Patent Application
20090191952
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a gaming machine that plays a game by using a coin, a bill and the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a conventional slot machine, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,981,635B1, when a player inserts a game medium such as a medal, a coin and a bill into an insertion slot of the slot machine and operates a start lever, a plurality of symbols are scrolled on a display unit provided on a front surface of a cabinet, and thereafter, the respective symbols are automatically stopped. When a combination of the stopped symbols becomes a specific combination, the player is given various kinds of awards (for example, transition from a basic game to a bonus game, provision of coins). In the case of giving the player the award, the conventional slot machine performs an effect using light and sound in order to emphasize to the player that the award will be given thereto. This effect is performed by blinking the light, playing music, and so on, and becomes gayer as a magnitude of the award to be given to the player is increased. contents of the effect from those of the slot machines of the other manufacturers for the purpose of having the player get to remember the effect concerned. Once getting to remember the effect, the player can seek out the slot machine based on the effect performed at various spots in a game arcade. Hence, the effect remembered by the player has force to attract customers. For a while from when the slot machine appeared, the effect itself was fresh to the players. Accordingly, each manufacturer of the slot machine was able to have the player get to remember the effect intrinsic to the slot machine of its own.
However, nowadays, the player has tended not to feel freshness to the effect, and has become less likely to express interest in a new effect even if viewing the new effect. Accordingly, it has been extremely difficult for a manufacturer as a newcomer to have the player get to remember an effect intrinsic to a slot machine of its own. Even for a long-established manufacturer, a similar problem occurs when the manufacturer concerned desires to have the player get to remember a new effect. Accordingly, the player just remembers the effect which the long-established manufacturer has used since old times.
Therefore, an effect, which the player expresses interest in, and eventually, is willing to remember, has been desired to appear. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine capable of performing the effect, which the player expresses interest in, and eventually, is willing to remember.
A first aspect of the present invention is a gaming machine, including: a Morse code outputting device that outputs a Morse code; and a controller operable to: (a) decide whether or not to give a player an award under a condition where credits are bet; and (b) allow the Morse code outputting device to output the Morse code in a case of having decided to give the player the award.
The first aspect of the present invention allows the Morse code outputting device to output the Morse code in the case where the controller has decided to give the player the award. In such a way, the first aspect of the present invention can perform a completely different effect from the conventional effect, and accordingly, the player is expected to feel interest in the effect, and eventually, to get to remember the effect. Specifically, the first aspect of the present invention can perform the effect, which the player expresses interest in, and eventually, is willing to remember.
A second aspect of the present invention is a gaming machine, including: a Morse code outputting device that outputs a Morse code; and a controller operable to: (a) decide whether or not to give a player a special award of which amount is larger than an amount of a normal award under a condition where credits are bet; and (b) allow the Morse code outputting device to output the Morse code in a case of having decided to give the player the special award.
The second aspect of the present invention allows the Morse code outputting device to output the Morse code in the case where the controller has decided to give the player the special award of which amount is larger than the amount of the normal award. Accordingly, the second aspect of the present invention can allow the effect to impress the player more strongly and to be willingly remembered by the player more easily than in the case of outputting the Morse code at the time of giving the player the normal award.
A third aspect of the present invention is a gaming machine, including: a Morse code outputting device that outputs a Morse code; a selection switch that is operated by a player, and is capable of a selection operation for selecting whether or not to output the Morse code; and a controller operable to: (a) decide whether or not to give a player an award under a condition where credits are bet; and (b) allow the Morse code outputting device to output the Morse code in a case where the controller has decided to give the player the award and it is selected by the selection operation that the Morse code will be outputted.
The third aspect of the present invention allows the Morse code outputting device to output the Morse code in the case where the controller has decided to give the player the award and it is selected by the selection operation that the Morse code will be outputted. In such a way, the third aspect of the present invention can perform a completely different effect from the conventional effect, and accordingly, the player is expected to feel interest in the effect, and eventually, to get to remember the effect. Specifically, the third aspect of the present invention can perform the effect, which the player expresses interest in, and eventually, is willing to remember.
