JP2009178537A - Gaming machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a gaming machine, wherein a player is interested in a game and in its turn performance rememberable by the player can be executed. <P>SOLUTION: The gaming machine includes a Morse code output device capable of Morse code and a controller to execute the following matters: (a) to determine whether a prize is given to a player or not on the condition that a credit is bet; and (b) to make the Morse code output device output Morse code. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine that plays a game using coins, bills, and the like.

  As disclosed in US Pat. No. 5,609,824, a conventional slot machine is provided on the front of a housing when a player inserts a game medium such as a medal, a coin, or a bill into the slot machine slot and operates a start lever. A plurality of symbols are scrolled on the displayed portion, and then each symbol is automatically stopped. When the combination of the stopped symbols becomes a specific combination, various prizes (for example, a transition from a basic game to a bonus game or a coin payout) are awarded to the player. In a conventional slot machine, when a prize is awarded to a player, an effect using light or sound is performed in order to appeal the player strongly. This effect is performed by flashing light or playing music, and becomes more flashy as the award given to the player increases.

  Each slot machine maker makes the content of the production different from other companies' products in order to learn the production. If the player learns the production, the player can search for the slot machine based on the production performed in various places in the game hall. Therefore, the effect learned by the player has customer attraction. For a while after the slot machine came out, the production itself was fresh for the players, so that each slot machine maker was able to make the players remember the production unique to their slot machine.

  However, nowadays, players are no longer feeling fresh in the production, and even if they see a new production, it is difficult to show interest. For this reason, it is very difficult for the new manufacturer to have the player remember the effects unique to his slot machine. Even a long-established manufacturer has a similar problem when they want to learn a new production. Therefore, the player only remembers the effects that have been used by long-established manufacturers for a long time.

  For this reason, there has been a demand for the appearance of effects that the player is interested in and can be remembered by the player.

  A main object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of performing an effect that the player is interested in and can be remembered by the player.

  A first aspect of the present invention is a gaming machine having the following configuration, and includes a Morse signal output device that outputs a Morse signal and a controller that performs the following items. (A) Decide whether or not to give a prize to the player on the condition that credit is bet, and (b) if it is decided to give a prize to the player, the Morse code output device outputs the Morse code signal. .

  The first aspect of the present invention causes the Morse code output device to output a Morse code signal when it is determined to give a prize to the player. As a result, the first aspect of the present invention can produce an effect completely different from the conventional effect, so that the player is interested in the effect and is expected to learn the effect. That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to perform an effect that the player is interested in, and as a result can be remembered by the player.

  A second aspect of the present invention is a gaming machine having the following configuration, and includes a Morse signal output device that outputs a Morse signal and a controller that performs the following items. (A) on the condition that a credit is bet, it is determined whether or not to give a player a special prize more than a normal prize, and (b) when it is decided to give a special prize to a player, The Morse signal is output to the Morse signal output device.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, when it is determined that a player will be given a special prize more than a normal prize, a Morse code is output to the Morse signal output device, so that a Morse signal is output when a normal prize is awarded. The player can make a strong impression on the player and easily remember it.

  A third aspect of the present invention is a gaming machine having the following configuration, a Morse signal output device that outputs a Morse signal, and a selection operation that is operated by a player and selects whether or not to output the Morse signal. And a controller for performing the following items. (A) Decide whether or not to give a prize to the player on condition that the credit is bet, (b) decide to give a prize to the player, and output a Morse code by a selection operation When Morse is selected, the Morse signal is output to the Morse signal output device.

  The third aspect of the present invention causes the Morse code output device to output the Morse code signal when it is determined that the player is awarded and the selection operation is performed to output the Morse signal. As a result, the third aspect of the present invention can produce an effect completely different from the conventional effect, so that the player is interested in the effect and is expected to learn the effect. That is, according to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to produce an effect that the player is interested in and, in turn, can be remembered by the player.

