EP1031951A1 - Method for operating a group of at least two money-actuated game machines - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves using individual value coin stack tubes and a common note processing device (15) that is either integrated into one of the games devices (2-3) or spatially separate from the games devices and bi-directionally connected to computer-controlled control units (14) in the games devices. The ability to play one of the games devices is selected under button control. At the end of a game a remaining cash sum is output under computer or button control selectively in coin form at the games device and/or as notes via a notes dispenser (18) in the note processing machine.

Description

The invention relates to a method for operating a group of at least two money-operated gaming devices with coin tubes for each coin value and with a common one Banknote processing facility, either in integrated into one of the play equipment or spatially separated the play equipment is arranged and bidirectional with computer-controlled Control units of the play equipment in connection stands, the playability of one of the play equipment is key-controlled is selected.

Money-operated gaming devices are in a wide variety of forms known. These usually include a symbol game device, which usually has three circulating bodies, the as rollers, disks, folding card carousels or the like can be trained. On the outside through the reading window visible surface, the circulation body symbols. After entering coin money or banknotes as a stake a game is started and the orbits become sequential stopped. After all orbits stop the symbol combination shown in the reading windows a profit or loss. In different As a rule, points and / or special game wins will be awarded with an increased chance of winning compared to the normal game promised or made cash prizes as coin money can be paid out.

Furthermore, known gaming devices often have additional profit play equipment a risk gaming facility. at a risk game is usually carried out Decision on increase or total loss of the used Profit.

In addition, it is known in gaming devices, the achieved Winning by means of an additional winnings game device Play device to increase or decrease. However, there is usually no total loss of the used Profit possible.

Another incentive to play with additional opportunities to win provides an additional profit gaming facility in the form of a jackpot gaming facility in which in the symbol game facility or additional prize game facility monetary values achieved and / or special games accumulated up to a trigger event become.

DE 36 41 806 A1 describes a device for changing money known in a game venue in which a plurality of entertainment machines are set up with a central Control unit connected to those in the control units the entertainment machines existing credit recording and administrative units are changeable. in this connection are housed in a separate housing Control device the central control unit and at least a bill reader with associated container for Acceptance, testing and monetary assessment arranged, the determined monetary value from the central control unit to one entertainment machines which can be predetermined in the control device is transmitted under computer control, its control unit according to the transmitted monetary value from individual coin values Stack tubes releases coins. The one at a central Control unit installed in the venue operated by the supervisory staff of the venue, i.e. one too changing bank note is from the supervisor into the bill reader entered the control device and the Monetary value becomes a predetermined entertainment machine transmitted. From the coin stack tubes for each coin value this amusement machine is then from this automatically paid the change, of which a certain one Amount to play a game in the coin validation facility can be thrown in. By entering a A bill is therefore not a playable one To reach entertainment machines, just a pure one Currency exchange process.

DE 38 02 124 C2 also discloses a slot machine with a coin validator, which is connected to a separate one Housing housed control unit with a collection container comprehensive testing facility for paper payment is connected to several slot machines. The control unit has buttons for selecting a slot machine on. It is also the one that houses the test facility Housing arranged next to the slot machine. about the buttons becomes the playability of the slot machine and / or one or more further arranged next to the housing Slot machines determined. A bill issue there is no provision for the payment of cash prizes.

It is an object of the invention to provide a method for operating a Group of at least two money-operated gaming devices to create a variable Payment of money in coins and / or banknotes allows.

According to the invention the object is achieved in that upon termination a remaining amount of money in a game key-operated optionally in coin money on the respective Game device and / or in banknotes via a banknote issuer issued to the bill processing device becomes.

If there is a sufficient stock of banknotes and coins then the amount of money to be paid out in a corresponding Number of banknotes and coins or issued only in coins. If there are not enough banknotes available, then the amount of money only in coins on the corresponding gaming device paid. If not in a corresponding gaming device enough coins are available for payment, so will that Game readiness blocked.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention The procedure is the entry of banknotes via a banknote entry the bill processing device and the corresponding amount of money under key control in transmit one or the other gaming device. The player has that is, a bill of certain value in the bill entry inserted and one of the play equipment for recording selected, he presses a certain key, whereby the monetary value corresponding to the bill into the selected one Game device is transferred. This will make the gaming device ready for play and the game can begin.

