U.S. patent application number 11/879619 was filed with the patent office on 2009-01-22 for mahjong game machine and mahjong game system.
Invention is credited to Kenji Nagata, Daisuke Nakamura, Yuji Taniguchi.
Application Number | 20090023486 11/879619 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39960155 |
Filed Date | 2009-01-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090023486 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nakamura; Daisuke ; et
al. |
January 22, 2009 |
Mahjong game machine and mahjong game system
Abstract
The objective of the present invention is to provide a mahjong
game which determines winning or losing in a short time. The
mahjong game machine according to the present invention has a
display to show a plurality of mahjong tiles, the plurality of
mahjong tiles shown on the display may be arbitrarily selected, the
selected mahjong tiles are exchanged to complete a meld, and a
plurality of mahjong tiles may be exchanged in one turn. Also, the
mahjong game machine according to the present invention has a
display to show a plurality of mahjong tiles. In the mahjong game
machine, mahjong tiles may be arbitrarily selected from the
plurality of mahjong tiles displayed on the display screen, the
selected mahjong tiles are exchanged to complete a meld, and the
display is a widescreen.
Inventors: |
Nakamura; Daisuke;
(Yamato-shi, JP) ; Taniguchi; Yuji; (Las Vegas,
NV) ; Nagata; Kenji; (ST Leonards, AU) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MASUVALLEY & PARTNERS
8765 AERO DRIVE, SUITE 312
SAN DIEGO
CA
92123
US
|
Family ID: |
39960155 |
Appl. No.: |
11/879619 |
Filed: |
July 17, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/11 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/32 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/11 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A mahjong game machine comprising a display for displaying a
plurality of mahjong tiles, wherein one or more mahjong tiles to be
exchanged are selected from the plurality of mahjong tiles
displayed on the display, said selected mahjong tiles are then
exchanged in an attempt to complete a meld; and where a plurality
of mahjong tiles may be exchanged in one turn.
2. The mahjong game machine according to claim 1, wherein a number
of said plurality of mahjong tiles is fourteen which is divided
into four sets of three mahjong tiles and one set of two mahjong
tiles, and each set is displayed on said display separate from each
other.
3. The mahjong game machine according to claim 2, wherein mahjong
tiles that are exchanged are selected from a group consisting of
one set of three mahjong tiles, two sets of three mahjong tiles,
three sets of three mahjong tiles, four sets of three mahjong
tiles, and a combination of two or more thereof.
4. The mahjong game machine according to claim 1, wherein a number
of mahjong tiles that may be exchanged at one turn is two or
fourteen.
5. The mahjong game machine according to claim 1, wherein one or
multiple sets of three mahjong tiles may be exchanged in one turn,
and a mahjong tile may further be selected individually in one
turn.
6. The mahjong game machine according to claim 1, wherein a number
of turns to select said mahjong tiles to be exchanged is one.
7. The mahjong game machine according to claim 1, wherein a number
of turns to select said mahjong tiles to be exchanged is two or
three.
8. The mahjong game machine according to claim 1, wherein said
display is a wide screen.
9. The mahjong game machine according to claim 1, wherein a number
of the meld is ten or less.
10. A mahjong game machine comprising a display for displaying a
plurality of mahjong tiles, wherein one or more mahjong tiles to be
exchanged are selected from the plurality of mahjong tiles, said
selected mahjong tiles are exchanged in an attempt to complete a
meld; and said display is a wide screen.
11. The mahjong game machine according to claim 10, wherein said
mahjong game machine pays out a bonus when a winning meld is
completed, wherein said display of the mahjong game machine
displays a payout ratio of a bonus against a winning meld; and
where the payout ratio against a specific winning meld displayed on
the said display changes.
12. The mahjong game machine according to claim 10, wherein in a
selection of mahjong tiles to be exchanged, one or a plurality of
mahjong tiles may be exchanged at one turn.
13. The mahjong game machine according to claim 12, wherein a
number of said plurality of mahjong tiles is fourteen which is
divided into four sets of three mahjong tiles and one set of two
mahjong tiles, and each set is displayed on said display separate
from each other.
14. The mahjong game machine according to claim 12, wherein said
one turn allows an exchange of mahjong tiles, the exchange selected
from a group consisting of: one or multiple sets of three mahjong
tiles, and one mahjong tile.
15. A game system comprising a controller, a display, a control
portion, a memory, and a judgment portion, wherein said control
portion contains an exchange tile decision data for exchanging
mahjong tiles selected by a player to the other mahjong tiles, and
the memory contains a tile display data to display a plurality of
mahjong tiles on a display and a meld data to determine the
completion of a meld; wherein the mahjong game system comprises a
process of transmitting said tile display data from said memory to
said control portion, said control portion transmits said tile
display data to said display, and said display displays a plurality
of mahjong tiles; where said controller transmits an instruction
data to said control portion when a player inputs the instruction
data to select a plurality of mahjong tiles, said control portion
analyzes tiles sloughed or obtained by the player in a past game
play based on said exchange tile decision data, and exchanges said
instruction data and mahjong tile data based on said analysis;
where said control portion transmits an overall mahjong tile data
containing said mahjong tile data to said judgment portion and
display, and transmits said meld data from said memory to said
judgment portion; and where said judgment data determines whether
said overall mahjong tile data and said meld data transmitted from
said control data are consistent.
16. The game system according to claim 15, further comprising a
plurality of mahjong game systems that are in communication with
each other.
17. The game system according to claim 16, wherein said mahjong
game system pays out a bonus to a player when the player completes
a winning meld; each display of the plurality of mahjong game
systems displays a payout ratio of a bonus against the winning
meld; and the payout ratio of the winning meld displayed on each of
the plurality of mahjong game systems is different.
