U.S. patent application number 11/442592 was filed with the patent office on 2006-12-21 for gaming system and gaming machine.
This patent application is currently assigned to ARUZE Corp.. Invention is credited to Akira Osawa.
Application Number | 20060287057 11/442592 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37548471 |
Filed Date | 2006-12-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060287057 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Osawa; Akira |
December 21, 2006 |
Gaming system and gaming machine
Abstract
In a gaming system which includes a slot machine and a
management device which is communicably connected to the slot
machine, the slot machine includes: an appeared ball presentation
unit which presents at least one bingo ball, and invites the player
to input a selection in connection with this bingo ball; a
selection result notification unit which reports a selection result
message to the management device according to the selection input
by the player; and a bingo game result processing unit which
acquires an award, based on the bingo hit message from the
management device. And the management device receives the selection
result message from the slot machine, determines a win or a loss in
the game based thereon, and reports a bingo hit message to the slot
machine.
Inventors: |
Osawa; Akira; (Tokyo,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ARENT FOX PLLC
1050 CONNECTICUT AVENUE, N.W.
SUITE 400
WASHINGTON
DC
20036
US
|
Assignee: |
ARUZE Corp.
|
Family ID: |
37548471 |
Appl. No.: |
11/442592 |
Filed: |
May 30, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/19 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/32 20130101;
G07F 17/3262 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/019 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 30, 2005 |
JP |
2005-156809 |
Claims
1. A gaming system comprising a gaming machine and a management
device which is communicably connected to the gaming machine,
wherein the gaming machine comprises: at least one selection
element; and a processor which enables a player to pick the
selection element, notifies a picked result to the management
device according to the picked selection element by the player, and
provides an award based on a result of the game from the management
device; wherein the management device receives the picked result
from the gaming machine, determines a win or a loss in the game
based on the picked result, and notifies the game result to the
gaming machine.
2. The gaming system according to claim 1, wherein, on receipt of
the picked result from the gaming machine, the management device
notifies the gaming machine of the progression state of the game;
and the gaming machine displays the progression state of the game
which is notified thereto.
3. A gaming system comprising a gaming machine which supplies a
first game to a player, and a management device which is
communicably connected to the gaming machine, and the gaming system
supplies a second game to the player, wherein the gaming machine
comprises: at least one selection element; and a processor which
determines whether or not the selection element appears based on
the first game, enables a player to pick the selection element if
the selection element appears, notifies a picked result to the
management device according to the picked selection element by the
player, and provides an award based on a result of the second game
which is notified from the management device; wherein the
management device receives the picked result from the gaming
machine, determines a win or a loss in the second game based on the
picked result, and notifies the gaming machine of the result of the
second game.
4. The gaming system according to claim 3, wherein the gaming
machine variably displays a plurality of symbols, and the selection
element appears when a predetermined symbol is displayed.
5. The gaming system according to claim 3, wherein the gaming
machine further comprises a display which, along with displaying
the selection element as a display image, displays a message
inviting the player to input the selection.
6. The gaming system according to claim 3, wherein the management
device receives the picked result from the gaming machine, and
notifies the gaming machine of the progression state of the second
game, according to the picked result, and the gaming machine
displays the progression state of the second game which is
notified.
7. The gaming system according to claim 3, wherein the second game
is a bingo game.
8. A gaming machine for a gaming system which comprises a
management device, wherein the gaming machine is communicably
connected to the management device, comprising: at least one
selection element; and a processor which enables a player to pick
the selection element, notifies a picked result to the management
device according to the picked selection element by the player, and
provides an award based on a result of the game from the management
device.
9. The gaming machine according to claim 8, further comprising a
display which displays the progression state of the game, as
notified by the management device according to the picked
result.
10. A gaming machine employed in a gaming system which comprises a
gaming machine which supplies a first game to a player, and a
management device which is communicably connected to the gaming
machine, and the gaming system supplies a second game to the
player, comprising: at least one selection element; and a processor
which determines whether or not the selection element appears based
on the first game, enables a player to pick the selection element
if the selection element appears, notifies a picked result to the
management device according to the picked selection element by the
player, and provides an award based on a result of the second game
which is notified from the management device.
11. The gaming machine according to claim 10, wherein the gaming
machine variably displays a plurality of symbols, and the selection
element appears when a predetermined symbol is displayed.
12. The gaming machine according to claim 10, further comprises a
display which, along with displaying the selection element as a
display image, displays a message inviting the player to input the
selection.
13. The gaming machine according to claim 10, further comprises a
display which displays the progression state of the second game, as
notified by the management device according to the picked
result.
14. The gaming machine according to claim 10, wherein the second
game is a bingo game.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the priority of Japanese Patent
Application No. 2005-156809, which is incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a gaming system and to a
gaming machine.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] In recent years, along with the flow of diversification of
games, it has been proposed to build a system in which a plurality
of players can participate (a so-called "linked type gaming
system") by providing a host computer (a management device) which
is separate from a plurality of gaming machines, and by the host
computer performing communication with these gaming machines. As a
broad division, in the prior art there have been two types of such
linked type gaming system. One of these is a linked type gaming
system in which win or loss for a player is determined according to
a result which has been produced by the host computer (for example,
by a lottery or the like), so that it is a linked type gaming
system in which the host computer takes the initiative; while the
other is a so-called progressive linked type gaming system, in
which the player is able to gain a benefit (for example points or a
number of coins which are saved up in the host computer) according
to a result which has been produced by the gaming machine.
[0006] With these linked type gaming systems, generally, subjective
elements on the part of the player such as his intentions, his
selection, his strategies, his tactics, and so on have not been
reflected in the game. Due to this, it has been necessary to
satisfy the player only with the passive enjoyment of the game, in
which he is simply notified of lottery results produced by the host
computer or by the gaming machine.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The objective of the present invention is to provide a
linked type gaming system with which active participation in the
game on the part of a player is made possible; and, in more detail,
the objective of the present invention is to provide a new gaming
system and a new gaming machine which are endowed with
interactivity, in which games according to prior art linked type
gaming systems (in which simply reels spin and are subsequently
viewed) are abandoned, and instead the player's active intentions,
strategy, tactics, and attacking methods are received, and his win
or loss in the game is determined according thereto.
[0008] As means for solving the above described problem, the
present invention has the following characteristics. As an
embodiment of the present invention, there is proposed a gaming
system which comprises a gaming machine and a management device
which is communicably connected to the gaming machine.
[0009] With this system, the gaming machine includes: at least one
selection element (for example, a bingo ball); and a processor (for
example, a microcomputer) which enables a player to pick the
selection element, notifies a picked result (for example, a
selection result message) to the management device according to the
picked selection element by the player, and provides an award based
on a result of the game from the management device; wherein the
management device receives the picked result (for example, a
selection result message) from the gaming machine, determines a win
or a loss in the game based on the picked result, and notifies the
game result (for example, a bingo hit message) to the gaming
machine.
[0010] According to this gaming system, it becomes possible for the
player to participate in an active game by selecting the selection
element, so that it is possible to supply a more attractive linked
type game.
[0011] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is proposed a gaming system, wherein, on receipt of the picked
result from the gaming machine, the management device notifies the
gaming machine of the progression state of the game; and the gaming
machine displays the progression state of the game which is
notified thereto.
[0012] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is proposed a gaming system including a gaming machine which
supplies a first game (for example, a basic game or a slot game) to
a player, and a management device which is communicably connected
to the gaming machine, and the gaming system supplies a second game
(for example, a linked type game or a bingo game) to the
player.
[0013] With this gaming system, the gaming machine includes: at
least one selection element (for example, a bingo ball); and a
processor (for example, a microcomputer) which determines whether
or not the selection element appears based on the first game,
enables a player to pick the selection element if the selection
element appears, notifies a picked result (for example, a selection
result message) to the management device according to the picked
selection element by the player, and provides an award based on a
result of the second game (for example, a bingo hit message) which
is notified from the management device; wherein the management
device receives the picked result (for example, a selection result
message) from the gaming machine, determines a win or a loss in the
second game based on this picked result, and notifies the gaming
machine of the result (for example, a bingo hit message) of the
second game.
[0014] According to this gaming machine, it becomes possible for
the player to participate in an active game by selecting the
selection element, so that it is possible to supply a more
attractive linked type game; and, moreover, since it is possible
for the player to perform the second game in a state of closely
connected with the execution of the first game, accordingly it
becomes possible to attract the interest of the player more
strongly, and to enhance his playing inclination.
[0015] It would also be acceptable to arrange for the above
described gaming machine to be a gaming machine which variably
displays a plurality of symbols, and the selection element appears
when a predetermined symbol is displayed. Since, with this gaming
system, the first game and the second game are even more closely
related, it becomes possible to attract the playing inclination of
the player yet more strongly.
[0016] Further, it would also be acceptable to arrange for the
gaming system so as to be that the gaming machine further comprises
a display which, along with displaying the selection element as a
display image, displays a message inviting the player to input the
selection.
[0017] In addition, in the gaming system of the present invention,
the management device receives the picked result from the gaming
machine, and notifies the gaming machine of the progression state
of the second game, according to the picked result, and the gaming
machine displays the progression state of the second game which is
notified.
[0018] Further, in the gaming system of the present invention, the
second game is a bingo game.
[0019] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is proposed a gaming machine for a gaming system which includes a
management device, and the gaming machine which is communicably
connected to this management device.
[0020] This gaming machine includes: at least one selection element
(for example, a bingo ball); and a processor (for example, a
microcomputer) which enables a player to pick the selection
element, notifies a picked result (for example, a selection result
message) to the management device according to the picked selection
element by the player, and provides an award based on a result of
the game from the management device.
