The present invention relates to a game machine and the like including a lottery mechanism which holds a lottery to select at least one option from a plurality of options by a relative movement between a game board and a lottery object.
A game machine provided with a lottery mechanism is known (for example, see Patent Literature 1). When the game machine is, for example, a physical lottery mechanism of a roulette type, a ball enters any one of a plurality of lottery holes formed on a game board as a plurality of options, thereby being paid payout corresponding to the lottery hole into which the ball enters to the player.
Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent No. 4331173.
If there is a valuable option that has to be paid attention by a player or that a player is looking at such as an option of large payout and the like in a plurality of options, control of effect for making a player realize that the option is in a easily selected situation or a period of time and attracting a player's attention is required.
Therefore, the present invention aims to a game machine and the like capable of effects for attracting players in accordance with a relative movement between the game board and the lottery object.
The game machine of the present invention is a game machine including a lottery mechanism which holds a lottery to select at least one option from a plurality of options by a relative movement between a lottery board having a plurality of lots corresponding respectively to the plurality of options and a lottery object, wherein an effect device which makes predetermined effects to a lottery in the lottery mechanism and an effect control device which controls the effect device so as to make the effects when a temporal condition which is a lapse of a predetermined time after the lottery is started and a positional condition under which a specific lot corresponding to the specific option among the plurality of options and the lottery object are in a predetermined positional relationship are satisfied.
The game control method of the present invention is a game control method of a game machine comprising: a lottery mechanism which holds a lottery to select at least one option from a plurality of options by a relative movement between a lottery board having a plurality of lots corresponding respectively to the plurality of options and a lottery object; and an effect device which makes predetermined effects to a lottery in the lottery mechanism, wherein an effect control step which controls the effect device so as to make the effects when a temporal condition which is a lapse of a predetermined time after the lottery is started and a positional condition under which a specific lot corresponding to the specific option among the plurality of options and the lottery object are in a predetermined positional relationship are satisfied.
The computer program of the present invention is a computer program for a game machine comprising: a lottery mechanism which holds a lottery to select at least one option from a plurality of options by a relative movement between a lottery board having a plurality of lots corresponding respectively to the plurality of options and a lottery object; and an effect device which makes predetermined effects to a lottery in the lottery mechanism; wherein the computer program is constructed so as to the computer set in the game machine to serve as: an effect control device which controls the effect device so as to make the effects when a temporal condition which is a lapse of a predetermined time after the lottery is started and a positional condition under which a specific lot corresponding to the specific option among the plurality of options and the lottery object are in a predetermined positional relationship are satisfied.
According to the present invention, when temporal and positional conditions are satisfied in the lottery mechanism, the effect is executed by the effect device. For instance, by making the effect which makes a player realize that the specific lot becomes easy to be selected by the lottery, it is possible to attract the players to the game. Since such effects are executed when those conditions are satisfied while the lottery is executed, it is possible to effectively attract the players by controlling the period for the effects.
Each station unit ST includes a station monitor 2, a control panel 3, and a coin payout port 4. A game screen GS for executing a slot game is displayed on the station monitor 2. As the station monitor 2, for example, a liquid crystal display device is used. The control panel 3 is installed under the station monitor 2. A coin inserting port 5 for inserting coins and an operation device 6 are installed on the control panel 3. The operation device 6 includes, for example, an operation member such as a button switch for various operations including a betting operation. The coin payout port 4 is installed on the lower side of the control panel 3.
The center unit CN includes a roulette game unit 11 as a physical lottery mechanism, a center monitor 12 and a speaker 13. The roulette game unit 11 is provided with a roulette ring 14 as a lottery board formed with a plurality of pockets 14a as a plurality of lots along the circumference potion, a ball throwing mechanism 15 which throws the ball B as a lottery object that can enter each pocket 14a, and a ball guidepath 16 on which a ball B is move. The roulette ring 14 is inclined and is rotated about a rotational axis AX by a ring driving mechanism 43 (not shown in
The center monitor 12 includes a first monitor 12a, and a second monitor 12b and a third monitor 12c each of which is installed adjacent to both sides of the first monitor 12a, and the respective monitors 12a, 12b, and 12c serve as one monitor in combination. The upper image of the roulette ring 14 is displayed on the center monitor 12 corresponding to the movement of the roulette ring 14. It is possible to control the display of the roulette ring 14 on the center monitor 12 by using a ring position detection sensor 44 which detects the position of the roulette ring 14. The ring position detection sensor 44 is installed in such a way that the respective pockets 14a of the roulette ring 14 can be identified. For example, it is possible to detect the position of the roulette ring 14 by installing a sensor which detects the rotation amount of the ring driving mechanism 43 for driving the roulette ring 14 or a sensor which detects a predetermined position of the roulette ring 14 as the ring position detection sensor 44. As the ring position detection sensor 44, various types of well-known techniques may be used. For the speaker 13, a well-known speaker unit is applied. The center monitor 12 and the speaker 13 serve as a representation device. Respective wins corresponding to each pocket 14a serve as a plurality of options. Incidentally, “loss” may correspond to the pocket 14a.
Next, a game played in the game machine 1 will be described. When the player inserts coins into the coin inserting port 5, a video slot game is started on the game screen GS of the station monitor 2. When each rotating reel displayed on the game screen GS is stopped, the lottery results are displayed. Depending on the win being formed, payout is paid to a player through the coin payout port 4. In this case, when a predetermined win is formed, the player can play the roulette game on the center unit CN. When a plurality of station units ST are installed in the game machine 1, a rotation mechanism for rotating the center unit CN may be installed, and the center unit CN may be moved in such a way that the front of the center unit CN faces the station unit ST where a player playing the roulette game is present.
When a roulette game is started, the roulette ring 14 starts to rotate, and the ball B is thrown in the ball guidepath 16 from the ball throwing mechanism 15. As the ball B travels back and forth centering on the lowermost point of the ball guidepath 16, the travel distance decreases slowly. Then, the ball B enters any one pocket 14a of a plurality of pockets 14a by a relative movement with the roulette ring 14. A ball detection sensor (not shown) which detects the entry of the ball B is installed in each pocket 14a. When the ball B is detected, payout corresponding to the pocket 14a into which the ball enters is paid to the player through the coin payout port 4. After the ball B is thrown in the ball guidepath 16 from the ball throwing mechanism 15, velocity of the ball B is gradually slow. Here, a range that the ball B having moving velocity capable of entering any one pocket 14a of a plurality of pockets 14a can move is described as a winning range (an area where the lottery is executed). The ball B can enter to the pocket 14a in the winning range. However, the ball B cannot enter to the pocket 14a out of the winning range and the roulette game unit 11 has a structure so as not to make the ball B enter in the pocket 14a while the ball B keeps the velocity that the ball B can move over the winning range.
Referring to
When the JP pocket 14b is positioned in the winning range, the positional condition is satisfied. When the temporal condition is also satisfied, a roulette game control portion 34 of the center control unit 30 executes the boosting effect processing. In the boosting effect processing, the roulette game control portion 34 makes the player realize that it has become easy for the ball B to enter the JP pocket 14b so as to make boosting effects for the roulette lottery. For instance, a video picture or an image making the player realize that the jackpot winning possibility has risen is displayed on the display center unit 12. Further, the roulette game control portion 34 illuminates the roulette ring 14 with a lamp installed around the roulette ring 14 or issues sound or music through the speaker 13. The boosting effect processing is executed during the period when the positional condition is satisfied, that is, the JP pocket 14b is positioned in the winning range.
Various devices necessary for executing the game played in the game machine 1, such as the operation device 6, the coin inserting device 41 and the payout device 42, are connected to the station control unit 20. The coin inserting device 41 accepts the coins inserted in the coin inserting port 5 as value for playing the game. The coin inserting device 41 issues signals to the station control unit 20 in accordance with the inserting amount (inserting price). The payout device 42 executes payment by coins to the player as payout of the game based on the instruction from the station control unit 20. The coins are paid to the player through the coin payout port 4. Incidentally, the accepting value and the payout for the player are not limited to coins. For instance, medals, tokens or the like may be used as proxy currency. In addition, a payment method in which it is possible to give and take currency values or game values through exchange of electronic information such as electronic currency may be used. In such a case, instead of the coin inserting port 5 and the coin payout port 4, an information communication unit for mutual exchange of electronic information and storage media for storing exchanged information may be used.
The station control unit 20 is provided with a slot game control portion 24. The slot game control portion 24 is a logical device realized by the combination of computer hardware and predetermined software. The slot game control portion 24 executes the processing necessary for controlling the slot game by the station unit ST. As an example, the slot game control portion 24 executes the processes such as changing the display of plural symbols, generating the random numbers of a predetermined digit, lottery of plural symbols using the random number, and determining whether or not the combination of symbols by the lottery forms a predetermined win array. Incidentally, generation of random numbers may be realized by a physical device that combines electronic circuits. Although not shown, other logical devices or physical devices necessary for executing the slot game are installed in the station control unit 20.
Various devices necessary for executing the roulette game, such as the center monitor 12, the speaker 13, the ball inserting mechanism 15, the ring driving mechanism 43, and the ring position sensor 44, are connected to the center control unit 30. The center control unit 30 is provided with the roulette game control portion 34. The roulette game control portion 34 is a logical device realized by the combination of computer hardware and predetermined software. The roulette game control portion 34 executes the processing necessary for controlling the roulette game by the center unit CN. As an example, the roulette game control portion 34 executes various processes for controlling the ball throwing mechanism 15, for controlling the ring driving mechanism 43, and for detecting the position of the roulette ring 14 and controlling the effects of the roulette game based on the detection results.
On the other hand, if the rotation of the roulette ring 14 is counterclockwise, the roulette game control portion 34 sets a position of the JP pocket 14b positioned at a position number “−1” as the effect start position (step S4), and sets a position of the JP pocket 14b positioned at a position number “+1” as the effect end position (step S5). The position of the JP pocket 14b is detected by the ring position detection sensor 44.
Next, the roulette game control portion 34 determines whether or not the temporal condition is satisfied (step S6). The roulette game control portion 34 determines whether or not 10 seconds have elapsed when a lapse of 10 seconds, for example, is set from the throwing of the ball B from the ball throwing mechanism 15 as the temporal condition. The setting of time for the temporal condition may be changed suitably. When the temporal condition is satisfied, the roulette game control portion 34 determines whether or not the JP pocket 14b is positioned at the effect start position (step S7). If the rotation of the roulette ring 14 is clockwise, the roulette game control portion 34 executes the boosting effect processing when the JP pocket 14b reaches the effect start position, that is, the position number “+1”, and thus the positional condition is satisfied (step S8).
Further, the roulette game control portion 34 determines whether or not the JP pocket 14b is positioned at the effect end position (step S9). If the rotation of the roulette ring 14 is clockwise, the roulette game control portion 34 quits the boosting effect processing when the JP pocket 14b arrives at the effect end position, that is, the position of the position number “−1” (step S10). Then, the roulette game controller 34 determines whether or not the roulette game has ended, that is, determines which of pockets 14a the ball B entered (step S11). If the roulette game has not ended yet, the roulette game control portion 34 returns to the step S6 and repeats the processing thereafter. Meanwhile, if negative determination is determined in these steps S6, S7, and S9, the roulette game control portion 34 determines whether or not the roulette game has ended (step S11), and if the roulette game has not ended yet, the processing returns to the step S6. Meanwhile, if the roulette game is ended, the roulette game control portion 34 quits the processing of this round. When roulette lottery is ended, the roulette game control portion 34 makes the player realize that a win corresponding to the pocket 14a into which the ball B has entered has come into existence and gives payout to the player.
In the processing described above, when the center unit CN starts a roulette game, the effect start position and the effect end position are set according to the rotation direction of the roulette ring 14 (steps S1 to S5). When the temporal condition is satisfied (step S6) and the positional condition is satisfied (steps S7 and S9), the boosting effect processing is executed (step S8). This boosting effect processing has a high possibility that the ball B is in the winning range, and is executed only while the JP pocket 14b is included in the winning range, that is, only while the ball B and the JP pocket 14b are nearby. Therefore, only when the possibility of hitting a jackpot is high, it can capture the player's attention, and the expectation for the player to win a jackpot can be raised. In the processing described above, the roulette game control portion 34 serves as an effect control device by executing the processing of these steps S6 to S10.
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be implemented in various forms. For example, in the present embodiment, the jackpot is described as the win for making the boosting effect, but it is not limited to this. The boosting effects for the win other than the jackpot may be made. The boosting effects for plural kinds of wins may be made. The kind of effects may be changed according to the win. Further, in the present embodiment, a physical lottery mechanism is described as a lottery mechanism executed in the center unit CN, but it is not limited to this. In the electronic lottery mechanism, the boosting effects may be executed. The present invention can be also applied to an electronic lottery mechanism, if the lottery mechanism which holds the lottery at least one option from a plurality of options is executed on a monitor, for example, by executing the physical engine and displaying the relative movement of the lottery board having a plurality of lots corresponding to a plurality of options and the lottery object, respectively. The temporal condition may be set as the lapse of a predetermined time from the time at which the lottery object (the ball as an example) is put into the lottery board (the roulette board as an example), and the positional condition may be set as the winning range as in the roulette game unit 11. If each movable conical roulette board which is formed in a recessed shape in the center with a plurality of movable options respectively is displayed on a monitor, for example, the winning range is set near the center where the movement of the throwing ball converges, and the positional condition is satisfied when the option of the win is positioned within the winning range. The specification of the winning range may be set suitably according to the shape of the lottery board. Further, it is possible to suitably change both the physical lottery mechanism and the electronic lottery mechanism.
The above embodiment has been described with the winning range centered on the lowest point of the roulette ring 14, but it is not limited to this. For instance, the winning range may be specified with a positional relationship between the lottery object and the specific lot. For instance, in the case of a roulette board for which the rotation direction is set in the horizontal direction, a predetermined range centering on the specific lot is made a winning range, and when the lottery object enters the winning range, the positional condition is satisfied. A detection sensor for detecting that the lottery object has entered the winning range may be installed on the roulette board. In this case, the winning range is moved together with the specific lot. Incidentally, well-known techniques may be used for the detection device.
The above embodiment describes the timer installed inside the center control unit 30 for measuring the lapse of the predetermined time of the temporal condition, but it is not limited to this. For instance, the velocity below a predetermined velocity by detecting the velocity of the ball B may be set as the temporal condition. In this case, a velocity sensor for detecting the velocity of the ball B may be installed on the ball guidepath 16 near the lowest point of the roulette ring 14 of the center unit CN as a velocity detection device. If the ball B loses velocity, the ball B moves in the winning range toward the center. Thus, a suitable velocity is set, and the temporal condition may be satisfied if the velocity becomes below the set velocity. Further, a rotation amount detection device that detects the rotation amount of the roulette ring 14 may be installed in the ring driving mechanism 43. In this case, the number of rotations or the angle of rotation of the roulette ring 14 may be used as the rotation amount.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/US12/53428 | 8/31/2012 | WO | 00 | 7/16/2015 |