AU757067B2 - Apparatus and recording medium for performing games utilizing results of lots - Google Patents

Description

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S F Ref: 456663

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

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Name and Address of Applicant: Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service: Invention Title: Konami Co., Ltd.

3-2, Minatojimanakamachi 7-chome Chuo-ku, Kobe-shi Hyogo-ken

JAPAN

Katsuhiko Watanabe Spruson Ferguson, Patent Attorneys Level 33 St Martins Tower, 31 Market Street Sydney, New South Wales, 2000, Australia Apparatus and Recording Medium for Performing Games Utilizing Results of Lots The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- 5845 APPARATUS AND RECORDING MEDIUM FOR PERFORMING GAMES UTILIZING RESULTS OF LOTS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a game system for performing a given hands-making game on the relationship between results of lots performed using balls or others and attributes of a plurality of characters displayed in a matrix form on a game screen.

This kind of game includes a game called a bingo game. In the bingo game, a ball is repeatedly selected by lot a plurality of times from a o: onumber of balls to which the numbers are assigned. When a predetermined number of cells whose numbers are the same as the balls selected make a continuous line in a game screen, it is regarded that a winning hand is produced, prizes being given. In short, in this bingo game, the hands making is made progress based on only the correspondent relationship between the selected numbers and the numbers of the cells. Although progress states in the course of the game are easier to understand, the progress tends to be monotonous. In particular, when the game has been made progress until a certain extent, S" the final game results can be forecast easily. If a player is in a o disadvantageous situation that the line is not formed smoothly, it is almost impossible for the player to reverse the game from the disadvantageous situation. Consequently, it is frequent that player's interest for lots to come is lost.

To overcome such drawbacks, there is provided a game apparatus in which changes are given the progress of a game using a concept referred to as chains. In this game apparatus, the random numbers are assigned to a given number of blocks arranged in a matrix in a game screen. On performing the lot once, a block corresponding to the selected number is eliminated, and an upper block positioned over the eliminated portion is moved downward to fulfill the vacant space formed by the elimination. Where chains of blocks of which numbers are the same are formed in either the upper and lower blocks or the right and left blocks, the blocks forming chains are eliminated, then upper blocks positioned over the eliminated blocks are moved downward. New chains of blacks are eliminated again. Such processing is repeated until no chain is formed anymore, then the next lot is performed. When a predetermined time of lots are completed, the game is over, thus a prize to being refunded on the number of blocks that have been eliminated so far.

In this game apparatus, it is possible that a series of chains continue in response to one time of lot, so that the hands making advances to a greater extent. A player can have expectation for reversing the game.

S°However, the game utilizing chains requires that frequencies of 1 occurrence of chains be limited within an appropriate range. Thus the blocks displayed in the game screen are sectioned into a number of types of blocks using the numbers, colors, or others. It may be difficult to *determine what chain will happen responsively to the results of the next lot. Particularly, it is almost impossible for inexperienced players in the O game to figure out a condition to reverse the game. As a result, such ooooo °players have to continue the game without knowing degrees in the progress of the game, thus interests in the game being lost due to the absence of becoming familiar with the game.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in consideration with the above problems. An object of the present invention is to provide a game apparatus capable of allowing a player to easily figure out the progress of a game as well as giving diversity to the progress of the game so that the player can have a greater expectation. Another object of the present invention is to provide a recording medium capable of storing a computer-readable software program that provides the same advantages as the above.

In order to achieve the objects, the present invention is configured as follows. In the following components, references adopted from the accompanying drawings are added with parentheses, but the components of the present invention are not necessarily limited to such adoption.

To achieve the object, one of the present invention is provided such that a game apparatus comprising: lot device for selecting any one i from a plurality of choices prepared in advance by lot as well as providing information inherent to the selected choice; display device of images; and game control unit for making a given game advance on a screen of the 6 display device on the basis of the information provided by the lot device, wherein the game control unit includes; image setting device for displaying on the screen in a matrix-arrayed fashion a plurality of characters having a given correspondent relationship with the plurality of choices; first determining device for determining whether or not a first which belongs to the characters, made to correspondent to the selected choice is displayed on the screen, with reference to the information provided by the lot device; first display-altering device for altering a display mode of the first character from a first mode to a second mode, provided the first character made to correspond to the selected ,2 choice is displayed; second determining device, provided the display mode of the first character is altered by the first display-altering device, for determining whether or not there exists a second character, which belongs to the characters, not only displayed still in the first mode but also made to put between the first character newly altered in the second mode and a third character, which belongs to the characters, which has already been displayed in the second mode; second display-altering device, provided there exists the second character, for altering a display mode of the second character from the first mode to the second mode; and evaluating device for evaluating results of the game conducted by a player on the basis of the number of the second and third characters displayed in the second mode.

According to this invention, the characters mapped in a matrix in the screen are sectioned on the correspondence to the choices handled by the lot device. Concurrently with this, the characters are sectioned into two types depending on whether they are displayed a first mode or a second mode. For the lot done by the lot device, the present invention is similar to the conventional game apparatus making use of chains of characters in that the characters made correspond to the selected choice is altered in display mode. However, after the alteration of the display modes, characters which not only have been displayed in the first mode but also are made to put between the characters changed into the second *mode by lot of this time and the characters which have already been displayed in the second mode are simply display-changed into the second O mode. Hence it is easier for players to understand conditions of display alterations or their reasons. Since first-mode characters made to put between the second-mode characters are altered in display into the second mode at a time, there is a possibility that the number of characters displayed in the second mode increase largely by one time of A 'lot. Due to the fact that game results are evaluated on the number of the second-mode characters, players can expect a greater reversal.

The lot device may be constructed to perform the lot a plurality of times and the evaluating device may be configured to evaluate the results of the game on the basis of the number of the second-mode characters residing in the screen when processing on the first and second displayaltering device are completed for a final lot of the plurality of times of lots.

In this case, every time the lot is performed, the number of second-mode characters increase, and states in the increase are diversified. This is able to keep player's interests in the game for a long time.

The game control apparatus may further comprise third determining device, when the display mode the first character is altered from the first mode to the second mode correspondingly to the lot performed this time, for determining whether or not there is a possibility that a predetermined winning condition is satisfied with the lot performed :next time, based on a distribution of the first character displayed in the first mode and the second and third characters displayed in the second mode; preliminary-information display device, provided the third (T determining device determines that there is the possibility to satisfy the winning condition, for presenting information to inform the player of the possibility on the screen.

Thus, where there is a possibility that the next lot fulfills the winning condition, the preliminary-information representing such situation is displayed. This is useful in exalting player's expectation.

The third determining device may be configured to specify the first character, which is displayed in the first mode, which should be altered to the second mode in order to satisfy the winning condition at the next lot, and the preliminary-information display device is configured to 4 perform display to instruct the player on the specified first character.

In this case, characters fulfilling the winning condition if selected at the next lot are taught to players. Therefore, the correspondent relationship between the characters taught and the choices in the lot device allows a player to easily recognize which choice, if selected at the next lot, leads to a win. In consequence, it is possible to steadily attract player's interest and greatly enhance player's expectation for the next game.

The game control unit may further comprise bonus game performing device performing a given bonus game on the screen, provided pre-given conditions are fulfilled which include one condition that a given level of the game results is evaluated by the evaluating device; and evaluation-correcting device for correcting the evaluation performed by the evaluating device on the basis of results of the bonus game.

)0 The bonus game performing device may be configured to perform boooo the bonus game on condition that the given level of the game results is evaluated by the evaluating device as well as a given choice among the choices is selected by the lot device by a time when the given level of the game results is evaluated.

In these cases, the game achievement is evaluated on the number of characters displayed in the second mode, and if the evaluation satisfy a certain condition, there occurs a possibility of going onto the bonus game.

For the bonus game, the game achievement is corrected according to results of the bonus game, thereby eliminating monotony in the game S" ,O and further attracting player's interest.

The first and second modes may consist of colors distinguished from each other.

In this case, the characters are classified into two hues in the screen, making a clear distinction between the first and second modes.