If the player wants to end the game, he can choose one remaining balance and / or accumulated winnings optionally in the form of coin money on the respective gaming device or in the form of banknotes from the banknote issuer of the Have banknote processing equipment issued. Thereby the player no longer has to have large amounts of Take over coin money, which is often perceived as annoying.

After further development of the solution according to the invention the amount of money entered is transferred Bank note and / or the selection of the playability of a the play equipment and / or the issue of a remaining one Amount of money at the end of the game by at the bill processing facility arranged buttons. These buttons can each be assigned to a function or a gaming device or be designed as multifunction buttons. On in any case, the player always has influence over the aforementioned Functions and thus largely determines the Game.

In an alternative development of the invention the transfer of the amount of money of the entered bill and / or the selection of the playability of one of the gaming devices and / or the issue of a remaining amount of money at the end of the game by arranged on this game device Keys. This enables the player to the respective function directly on the selected one Execute or trigger play equipment.

To the clarity of the mostly relative anyway To get a large number of buttons on the game device takes place expediently the transfer of the amount of money entered Bank note and / or the selection of playability one of the gaming devices and / or the issue of a remaining one Amount of money at the end of the game by the gaming facilities assigned to the gaming device, as multifunction buttons trained buttons. For example, the Post-start and stop buttons for the circulating bodies of the symbol game device or the risk buttons for the risk game facility his.

In a further embodiment of the solution according to the invention becomes the amount of money to be transferred to a gaming machine and / or the gaming device selected for recording and / or the amount of money to be spent at the end of the game in a display device at the bill processing facility and / or optically displayed at least one of the game devices. This means the player is always triggered over the particular one Function and the monetary value assigned to this function informs and can therefore his game strategy and the Adjust the course of the game accordingly.

Furthermore, it can be provided that after entering a Bank notes in the bank note processing device are controlled by buttons a change in banknotes lower Value and / or coin money is triggered. This allows the Banknote processing device as a pure money exchange device to be used.

On the other hand, it may be desirable for the bill processing device used for currency exchange on the one hand but on the other hand not just for the purpose of changing bills is used. To misuse as pure Preventing money exchange facilities is done after input a bill into the bill processing facility only after a certain time and / or a certain time Number of games a return of banknotes lower Value and coin money.

The player puts a bill into the bill processing facility one and becomes the authenticity of the bill determined in the bill validator, it is only after a certain Time lapse, for example of 15 minutes, the possibility given the banknote entered into banknotes lower value or exchange coins. The player will usually not be inclined just with the intention of to change a bill, to wait for the relatively long period of time, until money exchange is possible and can take place. In this respect, a quick, pure currency exchange is prevented.

The return of banknotes of lower value or Coins can also depend on a certain number of games to be played by the player after entering the bill into the bill processing facility first a number of games, for example 20 games, must complete. Of course, with these the games to be played, the respective stake from The value of the banknote entered is debited. Only after expiration the remaining number of games becomes the remaining value, if necessary, with the addition of the specified within this Number of games won, in the form of rest money issued by banknotes and / or coins.

In a further development of the invention, a first Variant with separate return of coins and banknotes first issued the coins and then optically and / or acoustically that the banknotes either on Game device or at the bill issuer of the central bill processing device be issued. alternative the banknotes are issued first and then optically and / or acoustically that the coin money either on the gaming machine or on the central bank Banknote processing facility is issued.

The procedure for issuing means of payment can vary be and is of the structure of the respective game device or the group depends on the gaming device. Accordingly the issue of banknotes on the pre-recorded game device with a bill issuer automatically after or before Issuing coin money. On the other hand, the output of Banknotes on the played game device without a banknote issuer on another gaming device, the output optically and / or is signaled acoustically on both play equipment.

Fig. 1

eine Vorderansicht einer nach dem erfindungsgemäßen Verfahren betriebenen Gruppen aus mehreren geldbetätigten Spielgeräten und

Fig. 2

eine Vorderansicht einer Gruppe aus mehreren geldbetätigten Spielgeräten in einer alternativen Ausführungsform.

The concept on which the invention is based is explained in more detail in the following description with reference to two exemplary embodiments which are illustrated in the drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

a front view of a group operated by the method of several money-operated gaming devices and

Fig. 2

a front view of a group of several money-operated gaming devices in an alternative embodiment.

