U.S. patent application number 16/874283 was filed with the patent office on 2020-10-29 for gaming device including a game coin firing mechanism.
This patent application is currently assigned to NOVOMATIC AG. The applicant listed for this patent is NOVOMATIC AG. Invention is credited to Marek GAWEL, Johann F. GRAF, Benjamin GUTMANN.
Application Number | 20200338442 16/874283 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004969372 |
Filed Date | 2020-10-29 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200338442 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
GRAF; Johann F. ; et
al. |
October 29, 2020 |
GAMING DEVICE INCLUDING A GAME COIN FIRING MECHANISM
Abstract
Gaming device with a firing mechanism for shooting a game coin
into a coin track, comprising a preferably arc-shaped deflection
track and leading to a target device, wherein the deflection track
is bordered by a recess in a housing front panel and the target
device is arranged in the area of said recess, characterised in
that the housing front panel is at least sectionally transparent in
design, wherein behind the housing front panel, a visualisation
device is arranged such that at least a portion of the
visualisation device is visible through the housing front panel
and/or through the recess.
Inventors: |
GRAF; Johann F.;
(Gumpoldskirchen, AT) ; GAWEL; Marek;
(Gumpoldskirchen, AT) ; GUTMANN; Benjamin;
(Gumpoldskirchen, AT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
NOVOMATIC AG |
Gumpoldskirchen |
|
AT |
|
|
Assignee: |
NOVOMATIC AG
Gumpoldskirchen
AT
|
Family ID: |
1000004969372 |
Appl. No.: |
16/874283 |
Filed: |
May 14, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14651425 |
Jun 11, 2015 |
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PCT/EP2013/076145 |
Dec 10, 2013 |
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16874283 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 2009/0286 20130101;
A63F 9/0204 20130101; A63F 9/0278 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/02 20060101
A63F009/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 11, 2012 |
AT |
A50575/2012 |
Claims
1. A gaming device comprising: a firing mechanism for shooting a
game coin or object into a coin or object track, wherein said coin
or object track comprises a deflection track in a recess in a
housing front panel, and leads to a target device, the deflection
track fixedly leading to and terminating in a target device remote
from said firing mechanism, the target device having a plurality
target areas proximal to the recess, the plurality of target areas
leading to a coin collector by way of a coin or object channel
recesses, and a return channel to the firing mechanism from at
least one opening adjacent to the plurality of target areas,
wherein the housing front panel is at least sectionally transparent
in design, wherein behind the housing front panel, a visualisation
device is arranged such that at least a portion of the
visualisation device is visible through the housing front panel
and/or through the recess.
2. The gaming device according to claim 1, wherein the
visualisation device is arranged behind the housing front panel
such that a portion of a visualisation device is visible through
the at least sectionally transparent housing front panel and
another portion of the visualisation device is visible through the
recess of the housing front panel.
3. The gaming device according to claim 2, wherein the
visualisation device extends directly up to the target device.
4. The gaming device according to claim 1, wherein the
visualisation device extends at least sectionally behind the target
device, wherein the target device is at least partially transparent
in design, so that a portion of the visualisation device is visible
through the target device.
5. The gaming device according to claim 1, wherein the
visualisation device extends over a wide area essentially over the
entire top housing front section, located above the target device,
wherein the housing front section is bordered by a preferably
frame-like or strip-like housing edge in which the visualisation
device is recessed.
6. The gaming device according to claim 1, wherein the recess in
the housing front panel is covered in the direction of the inside
of the device at least sectionally by a partition, which is of at
least partially transparent design in the area of the recess, so
that a section of the visualisation device arranged behind the
partition is visible through the partition.
7. The gaming device according to claim 6, wherein the partition is
arranged in sandwich fashion between the visualisation device and
the housing front panel.
8. The gaming device according to claim 7, wherein in the
partition, at least one coin channel recess is provided adjoining
the target device and forms a further coin track for game coins or
objects discharging from the target device.
9. The gaming device according to claim 1, wherein the recess in
the housing front panel is covered in the direction of the inside
of the device at least sectionally by the visualisation device,
such that the visualisation device delimits at least a portion of
the coin track.
