US4448419A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic gaming device utilizing a random number generator for selecting the reel stop positions
Assignee: International Game Technology
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Filing: 1982-02-24
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Granted: 1984-05-15
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Expires: 2002-02-24
Abstract
Abstract A gaming machine of the type utilizing rotating reels (16) which carry on the periphery a plurality of indicia, a brake (19) to stop the reels at a selected position and a random number generator for selecting the reel stopping position. Numbers are assigned to the reel stopping positions and entered into the random number generator (41) with each number being entered one or more times to control the payout odds of each particular stopping position being selected thereby enabling any odds to be set without changing the physical characteristics of the machine.
Inventors
- 👤 Inge S. Telnaes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 10:05
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F17/00; G07F17/32; G07F17/3244
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A game apparatus, comprising: a reel mounted for rotation about an axis through a predetermined number of radial positions; means to start rotation of said reel about said axis; indicia fixed to said reel to indicate the angular rotational position of said reel; means for assigning a plurality of numbers representing said angular positions of said reel, said plurality of numbers exceeding said predetermined number of radial positions such that some rotational positions are represented by a plurality of numbers; means for randomly selecting one of said plurality of assigned numbers; and means for stopping said reel at the angular position represented by said selected number.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
A game apparatus, comprising: a reel mounted for rotation about an axis through a predetermined number of radial positions; means to start rotation of said reel about said axis; indicia fixed to said reel to indicate the angular rotational position of said reel; means for assigning a plurality of numbers representing said angular positions of said reel, said plurality of numbers exceeding said predetermined number of radial positions such that some rotational positions are represented by a plurality of numbers; means for randomly selecting one of said plurality of assigned numbers; and means for stopping said reel at the angular position represented by said selected number.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A game apparatus as defined in claim 1 including a multiplicity of reels mounted for rotation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A game apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein some angular rotational positions only have one number representing that position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A game apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for randomly selecting is a random number generator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A game apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said means to start rotation of said reel is a lever.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A game apparatus as defined in claim 1 including a plurality of reels and said means for stopping stops said reels in a predetermined sequence.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A game apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said means for randomly selecting one of said assigned numbers does so for each reel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
111 words
A game apparatus, comprising: a plurality of reels mounted for rotation about an axis: indicia fixed to said reel peripheries to identify each of a randomly predetermined number of rotational positions through which said reels rotate; means to stop each said reel at any selected one of said positions; a random number generator for selecting one number from a plurality of numbers each representing one of said different angular rotational positions, said plurality of numbers exceeding the number of rotational positions of said reel such that a plurality of numbers represents some of the reel positions; and means to set said reels into rotation and to energize said random number generator.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
111 words
A game apparatus, comprising: a plurality of reels mounted for rotation about an axis: indicia fixed to said reel peripheries to identify each of a randomly predetermined number of rotational positions through which said reels rotate; means to stop each said reel at any selected one of said positions; a random number generator for selecting one number from a plurality of numbers each representing one of said different angular rotational positions, said plurality of numbers exceeding the number of rotational positions of said reel such that a plurality of numbers represents some of the reel positions; and means to set said reels into rotation and to energize said random number generator.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
102 words
The method of controlling the win odds on a game apparatus having at least one reel rotatable through a plurality of positions and stoppable at any one of said plurality of positions with the positions having differing rewards, said method comprising the steps of: assigning to each position at least one of a plurality of numbers; entering said plurality of numbers in a random number generator; starting said random number generator and reel and stopping said reel at the number selected by said random number generator; and assigning a different quantity of numbers to each position to obtain the win odds desired.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
102 words
The method of controlling the win odds on a game apparatus having at least one reel rotatable through a plurality of positions and stoppable at any one of said plurality of positions with the positions having differing rewards, said method comprising the steps of: assigning to each position at least one of a plurality of numbers; entering said plurality of numbers in a random number generator; starting said random number generator and reel and stopping said reel at the number selected by said random number generator; and assigning a different quantity of numbers to each position to obtain the win odds desired.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
113 words
The method of controlling the win odds on a game apparatus wherein a plurality of indicia are displayed and the reward is based on which indicia is selected, said method comprising the steps of: assigning a plurality of numbers to most indicia and assigning at least one number to all indicia; entering said numbers into a random number generator; operating said random number generator to select one of said numbers; displaying the indicia represented by said number; and selecting the quantity of numbers to be assigned to each indicia responsive to the total quantity of numbers entered into said random number generator to make the win odds on each indicia a desired value.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
113 words
The method of controlling the win odds on a game apparatus wherein a plurality of indicia are displayed and the reward is based on which indicia is selected, said method comprising the steps of: assigning a plurality of numbers to most indicia and assigning at least one number to all indicia; entering said numbers into a random number generator; operating said random number generator to select one of said numbers; displaying the indicia represented by said number; and selecting the quantity of numbers to be assigned to each indicia responsive to the total quantity of numbers entered into said random number generator to make the win odds on each indicia a desired value.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4095795A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-05-15 | 1987-11-14 | 1988-05-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-05-15 | 1991-11-14 | 1992-05-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-05-15 | 1995-11-14 | 1996-05-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |