WO1994025928A1

WO1994025928A1 - System for playing with several games machines set up at a distance from each other

Info

Publication number: WO1994025928A1
Application number: PCT/DE1994/000466
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ullrich Schulze; Horst Niederlein
Original assignee: Nsm Aktiengesellschaft
Priority date: 1993-04-29
Filing date: 1994-04-25
Publication date: 1994-11-10
Also published as: ES2096464T3; DE4314145A1; EP0696370B1; EP0696370A1; DK0696370T3; GR3022275T3; ATE144633T1; DE59400918D1

Abstract

A system is disclosed for playing with several game machines (2, 4) set up at a distance from each other, in particular coin-operated machines. The system has at least two game machines (2, 4) set up at two different locations. A bidirectional connection line (20) extends between the game machines (2, 4). Another domain of application of the disclosed system concerns game machine centres. This embodiment variation of the disclosed system concerns playing with several game machines set up at a distance from each other but located in the same game machine centre (302, 304, 306). Alternatively, however, communications may be established and games may be played between several game machine centres (303, 304, 306).

Description

System for playing on several entertainment devices placed at a distance from each other

Description

The invention relates to a system for playing on a number of entertainment devices, in particular coin-operated, placed at a distance from one another.

With the increasing possibilities of data communication, spatial distances are becoming less and less important. The communication subscribers can thus exchange data etc. with one another regardless of the respective location, provided the corresponding devices and connecting lines are present.

For example, an entertainment device system with a number of entertainment devices is known from US Pat. No. 4,880,237, in which a central data processing system coordinates the system functions and each player is assigned an identification code. The game happening is controlled by means of the entertainment device and player data entered in each case.

In the case of a game known from EP-A-0 405 776 for a plurality of participants located at a distance from one another and networked with one another, each of the participants has a personal computer. A one-way communication device is provided, each network connection being connected to each personal computer in order to receive data from the mass communication. to receive and transfer it to the personal computer. Due to the one-way mass communication, the costs are independent of the number of users and relatively ni edri g.

Entertainment devices are also known which are provided with an interface for the data output and are provided with a data carrier for recording operating and identification data. A data processing device with an interface for the input / output of entertainment device data is arranged remotely from the entertainment devices. Transportable buffers in the form of an electronic memory card are provided for the data transfer from the entertainment devices to the data processing device and back.

The invention has for its object to enable flexible and location-independent game operation in a system of the type mentioned. According to the invention, this object is achieved in a system with the features of claim 1, 7 or 8. Advantageous developments of the system according to the invention are the subject of the subclaims.

A system according to the invention for playing on a number of entertainment devices, in particular coin-operated entertainment devices, placed at a distance from one another thus comprises at least two entertainment devices installed at two different locations, a bidirectional connecting line being provided between the entertainment devices, via which the game may influence one another ! feasible i st.

The invention enables two different on-line Play places against or with each other on entertainment devices as if they were only playing in one place. The device or player dialogue takes place via the bidirectional connection line, with a mutual influence of the game sequence possibly being possible. For the communication connection, a modem data transmission line vnra qphPn no! K «, kn ^→ r ^→ nwRh n» VR-fhβt ≠ UHg ö ^β Ulll ^β calibration devices.

The entertainment devices are each advantageously provided with a display which also directly displays the game-relevant data of the other devices. In this way, the game status on the other device (other devices) can be followed immediately. In particular, the result of the opponent is shown on the other entertainment device. Furthermore, it is advisable to compare the results of the opponents with one another and to display them as a total or subtraction result, which is used in particular when teams play against each other. Furthermore, it is preferable to play on a common playing field and to display the result of the other player in a flashing or different manner. The spatial distance is hardly noticeable.

According to a preferred embodiment, a large screen display is provided, which enables several people to follow the game process. In this way, not only do the directly active players take part in the game, but a larger group of people can be involved, as a result of which the attraction to play and the immediacy of the game is much greater. Such a large screen display can be used, for example, to display team scores, tables, scores, rankings of the players, etc. A camera that detects the display of the entertainment device and a large screen can also be provided for the large screen display. The enlarged device display is displayed directly on the Großbi Idschi r.

Another area of application of the system according to the invention relates to entertainment device centers. Such an embodiment variant of the system according to the invention relates to playing on a number of entertainment devices which are set up at a distance from one another and are located in an entertainment device center. The system includes at least two entertainment devices located in different locations in an entertainment center. A central data processing system assigns incoming and outgoing signals to the relevant entertainment devices. According to the invention, a bidirectional connecting line is provided between the entertainment devices and between the entertainment devices and the central data processing system of the entertainment device center.