10. The gaming device according to claim 1, wherein a detection
device for detecting entry of a game coin or object into a target
area and a control device for controlling the visualisation device
are provided depending on the detected target entry of the game
coin or object.
11. The gaming device according to claim 10, wherein the detection
device comprises a contact detection device allocated to the
visualisation device, particularly in the form of a touchscreen,
wherein the contact detection device is intended and designed to
detect contact by the game coin or object.
12. The gaming device according to claim 1, wherein a further
contact detection device is allocated to the housing front panel
and/or a front window positioned in front of the housing front
panel, wherein the contact detection device is intended and
designed to detect manual contacts by a device user.
13. The gaming device according to claim 1, wherein a/the control
device for controlling the visualisation device and/or for
controlling the firing mechanism and/or controlling the target
device is provided to depend on detection of contact with the
contact detection device.
14. The gaming device according to claim 1, wherein the target
device, the housing front panel and the visualisation device are
jointly mounted on a device door and are movable together with the
device door in relation to the device body.
15. The gaming device according to claim 1 wherein the
visualisation device is selected from the group consisting of an
LED screen, an LCD screen, a plasma screen, and a TFT monitor.
16. A gaming device comprising a firing mechanism for shooting a
game coin into a coin track, wherein said coin track comprises an
arc-shaped deflection track in a recess in a housing front panel,
the arc-shaped deflection track fixedly leading to and terminating
in a target device remote from said firing mechanism, the target
device having a plurality of target areas proximal to the recess,
wherein the housing front panel is at least sectionally transparent
in design, wherein behind the housing front panel, a visualisation
device is arranged such that at least a portion of the
visualisation device is visible through the housing front panel and
another portion of the visualisation device is visible through the
recess of the housing front panel, wherein the visualisation device
is located above the target device, and wherein the recess in the
housing front panel is covered by a partition that occupies a
location behind the recess.
17. The gaming device according to claim 16, wherein the
visualisation device extends directly up to the target device.
18. The gaming device according to claim 16, wherein the
visualisation device extends at least sectionally behind the target
device, wherein the target device is at least partially transparent
in design, so that a portion of the visualisation device is visible
through the target device.
19. The gaming device according to claim 16, wherein the partition
is arranged in sandwich fashion between the visualisation device
and the housing front panel.
20. The gaming device according to claim 16 wherein in the
partition, at least one coin channel recess is provided adjoining
the target device and forms a further coin track for game coins
discharging from the target device.
21. The gaming device according to claim 16, wherein the recess in
the housing front panel is covered in the direction of the inside
of the device at least sectionally by the visualisation device.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention concerns a gaming device with a firing
mechanism for shooting a game coin into a coin track comprising a
preferably arc-shaped deflection track and leading to a target
device.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A gaming Adevice of this kind is known from DE 87 06 212 U1.
The deflection track is of circular design in this specification,
such that depending on the velocity with which the game coin is
shot in, the latter drops sooner or later from an overhead section
of the circular track and subsequently continues to travel along a
parabolic trajectory or a ballistic trajectory. The target device
comprises a crown open towards the top, having several juxtaposed
target channels, so that depending on the velocity with which the
coin is shot in, the latter falls into one of the target channels
or areas, or next to the target device.
[0003] Different types of coin such as chips, tokens or genuine
currency may serve as game coins.
[0004] The firing mechanism may in this case be mechanical in
design, comprising for example a spring mechanism and/or a manually
operated clamping or rocking lever, but may also be designed
otherwise, comprising for example a gas pressure mechanism, whereby
the design is preferably constructed such that provision is made
for adequate dispersion of the firing force and/or the firing
velocity and/or the firing pulse in order to achieve different
trajectories and hitting of different target areas.
[0005] The problem therefore underlying the present invention is to
develop an improved gaming device of the aforementioned type that
avoids disadvantages of the state of the art and further develops
the latter in an advantageous manner. In particular, a control or
monitoring capability of the gaming device is to be extended and an
ergonomically convenient display of information that is
fatigue-free for the user is to be achieved, without sacrificing a
compact device construction.
