Multiple credit meter

Abstract

A gaming machine ( 10 ) has a display ( 14 ) and a game controller ( 36 ) arranged to control images displayed on the display ( 14 ). The game controller ( 36 ) is arranged to play a game ( 16 ) wherein one or more random events are caused to be displayed on and, if a predefined winning event results, the machine ( 10 ) awards a prize. The display ( 14 ) includes a plurality of credit meters ( 52, 54 ) each of which is allocated to a player. The machine ( 10 ) includes a credit allocating device ( 60, 62 ) such that, when each player deposits credit into the machine ( 10 ). each player's credit is credited to the player's allocated credit meter ( 52, 54 ).

1. A gaming machine comprising:
 a display for displaying images associated with a game played on the gaming machine, the images including a plurality of credit meters, each of the credit meters being associated with one of a plurality of players who are playing the game, the game being one in which one or more random events are caused to be displayed on the display and, if a predefined winning event results, a prize is awarded; 
 a game controller arranged to control the images displayed on the display, the game controller being arranged to, in response to at least one of the players wagering a credit amount, play the game; 
 a credit acceptor for accepting credit deposited by the players; 
 a credit allocator for, allocating credit to any one of the plurality of credit meters to thereby enable each of the plurality of credit meters to be credited with a credit amount selected by the player associated with that credit meter, irrespective of the credit amounts credited to any of the other credit meters. 
 
     
     
       2. The gaining gaming machine of  claim 1  in which each credit meter forms part of a set of meters. 
     
     
       3. The gaining gaming machine of  claim 2  in which the set of meters comprises, in addition to the credit meter, a win meter. 
     
     
       4. The gaming machine of  claim 2  in which the set of meters also includes a bet meter. 
     
     
       5. The gaming machine of  claim 1  in which the game controller is operable such that each credit meter indicates which player's turn it is. 
     
     
       6. The gaining gaming machine of  claim 1  in which the game controller is operable such that each credit meter indicates which player has received a highest win in a round of games played by participating players. 
     
     
       7. The gaming machine of  claim 1  in which the credit allocator comprises a switch arrangement for allocating the credits deposited into the credit acceptor to the credit meter associated with the player who deposited the credit, the switch arrangement including a switch associated with each player of the game. 
     
     
       8. The gaming machine of  claim 7  in which each switch is operable to initiate the game for the player whose turn it is. 
     
     
       9. The gaming machine of  claim 1  in which the switch arrangement comprises a bank of mechanical switches. 
     
     
       10. The gaming machine of  claim 1  in which the switch arrangement comprises touch sensors associated with the display. 
     
     
       11. The gaining gaming machine of  claim 1  in which the credit allocator is operable, upon completion of play by any one of the players, to pay out each withdrawing player's credit. 
     
     
       12. The gaming machine of  claim 1  which has a default mode where, if the credit allocator is not operated prior to one of the players inserting the credit, only a single credit meter is displayed and the credit allocator allocates any credit deposited to the single credit meter. 
     
     
       13. The gaming machine of  claim 1  in which the credit meters are displayed on the display alternately depending on which player is playing. 
     
     
       14. The gaming machine of  claim 1  in which the credit meters are displayed on the display at the same time. 
     
     
       15. The gaming machine of  claim 7  in which the switches are operable to change a turn of each player. 
     
     
       16. A gaming machine comprising:
 a display for displaying images associated with a game played on the gaming machine, the images including a plurality of credit meters, each of the credit meters displaying a credit amount associated with one of a plurality of players who are playing the game, the game being one in which one or more random events are caused to be displayed on the display and, if a predefined winning event results, a prize is awarded; 
 a game controller arranged to control the images displayed on the display, the game controller being arranged to, in response to at least one of the players wagering a credit amount, play the game; 
 a payout device operable by either one of the players for, when operated, sequentially paying out the credit amounts displayed on the credit meters, the payout device being configured to pause between sequential payouts so that each payout is distinguished from the other payouts. 
 