  Furthermore, in the third aspect of the present invention, since the player can arbitrarily determine whether or not to output the Morse signal, it is possible to perform an effect in accordance with the player's desire.

  The gaming machine according to the present invention makes it possible for the player to show an interest and, as a result, produce an effect that the player can remember.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a flowchart schematically showing processing performed by the gaming machine 14 according to the first embodiment, FIG. 2 is an external view of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 3 is the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a circuit configuration diagram of the gaming machine according to the embodiment, and processes common to the embodiments will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

  In step S1, the controller 40 shown in FIG. 3 stands by until there is a BET input from the player. In this process, when the player inserts a coin from the coin insertion slot 29 shown in FIG. 2 or inserts a bill from the bill insertion slot 30 and presses the BET switch 23 or the MAXBET switch 24, the controller 40 Detect input.

  In step S2, the controller 40 stores a part of the bet coins.

  In step S3, the controller 40 determines a condition that the number of stored coins, that is, the number of stored coins is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. If this condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S4, and this condition is not satisfied. If so, the process ends.

  In step S4, the controller 40 determines whether or not to pay out the stored coins. When paying out, the controller 40 proceeds to step S5, and when not paying out, the process is terminated.

  In step S <b> 5, the controller 40 outputs a Morse signal using the speaker 22 and the lamp 52.

  In step S6, the controller 40 pays out the stored coins. Thereafter, the controller 40 ends the process.

  Next, a detailed configuration of the gaming machine will be described. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of the gaming machine 14 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the gaming machine 14 includes a liquid crystal display 21 for displaying various images, a speaker 22, a BET switch 23 for betting 1 credit (1 coin), and a maximum number of credits (for example, 3 MAXBET switch 24 for betting coins), a start switch 35 for starting the game, a credit number display 25 for displaying the current credit number (the number of coins to be described later), and a BET for displaying the BET number A number display 26 and a payout switch 27 for paying out coins are provided.

  Furthermore, a coin insertion slot 29 for inserting coins, a ticket printer 28 for printing out data relating to play such as the number of payouts, a bill insertion slot 30 for inserting banknotes, a lamp 52, and a JP (JACKPOT) display panel. 53.

  Also, a payout port 32 through which coins are paid out is provided below the gaming machine 14, and further, a lower plate 33 for accumulating the paid out coins is provided below the payout port 32. .

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the controller 40 provided in the gaming machine 14 according to the first embodiment and various devices connected to the controller 40. A controller 40 of the gaming machine 14 shown in FIG. 3 is a microcomputer, and includes an interface circuit group 102, an input / output bus 104, a CPU 41, a ROM 42, a RAM 43, a communication interface circuit 49, a random number generator 48, and the like. A speaker driving circuit 46, a hopper driving circuit 45, a display driving circuit 47, and a liquid crystal driving circuit 44.

  The interface circuit group 102 is connected to an input / output bus 104. The input / output bus 104 inputs / outputs data signals or address signals to / from the CPU 41.

  The interface circuit group 102 is connected with a BET switch 23, a MAXBET switch 24, a payout switch 27, and a start switch 35. The switching signals output from the switches 23, 24, 27, and 35 are supplied to the interface circuit group 102, converted into predetermined signals by the interface circuit group 102, and then input / output bus 104. Is transmitted to the CPU 41 via.

  In addition, a coin sensor 51 is connected to the interface circuit group 102. The coin sensor 51 is a sensor for detecting a coin inserted into the coin insertion slot 29, and is provided at a coin insertion portion of the coin insertion slot 29. The detection signal output from the coin sensor 51 is supplied to the interface circuit group 102, converted into a predetermined signal by the interface circuit group 102, and then transmitted to the CPU 41 via the input / output bus 104. Further, a ticket printer 28 and a bill reading sensor 50 are connected to the interface circuit group 102. The controller 40 transmits data to the ticket printer 28 via the interface circuit group 102, and the ticket printer 28 prints out the data given from the controller 40. The bill reading sensor 50 is a sensor for detecting a bill inserted into the bill insertion slot 30, and is provided at a bill insertion portion of the bill insertion slot 30. The detection signal output from the bill insertion slot 30 is supplied to the interface circuit group 102, converted into a predetermined signal by the interface circuit group 102, and then transmitted to the CPU 41 via the input / output bus 104.

  Connected to the input / output bus 104 are a ROM 42 for storing system programs and a RAM 43 for storing various data (for example, the number of stored coins and the number of coins to be described later). Further, the input / output bus 104 includes a random number generator 48, a communication interface circuit 49, a liquid crystal drive circuit 44, a touch panel 31, a hopper drive circuit 45, a speaker drive circuit 46, and a display drive circuit 47. It is connected.

  The CPU 41 executes the game when the BET switch 23 or the MAXBET switch 24 is pressed and the start switch 35 is pressed.

  The communication interface circuit 49 is connected to a hall server or the like, and transmits the play history data and the like executed by the gaming machine 14 to the hall server. It also receives various data transmitted from the hall server.

  The random number generator 48 generates a random number. The display driving circuit 47 performs control to display the inserted coin number on the credit number display 25, display the BET number on the BET number display 26, and display the stored coin number on the JP display panel 53. Further, lighting and extinguishing of the lamp 52 are controlled.

  The speaker drive circuit 46 outputs audio data to the speaker 22. That is, the CPU 41 reads out the audio data stored in the ROM 42 and transmits this audio data to the speaker drive circuit 46 via the input / output bus 104. Thereby, a predetermined sound effect is emitted from the speaker 22.

  The hopper drive circuit 45 outputs a payout signal to the hopper 101 when the payout switch 27 is pressed. That is, when the payout switch 27 is pressed and a payout signal is input, the CPU 41 outputs a drive signal to the hopper drive circuit 45 via the input / output bus 104. Thereby, the hopper 101 pays out coins corresponding to the number of inserted coins.

  The liquid crystal drive circuit 44 performs control to display various images on the liquid crystal display 21. That is, the CPU 41 generates an image display command signal corresponding to the progress of the game, and outputs the image display command signal to the liquid crystal drive circuit 44 via the input / output bus 104. When the image display command signal output from the CPU 41 is input, the liquid crystal drive circuit 44 generates a drive signal for driving the liquid crystal display 21 based on the image display command, and the generated drive signal is displayed on the liquid crystal display. Output to the display 21. As a result, a predetermined image is displayed on the liquid crystal display 21.

  A touch panel 31 is provided on the surface of the liquid crystal display 21. When a player touches the touch panel 31, an input signal corresponding to the touched position is input to the liquid crystal driving circuit 44.

  Next, processing executed by the gaming machine 14 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. The controller 40 also updates the number of inserted coins in parallel with the following processing. The number of inserted coins means the number of coins inserted by the player, and is stored in the RAM 43. The initial value is zero. The controller 40 updates the number of inserted coins based on the signal given from the coin sensor 51 or the bill reading sensor 50.

  In step S7, the controller 40 shown in FIG. 3 determines a condition that the number of stored coins (initial value is zero) is a predetermined value (for example, 1000) or more, and if this condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S8. If this condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S9.

  In step S <b> 8, the controller 40 outputs a Morse signal to the speaker 22 and the lamp 52. The speaker 22 outputs the Morse signal given from the controller 40 by voice, and the lamp 52 outputs the Morse signal given from the controller 40 by light.

  As will be described later, when the number of stored coins exceeds a predetermined value, a chance that the stored coins (hereinafter also referred to as “stored coins”) are paid out occurs. A Morse code indicating that a chance to pay out the stored coin has occurred, for example, a Morse signal meaning “CHANCE” is output. Here, a method in which the controller 40 outputs a Morse signal will be described as an example of a method in which the controller 40 outputs “JA” which is a part of “JACKPOT”.

