EP0609637A1 - Combination device for games machines with cash prizes - Google Patents

Combination device for games machines with cash prizes Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0609637A1
EP0609637A1 EP93500179A EP93500179A EP0609637A1 EP 0609637 A1 EP0609637 A1 EP 0609637A1 EP 93500179 A EP93500179 A EP 93500179A EP 93500179 A EP93500179 A EP 93500179A EP 0609637 A1 EP0609637 A1 EP 0609637A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
viewers
figures
complementary
combination device
drum
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP93500179A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Eduardo Morales Hermo
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Sega SA
Original Assignee
Sega SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Sega SA filed Critical Sega SA
Publication of EP0609637A1 publication Critical patent/EP0609637A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G07CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07FCOIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/32Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
    • G07F17/326Game play aspects of gaming systems
    • G07F17/3262Player actions which determine the course of the game, e.g. selecting a prize to be won, outcome to be achieved, game to be played
    • G07F17/3265Influencing the position of stopped moving members to achieve a winning arrangement, e.g. nudging, shuffling, holding

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a combination device that has been especially designed for games machines, in particular games machines capable of supplying cash prizes, and namely machines in which a number of symbols or figures are used to obtain several combinations, that may be rewarded with a prize.
  • the device of the invention is designed for the player to have a greater involvement in the development of the game.
  • the aforesaid type of machines are fitted with a number of viewers, generally three or four, through which pictures, symbols or figures, as aforesaid, can appear in sequence and in cycles, simulating rotary drums that turn with each move, at the end of which and once they have come to a stop, the drums show a given combination of what is generally known as the "winning line", that may receive a prize.
  • this operation can be repeated twice or more, depending on the options the machine offers the player at each time, so that when the options are several the player may transfer the figure of the first option or not, whereupon the complementary drum will "turn" at random or pursuant to a programme to offer a new figure, that may likewise be transferred or not to any of the viewers on the winning line, and so on until a prize is won or the machine offered options are all used up.
  • the combination device for games machines subject of the invention based on the same idea of offering the player an enhanced chance of winning a prize, has been designed and structured in order to solve the aforesaid problem, so that the player can be directly involved in making the best of the above-mentioned options having a greater involvement in the results obtained.
  • the characteristics of the device of the invention taking the classic viewers or simulated drums with which the said "winning line” is obtained, are concentrated on the fact that the source generating complementary options has a further three or more viewers, of which only one, in particular the centre viewer, will be able to have its contents transferred to any one viewer on the winning line, though these auxiliary viewers will be interrelated so that they will altogether define a single drum, capable of "turning" to the right or to the left, so that if such drum turns to the right the figure in the centre viewer will move to the viewer on the right, the figure on the latter shall disappear, the figure in the left viewer shall move to the centre viewer and a new figure shall appear in the left viewer, maintaining a given unchangeable sequence and the said auxiliary viewers working with two end push-buttons that allow unit displacement of the symbols or figures in either direction, viz.
  • the only figure shows a front elevation view of the screen of a game machines with cash prizes, namely the sector with the combination device constituting the object of this invention.
  • the figure shows that the combination device subject hereof is applicable to games machines in which three or more viewers (1) are established, through which a number of pictures, symbols or figures (2) can appear in cycles and in sequence, as if they were respective rotary drums, which viewers comprise, in the practical embodiment shown in the figure and chosen as the preferred embodiment, windows (1) through which endless strips (3) can be seen, lying on a set of inner rollers, not shown in the figure, one of which is suitably motorised, so that each window (1) not only shows the graphics (2) making up the combination or winning line (4), appropriately marked by the side arrows (5), but the figures lying just before and after the same, in order thereby to achieve a greater realism for these simulated drums.
  • the combination device subject hereof is fitted with three complementary viewers, though this number can be greater without this affecting the essence of the invention at all, and that in accordance with the selected practical embodiment altogether comprise a single horizontally elongate window (6) through which another endless strip (7) can be seen, similar to the aforesaid strip (3) but peculiar in that the window (6) only shows three figures (2') of which only the figure in the centre position and that is duly marked with the frame (8) can be transferred to any of the viewers (1), in particular to the winning line (4) thereon, in order to modify the combination of such winning line, and in accordance with the arrows (9) shown in the figure, using respective push-buttons (10).
  • This auxiliary and multiple viewer (6) works with two end push-buttons (11-11') that under certain circumstances allow this simulated drum to be moved manually and step by step, as explained below.
  • the simulated drums (3) turn to show in sequence and through the windows (1) the graphics (2) established thereon, and at the end of each move the winning line (4) has a given combination that can be rewarded with a prize.
  • the machine allows the player to substitute any of the figures in the said winning line (4), using the push-buttons (10), in particular to replace the same with the figure 2' shown within the centre frame (8) of the auxiliary multiple viewer, wherein the relevant drum (7) shall have turned at random, or apparently at random.
  • the machine may offer the player one or several change options, so that if the option is one only, only one of the buttons (10) may be pushed to transfer the centre figure (2') to the place the player shall have selected, but if the options the machine offers are several, the player may use such options to change such centre figure (2') causing the complementary drum (7) to "turn" to the right or to the left, pushing the respective buttons (11-11') as many times as the number of machine offered options shall allow until the centre frame (8) has the most appropriate figure to be transferred to the main line or winning line (4).

