JP6431100B2 - Lottery ring, lottery ring unit including the same, game machine including the same, control method used therefor, and computer program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a lottery ring used for a lottery using a physical lottery medium.

  There are lottery rings used for lottery using physical lottery media. Such a lottery ring is provided with a plurality of pockets for accommodating balls as physical lottery media along the outer periphery, and there is also a roulette ring used for a roulette game. A game machine that provides a roulette game using such a roulette ring is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2007-215783 A

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel lottery ring, a lottery ring unit including the same, a game machine including the same, a control method used therefor, and a computer program.

  The lottery ring of the present invention is formed in a ring shape and is concentrically arranged so as to form a layer. The first ring and the second ring, and the first ring and the second ring are concentric. And a restraining means that operates between a restrained state that restrains the first ring and the second ring so as to rotate integrally with each other and a released state that releases the restraint so as to rotate relatively, The first ring is provided with a plurality of storage units for storing a physical lottery medium for performing the lottery along the rotation direction, and the second ring is provided on the plurality of storage units via the layers. A plurality of information providing units are provided along the rotation direction so as to correspond to each other, and predetermined information is associated with each of them.

1 is an external view of a game machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. The enlarged view of a roulette unit. The cross-sectional schematic diagram which shows typically the cross section regarding the AA of FIG. The figure which expanded the brake unit of FIG. 2, and showed typically. The figure which expands and shows typically the part by which one pin raising / lowering unit of FIG. 2 is arrange | positioned. The schematic diagram which shows the switching mechanism at the time of seeing from the direction different from FIG. The figure which shows an example of the state which a pair of protrusion part meshed | engaged with the meshing part. The figure which shows an example in case a pair of protrusion part operate | moves so that a pin may be inserted. The figure which shows typically the state before relative rotation arises between an award ring and a pocket ring. The figure which shows typically the state after relative rotation arises between an award ring and a pocket ring. The figure which shows an example of the winning rate for every privilege. The figure which shows the winning rate for every privilege after the relative rotation for one pocket arises between an award ring and a pocket ring. The figure which shows the change of the winning rate for every privilege accompanying the relative rotation between an award ring and a pocket ring. The functional block diagram which shows schematic structure of the control system of a center unit. The figure which shows an example of the flowchart of a relative rotation process routine.

  Hereinafter, a game machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an external view of a game machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the game machine 1 includes a plurality of station units 2 and a center unit 3. Each station unit 2 is arranged around the center unit 3. The number of station units 2 may be an appropriate number. For example, the number of station units 2 may be one.

  In the station unit 2, for example, a slot game is provided in exchange for consumption of coins as a game value. A slot game is a known game in which a predetermined privilege is given when the display of a plurality of symbols changes with the lottery result and the combination of the display of the plurality of symbols after the change forms a predetermined winning arrangement. Means games. A known slot game machine may be used as the station unit 2. For example, the station unit 2 has a housing 5. A station monitor 6 is provided on the front surface of the housing 5. For example, a liquid crystal display device is used as the station monitor 6. A control panel 7 is provided below the station monitor 6. The control panel 7 is provided with a coin slot 8 and an operation device 9. The operation device 9 includes an operation member such as a button switch for performing various operations such as a bet operation. A coin payout port 10 is provided below the control panel 7.

  On the other hand, in the center unit 3, when a predetermined game condition is satisfied in the station unit 2, a so-called roulette game is provided. The roulette game is a well-known game in which a lottery is performed using a movement of a ball that rotates and moves along one of a plurality of pockets provided along the outer circumference of a circular roulette board. is there. Further, as the predetermined game condition, for example, a condition that satisfies a requirement when a specific symbol forms a winning arrangement in a slot game is adopted. The predetermined game conditions are not limited to such a form. For example, various conditions related to the slot game may be used as predetermined game conditions such as a condition that is satisfied when a predetermined number or more of winning arrangements are formed, a condition that is satisfied when a specific winning arrangement is formed, etc. . Alternatively, when a game other than the slot game is executed in the station unit 2, various conditions related to the game may be adopted as predetermined game conditions.

  The center unit 3 includes a center monitor 11, a roulette unit RU as a lottery ring unit, a ball throwing mechanism 13, and a ball guiding path 14. The roulette unit RU has a roulette ring 12 as a lottery ring. The roulette unit RU is positioned so that the front side of the roulette ring 12 (the side on which the station unit 2 is arranged) is located below and the far side opposite to the roulette ring 12 is located above, so that the roulette ring 12 is inclined. Has been placed. The roulette unit RU is disposed below the center monitor 11 so that the back side of the roulette ring 12, that is, the upper side of the inclination is hidden by the center monitor 11. The roulette ring 12 is rotationally driven at a predetermined speed in a predetermined direction by a ring driving mechanism 15 (see FIG. 2) as a rotational driving means. Around the roulette ring 12, a plurality of pockets 16 are provided as a plurality of accommodating portions. A predetermined privilege is associated with each pocket 16.

