JP2004057283A - Game system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To transmit game media in a number specified by a specifying means from one game stand to another by specifying the number of game media a player wants to move from the game stand to the other game stand. <P>SOLUTION: On the transmission side, a medal check process for determining whether or not medals are reserved in a credit and a menu display process for displaying a menu in a liquid crystal display device 22 are executed by a main control circuit board 61. Next, an icon selection process for determining whether or not the icon for transmitting medals is selected by a player, a medal transmitting process for transmitting medals reserved in the credit, and a game check process for checking whether or not a game is in progress in a slot machine 1 are executed by a sub control circuit board 62. On the receiving side, a process of determining whether or not it is in the stand-by state, a medal receiving process for receiving medals from the slot machine 1 on the transmission side, and a display process for displaying the number of received medals in the liquid crystal display device 22 are executed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a game system in which a game process is performed using a number of game media bet by a player within a range of the number of game media stored in a game medium storage unit.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a conventional general slot machine, a medal as a game medium is inserted into a medal slot by a player to play a game. When the player operates the stop button to stop and display the symbols drawn on the outer periphery of the rotating reel in a predetermined symbol combination, a winning according to the symbol combination is obtained. A predetermined number of medals are paid out for each winning.
[0003]
This type of conventional slot machine has a credit function for storing medals inside the machine. When playing a game using the credit function, a predetermined number of medals are bet within the range of the number of credits by operating a bet button, and the number of medals paid out is added to the number of credits.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the above-mentioned conventional slot machine, when moving to another gaming table or giving a medal to a player playing a game at another gaming table, the player puts a medal in a box, , I had to carry it in my hand to another game console, which was troublesome. In addition, when there are many credited medals, it takes time to discharge all medals, and it takes time to pack them in a box.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention has been made in order to solve such a problem, and has a game medium storing means for storing game media, and a number bet by a player within a range of the number of game media stored in the game medium storing means. A plurality of gaming machines provided with game processing control means for performing game processing using the above-mentioned game media and communication means for communicating with the outside, and receiving and collecting game information transmitted from the communication means of each of these game machines In a gaming system comprising a hall computer, each gaming machine displays the number of game media within the range of the number of game media stored in the game media storage means on, for example, a display means and designates the player. And a subtraction means for subtracting the number of game media designated by the designation means from the game medium storage means, and the gaming machine for which the number of game media has been designated by the designation means is designated by the designation means. The number of game media is transmitted to other gaming machines via a hall computer or a relay means for relaying communication between the hall computer and each gaming machine by the communication means, and the other gaming machines are transmitted. The number of game media is received by the communication means, and the received number of game media is stored in the game medium storage means.
[0006]
According to this configuration, at a certain gaming machine, the number of game media that the player wants to move to another gaming machine is specified by the specifying means, and the number of game media specified by the specifying means is increased. Is transmitted to another gaming table by the communication means, and the designated number of game media is subtracted from the number of game media stored in the storage means by the subtraction means. Further, the other gaming tables receive the transmitted number of game media by the communication means, and store the received number of game media in the game medium storage means.
[0007]
Further, the present invention is characterized in that the communication means transmits the number of game media designated by the designation means when the game processing by the game processing control means is not being performed.
[0008]
According to this configuration, while the communication unit is transmitting the game media, the number of game media stored in the game medium storage unit is not changed by the game processing control unit.
[0009]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Next, an embodiment of the gaming system according to the present invention will be described.
[0010]
FIG. 1 is a front view showing the appearance of a slot machine 1 used in the gaming system according to the present embodiment.
[0011]
At the center of the main body of the slot machine 1, three reels 2, 3, and 4 are rotatably provided. On the outer peripheral surface of each of the reels 2, 3, and 4, a symbol row including a plurality of types of symbols (hereinafter, referred to as symbols) is drawn. Three of these symbols are observed through the display windows 5, 6, 7 on the front of the slot machine 1, respectively. The display windows 5, 6, and 7 are provided with a total of five pay lines, three horizontal and two oblique. On the lower right side of the display windows 5 to 7, a medal insertion slot 8 for a player to insert a medal as a game medium is provided.
[0012]
When the player inserts one medal from the medal insertion slot 8 prior to the start of the game, as shown in FIG. 2A, one central horizontal pay line L1 is activated. When two cards are inserted, two horizontal pay lines L2A and L2B are added to the horizontal lines, and three horizontal pay lines L1, L2A and L2B are activated, as shown in FIG. You. When three cards are inserted, all five pay lines L1, L2A, L2B, L3A, and L3B are activated as shown in FIG. It should be noted that the circles in the figure represent symbols drawn on the reels 2 to 4.
[0013]
On the left of the display windows 5 to 7, four chance LEDs (light emitting diodes) 9 to 12, three game operation display lamps 13 to 15, a stored number display unit 16, and a start lamp 17 are provided from the top. Is provided. The chance LEDs 9 to 12 and the game operation display lamps 13 to 15 are controlled to be turned on according to the game state, and the game state at that time is notified to the player. The stored number display unit 16 is composed of a 3-digit 7-segment LED, and displays the number of medals currently credited inside the machine. The start lamp 17 blinks when each of the reels 2 to 4 can operate.
[0014]
On the right side of the display windows 5 to 7, a bonus count display section 18, a WIN lamp 19, a payout number display section 20, and an insert lamp 21 are provided from the top. The bonus count display section 18 is composed of a three-digit 7-segment LED and digitally displays the remaining number of possible prizes in the RB game and the jack game when the bonus game is won. The WIN lamp 19 is turned on when the symbols of the winning combination are aligned on the activated winning line. The number-of-payout display unit 20 includes three-digit seven-segment LEDs, and displays the number of medals paid out by winning. The insert lamp 21 is turned on when the insertion of medals into the medal insertion slot 8 can be accepted.