18. A mahjong game machine comprising a display for displaying a
plurality of mahjong tiles, wherein mahjong tiles to be exchanged
are selected from the plurality of mahjong tiles, said selected
mahjong tiles are exchanged at least one time to complete a meld;
and a bet amount may be changed before selecting the mahjong tiles
to be exchanged.
19. The mahjong game machine according to claim 18, wherein said
change of bet amount at the selection of mahjong tiles is to add an
extra bet to existing bet amount.
20. The mahjong game machine according to claim 18, the mahjong
game machine configured to change the payout ratio according to
said bet amount, wherein the payout ratio increases when an extra
bed is added at the selection of said exchange mahjong tiles, and
the payout ratio decreases when there is no extra bet.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a mahjong game machine
which has a display to display a plurality of mahjong tiles,
wherein mahjong tiles to be exchanged may be arbitrarily selected
from the plurality of mahjong tiles displayed on the display, and
the selected mahjong tiles are exchanged to other mahjong tiles to
complete a meld.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0002] Conventionally, a number of mahjong game machines, where a
plurality of mahjong tiles are displayed on a display screen and a
player arbitrarily exchange tiles from the plurality of mahjong
tiles displayed to complete a meld, are known.
[0003] For example, Japanese Published Unexamined Patent
Application No. H9-262369 discloses a mahjong game machine for a
single player. First, a predetermined number of mahjong tiles
randomly selected from a plurality of mahjong tiles are distributed
only to one player. The player is to complete a meld by arbitrarily
exchanging unwanted tiles to randomly distributed mahjong
tiles.
[0004] However, the game performed in such a mahjong game machine
was to complete a meld by exchanging distributed mahjong tiles one
by one. For this reason, when the mahjong game machine is used in a
casino, for example, it takes too long to complete a meld, thus
becoming unable to entertain players. In casinos, players prefer to
enjoy winning a game, rather than enjoying a process of completing
a meld, that is, the determination of a game is preferred to be in
a short time. Under such circumstances, users desire the
development of mahjong game machine which can be enjoyed in a
casino.
[0005] Also, conventionally poker game machines where a plurality
of cards are displayed on a display screen and a player exchange
one or multiple cards to complete a meld with displayed cards, are
known.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention is a mahjong game machine which has a
display for displaying a plurality of mahjong tiles, wherein
mahjong tiles to be exchanged may be selected arbitrarily from the
plurality of mahjong tiles displayed on the display, the selected
mahjong tiles are exchanged to the other mahjong tiles to complete
a meld and a plurality of mahjong tiles may be exchanged in one
turn that allows to select mahjong tiles to be exchanged.
[0007] In the conventional mahjong game machine, distributed
mahjong tiles were only allowed to exchange one by one. By
configuring the mahjong game machine as described above, it can
entertain players in casinos because completion of a meld does not
take too long. Also, by configuring as above, a game result is
determined in a short time, thereby providing a game that can give
more pleasure to players in casinos who enjoy winning a game rather
than enjoy the process of completing a meld.
[0008] In the mahjong game machine according to the present
invention, the number of mahjong tiles is fourteen which is divided
into four sets of three mahjong tiles and one set of two mahjong
tiles, and each set is displayed on the display apart from each
other.
[0009] In many cases, mahjong is to determine as to whether a meld
is completed or not by dividing mahjong tiles in four sets of three
mahjong tiles and one set of two mahjong tiles. By configuring as
described above, it is easier for a player to determine whether a
meld is completed or not, and the game result can be decided in a
short time, thereby it provides more pleasure to players in casinos
who enjoy winning games.
[0010] In the mahjong game machine according to the present
invention, mahjong tiles that can be exchanged in one turn may be
one set of three mahjong tiles, two sets of three mahjong tiles,
three sets of three mahjong tiles, or four sets of three mahjong
tiles.
[0011] By configuring as described above, the player can enjoy the
game concentrating on winning or losing without thinking too much
about completing a meld. Also, it is suitable for players who enjoy
casinos because the game result is determined in a short time.
Also, the above configuration employs a touch panel, which enables
a player to exchange mahjong tiles easily, thereby eliminating
discomfort to the players.
[0012] In the mahjong game machine according to the present
invention, the number of mahjong tiles that can be exchanged in one
turn may be two or fourteen.
[0013] By configuring as described above, it is easy for a player
to perform a selection operation compared to, for example, in a
case of six mahjong tiles to be exchanged, thereby the result of
the game can be determined in a short time.
[0014] In one embodiment of the mahjong game machine, one or
multiple sets of three mahjong tiles may be exchanged in one turn,
and a mahjong tile may further be selected individually in one
turn.
[0015] By configuring as described above, it provides variety of
exchange methods of mahjong tiles and players can enjoy the game.
Also, using two types of exchange methods, the result of the game
can be determined in a short time thereby appealing to players in
casinos.
[0016] In the game machine according to the present invention, the
number of turns which allows one to select mahjong tiles to be
exchanged may be once.
[0017] By configuring as described above, the game result can be
determined in a short time thereby providing more pleasure to
players in casinos who enjoy winning the game.
[0018] In the mahjong game machine according to the present
invention, the number of turns to select the exchange of mahjong
tiles is two or three.
[0019] In the mahjong game machine according to the present
invention, the display may be a widescreen.
[0020] By configuring as above, each tile is displayed larger on
the display screen, thereby the mahjong tiles can be easy to see.
Because the tiles are displayed larger, it is easier for a player
to touch the mahjong tiles when the player selects exchange tiles
using a touch panel.
[0021] The number of melds for the mahjong game machine according
to the present invention may be ten or less.
[0022] By configuring as described above, the number of melds is
not too large, so that a player can exchange mahjong tiles without
thinking too much about types of meld to complete, thereby the
player can enjoying the game focusing on winning or losing.