Another aspect of the present invention is a recording medium in which a game program is recorded for making a computer execute a given game on results of a lot performed through selecting any one from a plurality of choices prepared in advance, the game program includes; an image setting procedure for displaying on a given screen in a matrixarrayed fashion a plurality of characters having a given correspondent relationship with the plurality of choices; a first determining procedure for determining whether or not a first character, which belongs to the characters, made to correspondent to the selected choice exists in the Sscreen, with reference to the results of the lot; a first display-altering procedure for altering a display mode of the first character from a first mode to a second mode, provided the first character made to correspond to the selected choice exists in the screen; a second determining procedure, provided the display mode of the first character is altered by the first display-altering procedure, for determining whether or not there exists a second character, which belongs to the characters, not only displayed still in the first mode but also made to put between the first o character newly altered in the second mode and a third character, which belongs to the characters, which has already been displayed in the I second mode; a second display-altering procedure, provided there exists '.the second character, for altering a display mode of the second character from the first mode to the second mode; and an evaluating step for evaluating results of the game conducted by a player on the basis of the number of the second and third characters displayed in the second mode.

Q" ,20 Therefore, a computer combined with appropriate lot device can read the game program stored in the recording medium. This leads to realizing the construction of a game apparatus described in the first invention.

In the present invention above described, alternative components 2can be used as follows. As the choices for the lot device, the numbers, colors, codes, figures, or others can be used. In such case, the correspondent relationship between the choices and the characters in the screen may be expressed such that, for example, the same numbers or colors as the choices are assigned to the characters.* The characters can be presented in the screen in a wide range of forms including pieces, cells, or blocks. It is enough for the first and second modes that the characters are classified into two types according to elements different from such elements as the numbers or colors assigned to the characters Sin order to express the correspondent relationship with the choices. For example, in the case that the correspondent relationship is expressed by the numbers, elements other than the numbers, such as colors or shapes of the characters, can make a distinction between the first and second modes. Evaluation of results of a game can be set in a manner that, by way of example, the more the number of characters expressed in the oo. second mode is, the higher a play value giving a player is. The play value can be given a player according to, by way of example, the number of *ooo medals or modes of time of play. The recording medium includes a S°CD-ROM, RAM, ROM, hard disk, floppy disk, or magnet-optical disk.

The remaining features of the invention will be clearly understood from the following description of preferred embodiments and their modifications, described together with accompanying drawings.

BREIF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings: S"Fig. 1 is an outer perspective view of a game apparatus to which the present invention is applied; Fig.2 is a partially sectioned frontal view showing an outlined configuration of a lot unit installed in the game apparatus; Fig. 3 is a plan view showing the configuration of a reader installed Sin the game apparatus; Fig.4 is a side view of the reader; is an illustration showing the construction of a discharge side cylinder of a liquid supply arranged in the game apparatus; Fig.6 shows a pipe system incorporated in the liquid supply; Fig.7 illustrates the relationship in arrangement among a base, center body, head, and light-projecting units of the game apparatus; Fig.8 is a side view showing a structure for rotating the lightprojecting units; Fig.9 is a plan view of the light-projecting units; Figs. 1OA to 10C are illustrations representing light-projecting patterns for the light-projecting units; Fig. 1 1A is a perspective view illustrating the construction of one 1O illuminating member arranged with each supporter of the game apparatus; Fig.llB is a section view of a light-emitting plate of the illuminating member; Fig. 11 C is a plan view showing the construction of an illuminating I' member according to a modification; Fig. 12A is an outlined perspective view of a reader according to another embodiment applicable to the game apparatus; Fig. 12B is an enlarged view of the reader; Fig. 13 is a block diagram of the game apparatus; Fig. 14 is a flowchart exemplifying a main routine executed by a CPU disposed in Fig. 13; Fig. 15 is a flowchart exemplifying bet processing in a reverse game executed by the CPU; 2- Fig. 16 is a flowchart exemplifying game processing in the reverse game; Fig. 17 is a flowchart continued from Fig. 16; Fig. 18 is a view representing the initial state of a game image in the reverse game; 3o Fig. 19 is a view representing a state of the game advanced from its initial state; is a view representing a game image displayed when the reverse game comes to an end; and Fig.21 is a view representing a game image in a slot game Sexecuted by the CPU, as a bonus game.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the accompanying drawings, embodiments of the present invention will now be described.

Fig. 1 is an outer perspective view of a game apparatus into which 0 the present invention is practiced and Fig.2 is a partially sectioned frontal view outlining a mechanical configuration of the game apparatus. The game apparatus comprises a lot unit 1 installed in the center thereof and an input unit 11 disposed around the lot unit. In Fig. 1, the rear side of the game apparatus is configured in the same design as that in the frontal side. The game apparatus also has the predetermined number of balls B.

c The lot unit 1 comprises a base 2, center body 3 arranged upward at the center of the base 2, head 7 housing the top of the center body 3, and supporters 8 arranged at the right and left sides in Fig. 1. The base 2 has a ring-like upper surface formed into a white surface 20 composed of, for example, a plate member, within which a subtank 64 shown in Fig.6 is placed. The center body 3 has a cylindrical tank 30 in which liquid, such as water W, whose specific gravity is lower than the balls B to be used is filled by the required amount. Inside the tank 30 is placed a 2 stirring device 4 producing circulating liquid flow and a reader 5 reading information inherently given to the balls B. Although not seen from Fig. 1, a liquid supply 6 is placed beneath the tank 30 (refer to Fig.2). In the remaining inner space of the base 2, there are placed pipes L1 and L2, a pump P, electromagnetic valves EV1 to EV4, and others (refer to Fig.6), which constitute part of the liquid supply 6.

Around the outer side of the head 7 formed to have a large diameter and installed around the top of the tank 30, provided are T display members representing game contents and speakers 71 presenting the sound effects. On one hand, the inner side thereof are provided a driver 43 constituting part of the stirring device 4, which is positioned at the center, and a plurality of (for example, three composed of three primary colors) lighting devices 72 for lighting the inside of the tc tank, which are placed at equal intervals on the circumference therein.

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oo Each supporter 8 consists of base member 80 placed at the right and left sides of the base 2, a pair of parallel arms 81 each of which both ends fixed between the base member 80 and the head 7, and illuminating member 82 each attached to each pair of arms 81. At both the lower K right and left sides of the head 7, as described later, provided are light- .projecting units 9 lighting up, like searchlights, the ring-like white surface 20 of the base 2.

The input unit 11 has a plurality of game terminals 111i, 112, etc., which are arrayed in a symmetrical configuration every four pieces, for S" ?co instance, both in the front and rear sides of the base 2. Each game terminal is configured in the same way.

The configuration of the game terminal I11 will now be explained as a representative one. In the game terminal 111, on its top surface is provided a display 11 a for displaying game contents, operational menus, d and others. The display consists of a CRT, for example. Adjacently to the display 111 a, a medal-inserting slit 111 b and a bed button 11 if are provided. Further, a medal-refunding opening 11 c is provided under the medal-inserting slit 11 lb used for paying medals whose number is decided according to its game achievement when a player gains a predetermined level or more game achievement. Inside the terminal 111, a medal-paying unit 11 le is provided (not shown in Fig. 2; refer to Fig. 13).

Medals of which number is decided according to a game achievement are counted by a medal counter or others and paid from a medal container arranged therein (not shown).

In the game apparatus, additionally to electric display of such game as bingo game on the display 1l1 a, various types of information and instructions necessary for prosecuting game are presented to game participants by displaying those on the display 1l1 la in a menu mode.

(0 To permit the participants to directly access the displayed menu, a transparent touch panel 11 ld is placed on the display screen of the display 1l1 la.

The touch panel 1 ld is formed into a plate-like member two- S°dimensionally shaped to have an X-Y plane and made of a material I through which ultrasound wave is able to travel. At each of the side edges of the plane, ultrasound sources are disposed along each axis direction to transmit pulsed ultrasound waves toward an opposite side of fl04a.

the plane at a high repetition time. Thus when pressing at a desired position of the plate-like member by the finger or the like, the pulsed .I ultrasound waves under propagation reflects at the pressed position and S returns to its souse side. On this reflection, the touch panel is configured to compute the pressed position That is, the pressed position can be computed by counting the duration from generating pulsed ultrasound waves to returning their echo waves. The coordinates of the positions to be pressed on the touch panel 11 ld are previously associated with those of the menu positions to be displayed on the screen, permitting the display to recognize a position specified on the display screen.

