JP7485556B2 - Amusement Park Systems - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a system for amusement parks.

Some gaming machines are equipped with a ceiling function that generates a specific special state when the number of starts, such as the number of games, reaches a specified value. In order to manage such gaming machines, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration for determining whether an ART is a ceiling ART or a normal ART when an ART occurs in a slot machine, depending on whether the number of starts has reached a specified value.

JP 2013-94424 A

This type of ceiling function is expected to be installed not only in slot machines but also in pachinko machines, and in this case, a ceiling time-saving function (hereafter referred to as Ten-to) that generates a so-called time-saving function when the number of starts, such as the number of symbol changes, reaches a specified value is expected to be installed. On the other hand, a so-called sudden time-saving function (hereafter referred to as To-to) similar to the normal ART described above is also expected to be installed, which holds a lottery like a jackpot lottery and generates a time-saving function if the winner is selected. In addition, it is expected that the Ten-to and To-to will be equipped with different conditions, such as a different upper limit on the number of starts that becomes the end condition after the occurrence, and since it can be said to be a special state that should be distinguished like the known ART described above, there is a need to respond by, for example, presenting a different state to the player even in a gaming device separate from the gaming machine.

Here, as in Patent Document 1, when a time-saving state occurs, if the number of starts reaches a specified value, it is determined to be a time of heaven, and if it does not reach that value, it is determined to be a time of a sudden occurrence. However, for example, when the first time-saving state occurs after the opening of business, the number of starts in the gaming machine for identifying the time of heaven is not necessarily initialized according to the opening of business, so there is a risk that it is not possible to distinguish whether it is a time of heaven or a sudden occurrence. In other words, when business starts, if the number of starts is not initialized, the gaming machine will identify the time of heaven while inheriting the number of starts from the previous day, but if the number of starts is initialized by an operation while the store is closed, for example, the number of starts from the previous day will not be inherited. In addition, it is assumed that the number of starts is updated by performing a so-called test shot while the store is closed, and it is difficult to distinguish whether it is a time of heaven or a sudden occurrence in a gaming device separate from the gaming machine, taking all of these conditions into consideration. In addition to this, it is assumed that there are cases where it is difficult to distinguish due to other factors such as the relationship between the specifications of the gaming machine and the signal output, and it is possible to assume that a wrong judgment due to such factors will result in complaints from players, including in cases where other gaming machines such as the ART described above are targeted.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its purpose is to provide an amusement arcade system that can reduce problems that occur when distinguishing between specific special states that occur when the number of starts reaches a specified value, such as the so-called ceiling time reduction, and non-specific special states that can occur even if the number of starts has not reached the specified value, such as the so-called sudden time reduction.

According to the invention described in claim 1, when a special state occurs without a jackpot , the occurring special state can be classified as a specific special state depending on the establishment status of a specific discrimination condition that can be established by comparing the judged start count, which is the start count initialized by the establishment of the initialization condition, with standard information corresponding to a standard value.Furthermore, for special states that are not classified as specific special states, they are classified into a non-specific state and a chance state indicating that it is difficult to determine whether the specific discrimination condition is a specific special state or a non-specific special state based on the establishment status of a non-specific discrimination condition that is different from the specific discrimination condition.Therefore, it is possible to reduce problems that arise when distinguishing and determining between a specific special state that occurs when the number of starts, such as a so-called ceiling time reduction, reaches a specified value and a non-specific special state that can occur even if the number of starts, such as a so-called sudden time reduction, does not reach a specified value.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration of an amusement park system according to an embodiment. Front view of the gaming machine Functional block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the gaming machine Front view of the game information display device A functional block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a game information display device. Flowchart showing the process of determining the time of day A flowchart showing the process when the managed object is a gaming machine capable of outputting a probability change signal. A flowchart showing the process when the managed object is the first gaming machine. A flowchart showing the process when the second gaming machine is the management target. A flowchart showing the process when the managed gaming machine is the third gaming machine. A diagram showing the effects when entering Tenji A diagram showing the effects when a charge is initiated A diagram showing the effects when entering during a chance

One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, a large number of gaming machines 1 are installed in an amusement center, and a rental device 2 and a gaming information display device 3 (corresponding to a gaming information identification means, an initialization condition determination means, a first classification means, and a second classification means) are installed as peripheral devices corresponding one-to-one to each gaming machine 1. These gaming machines 1, rental devices 2, and gaming information display devices 3 are connected to a management device 5 via a relay device 4. Two gaming machines 1, two rental devices 2, and two gaming information display devices 3 are relayed by one relay device 4. The large number of gaming machines are pachinko gaming machines and slot machines.

The management device 5 is installed in an office or the like within the amusement center, and is configured with a keyboard 6, a monitor 7, a printer (not shown), etc., which are operated by the manager of the amusement center. The management device 5 transmits and receives various signals between the gaming machines 1, the rental device 2, the gaming information display device 3, etc. The management device 5 manages the operating status of all the equipment (gaming machine 1, rental device 2, gaming information display device 3, etc.) installed within the amusement center, including the gaming machine 1, based on signals from the gaming machines.

