EP2219161B1 - Money-operated entertainment device - Google Patents

Abstract

The coin-operated, computer controlled entertainment device has a display device (2) for displaying a playing device (5). The display device has multiple displays arranged in a row. The displays are separately controlled to represent different playing devices or illustrations. Multiple packets, spaced apart from each other, are arranged in the display device. Each packet has two displays in immediate succession.

Description

The invention relates to a money-operated, computer-controlled entertainment device having at least one display device for displaying at least one game device, wherein the display device comprises a plurality of displays arranged one behind the other, which are separately controllable to represent different game devices and / or pictures.

Such an entertainment device is from the EP 1 455 315 A2 known.

From practice, a money-operated, computer-controlled entertainment device with or without profit opportunity is known, which has a display device with three superimposed screens, which serve to represent a game device in the form of several juxtaposed, roller-shaped recirculating bodies. Computer-controlled, an image is generated that corresponds to rotating <rotating bodies with peripheral symbols. A payline is used to display a random game result, that is, a certain combination of symbols. The presentation of the game result is accompanied by an indication of the virtual rotating body, which corresponds to still set rolls. From the displayed symbols the user can read off the result of the game, in particular whether there is a profit according to an identifiable winning plan. In addition, game devices designed as risk managers can be represented. The profit achieved by attaining a randomly determined combination of symbols can be transferred as a key or computer-controlled application to one of the game devices arranged on both sides of the screen. Furthermore, one of the screens is used to display a points-winning field, which indicates the points won in a win in one of the game facilities. Finally, one of the screens is provided with a credit indication for a monetary amount, a dot display for dots, and an additional point device configured as a multi-digit counter. In addition, sensor keys are formed on a screen designed as a touch screen, which serve to start a conversion of monetary assets from the credit display in the score display points to be accumulated and vice versa.

With this entertainment device, the presentation and operation of a variety of game facilities is possible, however, are always displayed virtually on one of the screens in two-dimensional form. This is disadvantageous in that the user of the entertainment device can not be offered a game with real three-dimensional game facilities.

It is an object of the invention to provide an entertainment device of the type mentioned above, which comprises over the prior art further display options. According to the invention the object is achieved by the features of claim 1.

The arrangement of displays connected in series makes it possible to achieve a large number of individual presentation variants of both the game device and the entire entertainment device. If, for example, an external display has a translucent design, an immediately underlying display can serve to display images which a viewer can perceive with or without optical effects influenced by the external display. In this way, gaming devices and / or images can be displayed in a variety of designs for a user of the entertainment device. Furthermore, it is possible to indicate by the appropriate control of windows or arbitrarily contoured sections of a display on representations of an underlying display. For example, it is possible in this way to generate reading windows or to at least partially fade in or fade certain playing facilities.

In an embodiment, a plurality of packets, each with two displays arranged directly behind one another, are arranged at a distance from one another in the display device. On the one hand, the distance between two adjacent packets leads to three-dimensional optical effects and, on the other hand, makes it possible to arrange objects in the intermediate space which are visible and invisible to the user of the entertainment device or a viewer when the objects covering the objects are correspondingly controlled can be. The displays one each Package of the display device are attached directly behind one another.

The respective outer display of the display device is designed as a transparent, self-luminous first screen, namely an OLED screen, and an underlying display, as a light-blocking, transparent second screen, namely a black and white or color LCD, without backlight. In this embodiment, an image can be displayed on the outside, the viewer facing display, so the first screen, while the arranged on the inside of the entertainment device second screen, for example, in a black or color circuit, behind it, ie inside the Entertainment device recorded items, in particular game facilities, completely obscured and not visible to a viewer makes. Through the appropriate transparent circuit of both screens, a section can be generated with any contour and within this contour, the objects inside the entertainment device are visible to the viewer from the outside. Backlighting is not required for viewing through the internal display, ie the liquid crystal display. The display facing the viewer, so the OLED is actively driven, in particular to project an image on the LCD without backlight, which serves in its black or color circuit as a projection screen and background for the presentation of the OLED and in its transparent circuit according to Control arbitrary Contoured window for viewing releases, whereby these transparent windows can be covered by an image of the OLED or LCD, so that an opaque impression. With the combination of a fully functional OLED and a backlit liquid crystal display, a new screen is created.

Conveniently, objects are arranged behind the display device in the interior of the entertainment device, which are visible in corresponding switching states of the individual displays for an outside viewer. The first screen may serve primarily to represent the game device, which is visually perceptible to a user of the entertainment device in a black circuit of the second screen without additional effects. In the case of a black circuit of the second screen, furthermore, all objects arranged behind the second screen are not optically recognizable. During a corresponding activation, images can be displayed with the second screen, which are visually perceptible by a user of the entertainment device due to the transparent design of the first screen. The images may be components or additions of the game device shown on the first screen, which are displayed as required or game sequence controlled. Of course, hints about the game or copywriting can be displayed.