[0023] The present invention is a mahjong game machine which has a
display for displaying a plurality of mahjong tiles, wherein
mahjong tiles to be exchanged may be selected arbitrarily from the
plurality of mahjong tiles displayed on the display, the selected
mahjong tiles are exchanged to the other mahjong tiles to complete
a meld, and the display is a wide screen.
[0024] The display screens of game machines conventionally used in
casinos were small, and there was a disadvantage that it is
difficult for a player to see mahjong tiles because the size of
each tile decreases when displaying many tiles like a mahjong game.
By applying a wide screen on the conventional mahjong game machine,
each mahjong tile can be displayed larger thereby mahjong tiles can
be seen easily.
[0025] Conventionally, touch panels have been used to select
mahjong tiles displayed on the display screen, however, mahjong
tiles on normal screens look smaller which makes it difficult for a
player to touch them by a hand. By applying a wide screen to a
mahjong game machine, the player can easily touch the mahjong
tiles.
[0026] The present invention is a mahjong game machine that pays
out a bonus when a winning meld is completed, the display of the
mahjong game machine displays a bonus payout ratio against the
winning meld, and further the payout ratio against the specific
winning meld displayed on the display may be variable.
[0027] By configuring as described above, the payout ratio against
specific winning meld displayed on a plurality of mahjong game
machines are different for each game machine, thereby a player can
derive entertainment by looking for a game machine with a higher
payout ratio to play.
[0028] In the mahjong game machine according to the present
invention, a plurality of mahjong tiles may be exchanged in one
turn.
[0029] In the mahjong game machine according to the present
invention, the number of the plurality of mahjong tiles above is
fourteen which divided into four sets of three mahjong tiles and
one set of two mahjong tiles, and each set is displayed on the
display apart from each other.
[0030] In the mahjong game machine according to the present
invention, one or multiple sets of three mahjong tiles may be
exchanged in one turn, and a mahjong tile may further be selected
individually in one turn.
[0031] A game system consisting of a controller, a display, a
control portion, a memory, and a judgment portion, wherein the
control portion contains an exchange tile decision data for
exchanging mahjong tiles selected by a player to the other mahjong
tiles, and the memory contains a tile display data to display a
plurality of mahjong tiles on a display and a meld data to
determine the completion of a meld, and the mahjong game system
consisting of a process of transmitting the tile display data from
the memory to the control portion, the control portion transmits
the tile display data to the display, and the display displays a
plurality of mahjong tiles, a process that the controller transmits
an instruction data to the control portion when a player inputs the
instruction data to select a plurality of mahjong tiles from a
controller, the control portion analyzes tiles sloughed or obtained
by the player in a past game play based on the exchange tile
decision data, and exchange the instruction data and mahjong tile
data based on the analysis, a process that the control portion
transmits an overall mahjong tiles data containing the mahjong tile
data to the judgment portion and display, and transmit the meld
data from the memory to the judgment portion, and a process that
the judgment portion determines whether the overall mahjong tiles
data and the meld data transmitted from the control data are
consistent.
[0032] By the above described system, players in casinos can be
entertained because completion of a meld does not take too long.
Also, by configuring as above, a game result is determined in a
short time, thereby providing the game that can give more pleasure
to players in casinos who enjoy winning a game rather than enjoying
the process of completing a meld.
[0033] The present invention may be a game system which has a
plurality of mahjong game systems as described above.
[0034] The present invention is a game system that pays out a bonus
to a player when the player complete a winning meld, each display
on the plurality of mahjong game systems displays a bonus payout
ratio against a winning meld, and the payout ratio against a
particular winning meld displayed on each display may be different
for each display.
[0035] By configuring as described above, a payout ratio against a
specific winning meld displayed on a plurality of mahjong game
machines are different for each game machine, thereby a player can
derive entertainment by looking for a game machine with a higher
payout ratio to play.
[0036] Another invention according to the present invention is a
mahjong game machine which has a display for displaying a plurality
of mahjong tiles, wherein mahjong tiles to be exchanged may be
selected arbitrarily from the plurality of mahjong tiles displayed
on the display, the selected mahjong tiles are exchanged to the
other mahjong tiles to complete a meld, and a bet amount may be
changed when selecting mahjong tiles to be exchanged.
[0037] The change of a bet amount when selecting mahjong tiles to
be exchanged may add an extra bet to an existing bet amount.
[0038] By configuring this way, a player can change a bet amount
when selecting mahjong tiles, thereby the player can add an extra
bet freely according to the combination of distributed mahjong
tiles and enjoy a more exciting game.
[0039] The game machine configured to fluctuate the payout ratio
according to the change in a bet amount, the payout ratio may
increase in a case where the extra bet is added and a payout ratio
may decrease in case no extra bet is added when selecting mahjong
tiles to be exchanged.
[0040] By configuring this way, a player can select the change of
bet amount according to the payout ratio when selecting mahjong
tiles, thereby the player can enjoy a more exciting game.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0041] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an overall mahjong game
machine according to the present invention.
[0042] FIG. 2 is a front view of showing an overall mahjong game
machine according to the present invention.
[0043] FIG. 3 is a front view of showing an overall mahjong game
machine according to the present invention.
[0044] FIG. 4 shows a payout ratio display for a winning meld
displayed on the display screen of a mahjong game machine according
to the present invention.
[0045] FIG. 5 shows a play mode displayed on the display screen of
a mahjong game machine according to the present invention.
[0046] FIG. 6 shows an outline of the mahjong game machine
according to the present invention.
[0047] FIG. 7 shows an outline of the mahjong game machine
according to the present invention.
[0048] FIG. 8 is a detail of database described in FIG. 7.
[0049] FIG. 9 is a flowchart indicating a game configuration of the
present invention.
[0050] FIG. 10 shows an example of an embodiment according to the
present invention.
[0051] FIG. 11 shows an example of an embodiment according to the
present invention.
[0052] FIG. 12 shows an example of an embodiment according to the
present invention.