  The ball throwing mechanism 13 throws the ball B as a physical lottery medium into the ball guiding path 14. The ball guiding path 14 is formed so as to extend along the outer periphery of the roulette ring 12. A guard 14g for restricting the movement of the ball B is provided on the outer peripheral side of the ball guiding path 14, that is, on the opposite side of the roulette ring 12. The guard 14g restricts the movement of the ball B so that the ball B does not come off the ball guiding path 14. That is, the ball guiding path 14 is formed so that the movement range of the ball B thrown by the ball throwing mechanism 13 is limited to a certain range and the ball B can be guided to the pocket 16 of the roulette ring 12.

  On the other hand, the center monitor 11 displays an image that compensates for the hidden portion of the roulette ring 12. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, an image corresponding to the hidden portion of the roulette ring 12 is displayed on the center monitor 11 so as to have continuity with the roulette ring 12. While the roulette ring 12 is rotating, the image corresponding to the roulette ring 12 displayed on the center monitor 11 is also rotated so as to virtually produce the rotation of the roulette ring 12. Similarly, when the roulette ring 12 stops, the image corresponding to the roulette ring 12 displayed on the center monitor 11 also stops. Such image display is realized by simulating the operation of the roulette ring 12 such as rotation and stop.

  When the roulette game is started, the roulette ring 12 starts to rotate. Further, the ball B is thrown into the ball guiding path 14 from the ball throwing mechanism 13. The thrown ball B moves along the ball guiding path 14. Since the roulette ring 12 is inclined so that the front side is positioned below, the ball guiding path 14 is also formed with the same inclination. Accordingly, the thrown ball B once moves toward the opposite side of the ball throwing mechanism 13 along the ball guiding path 14, but changes the moving direction in the middle of the inclination and returns to the ball throwing mechanism 13 side. Moving. After such movement is repeated several times, the movement range of the ball B converges to the lowest position of the ball guiding path 14, that is, the lowest position of the roulette ring 12. Then, the ball B enters one of the pockets 16 (mainly, the pocket 16 positioned at the lowest position at the appropriate time) at an appropriate time. The player is given a predetermined privilege associated with the pocket 16 containing the ball.

  FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the roulette unit RU. As shown in FIG. 2, below the roulette ring 12, a motor unit 15 a of the ring driving mechanism 15 is arranged to rotationally drive the roulette ring 12. The roulette ring 12 is formed in a ring shape having a space at the center. The roulette ring 12 is configured as a double ring that can be separated into an award ring 12a as a second ring and a pocket ring 12b as a first ring that are arranged concentrically and move concentrically.

  The roulette unit RU is provided with a pair of pin lifting / lowering units 17, a brake unit 18, and an LED unit 19 as switching means. These are arranged inside the roulette ring 12, that is, in a space formed in the central portion. The LED unit 19 includes an LED light 19a and a reflecting plate 19b. The LED light 19a is disposed so as to irradiate light toward the reflection plate 19b as illumination means. The reflecting plate 19b is disposed so as to reflect the light emitted from the LED light 19a in a specific direction. For example, the reflecting plate 19b includes an upper reflecting plate that reflects light above the award ring 12a and a lower reflecting plate that reflects light below. As an example, the LED light 19a is configured such that the light irradiation direction can be switched between irradiation of the upper reflection plate and irradiation of the lower reflection plate. Details of the pin lifting unit 17 and the brake unit 18 will be described later.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross section taken along line AA of FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the roulette ring 12 has a two-layer structure in which an award ring 12a and a pocket ring 12b are sequentially arranged from the top. A placement layer SS for placing the roulette ring 12 is formed in the same ring shape as the roulette ring 12 under the pocket ring 12b. Various components necessary for rotatably mounting the roulette ring 12 are disposed on the mounting layer SS. The mounting layer SS is formed on the base portion 20. That is, the roulette ring 12 is disposed on the base portion 20 via the placement layer SS. The base portion 20 is disposed so as to form the bottom of the space formed by the award ring 12a and the pocket ring 12b. For this reason, the base portion 20 also functions as a base for the pin lifting / lowering unit 17, the brake unit 18, and the LED unit 19.

