BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
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The present invention relates to a gaming machine, and
more specifically, it relates to a gaming machine determining
a result of a game based on a fact that a lottery ball enters
to a lottery hole in the lottery wheel.
Description of the Related Art
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Hitherto, a bingo game is played by using a bingo card
having squares aligned in a matrix form. In this case, different
indicias are assigned to the squares, and the square
corresponding to the indicia won by a lottery is punched. The
player can win by punching squares aligned in one vertical,
horizontal or diagonal line.
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While a bingo card made of paper is generally used in
a bingo game, various electronically controlled gaming machines
(see JP-A-2001-161888, for example) imitating the game have
been developed. Such a gaming machine displays a bingo card
on a display device thereof, and, when an indicia won by a lottery
exists on the bingo card, the box is activated to display so
that the activated box can be distinguished from the other boxes.
Generally, a lottery wheel has a plurality of lottery holes
having indicia, and, when a lottery ball stops at one of the
lottery holes, a square corresponding to the indicia where the
lottery ball stops is activated. The gaming machine is often
placed in a game arcade since many players can participate
therein.
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Besides, generally, such a gaming machine can be roughly
divided into two types: a gaming machine (so-called lottery
ball drawing type) configured such that a lottery ball is drawn
from a plurality of lottery balls assigned with indicias, thereby
activating a box corresponding to the indicia of the lottery
ball drawn; and a gaming machine (so-called roulette wheel type)
configured such, as in JP-A-2001-161888, that plural lottery
holes assigned with indicias are provided on the outer peripheral
side of a lottery wheel, and that when a lottery ball stops
in any one of the plural lottery holes, a box corresponding
to the indicia at which the lottery ball has stopped is activated.
Furthermore, in such a gaming machine, to break down a simple
gaming property of the bingo game, it has been desired that
a large number of indicias are used to thereby increase interest.
However, in the aforesaid gaming machine of lottery ball drawing
type, it is difficult for players to find their desired lottery
balls from a large number of lottery balls, which is likely
to reduce amusingness peculiar to the bingo game. Thus, this
type of gaming machine is not particularly suitable for the
configuration of using a large number of indicias. On the
contrary, in the gaming machine of roulette wheel type, since
a large number of lottery holes are provided therein, it may
be considered to increase the size of the lottery wheel. From
the viewpoint of installation space in a gaming hall or the
like, however, it is not desirable to increase the size of the
lottery wheel.
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Thereupon, to provide a larger number of lottery holes
on the lottery wheel from the viewpoint of space for providing
the lottery holes therein, easy visibility from the players,
or like condition, there has been developed a gaming machine
including a lottery wheel that is provided with the plural
lottery holes not only on the outer peripheral side but along
a plurality of kinds of circumferences, thus making an attempt
to increase interest in the bingo game.
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However, the aforesaid gaming machine has a limitation
in downsizing because of the provision of a large number of
lottery holes, the viewability of a lottery event attended by
a large number of people at one time, etc. Unlike a personal
one, in a gaming machine having a certain scale, after one game
(lottery) ends, it takes time from when the lottery balls are
collected from the lottery holes until a preparation for the
next game is completed, which is likely to make the players
feel bored.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
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An object of the invention is to provide a gaming machine
provided with plural lottery holes, the gaming machine making
a smooth preparation, reducing feeling of boredom given to the
players, and providing amusingness.
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More specifically, the invention provides the following
gaming machine.
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According to a first aspect of the invention there is
provided a gaming machine including: a lottery wheel having
a plurality of lottery holes that accept balls thereinto; a
game content determination device that, as the lottery balls
enter any of the plural lottery holes, determines a game result
based on the any plural lottery holes that has accepted the
balls; a discharge path that is provided below the lottery wheel
and that discharges the lottery balls accepted in each of the
plurality of lottery holes; a lifting device that conveys the
lottery balls to a position higher than the lottery wheel; and
a collection path that guides the lottery balls discharged from
the discharge path, to a conveyance start position of the lifting
device, wherein the collection path includes a ball delivery
device for delivering the lottery balls being collected, toward
the conveyance start position of the lifting device.
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According to first aspect of the invention, in the gaming
machine that determines the game result based on the entrance
of the lottery balls into the lottery holes, the ball delivery
device disposed in the collection path for guiding the lottery
balls of the lottery holes to the conveyance start position
of the lifting device. Consequently, the lottery balls move
at a high speed through the collection path, so that the lottery
balls can be collected in a shorter time. Besides, even when
there is an obstacle such as a minute convex or concave and
a speck of dust, the lottery balls can be restrained from getting
stuck there, so that the next game can be started smoothly.
Furthermore, the ball delivery device delivers the lottery balls
toward the conveyance start position, which can restrain the
lottery balls from returning to the discharge path side.
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According to the invention, in the gaming machine that
determines the game result based on the entrance of the lottery
balls into the lottery holes, the ball delivery device disposed
in the collection path for guiding the lottery balls of the
lottery holes to the conveyance start position of the lifting
device. The lottery balls are thus delivered more positively
through the collection path, so that the lottery balls can be
collected in a shorter time.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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These and other objects and advantages of the present
invention will be more fully apparent from the following detailed
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
in which:
- Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the outline of a
gaming machine according to an embodiment of the invention;
- Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the outline
of a lottery machine according to the embodiment of the
invention;
- Fig. 3 is a top view of a lottery ball receiving portion
according to the embodiment of the invention;
- Fig. 4 is a top view of the lottery machine according
to the embodiment of the invention;
- Fig. 5 is a perspective view of lottery wheels according
to the embodiment of the invention;
- Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a discharge path
and a collection path according to the embodiment of the
invention;
- Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing an open/close shutter
according to the embodiment of the invention;
- Fig. 8 is a sectional view showing how the open/close
shutter is disposed according to the embodiment of the invention;
- Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing the structures of
the discharge path, the collection path, and a ball delivery
device according to the embodiment of the invention;
- Fig. 10 is a sectional view schematically showing how
the ball delivery device operates according to the embodiment
of the invention;
- Fig. 11 is a sectional view schematically showing the
ball delivery device according to the embodiment of the
invention;
- Figs. 12A to 12G are longitudinal sectional views showing
the collection path in the vicinity of an open/close gate;
- Fig. 13 is a perspective view showing an operation portion
of a gaming terminal according to the embodiment of the
invention;
- Fig. 14 is a view showing the system structure of the
gaming machine according to the embodiment of the invention;
- Fig. 15 is a view showing the electrical configuration
of the lottery machine according to the embodiment of the
invention;
- Fig. 16 is a view showing the electrical configuration
of the gaming terminal according to the embodiment of the
invention;
- Fig. 17 is an example of a standby screen of the gaming
terminal, displayed on a display screen of the gaming terminal
according to the embodiment of the invention;
- Fig. 18 is an example of a screen of the gaming terminal
after game entry, displayed on the display screen of the gaming
terminal according to the embodiment of the invention;
- Fig. 19 is an example of a screen of the gaming terminal
during a game, displayed on the display screen of the gaming
terminal according to the embodiment of the invention;
- Figs. 20A to 20D are examples of a transition of a reach
state individual display screen displayed on the display screen
of the gaming terminal according to the embodiment of the
invention;
- Fig. 21 is an example of a double-up game screen of the
gaming terminal, displayed on the display screen of the gaming
terminal according to the embodiment of the invention;
- Fig. 22 is main flowcharts of processes in main control
circuits of the lottery machine and gaming terminal,
respectively, according to the embodiment of the invention;
- Fig. 23 is a flowchart followed by Fig. 22;
- Fig. 24 is a flowchart of a bingo box moving operation
inactivation process;
- Fig. 25 is a flowchart of a prize winning determination
process;
- Fig. 26 is a flowchart of a reach determination process;
- Fig. 27 is a flowchart of a reach box notification start
process; and
- Fig. 28 is a flowchart of a game preparation process.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
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An example of embodiments of the invention will be
described with reference to drawings.
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While a gaming machine 310 of this embodiment is a gaming
machine to be played by using a game medium such as a card storing
information on a game value given to or to be given to a player
as well as a coin, medal, lottery ball or token, a medal is
used in the description below.
Configuration of Gaming machine
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Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic appearance
of a gaming machine in this embodiment.
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The gaming machine 310 includes a lottery machine 312
and a plurality of gaming terminals 314. The gaming machine
310 can simultaneously provide a game to a plurality of players
through the plurality of gaming terminals 314A to 314J.
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The lottery machine 312 mainly includes a cabinet 313
having a form imitating a ship and is placed at the center of
the gaming machine 310. Furthermore, two lottery wheels 338
and 339 are placed at the center of the lottery machine 312.
These two lottery wheels 338 and 339 have 52 lottery holes 340
and 341 in total (see Fig. 4). These plural lottery holes 340
and 341 are associated with indicias, which are combinations
of first signs including spades, clubs, hearts and diamonds,
and second signs including numbers from 2 to 10 and letters
A, J, Q and K. The indicia is used for determining a lottery
result. In other words, indicias for determining lottery
results are associated with the plurality of lottery holes 340
and 341 in the lottery wheels 338 and 339, respectively. A
lottery is performed in accordance with one of the plurality
of lottery holes 340 and 341 to which a lottery ball enters,
and the game result is determined. Two struts 354A and 354B
compared to masts of a ship extend upward from the respective
centers of the lottery wheels 338 and 339. Metallic horizontal
bars 355A to 355H are attached to the struts 354A and 354B,
respectively, substantially orthogonally to each other with
metallic latches so as to become parts of the masts of the ship,
which are decorations of the lottery machine. An rocking device
346 (see Fig. 2) including a motor is placed in the lottery
machine 312 so that the cabinet 313 can be rocked to move a
stem 312A and a stern 312B vertically. In other words, the
rocking device 346 rocks the cabinet 313. Notably, the incline
has an angle of about 8 degree vertically with respect to the
horizontal plane in this embodiment but is not limited thereto.
Furthermore, while the oscillating operation takes about 12
seconds from the state that the stem 312A is positioned above
at an angle of about 8 degree with respect to the horizontal
plane to the state that the stem 312A is positioned below at
an angle of about 8 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane,
the time is not limited thereto. Preferably, the oscillating
operation takes about 8 seconds to about 16 seconds. More
specifically, the cycle of the rocking can be controlled by
a main control circuit 400, which will be described later, and
may be defined to be adjustable by, for example, a manager of
the game arcade. Furthermore, since the ship-shaped cabinet
313 is used, which can be rocked, in this embodiment, a visual
effect can be given to players, which can therefore enhance
the amusingness.
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A plurality of gaming terminals 314A to 314J are placed
on both sides of the lottery machine 312. In this embodiment,
10 gaming terminals 314 to 314J are provided. The plurality
of gaming terminals 314A to 314J have medal payout ports 382A
to 382J. Fig. 1 does not show the gaming terminals 314F to
314H and medal payout ports 382F to 382J, which are hidden by
the lottery machine 312.
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While, in this embodiment, the ten gaming terminals 314A
to 314J are provided as the plurality of gaming terminals, the
invention is not limited thereto, but other forms may be adopted.
For example, different gaming terminals rather than ten gaming
terminals may be provided or one gaming terminal may be provided.
Configuration of Lottery machine
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Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a schematic
appearance of the lottery machine 312 in this embodiment.
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As an example of an lifting device, a screw conveyer 320
is placed in the stern 312B of the lottery machine 312. The
screw conveyer 320 is an apparatus for conveying a lottery ball
used for a lottery upward with respect to the lottery wheels
338 and 339 through the internal part of the lottery machine
312. While the lottery ball in this embodiment has a diameter
of about 60 mm, other forms may be adopted therefor. For example,
the lottery ball may have a diameter equal to, larger than or
smaller than about 60 mm. Furthermore, the lottery ball is
preferably made of a material not allowing infrared ray to pass
through or is preferably processed so as not to allow infrared
ray to pass through such that the lottery ball can be easily
detected by different kinds of sensors such as an optical sensor.
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The screw conveyer 320 includes a spiral body 320A, a
supporting plate 320B and a lottery ball lifting motor 320C.
The spiral body 320A extends upward from a conveyance start
position 320D at a predetermined angle of inclination. The
supporting plate 320B extends along the spiral body 320A. The
lottery ball lifting motor 320C rotates the spiral body 320A.
The spiral body 320A has a helical groove having a radius of
curvature larger than a radius of the lottery ball. Driving
the lottery ball lifting motor 320C rotates the spiral body
320A, and a lottery ball is conveyed to the upper part with
the lottery ball retained between the helical groove in the
spiral body 320A and the supporting plate 320B. The screw
conveyer 320 conveys the lottery ball 302 to be conveyed in
a manner that the lottery ball 302 can be visually checked.
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One end of a lottery ball guide portion 324 is provided
at the upper end of the screw conveyer 320. The lottery ball
guide portion 324 has a guide path (not shown). The lottery
ball guide portion 324 guides a lottery ball conveyed by the
screw conveyer 320 through the guide path.
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Besides, a lottery ball holding portion 332 is disposed
in an upper portion of the lottery machine 312. This lottery
ball holding portion 332 is formed from a resin having
transparency so as to be made visible from the players, etc.
Consequently, the remaining number of lottery balls can be
clearly shown to the players. This lottery ball holding portion
332 has an upwardly opening shape and holds the lottery balls
guided thereto from the lottery ball guide portion 324. Besides,
an opening (not shown) for passing one lottery ball therethrough
is formed in the bottom surface of the lottery ball holding
portion 332.
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A rotary body 328 is provided below the lottery ball holding
port ion 332. The rotary body 328 is cylindrical and is an example
of a dropping portion. The rotary body 328 has a function of
closing the opening in the bottom surface of the lottery ball
holding portion 332. Thus, the state that a lottery ball is
held in the lottery ball holding portion 332 can be maintained.
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The rotary body 328 has a holding hole (not shown) for
holding one lottery ball. A drive portion (not shown) including
a rotation motor 326 (see Fig. 15) is provided at the edge of
the rotary body 328. Driving the drive portion rotates the
rotary body 328. Rotating the rotary body 328 opens the holding
hole to the above so that one lottery ball held in the lottery
ball holding portion 332 can be dropped to the holding hole
through the opening. Furthermore, rotating the rotary body
328 closes the opening in the lottery ball holding portion 332
and holds one lottery ball in the holding hole. Furthermore,
rotating the rotary body 328 closes the opening in the lottery
ball holding portion 332 and opens the holding hole to the bottom
so that one lottery ball held in the holding hole can be dropped
downward. Thus, one lottery ball held in the lottery ball
holding portion 332 can be extracted and dropped downward. In
other words, the rotary body 328 has a function of dropping
a lottery ball having been conveyed by the screw conveyer 320
from the upper part to plane portions 338A and 339A. The rotary
body 328 is made of a transparent resin such that a lottery
ball held in the holding hole can be visually checked by players.
Thus, the developments of a game can be clearly shown to players.
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A transparent lottery ball receiving portion 334 is
provided below the rotary body 328. The lottery ball receiving
portion 334 receives a lottery ball dropped from the holding
hole of the rotary body thereabove. Thus, a lottery ball having
been dropped from the holding hole of the rotary body 328 is
held in the lottery ball receiving portion 334 with the lottery
ball visually checkable by players. The lottery ball receiving
portion 334 has notches 334C and 334D (see Fig. 4) through which
a received lottery ball can be dropped to one of the lottery
wheels 338 and 339. Since the lottery machine 312 has a function
of oscillating, a lottery ball held in the lottery ball receiving
portion 334 is guided to one of the two lottery wheels 338 and
339 in accordance with the angle of inclination thereof.
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Slopes 336A and 336B having input paths allowing lottery
balls to pass through are provided to the notches 334C and 334D
(see Fig. 3) of the lottery ball receiving portion 334. These
slopes 336A and 336B are used for dropping a lottery ball held
in the lottery ball receiving portion 334 to one of the lottery
wheels 338 and 339. The slopes 336A and 336B are made of a
transparent resin. Thus, lottery balls passing through the
slopes 336A and 336B can be visually checked by players. In
this way, the above-described screw conveyer 320, rotary body
328, slopes 336A and 336B and so on can drop lottery balls having
been discharged from the plurality of lottery holes 340 and
341 to the lottery wheels 338 and 339 through a collection path
350 as described later.
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The two lottery wheels 338 and 339 are placed at the lower
ends of the slopes 336A and 336B. These lottery wheels 338
and 339 have plane portions 338A and 339A, respectively, having
surfaces horizontal to the cabinet 313. Lottery balls can roll
on the plane portions 338A and 339A. In other words, the lottery
wheels 338 and 339 have plane portions 338A and 339A,
respectively, on which lottery balls can roll and have the
plurality of lottery holes 340 and 341 in the upper surface
of the plane portions 338A and 339A. Furthermore, these two
lottery wheels 338 and 339 can rotate horizontally with respect
to the upper surfaces of the plane portions 338A and 339A.
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The upper surfaces of these plane portions 338A and 339A
have the plurality of lottery holes 340 and 341 each for holding
one lottery ball. These plural lottery holes 340 and 341 are
deep enough for one lottery ball to project about 2/5. Thus,
lottery balls having entered to these plural lottery holes 340
and 341 are held in a manner that players can visually check
the lottery balls. Furthermore, subsequently dropped lottery
balls come into collision with the lottery balls held in the
plurality of lottery holes 340 and 341 and change the direction
of rolling. As described later, the lottery balls having
entered to the lottery holes 340 and 341 move in response to
rotations of lottery wheels 338 and 339 with the lottery balls
held in the lottery holes 340 and 341 until the end of one game.
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Open/close shutter s 344 (344A and 344B) are provided
below the lottery wheels 338 and 339 at positions through which
the lottery holes 340 and 341 pass in response to the rotation
of the lottery wheels 338 and 339. While a game is being played,
the open/close shutter s 344A and 344B are controlled to close,
and the lottery wheels 338 and 339 hold lottery balls in the
lottery holes 340 and 341. After the game ends, the open/close
shutter s 344A and 344B are controlled to open, and the lottery
balls in the plurality of lottery holes 340 and 341 are discharged
through an discharge path 347A and 337B.
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As shown in Fig. 8, ball entrance detection sensors
349 (ball entrance detection sensors 349A and 349B in Fig. 7)
are provided in the lottery holes 340 and 341. Each of the
ball entrance detection sensors 349 detects that a lottery ball
enters to one of the plurality of lottery holes. On the condition
that a lottery ball enters to one of the plurality of lottery
holes 340 and 341 in the lottery wheels 338 and 339, indicia
is selected in accordance with the lottery hole to which the
lottery ball has entered, and a game result thereof is determined
based on the selected indicia. In other words, on the condition
that a lottery ball has entered to one of the plurality of lottery
holes 340 and 341, the game result is determined based on the
indicia associated with one of the plurality of lottery holes
340 and 341 to which the lottery ball has entered. While, in
this embodiment, one ball entrance detection sensor 349 is
provided in each of the plurality of lottery holes 340 and 341,
other forms may be adopted. For example, a plurality of ball
entrance detection sensors may be provided for each of plural
lottery holes such that the fact that a lottery ball has entered
thereto can be immediately detected. Furthermore, in order
to reduce works in a producing process therefor and to reduce
costs, an ball entrance detection sensor may not be provided
in each of the plurality of lottery holes. In other words,
two ball entrance detection sensors may be used to detect that
lottery balls have entered to plural lottery holes. For example,
a fixed sensor may be provided below a lottery wheel so that
a lottery hole to which a lottery ball has entered can be located
based on a rotating position of the lottery wheel when the lottery
wheel rotates and the sensor detects that the lottery ball
passes.
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The discharge paths 347A and 347B extending downward from
the positions of the open/ close shutters 344A and 344B are
provided below the lottery wheels 338 and 339. When the lottery
wheels 338 and 339 rotate with the open/ close shutters 344A
and 344B closed, the discharge paths 347A and 347B guide the
lottery balls falling one after another from the lottery holes
340 and 341 and discharge them downward.
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The collection path 350 is provided below the discharge
paths 347A and 347B. The lottery balls discharged from the
discharge paths 347A and 347B fall further and enter the
collection path 350. The collection path 350 continues to the
conveyance start position of the lifting device, and the lottery
balls roll inside the collection path 350 while being guided
toward the conveyance start position. Here, ball delivery
devices 354A and 354B for delivering the lottery balls toward
the conveyance start position are disposed at the positions
of the collection path 350 opposite the discharge paths. The
ball delivery devices 354A and 354B cause the lottery balls
to move at a high speed through the collection path. This
shortens the time required to collect the lottery balls.
Besides, even when the collection path 350 has an obstacle such
as a minute convex or concave and a speck of dust, the lottery
balls can be prevented from getting stuck there. Furthermore,
the lottery balls are delivered by the ball delivery devices
354A and 354B toward the conveyance start position, which
therefore reduces the frequency in which the lottery balls return
to the discharge path side.
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An open/close gate 352 is disposed in the collection path
350. This open/close gate 352 is controlled so as to be freely
openable and closeable. Consequently, when the open/close gate
352 comes into an open state, it provides the state where the
lottery balls can pass between the collection path 350 and the
conveyance start position 320D located at the lower end of the
spiral body 320A. On the contrary, when the open/close gate
352 comes into a closed state, it provides the state where the
lottery balls cannot pass between the collection path 350 and
the lower end of the spiral body 320A. Thus, the lottery machine
312 is rocked so that the stern 312B side becomes lower than
the stem 312A side, and the open/close gate 352 is controlled
into the open state. Thereby, the lottery balls held in the
collection path 350 are led out to the lower end of the spiral
body 320A. Besides, the open/close gate 352 is controlled into
the closed state, thereby preventing the lottery balls led out
to the lower end of the spiral body 320A from returning to the
collection path 350, and furthermore preventing the lottery
balls held in the collection path 350 from being led out to
the lower end of the spiral body 320A.
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A lottery ball passing detection sensor 351 is disposed
between the open/close gate 352 and the lower end of the spiral
body 320A. This lottery ball passing detection sensor 351 is
intended for detecting the number of lottery balls led out to
the lower end of the spiral body 320A from the collection path
350 via the open/close gate 352. Accordingly, the lottery
machine 312 is inclined so that the stern 312B side becomes
lower than the stem 312A side, and the open/close gate 352 is
controlled into the open state. Thereby, when the number of
lottery balls that have passed through the open/close gate 352
reaches a predetermined number, the open/close gate 352 is
controlled into the closed state, so that the predetermined
number of lottery balls are led out to the lower end of the
spiral body 320A. Besides, after the predetermined number of
lottery balls are led out to the lower end of the spiral body
320A, these lottery balls do not return to the collection path
350.
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Besides, the lottery machine 312, provided with the
rocking device 346, is rockable and inclinable about a rocking
shaft 348.
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A dot LED display device 327 is provided above the lottery
ball holding portion 332. The dot LED display device 327
includes a plurality of LEDs. The dot LED display device 327
displays a round number in a game. A START lamp 329 is provided
at the center of the lottery machine 312. The START lamp 329
contains a lamp lighting up when a lottery ball drops down from
the holding hole of the rotary body 328 to the lottery ball
receiving portion 334. In response to the lighting-up of the
contained lamp, the word, START, is displayed so that players
can visually check it. Furthermore, the gaming machine 310
includes a plurality of illumination apparatus (not shown) so
that the ship-shaped lottery machine 312 can be lighted up in
various colors and various effects can be given in response
to rocking operations.
Lottery Ball Receiving Portion
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Fig. 3 is a top view showing the lottery receiving portion
334 and slopes 336A and 336B. The lottery ball receiving portion
334 has a recessed portion 334A. The recessed portion 334A
receives lottery balls dropping from the holding holes of the
rotary body 328. A side 334B of the lottery ball receiving
portion 334 has two notches 334C and 334D. Thus, the lottery
ball received by the recessed portion 334A rolls from one of
the two notches 334C and 334D to the outside of the recessed
portion 334A in response to the rocking of the lottery machine
312.
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The upper ends of the slopes 336A and 336B are connected
to these notches 334C and 334D. Furthermore, the lower ends
of the slopes 336A and 336B are placed above the lottery wheels
338 and 339, respectively, as described above. Thus, these
slopes 336A and 336B receive lottery balls rolled from the
notches 334C and 334D of the above-described lottery ball
receiving portion 334 to the outside of the lottery ball
receiving portion 334 and are then guided to one of the lottery
wheels 338 and 339. Each of these slopes 336A and 336B is placed
such that lottery balls can be dropped in the same direction
as the direction of rotation of each of the lottery wheels 338
and 339. while, in this embodiment, the slope 336A and 336
have a straight form, they do not have to have a straight form
but may have a curve, for example.
Lottery wheels
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Fig. 4 is a top view showing the lottery machine 312 and
lottery wheels 338 and 339. Since the lottery wheel 339 has
a similar configuration to that of the lottery wheel 338, the
description will be omitted herein. As shown in Fig. 9, the
lottery machine 312 includes the two lottery wheels 338 and
339 as described above. Since the two lottery wheels 338 and
339 can have the plurality of lottery holes 340 and 341, the
installed space in a place of amusingness can be used more
effectively without requiring a wasteful space required for
many lottery holes than the space having one lottery wheel,
for example. Thus, the lottery wheels can have many lottery
holes, which can increase amusingness such as providing a variety
of dividends.