[0021] According to this gaming machine, it becomes possible for
the player to participate in an active game by selecting the
selection element, so that it is possible to supply a more
attractive linked type game.
[0022] Further, the gaming machine of the present invention
comprises a display which displays the progression state of the
game, as notified by the management device according to the picked
result.
[0023] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is proposed a gaming machine which is used in a gaming system which
includes a gaming machine which supplies a first game (for example,
a basic game or a slot game) to a player, and a management device
which is communicably connected to the gaming machine, and gaming
system supplies a second game (for example, a linked type game or a
bingo game) to the player.
[0024] This gaming machine includes: at least one selection element
(for example, a bingo ball); and a processor (for example, a
microcomputer) which determines whether or not the selection
element appears based on the first game, enables a player to pick
the selection element if the selection element appears, notifies a
picked result (for example, a selection result message) to the
management device according to the picked selection element by the
player, and provides an award based on a result of the second game
(for example, a bingo hit message) which is notified from the
management device.
[0025] According to this gaming machine, it becomes possible for
the player to participate in an active game by selecting the
selection element, so that it is possible to supply a more
attractive linked type game; and, moreover, since it is possible
for the player to perform the second game in a state of closely
connected with the execution of the first game, accordingly it
becomes possible to attract the interest of the player more
strongly, and to enhance his playing inclination.
[0026] With the above described gaming machine, it would also be
acceptable to construct this gaming machine to be a gaming machine
which variably displays a plurality of symbols, and the selection
element appears when a predetermined symbol is displayed. And, with
this gaming machine, since the first game and the second game are
even more closely related, accordingly it becomes possible to
attract the playing inclination of the player yet more strongly. It
should be understood that the gaming machine further comprises a
display which, along with displaying the selection element as a
display image, displays a message inviting the player to input the
selection.
[0027] Further, the gaming machine of the present invention
comprises a display which displays the progression state of the
second game, as notified by the management device according to the
picked result.
[0028] In addition, in the gaming machine of the present invention,
the second game is a bingo game.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the
structure of a linked type gaming system according to the present
invention;
[0030] FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing an example of
a slot machine;
[0031] FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing the control
system of this slot machine;
[0032] FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of a micro computer
incorporated in this slot machine;
[0033] FIG. 5 is a figure showing an example of the data structure
of bingo ball permutation data;
[0034] FIG. 6A is a figure showing an example of the data structure
of a selection result message, and FIG. 6B is a figure showing an
example of the data structure of a bingo hit message;
[0035] FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing an example of a
management device;
[0036] FIG. 8A is a figure showing an example of bingo card data,
and FIG. 8B is a figure showing an example of the data structure of
progression state data;
[0037] FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing an example of operation of a
management device;
[0038] FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the main processing of this
slot machine;
[0039] FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing an example of linked type
game execution processing;
[0040] FIG. 12 is a sequence figure showing an example of operation
of this gaming system;
[0041] FIG. 13 is a sequence figure continuing on from FIG. 12;
[0042] FIG. 14A is a figure showing an example of a screen which is
displayed by this slot machine, and FIG. 14B is a figure showing an
example of a screen which continues on from FIG. 14A;
[0043] FIG. 15A is a figure showing an example of a screen which is
displayed by this slot machine, and which is a screen continuing on
from FIG. 14A, and FIG. 15B is a figure showing an example of a
screen continuing on from the screen of FIG. 15A;
[0044] FIG. 16A is a figure showing an example of another screen
which is displayed by this slot machine, and FIG. 16B is a figure
showing an example of a screen continuing on from the screen of
FIG. 16A;
[0045] FIG. 17A is a figure showing an example of a screen which is
displayed by this slot machine, and which is a screen continuing on
from FIG. 16A, and FIG. 17B is a figure showing an example of a
screen continuing on from the screen of FIG. 17A;
[0046] FIG. 18A is a figure showing an example of a screen which is
displayed by the management device, and FIG. 18B is a figure
showing an example of a screen which is displayed after the screen
of FIG. 18A;
[0047] FIG. 19A is a figure showing an example of a screen which is
displayed by the management device after the screen of FIG. 18B,
and FIG. 19B is a figure showing an example of a screen which is
displayed after the screen of FIG. 19A;
[0048] FIG. 20A is a figure showing an example of another screen
which is displayed by the management device, and FIG. 20B is a
figure showing an example of a screen which is displayed after the
screen of FIG. 20A;
[0049] FIG. 21A is a figure showing an example of yet another
screen which is displayed by the management device, and FIG. 21B is
a figure showing an example of still yet another screen which is
displayed by the management device;
[0050] FIG. 22A is a figure showing an example of another screen
which is displayed by the management device, FIG. 22B is a figure
showing an example of still another screen which is displayed by
the management device, and FIG. 22C is a figure showing an example
of yet another screen which is displayed by the management
device;
[0051] FIG. 23A is a figure showing an example of another screen
which is displayed by the management device, and FIG. 23B is a
figure showing an example of even yet another screen which is
displayed by the management device;
[0052] FIG. 24A is a figure showing an example of a screen which is
displayed by the slot machine, and FIG. 24B is a figure showing an
example of a screen which is displayed by the slot machine, and
which continues on from the screen of FIG. 24A; and
[0053] FIG. 25A is a figure showing an example of another screen
which is displayed by the slot machine continuing on from the
screen of FIG. 24A, and FIG. 25B is a figure showing an example of
a screen which is displayed by the slot machine, and which
continues on from the screen of FIG. 25A.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0054] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described
in detail with reference to the appended drawings.
1: The First Embodiment
1.1. A Summary of the Gaming System
[0055] First a summary of the gaming system according to this first
embodiment will be explained. This gaming system comprises a
plurality of gaming machines on which players may perform play. On
each of these gaming machines, a basic game, like a slot machine
game, which corresponds to a first game (including a bonus game and
a feature game which may be generated during a basic game), may
played by a player by making payment of a game value. By "game
value" is meant a fee which the player pays as consideration for
performing a basic game on the gaming machine, and it may be a
value which cannot be converted into cash. Generally, the game
value is provided to the player or is paid to the player in the
form of a game medium such as medals, tokens, coins or the
like.
[0056] These gaming machines also execute another game which is
different from the above described basic game (in order to
distinguish it from the basic game, this will be termed a "linked
type game"). Such a "linked type game" is a game in which players
mutually compete with one another on various different gaming
machines to achieve a game winning condition, and a player who
reaches the game winning condition receives payment of a game value
from a management device, as an award or a remuneration for winning
the linked type game. It should be understood that such a linked
type game corresponds to the second game in this description of the
present invention.
[0057] The linked type game of this embodiment is a bingo game in
which several players participate (a game in which they take at
will balls (termed a "bingo ball") or cards one by one with a
numbers affixed thereto, they check if these numbers and the
numbers in cells which are drawn on a card (termed a "bingo card")
in which numbers are placed, agree with one another, and they
compete to link up cells along a vertical column, a horizontal row,
or a diagonal).
[0058] Each time the management device executes this linked type
game, it prepares one bingo card. On a predetermined condition
being satisfied, each of the gaming machines causes one or a
plurality of bingo balls to appear on a display or the like of that
gaming machine. And the player on that machine is able to determine
which bingo balls are to be selected so that the corresponding
numbers on the bingo card are hit and cleared, and in what order
these bingo balls will be selected. As a result, the player becomes
able to reflect his own intentions and strategy in the type of
order in which he hits and clears the numbers on the bingo
card.
[0059] When the player performs a selection with regard to a bingo
ball which has appeared, the gaming machine notifies the result of
selection by the player to the management device, and the
management device performs hit-and-clear of the number on the bingo
card according to this selection (picked) result which is
notified.
[0060] The management device determines that a player who has hit
bingo (i.e. who has hit and cleared the number in the final cell
among cells which are connected horizontally, vertically, or
diagonally) has won, and pays an award or remuneration. The above
is a summary of the gaming system of this embodiment.
1.2. An Example of the Structure of the Gaming System
[0061] Next, an example of the structure of the linked type gaming
system according to this embodiment will be explained with
reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example
of the structure of this linked type gaming system.
[0062] The gaming system 100 comprises one or a plurality of gaming
machines 101, and a management device 102 which is communicably
connected to the gaming machines 101. Each of the gaming machines
101 is connected to the management device 102 via a communication
network 103.
1.2.1. The Gaming Machine
[0063] The gaming machine 101, which is a structural element of the
linked type gaming system of this embodiment, will now be
explained. It should be understood that although, in this
embodiment, a slot machine is employed as the gaming machine 101,
this does not mean that the gaming machine 101 is limited to being
a slot machine; provided that it is a gaming machine 101 which
performs a basic game, any type of gaming machine will be
acceptable--for example, a pachinko game machine or a video game
machine or the like may also be used as the gaming machine 101 of
this embodiment.
[0064] In the following, a slot machine which is the gaming machine
101 will be explained. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view
showing an example of such a slot machine. In FIG. 2, the slot
machine 1 comprises a cabinet 2 which defines its external form,
and an upper liquid crystal display 3 is provided at a front upper
portion of this cabinet 2, while a lower liquid crystal display 4
is provided at a front central portion of the cabinet 2. Here, the
upper liquid crystal display 3 is constituted by a general type
liquid crystal display, while the lower liquid crystal display 4 is
constituted by a so-called transparent liquid crystal display.
Furthermore, the lower liquid crystal display 4 displays an image
of a bingo hall as will be described hereinafter, and is endowed
with a function of performing presentation of a selection
element.
