U.S. patent application number 12/681188 was filed with the patent office on 2010-08-26 for game system, and jackpot drawing apparatus and participation processing apparatus constituting the game system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Nobuhiro Goto, Kazuhiro Kusuda, Takashi Uchiyama.
Application Number | 20100216546 12/681188 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40526231 |
Filed Date | 2010-08-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100216546 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Goto; Nobuhiro ; et
al. |
August 26, 2010 |
GAME SYSTEM, AND JACKPOT DRAWING APPARATUS AND PARTICIPATION
PROCESSING APPARATUS CONSTITUTING THE GAME SYSTEM
Abstract
In order that a game apparatus is made to participate in a
jackpot drawing that responds to a request made by a manager or the
like, who manage the game apparatus, the present game system
includes a participation processing apparatus for selecting, for
each game apparatus, one or at least two jackpot drawing
apparatuses for executing a jackpot drawing in which each game
apparatus can be regarded as the drawing target, from among two or
more jackpot drawing apparatuses, according to a predetermined
participation application condition, and at the same time, for
selecting, for each game apparatus, one or at least two jackpot
drawing apparatuses for executing a jackpot drawing in which each
game apparatus is not regarded as the drawing target, from among
the two or more jackpot drawing apparatuses, according to a
predetermined participation decline condition. When accepting the
participation application request transmitted from the
participation processing apparatus, the two or more jackpot drawing
apparatuses store, as a jackpot drawing process target,
identification information of a game apparatus relating to the
participation application request, in the drawing target storage
unit of each jackpot drawing apparatus; when accepting a
participation decline request transmitted from the participation
processing apparatus, excludes the identification information of
the game apparatus relating to the participation decline request
from the jackpot drawing process target; and regards a game
apparatus played by a player as a drawing target, out of the game
apparatuses corresponding to the identification information stored,
as the jackpot drawing process target, in the drawing target
storage unit of each jackpot drawing apparatus. In this way, a
jackpot drawing process in which whether the game apparatus that is
the drawing target wins the jackpot award or does not win the
jackpot award is determined is carried out.
Inventors: |
Goto; Nobuhiro; (Kanagawa,
JP) ; Kusuda; Kazuhiro; (Kanagawa, JP) ;
Uchiyama; Takashi; (Kanagawa, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Ditthavong Mori & Steiner, P.C.
918 Prince Street
Alexandria
VA
22314
US
|
Assignee: |
Konami Digital Entertainment Co.,
Ltd.
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
40526231 |
Appl. No.: |
12/681188 |
Filed: |
October 2, 2008 |
PCT Filed: |
October 2, 2008 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2008/067928 |
371 Date: |
April 1, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/27 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3297 20130101;
G07F 17/3258 20130101; G07F 17/32 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/27 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 5, 2007 |
JP |
2007-262764 |
Claims
1. A game system comprising: two or more game apparatuses, each of
which is provided with a game-progress control unit for performing
game progress control; and a jackpot drawing apparatus for
executing a jackpot drawing in which at least one of the two or
more game apparatuses is a drawing target, wherein the game system
includes two or more of the jackpot drawing apparatuses, the game
system includes a participation processing apparatus having: a
participation-application processing unit for selecting, for each
game apparatus, one or at least two jackpot drawing apparatuses for
executing a jackpot drawing in which each game apparatus can be
regarded as the drawing target, from among the two or more jackpot
drawing apparatuses, according to a predetermined participation
application condition, and for transmitting a participation
application request to the selected jackpot drawing apparatus; and
a participation decline processing unit for selecting, for each
game apparatus, one or at least two jackpot drawing apparatuses for
executing a jackpot drawing in which each game apparatus is not
regarded as the drawing target, from among the two or more jackpot
drawing apparatuses, according to a predetermined participation
decline condition, and transmitting a participation decline request
to the selected jackpot drawing apparatus, and each of the two or
more jackpot drawing apparatuses includes: a drawing target storage
unit for storing identification information of the game apparatus
that can be regarded as a drawing target for the jackpot drawing of
each jackpot drawing apparatus; an application-accept processing
unit for performing, when accepting the participation application
request transmitted from the participation processing apparatus, an
application-accepting process for storing the identification
information of the game apparatus relating to the participation
application request, as a jackpot drawing process target, in the
drawing target storage unit of each jackpot drawing apparatus; a
decline-accept processing unit for performing, when accepting a
participation decline request transmitted from the participation
processing apparatus, a decline accepting process for excluding the
identification information of the game apparatus relating to the
participation decline request from the jackpot drawing process
target; a drawing unit for carrying out a jackpot drawing process
in which out of the game apparatuses corresponding to the
identification information stored as the jackpot drawing process
target in the drawing target storage unit of each jackpot drawing
apparatus, each game apparatus played by a player is regarded as a
drawing target, and whether the game apparatus that is the drawing
target wins a jackpot award or does not win the jackpot award is
determined; a payout amount storage unit for storing payout amount
data indicating an amount including a payout target amount to be
paid out to the player who plays by using a winning game apparatus
when the drawing unit determines the winning of the jackpot award;
a payout processing unit for performing a payout process for paying
out to the player who plays by using the winning game apparatus, a
payout target of at least a part of an amount that is indicated by
the payout amount data obtained by reading out the payout amount
data from the payout amount storage unit, when the drawing unit
determines winning of the jackpot award; and a payout amount
increasing unit for cumulatively increasing, when satisfying a
predetermined payout amount increasing condition, the amount
indicated by the payout amount data stored in the payout amount
storage unit.
2. The game system according to claim 1, wherein the participation
processing apparatus includes an operation accepting unit for
accepting a participation application operation and a participation
decline operation about each game apparatus, the participation
application processing unit of the participation processing
apparatus regards the operation accepting unit accepting the
participation application operation as the predetermined
participation application condition, and each time the
participation application operation is accepted, selects one or at
least two jackpot drawing apparatuses, from among the two or more
jackpot drawing apparatuses, for executing a jackpot drawing that
can regard a game apparatus relating to the participation
application operation as the drawing target, and the participation
decline processing unit of the participation processing apparatus
regards the operation accepting unit receiving the participation
decline operation as the predetermined participation decline
condition, and each time the participation decline operation is
accepted, selects one or at least two jackpot drawing apparatuses,
from among the two or more jackpot drawing apparatuses, for
executing a jackpot drawing that does not regard a game apparatus
relating to the participation decline operation as the drawing
target.
3. The game system according to claim 1, wherein the two or more
jackpot drawing apparatuses include at least: one or more
participation-limiting jackpot drawing apparatuses for executing a
jackpot drawing that regards, as the drawing target, a game
apparatus belonging to a specific group configured by one or at
least two game apparatuses that are a part of the two or more game
apparatuses and that satisfy a specific condition; and a total
jackpot drawing apparatus for executing a jackpot drawing that can
regard all of the two or more game apparatuses as the drawing
target, and the application-accept processing unit of the
participation-limiting jackpot drawing apparatus performs, when
receiving a participation application request about the game
apparatus belonging to the specific group, the request being
transmitted from the participation processing apparatus, the
application-accepting process so that the identification
information of the game apparatus is stored in the drawing target
storage unit of each jackpot drawing apparatus.
4. The game system according to claim 2, wherein the two or more
jackpot drawing apparatuses include at least: one or more
participation-limiting jackpot drawing apparatuses for executing a
jackpot drawing that regards, as the drawing target, a game
apparatus belonging to a specific group configured by one or at
least two game apparatuses that are a part of the two or more game
apparatuses and that satisfy a specific condition; and a total
jackpot drawing apparatus for executing a jackpot drawing that can
regard all of the two or more game apparatuses as the drawing
target, and the application-accept processing unit of the
participation-limiting jackpot drawing apparatus performs, when
receiving a participation application request about the game
apparatus belonging to the specific group, the request being
transmitted from the participation processing apparatus, the
application-accepting process so that the identification
information of the game apparatus is stored in the drawing target
storage unit of each jackpot drawing apparatus.
5. The game system according to claim 3, wherein the two or more
game apparatuses are placed in two or more game facilities, and the
at least one participation-limiting jackpot drawing apparatus
regards, as the specific group, an intra-facility group configured
by one or at least two game apparatuses that are a part of the two
or more game apparatuses and that are placed in a single game
facility, and executes a jackpot drawing that can regard the game
apparatuses belonging to the intra-facility group as the drawing
target.
6. The game system according to claim 4, wherein the two or more
game apparatuses are placed in two or more game facilities, and the
at least one participation-limiting jackpot drawing apparatus
regards, as the specific group, an intra-facility group configured
by one or at least two game apparatuses that are a part of the two
or more game apparatuses and that are placed in a single game
facility, and executes a jackpot drawing that can regard the game
apparatuses belonging to the intra-facility group as the drawing
target.
7. The game system according to claim 3, wherein the two or more
game apparatuses are token-operated game machines, and the at least
one participation-limiting jackpot drawing apparatus regards, as
the specific group, an inter-facility group configured by at least
two game apparatuses that are a part of the two or more game
apparatuses and that are placed in predetermined two or more game
facilities in which the difference in token unit price is within a
predetermined range, and executes a jackpot drawing that can regard
a game apparatus belonging to the inter-facility group as the
drawing target.
8. The game system according to claim 4, wherein the two or more
game apparatuses are token-operated game machines, and the at least
one participation-limiting jackpot drawing apparatus regards, as
the specific group, an inter-facility group configured by at least
two game apparatuses that are a part of the two or more game
apparatuses and that are placed in predetermined two or more game
facilities in which the difference in token unit price is within a
predetermined range, and executes a jackpot drawing that can regard
a game apparatus belonging to the inter-facility group as the
drawing target.
9. The game system according to claim 5, wherein the two or more
game apparatuses are token-operated game machines, and the at least
one participation-limiting jackpot drawing apparatus regards, as
the specific group, an inter-facility group configured by at least
two game apparatuses that are a part of the two or more game
apparatuses and that are placed in predetermined two or more game
facilities in which the difference in token unit price is within a
predetermined range, and executes a jackpot drawing that can regard
a game apparatus belonging to the inter-facility group as the
drawing target.
10. The game system according to claim 6, wherein the two or more
game apparatuses are token-operated game machines, and the at least
one participation-limiting jackpot drawing apparatus regards, as
the specific group, an inter-facility group configured by at least
two game apparatuses that are a part of the two or more game
apparatuses and that are placed in predetermined two or more game
facilities in which the difference in token unit price is within a
predetermined range, and executes a jackpot drawing that can regard
a game apparatus belonging to the inter-facility group as the
drawing target.
11. The game system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein
each jackpot drawing apparatus is connected to and capable of
communicating with the two or more game apparatuses, each of the
two or more game apparatuses includes a payout amount increase
information output unit for outputting payout amount increase
information for increasing an amount indicated by the payout amount
data when a predetermined information output condition is
satisfied, and the payout amount increasing unit of each jackpot
drawing apparatus regards, as the predetermined payout amount
increasing condition, reception of the payout amount increase
information output from the game apparatus corresponding to the
identification information stored in the drawing target storage
unit of each jackpot drawing apparatus, and cumulatively increases
an amount indicated by the payout amount data stored in the payout
amount storage unit.
12. The game system according to claim 11, wherein the two or more
game apparatuses are token-operated game machines, and a payout
amount increase information output unit of the game apparatus is
for outputting, as the payout amount increase information, token IN
information relating to the number of tokens bet by a player.
13. A jackpot drawing apparatus for executing a jackpot drawing
that regards, as a drawing target, at least one game apparatus
provided with a game-progress control unit for performing game
progress control, the jackpot drawing apparatus, comprising: a
drawing target storage unit for storing identification information
of the game apparatus that can be regarded as a drawing target for
the jackpot drawing; an application-accept processing unit for
performing, when accepting a participation application request, an
application-accepting process for storing, as the jackpot drawing
process target, the identification information of a game apparatus
relating to the participation application request, in the drawing
target storage unit; a decline-accept processing unit for
performing, when accepting a participation decline request, a
decline accepting process for excluding the identification
information of a game apparatus relating to the participation
decline request from the jackpot drawing process target; a drawing
unit for carrying out a jackpot drawing process in which out of the
game apparatuses corresponding to the identification information
stored, as the jackpot drawing process target, in the drawing
target storage unit, a game apparatus played by a player is
regarded as a drawing target, and whether the game apparatus that
is the drawing target wins the jackpot award or does not win the
jackpot award is determined; a payout amount storage unit for
storing payout amount data indicating an amount including a payout
target amount to be paid out to the player who plays by using a
winning game apparatus when the drawing unit determines the winning
of the jackpot award; a payout processing unit for performing a
payout process for paying out to the player who plays by using the
game apparatus that has won a payout target of at least a part of
an amount that is indicated by payout amount data obtained by
reading out the payout amount data from the payout amount storage
unit, when the drawing unit determines wining of the jackpot award;
and a payout amount increasing unit for cumulatively increasing,
when a predetermined payout amount increasing condition is
satisfied, the amount indicated by the payout amount data stored in
the payout amount storage unit.
14. A participation processing apparatus for selecting from among
two or more jackpot drawing apparatuses each executing a jackpot
drawing that regards, as a drawing target, at least one of two or
more game apparatuses each including a game-progress control unit
for performing game progress control, a jackpot drawing apparatus
for executing a jackpot drawing in which each game apparatus
participates, the participation processing apparatus, comprising: a
participation-application processing unit for selecting, for each
game apparatus, one or at least two jackpot drawing apparatuses for
executing a jackpot drawing in which each game apparatus can be
regarded as the drawing target, from among the two or more jackpot
drawing apparatuses, according to a predetermined participation
application condition, and for transmitting a participation
application request to the selected jackpot drawing apparatus; and
a participation decline processing unit for selecting, for each
game apparatus, one or at least two jackpot drawing apparatuses for
executing a jackpot drawing in which each game apparatus is not
regarded as the drawing target, from among the two or more jackpot
drawing apparatuses, according to a predetermined participation
decline condition, and transmitting a participation decline request
to the selected jackpot drawing apparatus.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a game system provided with
a plurality of jackpot drawing apparatuses for determining whether
to select a game apparatus that wins a jackpot award or select
neither game apparatus from among a plurality of game apparatuses,
and a jackpot drawing apparatus and a participation processing
apparatus constituting the game system.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Conventionally, as this type of a jackpot drawing apparatus,
there is known that which is utilized for a game system configured
by a plurality of token-operated game machines (game apparatuses)
installed in a gaming arcade, etc. (e.g., Patent Document 1).