[0053] FIG. 13 shows an example of an embodiment according to the
present invention.
[0054] FIG. 14 shows an example of an embodiment according to the
present invention.
[0055] FIG. 15 shows an example of an embodiment according to the
present invention.
[0056] FIG. 16 shows an example of an embodiment according to the
present invention.
[0057] FIG. 17 shows an example of an embodiment according to the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0058] The present invention is hereinafter explained in detail,
however, the present invention is not limited to this.
[0059] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an entire mahjong game
machine according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a
mahjong game machine 1 is provided with a display screen 2. Throw
switches 6, a bet switch 7, a max bet switch 8, a payout switch 9,
a change switch 10, and a coin clot 3 are provided right below the
display screen 2. A bill slot 4 and a credit payout slot 5 are
provided on the lower right side of the mahjong game machine 1.
[0060] The display screen 2 is provided to display the arrangement
of mahjong tiles, or presentations according to the progress of the
mahjong game, a payout ratio of bonus against a predetermined meld
when the meld is completed, or a credit that a player inputted to
the game machine. The throw switches 6 are for the player to select
mahjong tiles for exchange. The change switch 10 is to exchange a
mahjong tile selected by the throw switch 6. When the player
presses the change switch 10 after selecting mahjong tiles for
exchange from ones that are shown on the display screen 2 by throw
switch 6, other mahjong tiles are distributed in exchange of the
selected mahjong tiles.
[0061] The bet switch 7 inputs a bet mount against one mahjong
game. By pressing once, one credit can be inputted as a bet amount.
By pressing multiple times, the number of times pressed .times.1
credit (i.e., times one credit) can be input as a bet amount. It is
not necessary to limit the maximum bet amount, however, the bet
amount may be limited, for example, to five credits. The max bet
switch 8 is to input a maximum credit that can be bet on one
mahjong game as a bet amount. For example, when a bet amount is
limited to five credits, five credits can be input as a bet amount
by pressing the max bet switch 8.
[0062] The payout switch 9 refunds a player the bet amount
according to the credit displayed on the display screen 2. The
credit payout slot 5 is a hole that the credited bet is returned
when a player presses the payout switch 9. The coin slot 3 is a
hole to insert a coin to the game machine. The bill slot 4 is a
hole to insert a bill to the game machine.
[0063] FIG. 2 is a front view showing an overall mahjong game
machine according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the
mahjong game machine 1 has a display screen 2. Throw switches 6, a
bet switch 7, a max bet switch 8, a payout switch 9, a change
switch 10, and a coin slot 3 is provided right below the display
screen 2. A bill slot 4 and a credit payout slot 5 are provided on
the lower right side of the mahjong game machine 1.
[0064] Also, the display screen 2 includes a payout ratio display
11, a plurality of mahjong tiles 12, and a credit display 18. The
payout ratio display 11 displays a bonus payout ratio against
winning melds. The plurality of mahjong tiles 12 are mahjong tiles
that a player uses to complete a meld in a mahjong game, the player
aims to complete a meld by arbitrarily selecting for exchange
mahjong tiles from the plurality of mahjong tiles, and exchanging
them for other mahjong tiles. The credit display 18 displays the
credit that the player inserted in the game machine.
[0065] FIG. 2 shows fourteen throw switches 6. Each of these
switches corresponds to each of the plurality of mahjong tiles 12
displayed right above. That is, the mahjong tile on far left may be
selected by pressing the throw switch on far left. And, the mahjong
tile on the second from left may be selected by pressing the throw
switch on the second from left. Also, the mahjong tile on far right
may be selected by pressing the throw switch on far right. Other
mahjong tiles may be selected with the throw switches in the same
manner. After selecting a mahjong tile in this way, the player may
obtain other mahjong tiles in exchange for selected mahjong tiles
by pressing the change switch 10.
[0066] Also, each selection of the plurality of mahjong tiles 12 is
not limited to the throw switch 6, and the selection may also be
made by touching each tile of the plurality of mahjong tiles 12
displayed on the display screen 2.
[0067] In above mahjong game machine, the plurality of mahjong
tiles can be exchanged in one turn where a player selects mahjong
tiles for exchange, by the method described above. The number of
turns that can select exchanging mahjong tiles is not specifically
limited and it may be any number. However, in many cases, the
player is looking forward to win rather than enjoying the process
of completing a meld. Therefore, the number of turns may be one
time because a short time is preferred to complete a meld. Also,
the number of turns may be two or three depending on the preference
of a player.
[0068] FIG. 3 is a font view showing an overall mahjong game
machine according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the
mahjong game machine 1 has a display screen 2. Throw switches 6, a
bet switch 7, a max bet switch 8, a payout switch 9, a change
switch 10, and a coin slot 3 is provided right below the display
screen 2. A bill slot 4 and a credit payout slot 5 are provided on
the lower right side of the mahjong game machine 1.
[0069] Also, the display screen 2 shows a payout ratio display 11,
a plurality of mahjong tiles 13-17, and a credit display 18. The
plurality of mahjong tiles 13-17 are mahjong tiles that a player
uses to complete a meld in a mahjong game, the player aims for
completing a meld by arbitrarily selecting exchange mahjong tiles
from the plurality of mahjong tiles, and exchanges them for other
mahjong tiles. The plurality of mahjong tiles 13, 14, 15, 16, and
17 are divided into four sets 13 to 16 consisting three mahjong
tiles and one set 17 consisting two mahjong tiles, with fourteen
mahjong tiles in total displayed.
[0070] A player may select one or more sets from the five sets
13-17 as exchange tiles. The selection of exchange tiles is made by
selecting the five sets 13-17 by the five throw switches 6 right
below the display screen 2. That is, the set 13 of mahjong tiles
may be selected by pressing the throw switch on the far left. And
the set 14 of mahjong tiles may be selected by pressing the second
throw switch from left. Also, the set 17 of mahjong tiles may be
selected by pressing the throw switch on far right. Other mahjong
tiles may be selected by throw switches in the same manner. After
selecting a set of mahjong tiles in this way, the player may obtain
another set of mahjong tiles in exchange for the selected set of
mahjong tiles by pressing the change switch 10.