[0006] The problem is solved according to the invention by a gaming
device according to claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention
are the subject of the dependent claims.
[0007] It is thus proposed to use a preferably electronic
visualisation device such as a screen in order to display the
information and thereby arrange the housing front panel having the
recess for the game coin deflection track at least partially
overlapping said visualisation device, such that the visualisation
device or at least a part of the visualisation device is visible
through a transparent section of the housing front panel and/or
through the recess in said housing front panel. According to the
invention, said housing front panel is at least sectionally
transparent in design, wherein behind the housing front panel, at
least one visualisation device is arranged such that at least a
portion of the visualisation device is visible through the housing
front panel. Alternatively or additionally according to the
invention, at least one visualisation device may be arranged behind
the housing front panel such that at least a portion of the
visualisation device is visible through the recess in the housing
front panel.
[0008] This now creates the possibility of being able to display
various information on the gaming device, for instance game
instructions that explain operation of the device to the device
user. Alternatively or additionally, it may be useful to display
other information on additional display interfaces, such as
advertising or also other games such as additional games or bonus
games in order to enhance the entertainment value of the
device.
[0009] Up to now, solutions for display of such information on the
aforementioned devices have been unsatisfactory. As a result of the
cutout in the housing front panel provided for the coin track and
deflection track and the target device bordered by the same, a
central area of the gaming device front is taken up for the coin
game, so that display of said information is displaced to the edge
of the device. On the one hand, the user's concentration on the
actual coin-tossing or coin-shooting game is impaired; on the other
hand, it is tiring for the device user to glance back and forth
between the coin-tossing game and the display of such information,
as the eyes need to look back and forth accordingly in this
case.
[0010] According to the invention, improved visibility of the
information displayed on the visualisation device can now also be
advantageously achieved even during a coin shot by means of the
staggered or superimposed arrangement of the housing front panel
and the display interface of the visualisation device displaying
the desired information. Furthermore, the gaming device is
characterised by improved ergonomics and ease of use, as a device
user experiences less fatigue and needs to look back and forth less
with his/her eyes, since the visualisation device and the coin
track and the target device are in immediate proximity to one
another and can be arranged in a viewing area that offers an easy
overview.
[0011] A screen in particular, preferably in the form of a flat
screen such as an LED screen, LCD screen, plasma screen or TFT
monitor may be used as a visualisation device.
[0012] In principle, other visualisation devices may also be
considered, such as for example a mechanical reel-spinning game,
comprising for example several reels rotatable around a common
axis, or film displays, for example in the form of circulating
films or the like. It is preferred however to use a screen of the
aforementioned type in order to be able to simply change and
brilliantly present the information displayed.
[0013] In further embodiment of the invention, provision may be
made for extension of the screen directly up to the target device,
particularly such that an edge section or a border of the screen
and a periphery of the target device are adjacent to each
other.
[0014] Advantageously, in case of vertical orientation of the
gaming device and the housing front panel, the visualisation device
may be arranged above the target device, wherein advantageously a
bottom periphery of the visualisation device may extend adjacent to
a top periphery of the target device.
[0015] Alternatively or additionally, provision may also be made
for superimposition of the target device and the visualisation
device, particularly in such a way that at least a portion of the
target device, when the gaming device is observed as intended, is
arranged in front of at least a portion of the visualisation
device. Advantageously, the target device may in this case be at
least sectionally transparent in design, so that at least a section
of the visualisation device is visible through the target device.
In particular, an information-displaying portion of the
visualisation device, particularly of the screen, may be visible
through the target device.
[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention,
the visualisation device may comprise a screen extending over a
wide area of the essentially entire housing front section above the
target device, i.e. the entire housing front above the target
device may be used as a display interface for presenting the
elements of information, including the recess section for coin
tossing located at this position and the adjacent, non-recessed
housing front panel.
[0017] In further embodiment of the invention, the recess in the
housing front panel bordering the deflection track may be covered
in the direction of the inside of the device by a partition, which
is of at least partially transparent design in the area of said
recess, so that a section of the visualisation device arranged
behind the partition is visible through the partition from the
device operating terminal or the operating position. Said partition
may in this case between arranged between the housing front panel
having the recess and the visualisation device or the screen,
particularly such that the housing front panel, the partition and
the visualisation device or the screen are superimposed in sandwich
fashion.
