U.S. patent application number 11/898854 was filed with the patent office on 2008-05-15 for gaming apparatus and playing method thereof.
This patent application is currently assigned to ARUZE GAMING AMERICA, INC.. Invention is credited to Kazuo Okada.
Application Number | 20080113728 11/898854 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39369834 |
Filed Date | 2008-05-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080113728 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Okada; Kazuo |
May 15, 2008 |
Gaming apparatus and playing method thereof
Abstract
A gaming apparatus according to the present invention comprises:
a roulette wheel including a plurality of pockets associated with
respective numbers in advance; a first memory for storing a
plurality of control data for controlling the gaming apparatus so
as to provide different weights on probabilities that a ball is
housed in each of the pockets; a second memory for storing pattern
data indicating a pattern for selecting control data to be a
reference target, out of the plurality of control data; and a
controller, the controller programmed to execute the following
processings of: (a) controlling rotation of the roulette wheel and
launching of the ball by referring to a single control data, that
is extracted out of the plurality of control data based on the
pattern data, and (b) extracting a control data to be a reference
target out of the plurality of control data, based on the pattern
data, when a predetermined condition is satisfied.
Inventors: |
Okada; Kazuo; (Tokyo,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NDQ&M WATCHSTONE LLP
1300 EYE STREET, NW, SUITE 1000 WEST TOWER
WASHINGTON
DC
20005
US
|
Assignee: |
ARUZE GAMING AMERICA, INC.
Las Vegas
NV
|
Family ID: |
39369834 |
Appl. No.: |
11/898854 |
Filed: |
September 17, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60858932 |
Nov 15, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/17 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 5/00 20130101; G07F
17/3258 20130101; G07F 17/322 20130101; G07F 17/32 20130101; G07F
17/34 20130101; G07F 17/3267 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/17 |
International
Class: |
A63F 5/02 20060101
A63F005/02 |
Claims
1. A gaming apparatus comprising: a roulette wheel including a
plurality of pockets associated with respective numbers in advance;
a first memory for storing a plurality of control data for
controlling the gaming apparatus so as to provide different weights
on probabilities that a ball is housed in each of said pockets; a
second memory for storing pattern data indicating a pattern for
selecting control data to be a reference target, out of said
plurality of control data; and a controller, said controller
programmed to execute the following processings of: (a) controlling
rotation of said roulette wheel and launching of said ball by
referring to a single control data, that is extracted out of said
plurality of control data based on said pattern data, and (b)
extracting the control data to be a reference target out of said
plurality of control data, based on said pattern data, when a
predetermined condition is satisfied.
2. A gaming apparatus comprising: a roulette wheel including a
plurality of pockets associated with respective numbers in advance;
a first memory for storing a plurality of control data for
controlling the gaming apparatus so as to provide different weights
on probabilities that a ball is housed in each of said pockets; a
second memory for storing a plurality of pattern data, each of
which indicating a pattern for selecting control data to be a
reference target out of said plurality of control data; and a
controller; said controller programmed to execute the following
processings of: (a) controlling rotation of said roulette wheel and
launching of said ball by referring to a single control data, that
is extracted out of said plurality of control data based on a
single pattern data selected to be a reference target out of said
plurality of pattern data, (b) extracting the control data to be a
reference target out of said plurality of control data, based on
said single pattern data, when a first predetermined condition is
satisfied, and (c) selecting another pattern data different from
said single pattern data, out of said plurality of pattern data, to
set the selected pattern data as a reference target, when a second
predetermined condition is satisfied.
3. A gaming apparatus comprising: a roulette wheel including a
plurality of pockets associated with respective numbers in advance;
a first memory for storing a plurality of series of control data,
each series comprising a plurality of control data for controlling
the gaming apparatus so as to provide different weights on
probabilities that a ball is housed in each of said pockets; a
second memory for storing a plurality of pattern data, each of
which indicating a pattern for selecting control data to be a
reference target out of the plurality of control data, which
constitute a single series of control data selected out of said
plurality of series of control data; and a controller, said
controller programmed to execute the following processings of: (a)
controlling rotation of said roulette wheel and launching of said
ball by referring to a single control data extracted out of said
plurality of control data, which constitute said single series of
control data, based on a single pattern data selected to be a
reference target out of said plurality of pattern data, (b)
extracting the control data to be a reference target, out of said
plurality of control data which constitute said single series of
control data, based on said single pattern data, when a
predetermined condition is satisfied, and (c) selecting another
pattern data different from said single pattern data, out of said
plurality of pattern data, to set the selected pattern data as a
reference target, when said single series of control data is
changed to another series of control data that is different from
said single series of control data.
4. A playing method of a gaming apparatus comprising the steps of:
(a) controlling rotation of a roulette wheel and launching of a
ball by referring to a single control data, the single control data
extracted out of a plurality of control data for controlling the
gaming apparatus so as to provide different weights on
probabilities that a ball is housed in any of a plurality of
pockets included in a roulette wheel and associated with respective
numbers in advance, based on a pattern data indicating a pattern
for selecting control data to be a reference target out of said
plurality of control data; and (b) extracting the control data to
be a reference target, out of said plurality of control data, based
on said pattern data, when a predetermined condition is
satisfied.
5. A playing method of a gaming apparatus comprising the steps of:
(a) controlling rotation of a roulette wheel and launching of a
ball by referring to a single control data extracted out of a
plurality of control data, based on a single pattern data selected
to be a reference target out of a plurality of pattern data
indicating a pattern for selecting control data to be a reference
target out of said plurality of control data for controlling the
gaming apparatus so as to provide different weights on
probabilities that a ball is housed in any of a plurality of
pockets included in a roulette wheel and associated with respective
numbers in advance; (b) extracting the control data to be a
reference target out of said plurality of control data, based on
said single pattern data, when a first predetermined condition is
satisfied, and (c) selecting another pattern data different from
said single pattern data, out of said plurality of pattern data, to
set the selected pattern data as a reference target, when a second
predetermined condition is satisfied.
6. A playing method of a gaming apparatus comprising the steps of:
(a) controlling rotation of a roulette wheel and launching of a
ball by referring to a single control data extracted out of a
plurality of control data which constitute a single series of
control data, based on a single pattern data selected to be a
reference target out of a plurality of pattern data, each of which
indicating a pattern for selecting the data to be the reference
target out of said plurality of control data which constitute said
single series of control data selected out of a plurality of series
of control data, each series comprising a plurality of control data
for controlling the gaming apparatus so as to provide different
weights on probabilities that a ball is housed in any of a
plurality of pockets included in a roulette wheel and associated
with respective numbers in advance; (b) extracting the control data
to be a reference target, out of said plurality of control data
which constitute said single series of control data, based on said
single pattern data, when a predetermined condition is satisfied,
and (c) selecting another pattern data different from said single
pattern data, out of said plurality of pattern data, to set the
selected pattern data as a reference target, when said single
series of control data is changed to another series of control data
that is different from said single series of control data.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims benefit of priority based on U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 60/858,932 filed on Nov. 15,
2006. The contents of this application are incorporated herein by
reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a gaming apparatus such as
a roulette gaming machine, bingo gaming machine and the like, and a
playing method of the same.
[0004] 2. Discussion of the Background
[0005] Conventionally, when roulette games are played, a dealer
throws a ball onto a roulette wheel, in general. However, in recent
years, automatization of such roulette games has been advanced, and
there have been suggested gaming apparatuses capable of processing
roulette games in a full automatic manner, without the dealer
throwing in the ball.
[0006] Among such gaming apparatuses, there are gaming apparatuses
capable of throwing in a ball using air, as disclosed in
WO04/094013A1. Gaming apparatuses which process roulette games in a
full automatic manner are desired to drop and house a ball into
respective pockets with an even probability. Therefore, among these
gaming apparatuses, there are some gaming apparatuses designed to
include a ball track having concavities and convexities on its
surface for disturbing the behavior of the ball, in order to cause
the ball to drop into respective pockets with an even
probability.
[0007] It is an object of the present invention to enable changing
the probabilities that a ball is housed in respective pockets as
required, thereby offering new entertainment.
[0008] The contents of WO 04/094013 A1 are incorporated herein by
reference in their entirety.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a gaming apparatus having the following structure.
[0010] That is, the gaming apparatus according to the first aspect
of the present invention is a gaming apparatus comprising: a
roulette wheel including a plurality of pockets associated with
respective numbers in advance; a first memory for storing a
plurality of control data for controlling the gaming apparatus so
as to provide different weights on probabilities that a ball is
housed in each of the pockets; a second memory for storing pattern
data indicating a pattern for selecting control data to be a
reference target, out of the plurality of control data; and a
controller. The controller is programmed to execute the following
processings of: (a) controlling rotation of said roulette wheel and
launching of said ball by referring to a single control data, that
is extracted out of said plurality of control data based on said
pattern data, and (b) extracting the control data to be a reference
target out of said plurality of control data, based on said pattern
data, when a predetermined condition is satisfied.
[0011] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a gaming apparatus having the following structure.
