WO2007094393A1

WO2007094393A1 - Game machine with physical lottery mechanism

Info

Publication number: WO2007094393A1
Application number: PCT/JP2007/052693
Authority: WO
Inventors: Masato Okuaki; Toru Omoto; Genichiro Okitani; Shingo Ishii
Original assignee: Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2006-02-16
Filing date: 2007-02-15
Publication date: 2007-08-23
Also published as: CN101384314A; JP2007215783A; US20090005149A1; AU2007215831A1; EP1985337A1; EP1985337A4; TW200806374A; TWI322703B; CN101384314B; KR20080097216A; JP4399423B2

Abstract

A game machine in which variation in lottery probability existing in a physical lottery mechanism can be reflected appropriately in control of payout rate. The game machine comprises a physical lottery mechanism (SA) for imparting a physical motion to a ball (B) on a Bingo stage (30) having at least one option and a plurality of winning prize pockets (32a, 33a) corresponding to respective options, and determining a drawn option depending on which winning prize pocket (32a, 33a) the ball (B) is taken into, and a station control unit (150) performing a predetermined game in association with the lottery result of the physical lottery mechanism (SA) and delivering an amusement value of an amount dependent on the result of game, wherein the probability of each option being drawn is operated based on the lottery result in a predetermined sampling period, and the payout rate of amusement value in the game is controlled with reference to the operated probability.

Description

Specification

Game machine with physical lottery mechanism

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a game machine including a physical lottery mechanism that draws at least one option with a plurality of option powers using physical operations of a lottery medium.

Background art

[0002] An option corresponding to the medium take-in section that has taken in the lottery medium by introducing the ball or other lottery medium into any one of the medium take-in sections while physically operating on the lottery board A physical lottery mechanism in which a lottery is drawn, a game in which a predetermined game is executed in association with the lottery result of the physical lottery mechanism, and a game value corresponding to the game result is paid to the player A game machine having an execution means is known. In this type of game machine, by using a physical lottery mechanism, it is difficult to perform a game machine's artificial operation with respect to the lottery probability of each option, thereby ensuring the fairness of the game. In addition, by adding uniqueness to the appearance elements such as the size and design of the physical lottery mechanism, it is possible to enhance the eye-catching effect on the player's game machine. Then, there are frequent examples of this type of physical lottery mechanism.

Disclosure of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

[0003] By the way, in the physical lottery mechanism described above, the lottery probability of each option is not always uniform due to a machine error, and there are options that are easy to draw and options that are difficult to draw. If the variation in the lottery probability is not taken into account, there may be a bias in the winning probability in the game executed in association with the lottery result, which may affect the control of the payout rate of the game value.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a game machine that can appropriately reflect the variation in the lottery probability existing in the physical lottery mechanism in the control of the payout rate. Means for solving the problem [0005] The present invention relates to a physical lottery mechanism that draws at least one option from a plurality of options using the physical operation of a lottery medium, and a predetermined lottery associated with the lottery result of the physical lottery mechanism. A game machine having a game execution means for executing a game and paying out to a player an amount of game value corresponding to the result of the game, based on a lottery result within a predetermined sampling period. Probability calculating means for calculating a probability that an option will be drawn, and payout rate control means for controlling the payout rate of the gaming value in the game with reference to the probability calculated by the probability calculating means. The above-described problems are solved.

[0006] According to the game machine of the present invention, the probability of the lottery existing in the physical lottery mechanism is calculated by calculating the probability that each option will be drawn based on the lottery result within a predetermined sampling period. Variations can be statistically grasped. Then, by controlling the payout rate with reference to the calculated lottery probability, the possibility that the variation in the lottery probability has an unintended effect on the payout rate is eliminated, and the variation in the lottery probability is It becomes possible to reflect appropriately in control.

[0007] In one embodiment of the game machine of the present invention, the game execution means includes a pattern arrangement area in which a plurality of patterns associated with each of the plurality of options by the lottery mechanism are arranged in a predetermined arrangement. Virtually generated and paid to the player when a plurality of symbols in the symbol arrangement area respectively corresponding to a plurality of options selected by a plurality of lotteries in the lottery mechanism form a predetermined winning arrangement. It may be configured to issue. According to this embodiment, the game value is paid out when the pattern corresponding to the selected option forms a winning arrangement. Then, by reflecting the variation in the lottery probability of the choices in the control of the amount of game value paid out for the arrangement of the symbols | J or the formation of the winning array, the payout rate control reflecting the variation in the lottery probabilities Can be realized.

[0008] In the above embodiment, the payout rate control means may control the payout rate by changing the pattern arrangement in the pattern arrangement area based on the calculated probability. Good. In this case, if there is a variation in the probability that each of the options will be drawn, the probability that the winning array will be established in the pattern placement area is the probability of selecting the option. It changes according to the variation of. Therefore, the game value can be paid out when the winning arrangement is established by setting the arrangement of the pictures so that the winning arrangement is easily established or by operating the arrangement of the pictures so that the winning probability is difficult to be established. Can change payout rates, thereby controlling payout rates. Further, the payout rate control means may change the pattern arrangement so that a difference between a current value of the payout rate and a target value is reduced. When the pattern arrangement is changed in this way, the payout rate can be controlled to the target value more quickly.

In one form of the game machine of the present invention, the game executing means virtually generates a bingo card in which the same number of the patterns are arranged in a matrix in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction as the pattern arrangement area. The winning arrangement is formed when all the patterns on one line become the patterns corresponding to the options selected by the lottery mechanism, either in the vertical direction, the horizontal direction or the diagonal direction of the bingo card. For example, the game value may be paid out. According to this form, if the selection corresponding to all of the series of patterns arranged in the vertical direction, the horizontal direction, or the diagonal direction on the bingo card is drawn by the lottery mechanism, the winning arrangement is established. It is regarded and game value is paid out. In this case, if there is a variation in the probability that the choices will be drawn, the probability that the winning arrangement will be established on that line also varies depending on the combination of the pictures arranged on one line. Therefore, the payout rate can be controlled by manipulating the pattern arrangement.

[0010] In the form of generating a bingo card, when the winning array is formed, the payout rate controlling means calculates the probability calculating means with respect to options corresponding to each of the patterns included in the winning array. The payout rate may be controlled by changing the arrangement order of these pictures based on the probability. According to this embodiment, the payout rate can be controlled only by performing a simple operation of changing the pattern arrangement order each time a winning arrangement is established.

[0011] Further, in a form in which the arrangement order of the patterns is changed, the payout rate control means, when the current value of the payout rate is lower than the target value, the pattern corresponding to the selection limb having a relatively high winning probability Is arranged in the center of the winning arrangement If the current value of the payout rate is higher than the target value, the order of the patterns is arranged so that the pattern corresponding to the option with a relatively low winning probability is arranged in the center on the winning array. May be changed. In the bingo card, the pattern arranged in the center is included in any of the vertical, horizontal and diagonal lines. Therefore, if a pattern corresponding to an option with a high lottery probability is placed in the center of the card, the probability that a winning arrangement will be established is high, and a pattern corresponding to an option with a low lottery probability is placed in the center of the card. If this is the case, the probability that the winning arrangement will be established is reduced. Therefore, when the current value of the payout rate is lower than the target value, if a pattern corresponding to an option with a high lottery probability is preferentially placed in the center of the line where the winning arrangement is established, a lottery probability is high in the center of the card. The probability that a winning arrangement is established when a picture corresponding to the selected limb is located is increased, so that the payout rate can be increased faster toward the target value. On the other hand, if the current value of the payout rate is higher than the target value, a lottery probability is placed in the center of the card if a pattern corresponding to an option with a low lottery probability is preferentially placed in the center of the line where the winning arrangement is established. The probability that the winning arrangement is established when the pattern corresponding to the low-choice option is located is lowered, so that the payout rate can be lowered more quickly toward the target value.