Generally, the token-operated game machine is configured to control
game progress under a condition of receiving a token (betting
target) from a player, and according to a game result, to pay out
to the player a predetermined number of tokens (payout target). One
example of a token-operated game machine utilizing the jackpot
drawing apparatus will be now explained: a number of tokens
equivalent to a part of the number of tokens (betting target)
received from the player is cumulatively added, and this number is
held, as payout amount data, in a payout amount storage unit of the
jackpot drawing apparatus. Then, when a predetermined drawing start
condition is satisfied, a drawing is carried out in the jackpot
drawing apparatus so as to determine whether the jackpot award is
won or it is lost (the jackpot award is not won). When the jackpot
award is won in this drawing, a number of tokens equivalent to at
least a part of the amount of the payout amount data is paid out to
the player who satisfies the predetermined drawing start condition,
and at the same time, the payout amount data is restored to an
initial value.
[0003] Generally, the jackpot drawing apparatus is often utilized
in a game system configured by a plurality of game apparatuses,
each including a game progress control unit for independently
advancing a game. The reason for this is provided below: That is,
the number of tokens that each game apparatus can pay out to the
player once is limited to a certain degree because of a factor
arising from a payout ratio previously set to each game apparatus.
Therefore, when the jackpot drawing apparatus is utilized for a
single game apparatus, a limit imposed on the number of tokens to
be paid out that is determined when that jackpot award is won is
greatly limited by a payout ratio set to that game apparatus. On
the contrary, when the jackpot drawing apparatus is utilized for a
game system configured by a plurality of game apparatuses, the
limit imposed on the number of tokens to be paid out that is
determined when that jackpot award is won can be determined by
using a factor arising from payout ratios set to the plurality of
game apparatuses. In this case, as compared to a case where the
jackpot drawing apparatus is utilized for a single game apparatus,
it is possible to increase the number of tokens to be paid out that
is determined when the jackpot award is won. As a result, it
becomes possible to give a player an expectation that winning of
the jackpot award ensures a payout of a large amount of tokens at
once, making it possible to attract the player's interest. Because
of these benefits, the jackpot drawing apparatus is not utilized
for a single game apparatus but is often utilized for the game
system configured by a plurality of game apparatuses.
[0004] Especially in recent years, a game system configured by game
apparatuses installed in a plurality of gaming arcades (gaming
facilities) is also known, and it is also possible to utilize a
jackpot drawing apparatus also for such a game system.
[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Published Unexamined Patent
Application No. 2002-253842
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0006] In the conventional game system utilizing the jackpot
drawing apparatus, the number of jackpot drawings in which each
game apparatus can participate is only one, i.e., the jackpot
drawing executed by jackpot drawing apparatuses constituting the
game system. Thus, there is a problem in that a game apparatus
participating in a jackpot drawing executed by the jackpot drawing
apparatus in a particular game system cannot be made to participate
in another jackpot drawing executed by another jackpot drawing
apparatus not belonging to the particular game system.
[0007] The game system utilizing the jackpot drawing apparatus can
be installed in not only a gaming arcade and the like, but also
utilized for a pachinko machine or a slot machine installed in a
pachinko parlor, etc. Such a game system also encounters the
problem described above.
[0008] The present invention realizes and provides a game system
capable of causing a particular game apparatus to participate in a
jackpot drawing that responds to a request made by a manager or the
like, who manage the particular game apparatus, and jackpot drawing
apparatus and a participation processing apparatus constituting the
game system.
Means for Solving the Problem
[0009] As an aspect of the present invention, it is listed that a
game system comprises: two or more game apparatuses, each of which
is provided with a game-progress control unit for performing game
progress control; and a jackpot drawing apparatus for executing a
jackpot drawing in which at least one of the two or more game
apparatuses is a drawing target, wherein the game system includes
two or more of the jackpot drawing apparatuses, the game system
includes a participation processing apparatus having: a
participation-application processing unit for selecting, for each
game apparatus, one or at least two jackpot drawing apparatuses for
executing a jackpot drawing in which each game apparatus can be
regarded as the drawing target, from among the two or more jackpot
drawing apparatuses, according to a predetermined participation
application condition, and for transmitting a participation
application request to the selected jackpot drawing apparatus; and
a participation decline processing unit for selecting, for each
game apparatus, one or at least two jackpot drawing apparatuses for
executing a jackpot drawing in which each game apparatus is not
regarded as the drawing target, from among the two or more jackpot
drawing apparatuses, according to a predetermined participation
decline condition, and transmitting a participation decline request
to the selected jackpot drawing apparatus, and each of the two or
more jackpot drawing apparatuses includes: a drawing target storage
unit for storing identification information of the game apparatus
that can be regarded as a drawing target for the jackpot drawing of
each jackpot drawing apparatus; an application-accept processing
unit for performing, when accepting the participation application
request transmitted from the participation processing apparatus, an
application-accepting process for storing the identification
information of the game apparatus relating to the participation
application request, as a jackpot drawing process target, in the
drawing target storage unit of each jackpot drawing apparatus; a
decline-accept processing unit for performing, when accepting a
participation decline request transmitted from the participation
processing apparatus, a decline accepting process for excluding the
identification information of the game apparatus relating to the
participation decline request from the jackpot drawing process
target; a drawing unit for carrying out a jackpot drawing process
in which out of the game apparatuses corresponding to the
identification information stored as the jackpot drawing process
target in the drawing target storage unit of each jackpot drawing
apparatus, each game apparatus played by a player is regarded as a
drawing target, and whether the game apparatus that is the drawing
target wins a jackpot award or does not win the jackpot award is
determined; a payout amount storage unit for storing payout amount
data indicating an amount including a payout target amount to be
paid out to the player who plays by using a winning game apparatus
when the drawing unit determines the winning of the jackpot award;
a payout processing unit for performing a payout process for paying
out to the player who plays by using the winning game apparatus, a
payout target of at least a part of an amount that is indicated by
the payout amount data obtained by reading out the payout amount
data from the payout amount storage unit, when the drawing unit
determines winning of the jackpot award; and a payout amount
increasing unit for cumulatively increasing, when satisfying a
predetermined payout amount increasing condition, the amount
indicated by the payout amount data stored in the payout amount
storage unit.
[0010] In this game system, according to a predetermined
participation application condition or a predetermined
participation decline condition, it is possible, for each game
apparatus, to select a jackpot drawing apparatus for executing a
jackpot drawing in which each game apparatus can be a drawing
target. Thus, as the predetermined participation application
condition or the predetermined participation decline condition, a
condition that reflects a request made by a manager, and others,
who manage a particular game apparatus is adopted. Thereby, the
particular game apparatus can be made to participate in a jackpot
drawing that responds to the request.
[0011] In the above-described game system, the participation
processing apparatus may include an operation accepting unit for
accepting a participation application operation and a participation
decline operation about each game apparatus, the participation
application processing unit of the participation processing
apparatus may regard the operation accepting unit accepting the
participation application operation as the predetermined
participation application condition, and each time the
participation application operation is accepted, selects one or at
least two jackpot drawing apparatuses, from among the two or more
jackpot drawing apparatuses, for executing a jackpot drawing that
can regard a game apparatus relating to the participation
application operation as the drawing target, and the participation
decline processing unit of the participation processing apparatus
may regard the operation accepting unit receiving the participation
decline operation as the predetermined participation decline
condition, and each time the participation decline operation is
accepted, selects one or at least two jackpot drawing apparatuses,
from among the two or more jackpot drawing apparatuses, for
executing a jackpot drawing that does not regard a game apparatus
relating to the participation decline operation as the drawing
target.
[0012] In this game system, when the manager, and others, who
manage a game apparatus perform a participation application
operation and a participation decline operation for each game
apparatus, each game apparatus can be made to participate in a
jackpot drawing that responds to a request made by the manager, and
others, who manage a game apparatus.
[0013] In the above-described game system,
[0014] In this game system, as a jackpot drawing in which each game
apparatus can participate, it is possible to select either one of
or both of: a participation-limiting jackpot drawing in which a
game apparatus that can participate is limited to that belonging to
a specific group; and a total jackpot drawing where no such
limitation exists.
[0015] In the above-described game system, the two or more jackpot
drawing apparatuses may include at least: one or more
participation-limiting jackpot drawing apparatuses for executing a
jackpot drawing that regards, as the drawing target, a game
apparatus belonging to a specific group configured by one or at
least two game apparatuses that are a part of the two or more game
apparatuses and that satisfy a specific condition; and a total
jackpot drawing apparatus for executing a jackpot drawing that can
regard all of the two or more game apparatuses as the drawing
target, and the application-accept processing unit of the
participation-limiting jackpot drawing apparatus may perform, when
receiving a participation application request about the game
apparatus belonging to the specific group, the request being
transmitted from the participation processing apparatus, the
application-accepting process so that the identification
information of the game apparatus is stored in the drawing target
storage unit of each jackpot drawing apparatus.
[0016] In this game system, as a jackpot drawing in which each game
apparatus can participate, it is possible to select either one of
or both of: a jackpot drawing in which a game apparatus that can
participate is limited to that which is placed within a single game
facility; and a total jackpot drawing where no such limitation
exists.
[0017] In the above-described game system, the two or more game
apparatuses may be token-operated game machines, and the at least
one participation-limiting jackpot drawing apparatus may regard, as
the specific group, an inter-facility group configured by at least
two game apparatuses that are a part of the two or more game
apparatuses and that are placed in predetermined two or more game
facilities in which the difference in token unit price is within a
predetermined range, and executes a jackpot drawing that can regard
a game apparatus belonging to the inter-facility group as the
drawing target.
[0018] In a game facility in which a token-operated game machine is
installed, a token unit price that is a cost necessary for
borrowing a single token often differs depending on each game
facility. In a case where game apparatuses installed in a game
facility having a great difference in token unit price participate
in the same jackpot drawing, a game facility having a higher token
unit price may be more disadvantageous than that having a lower
token unit price, if compared under the same condition. On the
other hand, if various conditions (a drawing start condition, a
payout amount increasing condition, etc.) for the jackpot drawing
are appropriately changed in order so that the game facility having
a higher token unit price does not suffer from disadvantages, then
a process or a task becomes very troublesome and complicated.
[0019] According to the present game system, in response to a
request made by a manager, and others, who manage a game facility
having a higher token unit price, the game apparatus installed in
the game facility can be made to participate in a jackpot drawing
of which the participation is limited to game apparatuses placed in
two or more game facilities in which a difference in token unit
price is within a regulated range. Thus, it becomes possible to
avoid a situation where a game facility having a higher token unit
price suffers from disadvantages in response to a request made by a
manager, and others, of the game facility, without performing a
troublesome, complicated processing task such as appropriately
changing various conditions for the jackpot drawing.
[0020] In the above-described game system, each jackpot drawing
apparatus may be connected to and capable of communicating with the
two or more game apparatuses, each of the two or more game
apparatuses may include a payout amount increase information output
unit for outputting payout amount increase information for
increasing an amount indicated by the payout amount data when a
predetermined information output condition is satisfied, and the
payout amount increasing unit of each jackpot drawing apparatus may
regard, as the predetermined payout amount increasing condition,
reception of the payout amount increase information output from the
game apparatus corresponding to the identification information
stored in the drawing target storage unit of each jackpot drawing
apparatus, and cumulatively increases an amount indicated by the
payout amount data stored in the payout amount storage unit.
[0021] In this game system, an amount indicated by payout amount
data stored in a payout amount storage unit of each jackpot drawing
apparatus can be increased according to payout amount increase
information from a game apparatus participating in a jackpot
drawing executed by each jackpot drawing apparatus.
[0022] In the above-described game system, the two or more game
apparatuses may be token-operated game machines, and a payout
amount increase information output unit of the game apparatus may
be for outputting, as the payout amount increase information, token
IN information relating to the number of tokens bet by a
player.
[0023] In this game system, an amount indicated by payout amount
data stored in a payout amount storage unit of each jackpot drawing
apparatus can be increased according to token IN information from a
game apparatus participating in a jackpot drawing executed by each
jackpot drawing apparatus.
[0024] As another aspect of the present invention, it is listed
that a jackpot drawing apparatus for executing a jackpot drawing
that regards, as a drawing target, at least one game apparatus
provided with a game-progress control unit for performing game
progress control, the jackpot drawing apparatus, the jackpot
drawing apparatus comprises: a drawing target storage unit for
storing identification information of the game apparatus that can
be regarded as a drawing target for the jackpot drawing; an
application-accept processing unit for performing, when accepting a
participation application request, an application-accepting process
for storing, as the jackpot drawing process target, the
identification information of a game apparatus relating to the
participation application request, in the drawing target storage
unit; a decline-accept processing unit for performing, when
accepting a participation decline request, a decline accepting
process for excluding the identification information of a game
apparatus relating to the participation decline request from the
jackpot drawing process target; a drawing unit for carrying out a
jackpot drawing process in which out of the game apparatuses
corresponding to the identification information stored, as the
jackpot drawing process target, in the drawing target storage unit,
a game apparatus played by a player is regarded as a drawing
target, and whether the game apparatus that is the drawing target
wins the jackpot award or does not win the jackpot award is
determined; a payout amount storage unit for storing payout amount
data indicating an amount including a payout target amount to be
paid out to the player who plays by using a winning game apparatus
when the drawing unit determines the winning of the jackpot award;
a payout processing unit for performing a payout process for paying
out to the player who plays by using the game apparatus that has
won a payout target of at least a part of an amount that is
indicated by payout amount data obtained by reading out the payout
amount data from the payout amount storage unit, when the drawing
unit determines wining of the jackpot award; and a payout amount
increasing unit for cumulatively increasing, when a predetermined
payout amount increasing condition is satisfied, the amount
indicated by the payout amount data stored in the payout amount
storage unit.
