GB2374293A

GB2374293A - Entertainment machine with communications link display

Info

Publication number: GB2374293A
Application number: GB0105915A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Barry Knowles
Original assignee: IGT UK Ltd
Current assignee: IGT UK Ltd
Priority date: 2001-03-09
Filing date: 2001-03-09
Publication date: 2002-10-16
Anticipated expiration: 2021-03-09
Also published as: GB0105915D0; GB2374293B

Abstract

A player-operable entertainment machine, such as a coin-operated fruit machine, has player controls (6), such as press buttons which are used to implement selections during play of a game. The machine has a display device (22, 23) which operates to give an indication of a communications link, such as a telephone number (23), which can be used by the player to access a remote source of information which gives assistance in making the selection. Preferably the machine is a coin-operated fruit machine.

Description

ENTERTAINMENT MACHINES This invention relates to player-operable entertainment machines, particularly coin-operated amusement with prizes (AWP) machines, such as "fruit"or"poker"machines of the kind having a main display device for displaying a selected combination of symbols at a win zone. As used herein the term coin is intended also to cover tokens, charge or credit cards or any other means of supplying credit or monetary value.

The main display device of a fruit machine may comprise multiple side-by-side reels which are rotatable about a common horizontal axis within a housing behind a window at the win zone. Each reel has symbols at equally spaced positions around it periphery and the reels can be brought

to rest with one symbol on each reel displayed through the window on a win line. (J If the displayed combination of symbols constitutes a predetermined winning combination an award may be made available to the player.

The player typically is given the opportunity, at least on occasions, to operate player controls, such as push buttons, to implement selections.

Thus, by way of example, there may be'nudge'or'hold'buttons associated with the reels whereby the player can seek to influence a selected symbol combination by stepping one or more reels, or by holding one or more reels against rotation.

There may be a gamble button whereby an attained award can be

gambled with the aim of increasing the award.

There may be a transfer button by means of which play can be transferred to a secondary'feature game'usually involving progression from location to location along a track or trail.

In many case the player is called upon to make a selection without having full guidance information.

One particular example is where the player is given the option, at a predetermined stage e. g. after selection of a symbol combination, of pressing the nudge/hold buttons in sequence whereby a bonus prize is awarded the value of which depends on the selected sequence. In order to obtain the highest prize value the player needs to know the relationship between the prize values and the selectable sequences, but this information is not usually readily available. It is however not desirable to make the information too readily available in so far as play then becomes predictable and the entertainment value is reduced.

An object of the present invention is to make information available for guiding a player in making a selection with a player-operable entertainment machine whilst maintaining or promoting the entertainment value of the machine.

According to the invention therefore there is provided a player-operable entertainment machine having player controls usable to implement a selection at a stage in a game played with the machine,

characterised in that the machine has a display device operable to provide a display indicating a player-usable communications link to a remote source of information pertaining to the said selection.

With this arrangement, the player can be provided with information to assist in making a selection and, since this involves use of a communications link, this can in itself provide a source of interest or entertainment for the player.

With regard to the nature of the communications link, this is preferably a phone link whereby the player can use a telephone, which may be for example the player's own mobile phone, or a phone at the machine site, to obtain the information.

The information may be made available automatically by means of a recorded or computer-generated voice message. This message may be transmitted to the player as soon as the call connects, or alternatively it may be necessary for the player to press keys on the phone or otherwise send command or request codes to initiate the transmission of the message.

The invention is not necessarily restricted to a voice message phone link and other kinds of communication links effective at or separate from the machine may be used, such as an SMS text message, a video phone link, an Internet web address, an e-mail or otherwise.

With regard to the information given to the player, this may be of any suitable nature. Where the player can make a selection from a range of

actions which have different value awards, the information may advise the player as to which action corresponds to the highest value award.

The information may be of a specific and/or generalised nature. Thus it may give precise direction as to the quantitative award value of a selection such as e. g. that a particular selection will give a particular prize value, or it may indicate which is the best selection without giving a quantitative value. Other kinds of selection information are also possible.

In a particular preferred embodiment, the player is given the opportunity of pressing buttons or operating other player controls in sequence to win a prize, the value of which is determined by the selected sequence, and the said information which the player can obtain via the communications link identifies the prize value of at least one such sequence, particularly the highest attainable value.

The information may relate to one selection at one stage, or information may be available for different selections at different stages.

The information may remain the same in relation to the particular selection. Alternatively the information may change in accordance with one or more parameters, such as an elapse of days (or other time period) or number of game plays or otherwise whereby different kinds of information is given on different occasions.