[0071] Also, the selection of each set from the five sets 13-17 is
not limited to the throw switch 6, and the selection may also be
made by touching the set of mahjong tile from the five sets 13 to
17 displayed on the display screen 2.
[0072] In the above mahjong game machine, the plurality of mahjong
tiles can be exchanged in one turn where a player selects mahjong
tiles for exchange, by the method described above. The number of
turns that can select exchanging mahjong tiles is not specifically
limited and it may be any number. However, in many cases, the
player is looking forward to a win rather than enjoying the process
of completing a meld. Therefore, the number of turns may be one
time because a short time is preferred to complete a meld. Also,
the number of turns may be two or three depending on the preference
of a player.
[0073] The present invention is not limited to the above
embodiment. For example, the number of plurality of mahjong tiles
is not limited to fourteen and may be in any number. It may be
eight or eleven. It may be in a form that has multiple sets of
three mahjong tiles and does not include a set of two mahjong
tiles. That is, the number of plurality of mahjong tiles may be,
for example, six, nine or twelve. Also, the form of displaying the
plurality of mahjong tile on the display may be in any form. For
example, seven sets consisting two mahjong tiles in a set may be
displayed by separating each set. Alternatively, each mahjong tile
may be displayed separate from each other.
[0074] Also, the mahjong game machine 1 according to the present
invention is not limited to the display screen 2 or switches. For
example, a sub-display may be provided separate from the display
screen 2 to stage when a meld is complete. And a speaker may be
provided to output sound according to the game progress, such as a
chance time, or completion of a meld. Also, a vibratory device may
be provided to output vibration according to the game progress such
as a chance time, or completion of a meld. In addition, a
luminescent device may be provided to output light according to the
game progress, such as a chance time, or completion of a meld.
Further, a switch may be provided to select all the mahjong tiles
with a single touch of a button for exchanging all the mahjong
tiles that the player has.
[0075] And, the display on the display screen 2 is not limited to
the payout ratio display 11, the plurality of mahjong tiles 12, or
the credit display 18, and may have another display. For example, a
presentation display may be provided to entertain a player when a
meld is completed. Also, past play data may be displayed.
[0076] Also, the form of selecting an exchange tile from the
plurality of mahjong tiles is not limited by one tile or a set of
three tiles described above, and may be in any form. For example,
selection may be made by two tiles each or four tiles each.
Alternatively, it may be a combination of these. That is, one or
multiple sets of three mahjong tiles may be exchanged in one turn
to select exchange tiles, and further each exchange tile may be
individually selected.
[0077] Further, the size of the display screen 2 is not
specifically limited, and the display screen 2 may be in any size,
and preferably is a wide screen. Conventionally, poker game
machines have been used in casinos, however, their display screens
are small. When playing a mahjong game with a game machine with a
small display screen, there is a problem for a player having
difficulty seeing mahjong tiles because the number of mahjong tiles
is large so that the display of mahjong tiles becomes smaller on
the display screen. In case the display screen is a touch panel,
there is a problem for a player having difficulty touch the display
by hand. By making the display screen a wide screen, the player can
easily see the mahjong tiles, and also it is easy to touch the
mahjong tiles displayed on the screen by hand. Also, it is
preferable to display the payout ratio display on the display
screen for a player when playing a game, and the above problem does
not occur because mahjong tiles are displayed larger even when
displaying the payout ratio display along with a number of mahjong
tiles if the display screen is a widescreen.
[0078] FIG. 4 shows a payout ratio display against the winning
melds displayed on the display screen. The far left column lists
winning melds that pay out a bonus when completed. There are ten
types of winning melds, such as three great scholars, hidden
treasure, little three dragons, pure one suit hand, three concealed
pung, pure straight, hand with only one suit with honors, all
simples, all chows, and concealed hand. The row on the top end of
FIG. 4 indicates the number of bets made to the game by the player.
When a meld is completed in a game, a player receives the credit
indicated in the portion where the type of meld and the number of
credits overlap. For example, the player played a game betting
three credits and completed the meld of pure one suit hand, the
player receives 75 credits.
[0079] The payout ratio against melds displayed on the game machine
according to the present invention may fluctuate. When a plurality
of mahjong game machines according to the present invention exists,
each machine may indicate different payout ratios. By indicating a
different payout ratio on each game machine, it provides an
enjoyment for a player to find a game machine with a higher payout
ratio to play.
[0080] The present invention is not limited to the above
embodiment. For example, the number of melds is not limited and it
may be any number. For example, it may be fifteen or less, or
twenty or less. However, it is preferably ten or less. It may be
five or less. This is because a player looking forward to winning a
game rather than enjoying the process of completing a winning meld,
thus it is preferable to determine winning or losing in a short
time. Also, in the case where the number of meld types is large,
the payout ratio display becomes larger which makes the area to
display mahjong tiles smaller when showing the payout display on
the display screen. As the area to display mahjong tiles decreases,
it is difficult for a player to see the mahjong tiles, and also
causes a problem that the mahjong tiles on the display screen are
difficult to touch by hand. In addition, the types of melds are not
limited, and other melds may be included. For example, all honors,
thirteen orphans, pung hand, and seven pairs may be included. A
display panel may be added to the display screen when the number of
meld types is large thereby the payout ratio display becomes
larger.
[0081] Also, the number of credits for a player to bet is not
limited, and it may be any number. Also, the number of payout
ratios of bonuses against the completion of a meld is not limited,
and it may be any number.
