U.S. patent application number 10/935100 was filed with the patent office on 2005-03-10 for gaming machine and gaming system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Aruze Corp. Invention is credited to Toyoda, Hirobumi.
Application Number | 20050054426 10/935100 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34131949 |
Filed Date | 2005-03-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050054426 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Toyoda, Hirobumi |
March 10, 2005 |
Gaming machine and gaming system
Abstract
A gaming machine 310 includes a plurality of gaming terminal
devices having control panels operated by a player, wherein the
player plays a game upon payment of a game value. Furthermore, the
gaming machine 310 includes: cumulative storage means that stores a
plurality of kinds of cumulative values on a per unit game basis at
a predetermined rate in response to medals; event value achievement
determination means that determines whether or not any of the
plurality of kinds of cumulative values stored by the cumulative
storage means has achieved an event value pre-set for each of the
plurality of kinds of cumulative values; and event activation means
that activates an event corresponding to the event value achieved,
when the event value achievement determination means determines
that the event value pre-set is achieved.
Inventors: |
Toyoda, Hirobumi; (Tokyo,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCGINN & GIBB, PLLC
8321 OLD COURTHOUSE ROAD
SUITE 200
VIENNA
VA
22182-3817
US
|
Assignee: |
Aruze Corp
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
34131949 |
Appl. No.: |
10/935100 |
Filed: |
September 8, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/20 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3276 20130101;
G07F 17/329 20130101; G07F 17/32 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/020 |
International
Class: |
A63F 009/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 8, 2003 |
JP |
P2003-316020 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A gaming machine that includes a plurality of gaming terminal
devices having control panels operated by a player and on which the
player play a game upon payment of a game value, the gaming machine
comprising: a cumulative storage unit that stores a plurality of
cumulative values on a per game basis at a predetermined rate in
response to the game value; an event value achievement
determination unit that determines whether or not any of the
plurality of kinds of cumulative values stored by the cumulative
storage unit has achieved an event value pre-set for each of the
plurality of kinds of cumulative values; and an event activation
unit that activates an event corresponding to the event value
achieved, when the event value achievement determination unit
determines that the event value pre-set is achieved.
2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising an
event activation time determination unit that determines a timing
at which the event activation unit activates the event
corresponding to the event value, when the event value achievement
determination unit determines that the event value pre-set is
achieved.
3. The gaming machine according to claim 2, further comprising: an
event notification time determination unit that determines the time
of performing the notification of the event corresponding to the
event value, when the event activation time determination unit
determines a timing of activation of the event corresponding to the
event value; and an event notification unit that performs the
notification of the event corresponding to the event value at the
time determined by the event notification time determination
unit.
4. The gaming machine according to claim 2, further comprising: a
number-of-players determination unit that determines whether or not
the number of the prayer participating in the game of the gaming
machine is equal to or smaller than a predetermined number; and a
cumulative value transfer unit that transfers one of the plurality
of kinds of cumulative values to other cumulative value for
storage, when the number-of-players determination unit determines
that the number of the player participating in the game is equal to
or smaller than the predetermined number.
5. The gaming machine according to claim 2, further comprising: a
number-of-players determination unit that determines whether or not
the number of the player participating in the game upon payment of
the game value is equal to or smaller than the predetermined
number, when the event activated by the event activation unit is a
predetermined event; and an event stop unit that stops the
activation of the predetermined event at the time determined by the
event activation time determination unit, when the
number-of-players determination unit determines that the number of
the player participating in the game is equal to or smaller than
the predetermined number.
6. The gaming machine according to claim 5, further comprising; a
surplus cumulative value storage unit that stores, as a surplus
cumulative value, the result obtained by subtracting a specific
value from a cumulative value that the event value achievement
determination unit determine has achieved the event value, when the
event activation stop unit stops the activation of the
predetermined event; and a surplus cumulative value addition unit
that adds the surplus cumulative value stored by the cumulative
value storage unit to any cumulative value other than the
subtracted cumulative value out of the plurality of kinds of
cumulative values.
7. A gaming system comprising: a plurality of gaming terminal
devices on which a player plays a game upon payment of a game
value; and a game server for transmitting/receiving the data of the
game from the plurality of gaming terminal devices, wherein: the
gaming terminal devices each includes: an control panel operated by
each of the player; and a game value data transmission unit that
transmits to the game server the data of the game value paid by the
player; and the game server includes: a game value data receive
unit that receives the data of the game value transmitted by the
game value transmission unit; a cumulative storage unit that stores
a plurality of cumulative values on a per game basis at a
predetermined rate in response to the game value received by the
game value data receive unit; an event value achievement
determination unit that determines whether or not any of the
plurality of kinds of cumulative values stored by the cumulative
storage unit has achieved an event value pre-set for each of the
plurality of kinds of cumulative values; and an event activation
unit that activates an event corresponding to the event value
achieved, when the event value achievement determination unit
determines that the event value pre-set is achieved.
8. A gaming system comprising: a plurality of gaming terminal
devices on which a player plays a game upon payment of a game
value; and a game server for transmitting/receiving the data of the
game from the plurality of gaming terminal devices, wherein: the
gaming terminal devices each includes: an control panel operated by
each of the player; a cumulative storage unit that stores a
plurality of cumulative values on a per game basis at a
predetermined rate in response to the game value; and a cumulative
value data transmission unit that transmits to the game server the
data of the plurality of kinds of cumulative values stored by the
cumulative storage unit; and the game server includes: a cumulative
value data receive unit that receives the data of the plurality of
kinds of cumulative values transmitted by the cumulative value data
transmission unit; an event value achievement determination unit
that determines whether or not any of the plurality of kinds of
cumulative values received by the cumulative value data receive
unit has achieved an event value pre-set for each of the plurality
of kinds of cumulative values; and an event activation unit that
activates an event corresponding to the event value achieved, when
the event value achievement determination unit determines that the
event value pre-set is achieved.
9. The gaming system according to claim 7, wherein the game server
further includes an event activation time determination unit that
determines the time at which the event activation unit activates
the event corresponding to the event value, when the event value
achievement determination unit determines that the event value
pre-set is achieved.
10. The gaming system according to claim 9, wherein the game server
further includes: an event notification time determination unit
that determines the time of performing the notification of the
event corresponding to the event value, when the event activation
time determination unit determines the time of activation of the
event corresponding to the event value; and an event notification
unit that performs the notification of the event corresponding to
the event value at the time determined by the event notification
time determination unit.
11. The gaming system according to claim 10, wherein the game
server further includes: an event notification time determination
unit that determines the time of performing the notification of the
event corresponding to the event value, when the event activation
time determination unit determines the time of activation of the
event corresponding to the event value; and an event notification
unit that performs the notification of the event corresponding to
the event value at the time determined by the event notification
time determination unit.
12. The gaming system according to claim 10, wherein the game
server further includes: a number-of-players determination unit
that determines whether or not the number of the player
participating in the game of the gaming machine is equal to or
smaller than a predetermined number that is pre-set; and a
cumulative value transfer unit that transfers one of the plurality
of kinds of cumulative values to another cumulative value for
storage when the number-of-players determination unit determines
that the number of the player participating in the game is equal to
or smaller than the predetermined number.
13. The gaming system according to claim 10, wherein the game
server further includes: a number-of-players determination unit
that determines whether or not the number of the player
participating in the game upon payment of the game value is equal
to or smaller than the predetermined number, when the event
activated by the event activation unit is a predetermined event;
and an event stop unit that stops the activation of the
predetermined event at the time determined by the event activation
time determination unit, when the number-of-players determination
unit determines that the number of the player participating in the
game is equal to or smaller than the predetermined number.
14. The gaming system according to claim 13, wherein the game
server further includes; a surplus cumulative value storage unit
that stores, as a surplus cumulative value, the result obtained by
subtracting a specific value from a cumulative value that the event
value achievement determination unit determines has achieved the
event value pre-set, when the event activation stop unit stops the
activation of the predetermined event; and a surplus cumulative
value addition unit that adds the surplus cumulative value stored
by the cumulative value storage unit to any cumulative value
different from the subtracted cumulative value out of the plurality
of kinds of cumulative values.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO THE RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] This application is based upon and claims a priority from
prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-316020 filed on Sep. 8,
2004, the entire contents of which are incorporated Herein by
reference. This application is related to co-pending U.S.
applications claiming priorities for JP-2003-316021 to filed on the
even date with this application, International Application No.
PCT/JP/03/11439, PCT/JP/03/11440, PCT/JP/03/11441, and filed on
Sep. 8, 2003 in Japan. The co-pending applications are expressly
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a gaming machine that A
plurality of players can participate in playing, wherein player
interest is enhanced.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] A bingo game machine is generally known as a gaming machine
placed in a game arcade. In the bingo game machine of this type, a
bingo card having each cell of a matrix assigned with any piece of
identification information is displayed on a display of each
player. And, a piece of identification information is selected at
random from among a plurality of pieces of identification
information. Thus, the game proceeds as a cell corresponding to the
selected identification information is activated. On the condition
that an assemblage of the activated cells forms a predetermined
display mode after such a step is repeated a predetermined number
of times, e.g., all the cells arranged linearly in any one of
vertical, horizontal and diagonal directions become active, i.e.,
that bingo is won, a game value such as a medal is awarded as a
payout to the winning player.
[0006] Such a bingo game machine, whose rule is easy to understand
for a beginner, can allow the beginner to easily approach the game.
On the contrary, the predetermined display mode is so simple that
the payout to be awarded to the player cannot be made high.
Besides, since all the aforesaid predetermined modes have
substantially the same pattern, it is difficult to provide a
difference in payout. According to the aforesaid, in such a bingo
game, it is difficult to provide a payout equivalent enough to
award a large amount of game value. Accordingly, there is the risk
of reducing the interest of players dedicating efforts to
increasing a game value.
[0007] As a method of solving such a problem, there are known the
method of activating events serving as the chance of increasing the
game value in high amounts, e.g., jackpots during a game, and like
method (e.g., see JP-A-2002-78862). As a specific bingo game
machine, there is a bingo game machine configured such that the
information of jackpots is disclosed to the players and a jackpot
is activated when the numerical value of a certain item (e.g., an
inputted or inserted game value) reaches a fixed value or more.
[0008] However, in the aforesaid gaming machine, the players often
stop playing the game after the jackpot is activated. The reason is
that the players know by experience that it is highly possible that
another jackpot does not activate immediately after a jackpot is
activated. Particularly, when the information of jackpots is always
disclosed, such a tendency becomes remarkably high.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The invention has been made in view of such problems as
aforesaid, and an object thereof is to provide a gaming machine in
which a plurality of kinds of events serving as the chance of
increasing a game value activate independently one of another.
[0010] To achieve such an object as above, the gaming machine of
the invention provides such configurations as follows.
[0011] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is
provided a gaming machine that includes a plurality of gaming
terminal devices having control panels operated by a player and on
which the player plays a game upon payment of a game value, the
gaming machine including: a cumulative storage unit that stores a
plurality of kinds of cumulative values on a per unit game basis at
a predetermined rate in response to the game value; an event value
achievement determination unit that determines whether or not any
of the plurality of kinds of cumulative values stored by the
cumulative storage unit has achieved an event value pre-set for
each of the plurality of kinds of cumulative values; and an event
activation unit that activates an event corresponding to the event
value achieved, when the event value achievement determination unit
determines that the event value pre-set is achieved.
[0012] According to the first aspect of the invention, a plurality
of events serving as the chance of increasing the game value
activate independently one of another. Accordingly, even when an
event activates, there is the possibility that the next event
activates immediately. Therefore, the expectation of the player for
the events is maintained, thus making it possible to avoid the
emergence of a player who stops the game after an event
activation.
[0013] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is
provided a gaming system that includes control panels operated by
players and that includes a plurality of gaming terminal devices on
which the players play a game upon payment of a game value and a
game server for transmitting/receiving the data of the game from
the plurality of gaming terminal devices, wherein the gaming
terminal devices each includes a game value data transmission unit
that transmits to the game server the data of the game value paid
by the players, and the game server includes: a game value data
receive unit that receives the data of the game value transmitted
by the game value transmission unit; a cumulative storage unit that
stores a plurality of cumulative values on a per game basis at a
predetermined rate in response to the game value received by the
game value data receive unit; an event value achievement
determination unit that determines whether or not any of the
plurality of kinds of cumulative values stored by the cumulative
storage unit has achieved an event value pre-set for each of the
plurality of kinds of cumulative values; and an event activation
unit that activates an event corresponding to the event value
achieved, when the event value achievement determination unit
determines that the event value pre-set is achieved.
[0014] According to a third aspect of the invention, there is
provided a gaming system that includes control panels operated by
players and that includes a plurality of gaming terminal devices on
which the players play a game upon payment of a game value and a
game server for transmitting/receiving the data of the game from
the plurality of gaming terminal devices, wherein the gaming
terminal devices each includes: a cumulative storage unit that
stores a plurality of cumulative values on a per game basis at a
predetermined rate in response to the game value; and a cumulative
value data transmission unit that transmits to the game server the
data of the plurality of kinds of cumulative values stored by the
cumulative storage unit, and the game server includes: a cumulative
value data receive unit that receives the data of the plurality of
kinds of cumulative values transmitted by the cumulative value data
transmission unit; an event value achievement determination unit
that determines whether or not any of the plurality of kinds of
cumulative values received by the cumulative value data receive
unit has achieved an event value pre-set for each of the plurality
of kinds of cumulative values; and an event activation unit that
activates an event corresponding to the event value achieved, when
the event value achievement determination unit determines that the
event value pre-set is achieved.
[0015] According to the second and the third aspect of the
invention, a plurality of events serving as the chance of
increasing the game value activate independently one of another.
Accordingly, even when an event activates, there is the possibility
that the next event activates immediately. Therefore, the
expectation of the players for the events is maintained, thus
making it possible to avoid the emergence of a player who stops the
game after an event activation.