[0012] That is, the gaming apparatus according to the second aspect
of the present invention is a gaming apparatus comprising: a
roulette wheel including a plurality of pockets associated with
respective numbers in advance; a first memory for storing a
plurality of control data for controlling the gaming apparatus so
as to provide different weights on probabilities that a ball is
housed in each of the pockets; a second memory for storing a
plurality of pattern data, each of which indicating a pattern for
selecting control data to be a reference target out of the
plurality of control data; and a controller. The controller is
programmed to execute the following processings of: (a) controlling
rotation of the roulette wheel and launching of the ball by
referring to a single control data, that is extracted out of the
plurality of control data based on a single pattern data selected
to be a reference target out of the plurality of pattern data, (b)
extracting the control data to be a reference target out of the
plurality of control data, based on the single pattern data, when a
first predetermined condition is satisfied, and (c) selecting
another pattern data different from the single pattern data, out of
the plurality of pattern data, to set the selected pattern data as
a reference target, when a second predetermined condition is
satisfied.
[0013] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a gaming apparatus having the following structure.
[0014] That is, the gaming apparatus according to the third aspect
of the present invention is a gaming apparatus comprising: a
roulette wheel including a plurality of pockets associated with
respective numbers in advance; a first memory for storing a
plurality of series of control data, each series comprising a
plurality of control data for controlling the gaming apparatus so
as to provide different weights on probabilities that a ball is
housed in each of the pockets; a second memory for storing a
plurality of pattern data, each of which indicating a pattern for
selecting control data to be a reference target out of the
plurality of control data, which constitute a single series of
control data selected out of the plurality of series of control
data; and a controller. The controller is programmed to execute the
following processings of:
(a) controlling rotation of the roulette wheel and launching of the
ball by referring to a single control data extracted out of the
plurality of control data, which constitute the single series of
control data, based on a single pattern data selected to be a
reference target out of the plurality of pattern data, (b)
extracting the control data to be a reference target, out of the
plurality of control data which constitute the single series of
control data, based on the single pattern data, when a
predetermined condition is satisfied, and (c) selecting another
pattern data different from the single pattern data, out of the
plurality of pattern data, to set the selected pattern data as a
reference target, when the single series of control data is changed
to another series of control data that is different from said
single series of control data.
[0015] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a playing method of a gaming apparatus having the
following structure.
[0016] That is, the playing method of a gaming apparatus according
to the fourth aspect of the present invention is a playing method
of a gaming apparatus comprising the steps of: (a) controlling
rotation of a roulette wheel and launching of a ball by referring
to a single control data, the single control data extracted out of
a plurality of control data for controlling the gaming apparatus so
as to provide different weights on probabilities that a ball is
housed in any of a plurality of pockets included in a roulette
wheel and associated with respective numbers in advance, based on a
pattern data indicating a pattern for selecting control data to be
a reference target out of the plurality of control data; and (b)
extracting the control data to be a reference target, out of the
plurality of control data, based on the pattern data, when a
predetermined condition is satisfied.
[0017] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a playing method of a gaming apparatus having the
following structure.
[0018] That is, the playing method of a gaming apparatus according
to the fifth aspect of the present invention is a playing method of
a gaming apparatus comprising the steps of: (a) controlling
rotation of a roulette wheel and launching of a ball by referring
to a single control data extracted out of a plurality of control
data, based on a single pattern data selected to be a reference
target out of a plurality of pattern data indicating a pattern for
selecting control data to be a reference target out of the
plurality of control data for controlling the gaming apparatus so
as to provide different weights on probabilities that a ball is
housed in any of a plurality of pockets included in a roulette
wheel and associated with respective numbers in advance; (b)
extracting the control data to be a reference target out of the
plurality of control data, based on the single pattern data, when a
first predetermined condition is satisfied, and (c) selecting
another pattern data different from the single pattern data, out of
the plurality of pattern data, to set the selected pattern data as
a reference target, when a second predetermined condition is
satisfied.
[0019] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a playing method of a gaming apparatus having the
following structure.
[0020] That is, the playing method of a gaming apparatus according
to the sixth aspect of the present invention is a playing method of
a gaming apparatus comprising the steps of: (a) controlling
rotation of a roulette wheel and launching of a ball by referring
to a single control data extracted out of a plurality of control
data which constitute a single series of control data, based on a
single pattern data selected to be a reference target out of a
plurality of pattern data, each of which indicating a pattern for
selecting the data to be the reference target out of the plurality
of control data which constitute the single series of control data
selected out of a plurality of series of control data, each series
comprising a plurality of control data for controlling the gaming
apparatus so as to provide different weights on probabilities that
a ball is housed in any of a plurality of pockets included in a
roulette wheel and associated with respective numbers in advance;
(b) extracting the control data to be a reference target, out of
the plurality of control data which constitute the single series of
control data, based on the single pattern data, when a
predetermined condition is satisfied, and (c) selecting another
pattern data different from the single pattern data, out of the
plurality of pattern data, to set the selected pattern data as a
reference target, when the single series of control data is changed
to another series of control data that is different from the single
series of control data.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] FIG. 1A is a plan view of a roulette device according to the
present embodiment;
[0022] FIG. 1B is a plan view of a roulette device according to the
present embodiment;
[0023] FIG. 2 is a view illustrating an exemplary series of control
data;
[0024] FIG. 3 is a view illustrating exemplary pattern data;
[0025] FIG. 4 is an external perspective view illustrating the
general structure of a roulette gaming machine according to the
present embodiment;
[0026] FIG. 5 is a view illustrating an exemplary image displayed
to an image display device;
[0027] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating the internal
structure of the roulette gaming machine according to the present
embodiment;
[0028] FIG. 7 is a schematic view illustrating a storage area of a
ROM in the roulette gaming machine according to the present
embodiment;
[0029] FIG. 8 is a schematic view illustrating a storage area of a
RAM in the roulette gaming machine according to the present
embodiment;
[0030] FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating the internal
structure of the roulette device according to the present
embodiment;
[0031] FIG. 10 is a schematic view illustrating a storage area of a
ROM in the roulette device according to the present embodiment;
[0032] FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating the internal
structure of a station according to the present embodiment;
[0033] FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating a game processing in
the roulette gaming machine according to the present embodiment;
and
[0034] FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustrating another game processing
in the roulette gaming machine according to the present
embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0035] A first aspect of the present invention is an invention for
extracting control data to be a reference target, based on pattern
data. A second aspect of the present invention is an invention made
by modifying the first aspect of the present invention in such a
way that a plurality of pattern data exist, and the pattern data is
changed when a second predetermined condition is satisfied. A third
aspect of the present invention is an invention made by modifying
the second aspect of the present invention in such a way that the
pattern data is changed when a series of control data is
changed.
[0036] In the following description, the term "the present
invention" refers to the first aspect of the present invention, the
second aspect of the present invention and the third aspect of the
invention.
[0037] Hereinafter, an embodiment according to the third aspect of
the present invention will be described.
[0038] FIGS. 1A and 1B are a plan view of a roulette device
according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a view illustrating
an exemplary series of control data. FIG. 3 is a view illustrating
exemplary pattern data. FIG. 4 is an external perspective view
illustrating the general structure of a roulette gaming machine
according to the present embodiment. While the roulette gaming
machine 1 is a standalone type gaming machine which is not
connected to a network, the present invention can be applied to a
gaming machine connected to a network.
[0039] As illustrated in FIG. 1A, the roulette device 3 included in
the roulette gaming machine 1 (see FIG. 4) includes a frame member
21 secured to a cabinet 2 (see FIG. 4), and a roulette wheel 22
which is rotatably housed and supported inside the frame member 21.
On an upper surface of the roulette wheel 22, there are formed a
large number of concave-shaped number pockets 23 (a total of 38
number pockets in the present embodiment). Further, on the upper
surface of the roulette wheel 22 in the outer directions of the
respective number pockets 23, there are formed number display
plates 25 displaying respective numbers of "0", "00", and "1" to
"36", in association with the respective number pockets 23.
[0040] A ball throwing port 36 is formed in the frame member 21. A
ball throwing device 104 (see FIG. 9) is connected to the ball
throwing port 36, so that a ball 27 can be thrown onto the roulette
wheel 22 from the ball throwing port 36 by being driven by the ball
throwing device 104. Further, the roulette device 3 is entirely
covered with a hemispherical transparent acrylic cover member 28
(see FIG. 4) thereabove.
[0041] Below the roulette wheel 22, there is provided a
wheel-driving motor 106 (see FIG. 9), so that the roulette wheel 22
is rotated by being driven by the wheel driving motor 106.
[0042] Further, metal plates (not illustrated) are mounted at
predetermined intervals below the roulette wheel 22, and these
metal plates are detected by a proximity sensor included in a
pocket position detection circuit 107 (see FIG. 9), which enables
detecting the positions of the number pockets 23.
[0043] The frame member 21 is gently inclined in an inward
direction, and a guide wall 29 is formed at a middle position
thereof. The guide wall 29 is for guiding the thrown ball 27
against a centrifugal force to cause the ball 27 to roll. As a
rotation speed of the ball 27 decreases and, thus, the centrifugal
force thereof decreases, the ball 27 rolls along the inclined
surface of the frame member 21 and travels inwardly to reach the
rotating roulette wheel 22. Then, the ball 27 which has rolled and
reached the roulette wheel 22 passes over the number display plates
25 outside the still rotating roulette wheel 22 and then is housed
in one of the number pockets 23. As a result, a ball sensor 105
(see FIG. 9) detects the number displayed to the number display
plate 25 corresponding to the number pocket 23 housing the ball,
and this number becomes a winning number.