[0082] FIG. 5 shows a play mode displayed on the display screen of
the mahjong game machine according to the present invention. The
display screen 2 is displaying a 1-turn mode 19, 2-turn mode 20,
and 3-turn mode 21. The 1-turn mode is a play mode in which the
number of turns that allows player to exchange mahjong tiles in one
game is one. In the game with one-turn mode, the game is over as
mahjong tiles are distributed to a player and the player exchanges
mahjong tiles once. The 2-turn mode is a play mode in which the
number of turns that allows player to exchange mahjong tiles in one
game is twice. The 3-turn mode is a play mode in which the number
of turns that allows player to exchange mahjong tiles in one game
is three times. The selection of play mode is decided before the
mahjong tiles are distributed to a player.
[0083] The present invention is not limited to the above
embodiment. For example, the type of play mode is not limited to 1-
to 3-turn mode, and other types of play mode may exist. For
example, the play mode with four or five numbers of turns to
exchange mahjong tiles may exist. However, in many cases, a player
is looking forward to a win rather than enjoying the process of
completing a meld. Therefore, the number of turns may be once
because a short time is preferred to complete a meld. Also, the
number of turns may be two or three depending on the preference of
a player. There may be no selection of play mode.
[0084] FIG. 6 shows an overview of the mahjong game system
according to the present invention. The mahjong game system 25
according to the present invention has a controller 24, a display
29, a control portion 26, memory 27 and a judgment part 28. The
control portion 26 has exchange tiles decision data for exchanging
mahjong tiles selected by a player from the plurality of mahjong
tiles displayed on the display screen to other mahjong tiles. The
memory 27 has meld data for determining whether the tile display
data for displaying a plurality of mahjong tiles on the display
screen and melds are formed or not.
[0085] The mahjong game system 25 according to the present
invention operates for example, through the following process.
First, is a process of transmitting the tile display data from the
memory 27 to the control portion 26, transmitting the tile display
data from the control portion 26 to the display 29 and the display
29 displays the plurality of mahjong tiles. Next, is a process of
transmitting instruction data to the control portion 26 when a
player inputs the instruction data from the controller 24 to select
the plurality of exchange tiles, the control portion 26 analyzes
tiles that a player sloughed or obtained in the past game play
based on the exchange tile decision data, and exchanges the
instruction data and the mahjong tile data based on the analysis.
Next is a process of transmitting overall mahjong tile data
containing that mahjong tile data to the judgment portion 28 and
display 29 from the control portion 26, and at the same time,
transmitting the meld data received from the memory 27 to the
judgment portion 28. Next, is a process where the judgment portion
28 determines if the overall mahjong tile data transmitted from the
control portion 26 matches the meld data. The mahjong game system
25 according to the preset invention may operate as described
above.
[0086] A game system which has a plurality of mahjong game systems
25 according to the present invention may be configured. In such a
case, each display on the plurality of mahjong game systems
displays a bonus payout ratio against a winning meld, and further
the payout ratio against the specific winning meld displayed on
each display may be different in each display. Also, the game
system 25 according to the present invention may separate a
platform with the controller 24, the display 29 and the control
portion 26, and a host with memory 27 and judgment portion 28.
[0087] Further, the host may have another control portion. In such
a case, the host may control the game or control the fluctuation of
the payout ratio. For example, the game system may be as follows.
The game system has a plurality of such platforms and one host, a
mahjong game is started simultaneously by the plurality of
platforms and a plurality of players at first. The player who can
complete a meld in the game is limited to a specific person. The
specific person who completed the winning meld can obtain a
predetermined bet from the bets that were made by the players who
did not complete the meld. The host may control these series of
actions performed by the plurality of platforms. In such a case,
the winning player's mahjong game machine 1 may be notified of
winning by illuminating an LED provided to the mahjong game machine
1, or playing a sound.
[0088] FIG. 7 shows an overview of the mahjong game system
according to the present invention. A mahjong game system 25
according to the present invention has a mahjong game machine 1,
control portion 26 and memory 27. The memory 27 has a database 30,
a database 31, and database 32. The database 30 contains tile
display data for displaying a plurality of mahjong tiles on the
display screen. The database 30 also contains other mahjong tile
data to exchange with the mahjong tiles when a player selects the
mahjong tiles for exchange in a game. The database 31 contains
tiles that the player sloughed from the mahjong tiles on hand in
the past games. The database 31 also memorizes other mahjong tiles
that were exchanged with mahjong tiles when a player selected the
mahjong tiles for exchange in the past game play. Also, the
database 32 contains other mahjong tile set data to be exchanged
with mahjong tile sets when a player selects three mahjong tile
sets for exchange in a game. Three mahjong tiles consisting of the
other mahjong tile set data may be the same type. For example, all
three mahjong tiles may be dots (pinzu) or bamboos (suozu).
[0089] The mahjong game system 25 according to the present
invention may operate, for example, through the following process.
First, is a process of transmitting the tile display data from the
database 30 to the control portion 26, the control portion 26
transmits the tile display data to the mahjong game machine 1, and
the mahjong game machine 1 displays a plurality of mahjong tiles.
Next, is a process of transmitting the instruction data to the
control portion 26 as a player inputs an instruction data selecting
a plurality of exchange tiles to the mahjong game machine 1.
[0090] Next, is a process where the control portion 26 receives the
other mahjong tile data from the database 30 based on the exchange
tile decision data. The types and order of the other mahjong data
are determined based on the exchange tile decision data. The method
for determining the type and the order is not limited specifically,
and it may be any method. For example, the control portion 26 may
randomly select the other mahjong tile data stored in the database
30 based on the exchange tile decision data. Also the control
portion 26 may select the other mahjong tile data in the order
stored in the database 30 based on the exchange tile decision
data.
[0091] Further, the selection of the other mahjong tile data by the
control portion 26 based on the exchange tile decision data may be
performed based on the sloughed tiles contained in the database 31.
