US3684290A

US3684290A - Electrically operated plural reel chance device

Info

Publication number: US3684290A
Application number: US831623A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ronald G Wayne
Original assignee: CENTAUR MINI COMPUTER DEVICES
Current assignee: CENTAUR MINI COMPUTER DEVICES
Priority date: 1969-06-09
Filing date: 1969-06-09
Publication date: 1972-08-15
Anticipated expiration: 1989-08-15

Abstract

An electronically operated gaming device is described which detects the relative position of a plurality of rotatably mounted reels. The amusement device is the type which is activated by a disc operated switch and which can thereinafter be enabled by an arm or handle connected to the gaming device. The handle trips a drive motor which in turn activates timing logic having a plurality of timed outputs. Each timed output activates a reel stopping mechanism and a further time delay. This time delay activates the next corresponding reel stop mechanism, and so on, until all reel mechanisms are stopped. The timing delay logic also in turn activates position sensor boards which detects the relative position of the reels with one another. The positions of the reels may or may not be indicative of a pay-off sequence. A diode matrix responsive to the sensor boards loads the maximum count a counter may have to register full. The diode matrix simultaneously starts a plurality of signals into pay logic. The pay logic starts a hopper motor which mechanically dispenses a number of discs. Discs dispensing from the hopper energize a disc count switch which feeds count pulses into the counter. The counter then counts up on these pulses until full. Thereafter a full register count is applied to the pay logic which stops the hopper motor.

Description

Elite States tet Wayne Aug. 15, 1972 [5 ELECTRICALLY OPE TED PL 34 i REEL CHANCE DEVICE Ronald G. Wayne, Canoga Park, Calif.

Assignee: Centaur Mini Computer Devices,

Inc., New York, NY.

[72] Inventor:

[22] Filed: June 9, 1969 [21] Appl. No.: 831,623

[52] US. Cl. ..273/143 C [51] Int. Cl. ..A63f 5/04 [58] Field of Search ..273/l43, 138 A [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,812,182 11/1957 Fiorino ..273/l43 3,285,380 11/1966 Sykes ..273/l43 2,641,473 6/1953 Stalter ..273/l38 A 2,786,682 3/1957 McManus ..273/l43 R FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,107,552 3/1968 Great Britain ..273/138 A Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-Amold W. Kramer Attorney-Robert E. Geauque [5 7] ABSTRACT An electronically operated gaming device is described which detects the relative position of a plurality of rotatably mounted reels. The amusement device is the type which is activated by a disc operated switch and which can thereinafter be enabled by an arm or handle connected to the gaming device. The handle trips a drive motor which in turn activates timing logic having a plurality of timed outputs. Each timed output activates a reel stopping mechanism and a further time delay. This time delay activates the next corresponding reel stop mechanism, and so on, until all reel mechanisms are stopped. The timing delay logic also in turn activates position sensor boards which detects the relative position of the reels with one another. The positions of the reels may or may not be indicative of a pay-off sequence. A diode matrix responsive to the sensor boards loads the maximum count a counter may have to register full. The diode matrix simultaneously starts a plurality of signals into pay logic. The pay logic starts a hopper motor which mechanically dispenses a number of discs. Discs dispensing from the hopper energize a disc count switch which feeds count pulses into the counter. The counter then counts up on these pulses until full. Thereafter a full register count is applied to the pay logic which stops the hopper motor.

12 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures COMM/l ND PATENTED AUG 1 5 I972 SHEET 5 [IF 6 Arrow/Viv BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION a. Field of the Invention This invention relates to amusement or gaming devices and more particularly a novel improved electronically-controlled disc pay-off, sequence and sensing system or the like.

b. Discussion of the Prior Art Devices in the prior art comprise mechanical gaming devices which comprise a plurality of vertically mounted reels, usually three or four, which are rotated about a horizontal axis. On the reels there are placed a plurality of indicias such as fruit, bars, bells, or numbers, and the like. The reels are started to rotate by a handle which is pulled down to either sharply start gears and wheels within the gaming devices to be forced into movement or, in the more modern sophisticated devices, to engage an electric motor which starts the reels rotating. Devices within the gaming devices, sometimes referred to as random generators, randomly stop the reels in a sequential order by means of a mechanical clock. Generally the far left-hand reel will stop first and the preceding ones will stop in their sequential order. Scoring in the gaming devices of these prior art systems depends upon the radial position of each of the reels. Mechanical sensory devices are provided which indicate to mechanisms the radial position of the reels and give an indication of the position of the reels to illustrate to the operator his winning score.