Abstract

The combination device is based on the provision of an auxiliary and multiple viewer (6) in which three figures (2') can appear, the centre figure being marked in the frame (8) and being able to be transferred to any of the main viewers (1) in the machine, and in particular to line (4) that is where the possible prize is established, in order for the centre figure (2') appearing in one of the boxes of the auxiliary and multiple viewer (6) moreover to allow, on being transferred to any of the viewers (1), the combination obtained in the winning line (4) to be modified and thereby stand a chance or a greater chance of winning a prize. The change of the figures (2') in the auxiliary viewer (6) to the main viewers (1) is effected using respective push-buttons (10).

Description

    SPECIFICATION OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
  • The present invention relates to a combination device that has been especially designed for games machines, in particular games machines capable of supplying cash prizes, and namely machines in which a number of symbols or figures are used to obtain several combinations, that may be rewarded with a prize.
  • The device of the invention is designed for the player to have a greater involvement in the development of the game.
  • BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • The aforesaid type of machines are fitted with a number of viewers, generally three or four, through which pictures, symbols or figures, as aforesaid, can appear in sequence and in cycles, simulating rotary drums that turn with each move, at the end of which and once they have come to a stop, the drums show a given combination of what is generally known as the "winning line", that may receive a prize.
  • These simulated drums are started after inserting the relevant coin, on pressing a button, this being the only involvement of the player, who then holds a passive stand awaiting the results offered by the machine.
  • In an attempt at having the machine be more attractive to the player, in particular by affording a more active involvement of the player in the development of the game, many solutions are known which in one way or another the machine is provided with a "joker", that is generally a viewer as the aforesaid viewers, in which at the end of each move a given symbol or figure appears, that can under certain circumstances be transferred to the winning line, to replace one of the existing symbols therein and modify the combination when such is not rewarded, and obviously in order for there to be a bigger chance of winning a prize.
  • It is also known that this operation can be repeated twice or more, depending on the options the machine offers the player at each time, so that when the options are several the player may transfer the figure of the first option or not, whereupon the complementary drum will "turn" at random or pursuant to a programme to offer a new figure, that may likewise be transferred or not to any of the viewers on the winning line, and so on until a prize is won or the machine offered options are all used up.
  • The player, however, because the various options are uncontrollable, viz. the symbols appearing therein are totally beyond his control, can think and not without reason that in most cases the machine will be offering options or figures with which the player cannot achieve a winning combination, obeying an operating programme with which the options will apparently be many but the results scarcely satisfactory.
  • DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  • The combination device for games machines subject of the invention, based on the same idea of offering the player an enhanced chance of winning a prize, has been designed and structured in order to solve the aforesaid problem, so that the player can be directly involved in making the best of the above-mentioned options having a greater involvement in the results obtained.
  • More specifically and in order to achieve the above, the characteristics of the device of the invention, taking the classic viewers or simulated drums with which the said "winning line" is obtained, are concentrated on the fact that the source generating complementary options has a further three or more viewers, of which only one, in particular the centre viewer, will be able to have its contents transferred to any one viewer on the winning line, though these auxiliary viewers will be interrelated so that they will altogether define a single drum, capable of "turning" to the right or to the left, so that if such drum turns to the right the figure in the centre viewer will move to the viewer on the right, the figure on the latter shall disappear, the figure in the left viewer shall move to the centre viewer and a new figure shall appear in the left viewer, maintaining a given unchangeable sequence and the said auxiliary viewers working with two end push-buttons that allow unit displacement of the symbols or figures in either direction, viz. "turning" of the drum constituted by the three viewers in either direction, prior to displacement of the figure in the centre viewer to the winning line, this simulated and complementary drum being able to make as many unit advancements in either direction as there are options offered by the machine to the player in each specific move.
  • DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • In order to provide a fuller description and contribute to the complete understanding of the characteristics of this invention, a set of drawings is attached to the specification which, while purely illustrative and not fully comprehensive, shows the following:
  • The only figure shows a front elevation view of the screen of a game machines with cash prizes, namely the sector with the combination device constituting the object of this invention.
  • PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
  • The figure shows that the combination device subject hereof is applicable to games machines in which three or more viewers (1) are established, through which a number of pictures, symbols or figures (2) can appear in cycles and in sequence, as if they were respective rotary drums, which viewers comprise, in the practical embodiment shown in the figure and chosen as the preferred embodiment, windows (1) through which endless strips (3) can be seen, lying on a set of inner rollers, not shown in the figure, one of which is suitably motorised, so that each window (1) not only shows the graphics (2) making up the combination or winning line (4), appropriately marked by the side arrows (5), but the figures lying just before and after the same, in order thereby to achieve a greater realism for these simulated drums.
  • Now then, complementing this conventional structure, the combination device subject hereof is fitted with three complementary viewers, though this number can be greater without this affecting the essence of the invention at all, and that in accordance with the selected practical embodiment altogether comprise a single horizontally elongate window (6) through which another endless strip (7) can be seen, similar to the aforesaid strip (3) but peculiar in that the window (6) only shows three figures (2') of which only the figure in the centre position and that is duly marked with the frame (8) can be transferred to any of the viewers (1), in particular to the winning line (4) thereon, in order to modify the combination of such winning line, and in accordance with the arrows (9) shown in the figure, using respective push-buttons (10).
  • This auxiliary and multiple viewer (6) works with two end push-buttons (11-11') that under certain circumstances allow this simulated drum to be moved manually and step by step, as explained below.
  • With this structure, and as is conventional, when the player inserts the relevant coin in the machine and pushes the starting button, the simulated drums (3) turn to show in sequence and through the windows (1) the graphics (2) established thereon, and at the end of each move the winning line (4) has a given combination that can be rewarded with a prize.
  • If this combination has no prize, under given circumstances the machine allows the player to substitute any of the figures in the said winning line (4), using the push-buttons (10), in particular to replace the same with the figure 2' shown within the centre frame (8) of the auxiliary multiple viewer, wherein the relevant drum (7) shall have turned at random, or apparently at random. Furthermore, the machine may offer the player one or several change options, so that if the option is one only, only one of the buttons (10) may be pushed to transfer the centre figure (2') to the place the player shall have selected, but if the options the machine offers are several, the player may use such options to change such centre figure (2') causing the complementary drum (7) to "turn" to the right or to the left, pushing the respective buttons (11-11') as many times as the number of machine offered options shall allow until the centre frame (8) has the most appropriate figure to be transferred to the main line or winning line (4).