The invention's effect

[0012] As described above, according to the game machine of the present invention, the physical lottery is performed by calculating the probability that each option will be drawn based on the lottery result within a predetermined sampling period. By statistically grasping the variation of lottery probability existing in the mechanism and controlling the payout rate by referring to the calculated lottery probability, the variation of the lottery probability may have an unintended effect on the payout rate. Can be eliminated. Therefore

Therefore, it is possible to appropriately reflect the variation in the lottery probability existing in the physical lottery mechanism in the control of the payout rate of the game value.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a game machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a satellite unit and one station unit combined therewith.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the flow of medals in the station unit. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the flow of balls in the station unit.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the center unit.

6] A block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the control system of the game machine.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing processing executed by the host control unit and the station control unit for payout rate management.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing basic game control notification executed by the station control unit in response to insertion of medals.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a game screen displayed on the monitor of the station unit.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing details of a bingo game portion provided in the game screen of FIG.

11] A flow chart showing the satellite lottery routine executed by the satellite control unit.

12] A flowchart showing a winning probability determination routine executed by the host control unit. [13] A diagram showing the number-of-wins data held by the host control unit.

14] A flowchart showing a bingo game routine executed by the station control unit in response to the notification of the result of the satellite lottery.

15] A diagram for explaining how to sort the numbers on the winning line in a bingo game.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a center lottery routine executed by the center control unit. 17] A flow chart showing a grand slot lottery routine executed by the host control unit.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a premium mode notification executed by the station control unit in place of the game basic control routine.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an outline of the game screen displayed on the monitor of the station in the premium mode.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a premium mode end control routine executed by the station control unit to determine whether to end the premium mode.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION [0014] The outline of the configuration of the game machine G of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is an overhead view of a game machine G according to one embodiment of the present invention. The game machine G has a center unit CN, four satellite units SA, and 16 station units ST. Each satellite unit SA is arranged below the center unit CN so as to surround the center unit CN, and four station units ST are arranged around each satellite unit SA. That is, the game machine G has a configuration in which four satellite units SA are arranged around the center unit CN, and four station units ST are arranged around each satellite unit SA. In the station unit ST, a so-called pusher game using medals as game media and a digital lottery game associated with the pusher game are executed. In the satellite unit SA, a satellite lottery is executed in association with the game result of the digital lottery game in the station unit ST. In the center unit CN, a center lottery or a grand slot lottery is performed as a center game in association with the game result of the digital lottery game in the station unit ST or the lottery result of the satellite lottery in the satellite unit SA.

FIG. 2 shows one satellite unit SA and one station unit ST combined therewith. The station unit ST plays a pair of left and right operation units 10 for players to perform operations related to the game, a play field unit 12 in which a medal pusher game is executed, and a medal M as a first game medium. To supply the medal supply unit 13 for supplying to the field unit 12, the ball insertion unit 14 for inputting the ball B as the second game medium to the play field unit 12, and to send the ball B to the satellite unit SA. And a station monitor 16 for displaying a game screen and the like. The play field unit 12 includes a main table 20 and a sub-table 21 that store medals M, and further includes pusher tables 22 and 23 that slide back and forth on the tables 20 and 21. In the main table 20 and the subtable 21, medals M are stored so as to be spread. The play field portion 1 2 is shielded against the outside by being surrounded by a partition such as a transparent plate.

[0016] With reference to FIG. 3, an outline of the flow of medals M in the station unit ST will be described. . When the player inserts a medal M from a medal insertion slot (not shown) provided in the operation unit 10, the medal M falls to one of the medal hoppers 13 a of the medal supply unit 13 via the medal chute 17. . From the medal hopper 13a, in advance of the player's medal insertion, the medals M are paid out to the respective medal discharge units 18 arranged on the left and right of the station unit ST. Each is held in the medal discharge unit 18 in preparation for insertion. The medal M held in the medal discharge unit 18 is sent to the medal chute 19 at a timing synchronized with the insertion of the medal M by the player, and the medal M is inserted on the sub-table 21 from the chute 19. The direction of the shuttle 19 can be changed to the left and right by operating the levers 10a provided on the left and right of the operation unit 10.

[0017] The medal M inserted in the play field section 12 falls on the sub-table 21 and is stored there, or rolls down from the sub-table 21 to the main table 20. When the group of medals M stored on the sub-table 21 is pushed forward by the reciprocating motion of the pusher table 23 (the side where the player is located, the same applies hereinafter), the front end force medal M of the sub-table 21 is pushed out. The pushed medal M slides down the inclined portion 24 and moves to the main table 20, where it is stored. As a group of medals M stored on the main table 20 are pushed forward by the reciprocating motion of the pusher table 22, the medals M fall around the main table 20. The dropped medal M is collected in the lift-up hopper 25 shown in FIG. Then, the same number of medals M as the medanol M dropped from the front end of the main table 20 are paid out from the lift-up hopper 25 to the medal paying part 11 between the operation parts 10 as medals acquired by the player. The player can receive the medals M located outside the partition covering the play field section 12 and paid out there.

Returning to FIG. 2, the inclined portion 24 is provided with a plurality of openings 24a, 24b, and 24c as checkers for allowing the medal M to pass (drop). When the medal M that is sliding down the inclined part 24 falls into any of the openings 24a, 24b, 24c, the passage of the medal M is detected by a sensor (not shown), and the detection signal is used as a trigger to digitally display on the station monitor 16. The lottery game is started. Digital lottery games are arranged horizontally on the station monitor 16 This is a type of slot game in which the combination of three symbols (pictures, symbols, numbers, etc.) displayed side-by-side competes for a predetermined winning combination. “Ball” is prepared as one of the winning features of the digital lottery game. For example, if you have three balls, you win the “ball” role. When winning this role, it is thrown into the ball B force S main table 20 from the ball throwing portion 14. The supply of the ball B to the ball insertion unit 14 will be described later. In this embodiment, the force provided with the normal ball B1 and the special ball B2 of different types as the ball B is referred to as the ball B when it is not necessary to distinguish between them.

The ball B thrown on the main table 20 is gradually pushed forward together with the medal M toward the front of the main table 20 by the reciprocating motion of the pusher table 22. Ball B force S When dropped from the front end of the main table 20, the dropped ball B is transported to the satellite unit SA by the ball transport unit 15. Fig. 4 shows the transportation route of the ball B by the ball transportation unit 15. Main table 20 force The dropped ball B is taken into the ball lifter 27 via the ball duct 26. The ball lifter 27 conveys the captured ball B to the end (upper end) of the slope 28 while raising the ball B along the slope 28. In satellite unit SA, satellite lottery is performed using ball B that has been transported to the end of slope 28.

As shown in FIG. 2, the satellite unit SA includes a bingo stage 30, a ball carrier 40 provided on the outer periphery of the bingo stage 30, and a pair of ball supply mechanisms disposed around the bingo stage 30. 50A, 50B, and a pair of ball throwing mechanisms 60A, 60B arranged on the opposite side of the ball supply mechanisms 50A, 50B with the bingo stage 30 in between. The bingo stage 30 is rotationally driven in one direction about a vertical axis by a drive mechanism (not shown). The upper surface of the bingo stage 30 is divided into an outer peripheral portion 32A and an inner peripheral portion 32B by a ring-shaped fence 31. In each of the portions 32A and 32B, circular winning pockets 32a and 33a having a diameter that allows the ball B to pass therethrough are provided so as to penetrate the bingo stage 30. The outer peripheral portion 32A is provided with ten winning pockets 32a, and the inner peripheral portion 32B is provided with five winning pockets 33a. Each of the winning pockets 32a and 33a is assigned a number or symbol that is an option in the satellite lottery. Outside The winning pocket 32a of the circumferential portion 32A is alternatively assigned a numerical value of:! To 9 and a letter “JP chance”. In this specification, “JP” is used as an abbreviation meaning jackpot, that is, a big hit. On the other hand, three winning pockets 33a in the inner peripheral portion 32B are assigned three numbers 1 to 9 in an appropriate combination, and the remaining two winning pockets 33a are assigned the letters “JP chance”.

