WO1994025127A1

WO1994025127A1 - Coin activated machine for playing bingo

Info

Publication number: WO1994025127A1
Application number: PCT/NO1994/000039
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jan Harry ØIEN
Original assignee: Oeien Jan Harry
Priority date: 1993-04-29
Filing date: 1994-02-15
Publication date: 1994-11-10
Also published as: FI955135A0; EP0705124A1; NO178128C; AU6691494A; CZ282395A3; BG100100A; NO931552D0; CA2161447A1; FI955135A; NO178128B; NO931552L

Abstract

The invention is related to a coin activated automaton particularly arranged for bingo game close according to the ordinary rules of bingo. The automaton includes among other things a microprocessor which controls the selection of the numbers which are in the 25th. fields of a certain bingo piece. The actual piece is fetched among a great number of pieces generated by a certain algorithm. The collection of pieces are a sufficient amount of numbers so as each piece experience as random generated. At the same time there is drawn a list of prizes of this round of the game. In this way it is possible in single game or round of the game using a few pieces to play with the same probability for top prize as in ordinary bingo halls, but attaining the appeal of the game as for the game of impulse it is necessary that a relative small prize occurs frequently. The pieces bought by the player are displayed at the front panel of where also the necessary operating equipment for choice of new game or the way of payment are placed.

Description

COIN ACTIVATED MACHINE FOR PLAYING BINGO.

Bingo _^s a game that tnroαght quite a while appearently has appealed to players. The shape and rules of the game are mostly the same among players and m the different countries. This is essential for the players in order to be able to identify the numbers that are drawn out.

In ordinary bingo in Europe the numbers 1 to 75 are m use. Twenty-five of these numbers are placed in a matrix consisting of five columns and five lines. According to the invention each of these matrix of numbers are named as a game card. A player buys a number of game cards, tne typical numbers is from one to five cards,and he keeps an eye on all his cards when the numbers drawn out are presented one by one. Skilled players can easily keep an eye on their cards as long as the game is based on the ordinary rules.

Bingo organizers are dependent on selling sufficient numbers of cards to get an income corresponding to the prizes that the players have been expected. The way of disidmg the prizes is usually a matter of experience, but it implies that a round of the game is not able to start and make profit before the organizer has sold a certain number of cards. Bingo is for that reason not a game of impulse m the same way as slot machines, pajazzo or the like.

Games of bingo are arranged where the players buys a number of cards where the number matrix is suitably covered and where a number of prizes are drawn m advance. These games primarily represent an alternative to other lotteries that are drawn m advance and tney require a link of sale, a net of distributors and administration of income as well as payment of the prizes. It is tnus one of the objectives of the present invention to produce a game of bingo which appeals to the impulse playing m the same way the pajazzos do. Further, it is an aim to attract the attention of ordinary bingo players by transfeπng the game's original appeal. At the same time it is one of the purposes of the invention to provide a game with a reduced need for expensive manual service as well as payment of the prizes.

The idea behind this invention is based on the use of an automaton where a microprocessor controls the selection of the numbers that are to be included in a certain bingo piece's 25 squares. The actual piece is fetched from a great number of different pieces generated by a certain algorithm. The selection of pieces consists of a sufficient amount that the generation of single pieces is sufficient to ensure a random generation. At the same time the range of the prizes of this round of game is drawn out. In this way single games or rounds of games with only a few pieces can be played with the same probability for profit as in ordinary bingo halls, but now with the attainment of the impulse player's playing appeal.

The pieces are shown at the front of a game machine that as for as construction is concerned are very similar to slot machines, pajazzos and the like. And they are placed at spots with a corresponding supply of players. The front of the automaton gives direct recogniztion of the bingo game because of a transfer of the shape of an ordinary bingo piece to the design which is shown on the front of the automaton.

These automatons need ust a minimum of maintenance and debugging which therefor saticfy the claims profitable operation. In the shape preferred the basic idea of the invention is realized in the form of a bingo game. The basic idea of the invention can also be realized through designs that by the players immediately will be recognized as lotto game, keeno or the like.

These aims are attained by the description presented the enclosed claims. The invention will be explained more closely with reference to the drawing which shows the front panel of a machine with the preferred shape.

Reference number 1 m tne figure refers to a un t for the display of prize possibility in addition to instruction rules for potential players and players who during the game have to do certain actions as to make a choice of certain game pieces. The shown prefered shape of the invention uses a front panel containing five game pieces, but the invention is not connected to the number of game pieces m the panel. Reference number 2 shows a ligthmg area indicating the chosen bingo piece no. 3. In a central place inside the automaton a microprocessor is placed for the watching and controlling of all the functions. The most important functions are logged m the microprocessor and they are fetched according to the needs by means of a printer.

