JP4465216B2 - GAME SYSTEM INCLUDING GAME TABLE AND EXTERNAL DIRECTION DEVICE - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a gaming system including a gaming machine represented by a slot machine (pachislot machine) and a pachinko machine, and an external rendering device provided outside the gaming machine.

  In recent years, game machines such as slot machines are provided with production circuits such as acoustic circuits that can generate high-quality sound effects and sounds, and matrix display devices such as LCDs that display moving images. Has gained popularity. The player can enjoy the slot machine game while enjoying images and sound effects.

  In addition, the contents of these effects are often set in relation to the progress of the game of the slot machine, and the player can obtain information on the results of the lottery of the slot machine from these contents of the effects. You can also do it.

  In this way, since the control of the effect medium provided on the game machine has become sophisticated, a sub-control unit is provided separately from the main control unit that controls the game of the slot machine, and the main control unit responds to the progress of the game. A game machine has been proposed in which a control command is transmitted to a sub-control unit, and the sub-control unit receiving the control command controls an effect medium so as to perform an effect according to the received control command (see, for example, Patent Document 1). ).

JP 2000-167115 A

  However, in the gaming machine described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to newly provide a production medium and a sub-control unit for performing the above-described production, which has been a major factor in raising the price of the gaming machine itself.

  In addition, for example, when a display device is provided as a new production medium on the front of the game table, since the installation space is limited on the front of the game table in which various operation parts and display windows are arranged in important places, In reality, a display device having a large display area cannot be provided, and a display device having a small display screen must be provided. For this reason, the display contents to be displayed by a display device having a small display screen are limited, which is not powerful and has a low production effect.

  In addition, even if an entertainment medium such as an expensive large LCD is provided on the game machine, the introduction cost becomes a burden for the game shop, and even if it is a game machine equipped with an expensive production medium, time passes. If you do this, you will get bored with the contents of the production, and the ability to attract customers as a game stand will be reduced, so it will be replaced with a new stand. If the game machine removed from the game store by replacement is discarded together with expensive production media, it is a waste of resources, and if the new machine newly introduced by exchange also has expensive production media, The cost will be a considerable burden.

In view of the problems as described above, the present invention provides a gaming system that can exhibit a high performance effect and that can suppress replacement costs, and a game system including an external performance device that can effectively utilize a performance medium. With the goal.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 executes a presentation by controlling the driving of various production media according to a main control unit that controls the progress of the game and a control command from the main control unit. A gaming system including a game machine having a sub-control unit , and an external effect device having an effect medium and an effect medium control unit that drives and controls the effect medium , wherein the game table is received from the sub-control unit. An external output unit that can output a control signal for controlling the effect medium to the outside is provided, and the external output unit can output the converted data to a conversion unit that converts the control signal into an output format that can be externally output. The sub-control unit selects a control signal to be externally output and a control signal not to be externally output based on a predetermined external output determination criterion, and only the control signal to be externally output is the data transmission unit. By An external output selection unit to output to the parts, comprising a possible control command output section outputs to the external added to the control command of the identification code set uniquely from the main control unit with respect to the gaming table, The external rendering device includes a data receiving unit that receives data from the outside, a data converting unit that converts the data into control information, data from the data converting unit, and a data sending unit that is different from the data converting unit Input data can be selectively supplied to the effect medium control, and data received from the data conversion unit is selected as data to be supplied to the effect medium control unit when the data reception unit receives the data. An effect unit mounting bay in which an effect unit having an effect medium is detachably attached, and the sub-control unit When the production unit is not installed in the production unit installation bay, the control signal is output to the external production device to cause production by the external production device, and the production unit is installed in the production unit installation bay Is characterized in that the control signal is output to the external effect device, and the control signal is output to the effect unit so that the effect unit and the external effect device are used together. .

The invention according to claim 2 is the gaming system according to claim 1, wherein the external rendering device is capable of reciprocating along a moving rail erected on an upper part of the gaming island on which a plurality of gaming tables are installed. It is characterized by being.

According to the gaming system of the first aspect, since the external output unit capable of outputting a control signal for controlling the effect medium from the sub-control unit to the outside is provided, the outside of the game table is controlled by the control signal output from the external output unit. It is possible to control the production medium. Therefore, an external production medium that is not discarded together with the game table can be used for the production of the game, the degree of freedom of selection of the production medium is increased, and an effective game production is possible. In addition, even if the game machine is discarded, the external production medium can be used continuously, which is effective for cost reduction.

Further, the front Kigaibu output unit, a conversion unit that converts the control signal to an external output possible output formats, since it is configured with the output data delivery unit the converted data is generated within the gaming table It is possible to transmit the control signal to the part for controlling the external effect medium.

Further, the prior SL sub-control unit, and selecting control signal and a control signal not to the external output to the outside output based on a predetermined external output criterion, external to output to the outside only by the data transmission unit control signals for external output Since the output selection unit is provided, only the control signal for selection can be transmitted to the part for controlling the external effect medium.

Further, the prior SL sub-control unit, since it comprises a possible control command output section outputting a control command to the outside from the main control unit outputs a control instruction from the main control unit for controlling the progress of the game to the outside Thus, it is possible not only to output the control signal to the outside and simply operate the effect medium, but also to realize an effective effect operation according to the progress of the game.

Further, the prior SL sub-control unit, since the identification code set unique to the gaming table and appends to the control command from the main control unit outputs from said control command output section, a plurality of amusement machines Even if the island control unit or the like of the gaming islands in which are arranged in a row receives a control command from the game machine, each game machine can be identified and responded to the control command.

