Random Unit Generator Amusement Device

Abstract

A game which may be disk operated in which the player observes a displayed rapidly flashing random series of indicia units and is given an opportunity to stop the machine so that one unit of the random series is displayed to hopefully match a player preselected and displayed unit of the random series. The machine, if not stopped by the player, continues for a predetermined time and then automatically stops to display one unit of the random series. The player may make succeeding selections at the same time his initial selection is made increasing his return if matched while at the same time decreasing the possibilities of his making a match of the total selection. One or more disks or a printed ticket is issued to the successful player. In a modification of the basic game in addition to a multiple selection from the random series the player also selects a horse from the horses of a simulated horse race in which the finished position of the horses is randomly determined. The players selection is then determined from the finish position of the selected horse.

Parent Case Text

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation in part of my co-pending application Ser. No. 737,466 filed June 17, 1968, entitled "Sweepstake Programmer" and now U.S. Pat. No. 3,556,531.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a game of chance and skill in which a player attempts to match a machine selected unit by a player preselected unit.

2. Summary of the Invention

In the present invention a player selects, by using a keyboard, a series of units and then starts a machine having a random unit selection device which will select one or more units either automatically or when stopped by the player which may or may not match the units selected directly by the player. When one or more of the player selected units match the machine selected units the player is successful.

In a modified form of the invention the player is also enabled to select a horse to run in a simulated horse race and if his preselected units match the machine selected units the player is advanced to the horse race and his winning is determined by the finish position of the horse he preselected.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a game in which a player matches his skills against machine selected elements both of which are displayed in side by side relation. Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character above in which a sweepstakes involving a simulated horse race may be combined with the player selected unit matching system.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent in the following specification when considered in the light of the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective phantom view of the device illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the number projection device forming a part of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a wiring diagram of the random number generator;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a modified form of the invention; and

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the device illustrated in FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the several figures the reference numeral 10 indicates generally a game machine constructed in accordance with the invention.

The game 10 is housed in a console 11 having a control panel 12, a display panel 13, and a comparison panel 14.

The control panel 12 has a 0-9 keyboard 15, a start button 16, and a stop button 17. A disk slot 18 is provided for receiving the players disk to start the game. The dropping of one disk permits the player to play one round and to select one unit which is then displayed in the player selection portion 19 of the comparison panel 14.

Displayed on the display panel 13 is indicia 20 having instructions for the player in playing the game as well as giving the odds for each round of play. A group of number units 21 from 0-9 and including two additional units is arranged on the display panel 13 with each unit thereof being separately lit in a rapidly changing random fashion during each round of play. In FIG. 3 there is illustrated the display of an individual one of the group of number units 21 and consists of a screen 22, pattern 23, and diffusion screen 24 mounted in front of a light 25. When the light 25 is lit the pattern of the unit on the pattern 23 is projected onto the screen 22 so as to become fully illuminated. The screen 22 may be softly illuminated by general background light passing through the pattern 23 when the light 25 is not energized.

In FIG. 2 there is illustrated the general makeup of the game 10 in which a random generator 26 is provided for selecting the unit to be displayed on the display panel 13. A comparison memory bank 27, calculator 28, and a ticket printing mechanism 29 are all provided for the operation of the game 10. In the comparison panel 14 a machine selection portion 30 is provided for displaying the machine selection for comparison with the player selection displayed at 19.

Referring now to FIG. 4 a block diagram is provided for illustrating the construction and operation of the game 10. An oscillator 31 is provided for supplying the electrical input to the random number generator 26. The oscillator 31 may provide a constant signal to the random generator 26 or it may fluctuate if this be desired. The random generator 26 operates constantly as long as the oscillator 31 is energized which may be either continuously when ever the game 10 is plugged in or may be controlled by an off-on switch (not shown). The random generator 26 feeds a signal through a temporary storage computor 32 and then to the display panel 13 so that each of the units displayed on the display panel 13 are lit in a random manner for a very brief period of time in quick succession. Actuation of the stop button 17 causes the unit then in the temporary storage computor 32 to be temporarily locked and its display on the display panel 13 continues for a longer period of time.

The signal from the random generator 26 is also simultaneously conveyed to a 1st unit storage computer 33 through which it is connected to the 1st unit display portion 30. When the stop button 17 is pressed to temporarily store in the computer 32 and display on panel 13 the 1st unit, the same unit will be displayed in the 1st unit display 30 under control of the computor 33. Upon release of the stop button 17 the temporary storage computer 32 is released and the signal from the random generator 26 again is passing through the computor 32 onto the display panel 13.

