A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1380999A2 (fr
EP1380999A3 (fr
Inventor
Paul Smith
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.)
Red Gaming Ltd
Original Assignee
Red Gaming 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
Application filed by Red Gaming Ltd filed Critical Red Gaming Ltd
Publication of EP1380999A2 publication Critical patent/EP1380999A2/fr
Publication of EP1380999A3 publication Critical patent/EP1380999A3/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1380999B1 publication Critical patent/EP1380999B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related 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
    • G07F17/3202—Hardware aspects of a gaming system, e.g. components, construction, architecture thereof
    • G07F17/3204—Player-machine interfaces
    • G07F17/3211—Display means
    • 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
    • G07F17/3202—Hardware aspects of a gaming system, e.g. components, construction, architecture thereof
    • G07F17/3216—Construction aspects of a gaming system, e.g. housing, seats, ergonomic aspects

Definitions

  • This invention relates to display devices for player-operable entertainment machines, particularly for coin-operated amusement with prizes (AWP) machines, such as "fruit” or “poker” machines.
  • ADP amusement with prizes
  • coin is intended also to cover tokens, charge or credit cards or any other means of supplying credit or monetary value.
  • Fruit machines commonly have floor-standing housings with printed glass panels at the front on which symbols and other information can be displayed, typically by back illumination of translucent areas and also by exposure of display devices comprising rotatable reels or disks through windows defined by transparent regions.
  • disks are used as display devices these are conventionally flat circular structures positioned with one face closely behind the glass panel and mounted at the opposite face on a driving motor.
  • DE-A-4000719 discloses a display device for an entertainment machine having a disc rotatable by a motor.
  • the disc has a circumferential display part and a drive shaft is located in a central aperture which is driven by the motor.
  • the central region covers an area of the glass panel which is thereby wasted space and cannot readily be used for example for a back illumination lamp or other device.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a rotatable display disk with which wasted space can be minimised.
  • a display device for an entertainment machine having a display panel
  • said device comprising a disk adapted to be mounted on a motor to be rotatably driven thereby with a display face of the disk located closely behind the display panel, characterised in that the disk has a circumferential display part bounding a central aperture, the aperture being defined by a recessed region having a support structure displaced inwardly from the circumferential display part, wherein said motor is mounted beyond said aperture to define a space between the panel and the support structure.
  • the central aperture provides usable space: the central region of the display disk need not give rise to wasted space and optimum use can be made of the display panel of the machine.
  • the aperture is circular and is axially centred relative to the disk.
  • This displaced support structure may comprise a wall, or an openwork structure such as struts or the like.
  • This structure may extend radially and may be linked to the circumferential part by an axially extending structure of a continuous or openwork form.
  • the circumferential part, the displaced support structure and the axially extending link structure form a 'top hat' configuration.
  • the displaced support structure is preferably provided with mounting means adapted for drivable attachment to the motor, preferably axially centred relative to the disk.
  • the circumferential part may be of any suitable continuous or discontinuous form. Preferably however it is an annular part of the disk having a substantially continuous planar outer surface defining the said display face.
  • the circumferential part extends radially.
  • the circumferential part and the support structure may be formed as an integral one-piece body, particularly a thin-walled moulded plastics body, formed from polycarbonate or any other suitable material.
  • the display face of the disk may be marked with symbols or otherwise provided with display matter thereon directly or via an attached band or the like.
  • the central aperture of the display device of the invention may contain any suitable further display or other device, such as a back-illumination lamp or LED or LCD or other alphanumeric display device, or a press button or the like.
  • the display device of the invention may be incorporated in an entertainment machine of the fruit machine kind whereby the display device may be used alone, or in combination with other like or different devices as the main and/or as a supplementary display device of the machine.
  • a fruit machine commonly has a main display device for displaying a selected combination of symbols at a win zone, and also one or more supplementary display devices operable to select one or more symbols used in a supplementary feature game, or in a supplementary play feature of the machine, and the display device of the invention may be used as any one or more of these symbol-type display devices.