  The Morse code expresses a word with a combination of dots and lines. For example, if a point is represented by “•” and a line is represented by “−”, “JA” is represented by “• −−− • −”. The distance between points and between points is equal to the length of one point, and between codes (alphabet) is equal to the length of three points.

  The controller 40 outputs a point by outputting an output level 1 signal by 0.1 (s), and outputs a line by outputting an output level 1 signal by 0.3 (s). When neither the point nor the line is output, the controller 40 outputs a signal of output level 0.

  Therefore, the controller 40 outputs a Morse code meaning “JA” in accordance with the timing chart shown in FIG. For example, the controller 40 first outputs an output level 1 signal for 0.1 (s), and then outputs an output level 0 signal for 0.1 (s). Thereafter, the controller 40 outputs a signal having an output level 1 of 0.3 (s). The controller 40 outputs a Morse code indicating “A” after 0.3 (s) has elapsed since the Morse signal indicating “J” is output.

  The speaker 22 outputs sound only while the output level 1 signal is given, and the lamp 52 emits light only while the output level 1 signal is given.

  In step S9, the controller 40 accepts a BET. Specifically, the controller 40 receives signals from the BET switch 23 and the MAXBET switch 24. In step S10, the controller 40 determines whether or not a signal is given from the BET switch 23 or the MAXBET switch 24, and the number of BETs indicated by these signals is equal to or less than the number of inserted coins, and this condition is satisfied. In step S11, if this condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S7.

  In step S11, the controller 40 determines a condition that the BET number is 2 or more. If this condition is satisfied, the controller 40 proceeds to step S12. If this condition is not satisfied, the controller 40 proceeds to step S13.

  In step S12, the controller 40 stores a part of the bet coins. Specifically, the controller 40 increases the number of stored coins by a predetermined number (for example, “1”).

  In step S13, the controller 40 executes the game by subtracting the BET number from the inserted coin number to obtain a new inserted coin number. This game may be any game, for example, a slot game, a card game, a horse racing game, a roulette game, or the like. The controller 40 pays out coins based on the number of BETs and the game result. Here, the number of coins paid out is smaller than the number of stored coins. That is, the coins paid out here are normal prizes, and the stored coins are special prizes.

  In step S14, the controller 40 determines a condition that the number of stored coins is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. If this condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S15. If this condition is not satisfied, the process is terminated. . This predetermined value is the same as the predetermined value in step S7.

  In step S15, the controller 40 determines whether or not to pay out coins corresponding to the number of stored coins. Specifically, the controller 40 obtains a random number from the random number generator 48, and determines that it is paid out when the random number is included in a predetermined range, and determines not to pay out when it is not included. To do. If the controller 40 determines to pay out, the process proceeds to step S16. If it is determined not to pay out, the controller 40 ends the process.

  In step S <b> 16, the controller 40 outputs to the speaker 22 and the lamp 52 a Morse code indicating that coins equivalent to the number of stored coins are paid out, for example, a Morse signal meaning “JACKPOT” or a Morse signal meaning “CONGRATULATION”. . The speaker 22 and the lamp 52 output a Morse signal as in step S8.

  In step S17, the controller 40 pays out coins corresponding to the number of stored coins, and resets the number of stored coins to zero. Thereafter, the controller 40 ends the process.

  As described above, the gaming machine 14 according to the first embodiment causes the speaker 22 and the lamp 52 to output a Morse signal when it is determined to pay out coins equivalent to the number of stored coins to the player. As a result, the gaming machine 14 can produce an effect completely different from the conventional effect, so that the player is interested in the effect and is expected to learn the effect. In other words, the gaming machine 14 can perform an effect that the player is interested in and can be remembered by the player.