[0044] Rotation of the roulette wheel 22 and launching of the ball
27 are performed based on control data.
[0045] As illustrated in FIG. 2, in the present embodiment, there
are a plurality of series of control data (6 series of control
data, in the present embodiment), wherein a single series of
control data includes 6 control data.
[0046] The control data includes motor driving time, ball initial
speed and launching delay time.
[0047] The motor driving time is for driving the wheel driving
motor 106 (see FIG. 9). The roulette wheel 22 is rotated at a
predetermined rotation speed by the wheel-driving motor 106 for a
length of time corresponding to a motor driving time. Further,
after the roulette wheel 22 is released from the driving by the
wheel-driving motor 106, the rotation speed of the roulette wheel
22 gradually decreases and the roulette wheel 22 finally stops.
Further, the ball initial speed is an initial speed for throwing
the ball 27 from the ball throwing device 104. The launching delay
time is a time since a predetermined number pocket 23 passes
through a predetermined position until a ball is launched, during
the rotation of the roulette wheel 22.
[0048] As illustrated in FIG. 1A, the roulette wheel 22 is divided
into 6 areas, which are areas A to F. Each area is constituted by 6
or 7 number pockets 23 adjacent to one another.
[0049] The respective control data are determined so as to provide
a higher weight on the probability that the ball 27 is housed in
one of the areas A to F. For example, when the rotation of the
roulette wheel 22 and the launching of the ball 27 are controlled
based on the control data (control data 1A) of "a motor driving
time of 10 sec, a ball initial speed a and a launching delay time
of 0," the respective control data are determined so as to provide
a higher weight on the probability that the ball 27 is housed in
the area A.
[0050] Similarly, when the rotation of the roulette wheel 22 and
the launching of the ball 27 are controlled based on the control
data 1B, the probability that the ball 27 is housed in the area B
becomes higher. Further, when the rotation of the roulette wheel 22
and the launching of the ball 27 are controlled based on the
control data 1C, the probability that the ball 27 is housed in the
area C becomes higher. Further, when the rotation of the roulette
wheel 22 and the launching of the ball 27 are controlled based on
the control data 1D, the probability that the ball 27 is housed in
the area D becomes higher. Further, when the rotation of the
roulette wheel 22 and the launching of the ball 27 are controlled
based on the control data 1E, the probability that the ball 27 is
housed in the area E becomes higher. Further, when the rotation of
the roulette wheel 22 and the launching of the ball 27 are
controlled based on the control data 1F, the probability that the
ball 27 is housed in the area F becomes higher.
[0051] A series of control data is constituted by a plurality of
control data, each of the control data corresponds to an area among
a plurality of areas (groups) the roulette wheel is divided
into.
[0052] A series of control data may be data that all the pockets
assuredly belong to any of the high-probability areas determined by
each control data, as in the present embodiment, and may also be
data that there exists a pocket which does not belong to any of the
high-probability areas determined by any control data.
[0053] In the present embodiment, the roulette wheel 22 rotates
counterclockwise, and the ball 27 moves clockwise. For example,
when the ball initial speed and the launching delay time are fixed,
as the motor driving time is made longer, an area with a high
probability of housing the ball 27 (hereinafter also referred to as
a high probability area) is changed in the following order:
A.fwdarw.B.fwdarw.C.fwdarw.D.fwdarw.E.fwdarw.F.fwdarw.A and so
forth.
[0054] Further, for example, when the motor driving time and the
launching delay time are fixed, as the ball initial speed is made
higher, the high probability area is changed in the following
order: A.fwdarw.B.fwdarw.C.fwdarw.D.fwdarw.E.fwdarw.F.fwdarw.A and
so forth.
[0055] Moreover, for example, when the motor driving time and the
ball initial speed are fixed, as the launching delay time is made
longer, the high probability area is changed in the following
order: A.fwdarw.B.fwdarw.C.fwdarw.D.fwdarw.E.fwdarw.F.fwdarw.A and
so forth.
[0056] Accordingly, in the present invention, when the control data
includes any one of data on wheel rotation control (motor driving
time), data on timing for launching the ball (launching delay
time), and data on the initial speed of the ball being launched
(ball initial speed), a plurality of control data different in high
probability area can be set, thereby providing different weights on
the probability of each number pocket 23 housing the ball 27.
[0057] Further, in the present embodiment, when the initial speed
is changed from an initial speed "a" to an initial speed "b", from
the initial speed "b" to an initial speed "c", from the initial
speed "c" to an initial speed "d" and so forth, the high
probability area is shifted by one area (e.g. the area is shifted
from the area A to the area B). Further, every time the launching
delay time is made longer by 0.1 second, the high probability area
is shifted by one area. Moreover, every time the motor driving time
is made longer by 1 second, the high probability area is shifted by
five areas. Therefore, by combination of these, it is possible to
set a plurality of control data different in high probability
areas, so as to provide different weights on the probability of the
each number pocket 23 housing the ball 27.
[0058] As in the present embodiment, when the control data is data
including the combination of the data on wheel rotation control
(motor driving time), the data on timing for launching the ball
(launching delay time), and the data on the initial speed of the
ball being launched (ball initial speed), apparent variations with
respect to the player (e.g. the rotating time of the roulette wheel
22 is long, the initial speed of the ball 27 is high) can be
involved.
[0059] Friction at the rotational axial section of the roulette
wheel 22, the surface shape of the roulette wheel 22 (e.g.
depression or distortion), and the like may vary among the roulette
gaming machines 1 due to a variety of factors in manufacturing
thereof. Hence there is a case where, even when common control data
is used in each of the roulette gaming machines 1, the areas where
the ball 27 is finally housed vary among the roulette gaming
machines 1. Therefore, the control data may be set such that, for
example, after completion of the manufacturing, tests are conducted
with a variety of parameters included in the control data being
changed as appropriate, to organize statistics concerning which
parameter may allow which area to have a high probability of
housing the ball 27. Namely, the control data may vary among the
roulette gaming machines 1.
[0060] Moreover, even when the areas that finally house the ball 27
vary among the roulette gaming machines 1, the common control data
may be used in each of the roulette gaming machines 1. This is
because the probability of housing the ball in some area should
just be relatively high based on the control data in each of the
roulette gaming machines 1.
[0061] While, in the example, there has been described a case where
the areas A to F are constituted by 6 or 7 number pockets 23
adjacent to one another, there is no particular limitation on the
number of pockets belonging to a single group, in the present
invention. Further, the respective groups can be constituted by the
same number of pockets or different numbers of pockets.
[0062] Further, while, in the example, there has been described a
case where the number pockets 23 are divided into the 6 areas
(groups), which are the areas A to F, the number of areas (groups)
is not limited to 6 in the present invention.
[0063] In the example, there has been described a case where the
areas A to F are not overlapped with one another. Namely, there has
been described a case where the pockets belonging to a single group
do not belong to the other groups. However, the present invention
is not limited thereto, and a single pocket can belong to a
plurality of groups.
[0064] While, in the example, there has been described a case where
a plurality of control data are provided in association with the
respective areas (groups), it is necessary only that a plurality of
control data are provided, but it is not necessary that they are
associated with the respective areas (groups), in the present
invention.
[0065] While, in the example, there has been described a case where
the control data is constituted by motor driving time, ball initial
speeds and launching delay time, the control data of the present
invention is not limited thereto, but may be data including one of
data relating to wheel rotation control (motor driving time), data
relating to a timing of ball launching (launching delay time), and
data relating to an initial speed for launching a ball (ball
initial speeds), or a combination thereof.
[0066] Such data relating to wheel rotation control may be, for
example, rotation speeds of the roulette wheel when it is driven by
the motor, as well as motor driving time.
[0067] While, in the example, the case was described where the
control data corresponds one-to-one to the area, e.g. control data
with "the motor driving time: 10 sec, the ball initial speed: a,
the launching delay time: 0" corresponds to the area A. However,
the control data in the present invention is not limited thereto so
long as the control data serves to perform control so as to provide
different weights on the probability of each of the pockets housing
the ball. For example, the control data may be data where the
probability of the pocket housing the ball is fixed, the pocket
belonging to each area (group), e.g., the probability that the
number pocket 23 belonging to the area A houses the ball 27 is 70%,
the probability that the number pocket 23 belonging to the area B
houses the ball 27 is 20%, or the probability that the number
pocket 23 belonging to the area C houses the ball 27 is 10%. In
such a configuration, for example, a single group may be determined
based on the above probabilities to control such that the pocket
belonging to the determined group houses the ball.
[0068] The areas A' to F' illustrated in FIG. 1B are displaced from
the areas A to F in FIG. 1A by an amount corresponding to two
pockets each, in the direction of the clockwise rotation of the
roulette wheel 22. Each of the areas A' to F' is the area to be a
high-probability area controlled by each control data 2A' to 2F'
constituting the series of control data 2 in FIG. 2. Although the
number of areas is 6 in any case where the roulette wheel is
divided into areas as in FIG. 1A or FIG. 1B, the numbers belonging
to the respective areas are different between these cases.
[0069] In the present embodiment, there will be described a case
where the number of areas which are to be high-probability areas
controlled by control data constituting a single series of control
data, is fixed (6 areas), and the numbers belonging to the
respective areas are different according to the respective series
of control data.