In order that the operator may be aware of his winning score, certain scores are given if certain of the indicias on the reels are lined up. For example, two cherries lined up on the first two reels may indicate to a winner that he has a five score. Three cherries may, for example, be a ten score, and four cherries in a row may indicate an 18 score. Three oranges in a line may indicate a score while four oranges in a line may indicate an 18 score. Three bars in a row may indicate a 100 score or normal jackpot while four sevens, for example, may indicate a special award jack pot of a 1000 or more.

Other devices operating in similar nature require a disc to be inserted into the machine before the lever is releasable. When the disc is placed in and the lever is pulled out, the reels begin to rotate and stop in their random sequential order. If the sensory devices indicate certain win scores by the radial position of the reels, a number of discs are returned, depending upon the alignment of the indicias, such as hereinbefore set forth.

Heretofore, the above-mentioned apparatus was sometimes mechanically operated with gears and levers within the mechanism. Such gears and levers and other mechanical mechanisms are cumbersome, complex and unreliable. Such mechanical devices required a considerable amount of maintenance in order to keep them operating in their top condition and to pay out the amount of discs should the right indicias be aligned on the reels.

A further disadvantage of the prior art devices is that because of the fact that they are mechanically operated, the devices are subject to wear. Once the gears, linkages, etc., within the gaming device become worn, the tolerances therein become sloppy and error is oftentimes introduced into the mechanisms, that is, they pay off coins when they should not and vice versa.

Finally, the prior art does not lend itself to modularized construction to permit extremely rapid maintenance and design modifications including reel percentage changes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An amusement device is described which is the type comprised of rotating reels. Means is associated with each reel to indicate the radial position of each reel. A diode matrix is responsive to the read-out means and changes the full register number or total capacity of a counter depending upon the signals received on the sensing means. Pay logic is energized by the diode matrix which operates the hopper drive motor to pay discs to the operator past a disc count switch. Each time a disc activates the disc count switch, a disc count feed-back pulse counts into the counter. When the counter is full, a full register tum-off command is received by the pay logic which stops the drive hopper.

Timing logic may be included to stop the rotation of the reels at random intervals in a sequential manner. A first start command is necessary through a disc switch which indicates that a disc has been first placed into the I machine to activate the discs switch. The timing logic is then activated by a start command which is provided by a handle switch. During the pay logic count time and DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other features and advantages will become more apparent to those skilled in the art when taken into consideration with the following detailed description wherein like reference numerals indicate like and corresponding parts throughout the several views and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the system of one preferred embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates the relative position of the sensor boards and the magnetics affixed to the reel;

FIG. 3 illustrates the relative position of an air gap of a reed capsule in relation to the magnetics on the reel;

FIG. 4 illustrates various positions of magnetics as they appear on the indicia reel;

FIG. 5 illustrates typical reel sensing board interconnection switching logic;

FIG. 6 illustrates a different embodiment of the switching logic used in a three-reel switching system, in which only the highest award of several simultaneous winning combinations will activate in the pay logic and counter circuits.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the timing circuit used in the preferred embodiment of this invention; and

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Turning now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a block diagram system of one preferred embodiment of this invention. A plurality of indicia reels, and in this example four are shown, are provided whereby numeral indicates the first reel and numeral 12 indicates the second reel, numeral 13 indicates the third reel, and numeral 14 indicates the fourth reel. Each reel is rotatably mounted on a shaft 16 which is rotated by a drive motor 20. Timing logic 22 is provided which is coupled to the drive motor by the lead 24. A disc switch 30 activates an arming command when a disc is passed thereby and closes the switch 30. This is done by a disc passing thereover which then falls into a disc hopper (not shown). Such disc hoppers are well known to those skilled in art and provided, for example, in copending Patent application Ser. No. 830,677, filed on June 5, 1969, and now US. Pat. No. 3,612,073, filed on behalf of Carl D. Calos for Coin Payout Mechanism for Amusement Devices and assigned to the Assignee of this invention. A handle switch 26 engages a start command into the timing logic 22. When this handle is pulled down, the switch 26 engages.

When a command signal from the handle switch 26 and the disc switch 30 is introduced into the timing logic 22, a signal is applied through the line 24 to the drive motor and starts the reels 10, l2, l3 and 14 rotating on the axle 16. At predetermined delay times stop power is provided on

lines

34, 36, 38 and 40 at random and sequential times. By random times there is no way of selecting at the exact time the first wheel will be stopped by the stop power from the lead 34 but this particular reel 10 will be stopped first, then the second reel 12 will be stopped, thereafter the third reel 13 will be stopped, and consequently the fourth reel 14 will be stopped. Such apparatus for stopping these

reels

10, 12, 14 and 16 may be found in co-pending application Ser. No. 829,183 filed June 2, 1969, and now US. Pat. No. 3,625,515 for a Random Generator on behalf of Carl D. Calos and Lloyd D. Main and assigned to the assignee of this invention.