The following describes the case where the gaming machine 1 is a pachinko gaming machine. As shown in Figure 2, the gaming machine 1 has a launch handle 8, a speaker 9, and a decorative lamp section 10, and also has a gaming board 11 with an LCD display section 12, a through-type normal (regular pattern) winning hole 13, a first start hole 14, a second start hole 15, a special pattern 1 display section 16, a special pattern 2 display section 17, a normal pattern display section 18, a big winning hole 19, an outlet hole 20, an upper tray 21, and a lower tray 22. Note that a large number of nails are set into the gaming board 11, but are omitted from Figure 2.

As shown in FIG. 3, the gaming machine 1 has, as its electrical configuration, a main control unit 23, a special chart 1 display unit 16, a special chart 2 display unit 17, a regular chart display unit 18, a performance control unit 24, an AMP 25, a display control unit 26, a payout control unit 27, a payout mechanism unit 28, a set value operation unit 29, a power supply circuit unit 30, a special chart 1 winning sensor 31, a special chart 2 winning sensor 32, a regular chart winning sensor 33, a big winning sensor 34, a special chart 2 start port SLD (solenoid) 35, a big winning port SLD 36, and a signal output unit 37. Note that FIG. 3 does not show the I/F unit that transmits and receives various signals and information between the lending device 2 and the management device 5.

The main control unit 23 is composed of a microcomputer having a CPU 23a, ROM 23b, RAM 23c, and I/O 23d, and controls the operation of the gaming machine 1 in response to ball shooting, winning, etc., by executing a control program stored in ROM 23b. The main control unit 23 also has a random number generation unit 38 that generates a random number when a ball wins a prize in the first start hole 14 or the second start hole 15, and a random number extraction unit 39 that extracts one of the random numbers generated by the random number generation unit 38 and draws a lottery.

When the special prize 1 sensor 31, the special prize 2 sensor 32, the regular prize sensor 33 and the large prize sensor 34 detect a prize in the first start port 14, the second start port 15, the regular prize port 13 and the large prize port 19, respectively, they output a corresponding prize detection signal to the main control unit 23. When the special prize 2 start port SLD 35 receives an open command signal from the main control unit 23, it opens the second start port 15. When the large prize port SLD 36 receives an open command signal from the main control unit 23, it opens the large prize port 19.

When the special chart 1 display unit 16 receives a display command signal from the main control unit 23, it changes the pattern of the special chart 1. When the special chart 2 display unit 17 receives a display command signal from the main control unit 23, it changes the pattern of the special chart 2. When the regular chart display unit 18 receives a display command signal from the main control unit 23, it changes the pattern of the regular chart.

When the performance control unit 24 receives a performance command signal from the main control unit 23, it outputs performance sounds from the speaker 9 via the AMP 25, causes the decorative lamp unit 10 to display a performance, and causes the LCD display unit 12 to display a performance via the display control unit 26. When the LCD display unit 12 receives a display command signal from the main control unit 23, it displays various game data such as the number of jackpots and the number of special drawing draws. When the payout control unit 27 receives a payout command signal from the main control unit 23, it performs payouts using the payout mechanism unit 28. The setting value operation unit 29 selects multiple setting values for setting the probability of drawing the special drawing, and in this embodiment, it selects and activates setting values 1 to 3. The power supply circuit unit 30 supplies operating power to the entire gaming machine 1, including the main control unit 23.

The gaming machine 1 operates as follows.
(1) The first starting hole 14 is a winning hole whose winning rate does not fluctuate (a so-called center winning hole), and the second starting hole 15 is a winning hole whose winning rate fluctuates (a so-called electric chute).
(2) A jackpot lottery is held in response to a winning entry (start winning) into the first start hole 14 or the second start hole 15, and the lottery result is announced by a pattern change on the liquid crystal display unit 12, and a jackpot is awarded depending on the result of the change.
(3) If a start win occurs during a pattern change, the pattern changes are cumulatively reserved up to a predetermined reserved upper limit (for example, 4 each), and the reserved pattern changes are started after the pattern changes end. Note that if a start win occurs when the number of reserved pattern changes (reserved number) is at the upper limit, the pattern changes are not reserved.

(4) The probability of winning the jackpot lottery (jackpot probability) is 1/320, and the probability rate, which is the percentage of jackpots that subsequently enter a probability state (probability change, ST) (probability change jackpot), is 40% for center hole wins and 100% for the electric chute. When a jackpot occurs, the large prize opening 19 is opened for the allocated number of rounds (R). Here, with center hole wins, all Rs are allocated to 5R, while with the electric chute, 50% are allocated to 10R and 50% are allocated to 5R. The upper limit for the number of wins in 1R is 10, and the upper limit opening time is 30 seconds, and 1R ends when either the upper limit of wins or the upper limit opening time is met.