[0070] However, in the present invention, the method for dividing
the roulette wheel into areas is not limited to the above-mentioned
case. For example, the number of areas which are to be
high-probability areas may be different according to the respective
series of control data, i.e., the roulette wheel may be divided
into 4 areas with respect to the control data constituting a single
series of control data, or the roulette wheel may be divided into 7
areas with respect to the control data constituting another series
of control data. This can be realized by providing the respective
series of control data with the same number of control data as the
number of areas to be high-probability areas.
[0071] Further, in the present invention, the number of series of
control data is not limited to 6 so long as there are provided 2 or
more of series of control data, in the third aspect of the present
invention. Further, in the first and second aspects of the present
invention, there may be provided either one series of control data
or a plurality of them.
[0072] The control data to be a reference target is switched at
every predetermined time (for example, at the 0-th minute of every
hour). At the predetermined time, a single control data is selected
out of the plurality of control data constituting the currently set
series of control data, based on the currently set pattern data out
of the plurality of pattern data illustrated in FIG. 3.
[0073] In the present embodiment, 6 pattern data illustrated in
FIG. 3 are stored in the ROM 102 (see FIGS. 9 and 10). For example,
according to the pattern data P1, control data is selected so as to
shift the high-probability area to the adjacent area in the
direction of the clockwise rotation of the roulette wheel 22, at
the timing of changing the control data. Further, for example,
according to the pattern data P3, control data is selected so as to
shift the high-probability area to every other area in the
direction of the clockwise rotation of the roulette wheel 22.
[0074] In the present invention, the number of pattern data is not
limited to 6 so long as there are provided 2 or more of pattern
data, in the third aspect of the present invention. Further, in the
first and second aspects of the present invention, there may be
provided either one pattern data or a plurality of them.
[0075] Further, in the present invention, the content of the
pattern data is not limited to the case illustrated in FIG. 3, but
there may be provided, for example, pattern data which shifts the
high-probability area to the area at the diametrically opposite
position about the center of rotation of the roulette wheel. Also,
there may be provided, for example, pattern data which shifts the
high-probability area to the area at the diametrically opposite
position about the center of rotation of the roulette wheel 22,
then shift to the adjacent area in the direction of the clockwise
rotation and then shift to the area at the diametrically opposite
position about the center of the rotation, again.
[0076] The pattern data is changed when the series of control data
is changed. When the series of control data is changed, a single
pattern data is selected at random out of the 6 pattern data
illustrated in FIG. 3.
[0077] While, in the present embodiment, there will be described a
case where pattern data is selected at random, the method for
selecting the pattern data is not limited thereto, in the present
invention. For example, a single pattern data may be selected in a
predetermined order, such as the order of P1, P2, P3, and so forth,
out of the plurality of pattern data illustrated in FIG. 3.
[0078] Further, the series of control data is changed when the
number of games has reached a predetermined number (for example,
5). "The number of games" refers to the number of games which have
been played.
[0079] Next, the structure of the roulette gaming machine 1 will be
described.
[0080] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the roulette gaming machine 1
includes the cabinet 2 forming a main body, the roulette device 3
provided at a substantially center portion of the upper surface of
the cabinet 2, a plurality of stations 4 (12 stations, in the
present embodiment) installed around the roulette device 3 to
surround the roulette device 3, and an electric lighting display
portion 5 provided above the cabinet 2.
[0081] The stations 4 include, at least, a medal insertion port 6
for inserting a currency value, a control portion 7 constituted by
a plurality of control buttons and the like which enable a player
to input predetermined commands, and an image display device 8
capable of displaying images relating to games. Further, the
stations 4 receive betting operations by the player. The player can
process games being deployed, by operating the touch panel, the
control portion 7 and the like, while looking at the image being
displayed to the image display device 8.
[0082] The currency values used for the roulette gaming machine 1
includes medal and valuable electronic information (for example,
credit). Here, the currency values are not particularly limited,
and examples thereof include a coin, a bill, a token, and
electronic money.
[0083] Further, medal payout ports 9 are provided in the side
surfaces of the cabinet 2 in which the stations 4 are installed.
Further, above the image display devices 8 in the respective
stations 4, to the right thereof, there are provided speakers 10
for generating music, effect sounds and the like.
[0084] Above the image display devices 8 in the respective stations
4, there are provided WIN lamps 11. In the event of the occurrence
of winning relating to numbers ("0", "00" or "1" to "36" in the
present embodiment) on which the player betted at the station 4
during a game, the WIN lamp 11 in the winning station 4 is lighted.
Further, during JP (jackpot) bonus games for acquiring a jackpot
(hereinafter, referred to as "JP"), in the event that a station 4
acquires a JP, the WIN lamp 11 in the station 4 which acquired the
JP is similarly lighted. Further, the WIN lamps 11 are provided at
positions viewable from all the installed stations 4 (12 stations,
in the present embodiment), which enables other players playing
games with the same roulette gaming machine 1 to recognize the WIN
lamps 11 being lighted anytime.
[0085] Inside of each medal insertion port 6, there is provided a
medal sensor (not illustrated) which distinguishes the currency
value inserted from the medal insertion port 6, such as medals, and
counts the inserted medals. Further, inside of each medal payout
port 9, there is provided a hopper (not illustrated) which pays out
predetermined numbers of medals from the medal payout port 9.
[0086] A server 13 is placed inside of a corner portion 12
positioned at a corner of the cabinet 2. The server 13 is housed
within the corner portion 12 in general in order to prevent it from
being operated by players, but a corner door 14 provided at the
corner portion 12 can be opened using a key switch in order to
enable operations of the server 13. Further, by operating the
server 13, various types of setting can be made for the roulette
gaming machine 1.
[0087] In the electric lighting display portion 5, there is
provided a JP-value display portion 15 which displays the value of
JP. In the roulette gaming machine 10 according to the present
embodiment, as will be described later, there are prepared 3 types
of JP, i.e., "MEGA", "MAJOR" and "MINI". For the JP "MEGA", 0.15%
of the credits betted during games at all the 12 stations 4 are
cumulatively stored. For the JP "MAJOR", 0.20% of the betted
credits are cumulatively stored. For the JP "MINI", 0.30% of the
betted credits are cumulatively stored. Further, in the event that
the player wins any one of the JP during JP bonus games which will
be described later, credits corresponding to the cumulative value
accumulated for the corresponding JP are paid out to a
predetermined station 4. The JP-value display portion 15 displays
the cumulative value for the JP "MEGA", out of the three types of
JP. Further, the JP-value display portion 15 is provided at the top
portion of the electric lighting display portion 5, which enables
all players playing games at the stations 4 to view the content of
the display thereon.
[0088] FIG. 5 is a view illustrating an exemplary image displayed
to an image display device.
[0089] As illustrated in FIG. 5, during games, the image display
device 8 displays, thereto, a BET screen 61 having a table-type
betting board 60. The player can bet chips using his or her own
credits, by operating the touch panel 50 (see FIG. 10) provided in
the front surface of the image display device 8.
[0090] First, based on FIG. 5, there will be described the BET
screen 61 which is displayed during games. In the table-type
betting board 60 being displayed in the BET screen 61, 38 types of
numbers "0", "00" and "1" to "36" are displayed and arranged in a
grid shape. Further, specific BET areas are similarly arranged in a
grid shape, wherein the specific BET areas are for specifying "odd
numbers", "even numbers", "the types of colors of the number
display plates (red or black)", "certain numerical ranges (for
example, "1" to "12" and the like) so that chips can be betted
thereon.
[0091] Under the table-type betting board 60, there are displayed a
result history display portion 65, unit BET buttons 66, a payback
result display portion 67, and a number-of-credit display portion
68.
[0092] The result history display portion 65 displays a list of
winning numbers resulted from the previous games (in this case, "a
single game" refers to a series of operations starting with betting
by a player in any of the stations 4 and then throwing the ball 27
into the number pockets 23 and ending with paying back credits
based on the winning number). In this case, when a single game
ends, a new winning number is added and displayed to the top of the
list, which enables recognizing the history of winning numbers
resulted from up to 16 games.
[0093] Further, the unit BET buttons 66 are for betting chips on a
BET area 72 (over a grid having a number or mark or over a line
defining grids) specified by the player. The unit BET button 66 is
constituted by four buttons, which are a 1-BET button 66A, a 5-BET
button 66B, a 10-BET button 66C and a 100-BET button 66D.
[0094] At first, the player specifies a BET area 72 on which he or
she desires to bet, with a cursor 70 which will be described later,
by directly pushing it on the screen. By pushing the 1-BET button
66A at this state, the player can bet one chip at a time (i.e.,
every time the 1-BET button 66A is pushed with fingers or the like,
the number of bets is increased in the order of "1", "2", "3" and
so forth). By pushing the 5-BET button 66B, the player can bet five
chips at a time (i.e., every time the 5-BET button 66B is pushed
with fingers or the like, the number of bets is increased in the
order of "5", "10", "15" and so forth). By pushing the 10-BET
button 66C, the player can bet ten chips at a time (i.e., every
time the 10-BET button 66C is pushed with fingers or the like, the
number of bets is increased in the order of "10", "20", "30" and so
forth). Further, by pushing the 100-BET button 66D, the player can
bet chips 100 chips at a time (i.e., every time the 100-BET button
66D is pushed with fingers or the like, the number of bets is
increased in the order of "100", "200", "300" and so forth).
