U.S. patent application number 11/798470 was filed with the patent office on 2007-11-15 for multi-player gaming machine and gaming method thereof.
This patent application is currently assigned to Aruze Corp.. Invention is credited to Kazumasa Yoshizawa.
Application Number | 20070265057 11/798470 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38685792 |
Filed Date | 2007-11-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070265057 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yoshizawa; Kazumasa |
November 15, 2007 |
Multi-player gaming machine and gaming method thereof
Abstract
As the result of a roulette game with a roulette device, a bonus
game is executed when a roulette ball is received in a bonus pocket
among pockets formed on a wheel. A bonus ball is launched into a
path area formed through a plurality of stations by a launching
device when the bonus game is executed. A station at which the
bonus ball has finally stopped is determined to have won the bonus
game and is provided a bonus payout. Consequently, this enables to
provide a versatile game which the player may easily
understand.
Inventors: |
Yoshizawa; Kazumasa; (Tokyo,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NDQ&M WATCHSTONE LLP
1300 EYE STREET, NW, SUITE 1000 WEST TOWER
WASHINGTON
DC
20005
US
|
Assignee: |
Aruze Corp.
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
38685792 |
Appl. No.: |
11/798470 |
Filed: |
May 14, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/17 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/32 20130101;
G07F 17/3202 20130101; G07F 17/3267 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/17 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 15, 2006 |
JP |
JP2006-135559 |
Claims
1. A multi-player gaming machine comprising: a plurality of game
terminals having a console for accepting a player's operation; a
game control unit configured to control a game; a payout unit
configured to provide a payout to the game terminal according to an
operation result on the console and an outcome of the game
controlled by the game control unit; a path area formed through a
plurality of the game terminals; a ball rolling through the
plurality of the game terminals along the path area in a
predetermined order; a stop unit formed in each of the game
terminals and configured to stop the ball rolling on the path area;
and a special payout unit configured to provide a special payout to
the game terminal in which the ball has been stopped by the stop
unit.
2. The multi-player gaming machine according to claim 1, further
comprising a launching unit configured to launch the ball into the
path area; wherein the game controlled by the game control unit
includes a base game and a special game which is different from the
base game, the multi-player gaming machine further comprises a
special game execution determining unit configured to determine
whether or not to execute the special game, and the launching unit
launches the ball into the path area when the special game
execution determining unit determines to execute the special
game.
3. The multi-player gaming machine according to claim 2 further
comprising: a wheel on which a plurality of number pockets is
arranged; a pocket specifying unit configured to specify at least
one number pocket among the plurality of number pockets; and a
winning number detecting unit configured to detect a number of the
number pocket specified by the pocket specifying unit as a winning
number, wherein the payout unit provides a payout based on the
winning number detected by the winning number detecting unit.
4. The multi-player gaming machine according to claim 3 further
comprising a bonus pocket setting unit configured to set a
predetermined number pocket as a bonus pocket among the plurality
of number pockets, wherein the launching unit launches the ball
into the path area when the bonus pocket has been specified by the
pocket specifying unit.
5. The multi-player gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein a
plurality of the game terminals is arranged circularly, and the
path area is circularly formed through the plurality of the game
terminals.
6. The multi-player gaming machine according to claim 5, wherein
the path area is a lane formed as a groove or a tube on which the
ball rolls, and the stop unit is a concave provided on the
lane.
7. The multi-player gaming machine according to claim 6, wherein
the stop unit is provided in each of the game terminals.
8. The multi-player gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein
the game controlled by the game control unit includes a base game
and a special game which is different from the base game; the base
game is a roulette game; and the special game is a game in which
the ball is rolled on the path area to provide the special
payout.
9. The multi-player gaming machine according to claim 8, wherein
the stop unit is visible from the player during the special
game.
10. The multi-player gaming machine according to claim 9, wherein
the stop unit is not visible from the player during the base
game.
11. A gaming method of a multi-player gaming machine having a
plurality of game terminals with a console for accepting a player's
operation, the gaming method comprising: executing a base game in
which a payout is provided to the game terminal in accordance with
the operation on the console; and executing a special game in which
a ball is rolled on a path area formed through a plurality of the
game terminals and a special payout is provided to the game
terminal at which the ball has been stopped.
12. The gaming method of a multi-player gaming machine according to
claim 11, further comprising: determining whether or not to execute
the special game, and launching the ball into the path area when it
is determined to execute the special game.
13. The gaming method of a multi-player gaming machine according to
claim 12, wherein the base game is a roulette game.
14. The gaming method of a multi-player gaming machine according to
claim 13, wherein the special game is executed when a predetermined
number pocket set as a bonus pocket has specified a winning number
pocket in the base game.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is based upon the prior Japanese Patent
Application No. 2006-135559, filed on May 15, 2006, the entire
contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a multi-player gaming
machine including a plurality of game terminals having a console
for accepting a player's operation such as a roulette gaming
machine or a bingo gaming machine. Specifically the present
invention relates to a multi-player gaming machine making a ball
move along a path area formed through a plurality of game terminals
in a predetermined order to payout game media to the game terminal
in which the ball has stopped, thereby enabling to provide a
versatile game which the player may easily understand.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] With a multi-player gaming machine such as a roulette gaming
machine, a bingo gaming machine, and a horse race gaming machine
using medals as game media, a player buys or borrows a plurality of
medals from a medal lending machine and then insert the medals into
a gaming machine to play games. If the player wins the game, a
predetermined number of medals are paid out. Therefore, if the
player may obtain multiple medals, he/she may continually enjoy the
game without newly buying or borrowing medals.
[0006] Further, such multi-player gaming machine may include a
gaming machine in which a game is played using a ball actually
rolling inside the gaming machine. For example, Japanese Patent
Application Laid-Open No. Hei-7-265492 (pages 5 to 7, FIGS. 1 to 4)
describes a ball gaming machine in which game media are paid out to
a player based on types of winning pockets after a ball rolling on
a spiral rail has been received in the winning pocket formed in a
field portion. By using the ball rolling inside the gaming machine
in this way, it is made possible to create a higher realistic
sensation than a gaming machine using an image.
[0007] However, in the above-mentioned ball gaming machine, a ball
rolls basically in the central part of the machine, which cannot be
seen from a player playing around the machine in some cases.
Specifically, in the gaming machine having a large size cabinet, a
dead area to the player would occur and the ball rolls within the
dead area. If the game proceeds without confirming the rolling
ball, there is a possibility that the game terminates before the
player understands the contents of the game.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention has been achieved in order to solve
the above problems, and an object of the invention is to provide a
multi-player gaming machine that can provide a versatile game which
the player may easily understand by executing a game in which a
ball is rolled through a plurality of game terminals having a
console for accepting a player's operation in order that the
players around the machine can see the rolling ball.
