[0001] This invention relates to player-operable entertainment machines.
[0002] The invention is more particularly, although not exclusively concerned with coin-operated
entertainment machines of the 'fruit' machine or 'poker' machine kind having a main
display device for displaying a selected combination of symbols at a win zone. A game
is played resulting in selection of the displayed combination of symbols, and an award
is made available to the player in the event that the combination is of a predetermined
winning nature.
[0003] As used herein, the term coin-operated is intended also to cover operation by tokens,
charge or credit cards or any other means of supplying credit or monetary value.
[0004] Known fruit machines are usually operated independently whereby the range of available
awards is limited by the operational parameters, for example the pay-out ratio, of
a particular machine. However, there are circumstances, such as in casinos, where
machines are operated at adjoining or close locations and this gives rise to possibilities
for interrelationship between individual machines and consequent enhanced ranges of
awards.
D1 (DE 39 02 084 A)
[0005] The individual machines are linked to a common display box (6). This box (6) contains
a press button (7) and display lamps (8, 9, 10) which indicated the playing status
of the individual machines. A joint game can be played between the machines, and a
'high risk game' can be selected. However, all games are played on the machines using
the display devices of the individual machines. There is no common display device
which acts as a selector device which is itself capable of performing a selection
action.
D2 (GB-A-2 295 775)
[0006] A roulette-type machine has a table with a common central selector display (2) and
multiple connected betting panels (4). If a bet is successful a player can operate
a jackpot selector (7). This is essentially a single machine which can be played by
multiple players. There are no individual machines with their own games and own game
displays.
D3 (WO 96 24421 A)
[0007] This is a conventional proportional jackpot arrangement. Individual machines are
used to play separate games. A common jackpot is accumulated and displayed on a common
display device. The value of the jackpot is then made available to the individual
machines. The common display device simply display the win value; it does not act
as a selector device which is itself capable of performing a selection action.
D4 (US-A-5 292 127)
[0008] This is similar to D3. A progressive bonus is shown on a common display device, but
all selection actions are performed on the individual machines. The common display
device does not incorporate a separate selector.
D5 (GB-A-2 161 008)
[0009] A machine can be operated competitively by two players. There is a single selector
display (11, 12, 13). There is no disclosure of separate machines with separate selectors
and a separate common selector.
D6 (DE 195 33 418 A)
[0010] Machines having risk ladders (12) are connected to a separate display device (17).
This device (17) shows the same display as that appearing on the machines so that
non-players can watch. This is simply a matter of extending the visual display of
a machine. The display device (17) does not act as a separately actuable selector
device which produces a further award-determining display.
[0011] An object of the present invention is to provide a game system using multiple entertainment
machines arranged to give improved or enhanced award possibilities.
[0012] According to the invention therefore there is provided a games systems comprising
the features of claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are defined in the
dependent claims.
[0013] With this arrangement an award is attained as a consequence of an event separate
from each machine whereby the range of available awards can be enhanced relative to
the awards available with a machine operated independently.
[0014] Since the available awards may be different from those attainable with an independent
machine and also can be achieved in a different manner, the player may be presented
with greater game-playing variety and entertainment and also, in so far as the award
structure is determined by factors additional to those derived from an independent
machine, there may be possibilities for improved (i.e. larger or increased frequency)
awards. In the latter respect, the display device may add award-determining factors
and/or the multiple machines may contribute collectively to award-determination.
[0015] In one embodiment, the common display device may provide an additional award-determining
feature for each machine, whereby play transfers to the display device from one machine,
e.g. as a consequence of a predetermined result attained on such machine, and the
player may attain an award through such machine as a consequence of the outcome of
an action displayed on the common display device.
[0016] In another embodiment, the common display device provides an award-determining feature
for a plurality of machines, whereby for example an award attained as a consequence
of a result achieved with one machine is shared with other machines e.g. with other
machines currently in play.
[0017] Each machine is preferably a coin-operated machine of the 'fruit' or 'poker' kind
as described above. In particular, the machine may be of the kind having multiple
side-by-side reels rotatable about a common horizontal axis within a housing behind
a window at the win zone, each reel having symbols at equally spaced positions around
its periphery and the reels being arranged to be rotated and then brought to rest
with one or more symbols on each reel displayed through the window for example on
a win line. Each machine may have manual controls such as 'hold', 'nudge' and the
like for player intervention in a game, and each machine may have 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 through
the playing of a supplementary game.
