JPS63272376A - Game apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] <Industrial Application Field> The present invention relates to a game device having a customer service game surface on the front side of the machine, such as a slot machine. The present invention relates to a game device that displays information to provide players with arbitrary information.

<Prior Art> In general, in a slot machine, a player first inserts medals into a medal slot, then operates a start handle to rotate multiple drums at the same time. Each drum is stopped by pressing the button. As a result, when a predetermined pattern arrangement is formed in the pattern display window, the game is a "win" for the player, and the player can receive or receive medals of a predetermined payout depending on the contents of the pattern arrangement.

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> However, in this type of slot machine, the operating procedures for playing the game are not taught to the players, which may cause confusion, especially for beginners, and There is a problem with poor service.

Incidentally, a large number of slot machines of this type are usually installed in amusement parks, accommodation facilities, etc., as well as dedicated gaming facilities. In any facility, it may be necessary to provide each player with guidance and information specific to that facility. In this case, it would be extremely convenient if each slot machine were equipped with such a guide means, but the current machines do not have such a guide means.

This invention was made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to provide a new game device that provides excellent customer service by displaying a message on the customer service game surface and providing arbitrary information to the player. shall be.

<Means for Solving the Problems> In order to achieve the above object, the game device of the present invention has the following features:
a character string display means for displaying character strings constituting a message in an aligned state; and a character selection means for constructing and modifying the message by arbitrarily selecting each constituent character of the character string one by one. , a storage means for storing the character string data of the constructed or modified message, and a control means for outputting the character string data stored in the storage means to the character string display means and controlling its display operation. We decided to equip it with the following.

Function> When the game device according to the present invention is operated, in addition to the operation procedure of the device, guidance messages specific to the facility where the device is installed are displayed on the customer service game screen. By viewing these displays, the player can obtain information necessary for proceeding with the game and information useful for using the facilities.

The above-mentioned guidance message is constructed by selecting each constituent character of the character string one by one by the character setting means. This character string data is stored in the storage means, and the control means outputs the stored character string data to the character string display means to display the character strings of the message in an aligned state.

<Example> Fig. 1 shows a slot machine with three drums LA, LB, and LC, and a lighting display board 3. Message display section 4. Picture display section 5. Numerical display 6. Medal insertion lower, push button switch group 8. A medal release tray 9 is provided, and a starting handle 10 is provided on the side of the vessel.

Among the above-mentioned configurations, the lighting display board 3 displays information such as the content (picture arrangement) of the winning game drawn on the panel and its payout rate by lighting lamps. The message display section 4 displays in-room messages regarding operating procedures necessary to proceed with the game, messages specific to the facility where this machine is installed, etc. in the form of character strings.

FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the message display section 4 of this embodiment. This message display section 4 is made up of a plurality of fluorescent display tubes 4a to 4n arranged in a row, and each of the fluorescent display tubes 4a to 4n individually displays each English letter constituting the message. Ru.

The pattern display section 5 is a part that allows you to see through the patterns of 1 to 3 pieces of each drum la, lb, lc, and when the patterns stop on the stop line l in a predetermined arrangement, a predetermined number of medals will be awarded in the game. and is added to the numeric display 6.

Therefore, the number display 6 digitally displays the number of medals kept in the machine (hereinafter referred to as "Talesget medals") among the medals owned by the player.

The medal input lower is a part where you can accept the input of one or two medals per match, and the number of input medals is 2.
The payout rate when the number of inserted medals is 1 is set to 2 to 3 times the payout rate when the number of inserted medals is 1.

The medal release type 9 is used to release all the credit medals and settle the bill when the game is finished, and the start handle 1O is used when the game progresses.
3 drums la.

This is for starting the lb and lc all at once.

The push button switch group 8 is used by the player to push the button as necessary to proceed with the game, and includes the change switch 11. Collect switch 12. Bet switch 13. Spin reel switch 14. It is composed of each push button switch of the maximum bet switch 15. The change switch 11 is used to call a staff member in the event of a trouble such as a machine breakdown. The collect switch 12 is for discharging all the credit medals and settling the bill, and the vent switch 13 is for consuming the credit medals one by one to run the game. The spin reel switch 14 is for starting the drums all at once, and has the same function as the starting handle 10. Maxim Bet Switch 15 is the maximum number of credit medals (
In this case, 2 cards) are consumed at once and used to run the game.

In this embodiment, these push button switch groups 8 are pressed by the player to progress the game, and are also used by the staff when constructing or modifying a unique message to be displayed on the message display section 4. be done. In this case, the mode setting switch 22 (shown in FIG. 3) inside the machine is set to the message change mode, and the functions of each switch in this message change mode will be explained in detail later.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the circuit configuration of the slot machine.

