Patent Grant
7857694
The invention relates to a gaming machine, such as a token gaming machine, or a slot machine, and more particularly, to a gaming machine that offers conditions which can become advantageous to a player depending on the state of indicium stationarily displayed on a display.
As shown in
A second related-art gaming machine described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 6-246043A is provided as a more attractive gaming machine in comparison with the first related-art gaming machine shown in
The geometries of indicium to be displayed in the display are made different from a conventional geometry of indicia in such a manner as mentioned above, thereby imparting enhanced amusement for the player.
However, in order to provide a highly-renewed gaming characteristic, a condition for imparting a predetermined gaming value in accordance with a novel pattern of indicia is required. In relation to the conventional condition; that is, when display results appearing in a predetermined number of display areas or more constitute a specific display pattern, a restriction of “a predetermined number or more of display areas” might spoil the player's pleasure.
As shown in
In a case where a condition for offering a gaming value is set for each type of indicia arrangement, such as display of four or more indicium “7” and display of all indicium “FRUIT,” the player must ascertain individual conditions for offering a gaming value beforehand. Also, the player encounters difficulty in intuitively ascertaining, within a short time period, whether or not the condition for offering a gaming value has been satisfied. This is likely to result in creation of a problem of arousing a feeling of repulsion in a player who is playing the game for the first time or a problem of the player being unable to understand the condition and being bewildered.
Further, a condition for offering a gaming value may also be determined as occurrence of a predetermined display pattern in certain locations within the display areas of the display. When specific indicium are displayed in spaced display regions, the player encounters greater difficulty in intuitively ascertaining, within a short time period, whether or not the condition is satisfied, to a degree corresponding to the distance between the display regions. In contrast, under the condition that specific indicium must appear at all display areas, the player's pleasure is spoiled if that specific indicia has failed to appear at one display area. Hence, such a condition forms a barrier to further enhancement of a gaming characteristic.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a gaming machine which employs novel patterns of indicium to be displayed in a display for enhancing amusement for a player; which decreases complexity of conditions for offering a gaming value as conditions having a gaming characteristic corresponding to the novel patterns; which makes the conditions visually and intuitively ascertainable; and which is easy for a beginner or a casual player to understand.
It is also an object of the invention to provide a method and a computer program for controlling the gaming machine, and a computer-readable storage medium having the computer program stored therein.
In order to achieve the above object, according to the invention, there is provided a gaming machine, comprising:
a display, including a plurality of display areas connected with each other, each operable to variably and stationarily display one kind of plural hexagonal indicium; and
a controller, which determines a win occurrence, in a case where an identical kind of indicium are stationarily displayed on at least two of the display areas which are adjacently arranged on the display.
According to the invention, there is defined a so-called condition for offering a gaming value; that is, a condition for offering a status which can become advantageous to a player in a case where identical hexagonal indicium are adjacent to each other.
Here, in relation to the expression “display including a plurality of display areas,” the only requirement is to be able to ascertain that the display is formed from a plurality of display areas as a result of the indicium being displayed in the respective display areas even when the respective display areas are not definitely partitioned. No limitation is imposed on the physical configuration of the display areas.
The expression “hexagonal” includes a case where indicium of hexagonal shapes are prepared and a case where any measure to make the indicium hexagonal, such as provision of a hexagonal display area, is taken. Namely, if indicium are displayed in the display so that the player can ascertain the indicium as being hexagonal, these indicium fall within the concept of “hexagonal.”
The expression “connected” can be conceived as showing a state in which the indicium are physically connected together and a state in which the indicium are not connected together but can be virtually ascertained by the player as if being connected together in association with variable display of the indicium. Connection of the hexagonal indicium can be embodied in two ways: that is, sides of hexagonal indicium being connected together, and angles of the hexagonal indicium being connected together.
The expression “adjacent” refers to a relationship in which indicium are arranged side by side; in other words, a plurality of display areas relatively adjoining to each other in a vertical, horizontal, upwardly-sloping, or downwardly-sloping direction. The only requirement is at least one line which can constitute an adjacent relationship is established in somewhere on the display. No limitation is imposed on the number of indicium. The only requirement is that indicium are merely adjacent to each other.
