[0001] 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.
[0002] 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 its periphery
and the reels can be brought to rest with one symbol on each reel displayed through
the window on a win line.
[0003] If the displayed combination of symbols constitutes a predetermined winning combination
an award may be made available to the player.
[0004] It is well known to provide a supplementary display or 'games feature' which can
be used to enhance the entertainment value of the machine and provide additional or
alternative opportunities for winning.
[0005] In particular, it is known to provide a panel having sections which can be selectively
illuminated to represent movement from location to location along a trail, particularly
along a wraparound trail, which may simulate the playing of a board game.
[0006] Play is transferred from the main reels to the trail of the games features on a random
or predetermined basis and illumination of the panel sections may then be effected
by, or in correspondence with, a rotatable subsidiary feature reel, or otherwise,
representing the spin of a reel or roll of a dice or other selection.
[0007] Awards or award possibilities may be made available to the player in dependence on
the location on the trail to which play has progressed.
[0008] EP 0 449 433 discloses an entertainment machine. The machine has a display having
a reel display comprising a number of reels carrying symbols and a matrix display
comprising a grid or matrix, the matrix display being adapted to display a first symbol
and a second symbol. The reels carry first and second reel symbols corresponding to
the first and second matrix symbols and when a first or second reel symbol is visible
at the reel display after a reel spin the corresponding first or second matrix symbol
appears in the matrix display in a corresponding position in the matrix. Prizes are
awarded for completed lines of symbols in the matrix display. The machine further
comprises an award ladder display operative to indicate progressive prizes.
[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a games feature having enhanced
award possibilities
[0010] According to the invention there is provided an entertainment machine having a main
game-playing display region and a supplementary game-playing display region with a
trail and a plurality of award zones for indicating available awards associated with
the trail whereby play can transfer from the trail to the award zones, a zone selector
being provided for selection of said award zones to make available awards therefrom,
whereby one or more awards selectable from the award zones effect or contribute to
movement between the award zones.
[0011] With this arrangement, there may be enhanced award possibilities, in the sense of
a wider range of kinds of awards and/or a wider range of routes to the attainment
of awards, which can enhance game-playing entertainment. As desired, but not necessarily,
there may be enhancement of award value or frequency.
[0012] The award zones may each have multiple awards associated therewith, for example they
may comprise multi-section zones with the sections, or some of them, bearing symbols
corresponding to respective awards. Alternatively, the award zones may each comprise
digital or other displays capable of operation to indicate different awards.
[0013] In the case of multiple award zones, the award made available when the zone selector
is operated may be selected at random from the range of possible awards. Alternatively
provision may be made for selection as between awards of a selected zone on a predetermined
or player-implemented basis.
[0014] Indication of an available award may be achieved by illumination of an award indicating
symbol at the zone, particularly by back illumination of a printed light transmitting
surface.
[0015] The zone selector may comprise one or more player-operable controls for example a
respective push-button associated with each award zone. There may be a plurality of
award zones which are player operable by a plurality of push buttons, which may or
may not be linked to individually selectable zones. Other arrangements are also possible,
comprising, for example, a single push-button or other player control which can be
used to select any of the award zones (e.g. by arresting sequencing from zone to zone),
or an automatic arrangement whereby zones are selected outside the influence of the
player, or an automatic player control which acts to select an award zone as a best
selection or on some other basis without requiring a player decision.
[0016] Awards made available may be automatically awarded, or may be credited to the player
for future award, or the player may be given the option of trying to increase the
award, e.g. by gambling this with a conventional 'gamble' feature, prior to award
or credit Awards may be of any suitable nature including monetary payout, free games,
scored points, extra 'nudges' or 'holds' or other game features.
[0017] The zone selector may be operable to select any one of the award zones on any occasion.
[0018] Preferably however, selection is only available in relation to an indicated award
zone, such indication being effected in any suitable manner e.g. by illumination of
a respective press button associated with the award zone. In this case, provision
is preferably made for progression through the award zones, such progression occurring
in a random manner or in accordance with a predetermined sequence or in response to
selection made with the trail or otherwise.
[0019] The awards of different award zones may be of different kinds. For example, awards
may change by increase in value from zone to zone, or by range of awards or otherwise.
Thus, there may be an incentive for the player to seek to move to another zone, rather
than obtaining an award already offered on one zone, e.g. in the hope of obtaining
a higher value award.