  • a player operable entertainment machine having a housing with at least one front display panel and at least one display device operable to display at least one selected symbol at a display zone on the display panel, wherein the display device comprises a disk mounted on a motor to be rotatably driven thereby, the disk having a display face located closely behind the display panel with symbols marked thereon characterised in that the disk has a circumferential display part providing said display face which bounds a central aperture, the aperture being defined by a recessed region having a support structure displaced inwardly from the circumferential display part, wherein said motor is mounted beyond said aperture to define a space between the panel and the support structure.
  • the machine is preferably a coin-operated AWP fruit machine.
  • the display device of the second aspect of the invention may have any or all of the features of the first aspect of the invention.
  • Figure 1 shows a fruit machine having a floor-standing box shaped housing 1 having a front wall which includes upper and lower glass panels 2, 3, a number of operating buttons 5, 6, 6a, a coin slot 7 and a payout opening 8.
  • the housing 1 there are three axially aligned reels 9 having say 20 symbols at regularly spaced positions around their peripheries.
  • the reels 9 are axially rotatable and are drivably connected to respective stepper motors 10.
  • the reels 9 are arranged behind a window 11 defined by a printed region of the lower glass panel 3.
  • Each reel 9 can be arrested by the respective stepper motors 10 in any of 20 stopping positions in which one symbol is in precise registration with a horizontal win line in the centre of the window 11 and two further symbols are visible above and below the win line.
  • the stepper motors 10 are connected to microprocessor-based control unit 12. This unit is also connected to a coin-mechanism 13, a pay-out mechanism 14 and the buttons 5, 6, 6a.
  • the player inserts coins into the coin mechanism 13 through the slot 7 sufficient to generate credit for one or more games.
  • the main game commences after a start button 5 has been pressed and the reels 9 spin and then come to rest so as to select a combination of symbols displayed on the win line.
  • the displayed symbol combination is assessed by the control unit 12 and a win indication is given in the event that the combination is of a predetermined winning nature.
  • the upper panel 2 is a transparent glass panel and within this there is a printed display region 15, which can be back-illuminated with a bank of lamps 16, and which provides a conventional supplementary feature game.
  • this feature game comprises a wraparound trail 17 comprising a series of printed sections 17a marked with decoration, information and symbols.
  • a disk 20 of an auxiliary feature display device In the centre of the trail there is a printed window behind which a disk 20 of an auxiliary feature display device is rotatable.
  • the disk 20 has around its periphery the numbers 1 to 12 corresponding to the values which can be selected with two dice.
  • the disk 20 can be rotated with a stepper motor 20a, controlled by the control system 12, and brought to rest with one of the numbers shown through the window 19.
  • Play can progress around the trail 17 by successive back illumination of the sections 17a simulating movement through a number of steps corresponding to the number selected with the feature disk 20.
  • the disk 20 of the feature display device comprises a one-piece moulded plastics thin-walled circular disk 20 say 320mm diameter, formed from polycarbonate or other material.
  • the disk 20 has a radially extending planar annular peripheral part 21 with inner and outer concentric circular edges 22, 23, and an inwardly directed well 24 defined by a flat circular wall part 25 linked to the annular part 21 by an axially extending cylindrical part 26. All parts 21, 25, 26 are coaxially disposed.
  • the wall part 25 extends radially, parallel to the annular part 21 and has a diameter equal to that of the inner edge 22 of the annular part 21.
  • the wall part 25 is displaced inwardly from the annular part 21 by say 50mm and the cylindrical part 26 is at right angles to the wall part 25 and the disk 20 is of 'top hat' shape as can be seen from Figure 3.
  • the annular part 21 has a planar outer face 27, facing away from the well, which defines a display face and to which printed matter is applied directly or via an attached band.
  • the annular part 21 and cylindrical part 26 are solid, continuous, imperforate structures, as also is the wall part 25 except for a central hole 29 which engages the shaft of the motor 20a.
  • the wall part 25 is securely fixed on a shaft of the motor 20a by mounting means not shown and thereby the wall part 25 acts as a support structure to support the annular part 21 relative to the motor 20a.
  • the motor 20a is fixed on an internal frame structure 28 of the machine housing and this holds the disk 20 in position with the outer display face 27 of the annular part 21 closely behind the machine panel 2.
  • the printed matter on the face 27 comprises the aforementioned numbers.
  • the motor 20a can rotate the disk 21 axially to bring the numbers on the face 27 successively into alignment with the window 19.
  • the disk 20 comes to rest with one of the numbers selected and displayed through the window 19 in predetermined alignment with the window 19.
  • the well 24 defines a usable space between the panel 2 and the wall part 25. Within this space conveniently other devices such as a lamp box for back illumination of the panel 2, an alphanumeric display, a press button or the like may be mounted.
  • peripheral region of the disk 20 i.e. the face 27 is used for display purposes and the central region i.e. the well 24 provides usable space whereby optimum use can be made of the available surface area of the display panel 2.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Slot Machines And Peripheral Devices (AREA)
  • Displays For Variable Information Using Movable Means (AREA)
  • Illuminated Signs And Luminous Advertising (AREA)

Claims (7)

