Reel type slot machine

• US 4,492,379 A
• Filed: 12/20/1982
• Issued: 01/08/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/1981
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Aruze Corp.
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Agilis
• Inventors: Okada, Kazuo
• Primary Examiner(s): Pinkham, Richard C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US06/451,240
• Time in Patent Office: 750 Days
• Field of Search: 273/138 R, 273/138 A, 273/141 R, 273/143 R, 273/139, 273/143 A, 273/143 B, 273/143 C, 273/143 D, 273/143 E, 194/DIG. 11, 235/1 B, 235/1 C, 235/103, 340/323 R
• US Class Current: 273/143.00R
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/34 depending on the stopping of moving members in a mechanical slot machine, e.g. "fruit" machines

Abstract

A slot machine has a micro-computer comprising a table memory for storing information as to symbol arrangements on reels rotatably arranged side by side, and a memory for storing information as to the numbers of coins or tokens to be paid out according to predetermined prize-winning combinations of symbols. Upon the reels being stopped, individually, the table memory is accessed with address signals corresponding to the stopped positions of the respective reels which are detected by counters associated therewith as to prize-winning combinations of symbols that have occurred in the prize-awarding rows in such a way that all of the symbols read out from the table memory are compared with a respective one of the predetermined symbols read out one after another.

Claims

1. A slot machine having a plurality of reels provided each with an annular series of various symbols, said reels being rotatably arranged side-by-side, wherein, upon the occurrence of a predetermined prize winning combination of symbols in prize awarding rows of said symbols, coins or tokens are paid out, said slot machine comprising:

a pulse motor individual to each said reel;

means to supply a series of pulses to said motor continuously during the rotation of the reel associated with said motor, for driving said motor;

means for stopping each said reel;

means for detecting the stopped position of each said reel, said detecting means comprising means for counting said pulses as they are supplied to said pulse motor, a light shielding member on each reel, and a photo-interrupter responsive to interruption of light by said light shielding member for resetting the previous content of said counting means to zero once each rotation of the reel;

memory table means for storing information as to the symbol arrangements of the respective reels;

memory means for storing information as to the number of coins or tokens to be paid out according to predetermined prize winning combination of symbols;

means for paying out coins or tokens as prizes; and

a microprocessor for accessing said memory table means with the contents of said counting means of the respective reels to read out particular combinations of symbols that have occurred in the prize awarding rows so as to detect coincidence of said particular combinations of symbols with said predetermined prize winning combinations of symbols and to control said pay-out means to pay out a given number of coins or tokens as prizes.

2. A slot machine as defined in claim 1, further including a start switch for causing said pulse motors to rotate, and stop switches associated with said pulse motors, respectively, for selectively individually stopping said pulse motors.