In the figure, a medal detection sensor 20 detects that a medal is inserted into the medal slot 7 and outputs a medal detection signal, and a starting handle switch 21 is connected to the starting handle 10 and outputs a starting signal when the handle is operated. do. A numerical display 6 displays the number of credit medals, and a mode setting switch 22 switches the operating mode of the machine between a normal mode and a message change mode. Collect switch 12
．． Bet switch 13. Spin reel switch 14. Maxim Bet Switch 15. The change switch 11 is used to advance the game and to construct and modify messages.

The motor control section 23 controls the operation of the steering/knocking motor for rotating each drum, and the medal counting section 22 counts the number of inserted medals, the number of dividend medals, and the like.

The message display section 4 is for displaying the character strings constituting the message in an arranged state, and in the case of this embodiment,
A plurality of fluorescent display tubes 4a to 4n for displaying each character constituting a character string, and a conversion circuit section (Fig. (not shown).

Each of these input/output sections is connected to a computer circuit section consisting of a microcomputer via input/output ports 28 and 29. This computer circuit section is CPU (C
internal ProcessingLlnit)
25. ROM (Read Only Memory
y) 26°RAM (Random Access
Memory) 27, and the CPU 25 is a ROM
26 and executes the program stored in the RAM.
While reading and writing data to and from 27, the controller sequentially controls the operations of each of the input/output units, and executes various calculations and processes related to the progress of the game, the construction of messages, and the like.

The RAM 27 stores character codes of each character constituting a character string for all messages displayed on the message display section 4, and the ROM 26 stores all characters that can be selected for constructing or modifying a message (in this embodiment). The character codes for 26 alphabento characters are stored in a table.

FIG. 4 shows the operation of the slot machine, in other words, the control procedure of the slot machine by the computer circuit section.

When the machine is powered on at the start point in the figure,
In step 1 (indicated by rsTIJ in the figure), the CPU 25 reads each character code of a character string constituting a predetermined message from the RAM 27, outputs it to the message display section 4, and controls its display operation. As a result, in this embodiment, each of the fluorescent display tubes 4a to 4n of the message display section 4 has a character string (for example, "1N5ERTCOI") indicating a medal insertion guide.
N″) and a unique message string (e.g. “WE
LCOME TOCASINO”) are displayed alternately.

The next step 2 is to judge whether the staff member has opened the machine to inspect the inside of the machine or change the message. If the judgment is "NO", the CPU 25 in the next step 3 Determine whether or not there has been an input. The insertion of medals is performed by a medal detection signal output by the medal detection sensor 20 when a medal is inserted into the medal slot 7, and by a switch signal when the bet switch 13 or maximum bet switch 15 is pressed. Each is detected.

The judgment of “Is there a medal to be inserted?” in step 3 is “Y”.
ES", in the next step 4, the message display section 4 displays a character string (for example, "PU
LL HANDLIE”) is displayed.

In the next step 5, it is determined whether or not the starting handle is operated. If the player pulls the starting handle 10 or presses the spin reel switch 14, the determination in step 5 is "YES". Then, in the next step 6, the message “
The character string “” is displayed on GOODLUC.

When the game is started by the above-mentioned starting operation, the three drums la, lb, and lc continue to rotate for a predetermined period of time, and then each drum la, lb, and Ic automatically stop one after another and reach the stop line l. Arbitrary patterns on each drum are arranged (step 7). When these symbols are in a predetermined arrangement, it is a winning game for the player, and step 8 becomes "YES" and the process proceeds to step 9, where a character string (for example, "WINNER") indicating a winning case is displayed on the message display section 4. Is displayed.

In the case of a winning game, a predetermined number of medals are paid to the player according to the pattern arrangement, and the content of the number display 6 is added by that value. When this payout is completed, step 1
0 becomes "YIES", the process returns to step 1, and the first message is displayed on the message display section 4. Note that if the determination in step 8 "Is this a winning game?" is "No", the process immediately returns to step 1 and the initial display is performed.

Next, when the staff member constructs or modifies the message,
Open the container and set the mode setting switch 22 to message change mode. As a result, the determination in Step 2, "Has the vessel been opened?" is YES, the determination in Step 11, "Has the vessel been closed?" is "NO," and the determination in Step 12, "Is it message change mode?" “YES” and
In step 13 message construction or modification is performed.

After constructing the message etc. here (step 14)
is "YES"), and when the mode setting switch 22 is switched to normal mode and the vessel is closed, step 11 is "YES".
S'' and returns to step 1, entering the game standby state.

FIG. 5 shows the procedure for constructing or modifying a message.

If the mode setting switch 22 is set to the message change mode at the start point in the figure, in step 21 the message display section 4 displays a character string of a unique message that can be changed (in this case, "LCOME TOCASINO").
) is displayed.

FIG. 6(1) shows the display state of the message display section 4 immediately after the message change mode is set. The figure assumes that there is a typographical error (indicated by diagonal lines in the figure) that should be corrected in the character string displayed on the message display section 4.