[0065] The lower liquid crystal display 4 has windows 23, 24, and
25, and, via these windows 23, 24, and 25, the player can visually
confirm symbols which are placed on the outer circumferences of
reels 46 as will be described hereinafter.
[0066] An operation table 5 is provided at the lower side of the
lower liquid crystal display 4 and projects forward therefrom, and
on this operation table 5, from its leftmost side, there are
disposed a call button 6, a payout button 7, and a help (HELP)
button 8. Furthermore, on the right side of the help button 8,
there are disposed a coin insertion unit 9 and a bill insertion
unit 10. Moreover, from the left side of the operation table 5,
along its forward edge, there are arranged a 1-BET button 11, a
SPIN/REPEAT BET button 12, a 3-BET button 13, and a 5-BET button
14.
[0067] Here, the call button 6 is a button which is pressed for
calling a shop attendant when a bill is to be changed or the like.
The payout button 7 is a button which is pressed when a basic game
is finished, and, when this payout button 7 is pressed, the coins
which have been won in the game are paid back from a coin payout
opening 15 to a coin tray 16. It should be understood that a payout
switch 41 which will be described hereinafter is attached to the
payout button 7, and, based on the pressing of the payout button 7,
a switch signal is output to a CPU 30.
[0068] The help button 8 is a button which is pressed when the
method of operating the game or the like is unclear to the player,
and, when this help button 8 is pressed, various types of help
information are displayed on the upper liquid crystal display 3 or
on the lower liquid crystal display 4. A help (HELP) switch 42
which will be described hereinafter is attached to this help button
8, and, based on the pressing of the help button 8, a switch signal
is output from this help switch 42 to the CPU 30.
[0069] A coin sensor 43 which will be described hereinafter is
provided to the coin insertion unit 9, and, when a coin is inserted
into the coin insertion unit 9, a coin detection signal is output
to the CPU 30 from this coin sensor 43. Furthermore, a bill sensor
44 is provided to the bill insertion unit 10, and, when a bill is
inserted into the bill insertion unit 10, a bill detection signal
is output to the CPU 30 from this bill sensor 44.
[0070] The 1-BET button 11 is a button which bets 1 each time it is
pressed once. A 1-BET switch 38 which will be described hereinafter
is attached to this 1-BET button 11, and, when the 1-BET button 11
is pressed, a switch signal is output to the CPU 30 from this 1-BET
switch 38, based on this press.
[0071] The spin (SPIN/REPEAT BET) button 12 is a button which, by
being pressed, starts the rotation of the reels which will be
described hereinafter, so as to start a game with the current bet
number or the previous bet number. A spin switch 37 which will be
described hereinafter is attached to this spin button 12, and, when
the spin button 12 is pressed, a switch signal is output from the
spin switch 37 to the CPU 30 based on this press. It should be
understood that bets of 1 to 5 are available as bet numbers which
can be wagered by pressing the spin button 12.
[0072] The 3-BET button 13 is a button for, based on pressing this
3-BET button 13, starting a game with a bet of 3. A 3-BET switch 39
which will be described hereinafter is attached to this 3-BET
button 13, and, when the 3-BET button 13 is pressed, a switch
signal is output to the CPU 30 from this 3-BET switch 39.
Furthermore, the 5-BET button 14 is a button for, based on pressing
this 5-BET button 14, starting a game with a bet of 5, and for
being pressed when starting a bonus game which will be described
hereinafter. A 5-BET switch 40 which will be described hereinafter
is attached to this 5-BET button 14, and, when the 5-BET button 14
is pressed, a switch signal is output to the CPU 30 from this 5-BET
switch 40.
[0073] Furthermore, along with a coin payout opening 15 being
formed at the lower portion of the cabinet 2, there is also
provided a coin tray 16 which receives coins which are paid out
from the coin payout opening 15. A coin detection unit 52 which
consists of a sensor or the like is provided in the interior of the
coin payout opening 15, and this coin detection unit 52 detects the
number of coins that are paid out from the coin payout opening
15.
[0074] Next, structures related to the control system of this slot
machine 1 will be explained with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a
block diagram schematically showing the control system of this slot
machine 1. The control system of the slot machine 1 shown in FIG. 3
basically comprises a microcomputer 61 which centers around a CPU
30, and a ROM 31 and a RAM 32 are connected to this CPU 30. The ROM
31 stores a game control program which will be described
hereinafter, various types of effect programs for performing
various types of effects on the upper liquid crystal display 3 and
the lower liquid crystal display 4 along with the progression of
the game, a lottery table for performing various types of
lotteries, various other types of program which are necessary for
control of the slot machine 1, and data tables and the like.
Furthermore, the RAM 32 is a memory in which various types of data
which have been calculated by the CPU 30 are temporarily
stored.
[0075] Moreover, a clock pulse generation circuit 33 which
generates standard clock pulses and a divider (frequency divider)
34 are connected to the CPU 30, and, also, a random number
generator 35 which generates random numbers and a sampling circuit
36 are connected thereto. The random numbers which are sampled via
the sampling circuit 36 are used for various types of lotteries,
such as winning combinations, effects, and the like. Furthermore,
the spin switch 37 which is attached to the spin (SPIN/REPEAT BET)
button 12, the 1-BET switch 38 which is attached to the 1-BET
button 11, the 3-BET switch 39 which is attached to the 3-BET
switch 13, the 5-BET switch 40 which is attached to the 5-BET
switch 14, the payout switch 41 which is attached to the payout
button 7, and the help (HELP) switch 42 which is attached to the
help button 8 are all connected to the CPU 30. On depression of
these buttons, the CPU 30 performs control for various types of
operation which are to be executed corresponding to these buttons,
based on the switch signals which are output from the corresponding
switches.
[0076] Yet further, the coin sensor 43 which is provided to the
coin insertion unit 9 and the bill sensor 44 which is provided to
the bill insertion unit 10 are both connected to the CPU 30. The
coin sensor 43 detects that a coin has been inserted from the coin
insertion unit 9, and the CPU 30 calculates the number of coins
which have been inserted based on the detection signal which are
output from the coin sensor 43. Similarly, the bill sensor 44
detects the type and the value of a bill which has been inserted
from the bill insertion unit 10, and the CPU 30 calculates the
equivalent number of coins to the value of this bill, based on the
bill detection signal which is output from the bill sensor 44.
[0077] A plurality of stepping motors 47 (in this example, 3) which
cause the reels 46 to rotate are connected to the CPU 30 via a
motor drive circuit 45. When motor drive signals (command pulses)
are output to the motor drive circuit 45 from the CPU 30, each of
the stepping motors 47 is rotationally driven by an electromagnetic
signal which is output from the motor drive circuit 45. The CPU 30
counts the number of drive pulses which have been supplied to each
of the stepping motors 47, and thereby the CPU 30 ascertains the
rotational positions of the symbols on each of the reels 46 based
on the number of pulses which it has counted, and performs stop
position control and the like thereof.
[0078] A position change detection circuit 48 is connected to the
CPU 30. This position change detection circuit 48 detects changes
of the stopped positions of the reels 46 after stopping control has
been performed by the above described motor drive circuit 45. For
example, this position change detection circuit 48 may detect a
change of the stop positions of the reels 46 due to their stop
positions having been forcibly changed by the player so as,
irrespective of whether actually it is not a combination of stop
symbols which constitutes a winning mode, to become a combination
of stop symbols which constitutes a winning mode or the like. This
position change detection circuit 48 may, for example, be made so
as to be able to detect changes of the stop positions of the reels
46 by detecting fins which are attached at predetermined intervals
to portions on the inside of the reels 46.
[0079] A hopper 50 is connected to the CPU 30 via a hopper drive
circuit 49. When a drive signal is output from the CPU 30 to this
hopper drive circuit 49, the hopper 50 pays out a predetermined
number of coins from the coin payout opening 15.
[0080] Furthermore, a coin detection unit 52 is connected to the
CPU 30 via a payout completion signal circuit 51. This coin
detection unit 52 is located in the interior of the coin payout
opening 15, and, when it has detected that a predetermined number
of coins have been paid out from the coin payout opening 15, a coin
payout detection signal is output to the payout completion signal
circuit 51 from the coin detection unit 52, and, based thereon, the
payout completion signal circuit 51 outputs a payout completion
signal to the CPU 30.
[0081] Furthermore, the upper and lower liquid crystal displays 3
and 4 are connected to the CPU 30 via a liquid crystal drive
circuit 53. A graphic board or the like may be used for this liquid
crystal drive circuit 53. Furthermore, it would also be acceptable
to control the upper liquid crystal display 3 and the lower liquid
crystal display 4 with separate liquid crystal drive circuits.
Moreover, a touch panel 55 is connected to the CPU 30 via a touch
panel drive circuit 54.
[0082] Yet further, LEDs 57 are connected to the CPU 30 via an LED
drive circuit 56. A large number of these LEDs 57 are arranged on
the front surface of the slot machine 1, and they are lights which
are controlled to be ON or OFF by the LED drive circuit 56 when
various types of effect are being performed, based on a drive
signal from the CPU 30. Furthermore, a sound output circuit 58 and
a speaker 59 are connected to the CPU 30, and this speaker 59 is a
device for generating various types of sound effects, based on the
output signal of the sound output circuit 58, when various types of
effect are being performed. It should be understood that a
communication interface (I/F) 60, which is a communication port for
performing communication between the management device 102 and the
slot machines, is attached to the CPU 30.
[0083] The main functions of this slot machine 1 are principally
implemented by a micro computer 61 of the slot machine 1 performing
processing. The functioning of this micro computer 61 will now be
explained in the following description.