[0009] The multi-player gaming machine according to a first aspect
of the present invention comprises: a plurality of game terminals
(for example, stations 4) having a console (for example, touch
screen 50) for accepting a player's operation; a game control unit
(for example, server CPU 81) configured to control a game; a payout
unit (for example, station CPU 91, step S12 in FIG. 13) configured
to provide a payout to the game terminal according to an operation
result on the console and an outcome of the game controlled by the
game control unit; a path area (for example, path area 17) formed
through a plurality of the game terminals; a ball (for example,
bonus ball 18) rolling through the plurality of the game terminals
along the path area in a predetermined order; a stop unit (for
example, ball stopper 20) formed in each of the game terminals and
configured to stop the ball rolling on the path area; and a special
payout unit (for example, station CPU 91, step S12 in FIG. 13)
configured to provide a special payout to the game terminal in
which the ball has been stopped by the stop unit.
[0010] Incidentally, a payout by "a payout unit" and a payout by "a
special payout unit" may be performed simultaneously or at
different timings.
[0011] Here, it is preferable that the multi-player game machine
(for example, roulette gaming machine 1) further comprises a
launching unit (for example, launching device 19) configured to
launch the ball into the path area. In addition, it is preferable
that the game controlled by the game control unit includes a base
game and a special game which is different from the base game, the
multi-player gaming machine further comprises a special game
execution determining unit (for example, server CPU 81, step S110
in FIG. 13) configured to determine whether or not to execute the
special game, and the launching unit (for example, launching device
19) launches the ball (for example, bonus ball 18) into the path
area (for example, path area 17) when the special game execution
determining unit determines to execute the special game.
[0012] Further, it is preferable that the multi-player game machine
(for example, roulette gaming machine 1) further comprises: a wheel
(for example, wheel 22) on which a plurality of number pockets (for
example, number pockets 23) is arranged; a pocket specifying unit
(for example, roulette ball 27 [and ball throw-in apparatus])
configured to specify at least one number pocket among the
plurality of number pockets; and a winning number detecting unit
(for example, server CPU 81, step S109 in FIG. 13) configured to
detect a number of the number pocket specified by the pocket
specifying unit as a winning number. And it is also preferable that
the payout unit provides a payout based on the winning number
detected by the winning number detecting unit.
[0013] Further, it is preferable that the multi-player game machine
(for example, roulette gaming machine 1) further comprises a bonus
pocket setting unit (for example, server CPU 81) configured to set
a predetermined number pocket as a bonus pocket among the plurality
of number pockets. And it is also preferable that the launching
unit launches the ball (for example, bonus ball 18) into the path
area (for example, path area 17) when the bonus pocket has been
specified by the pocket specifying unit.
Furthermore, the bonus pocket that may provide an advantageous
payout to the player can be set on the wheel without modifying a
structure of the wheel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a schematic
construction of a roulette gaming machine according to the present
embodiment.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a top view of a station of the roulette gaming
machine according to the present embodiment.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a plain view of a roulette wheel according to the
present embodiment.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a server according to the
present embodiment.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a drawing showing a menu screen displayed on a
liquid crystal display of the server according to the present
embodiment.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a drawing showing a bonus pocket setting screen
displayed on the liquid crystal display of the server according to
the present embodiment.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a drawing showing a bet screen shown on a display
panel.
[0021] FIG. 8 is a block diagram schematically showing a control
system of the roulette gaming machine according to the present
embodiment.
[0022] FIG. 9 is a block diagram schematically showing a control
system of the station according to the present embodiment.
[0023] FIG. 10 is a schematic drawing showing a memory area of ROM
of the roulette gaming machine according to the present
embodiment.
[0024] FIG. 11 is a schematic drawing showing a memory area of RAM
of the roulette gaming machine according to the present
embodiment.
[0025] FIG. 12 is a flow chart of a game processing program of the
roulette gaming machine according to the present embodiment.
[0026] FIG. 13 is a flow chart of the game processing program of
the roulette gaming machine according to the present
embodiment.
[0027] FIG. 14 is a flow chart of a sub-processing program of a
bonus game processing of the roulette gaming machine according to
the present embodiment.
[0028] FIG. 15 is a schematic drawing showing a flow of a bonus
game executed in the roulette gaming machine according to the
present embodiment.
[0029] FIG. 16 is a front view of a plurality of slot machines when
the bonus game is executed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0030] One embodiment in which a multi-player gaming machine of the
present invention has been embodied as a roulette gaming machine
will be described in detail with reference to drawings. Here, the
roulette gaming machine is a gaming machine with which a player
bets game media such as his/her own medals on his/her expected
number and receives a predetermined number of medals at
winning.
[0031] First, a schematic construction of a roulette gaming machine
1 according to the present embodiment will be described based on
FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing the
schematic construction of the roulette gaming machine 1 according
to the present embodiment.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 1, the roulette gaming machine 1 basically
includes: a cabinet 2 constituting a main body; a roulette device 3
provided in the approximately central part of a top surface of the
cabinet 2; a plurality of stations 4 (twelve stations 4 in this
embodiment) provided around the roulette device 3; and an
electroluminescence display 5 provided above the cabinet 2.
[0033] The station 4 includes at least a medal insertion slot 6
into which game media such as coins or medals used for a game are
inserted; a console 7 having a plurality of control buttons and the
like with which predetermined instructions are input by the player;
and a display panel 8 displaying game images. The station 4
functions as a gaming area accepting a bet operation by the player.
The player may advance the game by operating a touch screen or the
console 7, while viewing the image displayed on the display panel
8.
[0034] On a front side of each station 4, a medal payout opening 9
is provided. Further, a speaker 10 for playing music and sound
effects is provided in a right upper portion of the display panel 8
of each station 4.
[0035] Above the display panel 8 of each station 4, a WIN lamp 11
is provided. Here, each player is notified of a winning by lighting
the WIN lamp of the station 4 which has won a base game or a bonus
game described later.
[0036] A medal sensor is provided inside the medal insertion slot 6
(see FIG. 9). The medal sensor identifies the game media such as
medals inserted into the medal insertion slot 6 and counts the
inserted medals. Further, a hopper is provided inside the medal
payout opening 9 (see FIG. 9). The hopper payouts a predetermined
number of medals from the medal payout opening 9.
[0037] A server 13 to be described later is arranged inside a
corner 12 of the cabinet 2. The server 13 is housed in the corner
12 so that the player may not operate it. However, it is made
possible to operate the server 13 by opening a corner door 14 with
a key switch. Then, various settings of the roulette gaming machine
1 and a setting of a bonus pocket may be changed by operating the
server 13.
[0038] A JP credit display 15 for displaying the JP credits is
provided on the electroluminescence display 5. In the roulette
gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, 0.5% of the credits
which have been bet on the base game (roulette game) using a bet
screen 61 at all the twelve stations 4 will be accumulatively
stored. The accumulated JP credits are paid out to the station 4
which has won the bonus game to be described later. In addition,
the JP credit display 15 is provided on a top of the
electroluminescence display 5 so that display contents thereof can
be seen by all the players playing at the stations 4.