Sensor boards

42, 44, 46 and 48 with reed capsules magnetically activated by reels receive a signal from the timing logic 22 through the pay pulse lead line 50. The

sensor boards

42, 44, 46 and 48 sense the radial position of each indicia reel 10, 12, 13 and 14 relative to one another and provide a certain signal into a diode matrix 52, in the event'of appropriate winning combinations.

The diode matrix 52 sets up a full register count and sets this count into a counter 54. A counter circuit which is useful for this purpose is found in co-pending patent application Ser. No. 827,690, filed May 26, 1969, and now US Pat. No. 3,609,311, for a Coincident Counting System on behalf of Ronald G. Wayne and assigned to the Assignee of this invention. At this time a win activate pulse may be applied to the lead 56 or jackpot activate lead 68 to pay logic 58. The pay logic 58 in turn drives a hopper motor 60 which starts feeding discs from the hopper in accordance with the manner taught in said co-pending patent application. As these discs pass from the hopper, by the hopper motor 60, the discs therefrom will close a disc count switch 62 each time a disc is paid out. The disc switch will be opened and closed on each individual disc and send a disc count feed back pulse via lead 64 into the counter 54. The counter 54 will then begin to count and hold pulses until a full register is indicated. At this time a full register turn off command pulse is applied to the pay logic 58 through the lead line 66, thus causing the pay logic to stop the hopper drive motor 60. At certain times such as a winning combination which yields an award larger than the capacity of the counter, the diode matrix 52 will be-pass the counter 54 when a jack pot pulse is present. A jack pot activating pulse is supplied from the diode matrix 52 to the pay logic through the lead line 68. A jack pot indicator is then energized by a control pulse from the pay logic through the lead 72.

During the time when the counter is filling and no full turn-on pulse command is supplied to lead 66 to the pay logic 58, a pulse is provided on a lead line 76 to a coin reject lock-out solenoid 78. This solenoid is useful to lock the discs from being positioned into the machine during the pay-out time. A pulse may be provided to the solenoid 78 from the timing logic 22 through the lead line 80. This is to lock out discs during the time the

reels

10, 12, 13 and 14 are continuing to rotate.

Turning now to FIG. 2, there is shown sensing mechanism which will indicate the radial position of an indicia reel. In this example, reel 10 will be described. It should be understood that all reels operate in a similar manner as reel 10. As can be seen, the reel is divided into a number of

increments

100, 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, etc. Around the entire peripheral edge thereof each reel will have a different indicia in each one of these indicia segments. For each of these segments a pair of north-south pole magnets are aligned on the radial axis thereof. This can best be shown with reference to FIG. 4. Associated with each indicia reel is a sensor board which is aligned to the exact pay-off line 112 and which is aligned with all other pay lines on the remaining reels. The sensor board 115 may be firmly affixed to a partition which is positioned between each rotating reel and mounted in a suitable manner thereto. Associated with each pair of magnets in the pay line row is a

reed switch

116, 118, 120, 122 and 124. With reference to FIG. 3, the reed switch 116 will be discussed in association with a pair of magnets. When the reel 10 finally comes to a stop, the flux path of the magnet, as shown by the line 120, will enter the metallic switch of the air gap reed capsule 1 16, causing this reed capsule to close. If there is no magnet present in a particular position near a reed switch, the switch naturally will not close. Each circumferential row of each radial row is associated with the symbol on the indicia segment thereof. For example, if the indicia segment 106, had an orange therein, the second reed switch 116 would be the only switch activated because the second circumferential row would contain the north-south magnetic poles. All of the other remaining holes therein would be empty. The reed capsules 116 may be mounted to a printed circuit board 1 15 and the printed circuit board mounted to the partition of the reel assembly as in a rigid position adjacent the rotating reel as set forth. The air gap (actuation point) of the reed capsule 116 are all aligned on the radius of the reel common to the pay line 112 so that pictures or indicias appearing on the pay line has a corresponding magnet pair in position to actuate the corresponding reed capsule.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown a typical four-reel sensor board interconnection and switching logic and in this particular embodiment all switches are shown deactivated.