For example, the control portion 26 analyzes the tiles that players
sloughed in the past game play based on the exchange tile decision
data, and selects the same types of mahjong tiles that were
sloughed in many times as the other mahjong tile data. Also, types
different from that of mahjong tiles sloughed in many times may be
selected as the other mahjong tile data.
[0092] Still further, the selection of the other mahjong tile data
by the control portion 26 based on the exchange tile decision data
may be performed based on the other mahjong tiles contained in the
database 31. For example, the control portion 26 analyzes the other
tiles that the player obtained in the past game play based on the
exchange tile decision data, and selects the same types of mahjong
tiles that were obtained in many times as the other mahjong tile
data. Also, types different from the mahjong tiles obtained in many
times may be selected as the other mahjong tile data.
[0093] Also, when a player inputs the instruction data to exchange
three exchange tile sets to the mahjong game machine 1, the control
portion 26 may go through a process of receiving other mahjong tile
set data from the database 32 based on the exchange tile decision
data. When the three mahjong tiles consisting of the other mahjong
tile set data are the same type, a player can easily grasp the
entire mahjong tiles as displayed on the displayed screen. Players
in casinos enjoy winning a game rather than enjoying the process of
completing a meld, thus the fact that it is easy to grasp the
entire mahjong tiles can provide pleasure to those players. Also,
when three mahjong tiles are the same type, it is favorable because
the determination of winning or losing the game can be made in a
short time. Exchange of such data may be made based on the analysis
result of tiles that sloughed or obtained by players in past game
play as described above. As a final process, the control portion 26
transmits overall mahjong tile data which contains the other
mahjong tile data to the mahjong game machine 1. The mahjong game
system 25 according to the present invention may operate as
described above.
[0094] FIG. 8 shows the database 30 described in FIG. 7, in detail.
FIG. 8 shows the database 30 and four sets 13, 14, 15 and 16
consisting three mahjong tiles distributed to a player as a set,
and one set 17 consisting two mahjong tiles. The database 30 has
other mahjong tile data 32, 33 and 34 to exchange with the tiles
that the player selected from the plurality of mahjong tiles
displayed on the display screen.
[0095] The above described other mahjong tile data 32, 33, and 34
are stored in the database 30 in order, and exchanged with one
mahjong tile set 13 in order each time a player makes a selection
to exchange tiles. That is, when the player makes a first selection
decision to exchange tiles, one mahjong tile set 13 is exchanged to
the other mahjong tile data 32. Next, when the player makes a
second selection decision to exchange tiles, the other mahjong tile
data 32 is exchanged to the other mahjong tile data 33. Next, when
the player makes a third selection decision to exchange tiles, the
other mahjong tile data 33 is exchanged to the other mahjong tile
data 34. Also, mahjong tile data is exchanged by performing the
same operations for one mahjong tile set 14 to 17.
[0096] The game system according to the present invention is not
limited to the above embodiments. For example, the above described
other mahjong tile data is not limited to other mahjong tile data
32, 33, and 34, and it may be any number of data. Also, other
mahjong tile data may not be stored in the database 30 in order.
For example, a number of other mahjong data stored in the database
30 may be randomly selected and exchanged to one mahjong tile set
in order. Also, as shown in FIG. 8, the mahjong tiles distributed
to a player may not be divided into four sets of mahjong tiles
consisting of three mahjong tiles as a set, and one set of two
mahjong tiles. In addition, one set of mahjong tiles exchanged in
FIG. 8 may not be three mahjong tiles. The number of one set of
mahjong tiles may be two, four or fourteen. The game system may
have characteristics described in the mahjong game machine
according to the present invention.
[0097] FIG. 9 is a flow chart describing a game configuration
according to the present invention. The operation of a mahjong game
machine according to the present invention is hereinafter explained
based on the flowchart.
[0098] First, the game machine starts up when the power of the
mahjong game machine is turned on (step 1). And a display to select
a play mode is shown on the display screen of the game machine. For
example, there are play modes with one, two, or three turns that
allow the player to exchange mahjong tiles in a game. The type of
play mode is not specifically limited and it may be any type.
[0099] When a player selects play mode (step 2), mahjong tiles are
distributed, and a plurality of mahjong tiles are displayed on the
display screen (step 3). Next, a determination is made as to
whether the player selected exchange tiles from the plurality of
mahjong tiles (step 4). When the selection of exchange tiles was
made, a determination is made as to whether the selected exchange
tiles were a set of three mahjong tiles or not (step 5). If the
selected exchange tiles are the set of three mahjong tiles, the set
of three mahjong tiles are exchange for other mahjong tiles (step
6). At this time, as explained in FIG. 7 above, a number of sets of
three mahjong tiles of a same type are stored in the database 32,
and other sets of mahjong tiles may be selected from these. Also, a
set of three mahjong tiles of a different type may be selected.
When the exchange tile is not a set of three mahjong tiles, each
selected tile is exchanged (step 7).
[0100] When there is no exchange of selected mahjong tiles, or a
selection of exchange tiles by the player, a determination is made
as to whether a winning meld is formed or not (step 8). When the
winning meld is formed, the type of winning meld is determined
(step 10), and a bonus according to the winning meld is paid to the
player (step 11). When no winning meld is formed, a determination
is made as to whether a turn that a player can exchange mahjong
tiles in a game is completed or not (step 9).
[0101] When a player has not completed a turn that allows exchange
of mahjong tiles for a game, the player is given an opportunity to
select exchange tiles again (step 4). When a player has completed
the turn that allows to change mahjong tiles, or when a player has
received a bonus payout according to the winning meld (step 11),
determination is made whether the game is completed or not (step
12). When the game is determined to be completed, the game is over
(step 13). When the game is not determined to be completed, the
mahjong tiles are distributed again and the game is resumed (step
3).