Also, a data data receiving unit obtained by converting the data received from the outside to the data conversion section is control information, and the input data from different data transmission unit and the data conversion unit, the data selection section selectively Since it is supplied to the effect medium control unit, drive control of the effect medium according to the selected data is executed. Therefore, if the effect medium control signal of the game machine can be received by the data receiving unit, the effect medium can be operated based on the control signal generated inside the game machine. In addition, even if the game machine is replaced, if the external production device can receive the control signal for driving the production medium from the exchanged game machine, the production operation can be performed corresponding to the new game machine. Even if it is done, the external rendering device can be used continuously, and the economic efficiency is good.

Further, the prior SL data selection section, wherein in response to data received by the data receiving unit, so selects the data from the data converting unit as the data supplied to the presentation medium control unit, external from the performance medium gaming table such as When the control signal for driving is not received, the selection unit produces the data input from the data sending unit as a low-priority control signal that drives the production medium for notification in the game store, etc. When the control signal is supplied to the medium control unit and receives a control signal from the outside such as a game machine, the supply data to the effect medium control unit is changed so that the control signal is given priority, and the effect medium is based on the data converted by the data conversion unit To be controlled.

  In addition, the game stand is provided with an effect unit mounting bay in which an effect unit having an effect medium is detachably mounted, and the sub-control unit is provided when the effect unit is not mounted in the effect unit mounting bay. The control signal is output to the external effect device to perform an effect by an external effect device. When the effect unit is installed in the effect unit installation bay, the control signal is output to the external effect device. Since the control unit outputs the control signal to the effect unit so that the effect unit and the external effect device can be used together, the effect of continuing to use the external effect device even on a game machine not equipped with the effect unit. It is possible to achieve a high economic efficiency, and a variety of effects using the effect unit and the external effect device are also possible.

  According to the gaming system of claim 2, the external rendering device can reciprocate along a moving rail installed on the upper part of the gaming island on which a plurality of gaming tables are installed. It is possible to perform the rendering operation of each gaming table, and it is possible to identify the presence of a gaming table that is performing the rendering operation using a mobile external rendering device even from a distance, and to play games on other gaming tables Appealing the directing action to the players who are, can enhance the interest.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a gaming system including a gaming table and an external effect device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration in which a slot machine 100A, 100B, which is a specific example of a gaming table constituting the present invention, and an external rendering device 200 provided outside the gaming machine 10 are provided on the gaming island 10. An external effect device 200 is provided at a position directly above the slot machines 100A and 100B on the upper decorative plate 11 arranged at the upper part where the machines 100A and 100B are arranged. These external rendering devices 200 include, for example, an LCD (liquid crystal display) 200a and a speaker 200b as rendering media.

  The slot machine 100A and the slot machine 100B provided on the game island 10 are of the same model with the same game content, but the game table is such that the opening front of the rendering unit installation bay provided in the upper right place is covered with the upper decorative panel 170. The slot machine 100B is 100A, and the production unit mounting bay equipped with the production unit 180. Here, a specific structure of the slot machine 100A will be described.

<Overall configuration>
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the slot machine 100A constituting the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of types of patterns (characters and symbols such as “7”, “Bar”, “Bell”, “Replay”, etc .: not shown) are arranged on the outer peripheral surface inside the center of the slot machine 100A. Three cylindrical reels (the left reel 110, the middle reel 111, and the right reel 112) are accommodated and can be rotated inside the main body 102. Handles 102a are provided on both sides of the main body 102, and are used when the slot machine 100A is transported.

  The front door 101 is provided with a reel display window 113, and when the reels 110 to 112 are viewed from the front, three patterns applied thereto can be seen from the reel display window 113 in the vertical direction. In other words, when all the reels 110 to 112 are stopped, the player can see a total of nine patterns of 3 × 3. When these reels 110 to 112 are rotated and stopped, various combinations of patterns are displayed on the reel display window 113. In the present embodiment, three reels are provided, but the number of reels and the installation position of the reels are not limited to this.

  On the back side of each of the reels 110 to 112, a backlight (not shown) for illuminating each picture displayed on the reel display window 113 is disposed. The backlight is capable of emitting light of, for example, seven colors (three primary colors of red, green, and bluish purple and a mixed color such as white) and includes an LED corresponding to each primary color. Is done.

  The winning line display lamp 120 is a lamp indicating a winning line 114 that is valid for each game. The effective pay line 114 changes depending on the number of game media (in this embodiment, medals are assumed) inserted into the slot machine 100A. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, in the case of having five winning lines 114, when one medal is inserted, the middle horizontal winning line, when two medals are inserted, the upper horizontal winning line and the lower horizontal winning line are shown. When 3 sheets are added, 3 lines are added, and 5 lines including 2 diagonal lines are valid, and the winning combination is judged by the combination of the patterns on the effective line 114. It becomes. Of course, the number of winning lines is not limited to five.

  The start lamp 121 is a lamp that informs the player that the reels 110 to 112 are in a state of being able to rotate. When the replay lamp 122 wins a replay that is a winning combination (for example, when a combination of replay-replay-replay replay patterns is arranged on the winning line 114), the next game is replayed to the player. It is a lamp that informs that it is. In the case of a re-game, the medal that is a game medium is exempted in the next game.

  The notification lamp 123 is a lamp for notifying the player that a special winning combination (for example, a big bonus (BB) or a regular bonus (RB)) has been won internally. The medal insertion lamp 124 is a lamp for notifying the player that it is necessary to insert a medal at the start of the game.

  The medal insertion number display lamp 125 is a lamp for displaying the number of medals inserted by the player. In the present embodiment, since up to three medals can be inserted in one game, the number of medals inserted is displayed using three vertically arranged lamps. Of course, in addition to displaying with a lamp, the number of inserted medals may be directly displayed on a 7-segment display or the like.

