U.S. patent application number 12/084327 was filed with the patent office on 2009-10-22 for drawing machine and game apparatus using the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. Invention is credited to Nobuhiro Goto, Kazuhiro Kusuda, Yuichi Nakahara, Daisuke Sato, Monju Wada.
Application Number | 20090264175 12/084327 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38005703 |
Filed Date | 2009-10-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090264175 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Goto; Nobuhiro ; et
al. |
October 22, 2009 |
Drawing Machine and Game Apparatus Using the Same
Abstract
The present invention provides a drawing machine and a game
apparatus using the same by which participants of drawing can
intervene in a process of drawing. A drawing machine for
determining a winning-object from a plurality of drawing-objects
includes: a winning-probability data storage unit for storing
winning-probability data showing respective winning-probabilities
of the plurality of drawing-objects; a drawing unit for carrying
out drawings in accordance with the winning-probabilities of the
respective drawing-objects determined by the winning-probability
data stored in the winning-probability data storage unit and
determining the winning-object from the plurality of
drawing-objects; an operation unit operated by a participant of the
drawing; a desired drawing-object determination unit for
determining a desired drawing-object which the participant of
drawing desires to win or not win, from the plurality of
drawing-objects based on an operation of the operation unit; and a
winning-probability data changing unit for changing the
winning-probability data stored in the winning-probability data
storage unit so that a winning-probability of the desired
drawing-object determined by the desired drawing-object
determination unit is changed.
Inventors: |
Goto; Nobuhiro; (Tokyo,
JP) ; Kusuda; Kazuhiro; (Tokyo, JP) ;
Nakahara; Yuichi; (Tokyo, JP) ; Sato; Daisuke;
(Tokyo, JP) ; Wada; Monju; (Tokyo, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RADER FISHMAN & GRAUER PLLC
LION BUILDING, 1233 20TH STREET N.W., SUITE 501
WASHINGTON
DC
20036
US
|
Assignee: |
Konami Digital Entertainment Co.,
Ltd
Minato-ku
JP
|
Family ID: |
38005703 |
Appl. No.: |
12/084327 |
Filed: |
October 27, 2006 |
PCT Filed: |
October 27, 2006 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2006/321485 |
371 Date: |
April 30, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/17 ; 463/25;
463/42 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/32 20130101;
G07F 17/323 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/17 ; 463/42;
463/25 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 31, 2005 |
JP |
2005-317500 |
Claims
1. A drawing machine for determining a winning-object from a
plurality of drawing-objects, comprising: a winning-probability
data storage unit for storing winning-probability data showing
respective winning-probabilities of the plurality of
drawing-objects; a drawing unit for carrying out drawings in
accordance with the winning-probabilities of the respective
drawing-objects determined by the winning-probability data stored
in the winning-probability data storage unit and determining the
winning-object from the plurality of drawing-objects; an operation
unit operated by a participant of the drawing; a desired
drawing-object determination unit for determining a desired
drawing-object which the participant of drawing desires to win or
not win, from the plurality of drawing-objects based on an
operation of the operation unit; and a winning-probability data
changing unit for changing the winning-probability data stored in
the winning-probability data storage unit so that a
winning-probability of the desired drawing-object determined by the
desired drawing-object determination unit is changed.
2. The drawing machine according to claim 1, further comprising: a
winning-probability image displaying unit for displaying a
winning-probability image showing the winning-probabilities of the
respective drawing-objects determined by the winning-probability
data stored in the winning-probability data storage unit; and a
winning-probability displaying control unit for changing the
winning-probability image displayed on the winning-probability
image displaying unit, when the winning-probability data changing
unit changes the winning-probability data, so as to correspond to
the changed winning-probability data.
3. The drawing machine according to claim 2, wherein the
winning-probability image has image areas corresponding to the
respective drawing-objects, and a difference of sizes of the
respective image areas corresponds to a difference of the
winning-probabilities of the respective drawing-objects.
4. The drawing machine according to claim 1, further comprising: a
communication unit for communicating data with a communication
terminal having a data communicating function via a network; and a
transmission unit for transmitting data for displaying, on a
displaying unit of the communication terminal, a
winning-probability image showing winning-probabilities of the
respective drawing-objects determined by the winning-probability
data stored in the winning-probability data storage unit, via the
communication unit to the communication terminal, wherein the
transmission unit transmits data for changing the
winning-probability image displayed on the displaying unit of the
communication terminal, when the winning-probability data changing
unit changes the winning-probability data, so as to correspond to
the changed winning-probability data.
5. The drawing machine according to claim 4, wherein the
winning-probability image has image areas corresponding to the
respective drawing-objects, and a difference of sizes of the
respective image areas corresponds to a difference of the
winning-probabilities of the respective drawing-objects.
6. The drawing machine according to claim 1, further comprising: a
communication unit for communicating data with a communication
terminal having a data communicating function via a network,
wherein the desired drawing-object determination unit determines
the desired drawing-object which the participant of the drawing
desires to win or not win, from the plurality of drawing-objects,
based on an operation content of the operation unit of the
communication terminal, which is received by the communication unit
in place of an operation content of the operation unit of the
drawing machine.
7. The drawing machine according to claim 1, further comprising: a
fluctuation amount determination unit for determining a fluctuation
amount of the winning-probability of the desired drawing-object
determined by the desired drawing-object determination unit in
accordance with a predetermined fluctuation amount determining
condition, wherein the winning-probability data changing unit
changes the winning-probability data stored in the
winning-probability data storage unit so that the
winning-probability of the desired drawing-object determined by the
desired drawing-object determination unit is changed by the
fluctuation amount determined by the fluctuation amount
determination unit.
8. A game apparatus, comprising: the drawing machine according to
any one of claims 1 through 7; and a game control unit for
controlling progression of a game using a result of the drawing
executed by the drawing machine.
9. The game apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising: a
bet accepting unit for accepting a bet for a bet-object; and an
allotment payout unit for paying out allotment, wherein the game
control unit decides whether a predetermined payout condition is
met or not, based on the result of the drawing by the drawing
machine, and when the game control unit decides that the
predetermined payout condition is met, the game control unit
controls the allotment payout unit to pay out a quantity of
allotment corresponding to a quantity of the bet-object accepted by
the bet accepting unit.
10. A game apparatus comprising: the drawing machine according to
claim 7, a game control unit for controlling progression of a game
using a result of the drawing executed by the drawing machine; a
bet accepting unit for accepting a bet for a bet-object; and an
allotment payout unit for paying out allotment, wherein the game
control unit decides whether a predetermined payout condition is
met or not based on the result of the drawing by the drawing
machine, and when the game control unit decides that the
predetermined payout condition is met, the game control unit
controls the allotment payout unit to pay out a quantity of
allotment corresponding to a quantity of the bet-object accepted by
the bet accepting unit, and wherein the predetermined fluctuation
amount determining condition is a condition in that the larger the
number of the bet-object accepted by the bet accepting unit is, the
greater the fluctuation amount of the winning-probability of the
desired drawing-object with respect to the participant of the
drawing who bets the bet-object becomes.
11. The game apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising: a
winning-object storage unit for storing the winning-objects already
determined by the drawing unit of the drawing machine within a term
in which a plurality of times of the drawings are carried out by
using the drawing machine; and a notifying unit for providing a
notification of the winning-object to the participant of the
drawing every time the drawing unit determines the winning-object,
wherein the game control unit controls the allotment payout unit to
pay out the allotment when the winning-objects stored in the
winning-object storage unit form a predetermined combination, and
the bet-objects accepted by the bet accepting unit regarding the
predetermined fluctuation amount determining condition are
bet-objects accepted by the bet accepting unit after at least one
winning-object is notified by the notifying unit.
12. A game apparatus comprising: the drawing machine according to
claim 7; a game control unit for controlling progression of a game
using a result of the drawing executed by the drawing machine; a
bet accepting unit for accepting a bet for a bet-object; and an
allotment payout unit for paying out allotment, wherein the game
control unit decides whether a predetermined payout condition is
met or not, based on the result of the drawing by the drawing
machine, and when the game control unit decides that the
predetermined payout condition is met, the game control unit
controls the allotment payout unit to pay out a quantity of
allotment corresponding to a quantity of the bet-object accepted by
the bet accepting unit, wherein a winning-object storage unit for
storing the winning-objects already determined by the drawing unit
of the drawing machine within a term in which a plurality of times
of the drawings are carried out by using the drawing machine,
wherein the game control unit controls the allotment payout unit to
pay out the allotment when the winning-objects stored in the
winning-object storage unit form a predetermined combination, and
wherein the predetermined fluctuation amount determining condition
is a condition in that a fluctuation amount in a state, in which
the winning-objects stored in the winning-object storage unit form
a predetermined combination if a specified winning-object is hit,
is larger or lesser than a fluctuation amount in not the state.
13. The game apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the game
control unit controls so that a quantity of allotment paid out by
the allotment payout unit decreases when the winning-probability
data is increased by the winning-probability data changing unit of
the drawing machine, and the quantity of allotment paid out by the
allotment payout unit increases when the winning-probability data
is decreased by the winning-probability data changing unit.
14. The game apparatus according to claim 13, comprising: a
winning-object storage unit for storing the winning-objects already
determined by the drawing unit of the drawing machine within a term
in which a plurality of times of the drawings are carried out by
using the drawing machine; an allotment quantity determination data
storage unit for storing, for each of the plurality of
drawing-objects, an allotment quantity determination data for
determining the quantity of allotment paid out by the allotment
payout unit under the predetermined payout condition if the
corresponding drawing-object is a winning-object determined next by
the drawing unit; and an allotment quantity image displaying unit
for displaying allotment quantity image showing allotment
quantities of the respective drawing-objects, the allotment
quantities being determined based on the allotment quantity
determination data stored in the allotment quantity determination
data storage unit, wherein the game control unit controls the
allotment payout unit to pay out the allotment when the plurality
of winning-objects stored in the winning-object storage unit form a
predetermined combination, the game control unit executes a control
so that the payout ratio becomes almost fixed before and after the
winning-probability data changing unit changes the
winning-probability data by changing allotment quantity
determination data stored in the allotment quantity determination
data storage unit, and when the allotment quantity determination
data is changed, the game control unit executes a display control
in order to change the allotment quantity image displayed on the
allotment quantity image displaying unit to that in accordance with
allotment quantity determination data after the change.