Fig.2 is a partially sectioned frontal view that shows an outlined configuration of the lot unit 1. The stirring device 4 has a cylinder vertically arranged at the center in the cylindrical tank 30, a ring-like supporting member 41 which supports the cylinder 40 at the lower end, a falling guide 42 which intervenes between the cylinder 40 and the tank 30, and the driver 43 which rotates the falling guide 42.

The cylinder 40 has an upper member consisting of a cylindrical passage 401 and a lower return member 402 which has a side face formed in the shape of a truncated cone. Those constituents are combined to form the cylinder 40 in an integral form or in another O integral form in which an upper cylindrical part 402a (refer to Fig.4) of the *return member 402 is fit into the passage 401.

The supporting member 41 is fixed at the top ends of pillars 21 vertically placed by the necessary number in a ring-like array inside the a base 2. And the supporting member 41 has a ring-shape member 411 1" sustaining the tank 30 on the upper surface, an inclined surface plate 412 extending inward in the radial direction from the ring-shape member 411, a stiffening rib 413 formed along the radial direction at a plurality of positions in the circumferential direction to stiffen the inclined surface plate 412, and a plurality of supporting ribs 414 integrally formed with 20 the stiffening rib 413 as well as arranged upward on the inclined surface plate 412. The inclined surface plate 412 has an lower end of which inner diameter is set to a length having about one-third of that of the tank The supporting lib 414 has an inclined side of which dimension agrees with the return member 402 of the cylinder 40. Protrusions 414a, .2"each of which is formed at the upper edge of the inclined side, is fit into an engagement hole 402b formed in the return member 402, thus fixedly supporting the cylinder 40. A gap between the lower end and the inclined surface of the return member 402 is set to a dimension that can allow passing at least each ball B. A space confined by the shapes of the return member 402 and the inclined surface plate 412 and a dimension therebetween is formed to be able to accommodate a desired number of balls B.

The tank 30 has an upper opening covered by a rid 31 composed of either a single layer consisting of only a glass or acrylic resin plate or a double layer in which an acrylic resin plate is laminated at the center of a glass or acrylic resin plate. At the center is placed the driver 43. At the center of the rid is formed" an axial hole 31 a through which a rotational axes 430 of the driver 43 is placed. The driver 43 is provided with the rotary axis 430, a supporting cylindrical member 43 1, upper and lower bearings 432 and 433 rotatably supporting the rotary axis 430 at *~.the upper and lower positions, and an electric motor 434 which rotates the rotary axis 430 with such connecting elements as a belt.

9oS 00 Additionally, for rotational control of the rotary axis 430, the driver 43 e~g. (~7has two rotation angle sensors 435 used to detect rotational angle thereof.

Each rotation angle sensor 435 consists of a photointerrupter comprising a detecting piece provided in the radial direction at a given position on the rotary axis 430 and a photosensor to detect passing the detecting piece.

These sensors 435 are provided at mutually opposed positions as a pair of sensors to enable to watch the detection of the rotational directions.

0 At the lower end of the rotary axis 430, a rotary arm 421 directed to the horizontal direction is attached to be able to rotate together with the axis. At one end of the rotary arm 42 1, arranged is one end of two coaxially arranged guide rails 422 composed of two spirally shaped pipe, .Z9 whereas at the other end of the rotary arm 42 1, one end of a gate member 423 vertically is vertically arranged downward. The two pipes are arranged to have an adequate gap therebetween, size of which is less to some degree than the diameter of the ball B so that it can roll and drop on the two pipes. The guide rails 422 are shaped into a spiral form whose radius become small gradually as it runs downward. Changes in the spiral radius is set so that the spiral radius decreases by an amount approximately corresponding to the gap between the two pipes, compared to the spiral radius at an upper position by one turn of the rail. Adopting Sthe guide rails 422 that show such radius changes allows the balls B that are falling to be picked up at any position on the spiral as many as possible. The lower end of the guide rails 422 are positioned in height to be an immediately upper position over the reader 5 placed at an appropriate position on the inclined surface plate of the return member 402. And, as described later, it is designed such that the ball B which releases from the lower ends of the guide rails 422 pass across a reading position given by the reader 5 the ball is detected). Additionally, the driver 43 rotates the guide rails 422 at a period of several seconds to several tens of seconds, for example. This means that, only when times 1between the ball release from the lower ends of the guide rails 422 and S•facing the lower ends thereof to the reader 5 coincide to each other, the B is able to pass across the reading position for the reader 5. To the contrary, changes in the spiral diameter of the guide rails 422 may be determined such that they become larger as the rail runs downward.

.O As shown in Figs.3 and 4, the reader 5 is provided with a sensor body 50 attached to the inclined surface plate of the return member 402, a sensor 51, and a ring 52 horizontally attached to the sensor body and formed to have a U-shape portion having at least a diameter larger than that of the ball B. The sensor 51 is, for example, a magnetic sensor R sensing magnetism, and its magnetic coil serving as a magnetic head on the inner side of the sensor body 50, the inner side facing the ring 52.

When the ball B passes through the U-shape portion of the ring 52(i.e., when the ball B is selectively detected), magnetic codes generated by magnetic code generating members M 1, M2, and M3 laid within each ball B is closely readable. In each ball B, the three magnetic code generating members M 1 to M3 which are configured in the same way are laid along the mutually orthogonal three axes set therein. The generating members M 1 to M3 generate individually magnetic codes in synchronism Swith each other in the three axis directions, providing omnidirectional performance for ball detection as a whole. By way of example, each ball B is given any number of 1 to 25. Correspondingly to the given number, the magnetic code generating members M 1 to M3 of each ball B generate codes expressing the given number. Thus, it is possible for the sensor io 51 to sense magnetic codes generated from any of the members M 1 to M3 regardless of which attitude is taken by the ball B passing through the U-shape portion of the ring 52. This becomes close reading of codes, which provides a simpler mechanical configuration compared to a system in which the ball is temporarily mechanically-held to confirm an attitude IK thereof, then undergoes code reading.

The reader 5 comprises a reception guide 53 disposed over the sensor body 50. The reception guide 53 consists of two pipes arranged a given distance apart, which is at least slightly smaller than the diameter of the ball B. The upper ends of the guide position at a right under the

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2" lower end of the rotational orbit formed by the guide rails 422. Therefore, °°•ee the ball B can be received by the reception guide 53 only when the ball B is released from the lower ends of the guide rails 422 at times both the rail lower ends and the guide agree with each other in terms of directions (namely, face to face orientation). The received ball B rolls on the guide .K 53, and is guided into the U-shape portion of the ring 52.

On one hand, the gate member 423, which is vertically attached to the rotary arm 421 in the downward direction, has a vertical arm 423a and a ring-shaped gate plate 423b. The gate plate is coupled with the vertical arm 423a. The lower end of the vertical arm 423a is positioned to be lower in height than the ring 52 by an amount approximately corresponding to half the diameter of the ball B. Further, the gate plate 423b is formed into a C-shape of which partial circumference is cut out which is equal or slightly larger to or than the diameter of the ring 52.

The ball B that has been trapped by the U-shape portion of the ring 52 is therefore prevented from falling by the gate plate 423b, and sustained with the ring 52, duringwhich sustained time it is subjected to reading its magnetic codes. Since the gate plate 423b revolves, the notch portion of the gate plate will soon reach the position immediately under the ring 52. When such situation is realized, the bottom of the ring 52 is opened, allowing the ball B that has been sustained to be released. The size of S°the notch portion is set such that enough time for the ball B that has °o ~been captured so far to pass the notch portion under rotation can be assured. The remaining portion other than the notch portion of the gate 1 5' plate 423b can help hold the ball B to be detected during a certain time.

SThis avoids the balls B that will drop in succession from the guide rails 422 being detected without a rest, assuring sufficient random ::*performance in ball detection. This also avoids balls B that drop due to their weights in the water W, without rolling on the guide rails 422, with 20 the result that such balls B are hardly detected for increasing game characteristics.