  The payout number display unit 126 is a display unit that displays the number of medals to be paid out to the player when winning a winning combination with a medal payout. The game number display 127 is a display for displaying the number of general games in the big bonus game. The stored number display 128 is a display that displays the number of medals stored electronically (credited). The effect lamp 129 is a lamp used for an effect for enhancing the interest of the game.

  The medal insertion buttons 131 and 132 are insertion buttons for electronically inserting the stored medals into the slot machine 100A, and are so-called bet buttons. In the present embodiment, there is a three-medal insertion button 131 (a so-called max bet button that can insert the maximum number of medals) and a single-medal insertion button 132 that inserts one medal each time it is pressed. By pressing any of these buttons, 1 to 3 medals necessary for the game are electronically inserted into the slot machine 100A. When inserting two medals, the one-medal insertion button 131 is pressed twice. The number of inserted medals is subtracted from the current stored number, and the remaining number is displayed on the stored number display 128.

  The medal slot block 133 has an opening through which a player directly inserts medals when starting a game. When a medal is directly inserted and a medal is clogged in a medal selector unit (not shown) immediately below the medal insertion slot, the medal cancel switch 133a is operated to eliminate the clogging of the medal. The start lever 135 is a lever-type switch that starts the rotation of the reels 110 to 112 as a game start operation.

  The stop button unit 136 is provided with three stop buttons (a left stop button 136a, a middle stop button 136b, and a right stop button 136c). Each stop button is a button type switch that stops the corresponding reels 110 to 112 when pressed. Specifically, the left reel 110 is stopped by operating the left stop button 136a, the middle reel 111 is stopped by operating the middle stop button 136b, and the right reel 112 is stopped by operating the right stop button 136c.

  Each stop button is provided with a lamp (not shown). After the start lever 135 is operated, all the lamps are turned on when the reels 110 to 112 can be stopped. Notify that the stop operation has become possible. Each stop button lamp is turned off each time the stop button is pressed. Of course, it is also possible to change the light emission color of the lamp between the stop operation enabled state and other states.

  The settlement button 138 is a button that is pressed when performing a settlement process in which the medals acquired by the player are settled and discharged. The checkout button 138 is used to switch whether or not to store up to a maximum of 50 medals acquired by winning or winning a predetermined number (for example, 3) of medals inserted by the player from the medal slot block 133. For example, when the settlement button is pressed once and the settlement process is performed, the non-storage mode is set, and when the settlement button is pressed again, the storage mode is set. Here, storing medals means temporarily storing the number of medals temporarily in a control unit (to be described later) without directly paying out medals.

  The key hole 139 is a hole into which a door opening / closing key is inserted, and when the key is inserted and turned clockwise, the lock is released and the front door 101 of the slot machine 100A can be opened. The medal discharge port 165 is an opening for discharging medals, and medals paid out at the time of winning a prize are discharged from here. The discharged medals are accumulated in the tray 160.

  The upper lamp 150, the side lamps 151 and 152, the center lamps 153 and 154, the waist lamps 155 and 156, and the lower lamps 157 and 158 are effect lamps for exciting the game, and are turned on / off / in accordance with the game state. Flashes. The title panel 140 is illuminated by a title panel lamp (not shown). In the present embodiment, the tray 160 is made of a translucent material, and is configured to exhibit the same effect as the lamp for production described above by making the lamp light incident from the tray mounting surface. In addition, the tray 160 is provided with an ashtray unit 161 configured to be detachable.

  In addition, an upper decorative panel 170 that conceals the front of the opening of the rendering unit mounting bay is provided above the slot machine 100A (above the reel display window 113). The upper decorative panel 170 is similar to the title panel 140. Are decorated according to the model.

  By removing the upper decorative panel 170 from the slot machine 100A having the above-described configuration, mounting the rendering unit 180 in the opened rendering unit mounting bay, and connecting with the rendering unit bay equipped in advance inside by connecting the wiring. The slot machine 100B can perform an effect using the LCD (liquid crystal display) 181 and the speaker 182 included in the effect unit 180 (see FIG. 3).

<Control block>
Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the configuration of the control unit of the slot machine 100 (referred to as a generic name when the equipment unit 180 is not distinguished) is described in detail. The control unit in the present embodiment includes a main control device 300 that controls the whole, a sub-control device 400 that performs control related to effects for exciting games, and an LCD display control unit 500 that performs display control of the LCD 181. Has been.

<Main controller 300>
The microprocessor (hereinafter referred to as “Main CPU”) 310 serves as a center of control in the slot machine 100, and exchanges control signals and data with peripheral units via the bus 370.

  The random number generator 311 generates a random number, and includes a plurality of counters, a clock oscillator, a frequency divider, a latch circuit, and the like. The random value generated by the random number generator 311 is stored in the random number storage area of the RAM 313 via the bus 370 and is sent to the Main CPU 310 as necessary. There are a plurality of types of random number values, and each is used according to the processing content.

  The main CPU 310 has a medal sensor 320 that detects a medal inserted from the insertion slot of the medal insertion block 134 via the input interface 360 and the bus 370, a start lever sensor 321 that detects an operation of the start lever 135, and stop buttons 136a to 136a. When any one of 136c is pressed, a stop button sensor 322 that detects which stop button is pressed, and when any one of the medal insertion buttons 131 and 132 is pressed, which medal insertion button is pressed is detected. The medal insertion button sensor 323 to be connected is connected.

  A ROM (read-only memory) 312 is one of storage means for storing programs for performing various controls, various table data to be described later, and the like. A RAM (Random Access Memory) 313 has a work area for programs processed by the Main CPU 310 and is one of storage means for storing variable data and the like.