[0018] Alternatively or additionally, the visualisation device or
the latter's screen may also itself cover or close on the back
panel side or rear side of the device at least a section of the
recess of the housing front panel bordering the deflection track,
particularly such that the housing front panel in which the recess
is formed, is positioned directly on the visualisation device,
particularly on the screen, so that a gap forms in the area of the
recess in which the shot-in game coin can adopt its path and is
preferably guided and secured against tilting. The spacing between
the screen and the housing front panel may be sufficiently small
such that said gap formed is only slightly wider than the thickness
of the game coins and/or is markedly smaller than a diameter of the
game coins.
[0019] The aforementioned partition by means of which at least a
portion of the recess in the housing front panel is closable may
feature at least one coin channel recess, which is connectable to
the target device and adjoins the target device and forms a coin
track for game coins discharging from the target device.
Advantageously, game coins arriving in the target device can be
removed from the target device through such a coin channel in the
partition, wherein the game coins discharging and emerging through
the partition have a motion component perpendicular to the housing
front panel featuring the partition and/or the recess.
[0020] Said visualisation device may, in a further embodiment of
the invention, be activated depending on the coin game,
particularly depending on whether a game coin falls in a target
area and if different target areas have different values or
meanings, the target area in which the game coin falls. In a
further embodiment of the invention, a detection device for
recording the entry of a game coin into a target area may be
provided, wherein a preferably electronic control device activates
the display appearing on the visualisation device depending on the
signal from the target detection device. Said control device may
for example start or award a bonus game on the visualisation device
screen when the game coin has fallen into a sufficiently high value
target area. Alternatively or additionally, an explanatory
instruction for operating the firing mechanism may for example be
faded in on the screen when a shot coin lands in a target area.
Furthermore, alternatively or additionally, when a hit of the
target coin in a target area is recorded, the visualisation device
may also solely display the coin game results, for example in the
form of the message "hit" or the number of points scored.
[0021] Said detection device for recording entry of the game coin
into a target area may basically be designed in various different
ways, for example in the form of an optical and/or magnetic sensor
or one operating on a different principle that is assigned to a
respective target area and is capable of recording the approach or
passage of a coin. Alternatively or additionally, in an
advantageous further embodiment of the invention, the detection
device may also be incorporated in said visualisation device,
especially if the visualisation device covers on the rear side of
the device at least one section of the recess and/or also is
located in the area of the target device. In particular, the
visualisation device may feature a contact sensor, preferably in
the form of a touchscreen sensor, wherein the contact sensor is
intended and designed to record the contact of a coin, especially
when the latter moves into a target area. In an advantageous
further embodiment of the invention, the visualisation device may
comprise a touchscreen, extending directly to the target device and
covering at the rear the recess in which the coin adopts its
trajectory, so that the game coin comes into contact with the
touchscreen and the touchscreen sensor is able to record the path
of motion and/or position of the game coin.
[0022] In order to also be able to make interactive intuitive use
of a section of the visualisation device located behind said
housing front panel in which the recess is provided, a contact
detection device may likewise be allocated to said housing front
panel and/or a front window applied in front of the housing front
panel, preferably in the form of a touchscreen sensor, in order to
record contacts by a device user, tapping with the finger for
example and allow their transformation into input commands.
[0023] A contact sensing logic can relate the detected contacts,
i.e. the game coin contacts and/or the contacts by the device user
to elements of information and/or displays on the visualisation
device in order to intelligently acquire and implement
corresponding input signals.
