GB2356280A

GB2356280A - Fruit machine with spin buttons

Info

Publication number: GB2356280A
Application number: GB0103363A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David William Middleton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-03-13
Filing date: 1998-02-19
Publication date: 2001-05-16
Anticipated expiration: 2018-02-19
Also published as: GB2356280B; GB0103363D0

Abstract

A fruit machine has rotatable members A,B,C each having a respective spin button 18,19,20 or equivalent player operable means, wherein the spin buttons are operable in some games to spin their respective rotatable members through at least one complete revolution. The number of times that the spin buttons may be operated may be variable from game to game, and this number may be determined in a selection process which involves the exercise of skill.

Description

2356280 1 FRUIT MACHINES

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to gaming and amusement-with-prizes machines of the kind which are commonly known as "fruit machines".

BACKGROUND

Traditional fruit machines have several reels which carry various symbols (traditionally including fruits) around their peripheries. The reels are spun and then stopped, usually one-by-one, and if a winning combination of symbols is displayed on a combination line a prize may be awarded. Generally the player has little or no control over the positions in which the reels are stopped, the positions being determined by the machine in a random or seemingly random fashion.

Modern fruit machines generally seek to increase the excitement and interest by providing additional options and features. In one such option, at the start of a game the player may, on random occasions, be given the opportunity to hold as many of the reels as he/she wishes before spinning 2 the reels. Thus, by exercising skill as to the reels which should be held (if any) the player is able to increase the chances of achieving a winning combination on the second spin.

As presently provided, if a winning combination is achieved at the end of one game and the next game offers the hold feature, the player can elect to hold all three reels to guarantee another winning payout. This requires little skill on the part of the player, and in addition, the high payout level which can be achieved in this way requires that the hold feature can only be provided infrequently.

The present invention seeks to provide a fruit machine which is patentably different from any known machines.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention proposes a fruit machine of the kind in which a number of rotatable members carrying symbols are spun and then stopped at random, and if said symbols show a winning combination on a combination line a prize is awarded or a further game commences with the opportunity to win a prize, and in which each of the rotatable members is provided with a respective spin button or equivalent player-operable means, and in some of the games, the spin buttons can be operated by a player to spin a respective member for at least one complete revolution before said member is stopped in a random position by the machine.

3 In the games in which a spin facility is provided, the maximum number of times which the spin buttons can be operated is preferably variable from game to game, the number in each case either being determined at random by the machine or in a selection process which permits the player to exercise skill in selecting said maximum number.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following description and the accompanying drawings referred to therein are included by way of non-limiting example in order to illustrate how the invention may be put into practice. In the drawings the single figure is a diagrammatic representation of a fruit machine in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Three reels A, B and C have a series of symbols arranged around their peripheries, some of which are visible through a display window defining a combination line 30. The reels are rotatably mounted side-by-side on a common axis and are arranged to be spun and stopped by respective drive mechanisms 1, 2 and 3 of known form, which may for example comprise motors and stop relays. The three drive mechanisms are all under independent control by a control unit 10, which may comprise an electromechanical timer but is more likely these days to comprise a microcontroller. A coin or token receiving mechanism 14 allows the control 4 unit 10 to initiate a game when the appropriate coins or tokens are inserted. The control unit also receives input from a Start button 16 and three Hold/Spin buttons 18, 19 and 20 associated with the respective reels A, B and C.

The control unit 10 also operates a display window 22. The window includes a set of three panels, respectively numbered 1, 2 and 3, and two further panels labelled HOLD and SPIN. All five panels are capable of being illuminated by the control unit 10, as will be explained below. A Select button 23 is mounted in close association with the display window 22, again wired to the control unit 10.

When the mechanism 14 signals the control unit 1 b to commence a game the player may, on random or apparently random occasions, be offered a HOLD OR SPIN option. This is signalled by rapid serial illumination of the three numbered panels of the window 22, either in a repeating sequence or at random. At the same time the HOLD and SPIN panels are alternately and rapidly illuminated. The player is then required to press the button 23, whereupon the illumination stops with only one of the three numbered panels being illuminated together with either the HOLD or SPIN panels. The panels may thus be selected in a random or apparently random manner, or alternatively, the player may be required to exercise skill to press the button at the correct phase in the illumination sequence to select the panels of his or her choice. In another form of the machine the HOLD or SPIN facility could be offered in each and every game but would only be awarded to the player on satisfactory completion of a task which requires the exercise of skill by the player. If the task is not completed correctly the facility is not made available and the game proceeds as normal.