Prior to the operation of the random generator and the selection of a unit thereby combined with the stop button 17 the player drops his disk in the disk slot 18 and presses one of the keys on the keyboard 15 to select a unit for display in the 1st unit position of the player selection portion 19. Under control of an input programmer 34 this unit is stored in the 1st unit storage computer 35 and is simultaneously displayed in the 1st unit position of the player selection portion 19.

If a second disk is dropped into the disk slot 18 the player actuates a unit on the keyboard 15 and this is directed by the input programmer 34 to the 2nd unit storage computor 36 for display at the 2nd unit position of the player selection portion 19. Similarly a third disk permits the selection of a unit from a keyboard 15 which is directed to the 3rd unit storage computer 37 and from there to the 3rd unit display position of the player selection portion 19. After the player has finished the dropping of disks and selection of units whether it be one unit, two units or three or more, he presses the start button 16 to operate the start-stop programmer and timer 38 to make the 1st unit machine selection as described above. In the event that the player has dropped only one disk and selected only one unit displayed in the first position of the player selection portion 19 the programmer and timer 38 will permit a comparison to be made in the comparison memory bank 27 and if the first unit of the player selection and the first unit of the machine selection are identical the calculator 28 will cause one or more disks or a printed ticket to be delivered to the player.

In the event that the player selects additional units for display in the 2nd and 3rd positions the programmer and timer 38 will maintain the operation of the machine until a 1st unit, 2nd unit and 3rd unit have been selected, displayed and comparied with the 1st unit, 2nd unit and 3rd unit respectively of the player selection. In the event that the player fails to press the stop button 17 in a reasonable period of time the start-stop programmer and timer 38 will automatically stop the operation long enough to produce a 1st unit selection, then a 2nd unit selection and finally a 3rd unit selection and so on.

The calculator 28 will determine the correct odds from the selection made. Obviously as the degree of difficulty increases by selecting 2nd and 3rd units the odds will be increased to the player. As the 2nd unit is selected by pressing the stop button 17 or by operation of the timer 38 it will be stored in the 2nd unit storage computer 39 and finally as the 3rd unit is selected it will be stored in the 3rd unit storage computor 40.

Referring now to FIG. 5 the random generator 26 is illustrated in detail. The random generator 26 is fed by the oscillator 31 and includes 8 type "D" flip-flops 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, 41e, 41f, 41g and 41h. The flip-flops 41 each have five lettered terminals with the letter S indicating direct set input, the letter Q output, the letter R direct reset input and the letter O oscillator input and the letter D data input. The oscillator 31 is wired to the oscillator input of each of the flip-flops 41 in parallel while the direct reset input terminal R of each of the flip-flops 41 are wired together in parallel. The direct set input S terminal of each of the flip-flops 41 are wired in parallel and the output terminal Q of the flip-flop 41a is wired to the data input terminal D of the flip-flop 41b. The output terminals Q of each of the flip-flops are wired to the next adjacent data input terminal D. A half adder 42a has its output terminal O wired to the data input terminal D of the flip-flop 41a. A second half adder 42b has its output terminal O wired to one of the input terminals of the half adder 42a. A third half adder 42c has its output terminal O wired to the other input terminal of the half adder 42a. One of the input terminals of the half adder 42b is wired to the connection between the output terminal Q of the flip-flop 41a and the data input D of the flip-flop 41b. The other input terminal of the half adder 42b is wired to the connection between the output terminal Q of the flip-flop 41b and the data input terminal D of the flip-flop 41c. The half adder 42c has one input terminal thereof wired to the connection between the output terminal Q of the flip-flop 41g and the data input terminal D of the flip-flop 41h. The other input terminal of the half adder 42c is wired to the output terminal Q of the half adder 41h.

An 8 bit binary-to-12 line decoder 43 is wired to each of the output terminals Q of the flip-flops 41.

The circuit of the random generator 26 comprises an 8 bit serial-input, parallel output shift register with closed-loop feed back through a series of three half adders 42 to complete the log. Four stages must be tapped to achieve a full length binary pseudo-random code from the shift register. The resistor-capacitor network is used to preset the stages to a logical "one" during power supply turn-on to prevent the register from initially starting in an "all-zeroes" condition, for this state is forbidden in a pseudo-random code sequence. A conventional oscillator is used to keep all stages of the register in parallel. The eight bit binary-to-12 line decoder is used to decode the pseudo-random binary sequence into 12 characters displayed on the display panel 13.

Playing instructions required for the player on the present apparatus are as follows. Play single, double, or triple round games. Single round game (insert one disk and select one unit), double round game (insert two disks and select two units), triple round game (insert three disks and select three units).

