U.S. patent application number 12/234986 was filed with the patent office on 2009-09-10 for gaming system enabling to bet on any team formed with a predetermined number of characters, gaming machine and game control method.
This patent application is currently assigned to ARUZE GAMING AMERICA, INC.. Invention is credited to Fumiya ABE.
Application Number | 20090227302 12/234986 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41054163 |
Filed Date | 2009-09-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090227302 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ABE; Fumiya |
September 10, 2009 |
GAMING SYSTEM ENABLING TO BET ON ANY TEAM FORMED WITH A
PREDETERMINED NUMBER OF CHARACTERS, GAMING MACHINE AND GAME CONTROL
METHOD
Abstract
A main controller 20 of a gaming system 1 determines characters
to participate in a racing game and selects, as a bet target, a
plurality of teams constituted of a plurality of characters. Then,
a score is assigned to each character according to the finishing
order thereof in the race, and the ranking of a team is determined
by the sum total of the score provided to members thereof.
Subsequently, an award is provided for a bet on each character
participating in the racing game and for a bet on teams.
Inventors: |
ABE; Fumiya; (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: |
41054163 |
Appl. No.: |
12/234986 |
Filed: |
September 22, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61034264 |
Mar 6, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
463/6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3211 20130101;
G07F 17/3288 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/6 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A gaming system comprising: a display for displaying images
related to a racing game in which a plurality of characters, which
is a target of a bet, races; first memory for storing a plurality
of teams constituted of a predetermined plurality of the
characters; a plurality of terminals comprising an input device for
accepting a designation of at least any one of: a character as a
target of a bet from the plurality of characters; and a team as a
target of the bet from the plurality of teams stored in the first
memory, and a predetermined bet amount; second memory for storing
at least one of the character and the team as a target of the bet,
and the bet amount for each of the plurality of terminals; a
controller for executing the racing game; and a communication
network device for allowing intercommunication between the
plurality of terminals and the controller, wherein the controller
executes the following processing of: (a) receiving at least one of
the character and the team as a target of the bet, and the bet
amount from the plurality of terminals and storing the same in the
second memory; (b) after a race, determining a score corresponding
to a ranking for each of the plurality of characters, and
accumulating a resulting score for each of the plurality of teams;
(c) after the processing (b), determining ranking of the teams
based on the score accumulated; and (d) providing an award based
on: the ranking of the plurality of characters; the ranking of the
teams; and a bet type and the bet amount of each of the plurality
of terminals.
2. A gaming system comprising: a display for displaying images
related to a racing game in which a plurality of characters, which
is a target of a bet, races; first memory for storing a plurality
of teams constituted of a predetermined plurality of the
characters; a plurality of terminals comprising an input device for
accepting a designation of at least one of: a character as a target
of the bet from the plurality of characters; and a team as a target
of the bet from the plurality of teams stored in the first memory,
and a predetermined bet amount; second memory for storing at least
one of the character and the team as a target of the bet, and the
bet mount for each of the plurality of terminals; and a controller
for executing the racing game; and a communication network device
for allowing intercommunication between the plurality of terminals
and the controller, wherein the controller executes the following
processing of: (a) selecting a plurality of teams from the
plurality of teams stored in the first memory, to show as options
in the racing game; (b) displaying the plurality of characters and
a team selected in the processing (a) on the display; (c) receiving
at least one of the character and the team as a target of the bet,
and the bet amount from the plurality of terminals, and storing
thereof in the second memory; (d) after a race, determining a score
corresponding to a ranking for each of the plurality of characters,
and accumulating a resulting score for each of the plurality of
teams; (e) after the processing (d), determining ranking of the
teams based on the score accumulated; and (f) providing an award
based on: the ranking of the plurality of characters; the ranking
of the teams; and a bet type and the bet amount of each of the
plurality of terminals.
3. The gaming system according to claim 2, wherein a combination of
the plurality of characters in the plurality of teams stored in the
first memory is any combination in which members thereof do not
comprise duplicate characters, and the same character can be a
member of different teams simultaneously.
4. A gaming machine comprising: a display for displaying images
related to a racing game in which a plurality of characters, which
is a target of a bet, races; first memory for storing a plurality
of teams constituted of a predetermined plurality of the
characters; an input device for accepting a designation of at least
one of: a character as a target of the bet from the plurality of
characters; and a team as a target of the bet from the plurality of
teams stored in the first memory, and a predetermined bet amount;
second memory for storing at least one of the character and the
team as a target of the bet, and the bet amount; and a controller
for executing the racing game, wherein the controller executes the
following processing of: (a) storing at least one of the character
and the team as a target of the bet, and the bet amount for each of
the plurality of terminals in the second memory; (b) after a race,
determining a score corresponding to a ranking for each of the
plurality of characters, and accumulating a resulting score for
each of the plurality of teams; (c) after the processing (b),
determining ranking of the teams based on the score accumulated;
and (d) providing an award based on: the ranking of the plurality
of characters; the ranking of the teams; and a bet type and the bet
amount stored in the second memory.