In such a configuration, the player can easily, intuitively grasp the adjacent relationship, and hence the player can ascertain whether or not a win has arisen within a short time period.
Preferably, a line connecting two display areas situated both ends of the display areas showing the identical kind of indicium and adjacently arranged is regarded as a winning line.
In such a configuration, when many adjacent relationships are established, a status which can become more advantageous to the player can be provided. Further, complexity of the condition for offering a gaming value, which would otherwise be caused by the adjacent relationship, can be prevented.
Preferably, the win occurrence is determined except a case where an identical kind of indicium are stationarily displayed on the display areas which are adjacently arranged in either an immediate horizontal direction or an immediate vertical direction.
In such a configuration, complexity of a condition for offering a gaming value for an adjacent relationship can be eliminated. Therefore, the condition for offering a gaming value can be visually and intuitively ascertained.
More specifically, as shown in
Accordingly, when a shift arises to a status which can become more advantageous to the player or when complicate interconnection patterns arise among a plurality of identical adjacent indicium, establishment of two patterns; that is a pattern formed by connection of four indicium and a pattern formed by connection of two indicium, is more effective than establishment of a pattern formed by connection of six indicium, as a condition for eliminating complexity of a condition for offering a gaming value.
According to the invention, there is also provided a gaming machine, comprising:
a display, including a plurality of first display areas connected with each other, each operable to variably and stationarily display one kind of plural octagonal indicium, and a plurality of second display areas separated from each other and connected with four of the first display areas, each operable to variably and stationarily display one kind of plural rectangular indicium; and
a controller, which determines a win occurrence, in a case where an identical kind of indicium are stationarily displayed on at least two of the first display areas and the second display areas which are adjacently arranged on the display.
In such a configuration, the condition for offering a gaming value is determined by a simple condition although a novel display pattern for the display, that is, a mixture of the rectangular indicium and the octagonal indicium is provided. The player can visually and intuitively grasp the condition for offering a gaming value. Hence, a beginner player or a casual player can also readily and quickly understand the condition.
Specifically, the octagonal indicium are displayed in first display areas A.sub.11, A.sub.12, . . . , A.sub.33 as shown in
As shown in
Preferably, a line connecting two display areas situated both ends of the display areas showing the identical kind of indicium and adjacently arranged is regarded as a winning line.
In such a configuration, when many adjacent relationships are established, a status which can become more advantageous to the player can be provided. Further, complexity of the condition for offering a gaming value, which would otherwise be caused by the adjacent relationship, can be prevented.
According to the invention, there is also provided a gaming machine, comprising:
a display, including a plurality of first display areas connected with each other, each operable to variably and stationarily display one kind of plural octagonal indicium, and a plurality of second display areas separated from each other and connected with four of the first display areas, each operable to variably and stationarily display one kind of plural rectangular indicium including a mark connecting at least two of the four first display areas; and
a controller, which determines a win occurrence, in a case where an identical kind of indicium are stationarily displayed on at least two of the first display areas connected by the mark stationarily displayed on at least one of the second display areas.
In such a configuration, there is provided a novel manner to display indicium; that is, display of rectangular indicium and octagonal indicium are displayed in the display. Even in a gaming machine adopting such a novel display way, a condition for offering a gaming value is set on the basis of a simple condition that identical indicium are adjacent to each other with interposition of rectangular indicium in connection with establishment of a relationship of octagonal indicium being adjacent to each other. Hence, the condition for offering a gaming value is visually and intuitively ascertainable. Hence, a beginner or casual player can also comprehend the condition quickly.
Specifically, as shown in
According to the example shown in
In this state, the indicium displayed in the first display areas A.sub.11 and A.sub.22 are identical with each other. Further, the indicium are deemed as being adjacent to each other by the mark displayed in the second display area a.sub.1. Hence, an adjacent relationship A.sub.11-A.sub.22 is established. Similarly, the indicium displayed in the first display areas A.sub.22 and A.sub.23 are identical with each other, and the indicium are deemed as being adjacent to each other by the mark displayed in the second display area a.sub.4. Hence, an adjacent relationship A.sub.22-A.sub.33 is established. Consequently, there is established an adjacent relationship A.sub.11-A.sub.22-A.sub.33.