15. The game apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the allotment
quantity image has image areas corresponding to the respective
drawing-objects; and a difference of colors of the respective image
areas corresponds to a difference of the allotment quantities of
the respective drawing-objects.
16. The game apparatus according to claim 9, comprising: an array
image displaying unit for displaying an array image in which a
plurality of drawing-object-images corresponding to part or all of
the plurality of drawing-objects are arrayed; and a winning-object
storage unit for storing the winning-objects already determined by
the drawing unit of the drawing machine within a term in which a
plurality of times of the drawings are carried out by using the
drawing machine, wherein the game control unit controls the
allotment payout unit to pay out the allotment when the plurality
of winning-objects stored in the winning-object storage unit form a
predetermined combination; and the predetermined combination is a
combination of winning-objects when an array of the
drawing-object-images in the array image corresponding to a
plurality of winning-objects stored in the winning-object storage
unit becomes a predetermined array.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a drawing machine and a
game apparatus using the same that carries out a drawing in
accordance with winning-probability of respective drawing-objects
determined by the winning-probability data and determines a
winning-object in a plurality of drawing-objects.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] A drawing machine that determines a winning-object in a
plurality of drawing-objects is widely utilized in a wide range of
fields. For example, a bingo game machine in Patent Document 1 has
been known as a game apparatus utilizing the drawing machine. The
bingo game machine described in Patent Document 1 is placed in an
amusement hall such as a game center, and can be simultaneously
used by a plurality of players (participants of drawing). With this
bingo game machine, a bingo card image (an array image) arrayed in
a square matrix consisting of 5 by 5 rows, in which a number image
(a drawing-object image) is disposed by an array unique to each
player, is displayed in a displaying unit set up for each player.
After that, a winning number (winning-object) is determined from
twenty-five numbers (drawing-objects) from "1" through "25" by a
drawing machine, and display patterns of winning numbers and
numbers other than the winning numbers are made different from each
other in the bingo card images of the respective players. By
repeating the above operation by a predetermined number of times,
when all the numbers in any one of the longitudinal direction, the
horizontal direction and the diagonal direction are drawn on the
bingo card image, BINGO is established, and allotment is paid to
the player.
[0003] In the drawing machine such as utilized in the bingo game
machine, it is important to make a participant of drawing
understand that a drawing is carried out fairly. Therefore, the
bingo game machine described in Patent Document 1 utilizes a
drawing machine carrying out so-called physical drawing. In detail,
the drawing machine used in the bingo game machine is composed of a
supply hole of a ball, one revolution body having a surface portion
on which the ball rolls, a collecting unit provided with a
plurality of pockets for collecting the ball. The revolution body
is rotated on a fixed plane by a revolution driving mechanism. The
revolution body makes the ball supplied from the supply hole roll
irregularly on the surface portion and spring out. The twenty-four
pockets are provided with a periphery of the revolution body along
circumferential direction. Therefore, the ball rolling on the
revolution body along circumferential direction enters into either
pocket and is collected. Either of number "1" through "25" is
allotted to the each pocket respectively, a number allotted to the
pocket into which the ball has been entered is determined as the
winning-object. According to the drawing machine carrying out thus
physical drawing, since participants of drawing can understand
definitely a process of the drawing, the participants of drawing
can understand easily that the drawing is carried out fairly.
[0004] However, in the drawing machine carrying out thus physical
drawing, there is a defect in that degree of variation when
winning-probability of respective drawing-objects is changed is
low.
[0005] That is, in an example of the drawing machine described in
Patent Document 1, for example, if a size of the pockets is changed
by using driving mechanism or a number allotted to the pockets is
changed, it is possible to change the winning-probability of
respective drawing-objects. However, the size and the allocable
number of the pocket are restricted physically. Therefore, in a
restricted range, it is necessary to change the winning-probability
of respective drawing-objects, whereby a degree of variation for
changing the winning-probability is low.
[0006] On the other hand, conventionally, a drawing machine
carrying out so-called computer drawing has been known, by which
winning-objects are determined by executing a drawing program in
accordance with winning-probability of respective drawing-objects
determined by winning-probability data. In the drawing machine
carrying out thus computer drawing, since the winning-probability
of each drawing-object is changed freely by changing the
winning-probability data, a degree of variation for changing the
winning-probability is high.
[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Published Unexamined Patent
Application No. 2001-161889
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0008] However, in conventional drawing machines carrying out the
computer drawing, there is problem in that there is no room where
participants of the drawing who participates in the drawing
intervene in a process of the drawing.
[0009] In view of the above-described problem, the present
invention realizes and provides a drawing machine and a game
apparatus using the same by which participants of drawing can
intervene in a process of drawing.
Means for Solving the Problem
[0010] As an aspect of the present invention, it is listed that a
drawing machine for determining a winning-object from a plurality
of drawing-objects includes: a winning-probability data storage
unit for storing winning-probability data showing respective
winning-probabilities of the plurality of drawing-objects; a
drawing unit for carrying out drawings in accordance with the
winning-probabilities of the respective drawing-objects determined
by the winning-probability data stored in the winning-probability
data storage unit and determining the winning-object from the
plurality of drawing-objects; an operation unit operated by a
participant of the drawing; a desired drawing-object determination
unit for determining a desired drawing-object which the participant
of drawing desires to win or not win, from the plurality of
drawing-objects based on an operation of the operation unit; and a
winning-probability data changing unit for changing the
winning-probability data stored in the winning-probability data
storage unit so that a winning-probability of the desired
drawing-object determined by the desired drawing-object
determination unit is changed.
[0011] In the drawing machine, the desired drawing-object which is
desired to win or not win by the participant of drawing is
determined from the plurality of drawing-objects based on the
operation when the participant of drawing operates the operation
unit, a winning-probability of the desired drawing-object is
changed. Therefore, a result of the drawing can reflect a desire of
the participant of the drawing. Also, it is possible to determine
appropriately in consideration of usage of the result of the
drawing, etc. how to change the winning-probability in accordance
with a desire of the participant. For example, with respect to the
desired drawing-object that is desired to win by the participant,
the winning-probability may be changed to increase or may be
changed to decrease. Also, for example, with respect to the desired
drawing-object that is desired to not win by the participant, the
winning-probability may be changed to increase or may be changed to
decrease.
[0012] Also, the drawing machine may further include: a
winning-probability image displaying unit for displaying a
winning-probability image showing the winning-probabilities of the
respective drawing-objects determined by the winning-probability
data stored in the winning-probability data storage unit; and a
winning-probability displaying control unit for changing the
winning-probability image displayed on the winning-probability
image displaying unit, when the winning-probability data changing
unit changes the winning-probability data, so as to correspond to
the changed winning-probability data.
[0013] In the drawing machine, the participant of the drawing can
understand visually that the winning-probability data is changed by
the winning-probability data changing unit, by looking at the
winning-probability image. Thereby, the participant of the drawing
can check easily that the winning-probability data is changed in
accordance with an own desire.
[0014] Also, the drawing machine may further include: a
communication unit for communicating data with a communication
terminal having a data communicating function via a network; and a
transmission unit for transmitting data for displaying, on a
displaying unit of the communication terminal, a
winning-probability image showing winning-probabilities of the
respective drawing-objects determined by the winning-probability
data stored in the winning-probability data storage unit, via the
communication unit to the communication terminal, wherein the
transmission unit may transmit data for changing the
winning-probability image displayed on the displaying unit of the
communication terminal, when the winning-probability data changing
unit changes the winning-probability data, so as to correspond to
the changed winning-probability data.
[0015] In the drawing machine, the participant of the drawing can
understand visually that the winning-probability data is changed by
the winning-probability data changing unit, by looking at the
winning-probability image displayed on the displaying unit of the
own communication terminal wherever there is the participant in a
place that can execute data communication with the present drawing
machine. Therefore, the participant can check easily that the
winning-probability data is changed in accordance with an own
desire wherever there is the participant in a place that can
execute data communication with the present drawing machine. Also,
as the communication terminal, a communication terminal being
composing of at least a displaying unit can be used, for example a
mobile phone or a personal computer that can execute data
communication via the Internet, etc. can be enumerated.
[0016] In addition, in the drawing machine, the winning-probability
image may have image areas corresponding to the respective
drawing-objects, and a difference of sizes of the respective image
areas may correspond to a difference of the winning-probabilities
of the respective drawing-objects.
[0017] In the drawing machine, the participant of the drawing can
know a difference of the winning-probabilities of the respective
drawing-objects by a difference of sizes of the respective image
areas composing the winning-probability image. Therefore, since the
participant can understand visually a difference of the
winning-probabilities of the respective drawing-objects, it is
easier that the participant understands the difference.
[0018] Also, the drawing machine may further include: a
communication unit for communicating data with a communication
terminal having a data communicating function via a network,
wherein the desired drawing-object determination unit may determine
the desired drawing-object which the participant of the drawing
desires to win or not win, from the plurality of drawing-objects,
based on an operation content of the operation unit of the
communication terminal, which is received by the communication unit
in place of an operation content of the operation unit of the
drawing machine.
[0019] In the drawing machine, the desired drawing-object which is
desired to win or not win by the participant of the drawing is
determined from the plurality of drawing-objects based on the
operation when the participant operates the operation unit of own
communication terminal, a winning-probability of the desired
drawing-object is changed. Therefore, a result of the drawing can
reflect a desire of the participant wherever there is the
participant in a place that can execute data communication with the
present drawing machine. Therefore, the participant can make the
winning-probability of the desired drawing-object change in
accordance with an own desire wherever there is the participant of
drawing in a place that can execute data communication with the
present drawing machine. Also, as the communication terminal, a
communication terminal being composing of at least an operation
unit can be used, for example a mobile phone or a personal computer
that can execute data communication via the Internet, etc. can be
enumerated.
