[0001] This invention is concerned with improvements in or relating to reel mechanisms for
gaming machines, i.e. machines for playing games of chance. One commonly known type
of gaming machine is the fruit machine.
[0002] In gaming machines of the type having a plurality of rotatable reels each carrying
a series of symbols around its axis of rotation, for example around its outer peripheral
edge, the reels are spun and stopped at any randomly selected angular positions. A
symbol on each reel is then visible through a window of the machine to the player
and the combination of symbols determines whether or not a prize is won. Various arrangements
have been proposed for sensing the angular positions of the reels so as to determine
the winning combinations.
[0003] One proposed arrangement includes a sensing disc fixed for rotation with each reel
and having an arrangement of holes unique to each angular stop position of the reel.
At one side of the disc a source of light is provided and a plurality of photocells
are radially arranged at the other side of the disc. When the reel comes to rest at
any randomly selected angular position the unique arrangement of holes for that position
transmits light to respective ones of the photocells, the latter producing a coded
arrangement of electrical signals which are utilised to indicate the angular stop
position. Such an arrangement requires a considerable number of photocells to enable
a sufficient number of codes to be obtained corresponding to the number of symbols.
[0004] A further proposed arrangement includes a sensing disc fixed for rotation with each
reel and having a plurality of holes arranged in an annular fashion. At the radial
position of the holes a source of light is provided at one side of the disc and a
photocell at the other side of the disc such that an electrical pulse is generated
by the photocell each time a hole travels through the path of light. A counter is
provided in association with each reel for counting the number of pulses thus determining
at any one time the angular position of the respective reel. This arrangement requires
a continuous check of the reel and also appropriate electrical circuitry enabling
a count to be carried out, means for resetting a counter after each revolution of
the reel and means for translating information from the count.
[0005] The term "energy" as used hereinafter in the Specification is to be construed as
embracing that which can be generated from a source, can be transmitted through the
atmosphere, and can change the condition of a sensor placed in the path of transmission,
and the transmission of which can be affected by the positioning of a solid member
in said path. For example the term is intended to embrace at least light, sound and
magnetic flux.
[0006] The present invention provides a reel mechanism for use in a gaming machine, said
mechanism comprising a rotatable part, and sensing means having a source of energy
as hereinbefore defined and means responsive to said energy, the rotatable part having
means in the form of a code unique to each stop position thereof, each code being
arranged to permit serial data transmission of energy from the source to the responsive
means during travel of the rotatable part in the path of energy from the source, and
means being provided for receiving electrical outputs from the responsive means to
register the stop position of the rotatable part.
[0007] The present invention also provides a reel mechanism for a gaming machine, said mechanism
comprising a plurality of rotatable assemblies, a member of each assembly having a
series of symbols arranged in an equi-spaced fashion around its axis of rotation and
means for sensing the combination of symbols visible to the player, said sensing means
comprising a source of energy as hereinbefore defined and means responsive to said
energy, a part of each rotatable assembly having means in the form of a code unique
to each stop position of the rotatable assembly, each code being arranged to permit
serial transmission of energy from the source to the responsive means during travel
of said part in the path of energy from the source, and means being provided for receiving
electrical outputs from the responsive means to register the angular position of the
rotatable assembly.
[0008] Preferably each code comprises two series of locations through which energy can be
transmitted, each series comprising transmission locations which are angularly spaced
apart but at the same radial position, the angular position of both series corresponding
to one another, and a predetermined number of angular positions being provided for
the transmission locations in each code, each series of transmission locations having
a respective responsive means aligned therewith, the code being defined by the presence
of a transmission location in a selected one of the series at each angular position.
[0009] Preferably also, each code includes a coding indicative of the start of the code
for the respective stop position, the coding preferably comprising two transmission
locations radially aligned at a further angular position at the radial positions of
the respective series of transmission locations.
[0010] Alternatively, each code comprises a series of locations through which energy can
be transmitted angularly spaced apart at one radial position, a predetermined number
of angular positions being provided for the transmission locations in each code, and
the code being defined by the presence of a transmission location in a selected angular
position, the means for receiving the electrical outputs from the responsive means
being arranged to produce a signal at constant intervals of time, which signal differs
in accordance with the presence of a transmission location.
[0011] Preferably each code includes a coding indicative of the start of the code for the
respective stop position, the coding preferably comprising a transmission location
shaped to produce a different output from the outputs of the other transmission location
or locations of-the code.
[0012] The source of energy may comprise a light source, for example in the form of one
or more light emitting diodes, with the responsive means comprising light sensitive
devices, for example in the form of photo transistors. Where each code comprises a
series of aperture locations at one radial position only one light sensitive device
may be required, with optical fibres arranged between the light sensitive device and
the desired locations at the respective rotatable parts, as the angular position of
only one part is sensed, at any one time. Where each code comprises two series of
aperture locations, one light sensitive device may be provided for each series, with
an optical fibre arrangement extending between the respective light sensitive device
and the desired locations aligned with the respective series of aperture locations
of each rotatable assembly.
