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
  • G07F17/34—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements depending on the stopping of moving members in a mechanical slot machine, e.g. "fruit" machines
• • 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

Definitions

• the invention relates to a device for entertainment which is operable by a player to play a game in which symbols are presented on a set of reels, each reel being arranged for rotating and then stopping at one of a number of stop positions, and in which the symbols that are present on at least one win line due to a movement of the reels determine an outcome of the game and a win indication is given in the event that the outcome is of a predetermined winning nature.
• the invention further relates to a method for providing entertainment on a display unit which is operable by a player to play a game in which symbols are presented on a set of reels, each reel being arranged for rotating and then stopping at one of a number of stop positions, and in which the symbols that are present on at least one win line due to a movement of the reels determine an outcome of the game and a win indication is given in the event that the outcome is of a predetermined winning nature.
• the field of entertainment machines of the fruit or poker type also called slot machines, is well known.
• Such machines have a set of (virtual) reels, and each reel has a number of symbols in a fixed order, for example m reels each having n symbols.
• the reels rotate independently of one another, and can be stopped at a number of stop positions, i.e. each symbol is then located in one stop position. There are as many stop positions as there are symbols on the reels.
• a win line is a line within said window at which it is possible to achieve a win. Examples of win lines are straight horizontal lines or diagonal/crisscross patterns over the stop positions. After stopping of the reels, the symbols that appear at the win line(s) determine the win according to a predetermined scheme.
• a device for entertainment is known from patent application EP 0898253.
• the document describes a coin-operated entertainment machine, particularly an amusement or gambling machine of the 'fruit' or 'poker' type.
• the machine has three symbol-bearing reels (or video simulators thereof) rotatable about a common horizontal axis behind a window.
• a game is played by movement of the reels. When stopped, each reel displays three symbols behind a window centered on a horizontal win line.
• a win is awarded in the event that the combination of symbols on the win line is a predetermined winning combination.
• a win may be awarded for a combination of three symbols on any of up to five of the straight win lines in the 3x3 matrix of symbols shown behind the window.
• Each win line has one symbol of each reel.
• non-straight win lines that can be formed in the window in 27 ways may also be awarded a win.
• the player is provided with controls to select the number of lines to play, and to select the stakes for selected wins.
• a problem of the known device is that the game has a rigid structure due to the limited choices of the win lines.
• the object is achieved with a device as defined in the opening paragraph characterized in that the device is provided with line indicators related to the stop positions of the reels, and the device comprises line controls operable to select a set of win lines via the line indicators.
• the object is achieved by a method as defined in the opening paragraph characterized in that the set of reels is provided with line indicators for each stop position of the reels, and the display unit is provided with line controls operable to select a set of win lines via the line indicators.
• the line controls allow the player to select the win lines that he wants to be activated for the next game.
• the effect is that the player has the opportunity to pick one or more win lines independently of each other anywhere on the circumference of the reels. This has the advantage that the player has an increased involvement in the operation of the game, and that additional options for playing on winning combinations of symbols are offered.
• the invention is also based upon the following recognition.
• the known slot machines of the fruit or poker type have a fixed set-up of reels and a win window which displays a few fixed and consecutive win lines.
• the inventors have seen that such a fixed setup may be boring and/or irritating, because the player only can see the symbols displayed in the fixed window in front of the reels, and may have the impression that winning combinations are occurring elsewhere on the reels. Hence they have added the line controls for selecting the win lines as desired. The player will have the feeling of increased control because he is allowed to select his own win lines anywhere on the reels.
• the device comprises a bet unit operable to select a stake for at least one of the selected win lines.
• the bet unit may be arranged for selecting a bet or stake independently for each of the selected win lines, or for a selected combination of win lines, and/or for selecting a stake in dependence of the number of win lines in the set, in particular increasing or decreasing the stake progressively with said number. The effect is that the player has additional control over the game and the bets or stakes involved.
• the line controls are arranged for selecting a win line as a combination of different stop positions via a multitude of line indicators. This has the effect that a win line can be selected in a criss-cross or diagonal way, making a combination of symbols at different stop positions.
• the device comprises a display unit for displaying substantially all symbols of the reels according to the actual stop positions of the reels.
• a display unit for displaying substantially all symbols of the reels according to the actual stop positions of the reels.
• Figure 1 shows an entertainment device
• Figure 2 shows a display of a reel set
• Figure 3 shows an overview of lines and win lines
• Figure 4 shows a display of the game including stop positions and win lines
• FIG. 5 shows a video entertainment console.
• the Figures are diagrammatic and not drawn to scale.
• elements which correspond to elements already described have the same reference numerals.