5. A gaming machine comprising: a display for displaying images
related to a racing game in which a plurality of characters, which
is a target of a bet, races; first memory for storing a plurality
of teams constituted of a predetermined plurality of the
characters; an input device for accepting a designation of at least
one of: a character as a target of the bet from the plurality of
characters; and a team as a target of the bet from the plurality of
teams stored in the first memory, and a predetermined bet amount;
second memory for storing at least one of the character and the
team as a target of the bet, and the bet amount; a controller for
executing the racing game, wherein the controller executes the
following processing of: (a) selecting a plurality of teams from
the plurality of teams stored in the first memory, to show as
options in the racing game; (b) displaying the plurality of
characters and a team selected in the processing (a) on the
display; (c) storing at least one of the character and the team as
a target of the bet, and the bet amount for each of the plurality
of terminals in the second memory; (d) after a race, determining a
score corresponding to a ranking for each of the plurality of
characters, and accumulating a resulting score for each of the
plurality of teams; (e) after the processing (d), determining
ranking of the teams based on the score accumulated; and (f)
providing an award based on: the ranking of the plurality of
characters; the ranking of the teams; and a bet type and the bet
amount stored in the second memory.
6. The gaming machine according to claim 5, wherein a combination
of the plurality of characters in the plurality of teams stored in
the first memory is any combination in which members thereof do not
include duplicate characters, and the same character can be a
member of different teams simultaneously.
7. A game control method for controlling a racing game executed by
a gaming machine having: a display displaying images related to a
racing game in which a plurality of characters, which is a target
of a bet, races; first memory storing a plurality of teams
constituted of a predetermined plurality of the characters; a
plurality of terminals comprising an input device accepting a
designation of at least any one of: a character being a target of a
bet from the plurality of characters; and a team being a target of
a bet from the plurality of teams stored in the first memory, and a
predetermined amount of bet; second memory storing at least any one
of the character and the team being target of a bet, and the amount
of bet for each of the plurality of terminals; and a controller
executing the racing game, comprising steps, executed by the
controller, of: (a) receiving at least any one of the character and
the team being target of a bet, and the amount of bet from the
plurality of terminals and storing the same in the second memory;
(b) after a race, determining a score corresponding to the ranking
for each of the plurality of characters and accumulating the
resulting score for each of the plurality of teams; (c) after the
processing (b), determining ranking of the teams based on the
accumulated score; and (d) providing an award based on: the ranking
of the plurality of characters; the ranking of the teams; and the
bet type and the bet amount of each of the plurality of terminals.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/034,264, filed Mar. 6, 2008, the entire contents
of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a gaming system, a gaming
machine and a gaming system control method that forms a team of a
predetermined number of characters on which a player can bet in a
racing game in which a plurality of characters race for a finishing
order.
[0004] 2. Related Art
[0005] Conventionally, racing games are known in which a plurality
of characters race, a player bets by predicting the finishing
order, and the player is awarded based on the rank of the bet on
character and odds announced before the start of the race. A
representative example of such a racing game is a game in which the
racing character is a horse, such as in the horse racing game
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,320,351. The racing character can be a
car, other animals and the like; however, the player bets similarly
by predicting the finishing order thereof.
[0006] The target of a bet can be, in a horse racing game such as
the one illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 6,848,991: a horse of first
place; horses of first and second places; a group of a
predetermined number of horses including horses of first and second
places; and the like. Thus, almost all horse racing games are the
same as horse racing of the real world.
[0007] In such a case, the ability of a certain character often
determines winning and losing, as well as a bet result. For
example, in a case where an individual character is configured to
be "strong", the individual character is likely to win the race.
Betting on the "strong" individual character can make the
probability of winning high; however, the odds thereof become low
due to a high number of bets thereon, which results in a low
payout. Therefore, to earn a high payout, a player must bet on an
individual character having a lower probability of winning, and
wait for it to win. On the contrary, in a case where all the
characters are configured to have the same ability, it is extremely
difficult to predict and win the bet due to a lack of clues, which
may deter the players.
[0008] In order to solve the aforementioned problem, the present
invention provides a gaming system, a gaming machine and a gaming
system control method in which a player can, in addition to bet
based on a certain individual among a plurality of characters
participating in a race, bet on a team constituted of a
predetermined number of characters, thus providing various betting
options and increasing the chance to win a bet, to arouse the
interest and excitement of the player.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In a first aspect of the present invention, a gaming system
includes: a display for displaying images related to a racing game
in which a plurality of characters, which is a target of a bet,
races; first memory storing a plurality of teams constituted of a
predetermined plurality of the characters; a plurality of terminals
including an input device accepting a designation of at least any
one of: a character as a target of a bet from the plurality of
characters; and a team as a target of a bet from the plurality of
teams stored in the first memory, and a predetermined bet amount;
second memory storing at least any one of the character and the
team as a target of a bet, and the bet amount for each of the
plurality of terminals; and a controller for executing the racing
game; and a communication network device for allowing
intercommunication between the plurality of terminals and the
controller, in which the controller executes the following
processing of: (a) receiving at least any one of the character and
the team as a target of a bet, and the bet amount from the
plurality of terminals and storing the same in the second memory;
(b) after a race, determining a score corresponding to a ranking
for each of the plurality of characters and accumulating a
resulting score for each of the plurality of teams; (c) after the
processing (b), determining ranking of the teams based on the
accumulated score; and (d) providing an award based on: the ranking
of the plurality of characters; the ranking of the teams; and the
bet type and the bet amount of each of the plurality of
terminals.