[0084] FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the microcomputer 61
of the slot machine 1. This micro computer 61 comprises a basic
game execution unit 401, a credit value storage unit 402, a bingo
ball appearance condition determination unit 403 which corresponds
to the appearance condition determination means of the present
invention, a bingo ball permutation generation unit 404, a bingo
ball permutation storage unit 405, an appeared ball presentation
unit 406 which corresponds to the presentation means of the
invention, a selection result notification unit 407 which
corresponds to the notification means of the present invention, and
a bingo game result processing unit 408 which corresponds to the
award processing means of the invention. It should be understood
that each of these units 401 through 408 corresponds to a portion
of the program which is executed by the microcomputer 61--for
example, a subroutine, a function, a procedure or the like--and
hardware which corresponds to these various units does not
exist.
[0085] The basic game execution unit 401 is endowed with the
function of performing a basic game; in concrete terms, it performs
execution of lotteries according to bets by the player, rotation
control of the reels 46 according to the results of the lotteries,
determination of a winning combination according to the symbols of
the reels which have stopped, payment of an award if a win has
occurred, and so on.
[0086] The credit value storage unit 402 is endowed with a function
of storing, as credit values, a numerical value which corresponds
to a game value which the player has inserted into the slot machine
1, a numerical value which corresponds to a game value which he has
gained during a basic game, and the like. When the player desires a
payout of coins or the like, a value which corresponds to the
amount to be paid out is subtracted from the value which is stored
in the credit value storage unit 402, and a number of coins
corresponding to this value which has been subtracted are
discharged by the hopper drive circuit 49 and the hopper 50.
[0087] The bingo ball appearance condition determination unit 403
is endowed with a function of determining whether or not a
condition for causing a bingo ball which corresponds to the
selection element of the present invention to appear has been hit.
This condition for causing the appearance of a bingo ball may be
any type of condition, but, by way of example, it is considered
that the following types of condition may be employed:
[0088] (1) That, during a basic game, some predetermined symbol has
stopped in a predetermined position and is displayed;
[0089] (2) That, during a basic game, a predetermined winning
combination has occurred;
[0090] (3) That the number of bets by the player has exceeded a
predetermined number;
[0091] (4) That a lottery as to whether or not a bingo ball will be
caused to appear (which is separate from the lotteries in the basic
game) has taken place, and has resulted in a win. It should be
understood that the number of bingo balls which appear may be
constant, or may vary; either will be acceptable. In this
embodiment, the bingo ball appearance determination unit 403 is
arranged to determine the number of bingo balls which are caused to
appear randomly within a range from one to three.
[0092] The bingo ball permutation generation unit 404 is endowed
with a function of generating bingo ball permutation data, which is
data which determines an order of appearance of (M-N+1) bingo
balls, with a number from N to M being affixed to each of them.
This bingo ball permutation data, may, for example, be generated by
determining the order of appearance of the bingo balls with random
numbers. It should be understood that, in this embodiment, it is
supposed that N=1 and M=80, so that it is supposed that, at each
slot machine 1, 80 bingo balls with numbers from 1 to 80 affixed to
them appear according to the bingo ball permutation data which has
been generated for that slot machine 1.
[0093] Moreover, it should be understood that this bingo ball
permutation data is generated each time a new bingo game is
started, and, during the same bingo game, the bingo game
permutation data which has already been generated continues to be
used.
[0094] The bingo ball permutation storage unit 405 is endowed with
the function of storing the bingo ball permutation data which has
been generated by the bingo ball permutation generation unit 404.
FIG. 5 is a figure showing an example of the data structure of
bingo ball permutation data which is stored in the bingo ball
permutation storage unit 405. This bingo ball permutation data 601
contains 80 records 602 from a record 6021 which corresponds to the
bingo ball which appears first, to a record 60280 which corresponds
to the bingo ball which appears eightieth; and each record 602
comprises a first field 603 in which is stored the order of
appearance of this bingo ball, a second field 604 in which is
stored the numerical value which is affixed to this bingo ball, and
a third field 605 in which is stored a flag which shows whether or
not this bingo ball has already appeared. Initially, "0" is stored
in this third field 605, and, when the corresponding bingo ball
appears, this field 605 is changed to "1", thus storing the fact
that this bingo ball has appeared. In the example shown in FIG. 5,
it is recorded that a first bingo ball to which the number "11" is
affixed, a second bingo ball to which the number "24" is affixed,
and a third bingo ball to which the number "41" is affixed, have
already appeared, and that, subsequently, a fourth bingo ball to
which the number "50" is affixed, a fifth bingo ball to which the
number "65" is affixed, a sixth bingo ball to which the number "12"
is affixed, and so on, will appear in that order.
[0095] Returning to FIG. 4, the explanation will be continued. When
the appeared ball presentation unit 406 receives a notification
from the bingo ball appearance condition determination unit 403 of
a bingo ball appearance command and of the number of balls which
are commanded to appear, it refers to the bingo ball permutation
data 601 which is stored by the bingo ball permutation storage unit
405, determines, from the records 602 which are stored in the bingo
ball permutation data 601 and for which the bingo balls have not
yet appeared, in order from the most recent bingo ball appearance,
on a number of the records 602 according to the number of balls
which are commanded to appear, acquires the numbers which are
stored in their second fields 604, and commands the liquid crystal
drive circuit 53 to perform image display in order to cause bingo
balls to which these numbers are affixed to appear. And, according
to this command, the liquid crystal drive circuit 53 outputs image
data to perform this type of image display on the lower liquid
crystal display 4.
[0096] Along with images of the bingo balls being displayed on the
lower liquid crystal display 4 according to this command from the
appeared ball presentation unit 406, a message is displayed which
invites the player to select a bingo ball which will be the
selected element, and then a screen is displayed which waits to
receive input from the player. This screen will be termed the
"selection input awaiting screen".
[0097] The selection result notification unit 407 is endowed with a
function of notifying to the management device 102, as a player
selection result, via the communication interface 60, data which
has been input by the player according to the selection input
awaiting screen, using input means such as the touch panel 55
and/or the various switches 37 through 42 or the like. FIG. 6A is a
figure showing an example of the data structure of a selection
result message which is transmitted by the selection result
notification unit 407 to the management device 102 in order to
notify the player selection result. This selection result message
501 comprises a header 501A which shows that this is a selection
result message, and a body 501B in which are stored a number 501X
which shows the number which is affixed to the bingo ball which has
been selected by the player, a gaming machine ID 501Y which is
information specifying the slot machine 1 which has transmitted
this selection result message, and a time stamp 501Z for
determining the before-and-after relationship between this
selection result message 501 and other selection result messages
501. And, when the management device 102 receives this selection
result message 501, it extracts the number 501X, the gaming machine
ID 501Y, and the time stamp 501Z from the body 501B thereof, and
performs hit and clear processing on a bingo card as will be
described hereinafter.
[0098] Returning to FIG. 4, the explanation of the functioning of
the slot machine 1 will be continued. The bingo game result
processing unit 408 is endowed with a function of, when it receives
a message transmitted to the slot machines 1 from the management
device 102 when a bingo has been hit, along with generating new
bingo ball permutation data with the bingo ball permutation
generation unit 404, also, if it is this slot machine 1 on which
the bingo hit has taken place, adding to and storing the value of
the acquired game value in the credit value storage unit 402. FIG.
6B is a figure showing an example of the data structure of a bingo
hit message which is transmitted by the management device 102 to
the slot machines 1 in order to notify them of a bingo hit. This
bingo hit message 502 which notifies the bingo hit comprises a
header 502A which shows that it is a bingo hit message 502, and a
body 502B in which are stored an acquired game value 502X which is
to be paid along with the bingo hit, and a gaming machine ID 502Y
which is information specifying which slot machine 1 is the one
which has won this game value. The bingo game result processing
unit 408 refers to the gaming machine ID 502Y and determines
whether or not it agrees with the gaming machine ID of its own
gaming machine, and, if they agree with one another, it determines
that this machine has hit bingo, and adds the value of the acquired
game value 502.times. to the value which is stored in the credit
value storage unit 402, and receives payment of remuneration.
[0099] Furthermore, when the bingo ball permutation generation unit
404 generates new bingo ball permutation data according to a
command from the bingo game result processing unit 408, the bingo
ball permutation storage unit 405 deletes the bingo ball
permutation data 601 which was stored up until this moment, and
stores the newly generated bingo ball permutation data 601. By
doing this, the preparations for starting a new bingo game are
completed.
1.2.2. The Management Device
[0100] Next, the management device 102 will be explained. This
management device 102 is a device which can communicate with each
of the slot machines 1, and is an information processing device
which is equipped with a calculation processing device (a CPU), a
main memory (a RAM), a read only memory (a ROM), an input and
output device (an I/O), a display device (a liquid crystal display,
a CRT, or the like), and, according to requirements, an external
storage device like a hard disk device or the like. The management
device 102 is an information processing device like, for example, a
computer, a work station, a server, or the like. And, in the
management device 102, a program for causing this information
processing device to function as the management device 102 is
stored in the ROM or in the hard disk device or the like, and the
management device 102 is implemented by loading this program into
the main memory and by causing the CPU to execute it. Furthermore,
the above described program need not necessarily be stored in a
storage device within this information processing device; it would
also be acceptable for it to be supplied from an external device
(for example an ASP (the server of an application service provider
or the like), so that it is thereby loaded into the main
memory.
[0101] FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing an example of
the management device 102. As shown in FIG. 7, this management
device 102 comprises a communication interface 701, a bingo card
data generation unit 702, a progression state data storage unit
703, a selection result message processing unit 704, and a bingo
hit determination unit 705.
