EP2141672A1 - Anzeigesystem zum Spielen eines Spiels - Google Patents

Anzeigesystem zum Spielen eines Spiels Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2141672A1
EP2141672A1 EP09275050A EP09275050A EP2141672A1 EP 2141672 A1 EP2141672 A1 EP 2141672A1 EP 09275050 A EP09275050 A EP 09275050A EP 09275050 A EP09275050 A EP 09275050A EP 2141672 A1 EP2141672 A1 EP 2141672A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
display device
area
outcome
player
images
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP09275050A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Peter Gerrard
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.)
Barcrest Group Ltd
Original Assignee
Barcrest Group 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 Barcrest Group Ltd filed Critical Barcrest Group Ltd
Publication of EP2141672A1 publication Critical patent/EP2141672A1/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G07CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07FCOIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/32Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
    • G07F17/3202Hardware aspects of a gaming system, e.g. components, construction, architecture thereof
    • G07F17/3204Player-machine interfaces
    • G07F17/3211Display means
    • GPHYSICS
    • G07CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07FCOIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/32Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
    • G07F17/34Coin-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

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a display device, particularly for displaying combinations of selected symbols, for use in playing a game.
  • the invention is particularly although not exclusively concerned with such display devices forming part of a player-operable game-play apparatus or entertainment machine including player-operable coin-operated gaming or amusement machines, and gaming or amusement systems having player-operable terminals connected to remote servers.
  • coin-operated includes operation by coins, tokens, notes, credit or debit cards, or any other suitable means of providing credit or monetary value.
  • Conventional reel-based game-play apparatus such as fruit machines, have a plurality of actual or video-simulated side-by-side symbol-bearing reels, say 3, 4 or 5 reels, which act as symbol selectors.
  • the reels are rotated and then brought to rest to display, through a window or at a play area, on one or more win lines, one or more combinations of symbols on the peripheries of the reels.
  • the (or each) such combination is evaluated and an award may be made available in the event that the combination is of a predetermined winning nature.
  • each reel may display say three consecutive symbols at the window or play area and there may be multiple straight or angled win lines through different arrangements of the different displayed symbols of the different reels.
  • Such known reel-based machines are very well known and widely used, and players are familiar with the manner in which they operate.
  • the players are aware that the reels have predetermined symbol sequences from which the symbol combinations are selected.
  • symbols are typically printed on a peripheral reel band, at say 20 equally spaced positions.
  • the player can see the symbols appearing in sequence through the window or at the play area of the machine.
  • the window or play area is large enough to display three consecutive symbols together on each reel, as mentioned above, the player can see near misses as well as final selected combinations, that is, the player can see symbols which might have been included in selected combinations had the rotation of the reels terminated earlier or later.
  • a display device for a player-operable entertainment machine for playing a game in which a selected outcome image is displayed at a win location and an award is made available to the player in the event that the outcome image is of a predetermined winning kind, the display device being operable to produce at a win location a changing display of a plurality of possible outcome images followed by an outcome display of the selected outcome image, wherein the said plurality of possible outcome images are provided on an area at positions spaced from each other in at least two dimensions and the changing display comprises movement relative to the win location of the said area such that multiple said outcome images are displayed at the win location.
  • the player can see an entire outcome image before it is selected. This can help the player quickly assess the identity or parameters of the selected outcome image. Also, since the player is seeing possible outcome images, rather than component parts, during the changing display, the player can be provided with clear information as to the nature and the manner of selection of the outcome images even with a very wide range of possible outcome images. This allows, in a manner acceptable to the player, increased or enhanced possibilities for selection of outcome images. Moreover, the movement of outcome images relative to the win location can provide a changing display of particular interest and entertainment value to the player whilst at the same time providing good information and reassurance as to the honesty of selection.