After you have finished selecting start the machine by pushing the button marked "start," and then try to stop the machine on your selection by pushing the button marked "stop" when you see your selection flash on the screen. Note: start and stop once for a single round, twice for a double round and three times for a triple round game.

SEQUENCE OF OPERATION

Single Round Game

Insert one disk in the disk insert slot. Select one unit from the keyboard by pushing a selected key. The selected unit is displayed above the keyboard in the player selection portion 19. Push the start button to activate the round. Place your hand on or near the stop button and watch display screen for your selection to appear and push the stop button to try to stop the machine on your selection. If the preselected unit and the machine derived unit match the player wins.

In a double round game the player drops two disks, selects two units and the machine is operated twice before the player wins.

In a triple round game the machine is operated three times after three disks have been inserted and three units selected, the machine is operated three times before the player wins provided the player matches the three units set up by the machine.

It should be noted that while the disclosure illustrates separate computer units 32, 33, 35, 36, 37, 39, 40, 27 and 28 it would be relatively simple to combine these units into a single multi-purpose computer to accomplish the result. In FIGS. 6 and 7 a modified form of the invention is illustrated wherein the mechanism of the basic game 10 is utilized but includes an added event selection.

In FIG. 6 the modified game is illustrated generally at 44 and is particularly designed for remote operation. The game 44 includes a plurality of control boxes 45 which are arranged in remote locations for operation by individual players. Each control box 45 includes a 0-9 keyboard 46, a 1-12 selector button group 47, a display panel 48, disk slot 49 and a start button 50.

A cabinet 51 has a random unit display area 52 and a machine selected unit display 53.

A stop button 54 and a start button 55 are mounted on the side of the cabinet 51 for use as described.

A second cabinet 56 is provided having a simulated horse race display in the upper portion thereof and a winners position display 58 therebelow. A stakes display 59 is positioned below the winners display to show the winning odds.

In FIG. 7 a block diagram illustrates the additions to the block diagram of FIG. 4 to add the sweepstakes feature to the basic game 10. A horse selection memory bank 60 is used in conjunction with the 12 position elimination memory bank of FIG. 4 and is connected to the display 57, 58 through the 12 position elimination memory bank 27. A payout memory bank 61 is connected to the horse selection memory bank and to a mechanism for calculating the winnings (not shown).

SEQUENCE OF OPERATION

In the modified game 44 illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 the game is played exactly the same manner as in the game 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5 with the expection that following the selection of the third unit a number from 1 to 12 is selected in the selector button group 47 and depressed to be displayed on the display 48. This number corresponds to one of twelve horses to take part in a simulated race displayed on the display panel 57. Presuming that the player matches the three units with the three units posted on the display 53 he is then a part of the sweepstakes and a ticket 62 issues from the control box 45 showing that he has the winning combination of units 472 and the horse 12 for the horse race.

The horse race is then run by operating the control box 63 and the finish position of the horses and the stakes are displayed on the panels 58, 59. The player by observation determines his winnings.

It should be understood that the oscillator, storage computors, display units, input programmer, keyboard, start-stop programmer and timer, payout calculator, and the various computors are each conventional constructions which have been incorporated into applicants games.

It should be understood that the principals of the game described above maybe applied to other games and similar devices without departing from the spirit of the invention claimed below.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A game apparatus comprising first player control means for pre-selecting and indicating the selection of at least one unit, random unit generator means for rapidly and momentarily displaying in random sequence units of a class including the unit or units selected by the player, second player controlled means for causing the continuous display of a given unit of those displayed by said random unit generator if the second player controlled means is actuated simultaneously with the display of said given unit by said random unit generator, said second player control means being repeatedly operable to continuously display up to the number of pre-selected units, the player in operating said second player control means attempting to cause the continuous display of at least one unit corresponding to at least one pre-selected unit to thus achieve a match, and means operable by a matching of said unit or units displayed by operation of the said second player controlled means with the unit or units displayed by operation of said first player controlled means for indicating such matching.

2. A game apparatus as claimed in claim 1 having a memory means for storing at least one pre-selected unit to be compared with a subsequently selected unit or units designated by the random unit generator.

3. A game apparatus as claimed in claim 2 where at least one pre-selected unit is stored and is comparable with a subsequent unit selected by the random generator means.

4. A game apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the random unit generator means to rapidly and momentarily display a plurality of units in random sequence is automatically operated after a given period of time to cause the random generator to select at least one unit for matching the same with a pre-selected unit in absence of the second player controlled means being operated.

5. A game as claimed in claim 1 wherein the random unit generator contains units other than those pre-selectable by the player.

6. A game as claimed in claim 1 including means for recording a printed record of the units selected by the player and the random unit generator.