It should not be confined to a mode that the reader 5 is placed at one position around the gate plate; the reader 5 may be placed at each of two positions symmetrically arranged or, three or more positions 2 'arranged at equal intervals. Intervals among a plurality of readers placed in such a manner is not necessarily equal. If the readers 5 are closely placed thereamong, there increases a possibility that the balls B successively drop along the guide rails 422 are read by the reader 5 in this falling order (that is, random performance is lowered to some extent).

Installing a plurality of readers 5 permits the balls B to be detected at dispersed positions, not concentrated to one position. This way of installation not merely enhances both random performance and game characteristics but also the similar stimuli in terms of visual attraction.

There are formed inner holes in each of the rotary axis 430, rotary arm 421, and gate member 423, while there are formed tiny holes 424 at pitches in the upper surface of the gate plate 423b. Thus, coupling the outlet of an air compressor (not shown) to an upper end of the rotary axis 430 for providing compressed air thereto causes upward air bubble flow 1o from the tiny holes 424 of the gate plate 423b. In addition, the four inner-tank lighting devices 72 are disposed at positions immediately over the gate plate 423b at equal intervals, and they are used to project light °000 representing three colors and white so that high-quality visual attraction can be realized.

Next, referring to Figs.2, 5 and 6, the configuration and operation of the liquid supply 6. The liquid supply 6 is installed under the inclined surface plate 412 and comprises a discharge side cylinder 60, nozzle 61, suction side cylinder 62, liquid-supplying driver 63, and subtank 64.

The liquid-supplying driver 63 incorporates therein the pump P, the pipes S- c20 L1 and L2, and a plurality of electromagnetic valves EV1 to EV4 shown in Fig.6. The subtank 64 has a capacity to contain a volume of liquid equal or more to or than that of the tank As shown in Fig.2, the liquid-supplying driver 63 is placed in a lower part of the liquid supply. Over the driver is provided the discharge 2 side cylinder 60 positioned at the center and the suction side cylinder 62 arranged around it. The discharge side cylinder 60 has, as shown in a side wall 601 having a ceiling portion 602 at the top thereof. A desired opening 603 is formed through the ceiling portion 602. The upper end of the side wall 601 is further extended upward by a predetermined dimension, and several notches 604 each of which is formed by cutting out a given area from the extended wall portion are produced at several locations. This top end of the discharge side cylinder 60 is connected to the lower surface of the inner-diameter-side end of the ring-shape member 411 of the supporting member 41. The side wall 601 also serves as the inner wall of the suction side cylinder 62.

On the ceiling portion 602 of the discharge side cylinder 60 is arranged upward a convergent nozzle 61 so as to cover the opening 603.

Furthermore, through the intervening plate 67, a hole 671 is formed at the center thereof and two holes 672 are formed at appropriate positions around the center hole 671. Such configuration permits the outside of *the nozzle 61 and the inside of the suction side cylinder 62 to mutually g **connect through the notches 604; the inside of the suction side cylinder 62 and the intake side of the liquid-supplying driver 63 to mutually I" connect through the holes 672; the outlet side of the liquid-supplying driver 63 and the inside of the discharge side cylinder 60 to mutually connect through the hole 671; and the discharge side cylinder 60 and the nozzle 61 to mutually connect through the opening 603. Water W sent from the pump P into the discharge side cylinder 60 is discharged from the nozzle 61, and transformed to liquid flowing upward through the return member 402 of the stirring device 4 and the passage 401. The liquid reached the top of the passage 401 is freed therefrom into the surrounding outside space, and the freed water W is changed into downward liquid flow to be oriented to the notches 604.

2 The opening area of the notches 604 is determined to an amount that pulls in the water W at a relatively small flow of water compared to a flow of water formed by the discharge force of the nozzle 61. This almost prevents the returned ball B from receiving downward suction force.

Therefore the ball B that has been fallen onto the ceiling portion due to the above liquid flow is pulled into the upward liquid flow produced by the nozzle 61, producing ascents of the balls B. Thus the balls B circulate along the falling passages produced between the cylinder 40 and the inner wall of the tank 30. Moreover, since a number of tiny holes 605 f-are formed around the opening of the ceiling portion 602 at every equiradius, the balls B that has fallen onto the ceiling portion 602 rise to the tip of the nozzle 61 by the ascendant liquid flow from the tiny holes 605. This effectively prevents the balls B from remaining on the ceiling portion 602.

11 As in the pipe system shown in Fig.6, the liquid-supplying driver 63 has the pipe L1 connecting the holes 671 and 672. In the pipe L1 are provided, from the hole 672 the upper stream of the liquid flow) the electromagnetic valve EV1, valve V, pump P, valve V, and electromagnetic valve EV2. Between the electromagnetic valve EV1 and the valve V, j another pipe L2 is branched from the pipe L1. The branched pipe L2 is connected to the intake port of the subtank 64, while the discharge port of the subtank 64 is again jointed to the pipe L1 at its joint point between the valve V and the electromagnetic valve EV2. In the pipe L2, the electromagnetic valves EV3 and EV4 are inserted at a position between o the pipe L1 and the inlet port of the subtank 64 and at another position between the pipe L1 and the discharge port of the subtank 64. The two valves V are inserted to adjust flow of water in the game.

The operation for supplying liquid will be explained. In the game, with the electromagnetic valves EV1 and EV2 opened and the other RZ electromagnetic valves EV3 and EV4 closed, the pump P is driven.

Accordingly, the water W circulates from and to the tank 30 via the hole 672, electromagnetic valve EV1, pump P, electromagnetic valve EV2, and hole 671.

Charge and discharge of liquid in maintenance or liquid exchanges (discharge and charge of liquid) will be carried out as follows.

In the case of liquid discharge, the electromagnetic valves EV1 and EV4 are opened, the electromagnetic valves EV2 and EV3 are closed, and the pump P is driven. Thus the water W within the tank 30 is introduced to the subtank 64 with a route of the suction side cylinder 62, hole 672, electromagnetic valve EV1, pump P, and electromagnetic valve EV4.

Accordingly this liquid passage control allows the water in the tank 30 to flow out completely. With the tank 30 made vacant, maintenance and the like can be carried out smoothly. On one hand, for charge of liquid, 10 the electromagnetic valves EV2 and EV3 are opened, the electromagnetic o oo valves EV1 and EV4 are closed, and the pump P is driven. Namely, the water W contained by the subtank 64 is returned to the tank 30 via the electromagnetic valve EV3, pump P, electromagnetic valve EV2, hole 671, discharge side cylinder 60, opening 603, and nozzle 61.

I The operation for detecting the balls B performed by the reader as well as for reading magnetic codes will then be described. A given number of balls B and a required volume of water W are put into the tank In this state, the pump P is driven, with the result that flow of water is generated upward from the nozzle 61, forming ascendant liquid flow O along the cylinder 40. Concurrently, ascendant liquid flows from the e tiny holes 605 are also generated. These flows cause the balls B which have remained on the ceiling portion 602 to rise to the discharge position at the tip of the nozzle 61. Thus, the balls B are pulled in by the ascendant liquid flow generated from the nozzle 61, then made to rise Zalong the cylinder 40. The balls B that gushed out of the top end of the cylinder 40 are laid in the liquid flow to the side wall of the tank 30, before commencing going down gradually on account of a difference in specific gravity from the water W. One or more balls B will be picked up, as a rate of probability, by the guide rails 422 in rotation in the course of falling balls that have fallen onto the guide rails 422). The pickedup balls B begin to roll on the guide rails 422 to spirally fall down along it, then is handed over from the guide end to the reception guide 53 combined in the reader 5. Owning to the fact that the guide rails 422 S formed into a spiral form is rotated at a relatively slower speed, many of the balls B under falling will fall onto the guide rails 422. That is, there is a higher probability to pick up many balls. When a ball B is released from the lower ends of the guide rails 422, the reader 5 can detect the ball B, provided a rotation position of the guide rails 422 faces to the reception hO guide 53. The remaining balls other than picked up and detected oo consist of balls picked up by the guide rails 422, but not detected by the 0o 0 reader 5 due to mismatched timing between the release of balls and the rotation of the guide rails, and balls, which may be a few in number, not picked up by the guide rails 422 and fall to a level of the reader 5 without I detection. These balls roll down on the inclined surface plate 412 to reach the tiny holes 605, which are then subject to the ascendant flow s. therefrom, rising to the tip of the nozzle 61. Thus such balls B are sent into the cylinder 40 to be circulated again.