Furthermore, the third aspect of the present invention can enable the player to arbitrarily decide whether or not to output the Morse signal, and accordingly, can perform such an effect that meets a request of the player.
In Step S1, a controller 40 shown in
In Step S2, the controller 40 reserves a part of the bet coins.
In Step S3, the controller 40 determines whether or not a condition is satisfied that the number of reserved coins is a predetermined value or more. In the case where this condition is satisfied, the controller 40 proceeds to Step S4, and in the case where this condition is not satisfied, the controller 40 ends the processing.
In Step S4, the controller 40 decides whether or not to provide the reserved coins. In the case of providing out the reserved coins, the controller 40 proceeds to Step S5, and in the case of not providing the reserved coins, the controller 40 ends the processing.
In Step S5, the controller 40 outputs a Morse code by using a speaker 22 and a lamp 52.
In Step S6, the controller 40 provides the reserved coins. Thereafter, the controller 40 ends the processing.
Next, a description will be made of a detailed configuration of the gaming machine.
Moreover, the gaming machine 14 further includes: the coin insertion slot 29 into which the coins are inserted; a ticket printer 28 for printing out data such as the number of provided coins, which is related to a play; the bill insertion slot 30 into which the bill is inserted; the lamp 52; and a JP (JACKPOT) display panel 53.
Furthermore, a provision opening 32 from which the coins are paid out is provided in a lower portion of the gaming machine 14, and further, an under tray 33 for accumulating the provided coins is provided below the provision opening 32.
The interface circuit group 102 is connected to the input/output bus 104. The input/output bus 104 receives/outputs data signals or address signals from/to the CPU 41.
To the interface circuit group 102, there are connected the BET switch 23, the MAXBET switch 24, the provision switch 27 and the start switch 35. Then, the respective switching signals outputted from these respective switches 23, 24, 27 and 35 are supplied to the interface circuit group 102, are converted into predetermined signals in the interface circuit group 102, and are thereafter transmitted to the CPU 41 through the input/output bus 104.
In addition, a coin detecting sensor 51 is connected to the interface circuit group 102. The coin detecting sensor 51 is a sensor for detecting the coins inserted into the coin insertion slot 29, and is provided on a coin insertion spot of the coin insertion slot 29. A detection signal outputted from the coin detecting sensor 51 is supplied to the interface circuit group 102, is converted into a predetermined signal by the interface circuit group 102, and is thereafter transmitted to the CPU 41 through the input/output bus 104. Moreover, the ticket printer 28 and a bill capture sensor 50 are connected to the interface circuit group 102. The controller 40 transmits the data to the ticket printer 28 through the interface circuit group 102, and the ticket printer 28 prints out the data given from the controller 40. The bill capture sensor 50 is a sensor for detecting the bill inserted into the bill insertion slot 30, and is provided on a bill insertion spot of the bill insertion slot 30. A detection signal outputted from the bill insertion slot 30 is supplied to the interface circuit group 102, is converted into a predetermined signal by the interface circuit group 102, and is thereafter transmitted to the CPU 41 through the input/output bus 104.
To the input/output bus 104, there are connected the ROM 42 in which a system program is stored, and the RAM 43 for storing a variety of data (for example, the number of reserved coins, and the number of inserted coins, which will be described later) Moreover, to the input/output bus 104, there are connected the random number generator 48, the communication interface circuit 49, the liquid crystal driving circuit 44, a touch panel 31, the hopper driving circuit 45, the speaker driving circuit 46, and the display driving circuit 47.
On the occasion where the BET switch 23 or the MAXBET switch 24 is pressed and the start switch 35 is pressed, the CPU 41 executes the game.
The communication interface circuit 49 is connected to a hall server and the like, and transmits data on a history of the plays executed in the gaming machine 14, and the like to the hall server. Moreover, the communication interface circuit 49 receives a variety of data transmitted from the hall server.