[0015]
A liquid crystal display device 22 is provided immediately below the display windows 5 to 7. The liquid crystal display device 22 displays a game demonstration screen and various information related to the game. On the left side of the liquid crystal display device 22, a cross key 23, an "O" button 24, an "x" button 25, a 1-stored medal insertion switch 26, a 2-stored medal input switch 27, and a 3-stored medal input switch 28 are provided. . The cross key 23 is operated in four directions of up, down, left, and right, and is operated together with the “O” button 24 and the “X” button 25 to select information to be displayed on the liquid crystal display device 22. When the number of medals is displayed on the stored number display section 16 and credits are given, the stored medal insertion switches 26 to 28 are replaced with one to three medals per game instead of inserting medals into the medal insertion slot 8. Used when betting medals.
[0016]
Further, below the liquid crystal display device 22, a stored medal settlement switch 29, a start lever 30, and stop buttons 31, 32, 33 are provided from the left side. The stored medal settlement switch 29 is used to settle a medal credited inside the machine. Further, the operation of the start lever 30 causes the reels 2 to 4 to simultaneously start rotating. The stop buttons 31 to 33 are arranged corresponding to the respective reels 2 to 4, and when the rotation of each of the reels 2 to 4 reaches a certain speed, the operation is activated, and according to the operation of the player, The rotation of each of the reels 2 to 4 is stopped.
[0017]
In addition, a medal tray 34 is provided at a lower front portion of the slot machine 1. The medal tray 34 stores medals paid out from a medal payout port 35. A payout display 36 is provided at the upper front of the slot machine 1 to indicate how many medals are paid out for winning. A pair of speakers 96, 96 are provided on the left and right of the payout display 36. Is provided.
[0018]
Next, an outline of (1) a general game, (2) an RB game, and (3) a BB game performed in the slot machine 1 according to the embodiment will be described.
[0019]
(1) General games
At the time of a general game, when three symbol combinations of the symbols "Bell" and "Watermelon" are lined up on the winning line, or when one symbol "Cherry" stops on the winning line of the first reel, a small win is won. One, eight, or four payouts are paid out to the player, and one game is over. Also, when three combinations of replay symbols are aligned on the pay line, the game can be played again without inserting medals. If the symbol combination arranged on the pay line does not correspond to any of the payout tables, the result is "missing" (no payout). In addition, when three symbol combinations of a predetermined character / symbol are aligned on a winning line, a jackpot is won, and after 15 medals are paid out, a general game and a bonus game can be performed a plurality of times as a set. Shift to game B. When the three symbol combinations of the symbol "Seven" are aligned on the winning line, a middle win is achieved, and after 15 medals are paid out, the game shifts to the following RB game in which one bonus game can be performed. .
[0020]
(2) RB game
The RB game occurs when the above symbol combinations are arranged on a pay line during a general game. In the RB game, a game with one medal, called a jack game, can be performed a plurality of times. In this jack game, when three combinations of replay symbols are arranged on the pay line L1, a jack game winning is generated, and eight medals are paid out. Although "losing" occurs in the jack game, jack game winning occurs with a high probability of about 9/10. This RB game ends when, for example, a jackpot game prize occurs eight times or the total number of jackpot games executed during the RB game reaches, for example, twelve.
[0021]
(3) BB game
{Circle around (1)} The B / B game is composed of a plurality of sets in which the above-described R / B game and the general game are paired. When a BB game occurs, first, a general game is executed. In the general game during the B / B game, a “losing” also occurs, but the small winning prize by the symbols “bell”, “watermelon”, and “cherry” has a higher probability than in the general game except in the B / B game. Occurs in
[0022]
{Circle around (2)} When three combinations of re-game symbols are lined up during a general game in the BB game, eight coins are paid out.
[0023]
(3) Thereafter, the process proceeds to a bonus game in which a plurality of jack games can be performed. The bonus game in the BB game is also terminated when, for example, a jackpot prize is generated eight times, or when the total number of jackpot games executed during the bonus game reaches, for example, twelve.
[0024]
{Circle around (4)} When the above-mentioned bonus game ends, the general game in the BB game described in the above-mentioned (1) is performed again, and the symbol combination described in the above-mentioned (2) occurs during this general game. Thereafter, the bonus game described in the above (3) is further performed. The BB game is a repetition of a series of a set of a general game and a bonus game shown in the above (1) to (3). If this set is performed a predetermined number of times, for example, twice, the BB game is It ends. However, during the BB game, the total number of games during the general games of (1) and (2) above, in other words, the total number of games excluding the number of jack games during the bonus game of (3) above is the predetermined number of times. For example, if the number of times exceeds 30, the BB game ends.
[0025]
FIGS. 3 and 4 show a circuit configuration of the main control board 61 and the sub control board 62 for controlling the game processing operation of the slot machine 1 described above.
[0026]
The control section of the main control board 61 shown in FIG. 3 has a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer) 63 as a main component, and further includes a circuit for random number sampling. The microcomputer 63 includes a main CPU (central processing unit) 64 for performing control operations according to a preset program, a program ROM (read only memory) 65 as a program storage means, and a control RAM with a backup function (random access memory). (Memory) 66.
[0027]
The CPU 64 is connected to a clock pulse generating circuit 67 for generating a reference clock pulse, a frequency divider 68, a random number generator 69 for generating a random number within a certain range, and a random number sampling circuit 70 for specifying one of the generated random numbers. Have been. Further, an I / O port (input / output port) 71 for transmitting / receiving signals to / from a peripheral device (actuator) described later is connected. The microcomputer 63, the random number generator 69 and the random number sampling circuit 70 constitute a winning mode lottery means for performing a winning mode lottery for each game. The storage section of the program ROM 65 is divided so as to store a probability lottery table, a symbol table, a winning symbol combination table, a sequence program and the like.