[0095] The payback result display portion 67 displays the number of
chips betted by the player and the number of paid-back credits in
the previous game. In this case, the number of paid-back credits
minus the number of betted chips indicates the number of credits
that the player newly acquired in the previous game.
[0096] The number-of-credit display portion 68 displays the number
of credits possessed by the current player. If chips are betted,
the number of credits is decreased by an amount corresponding to
the number of bets (1 bet corresponds to 1 credit). In the event of
that winning relating to the betted chips occurs and credits are
paid back, the number of credits is increased by the number of
paid-back credits. Further, if the number of credits possessed by
the player becomes 0, the games end.
[0097] Further, above the table-type betting board 60, a BET time
display portion 69 is provided. The BET time display portion 69
displays the remaining time during which the player can bet. The
BET time display portion 69 displays "20" at the start of reception
of betting operations, then decreases the number by one at every
second and displays "0" at the end of reception of betting
operations. Further, when the remaining betting time for the player
reaches 5 seconds at each station 4, the ball throwing device is
driven to throw the ball 27 onto the roulette board.
[0098] Further, to the right of the BET-time display portion 69,
there are provided a MEGA display portion 73 which displays the
number of credits accumulated for the JP "MEGA" until the present
time, a MAJOR display portion 74 which displays the number of
credits accumulated for the JP "MAJOR" until the present time, and
a MINI display portion 75 which displays the number of credits
accumulated for the JP "MINI" until the present time. The MEGA
display portion 73 displays a number of credits resulted from
cumulatively accumulating 0.15% of the credits betted in every
single game at all 12 stations 4. The MAJOR display portion 74
displays a number of credits resulted from cumulatively
accumulating 0.20% of the betted credits. The MINI display portion
75 displays a number of credits resulted from cumulatively
accumulating 0.30% of the betted credits. The MEGA display portion
73, the MAJOR display portion 74 and the MINI display portion 75
display numerical values which are common among all the stations 4.
In the event that the player wins a JP during a JP bonus game, the
credits for the JP won by the player are paid out, out of the three
types of JP displayed to the display portions 73 to 75, and, after
the paying out, the JP display portion displays an initial
numerical value (i.e., 200 credits for "MINI", 5000 credits for
"MAJOR" and 50000 credits for "MEGA").
[0099] Further, on the table-type betting board 60, the cursor 70
indicating the BET area 72 being currently selected by the player
is displayed. Further, a chip mark 71 indicating the number of
chips betted up to the present time and the BET area 72 is
displayed, wherein the number displayed to the chip mark 71
indicates the number of betted chips. For example, as illustrated
in FIG. 5, a "7" chip mark 71 placed on the "18" grid indicates
that 7 chips are being betted on the number "18". Further, such a
method for betting on only a single number is a betting method
called "Straight Bet".
[0100] Further, a "1" chip mark 71 placed at the intersection of
the "5", "6", "8" and "9" grids indicates that all the four numbers
are covered, meaning a single chip is being betted on the four
numbers "5", "6", "8" and "9". Further, such a method covering four
numbers for betting on the four numbers is a betting method called
"Corner Bet".
[0101] As other betting methods, there are "Split Bet" which covers
two numbers using the line between the two numbers so as to bet on
two numbers; "Street Bet" which covers three numbers using an end
of a lateral single row of numbers (a vertical single row, in FIG.
5) so as to bet on three numbers (for example, "13", "14" and
"15"); "Five Bet" which covers five numbers using the line between
the numbers "00" and "3" so as to bet on five numbers "0", "00",
"1", "2" and "3"; "Line Bet" which covers six numbers using the
space between two lateral rows of numbers (two vertical rows in
FIG. 5) so as to bet on six numbers (for example, "13", "14", "15",
"16", "17" and "18"); "Column Bet" which covers twelve numbers
using a "2-to-1" grid so as to bet on twelve numbers; and "Dozen
Bet" which cover twelve numbers using any of "1st-12", "2nd-12" and
"3rd-12" grids so as to bet on twelve numbers. Further, there is a
method which covers 18 numbers so as to bet on 18 numbers, by
specifying the 18 numbers from any of the colors of the number
display plates ("red" or "black"), odd numbers or even numbers, and
numbers equal to or less than 18 or numbers equal to or greater
than 19, using 6 grids provided at the lowermost stage of the
table-type betting board 60. In this case, these plurality of
betting methods result in different credit payout values (payout
value ratios) per single chip, in the event of the occurrence of
winning relating to betted chips.
[0102] When a player performs betting through the BET screen 61
having the above-mentioned configuration, the player specifies a
BET area 72 (over a grid having a number or mark or over a line
defining grids) on which he or she desires to bet, by directly
pushing it on the screen with his or her finger. As a result, the
cursor 70 moves to the specified BET area 72.
[0103] Thereafter, by pushing each unit button (the 1-BET button
66A, the 5-BET button 66B, the 10-BET button 66C and the 100-BET
button 66D), out of the unit BET buttons 66, a number of chips
corresponding to the number of units are betted on the specified
BET area 72. For example, by pushing the 10-BET button 66C four
times, pushing the 5-BET button 66B a single time and pushing the
1-BET button 66A three times, it is possible to bet a total of 48
chips.
[0104] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating the internal
structure of the roulette gaming machine according to the present
embodiment.
[0105] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the roulette gaming machine 1 is
constituted by the server 13 and the plurality of stations 4 (12
stations in the present embodiment) connected to the server 13,
wherein the roulette device 3 and the electric lighting display
portion 5 are connected to the server 13. Further, the internal
structures of the roulette device 3 and the stations 4 will be
described in detail later.
[0106] The server 13 includes a server-controlling portion 80
comprised of a server-controlling CPU 81 which controls the entire
server 13, a ROM 82, and a RAM 83. The server-controlling portion
80 corresponds to a controller in the present invention. Further,
the server-controlling CPU 81 includes a timer 84, a liquid crystal
display 32 connected through a liquid crystal driving circuit 85,
and a key board 33.
[0107] The server-controlling CPU 81 conducts various types of
processing, based on input signals supplied from the respective
stations 4 and data and programs stored in the ROM 82 and the RAM
83. Then, based on the results thereof, the server-controlling CPU
81 transmits command signals to the stations 4, to control the
respective stations 4 in an initiative manner. Particularly, the
server-controlling CPU 81 transmits control signals to the roulette
device 3 to control the launching of the ball 27 and the rotation
of the roulette wheel 22.
[0108] The ROM 82, which is constituted by, for example, a
semiconductor memory, stores programs for realizing basic functions
of the roulette gaming machine 1, programs for setting and managing
annunciation of maintenance times and conditions to be announced,
programs for controlling, in an initiative manner, payout value
ratios for roulette games (the numbers of credits to be paid out
for winning per single chip) and the respective stations 4, and the
like.
[0109] On the other hand, the RAM 83 temporarily stores information
on betted chips supplied from the respective stations 4, winning
numbers of the roulette device 3 determined by a sensor, JP values
accumulated until the present time, data about the results of
processing executed by the server-controlling CPU 81, and the
like.
[0110] Further, the timer 84 for use in time measurement is
connected to the server-controlling CPU 81.
[0111] Time information from the timer 84 is transmitted to the
server-controlling CPU 81, which controls rotation operation on the
roulette wheel 22 and throwing in of the ball 27, based on the time
information from the timer 84, as will be described later.
[0112] Further, the electric lighting display portion 5 (see FIG.
4) is connected to the server-controlling CPU 81. Further, the
server-controlling CPU 81 controls light emission from LEDs and the
like for performing illumination effects and also for displaying
predetermined characters and the like to the electric lighting
display portion 5. Further, the server-controlling CPU 81
especially causes the JP-value display portion 15 in the electric
lighting display portion 5 to display the value of a JP (JP "MEGA"
in the present embodiment) which has been accumulated until the
present time.
[0113] FIG. 7 is a schematic view illustrating the storage area of
the ROM in the roulette gaming machine according to the present
embodiment.
[0114] As illustrated in FIG. 7, the ROM 82 is provided with an
payout value credit storage area 82A which stores payout value
ratios relating to games. Further, as payout value ratios for the
respective BET areas 72 in the BET screen 61 stored in the payout
value credit storage area 82A, there have been stored, in advance,
predetermined ratios ".times.2" to ".times.36", depending on the
types of betting methods (such as "Straight Bet", "Corner Bet",
"Split Bet" and the like).
[0115] FIG. 8 is a schematic view illustrating the storage area of
the RAM in the roulette gaming machine according to the present
embodiment.
[0116] As illustrated in FIG. 8, the RAM 83 is provided with a BET
information storage area 83A which stores information on betting by
players currently playing games, a winning-number storage area 83B
which stores a winning number of the roulette device 3 determined
by the ball sensor 105, a "MINI" JP cumulative storage area 83C
which stores the number of credits cumulatively accumulated for the
JP "MINI", a "MAJOR" JP cumulative storage area 83D which stores
the number of credits cumulatively accumulated for the JP "MAJOR",
a "MEGA" JP cumulative storage area 83E which stores the number of
credits cumulatively accumulated for the JP "MEGA", and a
number-of-games storage area 83F which stores the number of games
at the present time. Further, more specifically, the betting
information is information on betting performed through the
stations 4, such as BET areas 72 (see FIG. 5) specified on the BET
screen 61, the numbers of betted chips (the numbers of bets), and
the types of betting methods.
[0117] FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating the internal
structure of the roulette device according to the present
embodiment.