[0016] According to the invention, a plurality of events serving as
the chance of increasing the game value activate independently one
of another. Accordingly, even when an event activates, there is the
possibility that the next event activates immediately. Therefore,
the expectation of the players for the events is maintained, thus
making it possible to avoid the emergence of a player who stops the
game after an event activation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] These and other objects and advantages of the present
invention will be more fully apparent from the following detailed
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a general outline of a
gaming machine of an embodiment of the invention;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a general
outline of a lottery machine of the embodiment of the
invention;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a top view of a lottery ball receiving portion of
the embodiment of the invention;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a top view of the lottery machine of the
embodiment of the invention;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of lottery wheels of the
embodiment of the invention;
[0023] FIG. 6 is a top view of the lottery wheels of the embodiment
of the invention;
[0024] FIGS. 7A to 7G are longitudinal sectional views showing a
general outline of a second collection path in the gaming machine
of the embodiment of the invention;
[0025] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a gaming terminal of the
embodiment of the invention;
[0026] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a system configuration
configured in the gaming machine of the embodiment of the
invention;
[0027] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a control circuit
configured in the lottery machine of the embodiment of the
invention;
[0028] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a control circuit
configured in the gaming terminal of the embodiment of the
invention;
[0029] FIG. 12 is an example of a standby screen of the gaming
terminal, displayed on a display screen of the gaming terminal of
the embodiment of the invention;
[0030] FIG. 13 is an example of a jackpot displayed on the display
screen of the gaming terminal of the embodiment of the
invention;
[0031] FIG. 14 is an example of a jackpot displayed on the display
screen of the gaming terminal of the embodiment of the
invention;
[0032] FIG. 15 is an example of a first jackpot activation time
determination table of the embodiment of the invention;
[0033] FIG. 16 is an example of a second jackpot activation time
determination table of the embodiment of the invention;
[0034] FIG. 17 is an example of a first jackpot notification
execution time determination table of the embodiment of the
invention;
[0035] FIG. 18 is an example of a second jackpot notification
execution time determination table of the embodiment of the
invention;
[0036] FIG. 19 is a main flowchart of processes of the lottery
machine and gaming terminal of the embodiment of the invention;
[0037] FIG. 20 is a flowchart following FIG. 19;
[0038] FIG. 21 is a flowchart following FIG. 20;
[0039] FIG. 22 is a flowchart of a first jackpot process;
[0040] FIG. 23 is a flowchart of a second jackpot process; and
[0041] FIG. 24 is a schematic view showing a gaming system of the
embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0042] An example of a preferred embodiment of the invention will
hereinafter be described with reference to the drawings.
[0043] As an equivalent of the game value of the invention, in
addition to a coin, a medal, a game ball or a token, there is a
game medium such as a card storing the information of a game value
awarded or to be awarded to players. In this embodiment, however,
the description will be given using the medal.
[0044] Configuration of Gaming Machine
[0045] First, the general outline of a gaming machine will be
described using FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a
general outline of the gaming machine of this embodiment.
[0046] As shown in FIG. 1, a gaming machine 310 includes a lottery
machine 312 and a plurality of gaming terminals 314. This gaming
machine 310 can provide a game simultaneously to a plurality of
players through the plurality of gaming terminals 314A to 314J.
Additionally, the gaming terminal 314 of this embodiment
corresponds to an example of the gaming terminal device of the
invention.
[0047] The lottery machine 312 mainly includes a housing 313
imitating a ship and is disposed in the center of the gaming
machine 310. Besides, two lottery wheels 338 and 339 are disposed
in the center of the lottery machine 312. These two lottery wheels
338 and 339 are formed with a total of 52 lottery holes 340, 341
(see FIG. 4). The identification information that is the
combination of a first symbol including spade, club, heart and
diamond and a second symbol including numbers 2 to 10 and letters
A, J, Q and K is made to correspond to these plural lottery holes
340, 341. A lottery is held in response to any of the plurality of
lottery holes 340, 341 that lottery balls have entered, thus
determining the result of the game. A rocking device 346 (see FIG.
2) is disposed in the lottery machine 312, and the housing 313 is
rockable so that a stem 312A and a stern 312B are displaced in an
up and down direction.
[0048] The plurality of gaming terminals 314A to 314J are disposed
on either broadside of the lottery machine 312. Besides, in this
embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, there are provided ten gaming
terminals 314A to 314J. Besides, the plurality of gaming terminals
314A to 314J are formed with medal payout ports 382A to 382J,
respectively. Additionally, FIG. 1 does not illustrate the gaming
terminals 314F to 314H and medal payout ports 382F to 382J that are
blocked from view by the lottery machine 312.
[0049] Additionally, this embodiment is configured to provide the
ten gaming terminals 314A to 314J as the plurality of gaming
terminals. However, the invention is not limited thereto but may
have another mode. For example, it may be configured that there are
provided a plurality other than ten of gaming terminals or that
there is provided one gaming terminal.
[0050] Configuration of Lottery Machine
[0051] The general outline of the lottery machine 312 of the gaming
machine 310 will be described using FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a
longitudinal sectional view showing a general outline of the
lottery machine 312 of this embodiment.
[0052] As shown in FIG. 2, a screw conveyor 320 is disposed at the
stern 312B of the lottery machine 312. This screw conveyor 320 is a
device for upwardly conveying the lottery balls used in the lottery
via the inside of the lottery machine 312.
[0053] This screw conveyor 320 includes a spiral body 320A
extending upwardly at a predetermined angle, a support plate 320B
extending along the spiral body 320A, and a lottery ball lifting
motor 320C for rotating the spiral body 320A. A groove having a
larger curvature radius than the radius of the lottery ball is
spirally formed in the spiral body 320A. The lottery ball lifting
motor 320A is driven, thereby rotating the spiral body 320A, so
that the lottery balls are conveyed upward while being held between
the groove spirally formed in the spiral body 320A and the support
plate 320B. That is, the screw conveyor 320 is disposed outside the
housing 313 and visibly conveys lottery balls 302 being
conveyed.
[0054] Besides, a lottery ball holding portion 332 is disposed
above the lottery machine 312. This lottery ball holding portion
332, to be visible from the players, etc., is formed from a resin
having permeability. Consequently, the remaining number of lottery
balls can be clearly showed to the players. This lottery ball
holding portion 332 has an upwardly opening shape and holds the
lottery balls guided from a lottery ball guide portion 324.
Besides, an opening (not shown) for passing one lottery ball
therethrough is formed in the bottom face of the lottery ball
holding portion 332.
[0055] A cylindrical rotating body 328 is disposed below the
lottery ball holding portion 332. This rotating body 328 has the
function of closing the opening formed in the bottom face of the
lottery ball holding portion 332. Thereby, the lottery balls held
by the lottery ball holding portion 332 are maintained held.
[0056] Besides, the rotating body 328 is formed with a holding hole
(not shown) for holding one lottery ball. A drive portion (not
shown) including a rotary motor 326 (see FIG. 10), etc. is disposed
at the edge end of the rotating body 328. The drive portion is
driven to thereby rotate the rotating body 328. The rotating body
328 is rotated to thereby make the holding hole open upwardly, thus
dropping one lottery ball held by the lottery ball holding portion
332 into the holding hole via the opening. Furthermore, the
rotating body 328 is rotated to thereby close the opening formed in
the lottery ball holding portion 332 and also make one lottery ball
held in the holding hole. Furthermore, the rotating body 328 is
rotated to thereby close the opening formed in the lottery ball
holding portion 332 and also make the holding hole open downwardly,
thus downwardly dropping one lottery ball held in the holding hole.
Thus, one lottery ball held by the lottery ball holding portion 332
is selected and then dropped. Besides, this rotating body 328 is
formed from a resin having permeability, so that the lottery ball
held in the holding holes becomes visible to the players.
Consequently, the progress of the game can be clearly shown to the
players.
[0057] A lottery ball receiving portion 334 having permeability is
disposed below the rotating body 328. This lottery ball receiving
portion 334 is for receiving the lottery balls dropped through the
holding hole of the rotating body disposed thereabove.
Consequently, the lottery balls dropped from the holding hole of
the rotating body 328 are held by the lottery ball receiving
portion 334 so as to be visible to the players. The lottery ball
receiving portion 334 is formed with notches 334C and 334D (see
FIG. 3) for inputting the received lottery balls therethrough onto
any one of the lottery wheels 338 and 339. Since the lottery
machine 312 has the rocking function, the lottery balls held by the
lottery ball receiving portion 334 are guided to any one of the two
lottery wheels 338 and 339 in response to the inclined angle of the
lottery machine 312.
[0058] Slopes 336A and 336B formed with input paths through which
the lottery balls can pass are connected to the notches 334C and
334D (see FIG. 3) of the lottery ball receiving portion 334. These
slopes 336A and 336B are for inputting the lottery balls held by
the lottery ball receiving portion 334 onto any one of face
portions 338A and 339A. The slopes 336A and 336B are formed from a
resin having permeability. Consequently, the lottery balls passing
through the slopes 336A and 336B are made visible to the
players.
[0059] The two lottery wheels 338 and 339 are disposed at the lower
ends of the slopes 336A and 336B, respectively. These lottery
wheels 338 and 339 are formed with the face portions 338A and 339A
having the faces on which the lottery balls can roll and that are
horizontal to the housing 313.
[0060] A plurality of the lottery holes 340, 341 for holding one
lottery ball are formed on the upper faces of these face portions
338A and 339A. A shutter 347 is disposed on the bottom face of the
plurality of lottery holes 340, 341. During the game, this shutter
347 is controlled to be closed, thus holding the lottery balls that
have entered the plurality of lottery holes 340, 341. Besides,
after the game ends, the shutter 347 is controlled into the open
state, thereby discharging the lottery balls that have entered the
plurality of lottery balls 340, 341 into the inside of the lottery
machine 312. Besides, the plurality of lottery holes 340, 341 are
each disposed with an input ball detection sensor 349. The input
ball detection sensor 349 detects that the lottery ball has entered
any of the plurality of lottery holes.
[0061] A collection portion 345 formed with a first collection path
344 and a second collection path 350 is provided below the two
lottery wheels 338 and 339 of such a lottery machine 312. The
shutter 347 is controlled into the open state, whereby this
collection portion 345 allows the first collection path 344 receive
the lottery balls that have entered the plurality of lottery holes
340, 341. Besides, this collection portion 345 is formed with
inclined portions 353A and 353B for downwardly dropping the lottery
balls received by the first collection path 344. Furthermore, the
horizontally extending second collection path 350 is formed below
the inclined portions 353A and 353B. Thereby, the lottery balls
that have entered the plurality of lottery holes 340, 341 are
guided by the second collection path 350 via the first collection
path 344 and then held.
[0062] An open/close gate 352 is disposed in the second collection
path 350. This open/close gate 352 is openably/closeably
controlled. Consequently, when placed in the open state, the
open/close gate 352 comes into the state where the lottery balls
can pass between the second collection path 350 and the lower end
of the spiral body 320A. On the contrary, when placed in the closed
state, the open/close gate 352 comes into the state where the
lottery balls cannot pass between the second collection path 350
and the lower end of the spiral body 320A. Thus, the lottery
machine 312 is rocked so that the stern 312B side becomes lower
than the stem 312A side, and the open/close gate 352 is controlled
into the open state. Thereby, the lottery balls held in the second
collection path 350 are led out to the lower end of the spiral body
320A. Besides, the open/close gate 352 is controlled into the
closed state, thereby preventing the lottery balls led out to the
lower end of the spiral body 320A from returning to the second
collection path 350, and furthermore preventing the lottery balls
held in the second collection path 350 from being led out to the
lower end of the spiral body 320A.
[0063] A lottery ball passing detection sensor 351 is disposed
between the open/close gate 352 and the lower end of the spiral
body 320A. This lottery ball passing detection sensor 351 is for
detecting the number of lottery balls led out to the lower end of
the spiral body 320A from the second collection path 350 via the
open/close gate. Accordingly, the lottery machine 312 is inclined
so that the stern 312B side becomes lower than the stem 312A side,
and the open/close gate 352 is controlled into the open state.
Thereby, when the number of lottery balls that have passed through
the open/close gate 352 reaches a predetermined number, the
open/close gate 352 is controlled into the closed state, so that
the predetermined number of lottery balls are led out to the lower
end of the spiral body 320A. Besides, after the predetermined
number of lottery balls are led out to the lower end of the spiral
body 320A, these lottery balls do not return to the second
collection path 350.
[0064] Besides, the lottery machine 312, provided with the rocking
device 346, is rockable and inclinable about a rocking shaft
348.
[0065] A dot LED display 327 including a plurality of LED's, etc.
is disposed below the lottery ball holding portion 332. A game
round number is displayed on this dot LED display 327. Besides, a
START lamp 329 is disposed in the center of the lottery machine
312. In this START lamp 329, when the lottery balls drop through
the holding hole of the rotating body 328 onto the lottery ball
receiving portion 334, a built-in lamp is turned on and a letter
START is displayed so as to be visible to the players. Besides, the
configuration may be such that the gaming machine 310 is provided
with a plurality of lighting devices (not shown), thereby enabling
the sailing ship-shaped lottery machine 312 to be lighted up with
various colors, thus enabling various representations together with
the rocking operation. As a target that can be lighted up, there
are sails 311A to 311E.
[0066] The aforesaid lottery ball receiving portion 334 and slopes
336A and 336B will be described using FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a top view
showing the lottery ball receiving portion 334 and the slopes 336A
and 336B.
[0067] As shown in FIG. 3, the aforesaid lottery ball receiving
portion 334 is formed with a recessed portion 334A. This recessed
portion 334A receives the lottery balls that drop through the
holding hole of the aforesaid rotating body 328. Besides, two
notches 334C and 334D are formed in a side face 334B of the lottery
ball receiving portion 334. Consequently, as the lottery machine
312 is rocked, the lottery balls received by the recessed portion
334A roll outside the recessed portion 334A through any one of the
two notches 334C and 334D.