  A motor control unit 331 that controls a motor that rotates and stops the reels 110 to 112 and a hopper control unit 332 that controls a medal hopper are connected to the Main CPU 310 via an input / output interface 330 and a bus 370. .

  The effect lamps / displays 341 include various types of lamps such as the winning line display lamp 120, the start lamp 121, and the re-playing lamp 122 shown in FIG. 2, the payout number display unit 126, the game number display unit 127, and the like. The display is collectively shown, and is connected to the Main CPU 310 via the output interface 340 and the bus 370. Through this output interface 340, data relating to the game results in the slot machine 100 is output to the external concentrated terminal board 342, and is collected by the hall computer via the external concentrated terminal board 342.

  The output interface 350 transmits various commands to the input interface 430 of the sub control device 400 based on instructions from the Main CPU 310.

<Sub-control device 400>
The microprocessor (hereinafter referred to as SubCPU) 410 receives various commands transmitted from the main control device 300 via the input interface 430 and the bus 470, and controls the sub-control device 400 as a whole according to the contents of the received commands. To do.

  The ROM 411 is one of storage means for storing programs, data, and the like for controlling the sub-control device 400 as a whole. The RAM 412 has a work area for programs processed by the SubCPU 410, and is one of storage means for storing variable data and the like.

  A backlight 421 connected via the bus 470 and the output interface 420 is a light for illuminating the reel image, and is turned on / flashing / turned off according to an instruction from the SubCPU 410. The effect light-emitting display unit 422 collectively represents the upper lamp 150, the side lamps 151 and 152, the center lamps 153 and 154, the waist lamps 155 and 156, the lower lamps 157 and 158, and the like. Flashes / turns off. The control command transmission unit 423 outputs a control command received from the main control unit 300 to the outside in accordance with an instruction from the SubCPU 410, and is configured by a wireless communication module such as IrDA, for example. The data transmission unit 192 transmits data to the outside (for example, the external rendering device 200) in accordance with an instruction from the SubCPU 410.

  The sound source signal forming unit 460 forms and outputs a sound source signal based on the control signal and data delivered from the SubCPU 410. The sound source signal is amplified by the amplifier 183 and then output as sound from the speaker 182. The speaker 182 and the amplifier 183 are installed in the effect unit 180 as effect media and can be attached to and detached from the slot machine 100. The sound source signal output from the tone signal forming unit 460 is also supplied to the data conversion unit 191, converted into a format that can be output to the outside by the data conversion unit 191, and output to the outside by the data transmission unit 192. The

  The output interface 450 transmits various control data to the LCD display control unit 500 based on an instruction from the SubCPU 410. Based on this control data, the LCD display control unit 500 controls the display of the LCD 181. The LCD display control unit 500 can be configured as a device different from the sub-control unit 400. However, in this configuration example, the display data on the LCD 181 is included in the sub-control unit 400. The output is made from the control unit 400.

<LCD display control unit 500>
The SubCPU 510 receives various commands transmitted from the sub-control unit 400 via the input / output interface 530 and the bus 570, specifies image data according to the contents of the received command, and displays image data to be displayed on the LCD 181 as a video. Instructs the display processor (hereinafter VDP) 550.

  The ROM 511 is one of storage means for storing a control program, data, and the like for the LCD SubCPU 510.

  The VDP 550 reads designated image data from an externally connected ROM 552, performs drawing processing, converts the image data into RGB signals, outputs the RGB signals via the output interface 553, and causes the LCD 181 to perform display. The display data signal (RGB signal) output from the output interface 553 is also supplied to the data conversion unit 191. The data conversion unit 191 converts the display data signal into a format that can be externally output, and the data transmission unit 192. Is output to the outside.

  The output from the slot machine 100 as a production medium control signal is not limited to a sound source signal for controlling the speaker 182 and a display data signal for controlling the LCD 181. For example, when a light emission source such as the production light emission display unit 422 is set as a production medium, the data transmission unit 191 converts the light source control signal into a format that can be output externally by the data transmission unit 192. You may make it output outside.

  Here, a schematic configuration in the case where the output destination of the control signal for effect medium control output from the data signal transmission unit 192 is the external effect device 200 provided corresponding to each slot machine 100 will be described with reference to FIG. To do.

  In the amusement island 10, an island control unit 12 connected to a hall computer is provided, and the island control unit 12 and each external rendering device 200 are connected by an in-island connection line 13. A control signal for performing (such as notification information on sales at the game store) is supplied to all external rendering devices 200. In this configuration example, unidirectional communication is performed from the island control unit 12 to the external rendering device 200, but bidirectional communication may be performed so that a signal can be output from the external rendering device 200 to the island control unit 12.

  As described above, the external rendering device 200 connected to the island control unit 12 is provided so as to correspond to each one of the slot machines 100A or 100B, and is controlled only from the corresponding slot machines 100A and 100B. It was supposed to receive a signal.

  The slot machines 100A and 100B installed so as to correspond to each external rendering device 200 as described above have basically the same structure, and are output from the sub-control unit 400 that operates in response to a command from the main control unit 300. The control signal for controlling the effect medium is output to the effect unit mounting bay and the external output unit. In the slot machine 100B in which the rendering unit 180 is mounted in the rendering unit mounting bay, the rendering operation by the LCD 181 and the speaker 182 is executed according to the control signal output from the sub-control unit 400. On the other hand, in the slot machine 100A in which the production unit mounting bay is empty, the production operation by the control signal output from the sub-control unit 400 is not performed, but these control signal supply wirings and connectors are provided in advance. Therefore, it is possible to easily perform the rendering operation using the rendering unit 180 even after being brought into the game store from the gaming machine manufacturer.