  Next, the details of the brake unit 18 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view schematically showing the brake unit 18 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the brake unit 18 includes a unit main body 18a and a pair of brake portions 18b. A drive source (not shown) for driving the pair of brake portions 18b is provided inside the unit body 18a. A pair of brake pads 18p is provided at the tips of the pair of brake portions 18b. Each brake pad 18p is formed in a cylindrical shape. On the other hand, the extension part 12e is provided in the pocket ring 12b. The extending portion 12e is formed so as to extend toward the center of the upper surface of the pocket ring 12b. That is, the extending portion 12e protrudes in the center direction from the inner wall of the pocket ring 12b. The pair of brake pads 18p are arranged above and below the extending portion 12e with the extending portion 12e interposed therebetween. The pair of brake portions 18b are configured to operate from a stop position where the pair of brake pads 18p sandwich the extending portion 12e from the up and down direction to a release position where the extending portion 12e is released by a driving source. That is, the brake unit 18 is configured to stop the rotation of the pocket ring 12b by sandwiching the extending portion 12e between the pair of brake pads 18p and to allow the rotation by releasing the extending portion 12e.

  Next, the detail of the pin raising / lowering unit 17 is demonstrated. A pair of pin raising / lowering unit 17 is arrange | positioned in the symmetrical position. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view schematically showing a portion where one pin lifting / lowering unit 17 of FIG. 2 is arranged. As shown in FIG. 5, each pin elevating unit 17 includes a unit main body 17a and an elevating part 17b. The unit main body 17a is configured as a mechanism for raising and lowering the elevating part 17b in the vertical direction. A drive source (not shown) for raising and lowering the elevating part 17b is provided inside the unit main body 17a. Thereby, the raising / lowering part 17b is comprised so that an upward movement to the vicinity of the upper end part of the award ring 12a is possible. In addition, the elevating part 17b is provided with a pair of projecting parts 17c formed so as to project in the direction of the award ring 12a and the pocket ring 12b. A pair of protrusion part 17c is arrange | positioned at intervals at the up-down direction.

  On the other hand, the roulette ring 12 is provided with a restraining mechanism 21 as restraining means. The restraint mechanism 21 operates between a restrained state in which the movement of the award ring 12a in the rotational direction is restrained by the pocket ring 12b and a released state in which the restraint is released. The state of the restraining mechanism 21 is switched by the pin lifting / lowering unit 17. With reference to FIGS. 6A to 6C, details of the restraining mechanism 21 and state switching by the pin lifting / lowering unit 17 will be described. FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram showing the restraining mechanism 21 when viewed from a direction different from that in FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 6A, the restraining mechanism 21 is provided on the award ring 12a. Two restraining mechanisms 21 are arranged at symmetrical positions of the award ring 12 a so as to correspond to the pair of pin lifting and lowering units 17. In addition, the position where each restraint mechanism 21 is arrange | positioned is not limited to a symmetrical position. Each restraint mechanism 21 may be disposed anywhere as long as it can be switched between the restraint state and the release state. Further, the number of the restraining mechanisms 21 may be arbitrary. For example, the number of the restraining mechanisms 21 may be one or three or more.

  The restraining mechanism 21 is provided with a meshing portion 21a that projects in the center direction of the roulette ring 12 so as to mesh with the pair of projecting portions 17c. The meshing part 21a is configured to be allowed to move in the vertical direction, while the movement in the horizontal direction is limited by the side wall 21s. A spring 21u is disposed between the meshing portion 21a and the upper wall 21w. The meshing portion 21a is pushed downward by a spring 21u.

  On the other hand, the downward movement of the meshing portion 21a is restricted by the front wall 21f. That is, the meshing portion 21a is pressed by the spring 21u so as to contact the front wall 21f.

  A pin 21p is provided near the center of the engagement portion 21a so that one end protrudes below the engagement portion 21a. The pin 21p is fixed to the meshing portion 21a. That is, the pin 21p is configured so that the pin 21p moves in the vertical direction together with the meshing portion 21a as the meshing portion 21a moves in the vertical direction. One end of the pin 21p is inserted into an insertion portion (not shown) provided in the pocket ring 12b. The insertion portion is provided for each pocket 16 so as to correspond to each pocket 16. On the other hand, the other end of the pin 21p protrudes above the meshing portion 21a. A space is provided between the other end of the pin 21p and the upper wall 21w. This interval is formed so that one end of the pin 21p can be sufficiently removed from the insertion portion and moved toward the award ring 12a.

  When the engagement portion 21a is in a restraining position where it is pressed by the spring 21u and contacts the front wall 21f, one end of the pin 21p is inserted into the insertion hole, so that the award ring 12a in the left-right direction The movement is restricted by the pocket ring 12b. Further, in such a restrained state, the pair of projecting portions 17c are disposed at non-contact positions that do not contact the meshing portion 21a. Accordingly, when the ring drive mechanism 15 rotates the pocket ring 12b in the restrained state, the award ring 12a rotates together with the pocket ring 12b. That is, in this case, the award ring 12a and the pocket ring 12b rotate integrally.