Preferably, a line connecting two first display areas situated both ends of the first display areas showing the identical kind of indicium and connected by the mark displayed on the at least one of the second display areas is regarded as a winning line.
In such a configuration, when many adjacent relationships are established, a status which can become more advantageous to the player can be provided. Further, complexity of the condition for offering a gaming value, which would otherwise be caused by the adjacent relationship, can be prevented.
Preferably, the rectangular indicium includes a mark isolating the four first display areas.
In such a configuration, even when the indicium to be displayed in the first display areas are adjacent to each other, the indicium are deemed as not being associated with each other depending on the mark displayed in the second display area, thus providing a new gaming characteristic.
As shown in
Preferably, a number of winning line obtained is counted without considering kind of the indicium.
As shown in, e.g.,
It is also possible to determine a win occurrence, in a case where an identical kind of indicium is stationarily displayed on at least two of the display areas which are adjacently arranged on the display via a side of the hexagonal shape in a left and right direction except a vertical arrangement of the identical kind of indicium stationarily displayed in the display area excluding at least a display area located in a most left or right position in the display. In this case, the winning line is established by, for example, b sub 62 and b sub 53 as shown in
Preferably, the indicium includes a special indicia which substitutes all kinds of the indicium.
Here, the special indicia means a so-called wild card. As a result of this special indicia being stationarily displayed, identical indicium are adjacent to each other, thereby enhancing a gaming characteristic further.
According to the invention, there is also provided a gaming machine, comprising:
a plurality of first display areas connected with each other, each operable to variably and stationarily display one kind of plural octagonal indicium; and
a plurality of second display areas separated from each other and connected with four of the first display areas, each operable to variably and stationarily display one kind of plural rectangular indicium.
In such a configuration, there is provided a novel display manner of simultaneously displaying octagonal indicium and rectangular indicium. Hence, amusements for the player can be enhanced.
Preferably, the gaming machine is a slot machine.
According to the invention, there is also provided a method of controlling a gaming machine performed by a computer, comprising steps of:
providing a display, including a plurality of display areas connected with each other, each operable to variably and stationarily display one kind of plural hexagonal indicium; and
determining a win occurrence, in a case where an identical kind of indicium are stationarily displayed on at least two of the display areas which are adjacently arranged on the display.
Preferably, a line connecting two display areas situated both ends of the display areas showing the identical kind of indicium and adjacently arranged is regarded as a winning line.
Preferably, the win occurrence is determined except a case where an identical kind of indicium are stationarily displayed on the display areas which are adjacently arranged in either an immediate horizontal direction or an immediate vertical direction.
According to the invention, there is also provided a method of controlling a gaming machine performed by a computer, comprising steps of:
providing a display, including a plurality of first display areas connected with each other, each operable to variably and stationarily display one kind of plural octagonal indicium, and a plurality of second display areas separated from each other and connected with four of the first display areas, each operable to variably and stationarily display one kind of plural rectangular indicium; and
determining a win occurrence, in a case where an identical kind of indicium are stationarily displayed on at least two of the first display areas and the second display areas which are adjacently arranged on the display.
Preferably, a line connecting two display areas situated both ends of the display areas showing the identical kind of indicium and adjacently arranged is regarded as a winning line.
According to the invention, there is also provided A method of controlling a gaming machine performed by a computer, comprising steps of:
providing a display, including a plurality of first display areas connected with each other, each operable to variably and stationarily display one kind of plural octagonal indicium, and a plurality of second display areas separated from each other and connected with four of the first display areas, each operable to variably and stationarily display one kind of plural rectangular indicium including a mark connecting at least two of the four first display areas; and
determining a win occurrence, in a case where an identical kind of indicium are stationarily displayed on at least two of the first display areas connected by the mark stationarily displayed on at least one of the second display areas.
Preferably, a line connecting two first display areas situated both ends of the first display areas showing the identical kind of indicium and connected by the mark displayed on the at least one of the second display areas is regarded as a winning line.
Preferably, the rectangular indicium includes a mark isolating the four first display areas.
Preferably, a number of winning line obtained is counted without considering kind of the indicium.
