GB2181590A - Operating system for a coin-freed machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A coin-freed machine such as a pool table (1) has a coin mechanism (17) and a control unit (2) which is linked to an operating device (9) and is arranged to actuate the machine (1) when sufficient coins have been inserted into the coin mechanism (17). The coin mechanism (17) is in the control unit (2) and the control unit (2) is located remote from the machine. A link (11), such as an electric cable, is provided between the unit (2) and the machine (1). The unit (2) may monitor and store data relating to operation of the coin mechanism (17), and provision may be made for transferring this to a data recorder (28). The unit (2) may include a timer (18b) so that the valve of coins required to actuate the machine (1) can automatically change at different times of the day. <IMAGE>

Description

1 GB 2 181 590 A 1 SPECIFICATION - Operating system fora coin-freed

machine This invention relates to an operating system fora coin-freed machine particularly although not exclusively a coin-freed pool table. The term coin as used herein includes both coins and tokens.

A known kind of coin-freed pool table has a ball rack concealed within the table. In orderto play a game it is necessaryto release the balls from the rack so thatthey run along runways to an access opening at one end of the table. This is effected by inserting a coin into an aperture in a coin mechanism slide and then pushing the slide in to cause the ball racktotilt.

This known arrangement is of a wholly mechanical nature and is of limited versatility. Thus, the coin mechanism cannot readily be modified to allowfor changes in game price, nor can it accommodate coins of a range of different denominations. Also, in practice, there are limited possibilites for collection of statistical data relating to use of thetable.

Electronic coin mechanisms are available butthere isthe problem of incorporating these into tables, es- pecially in the case of existing tables, without requiring undue constructional modification and such that the desired versatility can in fact be achieved in a convenient manner. Thus, if the coin mechanism is to be operatively connected to the ball rackto effect auto- matictilting then itwould be necessary eitherto run a powercable to the table orto provide a sufficiently powerful internal battery, neither of which arrangementswould be generally acceptable in practical terms. Also, incorporation of the coin mechanism into thetableto meetthe requirements of: easy oper- 100 ational access for the player, good protection against vandalism and theft, and easy access to authorised personnel for maintenance, coin removal and data retrieval, would inevitably involve major restructur- ing of thetable.

An object of the present invention is to provide a versatile operating system for a coin-freed machine which is convenientto install and use.

According to one aspect of the present invention therefore there is provided an operating system for a coin-freed machine, said system having a control unit, a link between the contro unit and the machine, an operating device within the machine operable when actuated to putthe machine into an operational state, and a coin mechanism operable to actuatethe device when coinsto a predetermined value have been inserted into the mechanism, characterised in thatthe control unit is at a location remote from the machine, and the coin mechanism is provided within the unitwherebythe device is arranged to be actuated bythe coin mechanism via the link between the machine and the control unit.

With this arrangement considerable versatility is possible in that it is possible to use an electronic or other desired coin mechanism, and this can be achieved in a convenient manner, even wherethe operating system is fitted to an existing machine, in so far as installation of the system need not require extensive structural modification to the machine and access to the coin mechanism can be achieved as conveniently as desired by appropriate design of the control unit. Moreover, the link being disposed between the machine and the remote control system can be constructed as desired to meet requirements with regard to the nature of the link and the nature and location of the power source. In one embodiment, the link comprises a radiation link. In this case the operating device may be an electromechanical device, and the link may be a lowvoltage cable link where it is desired to avoid the inconvenience of a battery power source within the table orthe inconvenience and possible risk of a high voltage (e.g. a.c. mains) power cable. Where a battery or other power sourcewithin the table is acceptable it is feasibleto use a radiation link e.g. an ultrasonic or infra-red link. It is even possibleto use a non-radiation nonelectrical link e.g. a pneumatic or hydraulic linewith which a suitable operating device in the machine can be operated by change in fluid pressure in the line effected by suitable apparatus in the control unit. A pneumaticlhydraulic power source may be provided in the unit and/orthe machine. The arrangement of the invention can be advantageous over known systems even where an internal battery source or other power source is provided in so far as the control unit can be powered separately from the power source (e.g. f rom a local mains source) whereby any failure of the battery need not involve failure of the coin mechanism or of any associated control devices con- tained in the control unit.