(5) During the special mode, the probability of a jackpot increases to 1/70, and the machine enters a time-saving state (time-saving) in which the winning rate at the first starting hole 14 and the second starting hole 15 increases. The special mode is a so-called ST machine in which the probability of a jackpot increasing continues until 100 symbol changes have been made, and if no jackpot occurs within 100 symbol changes, the machine returns to the normal state. On the other hand, if a normal jackpot occurs that does not trigger a special mode by winning at the center, the machine enters a time-saving state that does not trigger a special mode, and continues until 100 symbol changes (80%) or 200 symbol changes (20%) have been made, and if no jackpot occurs within that symbol change, the machine returns to the normal state.

(6) The second starting port 15 opens with a high winning rate when the normal map, which changes in response to the winning of the normal map winning port 13, becomes a winning ticket. In this case, the time for one normal map to change is 30 seconds in the normal state and 3 seconds in the time-saving state. Also, the opening time is 0.3 seconds in the normal state and 5 seconds in the time-saving state. In other words, in the time-saving state, the normal map change time is shorter than in the normal state, while the opening time is longer, resulting in a higher winning rate for the second starting port 15.

(7) When the first start port 14 or the second start port 15 wins, a time-saving lottery (1/200 chance of winning) is held separately from the jackpot lottery, and if a lottery is won (a condition that can be established regardless of the number of judgments performed), a sudden time-saving state (totsu-ji) can occur in which the time is saved until the pattern changes 20 times (70%), 50 times (20%), or 400 times (10%). On the other hand, if a jackpot is not won until the pattern changes a predetermined number (e.g., 1000 times, the reference value) (number of judgments performed) after the jackpot occurs, a ceiling time-saving state (ten-ji) will occur in which the time is saved until the pattern changes a predetermined number (e.g., 1100 times). It is also possible to manage gaming machines other than the exemplified gaming machines, such as gaming machines that activate the ceiling time reduction according to the number of pattern changes excluding the time reduction after a jackpot, the number of pattern changes from the end of a special probability, or the number of pattern changes during a special probability, or gaming machines in which the probability of a jackpot cannot be changed by setting, but in this embodiment, the target is a gaming machine that generates a ceiling time reduction by comparing the number of pattern changes excluding the number of pattern changes during a special probability with a reference value.

The following game signals are output from the gaming machine 1.
Out signal = a signal (operation signal) capable of identifying the consumption value (out) output from the out box that collects consumed balls. Since one pulse is output for every 10 balls consumed (used, inserted, collected), "the number of out signals x 10" is identified as out. Note that it may also be a signal output from the gaming machine 1.

Safe signal = a signal that can identify the winning award value (safe) output from gaming machine 1. Since one pulse is output for every 10 balls paid out, "number of safe signals x 10" is identified as safe.

The start signal is a signal that can specify the start process (pattern change, device operation, unit game) in the liquid crystal display unit (gimmick) that changes (operates) when a start winning is output from the gaming machine 1. Since it is output when the pattern change is confirmed, the pattern change is specified according to the signal input, so the number of starts is specified as "the number of start signals x 1". It may also be a signal indicating that a win has been made in the start slot.
Jackpot signal: A signal that can identify the jackpot state output from the gaming machine 1. Since it is a status signal that is output at a certain level during a jackpot, the input of the jackpot signal is identified as a jackpot.

Special state signal = a signal that can identify a special state (sweet state) output from the gaming machine 1. Since this is a state signal that is output at a high level during a special state (time-saving state) in which the winning rate of the second starting port 15 increases, the special state is identified as being in a special state when the special state signal is being input. Since the time-saving state is the target, it is output regardless of whether the game is in a special state or not. In addition, the period when neither a jackpot signal nor a special state signal is input is identified as being in a normal state.

The lending device 2 has a status display 40 that shows the current operating status (normal status, error status, etc.), a bill insertion slot 41 through which bills are inserted, a touch panel type LCD display 42 that accepts operation input from the player and displays data such as the player's deposit balance and the number of balls held, a payout button 43 for paying out one unit of balls (equivalent to 500 yen), a payout nozzle 44 through which the paid out balls pass, a remote control receiver 45 that receives (receives light from) a signal from an employee remote control (not shown) carried and operated by an employee, a card insertion slot 46 through which a general card or membership card (not shown) is inserted, and a counting tray 47 located below the lower tray 22 of the gaming machine 1.

The upper tray 21 of the gaming machine 1 is provided with a loan button 48 and a return button 49, and the loaning device 2 executes a loan process in response to an operation on the loan button 48, and executes a card issuing process in response to an operation on the return button 49. Specifically, the loaning device 2 executes a loan process of balls (gaming media) within the deposited balance, and also executes a counting process in which it accepts balls (gaming value) paid out from the lower tray 22 of the gaming machine 1 and counts them as held balls, and records the deposited balance and number of held balls (counted number of balls) on a general card or a member card (in the case of a member card, only the deposited balance is recorded, and the number of held balls is stored in the management device 5) and issues the card.

When a general card is accepted, the deposit balance and number of balls held are displayed, and loan/return processing is performed within these ranges. When a membership card is accepted, the deposit balance is displayed, and the number of balls held and the number of saved balls stored in the management device 5 are displayed, subject to PIN authentication, and loan/return processing is performed within these ranges.