  On the other hand, the meshing portion 21a meshes with the pair of projecting portions 17c. FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating an example of a state in which the pair of protruding portions 17c are engaged with the engaging portion 21a. As shown in FIG. 6B, in a state where the pair of protrusions 17c is engaged with the engagement part 21a, the engagement part 21a is disposed between the pair of protrusions 17c. More specifically, the meshing portion 21a is disposed on the lower side of the pair of projecting portions 17c. The pair of protrusions 17c can be moved in the vertical direction by a drive source. For this reason, in a state where the pair of projecting portions 17c and the meshing portion 21a are engaged, when the pair of projecting portions 17c move upward, the meshing portion 21a also moves upward along with this movement. By such movement, the spring 21u is compressed, and one end portion of the pin 21p is raised together with the meshing portion 21a. When the pin 21p comes out of the insertion portion and rises to the award ring 12a, the restriction of the award ring 12a is released. In such a released state, the award ring 12a and the pocket ring 12b can rotate independently of each other.

  However, the movable range of the elevating part 17b is near the upper end of the award ring 12a. That is, the movable range of the elevating part 17b is higher than the upper wall 21w. For this reason, each pin raising / lowering unit 17 can raise the engaging part 21a to a position higher than the upper wall 21w. The restraining mechanism 21 is provided at a symmetrical position of the award ring 12a so as to correspond to the pair of pin lifting / lowering units 17. For this reason, the award ring 12a is lifted to a position separated from the pocket ring 12b by the pair of pin lifting / lowering units 17. When the pair of protrusions 17c are in such a separation position, a separation state is formed between the pocket ring 12b and the award ring 12a. In such a separated state, the movement of the award ring 12a in the rotational direction is restricted by the pin lifting / lowering unit 17 that supports the weight of the award ring 12a. Therefore, when the ring drive mechanism 15 rotates the pocket ring 12b in the separated state, the pocket ring 12b without limitation in the rotation direction rotates, while the rotation of the award ring 12a is limited. That is, the pocket ring 12b rotates relative to the non-rotating award ring 12a.

  Since the insertion portion on the pocket ring 12b side is provided for each pocket 16 so as to correspond to each pocket 16, the insertion destination of the pin 21p can be changed to an arbitrary insertion portion. That is, the insertion destination of the pin 21p can be moved by the pocket 16 unit. In this form, the state of the pin lifting / lowering unit 17 when the release state is formed, that is, the state where the pair of protrusions 17c are in the non-contact position functions as the allowable state of the present invention. Further, the state of the pin lifting / lowering unit 17 when the separated state is formed, that is, the state where the pair of projecting portions 17c are in the separated position functions as the restricted state of the present invention. Further, the pin lifting / lowering unit 17 that restricts the rotation of the award ring 12a also functions as the rotation restricting means of the present invention.

  The pair of projecting portions 17c may operate so as to insert the pin 21p. The meshing portion 21a is pushed by a spring 21u. Therefore, if the engagement between the pair of protrusions 17c and the engagement portion 21a is eliminated, the pin 21p moves in the direction of the insertion portion by the spring 21u. However, a high resistance may occur in the insertion between the pin 21p and the insertion portion. In such a case, the pin 21p may not be inserted into the insertion portion with only the spring 21u. FIG. 6C is a diagram illustrating an example of the case where the pair of projecting portions 17c operate so as to insert the pin 21p. As shown in FIG. 6C, the pair of protruding portions 17c may operate so as to push down the meshing portion 21a in a state where the pair of projecting portions 17c mesh with the meshing portion 21a. In this case, the pin 21p is pushed into the insertion portion as the meshing portion 21a moves downward. As a result, the pin 21p is reliably inserted into the insertion portion.