A group 1 according to FIGS. 1 and 2 consists of three game devices 2, 3 and 4, each designed differently are. The game device 2 comprises a symbol game device 5 with disk-shaped circulating bodies 6, which have symbols 7. A symbol combination is displayed in reading windows 8. By means of post-start or stop buttons 9, the this assigned circulation body 6 started again or prematurely A game can be stopped by inserting coins into a coin slot 10 of a coin processing device 1 are triggered. About an individual coin value Coin issuing 11 associated with stacking tubes becomes monetary gains and remaining money in the form of coins.

In the game device 3, there is the symbol game device 5 from three roller-shaped rotating bodies arranged side by side 6. The game device 4 again comprises a symbol game device 5 with disk-shaped rotating bodies 6 and continue two risk gaming facilities 12 and 13, in which a profit achieved in the symbol game device 5 can be risked at risk of loss. The game flow control of each game device 2, 3, and 4 takes place each by a control unit 14 in the corresponding Play equipment 2, 3, and 4.

In group 1 of play equipment according to Fig. 1 is in that Game device 2 a central bill processing device 15, which accept banknotes of different values can, integrated. This consists of a banknote entry 16, a bill validator 17 underneath and downstream bill issuer 18 with a bill dispenser 19. The central bill processing facility 15 is with the control unit 14 of the game device 2 and this again with the control unit 14 of the gaming device 3 bidirectionally connected. Optionally, this can be done in dashed lines shown game device 4 - or other not shown Play equipment - bidirectional with the control unit 14 of the Game device 3 be connected.

The player enters a bill into bill entry 16 the central bill processing device 15, the bill is checked for authenticity by the bill checker 17 checked. If the bill is recognized as genuine, can the player by actuating one of the circulating bodies 6 associated with the symbol game device 5 of the game device 2, post-start or multi-function buttons Stop buttons 9 determine whether he play on the game device 2, 3 or 4 want. In this case, the amount of money corresponding to the inserted bill is displayed, the game device 2, 3 selected by the player or 4 is transmitted. In another display device 21 becomes the respective amount of residual money or prize money displayed during the course of the game and at the end of the game. Want if the player ends the game, he presses a certain one Multifunction button 9 on the selected game device 2, 3 or 4 by selecting the specific multifunction button 9 can choose whether the in the display device 21 of each Game device 2, 3 or 4 displayed amount of money to be paid out in the form of coin money in the coin issue 11 and / or in Form of banknotes from the banknote issuer 17 via the Banknote dispenser compartment 18 is to be dispensed.

The embodiment of group 1 of game devices 2, 3, 4 2 differs from that of FIG. 1 in that that the central bill processing device 15 in addition one of the game devices 2 or 3 is arranged. Here are the bill processing device 15 and the control units 14 of the game devices 2 and 3 - if necessary also that Game device 4 and other game devices not shown - bidirectional connected with each other. The display device 20 for the amount of money to be transferred into a game machine 2, 3 or 4 and the display device 21 for a payout Amounts of money are only at the central bill processing facility 15 arranged. Furthermore, the bill processing device points 15 function keys 22 for Transfer of the amount of money of the entered bill, the selection of the playability of one of the game devices 2, 3, 4 or the issue of a remaining amount of money upon termination of the game.

Should the group of play equipment 2, 3, 4 be used as a money changer the central bill processing device checks 15 when entering and accepting the authenticity checked Banknote whether the player is a pure exchange process wants to do by determining whether the player waits for a certain period of time or a certain predetermined one Number of games completed. If he doesn't do that, he will Return of lower-value notes or coin money blocked and the customer receives the entered bank note back.

However, he waits or has completed the predetermined time he played a certain number of games on one of the Playground equipment 2, 3 or 4, the return of banknotes lower value and coin money released and it is done a corresponding payment either in the form of Coin money in the coin issue 11 or in the form of banknotes from the bill dispenser 18 via the bill dispenser compartment 19.

Depending on the design of the individual play equipment 2, 3, 4, or the compilation of the group of play equipment can be a separate return of coins and banknotes is provided become. Accordingly, e.g. first issued the coin money. This is followed by an optical and / or acoustic Notice in a display device 23 that the banknotes either on the gaming device 2, 3, 4 or on the bill dispenser 18 issued to the central bill processing device 15 become. The display device 23 is, for example from a variety of lighting elements located at the central Banknote processing device 15 are arranged, wherein one lighting element each for a specific game device 2, 3, 4 assigned. This allows the player to easily recognize it which device the payment is made. Designed analog the payment process when the bills first are output and then optically and / or acoustically it is indicated that the coin money either on the game device 2, 3, 4 or at the bill dispenser 18 of the central bill processing device 15 is issued.