[0010] In the first aspect of the present invention, the controller
of the gaming system receives at least any one of a character as a
target of the bet and a team as a target of the bet, and the bet
amount from a plurality of terminals. Then, for each of the
plurality of terminals, the controller stores the received
information in the second memory. Subsequently, the controller
executes and displays a racing game on a display, determines a
score for each of the plurality of characters corresponding to the
ranking thereof, and accumulates the score for each of the
plurality of teams. Then the controller determines the ranking of
the teams based on the accumulated score and provides an award to
the plurality of terminals based on: the ranking of the characters;
the ranking of the teams; the bet type; and the bet amount.
[0011] In a second aspect of the present invention, a gaming system
includes: a display for displaying images related to a racing game
in which a plurality of characters, which is a target of a bet,
races; first memory for storing a plurality of teams constituted of
a predetermined plurality of the characters; a plurality of
terminals including an input device accepting a designation of at
least any one of: a character as a target of a bet from the
plurality of characters; and a team as a target of a bet from the
plurality of teams stored in the first memory, and a predetermined
amount of bet; second memory for storing at least any one of the
character and the team as the target of the bet, and the bet amount
for each of the plurality of terminals; and a controller for
executing the racing game; and a communication network device for
allowing intercommunication between the plurality of terminals and
the controller, in which the controller executes the following
processing of: (a) selecting a plurality of teams from the
plurality of teams stored in the first memory, to show as options
in the racing game; (b) displaying the plurality of characters and
a team selected in processing (a) on the display; (c) receiving at
least any one of the character and the team as the target of the
bet, and the bet amount from the plurality of terminals and storing
thereof in the second memory;
[0012] (d) after a race, determining a score corresponding to the
ranking for each of the plurality of characters and accumulating
the resulting score for each of the plurality of teams; (e) after
the processing (d), determining a ranking of the teams based on the
accumulated score; and (f) providing an award based on: the ranking
of the plurality of characters; the ranking of the teams; and the
bet type and the bet amount of each of the plurality of
terminals.
[0013] In the second aspect of the present invention, a controller
of the gaming system has stored teams constituted of a
predetermined plurality of characters in the first memory, which
can be selected as a target of a bet by a player using the input
device. The controller determines teams as options for a target of
the bet and displays thereof on the display, before betting by a
player. Subsequently, the player bets on one of the plurality of
characters or on one of the plurality of teams, using the input
device. After receiving bets from the plurality of terminals, the
controller stores the bet type and the bet amount for each of the
plurality of terminals in the second memory. Then, the controller
executes a race and tallies the result thereof. In other words, the
controller provides a score to each of the plurality of characters
corresponding to the ranking thereof, and accumulates a score for
each of the teams shown as options on the display. Then, the
controller determines the ranking of the teams based on the
accumulated score, and provides an award depending on the bet type
and the bet amount made by each of the plurality of terminals,
based on at least any one of the ranking of each of the plurality
of characters and the ranking of each of the plurality of
teams.
[0014] In a third aspect of the gaming system according to the
second aspect of the present invention, a combination of the
plurality of characters in the plurality of teams stored in the
first memory is any combination in which members thereof do not
include duplicate characters, and the same character can be a
member of different teams at the same time.
[0015] In the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to
the gaming system described in the second aspect, a combination of
the plurality of characters in the plurality of teams stored in the
first memory is a combination in which members thereof do not
include duplicate characters. In other words, a plurality of
identical characters cannot exist in a team. However, identical
characters can be a member of different teams at the same time. For
example, in a case in which there are characters 1 to 5, there can
be five teams of the choices: 1-2-3; 1-3-5; 2-4-5; 3-2-4; and
3-4-5, thus including identical characters.
[0016] In a fourth aspect of the present invention, a gaming
machine is includes: a display for displaying images related to a
racing game in which a plurality of characters, which is a target
of a bet, races; first memory for storing a plurality of teams
constituted of a predetermined plurality of the characters; an
input device for accepting a designation of at least any one of: a
character as a target of a bet from the plurality of characters;
and a team as a target of the bet from the plurality of teams
stored in the first memory, and a predetermined bet amount; second
memory for storing at least any one of the character and the team
as a target of the bet, and the bet amount; a controller for
executing the racing game, in which the controller executes the
following processing of: (a) storing at least any one of the
character and the team as the target of the bet, and the bet amount
for each of the plurality of terminals in the second memory; (b)
after a race, determining a score corresponding to a ranking for
each of the plurality of characters and accumulating a resulting
score for each of the plurality of teams; (c) after the processing
(b), determining the ranking of the teams based on the accumulated
score; and (d) providing an award based on: the ranking of the
plurality of characters; the ranking of the teams; and the bet type
and the bet amount stored in the second memory.
[0017] In the fourth aspect of the present invention, the
controller can handle similar processing as described in the first
aspect.
[0018] In a fifth aspect of the present invention, a gaming machine
includes: a display for displaying images related to a racing game
in which a plurality of characters, which is a target of a bet,
races; first memory for storing a plurality of teams constituted of
a predetermined plurality of the characters; an input device for
accepting a designation of at least any one of: a character as a
target of the bet from the plurality of characters; and a team as a
target of the bet from the plurality of teams stored in the first
memory, and a predetermined bet amount; second memory for storing
at least any one of the character and the team as the target of the
bet, and the bet amount; a controller executing the racing game, in
which the controller executes the following processing of: (a)
selecting a plurality of teams from the plurality of teams stored
in the first memory, to show as options in the racing game; (b)
displaying the plurality of characters and a team selected in the
processing (a) on the display; (c) storing at least any one of the
character and the team being target of a bet, and the amount of bet
for each of the plurality of terminals in the second memory; (d)
after a race, determining a score corresponding to a ranking for
each of the plurality of characters and accumulating the resulting
score for each of the plurality of teams; (e) after the processing
(d), determining the ranking of the teams based on an accumulated
score; and (f) providing an award based on: the ranking of the
plurality of characters; the ranking of the teams; and the bet type
and the bet amount stored in the second memory.