  The relative rotation that occurs between the award ring 12a and the pocket ring 12b will be further described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing a state before relative rotation occurs between the award ring 12a and the pocket ring 12b. As shown in FIG. 7, each pocket 16 is provided in the pocket ring 12b. On the other hand, the award ring 12 a is provided with a privilege display unit 25 as an information providing unit so as to correspond to each pocket 16. Each privilege display unit 25 is associated with a predetermined privilege as predetermined information. Moreover, in the restricted state, each privilege display part 25 is arrange | positioned so that it may respond | correspond to each pocket 16 via an upper and lower hierarchy. When the ball B enters the pocket 16, a predetermined privilege associated with the privilege display unit 25 arranged so as to correspond to the pocket is given. That is, each privilege display unit 25 functions to give attribute information associated with a predetermined privilege to each pocket 16. A design having a correlation is used for each pocket 16 and each privilege display unit 25. In the example of FIG. 7, each privilege display portion 25 is provided with an arc portion that forms a part of the shape of each pocket 16. In this example, for example, the positions of the privilege display part 25a and the pocket 16a indicated by diagonal lines are the same. In other words, the privilege “× 500” of the privilege display portion 25a with diagonal lines is associated with the pocket 16a with diagonal lines. On the other hand, to the right-side pocket 16 of the hatched pocket 16a, the right-side privilege display section 25b of the hatched bonus display section 25a is associated.

  On the other hand, FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically showing a state after relative rotation has occurred between the award ring 12a and the pocket ring 12b. In the example of FIG. 8, a case where relative rotation of one pocket (one unit) occurs in the clockwise rotation direction indicated by the arrow R is shown. As shown in FIG. 8, with the relative rotation of one pocket between the award ring 12a and the pocket ring 12b, there is a shift of one pocket between the hatched pocket 16a and the hatched privilege display section 25a. Has occurred. More specifically, the position of the diagonally adjacent pocket 16a coincides with the position of the privilege display part 25b on the right adjacent to the right side of the diagonally privileged display part 25a in FIG. That is, the privilege “× 50” of the privilege display unit 25b on the right side is associated with the hatched pocket 16a. As described above, with the relative rotation between the award ring 12a and the pocket ring 12b, the correspondence relationship between each pocket 16 and each privilege display unit 25 also shifts, and the attribute of each pocket 16 changes. Arise.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a winning rate for each privilege. In the example of FIG. 9, a case where payouts such as “× 50”, “× 100”, “× 200”, “× 300”, and “× 500” are sequentially associated with each privilege display unit 25 as the predetermined privilege. Show. In FIG. 9, the horizontal axis indicates the payout, and the vertical axis indicates the winning rate. The roulette ring 12 may vary in the finished state due to component tolerances, assembly errors, and the like. In such a case, there is a possibility that a difference in the ease of entering the ball between the pockets 16 occurs. For this reason, there is a possibility that the winning rate of each payout, that is, the probability that each payout will be awarded varies. As an example, as shown by a solid line W0 in FIG. 9, the variation in the winning rate may form a wave that goes up and down for each payout.

  On the other hand, FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a winning rate for each privilege after a relative rotation for one pocket has occurred between the award ring 12a and the pocket ring 12b. In this case, the payout associated with each pocket 16 is shifted by one pocket. For example, when relative rotation occurs in the right direction, the correspondence between each pocket 16 and each privilege display unit 25 is shifted by one pocket 16 in the right direction. That is, in this case, after the relative rotation, for example, each privilege display unit 25 that is associated with the right next to each pocket 16 before the relative rotation is associated with each pocket 16. For this reason, as shown by an example with a broken line W1 in FIG. 10, the wave indicating the variation in the winning rate of each payout is shifted in the horizontal axis direction by one payout compared to the example in FIG. Specifically, the winning rate of the payout “× 50” in FIG. 9 is shown as the winning rate of the payout “× 100” in FIG. Similarly, in FIG. 10, the winning rate of the payout “× 100” in FIG. 9 is the winning rate of the payout “× 200”, and the winning rate of the payout “× 200” in FIG. 9 is the winning rate of the payout “× 300”. 9, the winning rate of the payout “× 300” is shown as the winning rate of the payout “× 500”, respectively. Further, the winning rate of the payout “× 500” in FIG. 9 is shown as the winning rate of the payout “× 50” in FIG.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a change in the winning rate for each privilege accompanying relative rotation between the award ring 12a and the pocket ring 12b. The solid line W0 in FIG. 11 shows the state before relative rotation occurs, the broken line W1 shows the case of relative rotation for one pocket, the one-dot chain line W2 shows the case of relative rotation of two pockets, and the two-dot chain line W3 shows the case of relative rotation of three pockets The fine broken line W4 shows the case where the relative rotation is performed for four pockets. As shown in FIG. 11, as the relative rotation occurs between the award ring 12a and the pocket ring 12b, such as for one pocket, two pockets, etc., a wave indicating the variation in the winning rate diverges by one dividend. It shifts in the axial direction. For this reason, when the winning rate when the relative rotation for four pockets occurs is averaged, as shown by the thick line We, the winning rate converges to a value of “0.2”. That is, when a relative rotation of 4 pockets (one less than the number of types of payout) is generated between the award ring 12a and the pocket ring 12b, the winning rate is made uniform.

