GB2231809A

GB2231809A - Bingo games

Info

Publication number: GB2231809A
Application number: GB9011636A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Wyatt James Stanley
Original assignee: Bilgrey Samson & Co Ltd
Current assignee: Bilgrey Samson & Co Ltd
Priority date: 1989-05-25
Filing date: 1990-05-24
Publication date: 1990-11-28
Anticipated expiration: 2010-05-24
Also published as: GB8912100D0; GB9011636D0; GB2231809A8; GB2231809B

Abstract

Apparatus for playing a game of Bingo comprises a console C for each player, each console having a display B of an array of random numbers resembling a Bingo card. The game caller calls out numbers at random, these being stored by a master console M and marked off or covered by sliding doors on the player's displays B. Each console C includes a store containing a supply of coins and/or tokens and in the event of a win condition on a player's console the master console authorises that players' console to pay out a prize of coins and/or tokens through a slot O. <IMAGE>

Description

GAMES APPARATUS The invention relates to games apparatus, and more particularly to games apparatus adapted to play a game of Bingo.

It is known to provide a plurality of consoles at a site each adapted to play Bingo, for example in an amusement arcade or Bingo hall. Each console has an illuminated matrix array of numbers resembling a Bingo card which may be activated for play by the insertion of a coin. A caller or operator calls out numbers at random, and the player marks off or covers the called numbers which coincide with those on the console. The winner of a game is the player who first marks off all the numbers, or a row of numbers, on the console. In the known arrangements, the winner is rewarded with a prize which is given to him or her by an operator at the site. Such an arrangement can lead to mistakes and even fraud by the operator who is required to carry around large sums of money.

The apparatus according to this invention is arranged to solve that problem.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus for playing a game of Bingo comprising a console for each player, each console having a matrix array of random numbers resembling a Bingo card, actuation means for actuating play on the console, a store containing a supply of coins and/or tokens, each console being arranged to pay out a prize of coins or tokens in the event of a win condition for a game played on the console.

Preferably each console is connected to a master console including a computer which is controlled by the game operator.

In use, the game operator calls out numbers at random, and those numbers which coincide with those on each players console are marked off. The called numbers are stored by the computer, for example by, the operator who keys in the numbers as they are called and compared with the numbers on each players console. In this way the computer can check early that there is a genuine win and authorize the payment of a prize to a winner of a game without the operator having to handle coins or tokens, and the risk of mistakes or fraud are minimized.

In order that the invention may be better understood, it will now be described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawing which schematically shows apparatus according to the invention.

As shown in the drawing a plurality of consoles C, three are shown, are located at an amusement arcade or Bingo hall. Each console C includes an illuminated display of a matrix array of random numbers B resembling a Bingo card. An entrance slot S is present in the console whereby coins or tokens can be put in the to activate it for play. Each console C is connected to a master console M including a computer. The master console may also include a numerical key pad or the like so that the game operator can input the called numbers into the computers memory.

Alternatively, the computer may generate the random numbers and store them automatically. Each console also includes an outlet slot 0 for the payment of change, or of a prize in the form of coins or tokens. The tokens used may be of any known type, but are preferably in the form of a rectangular planar card of a similar size to a credit card, and having a magnetized coded strip on one side. In such a case the console C may include a card reader mechanism adapted to read the code on the magnetic strip and accept the card, if it is identified as being acceptable or reject it if it is unauthorised for that console.

The console C may also include a token store containing a stack of tokens and a mechanism adapted to dispense one or more tokens in the event of a win, and stack tokens put into the apparatus.

In use, each player inserts a coin or token into a console C to activate it for play and the matrix array B is illuminated. A caller or operator adjacent the master console M calls out numbers at random and stores the called numbers in the memory of the computer. The players mark off or cover with sliding doors those numbers that the game operator has called out which coincide with the numbers on his display (B). The winner is the first player to cover all the numbers on his display (B), or a row of that display. The computer can quickly check that the player has in fact won and can then authorise his console to pay out a prize. All this can be done quickly and efficiently and there is no need for an operator to carry around large sums of money.

Claims

1. Apparatus for playing a game of Bingo comprising a console for each player, each console having a display of an array of random numbers resembling a Bingo card, actuation means for actuating play on the console and a store containing a supply of coins and/or tokens, each players' console being connectable to a master console arranged to authorise the players' console to pay out a prize of coins and/or tokens in the event of a win condition for a game played at that console.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the master console includes a computer and a numeral keypad by which random numbers called out by the game operator can be stored in the computer.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the players' consoles are arranged to pay out a prize in tokens comprising planar card members having a coded strip on one side thereof.