Each of the detected balls B is sustained in the ring 52 by the gate .0 plate 423b for a moment, during which period the magnetic codes of the ball is read by the sensor 51. When the notch of gate plate 423b passes after its one turn, the gate for the ball sustained so far is freed, thus the ball falls onto the inclined surface plate 412. Like the non-detected balls, the detected balls B thus picked up and detected are sent again into the ,2 cylinder 40 thanks to the nozzle 61. Such operation is continued until the game is over until a specified number of balls B are detected, and the pump P stops its operation).

Furthermore, referring to Figs.7 to 9, the light-projecting units 9 will be described. As shown in Fig.7, the light-projecting units 9 are arranged at the right and left sides on the bottom of the head 7. The light-projecting units 9 are in charge of projecting searchlight beams onto the white surface of the base 2 arranged under the head.

Fig. 7 illustrates an outline of the positional relationship among the base 2, center body 3, head 7, and light-projecting units 9. In Fig.7, the light-projecting units 9 are disposed at both the right and left sides of the head, although only the left one is shown in Fig.7 for simplification.

Each light-projecting unit 9 radiates a predetermined-width, beam-like spotlight SL onto the ring-like white surface 20 of the base 2 that (0 positions at a lower level. Each light-projecting unit 9 has a rotating mechanism for rotationally moving the spot position SLP of the spotlight on the ring-like white surface Figs.8 and 9 show each rotating mechanism. As shown in these S"figures, the rotating mechanism has a bracket 90 fixed to a vertical I5 standing member 73 in the head 7, a light projector 91 rotatably arranged the bracket, a motor 92 rotating the light projector 91, and a rotating mechanism unit 93 providing the light projector 91 a rotation force. A rotation angle sensor 94 is also placed as one constituent of the rotating mechanism. The bracket 90 has an upper plate and four side plates A fixed together to the upper plate at each side, thus proving the bottom an Sopening. The upper plate 90 is sloped downward at a given rate toward the right in Fig.8. At the bottom opening of the bracket 90 is arranged a frame body 902 having a rectangular frame smaller in size than the opening. The frame body 902 is rotatably supported in the horizontal state with both the lateral side plates of the bracket 91 at the center in the back-and-forth direction (corresponding to the depth direction perpendicular to the paper of Fig.8).

Each light projector 91 has a bottomed cylinder of which bottom is oriented upward. In the cylinder, a light source and a lens (both not shown) are placed in this order from the bottom side. The lens is used to set a spot diameter and an optical axis of light. It is satisfactory for the light source to project a spotlight of a desired color. That is, for example, the light source can be an element capable of generating light of a S specified color, or, an element combining a white light source (such as a halogen lamp) with a color filter positioned in front of the light source.

At mutually facing centers of the light projector 91 (or positions slightly near to the end of the light projector 91 than those centers), pin-like axes 903 are fixed outwardly from the cylinder in a parallel direction perpendicular to the longitudinal center axis (light axis) of the cylinder.

0000 Rear and frontal side frames of the frame body 902 rotatably sustain these axes 903 at the center in the lateral right and left direction of the 0000 frame body. The frame body 902 and the axes 903 therefore form the *°0 S0° light projector 91 into a ginbal structure that can rotate in mutually j.orthogonal planes. As a result of it, the light beam axis of the light projector 91 can be directed within a downward range of 360 degrees.

A rod 911 is vertically fixed at the center of the outer bottom of the light projector 91. Tilting this rod 911 allows a light-projecting direction 0000 from the light projector 91 to be controlled.

The rotary motor 92 is placed on the sloped upper plate 901 of the Sbracket 90. A hole 901a is formed through the upper plate, and a rotary axis 921 is rotatably inserted through the hole 901a, perpendicularly to the upper plate 901. A holder 931 of the rotating mechanism unit 93 is attached to the lower end of the rotary axis 921, and an arm 932 having a .>required length is attached to the holder 931 in a direction intersecting the rotary axis 921. On one hand, to the other end of the arm 932 is connected a flexible connecting member 933 composed of a fit part outwardly fit with the arm 932 and a ring part positioning at the end thereof. Hence, rotating the rotary axis 921 allows the connecting member 933 to turn around the rotary axis 921. The rod 911 of the light projector 91 is fit with the ring part of the connecting member 933, with the result that both the rod 911 and the connecting member 933 rotate as one unit. The ring part of the connecting member 933 and the rod 911 of the light projector 91 may be replaced by a structure called universal connecting structure. In this way, perpendicularly inserting the rotary axis 921 through the sloped upper plate 901 as well as having a predetermined difference in installation angle between the axis 921 and the light axis direction extending from the light projector 91 enables its \o spotlight to accurately move along a circular arc on the ring-like white surface A detecting piece 940 extending along the radial direction of the rotary axis 921 is arranged at an upper portion thereof. Three photointerrupters 941, 942, and 943 are attached on a rotary orbit I produced by the detecting piece 940, at equal distances from the axis 921, such that the detecting piece 940 can pass the photointerrupters, respectively. Of these, the photointerrupter 941 for the rear is in charge of detecting a spotlight SL projected in a rear range of 90 degrees, the photointerrupter 943 for the front a spotlight SL projected in a frontal range of 90 degrees, and the photointerrupter 942 for the center a spotlight SL projected in a direction near to an immediately under position. When the frontal and rear photointerrupters 941 and 942 could not detect a spotlight SL detection error), detection is carried out at back-and-forth 90-degree positions for confirmation. This effectively prevents damages or others caused when the light projector 91 rotates beyond its assigned angle range due to malfunction. The light projector 9, which is identical in constriction, is installed on each of the right and left sides of the head 7.

Referring to Fig. 10, the light-projecting patterns of the spotlights SL a method of rotating the spotlights) will be explained. In the figure, encircled Rs indicate the spotlight SL of one light projector 91 arranged on the right side of head 7, while encircled Ls indicate that of the other light projector 91 arranged on the left side thereof. Arrows C with half circles are indicative of spotlight orbits to be rotated on the ring-like white surface 20 of the base 2.

Fig. 10A shows alight-projecting pattern in which the spotlights SL from the right and left light projectors 91 which are projected at intervals of 180 degrees are synchronously rotated in the same forward or O rearward direction alternately. Fig. 10B shows another light-projecting *0@S o-pattern in which the spotlights from the right and left light projectors 91 are synchronously rotated by an angle of 180 degrees in mutually 0*00 opposite directions from the same position. This rotation will be repeated with the directions inverted cyclically. Fig. 10C shows another I" light-projecting pattern in which the turned-on left light projector 91 is first rotated in a circular direction by 180 degrees from a start position to an end one, then turned off after its rotation completes. Next the right

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light projector 91 is turned on and rotated in the same direction by a remaining angle of 180 degrees from a start position (end position for the 5: left one) to an end position (start position for the left one), then turned off after the rotation completes, during which rotation time the left one is returned to its initial start position. Like the above, the rotation of the left one is repeated, during which time the right one is returned to its original start position.

Figs. 11A to 11C represent configurations for illumination realized by the illuminating member 82 of each supporter 8; Fig. 1 1A is a perspective view thereof, Fig. 11lB does the light-emitting plate installed therein, and Fig. 11C is a plan view according to one modification thereof.

In Figs.llA and 11iB, each of the illuminating members 82 comprises a light-emitting plate composed of two clear plates 821 and 822 arranged inside the surrounding annular cover 820, a light source member 824 arranged at an appropriate position on the circumferential surface thereof, a driver 825, and a light source controlling unit 826. In the light-emitting plate 823, one clear plate 821 is made up of a glass- or acrylic-made plate, whilst the other clear plate 822 is of resin and an acrylic plate-made or others. On an inner surface of the clear plate 822 are formed marking parts 822a having given shapes, which serve as diffusing surfaces against light. In this embodiment, by way of example, dimensions of the plate 823 is that a diameter is tens of centimeters and a thickness is approximately 10 millimeters. On the circumferential surface of the plate 823, except the arranged portion of the light source member 824 (forming a light-guide path), a reflection layer is formed with coated reflection materials or a reflection tape. Such construction I allows light to be introduced from the light source member 824 to reflect •:inward at the circumferential surface, thereby giving a desired luminance level to the light-emitting plate 823.

