JP2006326144A - Game system and game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a novel game system having interactive properties, receiving a voluntary intention, tactics, strategies and capture method of players and determining the win/failure of a game according thereto. <P>SOLUTION: This game system is provided with a slot machine and a management device communicatingly connected to the slot machine. The slot machine is provided with an appearance ball presentation part, presenting at least a single bingo ball and urging a player to execute a selection and an input on the bingo ball; a selection result notification part notifying a selection result message to the management device, according to the selection and input of the player, and a bingo game result processing part, providing a dividend, based on a bingo formation message from the management device; and the management device, receiving the selection result message from the slot machine, determining the win/failure of the game based thereon and notifying the bingo formation message to the game machine. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a game system and a game machine.

  In recent years, with the diversification of games, a host (management device) is provided separately from game machines, and a system in which a plurality of players can participate by the host communicating with individual game machines ("link type" It is proposed to build a game system. Conventional link-type game systems are roughly classified into two types. One is a linked game system driven by the host in which the player's victory or defeat is determined by the result (for example, lottery, etc.) performed by the host, and the other is the player by the result performed by the game machine. Is a so-called progressive game system in which benefits (for example, points accumulated in the host, the number of coins, etc.) can be acquired.

  In these linked game systems, generally, the player's subjective elements such as the player's intention, selection, strategy, and tactics are not reflected in the game. Therefore, the player has to be satisfied with the enjoyment of a passive game that is simply notified of the lottery result in the host or game machine.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a link type game system that allows players to participate in proactive games. More specifically, the conventional link type game system “simply turns a reel and sees the rest. A new game system and game machine that has the interactivity of accepting the player's intentions, tactics / strategies, and strategies, and deciding whether to win or lose the game accordingly. Is to provide.

As means for solving the above problems, the present invention has the following features.
A first aspect of the present invention is proposed as a game system having a game machine and a management device that is communicably connected to the game machine.

  In this system, the game machine presents at least one selection element (for example, a bingo ball), prompts the player to make a selection input regarding the selection element (for example, a microcomputer or an appearance ball presentation unit), and the player's Notification means (for example, a microcomputer or a selection result notification unit) for notifying the management device of a selection result (for example, a selection result message) in response to the selection input, and notification of a game result from the management device (for example, a bingo establishment message) ), And a management device receives a selection result (for example, a selection result message) from a game machine, Based on this selection result, a game win / loss is determined, and the result of the game (for example, It is characterized by notifying the Gore-establishment message) to the game machine.

  According to such a game system, it is possible for the player to participate in the player's active game of selecting a selection element, and a more interesting linked game can be provided.

  A second aspect of the present invention includes a game machine that provides a player with a first game (for example, a base game or a slot game), and a management device that is communicably connected to the game machine. It is proposed as a game system that provides two games (for example, a linked game or a bingo game).

  In this game system, the game machine includes an appearance condition determining unit (for example, a microcomputer or a bingo ball appearance condition determining unit) that determines success or failure of the selection element appearance condition based on the first game, and an appearance condition determining unit. When it is determined that the selection element appearance condition is satisfied, at least one selection element (for example, bingo ball) is presented, and a presentation means (for example, a microcomputer or an appearance ball presenting unit) that prompts the player to make a selection input regarding the selection element ), A notification means (for example, a microcomputer or a selection result notification unit) for notifying the management device of a selection result (for example, a selection result message) in response to a selection input by the player, and a second notified from the management device Based on the game result (for example, a bingo establishment message), the payout of the second game is acquired. The management device receives a selection result (for example, a selection result message) from the game machine, and based on the selection result, the second game has a payout processing means (for example, a microcomputer or a bingo game result processing unit). Is determined, and the result of the second game (for example, a bingo establishment message) is notified to the game machine.

  According to such a game system, it is possible for the player to participate in the player's proactive game of selecting a selection element, to provide a more interesting linked game, and an aspect in close cooperation with the execution of the first game Since the second game can be performed, it is possible to attract the player's interest and increase the game motivation.

  The above game machine is a game machine that displays a plurality of symbols in a variable manner, and the selection element appearance condition may be that a predetermined symbol is displayed. In such a game system, the first game and the second game are more closely related, so that the player's willingness to play can be drawn more strongly.

  A third aspect of the present invention is proposed as a game machine for a game system having a management device and a game machine that is communicably connected to the management device.

  The game machine presents at least one selection element (for example, a bingo ball), prompts the player to make a selection input regarding the selection element (for example, a microcomputer or an appearance ball presentation unit), and the player's selection input. And a notification means (for example, a microcomputer or a selection result notification unit) for notifying the management device of a selection result (for example, a selection result message), and obtaining a payout based on the game result notified from the management device. It is characterized by having a payout processing means (for example, a microcomputer or a bingo game result processing unit).

  According to such a game machine, it is possible for the player to participate in the player's own game of selecting a selection element, and a more interesting linked game can be provided.

  A fourth aspect of the present invention includes a game machine that provides a player with a first game (for example, a base game or a slot game), and a management device that is communicably connected to the game machine. It is proposed as a game machine used in a game system that provides a second game (for example, a linked game or a bingo game).

  In this game machine, an appearance condition determining unit (for example, a microcomputer or a bingo ball appearance condition determining unit) that determines success or failure of a selection element appearance condition based on the first game, and an appearance condition determination unit are selected element appearance conditions If it is determined that is established, at least one selection element (for example, bingo ball) is presented, and a presentation means (for example, a microcomputer or an appearance ball presentation unit) that prompts the player to make a selection input regarding the selection element, and the player Based on the notification means for notifying the management device of the selection result (for example, the selection result message) in response to the selection input of the second and the second game result (for example, the bingo establishment message) notified from the management device. A payout processing means (for example, a microcomputer or a bingo game result processing unit) for obtaining a payout of the game; It is characterized by having.

  According to such a game machine, it is possible for the player to participate in the player's proactive game of selecting a selection element, to provide a more interesting linked game, and in a manner closely linked to the execution of the first game Since the second game can be performed, it is possible to attract the player's interest and increase the game motivation.

  In the above game machine, the game machine may be a game machine that displays a plurality of symbols in a variable manner, and the selection element appearance condition may be that a predetermined symbol is displayed. In such a game machine, the first game and the second game are more closely related, so that the player's willingness to play can be drawn more strongly.

  According to the present invention, in a linked game in which a plurality of players can participate, it is possible to provide a linked game in which the game progresses based on the player's selection, giving the player the impression of participating in the linked game. It is possible to give more strongly and enhance the interest of the game.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[1. First Embodiment]
[1.1. Game system overview]
First, an outline of the game system according to the present embodiment will be described.
This game system has a plurality of game machines for players to play games. Each game machine makes a player play a normal game (including a bonus game and a feature game generated during the normal game) such as a slot machine game corresponding to the first game by paying a game value. . The “game value” refers to the value paid by the player as consideration for causing the game machine to execute the normal game, and may not be a value that can be converted into money. In general, the game value is given to a player or paid to the player in the form of a game medium such as a game medal or coin.

  Each game machine also executes a game different from the normal game (referred to as a “link type game” in order to distinguish it from the normal game). “Linked game” is a game in which players of each game machine compete with each other to achieve the game victory condition, and the player who has achieved the game victory condition receives a game value from the management device as a dividend or reward for winning the linked game. Get paid for. The link type game corresponds to the second game of the present invention.

  The linked game in the present embodiment is a bingo game in which each player participates (a ball with a number (referred to as a “bingo ball”) or a bill is taken one by one, and the number and number are arranged. This is a game in which the numbers on the cells drawn on the cards (called “bingo cards”) match to connect the vertical, horizontal, and diagonal cells.

