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Repeat spin button device for a gaming machine

a gaming machine and button technology, applied in the field of repeating spin button devices of gaming machines, can solve the problems of large loss of revenue of casinos with hundreds or thousands of gaming machines, waste of 600 seconds or ten minutes of time over one hour of play, and significant overall tim

Inactive Publication Date: 2003-08-28
GORDON STEPHEN E
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a means for complying with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) by implementing a simple, parallel-connected, extendable Max Coins switch for persons unable to reach a gaming machine button deck or for those persons for which reaching the button deck is difficult especially in a repetitive manner.
[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a means for a gaming machine player to maximize the number of games played during a given time interval by continuously pressing a gaming machine button.
[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide an alternate means for a gaming machine player to maximize the number of games played during a given time interval by continuously pressing a button integrated on a gaming machine cable extension.

Problems solved by technology

Although for each play of the machine the time interval saved by the Bet Max Coins button versus the Bet One Coin and Spin button combination may be trivial, the overall time is quite significant.
However, if during each play the player could have saved one second by simply pressing the Bet Max Coins button, the player has, by not using the Bet Max Coins button, wasted 600 seconds or ten minutes of time over the one hour of play.
It is easy to see that a small delay in activating the machine between plays results in large lost revenue to casinos having hundreds or thousands of gaming machines.
Although the implementation of the Bet Max Coins button has increased the number of plays per hour, there is also a drawback with the Bet Max Coins button in practice.
The common result is that the gaming machine is not being played to its optimum potential.
Unfortunately, the Randell invention prevents conventional play, involves moving parts which tend to fail and is slow to react to the illumination.
In fact, slot machine pay tables are designed to make play based on less than maximum coins statistically undesirable to the player.
A significant drawback to the Bet Max Coins, Bet One Coin and Spin buttons is that once pressed they are inoperable until the reels stop spinning, the player is paid in coins or credited a winning amount and the button is, once again, illuminated by the light source indicating the machine is re-set.
The method described not only consumes valuable gaming time but can also fatigue a player's arm and / or hands due to the unorthodox position of the arm and repetitive motion of the hand.
For instance, gaming time is consumed if a player is surveying the casino floor or otherwise preoccupied and fails to press the desired available button in an immediate fashion upon illumination.
Further, machine pay outs take a measurable amount of time so customers will have ample time to stop pressing the repeat button.
The inactivity forces a machine into a determinate state and reduces the testing of anomalous performance.
Any delay is limited to the amount of time between the final switch closure prior to the gaming machine's re-set.

Method used

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  • Repeat spin button device for a gaming machine
  • Repeat spin button device for a gaming machine
  • Repeat spin button device for a gaming machine

Examples

Experimental program
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Effect test

second embodiment

[0035] In a second embodiment, the cable 30 is connected to a PCB 32, that is connected to a second switch 33 in parallel with switch 28 and its two relays. By being integrated between the activation button 31 and the switch 33, the PCB 32 causes the switch 33 to toggle between opened and closed at a predefined rate (e.g. 2, 3, 4 or more times per second) in response to the constant pressing of activation button 31. Alternatively, the closure of the switch 33 can be automatically triggered in response to restoration of the voltage across the light source once a gaming machine play is complete. The closure rate of switch 33 should not be too frequent since the microprocessor of the gaming machine uses distinct voltage changes to activate each play of the gaming machine. If the frequency of closure is too great, the voltage change may not be as distinct as required by the microprocessor causing no activation of the gaming machine.

[0036] Moreover, high closure rates may cause time late...

third embodiment

[0042] In the present invention, a panel button is used to activate the rapid play. The PCB 32 is now integrated in series between the gaming machine button and the switch 28 such that by continuously pressing the designated panel button the PCB 32 causes the repetitive closure of switch 26 as described above with switch 33. The panel button is preferably labeled "Repeat Play", "Rapid Play" or the like. However, the traditional Bet Max Coins button can also serve the same purpose.

[0043] A fourth embodiment includes both the rapid play cable 30 and rapid play panel button. A majority of people are not susceptible to change and may rather play the panel button rather than the cable 30. However, new players may not have developed preferences and may immediately take to the cable implementation. Therefore, in the fourth embodiment, a player may select either method depending on the player's preference

[0044] It should be understood that either the panel implemented repeat play button or ...

first embodiment

[0045] FIG. 5 shows a block diagram describing the PCB 32 in series with the existing gaming machine switch 28. The PCB 32 is connected to the lamp power relays 52 for drawing power from the available lamp power. Since lamp voltages conventionally range from 6.3VAC to 24VAC, a voltage converter means 53 is integrated within said PCB 32. The converter means 53 converts the PCB 32 input voltage to 3.11VDC for powering the PCB 32. As disclosed previously, a capacitor 54 stores excess voltage for use when the lamp voltage is not available. Also incorporated within said PCB 32 is a timer 55 for setting the closure rate of the internal machine switch 26. In the FIG. 5 arrangement, the internal machine switch 26 is closed by actuation of a deck switch 28 or external cable switch 31. Constant closure of either the deck switch 28 or the cable switch 31 causes the internal machine switch 26 to toggle between opened and closed at a rate set by the timer 55.

[0046] FIG. 6 shows a block diagram d...

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PUM

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Abstract

The present invention is designed to trigger activation of a gaming machine repeatedly without requiring a player to press and release a play button one time per play of the machine. A PCB incorporated between a conventional machine switch and a microprocessor causes a machine to immediately play a new game upon the machine's re-set. Preferably, the PCB causes an electrical switch to open and close at a predefined rate (e.g. one second) as long as the button is pressed. In another embodiment, a cable connected to, and extending from, said machine includes a button for a player to activate said repeat play. The cable houses wires connecting the cable button to the PCB. The cable button provides a player with an option of activating said machine from a more comfortable location (e.g. the player's lap area). The present invention also allows a player to play conventionally.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates generally to providing a means for a gaming machine player to play a selected gaming machine at a substantially faster pace while requiring less repetitive motion. More particularly, a gaming machine is designed or retrofitted with an internal device that causes multiple game plays in response to a gaming machine button being constantly pressed rather than requiring a player to press and release the gaming button one time per play. The present invention eliminates the need to release the button--such that the button may be pressed once for one play or held pressed indefinitely for repeated play--in order to increase the number of games played in a given time interval. In a second embodiment, the internal device is linked to a cable extending from said gaming machine such that a button on the end of said cable activates the game. In a third embodiment, the internal device is linked to a cable extending from said machine such that portions of the e...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): G07F17/32
CPCG07F17/32G07F17/3209G07F17/3202
Inventor GORDON, STEPHEN E.
Owner GORDON STEPHEN E
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