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Conventionally, for example, 52 lottery balls are
required in a gaming machine configured such that a lottery
ball is drawn from a plurality of the lottery balls assigned
with the indicias, thereby determining the game result based
on the indicia of the lottery ball drawn. With such a
configuration, it is not easy to let the game go on while making
the players distinguish their desired lottery balls from many
lottery balls, which results in the omission of the process
leading to the result of lottery ball drawing. Thus, it is
likely to impair the gaming property providing impatience and
expectation which is the spice of a bingo game or the like and
thus damp interest in the game. On the contrary, in such a
roulette wheel-type gaming machine as that of this embodiment,
52 lottery holes or more are required in order to realize a
bingo game using poker. Particularly, when one lottery wheel
is used, the lottery wheel increases in size. Consequently,
not only is the space of the gaming hall wasted, but the lottery
wheel is also difficult to make visible, which is likely to
damp interest in the game.
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Thereupon, the wasted space for lottery wheel
installation can be omitted by using two lottery wheels. Given
below is a specific example configured to use one circular
lottery wheel and two circular lottery wheels. The total
circumference of the two circular lottery wheels used is made
equal to that of the one circular lottery wheel used, thereby
enabling substantially the same number of lottery holes to be
provided both in the two circular lottery wheels and in the
one circular lottery wheel. However, the radius of a lottery
wheel in case of using the two circular lottery wheels becomes
one half that in case of using the one circular lottery wheel.
Consequently, the area of a lottery wheel decreases when the
two circular lottery wheels are used. By thus using a plurality
of lottery wheels, interest in the game can be prevented from
being damped without wasting the space of the gaming hall.
Furthermore, a plurality of lottery holes are provided along
a plurality of circumferences, which can prevent interest in
the game from being damped without wasting the space of the
gaming hall.
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The lottery wheels 338 and 339 are circular in the top
view. These lottery wheels 338 and 339 are rotatably provided
at positions on the deck of the cabinet 313 having a form in
imitation of a ship. The standard rotational speed of the
lottery wheel 338 is a speed at which one rotation takes 8 to
12 seconds but can be controlled by a main control circuit 400,
which will be described later. For example, the rotational
speed can be adjusted in the range of 5 to 12 seconds per rotation.
While, in this embodiment, the lottery wheels 338 and 339 are
rotated by lottery wheel rotation motors 335 and 337 (see Fig.
15) positioned at the respective center thereof, other forms
can be adopted. For example, power for rotation can be conducted
from other parts such as outer peripheries and bottom surfaces
thereof. The lottery wheels 338 and 339 have the plane portions
338A and 339A, which allows rolling of lottery balls.
Furthermore, the lottery wheels 338 and 339 rotate in the same
directions (see arrows B1 and B2) as the directions (see arrows
A1 and A2) in which lottery balls are dropped from the slopes
336 A and 336B. More specifically, the lottery wheel 338 rotates
clockwise, and the slope 336A is disposed in the clockwise
direction as shown in Fig. 5. Thus, when lottery balls roll
on the lottery wheels 338 and 339, the speed does not rapidly
decrease. Therefore, the possibility is low that a lottery
ball enters to one of the plurality of lottery holes 340 and
341 in an extremely short period of time. Furthermore, the
rotation of the lottery wheels 338 and 339 allows lotteries
to be performed without any change in speed of lottery balls
sequentially dropped from the slopes 336A and 336B. When the
lottery wheels 338 and 339 do not rotate, that is, the positions
of the lottery holes 340 and 341 are not changed, an uneven
game can be achieved in which a lottery ball dropped at a
predetermined speed can easily or hardly enter a specific one
of the plurality of lottery holes 340 and 341. The rotation
of the lottery wheels 338 and 339 can prevent uneven lotteries.
-
A connection table 390 is provided between the two lottery
wheels 338 and 339. The connection table 390 has a surface
horizontal to the plane portions 338A and 339A of the lottery
wheels 338 and 339. Thus, a lottery ball can roll between the
lottery wheels 338 and 339. Furthermore, in response to the
inclining (rocking) of the cabinet 313, a lottery ball rolls
across the plurality of lottery wheels 338 and 339.
-
Guide portions 392 and 394 are provided between the lottery
wheels 338 and 339. These guide portions 392 and 3 94 are provided
at positions sandwiching the connection table 390 along the
outer peripheries of the lottery wheels 338 and 339. These
guide portions 392 and 394 are higher than the plane portions
338A and 339A of the lottery wheels 338 and 339 and have a convex
form. Lottery balls come into collision with the guide portion
392 and 394 so that the orbits of the lottery balls can be guided.
-
Bank portions 396 and 398 are provided outside the lottery
wheels 338 and 339. These bank portions 396 and 398 are provided
along the outer peripheries of the lottery wheels 338 and 339.
These bank portions 396 and 398 are higher than the plane portions
338A and 339A of the lottery wheels 338 and 339 and have a convex
form. In other words, the bank portions 396 and 398 higher
than the top surface of the plane portions 338A and 339A are
provided along the outer peripheries of these plane portions
338A and 339A. Thus, even when lottery balls dropped from the
slopes 336A and 336B to the lottery wheels 338 and 339 roll
to the outside of the lottery wheels 338 and 339, the lottery
balls run onto the bank portions 396 and 398 and roll on the
lottery wheels 338 and 339 again. Furthermore, since the orbits
of lottery balls returning from the bank portions 396 and 398
are changed by momentum and/or directions of the lottery balls
running onto the bank portions 396 and 398, an unpredictable
game can be provided to players, which can enhance amusingness
of the game. Furthermore, when lottery balls having run onto
the bank portions 396 and 398 roll on the lottery wheels 338
and 339, the speed does not significantly decrease. Thus, when
the lottery balls having run onto the bank portions 396 and
398 roll onto the lottery wheels 338 and 339, the speed does
not significantly decrease. Therefore, the possibility is low
that a lottery ball enters to one of the plurality of lottery
holes 340 and 341 in an extremely short period of time, and
a lottery ball enters to one of the plurality of lottery holes
340 and 341 in about 10 to 30 seconds.
-
Furthermore, the lottery wheels 338 and 339 rotate in
the opposite directions as indicated by the arrows B1 and B2.
Thus, lottery balls having dropped to the lottery wheel 338
roll from the lottery wheel 338 to the lottery wheel 339 through
the connection table 390. conversely, lottery balls having
dropped to the lottery wheel 339 rolls from the lottery wheel
339 to the lottery wheel 338 through the connection table 390.
Thus, lottery balls roll between the lottery wheels 338 and
339. Furthermore, since the rocking device 346 is provided
in the lottery machine 312, the cabinet 313 of the lottery machine
312 is rocked thereby. Then, for example, lottery balls are
rolled in infinity orbit between the lottery wheels 338 and
339. Thus, an unpredictable and innovative game can be provided
to players, which can enhance amusingness of the game. Notably,
the lottery wheels 338 and 339, connection table 390, guide
portions 392 and 394 and bank portions 396 and 398 are enclosed
by a fence made of a transparent resin so that no lottery balls
can roll to the outside of the fence.
-
These lottery wheels 338 and 339 have 26 lottery holes
340 and 26 lottery holes 341, respectively. As shown in Fig.
5, indicias including spades and hearts as first signs are
assigned to the plurality of lottery holes 340 in the lottery
wheel 338. More specifically, A, 2 to 10, J, Q and K of spades
and A, 2 to 10, J, Q and K of hearts are assigned to the plurality
of lottery holes 340 in the lottery wheel 338. On the other
hand, indicias including clubs and diamonds as first signs are
assigned to the plurality of lottery holes 341 in the lottery
wheel 339. More specifically, A, 2 to 10, J, Q and K of clubs
and A, 2 to 10, J, Q and K of diamonds are assigned to the plurality
of lottery holes 341 in the lottery wheel 339. In other words,
a position where a lottery ball is rolling is visually checked
for matching some of the plurality of signs so that the indicia
desired by a player can be easily recognized. Thus, haste and
expectations of the player can be more raised and amusingness
of the game can be enhanced. For example, while a lottery ball
is rolling on the lottery ball 338, the fact that the first
sign is spades or hearts can be easily recognized. While a
lottery ball is rolling on the lottery ball 339, the fact that
the first sign is clubs or diamonds can be easily recognized.
In other words, on the two lottery wheels 338 and 339, indicias
some of first signs of which match are assigned to the plurality
of lottery holes 340 and 341 in the two lottery wheels 338 and
339. Thus, a pos itionwhere a lottery ball is rolling is visually
checked for matching some of the plurality of signs so that
the indicia desired by a player can be easily recognized.
Therefore, haste and expectations can be more raised and
amusingness of the game can be enhanced.
Discharge Path and Collection Path
-
Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the discharge paths
347A and 347B and the collection path 350. Fig. 6 shows the
positional relationship of the lottery wheels 338 and 339 and
the screw conveyor 320 with respect to these paths. Therefore,
Fig. 6 also shows the lottery wheels 338 and 339 and the screw
conveyor 320 in combination therewith.
-
Below the lottery wheels 338 and 339, the respective
discharge paths 347A and 347B are each transversely disposed
on (under) the circumferences of two concentric circles along
which the lottery holes 340, 341 are arranged. The open/ close
shutters 344A and 344B (see Fig. 7) are provided in upper end
portions within the discharge paths 347A and 347B, respectively.
-
The collection path 350 is provided below the discharge
paths 347A and 347B. The collection path 350 is a gutter-like
path obtained by forming a metal plate to shape, and the bottom
surface thereof is preferably a smooth-faced flat plate. The
collection path 350 extends with a portion thereof below the
discharge path 347A as one end, passing through the portion
below the discharge path 347A and then rounding a bend, down
to the other end that is the conveyance start position 320D
of the screw conveyor 320. The ball delivery devices 354A and
354B are provided at the positions of the collection path 350
opposite the discharge paths 347A and 347B, i.e., at the
positions below the discharge paths 347A and 347B. Additionally,
the discharge paths 347A and 347B and the collection path 350
are fixed to the cabinet 313 together with the lottery wheels
338 and 339 and the screw conveyor 320, and incline as the cabinet
313 inclines.
Open/Close Shutter
-
Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the open/close shutter
344A, wherein, since having the same structure, the open/close
shutter 344B is not illustrated. The open/close shutter 344A
is a disklike plate having two notches at opposed positions.
The rotating shaft of a motor 345 that is a stepping motor is
connected to the center of the disklike plate. The open/close
shutter 344A is rotatably driven by the motor 345 and changes
alternately into the open state and the closed state for each
90-degree rotation.
-
Fig. 8 is a sectional view showing the structure of the
open/close shutter 344A disposed in the lottery machine 312.
Additionally, since showing the movement of the lottery ball,
the sectional view shows a section taken along the outer
circumference arranged with the lottery holes of the lottery
wheel 338.
-
While the lottery wheel 338 is provided above the cabinet
313, a part of the cabinet 313 under the lottery wheel 338 has
a circular hole 313A, and the open/close shutter 344A is provided
in the hole. When a draw is being made, the open/close shutter
344A is closed. A lottery ball having dropped to a lottery
hole is supported by the cabinet 313 and open/close shutter
344A so as to be retained not to fall any further. Once the
game ends and the open/close shutter 344A is rotationally driven
by 90 degrees by the motor 345, the two notches of the open/close
shutter 344A are positioned under the outer circumference and
inner circumference having lottery holes (the state shown in
Fig. 8). When the lottery wheel 338 rotates under this state,
a lottery ball having passed above the open/close shutter 344A
further passes through the notches of the open/close shutter
344A and falls to the discharge path 347A. Thus, the lottery
balls retained in the plurality of lottery holes 340 of the
lottery wheel 338 are all discharged from the discharge path
347A as a result of one rotation of the lottery wheel 338. Then,
the lottery balls enter the collection path 350 below the
discharge path 347A. When all of the lottery balls have been
discharged, the open/close shutter 344A is rotationally driven
by 90 degrees again by the motor 345 and is closed. Since an
discharging mechanism does not have to be provided to each of
all of the lottery holes 340 but one centralized discharging
mechanism can be provided because of this configuration, the
mechanism can be simplified and the costs for producing the
gaming machine can be reduced. The number of lottery balls
(number of balls) discharged from the discharge path 347A in
each unit time depends on the speed of rotation of the lottery
wheel 338. As the speed of rotation of the lottery wheel 338
increased, the number of lottery balls to be discharged in each
unit time increases.
Ball Delivery Device
-
Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing the configuration
of the discharge path 347A, collection path 350, and ball
delivery device 354 (354A, 354B) as seen from below.