  The management device prepares one bingo card each time the linked game is executed. Each game machine causes one or a plurality of bingo balls to appear on the display or the like of the game machine when a predetermined condition is satisfied. The game machine allows the player to select which bingo ball to select to erase the numbers on the bingo card or how to order the bingo balls that have appeared. As a result, the player can reflect his / her will / strategy regarding the order in which the numbers on the bingo cards are erased.

  When the player selects a bingo ball that has appeared, the game machine notifies the management device of the player's selection result, and the management device erases the number on the bingo card according to the notified selection result.

The management device determines that the player who has established a bingo (meaning that the number of the last cell out of the connected cells in the vertical, horizontal, and diagonal directions) is won and pays a dividend or a reward.
The above is the outline of the game system according to the present embodiment.

[1.2. Game system configuration example]
Next, a configuration example of the link type game system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a link type game system.

  The game system 100 includes one or a plurality of game machines 101 and a management device 102 that is communicably connected to each game machine 101. Each game machine 101 is connected to the management apparatus 102 via a communication network 103.

[1.2.1. game machine]
The game machine 101 which is a component of the link type game system according to the present embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, a slot machine is used as the game machine 101. However, the game machine 101 is not limited to the slot machine, and any game machine that plays a normal game can be used. For example, a pachinko machine, a video game, or the like can be used as the game machine 101 of the present embodiment.

Hereinafter, the slot machine which is the game machine 101 will be described.
FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing an example of the slot machine. In FIG. 2, the slot machine 1 has a cabinet 2 that forms the whole, and an upper liquid crystal display 3 is disposed in the upper front portion of the cabinet 2, and in the center of the front surface of the cabinet 2. A lower liquid crystal display 4 is disposed. Here, the upper liquid crystal display 3 is constituted by a generally used liquid crystal display, and the lower liquid crystal display 4 is constituted by a so-called transparent liquid crystal display. The lower liquid crystal display 4 has a function of displaying an image of a bingo ball described later and presenting a selection element.

  The lower liquid crystal display 4 has windows 23, 24, and 25, and the player visually recognizes the symbols arranged on the outer periphery of the reel 46 through the windows 23, 24, and 25.

  An operation table 5 is provided below the lower liquid crystal display 4 so as to protrude toward the front. The operation table 5 includes a call button 6, a cash out button 7, a help (HELP) button from the leftmost side. ) Button 8 is arranged. Further, on the right side of the help button 8, a coin insertion part 9 and a bill insertion part 10 are provided. A 1-BET button 11, a SPIN / REPEAT BET button 12, a 3-BET button 13, and a 5-BET button 14 are arranged from the left side on the front side of the operation table 5.

  Here, the call button 6 is a button that is pressed to call a store clerk when changing banknotes. The payout button 7 is a button that is pressed at the end of the normal game. When the payout button 7 is pressed, coins acquired in the game are paid out from the coin payout exit 15 to the coin receiving portion 16. The refund button 7 is provided with a later-described refund (CASHOUT) switch 41, and a switch signal is output to the CPU 30 when the refund button 7 is pressed.

  The help button 8 is a button that is pressed when a game operation method or the like is unknown. When the help button 8 is pressed, various types of help information are displayed on the upper liquid crystal display 3 and the lower liquid crystal display 4. . The help button 8 is provided with a help (HELP) switch 42 described later, and a switch signal is output from the help switch 42 to the CPU 30 when the help button 8 is pressed.

  A coin sensor 43, which will be described later, is disposed in the coin insertion unit 9. When a coin is inserted into the coin insertion unit 9, a coin detection signal is output to the CPU 30 via the coin sensor 43. A bill sensor 44 is disposed in the bill insertion unit 10. When a bill is inserted into the bill insertion unit 10, a bill detection signal is output to the CPU 30 via the bill sensor 44.

  The 1-BET button 11 is a button for betting one by one each time the button is pressed. The 1-BET button 11 is provided with a 1-BET switch 38 which will be described later. When the 1-BET button 11 is pressed, a switch signal is output from the 1-BET switch 38 to the CPU 30 based on the pressing. The

  The spin (SPIN / REPEAT BET) button 12 is a button that, when pressed, starts rotation of a reel, which will be described later, in order to start the game with the current bet number or the previous bet number. The spin button 12 is provided with a spin switch 37 which will be described later. When the spin button 12 is pressed, a switch signal is output from the spin switch 37 to the CPU 30 based on the press. Note that the number of bets that can be bet by pressing the spin button 12 may be 1 to 5 bets.

  The 3-BET button 13 is a button for starting a game with 3 bets when pressed. The 3-BET button 13 is provided with a 3-BET switch 39 which will be described later, and a switch signal is output from the 3-BET switch 39 to the CPU 30 when pressed. The 5-BET button 14 is a button that is pressed when a game is started with five bets based on the pressing or when a bonus game described later is started. The 5-BET button 14 is provided with a 5-BET switch 40 described later, and a switch signal is output from the 5-BET switch 40 to the CPU 30 when the 5-BET button 14 is pressed.

  In addition, a coin payout exit 15 is formed at the lower portion of the cabinet 2, and a coin receiving portion 16 that receives coins paid out from the coin payout exit 15 is provided. Inside the coin payout exit 15, a coin detection unit 52 configured by a sensor or the like is disposed, and the coin detection unit 52 detects the number of coins paid out from the coin payout exit 15.

  Next, a configuration related to the control system of the slot machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing a control system of the slot machine. In FIG. 3, the control system of the slot machine 1 is basically composed of a microcomputer 61 centered on a CPU 30, and a ROM 31 and a RAM 32 are connected to the CPU 30. The ROM 31 is a game control program to be described later, various effect programs for performing various effects on the upper liquid crystal display 3 and the lower liquid crystal display 4 as the game progresses, a lottery table for performing lotteries for various winning roles, etc. Various programs and data tables necessary for controlling the slot machine 1 are stored. The RAM 32 is a memory that temporarily stores various data calculated by the CPU 30.

  The CPU 30 is connected to a clock pulse generation circuit 33 and a frequency divider 34 for generating a reference clock pulse, and is connected to a random number generator 35 and a sampling circuit 36 for generating a random number. The random numbers sampled through the sampling circuit 36 are used for various types of lotteries such as winning combinations and effects. Further, the CPU 30 has a spin switch 37 attached to the SPIN / REPEAT BET button 12, a 1-BET switch 38 attached to the 1-BET button 11, and a 3-BET attached to the 3-BET switch 13. A switch 39, a 5-BET switch 40 attached to the 5-BET switch 14, a refund (CASHOUT) switch 41 attached to the refund button 7, and a help (HELP) switch 42 attached to the help button 8 are respectively connected. Has been. The CPU 30 performs control to execute various operations corresponding to each button based on the switch signal output from each switch when each button is pressed.

  Furthermore, the coin sensor 43 arrange | positioned at the coin insertion part 9 and the banknote sensor 44 arrange | positioned at the banknote insertion part 10 are each connected to CPU30. The coin sensor 43 detects a coin inserted from the coin insertion unit 9, and the CPU 30 calculates the number of inserted coins based on a coin detection signal output from the coin sensor 43. The banknote sensor 44 detects the type and amount of banknotes inserted from the banknote insertion unit 10, and the CPU 30 calculates the number of coins equivalent to the amount of banknotes based on the banknote detection signal output from the banknote sensor 44. .

  The CPU 30 is connected to three step motors 47 that rotate the reels 46 via a motor drive circuit 45, and is also connected to a reel position detection circuit 48. When a motor drive signal is output from the CPU 30 to the motor drive circuit 45, the reels 46 are rotated by the step motors 47 and the motor drive circuit 45.

  A plurality of (three in this example) stepping motors 47 that rotate each reel 46 are connected to the CPU 30 via a motor drive circuit 45. When a motor drive signal (command pulse) is output from the CPU 30 to the motor drive circuit 45, each stepping motor 47 is rotationally driven by the excitation signal output from the motor drive circuit 45. The CPU 30 counts the number of drive pulses supplied to each of the stepping motors 47, and the CPU 30 grasps the rotational position of the symbol on each reel 46 based on the counted number of drive pulses, and performs stop position control and the like.

  A position change detection circuit 48 is connected to the CPU 30. The position change detection circuit 48 detects a change in the stop position of the reel 46 after the stop control is performed by the motor drive circuit 45 described above. For example, in the position change detection circuit 48, the stop position is changed by the player so that it becomes a combination of stop symbols that is in a winning mode, even though it is not a combination of stop symbols in a winning mode. A change in the stop position of the reel 46 in some cases is detected. The position change detection circuit 48 is configured to be able to detect a change in the stop position of the reel 46 by detecting fins attached to the inner portion of the reel 46 at a predetermined interval, for example.

  A hopper 50 is connected to the CPU 30 via a hopper drive circuit 49. When a driving signal is output from the CPU 30 to the hopper driving circuit 49, the hopper 50 pays out a predetermined number of coins from the coin payout exit 15.

  Further, a coin detection unit 52 is connected to the CPU 30 via a payout completion signal circuit 51. The coin detection unit 52 is disposed inside the coin payout exit 15. When it is detected that a predetermined number of coins have been paid out from the coin payout exit 15, a coin payout detection signal is received from the coin detection unit 52. The payout completion signal circuit 51 outputs the payout completion signal to the CPU 30 based on the output.

  Furthermore, upper and lower liquid crystal displays 3 and 4 are connected to the CPU 30 via a liquid crystal driving circuit 53. As the liquid crystal driving circuit 53, a graphic board or the like can be used. Further, the upper liquid crystal display 3 and the lower liquid crystal display 4 may be controlled by separate liquid crystal driving circuits. Further, a touch panel 55 is connected to the CPU 30 via a touch panel drive circuit 54.

  In addition, an LED 57 is connected to the CPU 30 via an LED drive circuit 56. A large number of LEDs 57 are arranged on the front surface of the slot machine 1 and are controlled to be lit by the LED drive circuit 56 based on a drive signal from the CPU 30 when performing various effects. Furthermore, a sound output circuit 58 and a speaker 59 are connected to the CPU 30, and the speaker 59 generates various sound effects when performing various effects based on output signals from the sound output circuit 58. The CPU 30 is provided with a communication interface (I / F) 60 that is a communication port for performing communication between the management apparatus 102 and the slot machine.

  The main functions of the slot machine 1 are realized mainly by processing performed by the microcomputer 61 of the slot machine 1. Hereinafter, functions of the microcomputer 61 will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the microcomputer 61 of each slot machine 1. The microcomputer 61 includes a normal game execution unit 401, a credit value storage unit 402, a bingo ball appearance condition determination unit 403 corresponding to the appearance condition determination unit of the present invention, a bingo ball permutation generation unit 404, and a bingo ball permutation storage. 405, an appearance ball presenting unit 406 corresponding to the presenting means, a selection result notifying unit 407 corresponding to the notifying means of the present invention, and a bingo game result processing unit 408 corresponding to the payout processing means of the present invention. ing. Each unit 401 to 408 corresponds to a part of a program executed by the microcomputer 61, for example, a subroutine, a function, a procedure, and the like, and hardware corresponding to each unit does not exist.

  The base game execution unit 401 has a function of executing a base game. Specifically, the base game execution unit 401 executes the lottery according to the player's bet, controls the rotation of the reel 46 according to the lottery result, and responds to the stopped reel pattern. In other words, it is determined whether or not the winning combination has been established, and payment of a dividend when winning is performed.

  The credit value storage unit 402 has a function of storing and holding, as a credit value, a numerical value corresponding to a game value input by the player into the slot machine 1 or a numerical value corresponding to a game value acquired by a normal game or the like. When the player wishes to pay out coins or the like, a value corresponding to the amount to be paid out is subtracted from the value stored in the credit value storage unit 402, and the number of coins corresponding to the subtracted value is stored in the hopper drive circuit. 49, injected by the hopper 50.

  The bingo ball appearance condition determination unit 403 has a function of determining whether or not a condition for causing the appearance of a bingo ball corresponding to the selection element of the present invention is satisfied. The condition for causing the bingo ball to appear may be any condition, but as an example, the following condition may be adopted.

(1) A predetermined symbol in a normal game is stopped and displayed at a predetermined position. (2) A predetermined combination in a normal game is established. (3) The player's bet number exceeds a predetermined number. (4) A lottery (separate from the normal game lottery) was conducted to determine whether or not to make a bingo ball appear, and it was won. The number of bingo balls to appear may be constant or may vary. ,either will do. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the bingo ball appearance condition determination unit 403 randomly determines the number of bingo balls to appear within a range of 1 to 3.

  The bingo ball permutation generation unit 404 has a function of generating bingo ball permutation data, which is data that defines the order of appearance of (M−N + 1) bingo balls each with a number from N to M. The bingo ball permutation data may be generated, for example, by determining the appearance order of each bingo ball by a random number. In the present embodiment, N = 1, M = 80, and 80 bingo balls numbered from 1 to 80 are generated in each slot machine 1 in each slot machine 1. It shall appear according to the permutation data.

  The bingo ball permutation data is generated every time a new bingo game is started, and the generated bingo ball permutation data is continuously used during the same bingo game.

The bingo ball permutation storage unit 405 has a function of storing and holding the bingo ball permutation data generated by the bingo ball permutation generation unit 404. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration example of bingo ball permutation data stored in the bingo ball permutation storage unit 405. The bingo ball permutation data 601 includes 80 records 602 from a record 602 ₁ corresponding to the _first appearing bingo ball to a record 602 ₈₀ corresponding to the 80th appearing bingo ball, and each record 602. Includes a first field 603 for storing an appearance order, a second field 604 for storing a numerical value attached to the bingo ball, and a third field 605 for storing a flag indicating whether or not the bingo ball has already appeared. Have. The third field 605 initially stores “0”, and when the corresponding bingo ball appears, it is rewritten to “1” and stores that it has already appeared. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the first bingo ball with the number “11”, the second bingo ball with the number “24”, and the third bingo ball with the number “41” appear. After this, the 4th bingo ball with the number “50”, the 5th bingo ball with the number “65”, the 6th bingo ball with the number “12”, etc. It is described that they appear in order.

Returning to FIG. 4, the description will be continued.
When the appearance ball presentation unit 406 receives a bingo ball appearance command and a notification of the number of appearances from the bingo ball appearance condition determination unit 403, the appearance ball presentation unit 406 refers to the bingo ball permutation data 601 stored in the bingo ball permutation storage unit 405. The number of records 602 corresponding to the number of appearances is determined from the records 602 stored as not appearing in the bingo ball permutation data 601 in the order of appearance, and the numbers stored in the second field 604 are determined. And the liquid crystal drive circuit 53 is instructed to perform image display for causing the bingo balls with these numbers to appear. The liquid crystal driving circuit 53 outputs image data that causes the lower liquid crystal display 4 to display such an image in response to this command.

  The lower liquid crystal display 4 displays a bingo ball image corresponding to a command from the appearance ball presenting unit 406 and a message prompting the player to select a bingo ball as a selection element. The screen waiting for is displayed. Such a screen is referred to as a “selection input standby screen”.