[0039] In the roulette gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment,
a path area (lane) 17 is formed inside the station 4. Here, the
path area 17 is an area along which a bonus ball 18 rolls when the
bonus game is executed. The path area 17 is formed of a circular
transparent pipe running through twelve stations 4 around the
roulette gaming machine 1. The bonus ball 18 passes through the
stations 4 in the order of counterclockwise along the path area
17.
[0040] A launching device 19 for launching the bonus ball 18 into
the path area 17 is provided with the path area 17 (see FIG. 8).
The launching device 19 is configured as a solenoid or spring
plunger injector and sends the bonus ball 18 into the path area 17
at a predetermined speed.
[0041] A ball stopper 20 is provided on the path area 17 in front
of each station 4. The ball stopper 20 is a stop unit configured to
stop the bonus ball 18 rolling through the path area 17. The ball
stopper 20 is formed into a hemispherical pocket in accordance with
a shape of the bonus ball 18 (see FIG. 2). Further, a ball
detection sensor and a ball collection hole (not shown) are
provided on a bottom of the ball stopper 20. The ball detection
sensor detects the ball stopper 20 at which the bonus ball 18 has
stopped. The bonus ball 18 which has been stopped by the ball
stopper 20 is collected from the ball collection hole and
transferred to the launching device 19.
[0042] Then, as described later, the bonus game is executed after
the ball 27 has fallen into a bonus pocket 24 at the roulette
device 3 (see FIG. 3). The bonus ball 18 is launched by the
launching device 19 when the bonus game has started. And then, the
bonus ball 18 rolls along the path area 17 counterclockwise.
Thereafter, the rolling bonus ball 18 is gradually decelerated, and
the bonus ball 18 stops in any of the ball stoppers 20. Then the
station 4 of the ball stopper 20 in which the bonus ball 18 has
stopped is determined to have won the bonus game. A special payout
corresponding to the JP credits is provided to the station 4.
[0043] Subsequently, the path area 17 passing through the stations
4 will be described in detail referring to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a top
view of the station 4 of the roulette gaming machine 1 according to
the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the path area 17 is
arranged so as to pass inside the stations 4. Specifically, the
path area 17 passes through behind the display panel 8. The display
panel 8 is a transmissive liquid crystal display panel. The display
panel 8 is non-transmissive during the base game and displays a bet
screen 61 (see FIG. 7) having a betting board 60. As a result, the
path area 17 is not visible from the player playing with the
station 4.
[0044] On the other hand, approximately a half of the screen of the
display panel 8 can be transmissive during the bonus game and the
player can see the path area 17 through the lower part of the
display panel 8. As a result, the player can see the bonus ball 18
rolling on the path area 17 during the bonus game through the
display panel 8.
[0045] Next, the construction of the roulette device 3 of the
present embodiment will be described referring to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is
a plain view of the roulette device 3 according to the present
embodiment.
[0046] As shown in FIG. 3, the roulette device 3 basically includes
a frame 21 fixed to the cabinet 2 and a wheel 22 rotatably housed
on the inner area of the frame 21. Then, number pockets 23 and a
bonus pocket 24 are formed on a top surface of the wheel 22 (38
pockets in total in the present embodiment). A number plate 25 is
provided on the outside of each number pocket 23. Each number plate
25 has one of the numbers "0", "1" to "36" which is corresponding
to each number pocket 23. Namely, the thirty-seven number pockets
23 each of which is assigned one of the numbers "0", "1" to "36"
are provided on the wheel 22. Further, a bonus indication plate 26
is provided on the outside of the bonus pocket 24. The bonus pocket
24 has a letter "B" which is corresponding to the bonus pocket
24.
[0047] Here, the bonus pocket 24 is located in the same position as
that of "00" number pocket of the conventional roulette device 3
with 38 number pockets. Further, the bonus pocket 24 has the same
shape as that of the "00" number pocket (and other pockets). The
bonus indication plate 26 is made by putting a seal of "B" on the
"00" number plate 25. Therefore, in the roulette device 3 of the
present embodiment, the bonus pocket 24 may be set on the wheel 22
in place of "00" number pocket without modifying the construction
of the conventional wheel 22.
[0048] Note that, in the present embodiment, the bonus pocket 24 is
provided in place of "00" number pocket. However, the bonus pocket
24 is not limited to one. For example, "0" number pocket 23 may be
further set as the bonus pocket 24. In this case, a setting for
adding the bonus pocket 24 is executed in the server 13 by a
predetermined operation.
[0049] A ball throw-in opening 36 is opened on the inner periphery
surface of the frame 21. The ball throw-in opening 36 is connected
with a ball throw-in device (not shown). A ball (roulette ball) 27
is thrown in from the ball throw-in opening 36 onto the wheel 22 by
the ball throw-in device. Further, a hemispherical transmissive
acrylic cover 28 covers over the roulette wheel (the frame 21 and
the wheel 22).
[0050] A pocket detection device (not shown) is installed beneath
the wheel 22. The pocket detection device detects the pocket 23, 24
into which the ball 27 has fallen. Further, a ball collecting
device (not shown) is also installed beneath the wheel 22. The ball
collecting device collects the ball 27 in the pocket 23, 24 after
the game terminates. Incidentally, since the ball throw-in device,
the ball detection device, and the ball collecting device are known
publicity, the detailed descriptions thereof are omitted here.
[0051] The frame 21 is slightly tilted inward and a guide wall 29
is formed in the intermediary part thereof. The thrown-in ball 27
is guided and rotates along the guide wall 29 by its centrifugal
force. As the ball 27 reduces its rotation speed and loses its
centrifugal force, it rolls down the slope of frame 21 inward and
reaches the rotating wheel 22.
[0052] Then, the ball 27 that has reached the wheel 22 passes over
the plates 25, 26 on the outer periphery of the rotating wheel 22
and falls into any of the number pockets 23 or the bonus pocket 24.
As a result, a number of the number plate 25 of the number pocket
23 into which the ball 27 has fallen is detected as a winning
number by the pocket detection device when the ball 27 has fallen
into the number pocket 23. Alternatively, the after-mentioned bonus
game with the bonus ball 18 is started when the ball 27 has fallen
into the bonus pocket 24.
[0053] Next, the server 13 provided in the roulette gaming machine
1 according to the present embodiment will be described referring
to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the server 13
according to the present embodiment.
[0054] Here, FIG. 4 is a drawing showing a state where the corner
door 14 is opened. The server 13 is installed within an internal
space 31.
[0055] The server 13 is connected to each station 4. The server 13
transmits an instruction signal to each station 4 to controls each
station 4 leadingly and executes the game. Further, the setting
relating to the game control of the roulette gaming machine 1 can
be performed by operating the server 13. The setting relating to
adding or deleting the bonus pocket 24 can be also performed by
operating the server 13.