Claims (2)

1.- A combination device for games machines with cash prizes, in particular for games machines of the kind having three or more viewers (1) configuring respective real or simulated drums, through which a number of symbols or figures (2) can be seen in cycles and in sequence that shall at the end of each move determine a combination (4) that can be rewarded with a prize, characterised in that it is also fitted with a number of complementary viewers (6), the number being at least three, that are duly associated to the main viewers (1) in the machine and in turn show symbols or figures (2') that can under certain circumstances change position within this set of complementary viewers (6) to which end the same work with two end push-buttons (11-11') that allow the figures (2') to move to the right or to the left, before the centre figure is finally moved to any of the main viewers (1), all in order that such complementary viewers (6) configure as a whole a single simulated drum where a given order of the figures is maintained at all times on the imaginary periphery of the drum.
2.- A combination device for games machines with cash prizes, as in claim 1, characterised in that the viewers making up the said complementary and simulated drum can be altogether replaced by a single endless strip (7) carrying the said row of figures (2') and duly assembled on rollers guiding the same, one of which will be appropriately motorised and controlled.
EP93500179A 1992-12-31 1993-12-30 Combination device for games machines with cash prizes Withdrawn EP0609637A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ES9302004 1992-12-31
ES9302004A ES2078871B1 (en) 1992-12-31 1992-12-31 COMBINATORY DEVICE FOR RECREATIONAL MACHINES WITH PRIZES IN METALLIC.