  • this may comprise a smooth surface which may be flat or it may be shaped on any regular or irregular basis e.g. it may be curved cylindrically, spherically or otherwise, or it may be polyhedral or otherwise angularly shaped.
  • the area may have a contoured configuration and thus may be in the form of a landscape i.e. having peaks and/or troughs projecting above and/or below a mid-plane which may be flat or shaped in like manner to the above mentioned smooth surface.
  • the area may be freely exposed e.g. as an external surface of a body.
  • the area may be an internal area of a regular or irregular body such as the interior of one or more hollow bodies or compartments and/or of one or more passageways.
  • the area may be provided by a series of rooms linked by corridors or halls, or underground spaces linked by tunnels or the like. It is even possible for the area itself to be three dimensional e.g. as an area of space whereby the two-dimensional spacing of the outcome images may be in any two of the three dimensions.
  • Such areas may be of the same or different kind and may have the same or different outcome images.
  • Transition between areas may occur as part of the said changing display.
  • the movement may transfer from one area to another on a random or pseudo random basis or triggered by some event or as initiated by the player.
  • the transition may occur after display of the selected outcome image, in dependence on such image or on any other factor, whereby play transfers to a different area.
  • one of the areas is selected for play in dependence on player choice or a random or pseudo random factor or in dependence on game stake value, as described hereinafter, or otherwise.
  • Different areas may correspond to different levels of play in terms of complexity, value of awards, etc.
  • the outcome images may be provided on the (or each) area in any suitable manner.
  • they may be distributed in predetermined regular conformation, such as a regular matrix, with images equally spaced side-by-side and also equally spaced one above another, or in the case of a three dimensional area in two or more of one above the other, side-by-side, and one behind the other.
  • a predetermined irregular, or random conformation may be used.
  • the conformation may be fixed or may be changeable on any suitable random or predetermined basis under the control of the display device or under player control. Where multiple areas are provided, they may have the same or different conformations.
  • the outcome images may take any suitable form and may be fixed or changeable.
  • the outcome images may be of an elongate nature and may all extend in a common direction on the (or each) area.
  • Most preferably the outcome images comprise symbol combinations which may be of the kind used in reel-based gaming apparatus as described above.
  • there may be say five symbols in a line which may be selected from playing card indications, e.g. A, K, Q, J, and/or fruit representations, and/or other symbols such as dice, numbers, pictorial representations of roulette wheels, a joker, etc.
  • the outcome images may be provided by continuous rows and columns of symbols.
  • Each outcome image may have the same number of symbols, say five, and these may be equally spaced from each other and such spacing may be equal to the spacing of the outcome images whereby the entire display may consist of equally spaced rows of equally spaced symbols.
  • the outcome images are predetermined and fixed. It is however also possible to allow for changing of the images, e.g. by movement of individual symbols in a symbol combination image by simulation of rotation of symbol-bearing reels or otherwise. This changing may take place as part of the aforesaid changing display or at a different stage and may be under the control of the display device and/or under the control of the player.
  • the changing display movement may be of any suitable kind.
  • the movement takes place over the surface in the said two dimensions along a continuous course which may be of any suitable straight, angular or curved configuration, preferably smoothly curved.
  • the movement may simulate flight over the area, or, in the case of an internal area as described above, the movement may simulate travel within the body e.g. travel from room to room along corridors in a building or though tunnels or otherwise.
  • the third dimension may also be perpendicular to the surface, or it may be at a fixed or variable angle e.g. such that the area tilts towards or away from the win location.
  • the movement may simulate flight through outer space or under water or the like.
  • the movement may involve change in conformation of the (or each) area e.g. such that it stretches or distorts or deflects.
  • the win location may comprise a window or a play area and the outcome images may only be displayed at such window or play area. It is however also possible for the images to be displayed additionally around the window or play area to give a greater area for the changing display.
  • the arrangement may be such that only a single selected outcome image is displayed at the win location after the changing display.