  Further, since the gaming machine 14 outputs a Morse code indicating that the coins equivalent to the number of stored coins are paid out to the player, the player who can understand the Morse code is based on the Morse signal that coins equivalent to the number of stored coins will be paid out. Can be understood. Therefore, it is expected that a player who can understand the Morse code shows a greater interest in the production than a player who cannot understand the Morse code, and thus can easily produce the production. In other words, the gaming machine 14 can cause the player who knows the Morse code to learn more effectively than the player who does not know the Morse signal.

  Further, since the gaming machine 14 outputs a Morse signal when paying out more coins than the coins paid out in Step S13, that is, a stored coin, the player is more likely to output the Morse signal than when outputting the Morse signal when paying out in Step S13. On the other hand, it is possible to have a strong impression on the production and be easily remembered.

  Furthermore, the gaming machine 14 outputs a Morse code before starting the game when the number of stored coins is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. That is, since the gaming machine 14 outputs a Morse signal as a demonstration effect, it is expected that the player will be interested in the demonstration effect and eventually learn the demonstration effect. In other words, the gaming machine 14 can perform a demonstration effect that the player is interested in and can be remembered by the player.

  Furthermore, since the gaming machine 14 outputs a Morse code indicating that the number of stored coins has become a predetermined value or more as a demonstration effect, a player who can understand the Morse code has a chance to pay out coins equivalent to the number of stored coins. Can be understood based on the Morse code. Therefore, a player who can understand the Morse code is expected to have a greater interest in the demonstration performance than a player who cannot understand the Morse code, and thus can easily learn the demonstration performance. That is, the gaming machine 14 can make the player who knows the Morse code learn the demonstration effect more effectively than the player who does not know the Morse signal.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of the gaming machine 14 according to the second embodiment, FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the gaming machine 14, and FIG. 8 is performed by the gaming machine 14. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a process. The difference between the gaming machine 14 according to the second embodiment and the gaming machine 14 according to the first embodiment is that the gaming machine 14 according to the second embodiment has a selection switch 36. Therefore, this point will be mainly described.

  The selection switch 36 can be pressed by the player, and outputs a predetermined selection signal to the controller 40 when pressed by the player. Each time the selection signal is given from the selection switch 36, the controller 40 switches the state of the Morse code output flag (this flag is formed in the RAM 43. The initial value is OFF).

  Next, a procedure of processing performed by the gaming machine 14 will be described. In step S19 to step S21, the controller 40 performs the same processing as in step S7 to step S9 shown in FIG.

  In step S22, the controller 40 determines whether or not a signal is given from the BET switch 23 or the MAXBET switch 24, and the number of BETs indicated by these signals is equal to or less than the number of inserted coins, and this condition is satisfied. In step S23, if this condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S19.

  In step S23, the controller 40 determines a condition that a selection signal is given from the selection switch 36. If this condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S24. If this condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S27. move on.

  In step S24, the controller 40 determines the condition that the Morse code output flag is ON. If this condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S25, and if this condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S26.

  In step S25, the controller 40 turns off the Morse code output flag. Thereafter, the controller 40 proceeds to step S27.

  In step S26, the controller 40 turns on the Morse code output flag. Thereafter, the controller 40 proceeds to step S27.

  In step S27 to step S30, the controller 40 performs the same processing as in step S11 to step S14 shown in FIG.

  In step S31, the controller 40 determines whether or not to pay out coins corresponding to the number of stored coins. Specifically, the controller 40 obtains a random number from the random number generator 48, and determines that it is paid out when the random number is included in a predetermined range, and determines not to pay out when it is not included. To do. The controller 40 proceeds to step S32 when it is determined to pay out, and ends the process when it is determined not to pay out.

  In step S32, the controller 40 determines the condition that the Morse code output flag is ON. If this condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S33, and if this condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S34.

  In step S33, the controller 40 performs the same process as step S16 shown in FIG.

  In step S <b> 34, the controller 40 plays a normal performance, specifically, high-volume music from the speaker 22, and causes the lamp 52 to flash vigorously. Thereafter, the controller 40 ends the process.

