WO2004032076A1

WO2004032076A1 - Games machine

Info

Publication number: WO2004032076A1
Application number: PCT/GB2003/004332
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gordon James Crompton
Original assignee: Cromptons Leisure International Limited
Priority date: 2002-10-07
Filing date: 2003-10-01
Publication date: 2004-04-15
Also published as: AU2003269251A1; GB0506923D0; GB2408618B; GB0223192D0; GB2408618A

Abstract

An electronic games machine includes a credit system (26, 28) for registering one or more credits and a free play indicator on a control panel (14). The control panel also includes one or more controls. The control system (28) is arranged to detect a predetermined input or sequence of inputs on the credit system and/or controls, and to respond by determining whether to offer a free play. Thus, a free play may be awarded without reaching any particular state or score or result in the game. The invention may for example be applied to a games machine of the type known as a crane grabber having a crane (10) and a claw (12) for grabbing prizes.

Description

GAMES MACHINE

The invention relates to an games machine, and in particular to an electronic games machine having electronic credits.

There are many different forms of electronic games machine known. Perhaps the best known is the fruit machme having a number of wheels with symbols printed on them. One or more coins or other tokens are inserted, a control operated to spin the wheels, and a payout either in the form of coins or tokens provided if a winning arrangement of symbols is displayed. Recently, electronic versions in which the spinning wheels are replaced by a video display have become available.

Another type of games machine is the prize vending machine, in which a crane is operated by the player to attempt to grab a prize from a playfield. A coin or other token is inserted and a crane operated to move a grabber from a home position over a playfield loaded with prizes such as small toys. Once the grabber is located in the location the player wants a grab control is actuated which lowers the crane in an attempt to grab the prize. The crane returns to a prize dispenser to provide the prize, if any, to the player. WO 02/30533 describes a prize vending machme of this type having a repeat grab control. When actuated, the repeat grab control repeats the grab attempt without returning the crane to the home position.

Many other types of games are known, including digger machines and pusher machines.

Such games machines are frequently located in amusement arcades, motorway service stations, and similar locations, though they may be located virtually anywhere. The field of games machines is fiercely competitive and there is a continuing need to develop games which keep the user interested, and with additional features to attract users.

One way in which this may be done is by awarding a "free play" when the player scores a sufficient score while playing the game. Such systems are especially prevalent in video games, and EP 252 590 describes a video game system of this type in which the award levels are monitored and adjusted to maximise revenue.

However, there remains a need for new features. According to the invention there is provided an electronic games machines comprising: a credit system for accumulating one or more credits for playing the game; a control or a plurality of controls for starting and operating the game; a free play indicator for displaying a message indicating a free credit; and a control system arranged: to accept a predetermined input or sequence of inputs on the credit system and/or at least one control; to respond to the predetermined input or sequence of inputs by evaluating selection criteria to determine whether to offer a free play; and if it is determined to offer a free play, to activate the free play indicator to indicate a free credit. Accordingly, unlike in the prior art, a free play is awarded as a response to a predetermined player input or sequence without the need for the player to achieve a specified score or a specified result first. Thus, the electronic games machine may award an extra credit simply on insertion of a coin, or on operation of a start button when at least one credit has already been registered. This can serve to provide the possibility of a quick reward, hence increasing player interest and attracting players.

In preferred embodiments, the apparatus includes a random result generator for randomly generating one of a plurality of outputs and the selection criteria include determining whether the result of the random result generator is a predetermined output or one of a number of predetermined outputs. The predetermined input state may be a start state or the predetermined sequence of input states may begin with a start state. The start state may be the operation of one of the controls to start the game at a time that a positive credit is recorded on the credit system.

There may be provided an indicator field in the form of a plurality of indicators, at least one of which is a free credit indicator for indicating a free credit; wherein the control system operates the indicators one after the other in response to a first predetermined state and displays one of the indicators in response to a second predetermined state to indicate whether a free credit is available.

The invention is particularly applicable to a crane type apparatus having a playfield for supporting prizes; a crane arranged for movement over the play field; a grabber attached to the crane arranged to carry out a grab attempt by descending to the play field to attempt to grab items on the play field; and at least one crane movement control for moving the crane over the crane-field. The control system may be arranged to determine randomly whether to award a free play on detection of a predetermined state, for example the start of crane movement or the start of a grab operation. The grab attempt is conveniently started when the player stops operating the or each crane movement control or when a predetermined time elapses. In a particularly preferred arrangement having a plurality of indicators, the indicators may be illuminated one after the other on operation of the crane movement control and on commencement of a grab attempt the sequence of indicators may be stopped to indicate whether a free play is available.