The random number generator 48 generates random numbers. The display driving circuit 47 performs controls to display the number of inserted coins on the number-of-credits display unit 25, to display the number of BETs on the number-of-BETs display unit 26, and to display the number of reserved coins on the JP display panel 53. Moreover, the display driving circuit 47 performs a control to turn on and off the display lamp 52.
The speaker driving circuit 46 outputs audio data to the speaker 22. Specifically, the CPU 41 reads out the audio data stored in the ROM 42, and transmits the audio data to the speaker driving circuit 46 through the input/output bus 104. In such a way, a predetermined effect sound is emitted from the speaker 22.
The hopper driving circuit 45 outputs a provision signal to a hopper 101 when the provision switch 27 is pressed. Specifically, when the provision switch 27 is pressed and the provision signal is inputted to the CPU 41, the CPU 41 outputs a drive signal to the hopper driving circuit 45 through the input/output bus 104. In such a way, the hopper 101 pays out coins equivalent to the number of inserted coins.
The liquid crystal driving circuit 44 performs a control to display the variety of images by the liquid crystal display 21. Specifically, the CPU 41 creates a signal to instruct the image display 21 to display the images corresponding to a progress of the game, and outputs the created signal for such an image display command to the liquid crystal driving circuit 44 through the input/output bus 104. Upon receiving the outputted signal for the image display command from the CPU 41, the liquid crystal driving circuit 44 creates a drive signal for driving the liquid crystal display 21 based on the image display command, and outputs the created drive signal to the liquid crystal display 21. In such a way, predetermined images are displayed on the liquid crystal display 21.
The touch panel 31 is provided on a surface of the liquid crystal display 21. When the player touches the touch panel 31, an input signal corresponding to a touched position is inputted to the liquid crystal driving circuit 44.
Next, a description will be made of the processing executed by the gaming machine 14 according to the first embodiment with reference to a flowchart shown in
In Step S7, the controller 40 shown in
In Step S8, the controller 40 outputs the Morse code to the speaker 22 and the lamp 52. The speaker 22 acoustically outputs the Morse code given from the controller 40, and the lamp 52 optically outputs the Morse code given from the controller 40.
As will be described later, in the case where the number of reserved coins reaches the predetermined value or more, a chance that the reserved coins will be paid out occurs. Accordingly, in Step S8, the controller 40 outputs a Morse code telling that the chance that the reserved coins will be paid out has occurred, for example, outputs a Morse code that means “CHANCE”. Here, a description will be made of a method of outputting the Morse code by the controller 40 while taking as an example a method of outputting “JA” as a part of the “JACKPOT”.
The Morse code expresses a word by a combination of dots and dashes. For example, when each dot is expressed as “”, and each dash is expressed as “-”, “JA” is expressed as “ - - - - ”. A space length between the dot and the dash and a space length between the dot and the dot are equal to a length of one dot, and a space length between a symbol (alphabet) and a symbol is equal to a length of three dots.
The controller 40 outputs a signal of Output level 1 for 0.1 (s), thereby outputting the dot, and outputs the signal of Output level 1 for 0.3 (s), thereby outputting the dash. In the case of not outputting either the dot or the dash, the controller 40 outputs a signal of Output level 0.
Hence, the controller 40 outputs the Morse code that means “JA” in accordance with a timing chart shown in
The speaker 22 outputs a sound during a period while the signal of Output level 1 is being given, and the lamp 52 emits light during the period while the signal of Output level 1 is being given.
In Step S9, the controller 40 receives the BET. Specifically, the controller 40 receives the signals from the BET switch 23 and the MAXBET switch 24. In Step S10, the controller 40 determines whether or not a condition is satisfied that the signal is given thereto from the BET switch 23 or the MAXBET switch 24 and that the number of BETs, which is indicated by such a signal, is equal to or less than the number of inserted coins. In the case where this condition is satisfied, the controller 40 proceeds to Step S1, and in the case where this condition is not satisfied, the controller 40 returns to Step S7.
In Step S11, the controller 40 determines whether or not a condition is satisfied that the number of BETs is 2 or more. In the case where this condition is satisfied, the controller 40 proceeds to Step S12, and in the case where this condition is not satisfied, the controller 40 proceeds to Step S13.
In Step S12, the controller 40 reserves a part of the bet coins. Specifically, the controller 40 increases the number of reserved coins by a predetermined number (for example, “1”).
In Step S13, the controller 40 subtracts the number of BETs from the number of inserted coins, thereby newly defines (updates) the number of inserted coins, and executes the game. This game may be an arbitrary one, and for example, is considered to be a slot game, a card game, a horse race game, a roulette game, and the like. The controller 40 pays out the coins, and so on based on the number of BETs and a result of the game. Note that the number of coins paid out here is smaller than the number of reserved coins. Specifically, the coins paid out here become a normal award, and the reserved coins become a special award.
In Step S14, the controller 40 determines whether or not a condition is satisfied that the number of reserved coins is a predetermined value or more. In the case where this condition is satisfied, the controller 40 proceeds to Step S15, and in the case where this condition is not satisfied, the controller 40 ends the processing. This predetermined value is the same as the predetermined value of Step S7.
In Step S15, the controller 40 decides whether or not to pay out coins equivalent to the number of reserved coins. Specifically, the controller 40 acquires a random number from the random number generator 48, then decides to pay out the coins if this random number is included in a predetermined range, and decides not to pay out the coins if the random number is not included in the predetermined range. In the case of having decided to pay out the coins, the controller 40 proceeds to Step S16, and in the case of having decided not to pay out the coins, the controller 40 ends the processing.
In Step S16, the controller 40 outputs a Morse code telling that the coins equivalent to the number of reserved coins will be paid out, for example, a Morse code that means “JACKPOT” and a Morse code that means “CONGRATULATION”, to the speaker 22 and the lamp 52. The speaker 22 and the lamp 52 output the Morse code in a similar way to Step S8.
In Step S17, the controller 40 pays out the coins equivalent to the number of reserved coins, and resets the number of reserved coins to zero. Thereafter, the controller 40 ends the processing.
From the above, in the case of having decided to pay out the coins equivalent to the number of reserved coins to the player, the gaming machine 14 according to the first embodiment allows the speaker 22 and the lamp 52 to output the Morse code. In such a way, the gaming machine 14 can perform a completely different effect from the conventional effect, and accordingly, the player is expected to feel interest in the effect, and eventually, to get to remember the effect. Specifically, the gaming machine 14 can perform the effect, which the player expresses interest in, and eventually, is willing to remember.
Moreover, the gaming machine 14 outputs, to the player, the Morse code telling that the coins equivalent to the number of reserved coins will be paid out. Accordingly, based on the Morse code, a player who can understand the Morse code can understand that the coins equivalent to the number of reserved coins will be paid out. Hence, the player who can understand the Morse code is expected to express larger interest in the effect, and eventually, to get to remember the effect more easily than a player who cannot understand the Morse code. Specifically, the gaming machine 14 can have the player who knows the Morse code willing to remember the effect more effectively than the player who does not know the Morse code.
Furthermore, the gaming machine 14 outputs the Morse code in the case of paying out a larger number of coins than the coins paid out in Step S13, that is, in the case of paying out the reserved coins. Accordingly, the gaming machine 14 can allow the effect to impress the player more strongly and to be willingly remembered by the player more easily than in the case of outputting the Morse code at the time of paying out the coins in Step S13.
Moreover, in the case where the number of reserved coins has reached the predetermined value or more, the gaming machine 14 outputs the Morse code before the game is started. Specifically, the gaming machine 14 outputs the Morse code as a demonstration effect, and accordingly, the player is expected to feel interest in the demonstration effect, and eventually, to get to remember the demonstration effect. Specifically, the gaming machine 14 can perform the demonstration effect, which the player expresses interest in, and eventually, is willing to remember.
Furthermore, since the gaming machine 14 outputs, as the demonstration effect, the Morse code telling that the number of reserved coins has reached the predetermined value or more, the player who can understand the Morse code can understand, based on the Morse code, that the chance that the coins equivalent to the number of reserved coins will be paid out has come. Hence, the player who can understand the Morse code is expected to express larger interest in the demonstration effect, and eventually, to get to remember the demonstration effect more easily than the player who cannot understand the Morse code. Specifically, the gaming machine 14 can have the player who knows the Morse code willing to remember the demonstration effect more effectively than the player who does not know the Morse code.
Next, a description will be made of a second embodiment with reference to
The selection switch 36 is capable of being pressed by the player, and outputs a predetermined selection signal to the controller 40 in the case of being pressed by the player. Every time when the controller 40 is given the selection signal from the selection switch 36, the controller 40 switches a state of a Morse code output flag (this flag is formed in the RAM 43, and an initial value thereof is off).
Next, a description will be made of a procedure of processing performed by the gaming machine 14. In Step S19 to Step S21, the controller 40 performs similar processing to that of Step S7 to Step S9, which is shown in
In Step S22, the controller 40 determines whether or not a condition is satisfied that the signal is given thereto from the BET switch 23 or the MAXBET switch 24, and that the number of BETs, which is indicated by the signal, is equal to or less than the number of inserted coins. In the case where this condition is satisfied, the controller 40 proceeds to Step S23, and in the case where this condition is not satisfied, the controller 40 returns to Step S19.
In Step S23, the controller 40 determines whether or not a condition that the selection signal has been given thereto from the selection switch 36 is satisfied. In the case where this condition is satisfied, the controller 40 proceeds to Step S24, and in the case where this condition is not satisfied, the controller 40 proceeds to Step S27.
In Step S24, the controller 40 determines whether or not a condition that the Morse signal output flag is on is satisfied. In the case where this condition is satisfied, the controller 40 proceeds to Step S25, and in the case where this condition is not satisfied, the controller 40 proceeds to Step S26.
In Step S25, the controller 40 switches off the Morse signal output flag. Thereafter, the controller 40 proceeds to Step S27.
In Step S26, the controller 40 switches on the Morse signal output flag. Thereafter, the controller 40 proceeds to Step S27.
In Step S27 to Step S30, the controller 40 performs similar processing to that of Step S11 to Step S14, which is shown in
In Step S31, the controller 40 decides whether or not to pay out the coins equivalent to the number of reserved coins. Specifically, the controller 40 acquires a random number from the random number generator 48, then decides to pay out the coins if this random number is included in a predetermined range, and decides not to pay out the coins if the random number is not included in the predetermined range. In the case of having decided to pay out the coins, the controller 40 proceeds to Step S32, and in the case of having decided not to pay out the coins, the controller 40 ends the processing.
In Step S32, the controller 40 determines whether or not a condition that the Morse code output flag is on is satisfied. In the case where this condition is satisfied, the controller 40 proceeds to Step S33, and in the case where this condition is not satisfied, the controller 40 proceeds to Step S34.
In Step S33, the controller 40 performs similar processing to that of Step S16 shown in
In Step S34, the controller 40 performs a normal effect. Specifically, the controller 40 allows the speaker 22 to play large-volume music, and allows the lamp 52 to blink frequently. Thereafter, the controller 40 ends the processing.
In Step S35, the controller 40 performs similar processing to that of Step S17 shown in
From the above, in the gaming machine 14 according to the second embodiment, the player can arbitrarily decide whether or not to output the Morse signal, and accordingly, such an effect that meets a request of the player can be performed.
As above, the description has been made of the embodiments of the gaming machine according to the present invention. However, the embodiments merely illustrate specific examples, and do not limit the present invention. It is possible to perform design changes as appropriate for specific configurations of the respective means and the like. For example, the gaming machine 14 may also be adapted to output a Morse code in the case of paying out the coins in the above-described processing of Step S13 and the above-described processing of Step S29. The Morse code in this case may be a Morse code telling that the coins will be paid out, for example, a Morse code that means “GREAT”.
Moreover, effects described in the embodiments of the present invention merely list the most suitable effects generated from the present invention, and the effects by the present invention are not limited to those described in the embodiments of the present invention.
This application is based upon and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/024,374, filed on Jan. 29, 2008; the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61024374 | Jan 2008 | US |