[0024] In order to facilitate allocation of the visualisation
device to the coin gaming equipment, particularly during
installation and maintenance, provision may be made in an
advantageous further embodiment for jointly mounting the
visualisation device together with the coin gaming equipment,
particularly the latter's target device, on a housing door of the
device housing, so that the visualisation device and the coin
gaming device can be opened with the device door and in particular
can be pivoted open. For this purpose, the housing door may be
designed as a flap that can be pivoted open around an upright axis
in the manner of a door or upwards around a horizontal transverse
axis preferably at the top end of the device door, whereby a relief
and/or retaining device in the form of a pneumatic spring may be
provided in order to hold the housing door with the components
attached to the latter in an open position and assist movement into
the open position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] The invention will be explained in further detail below
based on a preferred example of embodiment and corresponding
drawings.
[0026] FIG. 1: shows a perspective representation of a gaming
device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention,
wherein the firing mechanism for shooting a game coin, the coin
track bordered by a recess in a housing front panel and the target
device likewise arranged in said recess are visible on the device
front,
[0027] FIG. 2: shows a front view of the gaming device from FIG. 1,
which illustrates the arrangement of a screen of the visualisation
device partially overlapping said recess and partially overlapping
the non-recessed area of the housing front panel,
[0028] FIG. 3: shows a side view of the gaming device from the
previous figures, which illustrates the cubic design of the device
body with the essentially flat design of the housing front, from
which an operating lever of the firing mechanism protrudes,
[0029] FIG. 4: shows a top view of the top of the gaming device
from the previous figures,
[0030] FIG. 5: shows a perspective representation of the gaming
device from the previous figures with the housing door opened, so
that the internal workings of the gaming device and the arrangement
of the screen of the visualisation device are visible on the device
door.
[0031] FIG. 6: shows a vertical section through the housing front,
which illustrates the staggered arrangement of the housing front
panel in which the recess for the coin track is provided, that of
the partition closing the recess and that of the screen of the
visualisation device and
[0032] FIG. 7: shows a vertical section through the housing front
similar to FIG. 6, wherein the recess for the coin track on the
device interior side is directly covered by the screen of the
visualisation device, wherein a contact sensor for game coin
detection is allocated to the screen and likewise a further contact
sensor is allocated to the front window 16 for inputting of
interactive control commands by a user.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033] As FIGS. 1 and 5 show, the gaming device 1 may comprise an
essentially cubic device housing 2, which may be advantageously
designed in the manner of a cabinet and comprise a housing door 13
in order to be able to open the device housing 2 and render
accessible the components accommodated inside the device. Said
housing door 13 may in this case form the housing front, which can
be essentially viewed frontally from an operating terminal suited
to the purpose. The gaming device 1 may be designed as a
free-standing, a so-called standalone device, but may also form a
wall-mounted device that can be fixed to the wall.
[0034] As FIG. 1 shows, a firing mechanism 7 is provided on the
housing front or the housing door 13, preferably in a bottom
section, of which the operating lever 14 can be seen in FIG. 1.
Using said firing mechanism 7, a player can shoot a game coin or
game object 11 into a coin or object track 5, or set the coin or
object in motion, wherein said coin or object track 5 comprises in
the present case an arc-shaped deflection track 6, arranged
overhanging or overhead. The game coin or object 11 is guided along
the deflection track 6, for as long as the velocity of the game
coin or object 11 is sufficient, i.e. the game coin or object 11 is
maintained on the deflection path 6 despite counteracting
gravitational forces; compare FIG. 2. Depending on the velocity of
the game coin 11, the game coin 11 detaches itself at a certain
point from the overhanging deflection path 6 in order to
subsequently move (under gravitational influence or gravitational
pull) along a parabolic curve or trajectory. Depending on the
trajectory, the game coin 11 subsequently falls into one of the
target areas 15a, 15b, . . . , 15n of a target device 8 or fall in
between said target areas 15a, 15b, . . . , 15n. Said target areas
15a, 15b, . . . , 15n may, as illustrated in FIG. 2, be designed in
the manner of landing points or islands and/or be arranged spaced
apart from one another along a horizontal line underneath said
deflection track 6. Alternatively, said target areas 15a, 15b, . .
. , 15n may also however be arranged spaced apart from one another
along an inclined or vertical line, wherein other arrangements of
the target areas are also possible, for example in the form of an
irregular, cloud-like distribution of the target areas.