[0068] The upper ends of the slopes 336A and 336B are connected to
these notches 334C and 334D. Besides, as aforesaid, the upper ends
of the slopes 336A and 336B are disposed above the lottery wheels
338 and 339, respectively. Consequently, these slopes 336A and 336B
receive the lottery balls rolled outside the lottery ball receiving
portion 334 through the aforesaid notches 334C and 334D of the
lottery ball receiving portion 334, thus guiding the rolled-out
lottery balls to any one of the lottery wheels 338 and 339.
Besides, these slopes 336A and 336B are each disposed so that the
lottery balls are inputted toward the same direction as the
rotational direction of the lottery wheels 338 and 339.
Additionally, in this embodiment, the slopes 336A and 336B are
formed to be linear but may not be formed linear. For example, the
slopes 336A and 336B may be formed to have a curve.
[0069] Description of Lottery Wheel, etc.
[0070] The aforesaid lottery machine 312 and lottery wheels 338 and
339 will be described using FIGS. 4 to 6. FIG. 4 is a top view
showing the lottery machine 312. FIG. 5 is a perspective view
showing the lottery wheel 338. FIG. 6 is a top view showing the
lottery wheel 338. Additionally, in FIGS. 5 and 6, since the
lottery wheel 339 has the same configuration as the lottery wheel
338, the description thereof will be omitted.
[0071] As shown in FIG. 4, as aforesaid, the two lottery wheels 338
and 339 are disposed in the lottery machine 312. The two lottery
wheels 338 and 339 can be provided with the plurality of lottery
holes 340, 341. Therefore, for example, as compared with when one
lottery wheel is used, an installation space in a game arcade can
be effectively utilized without taking up an unnecessary space as
many lottery holes are provided. Thereby, many lottery holes can be
provided, thus enabling an increase in interest such for example as
allowing much latitude in payouts. Additionally, these lottery
holes 340, 341 are used not only in a bingo game but also in a
symbol guessing game at a second jackpot to be described later.
Additionally, the first and second jackpots of this embodiment each
correspond to an example of the event of the invention.
[0072] These lottery wheels 338 and 339 are circular as seen from
above. These lottery wheels 338 and 339 are rotatably disposed on
the deck of the housing 313. The lottery wheels 338 and 339 are
formed with the face portions 338A and 339A that make the lottery
balls rollable. Besides, these lottery wheels 338 and 339 rotate in
substantially the same direction (see arrows B1 and B2) as the
direction (see arrows A1 and A2) in which the lottery balls are
inputted from the slopes 336A and 336B. Specifically, the lottery
wheel 338 rotates clockwise and, as shown in FIG. 5, the slope 336A
is inputted clockwise. Consequently, when the lottery balls are
rolled onto the lottery wheels 338 and 339, the speed of the
lottery balls does not significantly slow down. Accordingly, there
is a low possibility that the lottery balls enter any of the
plurality of lottery holes 340, 341 in a very short time.
[0073] Besides, a connection table 390 is provided between the
lottery wheels 338 and 339. This connection table 390 has the face
flush with the face portions 338A and 339A of the lottery wheels
338 and 339. Consequently, the lottery balls roll between the
lottery wheels 338 and 339. Besides, the rolling speed of the
lottery balls does not significantly slow down.
[0074] Guide portions 392 and 394 are provided between the lottery
wheels 338 and 339. These guide portions 392 and 394 are provided
in such a position as to sandwich the connection table 390 along
the outer peripheries of the lottery wheels 338 and 339. These
guide portions 392 and 394 have a more convex shape than the face
portions 338A and 339A of the lottery wheels 338 and 339.
Consequently, the lottery balls hit against the guide portions 392
and 394, thereby guiding the rolling movement of the lottery
balls.
[0075] Besides, bank portions 396 and 398 are provided outside the
lottery wheels 338 and 339. These bank portions 396 and 398 are
provided along the outer peripheries of the lottery wheels 338 and
339. These bank portions 396 and 398 have a more convex shape than
the face portions 338A and 339A of the lottery wheels 338 and 339.
Consequently, the lottery balls inputted onto the lottery wheels
338 and 339 from the slopes 336A and 336B, even when rolling
outside the lottery wheels 338 and 339, ride on the bank portions
396 and 398 and are rolled again onto the lottery wheels 338 and
339. Besides, when the lottery balls riding on the bank portions
396 and 398 are rolled onto the lottery wheels 338 and 339, the
speed of the lottery balls does not significantly slow down.
Accordingly, there is a low possibility that the lottery balls
enter the plurality of lottery holes 340, 341 in a very short time.
Thus, the lottery balls enter any of the plurality of lottery holes
in about 10 to 30 seconds.
[0076] Besides, the lottery wheels 338 and 339 rotate in opposite
directions as indicated by the arrows B1 and B2. Consequently, the
lottery balls inputted onto the lottery wheel 338 sometimes roll
onto the lottery wheel 339 from the lottery wheel 338 via the
connection table 390. Conversely, the lottery balls inputted onto
the lottery wheel 339 sometimes roll onto the lottery wheel 338
from the lottery wheel 339 via the connection table 390.
Accordingly, the lottery balls roll between these lottery wheels
338 and 339. Besides, since the rocking device 346 is disposed in
the lottery machine 312, the housing 323 of the lottery machine 312
is rocked. Thereby, for example, the lottery balls can be rolled on
the lottery wheels 338 and 339 so as to roll in an 8-shaped fashion
between the lottery wheels 338 and 339. At the same time, a
difficult-to-predict novel game can be provided to the players,
thus enabling an enhancement in the interest in the game.
Additionally, these lottery wheels 338 and 339, connection table
390, guide portions 392 and 394, and bank portions 396 and 398 are
surrounded with a fence formed from a resin having permeability.
Thus, there is no risk that the lottery balls roll out of the
fence.
[0077] These lottery wheels 338 and 339 are each provided with 26
lottery holes 340, 341. As shown in FIG. 5, the identification
information including space and heart as the first symbol is
assigned to the plurality of lottery holes 340 provided in the
lottery wheel 338. Specifically, A, 2 to 10, J, Q and K of spade
and A, 2 to 10, J, Q and K of heart are assigned to the plurality
of lottery holes 340 provided in the lottery wheel 338. On the
other hand, the identification information including club and
diamond as the first symbol is assigned to the plurality of lottery
holes 341 provided in the lottery wheel 339. Specifically, A, 2 to
10, J, Q and K of club and A, 2 to 10, J, Q and K of diamond are
assigned to the plurality of lottery holes 341 provided in the
lottery wheel 339. That is, any of the plurality of symbols is set
to be of a kind, which therefore allows the players to easily
identify the desired identification information by observing the
place in which the lottery balls roll. This makes it possible to
let the players still further have impatience and expectation, thus
enabling an enhancement in the interest in the game. For example,
when the lottery balls roll on the lottery wheel 338, it can be
easily identified that the first symbol is of spade and heart, and
when the lottery balls roll on the lottery wheel 339, it can be
easily identified that the first symbol is of club and diamond.
That is, in the two lottery wheels 338 and 339, the identification
information having any of the first symbols set to be of a kind is
assigned to the plurality of lottery holes 340, 341 of the two
lottery wheels 338 and 339. Thereby, for example, the players are
allowed to easily identify the desired identification information
by observing the lottery wheels 338 and 339 on which the lottery
balls roll. This makes it possible to let the players still further
have impatience and expectation, thus enabling an enhancement in
the interest in the game.
[0078] Besides, as shown in FIG. 6, the lottery wheel 338 is
provided with the plurality of lottery holes 340 along
circumferences C1 and C2 centered about a center point C0 of
rotation. This circumference C2 is positioned inwardly from the
circumference C1. Besides, 16 lottery holes are provided along the
circumference C1, while 10 lottery holes are provided along the
circumference C2. Besides, as aforesaid, A, 2 to 10, J, Q and K of
spade and A, 2 to 10, J, Q and K of heart are assigned to these 26
lottery holes 340. And, specifically, A and 2 to 8 of spade and A
and 2 to 8 of heart are assigned to the 16 lottery holes provided
along the circumference C1, while 9, 10, J, Q and K of spade and 9,
10, J, Q and K of heart are assigned to the 10 lottery holes
provided along the circumference C2.
[0079] Besides, as shown in FIG. 5, the lottery wheel 338 is
provided with a plurality of convex portions 342 having a more
convex shape than the face portions 338A of the lottery wheel 338.
Besides, as shown in FIG. 6, the plurality of convex portions 342
are provided along a circumference C3 centered about the center
point C0 of rotation. Besides, this circumference C3 is positioned
inwardly from the most inward circumference C2 of the
circumferences C1 and C2 provided with the plurality of lottery
holes. That is, the plurality of convex portions 342 are provided
along the circumference C3 positioned inwardly from the most inward
circumference C2 of the plurality of kinds of circumferences C1 and
C2, so as to be adjacent to the plurality of lottery holes formed
on the most inward circumference C2. Thereby, for example, the
lottery balls hit against the convex portions, which weakens the
rolling movement of the lottery balls, thus making it possible to
change the rolling direction of the lottery balls. Then, out of the
plurality of kinds of circumferences C1 and C2, the lottery balls
evenly enter the lottery holes formed along the inner circumference
C2 and the lottery holes formed along the outer circumference C1.
Therefore, it is possible to hold a lottery in which the lottery
balls evenly enter many lottery holes.
[0080] Besides, as shown in FIG. 6, the configuration is preferably
such that a convex portion 342A having a convex shape is provided
in the region surrounded by: tangent lines D1 and D2 tangent to two
lottery holes 340A and 340B adjacent to each other along the inner
circumference C2; and the circumference C3. For example, the
lottery balls that have passed between the lottery holes 340A and
340B hit against the convex portion 342A, which weakens the rolling
movement of the lottery balls, thus making it possible to change
the rolling direction of the lottery balls, thereby raising the
possibility of entering the lottery holes 340A and 340B. Thus, out
of the plurality of kinds of circumferences C1 and C2, the lottery
balls evenly enter the lottery holes formed along the inner
circumference C2 and the lottery holes formed along the outer
circumference C1. Therefore, it is possible to hold a lottery in
which the lottery balls evenly enter many lottery holes.
[0081] Description of Collection Portion
[0082] The aforesaid collection portion 345 of the lottery machine
312 will be described using FIGS. 7A to 7G. FIGS. 7A to 7G are
longitudinal sectional views showing the second collection path
350.
[0083] When the game ends, as aforesaid, the shutter 347 is placed
in the open state, and the lottery balls drop through the plurality
of lottery holes 340, 341. And, after the elapse of a predetermined
time, as shown in FIG. 7A, these lottery balls are held in the
second collection path 350 via the first collection path 344. As
shown in FIG. 7A, with the lottery balls 302 held in the second
collection path 350 of the aforesaid collection portion 345, the
housing 313 is inclined by the rocking device 346. In this case, as
shown in FIG. 7B, since the open/close gate 352 provided in the
second collection path 350 is in the closed state, the lottery
balls 302 are held in the second collection path 350 so as to be
positioned on the open/close gate 352 side. And, as shown in FIG.
7C, the open/close gate 352 is controlled into the open state,
whereby the lottery balls 302 positioned in the second collection
path 350 roll toward a lower portion of the spiral body 320A. That
is, the housing 313 is inclined, and the lottery balls 302
positioned in the second collection path 350 are led out to the
screw conveyor 320. When the lottery balls 302 thus roll toward the
lower portion of the spiral body 320A, the lottery ball 302 passing
detection sensor 351 detects the number of lottery balls 302 rolled
toward the lower portion of the spiral body 320A. That is, the
lottery ball 302 passing detection sensor 351 detects the number of
lottery balls 302 led out to the screw conveyor 320 from the second
collection path 350. In other words, the lottery ball 302 passing
detection sensor 351 detects the number of lottery balls 302
passing through the open/close gate 352. When the number of lottery
balls 302 detected by the lottery ball 302 passing detection sensor
351 reaches a predetermined number, as shown in FIG. 7D, the
open/close gate 352 is controlled into the closed state. Thereby,
as shown in FIG. 7E, the predetermined number of lottery balls 302
roll toward the lower portion of the spiral body 320A and conveyed
upwardly by the screw conveyor 320. That is, the lottery balls are
made ready to be inputted. Besides, in this state, as shown in FIG.
7F, the inclination of the housing 313 is returned to a horizontal
position, i.e., control for restraint is performed. That is, the
rocking device 346 has the function of restraining the inclination
of the housing 313. Besides, as shown in FIG. 7F, the lottery balls
302 that have rolled toward the lower portion of the spiral body
320A do not return. Of course, as shown in FIG. 7G, even when the
housing 313 is inclined in the reverse direction, similarly, the
lottery balls 302 that have rolled toward the lower portion of the
spiral body 320A do not return.
[0084] Thereby, the housing 313 (see FIG. 1) is inclined, and the
lottery balls positioned in the second collection path 350 are led
out to the lower portion of the spiral body 320A. Therefore, the
lottery balls can be collected by merely inclining the housing 313,
thus enabling the gaming machine to be manufactured in a simple
manner and at low cost. Particularly, as much space as possible
need be saved in a large-size gaming machine such as a bingo game
machine, and still more space can be saved according to the
invention. Besides, there is no need to provide each of the
plurality of lottery holes with a lottery ball discharge unit, thus
enabling the gaming machine to be manufacture in a simpler manner
and at lower cost.
[0085] Description of Gaming Terminal
[0086] The gaming terminal 314A of the gaming machine 310 will be
described using FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the gaming
terminal 314A. Additionally, since the gaming terminals 314B to
314J have the same configuration as the gaming terminal 314A, the
description thereof will be omitted.
[0087] The gaming terminal 314A mainly includes a display 370A, a
touch sensor 372A (see FIG. 11), an inner dial 376A and an outer
dial 377A, a medal input port 378A and a main control circuit 500A
(see FIG. 11).
[0088] The display 370A is provided in an upper portion of the
gaming terminal 314A. A bingo game matrix card image allotted to
the players and other pieces of information, or an optional game
image, etc. are displayed on the display 370A. With such a
configuration, the game can proceed with various pieces of
information displayed on a display screen of the display 370A being
visible to the players.
