EP0696370B1 - System for playing with several game machines set up at a distance from each other - Google Patents

Abstract

A system is disclosed for playing with several game machines (2, 4) set up at a distance from each other, in particular coin-operated machines. The system has at least two game machines (2, 4) set up at two different locations. A bidirectional connection line (20) extends between the game machines (2, 4). Another domain of application of the disclosed system concerns game machine centres. This embodiment variation of the disclosed system concerns playing with several game machines set up at a distance from each other but located in the same game machine centre (302, 304, 306). Alternatively, however, communications may be established and games may be played between several game machine centres (303, 304, 306).

Description

The invention relates to a system for playing on a number of entertainment devices, in particular coin-operated, placed at a distance from one another.

With the increasing possibilities of data communication, spatial distances are becoming less and less important. The communication participants can exchange data etc. regardless of the respective location, provided the corresponding devices and connecting lines are available.

For example, US-A-4 880 237 discloses an entertainment device system with a number of entertainment devices in which a central data processing system coordinates the system functions and an identification code is assigned to each player. The game is controlled by means of the entertainment device and player data entered in each case.

In the case of a game known from EP-A-0 405 776 for a plurality of participants located at a distance from one another and networked with one another, each of the participants has a personal computer. A one-way communication device is provided, each network connection being connected to each personal computer in order to receive data from the mass communication device and to transmit it to the personal computer. Because of the one-way bulk communication type, the cost is independent of the number of users and is relatively low.

Entertainment devices are also known which are provided with an interface for the data output and are provided with a data carrier for recording operating and identification data. A data processing device with an interface for the input / output of entertainment device data is arranged remotely from the entertainment devices. Transportable buffers in the form of an electronic memory card are provided for the data transfer from the entertainment devices to the data processing device and back.

For example, US-A-4,572,509 describes a system of distributed video game devices which can be selectively connected to form a homogeneous video game device. The video game devices are bidirectionally connected to one another and to a central data processing system.

In another game system according to US-A-4 998 199, a number of independent entertainment devices are interconnected by transmission lines. A group-wise playing of the devices is provided, whereby a number of devices can be played simultaneously.

The invention is based, to enable flexible and location-independent game operation in a system of entertainment devices communicating with one another. This object is achieved in a system with the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments of the system according to the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

A system according to the invention for playing on a number of entertainment devices, in particular coin-operated entertainment devices that are set up at a distance from one another thus comprises at least two entertainment devices set up at two different locations.

According to the invention, a system is provided for playing on a plurality of entertainment devices, in particular coin-operated, which are set up at a distance from one another, the entertainment devices each being located in different entertainment device centers. A bidirectional connecting line is provided between the entertainment devices and can be used to influence the course of the game, if necessary. The system according to the invention thus comprises at least two entertainment devices set up in two different entertainment device centers and at least two entertainment device centers each provided with a central data processing system, which assigns incoming signals to the relevant entertainment devices and assigns outgoing entertainment device signals to the respective entertainment device center of the other entertainment device. An additional central data processing system is also provided. A bidirectional connecting line is arranged between the additional central data processing system of the entertainment device centers and between the entertainment devices and the central unit or central data processing system of the respective entertainment device center.

It can be played simultaneously at different locations. Of course, it is also possible to play with each other with a time offset, the game data then being stored in a storage device of the system. Through the storage, the point in time of the continuation of the game can essentially be freely chosen in such a way that a delayed and / or later game is possible.

The invention makes it possible to play against or with each other on-line at two different places on entertainment devices, as if one were playing only at one place. The device or Player dialogue takes place via the bidirectional connecting line, with a possible mutual influencing of the game process being possible. A modem data transmission line can be provided for the communication connection. Networking of the entertainment devices and / or entertainment device centers can also be provided.

The entertainment devices are each advantageously provided with a display which also directly displays the game-relevant data of the other devices. In this way, the game status on the other device (other devices) can be followed immediately. In particular, the result of the opponent is displayed on the other entertainment device. Furthermore, it is advisable to compare the results of the opponents with each other and to display them as a total or subtraction result, which is particularly used when teams play against each other. Furthermore, it is preferable to play on a common playing field and to display the result of the other player in a flashing or different manner. The spatial distance is hardly noticeable.

