JP3025657B2 - Game system equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game system having a plurality of gaming machines, for example, pachinko gaming machines.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a pachinko parlor, a box-shaped island is formed by setting up four walls at a plurality of locations in the pachinko parlor, and a plurality of pachinko gaming machines are arranged side by side on these islands. This example is shown in FIG. In the figure, 1 is an island formed with four walls,
A plurality of pachinko gaming machines 2 are arranged side by side on the side. Although not shown, a plurality of pachinko gaming machines 2 are also arranged side by side on the opposite side.

A push button lamp unit 3 is provided at a corresponding position above the pachinko gaming machine 2. The push button lamp unit 3 has a plate on which the number of the table is described, a push button switch, a lamp, and the like, and turns on the lamp in response to an operation of the push button switch such as when a player calls a clerk. In some games, a special prize (big hit) mode during a game is notified by blinking a lamp.

On the back side of each pachinko gaming machine 2, that is, on the inside of the island 1, a ball lift 4 for lifting balls, a stock tank 5 for storing the balls lifted by the ball lift 4, This stock tank 5
Rails 6 for supplying balls in each pachinko machine 2
There is provided a ball supply mechanism constituted by the above.

This ball supply mechanism is located above the position of the push button lamp unit 3 and is located at a position where it can be seen by a player or a pedestrian outside the store. Acrylic panels 7 for blindfolding are provided.

At the end of the island 1, a counter 8 is provided continuously.
The ball counter 9 is placed there. Although not shown, a money changer is installed on the opposite end face. Island 1
At the four corners, a top lamp (also referred to as a representative lamp) 10 is attached at a position higher than the acrylic panel 7. These top lamps 10 are turned on and off in association with the respective push button lamp units 3 in the corresponding rows, and are provided to notify a clerk of a call of a player and an operation state of the pachinko gaming machine 2. In addition, 11 is a ball rental machine.

[0007]

As for the game itself of the pachinko gaming machine 2, a special prize (big hit) operation mode for increasing the amount of payouts is prepared in order to enhance amusement, and the occurrence probability of the special prize operation mode is determined. Various game methods have been developed, such as changing. There is no end to this development, and further measures to enhance entertainment are highly desired.

Further, there is a situation in which it is desired to improve the notification of the operation state of each pachinko gaming machine 2 and the like. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims at enabling reliable and prompt information transmission to a store clerk and enhancing the entertainment of the entire game arcade including a game machine. It is another object of the present invention to provide a game system device that can greatly enjoy not only a person who is playing a game but also a person who is not playing a game, and can obtain an effect of increasing a customer attracting effect.

[0009]

Means for Solving the Problems First Invention (Claim 1)
Game system device is an island formed in the store, this island
Multiple gaming machines installed side by side, and above the island
And it is provided along the arrangement direction of each of the above gaming machines,
It has multiple illuminants with different emission colors,
And emit light of various colors depending on the combination of
Light emitting unit and any of the above gaming machines randomly
The lottery means to be selected and the emission color of each light emitting unit
Between the light emitting units.
By sequentially switching the game machines,
Control to notify the operating state and the selection result of the lottery means
Means.

[0010]

[0011]

[0012]

[0013]

[0014]

[0015]

[0016]

[0017]

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same parts as those in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, four corners of the island 1 are formed in a columnar shape. Then, over the entire periphery of the upper edge portion of the island 1 (where the conventional acrylic panel 7 is provided), a large number of curtain plate light emitting units 20, 31, 32
Are provided side by side. With this unit arrangement, the ball supply mechanism inside the island 1 is hidden from a player or a pedestrian outside the store. In FIG. 3, the configuration of the ball supply mechanism is omitted.

Each of the curtain plate light-emitting units 20 accommodates, for example, three hot cathode tubes R, G, and B, which will be described later, as a plurality of light-emitting members inside a light-transmissive front decorative panel. A power supply circuit 21 and drive circuits 22, 23, 24, which will be described later, for driving the R, G, B to emit light.
, And each pachinko gaming machine 2 is provided corresponding to one unit.

The hot cathode tubes R, G, and B emit light of different colors due to different components of the sealed gas. The hot cathode tube R emits red light, the hot cathode tube G emits green light, and the hot cathode tube B emits blue light. The light emission amount of these hot cathode tubes changes by on / off duty control of applied voltage, so-called dimming control. It is possible to emit not only three primary colors (red, green, blue) but also various colors of light by a combination of light emission of each hot cathode tube and a combination of light emission amount of each hot cathode tube.

The curtain plate light emitting units 31 are circular and are provided at four corners of the island 1 instead of the conventional top lamp 10. These curtain plate light-emitting units 31 have basically the same configuration as the curtain plate light-emitting unit 20.

The curtain plate light-emitting units 32 are provided in the space between the respective curtain plate light-emitting units 31 on the side surface of the island 1 in the longitudinal direction. The curtain plate light-emitting unit 32 has the same configuration as the curtain plate light-emitting unit 20.

On the side surface of the island 1, a touch sensor 33 is provided in the space between each pachinko gaming machine 2 and each curtain plate light emitting unit 20 instead of the conventional push button lamp unit 3. These touch sensors 33 are used, for example, when a player calls a clerk, and detects a touch operation by a finger.

The islands 1 configured as described above are installed at several places in the store, and a control circuit is formed between each island 1 and a management room in the store. This control circuit is shown in FIG. Reference numeral 40 denotes a central management computer (personal computer) for controlling the entire gaming machine system apparatus, which is installed in a management room.

The central management computer 40 is connected to a main center circuit 50 via an interface (for example, RS232C) 41, and a plurality of sub-center circuits 60 are connected to the main center circuit 50 via a high-speed communication cable 51.

Further, one satellite circuit 70 and a plurality of satellite circuits 80 are connected to the respective sub-center circuits 60 via high-speed communication cables 61, respectively. The satellite circuit 70 includes curtain plate light emitting units 31 and 32
(And the ball counter 9) are connected. Each satellite circuit 8
0 is connected to four pachinko gaming machines 2 and four curtain light emitting units 20, respectively.

The main center circuit 50 holds, relays, and converts data transmitted and received between the central management computer 40 and each sub-center circuit 60. For example, the main center circuit 50 transmits data (commands) sent from the central management computer 40. Hold it and transmit it to each sub-center circuit 60 at high speed (maximum communication speed 12 Mbps), or
It receives and holds data transmitted at a high speed from 0 and transmits it to the central management computer 40.

Each sub-center circuit 60 is provided for each side surface of the island 1 and controls each pachinko gaming machine 2 and each of the panel light-emitting units 20, 31, 32 at corresponding positions. The transmitted data (command) is converted into operation control data for each pachinko gaming machine 2 and dimming control data for each of the curtain plate light-emitting units 20, 31, and 32, and the converted data is transmitted to each of the satellite circuits 7
0, 80 at a high speed (maximum communication speed: 12 Mbps), and also receives data (data such as special prize, probability variation, call, fraud, etc.) transmitted at high speed from each satellite circuit 70, 80 and sends it to the main center circuit 50. Send.

Each of the satellite circuits 70 and 80 holds the operation control data and the dimming control data transmitted from each of the sub-center circuits 60 and data indicating the operation state of each of the pachinko gaming machines 2 and each of the touch sensors 33. To the sub-center circuit 60.

FIG. 1 shows a main part of the control circuit. The curtain plate light emitting unit 20 includes a power supply circuit 21 and drive circuits 22, 23, and 24 that receive the output of the power supply circuit 21 and drive the hot cathode tubes R, G, and B, respectively. The drive circuits 22, 23, and 24 perform on / off duty control of the voltage applied to the hot cathode tubes R, G, and B based on the dimming control data held in the satellite circuit 80.

On the other hand, each sub-center circuit 60 has the following [1] and [2] as main functional means. [1] Control means for supplementing in-store lighting with island lighting that causes each of the curtain plate light-emitting units 20, 31, 32 to emit light in a predetermined color, for example, white.

[2] Each curtain light emitting unit 20, 31, 3
The operating state of each gaming machine 2 and the selection result of the lottery means described later are notified by changing the emission color of the gaming machine 2 over time and sequentially shifting the emission color of the emission color at each curtain plate light emitting unit. Control means.