In addition other information, particularly information appropriate to a'player's club'may be made available, such as announcements of new

machines, explanation of game play and tactics, tips for a particular machine or game feature, alert as to web site updates, details of competitions, etc, all of which may be accessed via the same link or one or more of which may be accessed via an identified different link (e. g. a separate phone number). There may also be general'club'information for players, and there may be a possibility for the player to give feed back by pressing keys or recording a message or otherwise.

Provision may be made for details of players using the link to be stored whereby the players can subsequently be contacted, e. g. by a text message, to provide players with update information or competition results or the like.

With regard to the display device on the machine, this may be a static indication which can only be viewed when actuated, for example an indication, such as a phone number, printed on a transparent or translucent panel so that it can only be viewed e. g. when back illuminated.

There may be different static indications which can be selectively actuated e. g. selectively back illuminated.

Alternatively there may be a movable or changeable indication such as an alphanumeric digital display or video display or the like.

The display device may operate to provide the said display at any suitable stage in relation to the selection option.

Preferably the display stage follows the selection option so that the

information is made available to the player after the player has made the selection. This does not help the player for that selection but instead provides guidance for further games in the future when the player may again be presented with the same selection opportunity.

The display device may operate predictably to display the phone number or other indication every time the selection option arises, at a predetermined stage in relation to the selection option (e. g. after the selection has been made).

Other arrangements are also possible. The display device may operate every time the selection option arises but not necessarily after the selection has been made. Instead it may operate predictably or on random or pseudo random basis at some other stage. In a further embodiment the display device does not operate every time the selection option arises; instead it operates only on occasions on a predictable or random or pseudo random basis, when the selection option arises. It is also possible for the display device to operate on a predictable or random or pseudo random basis in all or some games unrelated to the availability of the selection option.

As mentioned hereinbefore there is the possibility of notifying players, e. g. view an SMS text message, of a basis on which the display device operates, which would be particularly relevant in the case where the display device is only operated on occasions or on an unpredictable or non-apparent

basis. By way of example, players could be informed that the display indication will appear on machines'this week'.

Once operated, the display may remain operated until cancelled e. g. by elapse of time, by termination of game play or other parameter. The operational period may be short so that the player has to react quickly to note the display indication. Alternatively the operational period may be sufficient to give adequate time to note the display indication.

The mode of display indication may be such that it is only readily apparent to the player, e. g. such that it can only be seen from a narrow range viewing angle ; or it may be readily viewable by other persons alongside or behind the player.

With regard to the machine, this is preferably a coin-operated entertainment machine, particularly a machine of the fruit machine kind as mentioned above.

In a particularly preferred embodiment the selection option is made available after a predetermined combination of symbols has been obtained at the win zone and the selection involves operating player controls such as nudge/hold buttons in a selected sequence.

The invention will now be described further by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which :Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of one form of an entertainment machine according to the invention; and

Figure 2 is a block circuit diagram of the machine.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a fruit machine having a floor-standing box shaped housing 1 having a front wall which includes upper and lower glass panels, 2,3, a number of operating buttons 5,6, a coin slot 7 and a payout opening 8.

Within the housing 1 there are three axially aligned reels 9 having say 20 symbols at regularly spaced positions around their peripheries. The reels 9 are axially rotatable and are drivably connected to respective stepper motors 10. The reels 9 are arranged behind a window 11 defined by a printed region of the lower glass panel 3. Each reel 9 can be arrested by the respective stepper motor 10 in any of 20 stopping positions in which one symbol is in precise registration with a horizontal win line in the centre of the window 11 and two further symbols are visible above and below the win line 11 a.

The stepper motors 10 are connected to a microprocessor-based control unit 12. This unit is also connected to a coin-mechanism 13, a payout mechanism 14 and the buttons 5,6.

In use, the player inserts coins into the coin mechanism 13 through the slot 7 sufficient to generate credit for one or more games, and the machine is actuated so that a game can now be played. The games commences after a start button 5 has been pressed and the reels 9 spin and then come to rest so as to select a combination of symbols displayed on the

win line. The displayed symbol combination is assessed by the control unit 12 and a win indication is given in the event that the combination is of a predetermined winning nature.

The control buttons 6 can be used to perform'hold'or'nudge' functions, when made available to the player, so that the player can seek to influence the outcome of a game, in conventional manner.

The upper panel 2 is a transparent glass panel and within this there is a printed display region 15, which can be back-illuminated with a bank of lamps 16, and which provides a supplementary feature game.

As shown, this feature game comprises a wraparound trail 17 comprising a series of printed sections 18 marked with decoration, information and symbols.

In the centre of the trail there is a printed window behind which an auxiliary feature reel 20 is rotatable. The reel 20 can be rotated with a stepper motor 21, controlled by the control system 12, and brought to rest with one of the numbers shown through the window 19.