A further advantage of the use of the remote control unit is thatthis can be conveniently constructed, independently of the construction of the machine, to give good security with easy access for authorised personnel.

In a preferred embodiment, where the machine is a coin-f reed pool table or otherf loor-standing gameplaying machine, the control unit may be housed in a box structure mounted on a nearby room wall.

The said operating device may be an electromechanical device for example comprising a solenoid or motor. Where the machine is a pool table, the device may be arranged to flItthe usual ball rack ortake other action to release balls to make these ac- cessible to the player.

The control unit preferably incorporates, in addition to the coin mechanism, electronic circuitry arranged to monitor and record data pertaining to the usage of the machine, for example, the number of times the machine is used, the value of coins inserted, the frequency of use at differenttimes of the day. This data may be made available for access to an authorised person in any suitable manner. In particular, the data may be stored so that it can be collec- ted electronically for subsequent assessment at a central control location. Thus, and in accordance with a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an operating system for a coin-freed machine, said system comprising a control unit, an operating device within the machine operablewhen actuated to putthe machine into an operational state, a coin mechanism operable to actuate the device when coins to a predetermined value have been inserted into the mechanism, characterised in that the coin mechanism is provided within the unit and elec- 2 GB 2 181 590 A 2 tronic circuitry is provided within the unitconnected tothecoin mechanism arrangedto monitorand store data relating to operation of the mechanism, and an interface is provided via which said stored data can betransferred to data receiving equipment.

The arrangement may be such that portable data receiving equipment is plugged into the interfaceto receivethe data, and the equipment is then transported to a remote central control location atwhich the data in the equipment istransferred to a computerfor storage and analysis.

The data received bythe equipment may additionally include site information e.g. identifying the machine and/orits location. This site information may be derived froma plug-in key orthe like which is inserted into the control unitwhich maytherefore be of standardised form. For security reasons, before data can be received bythe equipment it may be necessaryforthe person collecting the data to identify himself or herself to the control unit e.g. by insertion of a plug-in key into the unit.

The system of the second aspect of the invention may have all of the features of the firstaspect of the invention.

The aforesaid electronic circuitryof the control unit mayalso actto control operation of the coin mechanism andiorthe machine in accordance with a predetermined operational program. In particularthe circuitry may include a real time clock and the arrange- ment may be such that, in the case of a game-playing machine, the price per game is varied at different times so thatthe price is reduced at less popular playing times.

Thus and in accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, which may be combined with the first andlor second aspect, there is provided an operating system for a coin-freed machine, said system comprising a control unit, an operating device within the machine operable when actuated to putthe machine into an operational state, and a coin mechanism which is pre- setto actuate the operating devicewhen coins to a predetermined value have been inserted into the mechanism, characterised in that the coin mechanism is provided within the unit, and electronic circuitry is provided within the unit connected to the coin mechanism, said circuitry including a real time clock and being arranged to change the said pre-setting so asto change the predetermined value of coins required to actuatethe de- vice at predetermined times.

The invention will now be described further byway of example only and with referenceto the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of one form of an operating system according to the present 120 invention connected to a coin-freed pool table; Figare2 is a block circuit diagram of the arrangement of Figure 1, and Figure 3shows equipmentfor use in obtaining data from the system of Figure 1.

With referenceto the drawings, Figure 1 shows a coin-freed pool table 1 connected to a remote control unit 2. The pool table 1 is generally of conventional form and comprises a large box structure body 3 mounted on floor-standing legs 4. The body 3 sup- ports atop playing surface and within the body beneath this surface there is an elongate ball rack 5 (Figure 2) which is connected via runways to pockets at the periphery of the playing surface and also to an outlet aperture atone end of the table.