[0025] In a jackpot drawing apparatus, when working together with a
participation processing apparatus, in response to a request made
by a manager, and others, who manage a game apparatus, the game
apparatus can be made to participate in or decline the
participation in a jackpot drawing executed by the present jackpot
drawing apparatus.
[0026] As yet another aspect of the present invention, it is listed
that a participation processing apparatus for selecting from among
two or more jackpot drawing apparatuses each executing a jackpot
drawing that regards, as a drawing target, at least one of two or
more game apparatuses each including a game-progress control unit
for performing game progress control, a jackpot drawing apparatus
for executing a jackpot drawing in which each game apparatus
participates, the participation processing apparatus, the
participation processing apparatus comprises: a
participation-application processing unit for selecting, for each
game apparatus, one or at least two jackpot drawing apparatuses for
executing a jackpot drawing in which each game apparatus can be
regarded as the drawing target, from among the two or more jackpot
drawing apparatuses, according to a predetermined participation
application condition, and for transmitting a participation
application request to the selected jackpot drawing apparatus; and
a participation decline processing unit for selecting, for each
game apparatus, one or at least two jackpot drawing apparatuses for
executing a jackpot drawing in which each game apparatus is not
regarded as the drawing target, from among the two or more jackpot
drawing apparatuses, according to a predetermined participation
decline condition, and transmitting a participation decline request
to the selected jackpot drawing apparatus.
[0027] In this participation processing apparatus, when working
together with two or more jackpot drawing apparatuses, a game
apparatus can be made to participate in a jackpot drawing that
responds to a request made by a manager, and others, who manage the
game apparatus, out of two or more jackpot drawings.
EFFECT OF THE INVENTION
[0028] According to the present invention, a game apparatus can be
made to participate in a jackpot drawing that responds to a request
made by a manager or the like, who manage the game apparatus.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0029] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a whole game
system according to an embodiment.
[0030] FIG. 2 is an outline view showing one example of a
horse-racing game machine constituting the same game system.
[0031] FIG. 3 is a control block diagram showing a main control
unit for controlling a whole operation of the same horse-racing
game machine in an integrated way.
[0032] FIG. 4 is a control block diagram showing a station control
unit arranged in each station of the same horse-racing game
machine.
[0033] FIG. 5 is an explanatory view for explaining the
configuration of a station unit in a pusher game machine
constituting the same game system.
[0034] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a
game control system of the same pusher game machine.
[0035] FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing an example of a slot
game screen displayed on a display unit of the same pusher game
machine.
[0036] FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing an example of a bingo
game screen displayed on the display unit of the same pusher game
machine.
[0037] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the outline of a slot
machine constituting the same game system.
[0038] FIG. 10 is a detailed front view showing part of a front
panel of the same slot machine.
[0039] FIG. 11 is a control block diagram relating to a main
configuration of the same slot machine.
[0040] FIG. 12 is a control block diagram of a management
server.
[0041] FIG. 13 is an outline view showing a gaming arcade terminal
unit.
[0042] FIG. 14 is a control block diagram of a gaming arcade
terminal unit.
[0043] FIG. 15 is a sequence flowchart showing a flow of a total
jackpot drawing.
[0044] FIG. 16 is a sequence flowchart for explaining a determining
process of a total jackpot performance timing.
[0045] FIG. 17 is an explanatory view showing an example of a
jackpot start screen displayed on a display unit at each of the
stations, etc., which are drawing targets.
[0046] FIG. 18 is an explanatory view showing an example of a slot
screen displayed on a display unit at each of the stations, etc.,
which are drawing targets.
[0047] FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a flow of an intra-arcade
jackpot drawing.
[0048] FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a flow of selection
processing of a jackpot drawing carried out in a gaming arcade
terminal unit.
DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0049] 1000 Horse-racing game machine (token-operated game machine)
[0050] 1010 Station [0051] 1101 Main control device [0052] 1108,
2625, 3107, 4003, 5003 External communication device [0053] 1201
Station control device [0054] 2000 Pusher game machine
(token-operated game machine) [0055] 2601, 2611, 2621 Control
device [0056] 3000 Slot machine (token-operated game machine)
[0057] 3101 Control device [0058] 4000 Management server [0059]
4001 Control device [0060] 4002 Storage device [0061] 5000 Gaming
arcade terminal unit [0062] 5001 Control device [0063] 5002 Storage
unit [0064] 5005 Display unit [0065] 5006 Touch panel
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0066] The following description will explain one embodiment
applied to a game system configured with three types of
token-operated game machines as arcade game machines (business-use
game apparatuses) having game contents different from each other,
and a gaming arcade server and a management server that are jackpot
drawing apparatuses connected to and capable of communicating with
these token-operated game machines. It is noted that the gaming
arcade server functions as a participation processing
apparatus.
[0067] [System Overview]
[0068] First, the configuration of a whole game system according to
the present embodiment will be explained.
[0069] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of the whole
game system according to the present embodiment.
[0070] Three types of token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and
3000 constituting the game system are different types of game
machines having hardware configurations different from each other.
In the present embodiment, the token-operated game machines 1000,
2000, and 3000 are installed in a game facility such as a game
center, etc., and connected to a gaming arcade terminal unit 5000
in the gaming arcade via a LAN (Local Area Network) that is a
high-speed communication network. A management server 4000 is
connected to the gaming arcade terminal unit in each gaming arcade,
via a WAN (Wide Area Network) that is a low-speed communication
network. The management server 4000 performs data communication
with the gaming arcade terminal unit that performs system
management for the whole gaming arcade by performing data
communication with each of the token-operated game machines 1000,
2000, and 3000 so as to manage the whole game system. It is noted
that a game system covering a plurality of gaming arcades will be
explained in the present embodiment; the explanation, however, will
be applied also to a game system within a single gaming arcade.
[0071] Next, the configuration and the operation of each of the
token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and 3000 will be
explained.
[0072] [Horse-Racing Game Machine 1000]
[0073] The token-operated game machine 1000 is a horse-racing game
machine.
[0074] In the horse-racing game machine 1000, one or at least two
players predict an order of arrival for a horse race played in the
horse-racing game machine, and when the prediction is correct, the
player is capable of receiving a token payout according to odds
against that order.
[0075] FIG. 2 is an outline view showing one example of the
horse-racing game machine 1000.
[0076] The horse-racing game machine 1000 is provided with a field
unit 1002 arranged at the center portion and a plurality of
stations 1010 as game apparatuses arranged to surround the field
unit 1002. In the field unit 1002, a field surface 1004 as a moving
surface that resembles turf on a race track on which a starting
gate 1003 as a model is installed, is arranged, and when a
plurality of model horses (not shown) are moved within the field
surface 1004, a race is developed. Around the field unit 1002, a
plurality of speakers 1005 for providing live race coverage,
cheers, etc., are placed. Above the field unit 1002, placed are: a
display unit 1006 for displaying, for example, a total accumulated
token count indicating the number of pieces to be paid out for a
total jackpot drawing described later; an illuminating device 1007
for illuminating the field unit 1002; and a camera 1009 that is an
imaging unit functioning as imaging means for imaging the field
unit 1002. The display unit 1006, the illuminating device 1007, and
the camera 1009 are supported by a support column 1008. The speaker
1005 and the illuminating device 1007 that are performance units
functioning as performance means of the horse-racing game machine
1000.
[0077] In the station 1010, a display 1011 for displaying thereon a
game screen according to the progress of the game, and a touch
panel 1012 overlapped on a display surface of the display 1011, are
arranged. When a player touches a predetermined position of the
game screen displayed on the display 1011 according to an
instruction on the game screen, the position is detected by the
touch panel 1012 and an operation content of the player is
recognized by the horse-racing game machine 1000. In the station
1010, further arranged are: a token drop-in unit 1013 into which a
token is dropped in by the player; a token payout opening 1014 from
which the token is paid out to the player; and a card reading
surface 1015 of a card reader as an identification information
receiving unit that functions as an identification information
receiving means for reading a card ID from a user card.
[0078] In the horse-racing game machine 1000, races having the same
titles as those of actual horse races held by the Japan Racing
Association are sequentially held according to a predetermined
cycle. For races held during one year, about 60 races are prepared,
and for each race, a time for betting a token, i.e., a time for
purchasing a betting ticket; a time during which a race is held by
model horses; and a time for displaying race results are secured.
The player predicts the order of arrival for each race, and is
capable of freely purchasing a betting ticket. The purchasing of
the betting ticket is carried out by betting a token, and when the
purchased betting ticket matches the results of the race, the
player is paid out, as a dividend, tokens of which the number of
pieces corresponds to that obtained in accordance with the number
of pieces of tokens to be bet and odds.
[0079] When a player uses a user card, it not only becomes possible
for the player to train his/her own racehorse character (his/her
horse) but also to allow the horse to participate in a race.
Concretely, the player selects a preferred racehorse character out
of a plurality of prepared racehorse characters, and acquires the
racehorse character by paying a predetermined number of tokens.
Then, the player can train the racehorse character by breaking in
(training) the racehorse character in order to enhance capability
of the acquired racehorse character. The player can also allow the
broken in racehorse character to compete in a race that the player
desires.
[0080] In the horse-racing game machine 1000 in the present
embodiment, the field unit 1002 forms the field surface 1004, and
on the field surface 1004, an artificial lawn resembling an actual
turf and models such as a starting gate 1003, etc., are arranged. A
model horse as a moving body is moved on the field surface
1004.
[0081] FIG. 3 is a control block diagram showing a main control
unit for controlling the whole operation of the horse-racing game
machine 1000 in an integrated way.
[0082] FIG. 4 is a control block diagram showing a station control
unit arranged in each station 1010.
[0083] As shown in FIG. 3, the main control unit 1100 placed on the
field unit side is provided with: a main control device 1101; a
movement control device 1102 for controlling a movement of the
model horse in the field unit 1002; an illumination control device
1103 for controlling the illuminating device 1007; an audio control
device 1104 for controlling the cheers, the live coverage, etc.,
provided by the speaker 1005; an SRAM 1105 and a flash memory 1106
for temporarily recording data processed by the main control device
1101; a ROM 1107 in which a program necessary for the game and
various types of databases are stored; and an external
communication device 1108 for performing data communication via a
LAN with an external device such as the gaming arcade terminal unit
5000. The main control device 1101 is connected to each of the
movement control device 1102, the illumination control device 1103,
the audio control device 1104, the SRAM 1105, the flash memory
1106, the ROM 1107, the external communication device 1108, and the
camera 1009. In the ROM 1107, a movement control program that is
movement control information for each model horse, various types of
data relating to each horse used for the race, a database for a
race schedule, etc., are stored.
[0084] As shown in FIG. 4, the station control unit 1200 arranged
in each station 1010 is provided with: a station control device
1201; a token managing device 1202 for managing a token payout,
etc.; a RAM 1203 for temporarily recording various data of a
player; and a card reader 1204 as an identification information
receiving unit that functions as an identification information
receiving means for reading a card ID from the user card placed
over a card reading surface 1015. The station control device 1201
is connected to each of the token managing device 1202, the RAM
1203, and the card reader 1204. The station control device 1201 is
also connected to various components such as a display 1011 and a
touch panel 1012 (shown in FIG. 2) arranged in the station 1010, a
token drop-in sensor (not shown) for detecting a token dropped in
via a token drop-in unit 1013.
[0085] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the station
control device 1201 of each station 1010 is connected to the main
control device 1101 on the game machine main body side, enabling
data communication necessary between these components.
[0086] The main control device 1101 of the main control unit 1100,
in order to realistically reproduce an actual horse race when
holding a race, changes a movement control content of each model
horse for each race according to various types of data such as a
parameter of each horse. Then, the movement control content is
determined before the start of a race, and the movement of the
model horse is controlled according to the resultant movement
control content. Concretely, before the start of a race, the main
control device 1101 of the main control unit 1100 reads out various
types of parameters of horses competing in the current race and
data such as turf condition, from the ROM 1107, so as to determine
the order of arrival for the current race. It is noted that only a
first place horse and a second place horse affect the payout of the
token to the player, and thus, it is not necessary to determine the
orders of all the horses competing in that race and it suffices to
determine at least the first place horse and the second place
horse. In this case, the movement of the other horses is controlled
according to the various types of parameters so that the other
horses do not arrive at the finish line first or second. Order of
arrival data, the parameter of each horse, etc., determined by the
main control device 1101 are forwarded to the movement control
device 1102.
[0087] The movement control device 1102 that receives the data from
the main control device 1101 executes the movement control program
recorded in a ROM (not shown) so as to perform movement control on
each horse. The movement control device 1102 executing the movement
control program calculates a moving pattern of each horse from the
parameter, etc., of each horse, and transmits a control command to
each control chip 1022 so that each model horse 1060 is moved
according to the resultant moving pattern. Concretely, in order to
generate a magnetic field allowing each model horse 1060 to move
according to the moving pattern of each horse, a control command is
transmitted to the control chip of each circuit board for magnetic
field generation. Each control chip 1022 that receives the control
command controls a current that passes through each coil so that a
magnetic force that pulls a south pole of a permanent magnet of
each model horse 1060 along a planned moving route of each model
horse 1060 is sequentially generated. Thereby, each model horse
1060 can be moved along the planned moving route. As a result, each
model horse 1060 of which the movement is controlled by the
movement control device 1102 develops the race in the play
field.