The central management computer 40 and the main center circuit 50 have the following [3] and [4] as main functional means. [3] Lottery means for randomly selecting one of the pachinko gaming machines 2 when the internal timer reaches a predetermined time or when a lottery start operation is performed.
In addition, about this lottery means, start, stop,
There are various conditions for how to create random numbers, the number of selected units, and the like, and a program for determining these conditions is stored in the central management computer 40.

[4] The temporal change of the luminous color (including the island illumination color) of each of the curtain plate light-emitting units 20, 31, and 32 and the pattern of the transition of the temporal change under the control of each sub-center circuit 60 are described by an attendant. Pattern setting means for variably setting according to the operation.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. Hot cathode tubes R, G,
B means 100% light emission (= 10 on / off duty)
0%) produces very bright white illumination.
At normal times (when there is no special prize, probability fluctuation, calling etc.)
This white light-emitting island illumination can supplement the in-store illumination by a ceiling light or the like, and thus reduce the amount of illumination of the ceiling light or the like.

Normally, each curtain plate light emitting unit 2
The emission colors of 0, 31, and 32 are not limited to the white emission described above.
It can also be changed gradually over the entire island 1 and over time. The pattern of the temporal change of the island illumination color is transmitted from the main center circuit 50 to each sub center circuit 6.
By supplying a synchronization signal to 0, the islands 1 can be synchronized and set to the same state.

It is to be noted that the pattern of the temporal change of the island illumination color may be regular or irregular, and may be set to be different between the islands 1. The clerk can variably set the values while simulating with the central management computer 40. Thereby, various lighting effects can be produced for the entire shop.

By the way, when a predetermined time is reached or when a lottery start operation is performed by the central management computer 40, a lottery for randomly selecting one of the pachinko gaming machines 2 in the central management computer 40 is performed. The operation is performed.

The selection result of the lottery operation or predetermined information corresponding to the operation state of each pachinko gaming machine 2 is used to determine the temporal change of the light emission color of each of the curtain plate light emitting units 20, 31, and 32 and the temporal change thereof. Each sub-center 60 notifies each satellite circuit 70, 80 of each of the screen light-emitting units 20, 31,.
The light control data for 32 is sent. The transmitted dimming control data is held in each of the satellite circuits 70 and 80.

In this way, the hot cathode tubes R, G, and B of each of the curtain plate light-emitting units 20, 31, and 32 are dimmed based on the dimming control data held in the satellite circuits 70 and 80, respectively. This dimming drive is performed as follows.

For example, when the player touches the touch sensor 33 with his / her finger, the curtain plate light-emitting unit 20 located above the corresponding pachinko gaming machine 2 emits light, and the emission color changes from red to blue and blue to blue. It changes variously over time, such as yellow. At the same time, each panel light-emitting unit 31 located at both corners of the row on which the touch operation has been performed also emits light, and the emission color similarly changes over time.

The clerk is called by the temporal change of the luminous color of the curtain plate light-emitting units 20 and 31. The called clerk takes necessary measures such as asking the player about the situation, and finally touch-operates the touch sensor 33. With this touch operation, the curtain plate light emitting units 20 and 31 are turned off.

When any of the pachinko gaming machines 2 enters the special prize (big hit) operation mode, the curtain plate light emitting unit 20 located above the pachinko gaming machine 2 (hereinafter referred to as a special prize stand) emits light first. . The emission color at this time (referred to as the first emission color) lasts for a very short time, and immediately
The color changes to a luminescent color, a third luminescent color, and so on. At the same time as the change from the first light emission color to the second light emission color, the curtain plate light emitting unit 20 corresponding to the adjacent pachinko gaming machine 2 first emits light in the first light emission color. The first luminescent color also lasts for a very short time, and immediately changes to the second luminescent color, the third luminescent color, and so on.

The transition of the temporal change of the emission color is as follows.
This is performed not only in each of the curtain light emitting units 20 but also in each of the curtain light emitting units 31 and 32. In this manner, one of the curtain plate light-emitting units 20, 31, 32 emits light, and the luminescent color changes with time, and the temporal change of the luminescent color is sequentially performed by the respective curtain plate light-emitting units 20, 31, 32. As a result, apparently, the light of the first emission color runs around the upper edge of the island 1, then the light of the second emission color runs around, and further, The light of the third, fourth, etc. emission colors runs around.

Finally, the traveling of these lights stops at the position of the special prize stand, and the temporal change of the emission color is repeated in a predetermined pattern. The number of rounds of light is not limited to one round, but may be two rounds or three rounds, and can be set as appropriate.

When a lottery operation for randomly selecting one of the pachinko gaming machines 2 is performed, light emission of various colors goes around the upper edge of the island 1 as described above. Then, the traveling of the light stops at the position of the selected pachinko gaming machine 2 (hereinafter, referred to as a winning table), and the temporal change of the emission color is repeated in a predetermined pattern. The temporal change of the emission color and the pattern of transition of the temporal change are different from those in the special operation mode.

Each of the curtain plate light-emitting units 20, 31, 3
The pattern of the temporal change of the emission color and the movement pattern of the temporal change in 2 can be variably set by the attendant while simulating with the central management computer 40. By this variable setting, the contents of the notification can be easily and accurately understood by the clerk and the player. There are the following examples as setting patterns.

(1) On the side surface of the island 1 on the side where the winning table is located, each curtain plate light-emitting unit 20 sequentially emits light in a predetermined color from one end to the other end of the side surface of the island 1, The transition of the light emission of the predetermined color reaches the other end side, returns to the one end side, and finally, the curtain plate light emitting unit 2 at the position of the winning table.
0 is a pattern in which the emission color repeats a temporal change.

(2) On the side surface of the island 1 on the side where the winning table is located, first, all of the curtain plate light-emitting units 20 emit light in a predetermined color. The light emission of a predetermined color of each curtain plate light emitting unit 20 sequentially shifts one unit at a time toward the side, and this transition reaches the other end side, returns to one end side, and finally, the curtain plate light emitting unit 20 at the position of the winning table. Is a reverse mode pattern in which the emission color changes over time.

(3) On the side surface of the island 1 on the side where the winning table is located, each curtain plate light emitting unit 20 sequentially emits light of a predetermined color from the center of the side surface of the island 1 to both end positions. A diffusion / convergence pattern in which the transition of the emission of the predetermined color reaches the center position after reaching both end positions, and finally, the curtain plate light emitting unit 20 at the position of the winning table repeats the temporal change of the emission color.

(4) On the side of the island 1 on the side where the winning table is located, first, all of the curtain plate light-emitting units 20 emit light of a predetermined color. Light of a predetermined color of each curtain plate light-emitting unit 20
The unit sequentially transitions, and after the transition reaches both end positions, returns to the center position. Finally, the diffusion / convergence pattern of the reverse mode in which the curtain plate light emitting unit 20 at the position of the winning table repeats a temporal change of the emission color. .

As described above, the lights of various colors run around the island 1, so that the clerk can surely know which table is located without being near the prize stand or the winning stand. In particular, in a shop where various lights are mixed, such as the light emission of the pachinko gaming machine 2 itself and the inside of the shop, the running of the light and the color change have a considerably high notification effect. This is far superior in information transmission reliability and speed as compared with the conventional notification by the push button lamp unit 3 alone. In addition, the running of the light and the change in color greatly enhance the recreational effect not only for the players on the grand prize stand and the winning prize stand but also for other players.

To the player of the winning table, prizes such as daily necessities are presented from the shop side. The player receiving the prize can enjoy the game itself of the pachinko gaming machine 2 and, at the same time, can enjoy a lottery event in the whole shop, and at the same time, can enjoy the joy of winning.

The lottery event in the whole store is a fun event even for players who have not been won or customers who are not playing. For the store, the effect of increasing the effect of attracting customers can be obtained.

When a failure occurs in the ball counter 9 or the money changer, the curtain plate light emitting units 31 and 32 located above the ball counter 9 and the money changer emit light of an arbitrary color. By this light emission, the clerk is notified of the failure of the ball counter 9 and the exchange machine. The clerk will immediately proceed to maintenance work.