  • multiple selected outcome images may be displayed.
  • the images are lines of symbol combinations, three such images may be displayed, with the symbols in alignment, one above the other in simulation of reel-based gaming apparatus which displays three symbols from each reel at the window or game play area.
  • the display device described above is preferably incorporated in a player-operable game-play apparatus or an entertainment machine.
  • the display device may be operable, as described above, in playing the sole, or main game of the apparatus.
  • the display device may be operable as described above for playing a subsidiary game, such as a feature game or bonus game which is made available in dependence on the outcome of a different main game or which is made available as a consequence of some bonus event or otherwise.
  • the main game may be a conventional reel-based symbol-selection game.
  • the game-play apparatus or entertainment machine is coin-operated whereby operation of the display device may be dependent on actuation of the apparatus with a predetermined game-play stake.
  • the number of areas available for play may be determined by the stake value selected by the player.
  • the number of areas available for play may depend on the outcome of a previous main game or play with a first area.
  • the (or each) selected outcome image displayed with the display device may be evaluated, by evaluation means, and utilised to determine an award which may then be made available to the player with award means.
  • the outcome image is a symbol combination win evaluation may be effected along one or more win lines at the win location e.g. in simulation of a reel-based gaming machine.
  • All awards may be a monetary value paid or credited to the player.
  • the game play may also take place via the internet, mobile telephone, handheld console, or any other device.
  • the play area is provided by the video screen area of the said device.
  • the entertainment machine has a floor-standing, wall-mounted, or table-top box shaped cabinet 1 having an upper front glass panel 2 which is screen-printed to define a central window area 3 through which a screen 4 of a VDU 5 is exposed.
  • a coin or note slot 6 for introduction of coins, tokens or notes, and below the panel 2 there is a pay-out opening 7.
  • the cabinet 1 there is mounted the VDU 5, a receiving mechanism 8 for coins, tokens or notes connected to the slot 6, a pay-out or award device 9 connected to the outlet 7, and a processor unit 10 with an evaluator 10a to which these parts are connected.
  • buttons 11 which are also connected to the processor unit 10. It is also possible to use touch-screen controls.
  • the VDU screen 4 shows a central rectangular play area 12, and various indicators 16, 17, above and beneath the play area 12.
  • Some of the indicators 16 relate to functions, such as 'Start', 'Autoplay', 'Help', 'Exit' and these may relate to corresponding press buttons 11, or may be touch screen areas.
  • Other indicators 1'7 provide digital or alphanumeric displays recording e.g. game-play credit and winnings.
  • the play area 12 can provide a display simulating five side-by-side fruit machine reels 1 &, that is reels having symbols 19 at equally spaced positions around their peripheries and which have each rotated to come to rest to display three consecutive symbols 19, in a vertical column one above the other at the play area 12 with the symbols of the different reels 18 aligned in three horizontal rows.
  • the machine includes an evaluator 10a which evaluates combinations of the symbols 19 displayed at the play area 12 along one or more win lines, such as the central horizontal win line 15. If desired any one or more of the three rows of horizontally aligned symbols 19, and various diagonal, stepped, zig zag or other angular paths across the five columns of symbols 19 may be win lines.
  • the award device 9 of the machine is associated with the evaluator 10a whereby an award can be made available when an evaluated symbol combination is of a predetermined winning nature.
  • the machine After insertion of coins, tokens or notes into the slot 6 to an amount at least equal to a predetermined game-play stake value, the machine can be operated to play a game. Credit is shown on the credits indicator 17.
  • the player may now have the option of playing a conventional game using the reels 18 shown at the main play area 12 with multiple win lines. In that case, after pressing the start button 16 the reels 18 rotate and then come to rest and winnings are indicated on the winnings indicator 17 in the event that a winning combination is attained on a win line 15. By operating an exit button 16 the player can obtain a payout of accumulated winnings or transfer this to credit for use in playing further games.
  • the buttons 16 may include one or more of gamble, nudge, hold or other buttons whereby the player can seek to influence the selection of the winning combinations and/or gamble an attained award.
