JP2009028337A - Lighting device for game hall - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lighting device for a game hall capable of clearly indicating a calling operation received during performance display. <P>SOLUTION: A calling lamp interrupts the performance display and starts calling display (A4) when a calling button is depressed (A3: YES) during the performance display (A14: YES), ends the calling display, performs cancellation display (A7, A8) and then restarts the performance display (A11) when the calling button is depressed again (A5: YES). By the cancellation display, the separation of the end of the calling display and the restart of the performance display is clarified. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a lighting device for a game hall provided with lighting control means for controlling lighting means so as to perform effect display corresponding to effect display conditions while controlling the lighting means so as to perform call display.

The game hall is equipped with a lamp (so-called call lamp) that displays a call display that lights up or flashes in response to the player's call operation in preparation for a player calling the employee due to a trouble with a gaming machine or the like. ing.
In addition to the call display, the call lamp is also configured to perform an effect display that is lit and flashed according to the gaming state of the corresponding gaming machine, such as the occurrence of a big hit, but in recent years, for example, Patent Document 1 There is also provided a call lamp configured to display an effect with a call lamp corresponding to a plurality of gaming machines, or to display an effect for the purpose of performing an in-store effect regardless of the gaming state. .
JP 2003-284822 A

  However, if the call lamp receives a call operation during the effect display, the call display is given priority over the effect display, but the lamp that lights up and blinks when the call display is performed, and the light that lights up and blinks when the effect display is performed. Since the lamps to be used are shared, they are displayed in a similar manner. For this reason, the player thinks that the call operation was not accepted, and repeated the call operation many times, or the player misunderstood the effect display as the call display and called the employee even though the call operation was not accepted. There was a concern that it might cause trouble between the player and the employee.

  Such a problem may also occur on the employee side. That is, the employee rushes to the gaming machine according to the call display, and after confirming the call display, the call display is terminated by the call termination operation. In this case, the call display is terminated according to the call termination operation. There is a risk that other employees will be rushed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a lighting device for a game hall that can clearly indicate a call operation accepted during an effect display.

  The present invention provides a call operation means for accepting a call operation, an effect condition determining means for determining whether or not a predetermined effect display condition is satisfied, a lighting means that lights or flashes, and the call operation means accepts a call operation. In the case where the lighting means is controlled to perform a call display indicating that a game hall employee is being called, the effect condition determining means determines that the effect display condition is satisfied, A lighting device for a game hall comprising lighting control means for controlling the lighting means so as to perform an effect display corresponding to the established effect display condition, wherein the lighting control means produces an effect by the effect condition determining means. When the call operation means accepts a call operation in a state where it is determined that the display condition is satisfied, the lighting means is turned off, or the call display, or the effect display condition that is satisfied By controlling the lighting means so that the lighting means is in a canceled state in which at least one of the effect display and the call display is canceled by causing the lighting means to perform a cancel display different from the corresponding effect display. (Claim 1).

  In the above configuration, the lighting unit starts a call display when the call operation unit accepts the call operation, and ends the call display when the call operation unit accepts the call operation during the call display, You may make it be a cancellation | release state in the case of at least one before the start of a call display, or completion | finish (Claim 2).

Further, the lighting means may be configured not to display a call even when the call operation means accepts a call operation during the cancel state.
The lighting means may be in a canceled state when the call operation means receives a call operation for a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time from the start or end of the call display (claim 4). .

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the lighting control means, when the call operation means is accepted by the calling operation means during the effect display by the lighting means or during the effect display standby according to the effect display condition being satisfied, Canceling the effect display by the lighting means and performing a cancel display different from the call display, or turning off the extinguishing means results in a canceled state different from the effect display corresponding to the effect display condition. It is possible to clearly indicate to the employee that the call operation of the call operation means has been accepted.

  According to the invention of claim 2, the call lamp is of a type that starts the call display when the call operation means first accepts the call operation and terminates the call display when the call operation means accepts the call operation again. Can be applied.

According to invention of Claim 3, it can suppress that a player or an employee performs call display again accidentally in a cancellation state.
In the canceled state, the effect display is canceled, and there is a possibility of giving a sense of discomfort or discomfort to the person (player or employee) who can determine that the call display has been performed. However, according to the invention of claim 4, since the cancel state can be generated only when the player or the employee is wondering whether the call display is being performed, for the person who can determine the call display Can reduce annoying thoughts.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 schematically shows the entire system. In FIG. 1, a terminal 2 and a calling lamp (corresponding to a lighting device for a game hall) 3 are installed corresponding to the pachinko gaming machine 1. A relay device 4 is installed corresponding to each of the two terminals 2 and the call lamp 3, and the management device 5 is based on a game information signal input to an input means (not shown) via the relay device 4. The operating state of the machine 1 and the sales state of each terminal 2 are managed.

The pachinko gaming machine 1 outputs various signals as follows.
(1) When a ball that has been driven into the game area of the pachinko gaming machine 1 wins a starting opening provided in the game area, a big hit lottery (for example, 1/300) is performed and a display unit (for a specific character) Equivalent), a symbol change based on the winning lottery result (corresponding to the action of a specific accessory) is started, and when the changed symbol is determined, a start signal is output. When the confirmed symbol is a big hit symbol, a big hit state is reached in which the big prize opening is opened a predetermined number of times. A start winning signal that is output in response to a winning at the start port may be used as the start signal. In addition, when a management object is a so-called pachinko machine such as a feather object, a bonus that opens a winning area in accordance with a winning at a starting port is a specific accessory, and the opening of the winning area is an action of the bonus Also good.

  (2) After the big hit, the probability of the big hit increases (1/300 → 1/30), or the time is short when the winning rate of the start winning opening increases (a state that is advantageous to the player other than the big hit state) Are collectively referred to as a special gaming state). It should be noted that during the probabilistic state, the time-short state also overlaps, so the winning rate of the start winning opening increases, but the jackpot probability during the time-shortening remains the same probability (1/300) as in the normal gaming state.

  (3) Both the probability change state and the short-time state end with the transition to the big hit state, but the probability change state continues until the next big hit occurrence, whereas the short-time state after the big hit occurs even if the big hit does not occur When the number of startings reaches a predetermined value (for example, 100 times), the process ends. After the big hit occurs, the above (1), (2) and (3) are repeated.

(4) A jackpot signal is output during a big hit state, a probability change signal is output during a probability change state, or a short time state (no distinction). In addition, you may output a signal distinguishing both.
(5) When winning at the start opening, big winning opening, or other winning opening, the number of balls corresponding to the winning is paid out and a safe signal corresponding to the number of balls paid out is output (10 balls). 1 pulse).

  Note that the balls that have been driven into the game area of the pachinko gaming machine 1 are collected in an outbox provided on the game island regardless of whether or not a prize has been won, and the outbox outputs an out signal for the number of balls collected ( 10 balls 1 pulse). In addition, it is good also as a structure which outputs an out signal directly from the pachinko gaming machine 1.

  FIG. 2 shows a front view of the calling lamp 3. An information display unit 6 for displaying operation data of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is provided at the center of the calling lamp 3. An information switching button 7 and a call button (corresponding to call operation means) 8 are provided at the left and right positions adjacent to the information display unit 6. On both sides of the information display section 6, lighting sections (corresponding to lighting means) 9 are provided. The lighting unit 9 includes a first lighting unit 9a and a second lighting unit 9b. The lighting unit 9 lights up and flashes according to the gaming state of the corresponding pachinko gaming machine 1 or the operation of the call button 8 as described later. Do. In addition, a control unit (equivalent to an effect condition determination unit and a lighting control unit) 10 that controls the information display unit 6 or the lighting unit 9 is provided inside.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described.
The call lamp 3 performs display processing in addition to normal processing.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the display process of the call lamp 3. In FIG. 3, the call lamp 3 determines whether the effect flag is “1” (A1), whether the call button 8 is pressed (A3), or whether the effect is being displayed (A14).

On the other hand, the call lamp 3 performs an effect start / end determination process in parallel with the display process.
FIG. 4 shows an effect start / end determination process for the call lamp 3. As shown in FIG. 4, the call lamp 3 determines whether or not the effect start condition is satisfied (B1).

  When a big hit occurs in the pachinko gaming machine 1, a big hit signal is output from the pachinko gaming machine 1, so that when the big hit signal is received, the calling lamp 3 determines that the effect start condition is satisfied (B1: YES), after setting the effect flag to “1” (B2), it is determined whether the effect end condition is satisfied (B3).

  As shown in FIG. 3, when the effect flag is “1” (A1: YES), the calling lamp 3 starts an effect display indicating that it is a big hit (A2). In other words, as the big hit display, the first lighting unit 9a blinks in red at high speed, and the second lighting unit 9b is displayed in a rainbow that sequentially displays in a plurality of colors. Therefore, the player can recognize that the pachinko gaming machine 1 is in a big hit by confirming the lighting state of the calling lamp 3.

When the effect lamp is being displayed (A14: YES), the call lamp 3 determines whether the effect flag is “0” (A12) or whether the call button 8 is pressed (A3).
When the big hit of the pachinko gaming machine 1 ends, the output of the big hit signal output from the pachinko gaming machine 1 stops.