Preferably, the indicium includes a special indicia which substitutes all kinds of the indicium.
According to the invention, there is also provided a method of controlling a slot machine performed by a computer, comprising steps of:
providing a plurality of first display areas connected with each other, each operable to variably and stationarily display one kind of plural octagonal indicium; and
providing a plurality of second display areas separated from each other and connected with four of the first display areas, each operable to variably and stationarily display one kind of plural rectangular indicium.
According to the invention, there is also provided a computer-readable storage medium, in which a program for causing a computer to execute any one of the above control methods is stored.
Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The invention will now be described by use of a slot machine as an example of a gaming machine. However, the invention is not limited to the slot machine. The invention can be applied to all gaming machines, so long as the gaming machine has a display where any one of a plurality of kinds of indicium, which are variably displayed and can be stationarily displayed in respective display areas at predetermined timings, are to be displayed, as in the case of, e.g., a token gaming machine.
Throughout the specification, the term “indicia” refers to indicium which can be visually identified, such as characters, symbols, designs, patterns, or the like.
Here, the term “variable display” is a concept including both or either a case where indicium are sequentially changed, for example, a case where one indicia “1” is changed to another indicium “2”; a case where a symbol “5” is changed to another symbol “.star.”; or when one indicia is moved to another location and displayed in that location while being displayed in a variable display machine capable of variably displaying indicium, e.g., a case where one symbol “7” is moved in the display area while being displayed (i.e., a scroll display).
The term also encompasses a case where a manner to display indicium is changed, e.g., a case where one symbol “7” is displayed in a modified form, such as a horizontally-oriented layout or a vertically-oriented layout and a case where the symbol is displayed in a reduced size.
In contrast, the term “stationarily display” indicates a manner to stationarily display a certain indicia at a predetermined position.
A slot machine 10 shown in
A plurality of display areas to be used for displaying a plurality of indicium are provided in the display 12. In relation to the thus-constituted display areas, the display areas arranged in such a direction as to constitute a single reel (video reel). Hereinafter, this direction is referred as a “reel rotating direction”. For example, as shown in
A stop button 14b to be used for stopping a reel and stationarily displaying indicium is provided in the control panel 14 of the slot machine shown in
The control panel 14 of the slot machine 10 is provided with BET buttons 14a to be used for selecting a BET range, thereby selecting a BET range to be validated.
As shown in
First, the main control section 100a comprises a token storage 100a.sub.1 which detects tokens inserted through the token inlet slot 16 and stores the detected tokens; a random number selector 100a.sub.2 for effecting an internal lottery of a game status when a game is started by betted tokens; a command selector 100a.sub.3 which outputs a command signal showing a game status in accordance with a signal output from the random number selector 100a.sub.2; and a win determinant 100a.sub.4 which determines occurrence of a win in accordance with the command signal output from the command selector 100a.sub.3.
In addition to the detection of the tokens inserted by way of the token insertion slot 16 and stores the thus-inserted tokens, the token storage 100a1 also stores the remaining number of tokens by subtracting the number of tokens bet from the number of tokens inserted. In accordance with the information stored in the token storage 100a.sub.1, the number of tokens owned by the player can also be displayed.
When a game is started, the random number selector 100a.sub.2 performs an internal lottery of a game status by selecting one from previously-stored random numbers. One random number is selected, and the thus-selected numerical value is output to the command selector 100a.sub.3.
The command selector 100a.sub.3 selects one of commands which are set in association with respective selected numerical values. On the basis of the random number (numerical value) selected by the random number selector 100a.sub.2, a pattern of indicia is stationarily displayed in the display 12. The command selector 100a.sub.3 outputs the thus-selected command signal to the win determinant 100a.sub.4.
In accordance with the command signal determined by the command selector 100a.sub.3, the win determinant 100a.sub.4 determines occurrence of a win. Specifically, in connection with the plurality of indicium stationarily displayed in the display 12, a determination is made as to whether or not a relative positional relationship between the indicium is identical with a predetermined pattern; for example, whether or not identical indicium are adjacent to each other. If this requirement is satisfied, occurrence of a win is determined on the basis of the relationship. A specific way in which the win determinant 100a.sub.4 determines occurrence of a win will be described later.