[0013] Alternatively, the source of energy may comprise a magnet arrangement with the or
each responsive means in the form of a Hall effect transducer, a screen for the magnetic
flux being provided on the or each rotatable part.
[0014] Further the source of energy may comprise one or more ultrasonic transmitters with
the responsive means comprising one or more ultrasonic receivers.
[0015] Advantageously the reel mechanism includes a control system which controls operation
of the or each sensing means immediately before the respective rotatable part is due
to be stopped and which processes the information obtained from the sensed code so
as to determine the angular position in which the rotatable part stops. Preferably
the control system processes the information with a -self-checking function such that
the rotatable part is allowed to move to a further angular stop position if a sensed
code is not acceptable.
[0016] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only
with reference to the single figure of the accompanying drawings, which is a side
view of part of a reel of a gaming machine showing codes for certain angular stop
positions.
[0017] A gaming machine comprises a set of three or four reels 10, only one of which is
shown in the drawing, and each of which has a plurality of symbols, usually representative
of different kinds of fruit, equi-spaced around its peripheral edge. The reels 10
are separately mounted to be rotatable relative to one another in a conventional fashion
when the machine is operated and each is arranged to stop rotating by random stopping
means comprising a peripherally toothed disc (not shown) mounted for rotation with
the reel, and a latch or stop (not shown) engageable in a random one of cutouts or
notches between adjacent teeth of the disc. The notches correspond in number to the
number of stop positions of the respective reel, each stop position having an associated
symbol which is displayed through a window of the gaming machine when the reel stops
rotating, to be visible to the player. Any conventional arrangement for producing
the random periods of rotation of the reels may be utilised. Alternatively the stop
positions may be randomly predetermined and means provided for stopping the reels
where desired.
[0018] The combination of symbols visible through the window determines whether or not the
player should receive a prize and sensing means is associated with each reel to determine
the angular position of the reel when stopped.
[0019] Each sensing means is mounted on a U-shaped member 12 which in turn is connected
to a printed circuit board (not shown). The sensing means comprises a pair of light
sources in the form of light emitting diodes (LED's) 14, 16 spaced apart along the
length of one of the legs of the member 12 and a pair of light sensitive devices,
for example in the form of photo transistors 18, 20, positioned on the other leg of
the member 12 to be in alignment with the respective LED's 14, 16. The member 12 is
so arranged relative to the respective reel 10 that the latter during rotation passes
through the gap defined between the legs of the member 12.
[0020] On each angular stop position of the disc 10 there is provided a code unique to the
stop position and defined by a selected arrangement of apertures formed in the reel.
The apertures are arranged in two series of aperture locations, each series 22, 24
comprising aperture locations which are angularly spaced apart but at the same radial
position, the series 22, 24 being radially spaced apart and the angular positions
of both series corresponding to one another. The innermost series 22 is positioned
to be capable of alignment with the LED 14 and the photo-transistor 18 while the outermost
series 24 is capable of aligning with LED 16 and the photo-transistor 20. Only two
codes 26, 28 are shown for reasons of clarity.
[0021] Each of the codes on the disc 10 includes a start coding providing two radially aligned
apertures 30, located one in each of the series 22, 24, and as this is the only position
in any code where an aperture is provided in each series it is solely representative
of the start of a code. To provide a sufficient number of codes for a conventional
number of stop positions each code involves an aperture located in either of the series
26, 28 at each of five angular positions, such that the code will provide five bits
of information providing a '1' or '0' reading in binary form. For example if the series
22 is arranged to provide a reading of 1 while the series 24 provides a reading 0
then the code 26 will comprise 11011 whereas the code 28 will comprise 10011. Any
code can only be sensed during rotation of the reel 10, for example in the direction
of arrow A, and therefore the pulse code produced by the photo-transistors 18, 20
sensing the location of the apertures in a code provides a series data transmission.
[0022] The LED's 14, 16 and the photo-transistors 18, 20 are in electrical circuit with
a control system including a microprocessor which is adapted to process information
obtained from the photo-transistors and thus determine the angular positions of the
reels. As each code is unique to a particular stop position it will be appreciated
that no continuous check need be made by the sensing means. The microprocessor is
arranged to operate the sensing means immediately before the reel
.10 is due to cease rotating, and the code then read by the sensing means corresponds
to the stop position displayed through the window of the gaming machine. The control
system is self-checking in that a code will only be accepted and the- stopping means
allowed to operate if a first pair of apertures 30 are sensed followed by five bits
of information and a second pair of apertures 30 signifying the start of the next
code and correspondingly the end of the previous code. With this arrangement it will
be appreciated that if the latch or stop does not engage properly in a notch and is
bounced back on to the periphery of the toothed disc the sensing means will not read
the appropriate number of bits of information, the code will not be registered, and
the reel will be allowed to rotate until a correct reading is taken indicating proper
functioning of the latch or stop. Also if the reel runs on with the latch or stop
not in its notch, a new code is read and replaces the code previously registered.