[0028]
FIG. 5 conceptually shows a probability lottery table stored in the program ROM 65 and used during a general game. This probability lottery table is used to divide the random numbers extracted by the sampling circuit 70 during the general game into the respective winning modes, and stores data for partitioning a certain range of random numbers generated by the random number generator 69 into the respective winning modes. I remember. In the drawing, a1 to a3, b1 to b3, c1 to c3, d1 to d3, e1 to e3, and f1 to f3 are preset numerical data, and the random numbers extracted by the sampling circuit 70 are divided into respective winning modes. It is used when doing. This data uses a combination of numerical values of “a1 to f1” when the number of inserted medals is one, “a2 to f2” for two, and “a3 to f3” for three. Can be
[0029]
These numerical values are usually set in a magnitude relationship of “a <b <c <d <e <f”. If the extracted random number value is less than c, a small hit prize (small hit) is obtained. In this case, a "bell" hit request flag is set. When the value is not less than a and less than b, a "watermelon" hit request flag is set. If the extracted random number value is equal to or larger than c and smaller than d, a request flag for “re-game” is set. If the extracted random number value is equal to or more than d and less than e, a medium winning prize (medium hit) is set and a request flag is set for “RB”. A big hit) and a request flag for “BB” is set. On the other hand, if the value is f or more, no winning is achieved. In other words, the winning mode is determined by which numerical range one sampled random number belongs to, and is represented by the hit request flag.
[0030]
The “BB” or “RB” per-bonus request flag is carried over to the game after the flag is set, and the “BB” or “RB” symbol combination is stopped and displayed on the activated prize line, and the bonus prize is actually won. Occurs, the flag per bonus request is cleared. Flags other than the bonus hit request flag are valid only in the flagged game, and are cleared at the end of the game and are not carried over after the next game.
[0031]
In the present embodiment, an example of a lottery value at the time of betting three pieces of the probability lottery table shown in FIG. 5 is represented in the table shown in FIG.
[0032]
The random number generator 69 generates 16384 random numbers in the range of 0 to 16383. The internal winning combinations of “Bell”, “Watermelon” and “Cherry” are selected when the sampling circuit 70 extracts random numbers of the random number widths 1432, 830 and 63 of 0 to 1431, 1432 to 2261 and 2262 to 2324, respectively. Is done. The "RB" internal winning combination is randomly selected when a random number having a random number width 28 of 4570-4597 is extracted, and the "BB" internal winning combination is selected when a random number having a random number width 55 of 4598-4652 is extracted. . When the remaining random numbers with the random number width 11173 of 4653 to 16383 are extracted, the result is “losing”.
[0033]
The symbol table (not shown) stored in the program ROM 65 associates the rotation positions of the reels 2 to 4 with the symbols, and represents a symbol row by symbols. The symbol table includes a code number sequentially assigned to each reel at a constant rotation pitch based on a rotation position at which a reset pulse is generated, and a symbol code indicating a symbol provided corresponding to each code number. Are stored.
[0034]
The above-mentioned program ROM 65 stores a winning symbol combination table (not shown). The winning symbol combination table stores a symbol code of each winning symbol combination shown in the payout table, a symbol code of a symbol combination constituting a “reach eye”, a winning determination code representing each winning, a winning medal payout number, and the like. Have been. Here, the reach eye is a symbol combination that indicates that the occurrence of the BB game is close to the player when the BB hit request flag has been set. The winning symbol combination table is referred to at the time of stop control of the first reel 2, the second reel 3, and the third reel 4, and at the time of performing a winning confirmation after stopping all the reels. Further, a sequence program for executing a game in the slot machine 1 is stored in the program ROM 65.
[0035]
The main actuators whose operations are controlled by control signals from the microcomputer 63 include a stepping motor 45 for rotating and driving the reels 2, 3, and 4 shown in FIG. 3, various lamps (game operation display lamps 13 to 15, start There are a lamp 17, a WIN lamp 19, an insert lamp 21), various display units (chance LEDs 9 to 12, a bonus count display unit 18, a winning payout number display unit 20), and a hopper 72 for storing medals. These are driven by a motor drive circuit 73, each lamp drive circuit 74, each display section drive circuit 75, and a hopper drive circuit 76, respectively. These drive circuits 73 to 76 are connected to the CPU 64 via the I / O port 71 of the microcomputer 63.
[0036]
The main input signal generating means for generating an input signal necessary for the microcomputer 63 to generate a control signal includes an inserted medal sensor 8S for detecting a medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 8, and an operation of the start lever 30. There is a start switch 30S for detecting a stored medal, the stored medal insertion switches 26 to 28 described above, and a stored medal settlement switch 29. Further, there is provided a reel position detecting circuit 77 which receives the output pulse signal from the photosensor 49 and detects the rotational position of each of the reels 2, 3, and 4. The photo sensor 49 is included in the drive mechanism of each of the reels 2 to 4, and is not shown in FIG.
[0037]
After the rotation of the reels 2 to 4 is started, the reel position detection circuit 77 counts the number of drive pulses supplied to each of the stepping motors 45, and writes the counted value in a predetermined area of the control RAM 66. Therefore, in the control RAM 66, a count value corresponding to the rotation position within the range of one rotation is stored for each of the reels 2 to 4. The photo sensor 49 generates a reset pulse every time each of the reels 2 to 4 makes one rotation. This reset pulse is given to the CPU 63 via the reel position detection circuit 77, and the count value of the drive pulse counted in the control RAM 66 is cleared to "0". By this clearing process, a shift generated between the movement display of each symbol and the rotation of each stepping motor 45 is eliminated for each rotation.