[0118] As illustrated in FIG. 9, the roulette device 3 includes a
control portion 109, the pocket position detection circuit 107, the
ball throwing device 104, the ball sensor 105, the wheel driving
motor 106 and a ball collecting device 108.
[0119] The control portion 109 includes a CPU 101, a ROM 102 and a
RAM 103. The CPU 101 controls the launching of the ball 27 and the
rotation of the roulette wheel 22, based on control signals
supplied from the server 13 and data and programs stored in the ROM
102 and the RAM 103.
[0120] FIG. 10 is a schematic view illustrating the storage area of
the ROM in the roulette device according to the present
embodiment.
[0121] As illustrated in FIG. 10, the ROM 102 is provided with a
series-of-control-data storage area 102A which stores the
above-mentioned 6 series of control data, and a pattern-data
storage area 102B which stores the pattern data illustrated ih FIG.
3. The ROM 102 corresponds to the first memory and the second
memory according to the present invention.
[0122] While, in the present embodiment, there will be described a
case where both the first memory and the second memory according to
the present invention are formed by a single memory, but the first
memory and the second memory may be provided separately in the
present invention.
[0123] The pocket position detection circuit 107 includes a
proximity sensor and detects the position of the roulette wheel 22
based on the presence or absence of detections of a metal plate
mounted to the roulette wheel 22.
[0124] The ball throwing device 104 is a device for throwing the
ball 27 onto the roulette wheel 22 through the ball throwing port
36 (see FIGS. 1A and 1B). The ball throwing device 104 throws the
ball 27 at an initial speed defined by the control data. Further,
the ball throwing device 104 throws the ball 27 at timing based on
a launching delay time defined by the control data. Namely, the
ball throwing device 104 throws the ball 27 after the elapse of the
launching delay time since the pocket position detection circuit
107 detected a predetermined number pocket 23 (for example, "00")
passing a predetermined position (for example, the position at the
front of the ball throwing port 36).
[0125] The ball sensor 105 is a device for determining which number
pocket 23 the ball 27 has been housed in.
[0126] The wheel driving motor 106 is for rotating the roulette
wheel 22 and stops the driving of the motor after the elapse of a
motor driving time defined by the control data since the start of
the driving thereof.
[0127] The ball collecting device 108 is a device for collecting
the ball 27 thrown onto the roulette wheel 22 after the end of
games.
[0128] FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating the internal
structure of a station according to the present embodiment.
Further, the twelve installed stations 4 have basically the same
structure and, therefore, a single station 4 will be exemplarily
described, hereinafter.
[0129] As illustrated in FIG. 11, the station 4 includes a station
control portion 90 constituted by a station-controlling CPU 91, a
ROM 92 and a RAM 93. The ROM 92 is constituted by, for example, a
semiconductor memory or the like and stores programs for realizing
basic functions of the station 4, other programs of various types
necessary for controlling the station 4, data tables and the like.
Further, the RAM 93 is a memory for temporarily storing various
types of data resulted from calculations by the station-controlling
CPU 91, the number of credits currently possessed by the player
(accumulated in the station 4), the condition of betting of chips
by the player, and the like.
[0130] Further, a BET confirmation button 47, a payback button 48
and a help button 49, which are provided in the control portion 7
(see FIG. 4), are connected to the station-controlling CPU 91.
[0131] The BET confirmation button 47 is to be pushed for
confirming betting after betting operations through the image
display device 8.
[0132] The payback button 48 is to be generally pushed at the end
of games. When the payback button 48 is pushed, a number of medals
corresponding to the credits acquired in games and the like and
currently possessed by the player (a single medal for a single
credit, in general) are paid out from the medal payout port 9.
[0133] The help button 49 is to be pushed when the game operating
method or the like is unknown. Immediately after the help button 49
is pushed, a help screen describing information on various types of
operations is displayed to the image display device 8.
[0134] The station-controlling CPU 91, based on operation signals
issued by pushing respective buttons and the like, controls the
station 4 for conducting various types of operations corresponding
to the operation signals. More specifically, the
station-controlling CPU 91 conducts various types of processing,
based on input signals that the control portion 7 supplies thereto
on receiving inputs of operations by the player, and data and
programs stored in the ROM 92 and the RAM 93. Then, the
station-controlling CPU 91 transmits the result of such processing
to the server-controlling CPU 81.
[0135] Further, the station-controlling CPU 91, on receiving
command signals from the server-controlling CPU 81, controls its
peripheral devices constituting the station 4 for processing games
in the station 4. Further, the station-controlling CPU 91 conducts
various types of processing, based on input signals that the
control portion 7 supplies thereto on receiving inputs of
operations by the player, and data and programs stored in the ROM
92 and the RAM 93, and then controls its peripheral devices
constituting the station 4 for processing games in the station 4,
based on the result of such processing, depending on the contents
of processing.
[0136] Further, a hopper 94 is connected to the station-controlling
CPU 91. The hopper 94 pays out predetermined numbers of medals from
the medal payout port 9 (see FIG. 4), according to command signals
from the station-controlling CPU 91.
[0137] Further, the image display device 8 is connected to the
station-controlling CPU 91 through a liquid crystal driving circuit
95. The liquid crystal driving circuit 95 includes a program ROM,
an image ROM, an image-controlling CPU, a work RAM, a VDP (Video
Display Processor) and a video RAM. The program ROM stores
image-controlling programs relating to the display on the image
display device 8, and various types of selection tables. The image
ROM stores, for example, dot data for use in forming images to be
displayed to the image display device 8. The image-controlling CPU
is for determining images to be displayed to the image display
device 8, out of the dot data pre-stored in the image ROM,
according to the image-controlling programs pre-stored in the
program ROM, based on parameters set in the station-controlling CPU
91. The work RAM is formed as a temporal storage device for use in
executing the image-controlling programs with the image-controlling
CPU. The VDP creates images corresponding to the content of display
determined by the image-controlling CPU and outputs them to the
image display device 8. Further, the video RAM is formed as a
temporal storage device for use in creating images with the
VDP.
[0138] Further, the touch panel 50 is provided in the front surface
of the image display device 8 as previously described, and
information on operations on the touch panel 50 is transmitted to
the station-controlling CPU 91. On the touch panel 50, the player
performs operations for betting chips through the BET screen 61.
More specifically, the touch panel 50 is operated in selecting BET
areas 72, operating the unit BET buttons 66 and the like, and
information on such operations is transmitted to the
station-controlling CPU 91. Then, based on such information,
information on the betting by the current player (i.e., information
on the BET areas specified on the BET screen 61 and the number of
chips betted thereon) is stored in the RAM 93 anytime. Further, the
betting information is transmitted to the server-controlling CPU 81
and is stored in the BET information storage area of the RAM
83.
[0139] Further, a sound output circuit 96 and a speaker 10 are
connected to the station-controlling CPU 91, wherein the speaker 10
generates various types of effect sounds when various types of
effects are conducted based on output signals from the sound output
circuit 96.
[0140] Further, a medal sensor 97 is connected to the
station-controlling CPU 91. The medal sensor 97 detects medals
inserted from the medal insertion port 6 (see FIG. 4), calculates
the value of the inserted medals and transmits the result to the
station-controlling CPU 91. The station-controlling CPU 91, based
on the transmitted signals, increases the number of credits
possessed by the player which is stored in the RAM 93.
[0141] The WIN lamp 11 is connected to the station-controlling CPU
91. The station-controlling CPU 91 lights the WIN lamp 11 in
predetermined colors, in the event of the occurrence of winning
relating to chips betted on the BET screen 61 or the winning of
JP.
[0142] Hereinafter, based on FIGS. 12 and 13, there will be
described server-side game processing which is conducted by the
server-controlling CPU 81 included in the roulette gaming machine 1
according to the present embodiment, and station-side game
processing which is conducted by the station-controlling CPU 91.
FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 are flow charts illustrating game processing in
the roulette gaming machine according to the present
embodiment.
[0143] First, the station-side game processing will be described,
based on FIG. 12 and FIG. 13.
[0144] At first, in step S11, the station-controlling CPU 91
determines whether or not medals or coins have been inserted by the
player, based on detection signals from the medal sensor 97. If no
medal or coin has been inserted (step S11: NO), the
station-controlling CPU 91 waits for medals or coins to be
inserted. On the other hand, if medals or coins have been inserted
(step S11: YES), the processing proceeds to step S12.
[0145] In step S12, the station-controlling CPU 91 stores, in the
RAM 93, an amount of credit data corresponding to the number of
inserted medals or coins. Next, in step S13, the
station-controlling CPU 91 transmits, to the server 13, a medal
detection signal indicative of the presence of insertion of medals
or coins.
[0146] Next, in step S14, the station-controlling CPU 91 causes the
image display device 8 in the station 4 to display the BET screen
61 illustrated in FIG. 5.
[0147] Next, in step S15, the station-controlling CPU 91 starts
measurement of a betting time period during which the player can
bet chips.
[0148] Then, the player taking part in the game can bet his or her
own chips on a BET area 72 relating to a winning number that he or
she predicts, by operating the touch panel 50, during the betting
time period during which betting can be received (see FIG. 5).
Betting methods using the BET screen 61 have been already described
in detail, and description thereof is not repeated.
[0149] Further, the player is allowed to take part in a game
halfway therethrough after the start of the betting time period,
and up to 12 players can play games with the roulette gaming
machine 1 according to the present embodiment. Further, in cases
where a current game is played subsequently to the previous game,
the reception of betting operations is started immediately after
the end of the previous game.
[0150] Next, in step S16, on receiving a betting-time-period end
signal indicative of the end of the betting time period from the
server-controlling CPU 81, the station-controlling CPU 91 causes
the image display device 8 in the station 4 to display an image
indicative of the end of the betting time period, and ends the
reception of betting operations through the touch panel 50 (step
S17). Thereafter, the station-controlling CPU 91 transmits
information on the betting that the player performed at the station
4 (i.e., information on the specified BET area 72, the number of
chips betted on the specified BET area 72 [i.e., the number of
bets]) (step S18).
[0151] Next, in step S19, the station-controlling CPU 91 receives,
from the server 13, the result of JP-bonus-game determination
processing conducted by the server-controlling CPU 81, which will
be described later. The result of JP-bonus-game determination
includes the result of determination as to whether or not a
predetermined JP bonus game should be generated at each station 4,
the result of determination as to which station 4 out of the 12
stations 4 should win a JP (or as to whether all the stations 4
should not win the JP) if a JP bonus game should be generated, the
result of determination as to which JP ("MEGA", "MAJOR" or "MINI")
should be generated if a JP should be generated, and the like.
[0152] Next, in step S20 in FIG. 13, the station-controlling CPU 91
determines whether or not a JP bonus game should be generated,
based on the result of the JP-bonus-game determination processing
which was received in step S19. If the station-controlling CPU 91
determines that a JP bonus game should be generated at this station
4, the station-controlling CPU 91 executes a predetermined
selectable JP bonus game relating to acquisition of JPs and causes
the image display device 8 to display the result of the game (i.e.,
whether or not a JP was acquired), based on the result of
determination received in step S19.
[0153] If the station-controlling CPU 91 determines in step S20
that no bonus game should be generated at this station 4, or after
the processing in step S21, the station-controlling CPU 91 receives
the result of credit payout transmitted from the server-controlling
CPU 81 (step S22). The result of credit payout is constituted by
the result of payout in games and the result of JP payout in JP
bonus games.
[0154] Next, in step S23, the station-controlling CPU 91 pays out
credits, based on the result of payout received in step S22. More
specifically, the station-controlling CPU 91 stores, in the RAM 93,
an amount of credit data corresponding to the payout value of the
game and, also, stores therein, an amount of credit data
corresponding to the JP payout value accumulated until the present
time in cases where a JP bonus game was generated and the present
station 4 won a JP. Then, if the payback button 48 is pushed, a
number of medals corresponding to the number of credits currently
stored in the RAM 93 (a single medal corresponds to a single
credit, in general) are paid out from the medal payout port 9.
[0155] If a game is continuously played at one of the stations 4
thereafter, the processing returns to step S14, then starts the
betting time period again and enters the next game.
[0156] On the other hand, if the game is ended at all the stations
4, the game processing ends.
[0157] Next, based on FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, the server-side game
processing will be described.
[0158] At first, in step S101, the server-controlling CPU 81
determines whether or not medals or coins have been inserted by the
player, on receiving medal detection signals transmitted from the
station-controlling CPU 91. In the roulette gaming machine 1
according to the present embodiment, if medals or coins are
inserted at one of the stations 4, the station-controlling CPU 91
in the station 4 at which the medals or coins have been inserted
transmits a medal detection signal to the server-controlling CPU
81.
[0159] Next, the server-controlling CPU 81 starts measurement of a
betting time period, at the time point when the player who first
takes part in the game inserts medals or coins (step S102). The
betting time period is a time period during which players can
perform inputs for betting. Players taking part in the game can bet
their own chips on BET areas 72 relating to winning numbers they
predict, by operating the touch panel 50 during the betting time
period.
[0160] Next, in step S103, the server-controlling CPU 81 determines
whether or not the remaining betting time period has reached 5
seconds. Further, the remaining betting time period is displayed to
the BET time display portion 69 (see FIG. 5). If it is determined
that the remaining betting time period has not reached 5 seconds,
the processing is returned to step S103. On the other hand, if it
is determined that the remaining betting time period has reached 5
seconds, the processing shifts to step S104.
[0161] In step S104, the server-controlling CPU 81 transmits a
control signal for starting an operation of the roulette device 3,
to the CPU 101 in the roulette device 3. The CPU 101, on receiving
the control signal, refers to the control data stored in the ROM
102 and controls operations as follows.
[0162] First, the CPU 101 drives the wheel driving motor 106 to
rotate the roulette wheel 22, only during a motor driving time
defined by the control data.
[0163] Then, after the elapse of a predetermined time period (for
example, 20 seconds) since the start of the rotation of the
roulette wheel 22, the CPU 101 throws the ball 27 after the elapse
of a launching delay time since it detected a detection signal from
the pocket position detection circuit 107. At this time, the ball
is thrown at an initial speed defined by the control data.
[0164] As control data to be referred by the CPU 101, single
control data has been pre-set as a reference target, at the time of
activation of the roulette gaming machine 1. Further, when another
control data is set as the reference target, this another control
data is referred to as the reference target by the CPU 101.
[0165] Next, in step S105, the server-controlling CPU 81 determines
whether or not the betting time period has ended. If the
server-controlling CPU 81 determines that the betting time period
has not ended, it waits for the end of the betting time period.
[0166] On the other hand, if the server-controlling CPU 81
determines that the betting time period has ended, the
server-controlling CPU 81 transmits a betting-time-period end
signal indicative of the end of the betting time period, to the
station-controlling CPU 91 (step S106).
[0167] Next, in step S107, the server-controlling CPU 81 receives,
from the station-controlling CPU 91, information on the betting
that the player performed at each station 4 (i.e., information on
the specified BET area 72, the number of chips betted on the
specified BET area 72 [i.e., the number of bets] and the betting
method) and stores it in the BET information storage area 83A in
the RAM 83.
[0168] Next, in step S108, the server-controlling CPU 81
cumulatively adds a number of credits corresponding to 0.30% of the
sum of the credits betted at all the stations 4, which were
received in step S107, to the JP value stored in the "MINI" JP
cumulative storage area 83C in the RAM 83. Further, the
server-controlling CPU 81 cumulatively adds a number of credits
corresponding to 0.20% of the sum of the credits to the JP value
stored in the "MAJOR" JP cumulative storage area 83D in the RAM 83.
Further, the server-controlling CPU 81 cumulatively adds a number
of credits corresponding to 0.15% of the sum of the credits to the
JP value stored in the "MEGA" JP cumulative storage area 83E in the
RAM 83. Further, based on these JP values, the server-controlling
CPU 81 updates the displays on the JP-value display portion 15, the
MEGA display portion 73, the MAJOR display portion 74 and the MINI
display portion 75.
[0169] Next, in step S109, the server-controlling CPU 81 conducts
JP-bonus-game determination processing. In this processing, using
random numbers sampled by a sampling circuit and the like, the
server-controlling CPU 81 determines whether or not a JP bonus game
should be generated at each station 4, determines which station 4
out of the 12 stations 4 should win a JP (or whether all the
stations 4 should not win a JP) if a JP bonus game should be
generated, and also determines which JP ("MEGA", "MAJOR" or "MINI")
should occur if a JP should be generated.
[0170] Next, in step S110, the server-controlling CPU 81 transmits
the result of JP bonus game determination to each station 4, based
on the processing in step S109.
[0171] Next, in step S111 in FIG. 13, the server-controlling CPU 81
transmits a control signal to the roulette device 3 to drive the
ball sensor 105, thereby determining which number is associated
with the number pocket 23 in which the ball 27 has been housed.
[0172] Next, the server-controlling CPU 81 determines whether or
not winning relating to the chips betted at each station 4 has
occurred, from the betting information on each station 4 which was
received in step S107 and the type of the pocket determined in step
S111 (step S112).
[0173] Next, in step S113, the server-controlling CPU 81 conducts a
payout value calculation processing. In the payout value
calculation processing, the server-controlling CPU 81 recognizes
the winning chips betted on the winning number at each station 4
and calculates the sum of the payout value of credits to be paid
out for each station 4, using the payout value ratios for the
respective BET areas 72 (i.e., the numbers of credits to be paid
out for a single chip [1 bet]) stored in the payout value credit
storage area 82A in the ROM 82.
[0174] Next, in step S114, the server-controlling CPU 81 conducts
processing for transmitting the result of credit payout in games
based on the payout value calculation processing in step S113 and
the result of JP payout based on the JP-bonus-game determination
processing in step S109. More specifically, the server-controlling
CPU 81 issues credit data corresponding to the amount of payout
values resulted from games to the station-controlling CPU 91 in the
station 4 which won the games. Further, when a JP is generated, the
server-controlling CPU 81 further issues credit data corresponding
to the JP value accumulated until the present time.
[0175] Next, in step S115, the server-controlling CPU 81 transmits
a control signal to the roulette device 3 to drive the ball
collecting device 108 provided under the roulette wheel 22 for
collecting the ball 27 thrown onto the roulette wheel 22. The
collected ball 27 will be thrown into the roulette wheel 22 in the
roulette device 3 again in subsequent games.
[0176] Next, in step S116, the server-controlling CPU 81 adds 1 to
the number of games stored in the number-of-games storage area 83F
in the RAM 83 and stores the resultant value therein.