According to a preferred embodiment, a large screen display is provided, which enables the game process to be followed by several people. In this way, not only the directly active players take part in the game, but a larger group of people can be involved, which makes the game appeal and the immediacy of the game very much greater. Such a large screen display can be used, for example, to display team points, tables, scores, rankings of the players, etc. The game can be organized like a tournament, for example, by creating a control of the game operation and announcement options via loudspeakers. After breaks, the spectators and the players can can be called up again to the devices or the displays or large screens. An acoustic or optical signal generator can advantageously be connected to the central data processing system, which emits a signal to notify the players when an external entertainment device signal is received for an entertainment device of the entertainment device center concerned. This signal can be enough to call the people involved to play. Otherwise, a loudspeaker announcement or an optical signal, for example in the form of a continuous display bar on the large screens or all screens or by means of special flashing signals, can be used.

Corresponding to the larger turnover, but also to simplify administration, it can advantageously be provided that the central data processing system comprises a money processing system which enables central control and allocation of the used money stakes. Communication between the money centers of the various gaming device centers can also be provided.

In this way, the cash register of the gaming hall concerned, the card issuing etc. can be monitored and controlled centrally. The transition from one device to another is easily possible, since the billing takes place centrally.

Billing and evaluation can take place at a third location. A remote data transmission line to a separate personal computer of the operator is preferably used for this purpose. The system data is transferred to the evaluation computer via this line and evaluated there. For example, statistics and operational overviews can be created at the operator.

The system according to the invention also enables a game connection of at least two entertainment devices for different entertainment device types.

In the system according to the invention, a display and output of the course of the game, the game results and / or the game evaluation is advantageously provided to represent the opposing game.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung einer ersten Systemvariante mit zwei voneinander entfernt aufgestellten Unterhaltungsgeräten,

Fig. 2

eine schematische Darstellung einer zweiten Systemvariante in einem Unterhaltungsgerätezentrum und

Fig. 3

eine schematische Darstellung einer dritten Systemvariante unter Einbeziehung mehrerer Unterhaltungsgerätezentren.

The invention is described below with reference to preferred embodiments and the drawing. The drawing shows:

Fig. 1

1 shows a schematic representation of a first system variant with two entertainment devices installed at a distance from one another,

Fig. 2

a schematic representation of a second system variant in an entertainment center and

Fig. 3

is a schematic representation of a third system variant including several entertainment device centers.

In the following, reference is first made to FIG. 1, in which a first variant of the system according to the invention is shown. Two entertainment devices, here gaming machines 2, 4, which are set up separately from one another and are provided with a coin, bill or card input and output, and which may otherwise have a conventional structure and function, each have a device display 6, 8. Large screen displays 10, 12 are provided on the gaming devices 2, 4, respectively. Cameras 14, 16 are directed at the device displays 6, 8 and are each connected to the associated gaming machine 2, 4 via a line 18, 20 and interface 22, 24. The Display images recorded by the cameras 14, 16 are passed to the large screen displays 10, 12 via data processing devices present in the gaming machines, so that the displays can be viewed and recognized not only by the players directly involved, but also by a larger group of people.

A modem 26, 28 is installed in each of the gaming machines 2, 4. The gaming machines 2, 4 are connected to one another by means of a bidirectional connecting line 30.

This gaming machine arrangement enables two players to play with one another at two different locations. This can be done online. Alternatively, a delayed game operation can be implemented using suitable memories and controls. Only two people can play with each other on two play equipment 2, 4. Alternatively, several players can play on the gaming machines. This is facilitated by the provision of the large screen displays 10, 12.

1 shows two coin-operated gaming machines. However, other entertainment devices can of course also be used in the system according to the invention. Furthermore, goods dispensing devices or the like can also be integrated into such a system.

