U.S. patent application number 10/959058 was filed with the patent office on 2005-04-21 for gaming machine.
This patent application is currently assigned to ARUZE CORP.. Invention is credited to Inamura, Yukinori.
Application Number | 20050085292 10/959058 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34309289 |
Filed Date | 2005-04-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050085292 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Inamura, Yukinori |
April 21, 2005 |
Gaming machine
Abstract
In the slot machine 1, when the touch panel 5k corresponding to
the periphery of the denomination display part 32 is touched, the
numerical keypad image, which constructs the numerical keypad
device 35 in cooperation with the touch panel 5k, is displayed on
the liquid crystal display panel 5d and input operation of
voluntary denomination value through the numerical keypad device 35
is activated. After the sum is input through the numerical keypad
device 35, if the player operates the start lever 9 or the spin
switch 13 or the MAX BET switch 17, the numerical keypad image
disappears. The denomination is recognized by the main CPU 42.
Next, when the bet number is directed through operation of the
1-BET switch 16 or the MAX-BET switch 17, the sum calculated by
multiplying the denomination with the bet number is set as the
betted money. And based on the operation of the start lever 9 or
the spin switch or the MAX BET switch 17 by the player, rotation
process of the reels 2 to 4 is done, thereby the slot machine game
is started.
Inventors: |
Inamura, Yukinori; (Tokyo,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ARENT FOX KINTNER PLOTKIN & KAHN
1050 CONNECTICUT AVENUE, N.W.
SUITE 400
WASHINGTON
DC
20036
US
|
Assignee: |
ARUZE CORP.
|
Family ID: |
34309289 |
Appl. No.: |
10/959058 |
Filed: |
October 7, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/25 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3262 20130101;
G07F 17/3211 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/025 |
International
Class: |
A63F 009/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 10, 2003 |
JP |
2003-352222 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A gaming machine comprising a game medium storing device for
storing game media, wherein a game is conducted by betting at least
one of the game media, the gaming machine further comprising: an
input device for inputting a numerical value; and a denomination
recognition device for recognizing the numerical value input from
the input device as an amount of the game media betted for one
bet.
2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising: a
cabinet; a liquid crystal display panel for displaying at least a
numerical keypad image, the liquid crystal display panel being
arranged at a front side of the cabinet; and a transparent touch
panel arranged at a front side of the liquid crystal display panel;
wherein the input device is constructed from the numerical keypad
image displayed on the liquid crystal display panel and a
predetermined area of the touch panel corresponding to the
numerical keypad image.
3. The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein a gaming image
plane including a denomination display part is displayed on the
liquid crystal display panel, and wherein the numerical keypad
image is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel when the
touch panel corresponding to a periphery of the denomination
display part is touched.
4. The gaming machine according to claim 3, wherein the numerical
keypad image includes a plurality of numerical keys and a numerical
value display part, and wherein a numerical value input by touching
the touch panel corresponding to the numerical keys is displayed in
the numerical value display part.
5. The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising: a
cabinet; a liquid crystal display panel for displaying at least a
denomination selection panel image, the liquid crystal display
panel being arranged at a front side of the cabinet; and a
transparent touch panel arranged at a front side of the liquid
crystal display panel; wherein the input device is constructed from
the denomination selection panel image displayed on the liquid
crystal display panel and a predetermined area of the touch panel
corresponding to the denomination selection panel image.
6. The gaming machine according to claim 5, wherein a gaming image
plane including a denomination display part is displayed on the
liquid crystal display panel, and wherein the denomination
selection panel image is displayed on the liquid crystal display
panel when the touch panel corresponding to a periphery of the
denomination display part is touched.
7. The gaming machine according to claim 6, wherein the
denomination selection panel image includes a plurality of sum
display areas in each of which a predetermined sum is displayed,
and wherein the predetermined sum input by touching the touch panel
corresponding to the sum display areas is displayed in the
denomination display part.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO THE RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] This application is based upon and claims a priority from
the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-352222 filed on Oct.