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0609637A1 true EP0609637A1 (en) 1994-08-10

Family

ID=8283117

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP93500179A Withdrawn EP0609637A1 (en) 1992-12-31 1993-12-30 Combination device for games machines with cash prizes

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0609637A1 (en)
ES (1) ES2078871B1 (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1998019280A1 (en) * 1996-10-25 1998-05-07 Sigma Game Inc. Slot machine with symbol save feature
US6270412B1 (en) * 1996-10-25 2001-08-07 Sigma Game, Inc. Slot machine with symbol save feature
US9129492B2 (en) 2004-01-02 2015-09-08 Igt Gaming system including wild symbols

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2042782A (en) * 1978-09-30 1980-09-24 Jpm Ltd Improvements relating to coin- operated gaming or amusement machines
EP0060019A1 (en) * 1981-02-06 1982-09-15 Barcrest Limited Entertainment machines
GB2100492A (en) * 1981-04-02 1982-12-22 Questenco Ltd Game-playing machines
GB2243935A (en) * 1990-05-08 1991-11-13 Sega Sa Games machine with cash prizes

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ES270565Y (en) * 1983-02-28 1984-03-01 GAMING DEVICE FOR RACING AND RECREATIONAL MACHINES.
ES1000994U (en) * 1986-12-17 1988-04-01 Recrativos Franco, S.A. The companion game to recrativas machines with or without lever boot (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)
ES1007715Y (en) * 1987-03-30 1991-02-16 Recreativos Franco, S.A. COMPLEMENTARY GAME DEVICE FOR RECREATIONAL MACHINES WITH OR WITHOUT A STARTER LEVER
ES1003582Y (en) * 1987-11-19 1990-03-16 Pingarron Fulgencio Eulogio CONTROL AND CONTROL DEVICE FOR RECREATIONAL MACHINES.
ES1007185Y (en) * 1988-07-20 1990-08-16 Cirsa Compania De Inversiones, S.A. RECREATIONAL GAME MACHINE, PERFECTED.
ES2011872A6 (en) * 1988-10-21 1990-02-16 Cirsa Comp Inversiones Sa Improvements to recreational game (gaming) machines

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2042782A (en) * 1978-09-30 1980-09-24 Jpm Ltd Improvements relating to coin- operated gaming or amusement machines
EP0060019A1 (en) * 1981-02-06 1982-09-15 Barcrest Limited Entertainment machines
GB2100492A (en) * 1981-04-02 1982-12-22 Questenco Ltd Game-playing machines
GB2243935A (en) * 1990-05-08 1991-11-13 Sega Sa Games machine with cash prizes

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1998019280A1 (en) * 1996-10-25 1998-05-07 Sigma Game Inc. Slot machine with symbol save feature
US5997401A (en) * 1996-10-25 1999-12-07 Sigma Game, Inc. Slot machine with symbol save feature
US6270412B1 (en) * 1996-10-25 2001-08-07 Sigma Game, Inc. Slot machine with symbol save feature
US9129492B2 (en) 2004-01-02 2015-09-08 Igt Gaming system including wild symbols
US9412226B2 (en) 2004-01-02 2016-08-09 Igt Gaming system including wild symbols
US9679434B2 (en) 2004-01-02 2017-06-13 Igt Gaming system including wild symbols

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ES2078871B1 (en) 1997-10-16
ES2078871R (en) 1997-04-01
ES2078871A2 (en) 1995-12-16

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
DE69906632T2 (en) Entertainment devices
JPH0519098Y2 (en)
US3770269A (en) Random unit generator amusement device
DE19613455C2 (en) Coin operated entertainment device
US5102134A (en) Multiple tier random number generator
DE3700861C2 (en) Coin operated game machine
EP0375190A2 (en) Gaming and amusement machines
EP0368628A2 (en) Gaming and amusement machines
DE4301855C2 (en) Method for operating a money-operated gaming device
GB2097160A (en) Entertainment machines
GB2092797A (en) Entertainment machines
GB2117155A (en) Gaming machine
EP0349573B1 (en) Coin-operated game machine
WO2001064306A3 (en) Method for selecting a prize
DE10009735A1 (en) Amusement machine e.g. slot machine with reels has button for selecting additional game elements in place of main game
GB2144568A (en) Entertainment machines
JPH04114676A (en) Slot machine
DE4331257A1 (en) Money-actuated (coin-operated) amusement machines
EP0609637A1 (en) Combination device for games machines with cash prizes
JP3558092B2 (en) Image display game machine
GB2050028A (en) Entertainment Machines
JP2007029241A (en) Game machine
EP0060018B1 (en) Entertaiment machines
IE53264B1 (en) Gaming and amusement machines
ES2028694A6 (en) Improvements in recreational and gambling machines which award prizes

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19941025

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19960612

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 19961023