[0023] The processor is programmed to take two readings at each angular location in each
code being read. The first reading is taken and stored and after an appropriate delay
the second reading is taken and compared with the first. Only when the readings match
will the processing of the information then commence as otherwise it may be that the
readings have been affected by spurious electrical signals. If the readings do not
match they are discarded and a further pair of readings taken.
[0024] When a pair of readings are found to match, the reading (Reading 1) is stored and
passed to a further store (to become Reading 3). In accordance with the processing
programme Reading 1 should then be compared with a previously stored Reading 2 but
if the process is still in the stage of being set up there is no stored Reading 2
and thus although the programme of processing the information continues for a cycle
the information processed in the cycle will be of no consequence except that, at the
end of the cycle, the Reading 3 is stored in the processor as Reading 2.
[0025] After a pair of matched readings have been obtained a new Reading 1 is stored and
passed to said further store to become Reading 3 and the Reading 1 is compared with
the stored Reading 2. If the readings match no further action takes place at this
time as this is indicative that there had been no change in the output signal from
the respective photo-transistor and that therefore no code aperture has passed thereby.
If the readings do not match the processor is programmed to then determine if Reading
1 is such as has been caused by detection of the leading edge of a pulse from the
respective photo-transistor. If this is the case then it is indicative of a code aperture
having come into alignment with the path of light and in this event the processor
is programmed to register the appropriate '1' or '0' signal. If the comparison shows
that the change in the reading has been occasioned by the trailing edge of a pulse
no further action is taken at this time. This procedure continues for each of the
angular locations of the code being read and is repeated for each of the reels. As
each new part of the code is registered, the contents of the register are shifted
to one side to accommodate the new registered part of the code.
[0026] To determine which code relates to a given symbol there is provided within the microprocessor
a pointer register associated with a memory block. The latter includes banks of symbol
information corresponding to the symbols on the reels and the pointer register is
controlled in accordance with the registered codes to relate the codes to the symbol
information in the memory block. After decoding the resulting symbols are compared
with one another to determine if the same symbols are aligned with one another in
a "win" arrangement.
[0027] In a modification each code may be defined by only one series of apertures such that
only one LED and photo-transistor would be necessary for each reel. Provided the signals
produced by the photo-transistor are synchronised to the speed of rotation of the
reel, then each code would comprise, for example, five bits of information in the
form of a signal where an aperture was provided at an angular location of the code,
or no signal where no aperture was provided. In such a case it may be necessary to
provide a master disc providing a series of pulses in
' accordance with rotation of the reel for synchronising with the pulses from the photo-transistor.
As a start coding, an additional aperture may be provided of such a shape as to produce
a pulse of different length from that produced by a code aperture.
[0028] It is also envisaged that the number of photo-transistors required may be reduced
by utilising only one photo-transistor for each series of code aperture locations,
an optical fibre arrangement extending between the respective photo-transistor and
the desired position aligned with the respective series of code aperture locations
on each reel assembly. This arrangement is possible as only one sensing means is operable
at any on time.
[0029] It is to be appreciated that a control system may be provided other than one including
a microprocessor, with the information being stored in a shift register. The system
is bi-directional.
[0030] It will also be appreciated that a sensing arrangement other than one using photo-electric
means may be utilised, for example a magnet and a Hall effect transducer where a screen
for the magnetic flux is attached to the reel, or an ultrasonic arrangement comprising
appropriate transmitters and receivers. It is further to be appreciated that the codes
may be formed on other than the reel, for example on the toothed disc, with the sensing
means being repositioned accordingly.
[0031] t In another modification the reels 10 or the toothed discs are formed of a material
which allows transmission of light, for example a clear plastics. To define the codes,
a masking arrangement is applied, for example by screen printing, and defines unmasked
areas forming the transmission locations of the codes.
[0032] Further, an arrangement may be utilised wherein the energy sources and the responsive
components are provided at the same sides of the respective reels or toothed discs,
the latter being arranged to reflect energy from the sources to the responsive components.
The codes are therefore defined by reflective areas.
[0033] Various other modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention
as defined in the appended claims.
