US20080051182A1 - Slot machine and playing method thereof - Google Patents
Slot machine and playing method thereof Download PDFInfo
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- US20080051182A1 US20080051182A1 US11/777,473 US77747307A US2008051182A1 US 20080051182 A1 US20080051182 A1 US 20080051182A1 US 77747307 A US77747307 A US 77747307A US 2008051182 A1 US2008051182 A1 US 2008051182A1
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- slot machine
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- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
- G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a slot machine on which a game is played using game media such as coins, and a playing method of the slot machine.
- a game in a facility where slot machines are set up, a game can be played by inserting various types of game media, such as coins or cash, into a slot machine. Then, each slot machine is configured to providing an award according to a winning state (game result) occurring as a result of the progress of a game (see U.S. Pat. No. 6,960,133, for example).
- game media such as coins or cash
- Examples of a slot machine whose winning line is not limited only to a straight line include, for example, a slot machine described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,093,102.
- a slot machine that provides an award when a predetermined number of symbols stops within a display to which a winning line and a symbol matrix are displayed has no difference from a slot machine that uses a straight wining line, in terms of a payout value being determined by a result of rearrangement of symbols; accordingly, they have a similar display mode.
- An object of the present invention is to provide a slot machine capable of increasing a player's expectation and performing display of game results with excellent entertainment, and a playing method of the slot machine.
- the present invention provides a slot machine having the following configuration.
- the above-mentioned slot machine comprises: a display capable of displaying a plurality of objects moving in a predetermined direction, and an area a contact determination of which with each of the plurality of the objects is executed; and a controller.
- the controller displays the plurality of the objects and the area to the display, the plurality of the objects displayed in a mode of moving in the predetermined direction, executes a contact determination between each of the plurality of the objects and the area, and provides an award according to the object having come into contact with the area.
- a plurality of objects moves in a predetermined direction and it is determined whether the objects have come into contact with a predetermined area. Then, an award is provided according to the object having come into contact with the area.
- a payout is determined by a method totally different from that used by conventional slot machines. This enables a display of game results with excellent entertainment, making it possible to increase the player's expectation.
- the slot machine of the present invention desirably has the following configuration.
- the above-mentioned controller determines a size of the area according to the number of BETs, such that the larger the number of BETs, the larger the size of the area.
- the larger the number of BETs the larger the size of the area; thus, the possibility that the objects will come into contact with the area increases. Accordingly, it becomes possible to further increase the player's expectation as the number of game media BET by the player increases.
- the slot machine of the present invention is desirably has the following configuration.
- the controller provides an award according to a combination of the plurality of the objects having come into contact with the area.
- an award is provided according to a predetermined combination of objects coming into contact with the area. Accordingly, it becomes possible to further increase a player's expectation as the objects constituting the predetermined combination come into contact with the area.
- the present invention provides a slot machine having the following configuration.
- the above-mentioned controller comprises: a display capable of displaying a plurality of objects moving in a predetermined direction, and an area a contact determination of which with each of the plurality of the objects is executed; and a controller.
- the controller determines a size of the area according to the number of BETs, such that the larger the number of BETs, the larger the size of the area, displays the plurality of the objects and the area to the display, the plurality of the objects displayed in a mode of moving in the predetermined direction, executes a contact determination between each of the plurality of the objects and the area, and provides an award according to the object having come into contact with the area.
- the slot machine of the present invention is desirably has the following configuration.
- the above-mentioned controller provides an award according to a combination of the plurality of the objects having come into contact with the area.
- the present invention provides a slot machine having the following configuration.
- the above-mentioned controller comprises: a display capable of displaying a plurality of objects moving in a predetermined direction, and an area a contact determination of which with each of the plurality of the objects is executed; and a controller.
- the controller determines a size of the area according to the number of BETs, such that the larger the number of BETs, the larger the size of the area, displays the plurality of the objects and the area to the display, the plurality of the objects displayed in a mode of moving in the predetermined direction, executes a contact determination between each of the plurality of the objects and the area, and provides an award according to a combination of the plurality of the objects having come into contact with the area.
- the present invention provides a playing method of a slot machine having the following configuration.
- the playing method of the above-mentioned slot machine comprises the steps of: displaying, to a display, a plurality of objects in a mode of moving in a predetermined direction and also displaying an area a contact determination of which with each of the plurality of the objects is executed; executing a contact determination between the plurality of the objects and the area; and providing an award according to the object having come into contact with the area, each of the steps conducted by a controller.
- the playing method of a slot machine of the present invention desirably has the following configuration.
- the above-mentioned controller determines a size of the area according to the number of BETs, such that the larger the number of BETs, the larger the size of the area.
- the playing method of a slot machine of the present invention desirably has the following configuration.
- the above-mentioned controller provides an award according to a combination of the plurality of the objects having come into contact with the area.
- the present invention provides a playing method of a slot machine having the following configuration.
- the playing method of the above-mentioned slot machines comprises the steps of: determining a size of an area according to the number of BETs, such that the larger the number of BETs, the larger the size of the area; displaying, to a display, a plurality of objects in a mode of moving in a predetermined direction and also displaying the area a contact determination of which with each of the plurality of the objects is executed; executing a contact determination between each of the plurality of the objects and the area; and providing an award according to the object having come into contact with the area, each of the steps conducted by a controller.
- the playing method of a slot machine of the present invention desirably has the following configuration.
- the above-mentioned controller provides an award according to a combination of the plurality of the objects having come into contact with the area.
- the present invention provides a playing method of a slot machine having the following configuration.
- the playing method of a slot machine comprises the steps of: determining a size of an area according to the number of BETs, such that the larger the number of BETs, the larger the size of the area; displaying, to a display, a plurality of objects in a mode of moving in a predetermined direction and also displaying the area a contact determination of which with each of the plurality of the objects is executed; executing a contact determination between each of the plurality of the objects and the area; and providing an award according to a combination of the plurality of the objects having come into contact with the area.
- the present invention it is possible to provide a slot machine capable of attracting more customers and adding novel entertainment, and a playing method of the slot machine.
- FIGS. 1A and 1B are views showing an exemplary image displayed to a lower image display panel.
- FIGS. 2A and 2B are views showing an exemplary image displayed to the lower image display panel.
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing a slot machine according to one embodiment of the present embodiment.
- FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the slot machine shown in FIG. 3 .
- FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of game execution processing.
- FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of object falling processing.
- FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of bonus game processing.
- FIG. 8 is a view showing an exemplary image displayed to the lower image display panel.
- FIGS. 1A and 1B are views showing an exemplary image displayed to a lower image display panel.
- FIGS. 1A and 1B are images displayed to a lower image display panel 16 (see FIG. 3 ) included in a slot machine 10 of the present invention, and a plurality of petal-shaped objects 71 and a rectangular area 72 are displayed thereto. Arrows in the drawings indicate paths along which the objects 71 are move-displayed.
- the lower image display panel 16 is comprised of a liquid crystal panel.
- a contact determination is executed to determine whether or not the objects 71 have come into contact with the area 72 .
- An object 71 which is determined to have come into contact with the area 72 , is stop-displayed on the area 72 as a contact object 71 S.
- an object 71 which is determined to have not come into contact with the area 72 , is move-displayed toward the bottom of the screen and then deleted.
- FIG. 1B When all of the predetermined number of objects 71 have finished moving, an image such as the one shown in FIG. 1B is displayed.
- seven objects 71 are stop-displayed on the area 72 as contact objects 71 S.
- the number of game media to be paid out for the game is determined according to the number of the contact objects 71 S. Specifically, the number of BET coins x the number of contact objects 71 S is the number of game media to be paid out for the game. Further, when the number of the contact objects 71 S is equal to or more than 15 , the game shifts to a bonus game.
- an object 71 has a petal shape and an area 72 has a rectangular shape.
- the shapes of the object and the area are not particularly limited.
- the number of game media to be paid out may be determined according to the number of ball-shaped objects having come into contact with a basket-shaped area.
- the number of game media to be paid out is determined by the number of BET coins and the number of contact objects 71 S.
- the method of determining the number of game media to be paid out is not particularly limited.
- the number of game media to be paid out may be determined by the position of the area 72 with which an object 71 has come into contact.
- the number of objects to be move-displayed in a single game is not particularly limited.
- the number of objects 71 to fall may not be determined in advance but the period of time during which objects 71 are move-displayed may be determined in advance, and the number of game media to be paid out may be determined according to the number of objects 71 having come into contact with the area 72 within such a period of time or according to the proportion of such objects 71 (the number of objects having come into contact with the area 72 /the number of objects move-displayed).
- the total number of objects to be move-displayed may not be determined, and the move-display may be continued until the number of contacts of those objects reaches a predetermined number, and then a payout value may be determined according to the time required to reach the predetermined number.
- a condition for shifting to a bonus game is not particularly limited.