[0102] The communication interface 701, just like the communication
interfaces 60 of the slot machines 1, is matched to the
communication formats of the management device 102 and the slot
machines 1, and performs mutual conversion processing of data and
electrical signal, and communication protocol processing.
[0103] The bingo card generation unit 702 is endowed with a
function of generating, at the start of a bingo game which is to be
executed by the slot machines 1 and the management device 102,
bingo card data which corresponds to a bingo card. It should be
understood that, in this embodiment, all of the slot machines 1
perform bingo games using a common bingo card which is generated by
the management device 102.
[0104] FIG. 8A shows an example of the bingo card data which is
generated by the bingo card data generation unit 702. It should be
understood that, in this embodiment, the bingo card is a card on
which 25 numerical values, which may be any of the 80 numbers from
1 to 80, are arranged in a 5.times.5 matrix, and the bingo card
data is information corresponding to this type of bingo card.
[0105] The bingo card data 801 shown in FIG. 8A contains 25 records
801A1 through 801A25, which correspond to the 25 cells of a
5.times.5 matrix shaped bingo card. Each of these records 801A
contains a column number field 801B in which the column number of
the cell which corresponds to that record is stored, a row number
field 801C in which the row number of the cell which corresponds to
that record is stored, a number field 801D in which the number
which is affixed to that cell is stored, and an allocated points
field 801E in which the value of the points which are allocated to
that cell is stored. It should be understood that which number is
entered for which record is determined at random when generating
the bingo card data 801. Moreover, the value which is stored in the
allocated points field 801E may also be determined at random when
generating the bingo card data 801; or it would also be acceptable
to arrange to use a value which was determined in advance for each
number.
[0106] The progression state data storage unit 703 is endowed with
a function of generating progression state data based on the bingo
card data 801 generated by the bingo card data generation unit 702,
and of updating and rewriting this progression state data according
to selection result messages 501 which it receives from the slot
machines 1.
[0107] FIG. 8B is a figure showing an example of the data structure
of the progression state data which is handled by the progression
state data storage unit 703. This progression state data 802, just
like the bingo card data 801, contains 25 records 802A1 through
802A25, which correspond to the 25 cells of the 5.times.5 matrix
shaped bingo card. Each of these records 802A has a column number
field 802B in which the column number of the cell which corresponds
to this record is stored, a row number field 802C in which the row
number of the cell which corresponds to this record is stored, a
number field 802D in which the number which is affixed to that cell
is stored, an allocated points field 802E in which the value of the
allocated points which are allocated to that cell is stored, an
open flag field 802F in which is recorded whether or not that cell
has been hit and cleared (i.e., whether or not the appearance of a
bingo ball which has the same number is notified), a gaming machine
ID field 802G in which the gaming machine ID of the slot machine 1
which initially transmitted the selection result message 501 for
the bingo ball having that number is stored, and a time stamp field
802H in which the time stamp 501Z of this selection result message
501 is stored. It should be understood that the values which are
stored in the fields 802B through 802D are the same values as those
which are stored in the fields 801B through 801D of the bingo card
data 801.
[0108] In the example shown in the figure, "0" is initially written
in advance in the open flag fields 802F of all of the records 802A,
and this "0" is changed to "1" for the open flag field 802F of a
record 802A which corresponds to a cell in which hit and clear
processing has been made. Furthermore, "9999" is initially written
into the gaming machine ID fields 802G, and, in the gaming machine
ID field 802G of a record 802A which corresponds to a cell in which
hit and clear processing has been made, there is written and stored
the gaming machine ID 502Y in that selection result message 501
which has a time stamp 501Z having the earliest (the oldest) value,
among the selection result messages 501 having the same number 502X
as the number field 802D of that cell. Furthermore, in the time
stamp field 802H, there is written and stored the time stamp 501Z
of that selection result message 501 which has a time stamp 501Z
having the earliest (the oldest) value, among the selection result
messages 501 having the same number 502X as the number field 802D
of that cell.
[0109] The selection result message processing unit 704 receives
selection result messages 501 from each of the slot machines 1, and
searches from the progression state data 802 for records 802A in
which the same values as the numbers 501X in these selection result
messages 501 are stored in their number fields 802D. And, when the
selection result message processing unit 704 has discovered a
record 802A of this type, it compares together the value of the
time stamp of the selection result message 501 and the value which
is stored in the time stamp field 802H of that record, and, if the
time stamp of the selection result message 501 is the earlier, it
performs rewriting of the open flag field 802F, the gaming machine
ID field 802G, and the time stamp field 802H of that record,
according to the contents of the selection result message 501.
[0110] By this function of the selection result message processing
unit 704, the progression state data 806 is updated moment by
moment according to the selection result messages 501 from the slot
machines 1, and it becomes possible for the newest progression
state of the bingo game to be always ascertained by the management
device 102.
[0111] The bingo hit determination unit 705 refers to the
progression state data 802 stored in the progression state data
storage unit 703, and determines whether or not the bingo has hit
or not, in other words, whether or not, horizontally, vertically,
or diagonally, any five successive cells have been hit and cleared
(i.e., whether "1" is written into the open flag fields 802F of all
the five corresponding records 802A). If it has been determined
that a bingo hit has occurred, then the bingo hit determination
unit 705 acquires the allocated points which have been allocated to
those five cells from their allocated points fields 802E and
calculates an acquired vame value, and generates a bingo hit
message 502 in order to notify this acquired game value to the slot
machine 1, which it transmits to the slot machines 1. By doing
this, the players of the slot machines 1 are informed that bingo
has been hit.
1.2.3. The Communication Network
[0112] Irrespective of whether the communication network 103 is a
cable network, a wireless network, a dedicated circuit, or a
switching circuit, when devices which are connected thereto have
set up a session with devices which they each take as their
objectives, it operates so as to make it possible to send and
receive information between them. This communication network 103
may be implemented by combining a plurality of networks via
gateways, as in the case of the internet. Furthermore, with regard
to such connection, it may be arranged that transmission and
reception of information between these devices is possible, when a
session has been established, even if they are temporarily
connected by a PPP connection or the like, while not being directly
connected to the main trunk (the so-called "backbone"). It should
be understood that the above described "communication network" may
also be considered as including a communication network which does
not use a switching circuit, such as one in which dedicated
circuits are extended and closed in a fixed manner.
1.3. Examples of Operation
1.3.1. An Example of the Operation of the Management Device
[0113] Next, an example of the operation of the management device
102 having the above described type of structure will be explained
with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing this
example of the operation of the management device 102.
[0114] The management device 102 is started by its power source
being turned on, and first performs initialization processing such
as initializing its RAM and so on (in a step S901).
[0115] Next (in a step S902) the management device 102 starts the
bingo card data generation unit 702 and generates bingo card data
801, and, based thereon, performs bingo game preparation
processing, which is processing in which progression state data 802
is prepared and is stored in the progression state data storage
unit 703.
[0116] Next, the management device 102 waits to receive the
selection result messages 501 transmitted from the slot machines 1,
and makes a determination as to whether or not a selection result
message 501 has been received (in a step S903). If no selection
result message 501 is received (the NO branch from S903), then the
management device 102 returns to the step S903 and waits for a
selection result message 501. If, on the other hand, a selection
result message 501 has been received (the YES branch from S903),
then the management device 102 starts the selection result message
processing unit 704, and performs hit and clear processing (in a
step S904), which is processing for updating the progression state
data 802 corresponding to this selection result message 501 which
has been received, so as to hit and clear the corresponding cell of
the bingo cards.
[0117] And next, the management device 102 starts the bingo hit
determination unit 705, and refers to the progression state data
802 and determines (in a step S905) whether or not, for any lineup
of cells, a bingo hit has occurred. If the result of this
determination is that a bingo hit has not occurred (the NO branch
from the step S906), then the management device 102 returns to the
step S903, and waits for the receipt of the next selection result
message 501.
[0118] If, on the other hand, it has been determined that a bingo
hit has occurred (the YES branch from the step S906), then the
management device 102 performs bingo hit message transmission
processing (in a step S907). In this bingo hit message transmission
processing, the management device 102 specifies, among the five
records 802A which correspond to the cells of the lineup where this
bingo hit has occurred, that record 802A which corresponds to a
cell which is opened last (a cell in which hit-and-clear has been
made last) and for which the latest (the newest) time stamp value
is stored in the time stamp field 802H. And the management device
102 specifies the slot machine 1 which has won the bingo, from the
gaming machine ID which is stored in the gaming machine ID field
802G of that record 802A. Moreover, the management device 102
calculates the total of the values which are stored in the
allocated points fields 802E of the five records 802A which
correspond to the cells of the lineup where the bingo hit has
occurred, and takes this total value as the acquired game value.
Next, the management device 102 generates a bingo hit message 502
in which are stored the acquired game vlaue 502X which has thus
been calculated and the gaming machine ID 502Y of the slot machine
1 which has won this bingo, and transmits it to the slot machines
1. The above completes one bingo game.
[0119] After the step S907, in order to start a new bingo game, the
management device 102 returns to the step S902, and thereafter
repeats the steps S903 through S907.
1.3.2. An Example of the Operation of the Slot Machine
[0120] Next, an example of the operation of this slot machine 1
will be explained with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. FIG. 10 is a
flow chart showing the flow of the main processing of the slot
machine 1. When the main processing of the slot machine 1 starts,
first, basic game processing (in this example, a slot game) is
performed (in a step S1001). In this embodiment, by a basic game is
a processing sequence from the reception of the input of a
determination of a number of coins which are bet, through detection
of actuation of the spin switch 37 and starting through stopping of
the rotation of the reels 46, up to a winning determination and
award payout according to the stop symbols.