[0088] When the player plays by using the user card, the player
places his/her own user card over the card reading surface 1015
before playing. Thereby, a card ID is read from the user card by
the card reader 1204, and the card ID is stored in an SRAM 1105 or
a flash memory 1106. In the SRAM 1105 or the flash memory 1106,
data (such as horse name data, parameter data, and track record
information about a winning GI race) relating to the racehorse
character trained as a result of the player playing the game is
stored in a state of being associated with the card ID.
[0089] In the horse-racing game machine 1000, when the player who
plays by using the user card ends the game, game situation data
(used for restoring, upon resuming the game next time, a game
situation established when the game is ended) is saved in a gaming
arcade terminal unit in a state of being associated with the card
ID of that player. The game situation data includes data relating
to the racehorse character trained by the player. Then, when the
player resumes the game from a point where the game was last ended,
the user places his/her own user card over the card reading surface
1015 before playing. In this way, the game situation data
corresponding to the card ID within the user card is downloaded
from the gaming arcade terminal unit, and the data is stored in the
SRAM 1105 or the flash memory 1106. Thereafter, the game is
resumed.
[0090] [Pusher Game Machine 2000]
[0091] Next, the token-operated game machine 2000 will be
explained.
[0092] The token-operated game machine 2000 is a pusher game
machine.
[0093] FIG. 5 is an explanatory view for explaining the
configuration of a station unit ST in the pusher game machine
2000.
[0094] In the pusher game machine 2000, four satellite units SA as
game apparatuses are arranged to surround a center drawing
apparatus (not shown). Each satellite unit SA is provided with the
four station units ST, and each player is to individually play a
game at each station unit ST. Moreover, each satellite unit SA is
provided with one satellite drawing apparatus 2001, and around the
satellite drawing apparatus 2001, each station unit ST is lined and
placed.
[0095] The station unit ST is configured mainly by: a token drop-in
mechanism (drop-in unit) 2100; a play field 2500; a station control
unit (not shown); and a display unit 2700. In the station unit ST,
the token drop-in mechanism 2100 is placed on an upper near side,
the display unit 2700 that functions as display means is placed on
an upper far side, and the play field 2500 is placed at an upper
center. The "near side" means a side on which the player is
positioned during the game, the "far side" means a side opposite to
the side on which the player is positioned during the game, and the
"center" means an area between the "near side" and the "far
side."
[0096] The token drop-in mechanism 2100 is a mechanism for the
player to drop a token M into the pusher game machine 2000 during
the game. The token M dropped into the token drop-in mechanism 2100
is conveyed via a token conveyance route (not shown) in the
interior of the cabinet of the station unit ST to a lift-up hopper,
and the resultant token M is temporarily retained by the lift-up
hopper. The lift-up hopper includes: a token retaining unit for
accumulating the token M; the lift-up unit for lifting up the token
M to a predetermined height; and a token discharge unit (discharge
unit) for discharging the token M that is lifted up at a
predetermined timing. At a discharge opening of the token discharge
unit, arranged is a token discharge route 2400 for leading the
discharged token M to the play field 2500 in a manner to laterally
swing. An upper end of the lift-up unit is placed above the play
field 2500. As a result, the token discharge unit arranged at the
upper end of the lift-up unit is placed above the play field 2500.
Therefore, the token M temporarily accumulated in the token
retaining unit arranged below the play field 2500 is raised above
the play field 2500 by the lift-up unit, and thereafter, the raised
token M is exited via the token discharge route 2400 from the token
discharge unit, out onto the play field 2500.
[0097] Within the play field 2500, arranged mainly are: a main
table 2501 that is a token mount table for retaining thereon the
token M, and the pusher unit 2510 as a token extruding member which
is mounted on the main table 2501. The pusher unit 2510 includes: a
top surface (this is called a sub table) for retaining thereon the
token M; a sloping table on which the token M that falls from the
sub table slides; and a push-forward wall that pushes forward the
token M retained on the main table 2501. Moreover, the pusher unit
2510, which is arranged to enable sliding on the main table 2501 in
the play field 2500, makes a back-and-forth slide movement in a
constant cycle or an arbitrary cycle. A part (far side) of the
pusher unit 2510 is housed in a housing part (described later)
arranged beneath the display unit 2700. The pusher unit 2510, which
slides to come out of and into the housing part, makes a
back-and-forth reciprocating movement.
[0098] With the sub table, a frame member of the display unit 2700
comes into contact in a manner to enable sliding. Therefore, when
the pusher unit 2510 moves to a direction in which it is housed in
the housing part, the token M on the sub table is pushed forward by
the frame member. By the pushing forward, some tokens M on the sub
table fall onto the sloping table. Some tokens M that fall from the
sub table enter into an opening (this is called a "chucker") that
is a token pass-through opening arranged on the sloping table. The
remaining tokens M fall directly onto the main table 2501 and are
retained on the main table 2501.
[0099] The tokens M on the main table 2501, similar to the tokens M
on the sub table, are pushed forward by the slide movement of the
pusher unit 2510. That is, the pusher units 2510 are seamlessly
mounted on the main table 2501, and thus, when the pusher unit 2510
is moved in a discharge direction from the housing part, the tokens
M on the main table 2501 are pushed forward by the push-forward
wall on the front surface of the pusher unit 2510. By the pushing
forward, some tokens M on the main table 2501 fall. Out of the
tokens M that fall, the token M that falls from an end on the
player side (this is called a "front end") to a token fall groove
is paid to the player, and the other tokens M, e.g., the tokens M
that fall from both sides (these are called "side ends") of the
main table 2501 are stocked in a predetermined retaining unit
within the station unit ST.
[0100] Besides, as shown in FIG. 5, the station unit ST includes a
ball drop-in mechanism 2800 on at least one side. The ball drop-in
mechanism 2800 is configured to drop balls B1 and B2 that are
spherical objects (as differently shaped objects described later)
into the play field 2500, and includes a ball drop-in slope 2801
and a ball drop-in position drawing mechanism 2810. The balls B1
and B2 are objects for drawing used for executing a bingo game
described later.
[0101] The ball drop-in slope 2801, which is configured to lead the
balls B1 and B2 dropped in from a ball carrier 2520 described later
to the ball drop-in position drawing mechanism 2810 by gravity, is
formed as a downhill slope. The ball drop-in position drawing
mechanism 2810 is configured to draw a position on the play field
2500 onto which the balls B1 and B2 are dropped. Thus, the balls B1
and B2 dropped in from the ball carrier 2520 described later to the
station unit ST are dropped in via the ball drop-in slope 2801 and
the ball drop-in position drawing mechanism 2810 onto the play
field 2500.
[0102] As shown in FIG. 5, the station unit ST includes a ball
transportation mechanism 2900 on at least one side. The ball
transportation mechanism 2900 is configured, when the balls B1 and
B2 fall from the main table 2501 in the play field 2500 onto the
token fall groove arranged on the near side, to transport the balls
B1 and B2 to the satellite drawing apparatus 2001, and includes a
ball conveying route (not shown), a ball transporting unit 2910,
and a ball transporting unit traveling slope 2901. The ball
conveying route is arranged below the front end of the main table
2501, and leads the balls B1 and B2 that fall from the front end to
the ball transporting unit 2910. The ball transporting unit 2910 is
configured to transport the balls B1 and B2 received via the ball
conveying route, to the satellite drawing apparatus 2001, and
travels on the ball transporting unit traveling slope 2901
according to control of the control unit of the station unit ST.
The balls B1 and B2 transported to the satellite drawing apparatus
2001 are handed over to the ball carrier 2520.
[0103] Moreover, the station unit ST includes a token payout
mechanism 2030, and as a result of the token payout mechanism being
driven, the tokens M of which the number of pieces is equal to that
of the tokens M that fall onto the token fall groove from the front
end of the main table 2501 are discharged to the retaining unit
2101 of the token drop-in mechanism 2100.
[0104] Next, a control system of the pusher game machine 2000 will
be explained.
[0105] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a
game control system of the pusher game machine 2000. In this block
diagram, for the sake of explanation, configurations of a drive
control system for driving each unit according to the game progress
and any other systems are omitted.
[0106] The game control system of the pusher game machine 2000 is
configured mainly by: a control unit 2600 at the station unit ST; a
control unit 2610 of the satellite drawing apparatus 2001; and a
control unit 2620 of the center drawing apparatus 2002. The control
unit 2600 of the station unit ST mainly assumes a role of overall
process control of a slot game and a bingo game described later,
the control unit 2610 of the satellite drawing apparatus 2001
mainly assumes a role of control of a physical drawing of the bingo
game and transportation control of the balls B1 and B2, and the
control unit 2620 of the center drawing apparatus 2002 mainly
assumes a role of a single-unit jackpot drawing control described
later and overall control of the pusher game machine 2000.
[0107] The control unit 2600 of the station unit ST is configured
mainly by: a control device 2601; a ROM 2602; a RAM 2603; a
communication device 2604; and a card reader 2605 as an
identification information receiving unit that functions as
identification information receiving means. The control device 2601
executes various types of programs stored in the ROM 2602 so as to
perform various types of controls. The ROM 2602 stores, for
example, execution programs for various types of controls that
should be carried out in the control unit 2600 of the station unit
ST. The RAM 2603 is for temporarily storing various types of data
or information. The communication device 2604 is for performing
data communication with the control unit 2610 of the satellite
drawing apparatus 2001. The card reader 2605 is for reading a card
ID from a user card held by a user. Although not shown, the station
unit ST includes a performance unit such as a speaker and an
illuminating device, used for various types of performances, and
the control device 2601 controls these performance units so as to
carry out various types of performances.
[0108] The control unit 2610 of the satellite drawing apparatus
2001 is configured mainly by: a control device 2611; a ROM 2612; a
RAM 2613; a station-side communication device 2614; and a
center-side communication device 2615. The control device 2611
executes various types of programs stored in the ROM 2612 so as to
perform various types of controls. The ROM 2612 stores, for
example, execution programs for various types of controls that
should be carried out in the control unit 2610 of the satellite
drawing apparatus 2001. The RAM 2613 is for temporarily storing
various types of data or information. The station-side
communication device 2614 is for performing data communication with
the control unit 2600 of the each station unit ST belonging to the
satellite unit SA. The center-side communication device 2615 is for
performing data communication with the control unit 2620 of the
center drawing apparatus 2002. Although not shown, the satellite
unit SA includes a performance unit, such as a speaker and an
illuminating device, used for various types of performances, and
the control device 2611 controls these performance units so as to
carry out various types of performances.
[0109] The control unit 2620 of the center drawing apparatus 2002
is configured mainly by: a control device 2621; a ROM 2622; a RAM
2623; a communication device 2624; and an external communication
device 2625. The control device 2621 executes various types of
programs stored in the ROM 2622 so as to perform various types of
controls. The ROM 2622 stores, for example, execution programs for
various types of controls that should be carried out in the control
unit 2620 of the center drawing apparatus 2002. The RAM 2623 is for
temporarily storing various types of data or information. The
communication device 2624 is for performing data communication with
the control unit 2610 of each satellite unit SA. The external
communication device 2625 is for performing data communication via
a LAN with an external device such as a gaming arcade terminal unit
5000. Although not shown, the center drawing apparatus 2002
includes a performance unit, such as a speaker and an illuminating
device, used for various types of performances, and the control
device 2621 controls these performance units so as to carry out
various types of performances.
[0110] In the above-described configuration, in the pusher game
machine 2000, in addition to the pusher game, a slot game is
carried out by displaying a slot game screen as shown in FIG. 7 on
the display unit 2700, and a bingo game is carried out by
displaying a bingo game screen as shown in FIG. 8 on the display
unit 2700. In the pusher game machine 2000, a single-unit jackpot
drawing using the center drawing apparatus 2002 is also carried
out. On the display unit 2700, a single-unit accumulated token
count indicating the number of pieces to be paid out in a
single-unit jackpot drawing described later and a total accumulated
token count indicating the number of pieces to be paid out in a
total jackpot drawing described later are displayed.
[0111] The slot game is a digital drawing game in which the control
unit 2600 at the station unit ST mainly performs a drawing
digitally. This slot game is started under the condition that the
token M enters into any one of chuckers arranged on the sloping
table at the pusher unit 2510. The slot game screen shown in FIG. 7
is displayed on the display unit 2700 during a period when the
bingo game described later does not progress. When the token M
enters into any one of the chuckers and thereby the slot drawing
start condition is satisfied, the control unit 2600 performs
display control to rotate three dice-shaped slots DS. In the
digital drawing of the slot game, the control unit executes a
predetermined drawing program, and checks a generated random number
in reference to a predetermined winning table so as to determine
whether to win any payout-symbol combination or lose. Thereafter,
where a winning payout-symbol combination is determined, the
control unit 2600 performs display control to stop the rotation of
the three dice-shaped slots DS so that a combination of symbols
relating to the winning payout-symbol combination is stopped and
displayed on the display unit 2700.
[0112] In the present embodiment, as a payout-symbol combination
for a digital drawing, prepared are: a minor payout-symbol
combination A in which three tokens are supplied to the play field
2500; a minor payout-symbol combination B in which eight tokens are
supplied to the play field 2500; a ball supply payout-symbol
combination in which the ball B1 is supplied to the play field
2500; a normal bonus payout-symbol combination in which thirty
tokens are supplied to the play field 2500; a probability-change
bonus payout-symbol combination in which thirty tokens are supplied
to the play field 2500 and a winning table at which a winning
probability is set to be higher is used in subsequent digital
drawings; a direct satellite payout-symbol combination in which the
ball B1 is directly supplied to the satellite drawing apparatus
2001; a direct center payout-symbol combination in which the ball
B1 is directly supplied to the center drawing apparatus 2002, and
other payout-symbol combinations. The winning probability of each
of these payout-symbol combinations is set to be lowered according
to the above-described order. It is noted that, which payout-symbol
combination is prepared or to which winning probability of each of
the payout-symbol combinations is set is determined arbitrarily.
For example, it may be possible to configure that various benefits
are given to a player such as direct payout of tokens M to the
player. Then, when these payout-symbol combinations are won, the
control device 2601 of the station unit ST controls the speaker or
the illumination device, etc., so as to carry out individual
performance to liven up the winning.
[0113] The bingo game is a physical drawing game which progresses
by a physical drawing using two types of balls B1 and B2 and the
satellite drawing apparatus 2001. The bingo game progresses by the
control unit 2610 of the satellite drawing apparatus 2001 and the
control unit 2600 at the station unit ST. In the bingo game, the
control unit 2610 of the satellite drawing apparatus 2001 mainly
controls a drawing for determining winning bingo numbers of the
bingo game. The control unit 2600 of each of the station units ST
belonging to the satellite unit SA including the satellite drawing
apparatus 2001 is mainly in charge of controlling the performance
of the bingo game, a decision of the establishment of BINGO, and so
on. In the present embodiment, the balls B1 and B2 are moved by the
satellite drawing apparatus 2001, by which a physical drawing is
carried out in which one winning bingo number (a winning target) is
selected from a plurality of bingo numbers (drawing targets)
different from each other. In the physical drawing of the present
embodiment, one winning bingo number is selected from the bingo
numbers of "1" through "9". Then, array information of the bingo
card having these bingo numbers of "1" through "9" arrayed in a
matrix is generated individually for each of the station units ST
by the control unit 2600 that is as an array-information producing
unit which functions as array-information producing means for the
station unit ST, for example. Thereafter, a bingo card image BC in
which images of the bingo numbers of "1" through "9" (drawing
target images) are arrayed according to the array information is
displayed on the display unit 2700 of each of the station units ST,
as shown in FIG. 8. Then, when the BINGO is established, the
control device 2601 of the station unit ST or the control device
2611 of the satellite unit SA each controls the speaker, the
illuminating device, etc., so as to carry out an individual
performance to liven up the establishment of BINGO.
[0114] In the single-unit jackpot drawing, when either one of
conditions under which the single-unit jackpot drawing is started
is satisfied, i.e., the balls B1 and B2 are thrown into a winning
spot to which a right of starting a single-unit jackpot drawing in
the center drawing apparatus 2002 in the physical drawing in the
satellite drawing apparatus 2001 in the above-described bingo game
is assigned, or the center combination is directly won in the
above-described slot game, the control device 2621 of the control
unit 2620 in the center drawing apparatus 2002 executes a
single-unit jackpot execution program stored in the ROM 2622 so as
to start the single-unit jackpot drawing. Then, in the center
drawing apparatus 2002, the ball B1 is moved thereby to perform the
physical drawing that determines whether a single-unit jackpot
award is won or lost (including a case where awards other than the
single-unit jackpot award are won). When the single-unit jackpot
award is won, the control device 2621 of the center drawing
apparatus 2002 controls the speaker, the illuminating device, etc.,
so as to carry out an individual performance to liven up the
winning of the single-unit jackpot award.
[0115] Moreover, when the single-unit jackpot award is won, the
control device 2621 reads out the single-unit JP retaining count
data that is payout amount data from the RAM 2623, and performs a
process for supplying the tokens M having the number of pieces
indicated by a count value of that data, to the play field 2500 of
the station unit ST that has satisfied the condition under which
the jackpot drawing is started. At this time, another option would
be: a token supply command is output to the control device 2601 of
the control unit 2600 at the station unit ST from the control
device 2621, and under the control of the control device 2601, the
token M is supplied to the play field 2500 by using a method
similar to a normal token supply process. In this case, however,
the number of pieces of tokens to be supplied when the single-unit
jackpot award is won is obtained by cumulatively adding the number
of pieces equivalent to a part of the number of pieces of tokens to
be dropped into all the station units ST (for example, 0.03 pieces)
from a time when the single-unit JP retaining count data is reset
to an initial value (for example, 500 pieces), therefore, it is a
great number. For this reason, instead of the normal token supply
process, a process using an original token supply mechanism may be
optionally adopted. This is preferable as a performance carried out
when the single-unit jackpot award is won. Moreover, when the
single-unit jackpot award is won, the control device 2621 resets
the single-unit JP retaining count data stored in the RAM 2623, to
the initial value.
[0116] When playing by using the pusher game machine 2000, the
player places the user card over a card reading surface (not shown)
before playing. Thereby, the card ID is read from the user card by
the card reader 2605, and the card ID is stored in a RAM 2603. In
the RAM 2603, play information obtained when the player plays by
using the pusher game machine 2000 (such as an accumulated token
drop-in count, a combination of symbols that is won in a slot game,
the number of times of bingos to be established in a bingo game,
and the number of times to be won in a single-unit jackpot award)
is stored in a state of being associated with the card ID. When the
player who plays by using the user card ends the game, the play
information stored in the RAM 2603 is saved in the gaming arcade
terminal unit in a state of being associated with the card ID. If
the player places his/her own user card over the card reading
surface before playing next time, the play information
corresponding to the card ID within the user card is downloaded
from the gaming arcade terminal unit, and this data is stored in
the RAM 2603. As a result, a play result obtained from playing is
added to the play information.
[0117] [Slot Machine 3000]
[0118] Next, the token-operated game machine 3000 will be
explained.
[0119] The token-operated game machine 3000 as a game apparatus is
a slot machine.
[0120] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the outline of a slot
machine 3000 according to the present embodiment.
[0121] The slot machine 3000 includes a box-type cabinet 3002, a
front panel 3003 attached to a front surface side of the cabinet
3002 in a freely openable and closable manner, and other
components. On the front panel 3003, arranged are: a display window
3004 for displaying part of a varying display unit described later;
a token drop-in opening 3005; a start button 3006 as a start
operation device; a dice display window 3007; a credit settlement
button 3008; a speaker 3009; a token receiving tray 3010 having a
token payout opening 3010a; a performance panel 3011; a card
reading surface 3013a; a count display unit 3014; a BET operation
unit 3015; and so on. The speaker 3009 and the performance panel
3011 that are performance units function as performance means of
the slot machine 3000. Moreover, on the performance panel 3011,
various types of information such as a total accumulated token
count indicating the number of pieces of payouts in the total
jackpot drawing described later are displayed.
[0122] Inside the cabinet 3002, three reels that as three varying
display units of which the outer peripheral surface is printed with
a plurality of types of symbols are assembled. The three reels
(hereinafter, in the order of a "left reel", a "middle reel", and a
"right reel") are each rotated and driven by a reel drive motor
(not shown) configured by a stepping motor. These reels are printed
with a plurality of types of symbols such as "white 7", "blue 7",
"green 7", "red 7", "cherry", and "blank" in a predetermined order.
In the present embodiment, the symbol of "blank" configures neither
one of the payout-symbol combinations. A main control circuit board
on which electronic circuits are formed by various types of
electronic components such as a CPU and a ROM, a token payout
device having a token hopper capable of containing a large number
of pieces of tokens, an internal speaker, and any other similar
components are also assembled.
[0123] FIG. 10 is a detailed front view showing part of the front
panel 3003.
[0124] Symbols formed by about three images at a predetermined
rotation position of each reel are to be visually recognized by a
player through the display window 3004. In this display window
3004, five winning lines IL are depicted across all of the reels.
When symbols relating to a payout-symbol combination corresponding
to an award group previously defined on these winning lines IL
become all the same in a combination (hereinafter, this is simply
referred to as the "symbols become all the same in a payout-symbol
combination"), a game value is imparted to a player, such as the
tokens are paid out to the token receiving tray 3010 and a current
period is moved to a special game period during which a special
game can be played. It is noted that, in the slot machine 3000
according to the embodiment, the five winning lines IL are
arranged; however, the number of winning lines may be optionally
increased or decreased. Moreover, the winning line may suffice to
be visually recognized by a CPU 17a, described later, for
performing stop control of the slot machine, rather than to be
visually recognized by the player.
[0125] The count display unit 3014 is provided with a credit
display 3014a, a bonus-count display 3014b, a token payout count
display 3014c, etc.
[0126] The BET operation unit 3015 is configured by two buttons,
i.e., a 1BET button 3015a and a max BET button 3015b.
[0127] FIG. 11 is a control block diagram relating to a main
configuration of the slot machine 3000. The main control unit 3100
of the slot machine 3000 includes: a control device 3101; a reel
control device 3102 for performing drive control for the three
reels; a storage device 3103 in which various types of programs
necessary for the game, various types of databases, etc., are
stored; a display control device 3104 for performing display
control of the count display unit 3014; an illumination control
device 3105 for controlling illumination of the performance panel
3011, etc.; an audio control device 3106 for controlling a sound
output from the speaker 3009; and an external communication device
3107 for performing a data communication with an external apparatus
such as the gaming arcade terminal unit 5000 via a LAN. The main
control device 1101 is connected not only to these devices but also
to, for example, the token drop-in sensor 3022, the card reader
3013 as an identification information receiving unit that functions
as identification information receiving means for reading a card ID
from a user card placed over the card reading surface 3013a, the
BET operation unit 3015, and the token payout device 3018.
[0128] Next, a flow of the game of the slot machine 3000 will be
explained.
[0129] Before the game is started, as a preparation, a player first
needs to drop a token into the token drop-in opening 3005. When a
token is dropped by the player into the token drop-in opening 3005,
the token passes through a passage (not shown) and falls onto the
token hopper. In this passage, various components are arranged such
as a fall opening through which a token smaller than a standard
falls back to the token payout opening 3010a, a token block
solenoid for returning or permitting the token to the token payout
opening 3010a by blocking the passage of the token, and a token
drop-in sensor 3022 configured by, for example, a photo sensor for
detecting the passed tokens one by one. A token detection signal
output from the token drop-in sensor 3022 that detects the token is
forwarded to the control device 3101 of the main control unit 3100.
In receipt thereof, by means of the display control device 3104,
the control device 3101 performs control to increase a display
count value by one on the credit display 3014a and to increase a
value of credit count data stored in the storage device 3103 by
one. Normally, a plurality of pieces of tokens are dropped in at
once so as to increase the number of pieces of credit to a certain
extent. When the player operates the BET operation unit 3015 to
perform a bet operation, the control device 3101 decreases the
value of the credit count data stored in the storage device 3103 by
as much as the number of pieces to be bet, and at the same time,
performs control to decrease the display count value on the credit
display 3014a by as much as the number of pieces to be bet.
Moreover, the control device 3101 recognizes the winning line IL
that has become effective according to the number of pieces to be
bet. It is noted that, unless the symbols become all the same in
the payout-symbol combination on the effective winning line IL, the
winning is not granted even when the symbols become all the same in
the payout-symbol combination on an ineffective winning line
IL.
[0130] When the start button 3006 is operated by the player, the
control device 3101 that is a start-command receiving unit executes
a start-command receiving program stored in the storage device 3103
thereby to function as start-command receiving means so as to
receive a varying-display start command from its start button 3006.
The control device 3101 that has received this varying-display
start command, first, starts rotation drive of all the reels by the
reel control device 3102. Further, the control device 3101 that has
received the varying-display start command executes an award-group
drawing program stored in the storage device 3103 so as to perform
an internal drawing. In this case, the control device 3101
functions as means for performing an internal drawing to determine
a winning in which any award group is selected out of a plurality
of award groups or a loss in which neither award group is selected.
The internal drawing is carried out by checking random number data
forwarded from a random-number generating circuit with a value on
an award group drawing table stored in the storage device 3103. On
this award-group drawing table, each random number is associated
with any award group or the loss. As a result of such an
association, any one of the award groups is won at an individual
predetermined probability, or the loss occurs at a predetermined
probability.
[0131] Rotation positions of the reels that start the rotation
drive are respectively detected by a reel position sensor (not
shown). The reel control device 3102 performs an arithmetic
operation on the rotation speed of the reel based on an output
signal from each reel position sensor. When the rotation speed of
the reel is stabilized, the reel control device 3102 becomes
capable of recognizing a position of each symbol on each reel based
on the output signal from each reel position sensor. Then, the
control device 3101 executes a stop control program stored in the
storage device 3103, and based on a drawing result of the
above-described internal drawing, performs stop control of the reel
by the reel control device 3102 so that a combination of
predetermined symbols is stopped and displayed on the winning line.
Concretely, when any one of the award groups is won by the internal
drawing, the control device 3101 performs stop control so that a
combination of symbols relating to a payout-symbol combination
corresponding to the award group that has won is stopped and
displayed on the winning line IL. On the other hand, in the case of
the loss as a result of neither one of the award groups being
selected by the internal drawing, the control device 3101 performs
stop control so that a combination of symbols corresponding to
neither award group is stopped and displayed on the winning line
IL.
[0132] In a normal game, the internal drawing is carried out by
using an award-group drawing table corresponding to that normal
game. Examples of award groups that may be won by the internal
drawing of this normal game include token payout awards of: a
cherry award corresponding to a cherry combination formed by
"cherry-ANY (any symbol pattern)-ANY (any symbol pattern)"; an ANY7
award corresponding to an ANY7 combination formed by a plurality of
colors of "7" that are "ANY7 (any color of "7")-ANY7 (any color of
"7")-ANY7 (any color of "7")"; a white 7 award corresponding to a
white 7 combination formed by "white 7-white 7-white 7"; a blue 7
award corresponding to a blue 7 combination formed by "blue 7-blue
7-blue 7"; a green 7 award corresponding to a green 7 combination
formed by "green 7-green 7-green 7"; and a red 7 award
corresponding to a red 7 combination formed by "red 7-red 7-red 7."
When any one of the token payout awards is won as a result of the
internal drawing and the symbols corresponding thereto become all
the same in a winning combination on the winning line IL, the
control device 3101 causes the token payout count display 3014c of
the count display unit 3014 to display the number of pieces of
tokens to be paid out corresponding to the winning award. Then, the
control device 3101 performs a token payout process for paying out
the number of pieces of tokens corresponding to the winning award.
Concretely, the control device 3101 increases a value of the credit
count data stored in the storage device 3103 by as much as the
number of pieces of tokens to be paid out, and at the same time,
performs control to increase the token credit on the credit display
3014a by as much as the number of pieces of tokens to be paid out.