A second variant of the system according to the invention is shown in FIG. 2. Various entertainment devices, for example slot machines 102, 106, 110, 112, 114, 116, a dart game device 104, a bowling alley 108, a video game device 118 and a laser shooting device 120, are set up here in an entertainment device center (arcade). The entertainment devices are all equipped with interfaces etc. and are connected via bidirectional lines 166 to a connecting line 168 in such a way that all Entertainment devices of the entertainment center can communicate with each other.

A central data processing system 150 is provided for the communication control and monitoring, which is connected to the connecting line 168 via a line 170.

The system according to Fig. 2 enables game operation e.g. the slot machines 102, 106, 110, 112, 114, 116 with each other. Game operation is controlled via the data processing system 150.

As further shown in FIG. 2, a personal computer 152 is connected to the central data processing system 150 via a line 154. The personal computer 152 is connected to a printer 158 via a line 156. The personal computer 152 is not necessarily located in the entertainment center. Thus, the personal computer 152 can also be located elsewhere at the operator who wants to carry out the evaluation of the device data as well as the business evaluation, statistics etc. independently of the game operation, but using the central data processing system.

3 shows a third variant of the system according to the invention. In this case, a number of entertainment device centers 302, 304, 306 are connected to a bidirectional connecting line 314 via lines 308, 310, 312. For the sake of simplicity, it is assumed that the entertainment device centers are otherwise organized and equipped as shown in FIG. 2. Another data processing system, here a personal computer 316, is connected to the connecting line 314 via a line 318.

The personal computer 316 can in turn be located at the operator or at the administration center for the overall system. A system control can also be provided for tournament games or the like, which is superordinate to the data processing systems 150, e.g. in a master-slave arrangement.

Of course, various modifications of the system according to the invention are possible beyond the system variants described above.

Claims (13)

1. System for playing on a plurality of amusement machines, which are installed remote from one another and are more especially coin-operated, the amusement machines each being situated in amusement machine centres, including

   - a central data processing system (15), which belongs to the respective amusement machine centre (302, 304, 306),

   - a bidirectional connection line (170) between the amusement machines (102 to 120) and the respective central data processing system (150) of the amusement machine centre,

   - the central data processing system (150) allocating the incoming and outgoing signals to the pertinent amusement machines (102 to 120),

   characterised in that

   - at least two amusement machine centres (302, 304, 306) are provided, in which different types of amusement machines (102 to 120) are installed,

   - an additional central data processing system (316) is provided, which allocates incoming signals to the pertinent amusement machines and allocates outgoing amusement machine signals to the respective amusement machine centre of the other amusement machine, and

   - a bidirectional connection line (318) is provided between the additional central data processing system (316) and the central data processing systems (150) of the amusement machine centres (302, 304, 306),

   - all of the amusement machines of the same type communicating with one another.
2. System according to claim 1, characterised in that the central data procesing system includes a money processing system, which permits the used stakes to be centrally controlled and allocated.
3. System according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that a long-range data transmission line (154), leading to a separate personal computer (152) of the installer, is provided, which line permits the installer to effect the data analysis.
4. System according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the amusement machine centres (302, 304, 306) are interconnected via modem and long-range data transmission lines (308 to 314).
5. System according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the amusement machine centres are interlinked.
6. System according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that a combined game between at least two amusement machines is provided for different types of amusement machines.
7. System according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the amusement machines (2, 4) are provided with a display (10, 12), which directly displays the data relevant to the game to the other machines also.
8. System according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the results of the game opponents are compared with one another and shown in the display (10, 12) of the amusement machines (2, 4) as plus or minus results.
9. System according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the game is played on a common game panel of the amusement machines (2, 4), and the result of any other player is displayed by flashing signals.
10. System according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that an acoustic or visual signal transmitter is connected to the central data processing system, and such transmitter transmits a signal for the information of the players if an external amusement machine signal is received for an amusement machine of the pertinent amusement machine centre.
11. System according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that a large visual display unit is provided, which permits several persons to follow the development of the game.
12. System according to claim 11, characterised in that a camera, which receives the display of the amusement machine, and a large screen are provided for the large visual display unit.
13. System according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that a storage means is provided, in which the development of the game is stored so that a time-staggered and/or later game is possible.

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