[0089] Furthermore, the configuration may be as follows. That is,
the lottery machine 312 is provided with a camera (not shown) that
takes the overall picture of the lottery wheels 338 and 339, and
the image taken is displayed on the display 370A. Thereby, even
when any one of the lottery wheels 338 and 339 is difficult to
watch, the lottery wheels 338 and 339 can be made visible to the
players.
[0090] Besides, the display 370A is provided with a touch panel
mainly including the touch sensor 372A. Thereby, the players can be
provided with a gaming environment in which the input of various
data and the issue of instructions are made possible by touching
the display 370A.
[0091] Additionally, in this embodiment, the touch sensor 372A
enables various input operations. However, other operating modes
can be used. For example, the configuration may be such that there
are provided a plurality of operation buttons with which various
input operations can be performed.
[0092] A seat portion 374A is provided on the player side of the
display 370A. The inner dial 376A and the outer dial 377A
positioned in vertical tiers are provided on the upper face of this
seat portion 374A. By using the inner dial 376A and the outer dial
377A, the players can be provided with a gaming environment in
which a difficult operation can be performed by merely depressing
the normal operation buttons and touching the touch panel. For
example, in a first jackpot game to be described later, the inner
dial 376A or the outer dial 377A is moved right and left, whereby a
mock telescope 397 (see FIG. 13) displayed on the display 370A can
be moved right and left, or the focal distance of the mock
telescope 397 can be adjusted.
[0093] For example, in this embodiment, in the bingo game matrix
image displayed on the display 370A, the identification
information, assigned to bingo cells, in the outer periphery of the
matrix image can be moved between adjacent bingo cells along the
aforesaid outer periphery. Thereby, when the movement of the second
identification information is intended to be continuously
performed, the operation must be repeated over and over again by
only depressing the normal operation buttons and touching the touch
panel, which is a lot of trouble. Therefore, when an input device
such as the inner dial 376A and the outer dial 377A is used, the
continuous operation becomes possible with one motion, so that a
game of high operability can be provided to the players. Besides, a
very simple operation can be performed even for an analog motion in
performing scrolling on the screen, in moving a pointer, or in like
case, so that a game of high operability can be provided to the
players.
[0094] Besides, the medal input port 378A for inputting medals
therethrough is provided on the right side of the inner dial 376A
and the outer dial 377A. Besides, a medal sensor 380A (see FIG. 11)
is disposed inside the medal input port 378A. This medal sensor
378A detects that medals have been inputted into the medal input
port 378A. Thus, when the players input medals into the medal input
port 378A, the medal sensor 380A detects that the medals have been
inputted.
[0095] Besides, the main control circuit 500A (see FIG. 11) is
disposed inside the seat portion 374A and controls the aforesaid
various devices.
[0096] Configuration of Gaming Machine
[0097] The system configuration of the gaming machine 310 will be
described using FIG. 9.
[0098] As shown in FIG. 9, the gaming machine 310 mainly includes:
a lottery machine controller 360 for performing the control of the
lottery machine 312; and the gaming terminals 314A to 314J.
[0099] The lottery machine controller 360 is communicably connected
to ten gaming terminals 314A to 314J. Besides, this lottery machine
controller 360 can control the gaming terminals 314A to 314J by
transmitting/receiving various data and signals from the ten gaming
terminals 314A to 314J.
[0100] Electrical Configuration of Lottery Machine
[0101] The electrical configuration of the lottery machine 312 of
the gaming machine 310 will be described using FIG. 10.
[0102] FIG. 10 shows a circuit configuration including a main
control circuit 400 that controls the game processing operation of
the lottery machine 312 of the gaming machine 310, and a peripheral
device (actuator) that is electrically connected to the main
control circuit 400.
[0103] The main control circuit 400 includes a CPU 406 that
performs a control operation in accordance with a pre-set program,
and an ROM 408 and an RAM 410 that are the storage unit.
[0104] As shown in FIG. 10, the input ball detection sensor 349 is
connected to an interface circuit group 402 of the main control
circuit 400. When the lottery balls enter any of the plurality of
lottery holes 340, 341, the input ball detection sensor 349
supplies a predetermined signal to an input/output bus 404 via the
interface circuit group 402. The input/output bus 404
inputs/outputs a data signal or an address signal from the control
processing unit (hereinafter called the CPU) 406.
[0105] Besides, the lottery ball passing detection sensor 351 is
also connected to the interface circuit group 402 of the main
control circuit 400. When the lottery balls pass through the
open/close gate 352, the lottery ball passing detection sensor 351
supplies a predetermined signal to the input/output bus 404 via the
interface circuit group 402.
[0106] Furthermore, communication control circuits 414A to 414J are
connected to the interface circuit group 402. These communication
control circuits 414A to 414J are for providing a communicable
connection between the lottery machine controller 360 and the
gaming terminals 314A to 314J. Particularly, data signals of the
number of bets per game to be described later are transmitted from
the gaming terminals 314A to 314J via the communication control
circuits 414A to 414J. Thereby, a jackpot pool value to be
described later can be calculated. Additionally, the pool value of
this embodiment corresponds to the cumulative value of the
invention.
[0107] The ROM (Read Only Memory) 408 and the RAM (Random Access
Memory) 410 are also connected to the aforesaid input/output bus
404. The ROM 408 records a control program for controlling the
process of the game in the lottery machine controller 360.
Furthermore, the ROM 408 stores initial data, various programs,
etc. for executing the control program. Besides, the RAM 410 stores
a flag and the value of a variable that are used in the aforesaid
program.
[0108] Furthermore, an interface circuit group 412 is connected to
the input/output bus 404. The lottery ball lifting motor 320C, the
rotary motor 326, lottery wheel rotating motors 335 and 337, the
shutter 347, the rocking device 346, and the open/close gate 352
are connected to the interface circuit group 412. Thereby, the CPU
406 controls various devices, thus enabling driving of the
aforesaid lottery machine 312.
[0109] A clock pulse generator 415 and a frequency divider 416 that
generate a reference clock pulse, and a random number generator 417
and a random number sampling circuit 418 that generate a random
number to be sampled are connected to the CPU 406. Additionally,
means for random sampling may be configured to execute random
sampling on an operation program of the CPU 406. In that case, the
random number generator 417 and random number sampling circuit 418
can be omitted or can also be left intact for use as backup for a
random number sampling operation.
[0110] A control program for controlling the process of the game in
the lottery machine controller 360 is stored in the ROM 408.
Furthermore, initial data, various programs, etc. for executing the
control program are stored in the ROM 408. In addition, each event
value and an upper limit value of a first jackpot to be described
later are stored in the ROM 408.
[0111] Besides, a first jackpot activation time determination table
and a second jackpot activation time determination table (see FIGS.
15 and 16), which will be described later, are stored in the ROM
408. As will be described later, each jackpot activation time
determination table is for determining in which round of game a
jackpot is activated after the game that meets the condition of
activation, when each jackpot meets the condition of activation,
i.e., when each pool value exceeds the intrinsic event value of the
jackpot.
[0112] Furthermore, a first jackpot notification execution time
determination table and a second jackpot notification execution
time determination table (see FIGS. 17 and 18), which will be
described later, are stored in the ROM 408. Each jackpot
notification execution time determination table is for determining
in which round of game a jackpot notification is executed before a
game in which the jackpot is activated.
[0113] Besides, the RAM 410 stores therein a flag and the value of
a variable that are used in the aforesaid program. Furthermore, as
will be described later, based on the total number of medals bet, a
jackpot pool value is stored in the RAM 410, wherein the pool value
is updated on a per game basis.
[0114] Electrical Configuration of Gaming Terminal
[0115] The electrical configuration of the gaming terminal 314A of
the gaming machine 310 will be described using FIG. 11.
Additionally, since the gaming terminals 314B to 314J have the same
configuration as the gaming terminal 314A, the description thereof
will be omitted
[0116] As shown in FIG. 11, the medal sensor 380A is an interface
circuit group 502A of the main control circuit 500A. When medals
are inputted through the medal input port 378A, the medal sensor
380A supplies a predetermined signal to an input/output bus 504A
via the interface circuit group 502A. The input/output bust 504A
inputs/outputs a data signal or an address signal from a central
processing unit (hereinafter called a CPU) 506A. Additionally, when
medals are inputted, the number of bets is also detected by the
medal sensor 380A. The medal sensor 380A transmits a data signal of
the number of bets to the CPU 506A. This data signal is transmitted
via a to-be-described communication control circuit 514A, as a data
signal, to the CPU 406 (see FIG. 10) of the main control circuit
400 (see FIG. 10) of the lottery machine 312. This data of the
number of bets is further transmitted to the RAM 410.
[0117] Besides, the touch sensor 372A is also connected to the
interface circuit group 502A of the main control circuit 500A. When
detecting that the player has touched the display position of an
instruction content displayed on the device 370A, the touch sensor
372A supplies the interface circuit group 502A with a signal
corresponding to such an instruction content.
[0118] Besides, the inner dial 376A and the outer dial 377A are
connected to the aforesaid interface circuit group 502A. When the
players rotate the inner dial 376A and the outer dial 377A, a
signal corresponding to the rotating angle of the inner dial 376A
or the outer dial 377A is supplied to the interface circuit group
502A.
[0119] Furthermore, the communication control circuit 514A is
connected to the interface circuit group 502A. This communication
control circuit 514A is for providing a communicable connection
between the lottery machine controller 360 and the gaming terminal
314A. Particularly, a signal for generating a jackpot and a signal
for executing a jackpot notification are transmitted from the
lottery machine 312 via the communication control circuit 514A.
[0120] An ROM (Read Only Memory) 508A and an RAM (Random Access
Memory) 510A are connected to the aforesaid input/output bus 504A.
The ROM 508A stores therein a control program for controlling the
process of the game of the gaming terminal 314A. Furthermore, the
ROM 508A stores therein an initial data for executing the control
program, a program for controlling the display of the display 370A,
etc. Besides, the RAM 510A stores therein a flag and the value of a
variable that are used in the aforesaid program.
[0121] Furthermore, an interface circuit group 512A is connected to
the input/output bus 504A. A speaker 586A and a hopper 588A are
connected to the interface circuit group 512A. And, the interface
circuit group 512A supplies a drive signal and drive power so as to
control each of the aforesaid devices in response to the result of
a calculation process in the CPU 506A.
[0122] Furthermore, a display controller 600A is connected to the
interface circuit group 512A. The display controller 600A supplies
the display 370A with an image signal for displaying an image,
based on an image display command supplied from the main control
circuit 500A.
[0123] A bingo game and a jackpot that are played using the gaming
machine 310 will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 14. In
a bingo game machine such as the gaming machine 310, in addition to
the normally performed bingo game, a game (event) called a jackpot
is played. The jackpot is an event (game) that has a high
possibility of awarding more medals to the players than in the
bingo game.
[0124] Bingo Game
[0125] The conventional bingo game is such a game as follows. That
is, 25 numbers serving as the identification information are
described on a bingo card made of paper on which 5.times.5 bingo
matrix cells are drawn. And, when a number selected by lottery is
found on the bingo card, a bingo cell corresponding to the selected
number is activated. When five activated bingo cells are arranged
in vertical, horizontal or diagonal line on the bingo card, a bingo
hand is achieved, thus awarding a prize such as commercial goods to
the winner.
[0126] A bingo game played on the gaming machine 310 is played by
the same rule as the aforesaid. However, in the bingo game played
on the gaming machine 310, as shown in FIG. 12, in place of the
bingo cells made of paper, bingo cells 375 are displayed on a
display screen 371A of the display 370A of the gaming terminal
314A, thereby allowing the players to play the bingo game.
Additionally, since the gaming terminals 314B to 314J have
substantially the same configuration as the gaming terminal 314A,
the description thereof will be omitted.
[0127] Besides, in the bingo game played on the gaming machine 310,
as shown in FIG. 12, in place of the numbers serving as the
identification information of the normal bingo game, playing-card
designs are used as the identification information. Accordingly,
even when a poker hand (e.g., one pair, two pair, three of a kind,
straight, flush, full house, four of a kind, straight flush, royal
flush, or five of a kind) is achieved in addition to the
conventional bingo hand, medals are awarded to the winning
players.
[0128] And, the bingo game is played by such a procedure as
follows. First, the lottery balls are inputted onto lottery wheels
338 and 339, and the lottery balls roll on the lottery wheels 338
and 339. The lottery balls whose rolling movement grows weak enter
either the lottery holes 340 or the lottery holes 341. If any bingo
cells have the same designs as the playing-card designs of lottery
holes that the lottery balls have entered, bingo cells 375
corresponding to the playing-card designs are activated. When the
activated bingo cells form the aforesaid bingo hand or poker hand,
medals equivalent to the hand are awarded to the winning
players.
[0129] Jackpot
[0130] The jackpot of the gaming machine 310 of this embodiment
will now be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14.
[0131] The jackpot refers to an event (game) that has a high
possibility of awarding more medals to the players participating in
the game than in the bingo game. The players can obtain the chance
of being able to win more medals than in the bingo game. Here, the
"players participating in the game" refers to players who are
actually involved in the bingo game with a medal bet upon
activation of a jackpot. The jackpot has two kinds: a first jackpot
and a second jackpot.
[0132] The first jackpot will be described with reference to FIG.
13. FIG. 13 shows an image displayed on the display 370A of the
gaming terminal 314A at a Discover Treasure Island game held in the
first jackpot.
[0133] Here, the fist jackpot refers to a less-awarded jackpot that
is pre-set to have a possibility of activating frequently per day.
The first jackpot is a less-awarded jackpot than the
to-be-described second jackpot but is set to have a higher
activation frequency than the second jackpot. When the first
jackpot is activated, all the players participating in the game
play the Discover Treasure Island game of searching for a treasure
island. As shown in FIG. 13, the mock telescope 397 is displayed on
the display screen 371A of the display 370A of the gaming terminal
314A. The players operate the inner dial 376A or the outer dial
377A (see FIG. 8) right and left, thereby moving the mock telescope
397 right and left or adjusting the focal distance of the mock
telescope 397, thus searching for the treasure island 379. And, 60
medals are awarded to the player who is the first to discover the
treasure island 379, 30 medals to the second, and 10 medals to the
third.