The display control section 100b comprises a ROM 100b.sub.1; a RAM 100b.sub.2; a command analyzer 100b.sub.3; an indicia reader 100b.sub.4; and a display controller 100b.sub.5.
Here, stored in the ROM 100b.sub.1 are a display control program for performing variable and stationary display of indicia, and image data pertaining to all indicium required for running the display control program. Image data pertaining to all indicia images stored in the ROM 100b, are read and stored in the RAM 100b.sub.2 at the time of activation (resetting) of the slot machine 10.
The command analyzer 100b.sub.3 receives a command signal output from the command selector 100a.sub.3 and decodes the signal. On the basis of the decoding (analyzing) operation, a corresponding display control program is read from the ROM 100b.sub.1.
The main control section 100a and the display control section 100b, which controls display operation of the display, are electrically connected together, thereby exchanging a signal. Specifically, the indicia read from the RAM 100b.sub.2 is read by the indicia reader 100b.sub.4 in accordance with contents of a display control program, as required. A display controller 100b.sub.5 variably displays the thus-read indicia on the display 12 in accordance with contents of a display control program. Identification information matching the indicia specified by the command selector 100a.sub.3 is stationarily displayed.
An ordinary game processing routine of the gaming machine is executed in accordance with the flow shown in
Then, variable display of the indicia is started (step S11). Processing pertaining to this step is iterated until all the indicium are determined to have been stationarily displayed in step S14.
After the indicium have been variably displayed, a determination is made as to whether or not the indicium are to be stationarily displayed, on the basis of actuation of the stop buttons 14b performed by the player or lapse of a predetermined time period (step S12).
When the indicium are determined to be stationarily displayed, the indicia is stationarily displayed on a per-reel basis (step S13). Stationary display of the indicia is performed on the basis of details of flags set through the internal random sampling performed in step S10. If in step S12 the indicium are determined not to be stationarily displayed, processing returns to step S11, wherein variable display of the indicia is continued.
In step S13 the indicium of the respective reels are stationarily displayed, and a determination is made as to whether or not all the indicium are stationarily displayed (step S14).
When all the indicium are determined to have been stationarily displayed, win determination processing is performed (step S15). The win determination processing is performed in accordance with a win determination processing routine to be described later. In contrast, if in step S14 not all the indicium are determined to have been stationarily displayed, processing returns to step S11, thereby sequentially, stationarily displaying the indicium that are being variably displayed.
As a result of completion of the win determination processing performed in step S15, a result of the win determination operation is reflected on the gaming machine, whereupon a shift to a state which can be advantageous to the player is effected.
As shown in
First, an arithmetic expression to be used for determining a win is loaded (step S21). The expression is determined so as to correspond to a win determination rule. Information about a predetermined arithmetic expression previously stored in the ROM 101b.sub.1 is transmitted to the RAM 100b.sub.2.
Next, a determination is made as to whether or not a match exists between the stationarily-displayed indicia and the predetermined arithmetic expression (step S22). For example, indicium of different types are converted into respective binary indicium. The resultant binary indicium are applied to the arithmetic expression, thereby determining whether or not the indicium coincide with the expression. Thus, a determination can be made by use of a so-called comparator or the like.
Here, when the stationarily-displayed indicium and the predetermined arithmetic expression are determined to coincide with each other, a virtual line which virtually connects together a plurality of display areas can also be set among the indicium that have satisfied the predetermined arithmetic expression (i.e., the adjacent indicium) at step S23. Specifically, in order to inform the player that a winning line has been set as a result of occurrence of a win, a slot machine which blinks/illuminates a winning line lamp (not shown) provided between a plurality of display areas of the display 12 enables control of a corresponding winning line lamp on the basis of the information about setting of the virtual line.
In this way, a determination is made as to whether or not a “win” or “failure” has arisen in the game, by determination operation pertaining to step S22, whereby the sub-routine is completed.
A specific way to determine occurrence of a win, in which hexagonal indicium are variably displayed (a win which can be advantageous to the player is provided), will be described by reference to
As shown in
The specific way to determine occurrence of a win will be described by reference to
When an additional rule that an adjacent relationship existing between indicium with respect to the reel rotating direction is not included is added to the definition of the adjacent relationship, sets of indicium which are adjacent to each other with respect to the reel rotating direction are set as separate winning lines. Therefore, a set of five adjacent indicium “.cndot.,” a set of four adjacent indicium “.cndot.” and a set of three adjacent indicium “.box-solid.” are established.
Here, the expression “adjacent relationship existing between indicium with respect to the reel rotating direction is not included” means that indicium involving such a relationship are branched into independent winning lines.
The specific way to determine occurrence of a win will be described by reference to
Here, an indicia “.star.” serving as a “wild card” which can replace all types of indicium is displayed on the second reel R.sub.2. Accordingly, nine adjacent indicium “.box-solid.” including the indicia “.star.”; four adjacent indicium “.tangle-solidup.” including the indicia “.star.”; and two adjacent indicium “.cndot.” including the indicia “.star.” are established.
If the rule that “adjacent relationship existing between indicium with respect to the reel rotating direction is not included” is added to the definition of the adjacent relationship, the indicium which are adjacent to each other with respect to the reel rotating direction are set as separate winning lines. Hence, five adjacent indicium “.box-solid.”; five adjacent indicium “.box-solid.” including the indicia “.star.”; and four adjacent indicium “.tangle-solidup.” including the indicia “.star.” are established.
The above description is based on the premise that the indicium are displayed in the form of a video display through use of, e.g., a CRT. However, the invention is not limited to the video display. The indicium may be displayed through use of mechanical reels. In this case, the indicium on the reels are identified by a position sensor provided in the gaming machine, thereby determining whether or not identical indicium are adjacent to each other over a plurality of display areas.
As mentioned above, the configuration of a display of a so-called rotary slot machine using mechanical reels will be described by reference to
Reels R.sub.1, R.sub.2, and R.sub.3 shown in
When the hexagonal indicium are variably displayed, contact may arise between the indicium, depending on an interval between the drums 21, 22, and 23, and such contact hinders physical variable display. In this case, there is adopted a measure for making the diameters of the drums different from each other and alternately arranging drums of different diameters (e.g., R.sub.1=R.sub.3>R.sub.2).
As a third embodiment of the invention, the reels R.sub.1, R.sub.2, and R.sub.3 shown in
Display windows 26, 27, and 28, which enable setting of geometries of indicium, are provided in the display 12 where the indicium of the reels R.sub.1, R.sub.2, and R.sub.3 are to be displayed. Display areas which have been edged into a hexagonal geometry in advance, such as those shown in
The display areas that have been edged into a hexagonal geometry in advance are set in the display windows 26, 27, and 28. However, a variety of changes in the geometry of the indicia such as an octagonal geometry or a dodecagonal geometry, become feasible. Alternatively, ornament lamps, such as LEDs, are arranged into a preset layout. When certain indicium have become adjacent to each other, the lamps can be caused to act as a notifier for offering a status which can become advantageous to the player.
By adoption of the configuration of the display shown in
As a fourth embodiment of the invention, the configuration of a display of a rotary slot machine which displays octagonal indicium and rectangular indicium will now be described by reference to
As shown in
Reels R.sub.1, R.sub.2, and R.sub.3 shown in
Reels r.sub.1, r.sub.2 shown in
Accordingly, the rectangular indicium can be omitted by only an amount corresponding to a space between the rectangular indicium.
As a result of use of the translucent liquid-crystal display 30, hindrance to display of indicium to be affixed onto drums, which would otherwise be caused when drums are disposed behind the display, can be prevented. Displaying an image including octagonal and rectangular frames on the liquid-crystal display 30, the same resultant image as shown in
Hexagonal or dodecagonal frames may be displayed on the liquid-crystal display 30, thereby enabling a variety of changes in the geometry of the indicium.
Although the present invention has been shown and described with reference to specific preferred embodiments, various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the teachings herein. Such changes and modifications as are obvious are deemed to come within the spirit, scope and contemplation of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002-199336 | Jul 2002 | JP | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/JP03/08607 | 7/7/2003 | WO | 00 | 6/24/2004 |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO2004/004854 | 1/15/2004 | WO | A |
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20050079907 A1 | Apr 2005 | US |