[0038]
The input signal generation means includes a reel stop signal circuit 78 for generating a signal for stopping a corresponding reel when the stop button 31, 32, 33 is pressed, and counts the number of medals paid out from the hopper 72. There is a medal detection unit 72S and a payout completion signal generation circuit 80. The payout completion signal generation circuit 80 is configured to output the medal count when the medal count value actually paid out from the medal detection unit 72S reaches the payout number data represented by the count signal input from the display unit drive circuit 75. Generates a signal to detect the completion of payout. Each circuit constituting these input signal generating means is also connected to the CPU 64 via the I / O port 71.
[0039]
A sub-control unit communication port 79 is connected to the I / O port 71, and the microcomputer 63 sends a signal to the sub-control board 62 via the sub-control unit communication port 79. The sub control board 62 shown in FIG. 4 is provided with a main control unit communication port 88 for receiving this signal. Communication between the sub control unit communication port 79 and the main control unit communication port 88 is performed only in one direction from the sub control unit communication port 79 to the main control unit communication port 88. In the present embodiment, the signal transmitted from the sub control unit communication port 79 to the main control unit communication port 88 includes a command type whose control type is represented by a 7-bit length, and a content of the command having a maximum length of 24 bits. It consists of a set of parameters that are represented.
[0040]
The control section of the sub-control board 62 has a microcomputer 81 as a main component, and further includes a circuit for random number sampling. Similarly to the microcomputer 63 on the main control board 61, the microcomputer 81 includes a sub CPU 82 which performs a control operation according to a preset program, a program ROM 83 as a program storage means, and a control RAM 84 with a backup function. A clock pulse generating circuit 85 for generating a reference clock pulse and a frequency divider 86 are also connected to the sub CPU 82, and further, an I / O for transmitting and receiving signals to and from the main controller communication port 88 and an actuator described later. The / O port 87 is connected. The sub CPU 82 calculates data necessary for displaying the gaming machine data on the liquid crystal display device 22 for each game based on a command transmitted from the main control board 61, and stores the data stored in the control RAM 84 for each game. Updated to the calculated data.
[0041]
As the actuators whose operations are controlled by the control signal from the microcomputer 81 shown in FIG. 4, there are reel back lamps 47a, 47b, 47c built in each of the reels 2 to 4, and the stored number display section 16. The lighting of the reel back lamps 47 a to 47 c is controlled by a drive signal from a lamp drive circuit 89 connected to the I / O port 87, and the number of credits displayed on the stored number display unit 16 is transmitted to the I / O port 87. It is controlled by a drive signal from the connected display drive circuit 43. Further, as input signal generating means for generating an input signal necessary for the microcomputer 81 to generate a control signal, there are the above-described cross key 23, “O” button 24 and “X” button 25.
[0042]
An image control IC (highly integrated circuit) 90 and a sound source IC 91 are connected to the I / O port 87. The image control IC 90 is connected to a character ROM 92 storing character data and a video RAM 93 serving as a color display display memory, and is also connected to an image control program ROM 97 and an image control work RAM 98. The image control IC 90 displays an image on the liquid crystal display device 22 under the control of the microcomputer 81. The microcomputer 81 captures information such as the gaming state and the type of the winning flag at that time from the main control board 61 via the main control unit communication port 88, and selects an effect image to be displayed based on the captured gaming state and the winning flag. Then, it controls the image control IC 90 to display the selected effect image on the liquid crystal display device 22.
[0043]
Further, a sound ROM 94 in which sound data is stored is connected to the sound source IC 91, and the sound source IC 91 emits sound from the speakers 96, 96 via the power amplifier 95 under the control of the microcomputer 81. The microcomputer 81 controls the sound source IC 91 and the power amplifier 95 in accordance with an instruction input from the main control board 61 via the main control unit communication port 88, and generates a medal shooting sound, a start lever operation sound, a stop button operation sound, a bonus game, and the like. Sound effects such as a middle game sound are output from the speakers 96, 96. In addition, a sound is output from the speakers 96, 96 in a sound output pattern based on the effect state selected based on the gaming state and the winning flag fetched from the main control board 61.
[0044]
The microcomputer 63 of the main control board 61 and the microcomputer 81 of the sub-control board 62 constitute a game medium storing means for storing medals together with the display section driving circuit 43 and the stored number display section 16. The number of medals inserted into the medal insertion slot 8 detected by the inserted medal sensor 8S or the number of medals inserted by the stored medal insertion switches 26 to 28 is determined as the number of medals bet for one game by the main CPU 64 of the main control board 61. Are transmitted to the sub-control board 62 via the sub-control unit communication port 79, and are also recognized by the sub-CPU 82. If the sub CPU 82 receives the number of medals bet for one game when the game is played with credits, the sub CPU 82 subtracts the received number of medals from the number of credits stored in the control RAM 84, and this subtraction result Is displayed on the stored number display section 16.
[0045]
The microcomputer 63 of the main control board 61 and the microcomputer 81 of the sub-control board 62 perform a game process using the number of medals bet by the player within the range of the number of medals stored in the game medium storing means. It constitutes processing control means.
[0046]
The liquid crystal display device 22 constitutes display means for displaying the number of medals stored in the game medium storing means. The microcomputer 81, the cross key 23, the "O" button 24, and the "x" button 25 The player constitutes a designation unit for designating the number of medals within the range of the number of medals displayed on the liquid crystal display device 22. Further, the microcomputer 81 constitutes subtraction means for subtracting the number of game media designated by the designation means from the game medium storage means.
[0047]
An external central terminal board 99 is connected to the I / O port 87. The external centralized terminal board 99 constitutes communication means for the slot machine 1 to communicate with the outside, and is connected to the hall computer 42 via the relay board 41.