[0020] Also, the drawing machine may further include: a fluctuation
amount determination unit for determining a fluctuation amount of
the winning-probability of the desired drawing-object determined by
the desired drawing-object determination unit in accordance with a
predetermined fluctuation amount determining condition, wherein the
winning-probability data changing unit may change the
winning-probability data stored in the winning-probability data
storage unit so that the winning-probability of the desired
drawing-object determined by the desired drawing-object
determination unit is changed by the fluctuation amount determined
by the fluctuation amount determination unit.
[0021] In the drawing machine, the fluctuation amount of the
winning-probability with respect to the desired drawing-object is
changed in accordance with the predetermined fluctuation amount
determining condition. Therefore, by setting appropriately the
predetermined fluctuation amount determining condition, it is
possible to control the fluctuation amount of the
winning-probability with respect to the desired drawing-object. As
a result, it becomes easy to manage the game balance.
[0022] As another aspect of the present invention, it is listed
that a game apparatus includes: the drawing machine according to
any one of claims 1 through 7; and a game control unit for
controlling progression of a game using a result of the drawing
executed by the drawing machine.
[0023] In the game apparatus, since it is possible that the
participant of the drawing intervenes in a process of the drawing,
high game attractiveness can be provided in comparison with the
conventional drawing machines in that it was easier that the game
becomes monotonous because the participant of drawing merely wait
for a result of the drawing.
[0024] Also, the game apparatus may further include: a bet
accepting unit for accepting a bet for a bet-object; and an
allotment payout unit for paying out allotment, wherein the game
control unit may decide whether a predetermined payout condition is
met or not, based on the result of the drawing by the drawing
machine, and when the game control unit decides that the
predetermined payout condition is met, the game control unit may
control the allotment payout unit to pay out a quantity of
allotment corresponding to a quantity of the bet-object accepted by
the bet accepting unit.
[0025] In the game apparatus, the participant of the drawing can
play a so-called bet game that the participant bets a bet-object
and will receive allotment when a predetermined payout condition
decided based on a result of the drawing is met. The bet game is
generally a game a main purpose of which is to receive allotment
with respect to a participant of drawing. Consequently, a result of
the drawing holds an important part. Therefore, where it becomes
possible that the participant of the drawing intervenes in the
drawing process of such a bet game, a game attractiveness of such a
bet game is much improved.
[0026] Further, in the game apparatus, the drawing machine may be
the drawing machine according to claim 7, and the predetermined
fluctuation amount determining condition is a condition in that the
larger the number of the bet-object accepted by the bet accepting
unit is, the greater the fluctuation amount of the
winning-probability of the desired drawing-object with respect to
the participant of the drawing who bets the bet-object becomes.
[0027] In the game apparatus, the larger the number of the
bet-object bet by the participant of the drawing is, the greater
the fluctuation amount of the winning-probability of the desired
drawing-object which is desired to win or to not win by the
participant. That is, the participant who bets larger bet-objects
can change the winning-probability of the desired drawing-object
greatly. Therefore, there is an excellent effect that it is
possible to realize the advantage of the participant who bets
larger bet-objects.
[0028] Also, the game apparatus may further include: a
winning-object storage unit for storing the winning-objects already
determined by the drawing unit of the drawing machine within a term
in which a plurality of times of the drawings are carried out by
using the drawing machine; and a notifying unit for providing a
notification of the winning-object to the participant of the
drawing every time the drawing unit determines the winning-object,
wherein the game control unit may control the allotment payout unit
to pay out the allotment when the winning-objects stored in the
winning-object storage unit form a predetermined combination, and
the bet-objects accepted by the bet accepting unit regarding the
predetermined fluctuation amount determining condition may be
bet-objects accepted by the bet accepting unit after at least one
winning-object is notified by the notifying unit.
[0029] In the game apparatus, it is possible to execute a game in
that the allotment is paid out to the participant of the drawing
when the plurality of winning-objects won within the term (one set
term) in which a plurality times of the drawing are carried out by
using the drawing machine correspond to the predetermined
combination. In such a game, as a combination of the
winning-objects won until the present time, there is the case where
for example, a kind of a desired drawing-object which is desired to
win or to not win by the participant in the next and subsequent
drawings or an importance to win the desired drawing-object is
shifted. In the present game apparatus, the bets carried out by the
participant for increasing the fluctuation amount of the
winning-probability with respect to the desired drawing-object is a
bet carried out after at least one winning-object is notified.
Therefore, the participant considers the kind or the importance,
etc. of the desired drawing-object based on the winning-object that
the participant understood by notifying, and can change the
fluctuation amount of the winning-probability with respect to the
desired drawing-object by adjusting appropriately a quantity of
betting.
[0030] Also, the game apparatus, wherein the drawing machine is the
drawing machine according to claim 6, may further include: a
winning-object storage unit for storing the winning-objects already
determined by the drawing unit of the drawing machine within a term
in which a plurality of times of the drawings are carried out by
using the drawing machine, wherein the game control unit may
control the allotment payout unit to pay out the allotment when the
winning-objects stored in the winning-object storage unit form a
predetermined combination, and the predetermined fluctuation amount
determining condition may be a condition in that a fluctuation
amount in a state, in which the winning-objects stored in the
winning-object storage unit form a predetermined combination if a
specified winning-object is hit, is larger or lesser than a
fluctuation amount in not the state.
[0031] In the game apparatus, the fluctuation amount of the
winning-probability with respect to the desired drawing-object
which is desired to win or to not win by the participant of the
drawing is different between the case in which the participant is
in the state and the case in which the participant is not in the
state. Therefore, an advantage or a disadvantage of the participant
can be realized between the case in which the participant is in the
state and the case in which the participant is not in the
state.
[0032] Further, in the game apparatus, the game control unit may
control so that a quantity of allotment paid out by the allotment
payout unit decreases when the winning-probability data is
increased by the winning-probability data changing unit of the
drawing machine, and the quantity of allotment paid out by the
allotment payout unit may increase when the winning-probability
data is decreased by the winning-probability data changing
unit.
[0033] Where the winning-probability data changing unit changed
winning-probability data, there are cases where a payout ratio is
changed in just like that by changing the winning-probability of
the desired drawing-object. If a payout ratio is changed, a
management of the game balance becomes difficult, wherein it
becomes impossible to provide high game attractiveness in a stable
state. Also, where the game apparatus is a game apparatus for
business use placed in an amusement hall such as a game center, and
uses tangible entities such as tokens bought by a participant of
drawing paying cash and electronic data equivalent thereto as
bet-objects and allotment, it is important to fix almost the payout
ratio in view of business management. For this reason, it is
necessary to prevent the payout ratio from changing described
above.
[0034] In the present game apparatus, since a quantity of allotment
decreases when winning-probability data increase and a quantity of
allotment increases when winning-probability data decrease, it is
possible to fix almost the payout ratio before and after the
winning-probability data changing unit changes the
winning-probability data. Accordingly, it becomes easy to manage
the game balance, and high game attractiveness can be stably
brought about. In addition, where the game apparatus is used as the
above-mentioned game apparatus for business use, the business
management can be facilitated.
[0035] Furthermore, the game apparatus may include: a
winning-object storage unit for storing the winning-objects already
determined by the drawing unit of the drawing machine within a term
in which a plurality of times of the drawings are carried out by
using the drawing machine; an allotment quantity determination data
storage unit for storing, for each of the plurality of
drawing-objects, an allotment quantity determination data for
determining the quantity of allotment paid out by the allotment
payout unit under the predetermined payout condition if the
corresponding drawing-object is a winning-object determined next by
the drawing unit; and an allotment quantity image displaying unit
for displaying allotment quantity image showing allotment
quantities of the respective drawing-objects, the allotment
quantities being determined based on the allotment quantity
determination data stored in the allotment quantity determination
data storage unit, wherein the game control unit may control the
allotment payout unit to pay out the allotment when the plurality
of winning-objects stored in the winning-object storage unit form a
predetermined combination, the game control unit may execute a
control so that the payout ratio becomes almost fixed before and
after the winning-probability data changing unit changes the
winning-probability data by changing allotment quantity
determination data stored in the allotment quantity determination
data storage unit, and when the allotment quantity determination
data is changed, the game control unit may execute a display
control in order to change the allotment quantity image displayed
on the allotment quantity image displaying unit to that in
accordance with allotment quantity determination data after the
change.
[0036] In the game apparatus, if the plurality of the
winning-objects, which were already determined within one set term
in which a plurality times of the drawing are carried out by using
the drawing machine, correspond to a predetermined combination, a
quantity of allotment determined by the allotment quantity
determination data stored in the allotment quantity determination
data storage unit is paid out to a participant of drawing. And, a
control to fix almost a payout ratio before and after changing the
winning-probability data is carried out by changing the allotment
quantity determination data stored in the allotment quantity
determination data storage unit.
[0037] Herein, in the present game apparatus, a participant of
drawing can understand that the participant of drawing obtains
allotment of how much quantity when any drawing-object is drawn by
the next drawing by looking at the allotment quantity image. And,
where the allotment quantity determination data is changed for
fixing the payout ratio, the participant of drawing can understand
the quantity of allotment changed by the data changing by looking
at the allotment quantity image. Therefore, it is prevented to
occur a situation in which the allotment quantity determination
data is changed whereby the quantity of allotment is changed while
the participant of the drawing do not know that. As a result, it is
prevented to cause the participant of the drawing to feel distrust.
Also, the allotment quantity image may be an image to show a
quantity of allotment directly or to show a rate of allotment even
if a player can understand a quantity of allotment by looking at
the allotment quantity image.
[0038] Also, in the game apparatus, the allotment quantity image
has image areas corresponding to the respective drawing-objects;
and a difference of colors of the respective image areas
corresponds to a difference of the allotment quantities of the
respective drawing-objects.
[0039] In the game apparatus, the participant of the drawing can
know a difference of allotment quantities of the respective
drawing-objects by a difference of colors of the respective image
areas composing the allotment quantity image. Therefore, since the
participant can understand visually the allotment quantities of the
respective drawing-objects, it is easier that the participant
understands the allotment quantities.