- a lottery may be separately conducted.
- the size of the area 72 is determined according to the number of BET game media.
- FIGS. 2A and 2B are views showing an exemplary image displayed to the lower image display panel.
- FIG. 2A shows an exemplary image to be displayed to the lower image display panel 16 when the number of BET game media is one.
- FIG. 2B shows an exemplary image displayed to the lower image display panel 16 when the number of BET game media is 50 .
- the larger is the number of BET game media the larger the size of the area 72 becomes, whereby the objects 71 are more easily come into contact with the area 72 .
- the number of objects 71 may be changed according to the number of BET coins in the present invention.
- the size of the area 72 changes according to the number of BET coins it becomes possible that the larger is the number of BET coins, the more easily the objects 71 come into contact with the area 72 .
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing a slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.
- the slot machine 10 is a video slot machine.
- the slot machine is not limited to a video slot machine, and may be, for example, a mechanical slot machine or the like.
- the slot machine 10 is a stand-alone slot machine that is not connected to a network
- the present invention is also applicable to a slot machine that is connected to a network.
- a coin, a bill, or electronic valuable information corresponding thereto are used as a game medium.
- a game medium is not particularly limited, and for example, a medal, a token, electronic money, or a ticket can be used.
- the above-mentioned ticket is not particularly limited and may include, for example, a ticket with a barcode, as will be described later, and of the like tickets.
- the slot machine 10 includes a cabinet 11 , a top box 12 installed on the upper side of the cabinet 11 , and a main door 13 provided at the front face of the cabinet 11 .
- a lower image display panel 16 is provided at the front of the main door 13 .
- the lower image display panel 16 comprises a liquid crystal panel to which various types of information on the game, effect images, and the like, are displayed during a game.
- the lower image display panel 16 functions as a display in the present invention.
- the lower image display panel 16 included in the slot machine 10 of the present invention is comprised of a liquid crystal panel.
- a number-of-credits display portion 31 and a number-of-payouts display portion 32 are set on the lower image display panel 16 .
- the number of credited coins is displayed as an image.
- the number-of-payouts display portion 32 the number of coins to be paid out when an object 71 is stop-displayed on the area 72 , is displayed as an image.
- a touch panel 69 is provided at the front face of the lower image display panel 16 .
- a player can operate the touch panel 69 to input various types of commands.
- a control panel 20 including a plurality of buttons 23 to 27 with each of which a command according to the game progress is inputted by the player, a coin receiving slot 21 through which a coin is accepted into the cabinet 11 , and a bill validator 22 .
- the control panel 20 is provided with a start button 23 , a change button 24 , a CASHOUT button 25 , a 1-BET button 26 , and a maximum BET button 27 .
- the start button 23 is used for inputting a command to start move-display of the objects 71 .
- the change button 24 is used when making a request of staff in a recreation facility for exchange.
- the CASHOUT button 25 is used for inputting a command to pay out credited coins to a coin tray 18 .
- the 1-BET button 26 is used for inputting a command to bet one coin on a game out of credited coins.
- the maximum BET button 27 is used for inputting a command to bet a maximum number ( 50 in the present embodiment) of coins that can be bet on a single game, out of credited coins.
- inserting a game medium means betting a game medium on a game.
- the insertion of the coin into the coin receiving slot 21 corresponds to the insertion of a game medium.
- the betting of the credited coin on the game corresponds to the insertion of a game medium.
- the bill validator 22 not only discriminates a regular bill from a false bill, but also accepts the regular bill into the cabinet 11 . It should be noted that the bill validator 22 may be configured so as to be capable of reading a later described ticket 39 with a barcode.
- a belly glass 34 At the lower front face of the main door 13 , namely below the control panel 20 , there is provided a belly glass 34 on which a character or the like of the slot machine 10 is drawn.
- An upper image display panel 33 is provided at the front face of the top box 12 .
- the upper image display panel 33 comprises a liquid crystal panel to display, for example, an image representing an introduction of the content of a game and explanation of a rule of the game.
- both the lower image display panel 16 and the upper image display panel 33 comprise a liquid crystal panel.
- the above-mentioned image display panels may comprise any other display such as a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) or a plasma display.
- the top box 12 is provided with a speaker 29 .
- a ticket printer 35 prints on a ticket a barcode as coded data of the number of credits, date and time, an identification number of the slot machine 10 , and the like, and outputs the ticket as a ticket 39 with a barcode.
- the player can make another slot machine read the ticket 39 with a barcode to play a game thereon, or exchange the ticket 39 with a barcode with a bill or the like at a predetermined place in the recreation facility (e.g. a cashier in a casino).
- the card reader 36 reads data from a smart card and writes data onto the smart card.
- the smart card is a card owned by the player, and for example, data for identifying a player and data concerning a history of games played by the player are stored. Data corresponding to a coin, a bill, or a credit may be stored in the smart card. Further, a magnetic stripe card may be adopted in place of the smart card.
- the data display 37 is comprised of a fluorescent display or the like, and displays, for example, data read by the card reader 36 and data inputted by the player through the keypad 38 .
- the keypad 38 is used for inputting a command and data concerning the issue of a ticket, and the like.
- FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the slot machine shown in FIG. 3 .
- a gaming board 50 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 51 , a ROM 55 , and a boot ROM 52 which are interconnected to one another via an internal bus, a card slot 53 S corresponding to a memory card 53 , and an IC socket 54 S corresponding to a GAL (Generic Array Logic) 54 .
- a CPU Central Processing Unit
- ROM 55 a ROM 55
- boot ROM 52 which are interconnected to one another via an internal bus
- a card slot 53 S corresponding to a memory card 53
- an IC socket 54 S corresponding to a GAL (Generic Array Logic) 54 .
- GAL Generic Array Logic
- the memory card 53 is comprised of a nonvolatile memory such as CompactFlash (registered trademark), and stores a game program.
- the game program includes an object falling program.
- the object falling program is a program for move-displaying the objects 71 .
- the card slot 53 S is configured so as to allow the memory card 53 to be inserted thereinto or ejected therefrom, and is connected to a mother board 40 via an IDE bus.
- the memory card 53 can be ejected from the card slot 53 S, and then another game program is written onto the memory card 53 , and the memory card 53 can be inserted into the card slot 53 S, to change the type and contents of a game played on the slot machine 10 .
- the game program includes a program according to the game progress. Also, the game program includes image data and sound data to be outputted during the game.
- the CPU 51 , the ROM 55 , and the boot ROM 52 which are interconnected to one another via the internal bus, are connected to the mother board 40 via a PCI bus.
- the PCI bus not only conducts signal transmission between the mother board 40 and the gaming board 50 , but also supplies power from the mother board 40 to the gaming board 50 .
- the mother board 40 is configured using a commercially available general-purpose mother board (a printed wiring board on which fundamental components of a personal computer are mounted), and comprises a main CPU 41 , a ROM (Read Only Memory) 42 , a RAM (Random Access Memory) 43 , and a communication interface 44 .
- the mother board 40 has a function as a controller in the present invention.
- the ROM 42 is comprised of a memory device such as a flash memory, and stores a program such as BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) executed by the main CPU 41 , and permanent data.
- BIOS Basic Input/Output System
- BIOS Basic Input/Output System
- processing for initializing predetermined peripheral devices is conducted, concurrently with processing for loading a game program stored in the memory card 53 through the gaming board 50 .
- the ROM 42 may or may not be a content rewritable one.
- the RAM 43 stores data and programs which are used at the time of operation of the main CPU 41 . Further, the RAM 43 is capable of storing a game program.
- the RAM 43 stores data on the number of credits, the number of coin-ins and coin-outs in a single game, and the like.
- a main body PCB (Printed Circuit Board) 60 and a door PCB 80 which will be described later, are connected to the mother board 40 through respective USBs. Furthermore, the mother board 40 is connected with a power supply unit 45 .
- the main body PCB 60 and the door PCB 80 are connected with equipment and devices that generate input signals to be inputted to the main CPU 41 and equipment and devices operations of which are controlled by control signals outputted from the main CPU 41 .
- the main CPU 41 executes a game program stored in the RAM 43 based on an input signal inputted to the main CPU 41 , and thereby executes the predetermined arithmetic processing, and stores a result thereof in the RAM 43 , or transmits a control signal to each of the equipment and devices as processing for controlling each of the equipment and devices.
- a lamp 30 , a hopper 66 , a coin detecting portion 67 , a graphic board 68 , a speaker 29 , a touch panel 69 , a bill validator 22 , a ticket printer 35 , a card reader 36 , a key switch 38 S, and a data display 37 are connected to the main body PCB 60 .
- the lamp 30 lights up in a predetermined pattern based on a control signal outputted from the main CPU 41 .
- the hopper 66 is installed inside the cabinet 11 , and pays out a predetermined number of coins from a coin payout exit 19 to the coin tray 18 , based on a control signal outputted from the main CPU 41 .
- the coin detecting portion 67 is provided inside the coin payout exit 19 , and outputs an input signal to the main CPU 41 in the case of detecting a payout of the predetermined number of coins from the coin payout exit 19 .
- the graphic board 68 controls an image display to the upper image display panel 33 and the lower image display panel 16 serving as an output device, based on a control signal outputted from the main CPU 41 .
- To the lower image display panel 16 there are displayed objects 71 and an area 72 .
- To the number-of-credits display portion 31 of the lower image display panel 16 there is displayed the number of credits stored in the RAM 43 .
- To the number-of-payouts display portion 32 of the lower image display panel 16 there is displayed the number of coins to be paid out.
- the graphic board 68 is provided with a VDP (Video Display Processor) that generates image data based on a control signal outputted from the main CPU 41 , a video RAM that temporarily stores the image data generated by the VDP, and the like. It should be noted that image data used in generation of the image data by the VDP is included in a game program, which is read from the memory card 53 and stored in the RAM 43 .
- VDP Video Display Processor
- the bill validator 22 not only discriminates a regular bill from a false bill, but also accepts the regular bill into the cabinet 11 .
- the bill validator 22 outputs an input signal to the main CPU 41 based on a face amount of the bill.
- the main CPU 41 stores in the RAM 43 the number of credits corresponding to the face amount of the bill transmitted with the input signal.
- the ticket printer 35 prints on a ticket, based on a control signal outputted from the main CPU 41 , a barcode formed by encoding data such as the number of credits stored in the RAM 43 , date and time, an identification number of the slot machine 10 , and outputs the ticket as the ticket 39 with a barcode.
- the card reader 36 reads data from a smart card and transmits the data to the main CPU 41 , and writes data onto the smart card based on a control signal from the main CPU 41 .
- the key switch 38 S is provided on the keypad 38 , and transmits a predetermined input signal to the main CPU 41 when the keypad 38 is operated by the player.
- the data display 37 displays data read by the card reader 36 and data inputted by the player through the keypad 38 , based on a control signal outputted from the main CPU 41 .
- the door PCB 80 is connected with a control panel 20 , a reverter 21 S, a coin counter 21 C, and a cold cathode tube 81 .
- the control panel 20 is provided with a start switch 23 S corresponding to the start button 23 , a change switch 24 S corresponding to the change button 24 , a CASHOUT switch 25 S corresponding to the CASHOUT button 25 , a 1-BET switch 26 S corresponding to the 1-BET button 26 , and a maximum BET switch 27 S corresponding to the maximum BET button 27 .
- the respective switches 23 S to 27 S output input signals to the main CPU 41 when each of the buttons 23 to 27 corresponding thereto is operated by the player.
- the coin counter 21 C is provided inside the coin receiving slot 21 and discriminates a regular coin from a false coin inserted into the coin receiving slot 21 by the player. Coins other than regular coins are discharged from the coin payout exit 19 . Further, when detecting a regular coin, the coin counter 21 C outputs an input signal to the main CPU 41 .
- the reverter 21 S operates based on the control signal outputted from the main CPU 41 , and distributes a coin recognized by the coin counter 21 C as the regular coin into a cash box (not shown) or the hopper 66 , which are disposed in the slot machine 10 . Namely, when the hopper 66 is filled with coins, a regular coin is distributed into the cash box by the reverter 21 S. On the other hand, when the hopper 66 is not filled with coins, a regular coin is distributed into the hopper 66 .
- the cold cathode tube 81 functions as a backlight installed on a rear face side of the lower image display panel 16 and the upper image display panel 33 , and lights up based on a control signal outputted from the main CPU 41 .
- the main CPU 41 reads and executes a game program to progress a game.
- FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of game execution processing.
- the main CPU 41 determines whether or not a coin has been BET (step S 10 ). In this processing, the main CPU 41 determines whether or not to have received an input signal outputted from the 1-BET switch 26 S when the 1-BET button 26 is operated, or an input signal outputted from the maximum BET switch 27 S when the maximum BET button 27 is operated. When determining that a coin has not been BET, the main CPU 41 returns the processing to step S 10 .
- step S 10 when determining in step S 10 that a coin has been BET, the main CPU 41 executes processing for making a subtraction from the number of credits stored in the RAM 43 , according to the number of BET coins (step S 11 ). It should be noted that, when the number of BET coins is larger than the number of credits stored in the RAM 43 , the main CPU 41 does not execute the processing for making a subtraction from the number of credits stored in the RAM 43 , and the processing is returned to step S 10 .
- the main CPU 41 When the number of BET coins exceeds an upper limit of the number of coins that can be BET in a single game ( 50 in the present embodiment), the main CPU 41 does not execute the processing of making a subtraction from the number of credits stored in the RAM 43 , and the processing is proceeded to step S 12 .
- step S 12 the main CPU 41 sets the area 72 according to the number of coins BET in step S 10 . Namely, the larger the number of BET coins becomes, the larger the size of the area 72 is set. After the processing of step S 12 ends, the main CPU 41 proceeds the processing to step S 13 .
- step S 13 the main CPU 41 determines whether or not the start button 23 has been turned ON. In this processing, the main CPU 41 determines whether or not to have received an input signal outputted from the start switch 23 S when the start button 23 is pressed.
- the main CPU 41 When determining that the start button 23 has not been turned ON, the main CPU 41 returns the processing to step S 10 . It should be noted that, when the start button 23 is not turned ON (e.g. when a command to end the game is inputted without the start button 23 having been turned ON), the main CPU 41 cancels a result of the subtraction acquired in step S 11 .
- step S 14 when determining in step S 13 that the start button 23 has been turned ON, then the main CPU 41 executes object falling processing (step S 14 ).
- the main CPU 41 executes an object falling program stored in the RAM 43 to determine a move-display mode of the objects 71 .
- This processing will be described in detail later using FIG. 6 .
- the case is described in which the number of game media to be paid out is determined by executing the object falling processing.
- the number of game media to be paid out may be determined first and then the move-display mode of the objects 71 may be determined based on the determined number of game media to be paid out.
- the main CPU 41 determines whether or not the number of contact objects 71 S fallen within the area 72 and stop-displayed therewithin is equal to or larger than 15 (step S 16 ).
- the main CPU 41 reads from the RAM 43 a program for executing a bonus game to execute bonus game processing (step S 17 ), and then ends the present subroutine.
- the bonus game processing will be described in detail later using FIG. 7 .
- step S 16 When determining that the number of contact objects 71 S is less than 15 (step S 16 : NO), the main CPU 41 determines whether or not a prize has been established, i.e., whether or not the number of contact objects 71 S is equal to or larger than 1 (step S 18 ). When determining that a prize has been established, the main CPU 41 pays out coins corresponding to the number of inserted coins and the number of contact objects 71 S (step S 19 ), and ends the present subroutine.
- step S 18 NO
- the main CPU 41 ends the present subroutine.
- FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the object falling processing called and executed in step S 14 of the subroutine shown in FIG. 5 .
- This processing is processing executed by the main CPU 41 executing the object falling program stored in the RAM 43 .
- the main CPU 41 determines a falling start position of each object 71 (step S 41 ). Namely, a random number, which corresponds to a transverse coordinate position, is selected out of a predetermined numeric range by executing a predetermined random number generation program.
- the main CPU 41 determines a path of each object 71 (step S 42 ).
- the path of each object 71 is determined by selecting one path pattern out of path patterns pre-stored in the object falling program.
- the main CPU 41 determines falling start timing of each object 71 (step S 43 ). Thereafter, the main CPU 41 move-displays each of the objects 71 based on the falling start positions, paths, and falling start timing which are determined in steps S 41 to S 43 (step S 44 ).
- the main CPU 41 executes processing for determining whether or not each of the objects 71 has come into contact with the area 72 (step S 45 ).
- this processing an object 71 determined to have come into contact with the area 72 is stop-displayed on the area 72 as a contact object 71 S, and an object 71 determined to have not come into contact with the area 72 is move-displayed toward the bottom of the screen and deleted.
- step S 45 After the processing in step S 45 is completed, the main CPU 41 ends the present subroutine.
- FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of bonus game processing called and executed in step S 17 of the subroutine shown in FIG. 5 .
- the main CPU 41 first determines the number of bonus games from the numbers between 10 and 25 based on a random number acquired by executing a predetermined random number generation program stored in the RAM 43 (step S 60 ).
- the main CPU 41 stores in the RAM 43 the determined number of bonus games as data.
- step S 61 the main CPU 41 executes area setting processing (step S 61 ) and object falling processing (step S 62 ).
- step S 62 The processing in steps S 61 and S 62 is substantially the same as those described using FIG. 5 .
- the processing has been already described; therefore, a description thereof will not be given here.
- the main CPU 41 determines whether or not the number of contact objects 71 S fallen within the area and stop-displayed therewithin is equal to or larger than 15 (step S 64 ).
- the main CPU 41 newly determines the number-of-game-repetitions t for the bonus game (step S 65 ), and the determined number-of-game-repetitions t is added to the current number-of-bonus-games T (step S 66 ). This increases the number of remaining bonus games when a bonus game is won during a bonus game. Specifically, for example, in the case in which the game shifts to 20 bonus games for the first time and 17 bonus games are won at the 12th bonus game of the 20 bonus games, 25 (20 ⁇ 12+17) bonus games are executed thereafter.
- step S 66 After the processing in step S 66 is completed, the processing shifts to step S 69 .
- step S 64 the main CPU 41 determines whether or not a prize has been established (step S 67 ).
- step S 68 the main CPU 41 pays out coins corresponding to the number of inserted coins and the number of contact objects 71 S (step S 68 ).
- step S 67 NO
- step S 68 When the prize has not been established (step S 67 : NO) and after the processing in step S 68 is completed, the processing shifts to step S 69 .
- step S 69 the main CPU 41 reads the number-of-bonus-games T stored in the RAM 43 and subtracts 1 from a value of the read number-of-bonus-games T. Then, the main CPU 41 stores the number-of-bonus-games T resulted after the subtraction, into the RAM 43 again.
- the main CPU 41 determines whether or not the number-of-bonus-games T has reached the number of bonus games determined in step S 60 (step S 70 ); namely, it is determined according to whether or not the number-of-bonus-games T stored in the RAM 43 has become 0.
- the main CPU 41 returns the processing to step S 61 and repeats the above-described processing.
- the main CPU 41 ends the present subroutine.
- the slot machine 10 and a playing method thereof comprises: the lower image display panel 16 capable of displaying the plurality of objects 71 moving in the downward direction and the area 72 a contact determination of which with the plurality of objects 71 is executed; and the mother board 40 , the mother board 40 displaying the plurality of objects 71 and the area 72 to the lower image display panel 16 , the plurality of objects 71 displayed in a mode of moving in the predetermined direction, executing a contact determination between each of the objects 71 and the area 72 , and providing an award according to the object 71 having come into contact with the area 72 .
- the mother board 40 determines the size of the area 72 according to the number of BETs, such that the larger the number of BETs, the larger the size of the area 72 . Furthermore, the mother board 40 provides an award according to a combination of the plurality of objects 71 having come into contact with the area 72 .
- the number of payouts is determined according to the number of BET coins and the number of contact objects 71 S.
- the method of determining the number of payouts is not particularly limited. For example, a determination method such as the one below can be adopted.
- FIG. 8 is a view showing an exemplary image displayed to the lower image display panel.
- FIG. 8 two each of objects of three colors 71 a, 71 b , and 71 c are stop-displayed on an area 72 .
- a plurality of types of objects 71 may be move-displayed.
- a configuration may be such that the game shifts to a bonus game or the number of coins to be paid out is increased, when the number of each type of objects 71 having come into contact with the area 72 is the same number as one another, as shown in FIG. 8 .
- an award may be provided according to a combination of objects having come into contact with the area.
- each step for deriving a single result should be understood to be self-consistent processing. Further, each step includes transmission, reception, recording and the like of electric or magnetic signals. Although, in the processing at each step, such signals have been expressed as bits, values, symbols, characters, terms, numerical characters and the like, it should be noticed that they have been merely used for convenience of description. Further, although the processing at each step was described using expressions common to human behaviors in some cases, the processing described in the present specification are to be executed by various types of devices, in principle. Further, other structures required for conducting each step will be apparent from the aforementioned description.
Abstract
A slot machine of the present invention includes: a slot machine comprising: a display capable of displaying a plurality of objects moving in a predetermined direction, and an area a contact determination of which with each of the plurality of the objects is executed; and a controller, the controller displaying the plurality of the objects and the area to the display, the plurality of the objects displayed in a mode of moving in the predetermined direction, executing a contact determination between each of the plurality of the objects and the area, and providing an award according to the object having come into contact with the area.
Description
- This application claims benefit of priority based on Japanese Patent No. 2006-230223 filed on Aug. 28, 2006. The contents of this application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates to a slot machine on which a game is played using game media such as coins, and a playing method of the slot machine.
- 2. Discussion of the Background
- Conventionally, in a facility where slot machines are set up, a game can be played by inserting various types of game media, such as coins or cash, into a slot machine. Then, each slot machine is configured to providing an award according to a winning state (game result) occurring as a result of the progress of a game (see U.S. Pat. No. 6,960,133, for example).
- Further, although in conventional slot machines it is common practice that a winning line is a straight line, there also appears a slot machine having a variety of winning lines other than such a straight winning line and a slot machine that has no concept of a winning line.
- Examples of a slot machine whose winning line is not limited only to a straight line include, for example, a slot machine described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,093,102. However, a slot machine that provides an award when a predetermined number of symbols stops within a display to which a winning line and a symbol matrix are displayed has no difference from a slot machine that uses a straight wining line, in terms of a payout value being determined by a result of rearrangement of symbols; accordingly, they have a similar display mode.
- An object of the present invention is to provide a slot machine capable of increasing a player's expectation and performing display of game results with excellent entertainment, and a playing method of the slot machine.
- The contents of U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,960,133 and 6,093,102 are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
- The present invention provides a slot machine having the following configuration.
- Namely, the above-mentioned slot machine comprises: a display capable of displaying a plurality of objects moving in a predetermined direction, and an area a contact determination of which with each of the plurality of the objects is executed; and a controller. The controller displays the plurality of the objects and the area to the display, the plurality of the objects displayed in a mode of moving in the predetermined direction, executes a contact determination between each of the plurality of the objects and the area, and provides an award according to the object having come into contact with the area.
- According to the slot machine of the present invention, a plurality of objects (e.g., a shower of blossom and the like) moves in a predetermined direction and it is determined whether the objects have come into contact with a predetermined area. Then, an award is provided according to the object having come into contact with the area.
- Hence, in the present invention, a payout is determined by a method totally different from that used by conventional slot machines. This enables a display of game results with excellent entertainment, making it possible to increase the player's expectation.
- The slot machine of the present invention desirably has the following configuration.
- The above-mentioned controller determines a size of the area according to the number of BETs, such that the larger the number of BETs, the larger the size of the area.
- According to the slot machine of the present invention, the larger the number of BETs, the larger the size of the area; thus, the possibility that the objects will come into contact with the area increases. Accordingly, it becomes possible to further increase the player's expectation as the number of game media BET by the player increases.
- The slot machine of the present invention is desirably has the following configuration.
- The controller provides an award according to a combination of the plurality of the objects having come into contact with the area.
- According to the slot machine of the present invention, an award is provided according to a predetermined combination of objects coming into contact with the area. Accordingly, it becomes possible to further increase a player's expectation as the objects constituting the predetermined combination come into contact with the area.
- In addition, the present invention provides a slot machine having the following configuration.
- Namely, the above-mentioned controller comprises: a display capable of displaying a plurality of objects moving in a predetermined direction, and an area a contact determination of which with each of the plurality of the objects is executed; and a controller. The controller determines a size of the area according to the number of BETs, such that the larger the number of BETs, the larger the size of the area, displays the plurality of the objects and the area to the display, the plurality of the objects displayed in a mode of moving in the predetermined direction, executes a contact determination between each of the plurality of the objects and the area, and provides an award according to the object having come into contact with the area.
- The slot machine of the present invention is desirably has the following configuration.
- The above-mentioned controller provides an award according to a combination of the plurality of the objects having come into contact with the area.
- Moreover, the present invention provides a slot machine having the following configuration.
- Namely, the above-mentioned controller comprises: a display capable of displaying a plurality of objects moving in a predetermined direction, and an area a contact determination of which with each of the plurality of the objects is executed; and a controller. The controller determines a size of the area according to the number of BETs, such that the larger the number of BETs, the larger the size of the area, displays the plurality of the objects and the area to the display, the plurality of the objects displayed in a mode of moving in the predetermined direction, executes a contact determination between each of the plurality of the objects and the area, and provides an award according to a combination of the plurality of the objects having come into contact with the area.
- The present invention provides a playing method of a slot machine having the following configuration.
- Namely, the playing method of the above-mentioned slot machine comprises the steps of: displaying, to a display, a plurality of objects in a mode of moving in a predetermined direction and also displaying an area a contact determination of which with each of the plurality of the objects is executed; executing a contact determination between the plurality of the objects and the area; and providing an award according to the object having come into contact with the area, each of the steps conducted by a controller.
- The playing method of a slot machine of the present invention desirably has the following configuration.
- The above-mentioned controller determines a size of the area according to the number of BETs, such that the larger the number of BETs, the larger the size of the area.
- The playing method of a slot machine of the present invention desirably has the following configuration.
- The above-mentioned controller provides an award according to a combination of the plurality of the objects having come into contact with the area.
- In addition, the present invention provides a playing method of a slot machine having the following configuration.
- The playing method of the above-mentioned slot machines comprises the steps of: determining a size of an area according to the number of BETs, such that the larger the number of BETs, the larger the size of the area; displaying, to a display, a plurality of objects in a mode of moving in a predetermined direction and also displaying the area a contact determination of which with each of the plurality of the objects is executed; executing a contact determination between each of the plurality of the objects and the area; and providing an award according to the object having come into contact with the area, each of the steps conducted by a controller.
- The playing method of a slot machine of the present invention desirably has the following configuration.
- The above-mentioned controller provides an award according to a combination of the plurality of the objects having come into contact with the area.
- Furthermore, the present invention provides a playing method of a slot machine having the following configuration.
- Namely, the playing method of a slot machine comprises the steps of: determining a size of an area according to the number of BETs, such that the larger the number of BETs, the larger the size of the area; displaying, to a display, a plurality of objects in a mode of moving in a predetermined direction and also displaying the area a contact determination of which with each of the plurality of the objects is executed; executing a contact determination between each of the plurality of the objects and the area; and providing an award according to a combination of the plurality of the objects having come into contact with the area.
- According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a slot machine capable of attracting more customers and adding novel entertainment, and a playing method of the slot machine.
-
FIGS. 1A and 1B are views showing an exemplary image displayed to a lower image display panel. -
FIGS. 2A and 2B are views showing an exemplary image displayed to the lower image display panel. -
FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing a slot machine according to one embodiment of the present embodiment. -
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the slot machine shown inFIG. 3 . -
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of game execution processing. -
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of object falling processing. -
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of bonus game processing. -
FIG. 8 is a view showing an exemplary image displayed to the lower image display panel. - Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
-
FIGS. 1A and 1B are views showing an exemplary image displayed to a lower image display panel. - The images shown in
FIGS. 1A and 1B are images displayed to a lower image display panel 16 (seeFIG. 3 ) included in aslot machine 10 of the present invention, and a plurality of petal-shapedobjects 71 and arectangular area 72 are displayed thereto. Arrows in the drawings indicate paths along which theobjects 71 are move-displayed. The lowerimage display panel 16 is comprised of a liquid crystal panel. - When a game is started, to the lower
image display panel 16, there is displayed an image in which a predetermined number (e.g., 20) ofobjects 71 fall downward from the top of the screen to the bottom of the screen with theobjects 71 moving in left and right directions. Then, a contact determination is executed to determine whether or not theobjects 71 have come into contact with thearea 72. Anobject 71, which is determined to have come into contact with thearea 72, is stop-displayed on thearea 72 as acontact object 71S. On the other hand, anobject 71, which is determined to have not come into contact with thearea 72, is move-displayed toward the bottom of the screen and then deleted. - When all of the predetermined number of
objects 71 have finished moving, an image such as the one shown inFIG. 1B is displayed. InFIG. 1B , sevenobjects 71 are stop-displayed on thearea 72 as contact objects 71S. The number of game media to be paid out for the game is determined according to the number of the contact objects 71S. Specifically, the number of BET coins x the number ofcontact objects 71S is the number of game media to be paid out for the game. Further, when the number of the contact objects 71S is equal to or more than 15, the game shifts to a bonus game. - It should be noted that, in the image shown in
FIG. 1B , there is anobject 71 that is not in direct contact with thearea 72 but is in contact with anotherobject 71 that is indirect contact with thearea 72; in the present embodiment, such anobject 71, which is in indirect contact with thearea 72 via anotherobject 71, is also determined to be in contact with thearea 72, as with theobjects 71 that are in direct contact with thearea 72. - In the present embodiment, there has been described the case in which an
object 71 has a petal shape and anarea 72 has a rectangular shape. However, in the present invention, the shapes of the object and the area are not particularly limited. For example, the number of game media to be paid out may be determined according to the number of ball-shaped objects having come into contact with a basket-shaped area. - Further, in the present embodiment, there has been described the case in which the number of game media to be paid out is determined by the number of BET coins and the number of contact objects 71S. However, in the present invention, the method of determining the number of game media to be paid out is not particularly limited. For example, the number of game media to be paid out may be determined by the position of the
area 72 with which anobject 71 has come into contact. - In the present embodiment, there has been described the case in which a predetermined number (e.g., 20) of
objects 71 are move-displayed per game. However, in the present invention, the number of objects to be move-displayed in a single game is not particularly limited. For example, the number ofobjects 71 to fall may not be determined in advance but the period of time during which objects 71 are move-displayed may be determined in advance, and the number of game media to be paid out may be determined according to the number ofobjects 71 having come into contact with thearea 72 within such a period of time or according to the proportion of such objects 71 (the number of objects having come into contact with thearea 72/the number of objects move-displayed). Alternatively, the total number of objects to be move-displayed may not be determined, and the move-display may be continued until the number of contacts of those objects reaches a predetermined number, and then a payout value may be determined according to the time required to reach the predetermined number. - Further, in the present embodiment, there has been described the case in which a game shifts to a bonus game when the number of
contact objects 71S is equal to or more than 15. However, in the present invention, a condition for shifting to a bonus game is not particularly limited. For example, a lottery may be separately conducted. - The size of the
area 72 is determined according to the number of BET game media. -
FIGS. 2A and 2B are views showing an exemplary image displayed to the lower image display panel. -
FIG. 2A shows an exemplary image to be displayed to the lowerimage display panel 16 when the number of BET game media is one. On the other hand,FIG. 2B shows an exemplary image displayed to the lowerimage display panel 16 when the number of BET game media is 50. As such, the larger is the number of BET game media, the larger the size of thearea 72 becomes, whereby theobjects 71 are more easily come into contact with thearea 72. - It should be noted that, although the case in which the size of the
area 72 changes according to the number of BET coins in the present embodiment, the number ofobjects 71, for example, maybe changed according to the number of BET coins in the present invention. By employing such a configuration, as in the case in which the size of thearea 72 changes according to the number of BET coins, it becomes possible that the larger is the number of BET coins, the more easily theobjects 71 come into contact with thearea 72. - Next, the configuration of the
slot machine 10 will be described. -
FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing a slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. - In the present embodiment, the
slot machine 10 is a video slot machine. However, in the present invention, the slot machine is not limited to a video slot machine, and may be, for example, a mechanical slot machine or the like. - Although the
slot machine 10 is a stand-alone slot machine that is not connected to a network, the present invention is also applicable to a slot machine that is connected to a network. - On the
slot machine 10, a coin, a bill, or electronic valuable information corresponding thereto are used as a game medium. However, in the present invention, a game medium is not particularly limited, and for example, a medal, a token, electronic money, or a ticket can be used. It should be noted that the above-mentioned ticket is not particularly limited and may include, for example, a ticket with a barcode, as will be described later, and of the like tickets. - The
slot machine 10 includes acabinet 11, atop box 12 installed on the upper side of thecabinet 11, and amain door 13 provided at the front face of thecabinet 11. - A lower
image display panel 16 is provided at the front of themain door 13. The lowerimage display panel 16 comprises a liquid crystal panel to which various types of information on the game, effect images, and the like, are displayed during a game. The lowerimage display panel 16 functions as a display in the present invention. The lowerimage display panel 16 included in theslot machine 10 of the present invention is comprised of a liquid crystal panel. - A number-of-
credits display portion 31 and a number-of-payouts display portion 32 are set on the lowerimage display panel 16. To the number-of-credits display portion 31, the number of credited coins is displayed as an image. To the number-of-payouts display portion 32, the number of coins to be paid out when anobject 71 is stop-displayed on thearea 72, is displayed as an image. - Furthermore, a
touch panel 69, though not shown, is provided at the front face of the lowerimage display panel 16. A player can operate thetouch panel 69 to input various types of commands. - Below the lower
image display panel 16, there are provided acontrol panel 20 including a plurality ofbuttons 23 to 27 with each of which a command according to the game progress is inputted by the player, acoin receiving slot 21 through which a coin is accepted into thecabinet 11, and abill validator 22. - The
control panel 20 is provided with astart button 23, achange button 24, aCASHOUT button 25, a 1-BET button 26, and amaximum BET button 27. Thestart button 23 is used for inputting a command to start move-display of theobjects 71. Thechange button 24 is used when making a request of staff in a recreation facility for exchange. TheCASHOUT button 25 is used for inputting a command to pay out credited coins to acoin tray 18. - The 1-
BET button 26 is used for inputting a command to bet one coin on a game out of credited coins. Themaximum BET button 27 is used for inputting a command to bet a maximum number (50 in the present embodiment) of coins that can be bet on a single game, out of credited coins. - It should be noted that, in the present invention, inserting a game medium means betting a game medium on a game. For example, when a coin inserted into the
coin receiving slot 21 is directly bet on a game, the insertion of the coin into thecoin receiving slot 21 corresponds to the insertion of a game medium. However, as in the present embodiment, in a case in which a coin inserted into thecoin receiving slot 21 is credited once and the credited coin is bet on a game by the operation of the 1-BET button 26 or themaximum BET button 27, the betting of the credited coin on the game corresponds to the insertion of a game medium. - The bill validator 22 not only discriminates a regular bill from a false bill, but also accepts the regular bill into the
cabinet 11. It should be noted that thebill validator 22 may be configured so as to be capable of reading a later describedticket 39 with a barcode. At the lower front face of themain door 13, namely below thecontrol panel 20, there is provided abelly glass 34 on which a character or the like of theslot machine 10 is drawn. - An upper
image display panel 33 is provided at the front face of thetop box 12. The upperimage display panel 33 comprises a liquid crystal panel to display, for example, an image representing an introduction of the content of a game and explanation of a rule of the game. - In the present embodiment, there has been described the case in which both the lower
image display panel 16 and the upperimage display panel 33 comprise a liquid crystal panel. However, in the present invention, the above-mentioned image display panels may comprise any other display such as a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) or a plasma display. - Further, the
top box 12 is provided with aspeaker 29. Below the upperimage display panel 33, there are provided aticket printer 35, acard reader 36, adata display 37, and akeypad 38. Theticket printer 35 prints on a ticket a barcode as coded data of the number of credits, date and time, an identification number of theslot machine 10, and the like, and outputs the ticket as aticket 39 with a barcode. The player can make another slot machine read theticket 39 with a barcode to play a game thereon, or exchange theticket 39 with a barcode with a bill or the like at a predetermined place in the recreation facility (e.g. a cashier in a casino). - The
card reader 36 reads data from a smart card and writes data onto the smart card. The smart card is a card owned by the player, and for example, data for identifying a player and data concerning a history of games played by the player are stored. Data corresponding to a coin, a bill, or a credit may be stored in the smart card. Further, a magnetic stripe card may be adopted in place of the smart card. The data display 37 is comprised of a fluorescent display or the like, and displays, for example, data read by thecard reader 36 and data inputted by the player through thekeypad 38. Thekeypad 38 is used for inputting a command and data concerning the issue of a ticket, and the like. -
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the slot machine shown inFIG. 3 . - A
gaming board 50 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 51, aROM 55, and aboot ROM 52 which are interconnected to one another via an internal bus, acard slot 53S corresponding to amemory card 53, and anIC socket 54S corresponding to a GAL (Generic Array Logic) 54. - The
memory card 53 is comprised of a nonvolatile memory such as CompactFlash (registered trademark), and stores a game program. The game program includes an object falling program. The object falling program is a program for move-displaying theobjects 71. - Further, the
card slot 53S is configured so as to allow thememory card 53 to be inserted thereinto or ejected therefrom, and is connected to amother board 40 via an IDE bus. Thus, thememory card 53 can be ejected from thecard slot 53S, and then another game program is written onto thememory card 53, and thememory card 53 can be inserted into thecard slot 53S, to change the type and contents of a game played on theslot machine 10. The game program includes a program according to the game progress. Also, the game program includes image data and sound data to be outputted during the game. - The
CPU 51, theROM 55, and theboot ROM 52, which are interconnected to one another via the internal bus, are connected to themother board 40 via a PCI bus. The PCI bus not only conducts signal transmission between themother board 40 and thegaming board 50, but also supplies power from themother board 40 to thegaming board 50. - The
mother board 40 is configured using a commercially available general-purpose mother board (a printed wiring board on which fundamental components of a personal computer are mounted), and comprises amain CPU 41, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 42, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 43, and a communication interface 44. Themother board 40 has a function as a controller in the present invention. - The
ROM 42 is comprised of a memory device such as a flash memory, and stores a program such as BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) executed by themain CPU 41, and permanent data. When the BIOS is executed by themain CPU 41, processing for initializing predetermined peripheral devices is conducted, concurrently with processing for loading a game program stored in thememory card 53 through thegaming board 50. It should be noted that, in the present invention, theROM 42 may or may not be a content rewritable one. - The
RAM 43 stores data and programs which are used at the time of operation of themain CPU 41. Further, theRAM 43 is capable of storing a game program. - In addition, the
RAM 43 stores data on the number of credits, the number of coin-ins and coin-outs in a single game, and the like. - Moreover, a main body PCB (Printed Circuit Board) 60 and a
door PCB 80, which will be described later, are connected to themother board 40 through respective USBs. Furthermore, themother board 40 is connected with apower supply unit 45. - The
main body PCB 60 and thedoor PCB 80 are connected with equipment and devices that generate input signals to be inputted to themain CPU 41 and equipment and devices operations of which are controlled by control signals outputted from themain CPU 41. Themain CPU 41 executes a game program stored in theRAM 43 based on an input signal inputted to themain CPU 41, and thereby executes the predetermined arithmetic processing, and stores a result thereof in theRAM 43, or transmits a control signal to each of the equipment and devices as processing for controlling each of the equipment and devices. - A
lamp 30, ahopper 66, acoin detecting portion 67, agraphic board 68, aspeaker 29, atouch panel 69, abill validator 22, aticket printer 35, acard reader 36, akey switch 38S, and adata display 37 are connected to themain body PCB 60. Thelamp 30 lights up in a predetermined pattern based on a control signal outputted from themain CPU 41. - The
hopper 66 is installed inside thecabinet 11, and pays out a predetermined number of coins from acoin payout exit 19 to thecoin tray 18, based on a control signal outputted from themain CPU 41. Thecoin detecting portion 67 is provided inside thecoin payout exit 19, and outputs an input signal to themain CPU 41 in the case of detecting a payout of the predetermined number of coins from thecoin payout exit 19. - The
graphic board 68 controls an image display to the upperimage display panel 33 and the lowerimage display panel 16 serving as an output device, based on a control signal outputted from themain CPU 41. To the lowerimage display panel 16, there are displayedobjects 71 and anarea 72. To the number-of-credits display portion 31 of the lowerimage display panel 16, there is displayed the number of credits stored in theRAM 43. To the number-of-payouts display portion 32 of the lowerimage display panel 16, there is displayed the number of coins to be paid out. - The
graphic board 68 is provided with a VDP (Video Display Processor) that generates image data based on a control signal outputted from themain CPU 41, a video RAM that temporarily stores the image data generated by the VDP, and the like. It should be noted that image data used in generation of the image data by the VDP is included in a game program, which is read from thememory card 53 and stored in theRAM 43. - The bill validator 22 not only discriminates a regular bill from a false bill, but also accepts the regular bill into the
cabinet 11. When accepting the regular bill, thebill validator 22 outputs an input signal to themain CPU 41 based on a face amount of the bill. Themain CPU 41 stores in theRAM 43 the number of credits corresponding to the face amount of the bill transmitted with the input signal. - The
ticket printer 35 prints on a ticket, based on a control signal outputted from themain CPU 41, a barcode formed by encoding data such as the number of credits stored in theRAM 43, date and time, an identification number of theslot machine 10, and outputs the ticket as theticket 39 with a barcode. Thecard reader 36 reads data from a smart card and transmits the data to themain CPU 41, and writes data onto the smart card based on a control signal from themain CPU 41. Thekey switch 38S is provided on thekeypad 38, and transmits a predetermined input signal to themain CPU 41 when thekeypad 38 is operated by the player. The data display 37 displays data read by thecard reader 36 and data inputted by the player through thekeypad 38, based on a control signal outputted from themain CPU 41. - The
door PCB 80 is connected with acontrol panel 20, areverter 21S, acoin counter 21C, and acold cathode tube 81. Thecontrol panel 20 is provided with astart switch 23S corresponding to thestart button 23, achange switch 24S corresponding to thechange button 24, aCASHOUT switch 25S corresponding to theCASHOUT button 25, a 1-BET switch 26S corresponding to the 1-BET button 26, and amaximum BET switch 27S corresponding to themaximum BET button 27. The respective switches 23S to 27S output input signals to themain CPU 41 when each of thebuttons 23 to 27 corresponding thereto is operated by the player. - The
coin counter 21C is provided inside thecoin receiving slot 21 and discriminates a regular coin from a false coin inserted into thecoin receiving slot 21 by the player. Coins other than regular coins are discharged from thecoin payout exit 19. Further, when detecting a regular coin, thecoin counter 21C outputs an input signal to themain CPU 41. - The
reverter 21S operates based on the control signal outputted from themain CPU 41, and distributes a coin recognized by thecoin counter 21C as the regular coin into a cash box (not shown) or thehopper 66, which are disposed in theslot machine 10. Namely, when thehopper 66 is filled with coins, a regular coin is distributed into the cash box by thereverter 21S. On the other hand, when thehopper 66 is not filled with coins, a regular coin is distributed into thehopper 66. Thecold cathode tube 81 functions as a backlight installed on a rear face side of the lowerimage display panel 16 and the upperimage display panel 33, and lights up based on a control signal outputted from themain CPU 41. - Next, processing executed on the
slot machine 10 will be described. - The
main CPU 41 reads and executes a game program to progress a game. -
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of game execution processing. - In the game execution processing, first, the
main CPU 41 determines whether or not a coin has been BET (step S10). In this processing, themain CPU 41 determines whether or not to have received an input signal outputted from the 1-BET switch 26S when the 1-BET button 26 is operated, or an input signal outputted from themaximum BET switch 27S when themaximum BET button 27 is operated. When determining that a coin has not been BET, themain CPU 41 returns the processing to step S10. - On the other hand, when determining in step S10 that a coin has been BET, the
main CPU 41 executes processing for making a subtraction from the number of credits stored in theRAM 43, according to the number of BET coins (step S11). It should be noted that, when the number of BET coins is larger than the number of credits stored in theRAM 43, themain CPU 41 does not execute the processing for making a subtraction from the number of credits stored in theRAM 43, and the processing is returned to step S10. When the number of BET coins exceeds an upper limit of the number of coins that can be BET in a single game (50 in the present embodiment), themain CPU 41 does not execute the processing of making a subtraction from the number of credits stored in theRAM 43, and the processing is proceeded to step S12. - In step S12, the
main CPU 41 sets thearea 72 according to the number of coins BET in step S10. Namely, the larger the number of BET coins becomes, the larger the size of thearea 72 is set. After the processing of step S12 ends, themain CPU 41 proceeds the processing to step S13. - In step S13, the
main CPU 41 determines whether or not thestart button 23 has been turned ON. In this processing, themain CPU 41 determines whether or not to have received an input signal outputted from thestart switch 23S when thestart button 23 is pressed. - When determining that the
start button 23 has not been turned ON, themain CPU 41 returns the processing to step S10. It should be noted that, when thestart button 23 is not turned ON (e.g. when a command to end the game is inputted without thestart button 23 having been turned ON), themain CPU 41 cancels a result of the subtraction acquired in step S11. - On the other hand, when determining in step S13 that the
start button 23 has been turned ON, then themain CPU 41 executes object falling processing (step S14). In the object falling processing, themain CPU 41 executes an object falling program stored in theRAM 43 to determine a move-display mode of theobjects 71. This processing will be described in detail later usingFIG. 6 . In the present embodiment, the case is described in which the number of game media to be paid out is determined by executing the object falling processing. However, in the present invention, for example, the number of game media to be paid out may be determined first and then the move-display mode of theobjects 71 may be determined based on the determined number of game media to be paid out. - Next, the
main CPU 41 determines whether or not the number ofcontact objects 71S fallen within thearea 72 and stop-displayed therewithin is equal to or larger than 15 (step S16). When determining that the number ofcontact objects 71S is equal to or larger than 15, themain CPU 41 reads from the RAM 43 a program for executing a bonus game to execute bonus game processing (step S17), and then ends the present subroutine. The bonus game processing will be described in detail later usingFIG. 7 . - When determining that the number of
contact objects 71S is less than 15 (step S16: NO), themain CPU 41 determines whether or not a prize has been established, i.e., whether or not the number ofcontact objects 71S is equal to or larger than 1 (step S18). When determining that a prize has been established, themain CPU 41 pays out coins corresponding to the number of inserted coins and the number ofcontact objects 71S (step S19), and ends the present subroutine. - Also, when a prize has not been established (step S18: NO), the
main CPU 41 ends the present subroutine. -
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the object falling processing called and executed in step S14 of the subroutine shown inFIG. 5 . This processing is processing executed by themain CPU 41 executing the object falling program stored in theRAM 43. - First, the
main CPU 41 determines a falling start position of each object 71 (step S41). Namely, a random number, which corresponds to a transverse coordinate position, is selected out of a predetermined numeric range by executing a predetermined random number generation program. - Next, the
main CPU 41 determines a path of each object 71 (step S42). The path of eachobject 71 is determined by selecting one path pattern out of path patterns pre-stored in the object falling program. - The
main CPU 41 then determines falling start timing of each object 71 (step S43). Thereafter, themain CPU 41 move-displays each of theobjects 71 based on the falling start positions, paths, and falling start timing which are determined in steps S41 to S43 (step S44). - Next, the
main CPU 41 executes processing for determining whether or not each of theobjects 71 has come into contact with the area 72 (step S45). In this processing, anobject 71 determined to have come into contact with thearea 72 is stop-displayed on thearea 72 as acontact object 71S, and anobject 71 determined to have not come into contact with thearea 72 is move-displayed toward the bottom of the screen and deleted. - After the processing in step S45 is completed, the
main CPU 41 ends the present subroutine. -
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of bonus game processing called and executed in step S17 of the subroutine shown inFIG. 5 . - In the bonus game processing, the
main CPU 41 first determines the number of bonus games from the numbers between 10 and 25 based on a random number acquired by executing a predetermined random number generation program stored in the RAM 43 (step S60). Themain CPU 41 stores in theRAM 43 the determined number of bonus games as data. - Subsequently, the
main CPU 41 executes area setting processing (step S61) and object falling processing (step S62). The processing in steps S61 and S62 is substantially the same as those described usingFIG. 5 . The processing has been already described; therefore, a description thereof will not be given here. - Next, the
main CPU 41 determines whether or not the number ofcontact objects 71S fallen within the area and stop-displayed therewithin is equal to or larger than 15 (step S64). When determining that the number ofcontact objects 71S is equal to or larger than 15, themain CPU 41 newly determines the number-of-game-repetitions t for the bonus game (step S65), and the determined number-of-game-repetitions t is added to the current number-of-bonus-games T (step S66). This increases the number of remaining bonus games when a bonus game is won during a bonus game. Specifically, for example, in the case in which the game shifts to 20 bonus games for the first time and 17 bonus games are won at the 12th bonus game of the 20 bonus games, 25 (20−12+17) bonus games are executed thereafter. - After the processing in step S66 is completed, the processing shifts to step S69.
- When determining that the number of
contact objects 71S is less than 15 in step S64, themain CPU 41 determines whether or not a prize has been established (step S67). When determining that the prize has been established, themain CPU 41 pays out coins corresponding to the number of inserted coins and the number ofcontact objects 71S (step S68). - When the prize has not been established (step S67: NO) and after the processing in step S68 is completed, the processing shifts to step S69.
- In step S69, the
main CPU 41 reads the number-of-bonus-games T stored in theRAM 43 and subtracts 1 from a value of the read number-of-bonus-games T. Then, themain CPU 41 stores the number-of-bonus-games T resulted after the subtraction, into theRAM 43 again. - Next, the
main CPU 41 determines whether or not the number-of-bonus-games T has reached the number of bonus games determined in step S60 (step S70); namely, it is determined according to whether or not the number-of-bonus-games T stored in theRAM 43 has become 0. When the number-of-bonus-games T is not 0, i.e., when determining that the number of executed bonus games has not reached the number of bonus games determined in step S60, themain CPU 41 returns the processing to step S61 and repeats the above-described processing. On the other hand, when the number-of-bonus-games T is 0, i.e., when determining that the number of executed bonus games has reached the number of bonus games determined in step S60, themain CPU 41 ends the present subroutine. - As described above, the
slot machine 10 and a playing method thereof according to the present embodiment comprises: the lowerimage display panel 16 capable of displaying the plurality ofobjects 71 moving in the downward direction and the area 72 a contact determination of which with the plurality ofobjects 71 is executed; and themother board 40, themother board 40 displaying the plurality ofobjects 71 and thearea 72 to the lowerimage display panel 16, the plurality ofobjects 71 displayed in a mode of moving in the predetermined direction, executing a contact determination between each of theobjects 71 and thearea 72, and providing an award according to theobject 71 having come into contact with thearea 72. In addition, themother board 40 determines the size of thearea 72 according to the number of BETs, such that the larger the number of BETs, the larger the size of thearea 72. Furthermore, themother board 40 provides an award according to a combination of the plurality ofobjects 71 having come into contact with thearea 72. - In the present embodiment, there has been described the case in which the number of payouts is determined according to the number of BET coins and the number of contact objects 71S. However, in the present invention, the method of determining the number of payouts is not particularly limited. For example, a determination method such as the one below can be adopted.
-
FIG. 8 is a view showing an exemplary image displayed to the lower image display panel. - In
FIG. 8 , two each of objects of threecolors area 72. As such, a plurality of types ofobjects 71 may be move-displayed. In such a case, a configuration may be such that the game shifts to a bonus game or the number of coins to be paid out is increased, when the number of each type ofobjects 71 having come into contact with thearea 72 is the same number as one another, as shown inFIG. 8 . - As is described above, an award may be provided according to a combination of objects having come into contact with the area.
- Although the present invention has been described with reference to embodiments thereof, these embodiments merely illustrate concrete examples, not restrict the present invention. The concrete structures of respective means and the like can be designed and changed as required. Furthermore, there have been merely described most preferable effects of the present invention, as the effects of the present invention, in the embodiments of the present invention. The effects of the present invention are not limited to those described in the embodiments of the present invention.
- Further, in the aforementioned detailed description, characteristic portions have been mainly described, for ease of understanding the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described in the aforementioned detailed description, but can be also applied to other embodiments over a wider range of applications. Further, the terms and phrases used in the present specification have been used for clearly describing the present invention, not for limiting the interpretation of the present invention. Further, those skilled in the art will easily conceive other structures, systems, methods and the like which are included in the concept of the present invention, from the concept of the present invention described in the present specification. Accordingly, the description of the claims is intended to include equivalent structures that fall within the technical scope of the invention. Further, the abstract aims at enabling engineers and the like who belong to the present technical field but are not familiar with the patent office and public institutions, the patent, law terms and technical terms to immediately understand the technical content and the essence of the present application through brief studies. Accordingly, the abstract is not intended to restrict the scope of the invention which should be evaluated from the description of the claims. It is desirable that literatures and the like which have been already disclosed are sufficiently studied and understood, in order to sufficiently understand the objects of the present invention and the specific effects of the present invention.
- In the aforementioned detailed description, there have been described processing to be executed by computers. The aforementioned description and expressions have been described for the sake of enabling those skilled in the art to understand the present invention most effectively. In the present specification, each step for deriving a single result should be understood to be self-consistent processing. Further, each step includes transmission, reception, recording and the like of electric or magnetic signals. Although, in the processing at each step, such signals have been expressed as bits, values, symbols, characters, terms, numerical characters and the like, it should be noticed that they have been merely used for convenience of description. Further, although the processing at each step was described using expressions common to human behaviors in some cases, the processing described in the present specification are to be executed by various types of devices, in principle. Further, other structures required for conducting each step will be apparent from the aforementioned description.
Claims (12)
1. A slot machine comprising:
a display capable of displaying a plurality of objects moving in a predetermined direction, and an area a contact determination of which with each of the plurality of said objects is executed; and
a controller,
said controller displaying the plurality of said objects and said area to said display, the plurality of said objects displayed in a mode of moving in the predetermined direction,
executing a contact determination between each of the plurality of said objects and said area, and
providing an award according to said object having come into contact with said area.
2. The slot machine according to claim 1 ,
wherein
said controller includes
determining a size of said area according to the number of BETs, such that the larger the number of BETs, the larger the size of said area.
3. The slot machine according to claim 1 or 2 ,
wherein
said controller includes
providing an award according to a combination of the plurality of said objects having come into contact with said area.
4. A slot machine comprising:
a display capable of displaying a plurality of objects moving in a predetermined direction, and an area a contact determination of which with each of the plurality of said objects is executed; and
a controller,
said controller determining a size of said area according to the number of BETs, such that the larger the number of BETs, the larger the size of said area,
displaying the plurality of said objects and said area to said display, the plurality of said objects displayed in a mode of moving in the predetermined direction,
executing a contact determination between each of the plurality of said objects and said area, and
providing an award according to said object having come into contact with said area.
5. The slot machine according to claim 4 ,
wherein
said controller includes
providing an award according to a combination of the plurality of said objects having come into contact with said area.
6. A slot machine comprising:
a display capable of displaying a plurality of objects moving in a predetermined direction, and an area a contact determination of which with each of the plurality of said objects is executed; and
a controller,
said controller determining a size of said area according to the number of BETs, such that the larger the number of BETs, the larger the size of said area,
displaying the plurality of said objects and said area to said display, the plurality of said objects displayed in a mode of moving in the predetermined direction,
executing a contact determination between each of the plurality of said objects and said area, and
providing an award according to a combination of the plurality of said objects having come into contact with said area.
7. A playing method of a slot machine comprising the steps of:
displaying, to a display, a plurality of objects in a mode of moving in a predetermined direction and also displaying an area a contact determination of which with each of the plurality of said objects is executed;
executing a contact determination between the plurality of said objects and said area; and
providing an award according to said object having come into contact with said area, each of said steps conducted by a controller.
8. The playing method of a slot machine according to claim 7 ,
wherein
said controller includes
determining a size of said area according to the number of BETs, such that the larger the number of BETs, the larger the size of said area.
9. The playing method of a slot machine according to claim 7 or 8 ,
wherein
said controller includes
providing an award according to a combination of the plurality of said objects having come into contact with said area.
10. A playing method of a slot machine comprising the steps of:
determining a size of an area according to the number of BETs, such that the larger the number of BETs, the larger the size of said area;
displaying, to a display, a plurality of objects in a mode of moving in a predetermined direction and also displaying said area a contact determination of which with each of the plurality of said objects is executed;
executing a contact determination between each of the plurality of said objects and said area; and
providing an award according to said object having come into contact with said area, each of the steps conducted by a controller.
11. The playing method of a slot machine according to claim 10 ,
wherein
said controller includes
providing an award according to a combination of the plurality of said objects having come into contact with said area.
12. A playing method of a slot machine comprising the steps of:
determining a size of an area according to the number of BETs, such that the larger the number of BETs, the larger the size of said area;
displaying, to a display, a plurality of objects in a mode of moving in a predetermined direction and also displaying said area a contact determination of which with each of the plurality of said objects is executed;
executing a contact determination between each of the plurality of said objects and said area; and
providing an award according to a combination of the plurality of said objects having come into contact with said area, each of the steps conducted by a controller.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2006230223A JP2008049018A (en) | 2006-08-28 | 2006-08-28 | Slot machine and play method thereof |
JP2006-230223 | 2006-08-28 |
Publications (1)
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US20080051182A1 true US20080051182A1 (en) | 2008-02-28 |
Family
ID=39197328
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/777,473 Abandoned US20080051182A1 (en) | 2006-08-28 | 2007-07-13 | Slot machine and playing method thereof |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20080051182A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2008049018A (en) |
AU (1) | AU2007209847A1 (en) |
ZA (1) | ZA200707223B (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20100304844A1 (en) * | 2009-05-28 | 2010-12-02 | Universal Entertainment Corporation | Gaming machine providing bet region with new payout rate in roulette game |
US20100304827A1 (en) * | 2009-05-29 | 2010-12-02 | Universal Entertainment Corporation | Gaming machine that navigates dealer in a game operation input in roulette game |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5769716A (en) * | 1996-09-30 | 1998-06-23 | International Game Technology | Symbol fall game method and apparatus |
US6254479B1 (en) * | 1998-01-20 | 2001-07-03 | Konami Co., Ltd. | Game machine |
US20020094856A1 (en) * | 1998-11-24 | 2002-07-18 | Bennett Nicholas Luke | Slot machine hybrid pin and ball game |
-
2006
- 2006-08-28 JP JP2006230223A patent/JP2008049018A/en active Pending
-
2007
- 2007-07-13 US US11/777,473 patent/US20080051182A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2007-08-20 AU AU2007209847A patent/AU2007209847A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2007-08-27 ZA ZA2007/07223A patent/ZA200707223B/en unknown
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5769716A (en) * | 1996-09-30 | 1998-06-23 | International Game Technology | Symbol fall game method and apparatus |
US6254479B1 (en) * | 1998-01-20 | 2001-07-03 | Konami Co., Ltd. | Game machine |
US20020094856A1 (en) * | 1998-11-24 | 2002-07-18 | Bennett Nicholas Luke | Slot machine hybrid pin and ball game |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20100304844A1 (en) * | 2009-05-28 | 2010-12-02 | Universal Entertainment Corporation | Gaming machine providing bet region with new payout rate in roulette game |
US8608549B2 (en) | 2009-05-28 | 2013-12-17 | Universal Entertainment Corporation | Gaming machine providing bet region with new payout rate in roulette game |
US20100304827A1 (en) * | 2009-05-29 | 2010-12-02 | Universal Entertainment Corporation | Gaming machine that navigates dealer in a game operation input in roulette game |
US8298062B2 (en) | 2009-05-29 | 2012-10-30 | Universal Entertainment Corporation | Gaming machine that navigates dealer in a game operation input in roulette game |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
AU2007209847A1 (en) | 2008-03-13 |
JP2008049018A (en) | 2008-03-06 |
ZA200707223B (en) | 2008-06-25 |
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Owner name: ARUZE CORP., JAPAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:KIDO, KATSUHIRO;REEL/FRAME:019900/0178 Effective date: 20070928 |
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