[0020] Qualification for transfer from the trail to the zones may be subject to attainment
of a transfer symbol or symbols such as a 'key' on the trail. This may be cumulative
in the multiple symbols or an accumulated symbol value may be necessary to qualify
for transfer. Movement from award zone to award zone may be effected from the trail
by attaining one or more symbols on the trail. Alternatively or additionally movement
between award zones may be achieved by other selection routes.
[0021] Qualification for transfer from the trail to the award zones may also implement or
permit implementation of award selection. Thus, for example, when a key, or a sufficient
number of keys, have been attained to qualify for transfer to one of the award zones,
at the same time an award may be made available for selection in that award zone.
[0022] Alternatively and preferably however, attainment of a further indication, such as
the attainment of a 'knockout' symbol on the trail, may be required before an award
can be obtained. Provision may be made for storage or accumulation of such further
indications for subsequent use. The player may then have the option of either operating
the selector to select an award from the selected award zone or continuing to play
to seek to transfer to another award zone whereby an alternative award or awards may
be available.
[0023] With regard to the trail, this may be of any suitable form and thus may comprise
a sequence of sections in a closed loop or the like around which play can progress
in correspondence with selection of a number of steps using an auxiliary selector
reel or the like.
[0024] Most preferably the entertainment machine is an 'amusement with prizes' (AWP) machine
particularly of the fruit machine or poker machine kind using actual (or simulated)
rotatable reels as mentioned above. In this case, the display region is preferably
a supplementary display region for use with a games feature additional to a main display
of the machine.
[0025] The invention will now be described further by way of example only and with reference
to the accompanying drawings in which:-
- Fig. 1
- is a diagrammatic perspective view of one form of an entertainment machine according
to the invention;
- Fig. 2
- is an enlarged diagrammatic view of part of the display of the machine of Fig. 1;
and
- Fig. 3
- is a block circuit diagram of the machine.
[0026] Referring to the drawings, Fig. 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.
[0027] 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.
[0028] 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.
[0029] 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 game 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.
[0030] 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.
[0031] 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 games feature.
[0032] As shown, this games feature comprises a wraparound trail 17 comprising a series
of printed sections 18 marked with decoration, information and symbols.
[0033] In the centre of the trail there is a printed window behind which an auxiliary feature
reel 20 is rotatable. The reel 20 has around its periphery the numbers 1 to 12 corresponding
to the values which can be selected with two dice. 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.
[0034] 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.
[0035] One or more of the trail sections 18 are marked with one or more 'key' symbols. Also
one or more of the trail sections 18 are marked with one or more 'knockout' symbols.
[0036] Above the trail there are five strip-shaped 'box' zones 22-26 with a respective press-button
27-31 alongside each of these. The press-buttons 27-31 are illuminated when selected
for operation.
[0037] Each box zone 22-26 is divided into a number of sections 32 marked with respective
symbols representing awards such as 'keys', game features (such as nudges, etc), cash
values etc.
[0038] The sections 32 can be back illuminated for selection of the corresponding awards.
[0039] The box zones 22-26 are arranged one above the other and the award values increase
upwardly. That is, in any one zone the different awards may have comparable values
whereas different zones have different average award values.
[0040] Play transfers to the trail 17 in the usual way on a random or predetermined basis,
e.g. when predetermined transfer symbols on the main reels 9 are selected on the win
line or otherwise.
[0041] The player can then operate a press button 33 to cause the feature reel 20 to rotate
and select a number which causes play to progress along the trail 17 to a selected
section 18 at which a symbol on the section 18 is back illuminated.
[0042] In the case where a key symbol is illuminated this increments a 'key' counter to
produce a displayed number of accumulated keys on a display (not shown). When a predetermined
minimum number of keys has been accumulated, by progressing to a section 18 on the
trail 17 having that number of keys, or by progressing in successive moves to sections
18 which have in total the required number of keys, play can then transfer to the
lowermost of the box zones 22, this being indicated by illumination of the button
27 alongside the lowermost box zone 22.
[0043] In the case where a 'knockout' symbol is illuminated on the trail 17 this increments
a 'knockout' counter to produce a displayed number of accumulated knockout symbols
on a display (not shown).
[0044] When the knockout counter shows at least one knockout symbol and the lowermost button
27 is illuminated the player has the option of pressing this button 27. This causes
the knockout counter and the key counter to decrement and one of the sections 32 of
the lowermost box 22 is illuminated at random thereby to select the associated award
and to make this available to the player.
[0045] Instead of pressing the illuminated button 27, the player can opt to continue operating
the feature reel 20 to move around the trail 17 in the hope of attaining an increased
key count sufficient to transfer play to the next highest box zone 23 (and so on)
which contains awards of higher average value.