  • the player can play a different selection game. This may be available automatically for all games, or it may be available at the option of the player e.g. by utilising a higher stake value or by substituting the multiple selection game for the multiple win line game described above, or it may become available on an occasional e.g. random basis or as a bonus game triggered by a bonus event.
  • This different selection game involves a changing display of symbol combinations within the window 12 ending with three static symbol combinations one above the other, as shown in Figure 3 , but not using rotatable reels.
  • a display appears within the window 12 of a flat surface 20 having a matrix of symbols 19 equally spaced in horizontal rows and vertical columns.
  • the symbols 19 are those which appear on the simulated rotatable reels 18, namely, playing card indications A, K, Q, J, numbers and pictorial symbols.
  • the symbols 19 are arranged with various winning and non-winning five-symbol combinations.
  • several rows and columns, in excess of the rows and columns which can be seen in Figure 3 can be seen through the window 12, this being possible because the displayed surface 20 is shown (in simulation) as being spaced behind the window 12.
  • the surface 20 moves (in simulation) behind the window 12 to produce a changing display of multiple five-symbol combinations which are defined by each set of five adjacent symbols in each of the rows of the matrix of continuous rows and columns of equally-spaced symbols 19.
  • the movement gives the impression of flying over the surface 20 with the surface 20 tilting and moving towards and away from the window 12.
  • This tilting may be angular movement of the surface 20 or it may incorporate a twisting affect whereby some symbols 19 may become distorted as well as being angled away from the window.
  • the movement is along a smoothly curved course which is randomly, or pseudo-randomly determined. After a predetermined period of time, the course of the movement focuses on a set of three symbol combinations and these are then displayed, in static representations, in the window 12 in like manner to Figure 3 .
  • the movement along the course and to the target symbol combinations takes place at a relatively slow speed so that the player can clearly see the symbol combinations.
  • the final stage of the movement which involves bringing the surface 20 towards the window in flat disposition so that ultimately only three symbol combinations can be seen, occurs via a convoluted course such that the final display is not fully known until the movement terminates. This provides anticipation and entertainment for the player in so far as it may appear that the movement is likely to bring a high value combination on to the win line, yet finally an adjacent losing or lower value combination may be selected.
  • the operation of the display may be wholly under the control of the machine whereby the final display is selected on a random or pseudo-random machine-controlled basis.
  • provision may be made for some intervention by the player whereby, by operating buttons 16, the player may be able to influence the course of movement or final selection.
  • the final static display is subjected to win evaluation in the same manner as that described above, in relation to the central win line 15, and/or to other win lines, and any resulting award is credited to the player as described above.
  • the movement effect may be achieved in any suitable manner, as also may be the display of the selected outcome images.
  • there may be in software a predetermined matrix of symbols which is converted to a moving image by suitable 3D conversion software, the course of movement also being determined by software, and the end position being determined by reference to the known position of a pre-selected one of the combinations on the predetermined matrix.
  • the movement over the surface 20 simulates the movement of a 'flying carpet' over a ground surface, finally landing at a position on the surface.
  • the affect may be that of gliding, swooping, twisting, diving and finally homing-in and landing on an area which fills, in enlarged view, the window 12.
  • the player is provided with an interesting and entertaining selection display alternative to rotation of reels. Since the player is presented with moving symbol combinations, rather than changing symbols within combinations, the player can more readily see and assess a selected combination. Further, the number and range of possible combinations does not have to be unduly limited, as is the case with rotatable reels, because the player can see, during the changing display, all of the combinations from which the selection is being made and is therefore reassured as to the manner in which the selection occurs and its honesty. In particular, the player can see very many different combinations at the same time and knows that all of these are therefore available. With rotatable reels, the player can only see three combinations at the same time and cannot be aware of other available combinations.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Slot Machines And Peripheral Devices (AREA)
EP09275050A 2008-07-04 2009-06-30 Anzeigesystem zum Spielen eines Spiels Withdrawn EP2141672A1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0812216A GB2461343A (en) 2008-07-04 2008-07-04 Display device for an entertainment machine