  Next, the configuration of the control system of the center unit 3 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the control system of the center unit 3. As shown in FIG. 12, the center unit 3 is provided with a center control unit 30. The center control unit 30 is configured as a computer unit that controls the center unit 3. Specifically, the center control unit 30 is configured as a computer unit including a microprocessor and a main storage device and other peripheral devices necessary for its operation.

  The center control unit 30 is connected to the ball throwing mechanism 13, the ring driving mechanism 15, the pin lifting / lowering unit 17, the brake unit 18, the LED unit 19, and the center monitor 11. A storage device 31 is further connected to the center control unit 30. As the storage device 31, for example, a magnetic storage medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD), an optical storage medium such as a DVD-ROM, or a non-volatile semiconductor memory such as an EEPROM, a memory that can hold the memory without power supply. Media is being used.

  The storage device 31 stores a game program 33 and game data 34. The game program 33 is a program necessary for the center unit 3 to execute the roulette game. The game data 34 is various data used when the game program 33 is executed. The game data 34 includes, as various data, for example, BGM data for reproducing various BGM or sound effects in the roulette game, attributes of each pocket 16 (that is, correspondence between each pocket 16 and the privilege display unit 25). Attribute management data for managing the relationship), winning rate management data for managing the winning rate, and the like. The game program 33 is appropriately read into the center control unit 30 and executed. The game data 34 is appropriately read into the center control unit 30 and referred to.

  When the game program 33 is executed, the center control unit 30 is provided with a ring control unit 35. The ring control unit 35 executes various processes necessary for the center unit 3 to provide a roulette game. For example, a process for controlling the ball throwing mechanism 13, the ring driving mechanism 15, the pin lifting / lowering unit 17, the brake unit 18, the LED unit 19, and the center monitor 11 is executed.

  Specifically, the ring control unit 35 controls the image displayed on the center monitor 11, the ball throwing mechanism 13 for the throwing time of the ball, and the ring driving mechanism 15 for controlling the speed for rotating the roulette ring 12. The Similarly, the pin lifting / lowering unit 17 is controlled to switch, for example, between the restrained state and the released state of the roulette ring 12. More specifically, the ring control part 35 controls operation | movement of the pin raising / lowering unit 17 so that a pair of protrusion part 17c may operate | move between a non-contact position and a separation position as an example. Moreover, the operation | movement for stopping the rotation of the roulette ring 12 is controlled by the brake unit 18, for example. More specifically, as an example, the ring control unit 35 controls the brake unit 18 so that the pair of brake pads 18p operate between the stop position and the release position. Further, in the LED unit 19, for example, the irradiation direction of the LED light 19 a is controlled by the ring control unit 35. The ring control unit 35 is a logical device realized by a combination of computer hardware and a computer program.

  Next, the relative rotation process executed by the center control unit 30 will be described. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flowchart of a relative rotation processing routine executed by the center control unit 30. The center control unit 30 executes the routine of FIG. 13 through the ring control unit 35. The ring control unit 35 repeatedly executes the routine of FIG. 13 at a predetermined cycle. As the predetermined cycle, for example, a cycle every time the lottery with the roulette ring 12 is completed is employed. The center control unit 30 is not limited to the routine shown in FIG. Various well-known processes necessary for controlling are executed. Further, the center control unit 30 performs a roulette game such as a process for giving a privilege corresponding to the lottery result in the roulette ring 12 (a privilege associated with the privilege display unit 25 corresponding to the pocket 16 in which the ball B enters). Various kinds of well-known processes necessary for realization are also executed. However, these detailed explanations are omitted.

  When the routine of FIG. 13 is started, the ring control unit 35 first determines whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied in step S11. As the predetermined condition, for example, a predetermined number of times counted based on the previous relative rotation is adopted. That is, as an example, in step S11, the ring control unit 35 determines whether or not the number of lotteries from the previous relative rotation has reached a predetermined number. If the determination result is negative, that is, if the predetermined number of lotteries have not been executed since the previous relative rotation, the ring control unit 35 skips the subsequent processing and ends the current routine. . On the other hand, if the determination result is a positive result, that is, if a predetermined number of lotteries have been executed since the previous relative rotation, the ring control unit 35 proceeds to step S12.