• Figure 1 shows an entertainment device, in particular a fruit/slot machine, having a floor standing box shaped housing 1 that has a front wall which includes upper and lower glass panels 2,3, a number of operating buttons 4,5,6a, 6b, a coin slot 7 and a payout opening 8, and display units 20, 21 for displaying credits and win indications.
• a floor standing box shaped housing 1 that has a front wall which includes upper and lower glass panels 2,3, a number of operating buttons 4,5,6a, 6b, a coin slot 7 and a payout opening 8, and display units 20, 21 for displaying credits and win indications.
• Within the housing there are three axially aligned reels 9 having a number n, usually 24, symbols at regularly spaced positions around their peripheries.
• the reels 9 are axially rotatable and are drivably connected to respective stepper motors.
• the reels are arranged behind a window 11 defined by a printed region of the lower glass panel 3.
• Each reel can be arrested by the respective stepper motor in any of the n stop positions in which one symbol is in precise registration with a horizontal win line 1 la in the center of the window 11 and two further symbols are visible above and below the win line.
• the stepper motors are connected to a microprocessor based control unit.
• the control unit is also connected to a coin mechanism, a payout mechanism and the buttons 4,5, 6a and 6b.
• the operation of the coin mechanism and the payout mechanism and playing the game using the buttons 4,5 for operating the reels is well known, e.g. from EP 0 898 253. It is noted that embodiments of the device may have different arrangements of the above elements, e.g. also having a belly glass panel or other locations of the user controls and displays.
• the device is provided with an additional display unit 15 coupled to the control unit.
• the display unit 15 is arranged for showing an overview of lines of symbols and win lines, e.g. as discussed below with reference to Figure 3.
• the overview shows line indicators for each stop position of the reels, and/or already selected win lines.
• the buttons 6a and 6b have the function of selecting win lines as follows.
• the player can operate button 6a to add additional win lines using the line indicators shown on display unit 15, e.g. by highlighting a possible win line and confirming the choice by pressing button 6a.
• the selected win lines are indicated on display unit 17. Further the user may set a stake for the selected win line by (repeatedly) pressing button 6b.
• the stake for each win line is displayed on display unit 18.
• Figure 2 shows a display of a reel set.
• the display shows a reel set 10 having three reels 9 rotatable around a horizontal axis.
• the reels 9 have a number of symbols 22, as shown of the fruit type.
• the reel set is provided with line indicators 25 that indicate the stop positions at which the reels may stop, in particular numbers 1 to 24 as shown or characters.
• the display is a three dimensional, virtual representation of a mechanical reel set. For playing a game first the win lines are selected. Then the reels 9 are rotated and will stop at a stop position such that the symbols are aligned.
• the symbols 22 are displayed after said movement of the reels, showing a first win line 23 on line indicator number 6 centered on the display.
• a further win line 27 on line indicator number 9 is partly visible further down.
• the combination of symbols on the win line 23 dete ⁇ nines the outcome of the game for that line, for example combinations like 3 equal symbols in a row.
• the selected win lines are made visible consecutively by rotating the reel set as a whole.
• an overview of all selected win lines is made visible in a separate display field.
• the display shows a win indication 24 for displaying the total win in dependence of the symbols present on the total of all win lines.
• the display is further provided with a number of user controls.
• the user controls may be operable by a suitable control device like a touch screen, a track ball, a mouse, or the like.
• the user controls are constituted by buttons on the entertainment device.
• the user controls include the functions like a 'play' control for starting a game, a 'Win to Credits' button for determining the destination of the win results, and a 'Cash out' control for actually receiving the credits that have been accumulated.
• the cash out function may be embodied by a coin cash out unit, or the credits may be send to an account of the user, for example a bank account or a credit card related account.
• Further controls are provided for setting the bet or stake that is to be used for the next game, for example the bet control 28 indicating the total of credits bet.
• the user controls include line controls 26, for example a 'Pick a Line' control that enable selecting win lines and a "Overview' button that displays an overview as shown in Figure 3.
• the line controls 26 are operable to select win lines anywhere on the reel set, using the line indicators 25 to identify which lines to select. For example the selected win lines may be indicated by partially masking the non selected stop positions as shown.
• the total set of selected win lines are the win lines for the next game to be played.
• the line controls 26 are arranged for selecting a win line via a multitude of line indicators 25.
• the win line consists then of three positions of two or three different straight horizontal lines. For example a line is selected crossing via three lines, taking into account one symbol of each win line. Other combinations of positions of the lines can also be selected.
• Figure 3 shows an overview of lines and win lines.
• the overview display 30 shows the symbols of each reel in a total symbol display 31 that shows all symbols of each reel in consecutive order as columns.
• the selected win lines are made visible for the player, e.g. by highlighting as shown for selected win line 34.
• the line indicators 32 are shown consecutively along the total symbol display 31. Further a bet or stake indication 33 for each win line 34 is shown.
• the overview display 30 may be shown all the time or on request due to an 'overview' command of the player. It may be shown in a display field on the main display or on a separate display unit.
• the overview contains a summary of the stake set for each of the selected win lines for the next game.
• the overview contains a column showing a win indication (not shown in the Figure), i.e. the number of credits gained in the previous game according to the combination of symbols on the line.