[0018] It is however to be understood that the invention is not restricted to reel-type
fruit machines as described above. The machines may use simulated reels (video displays)
or other random or pseudo-random symbol selecting devices, and indeed the machines
may be of any suitable AWP (amusement with prizes), gaming, SWP (skill with prizes)
or other kind.
[0019] With regard to the common display device, this may take any suitable form and thus,
for example, may comprise a selector device, such as a rotatable wheel with awards
marked thereon, or it may comprise a plurality of rotatable reels in like manner to
the machine symbol selectors mentioned above. Any other suitable display device may
be used.
[0020] The individual machines may be located side by side in a row as floor-standing housed
machines, and the display device may be mounted as a separate unit, on top of the
machines with appropriate connections therebetween.
[0021] Any other suitable arrangement may also be used, and thus the display device may
be connected to all, or only selected ones of any suitable number and arrangement
or machines whether or not close to each other or to the display device.
[0022] With regard to the awards made available with the invention, these may be of any
suitable kind and thus may comprise payout of cash, tokens or other credit, or free
games or prizes or scores or any other suitable award.
[0023] The invention will now be described further by way of example only and with reference
to the accompanying drawings in which:-
- Figs. 1 & 2
- are diagrammatic front views of machines connected to a common display in accordance
with two embodiments of the invention;
- Fig. 3
- is a diagrammatic perspective view of one of the machines; and
- Fig. 4
- is a block circuit diagram illustrating a typical control arrangement for the embodiments
of Figs. 1 & 2.
[0024] Referring to the drawings, these show multiple side by side fruit machines each having
a floor-standing box-shaped housing 1 having a front wall which includes upper and
lower glass panels 2, 3, a number of player operating buttons 5, 6 a coin slot 7 and
a payout opening 8.
[0025] 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 stepping 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.
[0026] 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.
[0027] 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.
[0028] The control buttons 5 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.
[0029] The upper panel 2 is a transparent glass panel and behind this there is a display
region 15, which can be back-illuminated and which provides a supplementary games
feature.
[0030] As shown in Fig. 1, the multiple side by side fruit machines are in fixed positions
alongside each other and a housed display unit 16 is mounted in a fixed position on
top of the machines centrally of the row thereof so that it can be readily seen by
a player operating any of the individual machines.
[0031] The display unit has a motor-driven wheel 17 marked with award values. The wheel
17 can be rotated and then brought to rest with one such value selected by alignment
with a fixed pointer 18.
[0032] The motor and control circuitry 19 for the display unit 16 is connected via a bus
20 to the control units 12 of the individual machines.
[0033] Each machine connected to the display unit 16 has a special feature whereby on attaining
some specific target or game result on the machine, such as a specific combination
of symbols on the main reels 10, or an accumulated score, or a winning outcome of
the supplementary game on the display 15, or the like, the display unit 16 is actuated
and the player now has the opportunity of attaining an award as determined by, or
indicated on the display unit 16.
[0034] This may occur automatically in that the wheel 17 is automatically rotated and the
player then attains the award shown on the wheel 17. Alternatively, the player may
be given the possibility of influencing the outcome in that, for example, the player
has to press a button to start and/or stop the wheel 17.
[0035] The resulting award may be communicated back to the respective machine which triggered
the display unit 16 and this may result in a payout, and/or the award may be accumulated
in the machine with existing awards, or any other suitable action may be taken.
[0036] In this way, the players of the individual machines are given a further opportunity
for attaining a win. This adds to entertainment and variety and also may enable the
players to obtain a larger win than the maximum which can be obtained with an individual
machine. In effect, the players may be given the opportunity of a communal jackpot
in addition to the individual jackpots on the machines.
[0037] With the embodiment of Fig. 2, the arrangement is similar to Fig. 1, except that
the display unit 21 has three rotatable reels 22, each marked with award values, rotatable
behind a window with a central horizontal win line, like the reels 10 of the machines.
The unit 21 is connected to the bus 20 in like manner to the unit 16 described in
relation to Fig. 1.
[0038] With this arrangement, transfer of play to the display unit 19 from an individual
machine, occurs in like manner to the arrangement of Fig. 1. Then the reels on the
display unit are rotated and brought to rest and the displayed combination determines
whether an award has been attained and if so what is its value. Thus, an award may
be attained if three identical values are displayed on the win line, the award being
equal to such value.