The lending device 2 operates as follows when in an online state with the management device 5.
(1) When a deposit is made in the bill insertion slot 41 with no card inserted, a general card stored in the card stock section is fed to a card reader/writer (neither shown) to store the deposit amount (in units of 1000 yen), and the deposit amount (deposit balance) is displayed on the liquid crystal display 42, after which a number of balls equivalent to one time (500 yen) are automatically paid out from the payout mechanism inside the gaming machine 1. At this time, a signal is sent from the gaming machine 1 to the lending device 2 indicating that balls for one time have been paid out, so the amount equivalent to one time (500 yen) is deducted from the deposit balance displayed on the liquid crystal display 42 and a sales signal is sent. The lending device 2 uses sales signals transmitted via serial communication through the relay device 3 to enable the management device 5 to identify various information such as currency acceptance processes such as deposits, value award processes such as ball payouts, balance, balls held, number of balls lent, number of balls paid back, amount deposited, number of counted balls, number of balls lent, sales amount in exchange for the lent balls, and acceptance and issuance processes for general cards. However, these can also be identified using pulse signals (for example, 1 pulse for every 1,000 yen deposited, 1 pulse for every 100 yen sold, etc.).

(2) In response to the operation of the loan button 48 provided on the gaming machine 1, a number of balls equivalent to one amount (500 yen) within the range of the deposited balance is paid out from the payout mechanism inside the gaming machine 1 and the deposited balance is updated.

(3) The balls that fall from the lower tray 22 of the gaming machine 1 are received in the counting tray 47, and the number of balls held is updated by counting the number of balls in a counting section (not shown) and displayed on the LCD display section 42.
(4) Depending on the operation of the payout button 43, the balls are paid out one at a time within the range of the counted number of balls (number of balls held) or the number of saved balls (if a member).

(5) In response to an operation (return operation) of the return button 49 provided on the gaming machine 1, the deposit balance and the number of balls held are recorded on the general card inserted in the card insertion port 46 and issued. If a member's card is inserted, the deposit balance is recorded on the member's card and the number of balls held is sent to the management device 5, and then the member's card is issued. When issuing a card, the issuance information is sent to the management device 5 and is also stored on the management device 5 side. If neither a general card nor a member's card is inserted in the card insertion port 46, the general card stored in the card stock section is paid out (set) to the card reader/writer, the deposit balance and the number of balls held are recorded, and then the card is issued. In addition, if the deposit balance and the number of balls held become zero while the general card is inserted, the general card set in the card reader/writer is collected in the card stock section. On the other hand, the member's card is retained as it is even if the deposit balance, the number of balls held, and the number of stored balls become zero.

(6) When a general card is inserted into the card insertion slot 46, the card reader/writer reads out the remaining balance of the deposit and the number of balls held recorded on the general card, and displays them on the LCD display 42. When a member's card is inserted, the remaining balance of the deposit recorded on the member's card is read out and displayed on the LCD display 42, and the number of balls stored in the member's account of the management device 5 (number of balls stored on the day and number of balls stored on the previous day) is displayed, provided that the PIN is authenticated. The number of balls stored on the day is the number of balls stored on the day, and the number of balls stored on the previous day is the number of balls stored up to the previous day. After the business hours are over, the number of balls stored on the day is added to the number of balls stored on the previous day and stored. In response to the player's operation of the payout button 43 (withdrawal operation), balls are paid out from the payout nozzle 44 for one time within the number of balls held or the number of balls stored, and the number of balls held or the number of balls stored is updated.

(7) The remote control light receiving unit 45 receives (receives light) commands from the employee remote control and executes various processes (such as clearing errors) according to the contents of the commands.
(8) In response to an operation by an employee, the card issuance history for the day can be read out and displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 42.

The gaming information display device 3 receives operation information from the gaming machine 1 via the relay device 4 to create and display various gaming information, and displays various information received from the management device 5. As shown in FIG. 4, the gaming information display device 3 has a lamp unit 50, a liquid crystal display unit 51, a call button 52 for calling an employee, a group of operation buttons 53 for switching the type of gaming information displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 51, and a remote control light receiving unit 54 for receiving (receiving light) a signal from the employee remote control. The liquid crystal display unit 51 can display various gaming information in response to the operation of the group of operation buttons 53.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a basic game information screen on the liquid crystal display unit 51, which displays the following game information:
Number of jackpots (today, the day before, the day before)
Number of first hits (the day, the day before, the day before) = Number of jackpots under normal conditions Jackpot breakdown (super = 10R, small = 6R, 1R)
Number of starts (switch between the number of pattern changes since the end of the most recent jackpot (start now) and the cumulative number of pattern changes for the day)
The highest number of balls ever recorded (the largest difference in number of balls ever recorded in one business day for this model)
Bar graph of the number of starts between jackpots (last 7)

As shown in FIG. 5, the gaming information display device 3 has, as its electrical configuration, a control unit 55, a lamp unit 50, a liquid crystal display unit 51, a call button 52, a group of operation buttons 53, a remote control light receiving unit 54, and a transmission/reception unit 56 that transmits and receives various signals and information between the relay device 4. The control unit 55 is composed of a microcomputer having a CPU 55a, a ROM 55b, a RAM 55c, and an I/O 55d, and controls the operation of the gaming information display device 3 by executing a control program stored in the ROM 55b.