  In step S <b> 12, the ring control unit 35 raises the pin 21 p through the control of the pin lifting / lowering unit 17. Specifically, the pin elevating unit 17 is controlled as follows to raise the pin 21p. First, the ring control unit 35 acquires the position of the pin 21p. The acquisition of the position is realized by using, for example, a simulation for displaying the image of rotation and stop of the roulette ring 12 on the center monitor 11. That is, as an example, the position of the pin 21p is acquired based on the simulation result of the rotation and stop of the roulette ring 12. Next, the positions of the pair of projecting portions 17c and the restraining mechanism 21 are adjusted so that the pair of projecting portions 17c mesh with the meshing portion 21a. Then, in a state where the pair of protrusions 17c are engaged with the meshing part 21a, the elevating part 17b is raised until the pair of protrusions 17c move to the separation position. The pair of projecting portions 17c raise the meshing portion 21a, so that the pin 21p rises. In this way, the ring control unit 35 raises the pin 21p. The position of the pin 21p may be acquired based on a sensor or a camera.

  In the next step S <b> 13, the ring control unit 35 rotates the pocket ring 12 b through the control of the ring drive mechanism 15. As the pin 21p rises in step S12, the roulette ring 12 is switched to the separated state (released state). For this reason, even if the pocket ring 12b rotates, the award ring 12a does not rotate. That is, relative rotation occurs between the pocket ring 12b and the award ring 12a.

  In the next step S14, the ring control unit 35 stops the rotation of the pocket ring 12b at a predetermined position. As the predetermined position, for example, a position rotated by one pocket is employed. That is, in this case, the ring control unit 35 stops the pocket ring 12b when the pocket ring 12b rotates by one pocket. The predetermined position is acquired based on, for example, a simulation result of rotation and stop of the pocket ring 12b.

  In the next step S15, the ring control unit 35 lowers the pin 21p at a predetermined position. That is, as an example, the pin 21p is lowered so as to be inserted into the insertion portion corresponding to the pocket 16 adjacent to one pocket. When this process is finished, the ring control unit 35 ends the current routine. Thereby, the roulette ring 12 is switched to the separated state (released state) every predetermined number of times, and relative rotation occurs between the award ring 12a and the pocket ring 12b, and the winning rate of each privilege changes.

  As described above, when a physical lottery machine is used, the lottery results may vary depending on the component accuracy, assembly accuracy, installation accuracy, and the like. On the other hand, fairness is required for the winning rate based on the lottery result. That is, it is desirable that the winning rate of each privilege is flat.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, the roulette ring 12 is configured to be separable into the award ring 12a and the pocket ring 12b. Further, the pocket ring 12b is used for lottery, and the award ring 12a is used for attribute assignment of the lottery result. Further, a relative rotation can be generated between the pocket ring 12b and the award ring 12a. For this reason, the correspondence between each pocket 16 and attribute information such as a privilege associated with them can be changed. Thereby, the dispersion | variation in the winning rate resulting from physical characteristics, such as component precision, can be suppressed and uniformization can be achieved.

  In addition, various problems can occur when power is supplied to a rotating object. It is even more difficult when supplying power to a ring-shaped (doughnut-shaped) rotating object. For example, brush feeding may be used as a technique for supplying power to such a ring-shaped rotating object. However, when brush power feeding is used, a problem may occur in that radio waves are output and brush consumption is severe.

  According to this embodiment, operations such as rotation of the roulette ring 12 and separation into the award ring 12a and the pocket ring 12b are realized by a mechanism (or unit) separate from the roulette ring 12. The effect of winning is also realized by the LED unit 19 by changing the irradiation direction of the LED light 19a. That is, it is not necessary to supply power to the roulette ring 12. Thereby, it is possible to make the winning rate uniform without energizing the ring-shaped roulette ring 12.

  In the above embodiment, the center control unit 30 functions as a switching control unit, a drive control unit, and a rotation limit control unit by executing the routine of FIG. 13 through the ring control unit 35. The center control unit 30 also functions as a privilege grant unit by executing a known process for granting a privilege corresponding to the lottery result in the roulette ring 12.

  The present invention is not limited to the form described above, and can be implemented in an appropriate form. In the above-described embodiment, relative rotation occurs between the award ring 12a and the pocket ring 12b so as to be sequentially shifted by one pocket. However, the relative rotation is not limited to such a form. For example, relative rotation may occur such that the correspondence between each pocket 16 and each privilege display unit 25 is shifted according to a predetermined unit such as two units. Or relative rotation may arise so that the correspondence between each pocket 16 and each privilege display part 25 may shift at random.

  In the above-described embodiment, a condition that is satisfied when the number of lotteries from the previous relative rotation reaches the predetermined number is employed as the predetermined condition for causing the relative rotation. However, the predetermined condition is not limited to such a form. For example, as the predetermined condition, a condition that is satisfied when a winning rate of a predetermined value or higher (or lower) is generated may be employed. In this case, it can be suppressed that a privilege with a remarkably high (or low) winning rate is generated. In addition, as the predetermined condition, a game progress condition may be employed, for example, when a specific development occurs in the game. Further, as a predetermined condition, a condition that a predetermined operation is executed by a player or an administrator may be employed.