10, 2003, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by
reference. This application is related to a co-pending U.S.
application entitled "GAMING MACHINE", filed on the same date as
this application. The co-pending application is expressly
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a gaming machine in which a
game is conducted by betting game media stored therein.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Conventionally, as such kind of the gaming machine, it is,
for example, well-known a slot machine disclosed in Unexamined
Japanese Patent Publication No. 2001-120716. On a switch panel of
the slot machine shown in the above reference, there are provided
bet buttons through which a player determines a bet number to bet
game media stored in the slot machine. The bet buttons are
constructed from a 1-BET button that one bet number is added by
every one operation thereof and a MAX-bet button that game media
can be betted at the MAX bet number by operation thereof. The bet
number is determined by operation of these bet buttons and
thereafter a game is started by operating a start lever.
[0006] However, in the slot machine shown in the above Japanese
reference, a coin number betted for one bet is fixed, therefore the
player cannot freely determine the bet number.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The resent invention relates to a gaming machine in which a
game medium amount betted for one bet can be voluntarily set and
operability to determine the game medium amount can be raised.
[0008] In order to accomplish the above object, the present
invention provides a gaming machine comprising a game medium
storing device for storing game media, wherein a game is conducted
by betting at least one of the game media, the gaming machine
further comprising:
[0009] an input device for inputting a numerical value; and
[0010] a denomination recognition device for recognizing the
numerical value input from the input device as an amount of the
game media betted for one bet.
[0011] In the above gaming machine, when the numerical value is
input by the input device, this numerical value is recognized as
the amount of the game media betted for one bet by the denomination
recognition device. Here, the above amount of the game media betted
for one bet corresponds to a denomination, and the amount of the
game media betted for one game is calculated by multiplying the
denomination with a bet number. Therefore, the player can
voluntarily set the amount of the game media betted for one bet
without being limited to an amount fixed beforehand as in the
conventional gaming machine. And operability to determine the game
medium amount can be raised.
[0012] The above and further objects and novel features of the
invention will more fully appear from the following detailed
description when the same is read in connection with the
accompanying drawings. It is to be expressly understood, however,
that the drawings are for purpose of illustration only and not
intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification illustrate embodiments of
the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain
the objects, advantages and principles of the invention.
[0014] In the drawings,
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a slot machine according to
the first embodiment,
[0016] FIG. 2 is an enlarged front view of a reel display window
portion formed in the slot machine according to the first
embodiment,
[0017] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the reel display window
portion of the slot machine according to the first embodiment,
[0018] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the reel display
window portion shown in FIG. 3,
[0019] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a circuitry construction
of a control circuit in the slot machine according to the first
embodiment, and
[0020] FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of the reel display window
portion on which a numerical keypad for determining a denomination
is provided to determine a bet number, according to the first
embodiment, and
[0021] FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of the reel display window
portion on which a denomination selection panel for determining the
denomination is provided to determine the denomination, according
to the second embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0022] The preferred embodiment of the present invention will
described hereinafter. Here, in the embodiment, although various
game media such as coins, tokens, medals, coupons, tickets, memory
media (cards and the like) can be utilized, it will be hereinafter
explained the embodiment in which coins are utilized as an
example.
[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a slot machine 1 in the
first embodiment of a gaming machine according to the present
invention. In a cabinet constructing a central main body of the
slot machine 1, three reels comprising a first reel 2, a second
reel 3 and a third reel 4 are rotatably arranged. On an outer
periphery of each of the reels 2 to 4, a symbol row constructing
from a plural kinds of symbols (abbreviated as "the symbol"
hereinafter) is described. In front of each of the reels 2 to 4, a
reel display window portion 5 is arranged. And in the reel display
window portion 5, three display windows 6, 7 and 8 are formed, and
three symbols of the symbol row described on the outer periphery of
each of the reels 2 to 4 are displayed through each of the display
windows 6 to 8, respectively. When a player inserts coins as the
game media into the slot machine and operates a start lever 9
arranged at a side of the cabinet, variable display of the symbols
is conducted. And on the reel display window portion 5, it is
formed a pay line L according to which a symbol combination is
defined and a winning combination is determined based on a symbol
combination stopped and displayed along the pay line L through each
of the display windows 6 to 8.