  The selection result notification unit 407 uses the communication interface 60 to the management apparatus 102 as the player selection result based on the data input by the player using the input means such as the touch panel 55 and / or various switches 37 to 42 according to the selection input standby screen. It has the function to notify via. FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating a data configuration example of a selection result message that the selection result notification unit 407 transmits to the management apparatus 102 to notify the player selection result. The selection result message 501 is a header 501A indicating that the message is a selection result message, a number 501X indicating a number attached to the bingo ball selected by the player, and information identifying the slot machine 1 that has transmitted the selection result message. It is composed of a certain game machine ID 501Y and a body 501B that stores a time stamp 501Z for determining a prior relationship with another selection result message 501. When the management apparatus 102 receives the selection result message 501, the management apparatus 102 extracts the number 501X, the game machine ID 501Y, and the time stamp 501Z from the body 501B, and performs a bingo card erase process described later.

Returning to FIG. 4, the description of the function of the slot machine 1 will be continued.
When the bingo game result processing unit 408 receives a message transmitted from the management device 102 to each slot machine 1 when the bingo is established, the bingo ball permutation generation unit 404 generates new bingo ball permutation data. When the slot machine 1 is established as a bingo, the credit value storage unit 402 has a function of adding and storing the value of the acquired game value. FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating a data configuration example of a bingo establishment message transmitted from the management apparatus 102 to each slot machine 1 to notify the establishment of bingo. The bingo establishment message 502 for notifying the establishment of the bingo identifies the header 502A indicating the bingo establishment message 502, the acquired game value 502X paid when the bingo is established, and the slot machine 1 that has acquired the acquired game value. It is composed of a body 502B storing game machine ID 502Y as information. The bingo game result processing unit 408 refers to the game machine ID 502Y to determine whether the game machine ID matches the game machine ID of the game machine ID 502Y. The value 502X is added to the value stored in the credit value storage unit 402, and the payment of the reward is received.

  Also, when the bingo ball permutation generation unit 404 generates new bingo ball permutation data in response to a command from the bingo game result processing unit 408, the bingo ball permutation storage unit 405 stores the bingo ball permutation data 601 stored so far. And the newly generated bingo ball permutation data 601 is stored. This is ready to start a new bingo game.

[1.2.2. Management device]
Next, the management apparatus 102 will be described.
The management device 102 is a device that can communicate with each slot machine 1 and includes an arithmetic processing unit (CPU), a main memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an input / output device (I / O), a display device ( A liquid crystal display, a CRT, and the like) and an external storage device such as a hard disk device as necessary. The management apparatus 102 is an information processing apparatus such as a computer, workstation, or server. The management device 102 stores a program for causing the information processing device to function as the management device 102 in the ROM, the hard disk device, or the like. The program is loaded on the main memory, and is managed by the CPU executing the program. A device 102 is realized. In addition, the program need not be stored in the storage device in the information processing device, but is provided from an external device (for example, an ASP (application service provider server, etc.)). It may be configured to be mounted on a memory.

  FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of the management apparatus 102. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the management apparatus 102 includes a communication interface 701, a bingo card data generation unit 702, a progress status data storage unit 703, a selection result message processing unit 704, and a bingo establishment determination unit 705. ing.

  Similar to the communication interface 60 of each slot machine 1, the communication interface 701 performs mutual conversion processing between data and electrical signals and communication protocol processing that conform to the communication mode between the management device 102 and the slot machine 1.

  The bingo card data generation unit 702 has a function of generating bingo card data corresponding to a bingo card at the start of a bingo game executed by each slot machine 1 and the management apparatus 102. In the present embodiment, all slot machines 1 play a bingo game using a common bingo card generated by the management apparatus 102.

  FIG. 8A shows an example of bingo card data generated by the bingo card data generation unit 702. In this embodiment, the bingo card is a card in which arbitrary 25 numbers from 80 numbers from 1 to 80 are arranged in a 5 × 5 matrix, and bingo card data is such a bingo card. It is information corresponding to.

The bingo card data 801 shown in FIG. 8A includes ₂₅ records 801A _{1 to} 801A 25 corresponding to 25 cells of a 5 × 5 matrix bingo card. Each record 801A has a column number field 801B for storing the column number of the cell corresponding to the record, a row number field 801C for storing the row number of the cell corresponding to the record, and a number for storing a number attached to the cell. The field 801D has a scoring field 801E for storing a scoring value assigned to the cell. Note that which number is put in which record is randomly determined when the bingo card data 801 is generated. Also, the value stored in the scoring field 801E may be determined randomly when the bingo card data 801 is generated, or a value predetermined for each number may be used.

  The progress status data storage unit 703 generates progress status data based on the bingo card data 801 generated by the bingo card data generation unit 702, and stores the progress status data according to the selection result message 501 received from each slot machine 1. It has a function to update / rewrite.

FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating a data configuration example of progress status data handled by the progress status data storage unit 703. Similar to the bingo card data 801, the progress status data 802 has 25 records 802A _{1 to} 802A ₂₅ corresponding to 25 cells of a 5 × 5 matrix bingo card. Each record 802A has a column number field 802B for storing the column number of the cell corresponding to the record, a row number field 802C for storing the row number of the cell corresponding to the record, and a number for storing a number attached to the cell. Field 802D, a scoring field 802E for storing a scoring value assigned to the cell, an open flag field 802E for recording the presence / absence of disappearance of each cell (notification of the appearance of a bingo ball having the same number), and a bingo having the number It has a game machine ID field 802F for storing the game machine ID of the slot machine 1 that first transmitted the selection result message 501 for the ball, and a time stamp field 802H for storing the time stamp 501Z of the selection result message 501. The values stored in the fields 802B to 802D are the same as the values stored in the fields 801B to 801D of the bingo card data 801.

  In the example shown in the figure, “0” is first written in the open flag field 802F of all records 802A in advance, and “0” is set to “1” in the open flag field 802F of the record 802A corresponding to the erased cell. Will be rewritten. In addition, “9999” is first written in the game machine ID field 802G, and the game machine ID field 802G of the record 802A corresponding to the erased cell has the same number 502X as the cell number field 802D. The game machine ID 502Y of the selection result message 501 having the earliest (old) value time stamp 501Z is written and held. The time stamp field 802H includes a selection result message 501 having the same number 502X as the number field 802D of the cell, and the time stamp included in the selection result message 501 having the earliest (old) value time stamp 501Z. 501Z is written and held.

  The selection result message processing unit 704 receives the selection result message 501 from each slot machine 1, and records the record 802A in which the same value as the number 501X included in the selection result message 501 is stored in the number field 802D. Search from 802. When the selection result message processing unit 704 finds such a record 802A, the selection result message 501 compares the time stamp value of the selection result message 501 with the value stored in the time stamp field 802H, and the time stamp of the selection result message 501. Is early (old), the open flag field 802F, game machine ID field 802G, and time stamp field 802H of the record are rewritten in accordance with the contents of the selection result message 501.

  With the function of the selection result message processing unit 704, the progress status data 806 is updated every time according to the selection result message 501 from each slot machine 1, and the latest progress status of the bingo game is always grasped by the management device 102. It becomes.

  The bingo establishment determination unit 705 refers to the progress status data 802 stored in the progress status data storage unit 703 to determine whether bingo has been established, that is, any five consecutive cells in the vertical, horizontal, and diagonal directions. It is determined whether or not everything has been erased ("1" is written in the open flag field 802F of the record 802A). When it is determined that the bingo has been established, the bingo establishment determination unit 705 obtains the score given to the five cells from the score field 802E, calculates the acquired game value, and calculates the acquired game value to the slot machine 1 , A bingo establishment message 502 is generated and transmitted to each slot machine 1. Thereby, the player of each slot machine 1 knows the establishment of bingo.

[1.2.3. Communication network]
The communication network 103 enables transmission / reception of information between the devices connected to the target device regardless of wired / wireless, dedicated line / switched line, when a session is established with the target device. Act on. The communication network 103 may be realized by combining a plurality of networks via a gateway, such as the Internet. In addition, even if the connection is not directly connected to the so-called backbone, which is called a backbone, even if it is temporarily connected by a PPP connection or the like, information can be transmitted and received during the establishment of a session. I do not mind. Note that the “communication network” includes a communication network that does not use an exchange, such as a fixed-line connection.

[1.3. Example of operation]
[1.3.1. Example of management device operation]
Next, an operation example of the management apparatus 102 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the management apparatus 102.

  The management apparatus 102 is activated when the power is turned on, and first executes initialization processing such as initialization of the RAM (S901).

  Next, the management apparatus 102 activates the bingo card data generation unit 702, generates bingo card data 801, prepares the progress status data 802 based on this, and stores the progress status data 802 in the progress status data storage unit 703. A game preparation process (S902) is executed.

  Next, the management apparatus 102 waits for the selection result message 501 transmitted from the slot machine 1 and determines whether or not the selection result message 501 has been received (S903). If the selection result message 501 has not been received (S903, No), the management apparatus 102 returns to S903 and waits for the selection result message 501. On the other hand, if the selection result message 501 has not been received (S903, Yes), the management apparatus 102 activates the selection result message processing unit 704 to delete the corresponding selection result message of the bingo card. A bingo card clearing process (S904), which is a process of updating the progress status data 802 in accordance with 501 is performed.

  Next, the management apparatus 102 activates the bingo establishment determination unit 705, and determines whether bingo is established in any of the cells by referring to the progress data 802 (S905). As a result of the determination, if it is determined that bingo is not established (S906, No), the management apparatus 102 returns to S903 and waits for reception of the next selection result message 501.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that bingo is established (S906, Yes), the management apparatus 102 performs a bingo establishment message transmission process (S907). In this bingo establishment message transmission process, the management apparatus 102 uses the record 802A corresponding to the last opened (erased) cell among the five records 802A corresponding to the cell of the line where the bingo is established. A record 802A in which the latest (new) time stamp value is stored in the time stamp field 802H is specified. Then, the management apparatus 102 identifies the slot machine 1 that has won the bingo from the game machine ID stored in the game machine ID field 802G in the record 802A. Furthermore, the management apparatus 102 calculates the total value of the values stored in the scoring field 802E of the five records 802A corresponding to the cells in which the bingo is established, and uses this total value as the acquired game value. Subsequently, the management device 102 generates a bingo establishment message 502 that stores the calculated acquired game value 502X and the game machine ID 502Y of the slot machine 1 that is won by bingo, and transmits the message to each slot machine 1. This completes one bingo game.

  After S907, the management apparatus 102 returns to S902 to start a new bingo game, and thereafter repeats S903 to S907.

[1.3.2. Example of slot machine operation]
Next, an operation example of the slot machine 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the main process of the slot machine 1.
When starting the main process, the slot machine 1 first performs a normal game process (in this example, a slot game) (S1001). In this embodiment, the normal game is from receiving the determination input of the number of coins to bet, detecting the operation of the spin switch 37, starting and stopping the rotation of the reel 46, and winning determination according to the stop symbol, and payout. Say a series of processing.

  Next, the slot machine 1 (more specifically, the microcomputer 61 or the CPU 30, the same applies hereinafter) performs a link type game execution process (S1002). FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the link type game execution process.

  When the link type game execution process is started, the slot machine 1 (more specifically, the bingo ball appearance condition determination unit 403) executes a bingo ball appearance condition determination process that is a process for determining whether the bingo ball appearance condition is successful (S1101). ). As described above, the bingo ball appearance condition may be any as long as it can be determined by the microcomputer 61 or the CPU 30. Here, it is assumed that the ball appearance condition is set such that the spin switch 37 is pressed and the spin switch 37 issues an output signal.

  If it is determined in S1102 that the bingo ball appearance condition is not satisfied (in this example, if the output signal from the spin switch 37 is not detected; S1102, No), the slot machine 1 ends the link-type game execution process. Then, control returns to the main process (FIG. 10).

  On the other hand, when it is determined in S1102 that the bingo ball appearance condition is satisfied (in this example, when the output signal from the spin switch 37 is detected; S1102, Yes), the slot machine 1 (more specifically, the appearance ball presenting unit) Step 406) executes an appearance bingo ball determination process, which is a process for determining which bingo ball appears (S1103). In this example, it is assumed that the slot machine 1 randomly determines the number of bingo balls to appear within a range of 1 to 3. More specifically, the slot machine 1 randomly determines the number of appearances within a range of 1 to 3, and then refers to the bingo ball permutation data 601 and stores a flag indicating non-appearance in the third field 605. Among the records, the records 602 corresponding to the number of appearances are determined in order from the smallest value stored in the first field 603.

  After the appearance bingo ball determination process (S1103), the slot machine 1 causes the determined number of bingo balls to appear and present them to the player, and executes a bingo ball presentation process that prompts the player to make a selection input (S1104). In the bingo ball presentation process, the slot machine 1 (more specifically, the appearance ball presentation unit 406) causes the lower liquid crystal display 4 to display the number of appearance bingo balls determined in S1103. Further, the slot machine 1 acquires the value stored in the number field 604 of the record 602 for the determined number of appearances, and based on this, the bingo balls for the number of appearances, and the numbers of bingo balls with numbers attached thereto. A command is sent to the liquid crystal drive circuit 53 to display an image. In response to this command, the lower liquid crystal display 4 displays bingo ball images corresponding to the number of appearances to prompt the player to select.

  Next, the slot machine 1 (more specifically, the selection result notification unit 407) accepts a selection input that allows the player to select or designate one or more bingo balls presented in S1104, and based on the selection input A selection result message transmission process, which is a process of generating the selection result message 501 and transmitting it to the management apparatus 102, is executed (S1105). More specifically, the slot machine 1 (more specifically, the selection result notification unit 407) generates a selection result message 501 based on the player's selection input generated by operating the touch panel 55 and the switches 37 to 42. To the management apparatus 102.

  Next, the slot machine 1 (more specifically, the bingo game result processing unit 408) waits for a certain period of time and then responds to the above-described selection result message 501 (including those sent by other slot machines 1). It is determined whether or not the bingo establishment message 502 sent back from 102 is received (S1106). If it is determined that the bingo establishment message 502 has not been received (S1106, No), the management device 102 ends the link-type game execution process without doing anything, and returns to the main process. On the other hand, when it is determined that the bingo establishment message 502 has been received (S1106, Yes), the slot machine 1 determines whether or not the bingo is won based on the game machine ID 502Y included in the bingo establishment message 502. Determination is made (S1107).

  If it is determined that the player has won the bingo (S1107, Yes), the slot machine 1 performs a payout receiving process to receive a bingo payout (S1108). Specifically, in the payout receiving process, the slot machine 1 adds the value of the acquired game value 502Y stored in the bingo establishment message 502 to the credit value stored and held at that time. Thereby, the slot machine 1 that has won the bingo can receive the game value corresponding to the bingo.

  Following this payout receiving process, the slot machine 1 performs a bingo ball permutation data generation process for generating and holding bingo ball permutation data 802 in preparation for the start of the next bingo game (S1109), and then ends the link type game execution process. Then, the process returns to the main process.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S1107 that it is not the machine that won the bingo (S1107, No), the slot machine 1 does not perform the payout receiving process, immediately performs the bingo ball permutation data generation process (S1109), and then the link type. The game execution process ends, and the process returns to the main process.

This is the end of the description of the link type game execution process.
Returning to FIG. 10, the description of the main process of the slot machine 1 is resumed. When the link type game execution process (S1002) ends, the slot machine 1 returns to the normal game execution process (S1001) again, and thereafter repeats S1001 and S1002. This is the end of the description of the operation example of the slot machine 1.