[0040] Also, the game apparatus may further include: an array image
displaying unit for displaying an array image in which a plurality
of drawing-object-images corresponding to part or all of the
plurality of drawing-objects are arrayed; and a winning-object
storage unit for storing the winning-objects already determined by
the drawing unit of the drawing machine within a term in which a
plurality of times of the drawings are carried out by using the
drawing machine, wherein the game control unit may control the
allotment payout unit to pay out the allotment when the plurality
of winning-objects stored in the winning-object storage unit form a
predetermined combination; and the predetermined combination may be
a combination of winning-objects when an array of the
drawing-object-images in the array image corresponding to a
plurality of winning-objects stored in the winning-object storage
unit becomes a predetermined array.
[0041] In the game apparatus, a game, for example a so-called bingo
game, such that allotment is paid out when an array of
drawing-object images corresponding to a plurality of
winning-objects becomes a predetermined array. Therefore, a game
attractiveness of the bingo game, etc., which is a kind of the bet
game, is much improved.
EFFECT OF THE INVENTION
[0042] According to the present invention, since the
winning-probability of the desired drawing-object can be changed in
accordance with desire by the participant of the drawing, the
participant can intervene in a process of drawing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0043] FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing a flow of a bingo game by a
bingo game machine according to an embodiment.
[0044] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the entire appearance of the
bingo game machine.
[0045] FIG. 3 is a front view showing a station of the bingo game
machine.
[0046] FIG. 4 is a top view of the station 10.
[0047] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a major hardware
configuration of the bingo game machine.
[0048] FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing major parts of
the bingo game machine.
[0049] FIG. 7 is a descriptive view showing a game screen displayed
on a touch panel of the station.
[0050] FIG. 8 is a descriptive view showing a main screen displayed
on the large-sized display of the bingo game machine.
[0051] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a flow of a
winning-probability changing process.
[0052] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of an attack
process.
[0053] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a flow of an attack process
according to another example.
[0054] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a flow of a
winning-probability changing process according to another
example.
[0055] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a flow of a
winning-probability changing process according to yet another
example.
DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0056] 2 Large-sized display [0057] 7 RAM [0058] 8 ROM [0059] 9 Sub
storage device [0060] 10 Station [0061] 11 Touch panel [0062] 12
Attack button [0063] 18 Token management device [0064] 20 Computer
drawing machine [0065] 101 Game progression control unit [0066] 102
Card generating unit [0067] 103 Station displaying unit [0068] 104
Main displaying unit [0069] 105 Drawing unit [0070] 106
Winning-probability changing unit [0071] 107 Bingo decision unit
[0072] 108 Odds management unit
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0073] Hereinafter, a description is given of one embodiment in
which the present invention is applied to a bingo game machine
being a game apparatus for business use placed in an amusement hall
such as a game center.
[0074] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the entire appearance
of a bingo game machine according to the embodiment.
[0075] The bingo game machine is composed of one game machine body
1 and seven stations 10. In the bingo game machine according to the
embodiment, seven players or less who are participants of drawing
can simultaneously join and play a bingo game in which twenty-five
drawing-objects (numbers from "1" to "25") are selected one by one
by a computer drawing described later. The number of
drawing-objects and the maximum number of game participants are
optional. Respective players join and play a bingo game using any
one of the stations 10. The game machine body 1 is provided with a
large-sized display 2 at a position where the respective players
are able to visually recognize. Also, the game machine body 1 is
also provided with a speaker 3, which is a sound outputting unit
operating as sound outputting means, and an illumination device in
order to carry out various types of performances and notification
to the players.
[0076] FIG. 3 is a front view of the station 10. FIG. 4 is a top
view of the station 10. Since the seven stations are composed of
the same configuration, a description is given below of one of the
seven stations.
[0077] The station 10 includes a touch panel 11 that is an
operation unit operating as operating means; an attack button 12; a
token inputting port 13 for inputting tokens; a token receiving
portion 14 for receiving tokens by refunding credits; and a refund
button 15 for instructing refund of credits. The touch panel 11
displays a game screen including a bingo card image (array image)
in which number images (drawing-object-images) of "1" through "25"
are arrayed in form of a matrix, etc. A player can carry out
various types of operations by touching respective types of images
in the game screen.
[0078] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a main hardware
configuration of the bingo game machine.
[0079] The bingo game machine according to the embodiment has a
controller 4 in the interior of the game machine body 1, which
controls movements of the entire game machine. The touch panel 11
of the respective stations 10 is controlled by the controller 4.
The controller 4 is composed of a microprocessor, etc., and carries
out various types of calculations necessary for game progression
and operational control of various types of devices. The controller
4 is connected via a bus to a screen drawing controller 16, which
draws various types of images on the touch panel 11 in accordance
with instructions from the controller 4. Also, the controller 4 is
connected to an input controller 17, which controls data inputted
by touching various types of images drawn on the touch panel 11 via
the bus. Further, the controller 4 is also connected to a token
management device 18 via the bus. These devices 16, 17 and 18 are
provided in the interior of the respective stations 10. In
addition, although not illustrated, an operation brought about when
pressing the attack button 12 is transmitted to the controller 4
via the bus.
[0080] The token management device 18 stores credit data showing
the number of tokens that a player owns. When tokens are inputted
into the token inputting port 13, the token management device 18
executes a process of adding the credit equivalent to the number of
inputted tokens to the credit data. In addition, the token
management device 18, which is an allotment payout unit, functions
as allotment paying-out means when receiving a payout instruction
from the controller 4 and executes a process of adding credits of
the quantity in accordance with the payout instruction to the
credit data as allotment. Also, when the token management device 18
receives a bet instruction from the controller 4, the device 18
executes a process of subtracting credits of the quantity in
accordance with the bet instruction from the credit data.
[0081] Additionally, the controller 4 is connected via the bus to a
sound controller 5 for outputting, from a speaker, sounds for
performances in accordance with an instruction from the controller
4, and a large-sized screen controller 6 for drawing various types
of images in accordance with instructions of the controller 4 on
the large-sized display 2.
[0082] Further, the controller 4 is connected via the bus to a
computer drawing machine 20 for carrying out number drawing in
accordance with an instruction from the controller 4, a RAM 7, a
ROM 8 and an auxiliary storage device 9, which function as various
types of storage means. In the ROM 8, programs and data necessary
to control basic operations when commencing the bingo game machine,
and main programs necessary to control game progression are stored.
The auxiliary storage device 9 is a rewritable storage device that
is composed of a hard-disk storage device, etc., and stores data
and programs that cannot be stored in the RAM 7 and the ROM 8. The
data and programs stored in the auxiliary storage device 9 are
loaded into a predetermined area of the RAM 7 in response to an
instruction from the controller 4, and are utilized.
[0083] FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing major parts in
the bingo game machine.
[0084] In the embodiment, the bingo game machine is composed mainly
of a game progression control unit 101, a card generating unit 102,
a station displaying unit 103, a main displaying unit 104, a
drawing unit 105, a winning-probability changing unit 106, a bingo
decision unit 107 and an odds management unit 108.
[0085] The game progression control unit 101 is composed of the
controller 4, the RAM 7, the ROM 8, and the auxiliary storage
device 9, etc., in the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 5. The
game progression control unit 101, which is a game control unit,
functions as game controlling means by the controller 4 executing a
game progression program stored in the ROM 8 or the auxiliary
storage device 9. Also the game progression control unit 101
carries out various types of control and processes described
later.
[0086] The card generating unit 102 is composed of the controller
4, the RAM 7, the ROM 8, and the auxiliary storage device 9, etc.,
in the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 5. The card generating
unit 102 reads an array determination program to array the numbers
"1" through "25" in form of a matrix at random from the auxiliary
storage device 9 when receiving a card generation instruction from
the game progression control unit 101, and generates array
information. Although the matrix according to the embodiment is a
5.times.5 square matrix, it is not limited thereto. The generated
array information is stored in the array-information-storage-area
of the RAM 7. The array information stored in the RAM 7 is utilized
by the game progression control unit 101, etc.
[0087] Also, in the embodiment, the quantity of the numbers read
from the auxiliary storage device 9 is coincident with the quantity
of number images that compose the matrix, but the quantity of the
numbers may be smaller than or greater than the quantity of number
images.
[0088] The station displaying unit 103 is composed of the touch
panel 11 and the image drawing controller 16, etc., in the hardware
configuration shown in FIG. 5. The station displaying unit 103
displays images on the touch panel 11 in accordance with various
types of displaying instructions from the game progression control
unit 101. In detail, when a card displaying instruction based on
the array information stored in the array-information-storage-area
of the RAM 7 is transmitted from the game progression control unit
101, the station displaying unit 103, which is the array image
displaying unit, functions as array image displaying means and
displays a bingo card image consisting of the number images of "1"
through "25" arrayed in form of a 5.times.5 matrix on the touch
panel 11 in accordance with the card displaying instruction.
[0089] The main displaying unit 104 is composed of the large-sized
display 2 and the large-sized screen controller 6, etc., in the
hardware configuration shown in FIG. 5. The main displaying unit
104 displays images on the large-sized display 2 in accordance with
various types of displaying instructions from the game progression
control unit 101. In detail, when a displaying instruction of a
roulette image as a winning-probability image showing
winning-probability of each of numbers, which is determined by the
winning-probability data stored in the
winning-probability-storage-area of the RAM 7, is transmitted from
the game progression control unit 101, which is a
winning-probability displaying control unit, operating as
winning-probability displaying control means, the main displaying
unit 104, which is the winning-probability image displaying unit,
functions as winning-probability image displaying means and
displays the roulette image on the large-sized display 2 in
accordance with the displaying instruction. Also, the large-sized
display 2 may be any type of display as long as it can display
pictures based on electronic signals from the large-sized screen
controller 6.
[0090] The drawing unit 105 is composed of the computer drawing
machine 20, RAM 7, ROM 8 and auxiliary storage device 9, etc., in
the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 5. When the drawing unit
105 receives a drawing commencement instruction from the game
progression control unit 101, the drawing unit 105 functions as
drawing means and carries out the computer drawing in accordance
with the winning-probability of each of drawing-objects, which is
determined by the winning-probability data stored in the
winning-probability-storage-area of the RAM 7 being a
winning-probability data storage unit operating as
winning-probability data storage means. As a result, winning
numbers are determined. The determined winning numbers are stored
in the winning-history-storage-area of the RAM 7 that is the
winning-object storage unit operating as winning-object storage
means.