  The external output unit receives a control signal for controlling the effect medium from the sub-control unit 400 and outputs the control signal to the outside. In the present configuration example, the data for converting the control signal into an output format capable of external output. A conversion unit 191 and a data transmission unit 192 capable of outputting data converted by the data conversion unit 191 to the outside are configured. The data transmission unit 192 performs unidirectional data transmission by short-range wireless communication. However, the data transmission unit 192 is not limited to this, and may perform wired communication.

  Here, the sub control unit 400 stores in the ROM 411 or the like when generating a control signal for effect medium control to be output to the effect unit 180 or the data conversion unit 191 based on the effect command from the main control unit 300. In the case of generating and outputting a control signal for effect medium control from the effect data that can be externally transmitted with reference to the external transmission propriety information that is set in advance in the effect data that is set, the data transmission unit By outputting the conversion data external transmission permission signal to 192, the data transmission unit 192 outputs the conversion signal from the data conversion unit 191 to the outside. On the other hand, when the external transmission permission information set in the effect data does not require external transmission, the data transmission unit 192 does not transmit data by not outputting the external transmission permission signal to the transmission unit 192. .

  That is, the sub-control unit 400 selects “a control signal to be externally output based on a predetermined external output determination criterion and a control signal not to be externally output, and externally outputs only the control signal to be externally output by the data transmission unit. A function as an “output selection unit” is provided, and by selecting control signals (sound source signals, RGB signals, etc.) to be output to the external effect device 200, only control signals for effects important in games such as reach effects are externally output. It can be used in such a way that a rendering operation that is transmitted to the rendering device 200 and does not require external output is performed only by the rendering unit 180. Note that the external output determination criterion is not limited to referencing the external transmission permission information of the effect data described above, and may be set in any manner. For example, the performance operations may be ranked in advance according to importance, and those with high importance are always output externally, and those with low importance may be externally output or not output by lottery. .

  On the other hand, the external rendering device 200 to which a control signal for rendering medium control is transmitted from the data transmission unit 192 of the slot machines 100A and 100B includes a data receiving unit 201 that receives data and data received by the data receiving unit 201. Is converted into control information, data from the data converter, and input data from the island controller 12, which is a data sending unit different from the data converter 202 (for example, control for in-store advertising) A selection unit 203 for selecting any one of the signals), and an effect medium control unit 204 for driving and controlling the effect medium based on a control signal selectively supplied from the selection unit 203, from the slot machine 100 Using the output control signal for effect medium control, the effect medium control unit 204 drives the LCD 200a and the speaker 200b, which are effect media. Control is performed.

  That is, in the slot machine 100A in which the effect unit 180 is not mounted, an effect display is performed on the LCD 200a of the external effect device 200 based on the effect medium control control signal output from the sub-control unit 400. Further, a sound effect for production is output from the speaker 200b, and in the slot machine 100A that does not include the production unit 180, various productions can be performed using only the external production device 200.

  Moreover, since the external rendering device 200 provided on the upper decorative plate 11 of the game island 10 can be configured to be relatively large, a display having a larger screen than the LCD 181 provided in the rendering unit 180 can be used as the LCD 200a. A certain production can be performed. In addition, even when the slot machines 100A and 100B are removed from the game store by changing the model, the external rendering device 200 can be left installed on the amusement island 10 without being discarded. If they are of the same standard that can externally output a control signal for effect medium control, the external effect device 200 can be used as it is, and the economic efficiency is high.

  In addition, if the production unit 180 and the production unit installation bay in which the production unit 180 is mounted are standardized in advance and a game machine is developed so that the production unit 180 itself is compatible with other models, the production unit can be produced at the time of model exchange. It is possible to operate by removing the unit and installing it on the replaced model, which reduces the cost at the amusement store.

  The external rendering device 200 may provide other functions in addition to performing motion control of the rendering medium based on the control signal from the corresponding slot machine 200 or the control signal from the hall computer. For example, a function of displaying a game history in the corresponding slot machine 100 may be added by an operation switch provided so that the player can operate. In addition, the data sending unit that supplies the control signal for the rendering operation to the external rendering device 200 is not limited to one system from the island control unit 12, and the control signal is transmitted from more data transmitting units to the external rendering device. 200 may be input, and the selection unit 203 may select a control signal to be sent to the effect medium control unit 204 according to a predetermined standard. However, it is desirable that the presentation operation by the control signal from the slot machines 100A and 100B is selected with the highest priority.

  Next, paying attention to the pair of slot machines 100 and the external effect device 200, details until the control signals for effect control generated in the slot machine 100 operate the effect medium of the external effect device 200 are shown in FIG. Based on

  For example, a sound source signal (analog, serial) is transmitted to the speaker unit 184 as a control signal for effect medium control output from the sub-control unit 400 that operates in response to a command from the main control unit 300. (Serial) is output to the light emitting unit 185, and the effect display command (analog, parallel) is output to the LCD unit 186, and is also supplied to the data conversion unit 191. In the configuration example described above, the rendering unit 180 integrally including the LCD 181 and the speaker 182 is detachable. However, as in this configuration example, each rendering medium has a separate unit configuration, and If the configuration is detachable, it is possible to replace only the failed production medium, and the convenience is further improved.

  The data conversion unit 191 includes an A / D conversion unit and a P / S conversion unit, converts each control signal into a format (digital or serial) that can be output to the outside, and sends it to the data transmission unit 192. Receiving this, the data transmission unit 192 transmits data to the data reception unit 201 of the external rendering device 200 only when an external transmission permission signal is received from the sub-control unit 400.