Each of the curtain light emitting units 2 is provided above the island 1.
Since 0, 31, and 32 are arranged side by side, not only can the ball supply mechanism inside the island 1 be blindfolded, but also the calling of the player, the operation state of the pachinko gaming machine 2, the malfunction of the equipment, etc. can be promptly and promptly given to the clerk. I can let you know. In addition, since there is no conventional push button lamp unit 3, the structure of the island 1 is simplified and the state is simple, and the complexity in the store is eliminated, and each of the curtain plate light emitting units 20, 3
The decoration effect in the store can be greatly enhanced in combination with the light running and color change in the lights 1 and 32. This improved decorative effect, combined with the fact that the lottery event enhances the entertainment effect,
This will lead to an increase in the number of customers and increase in store sales.

Since a hot-cathode tube is used as a light-emitting body in each of the curtain plate light-emitting units 20, 31, and 32, high-voltage driving as in the case of using a neon tube is unnecessary, and a large number of people gather in a store. Sufficient safety can be secured.

In the above embodiment, each of the curtain plate light-emitting units 20, 31, and 32 is made to blink at a predetermined speed, and the temporal change of the emission color is shifted by each curtain-plate light-emitting unit. If this is the case, the information effect and entertainment effect can be further enhanced.

In this case, each curtain plate light emitting unit 20, 3
The pattern of the flashing light emission of 1 and 32 and the flashing speed thereof, as in the case of the temporal change of the emission color and the transition pattern of the temporal change, can be variably set by the attendant through simulation by the central management computer 40 as appropriate. Can be.

In the above embodiment, each pachinko gaming machine 2
Alternatively, a human body detection sensor for detecting a player is attached to a chair or the like installed in the vicinity thereof, and the detection data of the human body detection sensor is transmitted via the satellite circuits 70 and 80, the sub center circuits 60, and the main center circuit 50. Into the central management computer 40, and at the time of the lottery operation,
By adopting the control for selecting the lottery only for the pachinko gaming machine 2 where the customer is sitting, the precious winning is not wasted, and the shop side of the pachinko gaming machine 2 that has not been won is not selected. It is not necessary to give a sense of distrust that the user is performing the operation, and furthermore, the effect that the pachinko gaming machine 2 is less likely to leave the pachinko gaming machine 2 and the operability of the pachinko gaming machine 2 is increased is obtained.

In the above embodiment, the pachinko gaming machine 2 has been described as an example, but the present invention can be similarly applied to a store where other gaming machines such as slot machines are installed. In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0062]

As described above, according to the present invention, the store
An island formed inside and multiple units installed side by side on this island
Gaming machines and the arrangement of each of the gaming machines above the island
A plurality of light-emitting devices that are provided along
Body, and by the combination of light emission and light emission amount of each light emitter
A plurality of light-emitting units that emit light of various colors,
Lottery means for randomly selecting any of the technical machines,
The light emission color of each light emitting unit is changed over time,
Shift the color change over time in each light emitting unit
As a result, the operating state of each of the gaming machines and the extraction player
Control means for notifying the result of the selection of the steps, enabling reliable and prompt transmission of information to the clerk, and improving the recreational performance of the entire amusement arcade including the amusement machine. It is possible to provide a game system device that can greatly enjoy not only people but also people who are not playing games, and can obtain an effect such as an enhanced effect of attracting customers.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part of a control circuit according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control circuit of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary perspective view showing the configuration of each pachinko gaming machine of the embodiment and a peripheral portion thereof;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a part of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a diagram partially showing the configuration of a conventional device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Island 2 ... Pachinko gaming machine 20, 31, 32 ... Curtain board light-emitting unit R, G, B ... Hot cathode tube (light-emitting body) 21 ... Power supply circuit 22, 23, 24 ... Drive circuit 40 ... Central management computer 50 ... Main center circuit 60 ... Sub center circuit 70,80 ... Satellite circuit

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. An island formed in a store, a plurality of gaming machines arranged side by side on the island, and provided above the island and along the direction in which the gaming machines are arranged. A plurality of light-emitting units having a plurality of different light-emitting bodies and emitting light of various colors by a combination of light-emission and light-emission amount of each light-emitting body; lottery means for randomly selecting any of the gaming machines; Control for notifying the operating state of each gaming machine and the selection result of the lottery means by changing the light emission color of each light emitting unit with time and sequentially shifting the time change of the light emission color with each light emitting unit. A game system device comprising: means.