[0091] The winning-probability changing unit 106 is composed of the
controller 4, RAM 7, ROM 8, and auxiliary storage device 9, etc.,
in the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 5. The
winning-probability changing unit 106 changes the
winning-probability data stored in the
winning-probability-storage-area of the RAM 7 in accordance with a
winning-probability changing instruction from the game progression
control unit 101. A changing process of the winning-probability
data will be described later.
[0092] The bingo decision unit 107 is composed of the computer
drawing machine 20, RAM 7, ROM 8 and auxiliary storage device 9,
etc., in the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 5. When the bingo
decision unit 107 receives a decision instruction from the game
progression control unit 101, the bingo decision unit 107 carries
out a bingo decision process based on the winning numbers stored in
the winning-history-storage-area of the RAM 7 and the array
information stored in the array-information-storage-area of the RAM
7. In the bingo decision process, for each array information stored
in the array-information-storage-area of the RAM 7, it is decided
whether or not arrays, that are on the matrix based on the
corresponding array information, of the numbers corresponding to a
plurality of winning numbers stored in the
winning-history-storage-area of the RAM 7 coincide with a
predetermined bingo array. The predetermined bingo array according
to the embodiment is an array in which all the number images
arrayed in any line in the longitudinal direction, the horizontal
direction and the diagonal direction on the bingo card image become
winning numbers. And, where the array of a plurality of winning
numbers stored in the winning-history-storage-area of the RAM 7 is
the predetermined bingo array, it is determined that BINGO is
established with respect to the corresponding array information.
Where it is determined that BINGO has been established, the bingo
decision unit 107 transmits bingo generation information of BINGO
having occurred, to the game progression control unit 101.
[0093] In addition, in the embodiment, the bingo decision unit 107
carries out a process for deciding whether or not only one number
is needed to reach one or more of the predetermined bingo arrays
when it receives the decision instruction from the game progression
control unit 101. In the process, it is decided that a state of
waiting for the last number of the predetermined bingo array(s)
occurs when entering the state in which BINGO occurs if a specified
number is drawn next, based on the winning numbers stored in the
winning-history-storage-area of the RAM 7 and the array information
stored in the array-information-storage-area of the RAM 7. Where it
is decided that the state of waiting for the last number of the
predetermined bingo array(s) occurs, the bingo decision unit 107
transmits occurrence information of the state, to the game
progression control unit 101.
[0094] The odds management unit 108 is composed of the computer
drawing machine 20, RAM 7, ROM 8 and auxiliary storage device 9,
etc., in the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 5. When the odds
management unit 108 receives an odds calculation instruction from
the game progression control unit 101, the odds management unit 108
calculates the odds data for each of the respective numbers, which
is the allotment quantity determination data, to determine the
quantity of allotment to be paid out by meeting the payout
condition including bingo establishment if the corresponding number
were the winning number determined next by the drawing unit 105.
The calculation process of the odds data is carried out whenever
drawings coming after the fourth time drawing are carried out by
the drawing unit 105. Usually, in the calculation process of the
odds data, the odds are calculated so that the quantity of
allotment decreases as the number of times of drawing increases.
Although the details will be described later, the odds are
calculated for the numbers whose winning-probabilities increase by
the winning-probability changing unit 106, so that the quantity of
allotment decreases. The odds data calculated is stored in an
odds-storage-area of the RAM 7, which is an allotment quantity
determination data storage unit, operating as allotment quantity
determination data storage means.
[0095] FIG. 7 is a descriptive view showing one example of a game
image displayed on the touch panel 11. Two bingo card images are
displayed on the game screen. The numbers enclosed by a square
frame on the respective bingo card image show those won in the
drawings carried out up until the present time, and the numbers
enclosed by a circular frame shows those that are not yet won. The
display pattern of number "16" positioned at the right lower corner
of the left side bingo card image in the figure is a display
pattern when a player desires to win and touches the number. This
number is a winning-desired number. Also, the winning-desired
number on the right side bingo card image in the figure is
displayed by being enclosed by a large circular frame.
[0096] In addition, a BET-display-column 11a showing the credit
quantity (token quantity) as bet-objects bet by a player, a
credit-acquisition-quantity-display-column 11b showing the credit
quantity acquired by generation of BINGO, a credit-display-column
11c showing the present credit quantity of the player, etc., are
displayed at the lowermost part of the game screen. Also, on these
display columns, a winning-history-display-column 11d showing the
numbers, which are won by the drawings up until the present time,
from the left side in the figure in order is provided. Further, the
example of illustrated in the figure shows a state where a drawing
has been carried out ten times up until the present time.
[0097] Also, an allotment-quantity-display-column 11e is displayed
on the uppermost part of the game screen. The
allotment-quantity-display-column 11e shows the relationship
between the colors and the allotment quantity, which are described
later. The allotment quantities of the respective colors are
obtained by multiplying the odds data corresponding to the
respective colors by the bet quantity of the player.
[0098] Furthermore, attack-gauge-display-column 11f is displayed on
the left upper part of the game screen. An attack gauge of the
attack-gauge-display-column 11f is increased by meeting
predetermined conditions, and if the attack gauge becomes full, an
attack-operation described later can be carried out. The details
will be described later.
[0099] Next, a description is given of operations of the present
bingo game machine in accordance with flows of a bingo game
according to the embodiment.
[0100] FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing the flows of the bingo
game.
[0101] In the bingo game machine, if a player inputs tokens into
the token inputting port 13 of the station 10, the number of tokens
inputted is detected by the token management device 18, and credit
equivalent to the number of inputted tokens is stored in the credit
data. Also, when the token management device 18 detects input of
tokens, it notifies the controller 4, which composes the game
progression control unit 101, of the detection.
[0102] In detail, the game progression control unit 101 that
received information that tokens are inputted outputs a bet screen
displaying instruction to the station displaying unit 103. Whereby
a bet screen is displayed on the touch panel 11 of the station 10
in which the player input the tokens. Two bet buttons, one of which
is a one-bet button and the other of which is a ten-bet button, are
displayed on the bet screen. The player can bet credit of the
desired quantity by touching these bet buttons. If the player
touches these bet buttons, the bet data showing the bet quantity is
transmitted from the input controller 17 to the game progression
control unit 101. The game progression control unit 101 as the bet
accepting unit functions as bet accepting means and accepts the
bet, and outputs a bet instruction to the token management device
18. Thereby, the token management device 18 carries out a process
of subtracting credits equivalent to the number of tokens
corresponding to the bet instruction and adding the credits
equivalent to the number to the bet data (S1). Thus, the player can
bet the credits only by touching the bet buttons equivalent to a
desired number of bets.
[0103] Also, the game progression control unit 101 outputs a
displaying instruction to the station displaying unit 103 when
receiving bet data from the input controller 17, and revises the
BET-display-column 11a and the credit-display-column 11c on the
game screen of the touch panel 11.
[0104] Further, when he game progression control unit 101 receives
bet data from the input controller 17, it calculates the allotment
quantity in response to the bet data stored in the token management
device 18 based on eight odds data stored in the odds-storage-area
of the RAM 7. In the embodiment, the eight odds data, which are 1.5
times, 2.5 times, 3.5 times, 5 times, 8 times, 12 times, 20 times
and 30 times, are stored in the odds-storage-area of the RAM 7 made
to correspond to the respective number as the basic odds data. The
game progression control unit 101 calculates the allotment quantity
corresponding to respective odds data by multiplying the bet data
stored in the token management device 18 by respective odds data.
And, the game progression control unit 101 outputs a displaying
instruction to the station displaying unit 103 and makes the
station displaying unit 103 revise the allotment quantities
displayed in eight odds-sections in the
allotment-quantity-display-column 11e on the game screen of the
touch panel 11 to the calculated allotment quantities. The eight
odds-sections are displayed by different colors, respectively, and
the respective colors correspond to the roulette colors described
later.
[0105] After the bet acceptance is finished, the game progression
control unit 101 outputs the card generation instruction to the
card generating unit 102. Thereby, the card generating unit 102
executes the array determination program and generates two pieces
of array information of bingo cards, and the generated two pieces
of array information is stored in the
array-information-storage-area of the RAM 7. After the card
generating unit 102 has generated array information, the game
progression control unit 101 reads the two pieces of array
information from the array-information-storage-area of the RAM 7,
and outputs the card displaying instruction based on the array
information to the station displaying unit 103. Thereby, two bingo
card images consisting of "1" through "25" number images arrayed at
random in form of a 5.times.5 matrix are displayed on the touch
panel 11 of the stations 10 in which the player inputs tokens (S2).
In the embodiment, although a description is given of a case where
two bingo card images are displayed on the touch panel 11 of one
station 10, one bingo card image may be displayed or three or more
bingo card images may be displayed.
[0106] After the bingo card images are thus displayed on the touch
panel 11 of the station 10, the first through the fourth drawings
are carried out (S3). In detail, the game progression control unit
101 outputs a commencement instruction of the first drawing to the
drawing unit 105. And, the drawing unit 105 carries out the
computer drawing in accordance with the winning-probability of each
of the numbers, which are determined by the winning-probability
data stored in the winning-probability-storage-area of the RAM 7,
thereby a winning number are determined. A detailed description is
given of one example of a drawing process carried out by the
drawing unit 105. A predetermined range of random numbers is
divided into sections corresponding to respective unwinning
numbers, respectively, so that winning-probability of each of the
unwinning numbers that are not won up until the present time are
made into winning-probabilities determined the corresponding
winning-probability data stored in the
winning-probability-storage-area of the RAM 7. Therefore, in the
first drawing, sections corresponding to the numbers "1" through
"25" are allotted among the predetermined random number range. In
the second drawing, sections corresponding to twenty-four unwinning
numbers, excluding the number won in the first drawing, of "1"
through "25" are allotted among the predetermined random number
range. In the third drawing, sections corresponding to the
unwinning numbers excluding the numbers won up until that time are
allotted as in the preceding drawings. If the winning-probability
is changed by the winning-probability changing process described
later, the respective sections are evenly allotted. After the
predetermined random number range is thus divided, random numbers
are generated. And, a section to which the random number belongs is
specified, and the number corresponding to the specified section is
determined as a winning number. The determined winning number is
stored in the winning-history-storage-area of the RAM 7 as a
winning number.
