US4657256A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Slot machine with win/loss biasing means
Assignee: Universal Entertainment Corp
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Filing: 1986-04-25
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Granted: 1987-04-14
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Expires: 2006-04-25
Abstract
Abstract A slot machine has a game number counter which cumulatively counts the number of games played. Whether the number of games counted by the game number counter reaches a predetermined number or not is detected by a comparator; and if both numbers coincide, a coincidence signal is output from the comparator. The slot machine has also a winning number counter which cumulatively counts the number of wins occurring during the period until the number of games reaches the predetermined number. At the time the coincidence signal is obtained, the number of wins cumulatively counted by the winning number counter is compared with a standard number of winnings. As a result of this comparison, if the number of wins in the winning number counter is larger than the standard number of wins, the following game is set to decrease the likelihood of a win; but in the contrary case, the same control is actuated for shifting a winning combination of symbols onto a winning line.
Inventors
- 👤 Kazuo Okada
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 16:03
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F17/00; G07F17/32; G07F17/3244
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
240 words
In a slot machine of the type in which the presence or absence of a win is determined for each game based upon the combination of symbols disposed on a winning line, the improvement comprising: means for cumulatively storing the number of games played; means for cumulatively storing the number of wins every time a game is played and a win occurs; first comparison means for comparing said cumulatively stored number of games played to a pre-set number of games; second comparison means, rendered operative by said first comparison means, for comparing said stored number of wins with a predetermined standard number of wins every time said first comparison means determines that the stored number of games equals said pre-set number of games; and control means for altering the stopping positions of said symbols on said winning line in such a manner that when said comparison means detects that said stored number of wins is larger than said standard number of wins, said combination of symbols is biased away from a winning combination, and when said comparison means detects that said stored number of wins is smaller than said standard number of wins, said combination of symbols is biased toward a winning combination; reset means for resetting to zero said game number storing means and said win number storing means each time said second comparison means compares said cumulatively stored number of wins with said predetermined standard number of wins.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
240 words
In a slot machine of the type in which the presence or absence of a win is determined for each game based upon the combination of symbols disposed on a winning line, the improvement comprising: means for cumulatively storing the number of games played; means for cumulatively storing the number of wins every time a game is played and a win occurs; first comparison means for comparing said cumulatively stored number of games played to a pre-set number of games; second comparison means, rendered operative by said first comparison means, for comparing said stored number of wins with a predetermined standard number of wins every time said first comparison means determines that the stored number of games equals said pre-set number of games; and control means for altering the stopping positions of said symbols on said winning line in such a manner that when said comparison means detects that said stored number of wins is larger than said standard number of wins, said combination of symbols is biased away from a winning combination, and when said comparison means detects that said stored number of wins is smaller than said standard number of wins, said combination of symbols is biased toward a winning combination; reset means for resetting to zero said game number storing means and said win number storing means each time said second comparison means compares said cumulatively stored number of wins with said predetermined standard number of wins.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said symbols are disposed on the peripheries of a plurality of reels driven in rotation by stepping motors.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said control means controls the stopping of said stepping motors.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said control means adjusts the number of drive pulses supplied to said stepping motors.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3852576A
Cited
US4213524A
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US4240635A
Cited
US4494197A
Cited
GB2103856A
Cited
US4448419A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-04-13 | 1990-10-13 | 1991-04-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-04-13 | 1994-10-13 | 1995-04-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-04-13 | 1998-10-13 | 1999-04-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |