EP1985337A1 - Machine de jeu avec mécanisme de loterie physique - Google Patents

Machine de jeu avec mécanisme de loterie physique Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1985337A1
EP1985337A1 EP07714223A EP07714223A EP1985337A1 EP 1985337 A1 EP1985337 A1 EP 1985337A1 EP 07714223 A EP07714223 A EP 07714223A EP 07714223 A EP07714223 A EP 07714223A EP 1985337 A1 EP1985337 A1 EP 1985337A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
ball
control unit
payout rate
lottery
win
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
EP07714223A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1985337A4 (fr
Inventor
Masato Okuaki
Toru Omoto
Genichiro Okitani
Shingo Ishii
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Konami Digital Entertainment Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Konami Digital Entertainment Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Konami Digital Entertainment Co Ltd filed Critical Konami Digital Entertainment Co Ltd
Publication of EP1985337A1 publication Critical patent/EP1985337A1/fr
Publication of EP1985337A4 publication Critical patent/EP1985337A4/fr
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
    • G07F17/3286—Type of games
    • G07F17/3297—Fairground games, e.g. Tivoli, coin pusher machines, cranes
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F3/00—Board games; Raffle games
    • A63F3/06—Lottos or bingo games; Systems, apparatus or devices for checking such games
    • A63F3/0645—Electric lottos or bingo games
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F5/00—Roulette games
    • A63F5/02—Roulette-like ball games
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07C—TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
    • G07C15/00—Generating random numbers; Lottery apparatus
    • G07C15/001—Generating random numbers; Lottery apparatus with balls or the like
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
    • G07F17/3202—Hardware aspects of a gaming system, e.g. components, construction, architecture thereof
    • G07F17/3204—Player-machine interfaces
    • G07F17/3211—Display means
    • G07F17/3213—Details of moving display elements, e.g. spinning reels, tumbling members

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a game machine with physical lottery system where at least one option is selected from a plurality of options by utilizing a physical motion of a medium for lottery.
  • the physical lottery system brings the medium for lottery such as a ball or the like into at least one of medium take portions while imparting the medium for lottery a physical motion on a lottery board, and it is recognized that the option corresponding to the medium take portion which has taken the medium for lottery is selected.
  • the game execution device executes a predetermined game in association with the lottery result in the physical lottery system, and delivers to a player, amusement value the amount of which depends on a game result.
  • the game machine's intentional operation to the lottery probability of each options is difficult, and thereby the equitableness of game is maintained.
  • the present invention aims to reflect appropriately the dispersion of lottery probabilities which appear in the physical lottery system in control of the payout rate.
  • a game machine comprises a physical lottery system for selecting at least one option from a plurality of options by utilizing physical motions of a medium for lottery; and a game execution device for executing a predetermined game in association with a lottery result of the physical lottery system, and delivering to a player, amusement value, the amount of which depends on a result of the game, wherein the game machine further comprising a probability calculation device for calculating a probability to select each option based on a lottery result within a predetermine sampling period; and a payout rate control device for controlling a payout rate of the amusement value in the game in reference to the probability calculated by the probability calculation device.
  • the probability that each option is selected based on the lottery result within a predetermined period is calculated, and thereby it is possible to grasp statistically the dispersion of lottery probabilities existing in the physical lottery system. Then, the payout rate is controlled in reference to the calculated lottery probabilities. Thereby, it is possible to avoid a case that the dispersion of lottery probabilities give unexpected affection to the payout rate, and to make the dispersion of lottery probabilities reflect appropriately in control of payout rate.
  • the game execution device may be configured so that a pattern arrangement area is generated virtually, where a plurality of patterns are arranged in a predetermined alignment, each of the plurality of patterns corresponding to each of the plurality of options in the physical lottery system, and in a case that a predetermined win arrangement is formed by the plurality of patterns in the pattern arrangement area, each of the plurality of patterns corresponds to each of the plurality of options selected through plural lotteries in the lottery system, the amusement value is delivered to the player.
  • the amusement value is delivered in the case that the win arrangement is formed by the patterns corresponding to the selected options.
  • the dispersion of lottery probabilities of options is reflected in control of the arrangement of the patterns or the amount of amusement value to be delivered to the formation of win arrangement. Thereby, it is possible to realize the control of payout rate reflecting the dispersion of lottery probabilities.
  • the payout rate control device may control the payout rate by changing the alignment of patterns in the pattern arrangement area based on the calculated probability.
  • the probability that the win arrangement is established in the pattern arrangement area changes depending on the dispersion of lottery probabilities of options. Accordingly, by setting the arrangement of patterns so that it becomes easy to establish the win arrangement, or by operating the arrangement of patterns so that it becomes difficult to establish the win arrangement, the probability that the amusement value is delivered with the establishment of win arrangement is made to change, and thereby control the payout rate.
  • the payout rate control device may change the alignment of the patterns so that a difference between an actual value of the payout rate and a target value of the payout rate is reduced. As this, in the case the arrangement of patterns is changed, it is possible to control the payout rate to approach the target value earlier.
  • the game execution device may virtually generate as the pattern arrangement area, a bingo card where the patterns are aligned in a matrix shape, in which the number of patterns in a longitudinal direction is the same number of patterns in a lateral direction, and in a case that all patterns on any one of lines in the longitudinal direction, the lateral direction, and a diagonal direction correspond to the options selected by the physical lottery system, it may be recognized that the win arrangement has been formed and the delivery of the amusement value is executed.
  • the options corresponding to all of line of patterns in the longitudinal direction, in the lateral direction, or the diagonal direction of the bingo card are selected by the lottery system, it is recognized that the win arrangement is established, and the amusement value is delivered.
  • the payout rate control device may control the payout rate, in a case that the win arrangement has been formed, by changing the arrangement of patterns included in the win arrangement based on the probability calculated by the probability calculation device as to each of the options corresponding to the patterns included in the win arrangement.
  • the payout rate can be controlled only by performing an easy operation to change the arrangement of patterns at each time when the win arrangement is established.
  • the payout rate control device in a case that the actual value of the payout rate is lower than the target value of the payout rate, may change the arrangement of patterns so that the pattern corresponding to the option the win probability of which is relatively higher is arranged at a center of the win arrangement, and in a case that the actual value of the payout rate is higher than the target value of the payout rate, may change the arrangement of patterns so that the pattern corresponding to the option the win probability of which is relatively lower is arranged at a center of the win arrangement.
  • the pattern disposed at the center of the bingo card is included in any one of lines in the longitudinal, in the lateral direction, and the diagonal direction.
  • the probability to establish the winning arrangement heightens when the pattern corresponding to the option which has a high lottery probability is disposed at the center of the card, the probability to establish the winning arrangement heightens, and when the pattern corresponding to the option which has a low lottery probability is disposed a the center of the card, the probability to establish the winning arrangement lower. Accordingly, in a case that the actual value of the payout rate is lower than the target value, if the pattern corresponding to the option having a high lottery probability is disposed preferentially at the center of the line where the win arrangement has been established, the pattern corresponding to the option which has a high lottery probability is disposed at the center of the card, and the probability to establish the win arrangement heightens. Thereby, it is possible to heighten earlier the payout rate toward the target value.
  • the pattern corresponding to the option having a low lottery probability is disposed preferentially at the center of the line where the win arrangement has been established, the pattern corresponding to the option which has a low lottery probability is disposed at the center of the card, and the probability to establish the win arrangement lowers. Thereby, it is possible to lower earlier the payout rate toward the target value.
  • the game machine of the present invention by calculating each probability to select each option based on the lottery result within a predetermined sampling period, the dispersion of lottery probabilities existing in the physical lottery system is grasped statistically. Then, by controlling the payout rate in reference to the calculated lottery probabilities, it is possible to avoid a possibility that the dispersion of lottery probabilities gives unexpected affection to the payout rate. Accordingly, it is possible to reflect appropriately the dispersion of lottery probabilities existing in the physical lottery system in control of the payout rate of the amusement value.
  • the game machine G has a center unit CN, four satellite units SA, and 16 station units ST.
  • Each of the satellite units SA is disposed below the center unit CN so as to surround the center unit CN.
  • 4 of the station units ST are disposed.
  • the game machine G is configured so that the center unit CN is disposed at the center, 4 of the satellite units SA are disposed around the center unit CN, and additionally, 4 of the station units ST are disposed around each of the satellite units SA.
  • a so-called pusher game utilizing medals as the amusement media, and a digital lottery game associated with the pusher game are performed respectively.
  • the satellite unit SA a satellite lottery is performed in association with the game result of the digital lottery game in the station unit ST.
  • the center unit CN a center lottery or a grand slot lottery is performed as a center game, in association with the game result of the digital lottery game at the station unit ST or the lottery result of the satellite lottery at the satellite unite SA.
  • FIG. 2 shows one satellite unit SA and one station unit AT which is combined with the satellite unit SA.
  • the station unit ST comprises a pair of right and left operation portions 10 where operations relating to the game are performed by the player, a play field portion 12 where the pusher game is performed, a medal delivery portion 13 where to deliver medals M as a first game medium to the play filed portion 12, a ball drop portion 14 where to drop a ball as a second game medium into the play field portion 12, a ball transfer portion 15 where to transfer the ball B to the satellite unit SA, and a station monitor 16 where to display a game picture or the like.
  • the play field portion 12 has a main table 20 and a sub table 32 where to store the medals M, and further has pusher tables 22, 23 sliding forwardly and backwardly on the tables 20, 21 respectively.
  • the medals M are stored so that the main table 20 and the sub table 21 are paved by the medals M.
  • the play field portion 12 is shielded to the outside by being surrounded with a partition wall such as a transparent board.
  • the medals M held in the medal ejection portion 18 are transferred to a medal shoot 19 at the timing simultaneously with the timing when the medals M are dropped by the player, and the medals M are dropped onto the sub table 21 from the medal shoot 19. Additionally, the direction of the shoot 19 can be changed in a right-left direction by operating levers 10a mounted on right and left sides of the operation portion 10.
  • the medals M which are dropped in the play field portion 12 falls down on the sub table 21. Then, the medals M accumulate on the sub table 21 or roll down to the main table 20 from the sub table 21.
  • the medals M accumulated on the sub table 21 are pushed forward (i.e. the side of player) by a reciprocal motion of the pusher table 23. Thereby, the medals M are pushed out of the front edge of the sub table 21, and the pushed out medals M slide off on a slope portion 24 to move to the main table 20, and are accumulated there.
  • the medals M accumulated on the main table 20 are pushed forward by a reciprocal motion of the pusher table 22. Thereby, the medals M fall down to the surround of the main table 20.
  • the medals M which has fallen down are collected in a lift up hopper 25 shown in FIG. 2 . Then, the medals M, the number of which is the same as the number of medals M having fallen down from the front edge of the main table 20 are delivered to the medal deliver portion 11 disposed between the operation portions 10 from the lift up hopper 25 as the medals the player obtains. As the medals M which are delivered to a place disposed at the outside of the partition wall covering the play field portion 12, it is possible for the player to accept the medals M.
  • a plurality of openings 24a, 24b, and 24c are provided as a checker where the medals M pass through (fall down).
  • a not figured sensor detects that the medals M have passed through, and the detection signal is used as a trigger that the digital lottery game starts at the station monitor 16.
  • the digital lottery game is one of slot games competing whether a combination of three patterns (pictures, signs, numerals or the like) displayed in a row on the station monitor 16 is equal to the predetermined win hands or not. "Ball" is prepared as one of the win hands in the digital lottery game.
  • FIG. 4 shows a transfer route of the ball B provided by the ball transfer portion 15.
  • the ball B which has fallen down from the main table 20 is taken in a ball lifter 27 via a ball duct 26.
  • the ball lifter 27 transfers the taken ball B up to the end (the top) of slope 28 while lifting the ball B along with the slope 28.
  • the satellite lottery is performed with the ball B transferred up to the end of the slope 28.
  • the satellite unit SA comprises a bingo stage 30, a ball carrier 40 mounted to the outer circumference of the bingo stage 30, a pair of ball provision systems 50A, 50B disposed to the periphery of the bingo stage 30, and a pair of ball drop system 60A, 60B disposed across the bingo stage 30 from the ball provision system 50A, 50B.
  • the bingo stage 30 is rotated in one direction around a vertical direction axis as a center by a not-figured drive system.
  • the upper surface of the bingo stage 30 is divided into an outer circumference portion 32A and an inner circumference portion 32B by a fence 31 in the shape of ring.
  • a winning prize pocket 32a, 33a in the shape of round having a diameter to the extent that the ball B can pass through is mounted so that the winning prize pocket 32a, 33a penetrates the bingo stage 30.
  • the numbers or the patterns to be the options in the satellite lottery are assigned respectively.
  • the numerals 1 to 9 and the letters of "JP chance" are assigned respectively.
  • JP in this description is used as abbreviation for a jack pot, that is, a big win.
  • each 3 numerals of 1 to 9, appropriately combined, are assigned to each of the three winning prize pockets 33a in the inner circumference portion 32B.
  • the letters "JP chance" are assigned to each of the remains of 2 winning prize pockets 33a.
  • the ball carrier 40 is capable of moving along with the outer circumference of the bingo stage 30.
  • the ball carrier 40 transfers the ball B from the ball provision system 50A, 50B to the ball drop portion 14 of each station unit ST, and transfers the ball B from the ball transfer portion 15 of each station unit ST to the ball provision system 60A, 60B.
  • the ball B has passed through the winning prize pockets 32a, 33a is selectively guided depending on the kind of the ball B. For example, the normal ball B1 is guided to the ball provision system 50A, and the special ball B2 is guided to the ball provision system 50B.
  • the ball provision system 50A, 50B takes the guided ball B in a screw feeder 51 to transfer the ball B upward, and delivers the ball B reaching the top of the screw feeder 51 from the ejection portion 52 one by one.
  • the ball carrier 40 moves to just below the ejection portion 52 in liaison with the delivery of the ball B from the ejection portion 52, thereby the ball B to be ejected from the ball ejection portion 52 are passed to a fork 41 of the ball carrier 40.
  • the ball carrier 40 which has received the ball B from the ball provision system 50A, 50B moves along with the outer circumference of the bingo stage 30 up to the ball drop portion 14 of the station unit ST where the ball B should be transferred.
  • the carrier 40 by inclining the fork 41 outward, delivers the ball B to the top of the slope 14a of the ball drop portion 14.
  • the delivered ball B slopes down through the slope 14a, and, via a drop position selection system 14b, is dropped at a arbitrary position on the main table 20.
  • the ball carrier 40 moves to the inner side of the slope 28 of the ball transfer portion 15 where the ball B has been transferred and receives the ball B from the slope 28. And then, the ball carrier 40 transfers the ball B to the position of the ball drop system 60A or 60B. It is associated with the kind of ball B which one of the ball drop systems 60A or 60B the ball carrier 40 transfers the ball B to. For example, in a case of the normal ball B1, the ball carrier 40 transfers the ball B1 to the ball drop system 60A, while in a case of the special ball B2, the ball carrier 40 transfers the ball B2 to the ball drop system 60B.
  • Each of the ball drop systems 60A, 60B has a ball lifter 61 and a ball guide 62.
  • the ball lifter 61 is capable of performing a reciprocal motion in an up and down direction.
  • the ball lifter 61 of the ball drop system 60A gets lower.
  • the fork 41 of the ball carrier 40 is inclined to the side of ball lifter 61, and the ball B1 is passed from the ball carrier 40 to the ball lifter 61.
  • the ball lifter 61 having received the ball B1 gets up to the top of the ball guide 62.
  • the ball lifter 61 is inclined so that a down slope is formed to the ball guide 62.
  • the normal ball B1 is passed to the ball guide 62.
  • the normal ball passed to the ball guide 62 is dropped in the outer circumference 32 of the bingo stage 30 from the top of the ball guide 62.
  • the special ball B2 is transferred to the ball drop system 60B from the ball carrier 40, the ball lifter 61 of the ball drop system 60B gets lower, and the ball B2 is passed from the ball carrier 40 to the ball lifter 61.
  • the ball lifter 61 operates in a similar way to the ball drop system 60A to pass the special ball B2 to the ball guide 62 of the ball drop system 60B.
  • the special ball B2 passed to the ball guide 62 is dropped to the inner circumference portion 33 of the bingo stage 30 from the top of the ball guide 62.
  • the center unit CN comprises a center monitor 70, a big roulette 71, and a big-ball drop system 72.
  • the big roulette 71 is rotated in one direction at a predetermined speed by a not-figured driving system.
  • a plurality of winning prize pockets 71a are provided to the periphery of the big roulette 71.
  • number (or number of times) of medals M and various kinds of game mode are assigned as the win hands respectively.
  • the big ball 73 for the big roulette is dropped from the ball drop system 72 to the periphery of the big roulette 71.
  • the big ball 73 while oscillating along with the periphery of the big roulette 71 according to the rotation of the big roulette 71, enters in any one of the winning prize pockets 71a.
  • illumination devices and sound devices are mounted as rendering devices for warming up game mood.
  • the electric light devices for example, for the station unit a plurality of LEDs (light-emitting diodes) are arranged along with a moving route from the drop of the medals M to the ejection of medals M to the play field portion 12.
  • lamps are mounted to provide from the lower bingo stage 30, an illumination in the shape of ring around the rotation axis of the bingo stage 30 as the center.
  • the winning prize pocket 71a of the big roulette 71 in the center unit CN is fringed with a plurality of LEDs.
  • speakers are provided, effect sounds and BGM (back ground music) are appropriately outputted from the speakers.
  • BGM back ground music
  • spacers SP are provided between each of the satellite units SA of the game machine G. Below each of the spacers SP, a moving light L and a speaker for a show time are disposed.
  • a host control unit 100 As a computer unit to control operations in the game machine G, there are provided a host control unit 100, a host PC ("PC" is an abbreviation of "personal computer) 110, a center PC 120, a center control unit 130, satellite control unit 140 and station control unit 150.
  • the satellite control unit 140 is provided to the satellite unit SA one by one as a configuration element of the satellite unit SA.
  • the station control unit 150 is provided to the station unit ST one by one as a configuration element of the station unit ST. Namely, in the whole of the game machine G, there are 4 of the satellite control units 140 and 16 of the station control units 150.
  • These units 110 to 150 are connected with each other via LAN cables 160 to communicate information necessary for controlling various games or lotteries with each other. Additionally, the LAN cables 160 can be connected in a manner of so-called a star connection in which some hubs intervene at appropriate points.
  • the host control unit 100 executes an entire management, a coordinate control and the like of the game machine G.
  • the host PC 110 controls operations of a main-body rendering portion 111 of the game machine G.
  • the center PC 120 controls a display on the center monitor 70.
  • the center control unit 130 by operating based on the state of the center unit CN detected by a sensor group 131, a center drive portion 132 and a center rendering portion 133, controls execution of the center game and rendering in the game utilizing the center unit CN.
  • a win sensor is included, which detects whether the big ball 73 enters or not in each winning prize pocket 71a of the big roulette 71.
  • a no-contact switch, or a reflection-type or transmission-type optical sensor can be employed as the win sensor.
  • drive devices such as a motor for rotating the big roulette 71, actuators for driving the big ball drop system 72 and the like are included.
  • rendering devices such as lamps and speakers uniquely provided to the center unit CN.
  • the satellite control unit 40 controls the execution of the satellite lottery, the transfer of the ball B, and the rendering of game utilizing the satellite unit SA, by operating a satellite drive portion 142 and a satellite rendering portion 143 based on the state of the satellite unit SA, which is detected by a sensor group 141.
  • a win sensor for detecting whether the ball B passes or not through each of the winning prize pockets 32a, 33a of the bingo stage 30, and a carrier position sensor for detecting the position of the ball carrier 40 in the circumferential direction.
  • a non-contact switch or a transmission-type or reflection-type optical sensor can be employed as the win sensor.
  • the satellite drive portion 142 drive devices are included, such as a motor for rotating the bingo stage 30, an actuator for driving the ball carrier 40 along with the outer circumference of the bingo stage 30, an actuator for operating the fork 41 of the ball carrier 40, an actuator for driving the screw feeder 51 and the ball ejection portion 52 or the ball provision system 50A, 50B respectively, an actuator for driving upward and downward the ball lifter 61 of the ball drop system 60A, 60B.
  • the satellite rendering portion 143 rendering devices such as lamps and speakers uniquely mounted to the satellite unit SA.
  • the station control unit 150 controls the pusher game and the digital lottery game to be executed at the station unit ST and the rendering of the games utilizing the station unit ST, by operating a station drive portion 152 and a station rendering portion 153 based on the state of the station unit ST detected by a sensor group 151. Additionally, the station control unit 150 controls display of the station monitor 16. In the sensor group 151, a medal sensor group with respect to detection of the medals M, a ball sensor group with respect to detection of a ball B, and a position sensor group for detecting position of movable parts such as the lever 10a, and the pusher tables 22, 23.
  • a medal drop sensor for detecting the drop of medals M from the medal slot
  • a medal ejection sensor for detecting the ejection of medals M from the medal ejection portion 18
  • a checker sensor for the fall of medals M to the openings 24a to 24c as the checker
  • fall medal sensor for detecting the fall of medal M from the front edge of the main table 20
  • a medal delivery sensor for detecting the medal M to be delivered to the medal deliver portion 11 from the lift up hopper 25, and the like.
  • Non-contact switches, optical sensors, micro switches and the like can be employed as the above sensors, like the medal sensors employed to an already-known the medal game machine.
  • a ball drop sensor for detecting the drop of ball B from the ball drop portion 14
  • a ball fall sensor for detecting the ball B falling down from the main table 20 and being transferred to the ball transfer portion 15.
  • the ball fall sensor further functions as a sensor for discriminating the kind of ball B, that is, whether or not the ball which has fallen is the normal ball B1 of the special ball B2.
  • the discrimination of the ball B can be realized by using a sensor as the ball fall sensor, which outputs different signal depending on the kind of ball B1, B2.
  • the reflectance-type optical sensor is employed as the ball fall sensor. It is possible to discriminate the kind of ball B according to the strength of output signal from the sensor. By discriminating the kind of ball B with the ball fall sensor, it is possible to specify the ball drop system 60A, 60B to which the ball carrier 40 should transfer the ball B.
  • the station drive portion 152 there are included such as a drive device for each of the medal hopper 13a and the lift up hopper 25, an actuator for realizing the operation of ejecting the medals of the medal ejection portion 18, drive devices for reciprocating the pusher tables 22, 23 such as motors, an actuator for operating the drop position selection system 14b of the ball drop portion 14, a drive derive for driving the ball lifter 27 of the ball transfer portion 15 and the like.
  • the station rendering portion 153 rendering devices are included such as lamps and speakers uniquely mounted to the station unit ST.
  • the management of payout rate in the game machine G will be described.
  • the station control unit 150 the number of dropped medals M and the number of delivered medals M are counted and the payout rate is calculated with an appropriate period for each station unit ST.
  • NSTin the number of dropped medals M detected by the medal drop sensor within a predetermined period for calculation
  • NSTout the number of ejected medals M detected by the medal ejection sensor within the same period
  • the game machine G has functions for holding the number of medals M charged by the player as the number of credits, and dropping medals M, the number of which is withdrawn from the number of credits, to the play field portion 12 from the medal ejection portion 18, and executing the addition to the number of credits for realizing the delivery of medals M, it is necessary to calculate the payout rate POst by adding the number of medals M to be reduced from the number of credits to the number of dropped medals NSTin and adding the number of medals M to be added to the number of credits to the number of delivery medals NSTout.
  • the processing shown in FIG. 7 is executed by the linkage of the host control unit 100 and each of the station control units 150.
  • the host control unit 100 executes a routine for managing an entire payout rate in an appropriate cycle, and in synchronism with that, each station control unit 150 executes a routine for managing individual payout rate.
  • the station control unit 150 notifies the host control unit 100 of the payout rate POst calculated in itself at step S11.
  • the host control unit 100 obtains the payout rate POst of each station unit ST at step S21, and subsequently at step S22, calculates an entire payout rate POall and notifies each station control unit 150 of the calculation result.
  • the entire payout rate POall for example, can be a simple average of the payout rates POst of the station units ST.
  • the station control unit 150 obtains the payout rate POall from the host control unit 100 at step S12, and subsequently at step S13, determines a target payout rate POsttgt of its own station unit ST based on the difference between the own payout rate Post and the entire payout rate POall.
  • a standard target payout rate is set as a initial value in advance.
  • each station control unit 150 appropriately adjusts a win probability (a probability of establishing the win hands) of the digital lottery game so that the payout rate POst calculated in itself is controlled to approach the initial value of a target payout rate POsttgt.
  • the station control unit 150 adjusts the target payout rate POsttgt. For example, in a case that the own payout rate POst is higher than the entire payout rate POall, the target payout rate POsttgt is set to be lower than the initial value. In this manner, by changing the target payout rate POsttgt, it is possible to reduce the dispersion of payout rates POst.
  • FIG. 8 shows a flow chart of a game basic control routine executed by the station control unit 150 in response to the detection of drop of medals M from the medal slot.
  • the station control unit 150 firstly executes at step S101, a processing required to drop the medals M into the play field portion 12. The flow of medals M at this moment is above mentioned in reference to FIG. 3 .
  • the station control unit 150 determines whether or not the medals M have entered any one of the openings portions 24a to 24c as the the checker.
  • the station control unit 150 goes to step S103 to start the slot lottery of the digital lottery game. Namely, the station control unit 150 displays the game picture 200 shown in FIG. 9 on the station monitor 16, and selects by using random numbers or the like, patterns to be displayed in each of changeable display portions 201a, 201b, 201c disposed on a line in the game picture 200.
  • the process for determining the patterns may be executed based on a control law of a conventional slot machine.
  • the selected patterns are displayed, while each of the changeable display portion 201a, 201b, 201c is given a predetermined rendering effects (animation and the like).
  • the game picture 200 has also a bingo game portion 210,but this will be described later.
  • the station control unit 150 goes to step S104 to determine whether or not the combination of the three patterns determined in the slot lottery is a losing hand or not. In a case of the losing hand, the station control unit 150 terminates this routine.
  • step S140 in a case of the combination is not the losing hand, namely, in a case of establishing the win hand in the slot lottery, the station control unit 150 goes to step S105 and after step S105 to execute processing appropriate to the kind of win hand. Namely, the station control unit 150, firstly at step S107, whether or not a win hand of "ball" is established.
  • the station control unit 150 goes to step S106 to deliver (drop) the normal ball B1 to the play field portion 12.
  • the station control unit 150 requires the delivery of the normal ball B1 to the satellite control unit 140.
  • the satellite control unit 140 requires the ball provision system 50A to eject the normal ball B1 therefrom, and delivers the ejected ball to the slope 14a of the ball drop portion 14 by the ball carrier 40.
  • the station control unit 150 operates the drop position selection system 14b of the ball drop portion 14 to drop the normal ball B1 to an appropriate position in the play field portion 12.
  • the station control unit 150 terminates this routine.
  • step S104 in a case that the win hand of "ball" is not established, the station control unit 150 goes to step S107 to determine whether or not the win hand of "ordinary patterns” in the slot lottery has been established. In a case of the win hand of "ordinary patterns”, the station control unit 150 goes to step S108 to execute processing for providing medals M, the number of which corresponds to the win hand of "ordinary patterns", to the play field portion 12 from the medal provision portion 13.
  • the delivery of medals M means the delivery of medals M from the lift up hopper 25 to the medal delivery portion 11, and the provision of medals M means the delivery of medals M from the medal provision portion 13 to the play field portion 12.
  • the provision of medals M from the medal provision portion 13 may be only a route through the medal ejection portion 18 and the medal shoot 19. However, in a case of delivering a big amount of medals M to the play field portion 12 at one time, the medals M may be provided through other routes.
  • step S109 the station control unit 150 sets the mode of slot lottery to an ordinary mode, and after that terminates this routine.
  • the mode of slot lottery will be described.
  • step S107 in a case that the win hand of "ordinary patterns" is not established, the station control unit 150 goes to step S110 to determine whether or not the win hand of "probability oscillation patterns" has been established. In a case that the win hand of "probability oscillation patterns” has been established, the station control unit 150 goes to step S111 to provide the medals M, the number of which corresponds to the "probability oscillation patterns", to the play field portion 12.
  • step S112 the station control unit 150 sets the mode of slot lottery to the probability oscillation mode, and after that terminates this routine.
  • the probability oscillation mode is a mode where the probability of establishing the win hand in the slot lottery is heightened compared with a normal mode. That is to say, in a case that the win hand of "probability oscillation patterns" is established, at step S112, the probability oscillation mode is started or the same mode is maintained. Then, in a case that the win hand of "ordinary patterns" has been established in the probability oscillation mode, the probability oscillation mode is terminated by the processing of stepS109.
  • the station control unit 150 goes to step S113 to determine whether or not the win hand of "bingo feature” has been established.
  • the station control unit 150 goes to step S114 to execute a bingo card feature setting processing.
  • the bingo card feature setting processing is a processing for changing an expected value of player with respect to the number of delivering medals M by changing player's privilege in a bingo game executed in combination with the bingo cards 211 displayed on the bingo game portion 210 shown in FIG. 9 .
  • FIG. 10 shows the magnified bingo game portion 210.
  • the bingo card 211 is displayed.
  • the bingo card 211 is made up of such 9 boxes as arranged in a matrix shape having 3 lines and 3 rows, and the boxes are assigned to the numerals 1 to 9 respectively.
  • Each of the numerals corresponds to the numeral assigned to the winning prize pocket 32a, 33a in the bingo stage 30 of the satellite unit SA.
  • the numeral assigned to the winning prize pocket 32a, 33a becomes active.
  • the bingo is established.
  • a bingo feature display area 213 is provided at the left side and the bottom side of the bingo card 211.
  • feature display portions 214a to 214 h are provided, each of which corresponds to a lateral line, a longitudinal line, or a diagonal line of the bingo card 211.
  • a pattern is displayed which corresponds to the privilege to be provided to the player in addition to the provision of medals M the number of which is displayed in the odds display area 212, when the bingo is established, that is, three active numerals are aligned on the corresponding line.
  • privileges affect directly or indirectly the provision of medals to the player, and the affections of the privileges given to the payout rate are different from each other.
  • there are prepared as the privilege such that the addition of the bonus number of medals to the number of medals displayed in the odds display area 212, the drop of the normal ball B1 or the special ball B2 to the play field portion 120, the donation of "JP chance", and the like.
  • the privilege such that the addition of the bonus number of medals to the number of medals displayed in the odds display area 212, the drop of the normal ball B1 or the special ball B2 to the play field portion 120, the donation of "JP chance", and the like.
  • the pattern indicating the drop of the special ball B2 is appearing in each of the feature display portions 214a, 214e
  • the pattern indicating the drop of the normal ball B1 is appearing in each of the feature display portions 214b, 214d, 214f, 214h
  • the pattern indicating the donation of "JP chance" is appearing in the feature display portion 214c. Accordingly, for example, in a case that three active numerals are aligned in the lateral direction on the upmost line of the bingo cart 211, in response to establishing the bingo, the special ball B2 is dropped in the play field portion 120.
  • the privilege the player obtains at the moment of establishing the bingo is changed.
  • the payout rate of medals For example, when the actual payout rate POst is lower than the target payout rate POsttgt, it is possible to converge the payout rate POst to the target payout rate POsttgt more quickly, by selecting among plural privileges prepared in advance, a privilege having a bigger affection to increase the payout rate, in other words, selecting preferentially a privilege connected with the delivery of bigger amount of medals compared with the other privileges.
  • the actual payout rate POst is higher than the target payout rate POsttgt, it is possible to converge the payout rate POst to the target payout rate POsttgt more quickly, by selecting among plural privileges prepared in advance, a privilege having a smaller affection to increase the payout rate, in other words, selecting preferentially a privilege connected with the delivery of smaller amount of medals compared with the other privileges.
  • the selection of these privileges can be realized, for example, by the following: the amount of the affection each privilege gives to the payout rate is quantified in advance, depending on the quantified value, the probability of selecting each privilege is set basically.
  • the selection probability of privileges having a bigger affection to the payout rate(the affection only for heightening the payout rate) may be made higher than the basic set, and on the contrary in a case of controlling for lowing the payout rate, the selection probability of privileges having a smaller affection to the payout rate may be made higher than the basic set.
  • the station control unit 150 goes to step S115 to determine whether or not the win hand of "direct satellite” has been established. In a case that the win hand of "direct satellite” has been established, the station control unit 150 goes to step S123. On the other hand, the win hand of "direct supply” is not established, the station control unit 150 goes to step S116 to recognize that the win hand of "direct center” has been established. Subsequently at step S123, the station control unit 150 requires the center control unit 130 to execute the center lottery and after that terminates this routine. Note that, in this case, as the ball B is not transferred to the ball transfer portion 15, the satellite lottery is performed by delivering the ball B1 to the ball carrier 40 from the ball provision system 50A, and transferring the ball B1 to the ball drop system 60A.
  • the station control unit 150 goes to step S120 to determine whether or not the ball B has fallen down from the main table 20. In a case that the ball B does not fall, the station control unit 150 terminates this routine. On the other hand, in a case that the ball B has fallen, the station control unit 150 goes to step S121 to discriminate whether or not the ball which has fallen is the special ball B2.
  • the discrimination of the kinds of ball B is aforementioned with respect to the sensor group 151 in FIG. 6 .
  • the station control unit 120 goes to step S122 to determine that the satellite lottery should be performed at the inner circumference portion 33 of the bingo stage 30.
  • the station control unit 150 goes to step S123 to determine that the satellite lottery should be performed at the outer circumference potion 32 of the bingo stage 30.
  • the station control unit 150 goes to step S124 to require the satellite lottery to the satellite control unit 140.
  • the station control unit 150 also provides to the satellite control unit 140, the information of specifying whether the satellite lottery should be performed in the outer circumference portion 32 or in the inner circumference portion 33. After requiring the satellite lottery, the station control unit 150 terminates this routine. Additionally, in harmony with the requirement of the satellite lottery, the station control unit 150 controls operations of the ball transfer portion 15 so that the ball B which has fallen is transferred to the end of slope 28.
  • FIG. 11 shows a flow chart of a satellite lottery routine which the satellite control unit 140 executes in response to the requirement of the satellite lottery from the station control unit 150.
  • the satellite control unit 140 firstly at step S201, determines whether the satellite lottery should be performed in the outer circumference portion 32 or the inner circumference portion 33 by the information provided from the station control unit 150. In a case that the satellite lottery should be performed in the outer circumference portion 32, the satellite control unit 140 goes to step S202 to control operations of the ball carrier 40 and the ball drop system 60A, so that the ball B (in this case , the normal ball B1) transferred by the ball transfer portion 15 of the station unit ST is dropped onto the outer circumference portion 32 from the ball drop system 60A.
  • the satellite control unit 140 goes to step S202 to control operations of the ball carrier 40 and the ball drop system 60A, so that the ball B (in this case , the normal ball B1) transferred by the ball transfer portion 15 of the station unit ST is dropped onto the outer circumference portion 32 from the ball drop system 60A.
  • the satellite control unit 140 goes to step S203 to control operations of the ball carrier 40 and the ball drop system 60B, so that the ball B (in this case , the special ball B2) transferred by the ball transfer portion 15 of the station unit ST is dropped onto the inner circumference portion 33 from the ball drop system 60B.
  • the ball B in this case , the special ball B2
  • step S204 After dropping the ball B, the satellite control unit 140 goes to step S204, reads out which one of the winning prize pockets 32a (or 33a)the dropped ball B has fallen into, based on the detection signal of the win sensor included in the sensor group 140. Subsequently, at step S205, the satellite control unit 140 determines whether or not the winning prize pocket 32a (or 33a) into which the ball B has fallen is a JP chance pocket, that is, a winning prize pocket having the letters of "JP chance”. Then, in a case that the the winning prize pocket 32a (or 33a) is the JP chance pocket, the satellite control unit 140 goes to step S206 to require the center lottery to the center control unit 130. In a case that the winning prize pocket 32a (or 33a) is not the JP chance pocket, step S206 is skipped.
  • the satellite control unit 140 notifies the host control unit 100 and the station control unit 150 (which has required the satellite lottery) of the the number or letter of the winning prize pocket 32a (or 33a) which the ball B has fallen into. After notifying of that, the satellite control unit 140 terminates the satellite lottery routine.
  • FIG.12 shows a flow chart of a win probability determination routine which the host control unit 100 executes in response to the notification of the number or letter (hereinafter, referred to as the number) of winning prize pocket from the satellite control unit 140.
  • this routine is executed to recognize the dispersion of the probabilities and reflect it to the control of game.
  • the host control unit 100 firstly at step S301, updates the number of wins data in response to the notification of the winning-prize pocket number from the satellite control unit 140.
  • the number of wins data is, for example as shown in FIG.
  • each number of winning prize pocket (the numerals of 1 to 9 or "JP") assigned to each winning prize pocket 32a, 33a, and each number of wins N1 to N9, Njp which is corresponded to each number of the winning prize pocket.
  • the number of wins is obtained within an appropriate sampling period (for instance, the past 1000 times of lotteries). For example, in a case that the notification that in the satellite lottery the ball B1 has fallen into the winning prize pocket 32a, to which the number of 1 is assigned, is accepted, 1 is added to the number of wins N1 for the pocket number 1, and 1 is subtracted from the number of wins Nx for the pocket number x (x is any one of 1 to 9, or "JP") corresponding to the oldest lottery chance within the sampling period.
  • the host control unit 100 calculates the win probability for each pocket number.
  • the calculation obtains the value by dividing the number of wins N1 to N9, Njp for each pocket number by the number of times of lottery within the sampling period. Note that the calculation with respect to the probability of win for the pocket number JP corresponding to "JP chance" can be omitted.
  • the host control unit 100 notifies the station control unit 150 of the probability of win for each calculated pocket number, and after that terminates this routine.
  • the station control unit 150 which becomes a notified destination at step S303 is the control unit 150 of each of the 4 station units ST combined with the satellite unit SA including the satellite control unit 140 which has notified of the result of the satellite lottery. Namely, the win probability determination routine is executed for each unit independently.
  • the each unit comprises the satellite unit SA and 4 station units SA combined therewith.
  • FIG. 14 shows a flow chart of a bingo game routine to be executed by the station control unit 150 which has been notified of the number of winning prize pocket from the satellite control unit 140.
  • the station control unit 150 firstly at step S131, activates on the bingo card 211, the numerals which are the same as the number of winning prize pocket 32a or 33a of which has been notified from the satellite control unit 140. However, in a case that the winning prize pocket is "JP chance", the activation is not executed.
  • the station control unit 150 determines whether the bingo has been established on the bingo card 211, that is, three active numerals has been aligned on a line. In a case that the bingo has been established, the station control unit 150 goes to step S133 to provide to the play field 12, the medals M the number of which is obtained by totalizing the bingo WIN medals and the repeat WIN medals.
  • the bingo WIN medals is the number displayed in the odds display area 212 shown in FIG. 10 .
  • the repeat WIN medals is the number displayed in the repeat medals display portion 215 shown in FIG. 10 . The repeat WIN medals will be described later.
  • the station control unit 150 gives to the player, the privilege corresponding to the pattern appearing in the display portion of the line or row where the bingo has been established (hereinafter, referred to as the win line.) within the feature display portions 214a to 214h of the bingo game portion 210 shown in FIG.10 .
  • the privilege for example, the number of medals to be delivered is added, the ball B is dropped, or "JP chance” is donated.
  • the donation of "JP chance” is a requirement of the center lottery like the case that the processing advances from step S205 to step S206 in FIG. 12 .
  • step S135 the station control unit 150 resets the feature on the win line, that is eliminates the privilege corresponds to the win line.
  • the station control unit 150 goes to step S136 to obtain the win probability of each pocket number of which has been notified by the host control unit 100.
  • step S137 the station control unit 150 change the arrangement of the numerals on the win line in reference to the win probabilities of the pocket numbers and the difference between the payout rate POst and the target payout rate POsttgt. For example, the case shown in FIG. 15 will be explained.
  • the center line of the bingo card is a win line
  • the numerals on the win line are 7, 6, and 4
  • the win probabilities P7, P6 and P4 of the winning-prize pocket numbers corresponding to the above these numerals have a relationship such as P7>P6>P4.
  • the center box of the bingo card is a box included in all of the directions which are longitudinal, lateral and diagonal. In a case that high value of the win probability is set to the center box, the probability of establishing the bingo is heightened comparatively compared with the case that low value of the win probability is set there.
  • the probability of establishing the bingo gets higher.
  • the target payout rate POsttgt is enough lower than the actual payout rate POst
  • the lowest value 4 in the win probabilities is set to the center box, and the other values are assigned to the right box and the left box respectively.
  • the probability of establishing the bingo gets lower.
  • step S132 in a case that the bingo is not established, the station control unit 150 goes to step S140 to determine whether the winning-prize pocket number is a repeat or not. In a case that the numeral of which has been notified in the satellite lottery is already activated on the bingo card 211, the pocket number is determined as a repeat. In a case of determining the pocket number as a repeat, the station control unit 150 goes to step S141 to add one step to a repeat step.
  • the repeat WIN medals displayed in the repeat medals display portion 215 shown in FIG. 10 are changed to a one-step bigger value.
  • the repeat WIN medals increases gradually, such that 10 repeat medals to 1 of repeat count, 20 repeat medals to 2 of repeat count, and 40 repeat medals to 3 Of repeat count.
  • the medals the number of which is the same as the repeat WIN medals depending on the repeat count are provided to the play field portion 12 (refer to step S133).
  • step S142 the station control unit 150 delivers the normal ball B1 to the play field portion 12.
  • This processing may be the same as the processing of step S106 in FIG. 8 .
  • the station control unit 150 terminates this routine.
  • the station control unit 150 goes to step S143 to provide a predetermined medals M and terminate this routine.
  • FIG. 16 shows a flow chart of a center lottery routine which the center control unit 130 executes in response to the requirement of the center lottery.
  • the center lottery is required in a case that the bingo feature given at step S133 in FIG. 14 is "JP chance", besides at step S117 in FIG. 8 and at step S206 in FIG. 11 .
  • the center control unit 130 firstly at step S401, executes the center lottery. Namely, while rotating the big roulette 71, the center control unit 130 makes the big ball drop system 72 drop the big ball 73. Subsequently at step S402, the center control unit 130 determines whether the big ball 73 has entered the winning prize pocket 71a defined as JP donation pocket.
  • the processing may be stopped when the big ball 73 is dropped, and the processing in FIG.16 may be restarted by a detection as a trigger that the big ball 73 enters any one of the winning prize pockets 71a in the big roulette 71.
  • the center control unit 130 goes to step S403 to instruct the station control unit 150, which has required the center lottery, to provide to the play filed portion 12, the medals the number of which corresponds to the JP win. After instructing the provision of medals, the center control unit 130 terminates this routine. Additionally, in a case that the center lottery is required from the satellite control unit 140, the station control unit 150 which has required the satellite lottery to the satellite control unit 140 is a notified destination of the instruction to provide medals.
  • the center control unit 130 goes to step S404 to determine whether or not the big ball 73 has entered the winning prize pocket 71a defined as a grand slot pocket. In a case that the big ball 73 has entered the ground slot pocket, the center control unit 130 goes to step S405 to require the host control unit 100 to execute the grand slot lottery, and after that terminates this routine.
  • the center control unit 130 goes to step S406 to instruct the station control unit 150 to provide medals M the number of which corresponds to the center lottery to the play field portion 12.
  • the number of medals in this case is enough smaller than the number of medals instructed at step S403. Different number can be instructed depending on the kind of the winning prize pocket 71a which the big ball 73 has been taken in.
  • the notified destination of the instruction to provide medals is the same as the one in the case of step S403. After instructing the provision of medals, the center control unit 130 terminates this routine.
  • FIG. 17 shows a flow chart of a ground slot lottery routine which the host control unit 100 executes in response to the requirement of the ground slot lottery (step S405 in FIG. 16 ) from the center control unit 130.
  • the host control unit 100 firstly at step S501, executes the ground slot lottery.
  • the ground slot lottery is a slot lottery to compete for establishing the win hand based on the combination of three patterns, similar to the digital lottery game performed on the station monitor 16 of the station unit ST. However, the game picture of the ground slot lottery is displayed on the center monitor 70 via the center PC 120.
  • the entire payout rate POall calculated in the processing in FIG. 7 may be referred.
  • the host control unit 100 After executing the ground slot lottery, the host control unit 100 goes to step S502 to determine whether or not a win hand of "premier mode" has been established in the ground slot lottery. In a case that the win hand of "premier mode" has been established, the host control unit 100 goes to step S503 to require the station control unit 150 to shift to the premier mode.
  • the required destination in this case is the station control unit 150 which has required the center control unit 130 to execute the center lottery caused the requirement of the ground slot lottery at step S405 in FIG. 16 . After requiring the shift to the premier mode, the host control unit 100 terminates this routine.
  • step S504 the host control unit 100 goes to step S504 to determine whether or not a win hand of "satellite game” has been established.
  • step S505 the host control goes to step S505 to require the satellite control unit 140 which has required the center lottery to execute a predetermined center game. After requiring that, the host control unit 100 terminates this routine.
  • the satellite control unit 140 required to execute the satellite game executes the satellite game in accordance with a predetermined process, and instructs the station control unit 150 (same as the required destination at step S503) to provide medals M depending on the game result.
  • step S506 the host control unit 100 goes to step S506 to determine whether or not a win hand of "medal WIN" has been established.
  • step S507 the host control unit 100 goes to step S507 to instruct the station control unit 150 to provide medals the number of which is obtained by adding the medals corresponding to the win hand of "medal WIN" to the JP medals (the provision medals instructed at step S403 in FIG. 16 ).
  • the instructed destination is the same as the one at step S503.
  • step S506 the host control computer 100 goes to step S508 to require the center control unit 130 to re-execute the center lottery.
  • the center control unit 130 re-executes the center lottery in FIG. 16 .
  • the host control unit 100 terminates this routine.
  • FIG. 18 shows a flow chart of a premier mode routine which the station control unit 150 executes in a case that the shift to the premier mode is required from the host control unit 100 (step S503 in FIG. 17 ).
  • This routine is executed instead of the game basic control routine in FIG. 8 when the drop of medals to the play field portion 12 is detected. Namely, At the moment of executing the premier mode, the game control based on the game basic control routine is not executed.
  • the game picture 220 shown in FIG. 19 instead of the game picture 200 shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the station monitor 16. The game picture 220 resembles the game picture 200 in FIG.
  • the numerals 1 to 9 are arranged on a line, and each of the numerals are represented in a different state depending on whether the numeral is active or inactive as a value to continue the premier mode.
  • a circle is put to each of the active numerals and a cross is put to each of the inactive numerals.
  • the station control unit 150 firstly step S151, executes a medal drop processing , and subsequently at step S151 determines whether or not the medals M has entered the checker. In a case that the medals M have entered the checker, the station control unit 150 goes to step S153 to execute the slot lottery as the digital lottery game performed on the station monitor 16. The win hand at this moment is limited to the case that three same numerals has appeared. Additionally, the win probability is set to be higher than the one at step S103 in FIG. 8 . Subsequently at step S154, the station control unit 150 determines whether or not the combination of patterns obtained in the slot lottery is a losing hand, and in a case of the losing hand, terminates this routine.
  • the station control unit 150 goes to step S155 to provide to the play filed portion 12, the medals M the number of which is dependent on the win hand in the slot lottery.
  • the station control unit 150 switches between an active state and an inactive state with respect to the win number, that is, the numeral, three of which have appeared.
  • the win number that is, the numeral, three of which have appeared.
  • the state of numeral 3 is switched between the active state and the inactive state.
  • the circle is put to numeral 3 in the continuation condition display portion 221, which means that the numeral 3 is active.
  • the state of numeral 3 is switched from the active state to the inactive state, and in accordance with this, the state of numeral 3 displayed in the continuation condition display portion 221 is switched from the state that the circle is put to the state that the cross is put. After switching between the state of active and the state of inactive, the station control unit 150 terminates this routine.
  • the station control unit 150 goes to step S160 to determine whether or not the ball B has fallen from the main table 20. In a case that the ball B hasn't fallen, this routine is terminated. On the other hand, in a case that the ball B has fallen, the station control unit 150 goes to step S161 to determine whether or not the ball B which has fallen is the special ball B2. The discrimination of the kind of ball B is above mentioned with respect to the sensor group 151 in FIG. 6 . In a case that the ball which has fallen is the special ball B2, the station control unit 150 goes to step S162 to determine that the satellite lottery should be performed at the inner circumference portion 33 of the bingo stage 30.
  • the station control unit 150 goes to step S163 to determine that the satellite lottery should be performed at the outer circumference portion 32 of the bingo stage 30. After determining the area where the satellite game should be performed, the station control unit 150 goes to step S164 to require the satellite lottery to the satellite control unit 140. In this case, the station control unit 150 also provides to the satellite control unit 140, the information of specifying whether the satellite lottery should be performed at the outer circumference portion 32 or the inner circumference portion 33. After requiring the satellite lottery, the station control unit 150 terminates this routine. Additionally, in addition to the require of the satellite lottery, the station control unit 150 controls the operations of the ball transfer portion 150 so that the ball B which has fallen is transferred to the end of the slope 28.