[0107] Also, the game progression control unit 101 outputs a
roulette turning instruction to the main displaying unit 104.
Thereby, the main displaying unit 104 turns the roulette of a
roulette image displayed on the large-sized display 2 and executes
performance of the drawing.
[0108] FIG. 8 is a descriptive view showing one example of the main
screen displayed on the large-sized display 2. The roulette image
having image areas corresponding to the numbers, which have not yet
won, of "1" through "25" is displayed on the main screen.
Therefore, a roulette image having the image areas corresponding to
all of "1" trough "25" is displayed in a performance of the first
drawing. A roulette image having the image areas corresponding to
twenty-four numbers, excluding the number won in the first drawing,
of "1" through "25" is displayed in a performance of the second
drawing. And, in a performance of a subsequent drawing, a roulette
image having the image areas corresponding to the numbers excluding
the numbers won up until that time is displayed.
[0109] Herein, differences in size of the image areas of the
respective numbers in the roulette image on the large-sized display
2 correspond to the degree of the winning-probability of each of
the numbers. Also, unless the winning-probabilities are changed by
the winning-probability changing process described later, the sizes
of the image areas of the respective numbers on the roulette image
become equal to each other because the winning-probability of each
of the numbers are equal. However, if the winning-probabilities are
changed by the winning-probability changing process, the image area
of numbers having a high winning-probability is widened, and the
image area of numbers having a low winning-probability is narrowed
as shown in FIG. 8.
[0110] The colors of the image areas of the respective numbers in
the roulette image on the large-sized display 2 correspond to the
allotment quantities of the respective numbers. That is, the colors
of the image areas of the respective numbers correspond to those of
eight odds-sections of the allotment-quantity-display-column 11e
displayed on the game screen of the touch panel 11 of the station
10. Therefore, a player can easily understand the quantity of
allotment paid out where a number is drawn in the next drawing and
bingo is thereby completed, by look at the colors of the respective
numbers on the roulette image on the large-sized display 2.
[0111] When the main displaying unit 104 receives a roulette
turning instruction, it carries out performance of executing a
drawing by turning the roulette of the roulette image displayed on
the large-sized display 2. After that, the game progression control
unit 101 reads the winning number stored in the
winning-history-storage-area of the RAM 7 and outputs, to the main
displaying unit 104, a performance displaying instruction showing
that the winning number is drawn. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8,
the main displaying unit 104 executes performance of causing the
number image corresponding to the winning number to appear at the
center part of the roulette image displayed on the large-sized
display 2. Also, the example shown in FIG. 8 is a case where "21"
is the winning number. That is, the main displaying unit 104, which
is a notifying unit, functions as notifying means for providing a
notification of the winning number to a player whenever the drawing
unit 105 determines the winning number.
[0112] In addition, when the game progression control unit 101
reads the winning number stored in the winning-history-storage-area
of the RAM 7, it outputs a displaying instruction to the station
displaying unit 103. And the game progression control unit 101 make
the station displaying unit 103 revise the winning history display
part 11d on the game screen of the touch panel 11, and change the
number image corresponding to the winning number on the bingo card
image from those of being enclosed in a circular frame to those of
being enclosed in a square frame. That is, the station displaying
unit 103, which is the notifying unit, functions as the notifying
means for providing a notification of the winning number to a
player whenever the drawing unit 105 determines the winning
number.
[0113] After such a performance of drawing is repeated three more
times and a performance of the fourth drawing is carried out, the
game progression control unit 101 outputs a decision instruction to
the bingo decision unit 107. Thereby, the bingo decision unit 107
carries out the above-described process for deciding whether or not
only one number is needed to reach one or more of the predetermined
bingo arrays (S4). Where it is decided in the process that the
state of waiting for the last number of the predetermined bingo
array(s) occurs, the bingo decision unit 107 transmits the
occurrence information of the state to the game progression control
unit 101, and the game progression control unit 101 sets a flag
showing the state with respect to the corresponding array
information (S5).
[0114] Next, the game progression control unit 101 executes a
winning-probability changing process of a winning desired number
that a player desires to win (S20). The winning-probability
changing process is carried out whenever the fourth drawing, the
sixth drawing, the eighth drawing and the tenth drawing are
finished. A detailed description of the winning-probability
changing process will be given later.
[0115] Subsequently, the game progression control unit 101 executes
the fifth drawing, and determines the fifth winning number (S6).
And, the game progression control unit 101 outputs a decision
instruction to the bingo decision unit 107, and makes the bingo
decision unit 107 execute the above-described bingo decision
process (S7). The bingo decision process decides whether or not
BINGO has occurred, based on the winning numbers (five winning
numbers at the present) stored in the winning-history-storage-area
of the RAM 7 and the array information stored in the
array-information-storage-area of the RAM 7. Where it is decided
that BINGO has occurred, the bingo decision unit 107 transmits
bingo occurrence information to the game progression control unit
101. The game progression control unit 101 that receives the
information outputs to the token management device 18 a payout
instruction which instructs payout of the allotment quantity of an
odds-section corresponding to the winning numbers won by the
drawings of the five times. The token management device 18 that
receives the payout instruction temporarily stores the allotment
quantity corresponding to the payout instruction and carries out a
process of adding the credits equivalent to the allotment quantity
to the credit data when the bingo game is finished (S8).
[0116] Also, the bingo decision unit 107 that receives a decision
instruction executes the above-described process for deciding
whether or not only one number is needed to reach one or more of
the predetermined bingo arrays (S9), and where it is determined
that the state of waiting for the last number of the predetermined
bingo array(s) occurs, the flag showing the state is set for the
corresponding array information (S10).
[0117] After that, the game progression control unit 101 outputs an
odds calculation instruction to the odds management unit 108.
Thereby, the odds management unit 108 revises the odds data of the
respective numbers (S11). In detail, the odds management unit 108
calculates the odds data for each of the unwinning numbers that are
not drawn up until the present time. The calculated odds data is
stored in the odds-storage-area of RAM 7 in connection with the
corresponding unwinning numbers. In the embodiment, when the fourth
drawing is finished, the basic odds data of 30 times is selected
for all of the twenty-one unwinning numbers. That is, when BINGO is
established at the fifth drawing, the odds are 30 times. And,
unless the odds data is changed in the winning-probability changing
process described later, the basic odds data that is lower by one
rank than the current basic odds data is selected with respect to
the respective unwinning numbers whenever the drawings coming after
the fifth time are finished, and the odds data is stored in the
odds-storage-area of the RAM 7. Therefore, unless the odds data is
changed in the winning-probability changing process described
later, the basic odds data of 20 times, which is lower by one rank
than 30 times being the current basic odds data, is selected evenly
for twenty unwinning numbers when the fifth drawing is finished.
Whenever subsequent drawings are finished, the basic odds data that
is lower by one rank is selected evenly for the remaining numbers
in order.
[0118] Herein, the allotment quantity displayed in the
allotment-quantity-display-column 11e on the game screen of the
touch panel 11 of the station 10 is revised when performances of
the fourth, the sixth, the eight, and the tenth drawing are
finished. And, the allotment quantity corresponding to the basic
odds data is displayed in the sections of the respective colors of
the allotment-quantity-display-column 11e until three numbers on
the same line on the bingo card image displayed in the game screen
become winning numbers. On the other hand, where three or four
numbers on the same line on the bingo card image have become
winning numbers when the allotment-quantity-display-column 11e is
revised, the allotment quantities corresponding to the actual odds
data are displayed in the sections corresponding to the respective
colors of the allotment-quantity-display-column 11e. The actual
odds data is calculated by the odds management unit 108 based on
the probabilities by which BINGO is established in the subsequent
two drawings (that is, drawings executed until the
allotment-quantity-display-column 11e is next revised). In detail,
the actual odds data is calculated based on the winning-probability
of each of numbers in the revision (the winning-probabilities after
change if the winning-probability data is changed by the
winning-probability changing process described later) and the
arrangement of numbers on a matrix array obtained from the array
information corresponding to a bingo card image displayed on the
touch panel 11 corresponding to the station 10 in the revision. By
carrying out such a process, where the touch panel 11 of the
station 10 displays a bingo card image having three or four numbers
on the same line thereof become winning numbers when revising the
allotment-quantity-display-column 11e, the allotment quantity
displayed on the allotment-quantity-display-column 11e is changed
from the allotment quantity based on the basic odds data to the
allotment quantity based on the actual odds data. As a result,
after three or four numbers on the same line become winning
numbers, individual allotment quantities are displayed in the
allotment-quantity-display-column 11e on the touch panel 11 of the
respective stations 10. That is, although the numbers and colors of
the respective odds-sections divided by colors on the
allotment-quantity-display-columns 11e are common to all the
stations 10, the allotment quantities displayed in the
odds-sections are different at the respective stations 10.
[0119] After the odds data of respective unwinning numbers are
stored in the odds-storage-area of the RAM 7 by the odds management
unit 108, the game progression control unit 101 outputs a roulette
change displaying instruction to the main displaying unit 104. The
main displaying unit 104 received the roulette change displaying
instruction makes the large-sized display 2 display a roulette
image, having image areas of the unwinning numbers at this point in
time (twenty numbers at the point when the fifth drawing is
finished), in which the colors of the respective image areas are
colors corresponding to the odds data revised in the above step S11
(S12).
[0120] And, the game progression control unit 101 decides which
time the number of times of drawings finished up until the present
time is, the sixth time, the eighth time, or the tenth time (S13).
Where it is decided that the drawing is either one of the sixth,
the eighth or the tenth drawing, the winning-probability changing
process is carried out (S20). That is, in the embodiment, the
winning-probability changing process is carried out whenever the
fourth, the sixth, the eighth and the tenth drawings are finished.
On the other hand, where it is decided that the drawing is neither
of the sixth, the eighth nor the tenth drawing, the game
progression control unit 101 decides whether or not the number of
times of drawings finished up until the present time reaches 12
times (S14). And, where it is decided that the number of times of
drawings does not reach 12 times, the next drawing process is
executed without carrying out the winning-probability changing
process (S6). On the other hand, where it is decided that the
number of times of drawings reaches 12 times, the bingo game is
finished.
[0121] After the bingo game is finished, the token management
device 18 carries out a process of adding the credits equivalent to
the allotment quantity temporarily stored upon receiving a payout
instruction during the bingo game to the credit data. Thereby, the
credit quantity displayed in the credit-display-column 11c becomes
the credit quantity after being added.
[0122] Next, a description is given of the winning-probability
changing process, which is a characteristic part of the present
invention.
[0123] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a flow of the
winning-probability changing process.
[0124] In the embodiment, after the fourth, the sixth, the eighth
and the tenth drawings are finished, the game progression control
unit 101 outputs to the station displaying unit 103 a displaying
instruction of causing the station displaying unit 103 to display a
description image for urging a player to touch a number that the
player desires to win. Thereby, the station displaying unit 103
displays a description image saying, "Please touch your desired
number" on the game screen of the touch panel 11 as shown in FIG.
7. Within the time limit, the player who looked at the description
image selects one of the number images of unwinning numbers in the
bingo image displayed on the game screen of the touch panel 11, and
touches the number. If so, the winning-desired number information
showing the touched number is outputted from the input controller
17, and the winning-desired number information is accepted by the
game progression control unit 101 (S21). Also, if no
winning-desired number information is accepted within the time
limit, the winning-probability changing process is finished as it
is.
[0125] If the game progression control unit 101, which is a winning
desired number determination unit, accepts the winning-desired
number information, it functions as winning desired number
determination means and determines the winning-desired number that
the player desires to win, which is a desired drawing-object. And,
the game progression control unit 101 outputs a winning-probability
changing instruction to the winning-probability changing unit 106.
Thereby, the winning-probability changing unit 106, which is the
winning-probability data changing unit, functions as
winning-probability data changing means and changes the
winning-probability data stored in the
winning-probability-storage-area of the RAM 7 so that the
winning-probability of the winning-desired number corresponding to
the winning-probability changing instruction is increased (S22). By
the change, with respect to a drawing process by the drawing unit
105, the section corresponding to the winning-desired number in the
predetermined range of random numbers is widened, and the sections
of the remaining unwinning numbers are evenly narrowed. As a
result, the winning-probability of the winning-desired number is
increased.
[0126] Herein, in the embodiment, seven players can simultaneously
join a bingo game at maximum. Therefore, there may be cases where a
plurality of pieces of winning-desired number information differing
from each other is accepted from the input controllers 17 of a
plurality of the stations 10. In this case, the game progression
control unit 101 outputs a winning-probability changing instruction
for each pieces of the winning-desired number information, whereby
the winning-probability changing unit 106 changes the
winning-probability data stored in the
winning-probability-storage-area of the RAM 7 so that the
winning-probability of the winning-desired number corresponding to
the winning-probability changing instruction is increased. As a
result, in the drawing process by the drawing unit 105, the
sections corresponding to the winning-desired numbers in a
predetermined range of random numbers are widened, and the sections
of the remaining unwinning numbers are evenly narrowed. Whereby the
winning-desired number corresponding to the winning-desired number
information that is more accepted will have higher
winning-probability. However, in a case where the winning-desired
number information is accepted from a plurality of players, if the
winning-desired number information from many players is
concentrated on a specified number, there may be cases where, even
if the winning-desired number information corresponding to other
numbers is accepted, the winning-probability of each of the other
numbers are lowered.
[0127] In addition, the game progression control unit 101 outputs
an odds calculation instruction to the odds management unit 108.
Thereby, the odds management unit 108 reads the winning-probability
data changed in the above step S22 from the
winning-probability-storage-area of the RAM 7, and carries out a
process of changing the odds data in the odds-storage-area of the
RAM 7 based on the winning-probability data (S23). In detail, the
odds management unit 108 changes the odds data allotted to the
respective unwinning numbers before and after changing the
winning-probability data in the above step S22, so that the payout
ratio becomes almost fixed. Therefore, the odds data of the
respective unwinning numbers is changed so that the odds data of
the unwinning numbers whose winning-probabilities are increased by
the change of the winning-probability data in the above step S22 is
relatively low.
[0128] Subsequently, the game progression control unit 101, which
is a winning-probability displaying control unit, functions as
winning-probability displaying control means and outputs a roulette
change displaying instruction to the main displaying unit 104 based
on the winning-probability data after a change, so that the size of
the image area of each of the unwinning numbers in the roulette
image becomes a size corresponding to the winning-probability after
the change, and the color of the image area of each of the
unwinning numbers becomes a color corresponding to the odds data
after the change. Thereby, the main displaying unit 104, which is a
winning-probability image displaying unit and an allotment quantity
image displaying unit, functions as winning-probability image
displaying means and allotment quantity image displaying means, so
that the main displaying unit 104 displays a roulette image, in
which the size of the image area of each the unwinning number is a
size corresponding to the winning-probability after the change, and
the color of the image area of each the unwinning number becomes a
color corresponding to the odds data after the change, on the
large-sized display 2 (S24).
[0129] By executing the winning-probability changing process as
described above, a player checks the winning numbers up until this
point in time by looking at the bingo card image displayed on the
touch panel 11, and touches an image of the winning-desired number,
which the player desires to win, such as numbers necessary to
establish BINGO, whereby the winning-probability of the
winning-desired number can be increased.
[0130] Also, in the embodiment, the winning-probability of each of
the numbers can be understood based on the sizes of the image areas
in the roulette image. And, if when a player touches the image of a
winning-desired number on the touch panel 11, which the player
desires to win, so that the winning-probability of winning-desired
number is increased, the size of the image area corresponding to
the winning-desired number on the roulette image is widened.
Therefore, the player can intuitively understand that the
winning-probability of the number that the player desires to win
has been increased. Also, simultaneously, since the color
corresponding to the odds data is changed after the color of the
image area corresponding to the winning-desired number on the
roulette image changes, the player can intuitively know the
allotment quantity after the change.
[0131] In addition, in the embodiment, whenever the winning-desired
number that a player desires to win is drawn, the attack gauge of
the attack-gauge-display-column 11f, which is displayed at the left
upper part of the game screen of the touch panel 11, is increased.
If the attack gauge becomes full, an attack-operation is enabled.
In detail, where the attack gauge has been become full, whenever
the attack button 12 is pressed after the player touches the
winning-desired number image on the touch panel 11 when executing
the winning-probability changing process (attack-operation), the
winning-desired number information is accepted by the game
progression control unit 101. That is, the game progression control
unit 101 accepts a plurality of pieces of winning-desired number
information with respect to the same number from one station 10
during one-time winning-probability changing process. Thereby, the
player who is able to carry out an attack-operation can greatly
increase the winning-probability of the winning-desired number that
the player desires to win, by pressing the attack button 12 when
executing a winning-probability changing process. However, such a
condition of carrying out an attack-operation other than the
condition that the attack gauge becomes full may be added. For
example, such a condition may be added, in which the flag showing
the state of waiting for the last number of the predetermined bingo
array(s) is set with respect to the array information corresponding
to the bingo card image displayed on the touch panel 11
corresponding to the station 10.
[0132] In the embodiment, if a player touches a winning-desired
number on the touch panel 11 when the fourth, the sixth, the
eighth, and the tenth drawings are finished, the winning-desired
number information is outputted from the input controller 17 and is
accepted by the game progression control unit 101, wherein the
winning-probability of the winning-desired number is increased. The
after-changed winning-probability is maintained until the next
winning-probability changing process is executed, and the
winning-probability is reset when the next winning-probability
changing process is carried out. That is, for example, where the
winning-probability of the winning-desired number is increased when
the fourth drawing is finished, the fifth and the six drawings are
executed in a state where the winning-probability of the
winning-desired number is kept high. However, the
winning-probability of each of all the unwinning numbers is evenly
reset when the sixth drawing is finished. This is the same in a
case where the winning-probability is increased when the sixth, the
eighth, and the tenth drawings are finished.
[0133] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of an attack
process.
[0134] The attack process is commenced after the fourth and
subsequent drawings are finished. If the winning-desired number the
winning-probability of which has been increased is drawn by the
drawing (S31), the game progression control unit 101 executes a
process of increasing the attack data, which is stored in the
attack-gauge-storage-area of the RAM 7, by a predetermined amount
(S32). Also, the game progression control unit 101 outputs a
displaying instruction to the station displaying unit 103, and
increases the attack gauge of the attack-gauge-display-column 11f
on the game screen of the touch panel 11.
[0135] After that, when the fourth, the sixth, the eighth and the
tenth drawings are finished, that is, when a commencement condition
of the winning-probability changing process is satisfied (S33), the
game progression control unit 101 decides whether or not the attack
gauge data stored in the attack gauge storage area of the RAM 7
reaches a predetermined amount (that is, becomes full) (S34). When
it is decided that the attack gauge is not full, it is possible to
increase the winning-probability of the winning-desired number by
the normal winning-probability changing process described above
(S20). On the other hand, when it is decided that the attack gauge
is full, the game progression control unit 101 permits an
attack-operation at the corresponding station 10 (S35). In detail,
the game progression control unit 101 outputs to the station
displaying unit 103 a displaying instruction to display a
description image for urging the player to touch the number that
the player desires to win, and thereafter to press the attack
button 12. Thereby, the station displaying unit 103 displays the
description image on the game screen of the touch panel 11. The
player who looked at the description image presses the attack
button 12 (S36) as much as the player likes within the time limit
(S38), after selecting one of the unwinning numbers on the number
image of the bingo image displayed on the game screen of the touch
panel 11 and touching the number. If so, the winning-desired number
information showing the touched number are outputted (S37) from the
input controller 17 as times as the attack button 12 is pressed,
and the winning-desired number information are accepted by the game
progression control unit 101.