The Bonore carrier 40 is movable along the outer periphery of the bingo stage 30. Ball carrier 40 has a ball supply mechanism 50A, 50B force. Ball B is transported to the ball throwing section 14 of each station unit ST, and ball B is transported from the ball transport section 15 of each station unit ST to the ball throwing mechanism 60A, 60B. Are executed respectively. Under the ball supply mechanisms 50A and 50B, the ball B that has passed through the winning pockets 32a and 33a of the bingo stage 30 is selectively guided according to the type. As an example, a normal ball B1 is guided to the ball supply mechanism 50A, and a special ball B2 is guided to the ball supply mechanism 50B. The ball supply mechanisms 50A and 50B take the guided balls B into the screw feeder 51 and transfer them upward, respectively, and discharge the balls B reaching the upper end of the screw feeder 51 one by one from the discharge portion 52. . When the ball carrier 40 moves directly under the discharge unit 52 in conjunction with the discharge of the ball B from the discharge unit 52, the ball B discharged from the ball discharge unit 52 is delivered to the fork 41 of the ball carrier 40. . Ball supply mechanism 50 A, 50B force When the ball carrier 40 receives the ball B, it moves along the outer periphery of the bingo stage 30 to the ball insertion part 14 of the station unit ST to which the ball B is to be transported. The ball B is paid out to the upper end of the slope 14a of the ball insertion portion 14 by tilting the ball outward. The dispensed ball B slides down the slope 14a and is thrown into an arbitrary position on the main table 20 via the throwing position selection mechanism 14b.

[0022] On the other hand, when the ball B is unloaded to the ball transport section 15 of the station unit ST, the ball carrier 40 moves to the inside of the slope 28 of the ball transport section 15 from which the ball B is unloaded, and the ball from the slope 28 After receiving B, the ball B is transported to the position of the ball throwing mechanism 60A or 60B. Whether the ball carrier 40 transports the ball B to the ball throwing mechanism 60A or 60B is related to the type of the ball B. For example, in the case of a normal ball B1, the ball carrier 40 moves the ball B1 up to the ball insertion mechanism 60A. On the other hand, in the case of the special ball B2, the ball carrier 40 carries the ball B2 to the ball throwing mechanism 60B.

[0023] The ball throwing mechanisms 60A and 60B include a ball lifter 61 and a ball guide 62, respectively. The ball lifter 61 can reciprocate in the vertical direction. When the normal ball B1 is transported to the ball insertion mechanism 60A, the ball lifter 61 of the ball insertion mechanism 60A is lowered, and then the fork 41 of the ball carrier 40 is tilted to the ball lifter 61 side. The ball B1 is transferred to the ball lifter 61 from the ball carrier 40 power. The ball lifter 61 that has received the ball B1 rises to the upper end of the ball guide 62, and then tilts toward the ball guide 62 so as to form a downward slope. As a result, the normal ball B1 is delivered to the ball guide 62. The normal ball B1 passed to the ball guide 62 is thrown into the outer peripheral portion 32 of the bingo stage 30 from the tip of the ball guide 62. When the special ball B2 is transported from the ball carrier 40 to the ball throwing mechanism 60B, the ball lifter 61 of the ball throwing mechanism 60B is lowered and transferred to the ball carrier 40 force ball lifter 61, and then the ball lifter 61 Operates in the same manner as the ball throwing mechanism 60A, and the special ball B2 is delivered to the ball guide 62 of the ball throwing mechanism 60B. The special ball B2 passed to the ball guide 62 is thrown into the inner peripheral portion 33 of the bingo stage 30 from the tip of the ball guide 62.

As shown in FIG. 5, the center unit CN has a center monitor 70, a large roulette 71, and a large ball throwing mechanism 72. The large roulette 71 is rotationally driven in one direction at a predetermined speed by a drive mechanism (not shown). Around the large roulette 71, a plurality of winning pockets 71a are provided. Each winning pocket 71a is assigned with the number (or multiple) of medals M or various game modes as winning combinations. When the center game is started, the large ball 73 for the large roulette is thrown into the outer circumference of the large roulette 71 from the ball throwing mechanism 72. The large ball 73 swings around the large roulette 71 as the large roulette 71 rotates, and enters one of the winning pockets 71a. The player is given a privilege according to the winning pocket 71a containing the large ball 73.

[0025] It should be noted that each of the station unit ST, the satellite unit SA, and the center unit CN has an illumination device and a sound as an effect device for enhancing the game atmosphere. A sound device is provided. As an illumination device, for example, a station is provided with a plurality of LEDs along a movement path from when a medal M is inserted to when it is discharged to the play field unit 12. The satellite unit SA is provided with a lamp so that a ring-shaped illumination centering on the rotation axis of the bingo stage 30 can be obtained from below the bingo stage 30. Center unit CN's large roulette 71 winning pocket 71a is framed by multiple LEDs. Speakers are provided as sound devices, and sound effects and BGM are output as appropriate from the speakers. As shown in FIG. 1, a spacer SP is provided between the satellite units SA of the game machine G. Below each spacer SP is a moving light L and a showtime speaker.

Next, the configuration of the control system of game machine G will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, the game machine G includes a host control unit 100, a host PC (PC is an abbreviation of a personal computer, the same applies hereinafter) 110 as a computer unit for controlling the operation of the game machine G, the center. A PC 120, a center control unit 130, a satellite control unit 140, and a station control unit 150 are provided. One satellite control unit 140 is provided for each satellite unit SA as a component of the satellite unit SA, and one station control unit 150 is provided for each station unit ST as a component of the station unit ST. That is, in the entire game machine G, four satellite control units 140 and 16 station control units 150 are provided. These units 110 to 150 are connected to each other via a LAN line 160, so that information necessary for various games or lottery control can be exchanged. The LAN line 160 may be a so-called star connection in which a hub is interposed at an appropriate position.

The host control unit 100 is responsible for overall management, integrated control, etc. of the game machine G, and the host PC 110 controls the operation of the main body rendering unit 111 of the game machine G. The main body directing unit 111 includes, for example, the above-mentioned moving light L or the speaker on the spacer SP, the main unit CN, satellite unit SA, and station unit ST belonging to any of the central unit CN, satellite unit SA, and station unit ST. Included in the director 111. The center PC 120 is in charge of display control of the center monitor 70.

[0028] The center control unit 130 indicates the state of the center unit CN detected by the sensor group 131. By operating the center drive unit 132 and the center effect unit 133 based on the above, the execution of the center game and the effect on the game using the center unit CN are controlled. The sensor group 131 includes a winning sensor that detects whether or not the large ball 73 has won a prize in each winning pocket 71a of the large roulette 71. For example, a proximity switch, a reflection type or a transmission type optical sensor can be used as the winning sensor. The center drive unit 132 includes a drive device such as a motor for rotationally driving the large roulette 71, an actuator for driving the large ball throwing mechanism 72, and the like. The center production unit 133 includes production devices such as lamps and speakers unique to the center unit CN.

