GB1582942A - Coin operated or coinfreed gaming or amusement machines - Google Patents

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO COIN OPERATED OR COIN-FREED GAMING OR AMUSEMENT MACHINES (71) We, JYM. (AUTOMATIC MACHINES) LIMITED, a British Company of Unit 15, Ace Industrial Estate, Ferry Road, Cardiff, Glamorgan, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a Patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to coin-operated or coin-freed gaming or amusement-with-prizes machines, and the term "coin" is intended in this Specification to embrace tokens which can be used in substitution for normal money.

The invention is concerned with machines of the kind in which a series of symbols carried by rotatable drums, reels or discs (hereafter referred to simply as drums) or their equivalents is displayed to view in a line, and in which when the machine is operated or played by the insertion of a coin, and possibly also by, for example, the depression of a lever or the pressing of a button, the drums rotate and stop in an apparently random manner, and if the symbols in the resulting line are in a winning combination, a pay-out mechanism is operated, and a prize is awarded and indicated. The drum equivalents mentioned above may include, for example, an optical system that projects symbol images into the display. Said machine is hereinafter referred to as being of the kind defined.

In order to add to the interest of the game, it has been proposed that there should be an adjustment facility whereby, after the combination line appears, the player can change it, for example by indexing on one or more of the drums so that different symbols appear in the line, and thus possibly generate a win. In order that the player should.have some guidance as to what changes to make, not only should the original combination line appear but also one or more lines adjacent it, so that he can see which symbols he can bring into the combination line by a single indexing operation.

According to the present invention there is provided a coin-operated or coin-freed gaming or amusement-with-prizes machine of the kind defined wherein at least one drum or its equivalent, when stationary, displays at least two symbols and the combination line is distinguished from the array of symbols that is then visible, and wherein means are provided for selecting and distinguishing an alternative or additional combination line, not necessarily straight, from the visible symbols without associated movement of the drums or their equivalents after the initial play.

In a preferred form, this distinguishing of the combination line is done by selective illumination of the symbols, either directly, as by light bulbs behind translucent zones of the drums, or indirectly, as by an illuminated arrow pointing to an adjacent symbol.

The selection of an alternative combination line may be carried out by changing the illumination of the visible symbols of each multisymbol-display drum or its equivalent cyclically. For example a button associated with one of the drums may be depressed, upon which the illumination of the original symbol is extinguished and the other symbols visible on that drum are each illuminated in sequence in a slowly changing cycle. When the symbol that the player desires to be in the combination line is illuminated the player can release the button and that symbol will remain illuminated. Alternatively a button may be pressed repeatedly to index the illumination. It will be appreciated that the resulting line is not necessarily straight, in the conventional manner.

In an alternative machine, means are provided for indexing the combination line as a whole through the visible symbols and for selectively stopping such indexing to obtain an alternative combination line.

This indexing may also be initiated by manu- ally operated means such as a button. Similarly, the indexing can be arrested manually, for example by releasing the button that started it. The change from line to line will be slow, so that the player will have ample opportunity to select and hold an improved combination line.

In another arrangement, the indexing can be generated automatically a short period after the drums stop rotating and manually operated means may then be provided to stop the combination line as desired. The combination line may be stopped as a whole by a single button, all symbols simultaneously, or there may be buttons associated with each drum which can be selectively operated. In the latter case, a new combination line can be arrived at which is not necessarily parallel with the original one. This individual selection gives a better chance of an improved combination line.

In another embodiment means are provided for distinguishing at least one further symbol on at least one multi-symbol-display drum or its equivalent without affecting the first combination line, the or each further symbol contributing to a permutation of combination lines.

Thus while the original combination line remains distinguished, for example by illumination, other symbols from one or more of the drums are also illuminated thus multiplying the chances of a winning line.

In a preferred form of this embodiment the position of the first combination line is known and constant. Other symbol positions can be illuminated or otherwise distinguished either while the drums or their equivalents are rotating, or after they stop. These further symbol positions may be randomly selected or there may be means for manually selecting them, and generally a limit will be placed on the number of extra symbol positions that it is possible to select.