[0056] As shown in FIG. 4, an LCD (liquid crystal display) 32 and a
key board 33 are connected to the server 13. A menu screen 40 (see
FIG. 5) or a bonus pocket setting screen 42 (see FIG. 6) which are
described in detail later are displayed on the LCD 32. The keyboard
33 is an operation unit having a plurality of keys. A maintenance
staff operates the keyboard 33, while viewing the menu screen 40 or
the bonus pocket setting screen 42 on the LCD 32 to perform various
settings of the roulette gaming machine 1 and the setting of adding
or deleting the bonus pocket 24.
[0057] Here, in the roulette gaming machine 1 of the present
embodiment, the after-mentioned bonus game is executed when the
ball 27 has fallen into the bonus pocket 24 of the wheel 22. A
detailed adjustment of the odds is made to be possible by changing
the number of the bonus pockets 24 with the server 13.
[0058] Subsequently, the menu screen 40 and the bonus pocket
setting screen 42 displayed on the LCD 32 of the server 13 will be
described. FIG. 5 shows the menu screen 40 displayed on the LCD 32.
FIG. 6 shows the bonus pocket setting screen 42 displayed on the
LCD 32.
[0059] As shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of setting items 41 (8 items
in the present embodiment) of the roulette gaming machine 1 is
displayed on the menu screen 40. The maintenance staff selects the
desired setting item 41 to perform various settings (e.g., volume
setting, testing operation) by the keyboard 33. Further, if a
"BONUS POCKET MENU" has been selected among the setting items 41,
the bonus pocket setting screen 42 is displayed. Adding and
deleting the bonus pocket 24 is set up on the bonus pocket setting
screen 42.
[0060] As shown in FIG. 6, a number of the number pocket to be set
up as the bonus pocket 24 among pockets on the wheel 22 (namely, a
bonus number 43) is input on the bonus pocket setting screen 42.
Here, as shown in FIG. 6, in the roulette gaming machine 1 of the
present embodiment, "00" is previously input as the bonus number 43
by the default setting before product shipment. Thus, "00" number
pocket 23 is set up as the bonus pocket 24 as shown in FIG. 3.
[0061] The maintenance staff inputs numbers within the range of
"00", "0", and "1" to "36", as the bonus number 43 on the bonus
pocket setting screen 42 via the keyboard 33. Then, it is made
possible to change the input number pocket 23 to the bonus pocket
24. On the other hand, the maintenance staff may delete the bonus
number 43 on the bonus pocket setting screen 42 via the keyboard
33. Then, it is made possible to change the deleted bonus pocket 24
to the normal number pocket 23. In addition, it is made possible to
set up a plurality of bonus pockets 24 by inputting a plurality of
bonus numbers 43.
[0062] The maintenance staff puts a seal on the number plate 25 of
the number pocket 23 set as the bonus pocket 24 in order to change
the normal number plate 25 to the bonus indication plate 26. On the
other hand, it is made possible to return the bonus indication
plate 26 to the normal number plate 25 by peeling off the seal of
the bonus indication plate 26. The player, thereby, may visually
discriminate the number pocket 23 from the bonus pocket 24 on the
wheel 22.
[0063] Next, the construction of the console 7 and the display
panel 8 will be described.
[0064] As shown in FIG. 1, the console 7 is provided beside the
display panel 8, and each button to be operated by the player is
arranged thereon. Specifically, a bet confirmation button 47, a
cash-out button 48, and a help button 49 are arranged from left to
right when viewed from a position facing the station 4 (see FIG.
9).
[0065] The bet confirmation button 47 is pushed when the bet is
confirmed after a after-mentioned bet operation on the display
panel 8. After the bet has been confirmed, it is determined as a
winning when the ball 27 has fallen into the number pocket 23 on
which the player had placed the bet. When it is determined that the
player has got the winning, the credits according to the number of
bet chips are added to the player's current credits. Incidentally,
the bet operation will be described later in detail.
[0066] The cash-out button 48 is pressed when the game is made
terminated. When the cash-out button 48 is pressed, medals
corresponding to the player's current credits (ordinarily, one
medal per credit) obtained during the games are paid out from the
medal payout opening 9.
[0067] The help button 49 is pressed when the player can't know how
to operate. When the help button 4 is pressed, a help screen
showing various operation information is displayed on the display
panel 8 immediately thereafter.
[0068] On the other hand, the display panel 8 is a touch screen
LCD. A touch screen 50 (see FIG. 9) is provided on a surface of the
display panel 8. An operation is performed by touching an icon
displayed on the LCD of the display panel 8 with a finger or the
like. FIG. 7 shows one example of a display screen displayed on the
display panel 8 during the game.
[0069] As shown in FIG. 7, the bet screen 61 with the betting board
60 is displayed on the display panel 8 during the game. Further,
the player may bet chips using own credits by operating the bet
screen 61.
[0070] First, the bet screen 61 for the base game will be described
based on FIG. 7. The numbers "0", "00", "1" to "36" without the
number of the bonus pocket 24 (e.g., "0", "1" to "36" without "00"
[set as the bonus pocket 24] in FIGS. 2 and 7) are arranged in a
grid shape on the betting board 60 shown on the bet screen 61.
Further, special bet areas ("odd or even number", "red or black
(color of the number plate)", "the predetermined number ranges
(e.g., "1 to 12")" is also arranged in a grid shape.
[0071] A result history display 65, bet buttons 66, a payout result
display 67, and a credit display 68 are displayed in a lower part
of the betting board 60.
[0072] A result history of winning numbers of the past games is
shown on the result history display 65 as a list. Here, one game is
meant to be a series of operations in which the player places a bet
at each station 4, the ball 27 falls into one of the pockets 23,
24, and a payout is provided to the player based on the winning
number. Each time one game is finished, a new winning number is
additionally displayed on the top and a history of a maximum of 16
winning numbers may be confirmed on the result history display
65.
[0073] Further, the player places a bet on the bet area 72
(displayed on a grid or a line forming grids) specified by the
player with the bet buttons 66. The bet buttons 66 includes a 1-bet
button 66A, a 5-bet button 66B, a 10-bet button 66C, and a 100-bet
button 66D.
[0074] The player firstly specifies the bet area 72 by touching the
screen with his/her finger to move a after-mentioned cursor 70. In
this state, the player touches the 1-bet button 66A to place a bet
per one chip (each time touching the 1-bet button 66A, the number
of bets increases in the order of "1"->"2"->"3" . . . ).
Further, the player touches the 5-bet button 66B to place a bet per
five chips (each time touching the 5-bet button 66B, the number of
bets increases in the order of "5"->"10"->"15" . . . ).
Further, the player touches the 10-bet button 66C to place a bet
per ten chips (each time touching the 10-bet button 66C with a
finger, the number of bets increases in the order of
"10"->"20"->"30" . . . ). Further, the player touches the
100-bet button 66D to place a bet per 100 chips (each time touching
the 100-bet button 66D with a finger, the number of bets increases
in the order of "100"->"200"->"300" . . . ).
[0075] Accordingly, the bet operation can be simplified when the
player places a bet with a large amount of chips.
[0076] The payout result display 67 displays the number of chips
bet by the player and the number of payout credits in the previous
game. Here, the value obtained by subtracting the number of bet
credits from the number of payout credits is equal to the number of
credits which the player newly obtained in the previous game.
[0077] The credit display 68 displays the number of credits which
the player possesses at present. The indication of the number of
credits decreases according to the number of chips which the player
has used for betting (one credit per one chip). Further, a payout
is provided to the player when the number on which the player has
bet is determined as the winning number, and the indication of the
number of credits increases according to the payout. Incidentally,
if the number of credits possessed by the player decreases to zero,
the game terminates.
[0078] A bet time display 69 is provided above the betting board
60. The bet time display 69 indicates the remaining time for the
player's betting. "20" is displayed on the bet time display 69 when
an acceptance of the bet operation starts, and decreases one by one
every one second. If the number on the bet time display 69
decreases to zero, the acceptance of the bet operation terminates.
Further, the ball throw-in device is driven to throw in the ball 27
onto the wheel 22 when the remaining bet time becomes five
seconds.
[0079] A JP display 73 for displaying the number of JP credits
accumulated so far is provided on the right of the bet time display
69. Here, 0.5% of total credits bet at all the stations 4 are
accumulatively displayed on the JP display 73. The number displayed
on the JP display 73 is common at all the stations 4. In the bonus
game which is executed when the ball 27 has fallen into the bonus
pocket 24, the JP credits are paid out to the station 4 at which
the bonus ball 18 has been stopped. An initial value (e.g. 50,000
credit points) is displayed on the JP display 73 after the JP
payout. In addition, the accumulated number of the JP credits is
also displayed on the JP credit display 15 on the
electroluminescence display 5 (see FIG. 1).
[0080] Further, the cursor 70 indicating the bet area 72 which the
player currently selects is displayed on the betting board 60. A
chip mark 71 indicating the number of bet chips is displayed in the
cursor 70. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the chip mark 71 of "7"
placed in the grid "18" indicates that seven chips are being bet on
number "18". Incidentally, such a method of betting on only one
number is referred to as "straight bet".
[0081] The chip mark 71 of "1" placed in an intersecting point of
the grids "5", "6", "8", and "9" indicates that one chip is being
bet on four numbers "5", "6", "8", and "9". Such a method of
simultaneously betting on four numbers is referred to as "corner
bet".
[0082] Other betting methods may include the following methods:
"split bet" on two numbers with a chip placed on a line between the
two numbers; "street bet" on numbers in a single horizontal line
with a chip placed at the edge of number at the end of the line
(e.g., bet on "13", "14", and "15" with a chip located on an upper
[in FIG. 7] end of the three numbers); "five bet" on "blank"
(originally, "00"), "0", "1", "2", and "3" (e.g., bet on the five
grids with a chip place on the upper [in FIG. 7] end of the line
between "blank" and "3"); "line bet" betting on numbers located on
two horizontal lines (e.g., bet on "13" to "18" with a chip place
on the upper [in FIG. 7] end of the line between "15" and "18");
"column bet" on a single column [vertical line] with a chip placed
on each grid "2 to 1"; and "dozen bet" on sequential twelve numbers
with a chip placed on each grid "1st 12", "2nd 12", or "3rd 12". In
addition, there are other betting methods: bet on colors of the
number plates ("red" or "black"), "odd or even number", or numbers
"1 to 18" or "19 to 36", by using six grids provided on the bottom
of the betting board 60. Here, a payout per one chip (payout rate)
for the winning is different with one another among these multiple
betting methods.
[0083] The player specifies the bet area 72 (on a grid, or on a
line forming grids) by touching on the screen to place a bet on the
above-mentioned bet screen 61. As a result, the cursor 70 moves to
the specified bet area 72.
[0084] Then, chips are bet on the specified bet area 72 by touching
each of the bet buttons 66 (1-bet button 66A, 5-bet button 66B,
10-bet button 66C, and 100-bet button 66D). For example, when the
10-bet button 66C is pressed four times, then the 5-bet button 66B
is pressed once, and then the 1-bet button 66A is pressed three
times, the total 48 chips can be bet.
[0085] A construction of a control system of the roulette gaming
machine 1 according to the present embodiment will now be described
based on FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram showing a
control system of the roulette gaming machine.
[0086] As shown in FIG. 8, the roulette gaming machine 1 includes a
server 13 and a plurality of stations 4 (12 stations in the present
embodiment) connected to the server 13. The roulette device 3, the
electroluminescence display 5, the launching device 19, and a ball
detection sensor 75 are further connected to the server 13.
Incidentally, the control system of the stations 4 will be
described later in detail.
[0087] The server 13 is basically configured by a server CPU 81, a
ROM 82 and a RAM 83 as an operation/control device for performing
an entire control of the server 13, a timer 84 connected to the
server CPU 81, the LCD 32 connected thereto via an LCD driving
circuit 85, and the keyboard 33 (see FIG. 4).
[0088] The server CPU 81 executes various processes based on an
input signal provided from each station 4 and data & programs
stored in the ROM 82 & the RAM 83. The server CPU 81 transmits
an instruction signal to each station 4 based on the process result
to control each station 4 leadingly and executes the game. Further,
the server CPU 81 drives motors of the roulette device 3 to launch
the ball 27 and rotate the wheel 22. Furthermore, the server CPU 81
controls the pocket detection device for detecting the pocket into
which the ball has fallen to determine the winning number. Then,
the server CPU 81 performs a winning determination of chips which
has been bet based on the winning number and bet information from
each station 4, and computes a payout for each station 4.
[0089] The ROM 82 is constituted by, for example, a semiconductor
memory. The ROM 82 stores programs that implements a basic function
of the roulette gaming machine 1, programs that execute the
notification of the maintenance time and the setting &
management of the notification condition, payout rates of the
roulette game (the number of credits to be paid out per chip when
winning), programs that controls each station 4 leadingly, and the
like.
[0090] On the other hand, the RAM 83 temporarily stores data
relating to the bet information from each station 4, the winning
number detected by the sensor, the current accumulated JP credits,
the bonus pocket 24 ("00" in an initial setting) set on the bonus
pocket setting screen 42, the process result of the server CPU 81,
and the like.
[0091] The timer 84 for measuring time is also connected to the
server CPU 81. Time information of the timer 84 is transmitted to
the server CPU 81. The server CPU 81 rotates the wheel 22 and
throws in the ball 27 to be descried later based on the time
information.
[0092] The electroluminescence display 5 (see FIG. 1) is also
connected to the server CPU 81. The server CPU 81 executes electric
spectacular effect by controlling light emitting units such as
LEDs. Further, the server CPU 81 executes an character presentation
on the electroluminescence display 5. Furthermore, the server CPU
81 executes the presentation of the current accumulated JP credits
on the JP credit display 15 of the electroluminescence display
5.