-
The ball delivery device 354A is disposed opposite to
the collection path 350, and the collection path 350 is disposed
opposite to the discharge path 347A. Specifically, the ball
delivery device 354A includes a motor 356, a ball delivery rod
357, and a ball delivery rod hole 358 provided in the collection
path 350, the ball delivery rod 357 and the ball delivery rod
hole 358 are provided on the collection path 350. The ball
delivery rod hole 358 is disposed opposite to the discharge
path 347A. The ball delivery rod 357 is a rod made of a metal
bar, whose center is attached, at right angles, to the rotating
shaft of the motor 356. The ball delivery rod 357 is rotatably
driven by the motor 356 so that both ends of the ball delivery
rod 357 move in a circular pattern. When the ball delivery
rod 357 rotates, a portion thereof having a predetermined length
from either end protrudes from the ball delivery rod hole 358
to the collection path 350.
-
Fig. 10 is a sectional view schematically showing how
the ball delivery device 354A delivers the lottery balls in
the collection path 350. The ball delivery rod 357 is driven
by the motor 356, so that the ball delivery rod 357 protruding
from the ball delivery rod hole 358 rotates in the direction
in which the lottery balls move toward the screw conveyor 320.
On this occasion, when the collection path 350 has therein any
lottery ball in the range where the ball delivery rod 357
protrudes from the ball delivery rod hole 358 to the collection
path 358, the lottery ball is pushed out and accelerated as
being flicked to the ball delivery rod hole 358, and thus moves
toward the screw conveyor 320 through the collection path 350.
-
Since being thus accelerated and moving at a high speed
through the collection path, the lottery balls quickly reach
the conveyance start position 320D of the screw conveyor 320.
Thereby, after the game ends, the lottery balls can be collected
in a shorter time to complete preparation for the start of the
next game. Besides, even when the collection path 350 has an
obstacle such as a minute convex or concave and a speck of dust,
the lottery balls can be prevented from getting stuck there,
so that the game can be provided smoothly. In the gaming machine
of this embodiment, the cabinet is inclined by the rocking device
346, along with which the collection path 350 is also inclined
to move the lottery balls therewithin. However, such an
inclination is essentially intended for giving variety to the
way that the lottery balls enter the lottery holes 340, 341
at the game. And, conventionally, a long time is sometimes
required in order to move the lottery balls within the collection
path 350. The ball delivery device 354A for delivering the
lottery balls is provided as described in this embodiment, which
can shorten the time required to move, i.e., collect the lottery
balls.
-
Additionally, it is preferred that the speed at which
the ball delivery rod 357 rotates is properly adjusted in
response to the distance of the collection path 350 and the
mass of the lottery balls, depending upon the selection of the
motor 356 or the voltage applied to the motor 356. Besides,
since the lottery balls are accelerated at an early stage and
collected in a shorter time, it is preferred that the position
at which the ball delivery rod 357 protrudes from the ball
delivery rod hole 358 falls in a position opposite the discharge
path 347A. In order to prevent the problem that the lottery
balls stick into the ball delivery rod hole 358, thus increasing
the resistance to the delivery, preferably, the width of the
ball delivery rod hole 358 is set to be narrow so as not to
impede the rotation of the ball delivery rod 357, more preferably,
to be twice or less the width of the ball delivery rod 357.
Otherwise, more desirably, the distance between either one wall
of the collection path 350 and an edge positioned further away
from the one wall out of the longitudinal edges of the ball
delivery rod hole 358 is smaller than the radius of the lottery
balls (see Fig. 11). This can prevent the lottery balls from
sticking into the ball delivery rod hole 358. Further, the
length of the ball delivery rod 357 is a preferably a little
shorter than the radius of the lottery balls or may be shorter
than the diameter of the lottery balls. Further, more
preferably, the shape of the ball delivery rod 357 is a circular
cylinder. Further, more preferably, the ball delivery rod 357
may rotate in the direction contrary to the direction that the
lottery balls move toward the screw conveyor 320. Further,
more preferably, the ball delivery rod 357 is two as shown in
Fig. 10, in order to prevent a jam of the lottery balls.
Open/Close Gate
-
Figs. 12A to 12G are longitudinal sectional views showing
the collection path 350 in the vicinity of the open/close gate
352.
-
After one game ends, the lottery balls 302 enter the
collection path 350 from the discharge paths 347A and 347B and
are delivered by the ball delivery device 354A. After the elapse
of a predetermined time, as shown in Fig. 12A, these lottery
balls 302 are then accumulated on the discharge path side of
the collection path 350 in the vicinity of the open/close gate
352. The cabinet 313 is inclined by the rocking device 346
with the lottery balls 302 held in the aforesaid collection
path 350 as shown in Fig. 12A. In this case, as shown in Fig.
12B, since the open/close gate 352 provided in the collection
path 350 is in the closed state, the lottery balls 302 are held
in the collection path 350 so as to be positioned on the open/close
gate 352 side. Then, as shown in Fig. 12C, the open/close gate
352 is controlled into the open state, whereby the lottery balls
302 positioned in the collection path 350 roll toward a lower
portion of the spiral body 320A. That is, the cabinet 313 is
inclined, and the lottery balls 302 positioned in the collection
path 350 are led out to the screw conveyor 320. When the lottery
balls 302 thus roll toward the lower portion of the spiral body
320A, the lottery ball passing detection sensor 351 detects
the number of lottery balls 302 rolling toward the lower portion
of the spiral body 320A. That is, the lottery ball passing
detection sensor 351 detects the number of lottery balls 302
led out to the screw conveyor 320 from the collection path 350.
In other words, the lottery ball passing detection sensor 351
detects the number of lottery balls 302 passed through the
open/close gate 352. When the number of lottery balls 302
detected by the lottery ball passing detection sensor 351 reaches
a predetermined number, as shown in Fig. 12D, the open/close
gate 352 is controlled into the closed state. Thereby, as shown
in Fig. 12E, the predetermined number of lottery balls 302 roll
toward the lower portion of the spiral body 320A and conveyed
upward by the screw conveyor 320. That is, the lottery balls
302 are made ready to be inputted. Besides, in this state,
as shown in Fig. 12F, the inclination of the cabinet 313 is
returned to a horizontal position, i.e., control for restraint
is performed. That is, the rocking device 346 has the function
of restraining the inclination of the cabinet 313. Besides,
as shown in Fig. 12F, the lottery balls 302 that have rolled
toward the lower portion of the spiral body 320A do not return.
Of course, as shown in Fig. 12G, even when the cabinet 313 is
inclined in the reverse direction, similarly, the lottery balls
302 that have rolled toward the lower portion of the spiral
body 320A do not return.
-
Thereby, the cabinet 313 (see Fig. 1) is inclined, and
the lottery balls positioned in the collection path 350 are
led out to the lower portion of the spiral body 320A. Therefore,
the lottery balls 302 can be reliably collected by inclining
the cabinet 313, thus enabling the gaming machine to be
manufactured in a simple fashion and at low cost. Particularly,
as much space as possible need be saved in a large-size gaming
machine such as a bingo game machine, and still more space can
be saved according to the invention.
Gaming terminal
-
The gaming terminal 314A in the gaming machine 310 will
be described with reference to Fig. 13. Fig. 13 is a perspective
view showing an operation part of the gaming terminal 314 viewed
from a player's position. Since the gaming terminals 314B to
314J have a configuration similar thereto, the description will
be omitted herein.
-
The gaming terminal 314A mainly includes a display device
370A, a touch sensor 372A (Fig. 16), two dials 376A and 377A,
a medal input port 378A and a main control circuit 500A (Fig.
16).
-
The display device 370A is provided in the upper part
of the gaming terminal 341A. A matrix card image for a bingo
game assigned to a player and other information or images
relating to an optional game and so on are displayed on the
display device 370A. In other words, the display device 370
includes a plurality of boxes in a plurality of rows by a plurality
of columns and displays a matrix in which indicias are assigned
to the respective a plurality of boxes. Furthermore, as
described later, on the condition that indicia selected by the
main control circuit 400 or the like agrees with one of
identification pieces assigned to the respective plural boxes,
the main control circuit 500A or the like controls to activate
the box corresponding to one of the identification pieces and
controls to give a dividend on the condition that a result from
the control for activating has a predetermined form. Under
this configuration, the game is developed with various kinds
of information displayed on the display device 370A being
visually checkable by a player.
-
Furthermore, a camera (not shown) for shooting entire
images of the lottery wheels 338 and 339 may be provided in
the lottery machine 312. Then, by displaying a shot image on
the display device 370A, the lottery wheels 338 and 339 can
be visually checked by a player even when one of the lottery
wheels 338 and 339 is hard to see.
-
Furthermore, a touch panel mainly including the touch
sensor 372A is provided in the display device 370A. Thus, at
the touch of the display device 370A, a game environment allowing
inputting various data or commanding can be provided to a player.
-
While, in this embodiment, various input operations are
allowed by the touch sensor 372A, other operation forms may
be adopted. For example, a plurality of operation buttons may
be provided therein so that various input operation can be
performed.
-
A seat portion 374A is provided on the player side of
the display device 370A. The two dials 376Aand 377A positioning
as upper and lower layers are provided on the top surface of
the seat portion 374A. By using the dials 376A and 377A, a
game environment, which is hard to operate only by pressing
a normal operation button or touching the touch panel, can be
provided to a player.
-
For example, in this embodiment, on a bingo game matrix
image displayed on the display device 370A, an indicia assigned
to a bingo box in the outer periphery of the matrix image can
be moved to an adjacent bingo box along the outer periphery.
In the past, when a second indicia needs to be moved continuously
and when only pressing a normal operation button and touching
the touch panel are allowed as operations, the operations must
be performed again and again, which is significantly burdensome.
Accordingly, by using input devices such as the dials 376A and
377A, continuous operations can be performed through one action.
Thus, a highly operable game can be provided to a player.
Furthermore, operations can be performed very easily for analog
movements such as scrolling on screens and moving a pointer
thereon. Thus, a highly operable game can be provided to a
player.
-
The medal input port 378A for inserting a medal is provided
on the right side of the dials 376A and 377A. A medal sensor
380A (see Fig. 16) is provided within the metal slot 378A. The
medal sensor 380A senses that a medal has been inserted to the
medal input port 378A. Thus, when a medal is inserted to the
medal input port 378A by a player, the fact that the medal has
been inserted is sensed by the medal sensor 380A.
-
The main control circuit 500A is placed within the seat
portion 374A and controls the above-described different
devices.
System Configuration of Gaming machine
-
A system configuration in the gaming machine 310 will
be described with reference to Fig. 14.
-
As shown in Fig. 14, the gaming machine 310 mainly includes
a lottery machine controller 360 for controlling the lottery
machine 312 and the gaming terminals 314A to 314J.
-
The lottery machine controller 360 is communicably
connected to the ten gaming terminals 314A to 314J. The lottery
machine controller 360 can control the ten gaming terminals
314A to 314J by exchanging various kinds of data and signals
with the 314A to 314J.
Electric Configuration of Lottery Machine
-
An electric configuration in the lottery machine 312 of
the gaming machine 310 will be described with reference to Fig.
15.
-
As shown in Fig. 15, the ball entrance detection sensor
349 is connected to an interface circuit group 402 of the main
control circuit 400. When the lottery balls enter any of the
plural lottery holes 340, 341, the ball entrance detection sensor
349 supplies a predetermined signal to an input/output bus 404
via the interface circuit group 402. The input/output bus 404
inputs/outputs a data signal or an address signal from the
central processing unit (hereinafter called the CPU) 406.
-
Besides, the lottery ball passing detection sensor 351
is also connected to the interface circuit group 402 of the
main control circuit 400. When a lottery ball passes through
the open/close gate 352, the lottery ball passing detection
sensor 351 supplies a predetermined signal to the input/output
bus 404 via the interface circuit group 402.
-
Furthermore, communication control circuits 414A to 414J
are connected to the interface circuit group 402. The
communication control circuits 414A to 414J are used for
communicably connecting the lottery machine controller 360 and
the gaming terminals 314A to 314J.
-
A read-only memory (ROM) 408 and a random access memory
(RAM) 410 are also connected to the above-described input/output
bus 404. The ROM 408 records a control program for controlling
processing relating to a game in the lottery machine controller
360. Furthermore, the ROM 408 stores initial data used for
executing the control program and various programs.
Furthermore, the RAM 410 stores values of flags and/or variants
to be used in the above-described programs.
-
Furthermore, an interface circuit group 412 is connected
to the input/output bus 404. A lottery ball lifting motor 320C,
a rotation motor 326, lottery wheel rotation motors 335 and
337, a motor 345 for the open/close shutter 344, the rocking
device 346 and a reclosable gate 352 are connected to the
interface circuit group 412. Thus, the devices are controlled
by the CPU 406 so that the above-described lottery machine 312
can be driven.
Electric Configuration of Gaming terminal
-
An electric configuration of the gaming terminal 314A
of the gaming machine 310 will be described with reference to
Fig. 16. Since the gaming terminals 314B to 314J have
configurations similar thereto, the description will be omitted
herein. Each of these gaming terminals functions as an
apparatus for determining details of a game along with the main
control circuit 400 of the lottery machine 312.
-
As shown in Fig. 16, the medal sensor 380A is connected
to an interface circuit group 502A of a main control circuit
500A. When a medal is inserted through the medal input port
378Abythemedal sensor 380A, a predetermined signal is supplied
to an input/output bus 504A through the interface circuit group
502A. The input/output bus 504A inputs/outputs data signals
or address signals to a central processing unit (CPU) 506A.
-
Furthermore, the touch sensor 372A is also connected to
the interface circuit group 502A of the main control circuit
500A. When the fact that a position displaying a command
displayed on the display device 370A is touched by a player
is detected, the touch sensor 372A supplies a signal
corresponding to the command to the interface circuit group
502A.
-
Furthermore, the dials 376A and 377A are connected to
the above-described interface circuit group 502A. When the
dial 376A or 377A is rotated by a player, a signal corresponding
to the angle of rotation is supplied to the interface circuit
group 502A.
-
Furthermore, a communication control circuit 514A is
connected to the interface circuit group 502A. The
communication control circuit 514A is communicably connected
to the lottery machine controller 360 and the gaming terminal
314A.
-
A read-only memory (ROM) 508A and a random access memory
(RAM) 510A are connected to the above-described input/output
bus 504A. The ROM 5 08A records a control program for controlling
processing relating to a game in the gaming terminal 314A.
Furthermore, the ROM 508A stores initial data used for executing
the control program and programs for display control in the
display device 370A. Furthermore, the RAM 510A stores values
of flags and/or variants to be used in the above-described
programs.
-
Furthermore, an interface circuit group 512A is connected
to the input/output bus 504A. A speaker 586A and a hopper 588A
are connected to the interface circuit group 512A, and the
interface circuit group 512A supplies drive signals and drive
power so as to control the above-described devices in accordance
with results of computing processing in the CPU 506A.
-
Furthermore, a display controller 600A is connected to
the interface circuit group 512A. The display controller 600A
supplies image signals for displaying images to the display
device 370A based on an image display command supplied from
the main control circuit 500A.
Standby Screen of Gaming terminal
-
A standby screen to be displayed on the display device
370A of the gaming terminal 314A will be described with reference
to Fig. 17.
-
Figs. 17 to 21 show an embodiment in which the invention
is applied to a bingo game using a bingo card having 5. 5 bingo
boxes as described below. The conventional dominating bingo
game includes drawing a predetermined number of numbers from
25 numbers at a probability of 1/25 for a bingo card having
5.5 bingo boxes, when a drawn number is on the bingo card,
activating the bingo box corresponding to the number, and making
a bingo hand by five activated bingo boxes in a horizontal,
vertical or diagonal line. In this embodiment, instead of
numbers acting as indicias used in a conventional bingo game,
playing-card designs are used as indicias (where one joker or
two jokers may be included or no joker may be included, or a
free spot having a specific bingo box activated irrespective
of a drawn indicia may be regarded as a joker). Then, a lottery
is performed at a probability of 1/52 (or at a probability of
1/53 or 1/54). In this case, in addition to conventional bingo
hands, poker hands may be made (such as One Pair, Two Pair,
Three Of A Kind, Straight, Flush, Full House, Four Of A Kind,
Straight Flush, Royal Flush and Five Of A Kind), and a dividend
in accordance with a bingo hand or poker hand is given to a
player. Furthermore, a poker hand and a bingo hand may be made
in a specific same line on a bingo card at the same time. In
this case, both of the dividend corresponding to the poker hand
and the dividend corresponding to the bingo hand are given to
a player. However, bingo boxes are activated at a lower
probability than that of a conventional bingo came, which lowers
the possibility that a bingo hand is made. Accordingly, while
a bingo hand is conventionally made by five activated bingo
boxes in a horizontal, vertical or diagonal line, a bingo hand
may be made by not only five but also three or four activated
bingo boxes in a line.
-
Furthermore, receiving operations on the gaming terminal
314 in relation to a game is all by a touch panel method excluding
operations through the dials 376A and 377A (See Fig. 13 for
both of them). In other words, the touch sensor 372A (see Fig.
16) is provided on the surface of the display device 370A such
that a player can operate a gaming terminal that the player
intends by touching a predetermined touch portion of the display
device 370A. However, the invention is not limited thereto,
but an operation receiving method not using a touch panel method
may be adopted. For example, predetermined switches may be
provided for receiving operations of a player.
-
Fig. 17 is an example in which a screen for receiving
an entry of a game through the gaming terminal 314 is displayed
on the display device 370A of the gaming terminal 314 and
operations on a touch portion 480, a touch portion 481 and the
dials 376Aand377A (see Fig. 13) for receiving an entry operation
of a game are valid. Other operations on the dial 376A and/or
dial 377A (seeFig. 13 for both of them) are invalid. Furthermore,
medal insertion to the medal input port 378A (see Fig. 13) is
also invalid, and an inserted medal is returned to a player
from a medal payout port 382A. Furthermore, all of bingo boxes
having playing-card designs in a matrix form on a bingo card
displayed on the display device 370A are also displayed darker
or shaded so as to indicate that the bingo boxes do not still
win in a lottery and are not activated. Activating a bingo
box refers to processing for displaying a bingo box having the
same pattern as a playing-card design drawn by the lottery
machine 312, if any, distinctively from the other bingo boxes
hereinafter. Through the processing of activating a bingo box,
the bingo box is displayed brighter or is unshaded, for example.
Notably, a bingo box on a bingo card on the standby screen of
the gaming terminal 314 is not activated based on a drawing
of an indicia in the lottery machine 312. Furthermore, the
values of line odds and poker odds shown on the display device
370A are not changed by any operations by a player.
-
An arrangement of playing-card designs displayed on bingo
cards having 5.5 bingo boxes displayed on the standby screen
of the gaming terminal 314 is different from the arrangement
on a bingo card to be used in a game after the game entry. Here,
it is a display of a demonstration screen only, and an arrangement
of playing-card designs displayed on a bingo card is not
determined until the game entry.
-
An entry to a game is received when the touch portion
480 or touch portion 481 is touched by a player. When the game
entry is received by the gaming terminal 314, the display is
changed to the screen in Fig. 18.
Screen on Gaming terminal After Game Entry
-
A screen after game entry to be displayed on the display
device 370A of the gaming terminal 314 will be described with
reference to Fig. 18.
-
Fig. 18 shows a screen displaying a determined bingo card
including 5. 5 bingo boxes having playing-card designs. Here,
playing-card designs are placed in an arrangement including
a predetermined poker hand (such as a poker hand made by five
playing cards, that is, Straight, Flush, Full House, Straight
Flush or Royal Flush) on a specific line in advance. By
preparing a high dividend hand on a bingo card in advance in
this way, the expectations of a player can be advantageously
enhanced. Notably, playing-card designs are arranged at random
in bingo boxes excluding the predetermined poker hand. The
display of the touch portion 480 and touch portion 481 are
eliminated, and the display of an entire condition notification
unit 483, which will be described later, appears. At the state
on the screen, a BET operation based on medal insertion by a
player or an operation on the dial 378A or 377A (see Fig. 13
for both of them) are valid for a certain period of time (such
as a predetermined time like 45 seconds). For example, through
a BET operation based on medal insertion by a player, a
predetermined number of medals are BET so that the level of
line odds shown on a line odds table 482 can rise. Thus, the
shaded part in the figure is moved upward in the figure, and
the value indicating the odds level of the line odds in the
figure rises (in Fig. 18, the shaded part positioned in the
second row from the bottom of the line odds table 482, and the
odds level is 2). Furthermore, a predetermined number of medals
are BET so that the value of the poker odds shown on a poker
odds table 484 can increase and the value on the display of
the odds level of the poker odds in the figure can increase
in the same manner (in the figure, the odds values for poker
hands are as displayed, and the odds level of the poker odds
is 3). Odds level here refers to an index indicating the rank
among hierarchies of odds values. In this case, odds values
are divided into a predetermined number of hierarchies in
accordance with the magnitudes of odds values. For example,
the odds value may increase as the value of the odds level
increases, or the odds value may decrease as the value of odds
level decreases.
-
Also on the display device 370A of the gaming terminal
after a game entry, bingo boxes on a bingo card may be all displayed
darker or shaded so that the bingo boxes are indicated as bingo
boxes, which are not won in the lottery and are not activated.
-
When a BET operation based on medal insertion by a player
and an operation on the dial 376A and/or dial 377A (see Fig.
13 for both of them) are valid, a player can rotationally move
a bingo box in the inner periphery 490 of the bingo card Hatched
with lines oriented diagonally upward right as seen in Fig.
18 by operating the dial 376A and can rotationally move a bingo
box in the outer periphery 491 of a bingo card Hatched with
lines oriented diagonally downward right as seen in Fig. 18
by operating the dial 377A. More specifically, when a player
rotationally operates the dial 376A counterclockwise by a
predetermined amount, the bingo box in the inner radius 490
of the bingo cards is, in accordance thereto, also rotationally
moved counterclockwise about the center of the bingo cards only
by the predetermined amount. For example, when the dial 376A
is rotationally operated counterclockwise by an amount
corresponding to the amount of movement equal to one bingo box,
Queen of hearts positioning at the upper left corner of the
inner radius 490 of the bingo cards in Fig. 18 moves to a place
having Jack of hearts, and Jack of hearts moves to a place having
3 of clubs. In this way, each of bingo boxes moves
counterclockwise by one. This is also true for the rotational
movement in the outer periphery 491 of the bingo card in response
to an operation on the dial 377A. Thus, a player can move a
bingo box rotationally in an arbitrary manner about the center
of the bingo card. Then, the operation is an operation allowed
as far as the operations can be received in the gaming terminal
314. By allowing this kind of operation, bingo boxes must be
moved not only to have an arrangement highly possibly making
a bingo hand but also in consideration of a poker hand, which
requires a strategy. Requiring a strategy means that bingo
boxes must be moved in consideration of whether Two Pair having
a high possibility to be made while giving a low dividend is
aimed or Royal Flush having a low possibility to be made while
giving a high dividend is aimed.
As the above, according to the invention, substantially
all of one surface of the attachment base fixed to the cabinet
frame within the cabinet is a ground plane, and the cabinet
frame and strut are electrically connected thereto. The
attachment base to which the detector is attached and the strut
extending upward are grounded so that the radiant noise generated
by the gaming machine can be suppressed. Furthermore, the strut
and the lottery wheel rock in response to the rocking of the
cabinet so that the rocking of the cabinet can be visually
emphasized. Therefore, the generated radiant noise can be
suppressed, and the presence can be enhanced by the rocking
of the cabinet, which can increase the amusingness of a game.
Screen of Gaming Terminal during Game
-
An example of the display of the display device 370A of
the gaming terminal 314 during the game will be described with
reference to Fig. 19.
-
When the lottery machine 312 draws the playing-card
designs, the result is transmitted to the gaming terminal 314.
Upon receipt of the result, the gaming terminal 314 determines
whether or not the same playing-card designs as the aforesaid
playing-card designs exist in the bingo card displayed on the
display device 370A of the gaming terminal 314. When this
determination is that the same playing-card designs exist in
the bingo card displayed on the display device 370A of the gaming
terminal 314, the bingo boxes assigned with the aforesaid
playing-card designs of the bingo card are displayed in a
relatively bright condition, with half-tone dot meshing display
cancelled, or in like manner, thereby indicating that the
aforesaid bingo boxes are activated ones.
-
In Fig. 19, for example, seven bingo boxes assigned with
the ten of diamonds, the jack of hearts, etc. are displayed
in a relatively bright condition, with half-tone dot meshing
display cancelled, or in like manner, thereby indicating that
the aforesaid bingo boxes are activated ones. And, while the
drawing of the lottery machine 312 is performed a predetermined
number of times, the bingo boxes activated by the drawing are
displayed in a relatively bright condition, with half-tone dot
meshing display cancelled, or in like manner, thereby continuing
to indicate that the aforesaid bingo boxes are activated ones.
Display of Reach State
-
Furthermore, in the display device 370A of the gaming
terminal during the game as shown in Fig. 19, based on the
determination as to which bingo box is activated next to
establish the bingo hand or the poker hand, the bingo box to
be activated next is displayed distinguishably to the players.
Such display has two methods: the method of individually
displaying bingo boxes any one of which is activated next to
establish the bingo hand or the bingo hand (hereinafter called
a reach state individual display); and the method of displaying
the aforesaid bingo boxes recognizably at one time (hereinafter
called a reach state display). The reach state refers to the
state in which the bingo hand or the poker hand is established
when a specific bingo box is activated next.
-
Additionally, the reach state individual display and the
reach state display can display the reach state that responds
to the movement of the bingo boxes, i.e., that corresponds to
the bingo boxes after their movement each time they move.
-
The reach state individual display is configured as
follows. That is, for example, in Fig. 19, when the bingo box
assigned with the king of hearts is activated, three of a kind
serving as the poker hand is established, and three bingo boxes
are lined up as the bingo hand. Therefore, the player is notified
of such a state by the method of flashing the bingo box assigned
with the king of hearts or like method. Furthermore, as
described later, when there exist a plurality of the bingo boxes
any one of which is activated to establish the poker hand and/or
the bingo hand, the flashing display is performed by switching
between the bingo boxes for the poker hand and the bingo boxes
for the bingo hand. Therefore, the players can identify which
bingo box is activated to establish the poker hand and/or the
bingo hand.
-
The reach state display is configured as follows. That
is, for example, in Fig. 19, when the bingo boxes assigned with
the king of hearts, the ace of spades, the king of spades, and
the jack of clubs are activated, the poker hand and/or the bingo
hand is established. Therefore, these bingo boxes are displayed
in the entire condition notification unit 483 at one time, thus
notifying the players of such a state. In Fig. 19, a flashing
display 485 indicates where the bingo boxes any one of which
is activated to establish the poker hand and/or the bingo hand
are positioned in the entire bingo card. The flashing display
485 indicates only the positions, within the bingo card, of
the bingo boxes any one of which is activated to establish the
poker hand and/or the bingo hand, but does not indicate the
playing-card designs assigned to the aforesaid bingo boxes.
However, the invention is not limited thereto, but the
playing-card designs may also be indicated therein.
-
At the bingo game, the playing-card designs are used as
the indicias (particularly, playing-card numbers are used as
the first indicias and playing-card suits are used as the second
indicias). Therefore, both the bingo hand and the poker hand
can be established, so that the number of patterns of the reach
state increases, which becomes difficult to discriminate.
Besides, since the bingo boxes can be moved, the reach state
varies in many ways according to the movement. Consequently,
it becomes difficult for the players to quickly determine what
kind of reach state occurs. However, the aforesaid two methods
of displaying the reach state is adopted, thereby enabling the
players to easily and accurately recognize which bingo box is
expected to be activated to establish the poker hand and/or
the bingo hand in playing the bingo game. Therefore, the players,
having expectation roused, can play the game at ease while
maintaining interest.
Transition of Reach State Individual Display Screen of Gaming
Terminal
-
The transition of a reach state individual display screen
displayed on the display device 370A of the gaming terminal
314 will be described with reference to Figs. 20A to 20D.
-
As the reach state individual display has been described
above, in Fig. 19, when the bingo boxes assigned with the king
of hearts, the ace of spades, the king of spades, and the jack
of clubs are activated, the poker hand and/or the bingo hand
is established. Figs. 20A to 20D have the same situation as
Fig. 19, and Figs. 20A to 20D show, in due order, how the bingo
boxes assigned with the king of hearts, the ace of spades, the
king of spades, and the jack of clubs are individually displayed
in a flashing manner.
-
In Fig. 20A, when the king of hearts is activated, three
of a kind serving as the poker hand is established, and three
activated bingo boxes serving as the bingo hand are lined up.
Therefore, the bingo box assigned with the king of hearts is
displayed in a flashing manner as in a flashing display 486.
After this flashing display is performed for a predetermined
time, a transition is made to the state of the next Fig. 20B.
-
In Fig. 20B, when the ace of spades is activated, straight
serving as the poker hand is established, and five activated
bingo boxes serving as the bingo hand are lined up. Therefore,
the bingo box assigned with the ace of spades is displayed in
a flashing manner as in a flashing display 487. After this
flashing display is performed for a predetermined time, a
transition is made to the state of the next Fig. 20C.
-
In Fig. 20C, when the king of spades is activated, three
of a kind serving as the poker hand is established, and three
activated bingo boxes serving as the bingo hand are lined up.
Therefore, the bingo box assigned with the king of spades is
displayed in a flashing manner as in a flashing display 488.
After this flashing display is performed for a predetermined
time, a transition is made to the state of the next Fig. 20D.
-
In Fig. 20D, when the jack of clubs is activated, four
of a kind serving as the poker hand is established, and four
activated bingo boxes serving as the bingo hand are lined up.
Therefore, the bingo box assigned with the jack of clubs is
displayed in a flashing manner as in a flashing display 489.
After this flashing display is performed for a predetermined
time, a transition is made again to the state of Fig. 20A.
-
Thus, the flashing display 486 of Fig. 20A, the flashing
display 487 of Fig. 20B, the flashing display 488 of Fig. 20C,
and the flashing display 489 of Fig. 20D are repeatedly displayed,
in the order named, so that each display is displayed for the
predetermined time and then makes its transition. This makes
it possible to easily and accurately recognize which bingo box
is expected to be activated to establish the poker hand and/or
the bingo hand. Therefore, the players, having expectation
roused, can play the game at ease while maintaining interest.
-
Additionally, in the aforesaid, the flashing display 486
of Fig. 20A, the flashing display 487 of Fig. 20B, the flashing
display 488 of Fig. 20C, and the flashing display 489 of Fig.
20D are repeatedly displayed, in the order named, so that each
display is displayed for the predetermined time and then makes
its transition. However, the configuration may be such that
the flashing displays make their transition in the order of
the strength of the bingo hand and the poker hand (e.g., the
hand awarding more dividends may be designated as a stronger
hand).
Double-up Game Screen of Gaming Terminal
-
A double-up game screen displayed on the display device
370A of the gaming terminal 314 will be described with reference
to Fig. 21.
-
The double-up game is the game that, when awarded any
dividend at the bingo game of the gaming machine 310, the player
bets the dividend to play. In the double-up game, a dealer's
playing-card design selected by control of the gaming terminal
314 is compared with one playing-card design selected by the
player from a plurality of playing cards that are laid out
face-down by control of the gaming terminal 314. Then, one
who selects the stronger playing card wins the game. When the
player wins the game, the dividend won by the player increases
twice, whereas when the dealer wins the game, the dividend won
by the player is all forfeited.
-
For example, in Fig. 21, the configuration is such that
the playing-card design selected by the dealer is first to be
shown, in response to which the player can select one from four
playing cards laid out face-down by control of the gaming
terminal 314. When the player selects the desired playing card
by touching the display of this playing card, the aforesaid
playing card is faced to display its design, thus determining
the game result of the double-up game. When the player wins
the game, the player can make a selection as to whether to play
the double-up game again or not.
-
Additionally, when awarded any dividend at the bingo game
of the gaming machine 310, the player can make a selection,
at his/her discretion, as to whether to play the double-up game
again or not.
-
Thus, a game enabling an increase in the dividend won
by the player is provided separately from the game that is the
intended objective of the gaming machine 310. Thereby, the
player finds it significant to win the dividend at the game
of the intended objective and thus tries to further increase
the dividend won. Therefore, the player may be able to take
a great interest in playing the game on the gaming machine 310.
Operation of Lottery Machine and Gaming Terminal
-
The process of the main control circuit 400 (see Fig.
15) of the lottery machine 312 and the process of the main control
circuit 500A (see Fig. 16) of the gaming terminal 314 will be
described with reference to Figs. 22 and 23.
Operation of Lottery Machine
-
The process of the main control circuit 400 of the lottery
machine 312 will first be shown with reference to Fig. 22.
-
A step S100 performs a game preparation process.
Specifically, a predetermined number of the lottery balls held
on the screw conveyor are moved to the lottery ball holding
portion 332. Besides, in addition thereto, the CPU 406 performs
various processes such as inclining the cabinet 313 at a
predetermined angle. When this process ends, the process moves
to a step S101.
-
At the step S101, the CPU 406 of the lottery machine 312
performs the determination of lottery start. The CPU 406
determines whether or not it is the time to start a lottery
after the elapse of a predetermined waiting time. When this
determination is YES, the process moves to a step S102, and
when NO, the process moves to a step S103.
-
At the step S102, the CPU 406 of the lottery machine 312
performs the transmission of a lottery start signal. The CPU
406 transmits the lottery start signal via the communication
control circuits 414A to 414J to the gaming terminals 314A to
314J, respectively. When this process ends, the process moves
to a step S104. Additionally, the aforesaid lottery start
signal is received by the gaming terminal 314 at a
to-be-described step S204 that is the process of the main control
circuit 500A of the gaming terminal 314.
-
On the contrary, at the step S103, the CPU 406 of the
lottery machine 312 performs waiting time consumption. The
CPU 406 measures the time elapsing until the predetermined
waiting time has elapsed. When this process ends, the process
returns to the step S101.
-
At the step S104, the CPU 406 of the lottery machine 312
performs bet operation reception time consumption. The CPU
406 measures the time elapsing until a predetermined bet
operation reception time has elapsed. When this process ends,
the process moves to a step S105.
-
The step S105 starts the rotation of the lottery wheels.
By control of the main control circuit 400 of the lottery machine
312, the lottery wheel rotation motors 335 and 337 are started
to start the rotation of the plane portions 338A and 339B. When
this process ends, the process moves to a step S106.
-
The step S106 starts the rocking of the cabinet. By
control of the main control circuit 400 of the lottery machine
312, the rocking device 346 is started to start the rocking
of the cabinet of the lottery machine 312. When this process
ends, the process moves to a step S107.
-
The step S107 performs the process of dropping one lottery
ball. By control of the main control circuit 400 of the lottery
machine 312, the rotary body 328 (see Fig. 1) is controlled
to drop one lottery ball into the lottery ball receiving portion
334. When this process ends, the process moves to a step S108.
-
The step S108 performs the process of obtaining the
indicias. In this process, by control of the main control
circuit 400 of the lottery machine 312, one of the ball entrance
detection sensors 349 disposed one in each of the plural lottery
holes 340 detects the entrance of one lottery ball. Thus, the
CPU 406 of the lottery machine 312 obtains the indicia
corresponding to the lottery hole 340 that the one lottery ball
has entered. The CPU 406, etc. for executing such a process,
etc. correspond to an example of game result determination means.
When this process ends, the process moves to a step S109.
-
At the step S109, the CPU 406 of the lottery machine 312
transmits the indicias obtained at the step S108 and the
information of which round is the current lottery in. The CPU
406 transmits the indicias and the information of which round
is the current lottery in, to the gaming terminals 314A to 314J
via the communication control circuits 414A to 414J,
respectively. When this process ends, the process moves to
a step S110. Additionally, the aforesaid information of which
round is the current lottery in is counted by the CPU 406 and
stored in the RAM 410 (see Fig. 15). Furthermore, the aforesaid
indicias and information of which round is the current lottery
in are received by the gaming terminal 314 at a to-be-described
step S214 that is the process of the main control circuit 500A
of the gaming terminal 314.
-
At the step S110, the CPU 406 of the lottery machine 312
makes a determination as to whether a predetermined number of
rounds of lottery has ended or not. Referring to the aforesaid
information of which round is the current lottery in, which
is stored in the RAM 410, the CPU 406 determines whether this
information has reached the predetermined number of rounds or
not. When this determination is YES, the process moves to a
step S112, and when NO, the process returns to the step S107.
-
The step S112 terminates the rocking of the cabinet. By
control of the main control circuit 400 of the lottery machine
312, the rocking device 346 is stopped to terminate the rocking
of the cabinet of the lottery machine 312. When this process
ends, the process moves to a step S113.
-
The step S113 terminates the rotation of the lottery wheels.
By control of the main control circuit 400 of the lottery machine
312, the lottery wheel rotation motors 335 and 337 are stopped
to terminate the rotation of the lottery wheels 338 and 339.
When this process ends, the process moves to the step S100.
[Operation of Gaming Terminal]
-
The process of the main control circuit 500A (see Fig.
16) of the gaming terminal 314 will be shown with reference
to Figs. 22 and 23.
-
A step S201 performs the initialization of the gaming
terminal 314. The CPU 506A (see Fig. 16) of the gaming terminal
314 performs processes such as clearing of various variables
allocated to the RAM 510A (see Fig. 16) and initialization of
the display of the display device 370A. When this process ends,
the process moves to a step S202.
-
The step S202 performs the display of the demonstration
screen. When this process ends, the process moves to a step
S203.
-
The step S203 performs the process of detecting the game
entry operation. In this process, the players make a game entry.
By control of the main control circuit 500A of the gaming terminal
314, the touch sensor 372A (or the main control circuit 500A
itself) detects that the player has touch-operated the display
device 370A (or has operated the dial 376A or 377A). When this
process ends, the process moves to a step S204.
-
The step S204 performs the process of receiving the lottery
start signal. By control of the main control circuit 500A (see
Fig. 16) of the gaming terminal 314, the CPU 506A of the gaming
terminal 314 receives, via the communication control circuit
514A, the lottery start signal transmitted by the lottery machine
312 through the process of the step S102. When this process
ends, the process moves to a step S209.