[0039] Once an award has been attained with the display unit 21, this is awarded to all
machines which are connected to the display unit 21 and which are currently in play.
Each machine may receive the same award value being the value selected by the display
unit, or being an equal share of this value.
[0040] With this arrangement additional entertainment value and enhanced awards can be obtained,
and in particular a player has the opportunity of benefiting even when he has not
been able to attain a win on the individual machine which he is playing.
[0041] As described above, the display unit is mounted on and connected to all machines
of a linked row of machines. It is to be understood that the invention is not restricted
to this arrangement.
[0042] The display unit 16 or 21 may be linked to all of a small number (e.g. 2 to 5) of
machines. It may alternatively be linked to more machines which need not be alongside
each other, and the unit need not be on or close to the machines as long as it is
in a position in which it is readily visible. Thus the unit may be linked to all machines
in a casino.
[0043] The unit may also be linked selectively to only some of the machines.
[0044] It is 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.
[0045] Thus, for example, where an award on the display unit is made available to multiple
machines this may be shared, as described, in the sense of being subdivided between
the respective played machines. Alternatively, however, each played machine may receive
the same award equal to the displayed value, or some other basis of sharing or duplication
may be utilised.
[0046] With the embodiment of Fig. 1, the system operates such that the display unit 16,
when actuated, is associated with one only of the machines 1, whereby it is only that
machine which can be used to start and/or stop the wheel 17 (in the case where the
player is given the opportunity of influencing selection with the wheel), and it is
only that machine which benefits from any award attained with the display unit 16.
During such actuation of the display unit 16, association between the other machines
1 and the display unit 16 is blocked. That is, players of the other machines can observe
the display unit 16 but their machines are incapable of entering into a mode in which
play is transferred to the display unit 16. This blocking may be achieved in that
the attainment of the result on these other machines which would initiate, or provide
the opportunity of transfer, is inhibited or, alternatively, the result may be attained
but its execution may be delayed until the existing use of the display unit has finished,
for example, the result may be displayed to the player on the individual machine with
a message that transfer is being delayed, or some other machine action may be initiated
before informing the player that transfer is available.
[0047] With the arrangement of Fig. 2, when the display unit 21 is actuated as a consequence
of a result attained on one machine, this may have the effect of intervening with
existing machine already in play in that the current game is interrupted or cancelled
pending the outcome of the operation of the display unit 21, or, alternatively, current
games may be allowed to proceed with any award arising from operation of the display
unit 21 simply being credited to the other machines in play so as to be shown to the
player at the end of a game or at some other convenient opportunity. The player may
be made aware of the potential additional award by virtue of the actuation of the
unit 21 and/or by actuation of a signal, such as a flashing light, illuminated message
or the like on the individual machine which may occur during or after game playing.
[0048] As mentioned, the additional award which can be attained with the display unit 16
or 21 may be of the nature of a jackpot which may be greater than that which can be
attained with an individual machine without using the display unit 16 or 21. This
may be of a predetermined, randomly awarded nature, or may be determined by operation
of the individual machines in that value builds up in the unit 16 or 21 in dependence
on play of the individual machines (e.g. in dependence on attainment of predetermined
results, or number of games played, etc) whereby the jackpot becomes available when
the accumulated value from all machines has reached the predetermined jackpot level,
this then being awarded on a predictable or random or other basis. It is however to
be understood that the display units 16 and 21 can also be used to make other awards
additionally or alternatively to a jackpot award, and the unit 16 or 21 may provide
the opportunity for a single award or for a range of awards.
[0049] Whilst reference is made above to coin operated fruit machines, the machines 1 may
be other kinds of machines. Also, it is possible to use a mixture of kinds of machines
whereby for example at least one fruit machine is used in combination with one or
more other kinds of machines.
1. A games system comprising a plurality of machines (1) linked to a common display device
(16), each machine being operable to play a game resulting in the production of a
first display (9) on the respective machine, a first award being made available at
the said respective machine (1) in the event that the said first display (9) is of
a predetermined winning nature, characterised in that the common display device (16) comprises a selector device (17, 22) which is actuable
separately from the said machines (1) to perform an action comprising the selection
of a further display, a further award being made available at one or more of the machines
(1) in dependence on the selected said further display.