The gaming machines to be managed in this embodiment are classified into a first gaming machine, a second gaming machine, and a third gaming machine. The first gaming machine is a gaming machine that cannot enter a special state after a jackpot (no special state occurs after a jackpot), i.e., a so-called time-saving gaming machine, and a gaming machine that does not transition to a single time-saving state if it enters a special state after a jackpot, i.e., a so-called special state loop machine, which does not enter a special state, or a gaming machine that does not end a special state without a jackpot even if it does enter a special state (no transition from a special state to a single special state that is a special state but not a special state).

The second gaming machine is a gaming machine that can end a special chance without winning a jackpot when it goes into a special chance, such as a so-called fixed ST machine that goes into special chance (ST) until a fixed number of pattern changes (e.g. 100 times) after a jackpot, based on fixed conditions (e.g. no fixed number of starts or allocation between special chance and time-saving mode) without relying on a lottery, or an ST machine that allocates whether to enter ST depending on whether time-saving mode is activated after a jackpot, and can determine the start of a special chance when a jackpot ends or when time-saving mode is activated, and can determine whether a special chance has ended depending on whether the number of starts after a jackpot reaches a reference value (when a special state occurs, the end of the special state can be identified by comparing the number of starts with termination criteria information corresponding to the number of executions required to terminate the special state).

The third gaming machine is a gaming machine in which the upper limit of the number of starts, which is the end condition when a special chance occurs, is assigned by lottery, which is a so-called non-fixed type ST machine, a gaming machine in which a so-called special chance drop lottery is held on a start processing unit when a special chance occurs, and the special chance ends when the drop lottery is won, and a so-called allocation type ST machine in which whether a special chance occurs or a single time-saving mode occurs after a jackpot is assigned by lottery, which are gaming machines in which the special chance may end without a jackpot when a special chance occurs, and in which it is not possible to determine the start of a special chance just by the end of a jackpot or the time-saving mode, or in which it is not possible to determine whether a special chance has ended depending on whether the number of starts after a jackpot reaches a reference value when a special chance occurs (even if the end reference information and the number of starts are compared when a special state occurs, the end of the special state cannot be identified).

As mentioned above, if a gaming machine has a fixed number of minutes in which the special mode ends, and if it transitions to a single time-saving mode without going through a special mode due to the distribution of the jackpot, it will be a third gaming machine, but if the machine transitions to a single time-saving mode when going through a special mode, for example, if the distribution of the jackpot does not result in a special mode and the machine returns to normal without going through a single time-saving mode, it will be a second gaming machine. In other words, if the time-saving mode can be identified, it is not possible to identify whether a gaming machine that may transition to a single time-saving mode has entered a special mode, but if the gaming machine does not transition to a single time-saving mode, it is possible to identify whether the machine has entered a special mode by identifying whether the machine will enter a time-saving mode.

In gaming machines, if a certain number of starts are consumed without a jackpot occurring while not in a special probability state, the state will be Ten-ji (a specific special state). The number of starts counted includes not only the normal state but also single time-saving modes. Also, a time-saving mode lottery is held in the same way as the jackpot lottery, and if it is won, the state will be Totsu-ji (a non-specific special state). Both Ten-ji and Totsu-ji modes are single time-saving modes.

The system distinguishes between Ten-time (specific special state) and Tsu-time (non-specific special state) or Chance-time ( Chance state) as follows. That is, a reference number of starts (reference information corresponding to a reference value) corresponding to a certain number of starts is set, and when time reduction occurs, if the judgment start (judgment start number) reaches the reference number of starts, it is judged as Ten-time, and if it does not reach the reference number, it is judged as Tsu-time or Chance-time. Note that the judgment start can be initialized not only when a jackpot ends (second initialization condition), but also by, for example, opening process (predetermined process in response to the start of business, first initialization condition) or reset operation (operation by the manager of the game center, first initialization condition).

The system outputs a probability bonus signal (a status signal indicating a special state) on a machine-by-machine or machine-by-machine basis (including cases where the signal is output but not used), but if the signal is not output, it can be set to indicate any of the above. The counting target changes according to the setting, but regardless of the machine, if a probability bonus signal indicating a probability bonus excluding individual time-saving is output from the machine, the period after the jackpot excluding that probability bonus period will be counted for the start of the judgment. Note that it may be possible to set whether or not the probability bonus signal is output and whether it is the first, second, or third machine.

On the other hand, for gaming machines that do not output a special probability signal, the counting target for the judgment start differs depending on the settings described above. That is, for the first gaming machine, it is after the jackpot ends. This is because even if a special probability signal is output after a jackpot, it is unlikely that a jackpot will occur until the time of the heavens occurs, so it is counted after the jackpot ends regardless of whether a special state signal is output. Furthermore, the judgment start is initialized at the start of the period that is the subject of counting.