  • the satellite control unit 140 to which the satellite lottery is required in the processing at step S164 in FIG. 18 executes the satellite lottery in accordance with the process in FIG. 11 .
  • the station control unit 150 executes a premier mode termination control routine shown in FIG. 20 .
  • This routine is a routine for controlling to continue or terminate the premier mode.
  • the station control unit 150 obtains the number of winning prize pocket of which has been notified by the satellite control unit 140.
  • the station control unit 150 determines whether or not the winning-prize pocket number obtained at step S171 is "JP" or not, that is the ball B has entered the JP chance pocket.
  • the station control unit 150 goes to step S173 to terminate the premier mode and get back the processing to the game basic control shown in FIG.8 . After that, the station control unit 150 terminates this routine.
  • the premier mode is only terminated, and in a case that "JP chance" appears in the satellite lottery, the process advances to the processing of and after the center lottery in FIG. 16 .
  • the station control unit 150 goes to step S174 to determine whether or not the winning-prize pocket number is the inactive numeral.
  • This inactive numeral is a numeral to which the cross is put in the continuation condition display portion 221 of the game picture 220 in FIG. 19 .
  • the station control unit 150 goes to step S173.
  • the station control unit 150 skips step S173 and terminates this routine.
  • the premier mode is terminated. Accordingly, in a case that the number of the winning prize pocket which the ball B has fallen into in the satellite lottery is equal to one of the active numerals, the premier mode is continued.
  • the satellite unit SA and the ball B correspond to the physical lottery system and the medium for lottery respectively.
  • the station control unit 150 corresponds to the game execution device and the payout rate control device.
  • the host control unit 100 corresponds to the probability calculation device.
  • the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment but also can be realized by various embodiments.
  • the ball as the medium for lottery is dropped via the play field portion 12, but the satellite lottery may be executed not via the play field portion 12.
  • the physical lottery system is not limited to the configuration such as satellite SA, but also can be appropriately changed to something able to select randomly at least one option by imparting a physical motion to a medium for lottery.
  • a physical lottery system where at least one option is selected by utilizing spots of a dice, two sides of coins and the like can be employed.
  • a physical lottery system can be employed, where a physical motion is imparted to a medium for lottery on a lottery board having plural medium take portions each of which corresponds to each at least one option, and selected option is determined depending on which medium take portion the medium for lottery has been taken into.
  • the game execution device is not limited to a device for executing the bingo game, but also can be appropriately changed to a device as long as the device executes a game in association with the lottery result in the physical lottery system. For example, in the case that a pattern arrangement area where patterns are aligned in a matrix shape is generated, it can be determined that a win arrangement is established when patterns corresponding to selected options are arranged at the four corners of the pattern arrangement area.
  • the payout rate control device is not limited to the above example that the arrangement of patterns on the bingo card is changed, gut can change various elements giving an affection on the payout rate.
  • gut can change various elements giving an affection on the payout rate.
  • the slot lottery executed in the premier mode is operated so that the numeral which is the same number of the winning prize pocket having a high win probability of the ball B becomes inactivate (the symbol " ⁇ " ) , and the numeral which is the same number of the winning prize pocket hiving a low win probability becomes activate (the symbol " ⁇ ")
  • the probability to terminate the premier mode is heightened, and thereby, the effect that the rising of payout rate is reduced can be performed.
  • each line might have a different probability to establish the bingo from each others.
  • the effect that the rising of payout rate is reduced can be performed, if the privilege having a bigger affection on a direction of heightening the payout rate is disposed on a line having a low probability to establish the bingo, and the privilege having a smaller affection on a direction of heightening the payout rate is disposed on a line having a low probability to establish the bingo.
  • the present invention is not limited to a configuration of the above game machine where the station units ST, the satellite units SA, and the center unit CN are combined.
  • a game machine can be employed to the present invention, where a single physical lottery system and a single station unit ST are combined, or where a physical lottery system is installed into a single station unit ST.
  • the game machine is not limited to the one where a delivery of amusement value to a player is realized by delivering actually amusement media, but also a game machine can be employed where a delivery of amusement value is realized by utilizing virtual amusement media.
EP07714223A 2006-02-16 2007-02-15 Machine de jeu avec mécanisme de loterie physique Ceased EP1985337A4 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2006040034A JP4399423B2 (ja) 2006-02-16 2006-02-16 物理的抽選機構を備えたゲーム機
PCT/JP2007/052693 WO2007094393A1 (fr) 2006-02-16 2007-02-15 Machine de jeu avec mécanisme de loterie physique

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1985337A1 true EP1985337A1 (fr) 2008-10-29
EP1985337A4 EP1985337A4 (fr) 2011-03-09

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EP07714223A Ceased EP1985337A4 (fr) 2006-02-16 2007-02-15 Machine de jeu avec mécanisme de loterie physique

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US (1) US20090005149A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP1985337A4 (fr)
JP (1) JP4399423B2 (fr)
KR (1) KR20080097216A (fr)
CN (1) CN101384314B (fr)
AU (1) AU2007215831A1 (fr)
TW (1) TW200806374A (fr)
WO (1) WO2007094393A1 (fr)

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JP5737887B2 (ja) * 2010-09-02 2015-06-17 株式会社タイトー メダルゲーム機
JP5835544B2 (ja) * 2011-02-03 2015-12-24 株式会社セガゲームス ゲーム装置
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WO2013141841A1 (fr) 2012-03-19 2013-09-26 Konami Gaming, Incorporated Roue de loterie, unité roue de loterie comprenant une roue de loterie, machine à sous comprenant une unité roue de loterie, procédé de commande d'un ordinateur de commande utilisé dans une machine à sous, et programme informatique
US10186109B2 (en) 2012-03-19 2019-01-22 Konami Gaming, Inc. Lottery ring, lottery ring unit with lottery ring, game machine with lottery ring unit, control method of controlling computer used in game machine, and computer program
JP5952962B2 (ja) * 2012-05-23 2016-07-13 コナミゲーミング インコーポレーテッド ゲームマシン、それに用いる制御方法及び、コンピュータプログラム
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TWI740171B (zh) * 2019-06-27 2021-09-21 朝陽科技大學 多軸控制的遊戲機及控制方法

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GB2452143A (en) * 2007-08-21 2009-02-25 Namco Bandai Games Inc Coin pusher using rolling tokens
GB2462541A (en) * 2007-08-21 2010-02-17 Namco Bandai Games Inc Token game machine
GB2462541B (en) * 2007-08-21 2011-02-16 Namco Bandai Games Inc Token game machine
GB2452143B (en) * 2007-08-21 2011-02-16 Namco Bandai Games Inc Token game machine

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EP1985337A4 (fr) 2011-03-09
WO2007094393A1 (fr) 2007-08-23
CN101384314B (zh) 2011-11-02
JP4399423B2 (ja) 2010-01-13
TW200806374A (en) 2008-02-01
KR20080097216A (ko) 2008-11-04
US20090005149A1 (en) 2009-01-01
TWI322703B (fr) 2010-04-01
CN101384314A (zh) 2009-03-11
JP2007215783A (ja) 2007-08-30
AU2007215831A1 (en) 2007-08-23

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