[0019] In the fifth aspect of the present invention, the controller
can handle similar processing as the second aspect.
[0020] In a sixth aspect the gaming machine according to the fifth
aspect of the present invention, a combination of the plurality of
characters in the plurality of teams stored in the first memory is
any combination in which members thereof do not include duplicate
characters, and the same character can be a member of different
teams at the same time.
[0021] In the sixth aspect of the present invention, the same
combination can be used as described in the third aspect.
[0022] In a seventh aspect of the present invention, a gaming
system control method is provided for controlling a racing game
executed by a gaming machine having: a display for displaying
images related to a racing game in which a plurality of characters,
which is a target of a bet, races; first memory for storing a
plurality of teams constituted of a predetermined plurality of the
characters; a plurality of terminals including an input device for
accepting a designation of at least any one of: a character as a
target of the bet from the plurality of characters; and a team as a
target of the bet from the plurality of teams stored in the first
memory, and a predetermined bet amount; second memory for storing
at least any one of the character and the team as the target of the
bet, and the bet amount for each of the plurality of terminals; and
a controller for executing the racing game, including steps,
executed by the controller, of: (a) receiving at least any one of
the character and the team as the target of the bet, and the bet
amount from the plurality of terminals and storing thereof in the
second memory; (b) after a race, determining a score corresponding
to a ranking for each of the plurality of characters and
accumulating a resulting score for each of the plurality of teams;
(c) after the processing (b), determining the ranking of the teams
based on the accumulated score; and (d) providing an award based
on: the ranking of the plurality of characters; the ranking of the
teams; and the bet type and the bet amount of each of the plurality
of terminals.
[0023] In the seventh aspect of the present invention, the
controller can handle similar processing as described in the first
aspect.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing a main part of the present
invention;
[0025] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the gaming system
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of a gaming
system according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0027] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a main controller of the gaming
system according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0028] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the terminal
device according to the preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0029] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an outline of the terminal
device according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0030] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the main flow chart of a gaming
system according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0031] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing bet target team determination
processing of FIG. 7;
[0032] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a bet target team determination
table according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0033] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing team result processing of
FIG. 7;
[0034] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a score table according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention; and
[0035] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a display example of the sub
display device of the terminal device according to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0036] The main part of the present invention is described
hereinafter with reference to FIG. 1. A main control unit 112,
which is of a main controller 20 that performs the overall control
of the gaming system 1 according to the present invention,
determines a plurality of characters participating in a race and a
plurality of teams as a target of a bet (Step S101). In Step S102,
the main control unit 112 displays the plurality of characters
participating in a race and the plurality of teams on a main
display device 21 and/or a sub display device 34. In Step S103, the
main control unit 112 receives from a plurality of terminal devices
30 a bet and a bet amount accepted thereby, and stores the same,
for each terminal device 30, in a predetermined storage region in
RAM 142 as second memory. In Step S104, the main control unit 112
determines whether a bet accepting period has elapsed or not. In
the case of a YES determination, processing is advanced to Step
S105, and in the case of a NO determination, processing is advanced
to Step S103. In Step S105, a racing game is executed, and then the
processing advances to Step S106. In Step S106, the main control
unit 112 determines an award for each of the plurality of
characters based on a result of the racing game, calculates a score
for each team, and provides an award to each of the plurality of
terminal devices 30.
[0037] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a
gaming system 1 including a plurality of terminal devices 30. The
gaming system 1 is a multi-player gaming system for a
multi-player-type horse racing game, in which a plurality of
players can participate, including a plurality of terminal devices
30 and a main controller 20, which is a controller having a large
main display device 21.
[0038] The main controller 20 includes and controls the main
display device 21 and speakers 22 installed on both sides of the
main display device 21.
[0039] The main display device 21 is a large projection display
device. The main display device 21 displays an image of a plurality
of racehorses racing, a result of a race, and the like, in response
to commands by the main controller 20. On the other hand, a sub
display device, included in each terminal device 30, displays odds
information for each racehorse, information related to a bet made
by the player himself, and the like. It should be noted that a
large projection display device is used in the present embodiment;
however, the present invention is not limited thereto and any large
monitor can be used.
[0040] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a network of the
gaming system 1.
[0041] In the gaming system 1, the main controller 20 and the
plurality of terminal devices 30 can communicate with each other
via a communication line to form a network 40. The main display
device 21 is configured to be controlled by the main controller 20.
The communication line can provide a wired or wireless
connection.
[0042] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a
main control unit 112 included in the main controller 20.
Basically, the main control unit 112 is constituted mainly of a
microcomputer 145 constituted of a CPU 141, RAM 142, ROM 143, and a
bus 144 for data transfer therebetween. The RAM 142 and the ROM 143
are connected to the CPU 141 via the bus 144. The RAM 142 is memory
for temporarily storing various data computed by the CPU 141. The
ROM 143 stores various programs for the operations required for the
control of the gaming system 1, data tables, and the like.