[1.3.3. Example of game system operation]
Next, an operation example of the game system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram showing an operation example of the game system, and FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram following FIG. Note that the game system described here includes two slot machines 1 (referred to as “slot machine A” and “slot machine B” for distinction) and one management apparatus 102 connected thereto. It consists of It is assumed that the management device 102 has already generated bingo card data 802 so that a linked game can be executed, and that slot machine A and slot machine B have already generated bingo ball permutation data 601 respectively. Will be explained.

  First, the slot machine A performs a normal game execution process (FIG. 10; S1001) (S1201), and then shifts to a link type game execution process (FIG. 10; S1002), and a bingo ball appearance condition determination process (FIG. 11; S1001). (S1202). In this example, it is assumed that the bingo ball appearance condition determination is not established. The slot machine A ends the linked game execution process as it is after the bingo ball appearance condition determination process.

  Subsequently, a slot machine B different from the slot machine A performs a normal game execution process (FIG. 10; S1001) (S1203), and then shifts to a link type game execution process (FIG. 10; S1002). Determination processing (FIG. 11; S1001) is performed (S1204). In this example, it is assumed that the bingo ball appearance condition determination is satisfied. Therefore, the slot machine B continues the linked game execution process, performs the appearance bingo ball determination process (FIG. 11; S1103) (S1205), performs the bingo ball presentation process (FIG. 11; S1104) (S1206), and selects it. A result message transmission process (FIG. 11; S1105) is performed (S1207). As a result, the selection result message 501 is transmitted from the slot machine B to the management apparatus 102 (S1208).

  The management apparatus 102 that has received the selection result message 501 performs a bingo card deletion process (FIG. 9; S904) (S1209), and then executes a bingo establishment determination process (FIG. 9; S905) (S1210). In this example, it is assumed that the bingo card clearing process according to the selection result message 501 results in a state (reach state) in which the fourth cell is opened in a certain cell line. That is, since bingo is not established when the selection result message 501 is received, the management apparatus 102 returns to waiting for the next selection result message 501.

  Subsequently, the management device 102 displays an image of the bingo card in a state where the fourth cell is opened (reach state) on the display device, and displays the progress of the game to each player of the slot machines A and B. A progress display for notification is performed (S1211).

  FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation example of the game system according to the present embodiment, following FIG. Hereinafter, the description of the operation example of the game system will be continued with reference to FIG.

  After S1211, the slot machine A performs the second normal game execution process (FIG. 10; S1001) (S1301), and then shifts to the link type game execution process (FIG. 10; S1002), and the bingo ball appearance condition determination process ( FIG. 11; S1001) is performed (S1302). In this example, it is assumed that the bingo ball appearance condition determination is established. Accordingly, the slot machine A continues the link type game execution process, performs the appearance bingo ball determination process (FIG. 11; S1103) (S1303), performs the bingo ball presentation process (FIG. 11; S1104) (S1304), and selects it. A result message transmission process (FIG. 11; S1105) is performed (S1305). As a result, the selection result message 501 is transmitted from the slot machine A to the management apparatus 102 (S1306).

  The management apparatus 102 that has received the selection result message 501 performs a bingo card deletion process (FIG. 9; S904) (S1307), and then executes a bingo establishment determination process (FIG. 9; S905) (S1308). In this example, the bingo card clearing process according to the selection result message 501 has already opened the fifth cell (reach state) in a state where the fourth cell is already opened (reach state) (bingo established). State). That is, it is assumed that bingo is established by receiving this selection result message 501. The management apparatus 102 determines that bingo is established in the bingo establishment determination process (FIG. 9; S905), and performs a bingo establishment message transmission process (FIG. 9; S907) (S1309).

  In addition, the management device 102 displays an image of the bingo card in a state where the fifth cell is opened (bingo establishment state) on the display device, and the player of each of the slot machines A and B establishes the game bingo establishment. A progress status display for notification is performed (S1310).

  In addition, a bingo establishment message 502 is transmitted from the management apparatus 102 to the slot machine A and the slot machine B as an execution result of the bingo establishment message transmission process (S1311, S1312).

  Receiving the bingo establishment message 502, the slot machine A determines that it has won and performs a payout receiving process (FIG. 11; S1108) (S1313). Thereafter, a bingo ball permutation data generation process (FIG. 11; S1109) is performed (S1314) to prepare for the start of the next linked game.

  On the other hand, the slot machine B that has received the bingo establishment message 502 determines that it has not been won and performs the bingo ball permutation data generation process (FIG. 11; S1109) without performing the payout receiving process (S1315). Like the slot machine A, it prepares for the start of the next link type game.

  On the other hand, the management apparatus 102 that has transmitted the bingo establishment message performs a bingo card data generation process (FIG. 9; 902) in preparation for the start of a new bingo game (S1316). Based on the bingo card data 802 generated by the bingo card data generation process, the management apparatus 102 displays a progress status for displaying a new bingo card on the display device (S1317).

Thereafter, the same processing is continued in the slot machines A and B and the management device 102, and the player can repeatedly participate in the linked game together with the normal game and enjoy the game.
This is the end of the description of the operation example of the game system.

[1.4. Screen example]
Next, an example of a screen displayed by the slot machine 1 and the management apparatus 102 in the present system when the linked game is executed will be described.

[1.4.1. Example of screen displayed by slot machine]
FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 show examples of screens displayed by the slot machine 1.

  FIG. 14A shows a screen example before a bingo ball appears. In this screen example, the lower liquid crystal display 4 of the slot machine 1 displays an image of a pipe 1401 having an inlet 1402 and an outlet 1403 below the windows 23, 24, and 25.

  FIG. 14B is an example of a screen in which one bingo ball 1501 appears as an execution result of the bingo ball presentation process (S1104) after FIG. 14A. The bingo ball 1501 has “16” displayed as its number. The player can selectively input to the slot machine 1 whether or not to select the bingo ball 1501 using the touch panel 55 or the like. When selection input for selecting the bingo ball 1501 is performed, a selection result message 501 in which the value “16” is stored in the number 501X is transmitted to the management apparatus 102.

  FIG. 15A is an example of a screen different from that shown in FIG. 14B displayed after FIG. 14A, and shows three bingo balls 1501 as the execution result of the bingo ball presentation process (S1104). It is an example of a screen when is made to appear. The lower liquid crystal display 4 displays three bingo balls 1501 that appear together with the pipe 1401 and a message 1601 that prompts the player to make a selection input. Each bingo ball 1501 displays “51” “8” “16” as its number. The player can select and input to the slot machine 1 which of the bingo balls 1501 is selected using the touch panel 55 or the like. Selection input is performed when the player touches the image of one of the bingo balls 1501. When a selection input is performed, a selection result message 501 storing the value of the selected bingo ball is transmitted to the management apparatus 102.

  In the above description, it has been described that only one of a plurality of bingo balls can be selected. However, a plurality of bingo balls may be selected when a plurality of bingo balls appear. . In this case, selection result messages corresponding to the number of selected bingo balls, which are stored with data that can determine the order of selection, may be transmitted to the management apparatus 102.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 14A, 14B, and 15A, when a bingo ball appears, a new bingo ball appears from the entrance 1402, and the bingo balls that were previously in the pipe 1401 sequentially It moves so as to be pushed toward the outlet 1403. FIG. 15B shows a state in which bingo balls are continuously connected in the pipe 1401 as a result of the bingo balls appearing one after another from the entrance 1402 at the end of the bingo game.

  Next, screen display examples in the slot machine 1 different from the screen examples shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 are shown in FIGS. 16 and 17.

  FIG. 16A is a screen example before the appearance of the bingo ball in another example. On the lower liquid crystal display 4 of the slot machine 1, bingo ball inlets 1801L, 1801C, and 1801R and outlets 1802L, 1802C, and 1802R are displayed below the windows 23, 24, and 25, respectively. FIG. 18 is an example of a screen before a bingo ball appears.