In this version it may be arranged that not all the drums or their equivalents offer two or more visible symbols. For example a central drum of three may show only one symbol, while the two adjacent drums show three. In the other embodiments it will generally be preferred that each drum or its equivalent, of which there will usually be three or four, should have the same number of visible symbols. Conveniently, each multi-symbol-display drum will be provided with the facility for its first indicated symbol to be changed or supplemented, but this may be limited to one or less than the whole number of drums. The number of symbols visible on each multi-symbol-display drum will preferably be three, but there could be just two, or four or more. Also, the machine may be programmed to allow the adjustment of the combination line only intermittently, and not after every play.

The invention may be better understood having reference to the accompanying drawing, in which the single figure shows diagrammatically a display panel and operating buttons of a gam- ing machine.

The machine has three drums 1A, 1B, 1C portions of which are visible through respective windows 2A, 2B, 2C. These windows are sufficient to show three symbols on each drum, which appear in three horizontal lines 3, 4 and 5 when the drums are stationary. For each drum and each line there is an arrow pointing at the corresponding symbol position. These arrows are collectively identified as arrows 6 but individually as, for example, arrow 6b4, which is the one adjacent drum 1B in line 4. These arrows are illuminated selectively as described below. Each drum has an associated adjustment button 7A, 7B, 7C.

In one form of play, the drums are rotated and eventually stop, and at that time the central line of arrows 6a4, 6b4 and 6c4 are illuminated to indicate that line 4 is the combination line.

If this does not render a prize the player may observe symbols in the other lines that would if they were all in the combination line. If the adjustment feature is available for that play he can alter the illumination of the arrows by pressing the associated button 7. For example the banana on drum 1A could be illuminated by pressing button 7A, which would cause arrow 6aS to light up for a predetermined time while the button was held depressed, and then arrow 6a3 to be illuminated instead. The button 7A would then be released and arrow 6a3 would stay lit up. Alternatively, the button 7A might have to be pressed twice to bring the illumination round to arrow 6a3via arrow 6aS . In a similar fashion, the banana opposite arrow 6b5 can be indicated.There will then be three bananas distinguished from the visible array in a new, non-straight combination line, which combination may be arranged to give a prize.

In another form of play, there is a single button (not shown) which initiates indexing of the combination line from line 4 to line 5 to line 3 and so on cyclically. This button may be released at the appropriate time to stop the indexing. If, for example, line 3 offers a prizewinning combination, the button would be released when arrows 6a3, 6b3 and 6c3 were simultaneoulsy illuminated.

Alternatively the simultaneous indexing can be initiated automatically, after a short dwell at line 4, and either a single button stops the indexing as desired or the individual buttons 7A, 7B, 7C could serve for selective stopping of the indexing of the symbols on their associated drums. Thus the three-banana combination line could be achieved in the illustrated example.

In a further embodiment, a permutation of combination lines is offered it the adjustment feature is available. Referring again to the drawing, the initial play produces the result indicated, a combination along line 4. While this is awaited during the spin of the drums, or after the drums have stopped, arrows in addition to those on line 4 may be illuminated, the end result being the arrows in line 4 and at least some of the arrows in lines 3 and 5 being illuminated. This effectively multiplies the number of combination lines and increases the chances of a win.

The selection of which further arrows are illuminated may be done randomly, by the machine, or the player may choose, pressing button(s) as appropriate.

With this embodiment the central drum 1B may only display one symbol, opposite arrow 6b4 s WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A coin-operated or coin-freed gaming or amusement-with-prizes machine of the kind defined wherein at least one drum or its equivalent, when stationary, displays at least two symbols and the combination line is distinguished from the array of symbols that is then visible, and wherein means are provided for selecting and distinguishing an alternative or additional combination line, not necessarily straight, from the visible symbols without associated movement of the drums or their equivalents, after the initial play.

2. A machine as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the distinguishing of the combination line is done by illumination.

3. A machine as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the selection of an alternative combination line is carried out by changing the illumination of the visible symbols of each multi-symboldisplay drum or its equivalent cyclically by operating manual actuating means, and the selection is made by releasing the actuating means when the desired symbol is illuminated.

4. A machine as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the selection of an alternative combination line is carried out by repeating for each multisymbol-display drum or its equivalent as often as required an operation that indexes the illumination of the visible symbols on that drum or its equivalent from one symbol to the next in a cyclic order.