In this message change mode setting state, the characters to be changed in the character string are positioned on the fluorescent display tube 4n located at the left end of the message display section 4, and the characters to be changed are placed on the fluorescent display tube 4a located at the right end. is configured to select and display the character to be changed.

If you want to modify the fourth character rDJ in the string,
First, when the collect switch 12 is pressed once, the display content on the rightmost fluorescent display tube 4n changes from rAJ to rBJ, and when it is pressed once more, the display content changes from rBJ to "C". do. Therefore, this collect switch 12 is used to select a character under the message change mode, and each time the switch is operated, the
The PU25 sequentially searches the character table and selects a character,
Display the selected characters as ^, B, C, D, E, F
, . . ., switch in the order of Z and A. The bet switch 13 is also used for character selection, and when the bet switch 13 is operated, the CPU 25 searches the character table in reverse order, selects a character, and displays the selected character. Switch in the order of A, Z, Y, X, ..., B, A.

Note that in the CPU 25, the selected characters currently displayed on the rightmost fluorescent display tube 4n are held in an internal memory.

Assuming that the collect switch 12 is pressed twice now, the determination at step 22 in FIG. As shown in
" is displayed (step 27).

Next, in order to specify the change target, when the spin reel switch 14 is pressed once, the entire character string displayed on the message display section 4 is shifted one frame to the left in the figure, and when it is pressed once more, , the character string is shifted one more frame to the left. Therefore, this spin reel switch 14 is used to shift the character string to the left in the message change mode, and each time the spin reel switch 14 is operated, the CPU 25 sequentially shifts the start address of the character string data to be read. become. The maximum bet switch 15 is also used for similar character string shifting, and by operating this maximum bet switch 15, the entire character string can be shifted to the right.

Assuming that the spin reel switch 14 is pressed three times in a row, the determination in step 24 in FIG. 5 is "Y".
ES", the entire character string is shifted to the left by 3 frames, and the fluorescent display tube 4a at the left end of the message display section 4 displays the 6th character string.
As shown in Figure (3), the incorrect English letter rD that is subject to change
J will be located (step 29).

Finally, when the change switch 11 is pressed, the determination in step 26 becomes "YES", and the display content rDJ of the leftmost fluorescent display tube 4a is replaced with the display content rcJ of the rightmost fluorescent display tube 4n, as shown in FIG. As shown in (4), the character string is corrected to the desired proper character string (step 31).

Note that in step 23 in FIG. 5, it is determined whether or not the bet switch 13 has been operated, and if the determination is "YES", the display of the selected character is switched in the opposite direction (step 28). ).

Also, step 25 in the same figure is the maximum bet switch 1.
It is judged whether or not the operation in step 5 has been performed, and if the judgment is “YE”.
S'', the entire character string is shifted and displayed in the opposite direction (step 30).

Although the above is an example in which the present invention is implemented in a slot machine, the present invention is of course not limited to this and can be applied to various game devices other than slot machines.

Further, in the above embodiment, a fluorescent display tube is used as the character display means of the message display section 4, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to use a liquid crystal or other means.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the push button switch group 8 used for progressing the game is also used as a means for changing messages, but a dedicated push button switch group 8 may be provided inside the machine, or it may be changed as necessary. It may be electrically connected to a machine, or a keyboard including character keys and shift keys may be used instead of the push button switch group.

<Effects of the Invention> As described above, this invention makes it possible to display a message on the customer service game surface to provide any information to the player, and also makes it possible to arbitrarily change the content of the message, thereby making it possible to control the progress of the game. In addition to the procedure, it is possible to provide players with specific information regarding the facility where the machine is installed, contributing to improved customer service, and has the remarkable effect of achieving the purpose of the invention.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a slot machine in which the present invention is implemented, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the structure of a message display section, and FIG.
The figure is a block diagram showing an example of the circuit configuration of the slot machine shown in Fig. 1, and Fig. 4 is a flow chart showing the operating procedure of the machine.
Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure for changing messages;
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the process of changing a message. 2... Customer service game surface 4... Message display section 8... Push button switch group 25... CPU 26... ROM 27...
...RAM Patent Applicant: Takasago Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Agent, Patent Attorney: Yoshimitsu Suzuki, 1J et al., 5) )
21

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] [1] A game device that provides arbitrary information to players by displaying a message on a customer service game surface, the character string for displaying character strings constituting the message in an aligned state. a display means; a character selection means for constructing and modifying the message by arbitrarily selecting constituent characters of the character string one by one; and a character selection means for storing character string data of the constructed or modified message. A game device comprising: a storage means; and a control means for outputting the character string data stored in the storage means to the character string display means and controlling the display operation thereof. [2] The game device according to claim 1, wherein the character string display means is constructed by arranging a plurality of fluorescent display tubes that individually display each constituent character of the character string. [3] The character selection means includes a character table containing all selectable character data, a push button switch for specifying arbitrary character data in this character table, and reading character data specified by this push button switch from the character table. 2. The game device according to claim 1, further comprising a computer control section for storing the information in the storage means.