1. A reel mechanism for use in a gaming machine, said mechanism comprising a rotatable
part, and sensing means having a source of energy as hereinbefore defined and means
responsive to said energy, the rotatable part having means in the form of a code unique
to each stop position thereof, characterised in that each code (26, 28) is arranged
to permit serial transmission of energy from the source (14, 16) to the responsive
means (18, 20) during travel of the rotatable part (10) in the path of energy from
the source (14, 16), and means being provided for receiving electrical outputs from
the responsive means (18, 20) to register the stop position of the rotatable part
(10).
2. A reel mechanism for use in a gaming machine, said mechanism comprising a plurality
of rotatable assemblies, a member of each assembly having a series of symbols arranged
in an equi-spaced fashion around its axis of rotation and means for sensing the combination
of symbols visible to the player, said sensing means comprising a source of energy
as hereinbefore defined and means responsive to said energy, a part of each rotatable
assembly having means in the form of a code unique to each stop position of the rotatable
assembly, characterised in that each code (26, 28) is arranged to permit serial transmission
of energy from the source (14, 16) to the responsive means (18, 20) during travel
of said part (10) in the path of energy from the source (14, 16), and means being
provided for receiving electrical outputs from the responsive means (18, 20) to register
the angular position of the rotatable assembly.
3. A mechanism according to claim 2, characterised in that the or each energy source
(14, 16) is provided at one side of the respective rotatable part (10) in alignment
with the responsive means (18, 20) at the other side thereof, each code (26, 28) being
arranged for alignment with the source (14, 16) and the responsive means (18, 20).
4. A mechanism according to claim 3, characterised in that each code (26, 28) comprises
two series of locations (22, 24) through which energy can be transmitted, each series
(22, 24) comprising transmission locations which are angularly spaced apart but at
the same radial position, the angular position of both series (22, 24) corresponding
to one another, and a predetermined number of angular positions being provided for
the transmission locations in each code (26, 28), each series (22, 24) of transmission
locations having a respective responsive means (18, 20) aligned therewith, the code
(26, 28) being defined by the presence of a transmission location in a selected one
of the series (22, 24) at each angular position.
5. A mechanism according to claim 4, characterised in that each code (26, 28) includes
a coding (30) indicative of the start of the code for the respective stop position,
the coding (30) comprising two transmission locations radially aligned at a further
angular position at the radial positions of the respective series of transmission
locations.
6. A mechanism according to claim 3, characterised in that each code comprises a series
of locations through which energy can be transmitted angularly spaced apart at one
radial position, a predetermined number of angular positions being provided for the
transmission locations in each code, and the code being defined by the presence of
a transmission location in a selected angular position, the means for receiving the
electrical outputs from the responsive means being arranged to produce a signal at
constant intervals of time, which signal differs in accordance with the presence or
absence of a transmission location.
7. A mechanism according to claim 6, characterised in that each code includes a coding
indicative of the start of the code for the respective stop position, the coding preferably
comprising a transmission location shaped to produce a different output from the outputs
of the other transmission location or locations of the code.
8. A mechanism according to claim 4 or 5, wherein each energy source is a light source
and the responsive means comprises a single light sensitive device for each series
of transmission locations, characterised in that an optical fibre arrangement extends
between the respective light sensitive device and desired locations aligned with the
respective series of transmission locations on the respective rotatable parts.
9. A mechanism according to claim 6 or 7, wherein each energy source is a light source
and the responsive means comprises a single light sensitive device, characterised
in that optical fibres are arranged between the latter and desired locations at the
respective rotatable parts.
10. A mechanism according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the or each source
of energy is a light source, characterised in that the or each rotatable part (10)
is formed of a material which prevents transmission of light therethrough, the transmission
locations being defined by apertures in each rotatable part (10).
11. A mechanism according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the or each source
of energy is a light source, characterised in that the or each rotatable part is formed
of a material which at least in part allows transmission of light therethrough, the
transmission locations being defined by an arrangement on said part of each rotatable
part which masks transmission of light.
12. A mechanism according to claim 2, characterised in that the or each energy source
and responsive means is provided at the same side of the respective rotatable part.
13. A mechanism according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the or each
energy source comprises a magnet arrangement with the or each responsive means in
the form of a Hall effect transducer,, a screen for the magnetic flux being provided
on the or each rotatable part.
14. A mechanism according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the or each
energy source comprises an ultrasonic transmitter with the or each responsive means
comprising an ultrasonic receiver.
15. A mechanism according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that a
control system controls operation of the or each sensing means immediately before
the respective rotatable part is due to be stopped and processes the information obtained
from the sensed code so as to determine the angular position in which the rotatable
part stops.
16. A mechanism according to claim 15, characterised in that the control system processes
the information with a self-checking function such that the rotatable part is allowed
to move to a further angular stop position if a sensed code is not acceptable.