EP2920772B1 - Money dispensing unit and gaming machine having a money dispensing unit - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an amusement game machine having a game progress controller connected to a control unit of a cash dispensing unit, the game sequence controller communicating with the control unit for dispensing money. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for operating an entertainment game machine with a game sequence control, which is connected to the cash dispenser with a control unit of a cash dispenser and communicates.

STATE OF THE ART

In practice, money-operated entertainment game machines are known, each comprising at least one cash dispensing unit, in particular for the payment of profits, wherein the cash dispensing unit comprises a control unit, which is coupled for example with a game sequence control. For unauthorized disbursement of money or monetary assets from the cash dispensing unit, a so-called hopper, an attempt is made, for example via an interface to manipulate the cash dispensing unit, through a targeted recording of data that does not come from the controller, or the supply of voltage, to put an engine of the cash dispenser unit into operation. In order to counteract such manipulations, a variety of measures are taken, but often are very complex and expensive to implement.

The US 5,380,008 A describes an entertainment game machine with a game progress controller connected to a control unit of a cash dispenser. In this case, the game sequence controller communicates with the control unit for the purpose of dispensing money, and the cash dispensing unit has an electric motor, which can be supplied with voltage for dispensing money.

Furthermore, the disclosure US 4 250 533 A an electronically encrypted security system. This system includes a physical receptacle for one in the receptacle plug-in key comprising a code that is read out without contact when the key is in the receptacle. Accordingly, an electronically secured mechanical lock is provided.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is therefore an object of the invention to provide an entertainment game device and a method for operating an entertainment game device of the type mentioned, which have a relatively high security against unauthorized manipulation of the cash dispensing unit, wherein the cash dispensing unit is realized with relatively simple means.

According to the invention, this object is solved by the features of the independent claims. The dependent claims represent advantageous embodiments of the invention.

An entertainment game machine includes a game progress controller connected to a control unit of a cash dispensing unit. In this case, the game sequence control communicates with the control unit for the purpose of dispensing money. The cash dispensing unit comprises an electric motor and the control unit, which comprises a storage unit. In this case, the electric motor is coupled to the control unit via an encapsulated with the electric motor and controllable switch and controlled by the switch for cash dispensing with power / voltage for a certain time. A monostable associated with the switch generates a certain duration of the electric motor by a correspondingly long voltage / power supply by closing the circuit by means of the switch. The controller is provided and configured to output a code which is formed as a voltage sequence with voltage gaps. In this case, a two-wire electrical cable is available for transmitting the code, via which the electric motor is to be supplied with operating voltage / operating current. Furthermore, the cash dispensing unit comprises a comparator module for receiving and comparing the code with a predefined code. The comparator module is preceded by a shift register, wherein the code is serially filterable by the shift register from the voltage applied to the electric motor and parallel to the comparator module forwarded. In an identity or equality of the received code with the known, predefined code of the switch for voltage / power supply of the electric motor for money output via the monoflop is controlled.

The code is, for example, specifically adapted to the cash dispensing unit and known to the controller and the comparator module. The code is transmitted to ensure that the switch is not activated until the correct code has been transmitted. This ensures that the information for the money issue comes from the control unit of the cash dispensing unit and not from a manipulation device, wherein the control of the switch has a voltage / power supply of the electric motor and thus a cash dispenser result. This measure is relatively inexpensive to implement, as compared to a known cash dispensing unit only minor changes in construction - such. only an addition of the comparator module - are required. In addition, there is a relatively high security against manipulation from the outside, since the transmitted code must be known only to the manufacturer, of which the control unit and the comparator module are matched. Of course, the comparator module, the switch and the electric motor can be encapsulated so that these sensitive components are protected against mechanical manipulation. It will be understood by those skilled in the art, of course, that the switch is not directly to the voltage / power supply of the electric motor, but is disposed between a voltage / current source and the electric motor to interrupt or close an electrical circuit.

In the context of the invention, the electrical voltage is essentially equivalent to the electric current.

The code is formed as a voltage sequence with voltage gaps. The voltage with which the electric motor of the cash dispensing unit is operated contains voltage gaps at specific time intervals, wherein these time intervals of the voltage gaps represent a data sequence. Thus, it is not necessary to provide a special data transmission device. Rather, the controller provides a pulsed voltage, which is for example 0 and 1, in the form of the code and then a voltage which is 1 and corresponds to the operating voltage of the electric motor to pay out money, chips or similar monetary gains. Furthermore, the electric motor can not be put into operation by simple application of voltage / current or a short circuit to output the content of a money storage unit via the associated cash dispensing unit from the entertainment game machine. Also, modulating sinusoidal or trapezoidal voltage signals is not sufficient to start the electric motor and thus the cash dispensing unit manipulate. In this way, the unauthorized influencing the cash dispensing unit is much more difficult.