The crane type games machine may have a repeat grab control which may be enabled after movement of the grabber over the play field, wherein the control system is arranged to respond to operation of the repeat grab control when enabled to cause the grabber to make a repeat grab attempt while remaining in position over the playfield. The repeat grab control may be enabled when a credit is available or when the free credit indicator is illuminated. This arrangement allows the use of a repeat grab control even by players who conventionally only pay for one game at a time, and so would not otherwise have any credits available to pay for a repeat grab. In this case, the free play control may allow extra possibilities to such players and hence enhance the attractiveness of the games machine. In another aspect there may be provided a games machine for use with a number of physical prizes, the machine comprising: a credit system for registering one or more credits for playing the game; a grabber which maybe actuated to make a grab attempt to obtain a prize; a control or a plurality of controls for starting and operating the game; a free play indicator for indicating a message indicating a free credit; and a control system arranged: to detect a predetermined state, and in response to the detection of the predetermined state firstly to attempt to grab a prize and secondly to evaluate selection criteria to determine whether to offer a free play; and if it is determined to offer a free play, to activate the free play indicator to indicate a free credit. In alternative embodiments, the games machine may be a fruit-machine type machine having a plurality of display locations capable of displaying one of a number of symbols, and a start control. The control system may be arranged, if the credit system indicates at least one credit on detecting operation of a start control, to carry out two operations. Firstly, the control system may cause random symbols to be displayed in the display locations, and may dispense a prize if one of a number of predetermined sets of symbols are displayed in the display locations. Secondly, the control system may evaluate selection criteria to determine whether to offer a free play; and if it is determined to offer a free play, may activate the free play indicator to indicate a free credit.

The symbols may be provided on moveable cylinders as in a conventional fruit machine, or may be provided electronically on a video display unit.

In another aspect, there is provided method of operation of an electronic games machine having a credit system, a free play indicator and at least one control generating at least one signal in dependence on the operation of the control, including the steps of: registering within the electronic games machine a credit on the credit system; testing the signal or signals to determine whether a predetermined input or sequence of inputs on one or more control and/or the credit system is present; when the predetermined input or sequence of inputs is detected, evaluating selection criteria to determine whether to offer a free play; when the predetermined input is detected, evaluating selection criteria to determine whether to offer a free play; and if it is determined to offer a free play, generating a signal to activate the free play indicator to indicate the availability of a free play. The method may further include enabling the repeat operation control after a game has reached at least a predetermined state when sufficient credit is available or when a free play is indicated. The predetermined state may be after a grab attempt has failed.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a computer program for carrying out the method. The computer program may be recorded on a data carrier.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, purely by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the invention in the form of a crane grabber;

Figure 2 shows part of the controls of the crane grabber according to Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a flow diagram of the operation of the crane grabber of Figures 1 and 2; and Figure 4 shows a second embodiment of the invention in the form of a fruit machine.

It should be noted that the drawings are schematic and not to scale.

Referring to Figure 1, a crane grabber includes a housing 2 enclosing playfield

4 for supporting a number of prizes. The housing 2 has a transparent top 3 to allow a player to view the playfield. A coin slot 26 is provided in the housing.

A crane 10 having a grabber 12 is provided. The grabber 12 is in the form of a claw. Control panel 14, described in more detail below, is used to operate the crane grabber. The housing also contains a control system 28 including a processor 16 and memory 18, for controlling the crane grabber. The memory includes software 20 for controlling the processor to operate the crane grabber. The control system 28 is shown schematically in Figure 1 though in practice it would be contained within the housing and invisible from the outside. Referring to Figure 2, the control panel 14 includes an x-control 22 and a y- control 24 for moving the crane forwards and backwards, and sideways respectively over the play field 4. The controls 22, 24 generate signals determined by the position of the respective controls, and hence under the control of a user.

The control panel also includes a display part 30 having a time display 32, a credit display 34 and a plurality of indicators 36 arranged in a circle, some of the indicators being free play indicators 38 and the remainder being indicators 40 that when illuminated indicate no free play. A grab control 42 is provided in the centre of the circle of indicators, the grab control 42 having a lamp 44 to indicate when the repeat grab function is enabled. In use, initially the credit display is operated in attract mode (step 50) with the indicators 36 being illuminated in turn and the repeat grab light 44 flashing.

