GB2383881A

GB2383881A - Variable combination gaming machine

Info

Publication number: GB2383881A
Application number: GB0130029A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kevin Short; Steve Murray; David Painter
Original assignee: JPM International Ltd
Current assignee: JPM International Ltd
Priority date: 2001-12-15
Filing date: 2001-12-15
Publication date: 2003-07-09
Also published as: GB0130029D0

Abstract

Winning lines achieved by rotation of the reels 1 of an award-with-prizes machine are arranged to be replicated by illumination of a relevant award section 3 on the translucent sheet of a "Rolling Road" unit 2, whose movable band carries representations 4,5 of features enabling alternative awards or possible further operation of the reels of the award-with-prizes machine. Such feature representations are illustrated adjacent to each of the sections of the translucent sheet. An operating mechanism is provided for moving the movable band of with respect to the translucent sheet. A selection mechanism is also provided to enable the user to select either the illuminated award section or transfer to a feature adjacent to the illuminated award section.

Description

"Variable Combination Gaming Machine" This invention is concerned with a combination of different types of gaming machine, with the object of providing variability of the layout for playing of the game.

One type of gaming machine is referred to as a gaming or amusement-with-prizes machine, particularly known as a fruit machine. Machines of this type have a number of reels or drums, or equivalents such as endless bands hereinafter referred to as"reels", which are spun and then stop in a variable manner to reveal a combination of symbols in display windows. Certain combinations result in prizes, usually monetary, being awarded. Such machines will be referred to generally as AWP machines.

Another type of display used in a gaming machine comprises what is known as a"Rolling Road"unit, which will hereinafter be referred to generally as an RR unit.

Such a unit comprises an essentially rectangular grid/array of lamps with a flexible transparent/translucent movable "band"which can be driven/rotated relative to a fixed translucent sheet between different stopping positions to introduce different display regions in front of the array of lamps, whereby prizes can be indicated by selectively illuminating relevant lamps.

According to the invention there is provided a gaming machine comprising a combination of an AWP machine. and an RR unit, wherein winning lines achieved by rotation of the

reels of the AWP machine are arranged to be replicated by illumination of a relevant award section on the translucent sheet of the RR unit, the movable band of the RR unit carrying representations of features enabling alternative awards or possible further operation of the reels of the AWP machine, such feature representations being illustrated adjacent to each of said sections of the translucent sheet of the RR unit, an operating mechanism being provided for moving the movable band of the RR unit with respect to the translucent sheet, and a selection mechanism also being provided to enable the user to select either the illuminated award section or transfer to a feature adjacent to said illuminated award section.

By activating the operating mechanism to move the movable band of the RR unit, the display on the RR unit for playing of the game will be varied in that a different array of features will be represented relative to the fixed award sections on the translucent sheet. The operating mechanism can be arranged to be activated by the user. In a preferred arrangement, however, the operating mechanism is arranged to be operated automatically from one game play by a user to the next game play. By this means each game play will start from a new representation of features adjacent to the fixed award sections on the translucent sheet of the RR unit, thus providing variety.

Ideally at least some of said feature representations indicate the number of times that a user may nudge reels of

the AWP machine incrementally.

The operating mechanism can be caused to be operated by the user upon actioning a first gamble feature whose outcome either enables such operation or prevents such operation. The machine can also be designed such that the selection mechanism can be caused to be operated by the user actioning a second gamble feature whose outcome either enables or prevents transfer of a feature adjacent to said illuminated award section. Another possibility is to provide a third gamble feature whose outcome either enables or prevents switching of illumination of one award section to another award section of said translucent sheet. These various gamble features provide variety for the user in operating the machine during a game play. By skilful operation of these features the user can hope to improve his prospects of a prize outcome.

Each or all of the gambling features can be actuated by a gambling device which could be one or more rotatable reels, drums or bands carrying win or lose indications. Another possibility is that the gambling device could be a representation of one or more dice or other variable numerical or symbol indicators. The gambling device could include an option selection device to enable the user to predict the achievement of a higher or lower outcome on the gambling device relative to a represented number.

The invention may be performed in various ways and a preferred example thereof will now be described, with

reference to the accompanying Figure 1 which is a diagrammatic illustration of the layout of symbols and features of a combination gaming machine of this invention.