  As an example of the configuration of the data transmission unit 192 and the data reception unit 201, as shown in FIG. 7, IEEE 1394 (100 Mbps) standardized as a high-speed serial interface is used and is proposed as an ultra-high-speed short-range infrared communication system. It is transmitted with IrBurst (100 Mbps). In this way, by adopting wireless communication at a very short distance, there is no risk of malfunction of the external rendering device 200 corresponding to the adjacent slot machine 100, and transmission is achieved by securing a transmission capacity of about 100 Mbps. A large amount of RGB signals and sound source signals can be transmitted sufficiently. Of course, other transmission methods may be employed, or a unique communication protocol suitable for transmission of control data for effect control may be employed.

  The data transmitted to the external rendering device 200 as described above is sent to the data conversion unit 202, and the control signal is restored by the data conversion unit 202 including the D / A conversion unit and the S / P conversion unit. If the control signal output for effect medium control from the sub-control unit 400 of the slot machine 100 is already in a format (digital or serial) that can be externally output, and there is one kind of effect medium, the data before transmission is transmitted. No conversion function or data conversion function after transmission is required.

  When the data conversion unit 202 receives a signal from the data reception unit 201 and performs data conversion, a selection destination switching signal is output to the selection unit 203. That is, the selection unit 203a changes the selection destination to the display control signal (the signal generated by the slot machine 100) converted by the data conversion unit 202 from the display control signal input from the island control unit 12, and the selection unit 203b The selection destination is changed from the light emission control signal input from the island control unit 12 to the light emission control signal converted by the data conversion unit 202 (a signal generated by the slot machine 100). The selection destination is changed from the input sound source signal to the sound source signal converted by the data conversion unit 202 (the signal generated by the slot machine 100).

  By changing the selection destination of these selection units 203a to 203c, the LCD 200a is controlled by the display control unit 204 based on the display control signal output from the sub-control unit 400 of the slot machine 100, and the slot machine 100 is controlled. The light emission unit 206 is controlled to emit light under the control of the light emission control unit 205 based on the light emission control signal output from the sub control unit 400, and the sound source signal output from the sub control unit 400 of the slot machine 100 is the amplifier 207. As a result, the speaker 200b is activated.

  In the external effect device 200 according to this embodiment, the operation of the speaker unit 184, the light emitting unit 185, and the LCD unit 186 provided in the slot machine 100 is not simply reproduced, but the effect medium is controlled from the sub-control unit 400. While the control signal for output is not output, it is possible to perform a presentation operation (such as display of an in-store advertisement) by the control signal supplied from the hall computer 20 to the external presentation device 200 via the island control unit 12. On the other hand, at the time of an important performance in the progress of the game, such as the generation of a winning combination, a control signal for effect medium control is transmitted from each slot machine 100 to the external effect device 200, so that a selection unit in the external effect device 200 is selected. The control signal input destination for the rendering operation is quickly switched by 203a to 203c, and the performance of the external rendering device 200 is performed. Medium will be operated by the control signal from the slot machine 100, it can provide effective presentation.

  In the slot machine 100A in which no effect medium such as the speaker unit 184, the light emitting unit 185, and the LCD unit 186 is provided, the external effect device 200 can be used like an effect unit dedicated to the slot machine 100A. If a setting switch is provided at an appropriate location and the external rendering device 200 is set to a mode that is used as a rendering unit dedicated to the slot machine 100A by this setting switch, the sub-control unit 400 causes all rendering commands (or demos with low importance). You may add the structure changed into the external output determination reference | standard which outputs the control signal produced | generated based on the production | generation command which excluded some productions like the mode) outside. In this case, the control signal is continuously transmitted from the slot machine 100A to the external rendering device 200, and the rendering of the external rendering device 200 based on the rendering signal transmitted from the hall computer 20 via the island control unit 12 is performed. Since the operation is not performed, for example, a function that temporarily stops the external output of the control signal at the player's intention is provided so that the player can confirm the rendering operation such as the in-store advertisement with the external rendering device 200. Anyway.

  In the slot machine 100 according to the above-described embodiment, the control signal output to the effect unit 180 (or effect unit mounting bay) is sent to the data conversion unit 191 as it is, and is converted into a format that can be externally output to the data conversion unit 191. The sub-control unit 400 controls the operation of the data transmission unit 192 to control whether or not to transmit the converted data. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the sub-control unit 400 includes the effect unit 180. A control signal output port for external output is provided separately from the control signal output port to the bay (or the production unit installation bay), and only the control signal for external output selected in the sub-control unit 400 is controlled for external output. The data transmission unit 192 outputs the converted data received from the data conversion unit 191 to the signal output port unconditionally. Unishi and may be.

  In addition, since the slot machine 100 according to the present embodiment includes the control command transmission unit 423 that outputs the control command received from the main control unit 300 to the outside, the external rendering device 200 includes the control command reception unit 208. The control command receiving unit 208 that has received the control command from the control command transmitting unit 423 may be transmitted to the island control unit 12 (or the hall computer 20). If comprised in this way, according to the control command from the slot machine 100, the external production apparatus 200 can be controlled from the island control part 12 or the hall computer 20, and the range of production will spread further.

  If the LCD 200a of the external effect device 200 is on the surface of the upper decorative plate 11 of the game island 10, there is a problem that it is difficult for the player who is playing the game to visually recognize it. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, if the LCD 200a is supported by the movable arm mechanism 209, the screen position of the LCD 200a can be easily adjusted so that the player can easily see it, which can be used for the convenience of the player. .