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2141672A1 true EP2141672A1 (de) 2010-01-06

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EP09275050A Withdrawn EP2141672A1 (de) 2008-07-04 2009-06-30 Anzeigesystem zum Spielen eines Spiels

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GB (1) GB2461343A (de)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2511335A (en) * 2013-02-28 2014-09-03 Weike S Pte Ltd A Gaming Machine and A Method of Generating A Focus Area
US9384624B2 (en) 2012-10-09 2016-07-05 Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited Gaming system and a method of gaming

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN108710913A (zh) * 2018-05-21 2018-10-26 国网上海市电力公司 一种基于深度学习的开关柜图像开关状态自动识别方法

Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4517558A (en) * 1982-05-03 1985-05-14 International Game Technology Three dimensional video screen display effect
WO1999019037A1 (en) * 1997-10-14 1999-04-22 Casino Data Systems A gaming apparatus and method including a player interactive bonus game
DE19822655A1 (de) * 1998-05-20 1999-11-25 Bally Wulff Automaten Gmbh Aufbau einer Frontscheibe für münzbetätigte Spielautomaten
EP1186987A2 (de) * 2000-09-07 2002-03-13 Sony Corporation Vorrichtung zur Informationsanzeige
WO2002032521A1 (en) * 2000-10-16 2002-04-25 Next Generation Entertainment (Aust) Pty Ltd Electronic game for computer or slot machine
US20020111212A1 (en) * 2000-10-25 2002-08-15 Robert Muir Gaming graphics
EP1260928A2 (de) * 2001-05-22 2002-11-27 WMS Gaming Inc Spielautomat mit überlagertem Videobild
WO2003039699A1 (en) * 2001-11-08 2003-05-15 Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Ltd Gaming machin display
US20040009803A1 (en) * 2000-08-22 2004-01-15 Bennett Nicholas Luke Gaming machine with multi-dimensional symbols
US20050059487A1 (en) * 2003-09-12 2005-03-17 Wilder Richard L. Three-dimensional autostereoscopic image display for a gaming apparatus
WO2006039324A2 (en) * 2004-10-01 2006-04-13 Wms Gaming Inc. System and method for 3d reel effects

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20070290436A1 (en) * 2001-06-27 2007-12-20 Seelig Jerald C Gaming display with moveable indicator and methods of use
JP2008035888A (ja) * 2006-08-01 2008-02-21 Aruze Corp スロットマシン及びそのプレイ方法
JP2008035891A (ja) * 2006-08-01 2008-02-21 Aruze Corp スロットマシン及びそのプレイ方法
JP2008035889A (ja) * 2006-08-01 2008-02-21 Aruze Corp スロットマシン及びそのプレイ方法

Patent Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4517558A (en) * 1982-05-03 1985-05-14 International Game Technology Three dimensional video screen display effect
WO1999019037A1 (en) * 1997-10-14 1999-04-22 Casino Data Systems A gaming apparatus and method including a player interactive bonus game
DE19822655A1 (de) * 1998-05-20 1999-11-25 Bally Wulff Automaten Gmbh Aufbau einer Frontscheibe für münzbetätigte Spielautomaten
US20040009803A1 (en) * 2000-08-22 2004-01-15 Bennett Nicholas Luke Gaming machine with multi-dimensional symbols
EP1186987A2 (de) * 2000-09-07 2002-03-13 Sony Corporation Vorrichtung zur Informationsanzeige
WO2002032521A1 (en) * 2000-10-16 2002-04-25 Next Generation Entertainment (Aust) Pty Ltd Electronic game for computer or slot machine
US20020111212A1 (en) * 2000-10-25 2002-08-15 Robert Muir Gaming graphics
EP1260928A2 (de) * 2001-05-22 2002-11-27 WMS Gaming Inc Spielautomat mit überlagertem Videobild
WO2003039699A1 (en) * 2001-11-08 2003-05-15 Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Ltd Gaming machin display
US20050059487A1 (en) * 2003-09-12 2005-03-17 Wilder Richard L. Three-dimensional autostereoscopic image display for a gaming apparatus
WO2006039324A2 (en) * 2004-10-01 2006-04-13 Wms Gaming Inc. System and method for 3d reel effects

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9384624B2 (en) 2012-10-09 2016-07-05 Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited Gaming system and a method of gaming
US9734656B2 (en) 2012-10-09 2017-08-15 Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited Gaming system and a method of gaming
GB2511335A (en) * 2013-02-28 2014-09-03 Weike S Pte Ltd A Gaming Machine and A Method of Generating A Focus Area

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0812216D0 (en) 2008-08-13
GB2461343A (en) 2010-01-06

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