The light source member 824 is arranged to face the thicknessside surface of the light-emitting plate 823 and has three fluorescent 2 tubes 824R, 824G, and 824B for three colors consisting of red(R), S" green(G), and blue(B), which are incorporated in parallel in a box opened toward the light-emitting plate 823. Alternatively the fluorescent tubes 824R, 824G, and 824B may be tubes emitting light of each color. Still alternatively, all the three tubes may be white light sources using RGB d filters, thus emitting each color of light.

Correspondingly to the fluorescent tubes 824R, 824G, and 824B, the driver 825 has drivers 825R, 825G, and 825B for the three colors, respectively. Each driver supplies power to each tube for light emission.

To obtain illumination effects, the light-source controlling unit 826 outputs light-emission-commanding signals to each, any two, or all the three of the drivers 825R, 825G, and 825B. Outputting this signal permits the fluorescent tube 824R, 824G, and 824B to appropriately combined for emitting light (monochromatic light or synthetic light), providing more fantastic stage effects.

The above light-emission-commanding signals can be controlled in response to progress conditions of a game. This enables various display modes for a wide range of occasions, such as a demonstration state before starting a game, a time of start of a game, a time when the O10 reader 5 detects balls B, or a time when a combination of magnetic codes e g.

oo read from a plurality of balls B detected poses a specified relationship, as will be described later, and corresponding estimation for the relationship *r is gained.

The light emitted from the light source member 824 is transmitted l" and propagated into the body of the plate 823 to be irregularly reflected by the diffusing surface formed by the making portions 822a. The light irregularly reflected therefrom is then diffused outwardly along all the directions. As a result, it looks like marking parts 822a of the plate 823 emit with the colors of light sent into the body thereof. In this embodiment, the three primary colors of light are used, so that it is possible to make them emit all the colors of light. Thus the stage effects due to the illumination is remarkably enhanced. Alternatively, all the synthesized colors of light can be obtained by adjusting the luminance of the fluorescent tubes 824R, 824G, and 824B through direct control of the levels thereof or control of the lighting periods thereof.

Fig. 11C shows a configuration where the fluorescent tubes 824R, 824G, and 824B for the three primary colors are arranged at equal intervals around the light-emitting plate 823. Such equal-interval arrangement of the three tubes allows all the positions in the marking parts 822a to emit light in a more uniform manner. In this case, of course, the reflection layer is formed around the plate 823 except the arrangement positions of the tubes 824R, 824G, and 824B.

Fig. 12A is an outlined perspective view illustrating a modified Sembodiment of the reader 5, and Fig. 12B is an enlarged view of a reading unit 5' installed therein. The reading unit 5' has a supporter 50', a sensor 51' incorporated within the supporter, and a cylinder 52' coupled with the supporter and formed into a slightly inclined outer shape which is at.least larger in diameter than the balls B. The cylinder 52' has an Oacceptor 521' placed to face the lower end of the rotation orbit formed by oooo the guide rails 422, resulting in that a ball B released from the lower end *can pass through the cylinder 52' (that is, the ball is detected). When the ball B passes through the cylinder 52', the magnetic codes thereof are read by the sensor 51' (magnetic sensor). Once the ball B has been I accepted by the cylinder 52', bubbles are generated from a lower portion of the acceptor 521' so as to prevent the balls B that have been fallen in succession immediately after the preceding one. To generate the bubbles, a compressor and a pipe (not shown) are used to compress air, then to guide the compressed air to a lower portion of the acceptor 521'.

A O The air bubbles are sent out from a plurality of tiny holes (not shown) Sformed through the lower part of the acceptor 521'. Accordingly, a ball B that follows continuously the preceding one and tries to enter the cylinder immediately is forced to rise thanks to the bubbles. The generation of the bubbles continues until a time when immediately before the guide rails 422 return after its one turn. Continuing the generation of the bubbles in this way also prevents balls other than a ball B that will fall along the guide rails 422 from being detected by the reader 5'as many as possible.

A control block of the game apparatus will now be explained with reference to Fig. 13.

In Fig. 13, there is provided a central processing unit 12 (hereinafter, referred to as CPU) control, as a manager, the entire game apparatus. This CPU is connected with a ROM 121 storing control program therein and a RAM 122 temporarily memorizes data produced in the course of processing. A plurality of types of games are prepared in this embodiment, and the entire game programs are stored in the ROM 121. In addition to temporary game data storage, the RAM 122 is used to statistically store detection results of the balls B in the past several (0 games, for example. For each game, the detection results are displayed o. as a table so that a player can refer to it when deciding a bet.

*w Though the CPU 12 is in charge of the entire management and "oo °control of the game apparatus, a subsidiary computer that concentrates o te Soon control of the lot unit 1. In such a case, the CPU 12 communicates I with the subsidiary computer to indirectly control the lot unit 1.

The medal-inserting slit (unit) 11 lb detects the insertion of medals as well as the number of medals inserted. With the aid of o *o information about the number of medals inserted, the CPU 12 determines whether or not a specified number of medals required for a S o game have been inserted, then the game is started if the medals were inserted. When a game is over and the game results are not less than a specified evaluation level, the medal-refunding unit 111 e is used to pay medals according to the results. If a game is performed on credit, the number of medals owned by a player in the RAM 122 is monitored, and a /stored number of medals are paid at a time, provided a player presses a given button for paying. A charge/discharge instructing unit 69 includes various switches. For maintenance or others, when a switch of the unit 69 is operated, the CPU 12 gives signals to discharge the water W to a pump driver 630 and valve drivers 631 to 633. In response to the signals, the pump driver drives the pump P and the valve drivers turn on or off the electromagnetic valves EV1 to EV4, thus the water W is discharged from the tank 30 in the subtank 64. In contrast, with another switch in the unit 69 operated, the water w is returned (supplied) from the subtank 64 to the tank With reference to Figs. 14 to 21, execution procedures of games in the game apparatus 1 will be described. When a player inserts a specified number of medals into the medal-inserting slit 11 lb, the CPU 12 will begin to perform processing shown in Fig. 14 toward one of the game terminals 111 to which the medals were inserted. In the processing, *an initial selection image is displayed to have a player select a game to be performed from the games stored in the ROM 121 (step S2). Then it is *see determined whether or not the player has specified a desired game on the

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initial selection image (step S4). By way of example, regions to be I 5selected for each game are set in the initial selection menu. Thus, 0000 detecting the fact that the player touched any one of the regions through the touch panel 11 ld carries out this determination.

When a certain game is selected, the processing proceeds to step 05*0 S6, where a program for the selected game are read from the ROM 121, ZO and the game is activated. Then, a start menu of the selected game is S displayed (step S8), before bet processing, game processing, and medal paying are carried out in turn (steps S10, S 11i, and S12). Of these, both the bet processing and the game processing change in content game by game. In this embodiment, as one selectable game, a "reverse game" L<which uses a game image G1 shown in Fig. 18 is installed. For this "reverse game," the bet processing is performed on the procedures shown in Fig. 15, while the game processing is performed on the procedures shown in Figs. 16 and 17. First of all, the "reverse game" will be outlined prior to detailed explanation of the procedures in Figs. 15 to 17.

As seen in Fig. 18, in the "reverse game," there are displayed a card display area Ga, bonus chance display area Gb, lot result display area Gc, odds display area Gd, and all bet button display area Ge in the game image G 1.

Six cards are represented in the card display area Ga.

Each card C is sectioned into a total of 25 regions made up of five regions in column by five regions in row. In each region, a character CR imitating a piece of the game of Othello (trademark), known as a board game, is displayed. Any of the numbers 1 to 25 is put on each character CR. Also each character CR is painted in either white or black (refer to 0eSO oo.o:. Figs. 19 and 20). In the game, the CPU regards white characters CR as pieces owned by an opponent to a player and black characters CR as *500 player's pieces. At the beginning of the game, all the characters CR are *°0 SO handled as the opponent's pieces and displayed in white (refer to Fig. 18).

