Hand-held electronic gambling game device

• US 5,178,389 A
• Filed: 05/07/1991
• Issued: 01/12/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: John Bentley
• Original Assignee: John Bentley
• Inventors: Bentley, John, McNally, Gordon
• Primary Examiner(s): Millin, V.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HARRISON, JESSICA
• Application Number:
  US07/700,040
• Time in Patent Office: 616 Days
• Field of Search: 273/433, 273/434, 273/85 R, 273/85 G, 273/85 LP, 273/138 R, 273/138 A, 273/143 R, 273/237, 273/269
• US Class Current: 463/29
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3218 wherein at least part of the system is portable
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3241 Security aspects of a gaming system, e.g. detecting cheating, device integrity, surveillance computer security G06F21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3265 Influencing the position of stopped moving members to achieve a winning arrangement, e.g. nudging, shuffling, holding
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/34 depending on the stopping of moving members in a mechanical slot machine, e.g. "fruit" machines

Abstract

A game device, preferably hand-held, has an electronic display pattern generator, a display, and a play button to initiate generation of a game which displays sets of symbols which "rotate" after the manner of a fruit machine and which can be held from "rotating" by a hold button. The device includes the capability of limiting the number of games playable, and a lock button allows a winning display to be locked irrevocably to establish proof of a win.

Claims

1. An electronic game device comprising:

(a) a display having a display driver;

(b) an electronic generator for generating different display patterns on said display;

(c) an operator controlled play means for initiating a game, said play means causing said electronics generator to generate a display pattern;

(d) a means for limiting the number of games which can possibly be played; and

(e) an operator controlled lock means for locking the device irrevocably against further plays by permanently disabling the display driver and preserving a generated pattern.

2. A game device as recited in claim 1, wherein said electronic generator includes a random number generator and the display patterns are provided in a random manner.

3. A game device as recited in claim 2, wherein timing of the operation of the play means determines the random numbers generated.

4. A game device as recited in any of the preceding claims, wherein said means for limiting the number of games comprises a counter which is resettable.

5. A game device as recited in claim 4, wherein credit games are provided and a means is provided for win pattern analysis and such means provides for partial resetting of said counter to provide said credit games.

6. A game device as recited in claim 4, wherein an electric key provides, on application to the device, a reset signal for said counter, said electric key comprising a casing including an electric cell or battery and a pair of contacts accessible from the exterior of said casing and connected to the cell or battery, said key and device being connectable via said contacts whereby current is drawn by the device from said cell or battery to operate the device, said key being incapable of re-use.

7. An electronic game device comprising:

(a) a display;

(b) an electronic generator for generating different display patterns on said display;

(c) an operator controlled play means for initiating a game, said play means causing said electronics generator to generate a display pattern;

(d) a resettable counter for limiting the number of games which can possibly be played;

(e) an operator controlled lock means for locking the device irrevocably against further plays and preserving a generated pattern; and

(f) an electric key which provides a reset signal for said counter, said electric key comprising a casing including an electric cell or battery and a pair of contacts accessible from the exterior of said casing and connected to said cell or battery, said key and device being connectable via said contacts whereby current is drawn by the device from said cell or battery to operate the device, said key being incapable of re-use.