Play can progress around the trail 17 by successive back illumination of the sections 18 simulating movement through a number of steps corresponding to the number selected with the feature reel 20.

Above the trail 15 on the upper panel there is display section 22 printed with instructions"PHONE NUMBER...... FOR PLAYER'S CLUB", leaving a gap 23 for a telephone number.

The display section 22, except for the gap 23 is back illuminated by lamps 24 so that the above mentioned instructions can normally be read but not anything in the gap 23.

The gap 23 contains a telephone number which can be back illuminated by lamps 25. The number can only be read when the lamps 25 are switched on.

In play, on occasions, which may be triggered automatically by the machine on a predetermined or random or pseudo-random basis or in response to a predetermined event, such as play progressing to a bonus section 18 of the trail 17, or as a consequence of a predetermined symbol or combination of symbols being obtained on the win line 11 a, the player is given the opportunity of attaining a prize award by pressing the nudge/hold buttons 6 in sequence.

The player may be alerted to this by flashing of the nudge/hold buttons 6 or by flashing or back illumination of a notification portion of one of the panels 2,3.

As shown, there are three nudge/hold buttons 6a, 6b, 6c, one beneath each of the reels 9. The player is called upon to press the buttons in a selected sequence, say 6c, 6a, 6b, and a prize is then awarded to the player. The value of the prize is dependent on the sequence selected by the player. Thus, 6a, 6b, 6c may give f2 whereas 6c, 6a, 6b may give eu 5.

At this stage, the player is not aware of the required selection 6c, 6a,

6b to attain the highest prize value.

As soon as the selection has been completed the phone number in the gap 23 is back illuminated by the lamps 25 and the player can now see the phone number. This remains back-illuminated for a predetermined short duration and the lamps 25 are then switched off so that the number is no longer readable.

The player can then phone the number and information is then given to the player by means of an automated voice message after the player has sent digital responses or commands, e. g. after pressing a key to identify the machine game, and other keys to progress through one or more sub-menus.

The information received by the player informs the player as to the particular sequence 6c, 6a, 6b to attain the highest value prize. It is now too late for the player to use this in the current game, but the information can be used subsequently in a future game when the player is again given the option of making the selection.

After receiving the information the player can receive, or be given the option of receiving, further information which may be related to the particular selection or to other matters such as announcements of new machines, competitions, etc.

The player may be given the opportunity of giving personal details (e. g. the player's telephone number) so that the player can then be telephoned on future occasions with voice messages or SMS text messages

giving the player details of e. g. machine updates, frequency of selection information.

In the latter respect, the basis on which the phone number is made available may not be apparent to the player, or may be on an unpredictable basis, and the player may therefore receive messages from the'player's club'giving information as to the basis on which the telephone number is made available.

With the embodiment described above, the player is given guidance as to the operation of a prize award machine feature in a manner which itself adds interest and entertainment value. Playing enjoyment can thereby be much enhanced.

It is of course to be understood that the invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of the above embodiment which are described by way of example only.

Thus, for example, the entire display 23 may be concealed until actuated to reveal the phone number. Also, the phone number or other indication may be revealed in relation to any selection option, or plurality of selection options, for any game feature or features.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A player-operable entertainment machine having player controls usable to implement a selection at a stage in a game played with the machine, characterised in that the machine has a display device operable to provide a display indicating a player-usable communications link to a remote source of information pertaining to the said selection.
2. A machine according to claim 1 wherein the communications link is a phone link.
3. A machine according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the information is made available as a voice message.
4. A machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the information is made available as a text message.
5. A machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the information comprises advice as to which action of a range of selectable actions corresponds to a highest value award.
6. A machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the player has the option of operating player controls in sequence to win a prize having a value determined by the selected sequence, and the said information identifies the prize value of at least one such sequence.
7. A machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the said information is available for different selections at different stages.

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8. A machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the communications link is also operable for providing the player with other information.
9. A machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the display device is a static indication which can only be viewed when actuated.
10. A machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the display device is a movable or changeable indication.
11. A machine according to any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the display device operates to provide the said display at a stage following the selection option whereby the information is made available to the player after the selection has been made.
12. A machine according to any one of claims 1 to 11 which is a coin- operated entertainment machine.
13. A machine according to claim 12 which is of the fruit machine kind.
14. A machine according to claim 13 wherein the selection option is made available after a predetermined combination of symbols has been obtained at the win zone and the selection involves operating player controls in a selected sequence.
15. A machine according to claim 14 wherein the player controls are nudge/hold buttons.
16. A player-operable entertainment machine substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the

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accompanying drawings.