[0035] The aforementioned firing mechanism 7 may for example
comprise a spring-loaded firing pin, which can be tensioned by the
operating lever 14. When the operating lever 14 is released, the
game coin 11 is fired under spring force into the coin track 5.
[0036] Said deflection path 6 may be bordered by a recess 4 in a
housing front panel 3, said front housing panel 3 forming a part of
the housing front or a part of the housing door 13. In particular,
said recess 4 may comprise an approximately crescent-shaped recess
section, the arc-shaped contour of which may itself form said
deflection track 6. If necessary, a separate guide that forms the
deflection path 6 may be provided in said recess 4, for example in
the form of a wire or the like or a guide rail.
[0037] As FIG. 4 shows, said housing front panel 3, in which the
recess 4 is formed, may be covered at the front by a front window
16, made for example of glass or a transparent plastic, which
closes said recess 4. In the direction of the inside of the device,
said housing front panel 3 may be covered by a partition 12,
wherein the partition 12 likewise extends beyond the recess 4 in
order to close the recess 4 in the direction of the inside of the
device. The recess 4 forms a disc-shaped or plate-shaped cavity,
the thickness of which is slightly greater than the thickness of
the game coins, such that the game coins are freely mobile therein,
without being able to tip over or only being able to execute slight
tilting movements.
[0038] The target areas 15 of the target device 8 advantageously
extend in the form of collecting baskets or jaws 17 from the
partition 12 to said recess 4, wherein the jaws 17 are designed to
be open upwards so as to be able to catch game coins 11 dropping
from above. In the partition 12, coin channel recesses 18 capable
of leading to a coin collector 27 are provided adjoining the jaws
17 to allow game coins 11 landing in the jaws 17 of the target
areas 15a, 15b, . . . , 15n to pass through the partition 12 into
the coin collector. Alternatively, game coins 11 may also be
returned to the firing mechanism 7 via a return channel 28; compare
FIG. 5.
[0039] As FIGS. 2, 5 and 6 illustrate, a screen 10 of a
visualisation device 9 is provided above the target device 8,
wherein the screen 10 extends behind the partition 12 and the
housing front panel 3 featuring the recess 4, wherein the screen 10
may preferably extend parallel to the housing front panel 3 and
partition 12 and in particular directly adjoining the same.
[0040] The screen 10 may, according to one embodiment, extend over
a wide area essentially over the entire top housing front section,
located above the target device, wherein said housing front section
may if necessary be bordered by a preferably frame-like or
strip-like housing edge 22 in which the visualisation device is
recessed.
[0041] As FIGS. 2 and 6 show, the screen 10 is positioned in such a
manner in this case that a portion of the screen 10 is located
behind the recess 4 and another portion of the screen 10 is located
behind the non-recessed section 20 of the housing front panel 3.
From an operating terminal suited to the purpose, i.e. in a
resulting proper viewing direction 21 frontally towards the housing
front, the screen 10 is covered by the housing front panel 3 in
such a manner that a portion of the screen 10 is visible through
the recess 4 and a portion of the screen 10 is visible through the
housing front panel 3.
[0042] In other words, the housing front panel 3 is at least
sectionally transparent in design, wherein behind the housing front
panel 3, the visualisation device 9 is arranged such that at least
a portion of the visualisation device 9 is behind the recess 4 as
observed through the housing front panel 3, wherein the recess 4 in
the housing front panel 3 is covered by a partition 12 that
occupies a location behind the recess 4.
[0043] Said housing front panel 3 and the partition 12 are
transparent in design, for example in the form of a glass plate or
a transparent plastic plate, which may be of anti-glare design in
order to avoid reflexes and enhance visibility of the screen.
[0044] As FIG. 2 shows, the screen 10 may extend over a wide area
essentially over the entire housing front section above the target
device 8, wherein said housing front section however is bordered by
a non-transparent door frame section 22, extending in the manner of
a strip or frame around the screen 10; compare FIG. 2.