For the second gaming machine, after the jackpot, the counting period begins after the standard end start count corresponding to the fixed start count at which the special probability ends. In this case, for gaming machines that do not enter a special probability after the jackpot and remain in a normal state, as described above, if the time-saving mode is activated after the jackpot, the machine will enter a special probability, and if the time-saving mode is not activated, the machine will not enter a special probability. Therefore, if the machine enters a special state (time-saving mode), the counting period begins after the standard end start count, and if the machine does not enter a special state, the counting period begins after the jackpot.

For the third gaming machine, the counting period begins after the special state following a jackpot ends, and if the judgment start reaches the standard number of starts, it is judged to be a Ten-time, but if it does not reach that number, it is judged to be in a Chance state rather than a Tsutsu-time.

The first and second gaming machines will be judged as described above after the first jackpot on each business day, but if the standard number of starts has not been reached until the first jackpot occurs, it will be judged as a chance.

The game information display device 3 performs state management as follows.
When the time reduction occurs without a jackpot, as shown in Fig. 6, the game information display device 3 judges whether the game is in the heaven time judgment process by judging whether the game is in the heaven time (S1), and if it is judged that the game is not in the heaven time (S1: NO), it manages the state as the heaven time (S2). When it is judged that the game information display device 3 is in the heaven time function (S1: YES), it judges whether the ceiling signal, which is a state signal output when the game is in the heaven time, is output (S3), and if the ceiling signal is output (S3: YES), it manages the state as the heaven time (S2), and if the ceiling signal is not output (S3: NO), it performs the judgment from Fig. 7 onwards (S4). Although omitted in Fig. 6, if it is set in advance whether the game machine is in the heaven time or not, it is possible to classify such a game machine as in the heaven time or the heaven time depending on whether the ceiling signal is output.

As shown in FIG. 7, for gaming machines (output-capable gaming machines) capable of outputting a probability jackpot signal (a status signal indicating a special status), the game information display device 3 compares the number of low probability starts after a jackpot (the number of starts in a normal status not in a probability jackpot state or in a single time-saving status, the number of judgment starts, and the number of judgment executions initialized when the first condition is met) with the reference number of starts (reference information corresponding to a reference value) (S11), and if it determines that the number of low probability starts after a jackpot is equal to or greater than the reference number of starts (S11: YES), it manages the status as a heaven time (S12). If the game information display device 3 determines that the number of low probability starts after a jackpot is less than the standard number of starts (S11: NO), it determines whether it is immediately after opening (no jackpot has occurred since opening) (status of non-specific determination condition being met) (S13), and if it determines that it is immediately after opening (S13: YES), it manages the status as a chance (S14), and if it determines that it is not immediately after opening (S13: NO), it manages the status as a crash (S15).

As shown in FIG. 8, if the managed object is the first gaming machine, the game information display device 3 compares the now start (the number of starts initialized after the end of a jackpot, the judgment start number, and the judgment execution number initialized when the second condition is satisfied) with the reference number of starts (S21). If it is determined that the now start is equal to or greater than the reference number of starts (S21: YES), it manages the status as a ceiling (S22). If it is determined that the now start is less than the reference number of starts (S22: NO), it determines whether it is immediately after opening (S23). If it is immediately after opening (S23: YES), it manages the status as a chance (S24). If it is not immediately after opening (S23: NO), it manages the status as a crash (S25).

As shown in FIG. 9, if the managed object is the second gaming machine, the game information display device 3 compares the start after the probability change (the number of starts after the number of starts for ST after the jackpot, the number of judgement starts, and the number of judgement executions initialized by the establishment of the second condition) with the reference number of starts (S31). If it is determined that the start after the probability change is equal to or greater than the reference number of starts (S31: YES), it manages the status as a ceiling (S32). If it is determined that the start after the probability change is less than the reference number of starts (S31: NO), it determines whether it is immediately after opening (S33). If it is determined that it is immediately after opening (S33: YES), it manages the status as a chance (S34). If it is determined that it is not immediately after opening (S33: NO), it manages the status as a break (S35). The number of starts for ST is a fixed number of starts that are probability changes that can be set for each gaming machine or model.

As shown in FIG. 10, if the managed object is a third gaming machine, the game information display device 3 compares the start after the time-saving end after the jackpot (the number of starts after the special state signal output ends, the number of judgment starts, and the number of judgment executions initialized when the second condition is met) with the reference number of starts (S41), and if it determines that the number of starts after the time-saving end after the jackpot ends is equal to or greater than the reference number of starts (S41: YES), it manages the status as a ceiling (S42), and if it determines that the number of starts after the time-saving end after the jackpot ends is less than the reference number of starts (S41: NO), it manages the status as during a chance (S43).

When entering the Ten-time, Ten-time, or Chance mode, the game information display device 3 performs the effects shown in Figs. 11 to 13. Similarly, during each state, a message is displayed to indicate that the state is in progress. Furthermore, the game information display device 3 manages game information by distinguishing between Ten-time, Ten-time, and Chance modes, and displays the average number of continuations and the number of starts in each state. Furthermore, the game information display device 3 may manage the number of starts and the number of jackpots, which indicates the ratio, or manage the number of times each state has been reached and the number of jackpots, which indicates the ratio, and of course such management information may be displayed. Furthermore, this embodiment may be applied not only to management of information display for players, but also to information management for administrators.

