US20060128464A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20060128464A1
Application number: US11/297,663
Authority: US
Inventors: Kazuo Okada
Original assignee: Aruze Corp
Current assignee: Universal Entertainment Corp
Priority date: 2004-12-10
Filing date: 2005-12-09
Publication date: 2006-06-15
Also published as: EA009053B1; EA200501793A1; AU2005239748A1; EP1669953A1

Abstract

There is provided a gaming machine or a gaming system which may provide a player with anticipation to shift to a special game mode and an incentive to play a game repeatedly. By way of example, there is provided a gaming machine1A in which a variable display game can be played. In the game, a shift from a base game mode to a special game mode is conducted under a first shift condition and under a second shift condition that is based on game-related information having been stored in a game article90which is used with the gaming machine1A. Here, it is more likely to shift to the special game mode under the second shift condition than the first shift condition.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims the benefits of priorities from Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2004-358750 and 2004-358780 filed on Dec. 10, 2004, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. This application is also related to a co-pending U.S. patent application entitled “Gaming Machine And Gaming System” and filed on even date herewith and being assigned to the same assignee as the present application. The co-pending application including specification, drawings and claims are expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a gaming machine and gaming system provided with a variable display device which displays a plurality of variably displayed symbols and an image display device which displays variable display images of the plurality of symbols. The present invention also relates to a gaming machine and gaming system in which a game may be started with use of medium information such as magnetic information and credits stored in a game medium (card and IC chip), or game media such as medals and coins.

There has also been available a gaming machine, for example, a home-use gaming machine, in which prior to starting a game, no coins are needed for insertion (insertion of game media) or no coins are paid out depending on the winning mode. For example, Japanese unexamined patent publication Nos. 2004-216038 and 2002-325972 disclose gaming machines utilizing figures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Under such a background, there is provided a gaming machine in which a game including a base game mode and a special game mode is played and payout is conducted based on one or more symbols displayed. The gaming machine comprising: an image display device for displaying the one or more symbols variably; a reading device for reading game-related information including identification information for identifying a game article and play history information from the game article storing the game-related information; a payout device for paying out; a game media insertion device into which game media are inserted; and an operation device to be operated for progressing the game. By way of example, the game media insertion device may include an opening, a slit, a flat bed. And the game media may include coins, medals, and an information medium storing predetermined information to start the game. The reading device attempts to read the identification information from the game article and it is determined that the base game mode is shifted to the special game mode under a first shift condition when the reading device does not read the identification information. And the determination of the shift is made under a second condition providing higher probability of the shift to the special game mode than the first shift condition when the reading device reads the identification information and when another condition is satisfied while the determination of the shift is made under the first condition when the other condition is not satisfied.

Further features of the present invention, its nature, and various advantages will be more apparent from the accompanying drawings and the following description of the preferred embodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a general configuration of a slot machine of a gaming machine according toEmbodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a main display of the slot machine shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing configuration of the reels.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing one reel shown inFIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a liquid crystal display unit when viewed from a back of a cabinet.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of parts of the liquid crystal display unit.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram mainly showing the interior configuration of the slot machine ofEmbodiment 1.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing one example of the interior component of the image control circuit.

FIG. 9 is a partially broken front view of the figure.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing operational procedures from start to end of the slot game.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing operational procedures of a figure information reading acceptance process.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing operational procedures of a figure-present game process.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing operational procedures of a base condition game process.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing operational procedures of a special condition game process.

FIG. 15 is a drawing showing an example of a reference symbol determination table.

FIG. 16 is a drawing showing an example of a stop table.

FIG. 17 is a timing chart showing an example of a change history of game modes.

FIG. 18 is a timing chart showing another example of a change history of game modes.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing a general configuration of a slot machine of a gaming machine according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram mainly showing the interior configuration of the slot machine ofEmbodiment 2.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the gaming system of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing operational procedures from start to end of the slot game with the gaming system.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing operational procedures of a figure-present game process.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing operational procedures of a special condition game process.

FIG. 25 is a drawing showing an example of a payout rate condition table.

FIG. 26 is a drawing showing an example of a stop table.