The first sensor board 42 has six

switches

200, 202, 204, 206, 208 and 210 which correspond to a cherry, orange, plum, bell, bar and seven indicia, for example. Each switch has a common terminal coupled to a pay input pulse which is received from the timing logic 22 via pay pulse input line 50. The second sensor board 44 comprises

switches

212, 214, 216, 218, 220 and 222 and each has a common connection to a corresponding switch in the first sensor board 42. The switches are indicative of cherry, orange, plum, bell, bar and seven indicias similar to that on the first sensor board 42. Switch 212 is a double throw switch and has a terminal 224 which is coupled to a pay two output lead 226. When a signal is received on line 226, the diode matrix 52 sets the counter 54 to have a full register when two counts are fed in. Thereafter the pay logic 58 starts the hopper drive motor driving until two discs activate the disc count switch 62 and feeds two pulses through the feed-back pulse lead 64 to counter 54. Thereafter, the counter indicates a full register tum-off command to the lead 66 to the pay logic 58 which thereafter stops the motor 60 from operating.

The next sensor board 46 has a plurality of

switches

230, 232, 234, 236, 238, 240 which correspond to a cherry, orange, plum, bell, bar and seven. These terminals all have a common terminal which is activated by a corresponding switch on the second sensor board 44. Switch 230 is a double pull switch and has one terminal 242 coupled to a-pay five output lead 244. This will set the diode matrix 52 and the counter 54 in a similar manner as set forth with the pay two signal, except that it will cause the counter to have a full register when it reaches the numeral 5.

The fourth sensor board 48 has

similar switches

250, 252, 254, 256, 258, 260 all having a terminal which corresponds to corresponding switches on a third sensor board 46. In this fourth sensor board 48 all of the switches thereon are double throw switches and coupled in such a manner to provide different signals to the diode matrix 52 to enable different counts to be inserted into the counter 54.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown an example of a three reel switching logic which is designed to insure pay command only on the highest award given. The set up of the switches are similar to that shown in FIG. 5 except that a plurality of relays 300 are activated when straight line connections are provided from the pay pulse input 50. Electronic circuitry is provided to yield a pay pulse signal very shortly after the original pay pulse input along line 50 has been introduced, to permit time for corresponding relays to energize. For example, the pay pulse input along line 50 has a duration of 1 second, 50 milliseconds after the start of this pulse, the injunction transistor 320 conducts and turns on transistor 324 which then injects a pulse into the line of relay switches, now activated. The

relays will pull in the switches so that the signal will pay on the highest award only.

For example, if three bells are lined up on one certain place on the reels and three sevens are also lined up on a different place, current will charge the capacitor 331 at the emitter of the unijunction transistor 320, and after a short time delay to allow the relays to energize, turning on the

transistors

322 and 324. Switch 310 will be pulled in to allow pay-out through a pay 200 output lead and the relay 306 will pull in the switch to the pay 18' pay-out terminal. Because the 200 pay-out relay 310 has been pulled in, no current will be supplied to the relay 306 and therefore only the 200 pay command will be applied to the diode matrix.

Referring now to FIG. 7 there is shown the timing logic used in the embodiment of this invention which comprises a self start circuit 400 which starts and sets a ready gate 402. When the ready gate 402 is turned on an arming circuit 404 is ready to be set by a coin input pulse. This pulse is provided when a coin is inserted into the machine and trips the coin input switch 30, and sends the arm command into the timing logic. When the arm command is present, a handle switch 26 is energized and provides a start command to a motor circuit 406. It is this circuit 400 which supplies energy to start motor 20 (FIG. 1) rotating. This motor circuit 406 in turn energizes a variable clock 408 which is on for a preset time. After the preset time, the variable clock 408 sets an idle circuit 410 which in turn de-energizes the reel motor 20, and the

reels

10, 12, 13 and 14 idle by virtue of their own inertia. The idle circuit has a timing circuit therein which, after the preset time, activates a reel stop circuit 412. The reel stop circuit provides a stop signal on the lead 34 to the first reel 10, causing that reel to stop. The reel circuit 412 also starts a variable clock 414 which also, after predetermined time, energizes the next preceding reel stop circuit (not shown). This next reel stop circuit applies energy to the lead 36 on the timing logic 22 and stops the reel 12 from rotating. Each reel is stopped in turn by the variable clocks in the timing circuit 22 until the reel 16 is stopped by the reel stop circuit 416.

The reel stop circuits also start the corresponding variable clock 418 which thereafter provides a ready signal to the ready gate 402 via the line 420. This readies the gate for the next self start signal from the self start circuit 400 and sets the arming circuit to accept disc input signals. The arming circuit 404 is provided so that no disc input signal is available on the arming circuit 404 without a signal present from the ready gate 402.