[0029] The satellite control unit 140 operates the satellite driving unit 142 and the satellite effecting unit 143 based on the state of the satellite unit SA detected by the sensor group 141, thereby executing the satellite lottery, transporting the ball B, And on-game effects using satellite unit SA. The sensor group 141 includes a winning sensor that detects whether or not the ball B has passed in each of the winning pockets 32a and 33a of the bingo stage 30, and a carrier position sensor that detects the circumferential position of the ball carrier 40. As the winning sensor, for example, a proximity switch or a transmissive or reflective optical sensor can be used. The satellite drive unit 142 includes a drive device such as a motor that rotationally drives the bingo stage 30, an actuator that drives the ball carrier 40 along the outer periphery of the bingo stage 30, an actuator that operates the fork 41 of the ball carrier 40, and ball supply An actuator that drives the screw feeder 51 and the ball discharge unit 52 of the mechanisms 50A and 50B, an actuator that drives the ball lifter 61 of the ball insertion mechanisms 60A and 60B up and down, and the like are included. The satellite production unit 143 includes production devices such as lamps and speakers unique to the satellite unit SA.

[0030] The station control unit 150 includes a pusher game to be executed in the station unit ST by operating the station driving unit 152 and the station effecting unit 153 based on the state of the station unit ST. It controls the game on the digital lottery game and the station unit ST. The station control unit 150 is also responsible for display control of the station monitor 16. Sensor group 151 includes a medal sensor group relating to detection of medal M and a detection relating to detection of ball B. And a position sensor group for detecting the position of a movable part such as the lever 10a and the pusher tables 22 and 23.

[0031] The medal sensor group includes a medal insertion sensor that detects the insertion of the medal M from the medal insertion slot, a medal discharge sensor that detects the discharge of the medal M from the medal discharge unit 18, and an opening 24a as a checker. Checker sensor that detects fall of medal M to ~ 24c, fall medal sensor that detects medal M that falls from the front end of main table 20, medal payout that detects medal M that is paid out from lift-up hopper 25 to medal dispensing unit 11 Includes a labeling sensor. For these sensors, use proximity switches, optical sensors, microswitches, etc. as well as the medal sensors of known medal game machines. In addition, the ball sensor group includes a ball insertion sensor that detects the insertion of the ball B from the ball insertion unit 14, a ball drop sensor that detects the ball B that has dropped from the main table 20 and passed to the ball transport unit 15, and the like. included. The ball drop sensor also functions as a sensor that determines the type of ball B, that is, whether the dropped ball B falls under normal ball B1 or special ball B2. The discrimination of the type of ball B can be realized by using a sensor that outputs different signals depending on the difference between the balls Bl and B2 as the ball drop sensor. For example, when one of the balls Bl and B2 is made of resin and the other is made of metal, the type of the balls Bl and B2 can be determined using a metal sensor. When the reflectances of the Bonole Bl and B2 are different, the reflection type optical sensor can be used as a ball drop sensor, and the type of the ball B can be determined according to the intensity of the output signal of the center. By discriminating the type of the ball B with the ball drop sensor, the force S can be specified by the ball carrier 40 to identify the ball insertion mechanisms 60A and 60B to which the ball B should be transported.

[0032] The station driving unit 152 includes a driving device for each of the Medano Rehono 13a and the lift-up hopper 25, an actuator for realizing the medal discharging operation of the medal discharging unit 18, a motor for reciprocating the pusher tables 22 and 23, and the like. The device includes an actuator for operating the insertion position selection mechanism 14b of the ball insertion unit 14, a drive unit for driving the ball lifter 27 of the ball transport unit 15, and the like. Station effect section 153 includes effect devices such as lamps and speakers unique to station unit ST.

Next, various processes executed on the game machine G will be described with reference to FIGS. Ma First, the management of the payout rate in the game machine G will be described. In the game machine G of this embodiment, each station control unit 150 counts the number of inserted and paid out medals M of each station unit ST, and calculates the payout rate for each station unit ST at an appropriate cycle. When the number of inserted medals M detected by the medal insertion sensor within the predetermined calculation period is NSTin and the number of medals M detected by the medal payout sensor during the same period is NSTout, the value obtained by dividing the latter by the former NSToutZNSTin By calculating the percentage, the current payout rate P0st of the station unit ST within the calculation period can be specified. However, the number of medals M received from the player is held as a credit number, and in exchange for deduction from the credit number, the medal discharge unit 18 power, the medal M into the play field unit 12, If the game machine G has a function to process payouts by adding to the number of credits, the subtracted amount from the number of credits is added to the number of inserted NSTin, and the amount added to the credited number is paid out to the number of NSTout In addition, it is necessary to calculate the payout rate POst.

In the game machine G of this embodiment, the processing shown in FIG. 7 is linked in each of the host control unit 100 and each station control unit 150 so that the payout rate POst in each station unit ST is appropriately uniform. Executed. That is, the host control unit 100 executes the overall payout rate management notification at an appropriate period, and each station control unit 150 executes the individual payout rate management notification in synchronization with this. When these routines are started, the station control unit 150 first notifies the host control unit 100 of the payout rate POst calculated by itself in step S11. In response to this, the host control unit 100 obtains the payout rate POst of each station unit ST in step S21, calculates the overall payout rate POall in step S22, and notifies each station control unit 150 of the calculation result. To do. The overall payout rate POall is a simple average of the payout rates POst of each station unit ST as an example.

[0035] In step S12, the station control unit 150 obtains the payout rate POall from the host control unit 100, and in step S13, based on the difference between its own payout rate POst and the overall payout rate POall, The target payout rate POsttgt in the station unit ST is determined. Each station control unit 150 has a standard target pay in advance. The out rate POsttgt is set as the initial value. Each station control unit 150 determines the winning probability (probability of winning a winning combination) of the digital lottery game so that the payout rate POst calculated by itself is controlled toward the initial target payout rate POstt gt. Adjust as appropriate. Furthermore, if the difference between the payout rate POst and the overall payout rate POall exceeds the allowable range in step S13, the station control unit 150 increases the target payout rate POsttgt so that the difference decreases. To correct. For example, when the own payout rate POst is higher than the overall payout rate POall, the target payout rate POsttgt is set lower than the initial value. By changing the target payout rate POsttgt in this way, it is possible to obtain the variation in the payout rate P0st between the station units ST.

Next, game control in the station unit ST will be described with reference to FIG. In each station unit ST, the pusher tables 22 and 23 repeat the back and forth movement at a predetermined cycle, and the medal Μ is inserted into the play field section 12 in response to the insertion of the medal から from the medal insertion slot. A pusher game is executed. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a basic game control routine executed by the station control unit 150 in response to detection of insertion of a medal の of the medal insertion loca. In the game basic control routine of FIG. 8, the station control unit 150 first executes processing necessary to insert the medal に into the play field unit 12 in step S101. The flow of medals at this time is as described with reference to FIG.

[0037] In the next step S102, the station control unit 150 determines whether or not the medal に入っ has entered any of the openings 24a to 24c as the checker. If it is in the checker, the station control unit 150 proceeds to step S103 and starts slot lottery in the digital lottery game. That is, the station control unit 150 should display the game screen 200 shown in FIG. 9 on the station monitor 16 and display it on each of the variable display portions 201a, 201b, and 201c arranged in a horizontal row on the game screen 200. A lottery is used to draw pictures. The procedure for determining the pattern may be based on the same control rule as that for a normal slot machine. The lottery design is then given a predetermined performance effect (animation, etc.) to each of the variable display parts 201a, 201b, 201c. Display. Note that the game screen 200 is also provided with a bingo game unit 210, which will be described later.

[0038] After the slot lottery is completed, the station control unit 150 proceeds to step S104 to determine whether or not the combination of the three symbols determined in the slot lottery is a winning combination. Exit. On the other hand, if the winning combination is not determined in step S104, that is, if a winning combination is established in the slot lottery, the station control unit 150 proceeds to step S105 and the subsequent steps and executes processing corresponding to the type of winning combination. That is, the station control unit 150 first determines in step S107 whether or not a “ball” winning combination has been established. If the “ball” combination is established, the station control unit 150 proceeds to step S106, and executes the paying and dispensing (injecting) of the normal ball B1 to the play field section 12. That is, the satellite control unit 140 is requested to pay out the normal ball B1. In response to the request, the satellite control unit 140 discharges the normal ball B1 from the ball supply mechanism 50A and delivers it to the slope 14a of the ball insertion portion 14 of the station unit ST by the ball carrier 40. In synchronization with the payout of the normal ball B1, the station control unit 150 operates the throwing position selection mechanism 14b of the ball throwing portion 14 to throw the normal ball B1 into an appropriate position in the play field portion 12. When the insertion of the normal ball B1 is completed, the station control unit 150 ends this routine.