  In step S35, the controller 40 performs the same process as step S17 shown in FIG. Thereafter, the controller 40 ends the process.

  As described above, in the gaming machine 14 according to the second embodiment, since the player can arbitrarily determine whether or not to output the Morse code, it is possible to perform an effect according to the player's desire.

  The embodiment of the gaming machine according to the present invention has been described above. However, the embodiment is merely an example, and the present invention is not particularly limited. The specific configuration of each unit and the like can be appropriately changed in design. . For example, the gaming machine 14 may output a Morse code when coins are paid out in the processing of step S13 or step S29 described above. The Morse code in this case may be a signal indicating that a coin is paid out, for example, a Morse code meaning “GREAT”.

  The effects described in the embodiments of the present invention are only the most preferable effects resulting from the present invention, and the effects of the present invention are limited to those described in the embodiments of the present invention. is not.

14 is a flowchart illustrating an overview of processing by the gaming machine according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the gaming machine according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of the gaming machine according to the embodiment. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure by the gaming machine according to the embodiment. 12 is a timing chart illustrating an example in which the gaming machine according to the embodiment outputs a Morse signal. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the gaming machine according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of the gaming machine according to the embodiment. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure by the gaming machine according to the embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 ... Gaming machine 21 ... Liquid crystal display 22 ... Speaker 23 ... BET switch 24 ... MAXBET switch 25 ... Credit number display 26 ... BET number display 27 ... Payout switch 28 ... Ticket printer 29 ... Coin insertion slot 30 ... Bill insertion slot 31 ... Touch panel 32 ... Dispensing port 33 ... Lower plate 35 ... Start switch 36 ... Selection switch 40 ... Controller 41 ... CPU
42 ... ROM
43 ... RAM
44 ... Liquid crystal drive circuit 45 ... Hopper drive circuit 46 ... Speaker drive circuit 47 ... Display drive circuit 48 ... Random number generator 49 ... Communication interface circuit 50 ... Banknote reading sensor 51 ... Coin sensor 52 ... Lamp 53 ... JP display panel 101 ... Hopper 102 ... Interface circuit group 104 ... I / O bus

Claims (7)

A gaming machine having the following configuration,
Morse code output device that outputs Morse code,
A gaming machine comprising: a controller for: (a) determining whether or not to give a prize to a player on condition that a credit is bet;
(B) When it is determined to give a prize to the player, the Morse code output device is made to output the Morse code output device. The gaming machine according to claim 1,
When the controller determines to give the prize to the player, the controller causes the Morse signal output device to output a Morse signal to that effect. A gaming machine having the following configuration,
Morse code output device that outputs Morse code,
A gaming machine comprising: a controller for: (a) deciding whether to give a player a special prize more than a normal prize, provided that credits are bet;
(B) When it is determined to give the player a special prize, the Morse code output device outputs the Morse signal. A gaming machine according to claim 3,
When the controller determines to give the player a special prize, the controller outputs a Morse signal to that effect to the Morse signal output device. A gaming machine according to claim 3,
The controller is
(C) When a credit is bet, a part of the bet credit is reserved for paying out the special prize;
(D) When the amount of stored credits exceeds a predetermined amount, the Morse code output device is made to output the Morse signal. A gaming machine having the following configuration,
Morse code output device that outputs Morse code,
A selection switch that is operated by a player and can be selected to select whether or not to output a Morse code;
A gaming machine comprising: a controller for: (a) determining whether or not to give a prize to a player on condition that a credit is bet;
(B) When it is determined that a prize is awarded to the player and it is selected to output the Morse signal by the selection operation, the Morse signal is output to the Morse signal output device. A gaming machine according to claim 6,
When the controller determines to give a prize to the player and the selection operation is performed to output a Morse signal, the controller sends a Morse signal for giving a prize to the player to the Morse signal output device. Output.

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