[0093] Further, as shown in FIG. 10, a payout storage area 82A
storing the payout rates of the roulette game is provided in the
ROM 82. The odds such as "x2" to "x36" are previously determined
according to the betting methods ("straight bet", "corner bet",
"split bet", etc.) and stored in the payout storage area 82A as the
payout rate for each bet area 72.
[0094] Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the RAM 83 provides a bet
information storage area 83A for storing the player's bet
information, a winning number storage area 83B for storing the
number of a winning pocket detected by the pocket detection device,
a JP accumulated storage area 83C for accumulatively storing 0.5%
of bet credits, and a bonus pocket setting storage area 83D for
storing the bonus pocket set on the bonus pocket setting screen 42
(see FIG. 6). Incidentally, the bet information is specifically
information relating to bets in each station 4 such as the bet area
72, the number of bet chips (the number of bets), a betting method
specified on the bet screen 61.
[0095] The launching device 19 is configured as a solenoid or
spring plunger injector and the like and launches the bonus ball 18
into the path area 17. The server CPU 81 drives the launching
device 19 to launch the bonus ball 18 and roll the bonus ball 18
along the path area 17 when the bonus game is executed.
[0096] The ball detection sensor 75 is an optical sensor provided
on a bottom of each ball stopper 20 for detecting the ball stopper
20 at which the bonus ball 18 has been stopped. Therefore, the
server CPU 81 may identify the ball stopper 20 based on the
detection by the ball detection sensor 75 when the bonus ball 18
has been stopped at the ball stopper 20.
[0097] A construction of a control system of the station 4
according to the present embodiment will now be described with
reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram showing
the control system of the station 4 according to the present
embodiment. Here, twelve stations 4 have the basically same
construction, and the construction will be described with one
station 4 as an example.
[0098] The station 4 is configured by a station controller 90, and
several peripheral devices & equipments, as shown in FIG. 9.
The station controller 90 includes a station CPU 91, a ROM 92, and
a RAM 93. The ROM 92 is constituted by, for example, a
semiconductor memory. The ROM 92 stores programs that implements a
basic function of the station 4, other various programs, and data
tables required for controlling the station 4. Further the RAM 93
temporarily stores various data computed in the station CPU 91 and
the player's possessing number of credits accumulated in the
station 4, a betting status of chips, and the like.
[0099] The bet confirmation button 47, the cash-out button 48, and
the help button 49 which are on the console 7 (see FIG. 1), are
connected to the station CPU 91 respectively. The station CPU 91
controls the execution of various corresponding operations based on
the operation signal output by pressing each button. Specifically,
the station CPU 91 executes various processes based on the input
signal supplied from the console 7 by the player's operation and
data & programs stored in the ROM 92 & the RAM 93. The
station CPU 91 transmits the result of the processes to the
above-mentioned server CPU 81.
[0100] Further, the station CPU 91 advances the roulette game by
controlling the peripheral equipments of the station 4 based on the
instruction signal transmitted from the server CPU 81. Further, the
station CPU 91 executes various processes based on the input signal
supplied from the console 7 by the player's operation and the data
& programs stored in the ROM 92 & the RAM 93 depending upon
the contents of the processes. The station CPU 91 controls the
above-mentioned peripheral equipments based on the result of the
processes to advance the roulette game.
[0101] The hopper 94 is connected to the station CPU 91. A payout
of a predetermined number of medals is provided by the hopper 94
from the medal payout opening 9 based on the instruction signal
from the station CPU 91 (see FIG. 1).
[0102] The display panel 8 is connected to the station CPU 91 via
the LCD driving circuit 95. The LCD driving circuit 95 includes a
program ROM, an image ROM, an image control CPU, a work RAM, a VDP
(video display processor), a video RAM, and the like. The program
ROM stores an image control program relating to a display on the
display panel 8 and various selection tables. Further, the image
ROM stores, for example, dot data forming an image to be displayed
on the display panel 8. Further, the image control CPU determines
the image to be displayed on the display panel 8 from among the dot
data in the image ROM according to the image control program in the
program ROM based on parameters set on the station CPU 91. The work
RAM is configured as a temporary storage device when the image
control program is executed by the image control CPU. Further, the
VDP forms the display image that has been determined by the image
control CPU to output it to the display panel 8. In addition, the
video RAM is configured as a temporary storage device when the VDP
forms the image.
[0103] The touch screen 50 is provided on the surface of the
display device 8 as described above. The operation information on
the touch screen 50 is transmitted to the station CPU 91. The
player's bet operation on the bet screen 61 is performed via the
touch screen 50. Specifically, the touch screen 50 is operated when
selecting the bet area 72 or operating the bet buttons 66. The
operation information of the touch screen 50 is transmitted to the
station CPU 91. Then, the bet information (the bet area 72 on the
bet screen 61, the number of bet chips) is stored in the RAM 93
based on the operation information. The bet information is
transmitted to the server CPU 81 and stored in the bet information
storage area in the RAM 83.
[0104] A sound output circuit 96 and the speaker 10 are connected
to the station CPU 91. The speaker 10 generates various effect
sounds based on the output signal from the sound output circuit 96
when creating various effects.
[0105] A medal sensor 97 is connected to the station CPU 91. The
medal sensor 97 detects medals inserted from the medal insertion
slot 6 (FIG. 1), counts the inserted medals and transmits the
result to the station CPU 91. Then, the station CPU 91 increases
the number of the player's possessing credits stored in the RAM 93
based on the transmitted signal.
[0106] The WIN lamp 11 is connected to the station CPU 91. The
station CPU 91 lights up the WIN lamp 11 with a predetermined color
when the betting on the bet screen 61 has won in the base game or
the bonus game.
[0107] Subsequently, in the roulette gaming machine 1 of the
present embodiment, a server game process program executed by the
server CPU 81, and a station game process program executed by the
station CPU 91 in the station 4 will be described with reference to
FIGS. 12 and 13. In addition, each program shown in flow charts of
FIGS. 12 and 13 is stored in the ROM 82 & the RAM 83 of the
server 13, or the ROM 92 & the RAM 93 of the station 4 and is
executed by the server CPU 81 or the station CPU 91.
[0108] First, the game process program on the station 4 will be
described using the FIGS. 12 and 13. The station CPU 91 determines
whether or not the player has inserted one or more medals or coins
based on the detection signal of the medal sensor 97 (Step S1).
When one or more medals or coins has not been inserted (NO, in S1),
the CPU 91 holds the process until one at least one medal or coin
is inserted. On the other hand, when one or more medals or coins
are inserted (YES, in S1), the process moves to Step 2.
[0109] The credit data according to the number of insertion is
recorded in the RAM 93 (Step S2). Subsequently, a medal insertion
signal indicating that the one or more medals or coins have been
inserted is transmitted to the server 13 (Step S3).
[0110] Further, the bet screen 61 in FIG. 7 is displayed on the
display panel 8 of the station 4 (Step S4). Then, a betting period
during which the player can place a bet is started (Step S5). Next,
the player who participated in the game can place a bet on the bet
area 72 relating to his/her expected number by operating the touch
screen 50 during the betting period (see FIG. 7). Since the betting
methods on the bet screen 61 has been already described, the
description thereof is omitted here.