The ball rack 5 has a supportsurface 6 on which the usual pool object balls can be retained in a row when this surface is disposed generally horizontally. The rack 5 can be tilted to allowthe balls to escape from the surface 6 over one longitudinal edge 7 thereof to run to the outlet aperture in the table land this tilting is effected by longitudinal movement of a rod 8 connected to the rack 5 at one end thereof. With a conventional all-mechanical table, the rod 8 is connected to a slide-operated coin mechanism. A coin of the requisite denomination is inserted intothe slide which projects from the front side of the table, and the slide is pushed in so thatthe coin fails into an internal cash box and the rod 8 is moved to flitthe rack. The slide is then pulled outwhereupon the balls are allowedto run to the outlet aperture and the rack is returnedto the horizontal position ready to retain pocketed object balls.

With the arrangement shown in the drawings, in place of the mechanical coin mechanism there is an electromechanical actuatorfor example comprising an electric motor9 connected via a crank linkage 10 to the rod 8. Rotation of the motor actsto movethe rod 8 axially backwards and forwards in like manner to the action of the conventional coin slide.

The motor 9 is connected to the control unit 2 via a lowvoltage cable 11. The unit 2 is mounted to a convenient position, for example, on a nearbywall of the room in which the table is located, and the cable 11 is suitably installed in a protected/concealeed manner down one leg of thetable, along thefloor, and upthe roomwall.

The control unit 2 comprises a box structure 12 having a locked front door 13 containing a display panel 14. On the display panel 14, in addition to printed instructions and the like, there is a coin slot 15 and an alphanumeric LED display 16. Within the box structure 12there is an electronic coin mechanism 17 connected to the coin slot 15 and electronic control circuitry 18 connected to the display 16to the coin mechanism 17 to mains supply 1 gto an interface arrangement20 and to a triac switching circuit interposed between a transformer 21 a connected to mains supplythe lowvoltage cable 11, and tothe cable 11 itself. The electronic control circuitry 18 includes a programmed microprocessor-based control circuit 18a and a real time clock 18b. The circuitry 18 is further connected to a door switch 32 and an audible alarm 33.

The electronic coin mechanism 17 is of a known kind. It is capable of receiving and validating coins of a range of denominations and it is arranged to produce an electrical signal at an output 22 representative of the value of validated coins. The control circuit 18 is arranged to store the level of credit and an output signal isfed tothe switch 21 when a predetermined level of credit is reached. This predetermined level can be changed as explained hereinafter. Verified coins are discharged into a cash box locked within the box structure 12.

Z 3 GB 2 181 590 A 3 1 1 50 As coins are inserted, the credited value ib indicated on the display 16. This display 16 also provides information (e.g. the price of a game). When the requisite level of credit has been attained the signal from the control circuit 18 causes the triac switch 21 to be actuated so as to cause low voltage to be supplied to the motor 9 via the cable 11 therebyto cause the rod 8 to be moved to tilt the ball rack 5. A limit switch (not shown) may be connected to the cam link 10 so that supply of power is interrupted aftertilting of the rack has been completed thereby to allowthe rackto return to the horizontal position underthe influence of a spring. The load across the cable 11 is monitored bythe control circuit 18 and the switch 21 is deactuated when the motor circuit is opened bythe limit switch. Also, the control circuit 18 can monitor the load and take appropriate action (e.g. by switching off the coin mechanism 17 and preventing further use of the pool table) if there is a fault in the motor circuit.

The control circuit 18 includes a memory device which is powered with a rechargeable battery or is otherwise of a non-volatile nature. Data relating to use of the pool table is stored in the memory device, such data comprising for example (but not necessarily limited to) number of games played, value of coins inserted into and credited bythe coin mechanism, frequency of games played at differenttimes of the day.

The interface arrangement 20 includes a jack socket 24 and two multi-pin sockets 25,26. One socket 25 contains a site identifying key 27. This comprises a removable plug the pins of which are interconnected in a predetermined pattern unique to the site at which the pool table is located.

Periodically, when the door 13 is unlocked and coins are collected from the cash box in the unit 2, the collectorcan also collect data with equipment 28 as shown in Figure 3. The equipment 28 comprises a portable battery-powered unit containing a memory device and having a keyboard 29 and an alphanumeric display device 30. There is a trailing jack plug 31 which can be inserted into the socket 24. When the door 13 is unlocked the door switch 32 is actuated and the audible alarm device 33 is triggered in the control unit 2. In orderto silence the alarm and enable transferof data from the memory device of the control circuit 18 into the memory device of the equipment 28 it is necessaryforthe collectorto insert an identifying plug into the other multi-pin socket 26. The identifying plug has its pins interconnected in a predetermined pattern unique to the collector. Data representing the game-playing information stored in the memory device and also representing the site and collector identification codes (and possibly a code identifying the table which may be programmed into the control circuit 18 or may be defined bythe site key 27 in the socket 25) isthen transferred seriallyfrom the interface 20to the memory in the equipment 28. Data relating to date and time of collection and also information relating to machine faults, attempt attampering with the unit, incidences of opening of the door 13 etc. may also be transferred. The transfer operation can be controlled using the keyboard 29 in correspondence with prompts appearing on the display 30. Other data can also be entered via the keyboard and stored in the memory. In particular,the value of collected coins can be entered.

The collected coins and the equipment are then taken to a central control location where the data stored in the equipment memory is transferred via the jack plug 31 to a computer for analysis purposes. For example, the cash collected can be compared with the cash credited on the coin mechanism.

The arrangement described above permits great versatility. The coin mechanism 17 can be used with coins of a range of different denominations and there is the possibility of storing credit so thattwo or more games can be purchased in advance. The circuit 18 can be pre-setfor a desired price per game and the pre-setting can be readily changed, to allowfor changes in game pricing, as desired. In particuiar,the game pricing may change in accordance with the time of the day and the day of the week (as determined f rom the real time clock) so that the game price is less expensive at less popular times annd more expensive at very populartimes. The pattern of price changing may be selected forthe particular site and may be programmed into the control unit by means of press buttons or a keyboard within the unit utilised in conjunction with the alphanumeric display 16. Alternatively the programming may be effected automatically when the site identifying plug is inser- ted into the unit as determined bythe coded wiring of the plug.

Itwill be appreciated thatthe system described above can befitted to an existing pool table in a particularly simple and convenient manner. Thus, it may only be necessaryto remove the usual coin mechanism, fitthe actuatorwithin the table, close the coin mechanism aperture with a suitable plate 34, and run the cable 11 to the nearby control unit 2. Extensive structural modification of the table is not required.

Moreover, itwill be understood that a standardised control unit 2 can be used with different pool tables, differences in requirements being accommodated by differences in programming of the circuit 18 derived from the coding of the site key 27 and/or as entered on setting up the unit 2 with press buttons orthe like as mentioned above.

The coded plug 27 inserted into the socket 25 and the plug inserted into the socket 26 are described as wired plugs but alternatively (and preferably) one or both (preferably both) may include a readable memory device (e.g. ROM) additionally or alternatively (preferably alternatively) to the coded wiring.

Additionally or alternativelyto transfer of data using the portable device 28, the control circuit 18 may be arranged to be connected to the remote central computervia a telephone line or other data link so thatclata can betransferred remotely. Such a link may also be used to transmit data or instructionsto the circuit 18 e.g. instructions forthe changing of the price per game.

It is of course to be understood thatthe invention is not intended to be restricted to the above details which are described by way of example only. Forexample, alternatively or additionallyto controlling re- lease of balls from a ball rack as described, the con- 4 GB 2 181 590 A 4 trol circuit 18 may act to control playing time using the timing facility incorporated in the circuit 18. Thus, after accumulation of sufficient credit fora game, the balls may be released e.g. by lifting of a barrier whereby pocketed balls are returned to the player until a predetermined time has elapsed whereupon the barrieris lowered and balls are retained asthey are pocketed. Any other suitable time-based control procedure may be utilised. Alternatively oraddition- ally, auxiliary functions may betime controlled, such as lighting of thetable. Thus,the usual overhead canopy light may beswitched on atthe start of a game and switched off aftera predetermined time.

The control unit may be arranged to give a bonus credit if a predetermined amount of money is inserted; e.g. insertion of ú1.00 may give ú1.20 game playing credit.

Claims (20)

1. An operating system fora coin-freed machine, said system having a control unit, a link between the control unit and the machine, an operating device within the machine operable when actuated to put the machine into an operational state, and a coin mechanism operableto actuate the device when coinsto a predetermined value have been inserted into the mechanism, characterised in thatthe control unit is at a location remote from the machine, and the coin mechanism is provided within the unitwhereby the device is arranged to be actuated bythe coin mechanism via the link between the machine and the co ntro 1 u n it.

2. A system according to claim 1, characterised in that the said link comprises an electrical link.

3. A system according to claim 1, characterised in that said link comprises a radiation link.

4. A system according to claim 1, characterised in that said link comprises a hydraulic andlor pneu- matic link.

5. A system according to claim 2 or claim 4, characterised in that power is supplied along the link from the control unit to the operating device for powering operation thereof.

6. Asystem according to anyone of claims 2to 4, characterised in that a local power source for powering the operating device is provided in the table.

7. Asystem according to anyone of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the said operating device is an electromechanical device.

8. Asystem according to anyone of claims 1 to 7, characterised in thatthe said machine is a pool table.

9. A system according to claim 8, characterised in thatthe operating device is arranged to release balls from a storage rack of the table.

10. A system according to anyone of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the control unit f u rther incorporates electronic circuitry arranged to monitor and record data pertaining to the usage of the machine.

11. An operating system fora coin-freed machine, said system comprising a control unit, an operating devicewithin the machine operablewhen actuated to putthe machine into an operational state, a coin mechanism operableto actuatethe device when coins to a predetermined value have been in serted into the mechanism, characterised in thatthe coin mechanism is provided within the unit and electronic circuitry is provided within the unit connected to the coin mechanism arranged to monitor and store data relating to operation of the mechanism, and an interface is provided via which said stored data can betransferred to data receiving equipment.

12. A system according to claim 11, characterised in that portable data receiving equipment is arranged to be plugged into the interfaceto receive the data.

13. A system according to claim 11 or claim 12, characterised in that the receiving equipment is arranged additionally to receive site information data.

14. A system according to claim 13, characterised in that the site information is derived from a plug-in key inserted into the control unit.

15. Asystern according to anyone of claims 11 to 14, characterised in that data can only be received by the said equipment after insertion of a plug-in identification key into the unit.

16. Asystem according to anyone of claims 11 to 15, which is also a system according to anyone of claims 1 to 10.

17. A system according to anyone of claims 1 to 16, characterised in thatthe control unit contains electronic circuitry arranged to control operation of the coin mechanism and/orthe machine in accordance with a predetermined operational program.

18. An operating system fora coin-f reed machine, said system comprising a control unit, an operating device withinthe machine operablewhen actuated to putthe machine into an operational state, and a coin mechanism which is pre-setto actuatethe operating devicewhen coinsto a predetermined value have been inserted intothe mechanism, characterised inthatthe coin mechanism is provided withinthe unit, and electronic circuitry is provided within the unitconnected tothecoin mechanism, said circuitry including a realtime clock and being arrangedto changethe said pre-setting so asto changethe predetermined value of coins requiredto actuate the device at predetermined times.

19. A system according to claim 18, which is also a system accordingto anyone of claims 1 to 17.

20. A system according to anyone of the preceding claims, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

Printed for Her Majesty's Stationery Office by Croydon Printing Company (U K) Ltd,3,87, D8991685. Published by The Patent Office, 25 Southampton Buildings, London, WC2A l AY, from which copies maybe obtained.

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