DE4211440A1 - Operation of coin operated games machine - has time dependent results that allow game period to be extended to suit player - Google Patents

Abstract

A coin operated games machine of the 'fruit' machine type has disc (11) with symbols that are rotated in a pseudo random cycle with various combinations defining wins or further game possibilities. The system is operated by a central control unit and includes memory for storing credits, special win amounts etc. The system operates with a central real time clock that is used to define the length of play in terms of a number of identified results. The results are a specific number of free games, a cash win, a specific number of special plays, a payout and a jackpot increase. USE/ADVANTAGE - Allows player to extend period of play.

Description

The invention relates to a method for operating a Gambling device which is symbolic and random positions that have lockable recirculating bodies.

Gaming machines of the generic type are already available known for a long time.

All of these devices consist essentially of comparison possible building and functional groups. Just by different game systems, additional chances of winning like Bonus and jackpot variations, combinations of free, Special and multi-games, draws and the like a game incentive is to be created, which if possible appeals to many players and they play at derar animated devices.

Notwithstanding that developed by the vending machine industry self-restricting measures is everyone's heart Display operator interested in his money play equipment is played particularly often and for a long time. To achieve this goal new games are constantly being added incentive measures proposed. All these Measures vary, however, only certain games overflow without incentivizing the player a certain amount of time on this device to play to enjoy time-dependent events nits to come.

This is where the object of the invention comes in there is a method of operating a gambling game propose equipment by means of which it is achieved that a player consciously over a longer period of time this device is playing.  

This task is solved by the characteristic Features of the main claim. Advantageous training extensions of the basic principle according to the invention are in the subclaims are shown.

The solution according to the invention is characterized in that that through the system clock of the central control unit a time monitoring for uninterrupted recording the gaming machine. After exceeding a first predeterminable time interval finds a first one time-dependent event instead of and after the exceeding at least one other predefinable time interval valls another. Go ahead of each the time dependent event are the following in their value increased.

For example, as time-dependent events

• - a certain number of free spins,
• - a cash win,
• - a certain number of special games,
• - a play,
• - a jackpot raise or similar

added to the respective savegames and on the associated ads.

An essential element in the realization of the inventions Solution according to the invention is that for the Triggering of time-dependent events to be fulfilled Basic requirement of "uninterrupted recording" is to be defined. This is used as a criterion for the start inserting a coin within the predefinable time interval used. As a criterion for the end of the performance the actuation of the return key and / or the over start at a second predeterminable time interval a free spins memory level equal to zero and one for a new start of insufficient credit stood in the coin store. This causes a  Reset the previously registered playing time. Becomes topped up within the second time interval, d. H. the coin storage level changes to a value greater than zero changes, there is no reset of the previously as continuous play time and the registered time Players can continue to enjoy the time by playing dependent events are coming.

Can advantageously be arranged on a front neten display the player to be elapsed Time to enter and / or the content of the next time-dependent event is displayed.

Another advantageous design variant exists in the fact that in a table-like representation time-dependent events can be represented. This one Events are associated with lighting elements that are repeated rum about a random generator, like a won play, can be controlled at the given time are. By pressing a stop button, the Type of the next time-dependent event by the Players themselves are "determined". This will make him actively involved in the process of season extension without looking at it as such.

In the following, the solution according to the invention is to be seen on hand the drawings in one embodiment to be discribed. Here show:

Fig. 1 front view of an inventive designed gaming machine;

Fig. 2a time axis with interval points and

Fig. 2b enlarged section of the time axis.

Fig. 3 flowchart of the procedural invention;

In one illustrated in Fig. 1 A game machine 1, the revolving member 11 can be set by Coin sufficient amount in circulation. The amount of money thrown in is stored in a credit memory and simultaneously shown on an associated display 6 . Further displays 3 to 5 can be provided for the display of won free spins ( 5 ), winning credits ( 4 ) and won special games ( 3 ).

The central control unit checks whether the existing Credit is sufficient to start a game. If this can be determined positively, the one set for this and the subsequent games from Coin storage debited.

Referring to FIG. 3 and 2a is started with the start of the first game to cash throw-in coin or token form at the time T ₀ via the inte grated in the central control unit system clock of the expiration of a first time interval _T0-T1. The current playing time is increased internally in a clock cycle, which can be 1 second at a time.