[0121] Next, the slot machine 1 (in more detail, its microcomputer
61 or CPU 30, and similarly hereinafter) performs linked type game
execution processing (in a step S1002). FIG. 11 is a flow chart
showing an example of such linked type game execution
processing.
[0122] When this linked type game execution processing starts, the
slot machine 1 (in more detail, its bingo ball appearance condition
determination unit 403) executes (in a step S1101) bingo ball
appearance condition determination processing, which is processing
for determining whether or not the bingo ball appearance condition
is satisfied. As previously described, the bingo ball appearance
condition may be any suitable condition, provided that it can be
determined on by the microcomputer 61 or the CPU 30. Here, it is
supposed to be set as the ball appearance condition, that the spin
switch 37 is being pressed, and that an output signal has been
emitted by the spin switch 37.
[0123] If, in the step S1102, it has been determined that the bingo
ball appearance condition has not been satisfied (in this example,
if an output signal from the spin switch 37 has not been detected:
NO in the step S1102), then the slot machine 1 terminates this
linked type game execution processing, and the flow of control
returns to the main processing of FIG. 10.
[0124] If on the other hand, in the step S1102, it has been
determined that the bingo ball appearance condition has been
satisfied (in this example, if an output signal from the spin
switch 37 has been detected: YES in the step S1102), then the slot
machine 1 (in more detail, the appeared ball presentation unit 406)
executes (in a step S1103) bingo ball appearance determination
processing, which is processing for determining which bingo ball
shall appear. In this example, it is supposed that the slot machine
1 determine the number of bingo balls which shall appear randomly
in the range from one to three. In more concrete terms, after
having determined the number of bingo balls which shall appear
randomly in the range from one to three, the slot machine 1 refers
to the bingo ball permutation data 601, and determines a number of
records 602, among the records in whose third fields 605 there is
stored a flag which denotes non-appearance up till now,
corresponding to the number of bingo balls which shall appear, in
order from that record 602 whose first field 603 contains the least
value.
[0125] After this bingo ball appearance determination processing
(in the step S1103), the slot machine 1 performs (in a step S1104)
bingo ball presentation processing by presenting to the player
bingo balls to the number thereof which it has been determined
shall appear, and by inviting selection input from the player. In
this bingo ball presentation processing, the slot machine 1 (in
more detail, the appeared ball presentation unit 406) causes bingo
balls to be displayed on the lower liquid crystal display 4, to the
number thereof which it has been determined in the step S1103 shall
appear. Furthermore, the slot machine 1 acquires values which are
stored in the number fields 604 of the records 602 to the number of
bingo balls which it has been determined shall appear, and issues a
command to the liquid crystal drive circuit 53, so as to cause
images of bingo balls to which these numbers are affixed to be
displayed. And the lower liquid crystal display 4 displays images
of bingo balls to the number thereof which it has been determined
shall appear, according to this command, and invites selection
therefrom by the player.
[0126] Next, the slot machine 1 (in more detail, the selection
result notification unit 407) receives selection input selected or
determined by the player, i.e. one or a plurality from the bingo
balls which were presented in the step S1104, generates a selection
result message 501 based on this selection input, and executes (in
a step S1105) selection result message transmission processing,
which is processing for transmitting this message to the management
device 102. In more concrete terms, the slot machine 1 (in more
detail, the selection result notification unit 407) generates the
selection result message 501 based on the selection input which the
player has generated by actuating the touch panel 55 and the
switches 37 through 42, and transmits this selection result message
501 to the management device 102.
[0127] Next, after a fixed time period has elapsed, the slot
machine 1 (in more detail, the bingo game result processing unit
408) determines (in a step S1106) whether or not a bingo hit
message 502 has been received from the management device 102, which
is returned corresponding to the previously described selection
result message 501 (including one which has been transmitted by a
different one of the slot machines 1). If it has been determined
that such a bingo hit message 502 has not been received (NO in the
step S1106), then the management device 102 terminates this linked
type game execution processing without doing anything further, and
returns to the main processing. On the other hand, if it has been
determined that such a bingo hit message 502 has been received (YES
in the step S1106), then the slot machine 1 determines (in a step
S1107) whether or not it is this machine which has won bingo or
not, based on the gaming machine ID 502Y which is included in this
bingo hit message 502.
[0128] If it has been determined that the machine which has won
bingo is this slot machine 1 (YES in the step S1107), then the slot
machine 1 performs (in a step S1108) award reception processing,
since it is necessary to receive a winning bingo award. In concrete
terms, in this award reception processing, the slot machine 1 adds
the value of the acquired game value 502X which has been stored in
the bingo hit message 502 to the credit value which is stored at
this time point. By doing this, it is possible for the slot machine
1 which has won bingo to receive a game value corresponding to the
bingo which it has won.
[0129] Following on from this award reception processing, the slot
machine 1 must make preparations for the start of the next bingo
game, and thus performs (in a step S1109) bingo ball permutation
data generation processing in which it generates and stores bingo
ball permutation data 802, and thereafter terminates this linked
type game execution processing and returns to the main
processing.
[0130] On the other hand, if it has been determined that the
machine which has won bingo is not this slot machine 1 (NO in the
step S1107), then the slot machine 1 does not perform award
reception processing, but directly performs the bingo ball
permutation data generation processing (in the step S1109), and
thereafter terminates this linked type game execution processing
and returns to the main processing.
[0131] The above completes the explanation of the linked type game
execution processing. Returning to FIG. 10, the explanation of the
main processing of the slot machine 1 will be recommenced. When the
linked type game execution processing (of the step S1002)
terminates, the slot machine 1 returns again to the basic game
execution processing (in the step S1001), and thereafter continues
to repeat the execution of the steps S1001 and S1002. The above
completes the explanation of this example of the operation of the
slot machine 1.
1.3.3. An Example of the Operation of the Gaming System
[0132] Next, an example of the operation of this gaming system
according to this embodiment will be explained with reference to
FIGS. 12 and 13. FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram showing this example
of operation of the gaming system, while FIG. 13 is a sequence
diagram continuing on from FIG. 12. It should be understood that
the gaming system explained here is constituted by two slot
machines 1 (which will be termed "slot machine A" and "slot machine
B", in order to distinguish them) and one management device 102
which is connected to them. Moreover, it should be understood that
the following explanation is provided under the assumption that the
management device 102, so as to be able to perform a linked type
game, has already generated the bingo card data 802, and moreover
both of the slot machine A and the slot machine B have already
generated bingo ball permutation data 601.
[0133] First, the slot machine A performs basic game execution
processing (FIG. 10; the step S1001), and thereafter shifts to
linked type game execution processing (FIG. 10; the step S1002),
and performs bingo ball appearance condition determination
processing (FIG. 11: the step S1101) (in the step S1202). In this
example the bingo ball appearance condition determination is
supposed to be not hit. After the bingo ball appearance condition
determination processing, the slot machine A simply terminates the
linked type game execution processing.
[0134] Next, the slot machine B which is different from the slot
machine A performs (in a step S1203) basic game execution
processing (S1001 of FIG. 10), and thereafter shifts to linked type
game execution processing (S1002 in FIG. 10), and performs (in a
step S1204) bingo ball appearance condition determination
processing (S1101 of FIG. 11). In this example, it will be supposed
that the bingo ball appearance determination is that a hit has
occurred. Thus, the slot machine B continues to perform the linked
type game execution processing, and performs (in a step S1205)
bingo ball appearance determination processing (S1103 of FIG. 11),
performs (in a step S1206) bingo ball presentation processing
(S1104 of FIG. 11), and performs (in a step S1207) selection result
message transmission processing (S1105 of FIG. 11). As a result, a
selection result message 501 is transmitted from the slot machine B
to the management device 102 (in a step S1208).
[0135] On receipt of this selection result message 501, the
management device 102 performs (in a step S1209) hit and clear
processing on bingo card (S904 of FIG. 9), and then executes (in a
step S1210) bingo hit determination processing (S905 of FIG. 9). In
this example, it will be supposed that, due to the hit and clear
processing on bingo card according to this selection result message
501, in some lineup of cells, the fourth cell has come to be in the
opened state (the reached state). In other words, the management
device 102 returns to waiting for reception of the next selection
result message 501, since bingo has not been hit at the time of
reception of this selection result message 501.
[0136] Next, the management device 102 displays on its display
device an image of the bingo card, of which the fourth cell has
come to be in the opened state (the reached state), and performs
display (in a step S1211) of the progression state, in order to
inform the players of the slot machines A and B of the state of
progress of the game.
[0137] FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram continuing on from FIG. 12,
and further shows this example of the operation of the gaming
system according to this embodiment. In the following, the
explanation of this example of the operation of this gaming system
will be continued with reference to FIG. 13.
[0138] After the step S1211, the slot machine A performs (in a step
S1301) basic game execution processing for a second time (S1001 of
FIG. 10), thereafter shifts to linked type game execution
processing (S1002 of FIG. 10), and performs (in a step S1302) bingo
ball appearance condition determination processing (S1101 of FIG.
11). In this example, it will be supposed that the bingo ball
appearance condition determination is hit. Thus, the slot machine A
continues with the linked type game execution processing, and
performs (in a step S1303) bingo ball appearance determination
processing (S1103 of FIG. 11), performs (in a step S1304) bingo
ball presentation processing (S1104 of FIG. 11), and performs (in a
step S1305) selection result message transmission processing (S1105
of FIG. 11). As a result, a selection result message 501 is
transmitted from the slot machine A to the management device 102
(in a step S1306).
