US4964638A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Control apparatus for game machines
Assignee: Universal Entertainment Corp
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Filing: 1989-05-16
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Granted: 1990-10-23
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Expires: 2009-05-16
Abstract
Abstract In a control system wherein a master control unit controls a plurality of game machines, the master control unit is provided with two calculators and a microprocessor. The two calculators accumultate, at different rates, values each corresponding to the number of coins inserted into each of the game machines for every game. The two different accumulated values are used alternately to set the amount of money to be paid out for a particular hit and one of the values is indicated by an indicator. For every occurrence of a hit, the microprocessor orders that coins be paid out according to the indicated value and that the indicated value is alternately changed from one of the two accumulated values to the other.
Inventors
- 👤 Naomi Ishida
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 22:22
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F17/00; G07F17/32; G07F17/3244; G07F17/3258; G07F9/00; G07F9/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
An apparatus for controlling a group comprised by a plurality of game machines each of which has pay-out means for paying out coins according to the kind of win, said apparatus being provided with means for indicating a pay-out value for a particular win, said apparatus comprising: first calculating means for calculating a first accumulation value by accumulating, at a first rate, the value of coins inserted into each of said game machines; second calculating means for calculating a second accumulation value by accumulating, at a second rate, the value of said inserted coins; and controlling means for ordering said indicating means to indicate one of said first and second accumulation values as said pay-out value, for ordering said pay-out means of a said game machine in which said particular win occurs to pay out coins of a number which corresponds to said pay-out value, and for ordering said indicating means to indicate the other of said first and second accumulated values as said pay-out value after said particular win occurs.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
171 words
An apparatus for controlling a group comprised by a plurality of game machines each of which has pay-out means for paying out coins according to the kind of win, said apparatus being provided with means for indicating a pay-out value for a particular win, said apparatus comprising: first calculating means for calculating a first accumulation value by accumulating, at a first rate, the value of coins inserted into each of said game machines; second calculating means for calculating a second accumulation value by accumulating, at a second rate, the value of said inserted coins; and controlling means for ordering said indicating means to indicate one of said first and second accumulation values as said pay-out value, for ordering said pay-out means of a said game machine in which said particular win occurs to pay out coins of a number which corresponds to said pay-out value, and for ordering said indicating means to indicate the other of said first and second accumulated values as said pay-out value after said particular win occurs.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising first setting means for setting an initial value of said accumulation values and for inputting said initial value into the one of said first and second calculating means of which the accumulation value is used as said pay-out value.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, further comprising second setting means for setting a maximum value for said pay-out value.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, further comprising third setting means for setting said first and second rates.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
61 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said third setting means comprises total rate setting means for setting a total rate so as to obtain a total insertion value which is multiplied by said insertion value and distribution rate setting means for setting a distribution rate by which said total insertion value is divided into said first and second rates.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first and second accumulation values are calculated as money.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first and second accumulation values are calculated as numbers of coins.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
57 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first calculating means comprises a first accumulator for obtaining said first accumulation value and a first memory for storing said first accumulation value, and said second calculating means comprises a second accumulator for obtaining said second accumulation value and a second memory for storing said second accumulation value.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
60 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said first accumulation value stored in said first memory is used as said pay-out value, said second accumulation value stored in said second memory is transferred to said first memory after paying out coins according to said particular win, and an initial value greater than zero is set in said second memory.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
97 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said controlling apparatus and said game machines form a looped communication circuit in which said game machines are connected in series and both end game machines of said series-connected game machines are connected to said controlling apparatus, whereby said controlling apparatus receives a message containing data as to the value of coins inserted into each of said game machines for each game, and whereby when said particular win is made in a said game machine, said controlling apparatus orders said game machine to perform pay-out for said particular win.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second rate is different from said first rate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second rate is a function of said first rate.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
164 words
An apparatus for controlling a group comprised by a plurality of game machines each of which has prize awarding means for awarding prizes according to the kind of win, said apparatus being provided with means for indicating a prize value for a particular win, said apparatus comprising: first calculating means for calculating a first accumulation value by accumulating, at a first rate, the amounts input into each of said game machines; second calculating means for calculating a second accumulation value by accumulating, at a second rate, said input amounts; and controlling means for ordering said indicating means to indicate one of said first and second accumulation values as said prize value, for ordering said prize awarding means of a said game machine in which said particular win occurs to award a prize which corresponds to said prize value, and for ordering said indicating means to indicate the other of said first and second accumulated values as said prize value after said particular win occurs.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
164 words
An apparatus for controlling a group comprised by a plurality of game machines each of which has prize awarding means for awarding prizes according to the kind of win, said apparatus being provided with means for indicating a prize value for a particular win, said apparatus comprising: first calculating means for calculating a first accumulation value by accumulating, at a first rate, the amounts input into each of said game machines; second calculating means for calculating a second accumulation value by accumulating, at a second rate, said input amounts; and controlling means for ordering said indicating means to indicate one of said first and second accumulation values as said prize value, for ordering said prize awarding means of a said game machine in which said particular win occurs to award a prize which corresponds to said prize value, and for ordering said indicating means to indicate the other of said first and second accumulated values as said prize value after said particular win occurs.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-10-22 | 1994-04-23 | 1994-10-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-10-22 | 1998-04-23 | 1998-10-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-10-22 | 2002-04-23 | 2002-10-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |