Abstract:
The invention is for an automatic dice game machine where according to the invention dice are thrown down a slope until they come to a standstill on a horizontal surface, the dice which are provided with symbols and code marks are then compared by a reading unit comprising several code readers with a present winning combination, after which the dice are moved by means of a horizontal motion into the dice thrower, which has in the meantime been lowered down and finally the dice thrower is moved upwards to its starting position.

Description:
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is for an automatic dice game machine in which according to the invention the dice are thrown by a dice thrower downwards over an inclined plane until they come to rest on a horizontal plane, furthermore the dice, which are provided with symbols and code marks, are compared with a preset winning combination by a reading unit provided with several code readers, after which the dice are again moved by a horizontal movement into the dice thrower which has in the meantime been moved downwards and finally the dice thrower is moved up to its starting position 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     By way of example and without in any way attempting to be exhaustive a more detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the automatic dice game machine in accordance with the invention is given in the following. This description refers to the attached drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal section through the automatic dice game machine; 
     FIG. 2 shows an enlarged longitudinal section through the dice thrower of the automatic machine; 
     FIG. 3 shows a front view of the dice thrower; 
     FIG. 4 shows a plan view of the dice thrower along the line IV—IV of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 shows an enlarged plan view of the scraper and the guide construction; 
     FIG. 6 shows a transverse section through same along line VI—VI in FIG. 5; 
     FIGS. 7 and 8 show a die with code marks; 
     FIG. 9 shows an electrical diagram of the electrical circuit of the automatic machine. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     It will seen from these figures that the automatic machine has a cabinet  1  which is covered an top by a hinged transparent cover  2  which is locked by a lock  3 . A lift device  4  consisting of an endless toothed belt  5  which runs over two rollers  6 - 7  is provided in the cabinet  1 . The upper roller  6  is mounted on the output shaft of a worm gear device  8  powered by an electric motor  9 . A die thrower  10  capable of being moved vertically up and down is mounted on the toothed belt  5 . This die thrower consists of a carrying tray  11  in which a tipping pan  13  that turns around a spindle  12  is mounted for throwing several dice  14  placed in the tipping pan. The carrying tray  11  is provided with guide rollers  15  that run vertically on guide rails  16 . The progression of the dice thrower  10  is limited at the top by a switch  17  and at the bottom by a switch  18  which can turn off the electric motor  9  of the worm gear device  8 . A worm gear device  19  with electric motor  20  is fitted against the lift device  4  in the upper part of the cabinet  1  for tipping the tipping pan  13 . Cam discs  21 - 22 - 23  are mounted on the shaft of the worm screw of the worm gear device  19 . These cam discs work in conjunction with an optical sensor  24  which determines the final horizon position of the tipping tray  13  and an optical sensor  25  which determines the final tipping position of the tipping pan  13 , by switching off the electric motor  20 . Cam disc  21  bears a tipping roller  26  which can exercise pressure on a lip  27  of the tipping pan  13  in order to make the tipping pan tip. An opening  29  is provided in the panel  26  of cabinet  1 . Under this opening a slope  30  with bumps or other irregularities is provided for tumbling the dice rolling down the slope. Located at the bottom of the cabinet and at the foot of the slope  30  is a horizontal transport device  32  consisting of an endless toothed belt  33  running over two rollers  34 - 35  where one of the rollers is mounted on the output shaft of a warm gear  36  with electric motor  37 . A scraper  38  is mounted on the toothed belt  32  the horizontal movement of which is guided by a guide rail  39 . Both final positions of the scraper  38  are limited by switches  40 - 41 , whereas a switch  42  ensures that the scraper always returns to the same position at the foot of the slope  30  before playing the next game. The dice  14  railing from the slope  30  end up on a horizontal receiving panel  43  above which the scraper  38  is free to move. This scraper has a toothed part  44  and an inclined part  45  enabling the dice to be tipped on the receiving panel during the movement of the scraper. A guide structure  46  with a guide opening with a semi-circular end  47  is located above the receiving panel  43  in order to impart a random movement to the dice. A reading unit with multiple code readers  48  is located under the receiving panel  43  for reading the symbols and code marks  49  with digital information on the dice  14 . The reading unit consists of several sub-units  48   a ,  48   b ,  48   c , and  48   d , each of which consists of a control unit which actuates one by one a series of antennae by means of an electronic switch  50   a ,  50   b ,  50   c , and  50   d  and thus reads the information from any of the dies lying uppermost. The reading unit works in conjunction with a central computer unit  51  for the comparison with a predetermined winning combination, which in the event of a win is notified to several coin operated game consoles set up in the game area (not shown). Players can take part in the dice game from any game console and these game consoles are so set up that the game can be participated in only during a preset period of time. The entire automatic machine is set in operation by a central motor controller  52 . 