If it is determined that the respective interval limits T ₁ , T _{1 '} , T _1'' , etc. have been played continuously and uninterrupted, a time-dependent event occurs, for example in the giving of a certain number of free spins, a cash win, a certain number of special games, a play, a jackpot increase or the like can be triggered.

This can be done in such a way that the individual time-dependent events are predefined in their value and sequence. To further increase the game incentive, it would be advantageous to note that the time-dependent events at times T ₁ , T _{1 '} , T _1'', etc. increase in their value compared to the previous one.

Another embodiment of the administration of time-dependent events is that the possible time-dependent events are shown in an additional play table, for example in Table 8. The individual table fields are designed to be backlit by randomly controlled lamps. The lamps are controlled via a random generator, which is connected to the central control unit. The probability of appearance of the individual fields can be graded according to their value. Furthermore, a premature stop of this additional "play" by means of the stop button 9 can be provided.

A basic prerequisite for the administration of the time-dependent events is the uninterrupted use of the gaming machine 1 designed according to the invention. For this, conditions must be specified that are to be regarded as an interruption.

This can, as can be seen from FIG. 3,
1. the actuation of the return button 2 and
2. exceeding a second time interval T ₂ -T _{2 '} .

This second time interval T ₂ -T _{2 '} begins at time T ₂ when the free spin memory has the value zero and the credit memory has a credit which is no longer sufficient for the start of the game again, which is indicated on the displays 5 (for free spins) and 6 (credit) becomes. This second time interval T ₂ -T _{2 '} can be made variable in length as required. In the example shown in FIG. 2b, the player would have a period of two minutes to comply with the conditions for uninterrupted spying by adding coins and starting the game again. If these two minutes pass without the coin storage level being increased to a sufficient level, the previously determined playing time is reset to the initial value T ₀ . The same happens after pressing the return button 2 .

In addition, it can be provided that the display 10 shows the player how much time must pass before the next time-dependent event is given. In the variant with a fixed event sequence, the value of the next time-dependent event can also be shown on the display 10 .

In order to take into account the self-limiting measures taken by the vending machine industry, the staggering of the time intervals T ₀ -T ₁ , T ₁ -T _{1 '} , T _1' -T _{1 ''} etc. can be limited to a maximum playing time of 60 minutes. For this purpose, it can be provided that the self-limiting measures, such as switching off the device for a predetermined period of time upon presentation of certain conditions, etc., are initiated at the time T _SB . At the same time, the playing time T is reset to the initial value T ₀ .

Reaching the individual time stamps T ₁ , T _{1 '} , T _1'', etc. can also be indicated by special optical or acoustic signals.

Claims (7)

1. Method for operating a gaming machine, soft at least from the functional groups

• - circulating bodies that carry symbols and can be stopped at random positions,
• - central control unit,
• - memory for game use, winnings, special games, exists,

characterized,
that the system clock of the central control unit provides time monitoring for uninterrupted use of the gaming machine,
that after a predeterminable first time interval (T ₀ -T ₁ ) a first time-dependent event takes place and
that after at least one further predeterminable time interval (T ₁ -T _{1 '} ) has been exceeded, a further, time-dependent event takes place, which is more significant than the first. 2. A method of operating a gaming machine according to claim 1, characterized in that as a time-dependent event

• - a certain number of free spins,
• - a cash win
• - a certain number of special games,
• - a play,
• - a jackpot raise or similar

added to the respective savegames and be shown on the associated ads. 3. A method for operating a gaming machine according to claim 1 and 2, characterized in that
that the insertion of a coin serves as a criterion for the start of the predefinable first time interval (T ₀ -T ₁ ) and
that by pressing the return button ( 2 ) and / or after exceeding a second time interval (T ₂ -T _{2 '} ) before a free spin, the memory level was zero and a credit not sufficient for a new start of the game was a reset of the previously registered game time in the coin memory he follows. 4. A method of operating a gaming machine according to claim 1 to 3, characterized in that on a front display ( 10 ) the player to be elapsed time until the entry and / or the content of the next time-dependent event is displayed. 5. A method of operating a gaming machine according to claim 1 to 4, characterized in that in a table-like representation ( 8 ) the poss ble time-dependent events can be represented, that these events associated lighting elements can be controlled via a random generator and that by pressing a stop button ( 9 ) the type of the next time-dependent event can be determined by the player himself.