[0134] The second jackpot will now be described with reference to
FIG. 14. FIG. 14 shows an image displayed on the display 370A of
the gaming terminal 314A at a symbol guessing game held in the
second jackpot.
[0135] The second jackpot refers to a high-awarded jackpot that is
pre-set to have a possibility of activating several times per day.
When the jackpot is activated, the lottery balls are inputted onto
the lottery wheels 338 and 339 (see FIG. 4). The lottery balls roll
on the lottery wheels 338 and 339 and thereafter enter the lottery
holes 340 and 341. The second jackpot is the game in which when
three lottery balls enter the lottery holes 340 and 341, three
playing-card symbols of the three lottery holes 340 and 341 are
guessed. Similar to the first jackpot, in the second jackpot, the
chance of challenging the game is given to all the players
participating in the game. As shown in FIG. 14, the players operate
the inner dial 376A or the outer dial 377A (see FIG. 8) right and
left, thereby selecting three playing-card symbols 701, 702 and
703. When all the three symbols are guessed right, 1,000 medals are
awarded to the winner. However, when there are a plurality of
winners, the 1,000 medals are shared equally among the winners.
[0136] The conventional gaming machine is configured such that the
jackpot is activated on a per gaming terminal basis. Therefore, a
player cannot participate in a jackpot activating at the gaming
terminal of another player. Accordingly, unfairness arises among
the players participating in a bingo game of the same bingo game
machine. Thus, there is the risk of reducing the interest of the
players in the game.
[0137] In the gaming machine 310 of the invention, both the first
and second jackpots are configured such that all the players
participating in the game can be involved in the jackpot.
Therefore, it is possible to provide the gaming machine that
maintains the expectation of the players without reducing the
interest of the players.
[0138] Condition of Jackpot Activation
[0139] On the other hand, in the gaming machine 310, a
predetermined condition need be satisfied in order for a jackpot to
activate. The condition of jackpot activation is that each pool
value to be described below exceeds the intrinsic event value of
each jackpot. Here, the pool value refers to a value obtained such
that after the preceding jackpot activation, the total number of
medals bet per game by all the players is multiplied by a rate
pre-set for each jackpot (hereinafter called the predetermined
rate) and, furthermore, this result is accumulated in all the game.
That is, after the preceding first jackpot activation, the total
number of medals bet per game by all the players is multiplied by
the predetermined rate of the first jackpot, and the result is
accumulated in all the game, thereby calculating the pool value of
the first jackpot. Hereinafter, the pool value of the first jackpot
will be called a first pool value, and the pool value of the second
jackpot, a second pool value. Additionally, the accumulated value
of the invention corresponds to the pool value.
[0140] Additionally, even when the pool value exceeds the event
value, it only means that the condition of jackpot activation is
satisfied. When a jackpot actually activates is determined with
reference to the jackpot activation time determination table to be
described later. Furthermore, as will be described later, even when
the condition of activation of the first jackpot is fulfilled, if
there are not a predetermined number of players participating in
the game, the first jackpot is cancelled.
[0141] In the gaming machine 310 of this embodiment, the
predetermined rate used for calculating the pool value is 5% at
both the first and second jackpots, i.e., 0.05 of the total number
of medals. Besides, as aforesaid, the event value of each jackpot
varies from one jackpot to another. Thus, the event value of the
first jackpot is 100 medals, while the event value of the second
jackpot is 1,000 medals.
[0142] The condition of activation of the first jackpot will
hereinafter be specifically described by taking the first jackpot
as an example. For example, the pool value obtained after a bingo
game in which the preceding first jackpot has activated is set to
60. And, suppose that 500 medals are bet in a bingo game
(hereinafter called a first game) immediately after the aforesaid
bingo game. In this case, since 500.times.0.05=25, the pool value
obtained until the first game is 65+25=90. Suppose that 600 medals
are bet in a second game subsequent to the first game. Then, since
the value obtained by multiplying the total number of medals by the
predetermined rate is 600.times.0.05=30, the pool value of the
second game is 90+0=120. Accordingly, this value exceeds 100 that
is the event value of the first jackpot, thus satisfying the
condition on which the first jackpot is activated in the second
game.
[0143] Additionally, this embodiment limits the kinds of jackpots
to two kinds. However, the invention is not limited thereto but may
be provided with three or more kinds of jackpots. On this occasion,
preferably, there are provided a plurality of jackpots between
which the number of payout medals won varies.
[0144] Besides, in this embodiment, the event value of the first
jackpot is set to 100 and that of the second jackpot is set to
1,000. However, the invention is not limited thereto, but the event
value need only be a numerical value capable of maintaining the
expectation of the players. Besides, the management of a game
arcade or the maker of a gaming machine may make it ready to modify
the event value as appropriate. Furthermore, there may be provided
a plurality of jackpots different in event value from each
other.
[0145] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the predetermined rate
functioning as a coefficient for calculating the pool value is set
to 5% (0.05) that is the same at both the first and second
jackpots. However, the invention is not limited thereto, but the
predetermined rate may vary between each jackpot and may be the
same at the both jackpots. Besides, the predetermined rate may be
either smaller or larger than 5%. Furthermore, the management of a
game arcade or the maker of a gaming machine may make it ready to
modify the event value as appropriate.
[0146] Thus, according to the invention, a plurality of jackpots
serving as the chance of increasing medals are activated
independently one of another. Accordingly, even when a jackpot is
activated, there is the possibility that another jackpot may be
activated immediately thereafter. Therefore, the expectation of the
players for jackpots is maintained, which can avoid the emergence
of a player who stops playing the game after a jackpot
activation.
[0147] Besides, the conventional bingo game machine cannot provide
a difference in the mode of forming a bingo, so that a payout to be
awarded to the players cannot be provided with much latitude.
Consequently, there has appeared a bingo game machine for solving
the aforesaid problem by providing an event such as a jackpot in
which more medals are awarded than in the bingo game. However, even
when one jackpot is activated, there is a limitation in providing
the payout with variation. Thus, there is the risk of reducing the
interest of the players.
[0148] However, according to the invention, a plurality of kinds of
jackpots different in the number of payout medals are provided as
in the second jackpot having a low activation frequency but a high
payout and as in the first jackpot having a low payout but a high
activation frequency. Therefore, the payout to be awarded to the
players can be provided with much latitude. Besides, the activation
frequency also varies, thus enabling the payout award to have a
wavy form. Accordingly, it is possible to maintain the interest of
the players in the game.
[0149] Jackpot Activation Time Determination Table
[0150] The jackpot activation time determination table will now be
described with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16.
[0151] FIGS. 15 and 16 shows the jackpot activation time
determination tables. FIG. 15 shows the first jackpot activation
time determination table, and FIG. 16 shows the second jackpot
activation time determination table. The jackpot activation time
determination table stored in the ROM 408 of the lottery machine
312 is such a table as follows. That is, when a jackpot satisfies
the condition of activation, i.e., when each pool value exceeds the
intrinsic event value of the jackpot, the table is referred to when
it is determined in which round of game (that refers to the bingo
game) a jackpot is activated after the bingo game that satisfies
the condition of activation. The jackpot activation time
determination table has an item called the number of activation
standby games and an item of a random number range. The number of
activation standby games refers to the number of bingo games played
from the bingo game satisfying the condition of jackpot activation
until a jackpot is activated.
[0152] A specific method of determining in which round of game the
first jackpot is activated after the first jackpot satisfies the
condition of activation will hereinafter be described using FIG.
15.
[0153] First, the CPU 406 of the lottery machine 312 selects a
random number from a predetermined random number range (e.g., a
range of "0" to "255"). Based on the random number value selected,
referring to the first jackpot activation time determination table
of FIG. 15, it is determined in which round of game (that refers to
the bingo game) the first jackpot is activated after the bingo game
satisfying the condition of activation. For example, when the
random number selected falls in a range of "201", to "255", the
first jackpot is activated at the twentieth bingo game from the
bingo game satisfying the condition of activation.
[0154] Thus, even when the pool value becomes equal to or greater
than the event value at which the jackpot is activated, there is
the possibility that the jackpot may not be activated immediately.
Therefore, it becomes difficult for the players to predict the
subsequent event activation. Accordingly, the expectation of the
players for events is maintained, thus enabling the interest of the
players to be maintained.
[0155] Additionally, this embodiment is configured such that a
jackpot is activated within at least 50 games (that refer to the
bingo games) after the condition of activation of each jackpot is
satisfied. However, the invention is not limited thereto, but the
number of bingo games played after the condition of activation of
each jackpot is satisfied until a jackpot is activated may be 50
games or more.
[0156] Jackpot Notification
[0157] The jackpot notification will now be described.
[0158] In the gaming machine 310 of this embodiment, when the
condition of jackpot activation is satisfied and the time of
jackpot activation is determined, the jackpot notification is
performed with respect to the players before the jackpot is
activated.
[0159] The jackpot notification is performed by lighting up sails
311A to 311E of the gaming machine 310 (see FIG. 1) with light (not
shown). When to perform the jackpot notification is determined with
reference to the jackpot notification execution time determination
table to be described later.
[0160] Additionally, the jackpot notification may be performed by a
method other than that of lighting up the sails 311A to 311E of the
gaming machine 310 with light (not shown). For example, the jackpot
notification may be executed on the display 370 of the gaming
terminal 314.
[0161] Jackpot Notification Execution Time Determination Table
[0162] The jackpot notification execution time determination table
will now be described with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18.
[0163] FIGS. 17 and 18 show jackpot notification execution time
determination tables, respectively. FIG. 17 shows the first jackpot
notification execution time determination table, and FIG. 18 shows
the second jackpot notification executing time determination table.
The jackpot notification execution time determination table stored
in the ROM 408 of the lottery machine 312 is a table that
determines in which round of game (that refers to the bingo game)
the jackpot notification is performed before a bingo game in which
a jackpot is activated. The jackpot notification execution time
determination table includes an item called the number of
notification execution games and an item called a random number
range. The number of notification execution games refers to the
number of bingo games obtained from a bingo game in which the
jackpot notification is performed for a bingo game in which a
jackpot is to activate.
[0164] A specific method of determining in which round of game
(that refers to the bingo game) a first jackpot notification is
executed before a bingo game in which the first jackpot is
activated will hereinafter be described using FIG. 17.
[0165] First, the CPU 406 of the lottery machine 312 selects a
random number from a predetermined random range (e.g., a range of
"0" to "255"). Based on the random number value selected, referring
to the first jackpot notification execution time determination
table of FIG. 17, it is determined in which round of game (that
refers to the bingo game) the first jackpot is activated after the
bingo game satisfying the condition of activation. For example,
when the random number falls in a range of "51" to "100", the first
jackpot notification is executed in the bingo game that is two
games before the bingo game satisfying the condition of activation
of the first jackpot.
[0166] Thus, the jackpot notification is performed before the
jackpot is activated. Therefore, this can prevent the interest of
the players from being reduced due to a sudden jackpot activation.
Besides, it can be expected to attract customers because of the
notification of events, thus enabling an increase in the number of
players participating in the game.
[0167] Besides, in this embodiment, the jackpot notification
execution time determination table is divided into two: the first
jackpot and the second jackpot. However, this embodiment is not
limited thereto, but the first and second jackpot notification
execution time determination tables may be integrated into the same
one.
[0168] Cancellation of First Jackpot Activation and Cancellation of
First Jackpot Notification Execution
[0169] The Discover Treasure Island game of the first jackpot is a
game in which medals are awarded to a predetermined number of
players, e.g., only up to three winners. Accordingly, even in case
where the predetermined number of players are not gathered, when
the first jackpot is activated, the interest stimulated in
competition with others is suppressed, so that there is the risk of
reducing the interest in the game.
[0170] Consequently, in this embodiment, even when the condition of
activation of the first jackpot is satisfied, the number of players
participating in the game is equal to or smaller than the
predetermined number, e.g., three player or less, the first jackpot
is withheld from activating. In this case, until the number of
players participating in the game exceeds the predetermined number,
the first jackpot is not activated as a matter of course, and the
jackpot notification is not executed, either.
[0171] Besides, when the first jackpot is cancelled, the time of
generating the first jackpot is re-determined again. Similarly,
when the first jackpot is cancelled, the time of executing the
notification of the first jackpot is re-determined again.
[0172] Thus, according to the invention, when the predetermined
number of players is not reached, the notification of the first
jackpot is not executed, and the first jackpot is not activated,
either. Accordingly, because the players want to enjoy the prizes
of jackpots to the possible maximum, the players come to
participate in the bingo game as often as possible. As a result, it
is possible to increase the number of players participating in the
game.
[0173] On the other hand, in the case of the second jackpot table,
even when the number of players participating in the game is
smaller than the predetermined number, either the execution of
notification of the second jackpot or the activation of the second
jackpot is not cancelled.
[0174] Thus, according to the invention, in case where the
predetermined number of game participants is not reached, even when
one jackpot is cancelled, the other jackpot is not cancelled.
Accordingly, the situation in which no jackpot is activated at all
can be avoided. As a result, it is possible to avoid such a
situation as to reduce the interest of the players.
[0175] First Pool Value Transfer Process
[0176] As aforesaid, in the first jackpot, when the predetermined
condition is not satisfied, the notification of the first jackpot
is not executed, and the first jackpot is not activated, either.
However, even though the first jackpot has a low payout, the
jackpot pool value is obtained by multiplying the number of medals
bet by the players by the predetermined rate. Therefore, when no
jackpot is activated and no medal is restored to the players, a
burden is imposed on the players. Thus, there is the risk of
reducing the interest of the players in the game. The reason is
that when the cancellation of the first jackpot continues in
succession, the ratio of the number of medals inputted by the
players to the number of medals paid out, i.e., a payout ratio
(hereinafter called P/O ratio), is reduced by the amount of the
predetermined rate.