In this variant of the system according to the invention, too, games are played simultaneously at different installation locations. Of course, it is also possible to play with one another with a time offset, the game data then being stored in a storage device of the system. Through the storage, the point in time of the continuation of the game can essentially be freely chosen in such a way that a delayed and / or later game is possible.

Likewise, when using the system according to the invention in entertainment device centers, the use of large screens enables a larger group of people to be involved. The game can be organized, for example, in a tournament-like manner by controlling the game and operating system via loudspeakers Announcement opportunity is created. After pauses in the game, the spectators and also the players can be called up again to the devices or the displays or large screens.

According to an alternative embodiment variant, a system is provided for playing on a number of entertainment devices set up at a distance from one another, the entertainment devices each being located in different entertainment device centers. This system comprises at least two entertainment devices set up in two different entertainment device centers and at least two entertainment device centers with a central data processing system, which assigns incoming signals to the relevant entertainment devices and outgoing entertainment device signals to the respective entertainment device center of the other entertainment device. A bidirectional connection line is provided between the central data processing system of the entertainment device centers and between the entertainment devices and the central unit of the respective entertainment device center.

In this system variant too, either modem and remote data transmission line or a network can be selected as the transmission means.

In particular with this embodiment of the system according to the invention for several entertainment device centers, larger groups of players and spectators can be involved in the game. Tournaments and championships can be held using the large screen displays mentioned above. For this purpose, an acoustic or optical signal transmitter can advantageously be connected to the central data processing system, which emits a signal to notify the players when an external entertainment device signal for an entertainment device of the entertainment device center concerned is received. This signal can be enough to call the people involved to play. Otherwise, a loudspeaker announcement or an optical signal, for example in the form of a continuous display bar on the large screens or on all screens or by means of special flashing signals, can be used.

Corresponding to the larger turnover, but also to simplify administration, it can advantageously be provided that the central data processing system comprises a money processing system, which enables central control and allocation of the used money stakes. Communication between the money centers of the various gaming machine centers can also be provided.

In this way, the cash desk of the game hall concerned, the card issuing etc. can be monitored and controlled centrally. The transition from one device to another is easily possible, since the billing takes place centrally.

Billing and evaluation can take place at a third location. A remote data transmission line to a separate personal computer of the operator is preferably used for this purpose. The system data is transferred to the evaluation computer via this line and evaluated there. For example, Statistics and operational overviews are created.

The system according to the invention also enables a game connection of at least two entertainment devices for different types of entertainment device. In the system according to the invention, it is advantageous to provide a display and output of the course of the game, the game results and / or the game evaluation to represent the opposing game.

The invention is described below with reference to preferred embodiments and the drawing. The drawing shows:

Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a first

System variant with two entertainment devices installed at a distance from each other,

2 shows a schematic illustration of a second system variant in an entertainment device center and

Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of a third system variant including several entertainment device centers.

In the following, reference is first made to FIG. 1, in which a first variant of the system according to the invention is shown. Two separately arranged, provided with a coin, banknote or card input and output, here Gel dspi el devices 2, 4, which can otherwise have a conventional structure and function, each have a device display 6 , 8 on. Large screen displays 10, 12 are provided on the game devices 2, 4, respectively. Cameras 14, 16 are directed at the device displays 6, 8, each of which is connected via a line 18, 20 and interface 22, 24 to the associated device 2, 4. The display images recorded by the cameras 14, 16 are Given on the large screen displays 10, 12 via data processing devices provided in the money, so that the displays can be viewed and recognized not only by the players directly involved, but also by a larger group of people.

A modem 26, 28 is installed in each of the gaming machines 2, 4. The monetary devices 2, 4 are connected to one another by means of a bidirectional connecting line 30.

This money game device arrangement enables two players to play with one another at two different locations. This can be done online. Alternatively, however, a delayed game operation can be implemented using suitable memories and controls. Only two people can play with each other on two play equipment 2, 4. Alternatively, several players can also play on the gaming machines. This is facilitated by the provision of the large screen displays 10, 12.

1 shows two coin-operated money machines. However, other entertainment devices can of course also be used in the system according to the invention. Furthermore, goods dispensing devices or the like can also be integrated into such a system.