[0045] As FIG. 2 shows, a bottom edge of the screen 10 in this case
may essentially end on a top edge of the target device 8, defined
by the target areas 15a, 15b, . . . , 15n. In an alternative
embodiment of the invention, the screen 10 could however also
extend downwards over the target device 8, so that the screen 10
also overlaps the target device 8. Advantageously, the target
device 8 may in this case also be at least partially transparent in
design, so that the screen 10 or a section thereof is visible
through the target device 8.
[0046] Said screen 10 can be activated by a control device 24
incorporated within the housing 2 of the gaming device 1, for
example in order to display additional information such as
operating instructions, game rules or the like, or also display
additional games or bonus games such as for example a reel-spinning
game on the screen 10.
[0047] In particular, the control device 24 may activate the screen
10 depending on the coin game, in particular depending on whether
and which target areas 15a, 15b, . . . , 15n are hit by a game coin
11. For this purpose, a detection device 23, for example in the
form of an optical and/or magnetic sensor or one operating on a
different principle, may be respectively allocated to said target
areas 15a, 15b, . . . , 15n in order to detect entry of a game coin
11 into the respective target area 15a, 15b, . . . , 15n. Depending
on the target area hit, a bonus game for example may be started or
the number of points scored on the screen 10 may be displayed or
other elements of information may be presented, as explained
above.
[0048] In order to be able to detect and display coin entry into
the target areas 15a, 15b, . . . , 15n or also the trajectory
adopted by a game coin 11, in a further embodiment of the
invention, said detection device 23 may also comprise means of
contact detection, preferably in the form of a touchscreen sensor,
which may be allocated to the screen 10 or also said partition 12.
If the touchscreen sensor is directly allocated to the screen 10,
the partition 12 may be omitted and/or the recess 4 and/or the
target device 8 may be at least sectionally covered or closed at
the rear by the screen 10, so that the game coin 11 on its path
through the recess 4 and/or on entry into a target area 15a, 15b, .
. . , 15n contacts the screen 10, which is detected by the
touchscreen sensor 25. FIG. 7 for example shows a corresponding
arrangement of the screen 10. Said touchscreen sensor may be a
sensor operating according to the capacitive or inductive principle
or according to another principle such as for instance surface wave
or infrared optical imaging, in coordination with the game coins
used if necessary. The contact sensor may extend over the entire
surface of the screen 10 or only over a portion thereof.
[0049] In order to facilitate interactive, intuitive control of the
gaming device, a contact detection device, preferably in the form
of a further contact sensor 26, may alternatively or additionally
be allocated to a front window 16 positioned in front (from viewing
direction 21) of the housing front panel 3; compare FIG. 7. Said
front window 16 may for example be a transparent glass or plastic
plate with a contact sensor applied or be designed as a transparent
touchscreen. According to an example of embodiment, the control
device 24 for controlling the visualisation device 9 and/or for
controlling the firing mechanism 7 and/or controlling the target
device 8 is intended and designed to depend on detection of contact
with the contact detection device 26.
[0050] As FIG. 5 shows, the screen 10 and the components of the
coin game, particularly the target device 8 and if appropriate also
the aforementioned touchscreen facilities, may be jointly
positioned on the device door 13, so that said components have a
joint mounting base in relation to one another, which facilitates
the position assignment of the components in relation to one
another. The housing door 13 may form a preassembled module with
said components.
[0051] The device door 13 may in this case be pivoted open around
an upright, lateral axis in the manner of a door and may if
necessary be pivoted upwards around a horizontal transverse axis,
for example at the top edge of the door, in the manner of a flap,
whereby buffering elements and/or relief elements and/or retaining
elements for example in the form of a pneumatic spring may be
provided in order to hold the device door with the components
mounted thereon in an open position and assist movement during
travel to this position. An appropriate hinge may be allocated to
the lateral axis or the horizontal transverse axis. In an
alternative embodiment, the module mentioned above may however be
firmly or detachably connected to the device housing 2 without a
pivoting function.
[0052] This description is by way of example only and the claims
appended hereto determine the full scope of the invention. In order
to be clear the listing of sequential components of the present
invention e.g. "15a, 15b, . . . , 15n" where the sequence of
periods are used as shorthand and shall mean any included
sequential components, and in this example the periods indicate the
components 15b thru 15n, inclusively.
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