[0177] Consequently, the gaming machine 310 is configured as
follows. That is, when the activation of the first jackpot is
cancelled and the first pool value that is the pool value of the
first jackpot becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined
numerical value called an upper limit value, a surplus pool value
obtained by subtracting the upper limit value from the first pool
value is transferred to the second pool value that is the pool
value of the second jackpot. That is, the surplus pool value is
added to the second pool value.
[0178] For example, when the second pool value is 509, the upper
limit value 200, and the first pool value 230, the surplus pool
value 30 obtained by subtracting the first pool value 200 from the
first pool value 230 is added to the second pool value 509, thus
obtaining 539 of the second pool value. Accordingly, the activation
time of the second jackpot is put forward by the amount of the
addition.
[0179] Thus, when the surplus pool value is transferred to the
second pool value, the activation of the second jackpot is
quickened by the amount of the transfer. Accordingly, this
increases the chance of awarding a large number of medals to the
players, thus enabling an enhancement in the expectation for the
game. At the same time, the burden can be avoided from being
imposed on the players, thus enabling the interest of the players
to be prevented from being reduced.
[0180] Operation of Lottery Machine and Gaming Terminal
[0181] The process in the main control circuit 400 (see FIG. 10) of
the lottery machine 400 and the process in the main control circuit
500A (see FIG. 11) of the gaming terminal 314A will be described
with reference to FIGS. 19 to 23.
[0182] Operation of Lottery Machine
[0183] The process in the main control circuit 400 of the lottery
machine 312 will be described with reference to FIG. 19.
[0184] At a step S100, the CPU 406 performs a game preparation
process. Specifically, the lottery balls held on the screw conveyor
are moved to the lottery ball holding portion 332 in a
predetermined number. Besides, in addition thereto, the CPU 406
performs various processes such as inclining the housing 313 at a
predetermined angle. When this process ends, the process moves to a
step S101.
[0185] At the step S101, the CPU 406 of the lottery machine 312
performs the determination of lottery start. The CPU 406 determines
whether or not it is the time to start a lottery after the elapse
of a predetermined waiting time. When this determination is YES,
the process moves to a step S102, and when this determination is
NO, the process moves to a step S103.
[0186] At the step S102, the CPU 406 of the lottery machine 312
performs the transmission of a lottery start signal. The CPU 406
transmits the lottery start signal via the communication control
circuits 414A to 414J to the gaming terminals 314A to 314J,
respectively. When this process ends, the process moves to a step
S104. Additionally, the aforesaid lottery start signal is received
by a to-be-described gaming terminal 314 at a step S204 that is the
process of the main control circuit 500A of the gaming terminal
314.
[0187] On the other hand, at the step S103, the CPU 406 of the
lottery machine 312 performs waiting time consumption. The CPU 406
measures the time taken until the predetermined waiting time has
elapsed. When this process ends, the process returns to the step
S101.
[0188] At the step S104, the CPU 406 performs bet operation
reception time consumption. The CPU 406 measures the time taken
until a predetermined bet operation reception time has elapsed.
When this process ends, the process moves to a step S105.
[0189] As shown in FIG. 20, at the step S105, the CPU 406 receives
the data of the number of bets. In this process, the CPU 406
receives the data of the number of bets transmitted at a step S214.
When this process ends, the process moves to a step S107.
[0190] At a step S106, the CPU 406 calculates the pool value of
each jackpot from the number of bets transmitted from each gaming
terminal and stored the resultant pool value in the RAM 410.
Specifically, the CPU 406 adds the number of bets per game
transmitted from each gaming terminal and multiplies the result by
the predetermined rate of each jackpot, thus calculating each pool
value. And, the CPU 406 stores the calculation result in a
predetermined region of the RAM 410. When this process ends, the
process moves to a step S107.
[0191] At the step S107, the CPU 406 determines whether or not the
first pool value is equal to or greater than the first event value.
In this process, the CPU 406 determines whether or not the first
pool value stored in the RAM 410 at the step S105 is equal to or
greater than the first event value stored in the ROM 408. When this
determination is YES, the process proceeds to a step S108, and when
this determination is NO, the process moves to a step S111.
[0192] At the step S108, the CPU 406 performs a first jackpot
process. The first jackpot process will be described later.
[0193] At a step S109, the CPU 406 receives the data of a game
result of the first jackpot. In this process, the CPU 406 receives
the data of the game result of the first jackpot transmitted
through the process of a step S218. When this process ends, the
process moves to a step S110.
[0194] At the step S110, the CPU 406 transmits payout data
corresponding to the game result to each gaming terminal. In this
process, the CPU 406 transmits the payout data to each gaming
terminal based on the data of the game result received through the
process at the step S109. When this process ends, the process moves
to the step S111.
[0195] At the step S111, the CPU 406 determines whether or not the
second pool value is equal to or greater than the second event
value. In this process, the CPU 406 determines whether or not the
second pool value stored in the RAM 410 at the step S105 is equal
to or greater than the second event value stored in the ROM 408.
When this determination is YES, the process proceeds to a step
S112, and when this determination is NO, the process moves to a
step S114.
[0196] At the step S112, the CPU 406 performs a second jackpot
process. The second jackpot process will be described later.
[0197] At a step S113, the CPU 406 receives the data of a game
result of the second jackpot. In this process, the CPU 406 receives
the data of the game result of the second jackpot transmitted
through the process of a step S224. When this process ends, the
process moves to the step S114.
[0198] At the step S114, the CPU 406 transmits a payout data
corresponding to the game result to each gaming terminal. In this
process the CPU 406 transmits the payout data to each gaming
terminal based on the data of the game result received through the
process of the step S113. When this process ends, the process moves
to a step S115.
[0199] As shown in FIG. 21, at the step S115, the CPU 406 starts
the rotation of the lottery wheel. By the control of the main
control circuit 400 of the lottery machine 312, start lottery wheel
rotating motors 335 and 337 are started to start the rotation of
the face portions 338A and 339A. When this process ends, the
process moves to a step S116.
[0200] At the step S116, the CPU 406 starts to rock the housing. By
the control of the main control circuit 400 of the lottery machine
312, the rocking device 346 is started to start rocking the housing
of the lottery machine 312. When this process ends, the process
moves to a step S117.
[0201] At the step S117, the CPU 406 performs the process of
dropping one lottery ball. By the control of the main control
circuit 400 of the lottery machine 312, the rotating body 328 (see
FIG. 1) is controlled and one lottery ball is dropped into the
lottery ball receiving portion 334. When this process ends, the
process moves to a step S118.
[0202] At the step S118, the CPU 406 performs the process of
obtaining identification data. In this process, by the control of
the main control circuit 400 of the lottery machine 312, one of the
input ball detection sensors 349 disposed in the plurality of
lottery holes 340 detects the input of one lottery ball, and the
CPU 406 of the lottery machine 312 obtains an identification datum
corresponding to the lottery hole 340. When this process ends, the
process moves to a step S119.
[0203] At the step S119, the CPU 406 transmits the identification
information obtained by the CPU 406 of the lottery machine 312 and
the information of in which round of lottery is the current
lottery. The CPU 406 transmits the identification information and
the information of in which round of lottery is the current
lottery, to the gaming terminals 314A to 314J via the communication
control circuits 414A to 414J, respectively. When this process
ends, the process moves to the step S110. Additionally, the
aforesaid information of in which round of lottery is the current
lottery is counted by the CPU 406 and stored in the RAM 410 (see
FIG. 10). Furthermore, the aforesaid identification information and
the information of in which round of lottery is the current lottery
are received by the gaming terminal 314 at a step S214 that is the
process of the main control circuit 500A of the gaming terminal 314
to be described later.
[0204] At a step S120, the CPU 406 determines whether the CPU 406
of the lottery machine 312 has finished predetermined rounds of
lottery. Referring to the aforesaid information of in which round
of lottery is the current lottery, which is stored in the RAM 410,
the CPU 406 determines whether this covers the predetermined rounds
or not. When this determination is YES, the process moves to a step
S121, and when this determination is NO, the process returns to the
step S117.
[0205] At the step S121, the CPU 406 finishes the rocking of the
housing. By the control of the main control circuit 400 of the
lottery machine 312, the rocking device 346 is stopped to finish
the rocking of the housing of the lottery machine 312. When this
process ends, the process moves to a step S122.
[0206] At the step S122, the CPU 406 finishes the rotation of the
lottery wheels. By the control of the main control circuit 400 of
the lottery machine 312, the lottery wheel rotating motors 335 and
337 are stopped to finish the rotation of the lottery wheels 338
and 339. When this process ends, the process moves to the step
S100.
[0207] Operation of Gaming Terminal
[0208] A process of the main control circuit 500A (see FIG. 11) of
the gaming terminal 314 will be described with reference to FIGS.
19 to 21.
[0209] As shown in FIG. 19, at a step S201, the CPU 506A performs
the initialization of the gaming terminal 314. The CPU 506A (see
FIG. 11) of the gaming terminal 314 performs processes such as
clearing of various variables arranged in the RAM 510A (see FIG.
11) and initialization of the display of the display 370A. When
this process ends, the process moves to a step S202.
[0210] At the step S202, the CPU 506A performs of the display of a
demonstration screen. When this process ends, the process moves to
a step S203.
[0211] At the step S203, the CPU 506A performs the process of
detecting a game entry operation. In this process, the players make
a game entry. By the control of the main control circuit 500A of
the gaming terminal 314, the touch sensor 372A (or the main control
circuit 500A itself) detects that the player has touch-operated the
display screen of the display 370A (or has operated the inner dial
376A or the outer dial 377A). When this process ends, the process
moves to a step S204.
[0212] At the step S204, the CPU 506A performs the process of
receiving the lottery start signal. The CPU 506A of the gaming
terminal 314 causes the main control circuit 500A (see FIG. 11) of
the gaming terminal 314 to receive, via the communication control
circuit 514A, the lottery start signal transmitted by the lottery
machine 312 through the process of the step S102. When this process
ends, the process moves to a step S204.
[0213] At the step S209, the CPU 506A performs of creating and
displaying a bingo card. The CPU 506A of the gaming terminal 314
selects a predetermined number of display data from display data
(e.g. a card design) for displaying identification information that
are stored in the ROM 508A, then arranges the predetermined number
of display data in matrix form, and displays them on the display
370A. When this process ends, the process moves to a step S211.
[0214] At the step S211, the CPU 506A performs bet operation
reception. In this process, the CPU 506A of the gaming terminal 314
processes the information that is the information about a bet
operation which the player has performed by touching the display
screen of the display 370A and that the touch sensor 372A has
detected by the control of the main control circuit 500A of the
gaming terminal 314, and stores the bet information in the RAM 510A
(see FIG. 11). When this process ends, the process moves to a step
S212.
[0215] At the step S212, the CPU 506A determines the number of
payouts in response to the number of bets. In this process, based
on the bet information stored in the RAM 510A (see FIG. 11), the
CPU 506A of the gaming terminal 314 determines the number of
payouts in the game. The determination result is stored in the RAM
510A (see FIG. 11) and displayed on a predetermined display portion
of the display 370A. When this process ends, the process moves to a
step S213.
[0216] At the step S213, the CPU 506A performs the determination of
whether the bet reception time ends or not. The CPU 506A of the
gaming terminal 314 measures the time taken after the process of
the step S209 is performed, and determines whether or not the
measured time reaches a predetermined time. When this determination
is YES, the process moves to a step S214 of FIG. 18, and when this
determination is NO, the process returns to the step S211.
[0217] As shown in FIG. 20, at the step S214, the CPU 506A
transmits the data of the number of bets. In this process, the CPU
506A transmits the data signal of the number of bets detected by a
medal sensor 380A to the CPU 406 of the lottery machine 312. When
this process ends, the process moves to a step S215.
[0218] At the step S215, the CPU 506A determines whether a first
jackpot generating command is received or not. In this process, the
CPU 506A determines whether the first jackpot activation command
transmitted through the process of the step S108 is received or
not. When this determination is YES, the process proceeds to a step
S216, and when this determination is NO, the process moves to a
step S219.
[0219] At the step S216, the CPU 506A performs a first jackpot
activation process. Specifically, the CPU 506A causes the display
370A of the gaming terminal 314A to display an image on the display
screen 371A thereof. And, the players operate the inner dial 376A
or the outer dial 377A (see FIG. 8) to operate the mock telescope
397, thereby searching for the treasure island 379, thus performing
the Discover Treasure Island game. When this process ends, the
process moves to a step S218.
[0220] At the step S218, the CPU 506A transmits the game result. In
this process, the CPU 506A transmits the result of the Discover
Treasure Island game to the CPU 406 of the main control circuit 400
of the lottery machine 312. When this process ends, the process
moves to a step S220.
[0221] At the step S219, the CPU 506A determines whether the payout
data is received or not. In this process, the CPU 506A determines
whether the payout data transmitted through the process of the step
S110 is received or not. When this determination is YES, the
process proceeds to the step S220, and when this determination is
NO, the process moves to a step S221.
[0222] At the step S220, the CPU 506A executes a dividend payout
process. In this process, the CPU 506A transmits a drive signal to
the hopper 588A and executes the dividend payout. When this process
ends, the process moves to the step S221.
[0223] At the step S221, the CPU 506A determines whether a second
jackpot activation command is received or not. In this process, the
CPU 506A determines whether the second jackpot activation command
transmitted through the process of the step S112 is received or
not. When this determination is YES, the process proceeds to a step
S222, and then this determination is NO, the process moves to a
step S225.
[0224] At the step S222, the CPU 506A performs a second jackpot
activation process. Specifically, the CPU 506A causes the lottery
balls to be inputted onto the lottery wheels 338 and 339 (see FIG.
4). The lottery balls roll on the lottery wheels 338 and 339 and
thereafter enter the lottery holes 340 and 341. And, when the
playing-card symbols of the lottery holes 340 and 341 that the
lottery balls have entered match the playing-card symbols 701, 702
and 703, a large number of medals are awarded to the winning
player. When this process ends, the process moves to a step
S224.