  When the reception of the jackpot signal is completed, the call lamp 3 determines that the effect end condition is satisfied (B3: YES) and sets the effect flag to “0” (B4) as shown in FIG. At the same time, as shown in FIG. 3, since the effect flag becomes “0” (A12: YES), the effect display ends (A13). Therefore, the player can recognize that the big hit of the pachinko gaming machine 1 has ended by confirming that the calling lamp 3 is turned off.

Now, when some trouble occurs, the player pushes down the call button 8 of the call lamp 3 to call the employee.
As shown in FIG. 3, when the call button 8 is pressed down (A3: YES), the call lamp 3 starts call display (A4). That is, the first lighting unit 9a is lit in red, and the second lighting unit 9b is lit in white. Thereby, the employee who notices the call display rushes to the called pachinko gaming machine 1, presses down the call button 8 of the call lamp 3 to cancel the call display, and responds to the player's request.
When the call button 8 is pressed again (A5: YES), the call lamp 3 determines whether the effect flag is “1” (A6). In this case, since the effect flag is not “1” (A6: NO), the call display ends (A15), and then the process proceeds to step A1.

  Now, there is a case where the player presses down the call button 8 because some trouble has occurred in the effect display state during the big hit of the call lamp 3 as described above. In such a case, when the employee presses down the call button 8 again to cancel the call display, the call display is canceled, but the effect display is being performed on the call lamp 3, so that the call display is displayed. However, it may not be clear that the user has been canceled, and another employee may rush to the pachinko gaming machine 1 in response to the call.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, it is made clear that the call display is canceled as follows. That is, when the call button 8 is pressed again (A5: YES), the call lamp 3 starts the cancel display when the effect flag is “1” (A6: YES) (A7), It is determined whether the cancel display is completed (A8) or whether the call button 8 is pressed (A9). As the cancel display, the first lighting unit 9a blinks slowly in blue for a predetermined period (for example, 3 seconds), and the second lighting unit 9b is turned off.

  When the call button 8 is depressed (A9: YES), the call lamp 3 resumes the call display (A4), while when the cancel display is finished (A8: YES), the effect flag is “1”. (A10). In this case, since the effect flag is “1” (A10: YES), the effect display is started (resumed) (A11). Therefore, the other employees can call the cancel display because the call display is ended and the effect display is resumed after the cancel display, compared to the case where the effect display is restarted immediately after the call display is ended. The end of display and the start of effect display can be clearly distinguished and recognized.

When the effect flag becomes “0” due to the end of the effect (A12: YES), the calling lamp 3 ends the effect display (A13).
According to such an embodiment, when the call button 8 is depressed during the effect display, the call lamp 3 interrupts the effect display and starts the call display, and the call button 8 is depressed again. In such a case, the call display is ended, and the effect display is resumed after the cancel display. Therefore, the cancellation display makes clear the end of the call display and the resumption of the effect display. Therefore, if the employee rushes to the gaming machine according to the call display but confirms the call display and then terminates the call display by the call termination operation, it is clear that the call display is terminated according to the call termination operation. Can prevent unnecessary work by employees.
In addition, since such excellent effects can be implemented by changing the software of the call lamp 3, it can be easily implemented without increasing costs.

(Second embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. This second embodiment is characterized in that when the player presses down the call button 8 of the call lamp 3, the effect display is terminated, and the call is displayed after the cancellation is displayed.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the display process of the call lamp 3. The same steps as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same steps, and the description thereof is omitted. Different step numbers (numbers beginning with C) are assigned to different steps. Attached. In FIG. 5, when the call button 8 is pressed (A3: YES), the call lamp 3 starts the call display as it is when the effect flag is “0” (C1: NO) (C4). On the other hand, when the effect flag is “1” (C1: YES), cancel display is started (C2), and when the cancel display is ended (C3: YES), call display is started (C4). When the call button 8 is pressed again (C5: YES), the call display is terminated (C6). When the effect flag is “1” (A10: YES), the effect display is resumed (A11).

  Therefore, when the player presses down the call button 8 during the effect display of the call lamp 3, the effect display ends, and the call display starts after the cancel display. Compared to when the call display starts immediately, the end of the effect display and the start of the call display can be clearly distinguished and recognized by the cancel display.

  According to such an embodiment, when the call button 8 is pressed during the effect display, the call lamp 3 interrupts the effect display, cancels the display, starts the call display, and the call button 8 When it is pressed again, the effect display is resumed, so that the end of the effect display and the start of the call display becomes clear by the cancel display. Therefore, the player thinks that the call operation has not been accepted and repeats the call operation many times, or the player has called the employee despite the fact that the effect display is mistaken for the call display and the call operation is not accepted. Therefore, it is possible to prevent troubles between the player and the employee.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but can be modified or expanded as follows.
The management device 5 and the relay device 4 are provided. However, the management device 5 and the like may be omitted. Moreover, although it was set as the structure which connects the some calling lamp 3 via the relay apparatus 4, it does not need to connect.

  The display during the big hit was exemplified as the effect display, but as the effect display, there are other displays during the special gaming state such as the probability variation state, the light flow display according to the occurrence of the big hit of the gaming machine other than the corresponding gaming machine, the event Various state displays such as an event display indicating that it is in the middle and a light effect for an in-store effect can be assumed as the effect display. In this case, as the association between the state that is the target of the effect display and the state display, a different state display is performed in all the states that are the targets of the effect display, the same state display is performed, or a plurality of the effect targets It is possible to assume a configuration in which the same state display is performed only in a predetermined number of states to be produced in a certain state.

  Since the big hit display is given as an example of the effect display, the example in which the production start and end conditions are set depending on whether or not the big hit signal is input is shown. However, the production start and end conditions may be changed as appropriate. For example, it is set such that the end condition is satisfied by receiving an effect start signal from the management device 5 or ending a predetermined effect display.

The cancel state may be generated regardless of the effect flag. Of course, it may be generated both when the call display starts and when it is canceled.
Although the cancel display is performed during the cancel state, the lighting unit 9 of the call lamp 3 may be completely turned off if the effect display is cancelled. In other words, any state may be used as the cancel state as long as it can be clearly shown that the player is responding when the call button 8 is pressed.
Although the call display is configured to be performed when the call button 8 is pressed in the cancel state, the call display may not be performed. In this case, even when the call button 8 is pressed down by mistake, an extra call display can be suppressed.

  A confusion determination timer (for example, 5 seconds) is activated at the start or end of the call display, and a cancel state is generated when the call button 8 is pressed a predetermined number of times or more during the operation of the confusion determination timer. Also good. For example, when the first call state is released and the call button 8 is pressed again while the confusion determination timer is operating, or when the second call display is released. If comprised in this way, it will become possible to generate | occur | produce a cancellation state only when the player is wondering whether the call display is performed.

  The first lighting unit 9a and the second lighting unit 9b of the calling lamp 3 are configured to be capable of lighting in a plurality of colors, but may be configured to display in a single color for cost reasons. The effect display and the call display may be the same lighting control and blinking control. In this case, since it becomes difficult to distinguish between the effect display and the call display, the operational effects of the present invention can be exhibited more significantly. In such a configuration, it is desirable that the lighting unit 9 is turned off as the canceled state.

Although the call button 8 is configured to be provided on the call lamp 3, for example, the call button 8 may be provided on a touch panel display unit of the terminal 2. In this case, the game terminal lighting device is configured by the terminal 2 and the call lamp 3. Further, the surface treatment may be controlled by the relay device 4. That is, the concept of the lighting device in the present invention includes a lighting device in a broad sense including devices provided around the gaming machine such as the terminal 2 and the relay device 4 that are separate from the device that actually performs the lighting process. means.
You may respond to other game machines, such as a pachislot machine.

The figure which shows schematically the whole structure in 1st Example of this invention. Front view of call lamp Flow chart showing call lamp display processing Flowchart showing call start effect start / end determination FIG. 3 equivalent view showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

  In the drawings, 1 is a pachinko machine, 2 is a terminal, 3 is a call lamp (lighting device for amusement hall), 5 is a management device, 8 is a call button, 9 is a lighting unit (lighting means), and 10 is a control unit (Production condition determination means, lighting control means).

Claims (4)

A call operation means for accepting a call operation; an effect condition determination means for determining whether or not a predetermined effect display condition is satisfied; a lighting means that lights or flashes; and the call operation means receives a call operation The lighting means is controlled so as to display a call indicating that an employee of the game hall is being called, while the effect display condition is determined to be satisfied by the effect condition determining means. A lighting device for a game hall comprising lighting control means for controlling the lighting means so as to perform an effect display corresponding to an effect display condition,
The lighting control means turns off the lighting means when the call operation means accepts a call operation in a state where the effect display condition is determined to be satisfied by the effect condition determination means, or displays the call, or By causing the lighting means to perform a cancel display different from the effect display corresponding to the established effect display condition, the lighting means enters a cancel state in which at least one of the effect display and the call display is canceled. A lighting device for a game hall characterized by controlling the lighting means.   The lighting means starts the call display when the call operation means accepts the call operation, and ends the call display when the call operation means accepts the call operation during the call display, and starts the call display. 2. The lighting device for a game hall according to claim 1, wherein the lighting state is in a canceled state in at least one of the cases before or after completion.   3. The lighting device for a game hall according to claim 2, wherein the lighting means does not display a call even when the call operation means accepts a call operation in the cancel state.   4. The lighting device according to claim 2, wherein the lighting unit is in a canceled state when the call operation unit receives a call operation for a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time from the start or end of the call display. Lighting device for amusement hall.

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