[0024] On a control panel 10 positioned at a lower position of the
reel display window portion 5, a coin insertion slot 11 in which
the player inserts coins and a bill insertion portion 12 to insert
a bill are provided. And also on the control panel 10, it is
provided a spin switch 13 to start rotation of the reels 2 to 4 by
press operation thereof, independently from the start lever 9 and
further a change switch 14, a cashout switch 15, a 1-BET switch 16
and a MAX-BET switch 17 are arranged.
[0025] The change switch 14 is a switch used when the player calls
an attendant of a game arcade, and when the change switch 14 is
operated, a tower light arranged on an upper part of the slot
machine 1 is turned on. The cashout switch 15 is a switch to pay
out money betted and credited to a coin tray 19 as coins when
pressed. The 1-BET switch 16 is a switch to bet the sum
corresponding to the denomination among the money betted and
credited, that is, only the sum betted for one bet by one press
operation, and the MAX BET switch 17 is a switch to bet a sum
corresponding to the max bet number (1000 coins in the embodiment)
among the money betted and credited by one press operation.
[0026] And on a top glass 20 arranged at an upper position of the
reel display window portion 5, it is displayed a payout table
indicating a relation that each of the winning combinations and
payout thereof is corresponded. And on a bottom glass 21 positioned
at a lower position of the reel display window portion 5,
characters relating to the slot machine are described.
[0027] FIG. 2 is an enlarged front view showing the reel display
window portion 5 of the slot machine 1. Here, in FIG. 2, the same
elements, parts as in FIG. 1 are indicated by the same numbers as
in FIG. 1 and explanation thereof will be omitted. The reel display
window portion 5 constitutes constructs a display device to display
game image. On a surface of the reel display window portion 5, it
is arranged a touch panel 5k to accept input operation by the
player. The touch panel 5k is made transparent so as to display
therethrough the symbols described on the reels 2 to 4 and
information such as game effect images displayed on a liquid
crystal display panel 5d. Here, as well-known in the art, the touch
panel 5k is constructed from a pair of transparent sheets on each
of which a plurality of transparent electrodes such as ITO are
formed and transparent dot spacers formed between the transparent
sheets. Concretely, the transparent dot spacers are formed on one
of the transparent sheets or both of the transparent sheets so as
not to superimpose with each other. And two transparent sheets are
superimposed with each other so that the transparent electrodes on
each sheet are separated by a distance corresponding to the height
of the dot spacers. When the touch panel 5k is touched by a finger
of the player, the transparent electrodes of the sheets are
contacted at a touch position, thereby such touch position on the
touch panel 5k is detected based on a contact position where the
transparent electrodes are contacted with each other. On the other
hand, as mentioned later, a numerical keypad image (not shown in
FIG. 2) is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 5d
arranged behind the touch panel 5k. And a numerical keypad device
35 (not shown in FIG. 2) is constructed from the numerical keypad
image displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 5d and a
predetermined area of the touch panel 5k corresponding to the
numerical keypad image. The numerical keypad device 35 constructs a
numerical input device to input the numerical value when the
denomination is set.
[0028] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the slot machine showing an
inner construction of the reel display window portion 5. As shown
in FIG. 3, the reel display window portion 5 is arranged in front
of the reels 2 to 4 and is constructed so as to have the liquid
crystal display panel 5d. And FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective
view of the reel display window portion 5 shown in FIG. 3. As shown
in FIGS. 4(a) to 4(j), the reel display window portion 5 is
constructed from the touch panel 5k, a transparent acrylic plate
5a, a reel glass base 5b, a bezel metallic frame 5c, the liquid
crystal display panel 5d, a liquid crystal holder 5e, a diffusion
sheet 5f, a light guiding plate 5g, a rear holder 5h and an
antistatic sheet 5i, these members being arranged from a front
plane side of the device according to this order. The touch panel
5k is arranged at a front side of the transparent acrylic plate 5a,
the front side thereof being faced to the player. And in the
diffusion sheet 5f, the light guiding plate 5g and the rear holder
5h, three openings 6a, 6b, 6c forming the display window 6, three
openings 7a, 7b, 7c forming the display window 7 and three openings
8a, 8b, 8c forming the display window 8, are formed.
[0029] And attachment of the reel display window portion 5 to a
front panel of the device is, as shown in FIG. 3, is done by fixing
brackets 5ba formed in the glass base 5b so as to project toward up
and down directions to a rear side of the front panel of the device
through screws 5j.
[0030] At both an upper end and a lower end of the light guiding
plate 5g, a pair of cold cathode ray tubes 30a are arranged as
light sources of the liquid crystal display panel 5d. And at an
upper and a lower positions of display window parts on a rear side
of the rear holder 5h, a pair of cold cathode ray tubes 30b to
illuminate the symbols described on the outer periphery of each of
the reels 2 to 4 are arranged.
[0031] The liquid crystal display panel 5d is a transparent
electric display panel which is disposed at the front side of the
reels 2 to 4 and the reels 2 to 4 are seen and recognized through
the liquid crystal display panel 5d. A rear side around the display
part of the liquid crystal display panel 5d is held by the liquid
crystal holder 5e. The light guiding plate 5g is formed from a
light transmitting resin panel and lens cuts are formed to guide
light emitted from the cold cathode ray tubes 30b disposed at sides
thereof toward the rear side of the liquid crystal display panel
5d. The diffusion sheet 5f is formed light transmitting resin sheet
and constructs diffusion member to diffuse light guided by the
light guiding plate 5g and levels light illuminated to the liquid
crystal display panel 5d. The liquid crystal holder 5e holding the
liquid crystal display panel 5d, the diffusion sheet 5f and the
light guiding plate 5g are formed into one-construction and the
circumference thereof is inserted in the bezel metallic frame 5c.
By this insertion, the front side of the circumference of the
display part in the liquid crystal display panel 5d is held by the
bezel metallic frame 5c.
[0032] The liquid crystal holder 5e, the diffusion sheet 5f and the
light guiding panel 5g, which are inserted in the bezel metallic
frame 5c and formed into one-construction, are further inserted in
the reel glass base 5b at the circumference thereof, thereby are
supported by the reel glass base 5b in a state that the front side
of the display part in the liquid crystal display panel 5d is
opened. The transparent acrylic plate 5a, on the front surface of
which the touch panel 5k is arranged, is attached to the front
plane of the device by fixing the reel glass base 5b on the front
panel of the device through the screws 5j, thereby the transparent
acrylic plate 5a is pressed and attached to the front plane of the
reel glass base 5b with the touch panel 5k. Thus, the transparent
acrylic plate 5a closes the above opening positioned on the front
plane of the display part in the liquid crystal display panel
5d.
[0033] The rear holder 5h is formed from a white resin plate and
retains the bezel metallic frame 5c, the liquid crystal holder 5e
supporting the liquid crystal display panel 5d, the diffusion sheet
5f and the light guiding plate 5g, all of which are supported to
the reel glass base 5b, to the reel glass base 5b from the rear
side thereof. The rear holder 5h functions as a reflecting plate to
reflect light emitted to the light guiding plate 5g from the cold
cathode ray tubes 30a toward the liquid crystal display panel 5.
The antistatic sheet 5 is made transparent and is adhered to the
rear plane of the rear holder 5h by a double-sided tape, thereby
the antistatic sheet 5i covers the openings formed in the rear
holder 5h.
[0034] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a circuitry construction
of a control circuit 40 for controlling game operation process in
the slot machine 1 of the embodiment.
[0035] The control circuit 40 is mainly constructed from a
microcomputer 41 and the microcomputer 41 is constructed from a
main CPU 42 (Central Processing Unit) for conducting control
operation according to a program preset beforehand, a ROM
(Read-Only Memory) 43 as a storing device and a RAM (Random Access
Memory) 44. In the ROM 43, control procedures for wholly
controlling the gamin machine are stored as a sequence program and
the RAM 44 is utilized as a temporary memory work area and the like
when such program is executed.
[0036] To the main CPU 42, a clock pulse generator 45 for
generating standard clock pulses and a frequency divider 46, a
random number generator 47 for generating random numbers within a
predetermined range and a sampling circuit 48 for sampling one
random number generated by the random number generator 47, are
connected. Further, an I/O port 49 to receive and output various
signals between peripheral devices (actuators) mentioned later, is
connected to the main CPU 42. And the ROM 43 has also memory areas
to store a winning combination table which is referred when the
winning combination is determined based on a symbol combination,
other than the sequence program.
[0037] Here, the microcomputer 41, the random number generator 47
and the sampling circuit 48 constructs a lottery device to
determine the winning combination by a lottery and selects the
symbols which are stopped and displayed on the display windows 6 to
8 or the liquid crystal display panel 5d by a lottery and
determines the winning combination based on the selected symbol
combination. And the microcomputer 41 constructs a game medium
storing device for storing the betted money inserted from the coin
insertion slot 11 and the bill insertion portion 12 as data in the
RAM 44.
[0038] As the main actuator the operation of which is controlled by
a control signal from the microcomputer 41, there exist stepping
motors 50 for rotating and driving the reels 2 to 4, various lamps
51, a LED display part 52, a hopper 53 for storing coins, the
liquid crystal display panel 5d and a speaker 55. These are driven
and controlled by a motor drive circuit 56,a lamp drive circuit 57,
a LED drive circuit 58, a hopper drive circuit 59, an image control
circuit 60 and a sound control circuit 61, respectively, These
drive circuits 56 to 59 and the control circuits 60, 61 are
connected to the main CPU 42 through the I/O port 49.
[0039] And as the main input signal generation device for
generating input signals necessary for the main CPU 42 to produce
control signals, there exist a start switch 9S for detecting
operation of the start lever 9, the spin switch 13, the change
switch 14, the cashout switch 15, the 1-BET switch 16, the MAX BET
switch 17 and a coin sensor 11S to detect coins inserted in the
coin insertion slot 11. Further, a reel position detection circuit
62 for detecting the rotation position of the reels 2 to 4 is
provided.
[0040] And as the input signal generation device, there exist a
coin detection part 53S for counting the number of coins paid out
from the hopper 53, a payout completion signal generation circuit
63, the numerical keypad device 35 constructed from the numerical
keypad image displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 5d and
the predetermined area of the touch panel 5k corresponding to the
numerical keypad image and a numerical keypad device detection
circuit 64. The payout completion signal generation circuit 63
generates a signal to detect a coin payout completion when the coin
count value corresponded to the coin number actually paid out and
input from the coin detection part 53S reaches to the payout coin
number data. And the numerical keypad device detection circuit 64
detects operation of the numerical keypad device 35, such operation
being done by touching the touch panel 5k corresponding to
numerical keys of the numerical keypad image displayed on the
liquid crystal display panel 5d and outputs the detected operation
signal to the main CPU 42. The above payout completion signal
generation circuit 63 and the numerical keypad device detection
circuit 64 are also connected to the main CPU 42 through the I/O
port 49. Here, the main CPU 42 constructs a denomination
recognition device to recognize the numerical value input from the
numerical keypad device 35 as the sum betted for one bet.
[0041] In the above construction, before the game is conducted in
the slot machine 1, the play at first inserts coins in the coin
insertion slot 11 or inserts a bill in the bill insertion slot 12,
thereby the betted money is stored in the slot machine 1. Next, the
sum betted for the game is directed by the player among the betted
money which is stored. This direction is done by determining the
denomination corresponding to the sum betted for one bet and the
bet number.