[0048]
FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the gaming system according to the present embodiment. Each of the gaming machines 1a, 1b, 1c is the above-described slot machine 1 whose appearance is shown in FIG. 1, and the hall computer 42 has game information transmitted from the external central terminal board 99 of each of these gaming machines 1a, 1b, 1c. Receive and collect. In the present embodiment, a relay board 41 that relays communication between the hall computer 42 and each of the gaming tables 1a, 1b, 1c is provided. The relay board 41 is arranged on an island facility or the like of a gaming machine island of a game arcade.
[0049]
One of the gaming tables 1a, 1b, and 1c for which the number of medals has been designated by the above-described designation means, transfers the medals of the number designated by the designation means to the other gaming tables 1a via the relay board 41 by the external central terminal board 99. , 1b, and 1c, and the other gaming tables receive the transmitted number of medals on the external central terminal board 99 and store the received number of medals in the game medium storing means. In this embodiment, the gaming tables 1a, 1b, and 1c communicate with each other via the relay board 41. However, the gaming tables 1a, 1b, and 1c communicate with each other via the hall computer 42 without the relay board 41. It can also be configured. In the present embodiment, the transmission of medals via the external central terminal board 99 is performed in a standby state in which the game processing by the game processing control unit is not performed.
[0050]
Next, a schematic operation of the above-described gaming system will be described.
[0051]
FIG. 8A is a general flowchart of the transmitting side. On the transmitting side, first, a medal check process (see FIG. 8A, step 1001) for determining whether or not medals are accumulated in the credit is performed by the main control board 61 of the slot machine 1. Next, a menu screen display command transmission process (step 1002) for displaying a menu screen on the liquid crystal display device 22 is similarly performed by the main control board 61. Next, on the displayed menu screen, an icon selection process (step 1003) for determining whether an icon for medal transmission has been selected by the player is performed on the sub-control board 62 of the slot machine 1. Next, a medal transmission process (step 1004) for transmitting the medals stored in the credits is performed by the sub-control board 62, and thereafter, the in-game check process for checking whether the destination slot machine 1 is playing a game ( Step 1005) is performed on the sub-control board 62.
[0052]
FIG. 7B is a general flowchart of the receiving side. On the receiving side, first, a determination process (see FIG. 8B, step 1011) is performed to determine whether or not the game is currently being played and is on standby. Next, a medal receiving process (Step 1012) for receiving medals from the slot machine 1 on the transmitting side is performed by the sub-control board 62 of the slot machine 1 on the receiving side. When the medal reception is completed, a medal number display process (step 1013) for displaying the number of medals received on the liquid crystal display device 22 is performed by the sub-control board 62 on the receiving side.
[0053]
9 to 11 are flowcharts showing the outline of the game process controlled by the main CPU 64 of the main control board 61.
[0054]
In this game process, first, an initialization process at the start of the game is performed (see FIG. 6, step 101). In this initialization processing, a predetermined area of the control RAM 66 is cleared, and communication data between the main control board 61 and the sub control board 62 is initialized. Next, the main CPU 64 performs a RAM clear process at the end of the game to erase the data stored in the control RAM 66 at the end of the previous game (step 102). Subsequently, it is determined whether 30 seconds have elapsed since the end of the previous game (step 103). If 30 seconds have elapsed, the liquid crystal display is transmitted from the sub control unit communication port 79 to the sub control board 62. A standby screen command for displaying a standby screen on the device 22 is transmitted (step 104). That is, the standby screen command is transmitted when the non-game state lasts for 30 seconds.
[0055]
Next, a medal check process is performed (step 105). This medal check process is shown in the flowchart of FIG. 12. First, it is determined whether or not a medal is stored in the game medium storing means by the player, that is, whether or not the credit has a medal (FIG. 12, Step 201). If there is a medal in the credit, the medal presence flag in the control RAM 66 is turned on (step 202), while if there is no medal in the credit, the medal presence flag is turned off (step 203).
[0056]
Next, a menu screen display command is transmitted from the sub control unit communication port 79 to the sub control board 62 (FIG. 9, step 106). Subsequently, as a result of the previous game, the CPU 64 determines whether or not a replay (replay) has occurred and a medal automatic insertion request has been issued (step 107). If there is this automatic insertion request, game medals corresponding to the insertion request are automatically inserted (step 108). On the other hand, if there is no automatic insertion request, then a medal is inserted into the medal insertion slot 8 by the player and a detection signal is input from the inserted medal sensor 8S, or the stored medal insertion switches 26 to 28 are operated. It waits for an input signal to be input (step 109). Up to three medals can be inserted during a general game, and one medal can be inserted in a bonus game during a BB game or an RB game.
[0057]
Next, it is determined whether or not a start signal has been input from the start switch 30S by operating the start lever 30 (step 110). If this determination is "Yes", it is next determined whether 4.1 seconds have elapsed since the previous game (step 111). If 4.1 seconds have not elapsed, the wait function is activated and the waiting time for starting the game until 4.1 seconds has elapsed is consumed (step 112). If the operation of the start lever 30 is performed before the elapse of the 4.1 seconds, the reels 96 and 96 emit reel non-rotatable sounds, and the player is notified that the weight function has been activated.
[0058]
When 4.1 seconds have elapsed since the previous game, a random number for lottery generated by the random number generator 69 is extracted by the sampling circuit 70 (step 113), and thereafter, the above-mentioned 4.1 seconds is counted. One game monitoring timer is set (step 114). Next, a probability lottery process is performed based on the random numbers extracted in step 113 (see FIG. 10, step 115).
[0059]
The probability lottery process is performed by determining to which winning group the one random number value specified by the sampling circuit 70 belongs in the probability lottery table (see FIG. 5). At this time, the probability lottery data a1 to f1, a2 to f2, or a3 to f3 shown in each row of the probability lottery table in FIG. 5 are set according to the number of medals inserted into the machine, and the probability lottery is performed. Is In the case where the probability lottery process is performed using the probability lottery table shown in FIG. 6, for example, when a random number 2050 is extracted during a general game, a small watermelon winning prize mode of a watermelon partitioned by the probability lottery data b3 is won. , A request flag per watermelon is set in the control RAM 66. Further, for example, when the random number 4650 is extracted during the general game, it means that the BB game defined by the probability lottery data f3 has been won, and a request flag per BB is set.