To transmit the code, the two-wire electrical cable is available, via which the electric motor with operating voltage / operating current can be controlled. As a result, it is not necessary to change a wiring harness or wires of the cash dispensing unit. The invention can thus be easily implemented in an existing cash dispensing unit.

The comparator module is preceded by a shift register. The shift register filters the code serially from the voltage for the electric motor and then passes the code in parallel to the comparator module.

The switch is associated with a so-called monoflop.

In order to enable a simple adaptation in the case of an exchange of components, the comparator module is expediently assigned a coding switch, in particular a DIP switch, or a memory for the predefined code. By a corresponding manual setting of the DIP switch, the comparator module can then be adapted to the code of the control unit.

The stated object is further achieved by a method for operating an entertainment game machine with game play control, wherein the game handoff control for cash dispensing is connected to and communicates with a controller of a cash dispensing unit. The cash dispensing unit comprises an electric motor and a control unit, which comprises a storage unit. It is the Electric motor coupled to the control unit via an encapsulated with the electric motor and controllable switch and the electric motor is controlled by the switch for cash dispensing with power / voltage for a certain time. In this case, a certain duration of the electric motor is generated by a correspondingly long voltage / power supply by closing the circuit by means of the switch of a monoflop associated with the switch. The control unit is provided and designed for outputting a code formed as a voltage sequence with voltage gaps. To transmit the code, a two-wire electrical line is used, via which the electric motor is supplied with operating voltage / operating current. Furthermore, in the cash dispensing unit, a comparator module is provided for receiving and for comparing the code with a predefined code, a shift register being arranged upstream of the comparator module. The code is filtered in series by the shift register from the voltage applied to the electric motor and then forwarded in parallel to the comparator module. If there is an identity or match of the received code with the known, predefined code, the switch for supplying power to the electric motor for dispensing money is actuated via the monoflop.

The controller includes, for example, the memory device or the like to store the code sent to the comparator device. In order to provide a relatively high security against unauthorized manipulation, each cash dispensing unit can be assigned an individual code. It is also possible to assign a common code to a particular series of cash dispensing units.

From the shift register, the code is serially filtered from the serving as operating voltage for the electric motor voltage and forwarded to the comparator module in parallel. In a match of the received code with the known code, so the predefined code, the monoflop and thus the switch is addressed by the comparator module, which is supplied by the electric motor for a certain time with the operating voltage / operating current.

The code is input to the comparator module with a code input unit. The code input unit can for example be integrated into an electronic service device or, as already explained, be designed as a DIP switch on the comparator module.

The above-explained cash dispensing unit can be easily integrated into any device in which a money processing or a payment of money or monetary assets occurs. Preferably, the use of the cash dispensing unit in an entertainment game device, but such a restriction is not mandatory, but the cash dispenser may also be provided in a money changer, a vending machine or a so-called ATM, without this being a final list.

For example, if a money return switch of the entertainment game device is pressed, there is a corresponding signaling to the game sequence control. In this case, the control device of the cash dispensing unit is in turn driven by the game sequence control in order to set the electric motor for dispensing money in operation. In this case, with the voltage of the voltage signals comprehensive code is sent to the comparator module of the cash dispensing unit, which compares the received code with a known, predefined code and an identity or match the received code with the predefined code, the switch on the monoflop for closing a circuit for supplying the electric motor with voltage or current drives.

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

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung einer Vorderansicht eines Unterhaltungsspielgerätes mit einer Geldausgabeeinheit nach der Erfindung und,

Fig. 2

eine schematische Teildarstellung der Geldausgabeeinheit für das Unterhaltungsspielgerät nach Fig. 1.