     
     
       17. The gaming machine of  claim 16  in which the payout device comprises at least one of a hopper and a ticket printer. 
     
     
       18. A method for use with a gaming machine, the gaming machine including a display and a credit allocator, the method comprising the steps of:
 displaying images on the display of the gaming machine, the images associated with a game played on the gaming machine, the images comprising a plurality of credit meters, each of the credit meters being associated with one of a plurality of players who are playing the game, the game being one in which one or more random events are caused to be displayed and, if a predefined winning event results, a prize is awarded; and   allocating credit by the credit allocator of the gaming machine to any one of the plurality of credit meters to thereby enable each of the plurality of credit meters to be credited with a credit amount selected by the player associated with that credit meter, irrespective of the credit amounts credited to any of the other credit meters.   
     
     
       19. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein each credit meter forms part of a set of meters. 
     
     
       20. The method as claimed in claim 19, wherein the set of meters comprises, in addition to the credit meter, a win meter. 
     
     
       21. The method as claimed in claim 19, wherein the set of meters also includes a bet meter. 
     
     
       22. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein each credit meter indicates which player's turn it is. 
     
     
       23. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein each credit meter indicates which player has received a highest win in a round of games played by participating players. 
     
     
       24. The method as claimed in claim 18, further comprising the step of paying out by the credit allocator each withdrawing player's credit. 
     
     
       25. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the credit meters are alternately displayed on the display depending on which player is playing. 
     
     
       26. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the credit meters are displayed on the display at the same time. 
     
     
       27. A method for use with a gaming machine, the gaming machine including a display and a payout device, the method comprising the steps of:
 displaying images on the display of the gaming machine, the images associated with a game played on the gaming machine, the images including a plurality of credit meters, each of the credit meters displaying a credit amount associated with one of a plurality of players who are playing the game, the game being one in which one or more random events are caused to be displayed and, if a predefined winning event results, a prize is awarded;   sequentially paying out by the payout device, when operated, of the gaming machine the credit amounts displayed on the credit meters, the pay out device being operable by either one of the players; and   pausing the payout device between sequential payouts so that each payout is distinguished from the other payouts.   
     
     
       28. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the credit allocator comprises a switch arrangement for allocating credit deposited into the gaming machine to the credit meter associated with the player who deposited the credit, the switch arrangement including a switch associated with each player of the game. 
     
     
       29. A gaming machine comprising:
 a display for displaying of images associated with a game played on the gaming machine, the images including a plurality of credit meters;   at least one button;   a game controller;   a data storage device comprising software, and   a credit allocator for, allocating credit to any one of the plurality of credit meters to thereby enable each of the plurality of credit meters to be credited with a credit amount selected by the player associated with that credit meter, irrespective of the credit amounts credited to any of the other credit meters,   wherein the game controller and data storage device are arranged such that the game controller can execute the software, whereby execution of the software: allows the game controller to detect an activation of the button by a player; and cause an additional player credit meter to be displayed on the display thereby resulting in a plurality of distinct player credit meters being displayed on the display.   
     
     
       30. A method for use with a gaming machine, the gaming machine including a button for activation by a player, a display, and a credit allocator, the method comprising the steps of:
 detecting the activation of the button on the gaming machine by the player; displaying on the display of the gaming machine an additional player credit meter thereby resulting in a plurality of distinct player credit meters being displayed on the display and   allocating credit by the credit allocator to any one of the plurality of credit meters to thereby enable each of the plurality of credit meters to be credited with a credit amount selected by the player associated with that credit meter, irrespective of the credit amounts credited to any of the other credit meters.   
     
     
       31. The gaming machine of claim 29 in which the credit allocator comprises a switch arrangement for allocating credit deposited into the gaming machine to the credit meter associated with the player who deposited the credit, the switch arrangement including a switch associated with each player of the game. 
     
     
       32. The method as claimed in claim 30, wherein the credit allocator comprises a switch arrangement for allocating credit deposited into the gaming machine to the credit meter associated with the player who deposited the credit, the switch arrangement including a switch associated with each player of the game.