FIELD OF THE INVENTION
-
The present invention relates to a gaming machine and a program
thereof.
RELATED ART
-
Conventionally, there has been a bingo game played with a bingo card
having cells arranged thereon in a matrix form and allocated with various kinds
of identification information, in the game, a cell having identification information
selected by lottery is punched, and a player who can first punch and align any
sequence of cells arranged in the vertical, horizontal, and diagonal directions
wins the game.
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The rule of the bingo game as described above is simple. However,
unlike another game method, in which a game result is determined by only one
lottery drawing, the bingo game provides such an effect that each player may
become impatient because his/her bingo card is not immediately punched out
for the win or each player experiences a sense of anticipation that he/she would
"win the game" because a sequence of cells is completed if the last one cell is
punched. Therefore, many people are enjoying the game irrespective of age
and sex.
-
Bingo cards of paper are normally used in this bingo game. However,
various electrically-controlled gaming machines imitating this game have been
developed as disclosed in Japanese Published Unexamined Patent Application
No. 2001-161888, for example, and these gaming machines offer games
through which game players have such a realistic sensation wherein a lottery
ball enters a lottery hole in front of their eyes, and thus the players' interest in
the games can be perpetuated.
-
However, in such a gaming machine, after a lottery ball enters a lottery
hole, the lottery ball must be withdrawn so that the withdrawn lottery ball can be
thrown in again, and thus a withdrawing mechanism for withdrawing lottery balls,
etc., hinder simplification of gaming machines. Furthermore, if means for
solving this problems loses the realistic sensation, it would expose game
performance which is familiar, but simple, and it is difficult to perpetuate the
game players' interest in the games.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
-
It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine
which is simplified without failing to provide realistic sensations of games.
-
More specifically, according to the present invention, the following is
provided.
- (1) A gaming machine comprising: a cabinet having a face portion on
which a lottery ball can roll and a plurality of lottery holes provided on the face
portion; game result determination means for determining a game result under a
condition that the lottery ball enters any one of the plurality of lottery holes of the
cabinet; a withdrawing passage being provided in the cabinet, the withdrawing
passage being capable of allowing lottery balls having been discharged to pass
through; lottery ball throwing means for allowing the lottery balls having been
discharged from the plurality of lottery holes through the withdrawing passage to
be thrown onto the face portion of the cabinet; and tilt control means for tilting
the cabinet, wherein the cabinet is tilted by the tilt control means such that
lottery balls having been located in the withdrawing passage are directed out to
the lottery ball throwing means.
According to the present Invention, the cabinet is titled, and the lottery
balls located in the withdrawing passage are directed out to the lottery ball
throwing means, so that the lottery balls can be withdrawn by tilting the cabinet
and thus the gaming machine can be manufactured simply and at low cost. In
particular, in a large-size gaming machine such as a bingo game or the like, it is
required to further reduce the setup space of the gaming machine even if its
reduction level is slight, and the present invention can further reduce the setup
space. Furthermore, it is unnecessary to provide the lottery ball discharging
means to each of the a plurality of lottery holes, and the gaming machine can
be manufactured more simply at lower cost.
- (2) The gaming machine according to (1), wherein the lottery ball
throwing means comprises: feeding means for feeding lottery balls upward; and
throw-in means for throwing the lottery balls having been fed by the feeding
means downward onto the face portion, wherein the cabinet Is tilted by the tilt
control means such that the lottery balls located in the withdrawing passage are
directed out to the feeding means.
According to the present invention, even in the gaming machine having
the feeding means for feeding the lottery balls upward, the lottery balls in the
withdrawing passage can be directed out to the feeding means without
withdrawing the lottery balls, and thus the gaming machine can be
manufactured simply and at low cost.
- (3) The gaming machine according to (2), wherein the feeding means
is disposed outside the cabinet, the feeding means having a function to feed the
lottery balls as being visible from the outside.
According to the invention described above, lottery balls used in the
game can be fed while being visibly recognized by game players. For example,
when trouble such as clogging of a lottery ball or the like occurs, it can be easily
visually recognized whether predetermined lottery balls have been accumulated,
and the maintenance performance can be enhanced.
- (4) The gaming machine according to (2) or (3), further comprising:
detecting means for detecting a number of the lottery balls having been directed
out from the withdrawing passage to the lottery ball throwing means; wherein
the tilt control means has a function to stop tilting the cabinet, under a condition
that the detecting means detects that the number of the lottery balls having
been directed out, as the cabinet is tilted, from the withdrawing passage to the
lottery ball throwing means is a predetermined number.
According to the invention described above, when the game is finished,
the cabinet is tilted to withdraw lottery balls, and when a predetermined number
of lottery balls are directed out to the lottery ball throwing means, the tilt of the
cabinet is stopped. Therefore, progress conditions of a game such as start of
the game, end of the game, etc., can be visually informed by tilting a cabinet in
the form of a ship or the like.
- (5) A gaming machine comprising: a cabinet having a face portion on
which a lottery ball rolls, and a plurality of lottery holes being provided on the
face portion; game result determination means for determining a game result on
a basis of any one of a plurality of lottery holes receiving a lottery ball under a
condition that the lottery ball enters said any one of the plural lottery holes;
lottery ball discharging means for discharging outside lottery balls having
entered a plurality of respective lottery holes; a withdrawing passage being fixed
to the cabinet, the withdrawing passage allowing the lottery balls having been
discharged by the lottery ball discharging means to pass through; lottery ball
accumulating means for accumulating the lottery balls having been discharged
by the lottery ball discharging means through the withdrawing passage, the
lottery ball accumulating means communicating with the withdrawing passage;
an open/close gate being provided between the withdrawing passage and the
lottery ball accumulating means such that the open/close gate is opened/closed;
gate control means for controlling the open/close operation of the open/close
gate; lottery ball throwing means for throwing each of the lottery balls having
been accumulated by the lottery ball accumulating means onto the face portion
of the cabinet; and tilt control means for tilting the cabinet, wherein the cabinet
is tilted by the tilt control means such that the open/close gate is positioned on a
lower side of the withdrawing passage, and the open/close gate is opened by
the gate control means so that lottery balls located in the withdrawing passage
are directed out to the lottery ball accumulating means.
According to the invention described above, it Is unnecessary to provide
specific various kinds of withdrawing devices such as a suction device, etc., and
the lottery balls can be withdrawn by merely tilting the cabinet. Therefore, the
gaming machine can be manufactured simply at low cost. In particular, in a
large-size gaming machine such as a bingo game or the like, it is required to
reduce the setup space of the gaming machine even if its reducing level is small,
and the setup space can be further reduced by the present invention.
Furthermore, it is unnecessary to provide the lottery ball discharging means for
each of the a plurality of lottery holes, and thus the gaming machine can be
manufactured more simply at lower cost.
- (8) The gaming machine according to (4), further comprising: passage
detecting means for detecting a number of lottery balls passing through the
open/close gate, wherein the gate control means has a control function to close
the open/close gate If a number of lottery balls having passed through the
open/close gate reaches a predetermined number from when the open/close
gate is opened.
According to the Invention described above, it is detected that a
predetermined number of lottery balls are directed out, and thus the probability
of leading out the lottery balls is increased. Furthermore, even when various
troubles such as clogging of lottery balls, insufficiency of lottery balls, etc., occur,
it is possible to provide informing means for informing these situations, and thus
a countermeasure can be taken, even if the predetermined number of the lottery
balls are directed out. Of course, extra lottery balls exceeding the
predetermined number can be prevented from being directed out, and it is
unnecessary to count the number of lottery balls thrown by the lottery ball
throwing means.
- (7) The gaming machine according to (4) or (5), wherein the cabinet is
designed in a ship-shape.
According to the invention described above, there can be provided such
a game wherein not only is the sense of discomfort which effects game players
due to the tilting motion of the cabinet attenuated, but also the enjoyment of the
game players, as an added value of attractiveness to the game can be
perpetuated.
- (8) A program for a gaming machine comprising: a cabinet having a
face portion on which a lottery ball rolls and a plurality of lottery holes provided
on the face portion; lottery ball discharging means for discharging lottery balls
having entered the plurality of respective lottery holes; lottery ball accumulating
means for accumulating lottery balls through a withdrawing passage being fixed
to the cabinet, the withdrawing passage being capable of allowing the lottery
balls having been discharged by the lottery ball discharging means to pass
through; lottery ball throwing means for throwing the lottery balls having been
accumulated by the lottery ball accumulating means onto the face portion of the
cabinet; and an open/close gate being provided between the withdrawing
passage and the lottery ball accumulating means as being freely opened or
closed, wherein the program executes: a game result determination step of
determining a game result on a basis of any one of the plurality of lottery holes
receiving a lottery ball under a condition that the lottery ball enters any one of
the plurality of lottery holes; a lottery ball discharging step of controlling the
lottery ball discharging means to discharge the lottery balls having entered the
plurality of respective lottery holes; a tilt control step of controlling tilting of the
cabinet so that the open/close gate is positioned at a lower side of the
withdrawing passage; and a gate control step for controlling an open/close
operation of the open/close gate, wherein the cabinet is tilted such that the
open/close gate is positioned on a lower side of the withdrawing passage In the
tilt control step, and the open/close gate is opened in the gate control step such
that the lottery balls located in the withdrawing passage are directed out to the
lottery ball accumulating means.
According to the invention described above, the lottery balls can be
withdrawn by merely tilting the cabinet without equipping any withdrawing
device such as a suction device or the like, and the gaming machine can be
manufactured simply at low cost. In particular, in a large-size gaming machine
such as a bingo game or the like, it is required to reduce the setup space of the
gaming machine even if its reducing level is small, and the setup space can be
further reduced by the present invention. Furthermore, it is unnecessary to
provide the lottery ball discharging means to each of the a plurality of lottery
holes, and the gaming machine can be manufactured more simply at lower cost.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
-
- Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the general view of a gaming
machine according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a sailboat type lottery machine
in the gaming machine of Fig. 1.
- Fig. 3A is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the lottery board in the
gaming machine of Fig. 1.
- Fig. 3B is an enlarged view of the lottery board in the gaming machine
of Fig. 1.
- Fig. 3C is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a lottery hole in the
gaming machine of Fig. 1.
- Fig. 4A is a plan view showing the vicinity of a lottery ball receiving
portion in the gaming machine of Fig. 1.
- Fig. 4B is a plan view showing the vicinity of the lottery ball receiving
portion in the gaming machine of Fig. 1.
- Fig. 5 is an enlarged view showing a part of a personal game operating
unit in the gaming machine of Fig. 1.
- Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing a circuit construction containing a
main control circuit for controlling the gaming machine of Fig. 1 and a peripheral
device electrically connected to the main control circuit.
- Fig. 7 shows a data sheet for associating codes used In the gaming
machine of Fig. 1 with symbols.
- Fig. 8 Is a block diagram showing a display device of the gaming
machine of Fig. 1.
- Fig. 9 is a diagram showing a screen display example of the gaming
machine of Fig. 1.
- Fig. 10 is a diagram showing a screen display example of the gaming
machine of Fig. 1..
- Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing a control processing example which can
be executed in the gaming machine of Fig. 1.
- Fig. 12 Is a flowchart showing a control processing example which can
be executed in the gaming machine of Fig. 1.
- Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing a control processing example which can
be executed in the gaming machine of Fig. 1.
- Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing a control processing example which can
be executed In the gaming machine of Fig. 1.
- Fig. 15 is a flowchart showing a control processing example which can
be executed In the gaming machine of Fig. 1.
- Fig. 16 is a flowchart showing a control processing example which can
be executed in the gaming machine of Fig. 1.
- Fig. 17A is an enlarged view showing a lottery ball waiting portion of the
gaming machine of Fig. 1.
- Fig. 17B is an enlarged view showing the lottery ball waiting portion of
the gaming machine of Fig. 1.
- Fig. 17C is an enlarged view showing the lottery ball waiting portion of
the gaming machine of Fig. 1.
- Fig. 17D is an enlarged view showing the lottery ball waiting portion of
the gaming machine of Fig. 1.
- Fig. 17E is an enlarged view showing the lottery ball waiting portion of
the gaming machine of Fig. 1.
- Fig. 17F is an enlarged view showing the lottery ball waiting portion of
the gaming machine of Fig. 1.
- Fig. 17G is an enlarged view showing the lottery ball waiting portion of
the gaming machine of Fig. 1.
- Fig. 17H is an enlarged view showing the lottery ball waiting portion of
the gaming machine of Fig. 1.
- Fig. 171 is an enlarged view showing the lottery ball waiting portion of
the gaming machine of Fig. 1.
- Fig. 18 is a perspective view showing the general view of a gaming
machine according to a preferred embodiment of the present Invention.
- Fig. 19 is a longitudinally-sectional view showing the general view of a
lottery machine of the gaming machine shown in Fig. 18.
- Fig. 20 is a top view of a lottery ball receiving portion of the gaming
machine of Fig. 18.
- Fig. 21 is a top view showing the lottery machine of the gaming machine
of Fig. 18.
- Fig. 22 is a perspective view showing a lottery board of the gaming
machine of Fig. 18.
- Fig. 23 is a top view showing the lottery board of the gaming machine.
- Fig. 24A is a longitudinally-sectional view showing the general view of a
second withdrawing passage in the gaming machine of Fig. 18.
- Fig. 24B Is a longitudinally-sectional view showing the general view of
the second withdrawing passage of the gaming machine of Fig. 18.
- Fig. 24C is a longitudinally-sectional view showing the general view of
the second withdrawing passage of the gaming machine of Fig. 18.
- Fig. 24D is a longitudinally-sectional view showing the general view of
the second withdrawing passage of the gaming machine of Fig. 18.
- Fig. 24E is a longitudinally-sectional view showing the general view of
the second withdrawing passage of the gaming machine of Fig. 18.
- Fig. 24F is a longitudinally-sectional view showing the general view of
the second withdrawing passage of the gaming machine of Fig. 18.
- Fig. 24G is a longitudinally-sectional view showing the general view of
the second withdrawing passage of the gaming machine of Fig. 18.
- Fig. 25 is a perspective view showing a gaming terminal of the gaming
machine of Fig. 18.
- Fig. 26 is a block diagram showing a system construction constructed
by the gaming machine of Fig. 18.
- Fig. 27 is a block diagram showing a control circuit constructed by the
lottery machine of the gaming machine of Fig. 18.
- Fig. 28 is a block diagram showing the control circuit constructed in the
gaming terminal of the gaming machine of Fig. 18.
- Fig. 29 shows an example of a standby screen of the gaming terminal
which is displayed on the display screen of the gaming terminal of the gaming
machine of Fig. 18.
- Fig. 30 shows an example of a standby screen of the gaming terminal
which is displayed on the display screen of the gaming terminal of the gaming
machine of Fig. 18.
- Fig. 31 shows an example of a standby screen of the gaming terminal
which is displayed on the display screen of the gaming terminal of the gaming
machine of Fig. 18.
- Fig. 32A shows an example of transition of a display frame of a REACH
status individual display which is displayed on the display screen of the gaming
terminal of the gaming machine of Fig. 18.
- Fig. 32B shows an example of transition of a display frame of a REACH
status individual display which is displayed on the display screen of the gaming
terminal of the gaming machine of Fig. 18.
- Fig. 32C shows an example of transition of the display frame of the
REACH status individual display which is displayed on the display screen of the
gaming terminal of the gaming machine of Fig. 18.
- Fig. 32D shows an example of transition of the display frame of the
REACH status individual display which is displayed on the display screen of the
gaming terminal of the gaming machine of Fig. 18.
- Fig. 33 shows an example of the display frame of a double up game of
the gaming terminal which is displayed on the display screen of the gaming
terminal of the gaming machine of Fig. 18.
- Fig. 34 is a main flowchart showing the processing In the lottery
machine of the gaming machine and the main control circuit of the gaming
terminal in the gaming machine of Fig. 18.
- Fig. 35 is a flowchart subsequent to Fig. 34.
- Fig. 36 is a flowchart showing a bingo cell moving operation invalidation
processing in the gaming machine of Fig. 18.
- Fig. 37 is a flowcharting showing prize-winning determination
processing in the gaming machine of Fig, 18.
- Fig. 38 is a flowchart showing REACH determination processing in the
gaming machine of Fig. 18.
- Fig. 39 is a flowchart showing REACH cell informing start processing in
the gaming machine of Fig. 18.
- Fig. 40 is a flowchart showing game preparing processing in the gaming
machine of Fig. 18.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
-
Preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be
described hereunder with reference to the drawings. In these embodiments, a
gaming machine of the present invention is applied to a bingo gaming machine.
[Construction of Gaming machine]
-
Fig. 1 schematically shows a gaming machine 10 according to this
embodiment.
-
The gaming machine 10 is a gaming machine, with which a plurality of
people can play simultaneously, and it is provided with a sailboat type lottery
machine 12 at the center thereof. A plurality of game operating units 14 for
individuals are provided at both the starboard and portside of the sailboat
constituting the sailboat type lottery machine 12. In the embodiment shown In
Fig. 1, five personal game operating units 14a to 14j are provided on one side,
and thus, ten personal game operating units 14a to 14j in total are provided on
both sides. The personal game operating units 14f to 14h are not illustrated In
Fig. 1.
<Construction of Sailboat type Lottery Machine>
-
Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the sailboat type lottery
machine 12. The sailboat type lottery machine 12 will be described hereunder
with reference to Figs. 1 and 2.
-
A lottery ball raising device 20 is provided at a stern portion 12a of the
sailboat type lottery machine 12, and a spiral groove is provided to the lottery
ball raising device 20 so as to have a radius of curvature which is slightly larger
than the radius of a lottery ball 21. The lottery ball raising device 20 is rotated
by a lottery ball raising motor 22 provided at the lower portion of the lottery ball
raising device 20 to raise the lottery ball 21 along the groove.
-
The lottery ball 21 raised by the lottery ball raising device 20 is fed to a
lottery ball standby portion 24 disposed at the upper portion of the sallboat type
lottery machine 12. By opening a lottery gate 26 at a predetermined timing,
the lottery ball 21 is fed out to the lottery portion of the sailboat type lottery
machine 12 one by one.
-
The lottery ball 21 fed out from the lottery gate 28 rolls on an upper
gutter 28, and when it reaches a drop hole 30 provided at the center portion of
the upper gutter 28, it drops down to a steering-wheel type rotating device 32.
A passage having a circumferential shape through which the lottery ball 21 can
pass is provided along the outer peripheral portion of the steering-wheel type
rotating device 32, and at least one passage hole having a diameter slightly
larger than the diameter of the lottery ball 21 is provided on the outer peripheral
surface of the passage.
-
The lottery ball 21 dropping from the drop hole 30 is stopped at the
upper portion of the steering-wheel type rotating device 32, and when the
passage hole formed in the steering-wheel type rotating device 32 arrives at the
stop position of the lottery ball 21 by rotation of the steering-wheel type rotating
device 32, the lottery ball 21 passes through the passage hole and enters the
steering-wheel type rotating device 32. The lottery ball 21 entering the
steering-wheel type rotating device 32 drops to the lower portion of the
steering-wheel type rotating device 32, and when the passage hole is located at
the lowermost position of the steering-wheel type rotating device by rotation of
the steering-wheel type rotating device 32, the lottery ball 21 further drops from
the steering-wheel type rotating device 32.
-
A lottery ball receiving portion 34 Is provided at the lower side of the
steering-wheel type rotating device 32, and the lottery ball receiving portion 34
is provided with a plurality of slopes 36a to 36d for guiding the lottery ball 21
from the side portion of the lottery ball receiving portion 34 to any one of two
lottery boards 38 (38a and 38b) described below. The lottery ball 21 dropping
to the lottery ball receiving portion 34 rolls toward any one of the plurality of
slopes 36a to 38b, and is guided to the lottery board 38 while rolling on any one
of the plurality of slopes 36a to 36d. Figs. 3A and 3B are enlarged views
showing the vicinity of the lottery board 38.
-
Two lottery boards 38a and 38b are rotatably provided on the deck
board of the sailboat type lottery machine 12.
-
Here, two slopes 36a and 38b are provided to one lottery board 38a.
These slopes 36a and 38b are designed so that the slope 36a allows the lottery
ball 21 to roll clockwise with respect to the lottery board 38a and the slope 38b
allows the lottery ball 21 to roll counterclockwise with respect to the lottery
board 38a. Furthermore, two slopes 38c and 38d are provided to the other
lottery board 38b. These slopes 36c and 36d are designed so that the slope
36c allows the lottery ball 21 to roll clockwise with respect to the lottery board
38b and the slope 36d allows the lottery ball 21 to roll counterclockwise with
respect to the lottery board 38b (see Figs. 4A and 4B).
-
Therefore, if the lottery ball 21 rolls while being guided along the slope
36a when the lottery board 38a is clockwise rotated, the traveling direction of
the lottery ball 21 is coincident with the rotational direction of the lottery board
38a, and thus the lottery ball 21 can continuously roll without reducing the
speed thereof. Therefore, it is difficult for a game player to predict the lottery
hole which the lottery ball 21 will enter, and thus the player's sense of
anticipation can be maintained. However, when the lottery ball 21 rolls while
guided along the slope 36b, the traveling direction of the lottery ball 21 and the
rotational direction of the lottery board 38a are opposite to each other. At this
time, the speed of the lottery ball 21 may be drastically reduced, and thus the
lottery ball 21 may immediately enter a lottery hole. At this time, the player
cannot maintain his/her sense of anticipation.
-
Therefore, as shown in Figs. 4A and 4B, roll preventive valves 37a and
37b are provided to the lottery ball receiving portion 34 so that the lottery ball 21
can be prevented from rolling in the direction opposed to the rotational direction
of the lottery board 38. Further, since it may be preferable in some cases that
the lottery ball 21 rolls in the direction opposed to the rotational direction of the
lottery board 38, the rolling direction may be selected in various manners such
as random selection, optional selection, lottery-based selection, etc.
-
For example, when the two lottery boards 38a and 38b are dockwise
rotated, the two roll preventive valves 37a and 37b are located as shown In Fig.
4A, and the passages to the slopes 36a and 36c for the lottery ball 21 to roll out
to move clockwise are opened while the passages to the slopes 36b and 36d
for the lottery ball 21 to roll out to move counterclockwise are closed.
-
Conversely, when the two lottery boards 38a and 38b are
counterdockwise rotated, the two roll preventive valves 37a and 37b are turned
as shown in Fig. 4B so that the passages to the slopes 36a and 38c for the
lottery ball 21 to roll out to move clockwise are closed while the passages to the
slopes 36b and 38d for the lottery ball 21 to roll out to move counterclockwise
are opened.
-
In another embodiment, the lottery ball 21 rolls In a state that the lottery
boards 38a and 38b stay still, and when the lottery ball 21 passes over any one
of the slopes 36a to 36d, the rolling out direction of the lottery ball 21 is detected
by a sensor provided to the slope to determine the rotational direction of the
lottery board 38a or 38b in conformity with the direction. Therefore, the
rotational direction of the rotational board 38 and the rolling direction of the
lottery ball 21 can be matched with each other.
-
In the above-described embodiment, the lottery ball 21 is provided to
roll in conformity with the rotational direction of the lottery board 38. However,
the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and the lottery ball may
roll in either direction.
-
Furthermore, in this embodiment, the lottery ball 21 is designed to make
a rolling motion on any one of the two lottery boards 38a or 38b. However, the
present invention is not limited to this, and the lottery ball 21 may be designed
to make a rolling motion so as to trace a figure of eight.
-
As shown in Figs. 3A and 3B, each of the lottery boards 38a and 38b
are provided with a plurality of lottery holes 40. Each of the lottery holes 40
has a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the lottery ball 21 (see Fig.
3C) so that the lottery ball 21 can enter the lottery hole. For example, the
lottery ball 21 guided by the slope 36 rolls on the rotating lottery board 38a, and
enters any one of the lottery holes 40. In this embodiment, each of the lottery
boards 38a and 38b is provided with twenty six lottery holes 40.
-
Symbols are allocated to the lottery holes 40, and a ball entrance
detecting sensor 42 (see Figs. 3C and 6) is provided to each of the plurality of
lottery holes 40. When the lottery ball 21 enters any one of the lottery holes 40,
the ball entrance detecting sensor 42 corresponding to the one of the plurality of
lottery holes 40 detects the entrance of the lottery ball, whereby the symbol
corresponding to the lottery hole is selected.
-
Furthermore, a shutter 43 (see Fig. 6) is provided to each of the lottery
holes 40. When the ball entrance detecting sensor 42 detects the entrance of
the lottery ball to the lottery hole 40, the shutter 43 is driven, and the lottery hole
40 is closed, whereby the lottery ball is prevented from entering the same lottery
hole twice in one game.
-
Furthermore, In another embodiment, the shutter 43 is set In a closed
state in advance, and also the surface of the shutter 43 is located to be lower
than the surface of the lottery board 38a around the shutter 43. The lottery ball
may be stopped while a part of the sphere of the lottery ball is exposed from the
surface of the lottery board 38 when the lottery ball enters a lottery hole 40. In
this case, people who watch a game condition around the gaming machine 10
can easily recognize which symbol is selected. After all the lotteries are
completed, the shutters 43 are driven and the lottery balls put in the lottery
holes are withdrawn into the sailboat type lottery machine 12.
-
The lottery ball 21 entering any one of the plurality of lottery holes 40
drops Into a lottery ball withdrawing passage 44 as shown In Fig. 2, so that it is
withdrawn Into the sailboat type lottery machine 12.
-
The sailboat type lottery machine 12 is provided with a swinging device
48, and it is swingable around a swinging shaft 48.
-
When the lottery ball 21 is withdrawn into the ship, the sailboat type
lottery machine 12 is tilted by the driving of the swinging device 48 so that the
front portion 12b of the ship body moves upward and the rear portion 12a of the
ship moves downward, and the lottery balls 21 in the lottery ball withdrawing
passage 44 are fed to the lottery ball standby portion 50 located at the lower
side of the rear portion of the ship.
-
The lottery ball standby portion 50 (50a and 50b) is provided with a
plurality of partition gates 52 (52a to 52c) for compartmentalizing the lottery
balls 21 every number of lottery balls which are used In one game. In this
embodiment, the number of lottery balls 21 to be used in one game is set to five,
and three partition gates are provided.
-
As described above, under the state where the rear portion of the ship
is moved downward as shown in Fig. 17A, the partition gate 52a located
between the lottery ball standby portion 50 and the lottery ball raising device 20
Is first opened, and lottery balls 21 located at the lottery ball standby portion 50a
which is located at the side of the lottery ball raising device 20 are fed to the
lottery ball raising device 20. After all the lottery balls 21 are fed to the lottery
ball raising device 20, the partition gate 52a is closed as shown in Fig 17C.
-
Next, the partition gate 52b located between the lottery ball standby
portion 50a and the lottery ball standby portion 50b located at the side of the
center of the ship is opened as shown in Fig. 17D, and the lottery balls 21
located at the lottery ball standby portion 50b are fed to the lottery standby
portion 50a. After all the lottery balls 21 are fed, the partition gate 52b is
closed as shown in Fig. 17E.
-
Furthermore, the partition gate 52c located between the lottery ball
standby portion 50b and the lottery ball withdrawing passage 44 is opened as
shown in Fig. 17F, and the lottery balls 21 located in the lottery ball withdrawing
passage 44 are fed to the lottery ball standby portion 50b. After all the lottery
balls 21 are fed, the partition gate 52c is closed as shown in Fig. 17G.
-
Through the above operation, a required number of lottery balls 21 can
be easily moved only by swinging the sailboat type lottery machine 12 and
openlclose the plurality of partition gates 52a to 52c, When the rear side 12a
of the ship and the front side 12b of the ship are In a horizontal position as
shown in Fig. 17H or when the ship body is tilted so that the front side 12b of
the ship is moved downward and the rear side 12a of the ship is moved upward,
a required number of lottery balls 21 can also be easily secured by the partition
gates 52a to 52c.
-
In the above embodiment, the number of sets each of which contains
lottery balls 21 used in one game is set to three. However, the present
invention is not limited to this, and two sets of lottery balls 21 may be used. In
this case, the lottery ball standby portion 50b and the partition gate 52 are
unnecessary. Furthermore, four sets, five sets or more sets of lottery balls 21
may be used.
-
Furthermore, In the above embodiment, the lottery balls 21 In the lottery
ball standby portion 50 are partitioned by a plurality of partition gates 52a to 52c
every number of lottery balls 21 used in one game, however, the present
invention Is not limited to this. For example, the above embodiment may be
modified so that only one partition gate 52a is provided to the lottery ball
standby portion 50, a ball detection sensor is provided in the vicinity of the
partition gate 52a, and the partition gate 52a is closed at the point in time when
a predetermined number of lottery balls 21 pass through the partition gate 52a,
whereby only the predetermined number of a lottery balls 21 can be discharged.
-
The gaming machine 10 may be provided with a plurality of illumination
devices (not shown) to light up the sailboat type lottery machine 12 with various
colors, and various representations can be performed in combination with the
swing operation.
<Construction of Personal Game Operating Unit>
-
As shown in Fig. 1, a display device 70 is provided to the upper portion
of each personal game operating unit 14. A matrix card for a bingo game
which Is allocated to each game player, other information or an optical game
screen are displayed on the display device 70 so that the game player can
visually recognize various kinds of information drawn on the display device and
the game advances.
-
Furthermore, a camera (not shown) for picking up overall images of the
lottery boards 38a and 38b is equipped to the sailboat type lottery machine 12
to display the pickup images on the display device 70, so that a game player
located at a position where he/she cannot view any one of the lottery boards
38a and 38b is enabled to view the lottery board 38.
-
Furthermore, the display device 70 is equipped with a touch panel
having a touch sensor 72 (see Fig. 6), and the display device 70 is touched by a
game player to allow input or instruction of various data.
-
In this embodiment, various input operations can be carried out by the
touch sensor 72. However, the present invention is not limited to the touch
sensor, and a plurality of operating buttons may be provided to carry out various
input operations.
-
Fig. 5 is an enlarged view showing a part of the personal game
operating unit 14.
-
A substantial horizontal seat portion 74 is provided at the lower side of
the display device 70, and two dials 76L and 76S are vertically stacked so as to
be slightly shifted from the center to the left side. By using the dials 76L and
76S, a game player can carry out an operation which is difficult to be carried out
by merely pressing a normal operating button or touching a touch panel.
-
For example, in this embodiment, in a matrix card (see Fig. 9) for a
bingo game displayed on the display device 70, it is possible that respective
symbols drawn on the cells adjacent to the outer periphery of the matrix are
shifted to the adjacent cells one by one. When the sequential shift as
described above is carried out by button operation, touch panel operation or the
like, the operation must be repeated many times. However, by using an input
device such as the dials 76L and 76S as described above, the sequential
operation can be performed by only one motion. Therefore, the game player
can easily carry out the operation.
-
Furthermore, the game player can very simply carry out the operation
for analog motions such as a scrolling motion on a screen, movement of a
pointer, etc.
-
A coin slot 78 for dropping a coin into the gaming machine 10 is
provided at the right side of the dials 76S and 76S. When the game player
drops a coin into the coin slot 78, a coin sensor 80 (see Fig. 6) provided in the
personal game operating unit 14 detects drop-in of a coin, so that the game can
be started.
-
A coin payout port 82 (see Fig. 1) is provided at the lower side of the
seat portion 74. When a payout operation is carried out on the touch panel by
the game player, the drop-in coin is paid out from the coin payout port 82.
[Construction of Controller of Gaming machine]
-
Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing a circuit construction containing a
main control circuit for controlling the gaming machine 10 and a peripheral
device electrically connected to the main control circuit.
-
The coin sensor 80 is connected to an interface circuit group 102 of the
main control circuit 100, and a detection signal thereof is converted to a
predetermined signal by the interface circuit group 102 and then supplied to an
input/output bus 104. The input/output bus 104 is designed so that a data
signal or address signal is input to a central processing circuit (hereinafter
referred to as CPU).
-
A touch sensor 72 is also connected to the interface circuit group 102 of
the main control circuit 100. When the touch sensor 72 detects that a display
position of a display content displayed on the display device 70 is touched by a
game player, the touch sensor 72 supplies the signal corresponding to the
indication content to the interface circuit group 102.
-
Furthermore, the dials 76L and 76S are connected to the interface
circuit group 102. When the dial 76L or 76S is rotated by the game player, a
signal corresponding to each rotational angle is supplied to the interface circuit
group 102.
-
The ball entrance detecting sensors 42 are also connected to the
interface circuit group 102 described above. When the ball entrance detecting
sensor 42 detects that a lottery ball 21 enters the corresponding lottery hole 40,
the ball entrance detecting sensor 42 supplies the corresponding signal to the
interface circuit group 102.
-
ROM (read only memory) 108 and RAM (random access memory) 110
are connected to the input/output bus 104 described above. In ROM 108 is
stored a control program for controlling the flow of the overall game in the
gaming machine 10. Furthermore, in ROM 108 are stored initial data for
executing the control program, a program for controlling the display operation of
the display device 70, etc. RAM 110 stores flags and values of variables used In
the above program.
-
Furthermore, the input/output bus 104 is connected to the interface
circuit group 112. A speaker 86 and a hopper 88 are connected to the
interface circuit group 112, and the interface circuit group 112 supplies driving
signals and driving power to control the various devices described above on the
basis of a processing result of CPU 106.
-
To the interface circuit group 112 are further connected the lottery ball
raising motor 22, the lottery gate 26, the steering-wheel type rotating device 32,
the roll preventive valves 37a and 37b, the lottery boards 38a and 38b, the
shutter 43, the swinging device 46 and the partition gates 52a to 52c. This
connection arrangement enables the driving operation of the sailboat type
lottery machine 12 as described above.
-
Furthermore, a display control device 200 is connected to the interface
circuit group 112, and generates a driving signal to drive the display device 70
connected thereto on the basis of an image display command output from the
main control circuit 100.
[Internal Lottery Method]
-
In the processing of each game operating unit described later, an
internal lottery is carried out to prepare a matrix card. Through the internal
lottery, random numbers are generated and internal lottery data are acquired on
the basis of the random numbers.
-
With respect to the method of generating the random numbers in the
internal lottery, any one of an external random number system and a software
random number system Is used. According to the external random number
system, random numbers are generated by an unit for generating random
numbers such as a binary counter IC or the like which is provided on a
substrate separately from CPU. According to the software random number
system, the CPU itself creates a counter, renews the numerical value of the
counter according to a program stored In ROM and uses the numerical value as
a random number.
-
In the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, random numbers are
generated by using the software random number system. The random number
generating method of the gaming machine 10 according to the present invention
Is not limited to the software random number system, and the external random
number system, a system for extracting a numerical value from a plurality of
numerical values without making the game player feel regularity or the like may
be used.
-
A random number acquired by the lottery described above is converted
to a symbol code by using a conversion table stored in ROM 108, and then the
symbol code is recorded.
-
The symbol code is a code for identifying each of the cards of a card
game (trump) which correspond to symbols used in the game of the present
invention, and these symbol codes are classified as shown in Fig. 7, for
example. CPU 106 Identifies a mark of each symbol on the basis of an upper
digit of the symbol code, and also identifies a numeral of the symbol on the
basis of a lower digit of the symbol code, thereby determining whether a
combination of symbols on each line forms a winning combination.
[Construction of Display Control Device of Gaming machine]
-
Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing the circuit of the display control
device 200 described above.
-
An interface circuit 202 is connected to an input/output terminal 204,
and an image display command output from the main control circuit 100
described above is supplied to the input/output bus 204 through the interface
circuit 202. The input/output bus 204 is designed so that a data signal or
address signal Is Input to CPU 206.
-
ROM 208 and RAM 210 are also connected to the input/output bus 204
described above. ROM 208 stores a display control program for generating a
driving signal to be supplied to the display device 70 on the basis of an image
display command output from the main control circuit 100. In RAM 210 are
stored flags and values of variables used in the program.
-
Furthermore, an image data processor (hereinafter referred to as VDP)
212 is also connected to the input/output bus 204. VDP 212 is a processing
device which includes circuits such as a so-called sprite circuit, a screen circuit,
a palette circuit, etc., and can carry out various kinds of processing for
displaying images on the display device 70.
-
To VDP 212 described above are connected video RAM 214 for storing
image data corresponding to an Image display command output from the main
control circuit 100, Image data of background, and image data ROM 216 for
storing image data such as image data of figures, etc.
-
CPU 208 reads out and executes the display control program stored in
ROM 208, and stores Into RAM 214 image data to be displayed on the display
device 70 In response to the image display command output from the main
control circuit 100. The image display command output from the main control
circuit 100 contains display commands such as a background display command,
a figure display command, a character display command, etc.
-
The image data ROM 216 stores image data such as image data of
figures corresponding to identification information images, character image data
of characters such as moving bodies, etc., displayed as representation display
frames, background image data constituting backgrounds for the display device
70, etc.
-
After respective image data described above are synthesized in VDP
212, the Image data thus synthesized are transmitted to the driving circuit 218,
and the driving circuit 218 drives the display device 70 to display images on the
display device 70.
[Display Example of image]
-
By recording the image data on the video RAM 214 as described above,
the images are displayed on the display device 70, and the game advances.
Display examples of images displayed in the game are shown in Figs. 9 and 10.
-
Fig. 9 shows a display example when a matrix card in a bingo game is
displayed on the display device 70. In the bingo game of this embodiment,
numerals are not displayed, but figures of cards are displayed as symbols on
the respective cells.
-
A symbol selected by a lottery Is displayed at the center of the upper
side 90 of the display device 70. In the case of Fig. 9, "eight of spades" is
selected by a first lottery and "the king of diamonds" is selected by a second
lottery.
-
Furthermore, winning combinations of a poker game and payouts
associated with the winning combinations are displayed at the left side 92 of the
screen of the display device 70. In the bingo game of this embodiment, not
only a payout is paid to a game player because a line of cards is completed as
a result of lottery, but also a payout to be paid is increased according to a
winning combination of the poker game when a combination of symbols on the
completed line completes the winning combination of the poker game.
Therefore, a game player aims to both complete a line of cards and complete a
winning combination of cards. Therefore, the game player aims to achieve a
higher payout by moving cells in a trial-and-error style while manipulating the
dials 76L and 76S.
-
Furthermore, various display frames such as an optional game, etc., as
well as the bingo game can be displayed on the display device 70.
-
Fig. 10 shows a display example when a treasure hunt game is
displayed as an optional game.
-
In this game, a game player scrolls the screen in the right-and-left
direction by rotating the dial 76L, and also zooms in the screen by rotating the
dial 78S. If the game player finds a treasure within the time and matches the
treasure with the cursor located at the center of the screen, he/she can obtain a
payout.
-
Analog input operations such as scroll, zoom-in, etc., are more
appropriate for the game as described above than input operations such as a
button pressing operation, etc., and thus such a game can be simply carried out
by using an input device such as the dials 76L and 76S. This game may be
carried out without using any lottery ball, and thus it may be set as a standby
screen when other game players execute a game using a lottery ball.
[Operation of Gaming machine]
-
Figs. 11 to 16 show subroutines for controlling the gaming machine 10
which are executed in the main control circuit 100. Subroutines shown in Figs.
11 and 12 are called at a predetermined timing from the main program of the
gaming machine 10 being executed in advance to be executed.
-
In the following description, it is assumed that the gaming machine 10 is
started in advance, variables used in CPU 106 described above are initialized
and the gaming machine is stationarily operated.
[Processing of Lottery Machine]
-
Fig. 11 shows a subroutine for controlling the processing executed in
the sailboat type lottery machine 12.
-
First, rotation of the lottery boards is started in the processing of step
S11. In this processing, CPU 106 starts rotation of the two lottery boards 38a
and 38b. After this processing is completed, the processing proceeds to step
S12.
-
Subsequently, in the processing of step S12, the roll preventive valves
are moved. In this processing, CPU 106 permits use of only slopes out of the
four slopes 36a to 36d, along which the lottery ball 21 can be guided in
conformity with the rotational directions of the lottery boards 38a and 38b.
Therefore, the two roll preventive valves 37a and 37b are turned to close the
routes to the slopes which should be made unavailable. Accordingly, the
lottery ball 21 is allowed to roll in the direction matched with the rotational
directions of the lottery boards 38. After this processing is completed, the
processing proceeds to step S13.
-
Subsequently, in the processing of step S13, one of the lottery balls 21
raised by the lottery ball raising device 20 is made to drop. In this processing,
CPU 106 opens the lottery gate 26 to pass only one lottery ball 21 through the
lottery gate 28. The lottery gate 26 is closed again at the point in time when
one lottery ball 21 passes through the lottery gate 26. As described above, the
lottery ball 21 thus having passed passes through the upper gutter 28, drops
down from the drop hole 30 to the steering-wheel type rotating device 32 and
further the lottery ball receiving portion 34. Further, the lottery ball 21 passes
through any one of the slopes 36a to 36d, and then rolls to anyone of the lottery
boards 38a and 38b. After the above processing is completed, the processing
proceeds to step S14.
-
Subsequently, a lottery result is recorded in the processing of step S14.
In this processing, CPU 106 records a symbol selected by the lottery. CPU
106 receives a signal indicating entrance of the lottery ball 21 from the ball
entrance detecting sensor 42 corresponding to any one of the lottery holes 40
which the lottery ball 21 enters, records the symbol corresponding to the signal
as a lottery result, and also displays the symbol on each display device 70.
After the above processing Is completed, the processing proceeds to step S15.
-
Subsequently, in the processing of step S15, it is determined whether
drop of a predetermined number of lottery balls 21 is finished. In this
processing, CPU 106 determines whether the drop of the predetermined
number of lottery balls 21 is finished. When it is determined that the
predetermined number of lottery balls 21 has not yet been finished, CPU 106
returns the processing to step S13. If it is determined that the predetermined
number of lottery balls 21 has already dropped, CPU 108 returns the processing
to step S16. Since it takes some time from the passage of the lottery ball 21
through the lottery gate 28 until entrance of the lottery ball to any lottery hole 40,
a more accurate determination may be made by using various methods, for
example, by making determination after a predetermined period of time elapses
from the passage of the lottery ball 21 through the lottery gate 26.
-
Subsequently, in the processing of step S16, the lottery balls 21 are
withdrawn. In this processing, CPU 106 opens the shutter 43 provided to the
lottery hole 40 which the lottery ball 21 has entered, withdraws the lottery balls
21 and then closes the shutter 43 again. Accordingly, the lottery balls entering
the lottery holes 40 during game are allowed to be partially continuously
exposed from the lottery holes 40 until the game ends. Therefore, a person
who can hardly watch the display device 70 can easily recognize which symbol
is selected. After the above processing is completed, the processing proceeds
to step S17.
-
In this embodiment, the lottery balls are partially exposed from the
lottery holes until one game is finished. However, the present invention is not
limited to this. A lottery ball may be withdrawn at the point of time when it enters
a lottery hole 40.
-
Subsequently, in the processing of step S17, the sailboat type lottery
machine 12 is swung. In this processing, CPU 106 drives the swinging device
46 as shown in Figs. 17A to 17G to swing the sailboat type lottery machine 12.
After the above processing is completed, the processing proceeds to step S18.
-
Subsequently, in the processing of step S18, the partition gate 52 is
opened/closed. In this processing, CPU 106 successively opens/closes the
partition gates 52a, 52b and 52c. Accordingly, the lottery balls 21 located at
the lottery ball standby portion 50a are fed to the lottery ball raising device 20,
the lottery balls 21 located at the lottery ball standby portion 50b are fed to the
lottery ball standby portion 50a, and the lottery balls 21 located at the lottery ball
withdrawing passage 44 are fed to the lottery ball standby portion 50b.
Accordingly, as described above, conveyance of lottery balls 21 used in the
next game and movement of withdrawn lottery balls 21 to the lottery ball
standby portion 50 can be simultaneously performed. After the above
processing is completed, the processing proceeds to step S19.
-
In the above embodiment, the lottery balls 21 in the lottery ball standby
portion 50 are partitioned by the partition gates 52 every number of lottery balls
21 used in one game. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, this embodiment may be modified so that only one partition gate
52a is provided to the lottery ball standby portion 50, a ball detecting sensor is
provided in the vicinity of the partition gate 52a, and the partition gate 52a is
closed at the point in time when a predetermined number of lottery balls 21
pass through the partition gate 52a, whereby only the predetermined number of
lottery balls 21 can be discharged.
-
Subsequently, in the processing of step S19, the sailboat type lottery
machine 12 is returned to the original position. In this processing, CPU 106
drives the swinging device 46 to return the sailboat type lottery machine 12 to
the original position. After the above processing is completed, this subroutine
immediately ends.
-
In another embodiment, the lottery ball 21 is rolled under the state
where the lottery boards 38a and 38b stay still, and the rolling direction of the
lottery ball 21 is detected by a sensor provided to any one of the plurality of
slopes 36a to 36d when the lottery ball 21 passes through any one of the
plurality of slopes 36a to 36d. The rotational direction of the lottery board 38a
or 38b is determined in conformity with the rolling direction, whereby the
rotational direction of the lottery board 38a or 38b and the rolling direction of the
lottery ball 21 can be matched with each other. In this case, the processing of
step S11 is carried out after the processing of step S13, and the processing of
step S12 is not carried out.
[Processing of Operating Unit]
-
Fig. 12 shows a subroutine for controlling the advance of the game in
the personal game operating unit 14.
-
In the processing of step S21, it Is first determined whether the gaming
machine 10 is in the game play. In this processing, CPU 106 determines
whether the gaming machine 10 is in the game play. If CPU 106 determines
that the gaming machine 10 is in the game play, CPU 106 immediately finishes
this subroutine without carrying out any processing because a game player
cannot participate in the game. If CPU 106 determines that the gaming machine
10 is not in the game play, CPU 108 shifts the processing to step S22.
-
Subsequently, in the processing of step S22, it Is determined whether a
coin is thrown into the gaming machine. In this processing, CPU 106
determines that a signal indicating detection of throw-in of a coin is received
from the coin sensor 80. If it is determined that the signal is not received, that is,
if it is determined that no coin is inserted by a game player, CPU 106
immediately finishes this subroutine without carrying out any processing. If it is
determined that the signal Is received, that is, If It is determined that a coin is
thrown in by a game player, CPU 108 shifts the processing to step S23.
-
Subsequently, in the processing of step S23, matrix cards are created.
In this processing, CPU 106 creates a predetermined number of matrix cards on
which figures of trump cards are arranged by lottery. This processing will be
described later. After the above processing is completed, CPU 108 shifts the
processing to step S24.
-
Subsequently, in the processing of step S24, the number of bets is set.
In this processing, CPU 106 promotes a game player to input a desired number
of bets, and the number of bets in the game is set on the basis of information
input by the game player. This processing will be described later. After this
processing is completed, CPU 106 shifts the processing to step S25.
-
Subsequently, the game is executed in the processing of step S25. In
this processing, CPU 106 selects figures of trump cards one by one by lottery,
and the game advances according to this lottery. The lottery is repeated at a
predetermined number, and the game is finished at the point of time when the
predetermined number of lotteries are finished. This processing will be
described later. After the above processing is completed, CPU 106 shifts the
processing to step S26.
-
Subsequently, Payoff of coins is carried out in the processing of step
S26. In this processing, CPU 106 carries out the Payoff of coins on the basis
of the result of the game executed in step S25, This processing will be
described later. After the processing of step S27 is completed, CPU 106 shifts
the processing to step S27,
-
Subsequently, in the processing of step S27, it is determined whether
there are some remaining coins. In this processing, CPU 106 determines
whether some coins which are thrown in by the game player or acquired by the
game player still remain in the gaming machine 10. If it is determined that
some coins having been thrown in or acquired by the game player still remain in
the gaming machine 10, the game can be carried out newly, and thus CPU 106
returns to the processing of step S23. If it is determined that no coin having
been thrown in or acquired by the game player remains in the gaming machine
10, CPU 106 immediately finishes this subroutine because the game cannot be
further continued.
[Card Creating Processing]
-
In the step S23 described above, a subroutine as shown in Fig. 13 is
called. In this case, a card as shown in Fig. 9 is created as an example.
-
First, in the processing of step S31, a winning combination is selected
by lottery on the assumption that only one winning combination is necessarily
established in a matrix card. In this processing, CPU 106 determines one
winning combination from a list of fixed winning combinations stored at a
predetermined position of ROM 108. After this processing is completed, CPU
106 shifts the processing to step S32.
-
Subsequently, in the processing of step S32, symbols used in the fixed
winning combination are selected. In this processing, CPU 106 selects the
symbols used In the fixed winning combination in the above step S31. CPU
108 treats a matrix card comprising 5 cells x 5 cells in the rows and the columns
respectively as shown in Fig. 9, and thus five symbols needed to form the
winning combination are selected.
-
For example, in the case of a poker game, if the fixed winning
combination is a "royal straight flush," one of four marks of spades, hearts,
diamonds and clubs selection made by tottery, in the case of the winning
combination, the numerals are necessarily limited to fives of A, K, Q, J, 10, and
thus only the mark may be selected by lottery.
-
Furthermore, if the fixed winning combination is a "full house," one
symbol is first selected, and then two symbols which are identical to the symbol
In numeral, but different from the symbol in mark are selected. Subsequently,
one symbol comprising a numeral different from the above numeral is selected,
and one symbol which is identical to the above symbol in numeral, but different
from the above symbol in mark is selected. Accordingly, a combination of a
set of symbols comprising the same numeral and a set of two symbols
comprising the same numeral which is different from the former numeral is
completed.
-
After the above processing is completed, CPU 108 shifts the processing
to step S33.
-
Subsequently, in the processing of step S33, a line on which the fixed
winning combination is arranged is selected. In this processing, CPU 106
determines the position of the line on which the winning combination of the
symbols determined in the step S32 is described above. CPU 108 selects, by
lottery, one of twelve rows on the matrix card (corresponding to
inversely-displayed numerals from 1 to 12 in Fig. 9) on which the symbols
constituting the fixed winning combination should be arranged, and determines
one line. After this processing is completed, CPU 106 shifts the processing to
step S34.
-
Subsequently, in the processing of step S34, the symbols constituting
the fixed winning combination are arranged. In this processing, CPU 106
arranges the five symbols determined in step S32 on the line determined In
step S33. CPU 106 determines the positions of five calls on the line at which
the five symbols should be respectively disposed, and arranges all the symbols
on the line. After the above processing is completed, CPU 106 shifts the
processing to step S35.
-
Subsequently, in the processing of step S35, the arrangement of
symbols on the other cells is carried out. In this processing, CPU 106
arranges symbols on the other twenty cells on which the symbols are not
arranged in the above step S34. CPU 106 determines each symbol to be
arranged on each of the twenty cells by lottery, and arranges the symbol
selected by lottery on the cell, whereby the symbols are arranged on all the
twenty five cells on the matrix card. After the above processing is completed,
CPU 106 shifts the processing to step S36.
-
Subsequently, in the processing of step S36, the cell movement can be
carried out. In this processing, CPU 106 may move each of the outer
peripheral cells and inner peripheral cells so that the symbols constituting the
fixed winning combination which are arranged from the step S31 to the step
S34 are not arranged on one line. After this processing is carried out or after It
is selected that this processing is not executed, CPU 108 shifts the processing
to step S37.
-
Subsequently, in the processing of step S37, it is determined whether
preparation of a predetermined number of matrix cards is completed. In this
processing, CPU 108 determines whether the number of matrix cards created in
the processing from the step S31 to the step S35 reaches the predetermined
number. If it Is determined that the preparation of the predetermined number
of matrix cards has not yet been completed, CPU 106 returns to the processing
of step S31 to create the remaining cards. If it is determined that the
preparation of the predetermined number of cards has been completed, CPU
106 immediately finishes this subroutine.
-
In this embodiment, the symbols are arranged so that a winning
combination which may be established according to a way of moving the cells is
contained in a matrix card. However, the present invention is not limited to this,
and symbols may be arranged on all the cells by lottery. In this case, only the
step S35 described above is carried out, and the processing of the other steps
S31 to S34 and the step S36 does not need to be executed.
[Processing of Setting Number of Bets]
-
In the step 24 described above, a subroutine shown in Fig. 14 is called.
-
In the processing of step S41, a card selection screen is displayed. In
this processing, CPU 108 displays a card selection screen on the display device
70, and promotes a game player to select one of the plurality of cards created in
the step S23 of Fig. 12. At this time, one of the plurality of cards is displayed
on the display device 70. With respect to the other remaining cards, the game
player carries out a selecting operation to exchange the displayed one card with
one of the other cards and displays the one card thus exchanged. By
repeating this operation, all the cards created in step S23 of Fig. 12 can be
displayed for the game player. After this processing is completed, CPU 106
shifts the processing to step S42.
-
Subsequently, in the processing of step S42, it Is determined whether a
settling operation is carried out. In this processing, CPU 106 determines
whether the game player carries out the settling (enter) operation. When CPU
106 does not receive from the touch sensor 72 a signal indicating that the
operation has been carried out, CPU 108 determines that the settling operation
has not yet been carried out by the game player, and repeats this step. On the
other hand, when CPU 108 receives from the touch sensor 72 a signal
indicating that the above operation is carried out, CPU 106 determines that the
settling operation is carried out by the game player, and shifts the processing to
step S43.
-
Subsequently, In the processing of step 643, an Input screen of the
number of bets is displayed. In this processing, CPU 106 displays on the
display device 70 a screen for promoting the game player to determine the
number of coins to be bet to the selected card. At this time, a table indicating
odds to the bet number of coins In connection with the types of completed
winning combinations is displayed on the screen in addition to the card. The
game player determines the number of coins to be bet by referring to this table.
After this processing is completed, CPU 108 shifts the processing to step S44.
-
Subsequently, in the processing of step S44, it is determined whether
the settling operation is carried out. In this processing, CPU 106 determines
whether the settling operation is carried out after inputting the betting number of
coins desired by the game player, When not receiving from the touch sensor
72 a signal indicating that the operation is carried out, CPU 108 determines that
the settling operation has not yet been carried out by the game player, and
repeats this subroutine. If receiving from the touch sensor 72 a signal
indicating that the operation has been carried out, CPU 106 determines that the
settling operation is carried out by the game player, and finishes this subroutine
immediately.
[Game Execution Processing]
-
In the step S25 described above, a subroutine shown in Fig. 15 is
called.
-
In the processing of step S51, an initially effective cell is determined.
In this processing, CPU 108 selects an initially effective cell from the twenty-five
cells on a matrix card by lottery. The initially effective cell is a cell which has
been effective from the start time of a game. CPU 106 draws lotteries
regarding the number of the initially effective cells and the positions thereof, and
activates the effective cells on the basis of the lottery result. After the above
processing is completed, CPU 106 shifts the processing to step S52.
-
In this embodiment, the number of initially effective cells is determined
by lottery. However, the present invention Is not limited to this number, and a
fixed number of initially effective cells may be set in advance.
-
Subsequently, lottery of symbols is carried out In the processing of step
S52. In this processing, by driving the sailboat type lottery machine 12, CPU
106 selects one symbol by lottery. CPU 106 receives from any one of the ball
entrance detecting sensor 42 a signal associated with the symbol
corresponding to any one of a plurality of holes 40 which the lottery ball enters,
and displays the symbol thus selected in a list of lottery results displayed at the
upper portion 90 of the display device 70. After the above processing is
completed, CPU 106 shifts the processing to step S53.
-
Subsequently, a symbol collation is carried out in the processing of step
S53. In this processing, CPU 106 collates the symbol selected in the above
step S52 with the symbols displayed on the matrix card displayed on the display
device 70. If the same symbol as the selected symbol is displayed on the
matrix card, the cell on which the symbol is displayed is activated, and the color
of the cell is changed. After the above processing is completed, CPU 106
shifts the processing to step S54.
-
Subsequently, in the processing of step S54, cell moving processing of
moving cells can be carried out. In the processing, CPU 106 enables cells to
be moved by the dials 76L and 76S, and allows a game player to move the cells
by manipulating the dials 76L and 765. When the dial 76L is rotated by a game
player, symbols allocated to the respective cells adjacent to the outer peripheral
portion of a matrix card displayed on the display device 70 are moved to
adjacent cells thereto one by one according to the rotational angle of the dial
76L. This cell moving processing may be allowed to be carried out at all times,
however, it may be allowed to be carried out under a predetermined condition.
For example, the cell moving processing may be made impossible after a
predetermined number of lotteries are completed. After the above processing
is completed or after it is selected not to execute the cell moving processing as
described above, CPU 108 shifts the processing to step S66.
-
Subsequently, in the processing of step 858, it is determined whether a
predetermined number of lotteries are carried out. In this processing, CPU 106
determines whether the lottery of a symbol in the step S52 is carried out for a
predetermined number of times. If it is determined that the number of
lotteries having been executed has not yet reached the predetermined number,
CPU 106 returns to the processing of step S52. If it is determined that the
number of lotteries having been executed has reached the predetermined
number, CPU 106 immediately finishes this subroutine. For example, in the
case of a game combined with a poker game, it is preferable that this symbol
lottery is carried out at five or more times.
[Coin Payoff Processing]
-
in the above step 828, a coin payoff subroutine as shown in Fig. 16 is
called.
-
First, in the processing of step S81, it is determined that a winning line
exists on the plurality of rows on the matrix card. In this processing, CPU 106
determines whether a line having a predetermined number of activated cells
exists in the plurality of rows having combinations of symbols on the matrix card
displayed on the display device 70. When CPU 106 determines that no
winning line exists in the plurality of rows, CPU 106 shifts the processing to step
S64. If any line exists In the plurality of rows, CPU 106 shifts the processing to
step S62.
-
Subsequently, in the processing of step S62, the number of coins to be
paid out is calculafied,
-
In this processing, the number of coins bet on the game played by the
game player is multiplied by the payout odds corresponding to the type of
winning combination of the line determined as a winning line In step S61,
whereby CPU 108 calculates the payout number of coins. At this time, when a
plurality of winning rows exist, the odds of the winning combinations having the
highest payout odds out of the plurality of winning combinations are applied.
After the above processing is completed, CPU 106 shifts the processing to step
S63.
-
In this embodiment, when a plurality of winning rows exist, the odds of
the winning combination having the highest payout odds out of the plurality of
winning combinations are applied. However, the present invention is not
limited to this. For example, it may be modified so that the payout odds of all
the winning combinations may be added to one another, and the number of
coins bet by the game player is multiplied by the payout odds thus calculated.
-
Subsequently, in the processing of step S63, CPU 108 adds the number
of payout coins calculated in step S62 to the number of coins which are thrown
in the gaming machine 10 by the game player, but remain because they are not
bet on the game. After this processing is completed, CPU 106 shifts the
processing to step S64.
-
Subsequently, in the processing of step S64, it is determined whether
some coins remain. In this processing, CPU 106 determines whether there
remain any coins which were thrown In the gaming machine by the game player
or paid out because of winning of the game and stocked in the gaming machine
10. If it Is determined that no remaining coin exists, CPU 108 immediately
finishes this subroutine without carrying out any processing because the game
cannot be further carried out. If it is determined that any coins remain, CPU
106 shifts the processing to step S65.
-
Subsequently, in the processing of step S65, it is determined that a
payout operation is carried out. In this processing, CPU 106 determines
whether the payout operation is carried out by the game player. When not
receiving a signal from the touch sensor 72 indicating that the operation Is
carried, CPU 106 determines that no payout operation has been carried out by
the game player, and immediately finishes this subroutine without carrying out
any processing. When not receiving a signal from the touch sensor 72
indicating that the operation has been carried out, CPU 106 determines that the
payout operation has been carried out by the game player, and shifts the
processing to step S66.
-
Subsequently, in the processing of step S66, the payout processing of
coins is carried out. In this processing, CPU 106 transmits to a hopper 88 a
signal indicating payout of the total number of coins acquired by adding the
number of coins gained through the game by the game player with the number
of coins which are stocked in the gaming machine 10 because these coins are
thrown in the gaming machine 10 by the game player, but are not bet on the
game. The hopper 88 receiving the signal discharges the total number of
coins from a coin payout port 82. After the above processing is completed,
CPU 106 immediately finishes this subroutine.
-
According to the above construction, the throw-in direction of the lottery
ball and the rotational direction of the base body are substantially coincident
with each other, so that the speed of the lottery ball is not quickly reduced and
thus the lottery ball is prevented from easily entering a lottery hole soon.
Therefore, there can be provided a game which makes It difficult for a game
player to predict a lottery hole which a lottery ball enters and further enhances
the sense of excitement of the game player. Furthermore, by rotating the base
body clockwise and counterclockwise, the variation of the game is enhanced,
and game players are prevented from growing tired of the game. Still
furthermore, the lottery ball is prevented from entering the lottery hole
Immediately without consideration for the speed of the lottery ball. Accordingly,
it is difficult to predict a lottery hole which a lottery ball enters, and thus there
can be provided a game which can further promote the feeling of impatience
and bring game players an enhanced sense of anticipation.
-
In this embodiment, CPU 106 executing the step S14 of Fig. 11, the
stop S24 of Fig. 12, etc., corresponds to an example of the game result
determination means. The lottery ball raising device 20, the lottery gate 26,
the slopes 36a to 36d, etc., correspond to an example of the lottery ball
throwing means. The lottery ball raising device 20, etc., correspond to an
example of the feeding means. The ball detecting sensor, etc., correspond to
examples of the detecting means and the passage detecting means. CPU 106
executing the step S17, the step S19, etc., of FIG. 11 corresponds to an
example of the tilt control means. The shutter 43, etc., correspond to an
example of the lottery ball discharging means. The lottery ball standby unit 50,
etc., correspond to an example of the lottery ball accumulating means. CPU
106 executing the processing of the step S18, etc., corresponds to an example
of the gate control means.
-
Next, a second embodiment according to the present invention will be
described hereunder.
-
A gaming machine 310 according to this embodiment is a gaming
machine with which a game is played by using not only coins, medals, game
balls or tokens, but also game media such as cards or the like which are given
to game players or in which game valuable information to be given to game
players is stored. The following description will be made on the assumption
that medals are used.
[Construction of Gaming machine]
-
First, the outline of the gaming machine will be described with reference
to Fig. 18. Fig. 18 is a perspective view showing the general view of the gaming
machine according to the present invention.
-
As shown in Fig. 18, a gaming machine 310 comprises a lottery
machine 312, and a plurality of gaming terminals 314. The gaming machine
310 can supply a game to a plurality of game players by a plurality of gaming
terminals 314A to 314J at the same time.
-
The lottery machine 312 is mainly constructed by a cabinet 313 in the
form of a ship, and disposed at the center of the gaming machine 310. Two
lottery boards 338 and 339 are disposed at the center of the lottery machine
312. A total of fifty-two lottery holes 340 and 341 (see Fig. 21) are formed in
the two lottery boards 338 and 339.
-
Each of the plurality of lottery holes 340 and 341 corresponds to
identification information which is a combination composed of first symbols of
spades, clubs, hearts and diamonds and each of second symbols of numerals
from 2 to 10 and marks of A, J, Q and K. The identification information is used
to determine a lottery result. That is, the respective plurality of lottery holes
340 and 34 of the lottery boards 338 and 339 correspond to identification
information for determining a lottery result. A lottery is carried out according to
any one of the plurality of holes 340 and 341 which a lottery ball enters, and a
game result is determined. A swinging device 346 (see Fig. 19) is disposed in
the lottery machine 312, and the cabinet 313 is swingable so that the stern
312A and the stern 312B are displaced in the vertical direction. That is, the
swinging device 346 tilts the cabinet 313. In this embodiment, it can be tilted
at an angle of about 8 degrees in the vertical direction with respect to the
horizontal plane, however, the presents invention is not limited to this. In this
swinging motion, it takes about 12 seconds to shift from a state where the stern
312A is located at the upper position of about 8 degrees with respect to the
horizontal plane to a state where the stern 312A is located at the lower position
of about 8 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane. However, the present
invention is not limited to this swing time, and it is preferable that the swing time
is set in the range from about 8 seconds to about 16 seconds. Specifically, the
period of the swinging motion can be controlled by a main control circuit 400
described later, and it may be varied by a manager of a game place or the like.
Furthermore, in this embodiment, the swingable ship-type cabinet 313 is used,
and thus a visual representation effect can be given to game players, so that
enjoyment of the game can be enhanced.
-
The plurality of gaming terminals 314A to 314J are disposed at both the
stroke-side and bow-side of the lottery machine 312. In this embodiment, ten
gaming terminals 314A to 314J are provided as shown in Fig. 18. Furthermore,
medal payout ports 382A to 382J are formed in the plurality of gaming terminals
314A to 314J, respectively. In Fig. 18, gaming terminals 314F to 314H and
medal payout ports 382F to 382J which are hidden by the lottery machine 312
are not illustrated.
-
In this embodiment, the ten gaming terminals 314A to 314J are
equipped as the plurality of gaming terminals. However, the present invention
is not limited to this. For example, a plurality of gaming terminals whose
number of machines is not equal to ten may be equipped, and only one gaming
terminal may be equipped.
[Construction of Lottery Machine]
-
The outline of the lottery machine 312 of the gaming machine 310 will
be described with reference to Fig. 19. Fig. 19 is a longitudinally-sectional
view showing the general view of the lottery machine 312 according to this
embodiment.
-
As shown in Fig. 19, a screw conveyor 320 serving as a feeding unit is
disposed at the stern 312B of the lottery machine 312. The screw conveyor
320 is a device for upward feeding lottery balls used for the lottery through the
inside of the lottery machine 312. The lottery ball of this embodiment is
designed to have a diameter of about 60 millimeters, however, it may be
designed in another style. For example, the diameter of the lottery ball may be
set to not less than about 60 millimeters. Furthermore, it is preferable that the
lottery ball is formed of a material through which an infrared ray is not
transmitted or which is processed so that an infrared ray is not transmitted
therethrough, and also it is easily detected by various kinds of sensors such as
an optical sensor, etc.,
-
The screw conveyor 320 comprises a spiral member 320A which
extends upward so as to be inclined at a predetermined angle, a support plate
320B extending along the spiral member 320A, and a lottery ball raising motor
320C for rotating the spiral member 320A. A groove which has a radius of
curvature larger than the radius of the lottery balls and designed in a spiral form
is equipped to the spiral member 320A. By driving the lottery ball raising motor
320C, the spiral member 320A is rotated, and the lottery balls are upward fed
while being held between the spirally-formed group in the spiral member 320A
and the support plate 320B. That is, the screw conveyor 320 is disposed at
the outside of the cabinet 313, and carries the lottery balls so that the lottery
balls are visible.
-
One end of a lottery ball guide unit 324 is disposed at the upper end of
the screw conveyor 320. A guide passage (not shown) Is formed In the lottery
ball guide unit 324. The lottery ball guide unit 324 guides through the guide
passage lottery balls carried by the screw conveyor 320.
-
A lottery ball holding unit 332 is disposed at the upper side of the lottery
machine 312. The lottery ball holding unit 332 is formed of resin having a
light-transmissible property so that It can be viewed by game players, etc.
Therefore, the remaining number of lottery balls can be indicated to game
players. The lottery ball holding unit 332 is designed to be opened at the
upper portion thereof, and holds lottery balls guided from the lottery ball guiding
unit 324. Furthermore, an opening (not shown) through which one lottery ball
is passed is formed in the bottom surface of the lottery ball holding unit 332.
-
A cylindrical rotator 328 as a throw-in portion is disposed at the lower
side of the lottery ball holding unit 332. The rotator 328 has a function of
closing the opening formed in the bottom surface of the lottery ball holding unit
332. Accordingly, the lottery balls held in the lottery ball holding unit 332 are
kept to be held.
-
A holding hole (not shown) for holding one lottery ball is formed in the
rotator 328. A driving unit (not shown) comprising a rotating motor 328 (see
Fig. 27) or the like is disposed at the edge of the rotator 328. The rotator 328
is rotated by driving the driving unit. By rotating the rotator 328, the holding
hole is kept to be opened upward, and one ball held in the lottery ball holding
unit 332 is made to drop through the opening to the holding hole. By further
rotating the rotator 328, the opening formed in the lottery ball holding unit 332 is
closed and also the one lottery ball is kept to be held in the holding hole. By
further rotating the rotator 328, the opening formed In the lottery ball holding
portion 332 is closed and also the holding hole is set to be opened downward,
so that the one lottery ball held in the holding hole is made to drop downward.
-
As described above, one lottery ball held in the lottery ball holding unit
332 is extracted and drops downward. That is, the rotator 328 has a function
of throwing a lottery ball carried by the screw conveyor 320 from the upper side
to the face portions 338A and 339A. The rotator 328 is formed of a resin
having light-transmissible property, so that the lottery ball held in the holding
hole is kept visible to game players. Therefore, the advance of the game can
be indicated to the game players.
-
A lottery ball receiving portion 334 having transparency is disposed at
the lower side of the rotator 328. The lottery ball receiving portion 334
receives a lottery ball dropping from the holding hole of the rotator disposed at
the upper side thereof. Therefore, the lottery ball dropping from the holding
hole of the rotator 828 is held in the lottery ball receiving portion 334 while it is
kept visible to the game players. The lottery ball receiving portion 334 has two
cut-out portions 334C and 334D (see Fig. 20) formed therein, and the lottery
ball thus received is thrown to any one of two lottery boards 338 and 339
through the cut-out portion 334C or 334D. Since the lottery machine 312 has a
swinging function, the lottery ball held in the lottery ball receiving portion 334 is
guided to either of the two lottery boards 338 and 339 according to the tile angle
thereof.
-
Slopes 336A and 338B having throw-in passages through which a
lottery ball can pass are disposed at the cut-out portions 334C and 334D (see
Fig. 20) of the lottery ball receiving portion 334. The slopes 336A and 336B
are used to throw the lottery ball held in the lotteryball receiving portion 334 to
any one of the face portions 338A and 339A. The slopes 336A and 336B are
formed of resin having transparency. Therefore, the lottery ball passing
through the slope 336A and 336B is kept visible to the game players. As
described above, the screw conveyor 320, the rotator 328, the slopes 336A and
336B, etc., enable lottery balls discharged from the plurality of lottery holes
340 and 341 to be thrown to the face portions 338A and 339A of the cabinet
313 through a first withdrawing passage 344 and a second withdrawing
passage 350.
-
The two lottery boards 338 and 339 are disposed at the lower ends of
the slopes 336A and 336B. A lottery ball can roll on the lottery boards 338 and
339, and the face portions 338A and 339A having a horizontal plane with
respect to the cabinet 313 are provided. That is, the face portions 338A and
339A on which the lottery ball can roll are formed on the lottery boards 338 and
339, and a plurality of lottery holes 340 and 341 are formed on the upper
surfaces of the face portions 338A and 339A. In other words, the cabinet 313
is equipped with the plurality of lottery boards 338 and 339, and thus it has the
face portions 338A and 339A on which the lottery balls can roll, and the plurality
of lottery holes 340 and 341 provided on the face portions 338A and 339A.
Furthermore, the two lottery boards 338 and 339 can be rotated horizontally
with respect to the upper surfaces of the face portions 338A and 339A.
-
The plurality of lottery holes 340 and 341 for holding one lottery ball
are formed on the upper surfaces of the face portions 338A and 339A. These
plurality of lottery holes 340 and 341 are designed in such depth that about
two-fifth part of one lottery hole projects from each lottery hole. Therefore, a
lottery ball entering each of the plurality of lottery holes 340 and 341 is held so
as to be visible to game players, and a subsequent throw-in lottery ball collides
with lottery balls held in the plurality of lottery holes 340 and 341 and changes
its rolling direction. Of course, according to the rotation of the lottery boards
338 and 339, the lottery balls entering these lottery holes 340 and 341 are
rotated while being held in the plurality of lottery holes.
-
A shutter 347 is provided at the bottom surfaces of the plurality of
lottery holes 340 and 341. In this game, the shutter 347 is controlled to a close
state, so that lottery balls entering the plurality of lottery holes 340 and 341 are
held. After the game is completed, the shutter 347 is controlled to an open
state, so that the lottery balls entering the plurality of lottery holes 340 and 341
are discharged into the lottery machine 312. Furthermore, a ball entrance
detecting sensor 349 is provided to each of the plurality of lottery holes 340
and 341. The ball entrance detecting sensor 349 detects that a lottery ball
enters each of the plurality of lottery holes. Describing In detail later, under
the condition where a lottery ball enters any one of the plurality of lottery holes
340 and 341 on the lottery boards 338 and 339, identification information
corresponding to the lottery hole which the lottery ball enters is selected, and a
game result is determined on the basis of the identification information thus
selected. That Is, under the condition where a lottery ball enters any one of the
plurality of lottery holes 340 and 341, the game result is determined on the
basis of the Identification information associated with any one of the plurality of
lottery holes 340 and 341 which the lottery ball enters. In this embodiment, one
ball entrance detecting sensor 349 is equipped to each of the plurality of
lottery holes 340 and 341, however, a plurality of ball entrance detecting
sensors may be equipped to each of the plurality of lottery holes in order to
immediately detect the entrance of the lottery ball. Furthermore, in order to
reduce the working load and the cost in the manufacturing process, the ball
entrance detecting sensor is not necessarily required to be equipped for every
lottery hole. That is, the entrance of lottery balls to a plurality of lottery balls
may be detected by using one the prize-winning detection sensor. For
example, two prize-winning detecting sensors for detecting prize-winning
entrance of lottery balls in lottery holes through one revolution of the lottery
board are used, and it is detected by the detecting sensors whether the lottery
balls enter the prize-winning lottery holes every time the lottery board makes a
half revolution.
-
A withdrawing unit 345 having a first withdrawing passage 344 and a
second withdrawing passage 350 is provided below the two lottery boards 338
and 339 of the lottery machine 312 as described above. The withdrawing unit
345 receives lottery balls entering a plurality of lottery holes 340 and 341 in
the first withdrawing passage 344 by controlling the shutter 347 to the open
state. Furthermore, the withdrawing unit 345 is equipped with slant portions
353A and 353B for making the lottery balls received in the first withdrawing
passage 344 drop downward. Still furthermore a second withdrawing passage
350 extending in the horizontal direction is formed below the slant portions
353A and 353B. Accordingly, the lottery balls entering the plurality of lottery
holes 340 and 341 are guided through the first withdrawing passage 344 to the
second withdrawing passage 350, and held therein. That is, the first
withdrawing passage 344 and the second withdrawing passage 350 are
equipped to the cabinet 313, and allow the lottery balls discharged from the a
plurality of lottery holes 340 and 341 to pass therethrough.
-
An open/close gate 352 is equipped to the second withdrawing passage
350. The open/close gate 352 is controlled to be freely opened/closed.
Therefore, when the open/close gate 352 is set in an open state, lottery balls
are allowed to pass between the second withdrawing passage 350 and the
lower end of the spiral member 320A. On the other hand, when the open/close
gate 352 is set in a close state, the lottery balls are prohibited from passing
between the second withdrawing passage 350 and the lower end of the spiral
member 320A. As described above, when the lottery machine 312 is swung
so that the stern 312B side is lower than the stern 312A and the open/dose
gate 352 is controlled to the open state, the lottery balls held in the second
withdrawing passage 350 are guided to the lower end of the spiral member
320A. Furthermore, by controlling the open/close gate 352 to the close state,
the lottery balls guided to the lower end of the spiral member 320A are
prevented from returning back to the second withdrawing passage 350, and
also the lottery balls held in the second withdrawing passage 350 are prevented
from being guided to the lower end of the spiral member 320A.
-
A lottery ball passage detecting sensor 351 is disposed between the
open/close gate 352 and the lower end of the spiral member 320A. The lottery
ball passage detecting sensor 351 detects the number of lottery balls which are
guided from the second withdrawing passage 350 through the open/close gate
352 to the lower end of the spiral member 320A. Accordingly, when the lottery
machine 312 is tilted so that the stern 312B side is lower than the stern 312A
and also the open/close gate 352 is controlled to the open state so that a
predetermined number of lottery balls pass through the open/close gate 352,
the open/close gate 352 is controlled to the close state, and a predetermined
number of lottery balls are guided to the lower end of the spiral member 320A.
Furthermore, after the predetermined number of lottery balls are guided to the
lower end of the spiral member 320A, these lottery balls are prevented from
returning back to the second withdrawing passage 350.
-
The lottery machine 312 is equipped with the swinging device 346, and
it can be swung and tilted around the swinging shaft 348.
-
Furthermore, a dot LED display device 327 comprising a plurality of
LEDs or the like is disposed above the lottery ball holding unit 332. A round
number of the game is displayed on the dot LED display device 327. A START
lamp 329 is disposed at the center of the lottery machine 312. In the START
lamp 329, a built-in lamp is turned on when a lottery ball drops from the holding
hole of the rotator 328 to the lottery ball receiving portion 334, and letters
"START" are displayed to be visible to the game players. Furthermore, the
gaming machine 310 may be equipped with a plurality of illumination devices
(not shown) so that the sailboat type lottery machine 312 is lit up with various
colors and various representations are enabled in combination with the swing
operation.
[Description of Lottery Ball Receiving Portion, etc.]
-
The lottery ball receiving portion 334 and the slopes 336A and 336B will
be described. Fig. 20 is a top view showing the lottery ball receiving portion
334 and the slopes 336A and 336B.
-
As shown in Fig. 20, a recess portion 334A is formed in the lottery ball
receiving portion 334 described above. The recess portion 334A receives a
lottery ball dropping from the holding hole of the rotator 328 described above.
Two cut-out portions 334C and 334D are formed at the side surfaces 3348 of
the lottery ball receiving portion 334. Therefore, a lottery ball received in the
recess portion 334A is rolled from any one of the two cut-out portions 336C and
336D to the outside of the recess portion 334A by swinging the lottery machine
312.
-
The upper ends of the slopes 336A and 336B are disposed at the
cut-out portions 334C, 334D. As described above, the lower ends of the
slopes 336A and 336B are disposed above the lottery boards 338 and 339.
Therefore, the slope 336A and 336B accepts a lottery ball rolled from the
cut-out portion 336C and 336D to the outside of the lottery ball receiving portion
334, and guides it to either the lottery board 338 or 339. These slopes 336A
and 3368 are disposed so that the lottery ball is thrown in the same direction as
the rotational direction of the lottery board 338 and 339. In this embodiment,
the slopes 336A and 336B are linearly formed. However, they may not be
formed linearly, but may be designed In a curved-shape.
[Description of Lottery Board, etc.]
-
The lottery machine 312 and the lottery boards 338 and 339 described
above will be described with reference to Figs. 21 to 23. Fig. 21 is a top view
showing the lottery machine 312. Fig. 22 is a perspective view showing the
lottery board 338. Fig. 23 Is a top view showing the lottery board 338. In Figs.
22 and 23, the lottery board 339 is omitted from description because it has the
same construction as the lottery board 338.
-
As shown in Fig. 21, the two lottery boards 338 and 339 are disposed in
the lottery machine 312. The two lottery boards 338 and 339 can be provided
with a plurality of lottery holes 340 and 341. Therefore, as compared with a
case where only one lottery board is used, the setup space at a game place can
be effectively used with no wasteful space because many lottery holes are
provided. Accordingly, many lottery holes can be provided, and enhancement
in the enjoyment of by expanding payouts, etc., can be performed.
-
In the case of such a conventional gaming machine that a lottery ball is
extracted from a plurality of lottery balls allocated with identification information
by lottery and a game result is determined on the basis of the identification
information allocated to the lottery ball thus extracted (so-called lottery ball
extraction type), fifty-two lottery balls are needed. In this construction, it is not
easy to advance the game while making game players recognize desired lottery
balls from many lottery balls, and a process which results in that a lottery ball is
extracted is omitted. Therefore, game performance which makes the game
players feel impatient and gives a sense of anticipation to game players may be
lost, and also enjoyment of the game may be lost. On the other hand, in the
case of a roulette board type gaming machine like the present invention, fifty
two or more lottery holes are needed to implement a bingo game using a poker
game. Particularly when one lottery board is used, the size of the lottery board
is designed in a large size. Therefore, not only is the space of the game place
wasted, but also it is hard for game players to visually recognize the game
result, which may lose enjoyment of the game.
-
Therefore, by using the two lottery boards, the wasteful space for
disposing the large lottery board can be omitted. There will be described a
case where one circular lottery board is used and a case where two circular
lottery boards are used. Substantially the same number of lottery holes can be
provided by equalizing the total circumference length of the lottery board (lottery
boards) between the case where only one circular lottery board is used and the
case where two circular lottery boards are used. When the two circular lottery
boards are used, the radius of each lottery board can be reduced to a half of the
radius of the lottery board when the one circular lottery board is used.
Therefore, when the two circular lottery boards are used, the total area of the
lottery boards can be reduced. By using the plurality of lottery boards as
described above, enjoyment of the game can be prevented from being lost
without wasting the space of the game place. Furthermore, by providing a
plurality of lottery holes along a plurality of circumferences, enjoyment of the
game can be prevented from being lost without wasting the space of the game
place.
-
These lottery boards 338 and 339 are designed in a circular shape from
the upper side view. The lottery boards 338 and 339 are freely rotatably
disposed on the deck board of the cabinet 313. Furthermore, the rotational
speed of the lottery board 338 is normally set to 8 to 12 seconds per revolution,
however, it may be controlled by a main control circuit 400 described later. For
example, the rotational speed may be variably set to 5 to 12 seconds per
revolution. In this embodiment, the lottery boards 338 and 339 are trochoidally
rotated by lottery board rotating motors (see Fig. 27) 335 and 337 located at the
centers of the lottery boards 338 and 339. However, the driving force for
rotation may be transmitted from the outer periphery, the bottom surface or
other places. The face portions 338A and 339A for allowing lottery balls to roll
are formed in the lottery boards 338 and 339. The lottery boards 338 and 339
are rotated in substantially the same directions (see arrows B1, B2) as the
directions (see arrows A1, A2) in which lottery balls are thrown in from the
slopes 336A and 336B. Specifically, the lottery board 338 is rotated clockwise,
and the lottery ball on the slope 336A is thrown in the clockwise direction.
Therefore, when the lottery ball is rolled on the lottery board 338 and 339, the
speed thereof is not reduced remarkably. Accordingly, the probability that a
lottery ball enters any one of the lottery holes 340 and 341 in an extremely short
time is low. The lottery can be performed while the speed of the lottery ball
thrown in from the slope 336A and 336B is prevented from being varied due to
rotation of the lottery board 338 and 339. This is because there can be
provided a non-uniform game in which by throwing in a lottery ball at a
predetermined speed when the plurality of lottery holes 340 and 341 provided to
the lottery boards 338 and 339 are not rotated, that is, the plurality of lottery
holes 340 and 341 are not displaced, it is easy or difficult for the lottery ball to
enter any one of the plurality of lottery holes 338 and 339.
-
Furthermore, a link table 390 is provided between the lottery boards 338
and 339. The link table 390 has a face horizontal to the face portions 338A
and 339A of the lottery boards 338 and 339. Therefore, the lottery ball can be
rolled between the lottery boards 338 and 339. Furthermore, according to the
tilt (swing) motion of the cabinet 313, the lottery ball is rolled over the plurality of
lottery boards 338 and 339. The rolling speed of the lottery ball is not
remarkably reduced.
-
Guide portions 392 and 394 are provided between the lottery boards
338 and 339. These guide portions 392 and 394 are located along the outer
peripheries of the lottery boards 338 and 339 so as to sandwich the link table
390 therebetween. These guide portions 392 and 394 are designed in a
convex-shape with respect to the face portions 338A and 339A of the lottery
boards 338 and 339. Therefore, the rolling of the lottery ball is guided by the
guide portions 392 and 394 while the lottery ball collides with the guide portions
392 and 394.
-
Furthermore, bank portions 396 and 398 are provided on the outer
sides of the lottery boards 338 and 339. The bank portions 396 and 398 are
provided along the outer peripheries of the lottery boards 338 and 339. These
bank portions 396 and 398 are designed in a convex-shape with respect to the
face portions 338A and 339AA of the lottery boards 338 and 339. That is, the
bank portions 396 and 398 which are located at a higher position than the upper
surfaces of the face portions 338A and 339A are disposed along the outer
peripheries of the face portions 338A and 339A. Therefore, even when a
lottery ball thrown from the slope 336A and 336B to the lottery board 338 and
339 is rolled to the outside of the lottery board 338 and 339, the lottery ball runs
upon the bank portion 396 and 398 and then rolls onto the lottery board 338 and
339 again. The traveling way of the lottery ball running upon the lottery board
338 and 339 is varied according to the speed and direction of the lottery ball
when it runs upon the lottery board 338 and 339, and this supplies the game
players with an unpredictable game, thereby enhancing enjoyment of the game.
Of course, the lottery ball is forced to roll to the lottery board 338 and 339, and
thus the speed of the lottery ball traveling to the lottery board 338 and 339 is not
remarkably reduced. Furthermore, when the lottery ball running upon the bank
portion 396 and 398 rolls onto the lottery board 338 and 339, the speed thereof
is not remarkably reduced. Therefore, when the lottery ball running upon the
bank portion 396 and 398 rolls onto the lottery board 338 and 339, the speed
thereof is not remarkably reduced. Accordingly, the probability that the lottery
ball enters any one of the lottery holes 340 and 341 in an extremely short time
is low, and the lottery ball enters any one of the lottery holes 340 and 341 in a
time frame from about 10 seconds to 30 seconds.
-
As indicated by arrows B1 and B2, the lottery boards 338 and 339 are
rotated in the opposite directions. Therefore, the lottery ball thrown to the
lottery board 338 may roll from the lottery board 338 through the link table 390
to the lottery board 339. Conversely, the lottery ball thrown to the lottery board
339 may roll from the lottery board 339 through the link table 390 to the lottery
board 338. Accordingly, since the swinging device 346 is equipped to the
lottery machine 312, there can be provided a novel game In which the cabinet
313 of the lottery machine 312 is swung and the lottery ball rolls on the lottery
boards 338 and 339 so that its rolling orbit between the lottery boards 338 and
339 forms a figure 8 and which is unpredictable to game players. Therefore,
enjoyment of the game can be enhanced. The lottery boards 338 and 339, the
link table 390, the guide portions 392 and 394 and the bank portions 396 and
398 are surrounded by a fence formed of a transparent resin material, whereby
the lottery balls are prevented from rolling to the outside of the fence.
-
Twenty-six lottery holes 340 and 341 are equipped to each of the lottery
boards 338 and 339. identification information comprising first symbols of
spades and hearts is allocated to the plurality of lottery holes 340 provided to
the lottery board 338 as shown in Fig. 22. Specifically, A, 2 to 10, J, Q, K of
spades and A, 2 to 10, J, Q, K of hearts are allocated to the plurality of lottery
holes 340 provided to the lottery board 338. Furthermore, identification
information comprising first symbols of clubs and diamonds is allocated to the
plurality of lottery holes 341 provided to the lottery board 339. Specifically, A,
2 to 10, J, Q, K of clubs and A, 2 to 10, J, Q, K of diamonds are allocated to the
plurality of lottery holes 341 provided to the lottery board 339. That is, some of
the plurality of symbols are set of the same type, and thus a game player is
allowed to easily identify his/her desired identification information by watching a
lottery-ball rolling place, so that the game player is made to feel further
impatient and experiences an enhanced sense of anticipation, thereby
enhancing enjoyment of the game. For example, when a lottery ball rolls on
the lottery board 338, the game player can easily recognize that the first
symbols are clubs and diamonds. That is, identification information in which
some of the first symbols are the same type of symbols is allocated to the
plurality of lottery holes 340 and 341 of the two load boards 338 and 339.
Accordingly, by visually recognizing the lottery board 338 and 339 on which the
lottery ball rolls, the game player can easily recognize his/her identification
information, so that the game player is made to feel further impatient and
experienced an enhanced sense of anticipation, thereby enhancing enjoyment
of the game.
-
The plurality of lottery holes 340 are provided along the circumferences
C1 and C2 around the center point C0 of the rotation on the lottery board 338
as shown in Fig. 23. The circumference C2 Is located inside of the
circumference C1. Specifically, sixteen lottery holes are provided along the
circumference C1, and ten lottery holes are provided along the circumference
C2. That is, the plurality of lottery holes 340 and 341 are formed along the
plurality of kinds of circumferences around the rotational center on the face
portions 338A and 339A. As described above, the A, 2 to 10, J, Q, K of
spades and A, 2 to 10, J, Q, K of hearts are allocated to the twenty six lottery
holes 340. Specifically, A, 2 to 8 of spades and A, 2 to 8 of hearts are allocated
to the sixteen lottery holes provided along the circumference C1, and 9, 10, J, Q,
K of spades and 9, 10, J, Q, K of hearts are allocated to the ten lottery holes
provided along the circumference C2.
-
Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 22, a plurality of projecting portions 342
each having a convex shape with respect to the face portion 338A of the lottery
board 338 are provided on the lottery board 338. These plurality of projecting
portions 342 are provided along a circumference C3 around the center point C0
of the rotation as shown in Fig. 23. The circumference C3 is located at the
inside of the innermost circumference C2 of the circumferences C1 and C2 on
which the plurality of lottery holes are provided. That Is, the plurality of
projecting portions 342 are provided along the circumference C3 at the inside of
the innermost circumference C2 of the plurality of kinds of the circumferences
C1 and C2 so as to be adjacent to the plurality of lottery holes formed on the
innermost circumference C2. Accordingly, for example, a lottery ball collides
with some projecting portion to weaken its rolling power and vary its rolling
direction, so that the lottery ball can equally enter any one of the lottery holes
formed along the inner circumference C2 and the lottery holes formed along the
outer circumference C1. Therefore, the lottery can be performed so that a
lottery ball can equally enter any one of many lottery holes.
-
Furthermore, it Is preferable that each of the convex-shaped projecting
portions 342A may be provided in an area surrounded by the circumference C3
and the tangent rows of adjacent two lottery holes 340A and 340B located along
the Inner circumference C2. For example, a lottery ball passing between the
lottery holes 340A and 340B impinges a projecting portion 342A to weaken the
rolling power thereof and vary the rolling direction thereof, so that the lottery ball
enters any one of the lottery holes 340A, 340B with higher probability.
Furthermore, the lottery ball equally enters any one of the lottery holes formed
along the outer circumference C1 and the lottery holes formed along the Inner
circumference C2 of the plurality of kinds of circumferences C1 and C2, and
thus the lottery can be performed so that a lottery ball can equally enter many
lottery holes. Furthermore, the identification information may be controlled by
the main control circuit 400 described later and also changed by the manager of
the game place or the like. Of course, marks indicating the identification
information corresponding to the plurality of lottery holes 340 and 341 formed
on the face portions 338A and 339A are indicated in the vicinity of the plurality
of lottery holes 340 and 341. The marks indicating the identification
information may be changed by replacing the lottery boards 338 and 339.
[Description of Withdrawing Unit]
-
The withdrawing unit 345 of the lottery machine 312 will be described
with reference to Figs. 24A to 24G. Figs. 24A to 24G are
longitudinally-sectional views showing a second withdrawing passage 350.
-
After a game is finished, the shutter 347 is set in the open state as
described above, so that lottery balls drop from a plurality of lottery holes 340
and 341. After a predetermined period of time elapses, these lottery balls are
passed through the first withdrawing passage 344 and held in the second
withdrawing passage 350 as shown in Fig. 7(A). As shown in Fig. 7(A), the
cabinet 313 is tilted by the swinging device 346 under the state where the
lottery balls 302 are held in the second withdrawing passage 350 of the
withdrawing portion 345 described above. In this case, the open/close gate
352 provided to the second withdrawing passage 350 is set in the close state as
shown in Fig. 7(B), and thus the lottery balls 302 are held in the second
withdrawing passage 350 so as to be located at the open/close gate 352 side.
Then, by controlling the open/close gate 352 to the open state as shown in Fig.
7(C), the lottery balls 302 located in the second withdrawing passage 350 roll to
the lower side of the spiral member 320A. That is, the cabinet 313 is titled and
the lottery balls 302 located in the second withdrawing passage 350 are guided
to the screw conveyor 320. When the lottery balls 302 roll to the lower side of
the spiral member 320A as described above, the number of the lottery balls 302
rolling to the lower side of the spiral member 320A is detected by the lottery ball
passage detecting sensor 351. That is, the lottery ball passage detecting
sensor 351 detects the number of the lottery balls 302 guided from the second
withdrawing passage 350 to the screw conveyor 320. In other words, the
lottery ball passage detecting sensor 351 detects the number of the lottery balls
302 passing through the open/close gate 352. When the number of the lottery
balls 302 detected by the lottery ball passage detecting sensor 351 reaches a
predetermined number, the open/close gate 352 is controlled to be the close
state as shown in Fig. 7(D). Accordingly, as shown in Fig. 7(E), the
predetermined number of lottery balls roll to the lower side of the spiral member
320A, and then are upward fed by the screw conveyor 320. That is, these
lottery balls are set in a throw-in possible state. Under this state, the cabinet
313 is controlled so that the tilted state thereof is returned to the horizontal state
as shown in Fig. 7(F), that is, the tilt motion thereof is controlled to stop. That
is, the swinging device 346 has a function of stopping the tilting motion of the
cabinet 313. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 7(F), the lottery balls 302 rolling to
the lower side of the spiral member 320A are prevented from returning back.
Of course, even when the cabinet is tilted in the opposite direction as shown in
Fig. 7(G), the lottery balls rolling to the lower side of the spiral member 320A
are prevented from returning back.
-
Accordingly, since the cabinet 313 (see Fig. 18) can be titled and the
lottery balls located in the second withdrawing passage 350 can be guided to
the lower side of the spiral member 320A, the lottery balls can be withdrawn by
merely tilting the cabinet 313, and thus the gaming machine can be
manufactured simply and at a low cost. Particularly with a large-size gaming
machine such as a bingo game or the like, it is required to save the space even
if only slightly, and the space can be further saved according to the present
invention. Furthermore, it is not required to provide the lottery ball discharging
means to each of the plurality of lottery holes, and thus the gaming machine can
be manufactured more simply and at a lower cost.
[Description of Gaming Terminal]
-
The gaming terminal 314A of the gaming machine 310 will be described
with reference to Fig. 25. Fig. 25 is a perspective view showing the gaming
terminal 314A. The description of the gaming terminals 314B to 314J is
omitted because they have the same construction.
-
The gaming terminal 314A mainly comprises the display device 370A,
the touch sensor 372A, the two dials 378A and 377A, the medal insert port
378A and the main control circuit 500A (see Fig. 28).
-
The display device 370A is provided at the upper portion of the gaming
terminal 314A. On the display device 370A are displayed a matrix card image
for a bingo game allocated to each game player, other information or an image
of an optional game, etc. That is, the display device 370 comprises a plurality
of cells of a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, and it displays a matrix
on which identification information is allocated to each of the plurality of cells.
As described later, under the condition where identification information selected
by the main control circuit 400 or the like is coincident with any one identification
information allocated to each of the plurality of cells, the main control circuit
500A or the like controls to activate the cell corresponding to the identification
information, and also controls to give a payout under the condition where the
activation control result corresponds to a predetermined style. With this
construction, the game advances under the state where various kinds of
information displayed on the display device 370A are visually recognized,
-
Furthermore, a camera (not shown) for picking up an overall image of
the lottery boards 338 and 339 is provided to display the pickup image on the
display device 370A. Therefore, when any one of the lottery boards 338 and
339 is hardly viewed, the camera enables game players to visually recognize
the lottery boards 338 and 339.
-
Furthermore, the display device 370A is equipped with a touch panel
mainly comprising the touch sensor 372A. Accordingly, a game atmosphere
under which various kinds of data can be input or instructed by touching the
display device 370A can be provided to game players.
-
In this embodiment, various kinds of inputs can be carried out by the
touch sensor 372A. However, other operating styles may be used. For
example, a plurality of operating buttons may be provided to carry out various
input operations.
-
A seat portion 374A is provided to the game player side of the display
device 370A. Two dials 376A and 377A are provided on the upper surface of
the seat portion 374A so as to be stacked in the vertical direction. The use of
the dials 376A and 377A provides game players with such a game atmosphere
that operations which are difficult to be carried out only by pressing normal
operating buttons or touching a touch panel can be performed
-
For example, in this embodiment, in a matrix Image for a bingo game
displayed on the display device 370A, identification information allocated to
bingo cells on the outer periphery of the matrix image can be shifted to adjacent
bingo cells along the outer periphery. Accordingly, when the second
identification information is desired to be continuously shifted, the press
operation of the normal operating buttons or the touch operation of the touch
panel must be repeated many times, and thus this is cumbersome. Therefore,
by using an input device such as the dials 376A and 377A, the continuous
operation can be performed by one motion. Therefore, games having high
operability can be supplied to game players. Furthermore, the operation of the
gaming terminal can be very simply carried out to make an analog motion such
as movement of a scroll or movement of a pointer on the screen, and thus
games having high operability can be supplied to game players.
-
Furthermore, the medal insert port 378A for inserting medals is
provided at the right side of the dials 376A and 377A. A medal sensor 380A
(see Fig. 28) is provided in the medal insert port 378A. The medal sensor
380A detects that a medal is inserted into the medal insert port 378A. As
described above, when a medal is inserted into the medal insert port 378A by a
game player, the insertion of the medal is detected by the medal sensor 380A.
-
The main control circuit 500A is disposed in the seat potion 374A to
control various devices.
[System Construction of Gaming machine]
-
The construction of the system of the gaming machine 310 will be
described with reference to Fig. 26.
-
As shown in Fig. 26, the gaming machine 310 mainly comprises a
lottery machine control device 360 for controlling the lottery machine 312 and
the gaming terminals 314A to 314J.
-
The lottery machine control device 360 is connected to the ten gaming
terminals 314A to 314J so as to make communications with these gaming
terminals. The lottery machine control device 360 can control the gaming
terminals 314A to 314J by transmitting/receiving various kinds of data and
signals to/from the gaming terminals 314A to 314J.
[Electrical Construction of Lottery Machine]
-
The electrical construction of the lottery machine 312 of the gaming
machine 310 will be described with reference to Fig. 27.
-
As shown in Fig. 27, the ball entrance detecting sensor 349 is
connected to an interface circuit group 402 of the main control circuit 400.
When a lottery ball enters any one of the plurality of lottery holes 340 and 341, a
predetermined signal is supplied from the ball entrance detecting sensor 349
through the interface circuit group 402 to an input/output bus 404. The
input/output bus 404 inputs/outputs a data signal or address signal to a central
processing circuit (hereinafter referred to as CPU) 406.
-
The lottery ball passage detecting 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, a predetermined signal is supplied
from the lottery ball passage detecting sensor 351 through the interface circuit
group 402 to the input/output bus 404.
-
Furthermore, communication control circuits 414A to 414J are
connected to the interface circuit group 402. The communication control
circuits 414A to 414J are used to connect the lottery machine control device
360 to the gaming terminals 314A to 314J so that the communications can be
performed therebetween.
-
ROM (read only memory) 408 and RAM (random access memory) 410
are also connected to the input/output bus 404 described above. ROM 408
records a control program for controlling the processing associated with the
games in the lottery machine control device 306. Furthermore, ROM 408
stores initial data, various kinds of programs, etc., for executing the control
program. RAM 410 stores flags and values of variables used in the above
program.
-
Furthermore, an interface circuit group 412 is connected to the
input/output bus 404. The lottery ball raising motor 320C, the rotating motor
326, the lottery board rotating motors 335 and 337, the shutter 347, the
swinging device 346 and the open/close gates 352 are connected to the
interface circuit group 412, whereby the various devices are controlled by CPU
406 to drive the lottery machine 312 described above.
[Electrical Construction of Gaming terminal]
-
The electrical construction of the gaming terminal 314A of the gaming
machine 310 will be described with reference to Fig. 28. Description of the
gaming terminals 314B to 314J is omitted,
-
As shown in Fig. 28, the medal sensor 380A is connected to the
interface circuit group 502A of the main control circuit 500A. When it is
detected by the medal sensor 380A that a medal is inserted from the medal
insert port 378A, a predetermined signal is supplied to the input/output bus
504A through the interface circuit group 502A. The input/output bus 504A
inputs/outputs a data signal or address signal to the central processing circuit
(hereinafter referred to as CPU) 506A,
-
Furthermore, the touch sensor 372A is connected to the interface circuit
group 502A of the main control circuit 500A. When the touch sensor 372A
detects that the display position of an instruction content displayed on the
display device 370A is touched by a game player, the touch sensor 372A
supplies the signal corresponding to the instruction content to the interface
circuit group 502A.
-
Furthermore, the dials 376A and 377B are connected to the Interface
circuit group 502A described above. When the dials 376A and 377A are
rotated by the game player, they supply the signals corresponding to the
rotational angles thereof to the interface circuit set 502A.
-
Furthermore, a communication control circuit 514A is connected to the
interface circuit group 502A. The communication control circuit 514A connects
the lottery machine control device 360 and the gaming terminal 314A so that the
communications can be performed therebetween.
-
ROM (read only memory) 508A and RAM (random access memory)
510A are connected to the input/output bus 504A. ROM 508A records a
control program for controlling the processing associated with the game in the
gaming terminal 314A. ROM 508A stores initial data for executing the control
program, the program for controlling the display of the display device 370A, etc.
RAM 510 records flags and values of variables used in the above program.
-
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
driving signals and driving power for controlling the respective devices
described above according to the operation processing result in CPU 506A.
-
Furthermore, a display control device 600A is connected to the Interface
circuit group 512A. The display control device 600A supplies an image signal
for displaying an image to the display device 370A on the basis of an image
display command supplied from the main control circuit 500A.
[Standby Frame of Gaming Terminal]
-
A standby screen is displayed on the display device 370A of the gaming
terminal 314A.
-
Figs. 28 to 31 and Figs. 32A to 32D show an embodiment in which the
present invention is applied to a bingo game using a bingo card having 5 x 5
bingo cells. According to a mainstream conventional bingo game, a
predetermined number of numerals are selected from twenty-five numerals with
a probability of 1/25 for each numeral by lottery, and when a selected numeral
exists on a bingo card, the bingo cell corresponding to the numeral is activated.
In this case, if five activated bingo cells are aligned with one another in the
vertical, horizontal, and diagonal direction, a bingo winning combination is
established. In this embodiment, in place of the numerals as the identification
information used in the conventional bingo game, figures of trump cards (one or
two Jokers may be contained or no joker may be contained. Furthermore, a
free spot acquired by activating a specific bingo cell irrespective of the lottery of
the identification information may be set to a joker) may be used as
identification information. In this case, a lottery is carried out with a probability of
1/52 for each figure (or a probability of 1/53 or 1/54), and in place of the bingo
winning combinations, poker winning combinations (for example, one pair,
two-pair, three-card, straight, flush, full house, four-card, straight flush, royal
flush, five-card, etc.,) may be established. Payouts corresponding to the bingo
winning combinations or the poker winning combinations are given to game
players. Furthermore, a poker winning combination and a bingo winning
combination may be simultaneously established on the specific same line of a
bingo card. In this case, both the payout corresponding to a poker winning
combination and the payout corresponding to a bingo combination are given to
the game player. However, the bingo cell activating probability is lower than
that of the conventional bingo game, and the probability that a bingo winning
combination is established is reduced. Therefore, it is assumed that if five
activated bingo cells are aligned on a line in the vertical, horizontal, and
diagonal direction of the conventional card, a bingo winning combination is
established. However, the number of bingo cells to be aligned in the present
invention is not limited to five, and if three or four activated bingo cells are
aligned on a line, a bingo winning combination is regarded as being established.
-
Furthermore, in this embodiment, it is assumed that acceptance of all
the operations of the gaming terminal 314 except for the operation of the dials
376A and 377A (see Fig. 25) is based on the touch panel system. That is, the
touch sensor 372A (see Fig. 28) is provided on the surface of the display device
370A, and a game player touches a predetermined touch portion of the display
device 370A to carry out his/her desired operation of the gaming terminal.
However, the present invention is not limited to the touch panel system, and an
operation accepting system other than the touch panel system may be used.
For example, a prescribed switch group may be provided to accept the game
player's operation.
-
Fig. 29 shows an example in which a screen for accepting a game entry
is displayed on the display device 370A of the gaming terminal 314. On the
screen, the operations of the touch portion 480 and touch portion 481 for
accepting an entry operation of the game and the dials 376A and 377A (see Fig.
25) are activated. The operations of the dial 378A and the dial 377A (see Fig.
25) are invalidated. Furthermore, insertion of a medal into the medal insert
port 378a (see Fig. 25) is also Invalidated, and the inserted medal Is paid back
from the pay-out port 382A to the game player. The bingo cells having the
figures of trump cards arranged in a matrix form on a bingo card displayed on
the display device 370A are also displayed with relatively dimly or being
hatched, whereby it is shown that these cells are not selected by lottery and
thus have not yet been activated. The activation of a bingo cell means the
following processing. When there exists a bingo cell having the same figure as
the figure of a trump card selected by lottery in the lottery machine 312, the
bingo cell is displayed while being distinguishable from the other bingo cells.
Through the activation processing of the bingo cell, for example, the bingo cell
is displayed relatively brightly, or displayed while the hatching thereof is
released. The bingo cells of the bingo card on the standby screen of the
gaming terminal 314 are not activated by the lottery of the identification
Information in the lottery machine 312. Furthermore, the values of line odds
and poker odds displayed on the display device 370A are not varied by
operation of the game player.
-
The arrangement of the figures of trump cards displayed on a bingo
card having 5 x 5 bingo cells displayed on the standby screen of the gaming
terminals 314 is different from the arrangement of a bingo card used in a game
play after a game entry. This display is used for the purpose of a
demonstration display, and the arrangement of figures of trump cards displayed
on a bingo card is newly determined after the game entry.
-
An entry to the game is accepted by a game player's touching the touch
portion 480 or 481. When the game entry is accepted by the gaming terminal
314, the display of the screen of Fig. 30 is varied.
[Screen of Gaming Terminal after Game Entry]
-
The screen after the game entry which is displayed on the display
device 370A of the gaming terminal 314 will be described with reference to Fig.
30.
-
Fig. 30 shows the screen on which a bingo card comprising 5 x 5 bingo
cells having figures of trump cards is determined and displayed. At this time,
figures of trump cards are arranged so as to beforehand contain a
predetermined poker winning combination (for example, a poker winning
combination established by five trump cards, that is, a straight, flush, full house,
straight flush, royal flush). By preparing a winning combination providing a
high payout to a bingo card in advance as described above, the game player's
sense of anticipation can be enhanced. The figures of the trump cards are
randomly arranged on the bingo cells other than the cells of the predetermined
poker winning combination described above. The display of the touch portions
480 and 481 is deleted, and a display of an all REACH state display portion 483
described later appears. Under this screen state, operations such as a BET
operation based on a game player's medal insertion, the operation of the dials
376A and 377A (see Fig. 25), etc., are activated for a fixed time (for example, a
predetermined period of time such as 45 seconds for the like). For example,
according to the BET operation based on the medal insertion by the game
player, the level of line odds displayed on a line odds table 482 is increased by
betting a prescribed number of medals and a portion surrounded by an ellipse is
upward shifted in Fig. 30, and the numeric values on the display of the odds
level of the line odds of Fig. 30 is Increased (in Fig. 30, the portion surrounded
by the ellipse is located at the second line from the bottom of the line odds table
482, and the odds level is set to 2). Furthermore, by betting a prescribed
number of medals, the numerical values of the poker odds displayed on the
poker odds table 484 are increased, and the numerical values on the display of
the poker odds level of Fig. 30 is increased (in Fig. 30, the values of the odds to
the respective poker winning combinations are set as shown in Fig. 30, and the
odds level of the poker odds is set to 3). Here, the odds level means an index
for classifying the numerical values of the odds into predetermined number of
hierarchies according to the numerical level and indicating to which one of the
hierarchies the numerical value belongs. For example, as the numerical value
of the odds level is higher, the numerical value of the odds may be regarded as
being higher, or as the numerical value of the odds level is higher, the numerical
value of the odds may be regarded as being lower.
-
In the display device 370A of the gaming terminal after the game entry,
all the bingo cells of the bingo card are displayed relatively dimly or displayed
with being hatched, whereby it is shown that the bingo cells have not been
selected by lottery and thus not activated.
-
If the operation of the BET operation based on the medal insertion by
the game player or the operation of the dials 376A and 377A (see Fig. 25) is
valid, the game player is allowed to rotate the bingo cells located on the Inner
peripheral portion 490 of the bingo card hatched with diagonal rows extending
in the upper-right direction in Fig. 30 by manipulating the dials 376A, and also
the game player is allowed to rotate the bingo cells located on the outer
peripheral portion 491 of the bingo card hatched with diagonal rows extending
in the lower-right direction in Fig. 30 by manipulating the dial 377A.
Specifically, when the game player rotates the dial 376A counterclockwise by a
predetermined amount, the bingo cells on the inner peripheral portion 490 of the
bingo card are counterclockwise rotated around the center of the bingo card by
only the predetermined amount in connection with the rotation of the dial 376A.
For example, when the dial 376A Is counterclockwise rotated by the amount
corresponding to a shift of one bingo cell, for example, a queen of hearts
located at the upper left corner of the inner peripheral portion 490 of the bingo
card of Fig. 30 is shifted to the position at which the jack of hearts is located,
and the jack of hearts is shifted to the position at which 3 of clubs is located.
As described above, the bingo cells are counterclockwise shifted one by one.
The rotational shift of the bingo cells on the outer peripheral portion 491 of the
bingo card by the manipulation of the dial 377A is carried out in the same
manner as described above. As described above, the game player can shift
the bingo cells so that the bingo cells are arbitrarily rotated around the center of
the bingo card. This operation can be performed insofar as the operation is
accepted by the gaming terminal 314. By allowing such an operation, the
game player is required not only to shift bingo cells so that the bingo cells are
arranged with a higher probability of establishing a bingo winning combination,
but also to consider a poker winning combination, so that strategy is needed.
The strategy indicates that it is required to shift the bingo cells while aiming to
achieve a winning combination of two pairs which is low In payout, but high in
establishing probability or a winning combination of a royal flush which is high in
payout, but low in establishing probability.
[Screen of Gaming Terminal during Game Play]
-
A display example of the display device 370 of the gaming terminal 314
during game will be described with reference to Fig. 31.
-
When the figure of a trump card Is selected by lottery, the lottery result
is transmitted to the gaming terminal 314, and the gaming terminal 314
receiving the lottery result determines whether the same figure as the figure of
the trump card transmitted as the lottery result exists on the bingo card
displayed on the display device 370A of the gaming terminal 314. If this
determination indicates that the same figure exists on the bingo card displayed
on the display device 370A of the gaming terminal 314, the bingo cell of the
bingo card on which the figure of the trump card Is disposed is displayed
relatively brightly or displayed while the hatching display thereof is released,
whereby it is shown that the bingo cell is a activated bingo cell.
-
In Fig. 31, for example, seven bingo cells on which a 10 of diamonds,
the jack of hearts, etc., are arranged are displayed relatively brightly or
displayed while the hatching display thereof is released, whereby it is shown
that these bingo cells are activated bingo cells. During the period when the
lottery of the lottery machine 312 is carried out for a predetermined number of
times, bingo cells activated by the lottery are displayed relatively brightly or
displayed while the hatching display thereof is released, whereby it is continued
to be shown that these bingo cells are activated bingo cells.
[Display of Reach State]
-
In the display device 370A of the gaming terminal during game shown in
Fig. 31, it is determined which bingo cell should be activated next to establish a
bingo winning combination or poker winning combination, and on the basis of
this determination, the bingo cell to be activated next is displayed so that the
game player can identify the bingo cell. The display of the bingo cell to be
activated next can be carried out by any one of the following two methods.
One method is a method of Individually displaying each bingo cell which would
establish a bingo winning combination or poker winning combination if the bingo
cell is activated next (hereinafter referred to as "REACH state individual
display"), and the other method is a method of collectively displaying bingo cells
each of which should be activated next to establish a bingo winning combination
or poker winning combination (hereinafter referred to as "all REACH state
display"). The REACH state indicates a state where If a specific bingo cell is
activated next, a bingo winning combination or poker winning combination
would be established.
-
In the REACH state individual display and the all REACH state display,
a REACH state after bingo cells are shifted can be displayed in connection with
the shift of the bingo cells, that is, every time the bingo cells are shifted.
-
According to the REACH state Individual display, for example, when a
bingo cell on which the king of hearts is disposed is activated in Fig. 31, a
three-card hand serving as a winning combination is established, and three
bingo cells as a bingo winning combination are aligned. Therefore, this state is
informed to the game player by flashing the bingo cell on which the king of
hearts is disposed. Furthermore, as described later, when there exist a
plurality of bingo cells each of which would establish a poker winning
combination and/or a bingo winning combination if it is activated, the flashing
display of the bingo cells is carried out while successively switching the bingo
cells to one another. Therefore, the game player can identify which bingo cell
should be activated to establish a poker winning combination and/or a bingo
winning combination.
-
According to the all REACH state display, when bingo cells on which
the king of hearts, the ace of spades, the king of spades and the Jack of clubs
are arranged are activated in Fig. 31, a poker winning combination and/or a
bingo winning combination is established. Therefore, these bingo cells are
displayed at the all-REACH state display portion 483 in a lump to inform this
state to the game player. In Fig. 31, a flash display 485 indicates where bingo
cells which would establish poker winning combinations and/or bingo winning
combinations when they are activated are located on the overall bingo card.
The flashing display 485 indicates only the positions of the bingo cells
establishing the poker winning combinations and/or the bingo winning
combinations in the bingo card when they are activated, and it does not
represent the trump figures arranged on the bingo cells. However, the present
invention is not limited to this, and the figures of trump figures may be
represented.
-
Since the trump figures are used as identification information in the
bingo game (particularly the numerals of the trump cards are used as first
identification information, and the suits of the trump cards are used as second
identification information), both the bingo winning combination and the poker
winning combination can be established, the number of REACH-state patterns
is increased, and thus it is difficult to identify each REACH-state pattern.
Furthermore, since the bingo cells can be moved, the REACH-state is variously
changed according to the movement of the cells. Therefore, it is difficult for
game players to quickly identify which REACH state occurs. However, by using
the two REACH-state display methods as described above, the game players
can easily and accurately grasp which bingo cell should be activated to expect
establishment of a poker winning combination and/or a bingo winning
combination in the bingo game. Therefore, the game players sense of
anticipation is aroused and this enables to play games without anxiety while
maintaining their enjoyment to the games.
[Transition of Screen of Reach-state Individual Display of Gaming Terminal]
-
The transmission of the screen of the REACH-state individual display
which is displayed on the display device 370A of the gaming terminal 314 will
be described with reference to Figs. 32A to 32D.
-
As described with respect to the REACH-state individual display, when
the bingo cells on which the king of hearts, the ace of spades, the king of
spades and the jack of clubs are arranged are activated, a poker winning
combination and/or a bingo winning combination is established in Fig. 31. Figs.
32A to 32D show the same situation as Fig. 31, and the aspect that the bingo
cells on which the king of hearts, the ace of spades, the king of spades and the
jack of clubs are arranged are individually flashed is shown in the order of
events with respect to Figs. 32A to 32D.
-
In Fig. 32A, if the king of hearts is activated, a three-card hand serving
as a poker winning combination is established and three activated bingo cells
are aligned as a bingo winning combination. Therefore, the bingo cell on
which the king of hearts is disposed is displayed while flashed like the flashing
display 486. When the flashing display is carried out for a predetermined period
of time, the display state is shifted to the next state of Fig. 32B.
-
In Fig. 32B, when the ace of spades is activated, a straight as a poker
winning combination is established, and five activated bingo cells are aligned as
a bingo winning combination. Therefore, the bingo cell on which the ace of
spades is displayed while flashed like the flashing display 487. When this
flashing display Is carried out for a predetermined period of time, the state is
shifted to the next state of Fig. 32C.
-
In Fig. 32C, when the king of spades is activated, a three-card hand as
a poker winning combination is established, and three activated bingo cells as a
bingo winning combination are aligned. Therefore, the bingo cell on which the
king of spades is disposed is displayed while flashed like the flashing display
488. When this flashing display is carried out for a predetermined period of
time, the state is shifted to the next state of Fig. 32D.
-
In Fig. 32D, when the jack of clubs is activated, a four-card hand
serving as a poker winning combination is established, and four activated bingo
cells a bingo winning combination are aligned. Therefore, the bingo cell on
which the jack of clubs is disposed Is displayed while flashed like the flashing
display 489. When this flashing display is carried out for a predetermined
period of time, the state is shifted to the state of Fig. 32A again.
-
As described above, each of the flashing display 486 of Fig. 32A, the
flashing display 487 of Fig. 32B, the flashing display 488 of Fig. 32C and the
flashing display of Fig. 32D is successively and repetitively carried out for a
predetermined period of time in this order as if the transition of the flashing
display is carried out. Accordingly, it can be easily and accurately grasped
which bingo cell should be activated to expect establishment of a poker winning
combination and/or a bingo winning combination, and thus a game player's
sense of anticipation is aroused and carry out a game without anxiety.
-
The repetitive flashing display of successively carrying out each of the
flashing display 486 of Fig. 32A, the flashing display 487 of Fig. 328, the
flashing display 488 of Fig. 32C and the flashing display 489 of Fig. 32D for the
predetermined period of time so that the flashing display is transient may be
carried out on the basis of the strength order of the bingo or poker winning
combinations (for example, a winning combination providing a higher payout
may be set as a stronger winning combination).
[Screen of Double Up Game 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. 33.
-
The double up game is a game In which when a game player Is
supplied with some payout, he/she bets the payout in the bingo game of the
gaming machine 310. The figure of a dealer's trump card selected under the
control of the gaming terminal 314 is compared with the figure of a trump card
selected from a plurality of trump cards by a game player while the plurality of
trump cards are put face down under the control of the gaming terminal 314,
and a person who selects the stronger trump card wins the game. When the
game player wins the game, the payout acquired by the game player is
increased twice. When the dealer wins the game, all the payout acquired by
the game player are confiscated.
-
For example, in Fig. 33, the figure of the trump card selected by the
dealer is first shown, and the game player is allowed to select one of the four
trump cards which are put face down under the control of the gaming terminal
314. When the game player selects one of the cards by touching the display of
the desired trump card, the trump card thus selected is turned over to display
the figure thereof, and the game result of the double up game is determined.
When the game player wins the game, the game player selects whether he/she
plays the double up game again.
-
In the bingo game of the gaming machine 310, when the game player is
provided with some payout, the game player can select it by himself/herself
whether he/she plays the double up game.
-
As described above, by providing a game increasing a payout acquired
by a game player separately from the game which Is the original purpose of the
gaming machine 310, the game player finds significance in acquirement of a
payout in the original purpose of the game and further wants to increase the
payout thus acquired. Therefore, the game player may feel great enjoyment to
play games in the gaming machine 310.
[Operation of Lottery Machine and Gaming Terminal]
-
The processing of the main control circuit 400 of the lottery machine
312 (see Fig. 27) and the main control circuit 500A of the gaming terminal 314
(see Fig. 28) will be described with reference to Figs. 34 and 35.
[Operation of Lottery Machine]
-
First, the processing of the main control circuit 400 of the lottery
machine 312 will be described with reference to Fig. 34.
-
In step S100, game preparation processing is carried out. Specifically,
a predetermined number of lottery balls carried out by the screw conveyor is
moved to the lottery ball holding unit 332. Furthermore, CPU 406 executes
various kinds of processing such as the processing of tilting the cabinet 313 at a
predetermined angle, etc. After this processing is completed, CPU 406 shifts
the processing to step S101.
-
In step S101, CPU 406 of the lottery machine 312 determines whether
the lottery is started. CPU 406 determines whether a predetermined standby
time elapses and the lottery start timing has arrived. If this determination is
YES, CPU 406 shifts the processing to step S102. If the determination is NO,
CPU 406 shifts the processing to step S103.
-
in step S102, CPU 406 of the lottery machine 312 transmits a lottery
start signal. CPU 406 transmits the lottery start signal to each of the gaming
terminals 314A to 314J through the communication control circuits 414A to 414J.
After this processing is completed, CPU 406 shifts the processing to step S104.
The lottery start signal described above is received by the gaming terminal 314
in step S204 corresponding to the processing of the main control circuit 500A of
the gaming terminal 314 described later.
-
In step S103, CPU 406 of the lottery machine 312 digests the standby
time. CPU 406 counts the time until the predetermined standby time elapses.
After this processing is completed, CPU 406 shifts the processing to step S101.
-
In step S104, CPU 406 of the lottery machine 312 digests BET
operation accepting time. CPU 406 counts the time until the predetermined BET
operation accepting time elapses. After this processing is completed, CPU
406 shifts the processing to step S105.
-
In the step S105, the rotation of the lottery boards is started. Under
the control of the main control circuit 400 of the lottery machine 312, the load
board rotating motors 335 and 337 are actuated, and the rotation of the face
portions 338A and 339B is started. After this processing is completed, the
processing is shifted to step S106.
-
In step S106, the swinging motion of the cabinet is started. Under the
control of the main control circuit 400 of the lottery machine 312, the swinging
device 346 is started, and the swinging motion of the lottery machine 312 is
started. After this processing is completed, the processing is shifted to step
S107.
-
In step S107, the processing of dropping one lottery ball is carried out.
Under the control of the main control circuit 400 of the lottery machine 312, the
rotator 328 (see Fig. 18) is controlled, and one lottery ball drops into the lottery
ball receiving portion 334. After this processing is completed, the processing is
shifted to step S108.
-
In step S108, the processing of obtaining identification information is
carried out. In this processing, under the control of the main control circuit 400
of the lottery machine 312, one of the ball entrance detecting sensors 349 which
are provided to the plurality of lottery holes 340 respectively detects entrance of
a lottery ball, and CPU 406 of the lottery machine 312 obtains identification
information corresponding to the lottery hole. After this processing is
completed, CPU 406 shifts the processing to step S109.
-
In step S109, CPU 406 of the lottery machine 312 transmits the
identification information acquired in step S108 and information indicating how
many times the lottery has been totally carried out if the present lottery is
carried out (hereinafter referred to as "lottery number information"). CPU 406
transmits to each of the gaming terminals 314A to 314J the identification
information and the lottery number information representing how many times
the lottery has been carried out until the present lottery. After this processing
is completed, CPU 406 shifts the processing to step S110. The lottery number
information is counted by CPU 406, and stored in RAM 410 (see Fig. 27).
Furthermore, the identification information and the lottery number information
are received by the gaming terminal 314 in step S214 corresponding to the
processing of the main control circuit 500A of the gaming terminal 314
described later.
-
In step S110, CPU 406 of the lottery machine 312 determines whether
the lottery has been carried out at a predetermined number of times. CPU 406
refers to the lottery number information and determines whether the number of
lotteries having been executed reaches a predetermined number of times. If
this determination Is YES, CPU 406 shifts the processing to step S112. If this
determination is NO, CPU 406 shifts the processing to step S107, CPU 406
returns the processing to step S107.
-
In step S112, the swinging motion of the cabinet is finished. Under the
control of the main control circuit 400 of the lottery machine 312, the swinging
device 346 is stopped, and the swinging operation of the cabinet by the lottery
machine 312 is finished. After this processing is completed, CPU 406 shifts
the processing to step S113.
-
In step S113, the rotation of the lottery boards is finished. Under the
control of the main control circuit 400 of the lottery machine 312, the lottery
board rotating motors 335 and 337 are stopped, and the rotation of the lottery
boards 338 and 339 are finished. After this processing is completed, CPU 406
shifts the processing to step S100.
[Operation of Gaming Terminal]
-
Next, the processing of the main control circuit of the gaming terminal
314 (see Fig. 28) will be described with reference to Figs. 34 and 35.
-
In step S201, the gaming terminal 314 is initialized. CPU 506A (see
Fig. 28) of the gaming terminal 314 carries out the processing of clearing
various kinds of variables disposed in RAM 510A (see Fig. 28), initializing the
display of the display device 370A, etc. After this processing is completed,
CPU 506A shifts the processing to step S202.
-
In step S202, a demonstration screen is displayed. After this
processing is completed, the processing Is shifted to step S203.
-
In step S203, the processing of detecting the game entry operation is
carried out. In this processing, a game player makes a game entry. The
touch operation of the display device 370A (or the manipulation of the dials
376A and 377A) is detected by the touch sensor 372A (or the main control
circuit 500A itself) under the control of the main control circuit 500A of the
gaming terminal 314. After this processing is completed, the processing is
shifted to step S204.
-
In step S204, the reception processing of the lottery start signal is
carried out. CPU 506A of the gaming terminal 314 receives the lottery start
signal transmitted through the processing of the step S102 by the lottery
machine 312 through the communication control circuit 514A by the main
control circuit 500A of the gaming terminal 314 (see Fig. 28). After this
processing is completed, the processing is shifted to step S209.
-
In step S209, the processing of creating and displaying a bingo card is
carried out. CPU 506A of the gaming terminal 314 selects a predetermined
number (for example, twenty-five) display data from display data for displaying
identification information (for example, figures of trump cards or the like), and
arranges and displays the display data thus selected in a matrix form on the
display device 370A, After this processing is completed, the processing is
shifted to step S210.
-
In step S210, bingo cell moving operating activating processing is
carried out. In this processing, CPU 506A of the gaming terminal 314 turns on
a bingo cell moving operation activation flag disposed in RAM 510A (see Fig.
28), whereby the manipulation of the dials 376A and 377A for moving the bingo
cells is activated in the gaming terminal 314. The operation of the dials 376A
and 377A for moving the bingo cells is valid insofar as the bingo cell moving
operation activation flag Is turned on. After this processing is completed, the
processing is shifted to step S211.
-
In step S211, the BET operation acceptance is made. In this
processing, CPU 506A of the gaming terminal 314 processes information which
is associated with the BET operation carried out through the game player's
touch to the display device 370A and detected by the touch sensor 372A under
the control of the main control circuit 500A of the gaming terminal 314, and
stores the BET information into RAM 510A (see Fig. 28). After this processing
is completed, the processing is shifted to step S212.
-
In step S212, the number of payouts is determined according to the
BET number. In this processing, CPU 508A of the gaming terminal 314
determines the number of payouts in the game on the basis of the BET
information stored in RAM 510A (see Fig. 28) in step S211. CPU 506A stores
the determination result In RAM 510A (see Fig. 28), and displays it at a
predetermined portion of the display device 370A. After this processing is
completed, the processing is shifted to step S213.
-
In step S213, it is determined whether the BET acceptance time is
finished. CPU 506A of the gaming terminal 314 counts a time after the
processing of the step S209 is carried out, and determines whether the count
time reaches a predetermined period of time. If this determination is YES, the
processing is shifted to step S214 of Fig. 35. If this determination is NO, the
processing is returned to step S211.
-
In step S214, the identification information and the lottery number
information (representing how many times the lottery has been totally carried
out if the present lottery is carried out) which are transmitted through the
processing of the step S109 by the lottery machine 312 and acquired in step
S108 by CPU 406 (see Fig. 34) are received in step S214. Under the control
of the main control circuit 500A (see Fig. 28) of the gaming terminal 314, the
above information is received through the communication control circuit 514A.
CPU 506A of the gaming terminal 314 stores the above identification and lottery
number information into RAM 510A (see Fig. 28). After this processing is
completed, the processing is shifted to step S215.
-
In step S215, bingo cell moving operation invalidating processing is
carried out. The details of this processing will be described in the detailed
description of the bingo cell moving operation invalidating processing. After
this processing is completed, the processing is shifted to step S215.
-
In step S216, it is searched whether the identification information
received in step S214 exists on the bingo card. If the identification information
exists on the bingo card, the bingo cell is activated. In this processing, it is
searched whether the identification information received in step S214 exists on
the bingo card created in step S209 and displayed on the display device 370A.
If there is any incident identification Information, a activating flag which
corresponds to the binge cell having the identification information thereon and
disposed in RAM 510A (see Fig. 28) is turned on. Furthermore, the bingo cell
on the display device 370A is displayed relatively brightly or displayed while the
hatching display thereof is released, so that the bingo cell is displayed so as to
be distinguishable from the other bingo cells. After this processing is
completed, the processing is shifted to step S217.
-
In step S217, prize-winning determination processing is carried out.
The details of this processing will be described in the detailed description of the
prize-winning determination processing described later. After this processing
is completed, the processing is shifted to step S218.
-
In step S218, the prize-winning determination is carried out. CPU
506A of the gaming terminal 314 refers to the determination result of the step
S217 to make a determination as to prize-winning. If this determination is YES,
CPU 506A shifts the processing to step S219. If the determination is NO, CPU
506A shifts the processing to step S225.
-
In step S219, It is determined whether the double up game is carried out.
CPU 506A of the gaming terminal 314 determines whether the touch sensor
372A detects the operation of a predetermined touch portion displayed on the
display device 370A by the game player to play the double up game under the
control of the main control circuit 500A of the gaming terminal 370A. If this
determination is YES, the processing is shifted to step S220. If this
determination is NO, the processing is shifted to step S223.
-
In step S220, the double up game is carried out. This processing is
carried out under the control of the main control circuit 500A of the gaming
terminal 314, and the processing content is as described with reference to the
double up game screen of the gaming terminal described above. After this
processing is completed, the processing is shifted to step S221.
-
In step S221, it is determined whether the game player wins. Under
the control of the main control circuit 500A of the gaming terminal 314, the
game result is determined as described with reference to the double up game
screen of the gaming terminal described above, and it is determined whether
the game player wins the game. If this determination Is YES, the processing is
shifted to step S222. If the determination is NO, the processing is shifted to
step S224.
-
In step S222, the processing of doubling the payout of the game player
is carried out. CPU 508A of the gaming terminal 314 refers to the information
on the number of payouts which are acquired by the game player and stored in
RAM 510A (see Fig. 28), doubles this number of payouts and then renews the
original information. After this processing is completed, the processing is
shifted to step S219.
-
In step S223, the payout pay-out processing is carried out. CPU 506A
of the gaming terminal 314 refers to the information on the number of payouts
which are acquired by the game player and stored in RAM 510A (see Fig. 28),
and under the control of the main control circuit 500A, the hopper 588A pays
out medals (payouts) whose number corresponds to the information on the
number of payouts acquired by the game player described above. After this
processing is completed, the processing is shifted to step S201.
-
In step S224, the processing of setting the number of payouts acquired
by the game player to zero is carried out. CPU 506A of the gaming terminal
314 refers to the Information on the number of payouts which are acquired by
the game player and stored in RAM 510A (see Fig. 28), and sets this
information to zero to renew the original information. After this processing is
completed, the processing is shifted to step S201.
-
In step S225, REACH determination processing is carried out. The
details of this processing will be described in the detailed description of the
REACH determination processing described later. After this processing Is
completed, the processing is shifted to step S226.
-
In step S226, It is determined whether the present state is a REACH
state. CPU 506A of the gaming terminal 314 determines on the basis of the
REACH determination result of the step S225 whether the present state of the
bingo card reaches a REACH state in which some bingo cells of the bingo card
displayed on the display device 370A are activated and a bingo winning
combination and/or a poker winning combination would be established if the last
one bingo cell is activated. If this determination is YES, the processing is shifted
to step S227. If this determination Is NO, the processing is shifted to step S228.
-
In step S227, a REACH cell (figure) informing start processing is carried
out. The details of this processing will be described in the detailed description
of the REACH cell (figure) informing start processing described later. After this
processing is completed, the processing is shifted to step S228.
-
In step S228, it is determined whether the reception of identification
information has been carried out for a predetermined number of times. In step
S214, the lottery number information stored in RAM 510A (see Fig. 28) is
referred to in step S214, and it Is determined on the basis of this information
whether the reception of identification information has been carried out for the
predetermined number of times. If this determination is YES, the processing is
shifted to step S201. If the determination is NO, the processing is shifted to
step S214.
[Details of Bingo Cell Moving Operation Invalidating Processing]
-
The bingo cell moving operation invalidating processing will be
described in detail with reference to Fig. 36.
-
In step S241, it is determined whether the lottery number information
received in step S214 of Fig. 35 reaches the predetermined number of times.
CPU 506A of the gaming terminal determines the above information to
determine whether the lottery number information reaches the predetermined
number of times (for example, three times or other numbers of times). If this
determination Is YES, the processing is shifted to step S242. If the
determination is NO, this routine is immediately finished, and the processing is
shifted to step S216 of Fig. 35.
-
In step S242, an advance notice of the bingo cell moving operation
Invalidation is notified. A predetermined notification for making a notice to
prohibit the processing of accepting the manipulation of the dials 376A and
377A to move the bingo cells is displayed on the display device 370A by the
main control circuit 500A of the gaming terminal 314, After this processing is
completed, the processing is shifted to step S243.
-
In step S243, the processing of digesting a predetermined period of
time is carried out. In this processing, CPU 506A of the gaming terminal 314
counts the time after the processing of step S242 is carried out, and prevents
the processing from advancing to the next step until a predetermined period of
time elapses. After this processing is completed, the processing is shifted to
step S244.
-
In step S244, the bingo cell moving operation invalidating processing is
carried out. In this processing, CPU 508 of the gaming terminal 314 turns off
the dial operation activation flag disposed in RAM 510A (see Fig. 28) to
invalidate the manipulation of the dials 376A and 377A for moving the bingo
cells in the gaming terminal 314. After this processing is completed, this
subroutine is finished, and the processing is shifted to step S216 of Fig. 35.
[Details of Prize-Winning Determination Processing]
-
The prize-winning determination processing will be described in detail
with reference to Fig. 37.
-
In step S231, it is determined whether a bingo winning combination is
established. In this processing, CPU 506A of the gaming terminal 314
determines the combination of the identification information which is stored in
RAM 510A (see Fig. 28) and constitutes the bingo card displayed on the display
device 370A, the information on the position of each bingo cell on which the
identification information is disposed and the invalidation flag corresponding to
the identification information, and determines whether a bingo winning
combination Is established on a specific line of the bingo card. If this
determination is YES, the processing is shifted to step S232. If this
determination is NO, the processing is shifted to step S233.
-
In step S232, a bingo winning combination establishing flag is turned on,
information on all the established bingo winning combinations and the bingo
cells constituting the bingo winning combinations are stored in the RAM, and
also the corresponding number of payouts is stored in the RAM. CPU 506A
turns on the bingo winning combination establishing flag disposed in RAM 510A
(see Fig. 28). Furthermore, the information on all the established bingo
winning combinations and the bingo cells constituting the bingo winning
combinations is stored in RAM 510A. The number of payouts corresponding to
all the established bingo winning combinations is determined, and the
determination result is stored in RAM 510A. After this processing is completed,
the processing is shifted to step S233.
-
In step S233, it is determined whether a poker winning combination Is
established. In this processing, CPU 506A of the gaming terminal 314 has
determined the combination of the identification information which is stored in
RAM 510A (see Fig. 28) and constitutes the bingo card displayed on the display
device 370A, the information on the position of the bingo cells on which the
identification information is disposed, and the activating flag corresponding to
the identification information, and it is determined whether a poker winning
combination is established on a specific line of the bingo card. If this
determination is YES, the processing is shifted to step S234. If the
determination is NO, this subroutine is completed, and the processing Is shifted
to step S218 of Fig 35.
-
In step S234, a poker winning combination establishing flag is turned on,
and the information on all the established poker winning combinations and the
bingo cells constituting the poker winning combinations is stored in the RAM,
and the corresponding number of payouts is stored in the RAM. CPU 506A of
the gaming terminal 314 turns on the poker winning combination establishing
flag disposed in RAM 510A (see Fig. 28). The information on all the
established poker winning combinations and the bingo cells thereof is stored in
RAM 510A. Then, the number of payouts corresponding to all the established
poker winning combinations is determined, and the determination result is
stored in RAM 510A. After this processing is completed, this subroutine is
finished, and the processing is shifted to step S218 of Fig. 35.
-
As described above, the prize-winning determination processing is
carried out on both the establishment of the bingo winning combination and the
establishment of the poker winning combination independently of each other.
Therefore, it is possible to establish both a bingo winning combination and a
poker winning combination on the specific same line of the bingo card at the
same time. A payout is given to each of the bingo winning combination and
the poker winning combination which are simultaneously established on the
specific same line of the bingo card. That is, the payout to the bingo winning
combination and the payout to the poker winning combination are summed and
given to the game player. Accordingly, there is a case where a game player
greatly feels the sense of anticipation to the probability that winning
combinations providing many payouts are established on a specific line. In this
embodiment, both the bingo winning combination and the poker winning
combination can be simultaneously established on the specific same line of the
bingo card. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be
determined that only the bingo winning combination is established or it may be
determined that only the poker winning combination is established. At this time,
the game player is supplied with only the payout corresponding to the bingo
winning combination or the payout corresponding to the poker winning
combination.
[Details of Reach Determination Processing]
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Details of the REACH determination processing will be described with
reference to Fig. 38.
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In step S251, the specific bingo cells are activated, whereby it Is
determined whether a bingo winning combination is established. In this
processing, CPU 506A of the gaming terminal 314 determines the combination
of the identification information which is stored in RAM 510A (see Fig. 28) and
constitutes the bingo card displayed on the display device 370A, the information
on the position of the bingo cell on which the identification information is
disposed, and the activating flag corresponding to the identification information,
and determines whether there is such a situation that a bingo winning
combination would be established on a specific line of the bingo card if a
specific bingo cell is activated. If this determination is YES, the processing is
shifted to step S252. If the determination is NO, the processing is shifted to
step S253.
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In step S252, the bingo winning combination REACH state flag is turned
on, and the information of all the REACH cells for the bingo winning
combinations is stored in RAM 510A. The REACH cell (figure) means the last
bingo cell (figure) under the condition where If the last bingo cell is activated, a
bingo winning combination would be established on a specific line of the bingo
card. CPU 506A of the gaming terminal 314 turns on the bingo winning
combination REACH state flag disposed in RAM 510A (see Fig. 28).
Furthermore, it stores the information on all the read-to-win bingo cells for the
bingo winning combinations into RAM 510A. After this processing is
completed, the processing is shifted to step S253.
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In step S253, it is determined whether a poker winning combination
would be established if a specific bingo cell is activated. In this processing,
CPU 506A of the gaming terminal 314 determines the identification information
stored in RAM 510A (see Fig. 28) and constituting the bingo card displayed on
the display device 370A, the information on the position of the bingo cell on
which the identification information Is disposed, and the activating flag
corresponding to the identification information, and determines whether a poker
winning combination would be established on a specific line of the bingo card if
a specific bingo cell is activated. If this determination is YES, the processing is
shifted to step S254. If the determination is NO, this subroutine is finished,
and the processing is shifted to step S226 of Fig. 35.
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In step S254, the poker winning combination REACH state flag is turned
on, and the information of all the REACH cells based on poker winning
combinations Is stored in RAM. CPU 506A of the gaming terminal 314 turns
on the poker winning combination REACH state flag disposed in RAM 510A
(see Fig. 28). Furthermore, it stores the information of all the read-to-win bingo
cells for the poker winning combinations into RAM 510A. After this processing
is completed, this subroutine is finished, and this processing is shifted to step
S226 of Fig. 35.
[Details of Reach Cell Informing Start Processing]
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The details of the REACH cell informing start processing will be
described with reference to Fig. 39.
-
In step S261, it is determined whether any REACH cell exists. CPU
506A of the gaming terminal 314 determines whether at least one of the bingo
winning combination REACH state flag and the poker winning combination
REACH state flag stored in RAM 510A (see Fig. 28) In the step S252 and/or the
step S254 is turned on. If this determination is YES, the processing is started
to step S262. If the determination is NO, this subroutine is immediately
finished, and the processing is shifted to step S228 of Fig. 35.
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In step S262, the processing of starting to display all the REACH cells
all at once on the all-REACH-state display portion so that these read-to-win
cells are identifiable is carried out. The display control device 600A is driven
under the control of the main control circuit 500A (see Fig. 28) of the gaming
terminal 314 to start all the REACH cells stored in RAM 510A (see Fig. 28) in
the step S252 and/or the step S254 of Fig. 38 on the all-REACH-state display
portion 483 displayed on the display device 370A. After this processing is
completed, the processing is shifted to step S283.
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In step S263 is carried out the processing of starting to successively
and repetitively display each of all the REACH cells In turns so that these
REACH cells are Individually identifiable. The display control device 600A is
driven under the control of the main control circuit 500A (see Fig. 28) of the
gaming terminal 314 to start the processing of starting to successively and
repetitively display each of all the REACH cells stored in RAM 510A (see Fig.
28) in the step S252 and/or the step S254 of Fig. 38 in turns on the bingo card
displayed on the display device 370A so that the REACH cells are individually
identifiable. The display condition is described in the description of the
transition of the REACH state individual display screen of the gaming terminal
described above. The display of the REACH cell informing screen started in
step S262 and step S263 is continued until the step S201 of Fig. 34 is executed
and the gaming terminal 314 is initialized. After this processing Is completed,
this subroutine is finished, and the processing is shifted to step S228 of Fig. 35.
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By executing the step S263 in the REACH cell informing start
processing of Fig. 39, the gaming terminal 314 is allowed to repetitively display
all the REACH cells in turns on the display device 370A so that the REACH
cells are identifiable. That is, in a gaming machine equipped with display
means for displaying a bingo card comprising a plurality of bingo cells arranged
in a matrix form, identification information display data storing means for storing
display data to display identification information comprising a combination of
different identification information, bingo card identification information
determination means for selecting bingo card identification information from the
identification information to determine the bingo card identification information to
be associated with the plurality of bingo cells, lottery means for selecting the
identification information by lottery, activating means for comparing the
identification information selected by the lottery means with the bingo card
identification information and activating the bingo cell corresponding to bingo
card identification information when the identification information is coincident
with the bingo card identification information, and winning combination
determination means for determining whether a combination of bingo cells
activated by the activating means and a specific non-activated bingo cell forms
a predetermined bingo winning combination or whether a combination of the
bingo card identification information corresponding to the bingo cells activated
by the activating means and the bingo card identification information
corresponding to a non-activated specific bingo cell forms a predetermined
winning combination different from the predetermined bingo winning
combination, the REACH cell informing start processing, particularly the step
S263 is an example of a REACH informing method of successively and
individually displaying the non-activated specific bingo cells.
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In step S100 of Fig. 34, the game preparation processing executed by
CPU 406 will be described with reference to Fig. 40.
-
In step S301, CPU 406 supplies a driving signal to the shutter 347 to
execute the processing of setting the shutter 347 to an open state. The shutter
347 is set in a close state after a predetermined period of time elapses. In
order to prepare for the next game, CPU 406 executes the initialization
processing of the information on the preparation. The information on the
preparation is located in RAM 510A or the like. After this processing is
completed, the processing is shifted to step S302.
-
In step S302, CPU 406 supplies a driving signal to the lottery ball
raising motor 320C to execute the driving start processing of the lottery ball
raising motor 320C. After this processing is completed, the processing is
shifted to step S303.
-
In step S303, CPU 406 determines whether a predetermined period of
time elapses. Here, the predetermined period of time is a sufficient time
needed until a lottery ball drops from the lottery hole 340 and 341 to the
withdrawing unit 344 and reaches the second withdrawing passage 350. In
this processing, when determining that the predetermined period of time
elapses, CPU 406 shifts the processing to step S304. If it is not determined
that the predetermined period of time elapses, CPU 406 shifts the processing to
step S303 again. Accordingly, CPU 406 executes the processing of the step
S304 and subsequent processing thereto only when a sufficient time elapses
until lottery balls drop from lottery holes 340 and 341 to the withdrawing unit 344
and reach the second withdrawing passage 350.
-
In step S304, CPU 406 supplies the swinging device 346 with a signal
for titling the cabinet 313 at a predetermined angle. This predetermined angle
is set to an angle at which the stern 3128 side is lower than the stern 312A side.
Accordingly, the swinging device 346 tilts the cabinet 313 so that the stern 312B
side is lower than the stern 312A. Subsequently, CPU 406 supplies the
open/close gate 352 with a signal indicating the opening state (step S305).
The open/close gate 352 receives the signal indicating the opening state, and
sets itself to the open state. Accordingly, the stern 3128 side is lower than the
stern 312A and also the open/close gate 352 is set in the open state, so that
lottery balls located in the second withdrawing passage 350 are rolled to the
lower side of the spiral member 320. Under the control described above, the
lottery balls can be withdrawn by merely tilting the cabinet, and the gaming
machine can be manufactured simply at a low cost. After this processing is
completed, the processing is shifted to step S306.
-
In step S306, CPU 406 determines on the basis of a predetermined
signal supplied from the lottery ball passage detecting sensor 351 whether a
predetermined number of lottery balls pass through the open/close gate 352. If
it is determined that the predetermined number of lottery balls pass through the
open/close gate 352, CPU 406 supplies the open/close gate 352 with a signal
indicating a close state (step S307). The open/close gate 352 receives the
signal indicating the close state, and sets itself to the close state. On the other
hand, if it is determined that the predetermined number of lottery balls do not
pass through the open/close gate 352, CPU 406 shifts the processing to the
step S306 again. Accordingly, the lottery balls guided to the lower end of the
spiral member 320A are prevented from returning back to the second
withdrawing passage 350, and also lottery balls held in the second withdrawing
passage 350 are prevented from being guided to the lower end of the spiral
member 320A. Under the control described above, the lottery balls can be
withdrawn by merely tilting the cabinet, and the gaming machine can be
manufactured simply at a low cost. After this processing is completed, the
processing is shifted to step S308.
-
In step S308, CPU 406 determines whether a predetermined period of
time elapses. Here, the predetermined period of time is a sufficient time to
allow the cabinet 313 to tilt at a predetermined angle, the open/close gate 352 is
set in the open state, a predetermined number of lottery balls located in the
second withdrawing passage 350 are guided to the lower side of the spiral
member 320A and these balls are allowed to be carried by the screw conveyor
320. In this processing, if it is determined that the predetermined period of
time elapses, CPU 406 shifts the processing to step S308. If it is not
determined that the predetermined period of time elapses, CPU 406 shifts the
processing to step S309. Accordingly, CPU 406 execute the processing of the
step S304 and the subsequent steps thereto only when a sufficient time elapses
until lottery balls drop from the holt hole 340 and 341 to the withdrawing unit
344 and reach the second withdrawing passage 350.
-
In step S309, CPU 406 supplies the swinging device 346 with a signal
for tilting the cabinet 313 at a predetermined angle, and executes the cabinet
tilting stop control processing. The predetermined angle is an angle at which
the stern 312B side and the stern 312A side are horizontal to each other.
Accordingly, the swinging device 346 controls to stop the tilt of the cabinet 313
so that the stern 312B side and the stern 312A side are horizontal to each other.
Subsequently, CPU 406 supplies a stop signal to the lottery ball raising motor
320C, and executes the driving completion processing of the lottery ball raising
motor 320C (step S310). After this processing is completed, this subroutine is
finished.
-
In this embodiment, CPU 406 executing the step S108, etc., of Fig. 34
and CPU 506A executing the steps S217, etc., of Fig. 35, etc., correspond to an
example of the game result determination means. The screw conveyor 320,
the rotator 328, the slopes 336A and 336B, etc., correspond to an example of
the lottery ball throwing means. The rotator 328, the slopes 336A and 336B,
etc., correspond to an example of the throw-in means. The screw conveyor
320, etc., correspond to an example of the feeding means. The lottery ball
passage sensor 351, etc., correspond to examples of the detecting means and
the passage detecting means. CPU 406 executing the steps S304, the step
S309 of FIG. 40, etc., corresponds to an example of the tilt control means. The
shutter 347, etc., correspond to an example of the lottery ball discharging
means.
[Modification]
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In this embodiment, in step S100 of Fig. 34, CPU 406 executes the
game preparation processing, and after the processing is completed, the
processing of step S101 is executed. However, another style may be used.
For example, in the step S100 of Fig. 34, CPU 406 executes game preparation
processing similar to the above game preparation processing, the game
preparation processing is executed under a background, and the processing of
the step S101 is executed. In this case, the game preparation processing
called in step S100 and the processing subsequent to the step S101 may be
executed in parallel by CPU 408.
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In this embodiment, the two lottery boards 338 and 339 are disposed,
however, another style may be used. For example, a plurality of lottery boards
may be disposed. Furthermore, in this embodiment, identification information
having spades and hearts as the first symbols is allocated to the lottery holes
340 of the lottery board 338, and identification information having clubs and
diamonds as the first symbols Is allocated to the lottery holes 341 of the lottery
board 339. However, another style may be used. For example, the same
type of second symbols may be allocated to some of the plurality of lottery
boards. Furthermore, even when the identification information comprising the
first symbols is allocated, the same type of identification information like odd or
even numbers may be allocated to some of the plurality of lottery boards. Of
course, identification information which does not comprise two symbols, but
comprises a plurality of symbols may be allocated. In this case, identification
information in which one or more symbols of the plurality of symbols are of the
same type may be allocated to some of the plurality of boards.
-
According to the gaming machine of this embodiment, a plurality of
holes through which balls can penetrate are formed at the portion
corresponding to the deck board of the lottery machine in the form of a ship, the
figure of a trump card allocated to a hole which a ball enters according to the
swinging motion of the ship is recognized, and when the same figure thus
recognized exists in the figures of the trump cards displayed on a bingo card,
the corresponding bingo cell is activated. As a result, a predetermined payout
is given not only when a normal bingo winning combination is established on a
specific line of the bingo card by the bingo cell thus activated, but also when a
poker winning combination of trump cards different from the bingo winning
combination is also established by the bingo cell thus activated. However, the
present invention is not limited to this mode. For example, the present
invention may be applied to a so-called "Keno (Kino) game" in which a lottery is
carried out in the same method under the state where numerals are associated
with holes, and more or less of a payout is determined on the basis of how
many numerals are selected from a predetermined number of numerals
selected in advance by a game player. That is, the lottery machine 312 of this
embodiment may be applied to any game which selects identification
information by lottery.
-
The embodiments of the present invention have been described above.
However, the above embodiments are merely specific examples, and do not
limit the present invention. That is, the present invention mainly relates to a
gaming machine characterized by comprising: a cabinet having a face portion
on which a lottery ball can be rolled, and a plurality of lottery holes provided on
the face portion; game result determination means for determining a game
result under the condition where a lottery ball enters any one of a plurality of
lottery holes of the cabinet; a withdrawing passage which is provided in the
cabinet and through which lottery balls discharged from the a plurality of lottery
holes can be passed; lottery ball throwing means for allowing the lottery balls
discharged from the a plurality of lottery holes through the withdrawing passage
onto the face portion of the cabinet; and tilt control means for tilting the cabinet,
wherein the cabinet is tilted by the tilt control means and lottery balls located in
the withdrawing passage are led out to the lottery ball throwing means.
However, the specific constructions of the cabinet, the game result
determination means, the lottery ball throwing means, the tilt control means, etc.,
may be suitably altered in design.
-
The effects described with reference to the embodiments of the present
invention are merely preferable ones of effects acquired by the present
invention, and the effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects
described with reference to the embodiments of the present invention.
-
According to the present invention, the cabinet is tilted, and lottery balls
located in the withdrawing passage are led out to the lottery ball throwing
means. Therefore, the lottery balls can be withdrawn by merely tilting the