[0139] On receipt of this selection result message 501, the
management device 102 performs (in a step S1307) hit and clear
processing on bingo card (S904 of FIG. 9), and then executes (in a
step S1308) bingo hit determination processing (S905 of FIG. 9). In
this example, it will be supposed that, due to the hit and clear
processing on bingo card according to this selection result message
501, in the lineup of cells in which already the fourth cell is in
the opened state (the reached state), the fifth cell now has
arrived at being in the opened state (the bingo hit state). In
other words it is supposed that, due to the receipt of this
selection result message 501, bingo has been hit. The management
device 102 determines in the bingo hit determination processing
(S905 of FIG. 9) that a bingo hit has occurred, and performs (in a
step S1309) bingo hit message transmission processing (S907 of FIG.
9).
[0140] Furthermore, the management device 102 displays an image of
the bingo card on which the fifth cell has come to be in the opened
state (the bingo hit state) on its display device, and performs (in
a step S1310) a progression state display, in order to inform the
players of the slot machines A and B of the bingo hit.
[0141] Yet further, as a result of the execution of the bingo hit
message transmission processing, a bingo hit message 502 is
transmitted from the management device 102 to the slot machine A
and the slot machine B (in steps S1311 and S1312).
[0142] On receipt of this bingo hit message 502, the slot machine A
determines that itself has won, and performs (in the step S1313)
award reception processing (FIG. 11: the step S1108). Thereafter it
performs (in the step S1314) bingo ball permutation data generation
processing (FIG. 11: the step S1109), and prepares to start the
next linked type game.
[0143] On the other hand, on receipt of this bingo hit message 502,
the slot machine B determines that it is not this machine which has
won, and does not perform any award reception processing, but
merely performs (in the step S1315) bingo ball permutation data
generation processing (FIG. 11: the step S1109), and, in the same
manner as the slot machine A, prepares to start the next linked
type game.
[0144] By contrast, the management device 102 which has transmitted
the bingo hit message performs (in a step S1316) bingo card data
generation processing (S902 in FIG. 9), since preparations must be
made for the start of a new bingo game. And, based on the bingo
card data 802 which has been generated by this bingo card data
generation processing, the management device 102 performs (in a
step S1317) progression state display by causing a new bingo card
to be displayed on its display device.
[0145] Subsequently as well, the same processing is continued by
the slot machines A and B and the management device 102, and the
players continue repeatedly to participate in both the basic game
and the linked type game, so that it is possible for them to enjoy
playing. The above completes the explanation of this example of
operation of this gaming system.
1.4. Screen Examples
[0146] Next, examples of screens which are displayed by the slot
machine 1 and the management device 102 of this system during
execution of this linked type game will be explained.
1.4.1. Examples of the Screens Displayed by the Slot Machine
[0147] FIGS. 14 and 15 show examples of screens which are displayed
by the slot machine 1.
[0148] FIG. 14A is an example of a screen which is displayed before
a bingo ball has appeared. On this screen, in the lower liquid
crystal display 4 of the slot machine 1, below the windows 23, 24,
and 25, an image is displayed of a pipe 1401 which has an inlet
1402 and an outlet 1403.
[0149] FIG. 14B is an example of a screen which is displayed after
the screen of FIG. 14A, when one bingo ball 1501 has appeared as a
result of the execution of the bingo ball presentation processing
(in the step S1104). "16" is displayed as the number of this bingo
ball 1501. Using the touch panel 55 or the like, the player is able
to make a selection input to the slot machine 1 in order to select
this bingo ball 1501 or not. If he has performed selection input to
select this bingo ball 1501, a selection result message 501 with
the value "16" stored in its number 501X comes to be transmitted to
the management device 102.
[0150] FIG. 15A is an example of a screen, different from the
example screen shown in FIG. 14B, which is displayed after the
screen of FIG. 14A, when three bingo balls 1501 have appeared as a
result of the execution of the bingo ball presentation processing
(in the step S1104). In the lower liquid crystal display 4, along
with the pipe 1401, there are displayed the three bingo balls 1501
which have appeared, and also a message 1601 which invites the
player to perform selection input. From the right, "16", "8", and
"51" are displayed as numbers on these bingo balls 1501. Using the
touch panel 55 or the like, the player is able to make a selection
input to the slot machine 1 in order to select any one of these
bingo balls 1501, or none. The player performs selection input by
touching the image of any one of the bingo balls 1501. When he has
performed this selection input, a selection result message 501 in
which is stored the value of the bingo ball which he has thus
selected comes to be transmitted to the management device 102.
[0151] It should be understood that although, in the above
described explanation, it was described that, if a plurality of
bingo balls have appeared, it is possible to select any one, and
only one, thereof, it would also be acceptable to make it possible,
if a plurality of bingo balls have appeared, to select a plurality
of these bingo balls. In this case, it would be acceptable to
transmit the same number of selection result messages to the
management device 102 as the number of bingo balls which were
selected, with data being stored in these selection result messages
making it possible to determine the order in which the bingo balls
were selected.
[0152] By the way, in the examples of screens shown in FIGS. 14A,
14B, and 15A, when a bingo ball appears, this new bingo ball
appears from the inlet 1402, and then the bingo balls within the
pipe 1401 shift so as to be pressed down towards the outlet 1403 in
turn. FIG. 15B is a figure showing a state in which, in the last
phase of the bingo game, as a result of bingo balls having appeared
one after another from the inlet 1402, these bingo balls are lined
up continuously within the pipe 1401.
[0153] Next, examples are shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 of screens
displayed by the slot machine 1, other than the screen examples
shown in FIGS. 14 and 15.
[0154] FIG. 16A is an example of a screen which is displayed before
the appearance of a bingo ball, in a different example. Below the
windows 23, 24, and 25 on the lower liquid crystal display 4 of the
slot machine 1, there are respectively displayed inlets 1801L,
1801C, and 1801R and outlets 1802L, 1802C, and 1802R for bingo
balls.
[0155] FIG. 16B is an example of a screen which is displayed after
the screen of FIG. 16A, when one bingo ball 1901 has appeared as a
result of the execution of the bingo ball presentation processing
(in the step S1104). "16" is displayed as the number of this bingo
ball 1901. Using the touch panel 55 or the like, the player is able
to make a selection input to the slot machine 1 in order to select
this bingo ball 1901 or not. If he has performed selection input to
select this bingo ball 1901, a selection result message 501 with
the value "16" stored in its number 501X comes to be transmitted to
the management device 102.
[0156] FIG. 17A is an example of a screen which is displayed after
the screen of FIG. 16A, when three bingo balls 1901 have appeared
as a result of the execution of the bingo ball presentation
processing (in the step S1104). In the lower liquid crystal display
4, these three bingo balls 1901 which have appeared are displayed
above the inlets 1801L, 1801C, and 1801R, and also there is
displayed a message 2001 which invites the player to perform
selection input. From the left, "16", "8", and "51 are displayed as
numbers on these bingo balls 1901. Using the touch panel 55 or the
like, the player is able to make a selection input to the slot
machine 1 in order to select any one of these bingo balls 1901, or
none. The player performs selection input by touching the image of
any one of the bingo balls 1901, and, when he has performed this
selection input, a selection result message 501 in which is stored
the value of the bingo ball which he has thus selected comes to be
transmitted to the management device 102.
[0157] It should be understood that although, in the above
described explanation, it was described that, if a plurality of
bingo balls have appeared, it is possible to select any one, and
only one, thereof, it would also be acceptable to make it possible,
if a plurality of bingo balls have appeared, to select a plurality
of these bingo balls. In this case, it would be acceptable to
transmit the same number of selection result messages to the
management device 102 as the number of bingo balls which were
selected, with data being stored in these selection result messages
making it possible to determine the order in which the bingo balls
were selected.
[0158] In this screen example, when a bingo ball appears, this new
bingo ball appears from an inlet 1801, and the bingo balls which
first appear over the inlets 1801 shift so as to be pressed
outwards in turn towards the outlets 1802 FIG. 17B is a figure
showing an example of a screen which is displayed when further new
bingo ball presentation processing has been performed after the
state shown in FIG. 17A. In this screen example, a new bingo ball
1901 bearing the number "72" has appeared over the inlet 1801L, and
the bingo ball 1901 bearing the number "16" which was previously in
that position comes to be in the state of being pressed upwards
towards the corresponding outlet 1802L.
1.4.2. Examples of the Screens Displayed by the Management
Device
[0159] Next, examples of screens which are displayed by the
management device 102 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 18
through 23.
[0160] FIG. 18A is an example of an image of a bingo card which is
displayed by the management device 102. This image is one which is
displayed based on the bingo card data 802. In the display region
2200 of the display device which is possessed by the management
device 102, there are displayed cells which are arranged in the
form of a 5.times.5 matrix, and a number is displayed within each
of these cells. It should be understood that no number is displayed
in the cell at the center, only, but instead this cell bears the
characters "Free", which means that it is treated as already having
been opened.
[0161] FIG. 18B is an example of a screen which is displayed when,
in the situation shown in FIG. 18A, a bingo ball bearing the number
"29" has been selected from the slot machine 1, in other words,
when a selection result message 501 in which the value "29" is
stored in its number 501X has been received by the management
device 102. In the example shown in FIG. 18B, the management device
102 starts the display by, as an effect, opening the cell 2201
which corresponds to the number "29", and performing operation to
rotate the background plate of the cell 2201 and reverse it.
[0162] FIG. 19A is a screen which continues on from the screen of
FIG. 18B, and shows the state when the plate of the cell 2201 has
been rotated and reversed. On the rear surface of this plate of the
cell 2201, the digits "60" is displayed, which is the number of
allocated points corresponding to the number "29".