5. A machine as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein means are provided for indexing the combination line as a whole through the visible symbols and for selectively stopping such indexing to obtain an alternative combination line.

6. A machine as claimed in Claim 5, wherein manually operated means are provided to generate such indexing.

7. A machine as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the manually operated means are releasable to stop the indexing at a desired alternative combination line.

8. A machine as claimed in Claim 5, wherein automatic means are provided to index the combination line, after an initial delay.

9. A machine as claimed in Claim 8, wherein manually operated means is provided to stop the indexing of the combination line as a whole, all symbols simultaneously.

10. A machine as claimed in Claim 8, wherein manually operated means are provided selectively to stop the indexing of associated symbols, thereby to create a new combination line not necessarily parallel with the original one.

11. A machine as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein means are provided for distinguishing at least one further symbol on at least one multi-symbol-display drum or its equivalent without affecting the first combination line, the or each further symbol contributing to a permutation of combination lines.

12. A machine as claimed in Claim 11, wherein the or each further symbol is distinguished by indicating means associated with the symbol positions and which operate while the drums or their equivalents are rotating during the initial play.

13. A machine as claimed in Claim 11, wherein the or each further symbol is distinguished after the drums or their equivalents stop rotating.

14. A machine as claimed in Claim 11, 12 or 13, wherein the or each further symbol is randomly selected.

15. A machine as claimed in Claim 11, 12 or 13, wherein the or each further symbol is manually selected.

16. A coin-operated or coin-freed gaming or amusement-with-prizes machine, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (16)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. illuminated may be done randomly, by the machine, or the player may choose, pressing button(s) as appropriate. With this embodiment the central drum 1B may only display one symbol, opposite arrow 6b4 s WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A coin-operated or coin-freed gaming or amusement-with-prizes machine of the kind defined wherein at least one drum or its equivalent, when stationary, displays at least two symbols and the combination line is distinguished from the array of symbols that is then visible, and wherein means are provided for selecting and distinguishing an alternative or additional combination line, not necessarily straight, from the visible symbols without associated movement of the drums or their equivalents, after the initial play.

2. A machine as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the distinguishing of the combination line is done by illumination.

3. A machine as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the selection of an alternative combination line is carried out by changing the illumination of the visible symbols of each multi-symboldisplay drum or its equivalent cyclically by operating manual actuating means, and the selection is made by releasing the actuating means when the desired symbol is illuminated.

4. A machine as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the selection of an alternative combination line is carried out by repeating for each multisymbol-display drum or its equivalent as often as required an operation that indexes the illumination of the visible symbols on that drum or its equivalent from one symbol to the next in a cyclic order.

5. A machine as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein means are provided for indexing the combination line as a whole through the visible symbols and for selectively stopping such indexing to obtain an alternative combination line.

6. A machine as claimed in Claim 5, wherein manually operated means are provided to generate such indexing.

7. A machine as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the manually operated means are releasable to stop the indexing at a desired alternative combination line.

8. A machine as claimed in Claim 5, wherein automatic means are provided to index the combination line, after an initial delay.

9. A machine as claimed in Claim 8, wherein manually operated means is provided to stop the indexing of the combination line as a whole, all symbols simultaneously.

10. A machine as claimed in Claim 8, wherein manually operated means are provided selectively to stop the indexing of associated symbols, thereby to create a new combination line not necessarily parallel with the original one.

11. A machine as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein means are provided for distinguishing at least one further symbol on at least one multi-symbol-display drum or its equivalent without affecting the first combination line, the or each further symbol contributing to a permutation of combination lines.

12. A machine as claimed in Claim 11, wherein the or each further symbol is distinguished by indicating means associated with the symbol positions and which operate while the drums or their equivalents are rotating during the initial play.

13. A machine as claimed in Claim 11, wherein the or each further symbol is distinguished after the drums or their equivalents stop rotating.

14. A machine as claimed in Claim 11, 12 or 13, wherein the or each further symbol is randomly selected.

15. A machine as claimed in Claim 11, 12 or 13, wherein the or each further symbol is manually selected.

16. A coin-operated or coin-freed gaming or amusement-with-prizes machine, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.