[0225] At the step S224, the CPUA transmits the game result. In
this process, the CPU 506A transmits the result of the symbol
guessing game performed at the step S216 to the CPU 406 of the main
control circuit 400 of the lottery machine 312. When this process
ends, the process moves to the step S220.
[0226] At the step S225, it is determined whether the payout data
is received or not. In this process, the CPU 506A determines
whether the payout data transmitted through the process of the step
S114 is received or not. When this determination is YES, the
process proceeds to a step S226, and when this determination is NO,
the process moves to a step S227.
[0227] At the step S226, the CPU 506A performs dividend payout. In
this process, the CPU 506A transmits the drive signal to the hopper
588A and performs the dividend payout. When this process ends, the
process moves to the step S227.
[0228] As shown in FIG. 21, at the step S227, the CPU 506A receives
the identification information that is transmitted through the
process of the step S119 and is obtained by the CPU 406 of the
lottery machine 312 at the step S118 (see FIG. 21) and the
information of in which round of lottery is the current lottery. By
the control of the main control circuit 500A (see FIG. 11) of the
gaming terminal 314, the aforesaid information is received via the
communication control circuit 514a. The CPU 506A of the gaming
terminal 314 stores the aforesaid identification information and
the information of in which round of lottery is the current lottery
into the RAM 510A (see FIG. 11). When this process ends, the
process moves to the step S215.
[0229] At a step S228, the CPU 506A retrieves whether the
identification information received at the step S227 exists on the
bingo card and, if it exists, activates the corresponding bingo
cell. In this process, it is retrieved whether or not the
identification information received at the step 214 exists on the
bingo card that is created at the step S209 and displayed on the
display 370A. If any identical identification information exists, a
activation flag, placed in the RAM 510A (see FIG. 11), of the bingo
cell on which the identical identification information is placed,
is turned on. Furthermore, the aforesaid bingo cell on the screen
display of the display 370A is displayed so as to be differentiable
from the other bingo cells in such a manner that it is relatively
brightly displayed or displayed with a half-tone dot meshing
display removed. When this process ends, the process moves to a
step S229.
[0230] At the step S229, the CPU 506A performs the determination of
whether a bingo hand is formed. In this process, the CPU 506A
determines the combination of: the identification information,
configuring the bingo card, which is stored in the RAM 510A (see
FIG. 11) and displayed on the device 370A; the information about
the position of the bingo cell on which the aforesaid
identification information is placed; and a activation flag
corresponding to the aforesaid identification information. Then,
the CPU 506A determines whether or not a bingo hand is formed on a
specific line of the bingo card. When this determination is YES,
the process moves to a step S231, and when this determination is
NO, the process moves to a step S230.
[0231] At the step S230, the CPU 506A performs the determination of
whether identification information receive has reached a
predetermined number of times. With reference to the information of
in which round of lottery is the current lottery, which is stored
in the RAM 510A (see FIG. 11), it is determined based on this
information whether or not the identification information receive
has reached the predetermined number of times. When this
determination is YES, the process moves to the step S201, and when
this determination is NO, the process moves to the step S227.
[0232] At the step S231, the CPU 506A executes a dividend payout
process. In this process, the CPU 506A transmits a drive signal to
the hopper 588A and executes the dividend payout. When this process
ends, the process moves to the step S201.
[0233] First Jackpot Process
[0234] The first jackpot process to be executed at the step S108
will now be described with reference to FIG. 22.
[0235] First, in FIG. 22, the CPU 406 determines whether a first
jackpot activation flag is on or not (a step S401). When this
determination is YES, the process moves to a step S402, and when
this determination is NO, the process moves to a step S406.
[0236] At the step S402, the CPU 406 determines how many games
after the current game the first jackpot is activated. In this
process, the CPU 406 issues a signal to the random number generator
417 to the effect that a random number is to be activated, and the
random number sampling circuit 418 selects a random number. Based
on the selected random number and the first jackpot activation time
determination table, the CPU 406 determines how many games after
the game being currently played the first jackpot is activated.
[0237] Specifically, the CPU 406 selects a random number from the
predetermined random number range (e.g. a range of "0" to "255").
And, suppose that the selected random number falls in a range of
"151" to "200". Then, since the number of activation standby games
is 15 games (see FIG. 15), the first jackpot is activated in the
fifteenth game from the game satisfying the condition of activation
of the first jackpot. When this process ends, the process moves to
a step S403.
[0238] At the step S403, the CPU 406 turns on the first jackpot
activation flag and subsequently sets a first jackpot activation
counter. In this process, the CPU 406 turns on the first jackpot
activation flag stored in a predetermined region of the RAM 410.
Besides, the CPU 406 sets the first jackpot activation counter
stored in the predetermined region of the RAM 410, in response to
the number of activation standby games determined at the step S402.
When this process ends, the process moves to a step S404.
[0239] At the step S404, the CPU 406 determines how many games
before the first jackpot activation game the first jackpot
notification is executed. In this process, the CPU 406 selects a
random number as at the step S402. Subsequently, based on the
selected random number and the first jackpot notification execution
time determination table, the CPU 406 determines how many games
after the game being currently played the first jackpot
notification is activated.
[0240] Specifically, the CPU 406 selects a random number from the
predetermined random number range (e.g. a range of "0" to "255").
And, suppose that the selected random number falls in a range of
"151" to "200". Then, since the number of notification execution
games is 4, the first jackpot notification is performed four games
before the game in which the first jackpot is to activate. When
this process ends, the process moves to a step S405.
[0241] At the step S405, the CPU 406 turns on a first jackpot
notification flag and subsequently sets a first jackpot
notification counter. In this process, the CPU 406 turns on the
first jackpot notification flag stored in a predetermined region of
the RAM 410. Besides, the CPU 406 sets the first jackpot
notification counter stored in a predetermined region of the RAM
410, in response to the number of notification execution games
determined at the step S404. When this process ends, the process
moves to a step S406.
[0242] At the step S406, the CPU 406 determines whether or not the
number of players participating in the game is the predetermined
number, i.e., four or more. In this process, the CPU 406 determines
whether or not the number of players who have come for the bet
operation reception of the step S211 is four or more. When this
determination is YES, the process proceeds to a step S407, and when
this determination is NO, the process moves to a step S413.
[0243] At the step S407, the CPU 406 determines whether the first
jackpot notification counter is 0 or not. When this determination
is YES, the process proceeds to a step S409, and when this
determination is NO, the process moves to a step S408.
[0244] At the step S408, the CPU 406 subtracts 1 from the first
jackpot notification counter (step S408). In this process, the CPU
406 subtracts 1 from the first jackpot notification counter and
thereafter stores the result into a predetermined region of the RAM
410. When this process ends, the process moves to a step S410.
[0245] At the step S409, the CPU 406 executes a first jackpot
notification process and also turns off the first jackpot
notification flag. In this process, the CPU 406 performs the
notification of notifying the players that the first jackpot will
be activated within a few games. Besides, the CPU 406 turns off the
first jackpot activation flag stored in the predetermined region of
the RAM 410. When this process ends, the process moves to the step
S410.
[0246] At the step S410, the CPU 506A determines whether the first
jackpot activation counter is 0 or not. When this determination is
YES, the process proceeds to a step S412, and when this
determination is NO, the process moves to a step S411.
[0247] At the step S411, the CPU 406 subtracts 1 from the first
jackpot activation counter (step S411). In this process, the CPU
406 subtracts 1 from the first jackpot notification counter and
thereafter stores the result into the predetermined region of the
RAM 410.
[0248] At the step S412, when it is determined that the first
jackpot counter is 0, a first jackpot activation command is
transmitted and, at the same time, the first jackpot activation
flag is turned off (step S412). In this process, the CPU 406
transmits the first jackpot activation transmission command to the
CPU 506A of the main control circuit 500A of the gaming terminal
314A. Besides, the CPU 406 turns off the first jackpot activation
flag stored in the predetermined region of the RAM 410. When this
process ends, this sub-routine ends.
[0249] Besides, at the step S413, the CPU 406 executes a
cancellation process. In this process, the CPU 406 turns off the
first jackpot activation flag and the first jackpot notification
flag. Besides, the first jackpot activation counter and the first
jackpot notification counter are set to 0. When this process ends,
the process moves to a step S414.
[0250] At the step S414, the CPU 406 determines whether or not the
first pool value is equal to or greater than the first event value
(step S414). In this process, the CPU 406 determines whether or not
the first pool value stored in the RAM 410 through the process of
the step S213 is equal to or greater than the first event value.
When this determination is YES, the process proceeds to a step
S415, and when this determination is NO, this sub-routine ends.
[0251] At the step S414, the CPU 406 performs a first pool value
transfer process. In this process, the CPU 406 transfers a surplus
pool value, obtained by subtracting the first event value from the
first pool value stored in a predetermined region of the RAM 410,
to the second pool value stored in a predetermined region of the
RAM 410. That is, the surplus pool value is added to the second
pool value, thus updating the second pool value.
[0252] Specifically, for example, when the second pool value is
409, the first event value is 200, and the first pool value is 230,
then 30 of the surplus pool value obtained by subtracting 200 of
the first event value from 230 of the first pool value is added to
409 of the second pool value. Thus, the second pool value obtained
after the addition is updated as 439 in the RAM 410. When this
process ends, this sub-routine ends.
[0253] Second Jackpot Process
[0254] The second jackpot process to be executed at the step S112
will be described with reference to FIG. 23.
[0255] First, in FIG. 23, the CPU 406 determines whether a second
jackpot activation flag is on or not (a step S501). When this
determination is YES, the process moves to a step S502, and when
this determination is NO, the process moves to a step S506.
[0256] At the step S502, the CPU 406 determines how many games
after the current game the second jackpot is activated. In this
process, the CPU 406 issues a signal to the random number generator
417 to the effect that a random number is to be activated, and the
random number sampling circuit 418 selects a random number. Based
on the selected random number and the first jackpot activation time
determination table, the CPU 406 determines how many games after
the game being currently played the second jackpot is
activated.
[0257] Specifically, the CPU 406 selects a random number from the
predetermined random number range (e.g. a range of "0" to "255").
And, suppose that the selected random number falls in a range of
"151" to "200". Then, since the number of activation standby games
is 30 games (see FIG. 16), the second jackpot is activated in the
thirtieth game from the game satisfying the condition of activation
of the second jackpot. When this process ends, the process moves to
a step S503.
[0258] At the step S503, the CPU 406 turns on the second jackpot
activation flag and subsequently sets a second jackpot activation
counter. In this process, the CPU 406 turns on the second jackpot
activation flag stored in a predetermined region of the RAM 410.
Besides, the CPU 406 sets the second jackpot activation counter
stored in a predetermined region of the RAM 410, in response to the
activation standby number of games determined at the step S402.
When this process ends, the process moves to a step S504.
[0259] At the step S504, the CPU 406 determines how many games
before the second jackpot activation game the second jackpot
notification is executed. In this process, the CPU 406 selects a
random number as at the step S402. Subsequently, based on the
selected random number and the second jackpot notification
execution time determination table, the CPU 406 determines how many
games after the game being currently played the second jackpot
notification is activated.
[0260] Specifically, the CPU 406 selects a random number from the
predetermined random number range (e.g. a range of "0" to "255").
And, suppose that the selected random number falls in a range of
"151" to "200". Then, since the number of notification execution
games is 4, the second jackpot notification is performed four games
before the game in which the second jackpot is to activate. When
this process ends, the process moves to a step S505.
[0261] At the step S505, the CPU 406 turns on a second jackpot
notification flag and subsequently sets a second jackpot
notification counter. In this process, the CPU 406 turns on the
second jackpot notification flag stored in a predetermined region
of the RAM 410. Besides, the CPU 406 sets the second jackpot
notification counter stored in a predetermined region of the RAM
410, in response to the number of notification execution games
determined at the step S504. When this process ends, the process
moves to a step S506.
[0262] At the step S506, the CPU 406 determines whether the second
jackpot notification counter is 0 or not. When this determination
is YES, the process proceeds to a step S508, and when this
determination is NO, the process moves to a step S507.
[0263] At the step S507, the CPU 406 subtracts 1 from the second
jackpot notification counter. In this process, the CPU 406
subtracts 1 from the second jackpot notification counter and
thereafter stores the result into a predetermined region of the RAM
410. When this process ends, the process moves to a step S509.
[0264] At the step S508, the CPU 406 executes a second jackpot
notification process and also turns off the second jackpot
notification flag. In this process, the CPU 406 performs the
notification of notifying the players that the second jackpot will
be activated within a few games. Besides, the CPU 406 turns off the
second jackpot activation flag stored in the predetermined region
of the RAM 410. When this process ends, the process moves to the
step S509.
[0265] At the step S509, the CPU 406 determines whether the second
jackpot activation counter is 0 or not. When this determination is
YES, the process proceeds to a step S510, and when this
determination is NO, the process moves to a step S511.
[0266] At the step S510, the CPU 406 subtracts 1 from the second
jackpot activation counter. In this process, the CPU 406 subtracts
1 from the second jackpot notification counter and thereafter
stores the result into the predetermined region of the RAM 410.
When this process ends, this sub-routine ends.
[0267] At the step S511, the CPU 406 performs a second jackpot
activation process. Besides, the CPU 406 a second jackpot
activation command and also turns off the second jackpot activation
flag. In this process, the CPU 406 performs the second jackpot
activation process. Specifically, the CPU 406 lights up the sails
311A to 311E of the gaming machine 310 (see FIG. 1) with light (not
shown). Besides, the CPU 406 transmits the second jackpot
activation transmission command to the CPU 506A of the main control
circuit 500A of the gaming terminal 314A. Besides, the CPU 406
turns off the second jackpot activation flag stored in the
predetermined region of the RAM 410. When this process ends, this
sub-routine ends.
[0268] Additionally, in this embodiment, the CPU 406, RAM 410, etc.
that execute the step S106 of FIG. 20 each correspond to an example
of the cumulative storage unit of the invention.