[0111] Further, the player can participate in the game of which the
betting period has already started. In the roulette gaming machine
1 of the present embodiment, up to 12 players may play the game.
Further, acceptance of the bet operation is started immediately
after the previous game has been finished, in a case where the next
game is played subsequent to the previous game.
[0112] Then, the station 4 receives from the server CPU 81 a
termination signal of the betting period indicating that the
betting period has terminated (Step S6). Subsequently, an image for
informing that the betting period has terminated is displayed on
the display panel 8 of the station 4 and an acceptance of the bet
operation on the touch screen 50 terminates (Step S7). Thereafter,
the bet information (specified bet area 72, number of bets and a
betting method) of the station 4 is transmitted to the server 13
(Step S8).
[0113] Next, it is determined whether or not an execution
instruction of the bonus game is received from the server CPU 81
(Step 9, FIG. 13). The execution instruction of the bonus game is
generated by the server CPU 81 when the ball 27 has fallen into the
bonus pocket 24 at the roulette device 3. And then, the execution
instruction of the bonus game is transmitted to each station 4
(S121, FIG. 14).
[0114] A bonus game effect process is executed (Step S10), when it
is determined that the execution instruction of the bonus game has
been received (YES, in S9). In the bonus game effect process, a
half of a screen of the display panel 8 is made transmissive in
order that the player can view the path area 17. Thereafter, the
screen of the display panel 8 of each station 4 is flashed at the
time when the bonus ball 18 is passing through. Alternatively, a
character presentation is executed on the screen when the bonus
ball 18 is passing through. Further, the effect for notifying the
JP winning is executed on the display panel 8 of the station 4 at
which the bonus ball 18 has stopped.
[0115] If it is determined that the execution instruction of the
bonus game has not been received (NO, in S9), the process moves to
Step S11.
[0116] The station 4 receives the payout result of credits
transmitted from the server CPU 81 (Step S11). Here, the payout
result of credits includes the payout result of the base roulette
game on the bet screen 61 and the payout result of the JP credit in
the bonus game.
[0117] After that, a payout is provided based on the payout result
received in Step 11 (Step S12). Specifically, the payout of the
base game (roulette game) and the credit data corresponding to the
accumulated JP credit when having won the bonus game are recorded
in the RAM 93. Thus, medals corresponding to the number of credits
(normally, one medal per credit) stored in the RAM 93 are paid out
from the medal payout opening 9 when the cash-out button 48 is
pressed.
[0118] Thereafter, when the game will be continued at any of the
stations 4, the process is returned to Step 4 and the betting
period is started again. The roulette game process moves to the
next game.
[0119] On the other hand, when the games are terminated at all the
stations 4, the roulette game process terminates.
[0120] Next, the server game process program will be descried based
on FIGS. 12 and 13. The server CPU 81 receives a medal insertion
signal from the station CPU 91 and determines whether or not the
player has inserted one or more medals or coins (Step 101). In the
roulette gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the medal
insertion signal is transmitted from the station CPU 91 of the
station 4 to the server CPU 81 when one or more medals or coins
have been inserted.
[0121] Then, a measurement of the betting period is started (Step
S102), since a first player inserts one or more medals or coins. In
addition, the betting period is started immediately after the
previous game has been finished, in case where the next game is
played subsequent to the previous game. The player who participated
in the game can place a bet on the bet area 72 relating to his/her
expected number via the touch screen 50 during the betting
period.
[0122] Next, it is determined whether or not the remaining betting
period becomes 5 seconds (Step 103). In addition, the remaining
betting period is also displayed on the bet time display 69 on the
display panel 8 (see FIG. 7). If it is determined that the
remaining betting period has not become 5 seconds (NO, in S103),
the server CPU 81 holds the process until the remaining betting
period becomes 5 seconds. On the other hand, if it is determined
that the remaining betting period becomes 5 seconds (YES, in Step
S103), a winning determination process is executed by the roulette
device 3 as descried below according to the game execution
program.
[0123] Specifically, the ball throw-in device is driven to throw
the ball 27 onto the roulette wheel (Step 104). Further, the
driving motor is driven to rotate the wheel 22 in the direction
opposite to the ball insertion direction at a predetermined
rotating speed. The thrown-in ball 27 spins on the roulette wheel
along the guide wall 29. As the rotation speed of the ball 27
decelerates and the centrifugal force of the ball 27 decreases, the
ball 27 rolls down on the slope of the frame 21 to reach the
rotating wheel 22 (see FIG. 3).
[0124] The ball 27 which has reached the wheel 22 passes over the
plates 25, 26 on the outer periphery of the rotating wheel 22 and
falls into any one of the pockets 23, 24. The number of the number
plate 25 of the number pocket 23 into which the ball 27 has fallen
(anyone of "0", "1 to 36" in FIG. 3) is detected as the winning
number. Otherwise, when the ball 27 has fallen into the bonus
pocket 24, the bonus game is executed. The determination of the
winning number and the execution determination of the bonus game
are executed in Steps S110 and S111 to be described below.
[0125] Next to S104, it is determined whether or not the betting
period has terminated (Step S105). If determined that the betting
period has not terminated (NO, in S105), the process waits until
the betting period terminates. On the other hand, if it is
determined that the betting period has terminated (YES, in S105),
the betting period termination signal is transmitted to the station
CPU 91 (Step S106).
[0126] Next, the server 13 receives the bet information (specified
bet area 72, the number of bets and a betting method) of each
station 4 and stores the bet information in the bet information
storage area 83A of the RAM 83 (Step S107).
[0127] Thereafter, 0.5% of the total bet credits received in S107
is accumulated as the JP credit recorded in the JP accumulation
storage area 83C of the RAM 83 (Step S108). The indications of the
JP credit display 15 and the JP display 73 are updated in
accordance with the accumulation of the JP credits.
[0128] Next, the server CPU 81 drives the pocket detection device
after the ball 27 has fallen into any one of the pockets 23, 24 to
detect the pocket into which the ball 27 has fallen (Step
S109).
[0129] Further, it is determined whether or not the bonus game is
to be executed, namely, whether or not the ball 27 has fallen into
the bonus pocket 24 based on the pockets detected in S109 (Step
S110). If it is determined that the bonus game is not to be
executed (NO, in S110), namely, the ball 27 has fallen into any of
the number pockets 23, it is determined whether or not the bet
chips at each station 4 have won based on the bet information of
each station 4 received in S107 and the detected number pockets 23
detected in S109 (Step S111).
[0130] Subsequently, the server CPU 81 executes a payout
calculation process (step S112). In the payout calculation process,
the won chips which are bet on the winning number are confirmed
with respect to each station 4, and the payout of the credits given
to each station 4 is calculated with the payout rate (number of
credits to be paid out per bet) stored in the payout storage area
82A in the ROM 82.