To assure that each of the reels are stopped, a feedback leakage circuit is provided through the diodes 422 in a manner such that enough current is supplied to each one of the

leads

34, 36, 38 and 40 in their sequential order as provided by the appropriate reel stop circuit so that the solenoids or the like that stop the

reels

10, 12, 13 and 14 in a manner to keep them held in and prevent the reels from rotating off their alignment.

Referring now to FIG. 8A there is shown a circuit diagram of the system concept of FIG. 7. The self start circuit 400 which provides the initial pulse includes an SCR diode 432 which has its anode electrode coupled through a lamp 434 into a terminal 436 which may have a positive voltage applied thereto (24 volts DC).

The cathode electrode of the SCR diode 432 is coupled to the ground potential. A biasing resistor 438 is coupled between the gate electrode of the diode 432 and the ground potential and a capacitor 440 is coupled in parallel with the resistor 438. The capacitor 440 may be referred to as a denoising capacitor and used in a manner well known to those skilled in the art. A leakage current appears across the lamp 434 and is applied across biasing

resistors

442 and 444 which are coupled between the anode electrode of the SCR diode 432 and the ground potential and has the base electrode of a transistor 446 coupled between the

resistors

442 and 444. The leakage current which appears across the lamp 434 will eventually turn on the transistor 446.

The transistor 446 has its emitter electrode coupled to a pair of

diodes

448 and 450 which are coupled in series to the ground potential. The collector electrode thereof is coupled through a pair of

current resistors

452 and 454 to the terminal 436. The base electrode of a transistor 456 is coupled between the

resistors

452 and 454 and when transistor 446 turns on, transistor 456 is also turned on and provides a phase inversion. The emitter electrode of the transistor 456 is coupled through a pair of

diodes

460 and 462 to the terminal 436 and the collector electrode is coupled through a resistor 462 to the gate electrode 464 of a unijunction transistor 463. The source electrode of the unijunction transistor 468 is coupled through a current resistor 470 to the terminal 436 and the drain electrode of the unijunction transistor 468 is coupled back in to the gate electrode of the diode 432 and to the output lead 474.

When transistor 456 turns on it causes a capacitor 476 which is coupled between the gate electrode 464 of the unijunction transistor 468 and the ground reference to charge in a manner dictated by the resistance of the resistor 462. Eventually the current charge on the capacitor 476 reaches a potential and applies this potential to the gate electrode 464 of the unijunction transistor 468 until the breakdown voltage is reached thereacross. At this time a signal is applied directly to the output lead 474. This signal is also applied to the gate electrode of the silicon controlled rectifier 432 which causes that diode 432 to conduct. When 432 starts conducting, the base electrode of transistor 446 falls low and that transistor in turn turns offrThis turns off transistor 456 which thereafter turns off unijunction transistor 468.

As can be apparent, the self starting system is regenerative and continues to provide pulses on the output lead 474 in a regenerative manner and in a time sequence as set by the RC time constant of resistor 462 and capacitor 476.

Referring now to FIG. 8b, the output lead 474 from the self starting circuit 400 shown in FIG. 8a is coupled to a diode 500 into the gate electrode of the SCR diode 502. The anode of the SCR diode is coupled through a lamp 504 to a terminal 506 which may have the plus volts DC applied thereto. The cathode electrode of the SCR diode 502 is coupled to the ground reference. An input terminal 510 is coupled through a diode 515 and a resistor 514 to the anode electrode of the SCR diode 502. The terminal 510 is activated by the coin switch and provides a pulse to the terminal 510 when the switch 30 is activated.

When a timing pulse from the self start circuit 460 is applied to the gate electrode of the SCR diode 502, the lamp 504 is turned on indicating to the operator that a disc may be deposited into the system at this time. If the ready gate 402 comprising the SCR diode 502 is not operated, discs placed into the machine will not activate the system.

The cathode of diode 515 is coupled through a capacitor 516 to the gate electrode of a SCR diode 520. The anode electrode of the SCR diode 520 is coupled to a lamp 522 through the terminal 506 and the cathode electrode is coupled to the ground reference. SCR diode 502 must be energized before a pulse applied to 510 from the switch 30 will activate the SCR diode 520.