The gaming machine shown in Figure 1 incorporates firstly a well-known of AWP machine having movable reels 1 that can be spun and stopped in a random manner to reveal new combinations of symbols, some of which will represent a "win"outcome that might, for example, allow entry to play on an RR unit 2 shown in the upper part of the drawing. The RR unit 2 incorporates a fixed translucent sheet having a central region 3 with representations of monetary awards relating to possible winning lines shown on the reels 1.

When a winning line is achieved by spinning the reels 1, upon play of the machine, the relevant award will be illuminated on the section 3 of the RR unit 2. To either side of the central section 3 two further rows of symbols are illustrated. These are carried on a movable band of the RR unit which can be shifted up or down to change the symbols 4 or 5 located against a particular illuminated award symbol in the column 3. Symbols 4 relate to particular predetermined win features for providing a prize, as selected by the manufacturer or operator of the machine. Symbols 5 indicate the number of"nudges"made available to the user. These nudges can be used to move selected ones of the reels 1 by increments with the objective of improving the win line shown in the central region of the windows 6 behind which the reels 1 rotate.

If a large number of nudges are made available to the user, then the prospects of achieving a high level award are very significantly increased.

In operating the machine, therefore, the user is provided with a number of options, on achieving a win line on the reels 1. He can either accept the award given or "swop"that award for the one shown by the symbol 4 or the symbol 5 immediately adjacent to the illustrated award in the central column 3. Sideways change from one symbol to another can be achieved by pressing one or other of the SWOP arrows 7. Once one of the symbols 4 or 5 has been selected another possibility is to allow the user to operate the moving band to adjust the locatipns of the symbols 4 or 5 with respect to the column 3. Such action can be implemented by pressing the up or down STEP arrow 8. The right to carry out such actions will be achieved by successful operation of a gamble feature whereby the user will select a possible outcome, whereupon the machine will indicate whether or not that outcome applies. There are various types of conventional gamble features provided for such machine, such as whether a new number is likely to be higher or lower than an illustrated number, simulation of

the throw of a die or merely a"yes"or"no"outcome. The user can, by judicious selection of"step","swop", or other actions (following a successful sequence of plays of the gamble feature), achieve an optimum position where a desired feature is then activated. The gamble feature

could, for example, be employed to allow stepping along the column 3. Another feature that can be incorporated is to provide a"trail"9 whereby successful gambles enable the user to step up the trail for entry into the game feature represented on the RR unit 2.

It is preferred that the machine should operate in such a way that, after each play by the user, the movable band of the RR unit is indexed so that a different array is presented to the user for the next game play.

It will be appreciated that the symbols and decorative features shown in the drawings can be modified as desired and that the concepts described can be extended to other implementations or layouts and could also be created using video technology.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A gaming machine comprising a combination of an AWP machine and an RR unit, wherein winning lines achieved by rotation of the reels of the AWP machine are arranged to be replicated by illumination of a relevant award section on the translucent sheet of the RR unit, the movable band of the RR unit carrying representations of features enabling alternative awards or possible further operation of the reels of the AWP machine, such feature representations being illustrated adjacent to each of said sections of the translucent sheet of the RR unit, an operating mechanism being provided for moving the movable band of the RR unit with respect to the translucent sheet, and a selection mechanism also being provided to enable the user to select either the illuminated award section or transfer to a feature adjacent to said illuminated award section.
2. A gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the operating mechanism is arranged to be operated automatically from one game play by a user to the next game play.
3. A gaming machine according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein at least some of said feature representations indicate the number of times that a user may nudge reels of the AWP machine incrementally.
4. A gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the operating mechanism is caused to be operated by the user upon actioning a first gamble feature whose

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outcome either enables such operation or prevents such operation.
5. A gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, designed such that the selection mechanism is caused to be operated by the user actioning a second gamble feature whose outcome either enables or prevents transfer of a feature adjacent to said illuminated award section.
6. A gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a third gamble feature is provided whose outcome either enables or prevents switching of illumination of one award section to another award section of said translucent sheet.
7. A gaming machine according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein each or all of the gambling features are actuated by a gambling device in the form of one or more rotatable reels, drums or bands carrying win or lose indications
8. A gaming machine according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the gambling device is a representation of one or more dice or other variable numerical or symbol indicators.
9. A gaming machine according to any one of claims 4 to 8, the device creating the gambling feature includes an option selection device to enable the user to predict the achievement of a higher or lower outcome on the gambling device relative to a represented number.
10. A gaming machine substantially as herein described

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with reference to the accompanying drawing.
11. Any novel combination of features of a gaming machine as described herein and/or as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.