Show it:

Fig. 1

3 is a schematic representation of a front view of an entertainment game machine with a cash dispensing unit according to the invention and

Fig. 2

a schematic partial representation of the cash dispensing unit for the entertainment game device according to Fig. 1 ,

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The housing 1 of the coin-operated, computer-controlled entertainment gaming machine with profit possibility has on its front three superimposed display devices 2 in the form of screens 3, of which the upper screen 3 is used to represent a game device 4. The game device 4 is optically represented in the form of a symbol playing device with three juxtaposed roller-shaped recirculating bodies 5. Controlled by a computer game control 33, an image is generated, which corresponds to rotating circulating bodies 5 with peripheral symbols 6. Furthermore, computer-controlled reading windows 7 are displayed on the screen 3, which serve to display a randomly controlled game result, that is to say a specific combination of symbols 6. The presentation of the game result is accompanied by an indication of the virtual circulation body 5, which corresponds to shutdown rolls. From the displayed symbols 6, the user can read the result of the game, in particular also whether there is a profit according to an identifiable winning plan.

The screen 3 in the middle of the entertainment device is designed as a touch screen 8 and is used to display risk as trained 9 additional game devices 10. The achieved in the game device 4 by achieving a randomly determined symbol combination profit can be keystroke or computer controlled as an insert in one of the two sides of the central screen 3 arranged additional game devices 10 are transmitted. The left risk ladder 9 comprises a plurality of superimposed display panels 11, which are occupied in ascending order with profit values of 10 to 5000 points. The right risk ladder 9 also has a plurality of superimposed display panels 11, which are occupied in ascending order with profit values of 15 to 6000 points.

Risking the profit displayed in the risk ladder 9 occurs when the next higher display field 11 is displayed blinking with respect to the visually highlighted, profit-indicating display panel 11 in alternation with a total loss display panel 12 below the risk ladder 9 with the inscription "0". Upon actuation of a trained as a push-button 13, the push-button 14 is disposed in a lower housing portion 15, randomly either the the next higher profit or lost profit. This process can be continued until the maximum point gain is achieved.

The lower screen 3 is provided with displays 16 for credits, points, winnings and the like, wherein one of the displays 16 represents a bank of points 17. When a credit in an executed as a credit display 18 display 16 a certain amount of money from the credit 18 is converted into a certain number of points and added to the bench 17, deducted by a certain number of points as a stake for a game in the game device 4 and in the game device 4 gained points are added up. When paying out a monetary value, first the point value of the point bank 17 is converted into a credit to be displayed in the credit display 18 in a predetermined time cycle.

In the lower housing portion 15 of the entertainment game device trained as push buttons 19 Nachstart- / stop buttons with corresponding push-buttons 14 are arranged, with their action in the game device 4 displayed icon 6 of the associated circulating body 5 can be restarted or stopped prematurely. That the display is influenced such that the circulating bodies 5 appear to be stationary or rotating. Of course, all key switches 14, in particular depending on the gameplay - preferably colored - backlit. Further, a coin insertion slot 20 and a bill input slot 21 of a money processing device, not shown, are provided. Furthermore, a return key 22 is arranged next to the coin insertion slot 20, by the actuation of which a credit balance displayed in the credit 18 display can be retrieved in an output tray, not shown, wherein the return key 22 is also assigned a key switch 14.

The money processing device of the entertainment game machine comprises a cash dispenser unit 23 having a controller 24 connected to the game machine controller 33 of the entertainment game machine. Furthermore, the cash dispensing unit 23 has an electric motor 25 which is to be supplied with power / voltage for the purpose of dispensing money, the current / voltage being enabled by the control unit 24 for a certain time by actuating an upstream electronic, controllable switch 26. In order to prevent manipulation of the payout process by an unauthorized voltage / power supply of the electric motor 25, a comparator module 28 is provided or upstream for controlling the switch 26 of the electric motor 25. From the controller 24 is via a two-wire electrical line 29, a code which is stored in a memory unit 32 of the control unit 24, sent to the comparator module 28. This code, which is filtered by means of a shift register 27, is compared by the comparator module 28 with a code known to the comparator module 28. In the case of an identity or conformity of the received code with the known or predefined code, the switch 26 for the voltage / power supply of the electric motor 25 for dispensing money is controlled via a monoflop 30.

The code sent from the controller 24 to the comparator module 28 is in the form of gaps in the voltage supplying the electric motor 25, the voltage gaps representing a data sequence. This data sequence must first be generated in a correct manner and then recognized by the comparator module 28 as correct, so that the encapsulated with the electric motor 25 switch 26 is closed to the electric motor 25 with the necessary for the payment of money or monetary assets tension to supply.