Returning to the present machine, should the HOLD panel be illuminated the illuminated numeric panel indicates the total number of reels which the player is permitted to hold, i.e. one, two or three reels. However, instead of being determined by the machine the maximum number which can be held could depend on the exercise of skill by the player, greater skill resulting in a larger number of possible holds being awarded. After deciding which reels to hold (if any) the player exercises his choice by pressing the associated buttons 18, 19 or 20 to hold the selected reels. For example, if the window 22 displays the number "2" and the player decides that holding reels A and C would optimise his chances of winning during the next spin, he/she would press buttons 18 and 20.

On the other hand, should the SPIN panel be illuminated the illuminated numeric panel indicates the maximum number or reels (one, two or three) which can be individually spun whilst the non-selected reels will remain static. After deciding which reels to spin first (if any) the player presses the appropriate button 18, 19 or 20 to spin the selected reel only. For example, The player may decide to spin reel B by pressing button 19. The reel is then stopped at random, or seemingly at random, by the control unit 10, and if this results in a winning combination a payout is made and the game ends. If no win results and the window 22 displays a "2" or a "Y the player can again spin any selected reel (including the reel B if desired) to try and obtain a winning combination. If no win results and the number "Y was selected the player can make a third spin in the same way.

6 When the player has exercised the hold or spin option (if desired), and in the case of the spin option no win has resulted, the player can then press the Start button 16 to signal the control unit 10 to operate the drive mechanisms 1 to 3 to simultaneously spin the respective reels A to C. After a short delay the unit 10 signals the drive mechanisms to stop the three reels A to C in random or pseudo-random positions, usually in the order A, B and then C from left to right, so that the stopped reels display a combination of three symbols on the combination line 30. Once again, if the combination of the three symbols displayed on the combination line corresponds to a winning combination the player is either directly awarded a prize or given some other kind of bonus such as entry into a jackpot game.

It will be appreciated that the hold/spin feature can be offered at the end of a game instead of, or as well as, at the commencement. Also, any convenient means of selecting the hold or spin options and the maximum number of reels to hold or spin can be utilised.

Hitherto, the player has often been required to exercise little skill when the hold facility is provided since if the previous game has resulted in a winning combination the player only has to hold all three reels to get a further win. The present machine thus requires the player to exercise greater skill than has hitherto been required, since the player has to use his limited choice of hold options more effectively. When the spin option is offered the number of events which could result in a winning combination is similarly increased. On the other hand, since there is statistically a lower probability of the player being awarded a prize when the hold/spin option is signalled, players can be given this option more frequently than has hitherto been possible for 7 a given percentage payout.

Claims

Whilst the above description lays emphasis on those areas which, in

combination, are believed to be new, protection is claimed for any inventive combination of the features disclosed herein.

---- 8 CLAIMS 1 A fruit machine of the kind in which a number of rotatable members carrying symbols are spun and then stopped at random, and if said symbols show a winning combination on a combination line a prize is awarded or a further game commences with the opportunity to win a prize, and in which each of the rotatable members is provided with a respective spin button or equivalent player-operable means, and in some of the games, the spin buttons can be operated by a player to spin a respective member for at least one complete revolution before said member is stopped in a random position by the machine.
2. A fruit machine according to Claim 1, in which, in the games in which a spin facility is provided, the maximum number of times which the spin buttons can be operated is variable from game to game, the number in each case being determined at random by the machine.
3. A fruit machine according to Claim 1, in which, in the games in which a spin facility is provided, the maximum number of times which the spin buttons can be operated is variable from game to game, the number in each case being determined in a selection process which permits the player to exercise skill in selecting said maximum number.
4. Afruit machine substantially as described with reference to the drawings.