Then, a player places one or more coins or tokens in the coin slot 26 and credit is registered (Step 52) and displayed on the credit display 34. The software 20 operating the processor 16 and the coin slot 26 constitute a credit system for recording the player's credit. The attract mode is stopped and the indicators 36 and lamp 44 put out.

When the player operates one of the x-control and y-control, the control system 28 detects the signal output by the control (step 54) and moves the crane over the playfield 4 in accordance with the controls 22, 24. The control system 28 also starts a timer which displays a decreasing time on the time display 32 to indicate the time remaining for the game.

At the same time, the indicators 36 are illuminated sequentially. When the controls 22, 24 are released or the allowed time elapses the sequential operation of the indicators 36 is stopped (step 55), and one of the indicators illuminated, which may be a free play indicator 38 or one of the other indicators 40. The chance of a free play is controlled by the software, conveniently randomly. Thus the control system may include a random result generator in the software for determining whether a free play is enabled. The probability of a free play may be adjusted by the operator. The player is credited with an additional unit and the number displayed on the credit display is incremented as part of the same step. It would, of course, also be possible to wait for a predetermined time before incrementing the credit display 34. Thus the control system evaluates the free play on the basis of the sequence pf control inputs and the state of the credit, by starting the process of illuminating the lights sequentially when the game is started and determining the free play when the state that triggers the grab operation of the claw 12 is detected.

At the same time as determining the free play (step 55), or for example immediately afterwards, as shown, the grabber or claw 12 is actuated (step 56) in an attempt to grab a prize from the playfield 4. The games machine determines (step 58) whether the attempt was successful, i.e. whether there is a prize in the claw.

If the grabber successfully picks up a prize it returns to its original position (step 60). Otherwise, the player may operate the repeat grab control 42 (step 62) if it is enabled. It is enabled if there is additional credit remaining or if the free play indicator 38 is illuminated; however, if it is detected that there is a prize in a grabber the repeat grab control is not enabled. If the repeat grab control is enabled lamp 44 is illuminated to indicate this state of affairs.

If the player does operate the repeat grab control 42 when this is enabled, this is detected and the grabber descends again (return to step 56) to make a further attempt to pick up a prize without returning the crane to its original position. Otherwise, the crane returns directly to its original position (step 64) and the player may use the free play, if any, to start the game again. Optionally, the software may allow a buy in time after a grab attempt. This option (step 66) is shown dotted in Figure 3, and replaces the step shown dashed in the Figure between steps 62 and 68. If this option is operated, the grabber 12 remains in the up position for a predetermined length of time. If credit is registered during this time then the repeat grab control 42 is enabled to allow the player to activate the repeat grab control 42 (step 64).

The invention thus acts as enhancement over the crane grabber described in WO 02/30533 in that it allows the repeat grab function to operate even with players who insert coins to obtain one credit at a time. Although the indicators above are visual indicators, those skilled in the art will realise that an aural indicator such as a loudspeaker may alternatively or additionally be provided to indicate a free play. Indeed, in certain cases it may be possible to use other senses, such as touch, to provide a free play indicator.

Further, although the above description refers to a credit system using coins or tokens, those skilled in the art of amusement machines will be aware of other credit systems that may be used as an alternative to such systems or additional to such systems, and these may be used as well. These include, amongst others, swipe card systems and electronic cash systems in which money is incorporated on a card or centrally recorded and accessed using a card or other identification device. The point is that the credits represent money, in one form or another,

The invention is not restricted to crane type machines, but may be used on any amusement machine having a credit type system.

For example, referring to Figure 4, a fruit machine 80 has a number of display positions 82 each having a wheel 84 with a number of symbols 85 around the circumference. A start control 86 is provided together with a free play indicator 88. Coin slot 26 and control system are provided as above.