[0102] The game configuration of the present invention is not
limited to the above. For example, selection of exchange tiles from
a distributed plurality of mahjong tiles is not limited to a set of
three mahjong tiles, or each individual tile, and may be in any
form. For example, a set of two mahjong tiles, or a set of four
mahjong tiles may be selected. In addition, it may be provided with
the characteristics described in the mahjong game machine or the
mahjong game of the present invention.
[0103] Another embodiment of the present invention is hereafter
explained in detail, however, the present invention is not limited
to this. For example, the present invention may be provided with
the characteristics described in the mahjong game machine or the
mahjong game of the present invention.
[0104] FIGS. 10 to 12 show an example of an embodiment according to
the present invention. FIG. 10 shows a display screen 2 of the
mahjong game machine according to the present invention. The
display screen 2 has a payout ratio display 11, four mahjong tile
sets 13 to 16 consisting of three mahjong tiles in a set, and one
mahjong tile set 17 consisting of two mahjong tiles in a set. Five
mahjong tile sets are mahjong tiles distributed to a player. By
seeing the entire displayed mahjong tiles 12, it can be noted that
the mahjong tile 13 is unnecessary for completing a meld.
[0105] FIG. 11 shows a display screen 2 of the mahjong game machine
according to the present invention. The display screen 2 has a
payout ratio display 11, four mahjong tile sets 13 to 16 consisting
of three mahjong tiles in a set, and one mahjong tile set 17
consisting of two mahjong tiles in a set. Five mahjong tile sets
are mahjong tiles distributed to a player. FIG. 11 shows a player
selecting one mahjong tile set 13 for exchange. The selected one
mahjong tile set 13 is displayed slightly higher than the mahjong
tile sets 14 to 17 that are not selected.
[0106] FIG. 12 shows a display screen 2 of the mahjong game machine
according to the present invention. The display screen 2 has a
payout ratio display 11, four sets 13 to 16 consisting of three
mahjong tiles in a set, and one set 17 consisting two mahjong tiles
in a set. FIG. 12 shows that the one mahjong tile set 13 is
exchanged to another set of mahjong tiles. By seeing the entire
mahjong tiles, in can be noted that a meld of all chows is
completed. In this case, a player is eligible to receive a credit
indicated in the row of all chows on the payout ratio display 11 as
a bonus.
[0107] FIGS. 13 to 17 show an example of an embodiment according to
the present invention. FIG. 13 shows a display screen 2 of the
mahjong game machine according to the present invention. The
display screen 2 has a payout ratio display 11 and a plurality of
mahjong tiles 12. The plurality of mahjong tiles 12 are mahjong
tiles distributed to a player. By seeing the entire plurality of
mahjong tiles 12, it can be noted that the mahjong tiles 40, 41,
42, and 43 are unnecessary for completing a meld.
[0108] FIG. 14 shows a display screen 2 of the mahjong game machine
according to the present invention. The display screen 2 has a
payout ratio display 11 and a plurality of mahjong tiles 12. The
plurality of mahjong tiles 12 are mahjong tiles distributed to a
player. FIG. 14 shows a player is selecting three individual
mahjong tiles 40, 41, and 42, and the set 43 of three mahjong tiles
for exchange. The selected mahjong tiles 40, 41, 42, and 43 are
displayed slightly higher than the mahjong tiles that are not
selected.
[0109] FIG. 15 shows a display screen 2 of the mahjong game machine
according to the present invention. The display screen 2 has a
payout ratio display 11 and a plurality of mahjong tiles 12. FIG.
15 shows the mahjong tiles 40, 41, 42, and 43 in FIG. 14 being
exchanged with other mahjong tiles. By seeing the plurality of
mahjong tiles indicated in FIG. 15, it can be noted that the
mahjong tile 44 is unnecessary for completing a meld.
[0110] Meanwhile, there is a possibility for a meld with a high
payout ratio to be completed in FIG. 15 if the mahjong tile 44
changes. In such a case, a player may change a bet amount when
selecting the mahjong tile 44 for exchange. For example, in the
play condition of FIG. 15 and 1 credit is currently selected, a
player may select 5 credits as an extra bet because a meld with
high payout ratio may be completed.
[0111] By configuring in such way, a player can enjoy a more
exciting play by adding an extra bet freely according to the
combination of distributed mahjong tiles because the bet amount can
be changed when selecting mahjong tiles. Also, the payout ratio in
the case of adding an extra bet can be changed from the payout
ratio in the case of no extra bet. That is, the payout ratio at the
beginning of play and the payout ratio when an extra bet was added
after finding out there is the possibility of completing the meld
with a higher payout ratio may be the same or the payout ratio in
the case where the extra bet was added may be slightly lower.
[0112] On the contrary, in the mode where an extra bet is premised,
the payout ratio may be increased when the extra bet is added and
it may be decreased when there is no extra bet. In this way, a
player can enjoy a more exiting play because he or she can select a
change of bet amount according to a payout ratio when selecting
mahjong tiles.
[0113] FIG. 16 shows a display screen 2 of the mahjong game machine
according to the present invention. The display screen 2 has a
payout ratio display 11 and a plurality of mahjong tiles 12. FIG.
16 shows that a player is selecting a mahjong tile 44 from the
plurality of mahjong tiles 12 in FIG. 15 for exchange. The selected
mahjong tile 44 is displayed slightly higher than the mahjong tiles
that are not selected.
[0114] FIG. 17 shows a display screen 2 of the mahjong game machine
according to the present invention. The display screen 2 has a
payout ratio display 11 and a plurality of mahjong tiles 12. FIG.
17 shows the mahjong tile 44 in FIG. 16 is exchanged with another
mahjong tile. By seeing the entire mahjong tiles, it can be noted
that a meld of three wise scholars is completed. In this case, a
player is eligible for receiving a credit indicated in the row of
three wise scholars on the payout ratio display 11, as a bonus.
* * * * *