[0042] On a game image displayed on the reel display window portion
5, as shown in FIG. 6, a character image 31, a denomination display
part 32, a payout display part (WIN) 33 for displaying the payout
number paid out to the player and a bet number display part (BET)
34 are displayed. When the touch panel 5k corresponding to a
periphery of the denomination display part 32 is touched, the
numerical keypad image is displayed on the liquid crystal display
panel 5d as shown in FIG. 6, thereby denomination input operation
is made effective through the numerical keypad device 35
constructed from the numerical keypad image on the liquid crystal
display panel 5d and the touch panel 5k.
[0043] The numerical keypad device 35 is provided with numerical
keys of "0".about."9" and "00", a clear key (CLEAR), a dollar ($)
display key and a cent (.cent.) display key. Here, the numerical
keys, the clear key are, the dollar display key and the cent
display key are constructed from the numerical key images, the
clear key image, the dollar display key image and the cent display
key image included in the numerical keypad image displayed on the
liquid crystal display panel 5d and the touch panel 5k. And the
numerical value input by touching the touch panel 5k corresponding
to the numeral key images is displayed in an upper input numerical
value area 35a. For example, in a case that touch panel 5k
corresponding to the dollar display key image is first pressed and
thereafter the touch panel 5k corresponding to the numerical key
images "1" and "0" are pressed in this order, and further the touch
panel 5k corresponding to the cent display key image is pressed and
thereafter the touch panel 5k corresponding to the numerical key
images "5" and "0" are pressed in this order, "$ 10.50 (10 dollars
and 50 cents)" is displayed in the input numerical value area 35a
as shown in FIG. 6. Thereafter, the numerical keypad image
disappears at the timing that the player operates the start lever 9
or the spin switch 13 or the MAX BET switch 17 and the denomination
is recognized as 10 dollars and 50 cents by the main CPU 42,
thereby this sum is displayed in the denomination display part 32.
In the first embodiment, the sum from 1 cent up to 100 dollars can
be freely betted as the denomination by utilizing the numerical
keypad device 35. And when the denomination is input by the
numerical keypad device 35 according to the above, if a false
numerical value is input, such numerical value can be corrected by
pressing the touch panel 5k corresponding to the clear key image
and again inputting the correct numerical value by touching the
touch panel 5k corresponding to the numerical key images.
[0044] Next, the bet number is directed. This direction is done by
operating the 1-BET switch 16 or the MAX-BET switch 17. For
example, when the MAX-BET switch 17 is pressed one time, the bet
number is recognized as 1000 by the main CPU 42. And when the 1-BET
switch 16 is pressed desired plural times, the pressed times are
recognized as the bet number by the main CPU 42.
[0045] When the bet number is recognized, the main CPU 42 sets the
sum calculated by multiplying the bet number with the denomination
directed according to the above as the betted money. And based on
the operation of the start lever 9 or the spin switch 13 or the MAX
BET switch 17 by the player, rotation process of the reels 2 to 4
is done and the slot machine game is started. And in a case that
the symbol combination of the winning combination with payout is
stopped and displayed along the pay line L, the payout
corresponding to the betted money which is set by the main CPU 42
is given to the player. Thereby, the credit number is increased or
coins are paid out to the coin tray 19.
[0046] According to the slot machine of the first embodiment, as
mentioned, when the numerical value is input through the numerical
keypad device 35 constructed from the numerical keypad image
displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 5d and the touch
panel 5k, such numerical value is recognized as the denomination by
the main CPU 42. And the sum calculated by multiplying the
denomination with the bet number set by the 1-BET switch 16 or the
MAX-BET switch 17, is betted, thereafter the slot machine game is
conducted. Thereby, the player can voluntarily set the denomination
without being limited to the sum which is fixed beforehand, as in
the prior art.