A similar circuit is coupled in series with the preceding circuit and comprises an SCR diode 524 having an anode coupled through a lamp 526 to the terminal 506 and having a cathode electrode coupled to the ground reference. A pulse input 530 is coupled through a diode 532 through a capacitor 534 to the gate electrode of the SCR diode 524. Also coupled to the cathode of diode 532 is a series coupled resistor 536 and a capacitor 538 back to the anode of the diode 524. When a signal is applied to the terminal 530 as a start command from the switch 26 of FIG. 1, SCR diode 524 will turn on. This starts the capacitor 538 charging which in turn turns off the preceding SCR diodes 520 and 502. The signal applied to. 530 will not energize the diode 524 until a signal has been applied to terminal 510 to energize SCR diode 520. When diode 524 comes on, the junction 540 between the anode electrode of SCR diode 524 and the lead 526 goes virtually to ground and this causes the relay 542 to energize the switch 544 which pulls in an SCR reel motor turn on control comprising

SCR diodes

546 and 548. The purpose of using the SCR diodes in this particular embodiment is a well known expedient which prevents inductive feedback from the motor 520 into the circuit. I

A clock circuit is provided and comprises a transistor 550 having an emitter electrode coupled through a current resistor 552 to a terminal 506 which provides a plus 25 voltage DC power thereto. The collector electrode of the transistor S50 is coupled through control rheostat 554 to the gate electrode 556 of a unijunction transistor 558. The gate electrode 556 of unijunction transistor 558 is coupled through a capacitor 560 to the ground reference. The base of transistor 550 is coupled through a resistor 562 to the terminal 506 and also through the resistor 564 to the junction 540.

When the SCR diode 524 turns on in the manner heretofore described and the junction 540 goes to ground, a current builds up sufficient across the resistors 562 and 564 to cause the transistor 550 to turn on. When transistor 550 turns on, the capacitor 560 charges in a time provided by the RC time constant of the capacitor 560 and the resistor 554. This timing is adjustable by adjusting the wiper arm of the rheostat 554. When the charge on the transistor 560 reaches a sufiicient level it causes a breakdown of the unijunction transistor 558 causing it to conduct.

An SCR transistor 562 is coupled between the ground reference and through a lamp 564 to the terminal 506 and has its gate electrode coupled to the drain electrode of the unijunction transistor 558. When unijunction transistor 558 starts to conduct, a clock signal from the circuit comprising the transistor 564 and operating similar to the transistor clock circuit 550 starts to charge a like capacitor 566 through the resistor 568. When SCR diode 562 turns on the capacitor 570 causes the SCR diode 524 to turn off. When the capacitor 566 is charged to the sufficient level, unijunction transistor 570 conducts, causing the SCR diode 572 to conduct.

When SCR diode 562 turns on and causes SCR diode 524 to turn off the relay 542 disconnects the switch 544. The motor 20 no longer receives energy and the

reels

10, 12, 13 and 14 thereafter start to idle by their own inertial force.

The variable clock 414 and the reel stop circuit 416 are represented by the circuit comprising he transistor 578, the resistor 580 and the capacitor 582. The reel stop circuit 416 includes the unijunction transistor 584 and the SCR diode 586. This circuit operates similar in the fashion as heretofore explained in the previous circuits. Between each of the output leads 34, 36, 38 and 40 (where only 34 and 40 are shown in the schematic in FIG. 8b) the diode 590 is coupled between the

circuits

34 and 36, for example, to provide a leakage current back to the lead 34. Thus when SCR diode 572 is turned on and supplies stop current to the terminal 592 on lead 34, the reel will stop and likewise when the preceding reel 12 receives stop energy from its appropriate clock and stopping circuit, current is applied to lead 36. This lead provides leakage current through the diode 590 to hold current to the terminal 592 to hold reel 10 in place, but the current provided by diode 572 is no longer available in that 572 has stopped by virtue of the operation of the capacitor 594 in the manner previously described.

A reel stop and clock circuit comprising transistor 594, unijunction transistor 596 and SCR diode 598 provide current through the lead 600 which holds all reels stopped and also through the resistor 602 for a predetermined time. The next clock and reel stop comprising transistor 604 and unijunction transistor 606, provides current through the lead 608 to again turn on SCR diode 502 to start the current operating in the manner previously described.

An interlock or disc stop circuit 610 is included and is operated whenever the diode 502 is conducting by virtue of the ground being at the anode of the diode 502 and the 25 volt DC power provided by the terminal 506. This provides the disc reject lock-out solenoid 78 as shown in FIG. 1 is energized through the leads 612.

An advantage is provided by the timing circuit shown in FIG. 8a and 8b in that each clock signal provided to the timing circuit is independently adjustable and can be independently adjusted in time to each

reel

10, 12, 13 or 14 to provide the stop signals at appropriate times. The adjustability of such a timing circuit provides that precision adjustment may be provided to each output.

It should be understood that many modifications and alterations are possible. For example, the number of reels used is immaterial in that any number can be used to make the game more interesting. The type of reed switches are illustrative of only one type of reed switches and it should be understood that other types of reed switches could also be used.