• a win indication i.e. the number of credits gained in the previous game according to the combination of symbols on the line.
• credits actually gained for the previously selected win lines are shown, while the further non selected win lines are displayed without win indication.
• the win indications for not selected lines may be shown also, e.g. in a different color, to indicate to the player what he might have won when he had selected other win lines.
• Figure 4 shows a display of the stop positions and win lines.
• the reel set 10 is shown in a side view such that the line indicators 43 are completely shown to the player.
• an overview 42 is shown as described with Figure 3.
• a stake control 44 is included that has a button 'Change stake' and a button 'Reset Winlines' and a stake indicator.
• the stake control 44 and the bet display 28, including further user controls for setting the stake, are called bet unit.
• the stake can be selected for one or more of the win lines, as discussed below.
• the bet unit has hardware buttons to set the stakes for the win lines as required.
• the stake is selectable for all win lines together.
• a single stake is set for the total combination of win lines, i.e. increasing the bet already selected.
• the stake is selectable independently for each of the selected win lines.
• First the win line is selected and then the stake for that specific win line is set.
• the bet unit is arranged for selecting a stake in dependence of the number of win lines in the set. For example the stake can be increased automatically if the player selects more win lines. In particular increasing the stake progressively with said number of selected win lines adds excitement to the game. On the other hand the stake could be automatically decreased in the event that more win lines are selected, e.g. due to maximum bet rules of the game.
• a method for providing entertainment based on a display is as follows.
• a software program made available that is operative to cause a processor to perform display, the game and control functions described above.
• the program may be made to run on a common, stand alone PC or a special game console.
• a server part of the program is run on a computer of a server type.
• the server is connected to the computer or game console of the player, in which a client part of the software is running.
• the server part may perform the functions of actually executing the game, e.g. determining the movement of the reels and keeping track of the stakes, the wins and the credits.
• the client part of the program than performs the functions of displaying the game and providing the user controls to the player.
• the server part is running in a controlled environment which ensures that the game is not tampered with, e.g. the random mechanism used to control the movement of the reels can be guaranteed to be fair.
• the communication between the server part and the client part may be accommodated via a local or global network, for example the internet.
• the embodiment described above has three reels, but the game may be embodied by a set of an arbitrary number of m reels. Further the word reel is meant to include every linearly ordered set of n symbols, and not construed to be limited to a circular element.
• the order of the symbols in each of the m sets, and the combinations of symbols that determine the win, are predetermined.
• a game is played by moving and stopping the ordered sets so that the symbols are halted at an arbitrary (new or the same) stop position. Before starting said movement the player determines (within predetermined restrictions of the game) the win lines, comprising a combination of stop positions, and the bets or stakes for the win lines.
• the number of (horizontal) win lines to which the player may assign stakes is limited, e.g. to a minimum or a maximum.
• FIG. 5 shows a video entertainment console.
• the console has a floor standing cabinet 50, which is provided with a video screen 51 for a player to view the game displays as described above with reference to Figures 2, 3 and 4.
• the console is provided with user controls 52, e.g. a touch screen, a joystick or a trackball type of cursor control and further control buttons.
• the cabinet 50 has a payment slot 53, e.g. for entering coins or a credit card or chip card or any further suitable token of credits made available to the player by the owner of the console. Credits gained during playing may be added on the card or token entered in the payment slot 53, or may be paid out in cash via a pay-out tray (not shown).
• the cabinet is provided on the inside with a game generation unit for performing the game process as described above.
• the game generation unit can be implemented using a micro-processor, memory and input/output circuits commonly known for executing a software program comprising the game functions as described above for generating the display. Further a random or pseudo random unit is implemented for generating the outcome of the game.
• the video console may be coupled to a central server computer via a network. The server computer may control the game results and keep track of the credits gained or lost.
• the invention has been mainly explained by embodiments using a software implantation of the entertainment game, the invention is also suitable for implementation in hardware, e.g. a mechanical device.
• a mechanical device e.g. a device could have an additional mechanism for viewing the selected win lines, e.g. by mechanically rotating the reel set as a whole on request of the player, or an addition video display that shows the symbols of the win lines or all symbols of the reel set as described above with reference to Figure 3.

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• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Slot Machines And Peripheral Devices (AREA)

Priority Applications (1)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Publications (1)

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• 2003
  • 2003-10-17 EP EP03795791A patent/EP1556841A2/de not_active Ceased
  • 2003-10-17 AU AU2003298092A patent/AU2003298092A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2003-10-17 WO PCT/EP2003/011628 patent/WO2004036518A2/en not_active Ceased

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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