[0047] And in the first embodiment, the numerical keypad image is
displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 5d in the reel
display window portion 5 which displays the game image of the slot
machine 1, and the player can input the denomination by touching
the touch panel 5k corresponding to each of the numerical key
images constructing the numerical keypad device 35 in cooperation
with the touch panel 5k. Therefore, the player can quickly operate
the numerical keypad device 35 while seeing the reel display window
portion 5 and operability to determine the denomination can be
raised.
[0048] Next, the slot machine of the second embodiment according to
the present invention will be described.
[0049] The slot machine of the second embodiment has the same
construction as the slot machine 1 in the above mentioned first
embodiment, except for the numerical value input device for setting
the denomination which is different from that in the first
embodiment.
[0050] FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of the reel display window
portion on which a denomination selection panel for determining the
denomination is provided to determine the denomination, according
to the second embodiment. Here, in FIG. 7, the same numbers are
added to the members, the elements having the same construction as
those in the first embodiment.
[0051] Similar to the above mentioned numerical keypad device 35,
the denomination selection panel 36 is constructed from a
denomination selection panel image displayed on the liquid crystal
display panel 5d and a predetermined area of the touch panel 5k
corresponding to the denomination selection panel image.
[0052] When the player touches the touch panel 5k corresponding to
the periphery of the denomination display part 32, a denomination
display selection panel image is displayed on the liquid crystal
display panel 5d as shown in FIG. 7, thereby input operation of the
denomination by the denomination selection panel 36 is made
effective. The denomination selection panel image 36 is provided
with eleven sum display areas which are set beforehand from 1 cent
to 10 dollars. The denomination is changed to the sum displayed in
the sum display area that the player touches the touch panel 5k
corresponding thereto, and the sum changed and input by the player
is displayed in the denomination display part 32. For example, when
the player touches the touch panel 5k corresponding to the area of
"$ 1", the sum "$ 1" changed and input is displayed in the
denomination display part 32, as shown in FIG. 7. Thereafter, when
the player again touches the touch panel 5k corresponding to the
periphery of the denomination display part 32, the denomination
selection panel image disappears, and the denomination is
recognized as one dollar by the main CPU 42. The player conducts
the game by determining the bet number based on the denomination
selected according to the above.
[0053] In the slot machine of the second embodiment, similarly to
the first embodiment, the player can freely set the denomination
without being limited to the sum which is fixed beforehand, as in
the prior art. And the player can quickly operate the denomination
selection panel 36 while seeing the reel display window portion 5
and operability to determine the denomination can be raised.
[0054] Here, in the second embodiment, it may be constructed so
that the denomination value input through the numerical keypad
device 35 and the denomination selection panel 36 is used as the
denomination over a plural times of games and such denomination is
used for setting the betted money. That is to say, the denomination
value input in the present game by the player may be stored as the
data in the RAM 44 and the like and the stored data is used as the
denomination in the present game and the next games, thereby the
betted sum is set. In this case, the stored data in the RAM 44 is
automatically treated as the initial value of the denomination, and
so long as the player does not renew the denomination, that is, the
denomination value is not again input, such initial value is
continued to be used as the denomination. And when the denomination
value is again input through the numerical keypad device 35 or the
denomination selection panel 36, the initial value may be displayed
in the denomination display part 32.
[0055] According to the above construction, in a case that the
constant denomination is used over a plural times of games, the
player can omit the input operation of the denomination value
through the numerical keypad device 35 and the denomination
selection panel 36 every the unit game, thereby operation in the
game can be reduced. As a result, even if the player conducts games
for a long time, the player can concentrate in games without
feeling fatigue and improvement of motivation for games can be
expected.
[0056] And it may be determined corresponding to gaming state
whether or not the denomination value input through the numerical
keypad device 35 or the denomination selection panel 36 by the
player is used for setting the betted money. For example, it is
supposed two gaming states, in which the expectation values of the
payout paid out to the player in the unit game are different with
each other, and it is supposed that the gaming state with lower
expectation value is the first gaming state and the gaming state
with high expectation value is the second gaming state. At that
time, in one of the first gaming state and the second gaming state,
the denomination value input through the numerical keypad device 35
or the denomination selection panel 36 by the player is used and in
the other gaming state thereof the denomination value fixedly
stored in the ROM 43 is used.
