GB2124048A

GB2124048A - Volume control of electronic games

Info

Publication number: GB2124048A
Application number: GB08213918A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Trevor Carter
Original assignee: CARFIELD
Current assignee: CARFIELD
Priority date: 1982-05-13
Filing date: 1982-05-13
Publication date: 1984-02-08

Abstract

In an electronic game machine of the type commonly installed in amusement arcades and clubs and having a loud speaker 1 for the emission of sounds as a means of attracting custom or otherwise, the same loud speaker 1 or a microphone 4 is used in the determination of ambient noise level and the volume of sound emitted by the machine is controlled according to the level of ambient noise detected. An integrating circuit 5 produces a control signal to an amplifier 3 to control the sound emitted from a generator 2. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Volume control of electronic games The invention relates to electronic games including gaming machines, amusement with prizes machines and amusement only machines and exemplified by the so-called "fruit machine" and video games.

Whereas the original fruit machines which were mechanically operated naturally emitted noises during operation, for example as a result of impacts caused when rotating drums were stopped and payout mechanisms initiated, their conversion to electronic operation resulted in quieter or even silent operation.

Whilst in some areas of technology the partial or complete illimination of noise would be regarded as beneficial, it is realised that a certain amount of noise is desirable in amusement machines in order to advertise their presence and attract custom.

Consequently, the practice has arisen of providing such machines with electronic means for emitting sounds when required and these electronic sounds now commonly perform the function formerly provided by mechanical action.

According to the present invention there is provided an electronic game machine having electronic means for emitting sounds, characterised in that there are also incorporated means for determining ambient noise level and for controlling the volume of sound emitted in accordance with the ambient noise level determined thereby.

Where a sound emitting means comprises a loud speaker, the same loud speaker may be used in the means for determining ambient noise level. To facilitate the dual use of the loud speaker, means may be provided for ensuring that the loudspeaker operates in the determination of ambient noise only when it is not emitting sounds.

Preferably the volume of sound emitted is controlled according to the level of ambient noise averaged over a period, which period may be adjustable.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing of which the single figure represents a block circuit diagram.

In the figure, reference 1 represents a loud speaker connected to an audio signal generator 2 via an amplifier 3. Thus far described the apparatus is conventional.

In conventional electronic games, the sound amplification provided by amplifier 3 can be manually adjusted according to requirements.

For example, when used in a quiet domestic location, the sound emitted by the louspeaker 1 is required to be low whilst in a permanently noisy location such as an amusement arcade, the output of the loudspeaker will be required to be high and the amplification correspondingly greater.

In other locations, however, the ambient noise level may vary very widely with time.

Thus for example in a club, the ambient noise level may be as low at quiet times of day as in a domestic situation whilst as high as busier times as in an amusement arcade. The sound emitted at low amplification may be quite inaudible in a noisy environement whilst at high amplification may be intolerable at quiet times.

The invention is characterised by including in the circuit a microphone 4 arranged in the housing of the game machine in such a position as to pick up ambient noise and produce a signal in proportion to the volume of ambient noise. The microphone is connected to the amplifier 3 in such a manner as to control the amplification provided by the amplifier in accordance with the strength of the noise signal.

The sense of the control will be normally such that a signal resulting from a high level of noise detected by the microphone will result in an increase in amplification whilst the signal resulting from detection of a low level of ambient noise will result in smaller amplification.

An integrating circuit 5 is introduced between the microphone 4 and the amplifier 3 in order to average out the noise signal over a period, in order that only sustained noise controls the sound emission and that loud but short-lived noises, such as that produced by a banging door, have comparatively little effect.

In practice the microphone 4 may actually comprise the loud speaker, with switching (not shown) to ensure that the loud speaker is operatively connected to the integrating circuit 5 only when it is not itself producing a sound from the generator 2.

1. An electronic game machine having electronic means for emitting sounds, characterised in that there are also incorporated means for determining ambient noise level and for controlling the volume of sound emitted by the said electronic means in accordance with the ambient noise level determined by said noise level determining means.

2. Electronic game machine according to Claim 1 wherein the sound emitting means comprise a loud speaker and the noise level determining means comprises the same loud speaker.

3. An electronic game machine according to Claim 2 wherein means are provided to ensure that the loud speaker operates in the determination of ambient noise only when it is not emitting sounds.

4. An electronic game machine according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the volume of sound emitted is controlled according to the level of ambient noise aver

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Volume control of electronic games The invention relates to electronic games including gaming machines, amusement with prizes machines and amusement only machines and exemplified by the so-called "fruit machine" and video games. Whereas the original fruit machines which were mechanically operated naturally emitted noises during operation, for example as a result of impacts caused when rotating drums were stopped and payout mechanisms initiated, their conversion to electronic operation resulted in quieter or even silent operation. Whilst in some areas of technology the partial or complete illimination of noise would be regarded as beneficial, it is realised that a certain amount of noise is desirable in amusement machines in order to advertise their presence and attract custom. Consequently, the practice has arisen of providing such machines with electronic means for emitting sounds when required and these electronic sounds now commonly perform the function formerly provided by mechanical action. According to the present invention there is provided an electronic game machine having electronic means for emitting sounds, characterised in that there are also incorporated means for determining ambient noise level and for controlling the volume of sound emitted in accordance with the ambient noise level determined thereby. Where a sound emitting means comprises a loud speaker, the same loud speaker may be used in the means for determining ambient noise level. To facilitate the dual use of the loud speaker, means may be provided for ensuring that the loudspeaker operates in the determination of ambient noise only when it is not emitting sounds. Preferably the volume of sound emitted is controlled according to the level of ambient noise averaged over a period, which period may be adjustable. Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing of which the single figure represents a block circuit diagram. In the figure, reference 1 represents a loud speaker connected to an audio signal generator 2 via an amplifier 3. Thus far described the apparatus is conventional. In conventional electronic games, the sound amplification provided by amplifier 3 can be manually adjusted according to requirements. For example, when used in a quiet domestic location, the sound emitted by the louspeaker 1 is required to be low whilst in a permanently noisy location such as an amusement arcade, the output of the loudspeaker will be required to be high and the amplification correspondingly greater. In other locations, however, the ambient noise level may vary very widely with time. Thus for example in a club, the ambient noise level may be as low at quiet times of day as in a domestic situation whilst as high as busier times as in an amusement arcade. The sound emitted at low amplification may be quite inaudible in a noisy environement whilst at high amplification may be intolerable at quiet times. The invention is characterised by including in the circuit a microphone 4 arranged in the housing of the game machine in such a position as to pick up ambient noise and produce a signal in proportion to the volume of ambient noise. The microphone is connected to the amplifier 3 in such a manner as to control the amplification provided by the amplifier in accordance with the strength of the noise signal. The sense of the control will be normally such that a signal resulting from a high level of noise detected by the microphone will result in an increase in amplification whilst the signal resulting from detection of a low level of ambient noise will result in smaller amplification. An integrating circuit 5 is introduced between the microphone 4 and the amplifier 3 in order to average out the noise signal over a period, in order that only sustained noise controls the sound emission and that loud but short-lived noises, such as that produced by a banging door, have comparatively little effect. In practice the microphone 4 may actually comprise the loud speaker, with switching (not shown) to ensure that the loud speaker is operatively connected to the integrating circuit 5 only when it is not itself producing a sound from the generator 2. CLAIMS

4. An electronic game machine according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the volume of sound emitted is controlled according to the level of ambient noise aver aged over a period.

5. An electronic game machine according to Claim 4 wherein said period is adjustable.

6. An electronic game machine having electronic means for emitting sounds substantially as described with reference to the drawings.