It is possible to display a judgment start, and as for the display conditions, for the second and third gaming machines, it will start to be displayed after the special state following the big win ends or after the number of ST starts, but for the first gaming machine, it is the same as a normal start (start now), so a separate judgment start is not displayed.

The type of jackpot (e.g., the number of rounds) is identified by comparing the balls dispensed during the jackpot with a reference value, but the identified game state may be managed or displayed in addition to game information such as the type of jackpot and the number of starts corresponding to the jackpot in a jackpot history such as an inter-jackpot start graph. The reference number of starts may be presented to the player, and in this case, it is desirable to display it together with other gaming machine specification information such as the jackpot probability.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the following advantageous effects can be obtained.
In an amusement arcade system, when a time-saving period occurs, the number of judgment starts, which is initialized when an initialization condition is met, is compared with a reference value, making it possible to classify the time-saving period that has occurred as either a heaven time, a sudden time, or a chance time.Furthermore, the period is classified as either a sudden time or a chance time depending on the status of the establishment of a non-specific discrimination condition different from the initialization condition (whether it is immediately after opening or whether it is a third gaming machine), thereby reducing problems that arise when distinguishing between a heaven time and a sudden time or a chance time.

The initialization conditions include a first initialization condition that can be met depending on the opening process or clear process, and a second initialization condition other than that, such as the occurrence of a jackpot. The non-specific judgment condition can be determined whether it has been met or not by the fact that the first initialization condition, such as immediately after opening, is met, and then the second initialization condition, such as the end of a jackpot, is not met. Therefore, taking into account whether the number of starts from the previous day has been carried over and test shots while the store is closed, if it is difficult to determine whether it is Ten-time or Tsu-time at the start of opening, it can be determined that it is Chance, and thereafter that it is Tsu-time, making it possible to appropriately identify the state.

A gaming machine that is excluded from the target of the number of starts required to transition to Ten-time if it is in a probability variable regardless of whether it is in a time-saving mode or not, and of a first gaming machine such as a probability variable loop machine, a second gaming machine such as a fixed ST machine, and a third gaming machine such as a distribution ST machine, at least a plurality of gaming machines including the third gaming machine are managed, and whether it is in a rush time or chance mode is identified depending on whether it is a third gaming machine or not, so that a third gaming machine, which is difficult to determine whether it is in Ten-time or a rush time at the judgment start, is determined as being in a chance mode, and is distinguished from the first gaming machine and second gaming machine, which are easier to determine, making it possible to identify the state more appropriately.

It is set whether or not a gaming machine is capable of outputting a probability variable signal, and for gaming machines capable of outputting the signal, the start of the judgment is initialized when the probability variable ends, while for gaming machines that are not capable of outputting the signal, it is initialized under other conditions, so that the start of the judgment can be managed more appropriately depending on whether or not the probability variable signal can be output.

When a special state signal is output but a probability variable signal is not output, the judgment start is initialized when the jackpot ends when managing the first gaming machine, when managing the second gaming machine, when the reference number of starts is reached after the jackpot, and when managing the third gaming machine, when the time-saving period ends after the jackpot, so that even when a probability variable signal is not output, the judgment start can be appropriately managed according to the specifications of the gaming machine and the output mode of the gaming signal.

The effects corresponding to the start of the Ten-time period, the start of the Thrust-time period, and the start of the Chance-time period can be executed in a distinguishable manner, so that the player can be appropriately notified of the game state according to the specific result of the state at the time the time-saving period begins.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but may be modified or extended as described below, or each modified embodiment may be combined with the above-described embodiments or each modified embodiment may be combined in any manner, or configurations may be omitted as appropriate.
The gaming machine may be an enclosed gaming machine that adds and stores gaming media as electronic data without dispensing them. In addition, although the example of winning a time-saving lottery is given as a condition that can be satisfied regardless of the number of judgment executions, any condition may be used, such as when a predetermined time arrives or when the cumulative number of starts reaches a predetermined number. Furthermore, although the example of the reference number of starts that is the same as the reference value of the gaming machine is given as the reference information, for example, a reference number of starts that is higher or lower than the reference value of the gaming machine may be used, and any reference information may be used as long as it corresponds to the reference value.
The above numerical values are merely examples, and any numerical values may be used.
Each set value may be set by an administrator through operation input, may be set in advance by the manufacturer of the management device 5, or may be set by downloading setting information from an external server (such as the headquarters of a chain store, etc.). In addition, past game information may of course be set as a reference value.