  1. Dispositif d'affichage pour une machine de jeux possédant un panneau d'affichage (2), ledit dispositif comprenant un disque (20) prévu pour être monté sur un moteur (20a) et être entraîné en rotation par celui-ci, une face d'affichage (27) du disque étant située à proximité derrière le panneau d'affichage, caractérisé en ce que le disque possède une partie d'affichage (21) circonférentielle qui délimite une ouverture centrale (24), l'ouverture (24) étant formée par une région évidée ayant une structure de support (25) déplacée vers l'intérieur à partir de la partie d'affichage circonférentielle (21), dans lequel ledit moteur (20a) est monté au-delà de ladite ouverture (24) pour former un espace entre le panneau (2) et la structure de support (25).
  2. Dispositif d'affichage selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que l'ouverture (24) est circulaire et centrée axialement par rapport au disque.
  3. Dispositif d'affichage selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que la structure de support déplacée (25) est munie de moyens de montage (29) permettant de la fixer au moteur (20a) de manière à pouvoir l'entraîner.
  4. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisé en ce que la partie circonférentielle (21) est une partie annulaire du disque (20) qui a une surface extérieure sensiblement continue formant ladite face d'affichage (27).
  5. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, caractérisé en ce que la partie circonférentielle (21) et la structure de support (25) sont constituées d'une seule pièce venue de matière.
  6. Machine de jeux opérable par un joueur ayant un réceptacle avec au moins un panneau d'affichage avant (2) et au moins un dispositif d'affichage destiné à afficher au moins un symbole sélectionné sur une zone d'affichage du panneau d'affichage, dans laquelle le dispositif d'affichage comprend un disque (20) monté sur un moteur (20a) de manière à être entraîné en rotation par celui-ci, le disque (20) ayant une face d'affichage (27) située à proximité derrière le panneau d'affichage (2) sur laquelle sont marqués des symboles, caractérisée en ce que le disque (20) possède une partie d'affichage (21) circonférentielle constituant ladite face d'affichage (27) qui délimite une ouverture centrale (24), l'ouverture (24) étant formée par une région évidée ayant une structure de support (25) déplacée vers l'intérieur à partir de la partie d'affichage circonférentielle (21), dans laquelle ledit moteur (20a) est monté au-delà de ladite ouverture (24) pour former un espace entre le panneau (2) et la structure de support (25).
  7. Machine selon la revendication 6, dans laquelle ledit dispositif d'affichage est un dispositif d'affichage selon l'une quelconque des revendications 2-5.
EP03253385A 2002-05-31 2003-05-30 Machines de jeu Expired - Fee Related EP1380999B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0212688A GB0212688D0 (en) 2002-05-31 2002-05-31 Entertainment machines
GB0212688 2002-05-31

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1380999A2 EP1380999A2 (fr) 2004-01-14
EP1380999A3 EP1380999A3 (fr) 2005-08-24
EP1380999B1 true EP1380999B1 (fr) 2007-07-25

Family

ID=9937853

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP03253385A Expired - Fee Related EP1380999B1 (fr) 2002-05-31 2003-05-30 Machines de jeu

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1380999B1 (fr)
GB (1) GB0212688D0 (fr)

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE8710757U1 (de) * 1987-08-06 1987-11-19 Nsm-Apparatebau Gmbh & Co Kg, 6530 Bingen Münzbetätigtes Spielgerät
DE4000719C2 (de) * 1990-01-12 1998-09-17 Adp Gauselmann Gmbh Münzbetätigtes Unterhaltungsgerät mit einer aus mehreren Umlaufkörpern mit angeordneten Symbolen bestehenden Symbol-Spieleinrichtung
DE19613455C2 (de) * 1996-02-15 2000-01-27 Nsm Ag Münzbetätigtes Unterhaltungsgerät
US6173954B1 (en) * 1997-08-06 2001-01-16 Sega S.A. Cyclic viewer for slot machines

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
None *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0212688D0 (en) 2002-07-10
EP1380999A2 (fr) 2004-01-14
EP1380999A3 (fr) 2005-08-24

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US8460084B2 (en) Gaming device including movable symbol indicator plates
US7217189B2 (en) Gaming device having a rotatable mechanical award indicator partially covered by a mask
US8353766B2 (en) Gaming machine
US20110201405A1 (en) Entertainment machine having a signal-generating device coupled to a movable symbol-bearing support
US20050020349A1 (en) Gaming machine
GB2287567A (en) Display for entertainment machines
EP1380999B1 (fr) Machines de jeu
JP2004181219A (ja) 遊技機
EP1571616B1 (fr) Machine de jeu de type rouleaux avec moyens d'éclairage pour les afficheurs
GB2319389A (en) Amusement machine
AU2004200904B2 (en) Gaming machine
AU2004200902B2 (en) Gaming machine
AU2004200892B2 (en) Gaming machine
JP2005137605A6 (ja) 遊技機
JP2005137605A (ja) 遊技機
EP1575008A1 (fr) Machine de jeu
JP2004181224A (ja) 遊技機
JP2005137725A6 (ja) 遊技機
EP1571619A1 (fr) Machine de jeu
JP2005137725A (ja) 遊技機
JP2006075487A (ja) 遊技機
JP2005137612A (ja) 遊技機
JP2005137609A (ja) 遊技機
JP2005137610A (ja) 遊技機
JP2005137608A (ja) 遊技機

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: A2

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PT RO SE SI SK TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: AL LT LV MK

PUAL Search report despatched

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PT RO SE SI SK TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: AL LT LV MK

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20060216

AKX Designation fees paid

Designated state(s): GB

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: 8566

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): GB

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

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

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20080428

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20080618

Year of fee payment: 6

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20090530

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

Ref country code: GB

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

Effective date: 20090530