[0043] An image processing circuit 131 is connected to the
microcomputer 145 via an I/O interface 146. The image processing
circuit 131 is connected to the main display device 21 and controls
the operation thereof.
[0044] The image processing circuit 131 is constituted of: program
ROM; image ROM; an image control CPU; work RAM; a video display
processor (VDP); video RAM; and the like. The program ROM stores an
image control program and various selection tables related to the
display on the main display device 21. The image ROM stores pixel
data for forming an image, such as pixel data for forming an image
on the main display device 21. The image control CPU determines an
image to be displayed on the main display device 21 from pixel data
prestored in the image ROM based on a parameter defined by the
microcomputer 145 and in accordance with an image control program
prestored in the program ROM. The work RAM functions as a temporary
storage device for executing the image control program by the image
control CPU. The VDP generates image data according to the display
content determined by the image control CPU, and outputs thereof to
the main display device 21. The video RAM functions as a temporary
storage device to be used for forming an image by the VDP.
[0045] A sound circuit 132 is connected to the microcomputer 145
via the I/O interface 146. Speaker devices 22 are connected to the
sound circuit 132. The speaker devices 22 generate various sound
effects, BGM and the like for implementing various effects, based
on a driving signal from the CPU 141 and with an output control by
the sound circuit 132.
[0046] An external storage device 125 is connected to the
microcomputer 145 via the I/O interface 146. The external storage
device 125 operates similarly to the image ROM in the image
processing circuit 131, and pixel data for forming an image, such
as pixel data for forming an image on the main display device 21,
is stored therein. Therefore, the image control CPU in the image
processing circuit 131 selects an image to be displayed on the main
display device 21 also from pixel data prestored in the external
storage device 125.
[0047] A communication interface 136 is connected to the
microcomputer 145 via the I/O interface 146. A sub control unit 202
of each terminal device 30 is connected to the communication
interface 136. This allows two-way communication between the CPU
141 and each terminal device 30. The CPU 141 can transmit and
receive instructions, requests, data and the like with respect to
each terminal device 30 via the communication interface 136.
Therefore, the main controller 20 of the gaming system 1 controls
the progress of a horse racing game, in cooperation with each
terminal device 30.
[0048] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an appearance of each
terminal device 30. The terminal device 30 includes: a seat 31 on
which a player can sit; an opening 32 formed on one of four lateral
faces of the terminal device 30; a seat encircling portion 33 that
covers three of four lateral faces of the terminal device 30 except
for the lateral face having the opening 32; and a sub display
device 34 installed on the seat encircling portion 33, in the front
portion of the terminal device 30, that displays images related to
the game.
[0049] The seat 31 includes: a seating surface 311 on which a
player sits; a backrest 312 supporting the back of a player; a
headrest 313 installed on top of the backrest 312; armrests 314
installed on both sides of the backrest 312; and a leg portion 315
fixed to the base portion 35.
[0050] The seat encircling portion 33 includes: a side unit 331
installed on an opposite face to the lateral face having the
opening 32; a front unit 332 installed in the front portion of the
terminal device 30; and a back unit 333 installed in the rear
portion of the terminal device 30. This allows a player to sit on
and get out of the seat 31 through the opening 32, in which the
seat encircling portion 33 is not formed.
[0051] A medal slot into which medals corresponding to credits are
inserted, a medal payout opening that pays out medals corresponding
to credits, and the like are fixed on the side unit 331 (not
shown). It should be noted that, the gaming medium used in the
present embodiment is medals; however, the present invention is not
limited thereto. Examples of the gaming medium include coins,
tokens, electronic money, or any equivalent valuable information
such as electronic credits. In this case, credits can be paid out
by a ticket printed out from a ticket printer 216 (described
later).
[0052] The front unit 332 is a table having the base portion 35 and
a substantially horizontal level surface, which is movably
supported on the side unit 331, in the front portion of the
terminal device 30. A player sitting on the seat 31 can put his
legs into a space under the front unit 332.
[0053] The back unit 333 is integrated with the side unit 331 and
constitutes a part of the seat encircling portion 33.
[0054] The sub display device 34 includes a supporting arm 341
supported by the front unit 332 and a rectangular liquid crystal
monitor 342 for displaying, fixed at the distal end of the
supporting arm 341. The liquid crystal monitor 342 is a so-called
touch panel, and is provided at a position facing the chest of a
player sitting on the seat 31. The liquid crystal monitor 342,
which is a touch panel, serves as an input device used by a player
to bet.
[0055] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a sub
control unit 202 included in the terminal device 30. The sub
control unit 202 controls the terminal device 30 and basically is
constituted mainly of a microcomputer 235 constituted of a CPU 231,
RAM 232, ROM 233, and a bus 234 for data transfer therebetween. The
RAM 232 and the ROM 233 are connected to the CPU 231 via the bus
234. The RAM 232 is memory for temporarily storing various data
computed by the CPU 231. The ROM 233 stores various programs for
the operations required for the control of the gaming system 1,
data tables, and the like.
[0056] A sub monitor driving circuit 221 is connected to the
microcomputer 235 via an I/O interface 236. A liquid crystal
monitor 342 is connected to the sub monitor driving circuit 221.