[0057] According to the above construction, there may be a case
that the rate for getting coins in the specific gaming state may be
controlled.
[0058] And according to the gaming state, it may be conceivable
that a range of the denomination value which the player can input
through the numerical keypad device 35 or the denomination
selection panel 36 is changed. For example, in the above first
gaming state, the denomination may be selected within the range
from 1 cent up to a predetermined first upper limit value (for
example, 100 dollars) and in the above second gaming state, the
denomination may be selected within the range from 1 cent up to a
predetermined second upper limit value (for example, 10 dollars)
lower than the above first upper limit value. Further, the second
upper limit value may be set higher than the first upper limit
value. And a lower limit value of the denomination value which the
player can input may be changed according to the gaming state.
[0059] According to the above construction, there may be a case
that the rate for getting coins in the specific gaming state may be
controlled.
[0060] And in the above first and second embodiments, although it
is explained the case that operation of the numerical keypad device
35 is detected by the numerical keypad device detection circuit 64
and the detected value is input to the main CPU 42, thereby the
denomination value is determined, the present invention is not
limited to this. For example, it may be conceivable that the
function of the numerical keypad device detection circuit 64 is
provided with the touch panel 5k and the numerical value input
through the numerical keypad device 35 is directly given to the
main CPU 42 from the touch panel 5k. According to this
construction, in the cabinet to which the touch panel 5k is
installed as the standard, the slot machine having the same
function as the above embodiment may be realized by only changing
software thereof, without adding a new parts such as the numerical
keypad device detection circuit 64.
[0061] Further, in the above embodiments, although dollar ($) and
cent (.cent.) are utilized as the currency denomination displayed
on the numerical keypad device 35 for inputting the denomination
and the denomination selection panel 36 for selecting the
denomination, the currency denomination is not limited to this. For
example, the currency denomination displayed on the numerical
keypad device 35 and the denomination selection panel 36 may be
pound and penny and the like, thereby the currency denomination may
be changed and displayed corresponding to the area where the slot
machine 1 is used.
[0062] And in the second embodiment, although the denomination
selection panel 36 is provided with eleven sum display areas set by
stages between 1 cent and 10 dollars, the present invention is not
limited to this. It may be constructed so that the number of the
sum display areas can be voluntarily set according to the area
where the slot machine is exported and the circumstance that the
slot machine is used.
[0063] In each of the above mentioned modifications, the effect
similar to the above mentioned embodiments may be obtained.
[0064] In the above mentioned embodiments, although it is explained
a case that the gaming machine of the present invention is applied
to the slot machine, the present invention can be applied to the
gaming machine in which game media are betted, similar to the above
embodiment. For example, the present invention can be applied to a
Japanese Pachi-slot gaming machine that rotation of the reels is
stopped by operating the stop buttons, a poker gaming machine, a
trump gaming machine, a mah-jong gaming machine and the like,
Further, the present invention can be applied to a game program by
which a home gaming machine can suspectedly execute the same
operation as in each of the above gaming machines. In this case, as
the recording medium to record the game program, various recording
media such as CD-ROM, FD (Flexible Disk), flash memory card and the
like can be utilized. If the present invention is applied to any of
the above gaming machines, the same effect as that of the
embodiment can be obtained.
[0065] Further, the numerical keypad image may be displayed on the
liquid crystal display panel 5d every one game is terminated and
when the player wants to change the bet number.
[0066] And the numerical keypad image may disappear when the touch
panel 5k corresponding to the periphery of the bet number display
part 32 is touched.
[0067] Further, in a case that the numerical keypad image includes
an enter key image instead of the clear key image shown in FIG. 6,
the numerical keypad image may disappear at the timing that the
player touches the touch panel 5k corresponding to the enter key
image.
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