[0039] If the "ball" winning combination is established in step S105, the station control unit 150 proceeds to step S107 and determines whether or not the "normal pattern" winning combination is established in the slot lottery. Determine. In the case of a “normal pattern” winning combination, the station control unit 150 proceeds to step S108 and supplies the number of medals M corresponding to the “normal pattern” winning combination from the medal supply unit 13 to the play field unit 12. Execute the process. In the following, payout of medal M means payout of medal M from lift-up hopper 25 to medal payout section 11, and supply of medal M means medal M from medal supply section 13 to playfield section 12. Means supply. The medal supply from the medal supply unit 13 may be supplied only by the route via the medal discharge unit 18 and the medal chute 19, but when supplying a large number of medals M to the play field unit 12 at other times, Medal M will be supplied via the route You may do it.

[0040] In subsequent step S109, the station control unit 150 sets the slot lottery mode to the normal mode, and then ends the current routine. The slot lottery mode will be described later. If the “normal pattern” winning combination is not established in step S107, the station control unit 150 proceeds to step S110 and determines whether or not the “probability varying pattern” winning combination is established. When the winning combination of the “probability variation pattern” is established, the station control unit 150 proceeds to step SI11 and supplies the play field unit 12 with the number of medals M associated with the “probability variation pattern”. In step S112, the station control unit 150 sets the slot lottery mode to the probability variation mode, and then ends the current routine. The probability variation mode is a mode in which the probability of winning a winning combination in the slot lottery is increased compared to the normal mode. That is, if the winning combination of the “probability variation pattern” is established, the probability variation mode is started in step S112, or the same mode is continued. If the “normal pattern” winning combination is established during the probability variation mode, the probability variation mode is terminated by the processing of step S109.

If the winning combination of “stochastic fluctuation pattern” is not established in step S110, the station control unit 150 proceeds to step S113, and determines whether or not the winning combination of “bingo feature” is established. If the winning combination of “bingo feature” is established, the station control unit 150 proceeds to step S114, and executes bingo card feature setting processing. The bingo card feature setting process changes the player benefits in the bingo game executed by combining the satellite lottery executed in the satellite unit SA and the bingo card 211 displayed in the bingo game section 210 of FIG. This is a process for changing the expected value of the player regarding the number of medals M to be paid out. Hereinafter, this point will be described.

FIG. 10 shows the bingo game unit 210 in an enlarged manner. The bingo game unit 210 displays a bingo card 211 power. The bingo card 211 has a configuration in which nine squares are arranged in a matrix of 3 rows and 3 columns, and numerical values 1 to 9 are appropriately arranged in each square. These numbers correspond to the numbers attached to the winning pockets 32a and 33a of the bingo stage 30 of the satellite unit SA. Ball B falls in either prize pocket 32a or 33a in satellite lottery Then, the numbers attached to the winning pockets 32a and 33a become valid. By arranging three valid numerical values in the vertical direction, the horizontal direction, or the diagonal direction of the bingo card 211, bingo is established, and the number of medals displayed in the odds display area 212 is supplied to the play field section 12. A bingo feature display area 213 is provided on the left and lower sides of the bingo card 211. In the bingo feature display area 213, feature display portions 214a to 214h are provided in association with the horizontal lines, vertical lines, and diagonal lines of the bingo card 211, respectively. In these feature display sections 214a to 214h, when bingo is established on the corresponding line, that is, when three valid numerical values are arranged, it is added to the supply of the number of medals M displayed in the odds display area 212. The pattern corresponding to the privilege to be given to the player is displayed. All of these benefits are directly or indirectly linked to the payout of medals to the player, and the impact of these privileges on the payout rate is different from each other. In this form, bonuses include the addition of the bonus number to the number of medals displayed in the odds display area 212, the insertion of the normal ball B1 or the special ball B2 into the play field section 12, and the provision of "JP chance". It is prepared. In the example of FIG. 10, the pattern indicating the insertion of the special ball B 2 on the feature display sections 214a and 214e is the pattern power indicating the insertion of the normal ball B1 on the feature display sections 214b, 214d, 214f and 214h. Each pattern showing the “JP Chance” grant appears. Therefore, for example, when three valid numerical values are arranged in the horizontal direction in the top row of the bingo card 211, the special ball B2 is thrown into the play field unit 12 as bingo is established.

In the bingo card feature setting process in step S114 of FIG. 8, the player obtains when the bingo is established by newly adding or modifying a pattern (privilege) that should appear in one of the feature display sections 214a to 214h. Change the benefits. Thereby, the payout rate of medals can be controlled. For example, when the actual payout rate P0st is low, the target payout rate POsttg is low. By preferentially selecting benefits associated with paying out many medals over other benefits, the payout rate P0st can be converged more quickly to the target payout rate POsttgt. The On the other hand, when the actual payout rate POst is high, the target payout rate POsttg is also high, and the impact on the direction of increasing the payout rate is smaller among the multiple benefits prepared in advance. By preferentially selecting benefits with a relatively small amount over other benefits, the payout rate P0st can be converged more quickly with the target payout rate POsttgt. These benefits are selected by, for example, quantifying the impact of each benefit on the payout rate in advance, and basically setting the probability that each benefit will be selected according to the quantified value to increase the payout rate. If you want to control in the direction, payout ratio (however, the effect on the direction to increase) is higher than the basic setting, and conversely, if you want to control the payout ratio lower, payout The benefit selection probability that has a smaller impact on the rate should be made higher than the basic setting. Step

When the feature setting process is completed in S114, the station control unit 150 ends the current routine.

[0044] If the "bingo feature" winning combination is not established in step S113 of Fig. 8, the station control unit 150 proceeds to step S115, and whether or not the "direct satellite" winning combination is established. To determine. If the winning of “direct satellite” is established, the station control unit 150 proceeds to step S123. On the other hand, if the “direct satellite” winning combination is established, the station control unit 150 proceeds to step S116 and identifies that the “direct center” winning combination is established. In subsequent step S123, the station control unit 150 requests the center control unit 130 to execute center lottery, and thereafter ends the current routine. In this case, since the ball B is not carried out to the ball transport unit 15, the ball supply mechanism 50A pays out the Bonole B 1 to the ball carrier 40, transports the ball B 1 to the ball insertion mechanism 60A, and performs satellite lottery. Execute.