[0177] In the present embodiment, the number-of-games addition
processing is conducted after the collection of the ball. However,
the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the
number-of-games addition processing may be conducted at the timing
of the receipt of betting information.
[0178] Next, in step S117, the server-controlling CPU 81 determines
whether or not the number of games has reached a predetermined
number (5, in the present embodiment). If the server-controlling
CPU 81 determines that the number of games has not reached the
predetermined number, the processing shifts to step S121.
[0179] On the other hand, if the server-controlling CPU 81
determines that the number of games has reached the predetermined
number, the server-controlling CPU 81 determines a series of
control data (step S118). More specifically, the server-controlling
CPU 81 instructs the CPU 101 in the roulette device 3 to switch the
series of control data. On receiving the instruction, the CPU 101
performs random number sampling, and based on the acquired random
number, the CPU 101 selects a series of control data different from
the series of control data currently set as a reference target, out
of the plurality of series of control data stored in the ROM
102.
[0180] Next, in step S119, the server-controlling CPU 81 determines
pattern data. More specifically, the server-controlling CPU 81
instructs the CPU 101 in the roulette device 3 to switch the
pattern data. On receiving the instruction, the CPU 101 performs
random number sampling, and based on the acquired random number,
the CPU 101 selects pattern data different from the pattern data
currently set as a reference target, out of the plurality of
pattern data stored in the ROM 102.
[0181] Next, in step S120, the server-controlling CPU 81 clears the
number of games. Namely, the server-controlling CPU 81 restores the
number of games stored in the number-of-games storage area 83F to
an initial value of 0.
[0182] Next, in step S121, the server-controlling CPU 81 determines
whether or not a predetermined time (the 0-th minute at every hour,
in the present embodiment) has passed. If the server-controlling
CPU 81 determines that the predetermined time has not passed, the
present subroutine ends.
[0183] On the other hand, if the server-controlling CPU 81
determines that the predetermined time has passed, the
server-controlling CPU 81 extracts control data (step S122). More
specifically, the server-controlling CPU 81 instructs the CPU 101
in the roulette device 3 to switch the control data. On receiving
the instruction, the CPU 101 extracts single control data, out of
the plurality of control data constituting the series of control
data currently set as the reference target, based on the pattern
data currently set as the reference target.
[0184] After the processing in step S122, the present subroutine
ends.
[0185] As described above, the roulette gaming machine 1 according
to the present embodiment includes the roulette wheel 22 including
the plurality of number pockets 23 which have been associated with
respective numbers in advance. Further, the roulette gaming machine
1 includes the ROM 102 (memory) which stores the plurality of
series of control data, each of which constituted by the plurality
of control data for controlling the roulette gaming machine 1 so as
to provide different weights on the probabilities that the ball 27
is housed in any of the above-mentioned number pockets 23. Further,
the ROM 102 stores the plurality of pattern data, each of which
indicating a pattern to determine control data to be a reference
target, out of the plurality of control data constituting a single
series of control data selected out of the above-mentioned
plurality of series of control data. Further, the roulette gaming
machine 1 includes the server-controlling portion 80 (controller)
which controls rotation of the roulette wheel 22 and launching of
the ball 27, by referring to a single control data extracted, based
on a single pattern data determined as a reference target out of
the above-mentioned plurality of pattern data, from the
above-mentioned plurality of control data, each of which
constituting a series of control data. Further, the
server-controlling portion 80 extracts, based on the
above-mentioned single pattern data, control data which is to be a
reference target, out of the above-mentioned plurality of control
data, each of which constituting the above-mentioned single series
of control data, when a predetermined time has come. Further, the
server-controlling portion 80 determines pattern data different
from the above-mentioned, single pattern data, out of the
above-mentioned plurality of pattern data, as a reference target,
when the above-mentioned single series of control data is changed
to another single series of control data different from the
above-mentioned single series of control data.
[0186] In the present embodiment, there has been described a case
where the control data is switched, on condition that a
predetermined time has come. Namely, there has been described a
case where a first predetermined condition according to the present
invention is that a predetermined time has come. However, the first
predetermined condition according to the present invention is not
limited thereto. For example, the first predetermined condition may
be that the number of games has reached a predetermined number,
that the ball has been continuously housed in the same pocket for a
predetermined number of times, that the ball has been continuously
housed in any of the pockets in the same group (area) for a
predetermined number of times, that a predetermined bonus (for
example, a mystery bonus or a jackpot) has occurred, that the
currency value betted on numbers which belong to a predetermined
group (for example, a group having a higher ball-housing
probability) has reached a predetermined amount, that the currency
value which has been paid out as a result of betting on numbers
which belong to a predetermined group (for example, a group having
a higher ball-housing probability) has reached a predetermined
amount, that a winning relating to a predetermined bet (for
example, Straight Bet) has occurred, that a JP cumulative value has
reached a predetermined value, that the payment balance between the
betted currency value and the paid-out currency value has reached a
predetermined value, or that a player has inputted a command for
switching the pattern data.
[0187] Further, there has been described a case where the pattern
data is switched on condition that the series of control data has
been changed. Namely, there has been described a case where a
second predetermined condition according to the present invention
is that the series of control data has been changed. However, the
second predetermined condition according to the present invention
is not limited thereto. For example, the second predetermined
condition may be that the number of games has reached a
predetermined number, that the ball has been continuously housed in
the same pocket for a predetermined number of times, that the ball
has been continuously housed in any of the pockets in the same
group (area) for a predetermined number of times, that a
predetermined bonus (for example, a mystery bonus or a jackpot) has
occurred, that the currency value betted on numbers which belong to
a predetermined group (for example, a group having a higher
ball-housing probability) has reached a predetermined amount, that
the currency value which has been paid out as a result of betting
on numbers which belong to a predetermined group (for example, a
group having a higher ball-housing probability) has reached a
predetermined amount, that a winning relating to a predetermined
bet (for example, Straight Bet) has occurred, that a JP cumulative
value has reached a predetermined value, that the payment balance
between the betted currency value and the paid-out currency value
has reached a predetermined value, or that a player has inputted a
command for switching the pattern data.
[0188] In the present embodiment, the series of control data is
switched when the number of games has reached a predetermined
number. However, in the present invention, the condition which
should be satisfied for switching the series of control data is not
limited thereto. For example, the condition may be that a
predetermined time has come, that the ball has been continuously
housed in the same pocket for a predetermined number of times, that
the ball has been continuously housed in any of the pockets in the
same group (area) for a predetermined number of times, that a
predetermined bonus (for example, a mystery bonus or a jackpot) has
occurred, that the currency value betted on numbers which belong to
a predetermined group (for example, a group having a higher
ball-housing probability) has reached a predetermined amount, that
the currency value which has been paid out as a result of betting
on numbers which belong to a predetermined group (for example, a
group having a higher ball-housing probability) has reached a
predetermined amount, that a winning relating to a predetermined
bet (for example, Straight Bet) has occurred, that a JP cumulative
value has reached a predetermined value, that the payment balance
between the betted currency value and the paid-out currency value
has reached a predetermined value, or that a player has inputted a
command for switching the pattern data.
[0189] Although the present invention has been described with
reference to embodiments thereof, these embodiments merely
illustrate concrete examples, not restrict the present invention.
The concrete structures of respective means and the like can be
designed and changed as required. Furthermore, there have been
merely described most preferable effects of the present invention,
as the effects of the present invention, in the embodiments of the
present invention. The effects of the present invention are not
limited to those described in the embodiments of the present
invention.
[0190] Further, in the above-mentioned detailed description,
characteristic portions have been mainly described, for ease of
understanding the present invention. The present invention is not
limited to the embodiments described in the above-mentioned
detailed description, but can be also applied to other embodiments
over a wider range of applications. Further, the terms and phrases
used in the present specification have been used for clearly
describing the present invention, not for limiting the
interpretation of the present invention. Further, those skilled in
the art will easily conceive other structures, systems, methods and
the like which are included in the concept of the present
invention, from the concept of the present invention described in
the present specification. Accordingly, the description of the
claims is intended to include equivalent structures that fall
within the technical scope of the invention. Further, the abstract
aims at enabling engineers and the like who belong to the present
technical field but are not familiar with the patent office and
public institutions, the patent, law terms and technical terms to
immediately understand the technical content and the essence of the
present application through brief studies. Accordingly, the
abstract is not intended to restrict the scope of the invention
which should be evaluated from the description of the claims. It is
desirable that literatures and the like which have been already
disclosed are sufficiently studied and understood, in order to
sufficiently understand the objects of the present invention and
the specific effects of the present invention.
[0191] In the above-mentioned detailed description, there have been
described processes to be executed by computers. The
above-mentioned description and expressions have been described for
the sake of enabling those skilled in the art to understand the
present invention most effectively. In the present specification,
each step for deriving a single result should be understood to be
self-consistent processing. Further, each step includes
transmission, reception, recording and the like of electric or
magnetic signals. Although, in the processing at each step, such
signals have been expressed as bits, values, symbols, characters,
terms, numerical characters and the like, it should be noticed that
they have been merely used for convenience of description. Further,
although the processing at each step was described using
expressions common to human behaviors in some cases, the processes
described in the present specification are to be executed by
various types of devices, in principle. Further, other structures
required for conducting each step will be apparent from the
above-mentioned description.
* * * * *