  In the above-described form, attribute information related to a privilege or the like is employed as the predetermined information. However, the predetermined information is not limited to such a form. For example, attribute information related to a penalty opposite to the benefit may be employed as the predetermined information. Alternatively, information regarding random numbers may be employed as the predetermined information. In this case, for example, the roulette ring 12 can be used to acquire a random number. Thereby, the physical lottery mechanism which can suppress the bias | inclination of the random number acquired can be implement | achieved. Therefore, the use of the lottery ring is not limited to games such as a roulette game. The present invention is applicable to various uses for executing lottery using a physical lottery medium. According to the present invention, the relationship between the lottery result and the information associated with the result can be changed. Therefore, the bias of the lottery result to specific information can be suppressed. Thereby, in various uses, the bias | inclination of the lottery result resulting from a component error etc. can be suppressed.

  In the above-described embodiment, the first ring and the second ring are arranged so as to form a hierarchy in the vertical direction. However, the layer formed by the first ring and the second ring is not limited to such a form. For example, both rings may be arranged in the same plane so that the layers are formed in the radial direction.

Further, the switching unit and the limiting unit may be omitted. In this case, for example, the switching of the restraining means may be realized manually by an administrator or the like. Therefore, various forms may be adopted as the form of the restraining means as long as the lottery ring can be switched between the restrained state and the released state.

Claims (11)

A first ring and a second ring formed in a ring shape and arranged in layers;
Operation between a restrained state in which the first ring and the second ring are restrained so that the first ring and the second ring rotate integrally and a released state in which the restraint is released so as to rotate relatively Restraining means to
A plurality of information providing units provided in the second ring, arranged along the rotation direction and associated with predetermined information;
Rotation driving means for rotating and driving at least one of the first ring and the second ring;
Drive control means for controlling the rotation drive means so as to rotate at least one of the first ring and the second ring in the released state;
Rotation limiting means that operates between a limiting state that limits the rotation of any one of the first ring and the second ring and an allowable state that allows the rotation;
The drive control means, in the released state, controls the rotation drive means so as to rotate one of the first ring and the second ring whose rotation is not restricted by the rotation restriction means. .   The lottery ring according to claim 1, wherein the first ring and the second ring are arranged vertically so as to form a hierarchy as the layer.   The lottery ring according to claim 2, wherein the first ring is arranged below the second ring so as to form a lower layer of the hierarchy. A lottery ring according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Switching means for switching the state of the restraint means between the restraint state and the release state;
A lottery ring unit. A lottery ring unit according to claim 4;
Switching control means for controlling the switching means so that the state of the restraining means is switched from the restraining state to the release state when a predetermined condition is satisfied;
A gaming machine equipped with.   6. The game according to claim 5, further comprising a rotation restriction control means for controlling the rotation restriction means so that the state of the rotation restriction means is switched to the allowable state in the restricted state and to the restricted state in the release state. Machine.   The game machine according to claim 5 or 6, wherein attribute information relating to a predetermined privilege is used as the predetermined information. As the predetermined condition, the number of lotteries using the lottery ring unit is used,
The gaming machine according to claim 5, wherein the predetermined condition is satisfied when the number of lotteries reaches a predetermined number. The drive control means controls the rotation drive means so that the correspondence between the plurality of accommodating portions provided in the first ring and the plurality of information providing portions is shifted by one accommodating portion in the rotation direction. The game machine according to any one of claims 5 to 8. A computer incorporated in a game machine comprising the lottery ring unit according to claim 4,
Controlling the rotation restricting means so that one of the first ring and the second ring operates between the restricted state and the allowed state;
A switching control step for controlling the switching means so that the state of the restraining means is switched from the restraining state to the release state when a predetermined condition is satisfied;
A drive control step of controlling the rotation drive means so as to rotate at least one of the first ring and the second ring, the rotation of which is not restricted by the rotation restriction means, in the released state;
Control method to execute. A computer incorporated in a game machine having the lottery ring unit according to claim 4,
A rotation restriction control means for controlling a rotation restriction means that operates between a restricted state for restricting rotation of either the first ring or the second ring and an allowed state for allowing rotation, and satisfies a predetermined condition A switching control means for controlling the switching means so that the state of the restraining means is switched from the restraining state to the releasing state, and in the releasing state, the first ring and the second ring A computer program for a game machine configured to function as drive control means for controlling the rotation drive means so as to rotate at least one of which rotation is not restricted by the rotation restriction means.

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