Having thus described one preferred embodiment of this invention, what is claimed is:

l. A gaming device, including:

a plurality of rotatable reels, each reel having indicia around the circumference thereof which is indicative of a selected meaning:

a plurality of magnetic means for each reel of said plurality of reels, each magnetic means of each plurality of reels being disposed at a different location along the radial axis of the corresponding indicium of each reel to determine the indicia on the corresponding circumferential end;

drive means coupled to said plurality of reels for causing said plurality of reels to rotate;

stop circuit means associated with each reel of said plurality for applying a stop signal independently to each reel of said plurality;

a disc-operated start switch;

timing logic means responsive to said start switch for applying an energizing signal to said drive means and for individually applying an energizing signal to said stop circuit means associated with each reel;

sense means associated with each said plurality of magnetic means of each reel of said plurality for sensing the predetermined value of each reel according to the indicium thereon when said reels stopped rotating;

computing means responsive to said sense means for computing the cumulative value of the reels according to the alignment of the indicias thereon;

and payout means responsive to said computing means for paying out a plurality of discs dependent upon the cumulative value of said computing means.

2. A gaming device as defined in claim wherein said payout means includes:

first logic means responsive to said computing means for'providing output signals indicative of the combined positions of said reels;

a counter-register having a changeable full register point responsive to said first logic means and being adapted to having a full register capacity depending upon the output signals of said computing means;

second logic means responsive to said first logic means for providing an output signal;

and count means responsive to the output signal of said second logic means for providing count pulses to said counter register.

3. The gaming device defined in claim 2 wherein said count means includes;

a rotatable hopper adapted to hold a plurality of discs and to pay out discs during rotation thereof;

a drive motor adapted to be energized by the output signal of said second logic means to drive said hopper; and

disc operated switch means adapted to be energized by said discs passing thereby and provide a count pulse to said counter-register for each disc passing thereby until the sum total of the disc count pulses agrees with the full register capacity registered in said counter register.

4. The gaming device as defined in claim 3 wherein said counter register further including an output means coupled to said second logic means to cause said second logic means to de-energize said drive motor when the total disc count pulses agree with the registered capacity of said counter register.

5. The gaming device as defined in claim 1 wherein said magnetic means disposed along the radius of each of said reel of said plurality including magnets, one each being disposed on a differing circumferential radius of each reel and said sense means associated with each reel including a plurality of stationary reed switches disposed in a line with circumferential radius and adapted to be energized by the magnet associated therewith.

6. The gaming device as defined in claim 5 and further including a pay pulse output circuit being responsive to said computing means and being coupled to said reed switches, and said computing means including a plurality of output circuits coupled to said sensing means and being adapted to be energized by the combination of reed switches energized by said magnets.

. 7. The gaming circuit as defined in claim 6 wherein said payout means including disc operated switch means adapted to be energized by discs passing thereby and providing a count pulse to said counter for each disc.

8. The gaming device as defined in claim 1 wherein said timing logic means including:

a self-start circuit;

a ready gate adapted to be activated by said'self-start circuit;

an arming gate being adapted to be energized by said disc operated start switch and said ready gate and being adapted to de-energize said ready gate;

a drive means gate for energizing said drive means and de-energizing said arming gate, said drive means gate including a first input means being energized by said arming gate, and a second input means, said drive means gate being energized by said first input means and said second input means;

an idle gate adapted to be energized by said drive means gate adapted to de-energized said drive means; and

said reel stop circuit means coupled to said plurality of rotatable reels including delay means for each reel stop circuit means for applying said independent stop signal to each reel in a sequential order.

9. The gaming device as defined in claim 8 and further including delay means coupled between the last reel stop circuit means and said ready-gate for de-energizing said ready-gate when the last stop circuit means is energized.

10. The gaming device as defined in claim 9 and further including a delay means coupled between said drive means gate and said idle gate, said pair of delay means being adjustable for different delay times between said drive means gate and said idle gate 11. A gaining device including:

1 1. A gaming device including:

a plurality of rotatable reels, each said reel having a plurality of sectors along the periphery thereof and each sector having an indicia thereon representative of a predetermined value;

a magnet disposed along the radial axis of each reel and at a different diametric ositi de e din upon the peripheral sector fc ir proviiiing signai indicative of the predetermined value;

drive means coupled to said plurality of reels for causing said reels to rotate;

stop circuit means associated with each reel of said plurality for applying a stop signal independently to each reel of said plurality; a disc operated start switch; timing logic means responsive to said start switch for applying an energizing signal to said drive means and for individually applying an energizing signal to said stop circuit means associated with each reel; sense means associated with each reel of said plurality for sensing the predetermined value of each reel when stopped, said sense means including a plurality of radial disposed magnetically operated switches disposed on each circumferential radii and a selected one of said magnetically operated switches being adapted to be enabled by thecorresponding magnet on the corresponding sector of the selected reel; computing means responsive to said sense means for computing cumulative value of each reel; and

pay-out means responsive to said computing means for paying out a plurality of discs depending upon the cumulative value of said computing means.