2. A game system according to claim 1 characterised in that said further award is made available for one said machine (1).
3. A game system according to claim 2 characterised in that play can transfer from any one said machine (1) to said common display device (16)
as a consequence of a predetermined result attained on such machine.
4. A game system according to claim 1 characterised in that the said further award is made available for a plurality of said machines (1).
5. A game system according to claim 4 characterised in that said further award is attained as a consequence of a result achieved with one said
machine (1) and this is shared or duplicated amongst one or more other said machines
(1).
6. A game system according to claim 5 characterised in that the said further award is shared or duplicated amongst one or more other said machines
(1) which are currently in play.
7. A game system according to any one of claims 1 to 6 characterised in that the said further award is a jackpot award of greater value than any said first award.
8. A game system according to any one of claims 1 to 7 characterised in that each said machine (1) is a coin-operated entertainment machine of the 'fruit' or
'poker' kind as hereinbefore described.
9. A game system according to claim 9 characterised in that each said machine is of the kind having multiple side-by-side reels (9) rotatable
about a common horizontal axis within a housing behind a window (11) at the win zone,
each reel (9) having symbols at equally spaced positions around its periphery and
the reels (9) being arranged to be rotated and then brought to rest with one or more
symbols on each reel (9) displayed through the window (11).
10. A game system according to any one of claims 1-9 characterised in that the common display device (16) comprises a rotatable wheel (17) with awards marked
thereon.
11. A game system according to any one of claims 1-9 characterised in that the common display device (16) comprises a plurality of rotatable reels (22).
12. A game system according to any one of claims 1 to 11 characterised in that the said machines (1) are located side by side in a row.
13. A game system according to claim 12 characterised in that the common display device (16) is mounted as a separate unit on top of the machines
(1) with connections therebetween.
1. Spielesystem mit einer Vielzahl von Automaten (1), die mit einer gemeinsamen Anzeigevorrichtung
(16) verbunden sind, wobei jeder Automat derart betätigbar ist, daß er ein Spiel spielt,
was zur Erzeugung einer ersten Anzeige (9) auf dem entsprechenden Automaten führt,
wobei an dem entsprechenden Automaten (1) ein erster Gewinn zur Verfügung gestellt
wird, falls die erste Anzeige (9) mit einer vorgegebenen Gewinnanzeige übereinstimmt,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die gemeinsame Anzeigevorrichtung (16) eine Wahlvorrichtung (17, 22) umfaßt, die
getrennt von den Automaten (1) betätigbar ist, um einen Vorgang durchzuführen, der
die Auswahl einer weiteren Anzeige umfaßt, wobei in Abhängigkeit von der gewählten
weiteren Anzeige ein weiterer Gewinn an einem oder mehreren der Automaten (1) zur
Verfügung gestellt wird.
2. Spielesystem nach Anspruch 1,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der weitere Gewinn an einem Automaten (1) zur Verfügung gestellt wird.
3. Spielesystem nach Anspruch 2,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Spiel von einem beliebigen Automaten (1) auf die gemeinsame Anzeigevorrichtung
(16) übertragen werden kann, wenn ein vorgegebenes Ergebnis an diesem Automaten erzielt
wurde.
4. Spielesystem nach Anspruch 1,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der weitere Gewinn an einer Vielzahl von Automaten (1) zur Verfügung gestellt wird.
5. Spielesystem nach Anspruch 4,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der weitere Gewinn aufgrund eines Ergebnisses, das an einem Automaten (1) erzielt
wurde, erreicht wird und mit einem oder mehreren Automaten (1) geteilt oder vervielfältigt
wird.
6. Spielesystem nach Anspruch 5,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der weitere Gewinn mit einem oder mehreren der Automaten (1) geteilt oder vervielfältigt
wird, die zu diesem Zeitpunkt am Spiel beteiligt sind.
7. Spielesystem nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der weitere Gewinn ein Jackpot-Gewinn von höherem Wert als der erste Gewinn ist.
8. Spielesystem nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 7,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß jeder Automat (1) ein münzbetriebener Unterhaltungsautomat des oben beschriebenen
Fruit- oder Poker-Typs ist.