[0046] In so far as the symbols of the zone sections 32 also include keys, it will be understood
that play can transfer to a higher box zone 23 etc. as a consequence of operation
of the button of a lower zone causing a zones section key to be selected.
[0047] One or more limitations may be imposed on the foregoing by virtue of time, or number
of operations, or game duration or game outcome or otherwise. Thus, successive operations
of the feature reel 20 may be limited in accordance with a predetermined parameter
or may be permitted to continue until a symbol is selected on a section 18 of the
trail 17 which terminates play of the feature game. Accumulated counts of the knockout
or key counter and operability of the buttons 27-31 may be maintained throughout successive
games or may be reset or cancelled at the end of a game or at the end of play of the
feature game.
[0048] With the arrangement described above, there are enhanced possibilities for attaining
awards in the feature game which provides additional player entertainment.
[0049] 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.
1. An entertainment machine having a supplementary game-playing display region (15) with
a trail (17) and a plurality of award zones for indicating available awards (22-26)
associated with the trail (17) whereby play can transfer from the trail (17) to the
award zones (22-26), a zone selector (27-31) being provided for selection of said
award zones to make available awards therefrom, whereby one or more awards selectable
from the award zones effect or contribute to movement between the award zones.
2. An entertainment machine according to claim 1 in which the award zones (22-26) each
have multiple awards associated therewith.
3. An entertainment machine according to claim 2 comprising multi-section award zones
(22-26) in which at least some of the sections (32) bear symbols corresponding to
respective awards.
4. An entertainment machine according to claim 2 or 3 in which the award made available
is selected at random from a range of possible awards.
5. An entertainment machine according to claim 2 or 3 in which the award made available
is selected from awards of a selected award zone (22-26) on a predetermined basis.
6. An entertainment machine according to any preceding claim in which illumination of
an award indicating symbol at the award zone (22-26) indicates an available award.
7. An entertainment machine according to any preceding claim in which the zone selector
comprises one or more player operable buttons (27-31).
8. An entertainment machine according to claims 1-6 incorporating automatic award zone
selection.
9. An entertainment machine according to any preceding claim in which award zone selection
is only available in relation to an indicated award zone (22-26).
10. An entertainment machine according to claim 9 in which said award zone indication
is effected by illumination of a respective press button (27-31) associated with the
award zone.
11. An entertainment machine according to claim 8 or 9 in which provision is made for
progression through the award zones (22-26).
12. An entertainment machine according to any preceding claim in which qualification for
the transfer of play from the trail (17) to the award zones (22-26) is subject to
attainment of a transfer symbol or symbols.
13. An entertainment machine according to claims 11-12 in which movement from award zone
to award zone (22-26) is effected from the trail (17) by attaining one or more symbols
on the trail (17).
1. Unterhaltungsautomat, der einen zusätzlichen Spielbildbereich (15) mit einem Umlauf
(17) und einer Vielzahl von Gewinnzonen zum Anzeigen verfügbarer Gewinne (22 bis 26)
aufweist, die mit dem Umlauf (17) verbunden sind, wobei das Spiel von dem Umlauf (17)
auf die Gewinnzonen (22 bis 26) übertragen werden kann, wobei ein Zonenwahlschalter
(27 bis 31) zur Auswahl der Gewinnzonen vorgesehen ist, um Gewinne aus diesen verfügbar
zu machen, wobei ein oder mehrere Gewinne, die aus den Gewinnzonen ausgewählt werden
können, eine Bewegung zwischen den Gewinnzonen bewirken oder dazu beitragen.
2. Unterhaltungsautomat nach Anspruch 1,
bei dem die Gewinnzonen (22 bis 26) jeweils mit mehrfachen Gewinnen verbunden sind.
3. Unterhaltungsautomat nach Anspruch 2,
der Gewinnzonen (22 bis 26) mit mehreren Feldern umfaßt, wobei zumindest einige der
Felder (32) Symbole tragen, die zugehörigen Gewinnen entsprechen.
4. Unterhaltungsautomat nach Anspruch 2 oder 3,
bei dem der zur Verfügung gestellte Gewinn durch Zufall aus einer Reihe möglicher
Gewinne ausgewählt wird.
5. Unterhaltungsautomat nach Anspruch 2 oder 3,
bei dem der zur Verfügung gestellte Gewinn auf vorgegebene Weise aus Gewinnen einer
ausgewählten Gewinnzone (22 bis 26) ausgewählt wird.