[0163] FIG. 19B is a screen which shows a situation in which, after
the screen display of FIG. 19A, the linked type game has progressed
further, and all of the cells 2201, 2202, 2203, 2204, and 2205 in
the row which includes the cell 2201 have been rotated and
reversed--in other words, a bingo hit situation. On the rear
surfaces of the plates of these cells 2201 through 2205 there are
displayed the allocated points which respectively correspond
thereto, which here are "60", "30", "40", "10", and "20". In this
example, the acquired game value, which is the bingo award, is the
total of these allocated points, in other words is
60+30+40+10+20=160; and the player who has hit bingo receives 160
credits as an award.
[0164] In this example, it is supposed that one bingo game finishes
at this point, and this gaming system starts a new bingo game; but
of course, alternatively, it would also be acceptable for the bingo
game to continue even after this one bingo has been hit.
[0165] It would also be acceptable to arrange for it to be possible
to identify, on the screen which is displayed by the management
device 102, which player (i.e. which slot machine) has opened which
cell. In FIGS. 20A and 20B, there are shown examples of display
screens, on which it is possible to identify the players (the slot
machines 1) who have opened the cells. In FIG. 20A, the cells 2601,
2602, 2603, and 2604 are already opened, so that this is an example
of a screen when the so called reached state has been attained. In
this screen example, if a bingo ball which bears the number "36"
appears on any one of the slot machines 1, the cell 2605 will be
opened and a bingo hit will occur. In FIG. 20A, the cells 2601,
2602, 2603, and 2604 are displayed in colors which correspond to
the players (i.e. the slot machines 1) who have opened these cells
(in the figures, the differences in color are shown by differences
in hatching), so that it is made possible for the players mutually
to recognize which player (i.e. which slot machine 1) has opened
which cell.
[0166] FIG. 20B is an example of a screen which is displayed after
the screen of FIG. 20A, and which shows the state when a bingo ball
bearing the number "36" has appeared on a slot machine 1, and a
bingo hit has thereby occurred. In the cell 2605 as well, the color
of the player (i.e. of the slot machine 1) who has opened that cell
is displayed, so that it becomes possible for all of the players to
recognize which player has hit bingo and has acquired an award.
[0167] It should be understood that a bingo hit may not necessarily
be limited to some continuous line of cells being opened in one of
the horizontal, the vertical, or a diagonal direction. FIGS. 21A
and 21B show examples of other bingo hits. In these examples, the
characters "B", "I", "N", "G", and "0" are shaded in on some five
cells within the matrix, and a bingo hit occurs when these five
cells on which the characters "B", "I", "N", "G", and "0" are
shaded in are all opened.
[0168] FIG. 21A is an example of a screen which shows a situation
when a bingo card is displayed in the display region 2200, and, in
this bingo card, the cell 2801 (bearing the character "B"), the
cell 2802 (bearing the character "I"), the cell 2803 (bearing the
character "0"), and the cell 2804 (bearing the character "N") have
already been opened (hit and cleared). In this state, which is the
so-called reached state, a bingo hit will thereafter occur if and
when the cell in which the character "G" is shaded in is opened. It
should be understood that it is arranged for the players not to
know in which cell the character "G" is shaded in.
[0169] FIG. 21B is an example of a screen which shows a situation
when, after the screen shown in FIG. 21A, the cell 2805 on which
the character "G" is shaded in is opened. Thereby, a bingo hit
occurs, and an award for a bingo hit is paid to the player who has
opened the cell 2805; in other words "370", which is the total of
the allocated points "20", "140", "60", "80", and "70" which are
displayed in the cells 2801 through 2805, is paid to that player as
an award.
[0170] Furthermore, it would also be acceptable to arrange that,
when a cell is reversed, a multiple is shown at the side of the
number of allocated points, like "x2", "x4". FIG. 22A shows an
example of a screen in which, for a cell 3001, a multiple is shown
at the side of the number of allocated points. If this type of cell
has been displayed, a value which is obtained by multiplying the
total of the allocated points by this multiple is paid to the
winning player as an award.
[0171] Moreover, it would also be acceptable to arrange also to pay
an award to a player even though he has not hit bingo. FIG. 22B
shows an example of a screen which is displayed when, if some
specified cell has been opened, it is displayed in that cell that
an award will be paid, even though bingo has not been hit. When the
cell 3100 is opened and reversed, along with displaying its
allocated points "500", an effect is performed in which light is
emitted, and an award of "500" is paid to the played who has opened
this cell 3100.
[0172] Even further, it would also be acceptable to arrange for
more than one cell to be opened for a single bingo ball. FIG. 23C
shows an example of a screen which is displayed when more than one
cell is opened for a single bingo ball. In FIG. 23C, the cell 3200
is opened by some player, and the plate for this cell reverses and,
along with its allocated points "80", a symbol which indicates a
jump is displayed, and the number "6" is also displayed. When a
symbol of this sort which indicates a jump is displayed, the cell
(the jump destination) having the number which has been displayed
along with this jump symbol is also opened. If there is no jump
destination, or if it is already opened, then it may be arranged
for the symbol which indicates the jump to be ineffective.
[0173] It should be understood that the bingo card which is
displayed by the management device 102 may not necessarily use an
array of matrix form. In FIGS. 23A and 23B, there are shown
examples of screens on which the management device 102 has
displayed a bingo card which does not use an array of matrix form.
In the screen example shown in FIG. 23A, a bingo card is shown in
which the cells at the four corners are absent. Furthermore, in the
screen example shown in FIG. 23B, a bingo card is shown in which
cells 3501, 3502, 3503, and 3504 are already opened from the very
start of the bingo game. The present invention may also be
implemented using this type of bingo card.
2. The Second Embodiment
[0174] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be
explained. The gaming system according to this second embodiment is
characterized by the fact that it performs a linked type game
according to the symbols which are used in the basic game. In the
first embodiment, the slot machines 1 were so called hybrid
machines in which mechanical reels and liquid crystal screens were
combined; but, by contrast, the slot machines 1 of this second
embodiment are, suitably, machines of the so called video slot
type. The other structures and operations of this second embodiment
are the same as in the case of the gaming system of the first
embodiment.
[0175] FIGS. 24 and 25 show examples of screen displays of the slot
machines, in this second embodiment.
[0176] FIG. 24A is an example of a screen which is displayed on the
liquid crystal display device 2200 of the slot machines.
[0177] In this example, the liquid crystal display device 2200 is
of a so-called five-reel type which displays five reels 36011
through 36015: at the beginning of a basic game, it starts a
varying display of various types of symbol 3602 and the like as
though the rotation of the reels 36011 through 36015 has been
started, and, after a predetermined time period has elapsed, it
terminates this varying display of the various types of symbol 3602
and the like, as though the rotation has been stopped, and displays
a symbol stopped for each reel. In FIG. 24A, a special symbol 3603
is displayed as a symbol stopped, which is the bingo ball
appearance condition. In this example, when one or more symbols
3603 are displayed, one bingo ball appears for each symbol
3603.
[0178] FIG. 24B is an example of a screen which is transitted to
from the screen of FIG. 24A. In this example, a production is
performed in which a bingo ball 3701 pops out from within the
symbol 3603. FIG. 25A is an example of a screen which is displayed
after FIG. 24B. In this example, the bingo ball 3701 pops out
further from within the symbol 3603, and a production is performed
in which it becomes bigger.
[0179] FIG. 25B is an example of a screen which is transitted to
from the screen of FIG. 25A. In this example, the bingo ball 3701
appears over the whole of the symbol 3603, and the number which is
assigned to the bingo ball is also displayed. This screen becomes a
screen which is displayed based on the bingo ball presentation
processing (FIG. 11: the step S1104), and the player performs his
selection input based on this screen, just as in the first
embodiment.
[0180] Since, according to this embodiment, since it is possible to
perform the linked type game in a state of closely connected with
the execution of the basic game, accordingly it is possible to
attract the interest of the player better, and thus it becomes
possible to supply a gaming system which can enhance the
inclination of the player to participate.
3. Modified Embodiments
[0181] (1) Although, in the first and the second embodiment, the
management device 102 and the slot machines 1 were explained as
being separate devices, an arrangement would also be acceptable in
which one of the slot machines 1 is made to function as the
management device 102. Furthermore, to build the gaming system
according to the present invention as a so-called stand alone
environment, so that the slot machine 1 is endowed with the
functions of the management device 102, is also to be considered as
falling within the technical scope of the present invention.
[0182] (2) In the first and the second embodiments, it would also
be acceptable to arrange, each time the management device 102 opens
any cell, for it to transmit data showing the game progression
state to each of the slot machines 1. Such data showing the game
progression state, for example, may be data which can display an
image which corresponds to a bingo card, such as shown in FIGS. 18
through 23. On receipt of this data which shows the game
progression state, the slot machine 1 displays, on the upper liquid
crystal display 3 or the lower liquid crystal display 4 or the
like, an image which has the same contents as the image of the
bingo card which is displayed by the management device 102. By
doing this, each player becomes able to check on the progression of
the bingo game, even without expressly looking at the management
device 102, simply by looking at his own upper liquid crystal
display 3 or lower liquid crystal display 4, which is readily to
hand.
[0183] It should be understood that, as has been explained above,
according to the present invention, with a linked type game in
which a plurality of players can participate, it is possible to
supply a linked type game in which the game progresses based on
selections by the players, and it becomes possible to impart a
stronger impression to the players who are participating in this
linked type game, thus enhancing the attractive qualities of the
game.
* * * * *