[0136] When the game progression control unit 101, which is a
fluctuation amount determination unit, accepts the winning-desired
number information, it functions as fluctuation amount
determination means. And the game progression control unit 101
determines the amount of increase in the winning-probability of the
winning-desired number in accordance with a predetermined
determination condition of fluctuation amount. The condition is
that the amount of increase in the winning-probability of the
winning-desired number, which the player playing at the station of
the outputting source desires to win, becomes gradually greater in
line with an increase in the number of times of outputting the
winning-desired number information. The winning-probability
changing unit 106 changes the winning-probability data so that the
winning-probability of the winning-desired number is increased
equivalent to the amount of increase. In the embodiment, although
one station 10 outputs only one piece of winning-desired number
information in the normal winning-probability changing process, a
plurality of pieces of winning-desired number information can be
outputted with respect to the same winning-desired number from one
station 10 if an attack-operation is carried out. Therefore,
according to the attack process, the winning-probability of the
winning-desired number can be increased to a large degree in
comparison with a case of the normal winning-probability changing
process.
[0137] Further, in the embodiment, although the winning-probability
of a winning-desired number is only increased by pressing the
attack button 12 when executing an attack process, it may be
devised that a bet is added when pressing the attack button 12. A
flowchart in this case is shown in FIG. 11.
[0138] As shown in FIG. 11, if a player presses the attack button
12 at the attack process (S36), winning-desired number information
is outputted (S37) and an additional bet signal is outputted (S39).
The additional bet signal is transmitted to the game progression
control unit 101. The game progression control unit 101, which is a
bet accepting unit, functions as bet accepting means and accepts
the bet, and outputs a bet instruction to the token management
device 18. Thereby, the token management device 18 carries out a
process of subtracting credits equivalent to the predetermined
number (for example, one) of tokens and adding the credits
equivalent to the number to the bet data. Thus, in the embodiment,
the game progression control unit 101, which is a fluctuation
amount determination unit, functions as fluctuation amount
determination means. And the game progression control unit 101
determines the amount of increase in the winning-probability of the
winning-desired number in accordance with a predetermined
determination condition of fluctuation amount. The condition is
that the amount of increase in the winning-probability of the
winning-desired number, which the player playing at the station of
the transmission source desires to win, becomes gradually greater
in line with an increase in the number of credits accepted as the
bet. The winning-probability changing unit 106 changes the
winning-probability data so that the winning-probability of the
winning-desired number is increased equivalent to the amount of
increase.
[0139] Generally, the larger the bet credit amount becomes, the
greater the risk of losing credit is increased. In the embodiment,
since the risk of losing more credits is increased in line with an
increase in the winning-probability of the winning-desired number,
a more favorable game balance is obtained in comparison with a case
of merely increasing the winning-probability of a winning-desired
number.
[0140] Also, although the attack-operation described above can be
carried out after the fourth, the sixth, the eighth or the tenth
drawing is finished, it may be devised that the attack-operation is
carried out after the bingo card image is displayed on the touch
panel 11 of the station 10 before providing a notification of the
winning number determined by the first drawing. This is because
there are cases where, even before providing a notification of the
first winning number, a player who looked at the bingo card image
desires winning of a number disposed at an advantageous position
for BINGO establishment or disposed at the player favorite
position.
[0141] Also, in the example as shown in FIG. 11,
winning-probability is increased with respect to a winning-desired
number that a player who has a larger additional bet amount desires
winning. However, it may be devised that the winning-probability is
increased with respect to the winning-desired number that a player
who has a larger bet amount bet when a bingo game is commenced
desires winning. A flowchart in this case is shown in FIG. 12.
[0142] As shown in FIG. 12, if the game progression control unit
101, which is a fluctuation amount determination unit, accepts the
winning-desired number information (S21), it functions as
fluctuation amount determination means. And the game progression
control unit 101 determines the amount of increase in the
winning-probability of the winning-desired number in accordance
with a predetermined determination condition of fluctuation amount
(S25). The condition is that the amount of increase in
winning-probability of a winning-desired number becomes gradually
greater in line with an increase in winning-probability of the
winning-desired number, which has been bet more quantity of credits
at the station that is the transmission source of the
winning-desired number information. In detail, the game progression
control unit 101 accepted the winning-desired number information
receives a quantity of credits having been bet at the station that
is the transmission source of the winning-desired number
information from the token management device 18. And, the game
progression control unit 101 determines amount of increase in the
winning-probability of the winning-desired number based on the
received quantity of credits so that the winning-probability of the
winning-desired number is increased equivalent to the quantity of
credits. After that, when the game progression control unit 101
outputs the winning-probability changing instruction to the
winning-probability changing unit 106, the winning-probability
changing unit 106 changes the winning-probability data stored in
the winning-probability-storage-area of the RAM 7 so that the
winning-probability of the winning-desired number is increased
equivalent to the amount of increase corresponding to the
winning-probability changing instruction (S22).
[0143] In the example as shown in FIG. 12, the degree of increasing
the winning-probability by one piece of the winning-desired number
information is changed based on the quantity of credits having been
bet at the station 10 that is the transmission source of the
winning-desired number information. That is, a player who has a
higher risk of losing credits can further increase the
winning-probability of the winning-desired number. Therefore, a
further favorable game balance is obtained in comparison with a
case of merely increasing the winning-probability of the
winning-desired number.
[0144] Next, a description is given of another example that the
degree of increasing the winning-probability by one piece of the
winning-desired number information is changed.
[0145] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a flow of a
winning-probability changing process according to present
example.
[0146] When the game progression control unit 101 accepts the
winning-desired number information (S21), it decides whether or not
the flag showing the state of waiting for the last number of the
predetermined bingo array(s) is set with respect to the array
information corresponding to the station 10 that is the
transmission source of the winning-desired number information
(S26). If the flag is not set, the game progression control unit
101, which is a fluctuation amount determination unit, functions as
fluctuation amount determination means and determines the amount of
increase in the winning-probability of the winning-desired number
to a small amount of increase (S27). On the other hand, if the flag
has been set, the game progression control unit 101, which is a
fluctuation amount determination unit, functions as fluctuation
amount determination means and determines the amount of increase in
the winning-probability of the winning-desired number to a large
amount of increase (S28). That is, the game progression control
unit 101 determines the amount of increase in the
winning-probability of the winning-desired number in accordance
with a predetermined determination condition of fluctuation amount,
in which the condition is that the amount of increase in the
winning-probability of the winning-desired number is different
between in the state of waiting for the last number of the
predetermined bingo array(s) and in not the state. After that, when
the game progression control unit 101 outputs the
winning-probability changing instruction to the winning-probability
changing unit 106, the winning-probability changing unit 106
changes the winning-probability data stored in the
winning-probability-storage-area of the RAM 7 so that the
winning-probability of the winning-desired number is increased
equivalent to the amount of increase corresponding to the
winning-probability changing instruction (S22).
[0147] In the example as shown in FIG. 13, the degree of increasing
the winning-probability by one piece of the winning-desired number
information is changed by whether or not the flag is set with
respect to the array information corresponding to the station 10
that is the transmission source of the winning-desired number
information. In detail, a player who is in the state of waiting for
the last number of the predetermined bingo array(s) can further
increase the winning-probability of the winning-desired number.
Therefore, the advantages of players differ from each other with
respect to the winning-probability of the winning-desired number
based on whether or not the numbers are in the state, wherein the
game attractiveness is improved.
[0148] Also, in the above description, a case where the present
invention is applied to a bingo game machine being a token game
machine as a game apparatus for business use was described as an
example. However, the present invention may be applied not only to
a bingo game machine but also other game apparatuses such as a game
machine for home use, a coin type game machine, etc. utilizing the
computer drawing, or an apparatus utilizing the computer drawing
other than game device.
[0149] Further, in the above description, a case where
winning-probability of the winning desired number that the player
desires to win is changed was described as an example. However,
winning-probability of a winning desired number that the player
desires to not win may be changed.
[0150] In addition, in the above description, a game apparatus in
which a plurality of players (seven players at maximum) can join at
the same time was described as an example. The present invention
may be applicable to a game apparatus in which a single player can
enjoy.
[0151] Further, it is possible that a plurality of bingo game
machines described above are connected to each other via a network,
wherein bingo games using the same result of drawings can be
carried out at the plurality of bingo game machines. In this case,
since winning-probability of the unwinning numbers is changed based
on winning-desired number information by seven or more player, the
game attractiveness by changing winning-probability is further
improved.
[0152] In addition, a part of the configuration of the
above-described bingo game machine may be provided at a
communication terminal such as a telephone set equipped with a data
communication feature. which a player has. Also, in this case, it
is necessary that the bingo game machine is provided with a
communication unit operating as communication means to enable data
transmission between the bingo game machine and the communication
terminal via a network.
[0153] The detailed example thereof may be an example in which the
roulette image (winning-probability image) displayed on the
large-sized display 2 described above is displayed at the
displaying unit operating as displaying means of the communication
terminal. In this example, data to display the roulette image on
the displaying unit of the communication terminal may be
transmitted from the above-described communication unit to the
communication terminal via the network. And, when the
winning-probability changing unit 106 changes the
winning-probability data, data for changing the roulette image
displayed on the displaying unit of the communication terminal to
that in accordance with the winning-probability data after the
change may be transmitted from the communication unit to the
communication terminal via the network. Thereby, the player can
check the roulette image by looking at the displaying unit of the
communication terminal that the player has, without looking at the
large-sized display 2. In addition, if all the images displayed on
the large-sized display 2 are displayed on the displaying unit of
the communication terminal, there is no need to provide such a
large-sized display 2.
[0154] As another detailed example, such an example in which
operations for selecting desired numbers that a player desires to
win are executed by not using the touch panel 11 of the station 10
but using the operation unit operating as operating means of the
communication terminal may be described. In this example, for
example, the winning-desired number information may be transmitted
from the communication terminal when a player selects his or her
desired number by operating the operation unit of the communication
terminal. And, when the communication unit receives the
winning-desired number information, the game progression control
unit 101 determines the winning-desired number that the player
desires to win, based on the received winning-desired number
information.
[0155] As still another example, such an example may be described,
in which all of the components equipped in the station 10 are
provided in a communication terminal. In this case, a player is
able to play a game using the communication terminal, which the
player has, without using the station 10. However, in this case,
since it is difficult that the communication terminal has a
mechanism for transfer of tokens such as the token input port 13
and the token receiving port 14, bets and allotment payouts may be
carried out by not using tokens but using credit data.
* * * * *