C When a ball B is detected and its number is read in the lot unit 1, 5.55 animation is displayed such that a character CR having the same number is laid face down in each card C. That is, the corresponding *characters CR change from white to black in display color (refer to markings T in Fig. 19). Following this, white characters CR that have

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o been made to be put between the black characters CR are all changed o0oo• into black ones in display color. In each card C, the number of characters CR that have turned into black ones is displayed in a piecenumber display area Ca as the number of player's pieces. When five times of lots end, odds (refunding rates) are computed in proportion to XSthe number of pieces owned by the player at that time. Then the number of winning medals in each card C is computed by multiplying the number of bets, which is displayed in a bet-number display window Cb of each card C, by the odds. The sum of the number of winning medals in each card C is computed and the medals are paid to the player.

The relationship between the number of player's piece and the odds is present in the odds display area Gd. In the example shown, the first paying to a player can be done when the number of player's pieces is 16 or more. In the bonus chance display area Gb, any five of the Snumbers 1 to 25 are selected at random and displayed. In the lot result display area Gc, the numbers of the five balls selected by the lot unit 1 are displayed in a row from the left to the right in the lot order.

Referring to Fig. 15, the bet processing in the "reverse game" will nowbe detailed. In this processing, six cards are determined for S 10 displaying them in the card display area Ga of the foregoing game image G1 (step S101). The five bonus numbers are then determined to display them in the bonus chance display area Gb (step S102). For these steps, written into the RAM 122 are distribution conditions of pieces in each card C the positions and the numbers of the pieces, and data of piece distributions to specify the colors of the pieces, black or white) and data to specify the bonus numbers. The data of piece distributions may be produced using a random table or others every time when the game is executed. Alternatively data for a lot of cards C may be prepared in advance in the ROM 121, and part of the data may be read for use for .o each game.

Then, based on the produced data, the game image G 1 is update-displayed, where the numbers of the cards are displayed in the card display area Ga and the five bonus numbers are displayed in the bonus chance display area Gb (step S 103).

1 Then, a timer to count time for bet is turned on (step S104), following the determination whether an operation for bet is carried out by the operator or not (step S 105). Having the operator touch either the all bet button display area Ge in the game image G1 or the bet-number display windows Cb in the cards C carries out the bet operation. Such touch operation is detected by the touch panel 11 d to supply signals corresponding to the touch to the CPU 12.

When the determination is that the bet operation has been performed, on the basis of an input signal from the touch panel 111 d, the S CPU 12 determines if the all bet button display area Ge has been subject to operation, (step S106). And, in the case that the all bet operation was recognized, the CPU 12 further calculates, from the number of credit medals stored in the RAM 122 the number of medals inserted S.:i o through the medal-inserting slit 11 lb or the number of player's credit tO medals to which medals received as profit in the game are added), the number of medals which have not been credited yet, and determines 0 0. whether or not the calculated number is six or more (step S107). If the 00 calculated number of medals are six or more, is subtracted from the number of credit medals (step S108), then is added to the number of bet medals for each card C stored in the RAM 122 (step S109). The °°9number of bet medals displayed in the bet-number display window Cb of the game image G1 is then updated (step S113). Referring to the accumulated time counted by the timer activated at step S104, it is determined if a given bet time has elapsed or not (step S1 14). If have not AD been elapsed, the processing is returned to step S105.

By contrast, if the determination at step S106 is that the all bet operation has not been done yet, it is determined whether or not the number of credit medals is one or more (step S 110). When the number is one or more, is subtracted from the number of credit medals (step a<S ill), following addition of to the number of bet medals for each specified card C card that underwent the bet operation) (step S 112).

After this, the processing goes onto step S113.

When it is understood that the number of credit medals is short at step S107 or S110, the CPU 12 instructs the player to insert additional medals (step S 115 or S 116), having the processing proceed to step S 114.

When it is determined at Step S105 that the bet operation has not been performed, the processing is also made to proceed to step S 114. The bet processing is brought to an end to return to the main routine shown in Fig. 14, provided the time for bet has been up, at step S114.

On the completion of the bet processing, the game processing shown in Figs. 16 and 17 will continue. During the game processing, the pump P is driven, with the result that an upward flow is produced to rise o.:i o the balls B in the cylinder 40. The balls B that has risen once fall then IO along the falling guide 42, during which falling time some of the balls B are picked up by the guide rails 422. The balls B that reached the lower end of the guide rails 422 are subject to reading of information of the numbers thereof by the reader When entering the game processing, the CPU 12 determines go whether or not the magnetic codes of a ball B have been read, based on a *•"*signal from the reader 5 (step S202). In the case that the magnetic codes have been read, the CPU 122 examines the number of the read ball B, and displays the examined number in the lot result display area G3 (step •Si 203). Then, by the CPU 122, it is determined whether or not the read .0 number agrees with any of the numbers of the five bonus balls decided at step S102 in Fig. 15 (step S204). If the agreement is found, a bonus flag is set to (step S205), then displays in the game image G1 the fact that a chance for bonus has come (step S206). For example, as shown in Fig. 19, this display is performed such that one or more numbers selected d! from the numbers displayed in the bonus chance display area Gb are presented in a different mode from the remaining ones, provided the selected numbers are in agreement with the numbers of the bonus balls.

Using the piece distribution data for each card C, which have been stored in the RAM 122, it is then determined if there are opponent's pieces (white characters) whose numbers coincide with the ball numbers read by the reader 5 (step S207). When there are no such characters, it is further determined if the lots for five balls have been completed since the game was started (step S208). When the lots for five balls have not been completed yet, then proceeding to step S202.

In the case of the affirmative determination at step S207 (in other words, there are opponent's pieces of which numbers agree with the read numbers of the balls detected), a state that those opponent's pieces laid face down from white ones to black ones are displayed in the game image S 10O G1 (refer to markings Tin Fig. 19: step S209). Next, referring to the data of piece distributions, the opponent's pieces made to be put between the S•.i pieces that have been laid face down this time and the player's pieces that were reversed to black ones are extracted (step S210). It is then S: determined whether or not the opponent's pieces that have been put iS therebetween are extracted (step S211). If extracted, the state that the extracted opponent's pieces are made to be reversed from white ones to black ones is displayed in the game image (step 5212).

Where the determination at step S211 is that the opponent's pieces are not extracted or the process at step S12 ends, the data of piece distributions are updated in order to reflect changes in piece distributions due to the results of lot carried this time on the next lot (step S213). And whether the lots for five balls have already been completed or not is determined (step S214). If such lot has not been completed yet, the number to be expected for the next lot is calculated Al< (step S215). This calculation is done by computing, based on the data of piece distributions, the total number of player's pieces, which will be increased, on the assumption that if each one of all the opponent's piece remain in the individual cards C were reversed from white ones to black ones at the next lot.

After the calculation at step S215, on the basis of its calculated results, determined is whether or not positions that can win if white pieces were reversed to black ones at the next lot (positions for winning; that is, positions that can raise a number of player's pieces to the number not less than a minimum number displayed in the odds display area Gd) exist in each card C (step S216). The affirmative at this determination allows the processing to go to step S217, where, as shown in Fig.19, one or more predetermined check displays M 1 are placed for the one or more cards C which possess the winning positions and one or more C0 predetermined markings M2 are laid on the corresponding piece positions. By such display, the player can easily understand which numbers, if selected at the next lot, will lead to his or her winning.

In the case of completing step S217 or the negative determination at step S216 in Fig. 16, the processing is returned to step S202. Where it f is determined at step S208 or S214 that the lots for five balls have ended, the processing is made to proceed to step S220 in Fig. 17. At step S220, making use of the data of piece distributions stored in the RAM 122, it is determined whether or not there are one or more winning cards C each of which has the number of player's pieces (black characters CR) equal to or larger than 16 (step S220). Where there exist one or more winning cards, the number of bets for each card C is multiplied by the odds corresponding to the number of player's pieces so that the number of winning points for each winning card is calculated, the sum of their calculated numbers is then calculated, and the sum is stored in the RAM d 122, as the number of paying medals to the player.

After having completed the calculation of the number of paying medals, whether or not is set to a bonus flag is determined (step S222).