If the medal M is not in the checker in step S102 of FIG. 8, the station control unit 150 proceeds to step S120 and determines whether or not the ball B force main table 20 has dropped. If Ball B is not falling, the current routine is terminated. On the other hand, if the ball B has dropped, the station control unit 150 proceeds to step S121, and determines whether or not the dropped ball B is the special ball B2. The type of ball B This is as described for the sensor group 151 in FIG. If the dropped ball B is the special ball B2, the station control unit 150 proceeds to step S122, and determines that the satellite lottery should be executed at the inner periphery 33 of the bingo stage 30. On the other hand, if the dropped ball B is not the special ball B2, the station control unit 150 proceeds to step S123 and determines that the satellite lottery should be executed on the outer peripheral portion 32 of the bingo stage 30. After determining the area where the satellite lottery is to be executed, the station control unit 150 proceeds to step S124 and requests the satellite control unit 140 to perform the satellite lottery. In this case, the station control unit 150 also provides the satellite control unit 140 with information that specifies whether the satellite lottery should be executed in the outer peripheral portion 32 or the inner peripheral portion 33. After requesting the satellite lottery, the station control unit 150 ends this routine. In conjunction with the satellite lottery request, the station control unit 150 controls the operation of the ball transport unit 15 so that the dropped ball B is transported to the end of the slope 28.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a satellite lottery routine executed by the satellite control unit 140 in response to a satellite lottery request from the station control unit 150. In the satellite lottery routine, the satellite control unit 140 first determines in step S201 whether the satellite lottery should be executed in the outer peripheral portion 32 or the inner peripheral portion 33 based on the information provided from the station control unit 150. If it is to be executed on the outer peripheral portion 32, the satellite control unit 140 proceeds to step S202, and the ball B (in this case, the normal ball B 1) transported by the ball transport portion 15 of the station unit ST is the ball. The operations of the ball carrier 40 and the ball throwing mechanism 60A are controlled so as to be thrown into the outer peripheral portion 32 from the throwing mechanism 60A. On the other hand, if the satellite lottery is to be executed at the inner periphery 33, the satellite control unit 140 proceeds to step S203, and the ball B transported by the ball transport unit 15 of the station unit ST (in this case, the special ball B2 Is controlled so that the ball carrier 40 and the ball throwing mechanism 60B are put into the inner peripheral portion 33 from the ball throwing mechanism 60B.

[0047] After the ball B is inserted, the satellite control unit 140 proceeds to step S204, and the force that the inserted ball B falls into any winning pocket 32a (or 33a) is applied to the sensor group 141. Read based on the detection signal of the winning sensor included. In the following step S205, the satellite control unit 140 determines whether or not the winning pocket 32a (or 33a) force SJP chance pocket where the ball B has fallen, that is, the winning pocket with the letters “JP chance” attached thereto. If it is the JP chance pocket, the satellite control unit 140 proceeds to step S2 06 and requests the center control unit 130 to perform the center lottery. If it is not the winning pocket pocket SJP chance pocket, step S206 is skipped.

[0048] In the next step S207, the satellite control unit 140 receives the winning pocket in which the ball B has dropped against the host control unit 100 and the station control unit 150 (however, the station control unit 150 that requested the satellite lottery). Notify 32a (or 33a) number or letter. After the notification, the satellite control unit 140 ends the satellite lottery routine.

[0049] FIG. 12 shows a winning probability determination routine executed in response to the notification of the host control unit 100 power satellite control unit 140 power, their winning pocket number or character (hereinafter referred to as a number). It is a flowchart. In this routine, the probability of the fall of the ball B in each winning pocket 32a, 33a of the bingo stage 30 (ease of entering the ball B) is not uniform due to the effects of mechanical errors. To be reflected in the game control. In this routine, the host control unit 100 first updates the winning frequency data in response to the winning pocket number notification from the satellite control unit 140 in step S301. For example, as shown in Fig. 13, the number-of-wins data is the numbers of the winning pockets (numbers 1-9 and "JP") attached to the winning pockets 32a, 33a, and the number of winnings N1 to N9, Njp Is stored in association with each other. The number of winnings is within an appropriate sampling period (for example, the past 1000 lotteries). For example, when a notification that the ball B1 has won a prize is received in the winning pocket 32a numbered 1 in the satellite lottery, 1 is added to the winning number N1 of pocket number 1, and the oldest lottery in the sampling period. 1 is subtracted from the winning number Nx of the pocket number x (x is any force from 1 to 9, and f is P) corresponding to the opportunity.

[0050] Next, the host control unit 100 calculates a winning probability for each pocket number in step S302. The calculation is the number of winnings for each pocket number N1 to N9, Njp sampling period The value divided by the number of lotteries. The calculation of the winning probability of the pocket number JP corresponding to “JP Chance” may be omitted. In subsequent step S302, the host control unit 100 notifies the station control unit 150 of the winning probability for each calculated pocket number, and thereafter ends the current routine. Note that the station control unit 150 that is the notification destination in step S303 is the control unit 150 of the four station units ST combined with the satellite unit SA including the satellite control unit 140 that has notified the result of the satellite lottery. In other words, the winning probability determination routine is executed separately for each unit with the satellite unit SA and the four station units ST combined therewith as one unit.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a bingo game routine that is executed when the station control unit 150 is notified of the number of the winning rocket from the satellite control unit 140. In the bingo game routine, the station control unit 150 first activates on the bingo card 211 a value identical to the number of the winning pocket 32a or 33a notified by the satellite control unit 140 in step S131. However, if the winning pocket is “JP Chance”, it will not be activated.

In the following step S132, the station control unit 150 determines whether bingo is established in the bingo card 211, that is, whether or not three valid numerical values are arranged in a line. If bingo is established, the station control unit 150 proceeds to step S133, and supplies the play field unit 12 with a total number of medals M of the bingo WIN number and the repeat WIN number as a reward for the bingo establishment. Here, the number of bingo WIN is the number displayed in the odds display area 212 in FIG. The number of repeat WINs is the number displayed in repeat number display section 215 in FIG. The number of repeat WINs will be described later. Further, in step S133, the station control unit 150 sets the row or column in which the bingo is established among the feature display units 214a to 214h of the bingo game unit 210 in FIG. 10 (hereinafter referred to as a winning line). A privilege corresponding to the pattern appearing on the display unit is given to the player. In this embodiment, for example, benefits such as addition of the number of medals to be paid out, insertion of the ball B, and “JP chance” are granted. The granting of “JP chance” is a request for the center lottery as in the case where the process proceeds to step S205 force S206 in FIG. [0053] In the next step S135, the station control unit 150 resets the feature on the winning line, that is, extinguishes the privilege associated with the winning line. Thereafter, the station control unit 150 proceeds to step S136, and acquires the winning probability of each pocket number notified to the host control unit 100. In subsequent step S137, the station control unit 150 executes the rearrangement of the numbers on the winning line while referring to the winning probability of the pocket number and the difference between the payout rate POst and the target payout rate POsttgt. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, the center line of the bingo card is the winning line, the numbers on the winning line are 7, 6, and 4, and the winning probability P7 of the winning pocket number corresponding to those numbers is Consider the case where there is a magnitude relationship of P7>P6> P4 between P6 and P4. In the sorting process in step S137, the order of the three numbers arranged on the winning line is reset. The central square of the bingo card is a square that can be included in any of the vertical, horizontal, and diagonal lines. If a numerical value with a high winning probability is placed here, a numerical value with a low winning probability is set. Compared to the case where is placed, the probability that Bingo will be established is relatively high. Therefore, in the rearrangement in step S137, if the target payout rate POsttgt is sufficiently higher than the actual payout rate POst, the number 7 having the highest winning probability is placed in the central square, and other values are set. Allocate to the left and right squares. This raises the probability of bingo establishment. On the other hand, if the target payout rate POsttgt is sufficiently lower than the actual payout rate POst, the number 4 with the lowest winning probability is placed in the central square, and other numbers are assigned to the left and right squares. This reduces the probability of bingo being established. In this way, by changing the probability of bingo establishment by rearranging the numerical values according to the winning probability, it becomes possible to change the payout rate POst faster toward the target payout rate POsttgt.

Returning to FIG. 14, the description will be continued. After rearranging the numbers on the winning line, the station control unit 150 ends the current routine. In addition, each numerical value of the winning line after the rearrangement is in an initial state that is invalidated. On the other hand, if bingo is not established in step S132, the station control unit 150 proceeds to step S140, and determines whether or not the winning pocket number is repeat. If the value notified in the satellite lottery has already been validated on the bingo card 211, it is determined to be repeat. If it is determined to be repeat, The stage control unit 150 proceeds to step S141 and increases the repeat step by one step. That is, the repeat WIN number displayed in the repeat number display section 215 in FIG. 10 is changed to a value larger by one step. In the example shown in Fig. 10, the repeat WIN number power is gradually increased to 10 sheets when the number of repeats is 1, 20 sheets when the number of repeats is 40, and 40 sheets when the number of repeats is 3. When the bingo is established, a repeat WIN number of medals corresponding to the number of repeats is supplied to the play field unit 12 (see step S133).