-
The step S209 performs the process of creating and
displaying the bingo card. The CPU 506A of the gaming terminal
314 selects a predetermined number (e.g., twenty five) of display
data from display data (e.g., the playing-card designs) that
are stored in the ROM 508A and used for displaying the indicias.
Thus, the predetermined number of display data are displayed
on the display device 370A as being arranged in matrix form.
When this process ends, the process moves to a step S210.
-
The step S210 performs bingo box moving operation
activation. In this process, the CPU 506A of the gaming terminal
314 turns on a bingo box moving operation activation flag
allocated to the RAM 510A (see Fig. 16). Thereby, the operation
of the dial 376A or 377A for moving the bingo boxes is activated
on the gaming terminal 314. As long as the bingo box moving
operation activation flag is on, the operation of the dial 376A
or 377A is valid. When this process ends, the process moves
to a step S211.
-
The step S211 performs bet operation reception. In this
process, the CPU 506A of the gaming terminal 314 processes the
information that is the information about the bet operation
the player has performed by touching the display device 370A
and that the touch sensor 372A has detected by control of the
main control circuit 500A of the gaming terminal 314, and stores
the bet information into the RAM 510A (see Fig. 16). When this
process ends, the process moves to a step S212.
-
The step S212 determines the number of dividends in
response to the number of bets. In this process, based on the
bet information stored in the RAM 510A (see Fig. 16) at the
step 211, the CPU 506A of the gaming terminal 314 determines
the number of dividends at the game. The determination result
is stored into the RAM 510A (see Fig. 16) and displayed in a
predetermined display portion of the display device 370A. When
this process ends, the process moves to a step S213.
-
The step S213 makes a determination as to whether a bet
reception time ends or not. The CPU 506A of the gaming terminal
314 measures the time elapsing after the process of the step
S209 is performed, and determines whether or not the measured
time reaches a predetermined time. When this determination
is YES, the process moves to a step S214 of Fig. 23, and when
NO, the process returns to the step S211.
-
The step S214 receives the indicias that are transmitted
through the process of the step S199 and obtained by the CPU
406 of the lottery machine 312 at the step S108 (see Fig. 22),
and the information of which round is the current lottery in.
By control of the main control circuit 500A (see Fig. 16) of
the gaming terminal 314, the aforesaid informations are received
via the communication control circuit 514A. The CPU 506A of
the gaming terminal 314 stores, into the RAM 510A (see Fig.
16), the aforesaid indicias and the information of which round
is the current lottery in. When this process ends, the process
moves to a step S215.
-
The step S215 performs a bingo box moving operation
inactivation process. The detail of this process will be
described in the to-be-described detail of the bingo box moving
operation inactivation process. When this process ends, the
process moves to a step S216.
-
The step S216 retrieves whether the indicias received
at the step S214 exist on the bingo card and, if they exist,
activates the corresponding bingo boxes. In this process, it
is retrieved whether or not the indicias received at the step
214 exist on the bingo card that is created at the step S209
and displayed on the display device 370A. If any identical
indicia exists, the activation flag, allocated to the RAM 510A
(see Fig. 16), of the bingo box assigned with the identical
indicia is turned on. Furthermore, the aforesaid bingo box
on the display device 370A is displayed so as to be
distinguishable from the other bingo boxes in a relatively bright
condition, with half-tone dot meshing display cancelled, or
in like manner. When this process ends, the process moves to
a step S217.
-
The step S217 performs a prize winning determination
process. The detail of this process will be described in the
to-be-described detail of the prize winning determination
process. Additionally, the CPU 406, etc. for executing the
steps S216, S217, etc. correspond to an example of the game
result determination means. When this process ends, the process
moves to a step S218.
-
The step S218 makes a determination as to whether a prize
is won or not. Referring to the determination result of the
step S217, the CPU 506A of the gaming terminal 314 determines
whether the prize is won or not. When this determination is
YES, the process moves to a step S219, and when NO, the process
moves to a step S225.
-
The step S219 determines whether the double-up game is
to be played or not. By control of the main control circuit
500A of the gaming terminal 314, the CPU 506A of the gaming
terminal 314 determines whether or not the touch sensor 372
has detected that the player has operated the predetermined
touch portion displayed on the display device 370A in order
to play the double-up game. When this determination is YES,
the process moves to a step S220, and when NO, the process moves
to a step S223.
-
The step S220 performs a double-up game process. This
process is performed by control of the main control circuit
500A of the gaming terminal 314, and the process content is
as described in the aforesaid description of the double-up game
screen of the gaming terminal. When this process ends, the
process moves to a step S221.
-
The step S221 determines whether the player has won the
game or not. By control of the main control circuit 500A of
the gaming terminal 314, the game result is determined as
described in the aforesaid description of the double-up game
screen of the gaming terminal, thus determining whether the
player has won the game or not. When this determination is
YES, the process moves to a step S222, and when NO, the process
moves to a step S224.
-
The step S222 performs the process of doubling the dividend
of the player. Referring to the information of the number of
dividends obtained by the player which information is stored
in the RAM 510A (see Fig . 16), the CPU 5 0 6A of the gaming terminal
314 doubles this number and updates the original information.
When this process ends, the process moves to the step S219.
-
On the contrary, the step S223 performs the process of
paying out the dividend. The CPU 506A of the gaming terminal
314 Refers to the information of the number of dividends obtained
by the player which information is stored in the RAM 510A (see
Fig. 16), by control of the main control circuit 500A, the hopper
588A pays out the number of medals corresponding to the aforesaid
information of the number of dividends obtained by the player.
When this process ends, the process moves to the step S201.
-
Besides, the step S224 performs the process of zeroing
the number of dividends obtained by the player. Referring to
the information of the number of dividends obtained by the player
which information is stored in the RAM 510A (see Fig. 16), the
CPU 506A of the gaming terminal 314 reduces this number to 0
and updates the original information. When this process ends,
the process moves to the step S201.
-
On the contrary, the step 225 performs a reach
determination process. The detail of this process will be
described in the to-be-described detail of the reach
determination process. When this process ends, the process
moves to a step 226.
-
The step S226 makes a determination as to whether the
reach state is reached or not. Based on the reach determination
result of the step S225, the CPU 506A of the gaming terminal
314 determines whether or not the reach state is reached in
which some bingo boxes of the bingo card displayed on the display
device 370A are activated and one more bingo box is activated
to thereby establish the bingo hand and/or the poker hand. When
this determination is YES, the process moves to a step S227,
and when NO, the process moves to a step S228.
-
The step S227 performs a reach box notification start
process. The detail of this process will be described in the
to-be-described detail of the reach box notification start
process. When this process ends, the process moves to the step
S228.
-
The step S228 makes a determination as to whether the
indicia receive has reached a predetermined number of times.
With reference to the information of which round is the current
lottery in, which is stored in the RAM 510A (see Fig. 16) at
the step S214 , it is determined based on this information whether
or not the indicia receive has reached the predetermined number
of times. When this determination is YES, the process moves
to the step S201, and when NO, the process moves to the step
S214.
-
Detail of Bingo Box Moving Operation Inactivation Process
The detail of the bingo box moving operation inactivation
process will be described with reference to Fig. 24.
-
The step S241 makes a determination as to whether the
information received at S214 of which round is the current
lottery in has reached the predetermined number of rounds or
not. The CPU 506A of the gaming terminal 314 determines the
aforesaid information, thus determining whether or not the
predetermined number of rounds has been reached (which number
may be three for example or may have another value). When this
determination is YES, the process moves to a step S242, and
when NO, the present sub-routine is put to an immediate end
and the process moves to the step S216 of Fig. 23.
-
The step S242 performs the prenotification of the bingo
box moving operation inactivation. The main control circuit
500A of the gaming terminal 314 performs, on the display device
370A, a predetermined prenotification display for prenotifying
the player that the process of closing the reception of the
dial 376A or 377A operation for moving the bingo boxes is to
be performed. When this process ends, the process moves to
a step S243.
-
The step S243 performs the process of consuming a
predetermined time. In this process, the CPU 506A of the gaming
terminal 314 measures the time elapsing after the process of
the step S242 is performed, thus preventing the process from
proceeding to the next step until the aforesaid time has spent
the predetermined time. When this process ends, the process
moves to a step S244.
-
The step 244 performs the bingo box moving operation
inactivation process. In this process, the CPU 506A of the
gaming terminal 314 turns off the bingo box moving operation
activation flag allocated to the RAM 510A (see Fig. 16). Thereby,
the operation of the dial 376A or 377A for moving the bingo
boxes is inactivated on the gaming terminal 314. When this
process ends, the present sub-routine is put to an end and the
process moves to the step S216 of Fig. 23.
Detail of Prize Winning Determination Process
-
The detail of the prize winning determination process
will be described with reference to Fig. 25.
-
A step S231 makes a determination as to whether the bingo
hand is established or not. In this process, the CPU 506A of
the gaming terminal 314 determines the combination of: the
indicias configuring the bingo card displayed on the display
device 370A which informations are stored in the RAM 510A (see
Fig. 16); the information about the positions of the bingo boxes
assigned with the indicias; and the activation flags
corresponding to the indicias. Thus, the CPU 506A determines
whether or not the bingo hand is established on a specific line
of the bingo card. When this determination is YES, the process
moves to a step S232, and when NO, the process moves to a step
S233.
-
The step S232 turns on a bingo-hand establishment flag,
stores into the RAM the information about all bingo hands
established and the then bingo boxes, and stores the
corresponding number of dividends into the RAM. The CPU 506A
of the gaming terminal 314 turns on the bingo-hand establishment
flag allocated to the RAM 510A (see Fig. 16). Furthermore,
the CPU 510A stores into the RAM 510A the information about
all bingo hands established and the then bingo boxes. And,
the CPU 510A determines the number of dividends equivalent to
the all bingo hands established and stores the determination
result into the RAM 510A. When this process ends, the process
moves to the step S233.
-
The step S233 makes a determination as to whether the
poker hand is established or not. In this process, the CPU
506A of the gaming terminal 314 determines the combination of:
the indicias configuring the bingo card displayed on the display
device 370A which informations are stored in the RAM 510A (see
Fig. 16); the information about the positions of the bingo boxes
assigned with the indicias; and the activation flags
corresponding to the indicias. Thus, the CPU 506A determines
whether or not the poker hand is established on a specific line
of the bingo card. When this determination is YES, the process
moves to a step S234, and when NO, the present sub-routine is
put to an immediate end and the process moves to the step S218
of Fig. 23.
-
The step S234 turns on a poker-hand establishment flag,
stores into the RAM the information about all poker hands
established and the then bingo boxes, and stores the
corresponding number of dividends into the RAM. The CPU 506A
of the gaming terminal 314 turns on the poker-hand establishment
flag allocated to the RAM 510A (see Fig. 16). Furthermore,
the CPU 510A stores into the RAM 510A the information about
all poker hands established and the then bingo boxes. And,
the CPU 510A determines the number of dividends equivalent to
the all poker hands established and stores the determination
result into the RAM 510A. when this process ends, the present
sub-routine is put to an end and the process moves to the step
S218 of Fig. 23.
-
As described above, the prize winning determination
process determines the bingo hand establishment and the poker
hand establishment independently one of the other. This makes
it possible that the bingo hand and the poker hand are
simultaneously established on the specific identical line of
the bingo card. And, the dividend is awarded for each of the
bingo hand and poker hand that are established on the specific
identical line of the bingo card. That is, the total amount
of the dividend for the bingo hand and the dividend for the
poker hand is awarded to the player. In this way, the player
may be able to place a high expectation on the possibility that
the hand awarding more dividends is established on the specific
identical line of the bingo card. Additionally, this embodiment
enables the bingo hand and the poker hand to be simultaneously
established on the specific identical line of the bingo card.
However, the invention is not limited thereto. It may be
determined that only the bingo hand is established, or it may
be determined that only the poker hand is established. On this
occasion, the player is awarded only the dividend for the bingo
hand or only the dividend for the poker hand.
Detail of Reach Determination Process
-
The detail of the reach determination process will be
described with reference to Fig. 26.
-
A step S251 makes a determination as to whether a specific
bingo box is activated to thereby establish the bingo hand or
not. In this process, the CPU 506A of the gaming terminal 314
determines the combination of: the indicias configuring the
bingo card displayed on the display device 370A which
informations are stored in the RAM 510A (see Fig. 16); the
information about the positions of the bingo boxes assigned
with the indicias; and the activation flags corresponding to
the indicias. Thus, the CPU 506A determines whether or not
the situation is that the bingo hand can be established on the
specific line of the bingo card when the specific bingo box
is activated. When this determination is YES, the process moves
to a step S252, and when NO, the process moves to a step S253.