  FIG. 16B is an example of a screen in which one bingo ball 1901 appears as an execution result of the bingo ball presentation process (S1104) after FIG. The bingo ball 1901 has “16” displayed as its number. The player can selectively input to the slot machine 1 whether or not to select the bingo ball 1901 using the touch panel 55 or the like. When a selection input for selecting the bingo ball 1901 is performed, a selection result message 501 in which the value “16” is stored in the number 501X is transmitted to the management apparatus 102.

  FIG. 17A is an example of a screen when three bingo balls 1901 are caused to appear as an execution result of the bingo ball presentation process (S1104) after FIG. The lower liquid crystal display 4 displays three bingo balls 1901 that appear on the entrances 1801L, 1801C, and 1801R, and a message 2001 that prompts the player to make a selection input. Each bingo ball 1901 displays “51”, “8”, and “16” from the right as its number. The player can selectively input to the slot machine 1 which of the bingo balls 1901 is to be selected using the touch panel 55 or the like. A selection input is performed when the player touches any bingo ball 1901 image, and a selection result message 501 storing the value of the selected bingo ball is transmitted to the management apparatus 102.

  In the above description, it has been described that only one of a plurality of bingo balls can be selected. However, a plurality of bingo balls may be selected when a plurality of bingo balls appear. . In this case, selection result messages corresponding to the number of selected bingo balls, which are stored with data that can determine the order of selection, may be transmitted to the management apparatus 102.

  In this example, when a bingo ball appears, a new bingo ball appears from the entrance 1402, and the bingo ball previously on the entrance moves so as to be pushed out toward the exit 1403 in order. FIG. 17B shows an example of a screen on which a new bingo ball presentation process has been performed after the state of FIG. In this screen example, a new bingo ball 1901 having a number of “72” appears on the entrance 1801L, and the bingo ball 1901 having a number of “16” is pushed up toward the exit 1802L. It has become.

[1.4.2. Example of screen displayed by management device]
Next, an example of a screen displayed by the management apparatus 102 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 18A is an example of a bingo card image displayed by the management apparatus 102. This image is displayed based on the bingo card data 802. In the display area 2200 of the display device included in the management apparatus 102, cells arranged in a 5 × 5 matrix are displayed, and a number is displayed in each cell. Note that only the cell in the center is displayed as “Free” instead of a number, and is treated as being already open.

  FIG. 18B shows a selection result message when the bingo ball having the number “29” is selected from the slot machine 1 in the state of FIG. 18A, that is, the value “29” is stored in the number 501X. 6 shows an example of a screen when the management apparatus 102 receives 501. In the example illustrated in FIG. 23, the management apparatus 102 starts displaying an operation of turning the plate of the cell 2201 and turning it over as an effect as an effect of opening the cell 2201 corresponding to the number “29”.

  FIG. 19A is a screen showing a state where the plate of the mesh 2201 is rotated and turned over, following the screen of FIG. 18B. On the back side of the plate of the cell 2201, “60”, which is a score corresponding to the number “29”, is displayed.

  FIG. 19B shows a state in which the link type game has further progressed after the screen display of FIG. 19A, and all the cells 2201, 2202, 2203, 2204, 2205 in the line including the cell 2201 have been rotated and turned over. That is, it is a screen showing a bingo establishment state. “60”, “30”, “40”, “10”, and “20”, which are the corresponding points, are displayed on the back surfaces of the plates of the cells 2201 to 2205. In this example, the acquired game value, which is a bingo payout, is the total value of these points, that is, 60 + 30 + 40 + 10 + 20 = 160, and the player who made the bingo receives 160 credits as a payout.

  In this example, one bingo game is completed and this game system starts a new bingo game. Of course, even if one bingo is established, the bingo game may be continued. I do not care.

  On the screen displayed by the management apparatus 102, which player (slot machine) has opened which cell may be displayed in an identifiable manner. FIG. 20A and FIG. 20B show examples of screens in which the player (slot machine 1) who opened the cell is displayed in an identifiable manner. FIG. 20A is an example of a screen when the cells 2601, 2602, 2603, and 2604 have already been opened and are in a so-called reach state. If any slot machine 1 causes the number “36” bingo ball to appear in this screen state, the cell 2605 is opened and bingo is established. In FIG. 20A, the cells 2601, 2602, 2603, and 2604 are displayed in the color of the player (slot machine 1) that opened the cells (the difference in hatching indicates the difference in color in the figure). Which player (slot machine 1) opened which cell can be recognized by each other.

  FIG. 20B shows an example of a screen in a state where the bingo ball with the number “36” appears after the slot machine 1 after FIG. The color of the player (slot machine 1) who opened the cell is also displayed in the cell 2605, so that all players can recognize which player has made a bingo and won a payout.

  The establishment of bingo does not necessarily have to be one in which any one of vertical, horizontal, and diagonal lines is continuously opened. FIGS. 21A and 21B show another example of bingo establishment. In this example, the characters “B”, “I”, “N”, “G”, and “O” are hidden in any five squares in the matrix, and “B”, “I”, “N”, “G”, “ Bingo is established when all five squares with the letter “O” hidden are opened.

  In FIG. 21A, a bingo card is displayed in the display area 2200. The cell 2801 (with character “B”), 2802 (with character “I”), 2803 (with character “O”) in the bingo card. , 2804 (with character “N”) is already opened (erased). This state is a so-called reach state, and bingo is established if the cell with the letter “G” hidden is opened thereafter. Note that the player does not know which cell the character “G” is hidden in.

  FIG. 21B is a screen in a state in which the cell 2805 in which the letter “G” is hidden is opened after FIG. Bingo is now established, and a bingo is established for the player who opened the cell 2805, that is, the total of the points “20” “140” “60” “80” “70” displayed on each cell 2801 to 2805. “370” is paid to the player as a payout.

  Further, when the cell is turned over, a multiple may be indicated next to the number of the score, such as “× 2” or “× 4”. FIG. 22A shows an example of a screen in which a multiple is shown next to the number of points in the grid 3001. When such a cell is displayed, a value obtained by multiplying the total value by this multiple is paid to the player as a payout.

  Further, even if bingo is not established, a payout may be paid to the player. FIG. 22B shows an example of a screen when paying the payout displayed in a cell when a specific cell is opened even if bingo is not established. When the cell 3100 is opened and turned upside down, a score of “500” is shown and an effect of emitting light is performed, and a dividend “500” is paid to the player who opened the cell 3100.

  Further, one or more cells may be opened for one bingo ball. FIG. 23C shows an example of a screen when one or more cells are opened for one bingo ball. In FIG. 23C, a cell 3200 is opened by a player, the plate of the cell is turned over, and a number “6” is displayed together with a score “80” and a symbol indicating a jump. When a symbol indicating such a jump is displayed, a cell (a jump destination) having a number displayed together with the symbol is also opened. If there is no jump destination, or if it is already open, the symbol indicating jump may be invalidated.

  The bingo card displayed by the management apparatus 102 does not necessarily have to be arranged in a matrix. FIGS. 23A and 23B show examples of screens on which the management apparatus 102 displays a bingo card that does not use a matrix-like arrangement. In the screen example shown in FIG. 23A, a bingo card having no corners is shown. In addition, the screen example shown in FIG. 23B shows a bingo card in which the cells 3501, 3502, 3503, 3504 are opened from the beginning of the bingo game. Even if such a bingo card is used, the present invention is established.

[2. Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The game system according to the second embodiment is characterized in that a linked game is executed in accordance with symbols used in a normal game. The slot machine 1 is a so-called hybrid machine in which a mechanical reel and a liquid crystal screen are combined in the first embodiment, but a model called a so-called video slot is suitable for the slot machine in the second embodiment. . Other configurations and operations are the same as those of the game system according to the first embodiment.