To provide the largest possible areas for the display of images and / or transparent areas and thus a great variety in the design of the entertainment device to allow the two displays have the same size.

The objects are preferably at least one rotatable roller and / or disk of a game device, which are provided in particular with symbols. Sonach can game-controlled or, after selection by a user in addition to a virtual game viewing on the first screen and a real game device behind the second screen are included in the game.

According to a development, the displays of the display device can be controlled such that a reading window for a profit symbol of the roller and / or disc can be displayed. The roller and / or disc need not be completely visible, it is also sufficient if only a section, for example in the form of a reading window, is optically detectable. The commonly used symbols, which are used in particular for the determination of profits, can be applied both to the roller or disc and represented by one of the screens, in particular the first screen, whereby an increased flexibility of the entertainment device is accompanied by a multiplicity of possible representable symbols.

Alternatively, the items are at least one item to be advertised and / or to be won. The object to be advertised or to be won can be accommodated, for example, in a housing part of the entertainment device that is modeled on a showcase, and be made visible by a corresponding control of the two screens for a user in case of need.

Preferably, keys for controlling the entertainment device, for returning coins and / or for paying out winnings are provided either as sensor fields or switches and at least one game sequence control, wherein a control for the display device is integrated in the game sequence control. Of course, the buttons can be assigned to both electrical switches and sensor fields of a touchscreen display.

It goes without saying that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the respectively indicated combination but also in other combinations. The scope of the invention is defined only by the claims.

Fig.1

eine Vorderansicht des erfindungsgemäßen Unterhal- tungsgerätes,

Fig.2

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Anzeigeeinrich- tung in schematischer Darstellung,

Fig.3

eine zweite perspektivische Ansicht der Anzeigeein- richtung nach Fig. 2,

Fig.4

eine Vorderansicht der Anzeigeeinrichtung nach Fig. 3,

Fig.5

eine dritte perspektivische Ansicht der Anzeigeein- richtung nach Fig. 2 und

Fig.6

eine Vorderansicht der Anzeigeeinrichtung nach Fig. 5.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to an embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings. It shows:

Fig.1

a front view of the entertainment device according to the invention,

Fig.2

a perspective view of a display device in a schematic representation,

Figure 3

a second perspective view of the display device according to Fig. 2 .

Figure 4

a front view of the display device according to Fig. 3 .

Figure 5

a third perspective view of the display device according to Fig. 2 and

Figure 6

a front view of the display device according to Fig. 5 ,

The housing 1 of the coin-operated, computer-controlled entertainment device with profit possibility has on its front three superimposed display devices 2, 3, 4, of which the upper display device 2 for displaying a game device 5, in the form of a symbol game device with three disc-shaped recirculating bodies 6 optically is shown. Computer controlled, an image is generated, which corresponds to rotating circulating bodies 6 with symbols 7. In order to display a randomly controlled game result, that is to say a specific combination of symbols 7, readout windows 8 are used. The display of the game result is accompanied by an indication of the virtual rotating bodies 6, which correspond to stilled disks. From the displayed symbols 7, the user can read the result of the game, in particular also whether there is a profit according to a displayable winning plan.

In order to design the display of the upper display device 2 individually, a plurality of successively arranged displays 9 are provided, which are separately controllable. The external display 9, which is directly facing a user of the entertainment device, is designed as a transparent, self-luminous first screen 10, in particular an OLED screen. This first screen 10 is used to represent the game device 5 in the form of three disc-shaped rotating body 6, optionally and the reading window 8. Parallel and spaced from the first screen 10 is a behind-screen display 8, which is designed as a light-blocking, transparent second screen 11, in particular a black-and-white or color LCD, arranged. If the first screen 10 is switched to be transparent in any desired contour 12, then the second screen 11 behind it, on which, for example, a text 13 is shown, can be seen. After the activation of the second screen 11 for transparency within an arbitrary cutout 14, the roller 15 arranged behind the second screen 9 is visible with symbols 16 for the user of the entertainment device. This roller 15 can be visible, for example, for additional or special games, but also in a completely normal game play and their score, so their icon displayed 16, at standstill of the roller 15, be integrated into the game result of the game device 5. A reading window 17 assigned to the roller can, like the reading windows 8 assigned to the disc-shaped circulating bodies 6, be represented by one of the displays 9 at any point. With a corresponding colored or black control, the second screen 11 can completely cover the object (s) arranged behind it and the first screen 10 serves to display a designated image.