[0055] In subsequent step S142, the station control unit 150 executes payout of the normal ball B1 to the play field unit 12. This process may be the same as step S106 in FIG. After paying out the normal ball B1, the station control unit 150 ends this routine. If it is not a repeat in step S140, the station control unit 150 proceeds to step S143 to supply a predetermined number of medals M, and then ends the current routine.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a center lottery routine executed by the center control unit 130 in response to a center lottery request. The center lottery is required in step S117 of FIG. 8 or step S206 of FIG. 11, and is also required when the bingo feature given in step S133 of FIG. 14 is “JP Chance”. In the center lottery routine, the center control unit 130 first executes center lottery in step S401. That is, the large ball 73 is thrown from the large ball throwing mechanism 72 while rotating the large roulette 71. In subsequent step S402, the center control unit 130 determines whether or not the large ball 73 has entered the winning pocket 71a defined as the JP acquisition pocket. If a considerable amount of time is required from the introduction of the large ball 73 to the entry of the large ball 73, the processing is interrupted by the insertion of the large ball 73, and the large ball in any winning pocket 71a of the large roulette 71 is interrupted. The process of FIG. 16 may be restarted with the detection of 73 captures as a trigger.

[0057] If it is determined in step S402 that the large ball 73 has been taken into the JP acquisition pocket, the center control unit 130 proceeds to step S403 and responds to the JP win for the station control unit 150 that requested the center lottery. Instruct the supply of the number of medals to the play field section 12. After the medal supply instruction, the current routine is terminated. If the satellite control unit 140 requests center lottery, the satellite control unit 140 The station control unit 150 that requested the satellite lottery for the knit 140 becomes the notification destination of the medal supply instruction. On the other hand, if the big ball 73 has not been taken into the JP acquisition pocket in step S402, the center control unit 130 proceeds to step S404, and whether or not the big ball 73 has been taken into the winning pocket 71a defined as the grand slot pocket. Determine if. When the large ball 73 is taken into the ground slot pocket, the center control unit 130 proceeds to step S405, requests the host control unit 100 to execute the grand slot lottery, and then ends the current routine.

[0058] If the large ball 73 is not taken into the ground slot pocket in step S404, the center control unit 130 proceeds to step S406 and supplies the play field unit 12 with the number of medals M associated with the center lottery. Instruct the station control unit 150. In this case, the number of sheets to be supplied is sufficiently smaller than the number instructed in step S403. Depending on the type of winning pocket 71a in which the big ball 73 is taken in, different numbers may be indicated. The notification destination of the medal supply instruction is the same as in step S403. After the medal supply instruction, the center control unit 130 ends the current routine.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a grand slot lottery routine executed by the host control unit 100 in response to a grand slot lottery request from the center control unit 130 (step S405 in FIG. 16). In the grand slot lottery routine, the host control unit 100 first executes a grand slot lottery in step S501. The grand slot lottery is a slot lottery that competes for the success or failure of a winning combination by combining three pictures in the same way as the digital lottery game executed on the station monitor 16 of the station unit ST. Displayed on the center monitor 70. In determining the pattern combination in the grand slot lottery, in other words, determining the winning probability in the grand slot lottery, the overall payout rate POall calculated in the process of FIG.

[0060] After the grand slot lottery is executed, the host control unit 100 proceeds to step S502, and determines whether or not the winning combination of "premium mode" is established in the grand slot lottery. If the winning combination of “premium mode” is established, the host control unit 100 proceeds to step S503 and requests the station control unit 150 to shift to the premium mode. . The request destination in this case is the station control unit 150 that requested the center control unit 130 for the center lottery that triggered the request for the grand slot lottery in step S405 of FIG. After requesting the transition to the premium mode, the host control unit 100 ends this routine.

If the winning combination of “Premium Mode” is not established in Step S502, the host control unit 100 proceeds to Step S504, and determines whether or not the winning combination of “Satellite Game” is established. When the winning combination of the “satellite game” is established, the host control unit 100 proceeds to step S505, and requests the satellite control unit 140 that has requested the center lottery to execute a predetermined center game. After that request, the host control unit 100 ends the current routine. The satellite control unit 140 requested to execute the satellite game executes the satellite game according to a predetermined procedure, and supplies the medal M according to the game result to the station control unit 150 (same as the request destination of step S503). Instruct.

If the winning combination of “satellite game” is not established in step S504, the host control unit 100 proceeds to step S506, and determines whether or not the winning combination of “medal WIN” is established. If the winning combination of “medal WIN” has been established, the host control unit 100 proceeds to step S507, and the station control unit 150 receives the JP number (the number supplied in step S403 in FIG. 16) as “ The station control unit 150 is instructed to supply the number of medals obtained by adding the number associated with the winning combination of “Medal WIN”. The instruction destination in this case is the same as in step S503. After requesting medal supply, the host control unit 100 ends this routine.

[0063] If the winning combination of "medal WIN" is not established in step S506, the host control unit 100 proceeds to step S508 and requests the center control unit 130 to re-execute the center lottery. . In response to this, the center control unit 130 executes the center lottery of FIG. 16 again. After requesting the center lottery to be re-executed, the host control unit 100 ends the current routine.

FIG. 18 shows a premium mode executed by the station control unit 150 when a transition to the host control unit 100 power premium mode is requested (step S503 in FIG. 17). It is a flowchart which shows a routine. This routine is executed instead of the game basic control routine of FIG. 8 when the insertion of the medal M into the play field section 12 is detected. That is, the game control based on the game basic control routine is not executed when the premium mode is executed. When the premium mode is executed, a game screen 220 shown in FIG. 19 is displayed on the station monitor 16 instead of the game screen 200 shown in FIG. The game screen 220 is the same as the game screen 200 in FIG. 9 in that three variable display portions 201a, 201b, and 201c are provided in the horizontal direction, but the continuation condition display portion is replaced with the bingo game portion 210 at the top of the screen. The difference is that 221 is provided. On the continuation condition display unit 221, numerical values of:! To 9 are displayed side by side, and these numerical values are displayed in different manners depending on whether the numerical values for continuing the premium mode are valid or invalid. In Figure 19, valid numbers are marked with a circle and invalid numbers are marked with an X.

In the premium mode routine, the station control unit 150 first executes a medal insertion process in step S 151, and then determines whether or not the medal M has won the checker in step S 151. If a medal M is entered in the checker, the station control unit 150 proceeds to step S153, and executes a slot lottery as a digital lottery game executed on the station monitor 16. At this time, the winning combination is limited to the case where three identical numbers are available. In addition, the winning probability is set higher than that in step S103 in FIG. In subsequent step S154, the station control unit 150 determines whether or not the combination of the patterns obtained by the slot lottery is an outlier, and if it is an outlier, ends the current routine.

[0066] On the other hand, if it is not an outlier in step S154, the station control unit 150 proceeds to step S155, and supplies the play field unit 12 with the number of medals M corresponding to the winning combination established in the slot lottery. Execute. In the following step S156, the station control unit 150 switches between valid / invalid with respect to the winning number, that is, three numbers. For example, as shown in FIG. 19, when three winning numbers 3 are set and a winning combination is established, the enabling / disabling of the numerical value 3 is switched. For example, in Fig. 19, the numerical value 3 is valid by adding a circle to the numerical value 3 in the continuation condition display area 221. Therefore, the numerical value 3 is valid when three numerical values 3 are collected. Is changed to invalid, and accordingly, the continuation condition display section 221 The displayed numerical value 3 is switched from a mode with a circle to a mode with an X. After completing the switching between enabled and disabled, the station control unit 150 ends the current routine.