If the affirmative determination is done, a slot game image G2 shown in Fig.21 is displayed to commence a bonus game (step S223). The bonus game is performed such that three reels R1, R2 and R3 are independently rotated to each other, and a bet is made such that figures obtained when those reels stop agree with any pattern shown in odds tables OD 1 or OD2 displayed in the upper right or left corner of the screen.

In the bonus game, the CPU 12 first calculates results of the slot game using a given formula (step S224 in Fig. 17). According to the calculated results, the reels R1 to R3 in the slot image G2 are then altered in display patterns (step S225). Further, on the basis of the calculated results at step S224, if there was a win in the slot game or not is •O determined (step S226). When there was a win, the number of paying medals memorized by the RAM 122 is corrected (step S227). The correction is carried out in a manner that, by way of example, where the number of paying medals decided at step S221 is 85 and there is a won at a pattern giving an odds of 2 in the slot game, an original paying number "S of 85 is multiplied by an odds of 2 to produce a total of 170 which o becomes the final number of paying medals.

After the paying number is corrected at step S227, or, the negative determination is done at step S220 or S222, a given terminating processing is executed (step S228), then returning to step S 14 in Fig. 14.

'ZO In the above explanation, the lot unit 1 constitutes lot device, while the balls B correspond to choices and the numbers of the balls B correspond to bits of information inherent to the choices. Also the CPU 12 and the display 11 a constitute a game control unit and display device, respectively. Further, processing at steps S101 to S103 form image d setting device, processing at step S207 does first determining device, processing at step S209 does first display-altering device, processing at steps S2 10 and S2 11 does second determining device, processing at step S212 does second display-altering device, processing at steps S215 and S216 does third determining device, processing at step S217 does preliminary-information display device, processing at steps S220 and S221 does evaluating device, processing at steps S222 to S225 does bonus game performing device, and processing at steps S226 and S227 does evaluation-correcting device. By the way, the above-listed various 6- types of device are not confined ones realized by software programs.

Alternatively, part or all the device can be constituted by logic circuits making use of LSIs and/or other circuit elements, for example.

Additionally, the above embodiment may be replaced by a variety io.. f other embodiments. For instance, the lot unit 1 may be changed in to different modes. The choices are not restricted to balls, and can be replaced by other elements. Bits of information inherent to the choices are also not limited to thenumber. As an example, balls as the choices are distinguished in colors from each other, while characters displayed in S-the screen are classified into two types in terms of modes (for example, characters or symbols) other than colors, the characters whose display colors are the same as ones selected by lot are altered in display modes, and the characters made to be put between altered ones are further •i changed in display modes. The lot is not limited to taking advantage of such objects as balls, but may use a table of random numbers. It is not ,oJ always to place both the lot unit 1 and the input unit 11 at the same location; for example, they can be separately placed from each other, with those units connected through a communication line. The characters are not limited to ones that imitate to the pieces of the Othello game (trademark), various figures or symbols can be used to express them instead.

As described so far, the characters mapped in a matrix in the screen are sectioned on the correspondence to the choices handled by the lot device. Concurrently with this, the characters are sectioned into two types depending on whether they are displayed a first mode or a second mode. Then, where the display modes of characters that has been made to correspond to choices selected by lot are changed into the second mode, characters which not only have been displayed in the first mode but also are made to put between the characters changed into the second mode by Slot of this time and the characters which have already been displayed in the second mode are display-changed into the second mode. Therefore, chains of the characters sectioned by a large number of colors or others can be utilized. Compared to the method by which display modes are changed, conditions causing display changes become simpler, and it is O easier for players to understand the progress of a game. Since first- :::mode characters made to put between the second-mode characters are changed in display into the second mode at a time, there is a possibility 00 that the number of characters displayed in the second mode increase 0* 0a largely by one time of lot, enabling players to expect a greater reversal.

K In particular, in the case that a possibility that a player will win the next lot is notified in advance, it is possible to steadily attract player's interest oooo 0 and greatly enhance player's expectation for the next game.

Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as o merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Thus the scope of this invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims (9)

1. A game apparatus comprising: lot device for selecting any one from a plurality of choices prepared in advance by lot as well as providing information inherent to the selected choice; display device-of images; and game control unit for making a given game advance on a screen of the display device on the basis of the information provided by the lot device, wherein the game control unit includes; image setting device for displaying on the screen in a matrix- arrayed fashion a plurality of characters having a given correspondent relationship with the plurality of choices; first determining device for determining whether or not a first character, which belongs to the characters, made to correspondent to the selected choice is displayed on the screen, with reference to the information provided by the lot device; 0 first display-altering device for altering a display mode of the first 99400: 0 character from a first mode to a second mode, provided the first character made to correspond to the selected choice is displayed; second determining device, provided the display mode of the first character is altered by the first display-altering device, for determining whether or not there exists a second character, which belongs to the characters, not only displayed still in the first mode but also made to put between the first character newly altered in the second mode and a third character, which belongs to the characters, which has already been displayed in the second mode; second display-altering device, provided there exists the second character, for altering a display mode of the second character from the first mode to the second mode; and evaluating device for evaluating results of the game conducted by a player on the basis of the number of the second and third characters displayed in the second mode.

2. The game apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lot device is constructed to perform the lot a plurality of times and the evaluating device are configured to evaluate the results of the game on the basis of the number of the second-mode characters residing in the screen when processing on the first and second display-altering device are completed for a final lot of the plurality of times of lots.

3. The game apparatus of claim 1, wherein the game control unit further comprises third determining device, when the display mode the first character is altered from the first mode to the second mode correspondingly to the lot performed this time, for determining whether or not there is a possibility that a predetermined winning condition is OOQOO satisfied with the lot performed next time, based on a distribution of the first character displayed in the first mode and the second and third characters displayed in the second mode; preliminary-information display device, provided the third determining device determines that there is the possibility to satisfy the winning condition, for presenting information to inform the player of the possibility on the screen.

4. The game apparatus of claim 3, wherein the third determining device is configured to specify the first character, which is displayed in the first mode, which should be altered to the second mode in order to satisfy the winning condition at the next lot, and the preliminary-information display device is configured to perform display to instruct the player on the specified first character.

The game apparatus of claim 1, wherein the game control unit further comprises bonus game performing device performing a given bonus game on the screen, provided pre-given conditions are fulfilled which include one condition that a given level of the game results is evaluated by the evaluating device; and evaluation-correcting device for correcting the evaluation performed by the evaluating device on the basis of results of the bonus game. too

6. The game apparatus of claim 5, wherein the bonus game performing device is configured to perform the bonus game on condition that the given level of the game results is evaluated by the evaluating •device as well as a given choice among the choices is selected by the lot ror S"device by a time when the given level of the game results is evaluated.

7. The game apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second modes consist of colors distinguished from each other.

8. A recording medium in which a game program is recorded for making a computer execute a given game on results of a lot performed through selecting any one from a plurality of choices prepared in advance, the game program includes; an image setting procedure for displaying on a given screen in a matrix-arrayed fashion a plurality of characters having a given correspondent relationship with the plurality of choices; a first determining procedure for determining whether or not a first character, which belongs to the characters, made to correspondent to the selected choice exists in the screen, with reference to the results of the lot; a first display-altering procedure for altering a display mode of the first character from a first mode to a second mode, provided the first character made to correspond to the selected choice exists in the screen; o o a second determining procedure, provided the display mode of the S. 55 first character is altered by the first display-altering procedure, for determining whether or not there exists a second character, which belongs to the characters, not only displayed still in the first mode but also made to put between the first character newly altered in the second .5.4 mode and a third character, which belongs to the characters, which has already been displayed in the second mode; second display-altering procedure, provided there exists the second character, for altering a display mode of the second character from the first mode to the second mode; and e an evaluating step for evaluating results of the game conducted by a player on the basis of the number of the second and third characters displayed in the second mode.

9. A game apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED this Twelfth Day of March, 1999 Konami Co., Ltd., Patent Attorneys for the Applicant SPRUSON FERGUSON *3 0 @0 00% *0 0 *be* 0 0 *00 0" 0 00 0. I S. 00 0 0 S [R:\LIBcc]0223