  In the embodiment described above, the external rendering device 200 is provided for each of the slot machines 100 provided on the game island 10, but the correspondence between the external rendering device and the slot machine is not limited to this. Two to three slot machines may share one external rendering device. FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 show that one mobile external effect device 210 is reciprocated on one side (a surface on which a plurality of slot machines 100 are arranged in the same direction) side of the game island 10 ′. This is a second embodiment in which the mobile external effect device 210 can be shared by a plurality of slot machines 100.

  A horizontally long moving rail 14 is installed on the upper part of the game island 10 ′, and the movable external effect device 210 reciprocates along the rail 14 from one end to the other end of the game island 10 ′. The mobile external rendering device 210 according to the present embodiment includes a balloon 210b that imitates an airship as a decorative mobile body that supports the LCD 210a at an appropriate upper position of the slot machine 100. The position of the mobile external rendering device 210 is as follows. However, it can be seen well from the end of the amusement island 10 '. Then, when the balloon 210b approaches the slot machine 100, the LCD 210a also approaches, so that the screen display can be clearly seen by the player playing the slot machine 100.

  In addition, in order to simplify the description, the mobile external effect device 210 of the present embodiment is configured to include only the LCD 210a as the effect medium. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the speaker is the same as the external effect device 200 described above. Or a light emitting unit may be provided as an effect medium, or a driving mechanism that raises and lowers the balloon 210b is incorporated as a kind of effect medium, and the decoration moving body is different from the movement in the moving direction. This can produce a dramatic visual effect.

  Next, the schematic configuration of the mobile external rendering device 210 and the peripheral mechanism that controls the mobile external rendering device 210 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The island control unit 12 connected to the hall computer is connected to the control command receiving unit 15 provided corresponding to each slot machine 100 by the intra-island connection line 13 and transmitted from the control command transmitting unit 423 of each slot machine 100. A control command (for example, an ID number unique to the slot machine 100 and an effect command) is received and transmitted to the hall computer 20. In this configuration example, only one-way communication from each slot machine 100 to the island control unit 12 and the hall computer 200 can be performed. However, as a configuration capable of bidirectional communication, from the hall computer 20 and the island control unit 12 Control signals and various information may be transmitted to each slot machine 100.

  Further, the island control unit 12 and the mobile external effect device 210 are connected by a movable connection line 16 corresponding to two-way communication so that the movement of the mobile external effect device 210 can be followed. In addition, between the island control unit 12 and the mobile external effect device 210, it is possible to cover the movement range of the mobile external effect device 210 within the game island 10 ′ without using a wired connection using the movable connection line 16. Short-range wireless communication may be used.

  The mobile external effect device 210 configured to be capable of bidirectional communication with the island control unit 12 as described above includes a data reception unit 211 that receives data transmitted from the data transmission unit 192 of each slot machine 100, and the data A data conversion unit 212 that converts data received by the reception unit 211 into control information, image display data from the data conversion unit, and an input from the island control unit 12 that is a data transmission unit different from the data conversion unit 202 An image display control unit 213 that performs display control of the LCD 210a using any one of the data (for example, image display data for in-store advertising), a balloon movement control unit 214 that receives a movement command from the island control unit 12, Based on a control signal from the balloon movement control unit 214, the movable external effect device 210 itself including the balloon 210b is moved in a predetermined direction. Comprising a down driving section 215.

  The slot machine 100 may have a configuration in which an effect unit mounting bay for detachably mounting an effect unit is provided in advance as in the slot machine 100A or 100B described above, and this may be omitted and the sub-control may be omitted. The control signal for effect medium control output from the unit 400 is simply output to the outside by the external output unit composed of the data conversion unit 191 and the data transmission unit 192, and is an external effect device outside the slot machine 100. It is also possible to adopt a configuration specialized for the method of performing the production operation.

  Here, the mobile external effecting device 210 configured as described above, and the game island 10 'and the hall computer 20 having various functions for operating the same are used for external effects on the slot machine 100 in the game island 100'. A specific control example will be described.

  For example, during normal times when no production data is transmitted from each slot machine 100, the balloon 210b repeats a reciprocating motion at a relatively slow moving speed from one end to the other end of the game island 10 '. An advertisement image or the like input via the island control unit 12 is displayed on the LCD 210a.

  When a state in which the effect medium is controlled occurs in a certain slot machine 100 (second slot machine from the right in FIG. 10), effect data is transmitted from the data transmission unit 192 of the slot machine 100 and a control command A control command (ID + effect command) is also transmitted from the transmission unit 423.

  At this time, when the effect data is transmitted from the data transmission unit 192, if the data receiving unit 211 of the mobile external effect device 210 is not in a position where it can be received, the external effect operation in the mobile external effect device 210 is performed. Is not performed, and it is necessary to wait for an external effect on the slot machine 100 until the mobile external effect device 210 moves.

  Therefore, the control command transmitted from the control command transmission unit 423 of the slot machine 100 is received by the control command reception unit 15 in the game island 10 ′ and transmitted to the hall computer 20 via the island control unit 12. In response to this, a movement command (movement to the slot machine 100 specified by the ID) is transmitted from the hall computer 20 to the balloon movement control unit 214 of the mobile external rendering device 210 via the island control unit 12. Based on the above, the balloon movement control unit 214 controls the balloon driving unit 215 to promptly move to the slot machine 100 that is transmitting effect data. The hall computer 20 does not control the movement control of the mobile external effect device 210 on each game island 10 ′, and the island controller 12 in the game island 10 ′ does not move the mobile external effect device 210. May be performed.