[0269] Additionally, in this embodiment, the CPU 406, ROM 408 and
RAM 406 that execute the steps S107 and S111 of FIG. 20 each
correspond to an example of the event value achievement
determination unit of the invention.
[0270] Besides, in this embodiment, the CPU 506A, etc. that execute
the steps S216 and S222 of FIG. 20, and the CPU 406, etc. that
execute the step S412 of FIG. 22 or the step S511 of FIG. 23 each
correspond to an example of the event activation unit of the
invention.
[0271] Besides, in this embodiment, the CPU 406, random number
generator 417, etc. that execute the step S402 of FIG. 22 and the
step S502 of FIG. 23 each correspond to an example of the event
activation time determination unit of the invention.
[0272] Besides, in this embodiment, the CPU 406, random number
generator, etc. that execute the step S404 of FIG. 22 and the step
S504 of FIG. 23 each correspond to an example of the event
notification time determination unit of the invention.
[0273] Besides, in this embodiment, the CPU 406, etc. that execute
the step S409 of FIG. 22 and the step S508 of FIG. 23 each
correspond to an example of the event notification unit of the
invention.
[0274] Besides, in this embodiment, the CPU 406, RAM 410, etc. that
execute the step S406, etc. of FIG. 22 each correspond to an
example of the number-of-players determination unit or
determination unit of the invention.
[0275] Besides, in this embodiment, the CPU 406, RAM 410, etc. that
execute the step S415 of FIG. 23 each correspond to an example of
the cumulative value transfer unit of the invention.
[0276] Besides, in this embodiment, the CPU 406, RAM 410, etc. that
execute the step S415 of FIG. 23 each correspond to an example of
the surplus cumulative value storage unit of the invention.
[0277] Besides, in this embodiment, the CPU 406, RAM 410, etc. that
execute the step S415 of FIG. 23 each correspond to an example of
the surplus cumulative value addition unit of the invention.
[0278] Modified Embodiments
[0279] In this embodiment, the gaming machine is configured as
follows. That is, the lottery wheels 338 and 339 are disposed on a
portion corresponding to a deck of the lottery machine 312
imitating a ship. The holes that the balls can enter are formed on
the surfaces of the lottery wheels 338 and 339. The playing-card
designs made to correspond to the holes that the balls have entered
as the ship rocks are identified. Thus, when there exist any
designs identical to the playing-card designs displayed on the
bingo card, the corresponding bingo cells are activated. As a
result, when the activated bingo cells form a normal bingo hand on
a specific line of the bingo card, prizes are awarded to the
winning players. In addition thereto, prizes are awarded to the
winning players even by generating events, i.e., a plurality of
jackpots. However, the invention is not limited thereto. For
example, the invention is also applicable to a so-called keno game
or the like that is played as follows. That is, after numbers are
made to correspond to the holes, a lottery is performed by a
similar method. Thus, the amount of payouts is determined according
to how many numbers are drawn out of the numbers on a predetermined
number of balls that a player has selected in advance. That is, the
configuration of the gaming machine 312 (see FIG. 1) of this
embodiment is also applicable to any lottery machine for any game
that can generate a plurality of jackpots.
[0280] The embodiment of the invention has been described above,
which merely illustrates a specific example and particularly does
not limit the invention. That is, the invention is the gaming
machine that includes a plurality of gaming terminal devices having
control panels operated by players and on which the players play a
game upon payment of a game value, the gaming machine including:
the cumulative storage unit that stores a plurality of kinds of
cumulative values on a per unit game basis at a predetermined rate
in response to the game value; the event value achievement
determination unit that determines whether or not any of the
plurality of kinds of cumulative values stored by the cumulative
storage unit has achieved an event value pre-set for each of the
plurality of kinds of cumulative values; and the event activation
unit that generates an event corresponding to the event value
achieved, when the event value achievement determination unit
determines that the event value pre-set is achieved. However, the
specific configuration of each unit such as the cumulative storage
unit, the event value achievement determination unit, and the event
activation unit can be modified in design as appropriate.
[0281] Additionally, the advantages described in the embodiment of
the invention are merely a listing of the most preferred advantages
yielded from the invention. Thus, the advantages of the invention
are not limited to the ones described in the embodiment of the
invention.
[0282] According to this embodiment, even when the cumulative value
or greater at which an event activates is achieved, there is the
possibility that the event does not activate immediately, thus
making it difficult to predict the next event activation.
Accordingly, the expectation of the player for the events is
maintained, thus making it possible to maintain the interest of the
player.
[0283] According to this embodiment, the notification of an event
is performed before the event activates, thus enabling the interest
of the player to be prevented from being reduced due to a sudden
event activation. Besides, it can be expected to attract customers
because of the event notification, thus enabling an increase in the
number of the player participating in the game.
[0284] In many cases, in a gaming machine of this type, a plurality
of terminals serving as game input units are disposed in an outer
peripheral region of such a gaming machine so that a plurality of
players can simultaneously participate in the game. However,
although the contrivance of using various electric spectaculars is
always made to lure a large number of players to simultaneously
participate in the game, in part because such a lure means is not
beneficial to the players, there is the problem that such an effect
as intended is not expected.
[0285] According to this embodiment, since the one cumulative value
does not increase because of the transfer function of the
cumulative value transfer unit, the event in which the cumulative
value does not increase is practically prohibited from activating,
thus limiting the kinds of events to be activated as a result.
Therefore, it becomes possible to expect the human-induced lure
function of attracting other players because the players
participating in the game themselves generate a huge variety of
events.
[0286] Moreover, even when the number of kinds of events to be
activated is reduced, the amount that is subtracted at a
predetermined rate from the game value paid by each of the players
the number of whom does not reach the predetermined number is
stored as the cumulative value that can be restored to the players
participating in the game. Therefore, the fairness of the game can
be maintained.
[0287] Additionally, in "transfers one of the plurality of kinds of
cumulative values to another cumulative value for storage",
needless to say, a partial transfer may be performed instead of
transferring all the cumulative values.
[0288] According to this embodiment, when an event to be activated
is the predetermined event and when only the predetermined number
or less of players participate in the game, the predetermined event
is not activated. Accordingly, this can motivate the players to
participate in the game as much as possible. Besides, the
predetermined event is held when there are a large number of
players participating in the game, thus exerting a stage
effect.
[0289] Besides, for example, when the predetermined event is a
competition in speed and is the event of awarding prizes only to
the predetermined number, there is the risk of reducing a play
instinct by generating the event when only the predetermined number
or less of players participate in the game. However, according to
the invention, such a risk is avoided, thereby making it possible
to maintain the play instinct.
[0290] According to this embodiment, when the activation of the
predetermined event is stopped, the surplus cumulative value is
added to a cumulative value other then the cumulative value serving
as the chance of generating the predetermined event. Accordingly,
even when the predetermined event does not activate, the activation
of an event other than the predetermined event is facilitated.
Therefore, it is possible to avoid the situation in which the
interest of the players is reduced because the predetermined event
does not activate.
[0291] Second Embodiment
[0292] A second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
24. FIG. 24 is configured such that a bingo game is executed with
the process of the aforesaid gaming machine 310 assigned separately
to each gaming terminal 700 and a game server 800.
[0293] As shown in FIG. 24, gaming terminals 700A, 700B, . . . and
the game server 800 that is another computer are connected to a
network 550. That is, these gaming terminals 700A, 700B, . . . are
communicably connected to the game server 800. Besides, the game
server 800 includes a control section (not shown) and a storage
section (not shown) for storing a program. The control section
executes various processes in accordance with the program stored in
the storage section.
[0294] In this case, as will be described below, each gaming
terminals 700A, 700B, . . . and the game server 800 have separate
units, thereby configuring one gaming system 900.
[0295] (A1) A cumulative storage unit that stores a plurality of
kinds of cumulative values on a per unit game basis at a
predetermined rate in response to a game value.
[0296] (A2) An event value achievement determination unit that
determines whether or not any of the plurality of kinds of
cumulative values stored by the cumulative storage unit has
achieved an event value pre-set for each of the plurality of kinds
of cumulative values.
[0297] (A3) An event activation unit that generates an event
corresponding to the event value achieved, when the event value
achievement determination unit determines that the pre-set event
value is achieved.
[0298] (A4) An event activation time determination unit that
determines the time at which the event activation unit generates
the event corresponding to the event value, when the event value
achievement determination unit determines that the event value
pre-set is achieved.
[0299] (A5) An event notification time determination unit that
determines the time of performing the notification of the event
corresponding to the event value, when the event activation time
determination unit determines the time of activation of the event
corresponding to the event value.
[0300] (A6) An event notification unit that performs the
notification of the event corresponding to the event value at the
time determined by the event notification time determination
means.
[0301] (A7) A number-of-players determination unit that determines
whether or not the number of players participating in the game of
the gaming machine is equal to or smaller than a predetermined
number that is pre-set.
[0302] (A8) A cumulative value transfer unit that transfers one of
the plurality of kinds of cumulative values to another cumulative
value for storage, when the number-of-players determination unit
determines that the number of players participating in the game is
equal to or smaller than the predetermined number.
[0303] (A9) A number-of-players determination unit that determines
whether or not the number of players participating in the game upon
payment of the game value is equal to or smaller than the
predetermined number, when the event activated by the event
activation unit is a predetermined event.
[0304] (A10) An event stop unit that stops the activation of the
predetermined event at the time determined by the event activation
time determination unit, when the determination unit determines
that the number of players participating in the game is equal to or
smaller than the predetermined number.
[0305] (A11) A surplus cumulative value storage unit that stores,
as a surplus cumulative value, the result obtained by subtracting a
specific value from a cumulative value that the event value
achievement determination unit determines has achieved the event
value pre-set, when the event activation stop unit stops the
activation of the predetermined event.
[0306] (A12) A surplus cumulative value addition unit that adds the
surplus cumulative value stored by the cumulative value storage
unit to any cumulative value other than the subtracted cumulative
value out of the plurality of kinds of cumulative values.
[0307] (A13) came value data transmission unit that transmits to
the game server the data of the game value paid by the players.
[0308] (A14) A game value data receive unit that receives the data
of the game value transmitted by the game value transmission
unit.
[0309] (A15) A cumulative value data transmission unit that
transmits to the game server the data of the plurality of kinds of
cumulative values stored by the cumulative storage unit.
[0310] (A16) A cumulative value data receive unit that receives the
data of the plurality of kinds of cumulative values transmitted by
the cumulative value data transmission unit.
[0311] As an example of a game system imitating the gaming machine
of this embodiment, the gaming terminal 700A, 700B, . . . has the
aforesaid units (A13) and (A16), and the game server 800 has the
aforesaid units (A1) to (A12), (A14) and (A15), thereby enabling
the formation of the one gaming system 900.
[0312] Additionally, in this embodiment, the gaming terminal 700A,
700B, . . . has the aforesaid units (A13) and (A16), and the game
server 800 has the aforesaid units (A1) to (A12), (A14) and (A15),
thereby forming the one gaming system 900. However, according to
the invention, one gaming system may be constructed such that the
gaming terminal 700A, 700B, . . . has any units other than the
units (A14) and (A15), and the game server 800 has the remaining
units.
[0313] According to this embodiment, even when the cumulative value
or greater at which an event activates is achieved, there is the
possibility that the event does not activate immediately, thus
making it difficult to predict the next event activation.
Accordingly, the expectation of the players for the events is
maintained, thus making it possible to maintain the interest of the
players.
[0314] According to this embodiment, the notification of an event
is performed before the event activates, thus enabling the interest
of the players from being reduced due to a sudden event activation.
Besides, it can be expected to attract customers because of the
event notification, thus enabling an increase in the number of
players participating in the game.
[0315] In many cases, in a gaming machine of this type, for
example, a plurality of terminals serving as game input units are
disposed in an outer peripheral region of such a gaming machine so
that a plurality of players can simultaneously participate in the
game. However, although the contrivance of using various electric
spectaculars is always made to lure a large number of players to
simultaneously participate in the game, in part because such a lure
means is not beneficial to the players, there is the problem that
such an effect as intended is not expected.
[0316] According to this embodiment, since the one cumulative value
does not increase because of the transfer function of the
cumulative value transfer means, the event in which the cumulative
value does not increase is practically prohibited from activating,
thus limiting the kind of event to be activated as a result.
Therefore, it becomes possible to expect the human lure function of
attracting other players because the players participating in the
game themselves generate a huge variety of events.
[0317] Moreover, even when the number of kinds of events to be
activated is reduced, the amount that is subtracted at a
predetermined rate from the game value paid by each of the players
the number of whom does not reach the predetermined number is
stored as the cumulative value that can be restored to the players
participating in the game. Therefore, the fairness of the game can
be maintained.
[0318] Additionally, in "transfers one of the plurality of kinds of
cumulative values to another cumulative value for storage",
needless to say, a partial transfer may be performed instead of
transferring all the cumulative values.
[0319] According to this embodiment, when an event to be activated
is the predetermined event and when only the predetermined number
or less of players participate in the game, the predetermined event
is not activated. Accordingly, this can motivate the players to
participate in the game as much as possible. Besides, the
predetermined event is held when there are a large number of
players participating in the game, thus exerting a stage
effect.
[0320] Besides, for example, when the predetermined event is a
competition in speed and is the event of awarding prizes only to
the predetermined number, there is the risk of reducing a play
instinct by generating the event when only the predetermined number
or less of players participate in the game. However, according to
the invention, such a risk is avoided, thereby making it possible
to maintain the play instinct.
[0321] According to this embodiment, when the activation of the
predetermined event is stopped, the surplus cumulative value is
added to a cumulative value other then the cumulative value serving
as the chance of generating the predetermined event. Accordingly,
even when the predetermined event does not activate, the activation
of an event other than the predetermined event is facilitated.
Therefore, it is possible to avoid the situation in which the
interest of the players is reduced because the predetermined event
does not activate.
[0322] Besides, the advantages described in this specification are
merely a listing of the most preferred advantages yielded from the
invention. Thus, the advantages of the invention are not limited to
the ones described in this specification.
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