The sub monitor driving circuit 221 controls the operation of the
liquid crystal monitor 342 based on a driving signal from the main
controller 20.
[0057] A touch panel driving circuit 222 is connected to the
microcomputer 235 via an I/O interface 146. A liquid crystal
monitor 342 as a touch panel is connected to the touch panel
driving circuit 222. An instruction, by a touching operation by a
user, to the surface of the liquid crystal monitor 342 (touched
position) is input to the CPU 231 based on a coordinate signal from
the touch panel driving circuit 222.
[0058] A bill validator driving circuit 223 is connected to the
microcomputer 235 via the I/O interface 236. A bill validator 215
is connected to the bill validator driving circuit 223. The bill
validator 215 determines whether a bill or a bar coded ticket is
valid or not. Upon reception of a valid bill, the bill validator
215 inputs the value thereof to the CPU 231 based upon the
validating signal from the bill validator driving circuit 223. In
addition, upon reception of a valid bar coded ticket, the bill
validator 215 inputs the amount of the credit and the like recorded
therein to the CPU 231 based upon the validating signal from the
bill validator driving circuit 223.
[0059] A ticket printer driving circuit 224 is connected to the
microcomputer 235 via the I/O interface 146. A ticket printer 216
is connected to the ticket printer driving circuit 224. With an
output control by the ticket printer driving circuit 224 based on a
driving signal output from the CPU 231, the ticket printer 216
prints a bar code on a ticket, on which data such as the credit
amount stored in the RAM 232 are coded, and then prints out a bar
coded ticket.
[0060] The communication interface 225 is connected to the
microcomputer 235 via the I/O interface 236. The main control unit
112 of the main gaming machine body 20 is connected to the
communication interface 225. This allows for two-way communication
between the CPU 231 and the main control unit 112. The CPU 231 can
transmit and receive instructions, requests, data and the like with
respect to the main control unit 112 via the communication
interface 225. Therefore, each terminal device 30 of the gaming
system 1 controls the progress of a horse racing game, in
cooperation with the main controller 20.
[0061] A flow of the operations of the gaming system 1 is explained
hereinafter with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG. 7. It
should be noted that all the terminal devices 30 similarly perform
a game in cooperation with the main controller 20, although a
single terminal device 30 is illustrated in FIG. 7.
[0062] The main controller 20 executes processing of Steps S1 to
S7. Firstly, in Step S1, the main control unit 112 performs
initialization processing, and then the flow advances to Step S2.
In this processing, the CPU 141 determines a course of the race,
characters participating in the race, starting time and the like of
the horse racing game, and reads data thereof from the ROM 143. In
the present embodiment, all of the registered characters
participate in the race.
[0063] In Step S2, the main control unit 112 performs bet target
team determination processing, and then the flow advances to Step
S3. In the bet target team determination processing, a team as a
target of a bet is determined based on the characters participating
in the race, which are determined in Step S1. The team is a unit of
a predetermined number of characters, which can be a target of a
bet. Ranking of the teams is determined by ranking of the members
thereof. Details are described hereinafter.
[0064] In Step S3, the main control unit 112 transmits race
information to each terminal device 30, and then the flow advances
to Step S4. In this processing, the CPU 141 transmits a course of
the race, characters participating in the race, bet target teams,
the starting time and the like, to each terminal device 30.
[0065] In Step S4, the main control unit 112 determines whether it
is the starting time for the race. In a case where this
determination is YES, the flow advances to Step S5, and in a case
where this determination is NO, Step S4 is repeated. More
specifically, the CPU 141 repeatedly checks the clock time until
the time for starting the race comes, and, at the time for starting
the race, advances to Step S5. It should be noted that, in a case
where bet information is received, the bet information is stored in
a predetermined storage region in the PAM 142 for each terminal
device 30. The bet information includes a bet for each character, a
bet for a team, and information regarding the bet amount
thereof.
[0066] In Step S5, the main control unit 112 performs race
displaying processing, and then advances to Step S6. In this
processing, the CPU 141 displays a race image on the main display
device 21 and outputs sound effects and a voice from the speakers
22, based on data that is read from the ROM 143 in Step S1.
[0067] In Step S6, the main control unit 112 performs race result
processing, and then advances to Step S7. In this processing, the
CPU 141 computes the payout for each terminal device 30 based on
the finishing order of the characters that participated in the
race, data regarding bet information received from each terminal
device 30, and the like.
[0068] In Step S7, the main control unit 112 performs team result
processing, and then advances to Step S8. In this processing, a
ranking of teams is determined based on the finishing order of the
characters that participated in the race. Details are described
hereinafter.
[0069] In Step S8, the main control unit 112 performs payout
information transmission processing, and then advances to Step S1.
In this processing, the CPU 141 transmits data regarding payout and
the like computed in Steps S6 and S7 to the corresponding terminal
device 30.
[0070] On the other hand, each terminal device 30 executes
processing of Steps S11 to S16. Firstly, in Step S11, the sub
control unit 202 performs bet image display processing, and then
advances to Step S12. In this processing, the CPU 231 displays the
odds for each racehorse, past records thereof and the like on the
liquid crystal monitor 342, based on the data sent from the main
controller 20 in Step S2.