[0060]
When the probability lottery process ends, next, a reel rotation process is performed (step 116), and subsequently, a start command transmission process is performed (step 117). In the reel rotation process, first, a predetermined area of the control RAM 66 in which the rotation positions of the reels 2 to 4 are written is initialized by the main CPU 64 at the start of reel rotation, and subsequently, the reels 2 to 4 are rotated by the stepping motor 45. Driven. In the start command transmission process, a start command is transmitted to the sub-control board 62 via the sub-control unit communication port 79 based on a start signal input from the start switch 30S to the main CPU 64. This start command is configured to include a 16-bit parameter indicating an internal winning combination and a game state.
[0061]
Next, it is determined whether any of the stop buttons 31 to 33 has been turned on (step 118). If the ON operation has not been performed, it is determined whether or not the automatic stop timer has reached 0 (step 119). The automatic stop timer is for automatically stopping each of the reels 2 to 4 after a lapse of a predetermined time when the stop buttons 31 to 33 are not operated for a predetermined time.
[0062]
When any one of the stop buttons 31 to 33 is turned on or the automatic stop timer reaches 0, the number of frames of the symbol drawn on the activated pay line, that is, the number of sliding frames is determined (step). 120). The number of sliding frames is determined from the game state, the winning request, the number of controlling frames, the symbol position, and the like. If the number of frames from the activated winning line to the winning symbol is within the range of the number of controlling frames, it is determined as the number of sliding frames. You. Next, the number of sliding frames is stored in a predetermined area of the control RAM 66. Thereafter, a stop request flag for the first stop reel is set, and in response to the setting of the stop request flag, reel pull-in control for rotating the first stop reel by the determined number of sliding frames is performed. The rotation of the reels is stopped (step 121). Next, it is determined whether or not all the reels 2 to 4 have stopped (step 122). If the second stop reel and the third stop reel have not stopped yet, the process returns to step 118, and the above processes are repeated.
[0063]
When all the reels 2 to 4 are stopped, next, a winning search process is performed by the main CPU 64 (see FIG. 11, step 123). In the prize search process, the type of the prize flag indicating the combination of symbols actually arranged on the activated prize line matches the type of the internal winning combination determined by the probability lottery process. Then, it is determined whether or not the winning flag is normal (step 124). If the result of this determination is not normal, for example, if the symbol combination of bells is aligned on the activated pay line, but the hit request flag corresponding to the internal winning combination is a cherry flag, the payout number display section The illegal error is displayed on the LCD 20 and the liquid crystal display 22 (step 125). If the winning flag is normal, subsequently, a winning command is transmitted to the sub-control board 62 via the sub-control unit communication port 79 (step 126). The winning command is configured to include a 24-bit parameter indicating a winning combination, a game state, and a winning line.
[0064]
Next, a game medal is stored or paid out according to the state at that time (step 127). In other words, if the game is played with credits, the number of stored coins displayed on the stored coin number display unit 16 is increased by the number of medals obtained by winning, and the medal is inserted into the medal slot 8 to play the game. Is performed, the medals obtained by winning are paid out to the medal tray 37. When medals are stored or paid out, the WIN lamp 19 is turned on, and the occurrence of a prize is notified to the player (step 128).
[0065]
Next, the main CPU 64 determines whether or not the current game state is the operation of the BB game or the RB game (step 129). If the BB game or the RB game is not running, the game processing by the main CPU 64 returns to step 102, and the next new game is started. If the BB game or the RB game is in operation, the main CPU 64 next checks the number of games in the BB game or the RB game (step 130). Subsequently, the main CPU 64 determines whether or not the current gaming state is at the end of the BB game (step 131). If the BB game has ended, a BB end command is transmitted to the sub-control board 62 (step 132). The BB end command includes a 3-bit parameter indicating an end operation. When the BB end command is transmitted, the RAM clear processing at the end of the BB game is performed on the control RAM 66 (step 133). Thereafter, the game processing returns to step 102 to start the next new game. Is done. If it is determined in step 131 that the BB game has not ended, the game processing returns to step 102 and the next new game is started.
[0066]
Next, a game process controlled by the sub CPU 82 of the sub control board 62 will be described.
[0067]
FIG. 13 is a flowchart schematically showing a game process controlled by the sub CPU 82. In the sub control board 62, various commands received from the main control board 61 are always analyzed by the sub CPU 82, and various game processes based on the commands are appropriately performed (see FIG. 13, step 301).
[0068]
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an outline of the reception processing when the command received from the main control board 61 is a menu screen display command. In this menu screen display command receiving process, first, it is determined whether or not the gaming state is waiting (see FIG. 14, step 401). This determination is made based on whether or not a standby screen command has been transmitted from the main control board 61 in the processing of step 104 in FIG. If it is not waiting, the menu screen display command receiving process ends. On the other hand, if the player is on standby, subsequently, it is determined whether or not one of the cross key 23, the “○” button 24, and the “x” button 25 has been operated by the player (step 402). If none of the operation units 23, 24, 25 has been pressed, the process ends. On the other hand, when any one of the operation units is pressed, the image control IC 90 is controlled by the sub CPU 82 which has detected the operation signal, a menu screen is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 22 (step 403), and the icon selection processing is performed. Is performed (step 404).