All of the game information shown as examples may be specified directly by the input signal or indirectly by using an arithmetic expression. Also, although a pulse signal is shown as an example of the game signal, a signal input such as a message via serial communication or the like may also be used.
The numerical values, digits, items, etc. are examples, and any numerical values may be used, or items may be omitted as appropriate. In addition, although the example shows a comparison with a standard value based on whether it is equal to or greater than the standard value, it may also be compared based on whether it exceeds the standard value, and the expression "reaches the standard value" is used to include both. Similarly, when comparing values that are equal to or less than the standard value, expressions such as "does not reach" may be used.
The processing performed by the system may be performed by any of the management device 5, the lending device 2, the game information display device 3, the relay device 4, etc., or may be divided in any manner, and the means for identifying and managing the game information may be configured in any manner.

In the drawing, 1 is a gaming machine, and 3 is a gaming information display device (gaming information identification means, initialization condition determination means, first division means, second division means).

Claims (6)

A gaming machine capable of executing a unit game for generating a jackpot when a start condition that can be established according to a game is established, and capable of generating a normal special state accompanied by a jackpot, a specific special state that can be generated without a jackpot, the generation condition of which is that the number of judgment executions corresponding to the number of executions of the unit game reaches a reference value, and a non-specific special state that can be generated without a jackpot, the generation condition of which is that a condition that can be established regardless of the number of judgment executions is satisfied, and the gaming machine that outputs a state signal that is common to the specific special state and the non-specific special state and indicates that the state is one of the special states, is a subject of management;
a game information specifying means for specifying game information including the occurrence of the special state, the occurrence of a big win, and the number of starts indicating the number of times the unit game has been executed, based on a game signal output from the gaming machine;
an initialization condition determination means for determining whether an initialization condition is satisfied, the existence of which can be specified according to at least one of a reception status of a game signal output from the gaming machine, a predetermined process according to the opening of business, and an operation by a gaming facility manager;
a first classification means for classifying the special state that has occurred as the specific special state according to the establishment status of a specific discrimination condition that can be established by comparing a judged start count, which is the start count that is initialized when the initialization condition is established, with reference information corresponding to the reference value, when the special state occurs without a jackpot;
A system for an amusement park comprising: a second classification means for classifying a special state not classified as the specific special state by the first classification means into the non-specific special state and a chance state indicating that it is difficult to determine whether the state is the specific special state or the non -specific special state based on the specific discrimination condition, depending on the establishment status of a non-specific discrimination condition different from the specific discrimination condition. The initialization conditions include at least a first initialization condition that can be satisfied in response to a predetermined process in response to the start of business, and a second initialization condition other than the first initialization condition;
2. The amusement park system according to claim 1, wherein the non-specific determination condition can be determined whether or not it is met by the initialization condition not being met by the second initialization condition after the initialization condition is met by the first initialization condition. The number of times the judgment is performed is excluded from the number of times the judgment is performed in a special state that is different from the special state but is advantageous to the player, regardless of whether the special state is the special state or not;
The gaming machines are a first gaming machine in which a special state does not occur after a jackpot or does not transition from a special state to a separate special state that is a special state but not a special state, a second gaming machine in which the end of a special state can be identified by comparing the number of starts with end criteria information corresponding to the number of executions for ending the special state when the special state occurs, and a third gaming machine in which the end of a special state cannot be identified even if the end criteria information is compared with the number of starts when the special state occurs, and at least a plurality of gaming machines including the third gaming machine are managed;
3. The gaming facility system according to claim 1, wherein the non-specific determination condition is met when the target gaming machine is the third gaming machine. The number of times that the judgment is performed is excluded from the number of times that the judgment is performed in a special state that is different from the special state but is advantageous to the player, regardless of whether the special state is the special state or not;
The gaming machines to be managed include output-enabled gaming machines that are capable of outputting a status signal indicating that the gaming machines are in a special status, and output-disabled gaming machines that are not capable of outputting a status signal,
It is possible to set the output-enabled gaming machines for each gaming machine or each model to be managed,
An amusement park system as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the initialization condition is met for a gaming machine or model that is set as an output-enabled gaming machine by a first condition that is met when a special state is not reached after a jackpot, and for a gaming machine or model that is not set as an output-enabled gaming machine by a second condition different from the first condition. The number of times that the judgment is performed is excluded from the number of times that the judgment is performed in a special state that is different from the special state but is advantageous to the player, regardless of whether the special state is the special state or not;
The gaming machines to be managed include at least a plurality of gaming machines selected from a first gaming machine in which a special state does not occur after a jackpot or does not transition from a special state to a separate special state that is a special state but not a special state, a second gaming machine in which the end of a special state can be identified by comparing the number of starts with end criteria information corresponding to the number of executions for ending the special state when the special state occurs, and a third gaming machine in which the end of a special state cannot be identified even if the end criteria information is compared with the number of starts when the special state occurs,
An amusement park system as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the initialization condition in the case where the gaming machine to be managed does not output a status signal capable of identifying a period of a special state is established in response to the end of a jackpot when managing the first gaming machine, in response to the result of comparing the number of starts after a jackpot with a reference value when managing the second gaming machine, and in response to the end of the special state after a jackpot when managing the third gaming machine. A game center system as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, capable of executing effects corresponding to the start of a specific special state, effects corresponding to the start of a non-specific special state, and effects corresponding to the start of a chance state in a distinguishable manner.

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