9. Spielesystem nach Anspruch 9,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß jeder Automat derart ausgebildet ist, daß er mehrere nebeneinanderliegende Walzen
(9) aufweist, die in einem Gehäuse hinter einem Fenster (11) in der Gewinnzone um
eine gemeinsame, horizontale Achse drehbar sind, wobei jede Walze (9) an ihrem Umfang
Symbole aufweist, die an in gleichem Abstand angeordneten Positionen angeordnet sind,
und die Walzen (9) derart angeordnet sind, daß sie gedreht und dann mit einem oder
mehreren Symbolen auf jeder Walze (9), die durch das Fenster (11) hindurch angezeigt
werden, zum Stillstand gebracht werden.
10. Spielesystem nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 9,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die gemeinsame Anzeigevorrichtung (16) ein drehbares Rad (17) mit darauf angezeigten
Gewinnen umfaßt.
11. Spielesystem nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 9,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die gemeinsame Anzeigevorrichtung (16) eine Vielzahl von drehbaren Walzen (22) umfaßt.
12. Spielesystem nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 11,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Automaten (1) nebeneinander in einer Reihe angeordnet sind.
13. Spielesystem nach Anspruch 12,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die gemeinsame Anzeigevorrichtung (16) als separate Einheit auf den Automaten (1)
mit Verbindungen zu diesen angeordnet ist.
1. Système de jeu comprenant une pluralité de machines (1) raccordées à un dispositif
d'affichage commun (16), chaque machine étant utilisable pour jouer un jeu entraînant
la production d'un premier affichage (9) sur la machine respective, un premier prix
étant rendu disponible dans ladite machine respective (1) dans le cas où ledit premier
affichage (9) est d'une nature gagnante prédéterminée, caractérisé en ce que le dispositif d'affichage commun (16) comprend un dispositif sélecteur (17, 22) qui
peut être actionné séparément desdites machines (1) pour effectuer une action comprenant
la sélection d'un autre affichage, un autre prix étant rendu disponible dans une ou
plusieurs des machines (1) en fonction dudit autre affichage sélectionné.
2. Système de jeu selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que ledit autre prix est rendu disponible pour une desdites machines (1).
3. Système de jeu selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que le jeu peut être transféré de l'une quelconque desdites machines (1) audit dispositif
d'affichage commun (16) à la suite d'un résultat prédéterminé obtenu sur cette machine.
4. Système de jeu selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que ledit autre prix est rendu disponible pour une pluralité desdites machines (1).
5. Système de jeu selon la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce que ledit autre prix est obtenu à la suite d'un résultat atteint avec l'une desdites
machines (1) et ce prix est partagé ou reproduit parmi une ou plusieurs des autres
dites machines (1).
6. Système de jeu selon la revendication 5, caractérisé en ce que ledit autre prix est partagé ou reproduit parmi une ou plusieurs desdites autres
machines (1) qui participent alors au jeu.
7. Système de jeu selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6, caractérisé en ce que ledit autre prix est un prix de type gros lot de plus grande valeur que tout autre
dit premier prix.
8. Système de jeu selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 7, caractérisé en ce que chaque dite machine (1) est une machine de loisir fonctionnant avec des pièces qui
est du type "fruit" ou "poker" comme décrit ci-dessus.
9. Système de jeu selon la revendication 8, caractérisé en ce que chaque dite machine est du type ayant de multiples rouleaux (9) disposés côte à côte
et pouvant tourner autour d'un axe horizontal commun dans un boîtier situé derrière
une fenêtre (11) dans la zone de gain, chaque rouleau (9) portant des symboles disposés
dans des positions espacées de manière égale autour de sa périphérie et les rouleaux
(9) étant aménagés de manière à pouvoir tourner, puis à être amenées à s'arrêter avec
un ou plusieurs symboles de chaque rouleau (9) affichés à travers la fenêtre (11).
10. Système de jeu selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 9, caractérisé en ce que le dispositif d'affichage commun (16) comprend une roue rotative (17) sur laquelle
sont indiqués des prix.
11. Système de jeu selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 9, caractérisé en ce que le dispositif d'affichage commun (16) comprend une pluralité de rouleaux rotatifs
(22).
12. Système de jeu selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 11, caractérisé en ce que lesdites machines (1) sont situées côte à côte en rangée.
13. Système de jeu selon la revendication 12, caractérisé en ce que le dispositif d'affichage commun (16) est monté sous la forme d'une unité séparée
sur la partie supérieure des machines (1) avec des connexions entre eux.