     The operation of the automatic dice game machine is described below. 
     The central computer unit  51  checks to see whether the same consoles set up in the game area have sufficient credit to allow the game to start. If so a visual and/or acoustic signal is given to indicate that bet is possible. After a given period of time the ability to bet is suspended. The central computer unit  51  starts the electric motor  20  and the worm gear device  19  via the motor control  52  with the result that the tipping roller  26  exerts pressure or the lip  27  of the tipping pan of the dice thrower  10  in which for example there are three dice and which are in the highest position so that the tipping pan tips about the spindle  14  in the direction of the incline  3 C. When the optical sensor detects the end of the tipping movement of the tipping pan  13  the electric motor  20  is stopped. The dice  14  rolling out of the tipping tray roll down the slope  30  and turned in all directions by the bumps  31  an the slope  30 . At the bottom the dice  14  land on the horizontal receiving panel  43  after they have passed through the guide opening of the guide structure  46 . The motor drive  52  then again starts the electric motor  20  so that the tipping pan  13  turns downwards about the spindle  12 , so that it again assumes a horizontal position. When the tipping pan  13  reaches the horizontal position this is determined by the optical sensor  24  which stops the electric motor  20 . The central computer unit  51  then starts the electric motor  9  of the lift device  14  via the motor controller  52  as a result of which the toothed belt  5  moves the dice thrower  10  downwards until it reaches switch  18  and electric motor  9  is switched off. The central computer unit  51  now tells the reading unit with code readers  48  to read the dice  14  which are provided with code marks  49  and which are located on the receiving panel  43 . When the predetermined winning combination is determined this is indicated audiovisually and communicated to the game consoles, with the players being given the chance to choose for another game or to be paid out. Thereafter the central computer unit  51  starts the electric motor  37  with the worm gear device  36  so that the toothed belt  33  moves the scraper  38  mounted on it towards the switch  41  until the switch is reached and the electric motor  37  is turned off. During this movement the sloping part  45  of the scraper moves the dice  14  in various directions. When the central computer unit  15  again starts the electric motor  37  via the motor  52 , the toothed belt  33  moves the scraper  38  in the opposite direction towards the switch  40  With the result that the toothed part  44  of the scraper makes the dice  14  assume another position, making the likelihood that the three dice form a single line in the direction of motion extremely small. When the scraper  38  reaches the switch  43  the dice  14  are pushed into the dice thrower. The scraper  38  is then moved slightly in the opposite direction so that the dice thrower  10  is released after which the electric motor  37  comes to a halt. When the scraper reaches tine switch  42  during its previous movement it again becomes possible for players to make bets. The central computer unit  51  starts electric motor  9  via the motor controller  52  with the result that the toothed belt  5  moves the dice thrower  10  upwards with the dice  14  until switch  17  is reached, which then switches off electric motor  9 . Afterwards the electric motor  37  is made to rotate in the opposite direction so that the toothed belt  33  with the scraper  38  is moved against the switch  42 , which turns the electric motor  37  off and the scraper is returned to its original position. In this position the dice to be received can fall within a space on the receiving panel  43 , which is bounded by the scraper  38 , the semi-circular part  47  and the side pieces of the guide structure  46 . When the game consoles indicate there is still credit available, the cycle describe above is repeated. Alternatively the automatic dice game machine returns to the rest state. 
     It, goes without saying that the parts described above may have any shape and dimensions whatsoever and may be replaced by other components which serve the same purpose.