-
The step 252 turns on a reach-bingo state flag and stores
the information of all reach boxes for the bingo hand into the
RAM 510A. In the situation where the bingo hand can be
established on the specific line when one more bingo box is
activated, the reach box refers to the one more bingo box. The
CPU 506A of the gaming terminal 314 turns on the reach-bingo
state flag allocated to the RAM 510A (see Fig. 16). Furthermore,
the CPU 506A stores the information of all reach boxes for the
bingo hand into the RAM 510A. When this process ends, the process
moves to the step S253.
-
The step S253 makes a determination as to whether the
specific bingo box is activated to thereby establish the poker
hand or not. In this process, the CPU 506A of the gaming terminal
314 determines the combination of: the indicias configuring
the bingo card displayed on the display device 370A which
informations are stored in the RAM 510A (see Fig. 16); the
information about the positions of the bingo boxes assigned
with the indicias; and the activation flags corresponding to
the indicias. Thus, the CPU 506A determines whether or not
the situation is that the bingo hand can be established on the
specific line of the bingo card when the specific bingo box
is activated. When this determination is YES, the process moves
to a step S254, and when NO, the present sub-routine is put
to an immediate end and the process moves to the step S226 of
Fig. 23.
-
The step 254 turns on a reach-poker state flag and stores
the information of all reach boxes for the poker hand into the
RAM. The CPU 506A of the gaming terminal 314 turns on the
reach-poker state flag allocated to the RAM 510A (see Fig. 16).
Furthermore, the CPU 506A stores the information of all reach
boxes for the poker hand into the RAM 510A. When this process
ends, the present sub-routine is put to an end and the process
moves to the step S226 of Fig. 23.
Detail of Reach box Notification Start Process
-
The detail of a reach box notification start process will
be described with reference to Fig. 27.
-
A step S261 makes a determination as to whether any reach
box is present or not. The CPU 506A of the gaming terminal
314 determines whether at least one of the reach-bingo state
flag and the reach-poker state flag that are stored into the
RAM 510A (see Fig. 16) at the steps S252 and/or S254 of Fig.
26 is on or not. When this determination is YES, the process
moves to a step S262, and when NO, the present sub-routine is
put an immediate end and the process moves to the step S228
of Fig. 23.
-
The step 262 performs the process of starting to display
all the reach boxes distinguishably at one time in the entire
condition notification unit. By control of the main control
circuit 500A (see Fig. 16) of the gaming terminal 314, the display
controller 600A is driven to start displaying all the reach
boxes, which are stored into the RAM 510A (see Fig. 16) at the
steps S252 and/or S254 of Fig. 26, in the entire condition
notification unit 483 displayed on the display device 370A.
When this process ends, the process moves to a step S263.
-
The step S263 performs the process of starting to
individually distinguishably display all the reach boxes
repeatedly in turn. By control of the main control circuit
500A (see Fig. 16) of the gaming terminal 314, the display
controller 600A is driven to start to individually
distinguishably display all the reach boxes, which are stored
in the RAM 510A (see Fig. 16) at the step 252 and/or the step
254 of Fig. 26, repeatedly in turn on the bingo card displayed
on the display device 370A. This display situation is as
described in the aforesaid description of the transition of
the reach state individual display screen of the gaming terminal.
Additionally, the reach box notification screen display started
at the steps S262 and S263 continues until the step S201 of
Fig. 22 is executed to initialize the gaming terminal 314. When
this process ends, the present sub-routine is put to an end
and the process moves to the step S228 of Fig. 23.
-
The step S263 in the reach box notification start process
of Fig. 27 is executed, thereby enabling the gaming terminal
314 to individually distinguishably display all the reach boxes
repeatedly in turn on the display device 370A thereof. That
is, a gaming machine comprises: display means that displays
a bingo card formed of a plurality of bingo boxes arranged in
matrix form; indicia display data storage means that stores
display data for displaying indicias including the combinations
of different indicias; bingo card indicia determination means
that selects from the indicias and determines bingo card indicias
corresponding to the plurality of bingo boxes; lottery means
that draws the indicias; activation means that activates bingo
boxes corresponding to the bingo card indicias when the indicias
drawn by the lottery means and the bingo card indicias match
each other by comparison; and hand determination means that
determines whether or not the combination of the bingo boxes
activated by the activation means and inactivated specific bingo
boxes can form a predetermined bingo hand, or whether or not
the combination of the bingo card indicias corresponding to
the bingo boxes activated by the activation means and the bingo
card indicias corresponding to the inactivated specific bingo
boxes can form a hand different from the predetermined bingo
hand in a predetermined combination. In such a gaming machine,
the reach box notification start process, particularly, the
step S263 therein is an example showing the method of reach
box notification in which the inactivated specific bingo boxes
are sequentially individually displayed in response to the
determination of the hand determination means.
-
Besides, the game preparation process executed by the
CPU 406 at the step S100 of Fig. 22 will be described using
Fig. 28.
-
At a step S301, the CPU 406 supplies a drive signal to
the motor 345 of the open/close shutter 344, thereby executing
the process of placing the open/close shutter 344 in the open
state. Besides, the CPU 406 also stops the supply of the drive
signal to the motor 345 of the ball delivery device 354. And,
the open/close shutter 344 is placed in the closed state after
the elapse of a predetermined time. Then, in order to make
preparation for the next game, the CPU 406 executes the process
of initializing the information about the preparation.
Additionally, this information about the preparation is
positioned in the RAM 510A, etc. When this process ends, the
process moves to a step S302.
-
At the step S302, the CPU 406 supplies the drive signal
of the motor 356 to thereby perform a motor drive start process
of the ball delivery devices 354A and 354B, and then moves the
process to a step S303. This process of the step S302 is performed
prior to a cabinet inclination control process (step S304),
thereby making it possible to collect the lottery balls earlier
than the inclination of the collection path 350 together with
the inclination of the cabinet, so that the preparation for
the next game can be completed in a short time.
-
At the step S303, the CPU 406 supplies a drive signal
to the lottery ball lifting motor 320C, thereby performing a
drive start process of the lottery ball lifting motor 320C.
When this process ends, the process moves to the step S304.
-
At the step S304, the CPU 406 determines whether a
predetermined time has elapsed or not. The term "a
predetermined time" here refers to a time long enough for the
lottery balls to fall from the lottery holes 340, 341 and reach
the collection path 350. In this process, the CPU 406 moves
the process to a step S305 when determining that the
predetermined time has elapsed. And, the CPU 406 moves the
process again to the step S304 when not determining that the
predetermined time has elapsed. Thereby, the CPU 406 executes
the process at or after the step S305 only when the long enough
time has elapsed from when the lottery balls fall from the lottery
holes 340, 341 until they reach the collection path 350.
-
At the step S305, the CPU 406 supplies the rocking device
346 with a signal for inclining the cabinet 313 at a predetermined
angle. This predetermined angle refers to the angle at which
the stern 312B side becomes lower than the stem 312A side.
Thereby, the rocking device 346 inclines the cabinet 313 so
that the stern 312B side becomes lower than the stem 312A side.
Subsequently, the CPU 406 supplies the open/close gate 352 with
a signal indicative of the open state (step S306). Upon receipt
of the signal indicative of the open state, the open/close gate
352 is placed in the open state. Accordingly, the stern 312B
side becomes lower than the stem 312A side and, at the same
time, the open/close gate 352 is placed in the open state, so
that the lottery balls positioned in the collection path 350
roll toward the lower portion of the spiral body 320A. Such
control makes it possible to collect the lottery balls by only
inclining the cabinet and thus to manufacture the gaming machine
in a simple fashion and at low cost. When this process ends,
the process moves to a step S307.
-
At the step S307, the CPU 406 determines whether the
predetermined number of lottery balls have passed through the
open/close gate 352 in response to the predetermined signal
supplied from the lottery ball passing detection sensor 351.
When determining that the predetermined number of lottery balls
have passed through the open/close gate 352, the CPU 406 supplies
the open/close gate 352 with a signal indicative of the closed
state (step S308). Upon receipt of the signal indicative of
the closed state, the open/close gate 352 is placed in the closed
state. On the contrary, when determining that the predetermined
number of lottery balls have passed through the open/close gate
352, the CPU 406 moves the process again to the step S307.
Accordingly, the lottery balls led out to the lower end of the
spiral body 320A do not return to the collection path 350.
Furthermore, the lottery balls held in the collection path 350
are prevented from being let out to the lower end of the spiral
body 320A. Suchcontrolmakes it possible to collect the lottery
balls by only inclining the cabinet and thus to manufacture
the gaming machine in a simple fashion and at low cost. When
this process ends, the process moves to a step S309.
-
At the step S309, the CPU 406 determines whether a
predetermined time has elapsed or not. The term "a
predetermined time" here refers to a time long enough that the
predetermined number of lottery balls positioned in the
collection path 350 are led out to the lower portion of the
spiral body 320A and become ready to be conveyed by the screw
conveyor 320 after the cabinet 313 is inclined at the
predetermined angle and the open/close gate 352 is placed in
the open state. In this process, the CPU 406 moves the process
again to the step S309 when determining that the predetermined
time has elapsed. And, the CPU 406 moves the process to a step
S310 when not determining that the predetermined time has elapsed.
Thereby, the CPU 406 executes the process at or after the step
S305 only when the long enough time has elapsed from when the
lottery balls fall from the lottery holes 340, 341 until they
reach the collection path 350.
-
At the step S310, the CPU 406 supplies the rocking device
346 with a signal for inclining the cabinet 313 at a predetermined
angle, thereby executing a cabinet inclination restraint
control process. This predetermined angle refers to the angle
at which the stern 312B side becomes horizontal to the stem
312Aside. Thereby, the rocking device 346 performs the control
of restraining the inclination of the cabinet 313 so that the
stern 312B side becomes horizontal to the stem 312A side.
-
Subsequently, the CPU 406 stops the supply of the drive
signal of the motor 356, thereby performing a motor drive end
process of the ball delivery devices 354A and 354B (step S311).
Still subsequently, the CPU 406 supplies a stop signal to the
lottery ball lifting motor 320C, thereby executing a drive end
process of the lottery ball lifting motor 320C (step S312).
When this process ends, the present sub-routine is put to an
end.
According to the invention, in the gaming machine that
determines the game result based on the entrance of the lottery
balls into the lottery holes, the ball delivery device disposed
in the collection path for guiding the lottery balls of the
lottery holes to the conveyance start position of the lifting
device. Consequently, the lottery balls move at a high speed
through the collection path, so that the lottery balls can be
collected in a shorter time. Besides, even when there is an
obstacle such as a minute convex or concave and a speck of dust,
the lottery balls can be restrained from getting stuck there,
so that the next game can be started smoothly. Furthermore,
the ball delivery device delivers the lottery balls toward the
conveyance start position, which can restrain the lottery balls
from returning to the discharge path side.
-
According to the invention, the lottery balls discharged
from the discharge path, immediately after entering the
collection path, are delivered toward the conveyance start
position of the lifting device. Accordingly, it becomes
possible to accelerate the lottery balls at an early stage,
so that the lottery balls can be collected in a shorter time.
Besides, even when a large number of lottery balls are discharged
from the discharge path for a short time, the lottery balls
can be restrained from getting stuck in the collection path
or the discharge path.
-
According to the invention, the collection path inclines
together with the cabinet and moves the lottery balls thereinside.
Such a collection path is provided with the ball delivery device
for delivering the lottery balls more positively, thereby
enabling an improvement in lottery ball collection time.
According to the invention, in the gaming machine that
determines the game result based on the entrance of the lottery
balls into the lottery holes, the ball delivery device disposed
in the collection path for guiding the lottery balls of the
lottery holes to the conveyance start position of the lifting
device. The lottery balls are thus delivered more positively
through the collection path, so that the lottery balls can be
collected in a shorter time.
-
Additionally, the embodiments of the invention have been
described, which merely illustrates specific examples and does
not particularly limit the invention.
-
In the aforesaid embodiments, the ball delivery device
is described as being disposed at the position of the collection
path opposite the discharge path. However, the invention is
not limited thereto. The ball delivery device may be disposed
in a place other than this position. For example, the ball
delivery device 354A including a motor 356, a ball delivery
rod 357, and a ball delivery rod hole 358 may be disposed at
the side of the collection path 350.
-
Besides, the ball delivery device is described as
including the ball delivery rod that rotates in a vertical plane.
However, the invention is not limited thereto. The ball
delivery rod may rotate in a horizontal plane.
-
Besides, the collection path is described as being
inclinably fixed to the cabinet. However, the invention is
not limited thereto. The collection path need not incline
as long as it has a gentle inclination.
-
Additionally, the advantages described in the embodiments
of the invention are merely a listing of the most preferred
advantages yielded from the invention. Thus, the advantages
of the invention are not limited to the ones described in the
embodiments of the invention.