A second variant of the system according to the invention is shown in FIG. 2. Various entertainment devices, for example slot machines 102, 106, 110, 112, 114, 116, a dart game device 104, a bowling alley 108, a video game device 118 and a laser shooting device 120, are set up here in an entertainment device center (arcade) . The entertainment devices are all equipped with interfaces etc. and also via bidirectional lines 166 a connecting line 168 is connected in such a way that all entertainment devices of the entertainment device center can communicate with one another.

A central data processing system 150 is provided for communication control and monitoring and is connected to the connecting line 168 via a line 170.

The system according to Fig. 2 enables game operation e.g. the slot machines 102, 106, 110, 112, 114, 116 among themselves. The game operation is controlled via the data processing insert 150.

As further shown in FIG. 2, a personal computer 152 is connected to the central data processing system 150 via a line 154. The personal computer 152 is connected to a printer 158 via a line 156. The personal computer 152 is not necessarily set up in the entertainment center. Thus, the personal computer 152 can also be located elsewhere at the operator who wants to carry out the evaluation of the device data as well as the business evaluation, statistics etc. independently of the game, but using the central data processing system.

3 shows a third variant of the system according to the invention. In this case, a number of entertainment device centers 302, 304, 306 are connected to a bidirectional connecting line 314 via lines 308, 310, 312. For the sake of simplicity it is assumed that the entertainment device centers are otherwise organized and equipped as shown in FIG. 2. With the connection! there is another data processing system, here a personal computer 316, via a line 318.

The personal computer 316 can in turn be located at the operator or at the administration center for the overall system. A system control can also be provided for tournament games or the like, which is superordinate to the data processing systems 150, e.g. in a master-slave arrangement.

Various modifications of the system according to the invention are of course possible beyond the system variants described above. Therefore, these should not be viewed as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined only by the claims.

Claims

π

Expectations

System for playing on a number of entertainment devices (2, 4) set up at a distance from one another, in particular coin-operated, comprise at least two entertainment devices (2, 4) set up at two different locations and a bidirectional connecting line (30) between the entertainment devices (2, 4) via which benenfal 1 s system according to claim 1, characterized in that the entertainment devices are connected to each other via modem and remote data transmission line.

System according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the entertainment devices are networked with one another.

System according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the entertainment devices (2, 4) are provided with a display (10, 12) which also directly displays the game-relevant data of the other devices.

System according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the results of the opponents of the game are compared with one another and are shown in the display (10, 12) of the entertainment devices (2, 4) as total or subtraction results.

System according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the entertainment devices (2, 4) are playing on a common playing field and the result of the other player is displayed flashing or differently. System for playing on a number of entertainment devices set up at a distance from one another, the entertainment devices being located in an entertainment device center, comprising at least two entertainment devices (102 to 120) set up at different locations in an entertainment device center, a central data processing system (150) which switch on and off assigning outgoing signals to the relevant entertainment devices (102 to 120), a bidirectional connecting line (170) between the entertainment devices (102 to 120) and the central data processing system (15) of the entertainment device center.

System for playing on a number of entertainment devices set up at a distance from one another, the entertainment devices each being located in entertainment device centers, comprising at least two entertainment devices set up in two different entertainment device centers, at least two entertainment device centers (302, 304, 306) with a central data processing system ( 316), which assigns the incoming signals to the entertainment devices in question and assigns outgoing entertainment device signals to the respective entertainment device center of the other entertainment device, a bidirectional connection line (308 to 314, 318) between the central data processing system (316) and the entertainment device centers and a bidirectional connection between the entertainment devices and the central unit of each temporary equipment center.

9. System according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the central data processing system comprises a money processing system which enables central control and allocation of the used money stakes.

10. System according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that a remote data transmission line (154) to a separate personal computer (152) of the operator is provided, which enables data evaluation by the operator.

11. System according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized ge indicates that the Spi el device centers (302, 304, 306) via modem and remote data transmission line (308 to 314) are interconnected.

12. System according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that the entertainment device centers are networked with one another.

13. System according to one of claims 7 to 12, characterized in that a game connection is provided by at least two entertainment devices for different types of entertainment devices.

14. System according to any one of claims 7 to 13, characterized in that an acoustic or optical signal generator is connected to the central data processing system, which upon receipt of an external entertainment device signal for an entertainment device of the entertainment device center concerned, a signal for notifying the players delivers. 15. System according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that a large screen display is provided which enables the game to be followed by several people.

16. System according to claim 15, characterized in that for the large screen display, a camera detecting the display of the entertainment device and a large screen are provided.

17. System according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized gekennzei chnet that ene storage device is provided in which the game history is stored such that a time-shifted and / or later game is possible.