Likewise depending on the design of the group of Game devices 2, 3, 4 can issue coin money and banknotes be made differently. Show the recorded Game device 2, 3 or 4 a bill issuer 18 , the issue of banknotes takes place on the recorded one Game device 2, 3 or 4 automatically after or before the issue of coin money. However, there is no bill issuer 18 am recorded game device 2, 3 or 4, the output of Bills on another gaming device 2, 3 and 4, respectively the output optically and / or acoustically on both play equipment 2, 3, 4 is signaled.

List of reference numbers

1

group

2

play equipment

3

play equipment

4

play equipment

5

Symbol playing device

6

recirculating

7

symbols

8th

reading window

9

Nachstart / stop button

10

coin

11

coin issue

12

Risk playing device

13

Risk playing device

14

control unit

15

Banknote processing device

16

Bill input

17

Bill acceptors

18

banknote dispenser

19

Banknote output tray

20

display

21

display

22

function keys

23

display

Claims (12)

Method for operating a group of at least two money-operated gaming devices (2, 3, 4) with coin tubes which are individual to the coin value and with a common bill processing device (15) which is either integrated in one of the gaming devices (2, 3, 4) or spatially separated from the Game devices (2, 3, 4) is arranged and is bidirectionally connected to computer-controlled control units (14) of the game devices (2, 3, 4), the playability of one of the game devices (2, 3, 4) being selected in a button-controlled manner, characterized that at the end of a game, a remaining amount of money is computer or key-controlled, optionally in coin money on the respective gaming device (2, 3, 4) and / or in banknotes via a banknote dispenser (18) of the banknote processing device (15). Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that banknotes are input via a banknote input (16) in the banknote processing device (15) and the corresponding amount of money is transmitted to one or the other gaming device (2, 3, 4) under key control. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the transfer of the amount of money of the entered bill and / or the selection of the playability of one of the gaming devices (2, 3, 4) and / or the output of a remaining amount of money at the end of the game by at the Bank note processing device (15) arranged keys (22). A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the transfer of the amount of money of the entered bill and / or the selection of the playability of one of the gaming devices (2, 3, 4) and / or the output of a remaining amount of money at the end of the game by this Game device (2, 3, 4) arranged buttons takes place. A method according to claim 4 , characterized in that the transfer of the amount of money of the entered bill and / or the selection of the playability of one of the gaming devices (2, 3, 4) and / or the output of a remaining amount of money upon completion of the game by the gaming devices (5 , 12, 13) assigned to the game device (2, 3, 4) and designed as multifunction days (9). Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the amount of money to be transferred to a gaming device (2, 3, 4) and / or the gaming device (2, 3, 4) selected for recording and / or the amount of money to be spent at the end of the game are displayed optically in a display device (20, 21) on the bill processing device (15) and / or at least one of the gaming devices (2, 3, 4). Method according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, after a bill has been entered into the bill processing device (15), a key-controlled changeover to bill of lower value and / or coin money is triggered. Method according to Claim 7, characterized in that after a bank note has been entered into the bank note processing device (15), bank notes of lower value and coin money are returned only after a certain time and / or a certain number of games have elapsed. Method according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that when the coin money and banknotes are returned separately, the coin money is first issued and then visually and / or acoustically displayed that the banknotes either on the gaming device (2, 3, 4) or on the banknote dispenser (18) of the central bill processing device (15) are issued. Method according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that when the coin money and banknotes are returned separately, the banknotes are first issued and then visually and / or acoustically displayed that the coin money either on the gaming device (2, 3, 4) or on the banknote dispenser (18) of the central bill processing device (15) is issued. Method according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the issuance of banknotes on the played game device (2, 3, 4) with a banknote dispenser (18) takes place automatically after or before the issuance of coin money. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that banknotes are issued on the game device (2, 3, 4) being played on, without another banknote issuer (18) on another game device (2, 3, 4), the issue optically and / or is signaled acoustically on both play equipment (2, 3, 4).

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