12. The gaming device as set forth in claim 11 wherein said magnetically operated switches being reed switches.

Claims

1. A gaming device, including: a plurality of rotatable reels, each reel having indicia around the circumference thereof which is indicative of a selected meaning: a plurality of magnetic means for each reel of said plurality of reels, each magnetic means of each plurality of reels being disposed at a different location along the radial axis of the corresponding indicium of each reel to determine the indicia on the corresponding circumferential end; drive means coupled to said plurality of reels for causing said plurality of reels to rotate; stop circuit means associated with each reel of said plurality for applying a stop signal independently to each reel of said plurality; a disc-operated start switch; timing logic means responsive to said start switch for applying an energizing signal to said drive means and for individually applying an energizing signal to said stop circuit means associated with each reel; sense means associated with each said plurality of magnetic means of each reel of said plurality for sensing the predetermined value of each reel according to the indicium thereon when said reels stopped rotating; computing means responsive to said sense means for computing the cumulative value of the reels according to the alignment of the indicias thereon; and payout means responsive to said computing means for paying out a plurality of discs dependent upon the cumulative value of said computing means.

2. A gaming device as defined in claim wherein said payout means includes: first logic means responsive to said computing means for providing output signals indicative of the combined positions of said reels; a counter-register having a changeable full register point responsive to said first logic means and being adapted to having a full register capacity depending upon the output signals of said computing means; second logic means responsive to said first logic means for providing an output signal; and count means responsive to the output signal of said second logic means for providing count pulses to said counter register.

3. The gaming device defined in claim 2 wherein said count means includes; a rotatable hopper adapted to hold a plurality of discs and to pay out discs during rotation thereof; a drive motor adapted to be energized by the output signal of said second logic means to drive said hopper; and disc operated switch means adapted to be energized by said discs passing thereby and provide a count pulse to said counter-register for each disc passing thereby until the sum total of the disc count pulses agrees with the full register capacity registered in said counter register.

7. The gaming circuit as defined in claim 6 wherein said payout means including disc operated switch means adapted to be energized by discs passing thereby and providing a count pulse to said counter for each disc.

8. The gaming device as defined in claim 1 wherein said timing logic means including: a self-start circuit; a ready gate adapted to be activated by said self-start circuit; an arming gate being adapted to be energized by said disc operated start switch and said ready gate and being adapted to de-energize said ready gate; a drive means gate for energizing said drive means and de-energizing said arming gate, said drive means gate including a first input means being energized by said arming gate, and a second input means, said drive means gate being energized by said first input means and said second input means; an idle gate adapted to be energized by said drive means gate adapted to de-energized said drive means; and said reel stop circuit means coupled to said plurality of rotatable reels including delay means for each reel stop circuit means for applying said independent stop signal to each reel in a sequential order.

10. The gaming device as defined in claim 9 and further including a delay means coupled between said drive means gate and said idle gate, said pair of delay means being adjustable for different delay times between said drive means gate and said idle gate

11. A gaining device including:

11. A gaming device including: a plurality of rotatable reels, each said reel having a plurality of sectors along the periphery thereof and each sector having an indicia thereon representative of a predetermined value; a magnet disposed along the radial axis of each reel and at a different diametrical position depending upon the peripheral sector for providing a signal indicative of the predetermined value; drive means coupled to said plurality of reels for causing said reels to rotate; stop circuit means associated with each reel of said plurality for applying a stop signal independently to each reel of said plurality; a disc operated start switch; timing logic means responsive to said start switch for applying an energizing signal to said drive means and for individually applying an energizing signal to said stop circuit means associated with each reel; sense means associated with each reel of said plurality for sensing the predetermined value of each reel when stopped, said sense means including a plurality of radial disposed magnetically operated switches disposed on each circumferential radii and a selected one of said magnetically operated switches being adapted to be enabled by the corresponding magnet on the corresponding sector of the selected reel; computing means responsive to said sense means for computing cumulative value of each reel; and pay-out means responsive to said computing means for paying out a plurality of discs depending upon the cumulative value of said computing means.