[0071] In Step S12, the sub control unit 202 performs bet operation
accepting processing, and then advances to Step S13. In this
processing, the CPU 231 enables touch operation by a player on the
surface of the liquid crystal monitor 342 as a touch panel, starts
accepting a bet operation by the player, and changes images
displayed thereon in accordance with the bet operation.
[0072] In Step S13, the sub control unit 202 determines whether a
bet accepting period has elapsed or not. In a case where this
determination is YES, the flow advances to Step S14, and in a case
where this determination is NO, the flow advances to Step S12. More
specifically, the CPU 231 repeatedly checks the clock time until a
predetermined period has elapsed since the bet operation accepting
processing is started in Step S12, and, once the predetermined
period has elapsed, stop accepting bet operations by the player and
advances to Step S14.
[0073] In Step S14, the sub control unit 202 determines whether a
bet operation has been performed or not. If the determination is
YES, the flow advances to Step S15, and if NO, the flow advances to
Step S11. In this processing, the CPU 231 determines whether a bet
operation has been performed in the abovementioned period in which
the bet operation was accepted.
[0074] In Step S15, the sub control unit 202 performs bet
information transmission processing, and then advances to Step S16.
In this processing, the CPU 231 transmits data regarding the
performed bet operation to the main controller 20.
[0075] In Step S16, the sub control unit 202 performs payout
processing, and then advances to Step S11. In this processing, the
CPU 231 pays out medals from the medal payout opening, based on the
data regarding payout and the like sent from the main controller 20
in Step S8.
[0076] Bet target team determination processing is described with
reference to FIG. 8.
[0077] In the bet target team determination processing, teams as
the target of a bet are determined based on the characters
participating in the race, which are determined in Step S1 of FIG.
7.
[0078] In Step S21, the main control unit 112 of the main
controller 20 reads a bet target team determination table (later
described in FIG. 9) from a predetermined storage region in the ROM
143, which is first memory, and then advances to Step S22.
[0079] In Step S22, the main control unit 112 determines bet target
teams by generating random numbers, and then advances to Step S23.
In the processing of Step 22, a predetermined number of bet target
teams are determined based on the bet target team determination
table read in Step S21 and the generated random numbers. More
specifically, the main control unit 112 generates the same number
of random numbers as the number of bet target teams, and assigns a
bet target team for each random number.
[0080] In Step S23, the main control unit 112 stores the bet target
team as determined to the RAM 142, and then advances to Step S3 of
FIG. 7.
[0081] FIG. 9 illustrates the bet target team determination table
read in Step S21 and referenced in Step S22.
[0082] In the bet target team determination table, a team number, a
member number and a value are correlated to each other. The team
number is a serial number for each of a plurality of teams. The
member number is a number of each character participating in the
race. The member numbers in the same column belong to the same
team. A team is formed of a predetermined number of characters. In
the present embodiment, three characters comprise a team.
[0083] A team does not have duplicate characters. In other words,
multiple identical characters cannot be members of the same
team.
[0084] Identical characters can belong to different teams in one
race. In other words, different teams can have the same character
at once. For example, team numbers 2 and 4 in the bet target team
determination table can be selected as a bet target in the same
race. The team number 2 has characters of 1, 2, and 4 as members
and the team number 4 has characters of 1, 2, and 6 as members. In
this case, the characters 1 and 2 are members of different teams in
the same race.
[0085] To select a team, the main control unit 112 generates the
same number of random numbers as the number of teams as a bet
target. In the present embodiment, the number of bet target teams
is 6. In this case, the main control unit 112 generates 6 random
numbers.
[0086] Subsequently, the main control unit 112 subtracts the value
associated with the team, sequentially from team number 1, from the
generated random number. In a case where the result is smaller than
0 (a negative number), the team having the value becomes a bet
target team.
[0087] After the bet target team is thus determined for the first
random number, a value is subtracted from the second random number,
sequentially from the next row of the bet target team until a
negative number is obtained. The main control unit 112 thus
determines bet target teams for the 6 random numbers. In a case
where a negative number is not obtained after subtracting a value
of the last row, the subtraction is continued from the first
row.
[0088] For example, in a case where one of the generated random
numbers is "5", the main control unit 112 subtracts "2", associated
with the team number 1, therefrom. The result is "3", which is a
positive number. Subsequently, the main control unit 112 subtracts
"4" in the next row from the result of the subtraction "3". In this
case, a negative number is obtained and the team number 2 becomes a
bet target team for the random number "5". Next, the main control
unit 112 subtracts a value associated with the team number 3 in the
next row from the second random number. The bet target teams are
thus determined.
[0089] Team result processing is described hereinafter with
reference to FIG. 10. The team result processing corresponds to
Step S7 in FIG. 7.
[0090] First, in Step S31, the main control unit 112 provides a
score corresponding to the ranking of characters to each character,
based on the ranking of the characters participating in the race
and a score table (described later in FIG. 11). Then, the flow
advances to Step S32.
[0091] In Step S32, the main control unit 112 sums the score
provided to characters that are members of each bet target team,
and then advances to Step S33.
[0092] In Step S33, the main control unit 112 determines the
ranking of teams based on the sum total of the score for each team
calculated in Step S33, and then advances to Step S8 of FIG. 7. In
the present embodiment, the team having a higher sum total of a
score is ranked higher.
[0093] The score table is described hereinafter with reference to
FIG. 11. The score table is a table referenced in Step S31 of FIG.
10.