[0069]
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the above menu screen displayed on the liquid crystal display device 22. Icons A, B, and C indicating various selection items are displayed on the menu screen. The medal transmission icon A is selected when the medals stored in the game medium storing means are moved to another gaming table, and the stop order selection icon B is used when the operation order of the stop buttons 31 to 33 is selected, and the ranking icon C is selected. Is selected when displaying various rankings such as the number of payouts, the number of consecutive chans, and the number of hooks. When selecting the icons A, B and C, the player tilts the cross key 23 left and right to scroll and display the frame D, and aligns the frame D with one of the desired icons A, B and C, The “O” button 24 is pressed.
[0070]
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing details of the icon selection process performed in step 404 of the menu screen display command reception process. In the icon selection process, first, it is determined whether or not the medal transmission icon A has been selected by the above-described icon selection operation (see step 501 in FIG. 16). If the medal transmission icon A has not been selected, the icon selection process ends. On the other hand, if the medal transmission icon A is selected, then the number of medals possessed by the player as a credit is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 22 as shown in the screen shown in FIG. 59. "(Step 502).
[0071]
FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an outline of a medal transmission process performed by the sub CPU 82 of the sub control board 62 subsequent to the icon selection process. In the medal transmission process, first, it is determined whether or not the medal presence flag is ON (see FIG. 18, step 601). This determination is made based on whether or not the medal presence flag ON signal is transmitted from the main control board 61 in the process of step 105 in FIG. If the medal presence flag ON signal has not been transmitted, a "medal not available" screen shown in FIG. 19 is displayed (step 602), and a message "medal is not credited" appears on liquid crystal display device 22. . The “medal-less” screen is switched to the menu screen after a predetermined time, for example, about 5 seconds later.
[0072]
If the medal presence flag ON signal is transmitted in step 601, the player responds to the message “Do you want to transmit?” On the screen of the liquid crystal display device 22 shown in FIG. It is determined whether “OK” on the screen has been selected (step 603). If this selection is not made, the medal transmission process ends. When this selection is made, a “transmitting medals” screen shown in FIG. 20A is displayed (step 604), and a message “transmitting medals” appears on the liquid crystal display device 22. Next, under the control of the sub CPU 82, the medals stored in the game medium storing means are transmitted to the relay board 41 via the external central terminal board 99 (step 605). After that, a “transmission completed” screen shown in FIG. 20B is displayed, and a message “transmission completed” appears on the liquid crystal display device 22. The “transmission completed” screen is also switched to the menu screen after a fixed time, for example, about 5 seconds later. Next, the medal transmission signal in the control RAM 84 is turned on (step 606), and the medal transmission process ends.
[0073]
FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing an outline of the in-game check process performed by the sub CPU 82 of the sub control board 62 subsequent to the above-mentioned medal transmission process. In the in-game check process, first, it is determined whether or not the medal transmission signal is ON (see step 701 in FIG. 21). This determination is made based on whether or not the medal transmission signal is turned on in the processing of step 606 in FIG. If the medal transmission signal has not been turned on, the in-game check process ends.
[0074]
On the other hand, when the medal transmission signal is turned on, the sub-CPU 82 refers to the relay board 41 via the external central terminal board 99, and the gaming table designated as the medal transmission destination is currently playing a game. It is checked whether or not there is (step 702). The hall computer 42 constantly monitors each gaming table 1a, 1b, 1c via the relay board 41, and writes the gaming state of each gaming table 1a, 1b, 1c on the relay board 41. Next, as a result of the above check, it is determined whether or not the designated game console is playing (step 703). If a game is being played, a “playing” screen shown in FIG. 22 is displayed (step 704), and a message “the designated platform is playing” appears on the liquid crystal display device 22. The “during game” screen is also switched to the menu screen after a predetermined time, for example, about 5 seconds later.
[0075]
If the designated game console is not playing, the medal reception signal on the relay board 41 is turned on via the external central terminal board 99 under the control of the sub CPU 82 (step 705). Subsequently, the credit medal information transmitted to the relay board 41 in step 605 in FIG. 18 is transmitted from the relay board 41 to the designated gaming table (step 706), and the in-game check process ends.
[0076]
FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing an outline of the medal receiving process performed by the sub CPU 82 of the sub control board 62 in the gaming table designated as the transmission destination. In this medal receiving process, first, it is determined whether or not the information of the medal receiving signal ON has been received from the relay board 41 (FIG. 23, step 801). If the information of the medal reception signal ON has not been received, the medal reception processing ends. On the other hand, if the information of the medal reception signal ON has been received, a “medal receiving” screen shown in FIG. 24A is displayed (step 802), and a message “medal is being received” is displayed. Appears on the liquid crystal display device 22. Thereafter, when the medal reception is completed, a “medal reception confirmation” screen shown in FIG. 8B is displayed (step 803), and a message “59 medals have been received” is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 22. appear. The “medal reception confirmation” screen is also switched to the menu screen after a predetermined time, for example, about 5 seconds later.
[0077]
According to such a gaming system according to the present embodiment, when the player selects the “OK” button in the process of step 603 in FIG. 18, the number of medals that are credited at that time is removed from a certain gaming table 1a. To the gaming table 1c. At this time, the transmitting game machine 1a transmits the credited medals to the other game machines 1c via the external central terminal board 99, and reduces the medal number stored in the game medium storing means to zero. I do. Further, the gaming table 1c of the transmission destination receives the transmitted number of medals through the external concentration terminal board 99, and stores the received number of medals in the game medium storing means.
[0078]
In the present embodiment, a case has been described in which all the credited medals are moved from one gaming table 1a to another gaming table 1c. However, of the credited medals, the player specifies a desired number of medals using the display of the liquid crystal display device 22 and moves the specified number of medals to another gaming table 1c. It may be. At this time, the designated gaming machine 1a is subtracted from the gaming machine storing means in the gaming table 1a of the transmission source.