[0131] On the other hand, if determined that the bonus game is to
be performed (YES, in S110), namely, if determined that the ball 27
has been received in the bonus pocket 24, the after-mentioned bonus
game process (see FIG. 14) is executed (Step S113). In the bonus
game process, the bonus ball 18 rolls along the path area 17, and
the station 4 at which the ball 18 has finally stopped has won. The
accumulated JP credits are paid out to the won station 4.
[0132] The server CPU 81 executes a transmission process of the
payout result (the payout result of credits of the roulette game
based on the payout calculation process in S112 and the payout
result of the JP credits based on the bonus game process in S113)
(Step S114). Specifically, the payout credit data of the base game
is output to the station CPU 91 of the won station 4 in the base
games, and the accumulated JP credit data is further output to the
JP won station 4 in the bonus game.
[0133] The ball collecting device provided beneath the wheel 22 is
driven to collect the ball 27 on the wheel 22 (Step S115). The
collected ball 27 is thrown in on the wheel 22 again in the
subsequent games.
[0134] Next, "the bonus game process" in the above-mentioned S113
will be described. FIG. 14 shows a sub flow chart showing "the
bonus game process" which the server CPU 81 of the roulette gaming
machine 1 of the present embodiment executes.
[0135] First, the server CPU 81 transmits the execution instruction
of the bonus game to each station 4 (Step S121). Next, the bonus
ball 18 is launched into the path area 17 at a predetermined speed
by the launching device 19 (Step S122). The launched bonus ball 18
rolls inside the path area 17 in a counterclockwise direction.
[0136] Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the ball
detection sensor 75 has detected the bonus ball 18, namely, whether
or not the bonus ball 18 rolled along the path area 17 has stopped
in any of the ball stopper 20 (Step S123).
[0137] Then, if it is determined that the ball detection sensor 75
has not detected the bonus ball 18 (NO, in S123), the process waits
until the bonus ball 18 is detected. On the other hand, if it is
determined that the bonus ball 18 has been detected (YES, in S123),
the process moves to S124.
[0138] The station 4 at which the bonus ball 18 has stopped namely
the station 4 which has won the bonus game is identified based on
the detection result of the ball detection sensor 75.
[0139] Here, FIG. 15 is a chart showing a flow of the bonus game.
As shown in FIG. 15, the bonus ball 18 starts rolling along the
path area 17 when the bonus game starts. And then, the bonus ball
18 moves counterclockwise thorough a plurality of the stations 4.
Thereafter, the bonus ball 18 gradually decelerates and finally
stops in any of the ball stoppers 20 on the path area 17 (see FIG.
2). Consequently, the station 4A with the ball stopper 20 at which
the bonus ball 18 has stopped is determined to have won the bonus
game among a plurality of the stations 4.
[0140] As described above, in the roulette gaming machine 1 of the
present embodiment, the bonus game is executed when the ball 27 has
fallen into the bonus pocket 24 as the result of the determination
of the winning number with the roulette device 3. When executing
the bonus game, the launching device 19 launches the bonus ball 18
on the path area 17 (S122), and the station 4 at which the bonus
ball 18 has stopped is determined to have won the bonus game. The
JP payout is provided to the station 4 which has won the bonus game
(S12). The use of the bonus ball 18 actually rolling inside the
gaming machine in this way makes it possible to create a higher
realistic sensation with respect to the bonus game, and the player
can visually confirm the rolling bonus ball 18. Therefore, the
player may easily understand the progress and the result of the
bonus game, and a versatile game may be provided according to the
roulette gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment.
[0141] Further, the bonus pocket(s) 24 is arranged on the wheel 22
in addition to the plurality of number pockets 23 to each of which
an identification number is assigned. When the bonus ball 27 has
fallen into the bonus pocket 24, the bonus game is executed to
launch the bonus ball 18 on the path area 17. Thus, the position
and the numbers of the bonus pockets 24 on the wheel 22 may be set
without modifying the structure of the wheel 22, which allows to
adjust the payout rate specifically.
[0142] Note that, the present invention is not limited to
above-mentioned embodiment, but various improvement or modification
may be apparently made without deviating from the essence of the
present invention.
[0143] For example, the present embodiment is configured such that
the bonus ball 18 rolls among a plurality of the stations 4 through
the path area 17 in the bonus game. However, behavior of the bonus
ball 18 is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment. For
example, it may be configured such that the bonus ball 18 moves to
reciprocate among the plurality of the stations 4 in the bonus
game.
[0144] Further, the path area 17 on which the bonus ball 18 rolls
may be provided not inside the station 4 but on a top surface or on
a side of the station 4.
[0145] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, it is
configured such that the bonus game using the path area 17 and the
bonus ball 18 is executed in a all-in-one type multi-player gaming
machine 1. However, the bonus game using the path area 17 and the
bonus ball 18 may be applied to a plurality of stand-alone type
gaming machines (single player gaming machines) For example, the
single player gaming machine may be connected to other plurality of
gaming machines via LAN or the like, among which the JP is shared.
FIG. 16 is a drawing showing a plurality of slot machines 101 which
are connected via a LAN and the like with one another.
[0146] As shown in FIG. 16, a path area 102 passing inside cabinets
of the plurality of the slot machines 101 is provided, and a ball
stopper 103 is provided on a position corresponding to each slot
machine 101 on the path area 102. The bonus game with use of the
bonus ball 104 which moves inside the path area 102 is executed
when the bonus game is executed at any of the slot machines 101.
Further, the JP payout awarded to the slot machine 101 at which the
bonus ball 104 has stopped enables to provide the bonus game with a
higher realistic sensation also in the single player gaming
machine.
[0147] As mentioned above, it is configured such that the ball
(bonus ball) which passes through a plurality of game terminals in
a predetermined order is rolled along the path area. And the
special payout is provided to the game terminal in which the ball
has stopped. In this way, the use of the ball actually rolling
inside the machine may create a high realistic sensation.
Simultaneously, the player can visually confirm the ball which
rolls along the path area passing through the plurality of game
terminals. Therefore, a versatile game which the player may easily
understand may be provided.
[0148] Furthermore, the game includes the base game and the special
game. If it is determined to execute the special game, the ball
(bonus ball) is launched into the path area. This makes it possible
for the player to execute the special game with a higher sense of
expectancy given. Further, in the special game, executing the game
using the ball which rolls through the game terminals may create a
higher realistic sensation.
[0149] Furthermore, when at least one pocket is specified among the
number pockets, the number of the specified number pocket is
detected as the winning number. This enables to provide a versatile
game in the roulette gaming machine using the wheel and the
ball.
[0150] As mentioned above, the bonus pocket is set among the
plurality of number pockets, and the special game is executed when
the bonus pocket is specified by the pocket specifying unit. This
makes it possible for the player to execute the special game with a
higher sense of expectancy given. Further, the game using the ball
which rolls through the game terminals in the special game may
create a higher realistic sensation.
* * * * *