  The balloon movement control unit 214 outputs a signal indicating that the movement has been completed when the balloon 210b moves immediately above the slot machine 100 based on the movement command. Note that the method of controlling the balloon driving unit 215 so that the LCD 210a stops at an appropriate position with respect to each slot machine 100 is not particularly limited, and the moving amount of the balloon 210b based on the driving amount of the balloon driving unit 215. The stop position may be determined by estimating the stop position, or an indicator for detecting the stop position is provided for each slot machine 100, and a function for detecting this is provided in the mobile external effect device 210 to stop the stop position. Control to stop the balloon 210b may be performed at the timing when the position is detected.

  The movement completion signal output by completing the movement of the balloon 210b to the slot machine 100 that is outputting the control signal as described above is transmitted to the hall computer 20 via the island control unit 12, and the hall that receives this signal is transmitted. An image switching command is transmitted from the computer 20 to the image display control unit 213 of the mobile external effect device 210 via the island control unit 12. By receiving this image switching command, the image display control unit of the mobile external rendering device 210 performs image display control of the LCD 210a based on the display control signal (control signal from the slot machine 100) converted by the data conversion unit 212. To do.

  That is, based on the control command output from the slot machine 100, the mobile external effect device 210 is called and a display for effect is displayed on the LCD 210a of the mobile external effect device 210. Therefore, one is provided on one side of the game island 10 ′. Only the mobile external effect device 210 provided can perform the effect operation of each slot machine 100 using an external effect medium. Moreover, in the mobile external effect device 210, the LCD 210a serving as the image display unit and the balloon 210b serving as the decorative moving body can be configured to be relatively large, and therefore the mobile external effect device 210 performs the effect operation. There is also an advantage that the presence of the slot machine 100 can be identified even from a distance, and the direction operation is appealed to a player who is playing a game on another slot machine 100 to enhance the interest.

  In addition, as with the external rendering device 200 of the above-described embodiment, even when the slot machine 100 is removed from the game store by changing the model, the mobile external rendering device 210 is installed on the game island 10 ′ without being discarded. If the model after replacement is of the same standard that can externally output a control signal for controlling the production medium, the production operation using the mobile external production device 210 can be performed as it is. Efficiency is also high.

  In addition, when one mobile external effect device 210 is shared in the game island 10 ′ in which a plurality of slot machines 100 are arranged, the number of slot machines 100 that output control signals for external effects is two or more. The mobile external rendering device 210 performs the rendering operation by selecting any one of the slot machines 100 for the plurality of slot machines 100 requesting the external rendering operation. . For this purpose, the selection criteria is a range of design items, and is not particularly limited. For example, priority is given to the rendering operation of the slot machine 100 that first requested an external rendering, and a certain time range (almost simultaneous) is considered. If there is a request for external performance from a plurality of slot machines within a short period of time), one of the slot machines is determined by lottery, and the balloon 210b is sent to the single slot machine 100 that has been hit. May be moved to perform an external performance operation. Further, a plurality of mobile external rendering devices may be provided on the game island so that a plurality of slot machines can simultaneously perform external rendering operations.

It is a front view which shows schematic structure of the game island which provided the game stand (slot machine) and external direction device which concern on 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view showing an appearance of a slot machine (no effect unit) which is an example of a game table. FIG. 44 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of attaching the rendering unit to the slot machine. It is a control block diagram of a slot machine. It is a functional block diagram of each slot machine and each external effect device in amusement island. FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of a slot machine and an external rendering device focused on rendering operation control. It is an explanatory view showing an example of a data transmission method from the slot machine to the external effect device. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other structural example of an external production apparatus. It is a front view which shows schematic structure of the game island which provided the game stand (slot machine) and external direction device which concern on 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of each slot machine and one external rendering device on the amusement island.

10 amusement islands 12 island control units 100A, 100B slot machine 180 production unit 181 LCD (production medium)
182 Speaker (Director)
191 Data conversion unit 192 Data transmission unit 200 External presentation device 200a LCD (production medium)
200b Speaker (production medium)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 201 Data reception part 202 Data conversion part 203 Selection part 204 Production medium control part

Claims (2)

A game machine having a main control unit that controls the progress of a game , and a sub-control unit that drives and controls various effect media according to control commands from the main control unit , the effect medium, and the effect A game system including an external rendering device having a rendering medium control unit that drives and controls a medium ,
The game machine includes an external output unit capable of outputting a control signal for controlling the effect medium from the sub-control unit to the outside ,
The external output unit includes a conversion unit that converts the control signal into an output format capable of external output, and a data transmission unit that can output the converted data.
The sub-control unit selects an external output control signal based on a predetermined external output determination criterion and a control signal that is not externally output, and an external output selection unit that outputs only the externally output control signal to the outside by the data transmission unit And a control command output unit that can be output to the outside by adding an identification code uniquely set for the gaming machine to the control command from the main control unit ,
The external rendering device is
A data receiver for receiving data from the outside;
A data converter for converting the data into control information;
Data from the data conversion unit and input data from a data sending unit different from the data conversion unit can be selectively supplied to the effect medium control, triggered by data reception by the data receiving unit, A data selection unit that selects data from the data conversion unit as data to be supplied to the effect medium control unit;
With
Furthermore, the game table is provided with an effect unit mounting bay in which an effect unit having an effect medium is detachably mounted,
When the production unit is not installed in the production unit installation bay, the sub-control unit outputs the control signal to the external production device to perform production using an external production device, and the production unit installation bay When an effect unit is attached, the control signal is output to the external effect device, and the control signal is output to the effect unit so that an effect using both the effect unit and the external effect device is performed. A gaming system characterized by that. 2. The gaming system according to claim 1, wherein the external rendering device is capable of reciprocating along a moving rail constructed on an upper part of a gaming island on which a plurality of gaming tables are installed .

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