In use, when a player presses the start control 86 to start the fruit machine after inputting credit, the control system randomly determines whether free play is available and if so, illuminates the free play indicator. As above, the player may use the free play indicator as an extra credit either for a completely new game or to operate a feature of the game, such as a "nudge" feature in a conventional fruit machine. The skilled person will be aware of many alternatives. Other types of game including credits that may be enhanced using the invention include digger machines, and indeed any form of coin, token or card operated gaming device. The invention is applicable to both single player and multi-player machines. Indeed, the term "games machine" is intended to extend to any form of machine in which chance or skill is used to obtain a variable result, possibly in addition to other non-gaming functions. For example, the term is intended to include, for example, a vending machine which randomly gives a free credit a certain percentage of the time a coin, token or credit is input, to create a little extra interest in addition to the conventional function of vending product. The indicators, including the free play indicator, may be arranged as part of a video display unit also providing additional game information. Alternatively or additionally, a separate lamp or light emitting diode or other illuminated display may be provided to act as the free play indicator.

Claims

1. An electronic games machines comprising: a credit system for registering one or more credits for playing the game; a control or a plurality of controls for starting and operating the game; a free play indicator for indicating a message indicating a free credit; and a control system arranged: to accept a predetermined input or sequence of inputs on the credit system and/or at least one control; to respond to the predetermined input or sequence of inputs by evaluating selection criteria to determine whether to offer a free play; and if it is determined to offer a free play, to activate the free play indicator to indicate a free credit.

2. An electronic games machine according to claim 1 wherein the control system includes a random result generator for randomly generating one of a plurality of outputs and the selection criteria include determining whether the result of the random result generator is a predetermined output or one of a number of predetermined outputs.

3. An electronic games machine according to any preceding claim wherein the predetermined input state is a start state or the predetermined sequence of input states begins with a start state, the start state being the operation of one of the controls to start the game at a time that a positive credit is recorded on the credit system.

4. An electronic games machine according to claim 3 comprising an indicator field in the form of a plurality of indicators, at least one of which is a free credit indicator for indicating a free credit; wherein the control system operates the indicators one after the other in response to a first predetermined input state and displays one of the indicators in response to a second predetermined input state to indicate whether a free credit is available.

5. An electronic games machine according to any preceding claim further comprising: a playfield for supporting prizes; a crane arranged for movement over the play field; a grabber attached to the crane arranged to carry out a grab attempt by descending to the play field to attempt to grab items on the play field; and at least one crane movement control for moving the crane over the crane field; wherein the control system is arranged to determine randomly whether to award a free play on detection of a predetermined operation of the crane movement control when a credit has been inserted.

6. An electronic games machine according to claim 5 when dependent on claim 4, wherein the first predetermined state is operation of the crane movement control to start a game when the credit system has determined at least one credit and the second predetermined state is a grab attempt so that when a grab attempt commences the free play, indicator indicates whether a free play is available.

7. An electronic games machine according to claim 5 or 6 further comprising a repeat grab control which may be enabled after movement of the grabber over the play field, wherein the control system is arranged to respond to operation of the repeat grab control when enabled to cause the grabber to make a repeat grab attempt while remaining in position over the playfield.

8. An electronic games machme according to claim 7 when dependent on claim 6 wherein the repeat grab control is enabled when a credit is available or when the free credit indicator is illuminated.

9. An electronic games machine, according to any of claims 1 to 4 further comprising a plurality of display locations capable of displaying one of a number of symbols, and a start control; wherein the control system is arranged, if the credit system indicates at least one credit on detecting operation of a start control, firstly to cause random symbols to be displayed in the display locations, the control system being arranged to dispense a prize if one of a number of predetermined sets of symbols are displayed in the display locations, and secondly to cause the control system to evaluate selection criteria to determine whether to offer a free play; and if it is determined to offer a free play, to activate the free play indicator to indicate a free credit.

10. A method of operation of an electronic games machine having a credit system, a free play indicator and at least one control generating at least one signal in dependence on the operation of the control, including the steps of: registering within the electronic games machine a credit on the credit system; detecting a signal or signals from the control or controls for starting and operating the game; testing the signal or signals to determine whether a predetermined input or sequence of inputs on one or more control and/or the credit system is present; when the predetermined input or sequence of inputs is detected, evaluating selection criteria to determine whether to offer a free play; and if it is determined to offer a free play, generating a signal to activate the free play indicator to indicate the availability of a free play.

11. A method according to claim 10, the games machine further comprising a repeat operation control, the method including enabling the repeat operation control after a game has reached at least a predetermined state when sufficient credit is available or when a free play is indicated.

12. A computer program for causing the processor of a games machine to carry out the steps of a method according to claim 10 or 11.