The code transmitted by the control unit 24 in a so-called pulse packet, which code can also be set by means of a DIP switch 31 on the comparator module 28, is filtered in series by the shift register 27 from the voltage applied to the electric motor 25 and applied in parallel to the comparator. Block 28 forwarded. The comparator module 28 compares the code, which has been set or predefined by means of DIP switch 31, with the preset code received from the control unit 24 via the shift register 27. If there is a match, the comparator module 28 then triggers a pulse for any desired short time. The monoflop 30 triggered by the pulse then generates a specific running time of the electric motor 25 by a correspondingly long voltage / current supply by closing the circuit by means of the switch 26. If the code is sent only once by the control unit 24, the monoflop 30 interrupts the voltage / power supply by opening the switch 26 and consequently switches off the electric motor 25 after a minimum period. Since the monoflop 30 is retriggerable, the switch 26 upstream of the electric motor 25 can be switched on without interruption.

In a possible implementation of the circuit, the code, that is, the logic signal, tapped and voltage / current to supply the electric motor 25 is generated. In this case, the voltage gaps, ie 0V level, with a duration less than 1.5 ms as a 0 and be taken with a duration greater than 1.5 ms as a 1 in the shift register 27. In the time when the shift register 27 needs to be filled, it is necessary to send the 0V levels within, for example, less than 3.5 ms. If a greater level - that is a so-called high level - sent or received for longer than 3.5 ms, then the content of the shift register 27 is compared by means of the comparator module 28 with the code set via the DIP switch 31 and at a Matching of the contents of the shift register 27 with the predetermined code of the designed as a MOS-FET switch 26 is turned on to provide the electric motor 25 with voltage / current. REFERENCE NUMBERS 1. casing 24th control unit Second display 25th electric motor Third screen 26th switch 4th gaming establishment 27th shift register 5th recirculating 28th Comparator module 6th symbol 29th management 7th reading window 30th monoflop 8th. touchscreen 31st Dip switch 9th risk Head 32nd storage unit 10th Additional gaming facility 33rd Game play control 11th display 12th Total loss display 13th button 14th Push switch 15th housing section 16th display 17th points Bank 18th credit display 19th pushbutton 20th coin slot 21st Bill entry slot 22nd return button 23rd Cash dispenser unit

Claims (4)

1. Amusement machine with a game structure controller (33), said game structure controller (33) being connected with a control unit (24) of a cash dispensing unit (23), wherein the game structure controller (33) communicates with the control unit (24) in order to issue cash, wherein the cash dispensing unit (23) comprises

   • an electric motor (25) and

   • the control unit (24) comprises a storage unit (32),

   - wherein the electric motor (25) is coupled with the control unit (24) via an encapsulated and controllable switch (26) coupled with the electric motor (25) and can be controlled via the switch (26) for issuing cash with current/voltage for a specific period, wherein a monoflop (30) associated with the switch (26) generates a specific run time of the electric motor (25) by means of a correspondingly long voltage/current supply through closing the power circuit by means of the switch (26); and

   - wherein the control unit (24) is envisaged and designed for issuing a code generated as a voltage sequence with voltage gaps; and

   - wherein a two-core electric cable (29) can be used for transmitting the code, with which the electric motor (25) will be supplied with operating voltage/operating current,

   • a comparator module (28) for receiving the code and comparing the code with a pre-defined code, wherein

   - the comparator module (28) is preceded by a shift register (27), wherein the code can be serially filtered from the voltage applied for the electric motor (25) by the shift register (27) and transmitted parallel to the comparator module (28), and

   - the switch (26) for supplying voltage to the electric motor (25) for issuing cash can be controlled via the monoflop (30) if the received code is identical to the pre-defined code.
2. Amusement machine according to claim 1, characterised in that a coding switch, in particular a DIP switch (31), or a memory for the pre-defined code is allocated to the comparator module (28).
3. Method for operating an amusement machine according to claim 1

   - wherein the electric motor (25) is controlled via the switch (26) for issuing cash with current/voltage for a specific period,

   - wherein the two-core electric cable (29) is used for transmission when the code is issued by the control unit (24),

   - wherein the code is received and compared with a pre-defined code in the comparator module (28),

   - wherein the code is serially filtered from the voltage applied for the electric motor (25) by the shift register (27) and transmitted parallel to the comparator module (28), and

   - wherein the switch (26) for supplying voltage to the electric motor (25) for issuing cash can be controlled via the monoflop (30) if the received code is identical to the pre-defined code in that the monoflop (30) generates a specific run time of the electric motor (25) by means of a correspondingly long voltage/current supply through closing the power circuit by means of the switch (26).
4. Method according to claim 3, characterised in that the code is entered into the comparator module (28) with a code input unit.

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