[0094] In the score table, scores are associated with ranks. For
example, the score for the first place is 15. The score is thus
provided to characters participating in the race according to the
finishing order thereof.
[0095] In Step S32, the main control unit 112 sums the scores for
each team, and in Step S33, the ranking of teams is determined. For
example, in a case where the team number 2 is one of the bet target
teams, the main control unit 112 sums the score of characters 1, 2,
and 4, which are the members of the team number 2. For example, in
a case where the character 1 is in the first place, the character 2
is in the fifth place and the character 4 is in the tenth place,
the score provided thereto is 15, 8, and 2, respectively. The sum
total of the score is thus 25.
[0096] A display example of the bet window shown on the liquid
crystal monitor 342 of the terminal device 30 is described
hereinafter with reference to FIG. 12. The liquid crystal monitor
342 can be used as a touch panel, thus allowing a player to perform
a bet operation by touching the touch panel according to the
display thereon. In other words, the liquid crystal monitor and the
touch panel are an input device of the terminal device 30.
[0097] The bet window is divided into 4 areas in the display
example of FIG. 12. The first area 61 displays the character
number, the post position, the character name and the like of the
characters participating in the race. A player can select the
character to bet on with reference thereto.
[0098] The second area 62 is an area for betting. An input area is
provided for each bet type that can be chosen in the racing game.
The bet types can include any bet type that can be chosen in the
normal horse racing games, such as Win (to predict a character for
the first place) and Quinella (to predict a combination of
characters for the first and second places). To input, a player
touches a bet type to make the bet type be in a selected state.
Subsequently, a player touches a character number or a character
name displayed on the first area 61 to bet thereon. For example, to
make a Win bet, a player first touches an item 622 "Win", and then
touches a character number or a character name displayed on the
first area. This inputs the character number touched by a player in
a column 622.
[0099] The third area 63 is an area for betting on teams. Bet
target teams and character number of members thereof are displayed
on the third area 63. For example, a team 1 has character numbers
1, 3 and 5 as members. 6 bet target teams are thus displayed in the
present embodiment. In a case of betting on a team, a player can
specify a bet target by touching an area 631, in which a team to
bet on is displayed.
[0100] A player can input a bet amount by touching an ante input
area 71, and then each number key 651 displayed in a numerical pad
area 65. A player can confirm the input numerical value by touching
a confirm key 652.
[0101] To input a numerical value in each area, a player can use
the number keys 651 in the numerical pad area 65.
[0102] The fourth area 64 displays a list of bets made by a player.
A player can check the bets made and the credits remaining by
looking at the fourth area 64.
[0103] In the present embodiment, the bet target of the racing game
includes teams, in addition to characters. In other words, even if
one single character arrives early, a prize is not necessarily
provided. Whether a prize is provided or not is determined in
relation to the finishing order of other characters. This can
provide a larger number of kinds of bets, whereby various bet types
are provided having a higher chance of being rewarded, thus
arousing interest and excitement of the player.
[0104] In the present embodiment, a player can bet on teams
constituted of a predetermined plurality of characters, in addition
to a ranking of characters; however, the present invention is not
limited thereto. For example, a configuration allowing only betting
on teams is also possible. In addition, the number of members of a
team is 3 in the present embodiment; however, the present invention
is not limited thereto and a team can have less or more
members.
[0105] In the present embodiment, values to be subtracted from the
random number generated by the main control unit 112 are defined in
the bet target team determination table; however, the present
invention is not limited thereto, and ranges can be defined for
random numbers generated. In other words, in a case where a certain
random number is within a certain range, a team with a team number
associated with the range is selected as a bet target team.
[0106] In the present embodiment, a higher score is provided to a
character of a higher rank, and the team having the higher sum
total of score is ranked higher; however, the present invention is
not limited thereto. For example, a lower score can be assigned to
a character of a higher rank, and the team having the lower sum
total of score can be ranked higher.
[0107] In the present embodiment, all of the registered characters
participate in the race; however, the present invention is not
limited thereto. For example, a larger number of characters can be
registered than a number of characters participating in the race,
and the characters participating in the race can be selected
therefrom. In this case, in the processing of selecting bet target
teams, teams including only characters participating in the race
can be selected. In other words, for example, a flag can be set to
teams including only characters participating in the race, and the
bet target teams can be selected therefrom by random number
lottery.
[0108] In the present embodiment, a bet can be made to a team of
the first place; however, the present invention is not limited
thereto. For example, as in the bet on characters, a bet can be
made on a combination of teams in the first and second places, or a
bet can be made by predicting the ranking of characters in a
selected team.
[0109] It should be noted that the gaming system includes the main
display device 21 that is installed so as to be visible from a
plurality of the terminal devices 30, in the present embodiment;
however, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example,
the network 40 can be expanded worldwide without providing the main
display device 21. In this case, in addition to information
displayed on the sub display device, a race image and a race result
image, displayed on the main display 21 in the present embodiment,
should be displayed on each of the plurality of terminal devices
30.
[0110] It should be noted that the gaming medium used in the
present embodiment is medals; however, the present invention is not
limited thereto. Examples of the gaming medium include coins,
tokens, electronic money, or any equivalent valuable information
such as electronic credits.
[0111] While the preferred embodiment of the present invention has
been described above, it is apparent to one skilled in the art that
various changes and modifications can be made without departing
from the scope of the claims appended to this specification.
* * * * *