  FIG. 24 and FIG. 25 show screen display examples of the slot machine in the second embodiment.

  FIG. 24A shows an example of a screen displayed on the liquid crystal display device 2200 of the slot machine.

In this example, a liquid crystal display device 2200 displays five reels 3601 _{1-3601 5} so-called Five reel, as if the reel 3601 _{1-3601 5} starts to rotate with the start of the game, various Variation display of symbols 3602 and the like is started, and variation display of various symbols 3602 and the like is terminated as if the rotation was stopped after a lapse of a fixed time, and a stop symbol is displayed on each reel. In FIG. 24A, a special symbol 3603 that is a bingo ball appearance condition is displayed as a stop symbol. In this example, when the symbol 3603 is displayed, one bingo ball appears for each symbol 3603.

  FIG. 24B is an example of a screen transitioned from the screen of FIG. In this example, an effect such that the bingo ball 3701 is exposed from the inside of the symbol 3603 is performed. FIG. 25A shows an example of a screen after FIG. In this example, an effect is produced in which the bingo ball 3701 is further exposed from the inside of the symbol 3603 and becomes larger.

  FIG. 25B is an example of a screen transitioned from the screen of FIG. In this example, the bingo ball 3701 appears completely, and the number assigned to the bingo ball is also displayed. This screen is displayed on the basis of the bingo ball presentation process (FIG. 11; S1104), and the player performs selection input based on this screen in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

  According to such an embodiment, since a linked game can be performed in a manner closely linked to the execution of the normal game, it is possible to provide a game system that can attract the player's interest and increase the game motivation. .

[3. Modified example]
(1) In the first and second embodiments, the management apparatus 102 and the slot machine 1 have been described as separate apparatuses. However, any one of the slot machines 1 may function as the management apparatus 102. It is also within the scope of the present invention to provide the slot machine 1 with a function in the management device 102 and construct a game system according to the present invention in a so-called stand-alone environment.
(2) In the first and second embodiments, the management device 102 may transmit data indicating the game progress status to each slot machine 1 each time any one of the cells opens. The data indicating the game progress is data that can display an image corresponding to a bingo card as shown in FIGS. 18 to 23, for example. The slot machine 1 that has received the data indicating the game progress status displays an image having the same content as the bingo card image displayed by the management device 102 on the upper liquid crystal display 3 or the lower liquid crystal display 4.
Thereby, each player can confirm the progress of the bingo game by looking at the upper liquid crystal display 3 or the lower liquid crystal display 4 at hand without bothering to look at the management device 102.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a linked game system according to the present invention. External perspective view showing an example of slot machine Block diagram schematically showing the control system of the slot machine Functional block diagram of microcomputer in each slot machine The figure which shows the data structural example of bingo ball permutation data (A) is a diagram showing a data configuration example of a selection result message, (B) is a diagram showing a data configuration example of a bingo establishment message Functional block diagram showing an example of a management device (A) is a figure which shows an example of bingo card data, (B) is a figure which shows the data structural example of progress status data. Flow chart showing an operation example of the management apparatus Flow chart showing the main process of the slot machine A flowchart showing an example of a link type game execution process Sequence diagram showing an operation example of the game system Sequence diagram following FIG. (A) shows a screen example displayed by the slot machine, (B) shows a screen example following (A). (A) shows a screen example displayed by the slot machine following the screen in FIG. 14 (A), and (B) shows a screen example following (A). (A) is a diagram showing another screen example displayed by the slot machine, (B) is a screen example following (A). (A) shows a screen example displayed by the slot machine following the screen of FIG. 16 (A), and (B) shows a screen example following (A). (A) is a figure which shows the example of a screen which a management apparatus displays, (B) is a figure which shows the example of a screen displayed after the screen of (A). (A) is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed by the management apparatus following the screen of FIG. 18 (B), and (B) is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed after the screen of (A). (A) is a figure which shows another example of a screen which a management apparatus displays, (B) is a figure which shows the example of a screen displayed after the screen of (A). (A) is a figure which shows another example of a screen which a management apparatus displays, (B) is a figure which shows another example of a screen which a management apparatus displays. (A) is a diagram showing another screen example displayed by the management device, (B) is a diagram showing yet another screen example displayed by the management device, and (C) is yet another screen displayed by the management device. Figure showing an example screen (A) is a figure which shows another example of a screen which a management apparatus displays, (B) is a figure which shows another example of a screen which a management apparatus displays. (A) shows a screen example displayed by the slot machine, (B) shows a screen example displayed by the slot machine following the screen (A). (A) shows an example of a screen displayed by the slot machine following FIG. 24 (A), and (B) shows an example of a screen displayed by the slot machine following the screen of (A).

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Slot machine 61 ... Microcomputer 100 ... Game system 101 ... Game machine 102 ... Management apparatus 103 ... Communication network 403 ... Bingo ball appearance condition determination part 406 ... Appearance ball presentation part 407 ... Selection result notification part

Claims (10)

A game system having a game machine and a management device communicably connected to the game machine,
The game machine is:
Presenting means for presenting at least one selection element and prompting the player to make a selection input regarding the selection element;
Notification means for notifying the management device of the selection result in response to the selection input by the player;
Payout processing means for obtaining a payout based on the notification of the game result from the management device,
The management device receives a selection result from a game machine, determines a game outcome based on the selection result, and notifies the game machine of the game result. When the management device receives the selection result from the game machine, it notifies each game machine of the progress of the game,
The game system according to claim 1, wherein each game machine displays a progress status of the notified game. A game system including a game machine that provides a first game to a player and a management device that is communicably connected to the game machine, and provides the player with a second game,
The game machine is:
Appearance condition determination means for determining success or failure of the selection element appearance condition based on the first game;
Presenting means for presenting at least one selection element when the appearance condition determination means determines that the selection element appearance condition is satisfied, and prompting the player to make a selection input regarding the selection element;
Notification means for notifying the management device of a selection result in response to a player's selection input;
Payout processing means for obtaining a payout of the second game based on the result of the second game notified from the management device;
The management device receives a selection result from the game machine, determines a win / loss of the second game based on the selection result, and notifies the game machine of the result of the second game. .   The game system according to claim 3, wherein the game machine is a game machine that displays a plurality of symbols in a variable manner, and the selection element appearance condition is that a predetermined symbol is displayed. The management device receives a selection result from the game machine, and notifies each game machine of the progress of the second game according to the selection result,
4. The game system according to claim 1, wherein each game machine displays the notified progress status of the second game. 5. A game machine for a game system having a management device and a game machine communicably connected to the management device,
Presenting means for presenting at least one selection element and prompting the player to make a selection input regarding the selection element;
Notification means for notifying the management device of the selection result in response to the selection input by the player;
A game machine comprising payout processing means for obtaining a payout based on a game result notified from a management device.   The game machine according to claim 6, further comprising display means for displaying a progress status of a game notified by the management device according to a selection result. A game machine for use in a game system that has a game machine that provides a first game to a player and a management device that is communicably connected to the game machine, and that provides a second game to the player. ,
Appearance condition determination means for determining success or failure of the selection element appearance condition based on the first game;
Presenting means for presenting at least one selection element when the appearance condition determination means determines that the selection element appearance condition is satisfied, and prompting the player to make a selection input regarding the selection element;
Notification means for notifying the management device of a selection result in response to a player's selection input;
A game machine comprising payout processing means for acquiring a payout of the second game based on a result of the second game notified from the management device.   The game machine according to claim 8, wherein the game machine is a game machine that displays a plurality of symbols in a variable manner, and the selection element appearance condition is that a predetermined symbol is displayed.   The game machine according to claim 8, further comprising display means for displaying a progress status of a second game notified by the management device according to a selection result.

Images