On the other hand, if the medal M has not entered the checker in step S152, the station control unit 150 proceeds to step S160 and determines whether or not the ball B force S has dropped from the main table 20. If Ball B is not falling, the current routine is terminated. On the other hand, when the ball B has dropped, the station control unit 150 proceeds to step S161, and determines whether or not the dropped ball B is the special ball B2. The discrimination of the type of ball B is as described for sensor group 151 in FIG. If the dropped ball B is the special ball B2, the station control unit 150 proceeds to step S162, and determines that the satellite lottery should be executed at the inner periphery 33 of the bingo stage 30. On the other hand, if the dropped ball B is not the special ball B2, the station control unit 150 proceeds to step S163 and determines that the satellite lottery should be executed on the outer periphery 32 of the bingo stage 30. After determining the region where the satellite lottery is to be executed, the station control unit 150 proceeds to step S164 and requests the satellite lottery from the satellite control unit 140. In this case, the station control unit 150 also provides the satellite control unit 140 with information specifying whether the satellite lottery should be executed in the outer peripheral portion 32 or the inner peripheral portion 33. After requesting the satellite lottery, the station control unit 150 ends this routine. In conjunction with the satellite lottery request, the station control unit 150 controls the operation of the ball transport unit 15 so that the dropped ball B is transported to the end of the slope 28.

The satellite control unit 140 for which the satellite lottery has been requested by the process of step S 164 in FIG. 18 executes the satellite lottery according to the procedure in FIG. The station control unit 150 receives the result of the satellite lottery and executes a premium mode end control routine shown in FIG. This routine is for controlling the continuation or termination of the premium mode. In the first step S171, the station control unit 150 obtains the winning pocket number notified from the satellite control unit 140. In the next step S172, the station control unit 150 receives the winning obtained in step S171. It is determined whether or not the pocket number is “JP”, that is, whether or not the ball B has entered the JP chance pocket. If the winning pocket number is “JP”, the process proceeds to step SI 73 to end the premium mode and return the process to the basic game control shown in FIG. Thereafter, the station control unit 150 ends the current routine. In this case, only the premium mode is terminated. If a “JP chance” occurs in the satellite lottery, the processing proceeds to the center lottery or lower in FIG.

If the winning pocket number is not “JP” in step S172 of FIG. 20, the station control unit 150 proceeds to step S174, and determines whether or not the winning pocket number is an invalid value. The invalid numerical value here is a numerical value marked with an X in the continuation condition display section 221 of the game screen 220 in FIG. If the winning pocket number matches the invalid value, the station control unit 150 proceeds to step S173. If the winning pocket number is not an invalid value, the station control unit 150 skips step S173 and ends the current process. According to the above routine, when the ball B falls into the winning pocket number that matches the invalid number in the satellite lottery, or when the JP lot is generated in the satellite lottery and the processing advances to the center lottery. Premium mode ends. Therefore, if the number of the winning pocket where the ball B dropped in the satellite lottery matches the valid value, the premium mode will continue.

[0070] In the above embodiment, the satellite unit SA is the physical lottery mechanism, the ball B is the lottery medium, the station control unit 150 is the game execution means and the payout rate control means, and the host control unit 100 is the probability calculation means. Respectively.

The present invention can be implemented in various forms without being limited to the above forms.

For example, in the above embodiment, the ball B as the lottery medium is inserted through the play field unit 12 and then the satellite lottery may be executed without going through the play field unit 12. ,. The physical lottery mechanism is not limited to the configuration of the satellite unit SA. If the physical operation of the lottery medium can be used to randomly draw at least one option, change it appropriately. ,. For example, a physical lottery mechanism may be used in which at least one option is drawn by dice, coins, and the like. Or, on a lottery board that has multiple media take-in sections each associated with at least one option. A physical lottery mechanism may be employed in which a physical operation is given to the lottery medium, and a lottery option is determined based on which medium take-in unit the lottery medium is taken into. The game execution means is not limited to executing a bingo game, and may be changed as appropriate as long as the game is executed in association with the lottery result in the physical lottery mechanism. For example, when generating a pattern arrangement area by arranging the patterns in a matrix, it is assumed that the winning array is formed when the patterns corresponding to the selected selection limbs are arranged at the four corners of the pattern arrangement area, etc. Appropriate changes are possible.

[0072] The payout rate control means is not limited to an example in which the pattern arrangement on the bingo card is changed, and various elements that affect the payout rate may be changed. For example, in the above form, in the slot lottery executed in the premium mode, the same numerical value as the number of the winning pocket with the high winning probability of the ball B becomes invalid (X), and the winning pocket number with the low winning probability is If the slot lottery is operated so that the same numerical value is valid (circle), the probability that the premium mode will end increases, and thereby the effect of suppressing the increase in the payout rate can be obtained. Depending on the numerical arrangement on the bingo card 211, there will be a difference in the probability that a bingo will be established for each line, so that the probability of a bingo establishment is low, and there is a greater impact on the direction of increasing the payout rate for the line Arranging a privilege that has a low probability of establishing a bingo and a smaller impact on the line in the direction of increasing the payout rate will have the effect of suppressing an increase in the payout rate.

[0073] The present invention is not limited to a game machine having a combination of the station unit ST, the satellite unit SA, and the center unit CN. For example, the present invention can be applied to a game machine having a configuration in which a single physical lottery mechanism is combined with a single station unit ST or a physical lottery mechanism is incorporated in a single station unit ST. . The present invention is not limited to a game machine that realizes payout of game value to a player by actually paying out game media, but also a game machine that realizes payout of game value using a virtual game medium. Applicable.

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] A physical lottery mechanism for drawing at least one option from a plurality of options using the physical operation of the lottery medium;

A game execution means for executing a predetermined game in association with a lottery result of the physical lottery mechanism and paying out a game value of an amount corresponding to the result of the game to a player;

A probability calculating means for calculating a probability that each option is selected based on a lottery result within a predetermined sampling period;

Payout rate control means for controlling the payout rate of the gaming value in the game with reference to the probability calculated by the probability calculating means;

A game machine characterized by comprising:

[2] The game execution means virtually generates a picture arrangement area in which a plurality of pictures associated with each of the plurality of options by the lottery mechanism are arranged in a predetermined arrangement, and a plurality of pieces in the lottery mechanism Claims are configured to pay out a game value to a player when a plurality of patterns in the pattern arrangement area respectively corresponding to a plurality of options selected in one lottery form a predetermined winning arrangement. The game machine described in section 1 of the scope

[3] The game machine according to claim 2, wherein the payout rate control means controls the payout rate by changing a pattern arrangement in the pattern arrangement area based on the calculated probability. .

4. The game machine according to claim 3, wherein the payout rate control means changes the pattern arrangement so that a difference between a current value of the payout rate and a target value is reduced.

[5] The game execution means virtually generates a bingo card in which the same number of the patterns are arranged in a matrix in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction as the pattern arrangement area, and the vertical direction and the horizontal direction of the bingo card Alternatively, the game value is paid out as if the winning arrangement is formed when all the pictures on the diagonal line have pictures corresponding to the choices drawn in the lottery mechanism. The game machine according to claim 1.

[6] The payout rate control means, when the winning arrangement is formed, the arrangement order of these pictures based on the probability calculated by the probability calculating means with respect to the options corresponding to each of the pictures included in the winning arrangement. The game machine according to claim 5, wherein the payout rate is controlled by changing the payout rate.

[7] When the current value of the payout rate is lower than a target value, the payout rate control means is arranged so that a picture corresponding to an option having a relatively high winning probability is arranged at the center on the winning array. The arrangement order of the patterns is changed, and when the current value of the payout rate is higher than a target value, the pattern corresponding to an option having a relatively low winning probability is arranged at the center on the winning array. The game machine according to claim 6, wherein the arrangement order of the patterns is changed.