GB1319625A - Gaming machines - Google Patents

Abstract

1319625 Coin-feed amusement machines; random numbers BELL-FRUIT MFG CO Ltd 21 July 1971 [30 April 1970] 20833/70 Headings G4D and G4V A gaming machine, particularly of the fruit machine type, having means for displaying a random selection of symbols includes an electronic control unit that comprises a pulse generator E, a digital counter F which receives and counts pulses from the generator, stop means which control the counter so that either it counts cyclically over a limited first part of its range or is freed, when a game is initiated by a player, to count over its whole range, and output gates G1 to G4 which are connected to the counter and each pass a control signal in the display means when the counter is in a respective particular counting state outside the limited range. In the embodiment described the pulse generator Ecomprises two circuits E1 and E2 oscillating at different frequencies coupled to a NAND gate E3 giving irregularly spaced input pulses to the counter F, which comprises six stages, the last two C, C and D, D normally being held in their zero states by an inhibit signal from portion H3 of bi-stable #H3, H3. On the insertion of a coin switch T is temporarily closed causing NAND gate G5 to give a zero output signal which triggers portions H4 and H5 of bi-stable devices H4, H4 and H5, H5 to the conducting state, energizing the reel motor M and triggering the bi-stables H1, H1; H2, H2; and H3, H3 to release the fruit machine reels R1, R2 and R3 to be driven by the motor M, and also remove the inhibit signal from the counter F to allow it to count over its whole range. On reaching the counts of 28, 40, 52 and 60 respectively the NAND gates G1 to G4 give zero output pulses which reset the bi-stables #H1, H1 to #H4, H4 to stop the reels and deenergize the reel motor. Payout unit.-The payout unit (Fig. 3, not shown) comprises a counter (J) that is normally held in its zero or 16 state but is selectively settable to other counting states by signals from a win decoder (Fig. 2, not shown) that senses and analyses the final positions of the reels and also by a change giving mechanism. When the counter (5) is in any other state apart from zero or 16, a coin dispensing motor N is operated, a pulse being directed to the counter for each coin dispensed until it is counted back to 16.