This could be information as for instance total result on account according to current laws. Unit 6 is also used if the player chooses to receive possible prizes as gift tokens. These formulars are stored m a store 5 for gift tokens. Reference no. 7 shows a payment bowl for delivery of coins, game tickets or gift token. The profit of the automaton is stored in a cash register box no. 8, while coins and game tickets are placed m store no. 9.

The switch panel 10 consists of units for choosing one or more pieces, for the starting of new game rounds, including the display of the round's of list of prizes, it also consists of units for making the choice of transfermg a prize to new games in addition to a unit for payment of the prizes.

The list of prizes 11 shows the numbers drawn out m the single round of the game. In a preferred shape using the numoers 1 to ^5 on the pieces, the list of prizes will contain twenty numbers. The unit 12 is used for the display of game information such as the total number of bought pieces, total prize, last prize and so on. In the same way as for other coin activated automatons the present shape of the invention has a coin or game ticket reader 13 for the buying of games in addition to activating of a new round of the game. The reader 13 controls the value of the com and the game tickets. It also refuses mvalied stake and it classifies coins/ game tickets and distribute them to the respective stores. The sensed value is reported to the microprocessor unit 4. In addition there is a bank note reader 14 and a credit card reader 15.

If the stake is fed into the machine through the units 13, 14 or 15 then five game pieces are fetched from the microprocessor unit 4. The pieces are shown with the given combination of for instance 25 numbers. The player chooses a certain piece, or with sufficient stake, more or all the pieces. The chosen piece is lighted n the present shape by the light fields 2. Then the player starts the round of the game by means of the switch panel 10.

The list of prizes are displayed on unit 11 in combination with a light signal for each displayed number. The order of the displaying and frequency can easily be varied according to what is most suitable. The numbers m the list of prizes are marked at the same time m the pieces where the numbers can be found. The player soon learn therefor which of the round's displayed pieces that wins. In the automaton some mechanical and electronical units which are developed for use n similar automatic machines are used. These units cooperate with the game's front panel and with the algorithms particularly developed to a unit which in an easy way can be adjusted to local need and new trends. Central to the idea of this invention is that the invention has arranged so that bingo can be played as an impulse game, with a relativly low stake with full recognition of the bingo rules and with the same game experience as m ordinary bingo arranged by permanent bingo orgenizers n greater assembly rooms. With simple and well know facilities it is possible to connect each automaton to greater or smaller chains of automatons that are situated close by. By using addition as mean of communication, it is possible to connect several bingo halls m the same region and even bingo halls in different towns. In this way it is possible for each bingo automaton to take part m the payment of jack pot prizes consisting of high payment because of the great number of automatons that individually are part of the chain. This additional function which first of all improves the game's appeal, has been appropriately advertized on the front panel of the automatons. Other supplement functions are some of the printers inside the invented automatons, they are equipted with means for additional lotteries.

Claims

C L A I M S

1. Coin activated payment delivery automaton for bingo game ment for placing into assembly rooms and at public places consisting of a cabinet with mainly a vertical front panel, a microprocessor unit (4) controlling the functions of the automaton, units for reading value of coins (13) , bank notes (1 ) or credit cards (15), store (5) for gift tokens, printer (6) for printing how the microprocessor unit (4) functions and puts on information of the gift tokens, payment bowl (7) for coins, store (9) for coins or game tickets, include a equipment (1) for displaying the possible prizes of the game, characterized by

- that the automaton on its front panel display a num-oer of real bingo pieces (3) not filled in with numbers,

- that the bingo pieces on the front panel for each round of the game automatically are complited with certain numbers in a similar way as for ordinary bingo pieces,

- an arrangement (11) to display the range of prizes of the round of the game,

- means for showing the results in each round of the game on each piece for controlling of the bought pieces against the range of prizes.

2. Coin activated payment delivery automaton as m claim 1, characterized by that the number placed m each piece when playing by means of the microprocessor unit (4) are fetched from a store with m advanced shaped bingo pieces with belonging list of prizes displayed on the arrangement for this purpose.

3. Coin activated payment automaton as in claim 2, characterized by that the number m each bingo matrix element is displayed by means of a seven segment LED display.

4. Com activated payment delivery automaton as in claim 2, characterized by that the number in each bingo matrix element is displayed by means of dot matrix display.

5. Com activated payment delivery automaton as in the claims 1-4, characterized by that after the input of the stake by a coin receiver (13), a bank note reader (14) or a credit card reader (15), are one or more bingo pieces (3) bought when operating a switch panel (10), when after the bought piece (3) is marked by lighting a light field (2) .

6. Coin activated payment delivery automaton as in the claims 1-5, characterized by that the numbers (11) in the list of prizes are displayed one by one when the player starts a round of the game and that possible similar numbers in each of the bingo pieces are lighted extra bright.

7. Coin activated payment delivery automaton as I the foregoing claims, characterized by that the arrangment (1) for given information about use also contain text that specify the topp prize in such a way that the players knowing the rules of ordinary bingo will recognize the bingo automaton's close relation to the distingtive stamp and peculiarity.