When a token credit upper limit value is exceeded, the exceeded
amount is paid out to the token receiving tray 3010 from the token
payout opening 3010a by the token payout device 3018. According to
the order in which the above-described award groups are described,
the number of pieces of tokens that are paid out is larger.
[0133] When playing by using the slot machine 3000, the player
places the user card over the card reading surface 3013a before
playing. As a result, the card ID is read from the user card by the
card reader 3013, and the resultant card ID is stored in the
storage device 3103. In the storage device 3103, play information
(such as an accumulated token drop-in count, and the number of
times to be won for the red 7 award) obtained when the player plays
by using the slot machine 3000 is stored in a state of being
associated with the card ID. When the player who plays by using the
user card ends the game, the play information stored in the storage
device 3103 is saved in the gaming arcade terminal unit in a state
of being associated with the card ID. When the player places
his/her own user card over the card reading surface 3013a before
playing next time, the play information corresponding to the card
ID within the user card is downloaded from the gaming arcade
terminal unit, and the data is stored in the storage device 3103.
Thereafter, a play result obtained from playing is added to the
play information.
[0134] [Jackpot System]
[0135] Subsequently, the total jackpot drawing and the intra-arcade
jackpot drawing carried out in the present system will be
explained.
[0136] FIG. 12 is a control block diagram of the management server
4000 for performing progress control of the total jackpot drawing
which is carried out, together with each gaming arcade terminal
unit 5000.
[0137] The management server 4000 is configured mainly by: a
control device 4001; a storage device 4002 as a drawing target
storage unit and a payout amount storage unit that function as
drawing target storage means and payout amount storage means,
respectively; and an external communication device 4003. The
storage device 4002 stores various types of control programs, and
stores total accumulated token count data that is payout amount
data of the whole system. Further, in the storage device 4002, a
drawing participation list in which identification information of a
token-operated game machine participating in the total jackpot
drawing is written is stored. The external communication device
4003 is for performing data communication via a WAN with an
external device such as the gaming arcade terminal unit 5000 in
each gaming arcade.
[0138] FIG. 13 is an outline view of the gaming arcade terminal
unit 5000 for managing a system in a gaming arcade (including
progress control of the intra-arcade jackpot drawing) and for
performing data communication between the management server 4000
and each token-operated game machine of the gaming arcade.
[0139] FIG. 14 is a control block diagram of the gaming arcade
terminal unit 5000.
[0140] The gaming arcade terminal unit 5000 is configured mainly
by: a control device 5001; a storage device 5002 as a drawing
target storage unit and a payout amount storage unit that function
as drawing target storage means and payout amount storage means,
respectively; an external communication device 5003; an
intra-arcade communication device 5004; a display device 5005; a
touch panel 5006 as an operation accepting unit that functions as
operation accepting means; a card reader 5007; and a token payout
device 5008. The storage device 5002 stores various types of
control programs. Further, the storage device 5002 stores
intra-arcade accumulated token count data that is a part of the
tokens consumed in the token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and
3000 within the gaming arcade constituting the game system, and
also stores the total accumulated token count data sent from the
management server 4000. Further, in the storage device 5002, a
drawing participation list in which identification information of a
token-operated game machine participating in the intra-arcade
jackpot drawing is written is stored. The external communication
device 5003 is for performing data communication via a WAN with an
external device such as the management server 4000. The external
communication device 5003 is for performing data communication via
a LAN with each of the token-operated game machines 1000, 2000,
3000, etc. The display device 5005 is for displaying information
such as various operation screens. The touch panel 5006 is for
accepting an operation of the user or of the gaming arcade manager,
for example. The card reader 5007 is for reading out the card ID
from the user card held by the user. The token payout device 5008
is for paying out a token from the token payout opening 5008a.
[0141] FIG. 15 is a sequence flowchart showing a flow of the total
jackpot drawing in the present embodiment. In FIG. 15, for the sake
of explanation, only one token-operated game machine and one gaming
arcade server are described.
[0142] In the game system, when a player consumes the tokens in
each of the token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and 3000, data
indicating a consumption amount is forwarded to the gaming arcade
terminal unit 5000 located in its gaming arcade. Based on the data
forwarded from each of the token-operated game machines 1000, 2000,
and 3000, the control device 5001 of the gaming arcade terminal
unit 5000 cumulatively stores, as the intra-arcade accumulated
token count data, a part of the tokens (for example, 0.01 pieces)
consumed by the player in the token-operated game machines 1000,
2000, and 3000 within the gaming arcade connected to this gaming
arcade terminal unit 5000 into the storage device 5002. Then, the
control device 5001 transmits the intra-arcade accumulated token
count data in the storage device 5002 to the management server 4000
at a predetermined timing. It is noted that the intra-arcade
accumulated token count data to be transmitted this time is as much
as that cumulatively stored between a last transmission time point
and a current transmission time point.
[0143] At each reception of the intra-arcade accumulated token
count data forwarded from each gaming arcade terminal unit 5000,
the management server 4000 cumulatively adds the number of pieces
of tokens indicated by the received data to the total accumulated
token count data in the storage device 4002. Thereby, a part of the
number of pieces of tokens (for example, 0.01 pieces) consumed in
all the token-operated game machines constituting the present game
system is added up as the total accumulated token count data. In
the present embodiment, for example, an initial value of the total
accumulated token count data is 1000 pieces of tokens and a part of
the number of pieces of tokens consumed by the player is
cumulatively added to this initial value.
[0144] In the present embodiment, also in the above-described
pusher game machine 2000, the single-unit jackpot drawing is
carried out, and the accumulated token count data of the
single-unit jackpot drawing is obtained by calculation only from
the number of pieces of tokens consumed in that pusher game machine
2000. In the present embodiment, it is also possible to carry out
an intra-arcade jackpot drawing as described later, and the
accumulated token count data of the intra-arcade jackpot drawing is
obtained by calculation only from the number of pieces of tokens
consumed in the token-operated game machine installed in the gaming
arcade. On the other hand, the accumulated token count data of the
total jackpot drawing managed and run by the management server 4000
is obtained by calculation from the number of pieces of tokens
consumed by all the token-operated game machines constituting the
present game system, which are installed in two or more gaming
arcades. As a result, it is possible to increase the number of
pieces of tokens to be paid out to a winner when the winner wins
the jackpot drawing.
[0145] A specific process flow will be now explained. The control
device 4001 of the management server 4000 receives the intra-arcade
accumulated token count data transmitted from each gaming arcade
terminal unit 5000 at a predetermined timing (for example, at
intervals of 10 minutes) thereby, first, to perform a process for
cumulatively adding to the total accumulated token count data in
the storage device 4002, as shown in FIG. 14. Thereafter, the total
accumulated token count data stored in the storage device 4002 at
this time point is transmitted to the gaming arcade terminal unit
5000 that is a transmission source of the intra-arcade accumulated
token count data that is received immediately before. The gaming
arcade terminal unit 5000 that receives the total accumulated token
count data transmits the same data to each of the token-operated
game machines 1000, 2000, and 3000. Then, in each of the
token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and 3000 that receive that
data, respective displays of the total accumulated token count are
updated based on the received total accumulated token count data.
In the present embodiment, the total numbers of pieces of
accumulated tokens are individually displayed in each
token-operated game machine. In this case, a display device for
displaying the total accumulated token count may be arranged within
the gaming arcade in order to omit the individual display in each
token-operated game machine.
[0146] The total jackpot drawing in the present embodiment is
started under the condition that the management server 4000
receives the intra-arcade accumulated token count data from the
gaming arcade terminal unit 5000.
[0147] In the present embodiment, when receiving the intra-arcade
accumulated token count data from each gaming arcade terminal unit
5000, the control device 4001 of the management server 4000
executes the total jackpot drawing program and carries out a total
jackpot to determine whether the gaming arcade of the transmission
source of that data is won or lost by checking the generated random
number in reference to the predetermined winning table. When the
winning is determined in the total jackpot drawing, the control
device 4001 transmits winning data to the effect that the gaming
arcade terminal unit 5000 is won in the total jackpot drawing, to
the gaming arcade terminal unit 5000 that has transmitted the
intra-arcade accumulated token count data that is a condition for
starting the drawing.
[0148] Another method therefor may include the following, for
example. That is, when receiving the intra-arcade accumulated token
count data from any one of the gaming arcade terminal units 5000,
the control device 4001 of the management server 4000 executes the
total jackpot drawing program so as to perform the total jackpot
drawing to determine which one of the gaming arcades win or neither
one of the gaming arcades win by checking the generated random
number in reference to the predetermined winning table. In this
total jackpot drawing, the winning gaming arcade may not
necessarily be determined. Therefore, there is a case where neither
one of the gaming arcades wins in the total jackpot drawing. When
winning of any one of the gaming arcades is determined in the total
jackpot drawing, the control device 4001 transmits the winning data
to the effect that the gaming arcade terminal unit 5000 is won in
the total jackpot drawing, to the gaming arcade server 5000 (of the
gaming arcade) relating to that winning.
[0149] It is noted that the condition for starting the total
jackpot drawing is not limited to the above-described condition but
may include any condition as long as it may occur at suitable time
intervals. For example, the total jackpot drawing may be optionally
started under the condition that a predetermined constant time is
elapsed.
[0150] The gaming arcade terminal unit 5000 that has received the
winning data performs a process for determining, as a winner for
the total jackpot award, which one of the players who plays in the
token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and 3000 connected to the
gaming arcade terminal unit 5000 in the gaming arcade. In this
process, it is informed that there is a winner for the total
jackpot drawing within the gaming arcade. In this way, a sense of
expectation (such as any player can be a winner) is grown and an
interest in who has won the game is developed. In doing so, a total
performance (hereinafter, referred to as a "total jackpot
performance") is carried out for getting attention of, for example,
the player and the audience in the whole gaming arcade. This total
jackpot performance needs to be carried out simultaneously at all
the token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and 3000 in the gaming
arcade, and in this case, due to a certain reason related to the
game progress at each of the token-operated game machines 1000,
2000, and 3000, a timing at which the performance is carried out
(total jackpot performance timing) needs to be adjusted. Because at
each of the token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and 3000, the
game is individually progressed, and thus, depending on a certain
progress situation, the progress of that game may be impeded by the
total jackpot performance, resulting in an undesirable case where a
sense of enjoyment of the player is greatly decreased.
[0151] For example, in the horse-racing game machine 1000, if the
total jackpot performance is suddenly started at a time when a race
is reproduced by using the field unit 1002, the excitement of the
game originally provided in that horse-racing game machine is
significantly decreased, hence not preferable. Further, in the
pusher game machine 2000, if the total jackpot performance is
suddenly started in the middle of a drawing where a large amount of
tokens to be paid out can be expected such as in a physical drawing
of the bingo game and the single-unit jackpot drawing, the
excitement of the game originally provided in that pusher game
machine is significantly decreased, hence not preferable. Moreover,
in the slot machine 3000, if the total jackpot performance is
suddenly started in the middle of the winning performance when a
large amount of tokens to be paid out such as in the green 7 award
and the red 7 award is determined, the joy of the player is
significantly decreased, hence, not preferable.
[0152] On the other hand, at each of the token-operated game
machines 1000, 2000, and 3000, there is a timing at which adverse
effect (such as decreasing the enjoyment originally provided in
that token-operated game machine) is less caused even when the
individual game progress is impeded by the total jackpot
performance. For example, in the horse-racing game machine 1000, at
a timing used for betting a token by the player, i.e., a timing
used for purchasing a betting ticket, the adverse effect is less
caused. Thus, this timing is suitable for starting the total
jackpot performance. Further, for example, in the pusher game
machine 2000, at a timing except for a middle of a drawing where a
large amount of tokens to be paid out can be expected or a middle
of the winning performance therefor, the adverse effect is less
caused. Thus, this timing is suitable for starting the total
jackpot performance. Moreover, for example, in the slot machine
3000, at a timing from a first slot game is ended to a subsequent
slot game is started, concretely, from a time after the loss is
determined in the last slot game or after the winning performance
is ended to a time before the start button 3006 of the subsequent
slot game is operated, the adverse effect is caused less. Thus,
this timing is suitable for starting the total jackpot
performance.
[0153] In each of the token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and
3000 of the present embodiment, the game progress situations
illustrated here are set in advance as situations where the total
jackpot performance can be carried out.
[0154] FIG. 16 is a sequence flowchart for explaining a determining
process of the total jackpot performance timing.
[0155] The gaming arcade terminal unit 5000 that has received the
winning data, first, inquires all the token-operated game machines
1000, 2000, and 3000 through the LAN of a timing at which the game
progress situation becomes capable of carrying out the total
jackpot performance. In response to this inquiry, the control
devices 1101, 2621, and 3101 of the respective token-operated game
machines 1000, 2000, and 3000, by working solely or working
together with the other control devices 1201, 2601, and 2611,
perform a process for predicting a timing at which each game
progress situation becomes the above-described setting situation
previously determined. Then, the control devices 1101, 2621, and
3101 of the respective token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and
3000 send total performance enabling timing information indicating
the anticipated timing, back to the gaming arcade terminal unit
5000 from the external communication devices 1108, 2625, and 3107.
The control device 5001 that is a total performance timing
determining unit of the gaming arcade terminal unit 5000, based on
the total performance enabling timing information forwarded from
each of the token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and 3000,
determines the total performance timing at which the total jackpot
performance is carried out. Concretely, based on each total
performance enabling timing information, an earliest timing at
which the total performance enabling timings of all the
token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and 3000 overlap is
specified, and the resultant timing is determined as a total
performance timing. Then, information on the determined total
performance timing is transmitted to each of the token-operated
game machines 1000, 2000, and 3000. In each token-operated game
machine that has received the information, at the determined total
performance timing, the game progress is controlled so that the
game progress situation at each token-operated game machine becomes
the above-described predetermined setting situation where the total
jackpot performance can be carried out. A specific method of
controlling is as follows: the above-described setting situation is
stored in each of the token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and
3000, the stored information on the setting situation is read out
to perform the game progress control, or the above-described
setting situation is previously installed in a program for game
progress control, and the game progress control is carried out
according to a content of that program.
[0156] It is noted that, in order for the game progress situation
to become the above-described setting situation at the exact timing
of the total performance timing determined by the control device
5001 of the gaming arcade terminal unit 5000, it may need to
perform a fine adjustment for the game progress in the individual
token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and 3000.
[0157] As examples of a method for the fine adjustment in the
horse-racing game machine 1000, a reproducing time of a race
reproduction movie is shortened or lengthened in a reproducing
process of a race reproduction movie executed after each race is
ended. Concretely, the reproducing time may be shortened or
lengthened by setting a time for starting the reproduction of the
race reproduction movie in a middle stage of the race or a final
stage thereof.
[0158] Further, another method for the fine adjustment in the
pusher game machine 2000 is as follows: in the slot game executed
at each station unit ST, the fine adjustment is carried out by
display control to lengthen or shorten a time from which the
rotation of the three dice-shaped slots DS is started until it is
stopped. Concretely, a speed for reproducing video from the start
of the rotation of the three dice-shaped slots DS to the stop
thereof may be lengthened or shortened, for example. In this case,
there is no need of editing the video itself, thus, the display
process is easy.
[0159] Moreover, the method for the fine adjustment in the slot
machine 3000 is as follows: the fine adjustment is carried out by
drive control in which a time from a start of the rotation of the
three reels to a stop thereof is lengthened or shortened.
[0160] The method for the fine adjustment is not limited to those
described above, and it is determined, where appropriate, depending
on a game content, etc., of each of the token-operated game
machines 1000, 2000, and 3000.
[0161] In particular, in a game machine in which a digital drawing
is carried out, a method for lengthening or shortening a time
period during which a video for drawing performance is displayed is
effective as in the case of the above-described pusher game machine
2000.
[0162] It is noted that the method for determining the total
performance timing is not limited to those described above.
[0163] For example, rather than inquiring each of the
token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and 3000 of the total
performance enabling timing, the total performance timing is
determined according to a predetermined total performance timing
determining condition. Then, the determined total performance
timing is transmitted to each of the token-operated game machines
1000, 2000, and 3000, and the game progress control is carried out
in each token-operated game machine so that the game progress
situation at each token-operated game machine becomes the
above-described predetermined setting situation in which the total
jackpot performance can be carried out at the determined total
performance timing. This method is effective particularly when the
token-operated game machine constituting the present game system is
high in the degree of freedom of the control of the game progress
situation.
[0164] When the total performance timing determined by the gaming
arcade terminal unit 5000 arrives, as shown in FIG. 15, the control
device 5001 of the gaming arcade terminal unit 5000 performs a
player presence confirming process for identifying the player who
plays by using each of the token-operated game machines 1000, 2000,
and 3000. Concretely, inquiries are made to all the token-operated
game machines 1000, 2000, and 3000 through the LAN confirming the
presence of a player at each game machine. In each of the
token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and 3000 that have
received an inquiry, the player presence confirming process is
carried out. Concretely, if the card ID is read by using the card
reader in each of the token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and
3000, it is determined that the player is present. It is noted that
the method for confirming whether the player is present is not
limited to those described above, and may adopt any other
method.
[0165] Each of the token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and
3000 performs the player presence confirming process, and then,
sends back presence confirming information that is the process
result of that confirming process to the gaming arcade terminal
unit 5000 from the external communication devices 1108, 2625, and
3107. The control device 5001 of the gaming arcade terminal unit
5000 recognizes the station or the station unit or the slot machine
played by the player (hereinafter, referred to as a "station and
others") which are specified based on the presence confirming
information forwarded from each of the token-operated game machines
1000, 2000, and 3000. Then, the control device 5001 executes a
winner determination drawing program so as to perform a winner
determination drawing process for determining which drawing target
is won while respectively regarding the recognized station and
others as the drawing targets. Concretely, a winning table on which
each drawing target is assigned an equal winning probability is
generated, and a drawing target corresponding to a random number
generated based on the winning table is chosen, thereby determining
the winning of the chosen drawing target. In the present
embodiment, in the winner determination drawing process, in
addition to the total jackpot award, prepared are: a big winning
with a fixed number of pieces of tokens (big bonus award), a medium
winning with a fixed number of pieces of tokens (middle bonus
award), and a small winning with a fixed number of pieces of tokens
(small bonus award). Therefore, for these awards, the control
device 5001 sequentially determines the winning drawing target by
using the above-described method.
[0166] It is noted that the winning probability of each drawing
target is set equally; however, it is not always the case. For
example, in the gaming arcade terminal unit 5000, token consumption
data is regularly received from each of the token-operated game
machines 1000, 2000, and 3000, and thus, the degree of contribution
contributed to an increase in the total accumulated token count
data of this time per each of the token-operated game machines
1000, 2000, and 3000 (i.e., a ratio of the token consumption data
received from each of the token-operated game machines 1000, 2000,
and 3000 for the purpose of increasing the total accumulated token
count data of this time) can be specified. For the drawing target
corresponding to the token-operated game machine with a high ratio,
the winning probability may be relatively increased, and for the
drawing target corresponding to the token-operated game machine
with a lower ratio, the winning probability may be relatively
decreased.
[0167] The winner determination drawing process is ended in this
way, and the station and others that have won each award are
determined. Then, the control device 5001 of the gaming arcade
terminal unit 5000 informs each of the token-operated game machines
1000, 2000, and 3000 of the winning result, and at the same time,
transmits the total performance control command to each of the
token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and 3000. Thereby, the
total jackpot performance that utilizes the performance unit of
each of the token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and 3000
connected to the gaming arcade server 5000 is carried out.
[0168] In each of the token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and
3000 that has received the total performance control command from
the gaming arcade terminal unit 5000, jackpot start screens to the
effect that a total jackpot drawing is started as shown in FIG. 17
are simultaneously displayed on the display 1011, the display unit
2700, and the performance panel 3011 that are display units of the
station and others relating to the drawing target. At the station
and others that are not the drawing targets, i.e., the station and
others at which it is decided that a player is not playing the
game, this jackpot start screen is not displayed.
[0169] In the present embodiment, at the station and others that
are not drawing targets, a player is capable of playing a game of
the token-operated game machine even during the total jackpot
performance. Thus, there is a probability that during the total
jackpot performance, an individual performance according to the
game progress at the station and others that are not the drawing
target is carried out. However, it is probable that if an
individual performance not related to the total jackpot performance
is carried out during the total jackpot performance, the total
jackpot performance is impeded by the individual performance,
thereby decreasing a good characteristic of the total jackpot
performance. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the station and
others that are not the drawing targets are controlled so that the
individual performance according to the game progress is not
carried out or a subtle performance only is carried out by
decreasing a sound volume, a light amount, etc., so that the
individual performance does not stand out during the total jackpot
performance.
[0170] As a result of working solely or working together with the
other control devices 1201, 2601, and 2611, the control devices
1101, 2621, and 3101 of the respective token-operated game machines
1000, 2000, and 3000 carries out the total jackpot performance
process by executing the total performance program. In particular,
when the performance units such as the speaker and the illuminating
device of each of the token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and
3000 are caused to carry out a performance assuming part of the
total jackpot performance, it becomes possible to carry out a
single total performance (total jackpot performance) in which all
the token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and 3000 connected to
the gaming arcade server 5000 are cooperated with each other.
Concretely, for example, in all the token-operated game machines
1000, 2000, and 3000, illumination in blue and red are alternately
emitted at the same timing, the same music or sound effect to the
effect that the total jackpot drawing is started at the same
timing, and other similar effects are provided.
[0171] It is noted that, in the present embodiment, the performance
unit of each of the token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and
3000 is configured by hardware different from each another, and
thus, it is not possible to carry out the completely same
performance. To solve this, it may be possible to carry out the
total jackpot performance that gives a sense of unity as a whole by
deliberately combining the performances different from each other
at each of the token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and 3000.
As an example of music and sound effect, the horse-racing game
machine 1000 may take a low-sound part, the pusher game machine
2000 may take a middle-sound part, and the slot machine 3000 may
take a high-sound part.
[0172] There are specific, various performance methods for the
total jackpot performance that can carry out a performance that
gives a sense of unity as a whole, which is achieved as a result of
a mutual synchronization of the performances provided by the
performance units of each of the token-operated game machines 1000,
2000, and 3000.
[0173] After the total jackpot performance is started in this way,
on each of the display units 1011, 2700, and 3011, a slot screen as
shown in FIG. 18 is displayed subsequent to the jackpot start
screen as shown in FIG. 17. Then, after the three reel images on
the slot screen start a varying display, stop/display control is
carried out on the three reel images on each of the display units
1011, 2700, and 3011 so that symbols that reflect winning or losing
at the respective corresponding station and others are stopped and
displayed. Concretely, in the present embodiment, as described
above, there are the four awards, i.e., the total jackpot award,
the big bonus award that is a payout award, the middle bonus award
that is a payout award, and the small bonus award that is a payout
award, and the stop/display control is carried out so that a
combination of symbols corresponding to the respective awards is
stopped and displayed on the slot screen. More particularly, on the
display units 1011, 2700, and 3011 of the station and others that
have won the total jackpot award, the stop/display control is
carried out so that three identical A symbols are stopped and
displayed. On the display units 1011, 2700, and 3011 of the station
and others that have won the big bonus award, the stop/display
control is carried out so that three identical B symbols are
stopped and displayed. On the display units 1011, 2700, and 3011 of
the station and others that have won the middle bonus award, the
stop/display control is carried out so that a combination of
symbols mixed with the A symbols and B symbols is stopped and
displayed. On the display units 1011, 2700, and 3011 of the station
and others that have won the small bonus award, the stop/display
control is carried out so that a combination of symbols is stopped
and displayed. In this case, the combination is: the A symbol or
the B symbol is stopped and displayed on both a left reel image and
a middle reel image, and neither the A symbol nor the B symbol is
stopped and displayed on a right reel image (i.e., a blank symbol
is stopped and displayed).
[0174] It is noted that there is no need that the jackpot start
screen and the slot screen are completely the same in all the
token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and 3000. For example,
these screens may be appropriately modified according to hardware
with which these screens are displayed, or may be arranged
according to the game content of each of the token-operated game
machines 1000, 2000, and 3000.
[0175] Moreover, in the present embodiment, the varying display of
the reel images on the slot screen is simultaneously started in all
the token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and 3000 connected to
the gaming arcade terminal unit 5000; however, a completion timing
at which the three reel images are stopped and displayed is
differed depending on each award. Concretely, with respect to a
time it takes for the stop display completion timing, it takes the
least time for the station and others corresponding to the loss; it
gradually takes more time in the order of the small bonus award,
the middle bonus award, the big bonus award, and the total jackpot
award.
[0176] Further, in the present embodiment, also while the varying
display of the reel images on the slot screen is started and the
stop display is completed, the drawing performance (total jackpot
performance) is carried on. For example, after the varying display
of the reel image is started on the slot screen, the performance is
carried out so that the station and others illuminated with a light
are sequentially switched. In this case, the illumination of the
corresponding station and others (that are drawing targets of each
of the token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and 3000) are lit
only in periods different from each other. Then, the drawing
performance is carried out so that at the timing at which the stop
display of the reel images at the station and others is completed,
the illumination of the station and others is flashed.
[0177] After the drawing performance is ended in this way, a
process for paying out tokens of which the number of pieces
corresponds to that of each award is carried out for the player who
plays at the station and others that have won each award. This
token payout may be carried out by utilizing the token payout unit
of the token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and 3000, or may be
carried out by way of an attendant pay in which the payout is made
by an employee at the gaming arcade.
[0178] Subsequently, the intra-arcade jackpot drawing will be
explained.
[0179] FIG. 19 is a sequence flowchart showing a flow of the
intra-arcade jackpot drawing in the present embodiment. In FIG. 19,
for the sake of explanation, only one token-operated game machine
is described.
[0180] As described above, in the present game system, when the
player consumes the token in each of the token-operated game
machines 1000, 2000, and 3000, data indicating the consumption
amount is sent to the gaming arcade terminal unit 5000 in the
gaming arcade. Based not only on the intra-arcade accumulated token
count data for the above-described total jackpot drawing but also
on the data sent from each of the token-operated game machines
1000, 2000, and 3000, the control device 5001 of the gaming arcade
terminal unit 5000 cumulatively stores, as the accumulated token
count data for the intra-arcade jackpot drawing, a part of the
tokens (for example, 0.01 tokens) consumed by the player by using
the token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and 3000 in the gaming
arcade connected to this gaming arcade terminal unit 5000. This
data is stored in the storage device 5002. In the present
embodiment, an initial value of the accumulated token count data
for the intra-arcade jackpot is set to 500, for example. The part
of the token count consumed by the player by using the
token-operated game machine in the gaming arcade is cumulatively
added to this initial value.
[0181] Moreover, at a predetermined timing, the gaming arcade
terminal unit 5000 transmits the accumulated token count data for
the intra-arcade jackpot stored in the storage device 5002 at that
point in time, to all the token-operated game machines 1000, 2000,
and 3000 connected to the gaming arcade terminal unit 5000. In each
of the token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and 3000 that have
received the data, a display of the accumulated token count for the
intra-arcade jackpot is updated based on the received accumulated
token count data for the intra-arcade jackpot. In the present
embodiment, in each token-operated game machine, it is possible to
display both the total accumulated token count and the accumulated
token count for the intra-arcade jackpot.
[0182] The intra-arcade jackpot drawing in the present embodiment
is started under the condition that the gaming arcade terminal unit
5000 receives the token consumption data from the token-operated
game machines 1000, 2000, and 3000.
[0183] In the present embodiment, upon receiving the token
consumption data from each of the token-operated game machines
1000, 2000, and 3000, the control device 5001 of the gaming arcade
terminal unit 5000 executes an intra-arcade jackpot drawing
program, and checks produced random numbers with values on a
predetermined winning table. In this way, the control device 5001
carries out the intra-arcade jackpot drawing for determining
whether the token-operated game machine (that is a transmission
source of the data) wins or loses. When the winning is determined
in this intra-arcade jackpot drawing, the control device 5001
transmits the winning data to the effect that intra-arcade jackpot
drawing has been won, to the token-operated game machine that has
transmitted the token consumption data that is the start condition
for the drawing.
[0184] Another method therefor may include the following, for
example. That is, upon receiving the token consumption data from
any one of the token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and 3000,
the control device 5001 of the gaming arcade terminal unit 5000
executes an intra-arcade jackpot drawing program, and checks
produced random numbers with values on a predetermined winning
table. In this way, the control device 5001 carries out the
intra-arcade jackpot drawing for determining whether which
token-operated game machine wins or the loss is established where
none of the token-operated game machines wins. In this intra-arcade
jackpot drawing, there is no absolute need that the winning
token-operated game machine is determined. Therefore, there is a
case where none of the gaming arcades wins in the intra-arcade
jackpot drawing. When any one of the token-operated game machines
is determined to have won in the intra-arcade jackpot drawing, the
control device 5001 transmits the winning data to the effect that
the winning is determined in the intra-arcade jackpot drawing, to
the token-operated game machine relating to the winning.
[0185] It is noted that the condition for starting the intra-arcade
jackpot drawing is not limited to the above-described condition but
may include any condition as long as it may occur at suitable time
intervals. For example, the intra-arcade jackpot drawing may be
optionally started under the condition that a fixed time previously
determined is elapsed.
[0186] At a predetermined timing, preferably, at a timing at which
the game progress of the token-operated game machine is not
disrupted, the token-operated game machine that has received the
winning data carries out performance to celebrate the winning, such
as performance of displaying the winning of the intra-arcade
jackpot drawing. Thereafter, a payout process for paying out a
token having an amount equivalent to the accumulated token count
for the intra-arcade jackpot is carried out for the player who
plays by using that token-operated game machine. This token payout
may be carried out by utilizing the token payout unit of the
token-operated game machine, or may be carried out by way of an
attendant pay in which the payout is made by an employee in that
gaming arcade.
[0187] Subsequently, a selecting process for the jackpot drawing,
which is a characteristic portion of the present invention, will be
explained.
[0188] FIG. 20 is a flow chart showing a flow of the selecting
process for the jackpot drawing carried out in the gaming arcade
terminal unit 5000 in the present embodiment.
[0189] It is noted that, in the present embodiment, a case where
the jackpot drawing in which all the token-operated game machines
1000, 2000, and 3000 connected to the gaming arcade terminal unit
5000 are made to participate are collectively selected in all the
token-operated game machines has been described; however, each of
the token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and 3000 may be
individually selected.
[0190] In the present embodiment, the manager of the gaming arcade
performs a predetermined call operation on the gaming arcade
terminal unit 5000, and as a result, the display device 5005 is
caused to display a jackpot drawing selection screen (S1). A
certain action should preferably be taken for this call operation
in order to prevent a person (such as a user) other than the
manager of the gaming arcade from performing the call operation
without permission (examples of a certain action include locking
the operation unit for performing the call operation).
[0191] On the jackpot drawing selection screen displayed in the
display device 5005, a button image for selecting whether to
participate in the total jackpot drawing or to decline the
participation therein is displayed. This button image is changed to
a button image for selecting to decline to participate in the total
jackpot drawing if the token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and
3000 in the gaming arcade have already participated in the total
jackpot drawing at this point in time, and changed to a button
image for selecting to participate in the total jackpot drawing if
the same token-operated game machines have not participated therein
yet. Moreover, on this selection screen, a button image for
selecting to participate in the intra-arcade jackpot drawing or for
selecting to decline to participate therein is also displayed. This
button image also is changed to a button image for selecting to
decline to participate in the intra-arcade jackpot drawing if the
token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and 3000 in the gaming
arcade have already participated in the intra-arcade jackpot
drawing at this time, and changed to a button image for selecting
to participate in the intra-arcade jackpot drawing if the same
token-operated game machines have not participated therein yet.
[0192] When participating in a not-participating jackpot drawing or
when declining to participate in a participating jackpot drawing,
the manager, and others, of the gaming arcade touch a determination
button image displayed on the selection screen after touching the
corresponding button image. As a result, the produced operation
signal is transmitted from the touch panel 5006 to the control
device 5001.
[0193] The control device 5001 (that is a participation-application
processing unit) functions as participation-application processing
means when receiving an operation signal indicating the
participation in the total jackpot drawing (Yes at S2), and
transmits a participation application request to the management
server 4000 (S3). The control device 4001 of the management server
4000 that has received this participation application request
additionally writes the identification information of all the
token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and 3000 connected to the
gaming arcade terminal unit 5000 (that is a transmission source of
the participation application request), in the drawing
participation list stored in the storage device 4002 (S4). This
embodiment is configured so that across all the token-operated game
machines connected to the gaming arcade terminal unit 5000, the
participation in the total jackpot drawing is collectively
determined. Thus, for the identification information written in the
drawing participation list, instead of writing the identification
information unique to the individual token-operated game machines
1000, 2000, and 3000, gaming arcade identification information
(that is identification information common to the individual
token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and 3000) may be
optionally written. In this way, once being registered in the
drawing participation list of the storage device 4002 of the
management server 4000, then, each time the intra-arcade
accumulated token count data transmitted from the gaming arcade
terminal unit 5000 is received by the management server 4000, the
token count indicated by the data is cumulatively added to the
total accumulated token count data within the storage device 4002.
Moreover, because the intra-arcade accumulated token count data
transmitted from the gaming arcade terminal unit 5000 is received
by the management server 4000, the gaming arcade terminal unit 5000
can now be regarded as a target for the total jackpot drawing.
Thus, all the token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and 3000
connected to the gaming arcade terminal unit 5000 may be able to
win the total jackpot award.
[0194] On the other hand, the control device 5001 (that is a
participation decline processing unit) functions as participation
decline processing means when receiving an operation signal
indicating a decline to participate in the total jackpot drawing
(No at S2), and transmits a participation decline request to the
management server 4000 (S5). The control device 4001 of the
management server 4000 that has received the participation decline
request deletes the identification information of all the
token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and 3000 connected to the
gaming arcade terminal unit 5000 (that is a transmission source of
the participation decline request), from the drawing participation
list stored in the storage device 4002 (S6). When the gaming arcade
identification information is written not as the identification
information unique to the individual token-operated game machines
1000, 2000, and 3000 but as the identification information common
to the individual token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and
3000, the gaming arcade identification information is deleted. In
this way, when the registration is canceled from the drawing
participation list of the storage device 4002 of the management
server 4000, then, even if the intra-arcade accumulated token count
data is transmitted from the gaming arcade terminal unit 5000, the
accumulation adding process for the total accumulated token count
data will not be carried out in the management server 4000.
Moreover, even if the management server 4000 receives the
intra-arcade accumulated token count data transmitted from the
gaming arcade terminal unit 5000, the total jackpot drawing will
not be carried out for the gaming arcade terminal unit 5000.
Therefore, all the token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and
3000 connected to the gaming arcade terminal unit 5000 are to be
removed from the drawing target for the total jackpot drawing.
[0195] On the other hand, the control device 5001 (that is a
participation-application processing unit) functions as
participation-application processing means when receiving an
operation signal indicating a participation in the intra-arcade
jackpot drawing (Yes at S7), and additionally writes the
identification information of all the token-operated game machines
connected to the gaming arcade terminal unit 5000, in the drawing
participation list stored in the storage device 5002 (S8). This
embodiment is configured so that across all the token-operated game
machines connected to the gaming arcade terminal unit 5000, the
participation in the intra-arcade jackpot drawing is collectively
determined. Thus, for the identification information written in the
drawing participation list, instead of writing the identification
information unique to the individual token-operated game machines
1000, 2000, and 3000, flag information (that is identification
information common to the individual token-operated game machines
1000, 2000, and 3000) may be optionally written. Thus, once being
registered in the drawing participation list of the storage device
4002 of the management server 4000, then, based on the token
consumption data from each of the token-operated game machines
1000, 2000, and 3000, the control device 5001 of the gaming arcade
terminal unit 5000 performs various processes such as an
accumulation adding process on the accumulated token count data for
the intra-arcade jackpot drawing and an intra-arcade jackpot
drawing for each of the token-operated game machines 1000, 2000,
and 3000. Therefore, all the token-operated game machines 1000,
2000, and 3000 connected to the gaming arcade terminal unit 5000
may be able to win the intra-arcade jackpot award.
[0196] On the other hand, the control device 5001 (that is a
participation decline processing unit) functions as participation
decline processing means when receiving an operation signal
indicating a decline to participate in the intra-arcade jackpot
drawing (No at S7), and deletes the identification information of
all the token-operated game machines connected to the gaming arcade
terminal unit 5000, from the drawing participation list stored in
the storage device 5002 (S9). When the flag information is written
not as the identification information unique to the individual
token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and 3000 but as the
identification information common to the individual token-operated
game machines 1000, 2000, and 3000, the flag information is
deleted. In this way, when the registration is canceled from the
drawing participation list of the storage device 4002 of the
management server 4000, then, even if the token consumption data is
received from each token-operated game machine, the gaming arcade
terminal unit 5000 becomes unable to perform the accumulation
adding process for the accumulated token count data for the
intra-arcade jackpot drawing. Moreover, the gaming arcade terminal
unit 5000 will not perform the intra-arcade jackpot drawing even if
the gaming arcade terminal unit 5000 receives the token consumption
data from each token-operated game machine. Therefore, all the
token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and 3000 connected to the
gaming arcade terminal unit 5000 are to be removed from the drawing
target for the intra-arcade jackpot drawing.
[0197] Thus, according to the present embodiment, when the manager
of the gaming arcade (that is the game facility) performs the
participation application operation or the participation decline
operation for the token-operated game machine in the gaming arcade,
on the gaming arcade terminal unit 5000, the token-operated game
machine in the gaming arcade can be made to participate in the
jackpot drawing that responds to the request made by the manager,
out of the total jackpot drawing and the intra-arcade jackpot
drawing. Moreover, responding to the request made by the manager,
it is possible to select a configuration so that the token-operated
game machine in the gaming arcade is made to participate in none of
the jackpot drawings. In addition, according to the present
embodiment, with a simple task the manager of the gaming arcade
performs the participation application operation or the
participation decline operation for the gaming arcade terminal unit
5000, therefore it is possible to select the jackpot drawing in
which the token-operated game machine in the gaming arcade is made
to participate or not made to participate. Thus, the game apparatus
can be made to participate easily and promptly in the jackpot
drawing that responds to the request made by the manager of the
game apparatus, out of these jackpot drawings.
[0198] It is noted that, in the present embodiment, a case where
accepting the participation application operation of the gaming
arcade manager is regarded as a predetermined participation
application condition has been described. However, the
predetermined participation application condition is not limited
thereto, and can be appropriately determined. The same applies to
the predetermined participation decline condition.
[0199] Further, in the present embodiment, a case where the jackpot
drawing to be participated in is selected from the two jackpot
drawings (i.e., the intra-arcade jackpot drawing in which the
token-operated game machine that can participate is limited to that
placed in a single gaming arcade and the total jackpot drawing
where no such limitation exists) has been described. However, the
jackpot drawing to be participated in may be selected from three or
more jackpot drawings.
[0200] Moreover, the types of jackpot drawings may include not only
the above-described two jackpot drawings but also a token unit
price-based jackpot drawing in which the token-operated game
machine that can participate is limited to two or more
token-operated game machines each placed in a plurality of gaming
arcades (game facility) in which the difference in token unit price
is within a predetermined range. In this case, in the storage
device 4002 of the management server 4000, the token unit price
information in the gaming arcade in which the whole gaming arcade
terminal unit 5000 connected to the storage device 4002 is
installed is stored. Thereafter, when receiving the participation
application request indicating the participation in the token unit
price-based jackpot drawing from a certain gaming arcade terminal
unit 5000, the control device 4001 of the management server 4000
refers to the token unit price information about the gaming arcade
of the gaming arcade terminal unit 5000. Then, in the drawing
participation list for the token unit price-based jackpot drawing
in which the gaming arcade terminal unit 5000 of the gaming arcade
is participated in which the difference in token unit price
indicated by the referred token unit price information is within
the above-described regulated range, the identification information
of all the token-operated game machines connected to the gaming
arcade terminal unit 5000 (that is a transmission source of the
participation application request) is registered. Except that the
token-operated game machine that participates is limited, the
process for the token price-based jackpot drawing can be configured
as the same process as the total jackpot drawing.
[0201] Moreover, in the present embodiment, the control device 4001
of the management server 4000 that has received the participation
application request regards any token-operated game machine of
which the identification information is stored in the storage
device 4002 as the jackpot drawing process target. In this case,
however, the control device 4001 may optionally add the flag
information (out of the identification information stored in the
storage device 4002) only to the token-operated game machine that
is subjected to the jackpot drawing process. In this case, the
drawing participation list is configured by the identification
information to which the flag information is added.
[0202] Further, in the present embodiment, in the intra-arcade
jackpot drawing, the jackpot drawing apparatus and the
participation processing apparatus are achieved by a single
apparatus that is the gaming arcade terminal unit 5000. However,
both apparatuses may be optionally achieved by different
apparatuses.
[0203] Moreover, in the present embodiment, the individual
token-operated game machines 1000, 2000, and 3000 connected to the
gaming arcade terminal unit 5000 may also be optionally configured
to individually select the jackpot drawing to participate in. In
this case, the participation processing apparatus may be optionally
arranged in the individual token-operated game machines.
[0204] In addition, instead of being applied to the above-described
types of machines, the token-operated game machine applicable to
the game system of the present embodiment can be applied to a wide
use.
* * * * *