6. Unterhaltungsautomat nach einem vorhergehenden Anspruch,
bei dem die Beleuchtung eines Gewinnsymbols in der Gewinnzone (22 bis 26) einen verfügbaren
Gewinn anzeigt.
7. Unterhaltungsautomat nach einem vorhergehenden Anspruch,
bei dem der Zonenwahlschalter eine oder mehrere, vom Spieler zu betätigende Tasten
(27 bis 31) umfaßt.
8. Unterhaltungsautomat nach den Ansprüche 1 bis 6, der eine automatische Gewinnzonenauswahl
enthält.
9. Unterhaltungsautomat nach einem vorhergehenden Anspruch,
bei dem eine Gewinnzonenauswahl nur in Verbindung mit einer angezeigten Gewinnzone
(22 bis 26) zur Verfügung steht.
10. Unterhaltungsautomat nach Anspruch 9,
bei dem die Gewinnzonenanzeige durch Beleuchten einer entsprechenden, mit der Gewinnzone
verbundenen Drucktaste (27 bis 31) erfolgt.
11. Unterhaltungsautomat nach Anspruch 8 oder 9,
bei dem die Möglichkeit eines Vorrückens innerhalb der Gewinnzonen (22 bis 26) besteht.
12. Unterhaltungsautomat nach einem vorhergehenden Anspruch,
bei dem die Qualifikation für die Übertragung des Spiels von dem Umlauf (17) auf die
Gewinnzonen (22 bis 26) davon abhängt, ob ein oder mehrere Übertragungssymbole erzielt
werden.
13. Unterhaltungsautomat nach den Ansprüche 11 bis 12, bei dem die Bewegung von Gewinnzone
zu Gewinnzone (22 bis 26) durch den Umlauf (17) bewirkt wird, indem ein oder mehrere
Symbole auf dem Umlauf (17) erzielt werden.
1. Machine d'amusement ayant une région d'affichage de jeu supplémentaire (15) avec une
piste (17) et une pluralité de zones de récompense pour indiquer les récompenses disponibles
(22-26) associés avec la piste (17) moyennant quoi le jeu peut se transférer de la
piste (17) aux zones de récompense (22-26), un sélecteur de zone (27-31) étant prévu
pour la sélection desdites zones de récompense pour en rendre disponible les récompenses,
moyennant quoi une ou plusieurs récompense sélectionnables à partir des zones de récompense
réalise ou contribue au mouvement entre les zones de récompense.
2. Machine d'amusement selon la revendication 1 dans laquelle les zones de récompense
(22-26) ont chacune de multiples récompenses associées à elles.
3. Machine d'amusement selon la revendication 2 comprenant des zones de récompense multi-sections
(22-26) dans lesquelles au moins quelques-unes des sections (32) portent des symboles
correspondant à des récompenses respectives.
4. Machine d'amusement selon là revendication 2 ou 3 dans laquelle la récompense rendue
disponible est sélectionnée aléatoirement à partir d'un éventail de récompenses possibles.
5. Machine d'amusement selon la revendication 2 ou 3 dans laquelle la récompense rendue
disponible est sélectionnée à partir de récompenses d'une zone de récompense sélectionnée
(22-26) sur une base prédéterminée.
6. Machine d'amusement selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes dans laquelle
l'illumination d'un symbole indicateur de récompense dans la zone de récompense (22-26)
indique une récompense disponible.
7. Machine d'amusement selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes dans laquelle
le sélecteur de zone comprend un ou plusieurs boutons pouvant être opérés par le joueur.
8. Machine d'amusement selon les revendications 1-6 comprenant une sélection de zone
de récompense automatique.
9. Machine d'amusement selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes dans laquelle
la sélection de zone de récompense est seulement disponible en relation avec une zone
de récompense (22-26) indiquée.
10. Machine d'amusement selon la revendication 9 dans laquelle ladite indication de zone
de récompense est effectuée par illumination d'un bouton poussoir (27-31) respectif
associé à la zone de récompense.
11. Machine d'amusement selon la revendication 8 ou 9 dans laquelle il est possible de
progresser à travers les zones de récompense (22-26).
12. Machine d'amusement selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes dans laquelle
la condition pour le transfert du jeu de la piste (17) à la zone de récompense (22-26)
est sujette à l'obtention d'un symbole ou de symboles de transfert.
13. Machine d'amusement selon les revendications 11-12 dans laquelle le mouvement de zone
de récompense en zone de récompense (22-26) est effectué à partir de la piste (17)
en obtenant un ou plusieurs symboles sur la piste (17).