The display device 3 in the middle of the entertainment device serves to display game devices 5 which are designed as risk ladders 18, 19. The device 5 achieved in the game device 5 by achieving a symbol combination determined randomly by means of the rotating bodies 6 Profit can be transferred to one of the risk managers 18, 19 as a use of keys or computers. The left risk ladder 18 comprises a plurality of display fields 20 shown one above the other, which are assigned in ascending order with profit values of 10 to 5,000 points. The right risk ladder 19 also has a plurality of display fields 20 shown one above the other, which are occupied in ascending order with profit values of 15 to 6000 points.

Risking the profit displayed in the risk ladder 18 or 19 takes place in that the next higher display field 20 with respect to the visually highlighted, the profit-indicating display panel 20 in alternation with an attached below the risk ladder 18 and 19 total loss display field 21 with the label "0" is flashing. Upon actuation of a key 22 designed as a pushbutton, which is arranged in a lower housing section 23, either the next higher profit is achieved at random or the profit used is lost. This process can be continued until the maximum point gain is achieved.

In addition, the display device 3 in the middle of the entertainment device is used to display a points-winning field 24, which indicates the points won, in this case 80000, when winning in one of the game devices 23.

The lower display device 4 is provided with a credit amount display 25 for a cash amount, a dot display 16 for dots, and an additional point device configured as a multi-digit counter 27 provided. In addition, sensor keys 28 are formed on the touch screen display device 4, which serve to start a conversion of monetary credit from the credit display 25 in the point display 26 points to be accumulated and vice versa.

Furthermore, arranged in the lower housing portion 23 of the entertainment device as push buttons 29 post-start / stop buttons. With their admission in the game device 5 or on the roller 15 displayed symbol 7 or 16 can be restarted or stopped prematurely, ie if necessary. the display is influenced such that the circulating bodies 6 appear to be stationary or rotating. Further, a coin insertion slot 30 and a bill input slot 31 of a money processing device, not shown, are provided. Furthermore, a return key 32 is arranged next to the Münzeinwurfschlitz 30 by the actuation of a displayed in the credit display 25 credit is available in an output tray.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1.

casing

Second

display

Third

display

4th

display

5th

gaming establishment

6th

recirculating

7th

symbol

8th.

reading window

9th

display

10th

first screen

11th

second screen

12th

contour

13th

text

14th

neckline

15th

roller

16th

symbol

17th

reading window

18th

risk Head

19th

risk Head

20th

display

21st

Total loss display

22nd

button

23rd

housing section

24th

Point win field

25th

credit display

26th

Scores display

27th

Additional points device

28th

sensor keys

29th

pushbutton

30th

coin slot

31st

Bank note input slot

32nd

return button

Claims (7)

1. Cash-operated, computer-controlled entertainment device having at least one display device (2, 3, 4) for displaying at least one game device (5), wherein the display device (2) comprises a plurality of displays (9) which are arranged one behind the other and which can be actuated separately in order to display different game devices (5) and/or images, characterized in that the external display (9) of the display device (2), which display faces the viewer in each case, is in the form of a transparent, self-illuminating first screen (10), and a display (9) which is situated behind it is in the form of a second screen (11), which blocks light in a black or colour setting and is transparent in a transparent setting, without background illumination, wherein the respectively external display (9) of the display device (2) is an OLED screen and the display (9) which is situated behind it is a black and white LCD or colour LCD, and a detail with any desired contour can be generated in a transparent setting of the two screens, it being possible for objects inside the entertainment device to be visible to the viewer from outside within the said contour and it being possible for an image to be projected within the said contour by means of the LCD without background illumination when the OLED is actively actuated, the said LCD serving as a projection area and background for the display of the OLED in its black or colour setting.
2. Entertainment device according to Claim 1, characterized in that a plurality of packets containing in each case two displays (9) which are arranged immediately one behind the other are arranged at a distance from one another in the display device (2).
3. Entertainment device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the two displays (9) are the same size.
4. Entertainment device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the objects are at least one rotatable roller (15) and/or disc of a game device (5) which are provided, in particular, with symbols (16).
5. Entertainment device according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the displays (9) of the display device (2) can be actuated in such a way that a reading window (17) for a win symbol of the roller (15) and/or disc can be displayed.
6. Entertainment device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the objects are at least one object which is to be advertised and/or won.
7. Entertainment device according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that buttons (22) for controlling the entertainment device, for returning coins and/or for paying out winnings either in the form of sensor areas or switches and at least one game progression control means are provided, wherein a control means for the display device (2, 3, 4) is integrated in the game progression control means.

Images