[0079]
For this reason, according to such a gaming system according to the present embodiment, a player can move a desired number of medals to another gaming table 1c while staying at one gaming table 1a. As a result, there is no need to put the medal in a box or carry it to another game console by hand as in the past, and also to discharge the credited medal or put it in the box. No more stuffing.
[0080]
In the gaming system according to the present embodiment, the number of medals specified by the player is transmitted in a standby state in which the game processing is not performed. Therefore, during transmission of medals, the number of medals stored in the game medium storing means is not changed by the game processing control means. For this reason, the transmission of medals is reliably performed.
[0081]
In the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a gaming system having a slot machine has been described. However, the present invention can be similarly applied to a gaming system having a ball-and-ball game machine such as a pachinko machine. The same operation and effect as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.
[0082]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, at a certain gaming machine, the number of game media that the player wants to move to another gaming machine is designated by the designation means, and the gaming machine is designated by the designation means. The number of game media transmitted to the other gaming tables by the communication means, and the designated number of game media is subtracted from the number of game media stored in the storage means by the subtraction means. Further, the other gaming tables receive the transmitted number of game media by the communication means, and store the received number of game media in the game medium storage means. For this reason, a player can move a desired number of game media to another gaming table while staying at one gaming table. As a result, there is no need to put the medal in a box or carry it to another game console by hand as in the past, and also to discharge the credited medal or put it in the box. No more stuffing.
[0083]
Further, in the case where the communication means transmits the number of game media designated by the designation means when the game processing by the game processing control means is not performed, the game is transmitted while the communication means is transmitting the game medium. The number of game media stored in the medium storage means is not changed by the game processing control means. Therefore, the transmission of the game medium is performed reliably.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view showing an appearance of a slot machine used in a gaming system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a view showing a state in which a winning line described in a display window of the slot machine shown in FIG. 1 is sequentially activated.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration formed on a main control board of the slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration formed on a sub-control board of the slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram conceptually showing a probability lottery table used in an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a diagram showing specific data of a probability lottery table shown in FIG.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a game system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8A is a general flowchart on the transmitting side of the gaming system according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8B is a general flowchart on the receiving side.
FIG. 9 is a first flowchart showing an outline of a game process by a main CPU of the slot machine used in the game system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a second flowchart showing an outline of a game process performed subsequent to the game process shown in FIG. 9;
11 is a third flowchart showing an outline of the game processing performed subsequently to the game processing shown in FIG.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing details of a medal check process in the flowchart shown in FIG. 9;
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an outline of a game process by a sub CPU of the slot machine used in the game system according to one embodiment of the present invention.
14 is a flowchart showing a menu screen display command receiving process performed according to the command analysis in the flowchart shown in FIG.
FIG. 15 is a view showing an example of a menu screen displayed on the liquid crystal display device of the slot machine used in the gaming system according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing details of an icon selection process in the flowchart shown in FIG. 14;
17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a possessed medal screen displayed on the liquid crystal display device in the icon selection process illustrated in FIG.
18 is a flowchart showing a medal transmission process performed subsequent to the menu screen display command reception process shown in FIG.
19 is a diagram showing an example of a no-medal screen displayed on the liquid crystal display device in the medal transmission processing shown in FIG.
20A is a diagram illustrating an example of a medal transmitting screen displayed on the liquid crystal display device in the medal transmitting process illustrated in FIG. 18, and FIG. 20B is a diagram illustrating an example of a transmission completion screen.
FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a game-in-progress check process performed after the medal transmission process shown in FIG. 18;
22 is a diagram showing an example of a game screen displayed on the liquid crystal display device in the game check process shown in FIG. 21.
23 is a flowchart showing a medal receiving process performed at the destination gaming table following the in-game check process shown in FIG. 21.
24A is a diagram illustrating an example of a medal receiving screen displayed on the liquid crystal display device in the medal receiving process illustrated in FIG. 23, and FIG. 24B is a diagram illustrating an example of a reception completion screen.
[Explanation of symbols]
1. Slot machine
8 ... Medal slot
22 ... Liquid crystal display device
23 ... Cross key
24 ... "○" button
25 ... "x" button
41 ... relay board
42… Hall computer
61: Main control board
62 ... Sub-control board
63, 81: microcomputer (microcomputer)
64: Main CPU (central processing unit)
82 ... Sub CPU
65, 83: Program ROM (read only memory)
66, 84 ... control RAM (random access memory)
90 ... Image control IC
99… External centralized terminal board

Claims (5)

Game medium storage means for storing game media, game processing control means for performing game processing using the number of game media bet by the player within the range of the number of game media stored in the game medium storage means, and A plurality of gaming machines having communication means for communicating with
In a gaming system including a hall computer that receives and collects game information transmitted from the communication unit of each of these gaming machines,
Each of the gaming machines includes: a designation unit for designating the number of game media within a range of the number of game media stored in the game medium storage unit by the player; and the game media of the number designated by the designation unit. Subtraction means for subtracting from the medium storage means,
The gaming machine whose number of game media is designated by the designation means transmits the number of game media designated by the designation means to another game machine via the hall computer by the communication means, and the other game machine Is a game system in which the transmitted number of game media is received by the communication means, and the received number of game media is stored in the game medium storage means. A relay means for relaying communication between the hall computer and each of the gaming machines, wherein the gaming machines communicate with each other via the relay means instead of the hall computer. The gaming system according to 1. Each of the gaming machines includes display means for displaying the number of game media stored in the game medium storage means, and the designation means sets the number of game media within the range of the number of game media displayed on the display means. 3. The game system according to claim 1, wherein the game system is designated. 4. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit transmits the number of game media designated by the designation unit when a game process is not performed by the game process control unit. 5. The gaming system according to 1. The gaming system according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine is a slot machine or a ball-and-ball gaming machine.

Images