FIG. 27 is a timing chart showing an example of a change history of game modes.

FIG. 28 is a timing chart showing another example of a change history of game modes.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing operational procedures from start to end of the slot game with the gaming system.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Hereinafter, gaming machines according to embodiments of the present invention will be explained in reference to the attached drawings, in which like element numerals are used to describe like elements illustrated. And duplicated explanation will be omitted.

According toEmbodiment 1 of the present invention, aslot machine1A is provided with variable display means for variably displaying s plurality of symbols and configured in such a way that a variable display game (also called a “slot game”) can be played in which winning combination is determined depending on one or more symbols to be stopped and displayed among a plurality of variably displayed symbols. Theslot machine1A is a coin-insertion type of gaming machine, and a variable display game conducted as a base game is started when a player inserts a coin or uses a credit. Theslot machine1A is available not only in a base game mode in which a base game can be played, but also in a special game mode in which a bonus game can be played under a condition that a predetermined symbol is stopped and displayed subsequent to the base game. A variable display game (free game) conducted as a bonus game is a game in which one or more reels are automatically rotated without insertion of any coins and stopped after a certain time has elapsed such that the gaming machine pays out a certain number of coins depending on a stopped symbol or a combination of stopped symbols. Further, this bonus game has contents more advantageous to the player than the base game. Hereinafter, the configuration of theslot machine1A will be explained.

(General Configuration of Slot Machine)

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a general configuration of theslot machine1A. Theslot machine1A is provided with asub display4 and amain display5 on the front face of thecabinet2A in the order from top. Themain display5 is disposed approximately at the center of thecabinet2A and three

mechanical reels

3L,3C, and3R are rotatably disposed inside thecabinet2A and aligned to a single line from left to right such that the reels correspondently appear in themain display5.

These

reels

3L,3C, and3R are disposed so as to be visually recognized from outside via

symbol display areas

21L,21C, and21R of themain display5 to be described later. Each of these

reels

3L,3C, and3R which is described in detail later, is provided with an array of symbols (not illustrated) composed of a plurality of types of symbols on the each outer circumferential surface. Freely-rotating variable display means being configured to display variably respective symbols and each reel of the variable display means rotates at a fixed rate (for example, 80 rpm).

As shown inFIG. 2, the

symbol display areas

21L,21C, and21R corresponding to these

reels

symbol display areas

21L,21C, and21R.

Theslot machine1A is also provided with a substantiallyhorizontal operation panel11 below themain display5. Theoperation panel11 is provided with afigure installation unit19, acoin insertion slot6, abill insertion slot7, aspin switch8, asingle BET switch9 and amaximum BET switch10.

Thefigure installation unit19 is provided with a basefitting portion19afixed to anoperation panel11 and areading part19b. The basefitting portion19ais provided inside with a recess corresponding to a thick circular plate-like base portion91 of aFIG. 90 (refer toFIG. 9) to be described later and designed in such a way that thebase portion91 can be fitted into the recess. The readingpart19bis disposed in the recess of thebase fitting portion19aand provided with an IC chip reader/writer19c(refer toFIG. 7) and afigure detection sensor19d(refer toFIG. 7). The IC chip reader/writer19C and thefigure detection sensor19dare connected to aCPU32 via an I/O port39. The IC chip reader/writer19C reads the information stored (figure ID and others) from anIC chip93 built in thebase portion91 of theFIG. 90, inputs the information to theCPU32, and writes predetermined information into theIC chip93, in accordance with the instructions from theCPU32. The IC chip reader/writer19cis equivalent to (or included in) the reading means of the present invention. Further, thefigure detection sensor19d(refer toFIG. 7) detects whether theFIG. 90 is attached to thebase fitting portion19aor not (the figure is set or not) and inputs into theCPU32 the detection information on the result. Thefigure detection sensor19d(refer toFIG. 7) may include various kinds of sensors such as magnetic sensors and mechanical sensors in addition to optical sensors such as a transmission-type of sensor, a reflection-type of sensor and a pressure sensor. Further, thefigure installation unit19 is provided with an LED to be described later (not illustrated) and designed to radiate light to the figure from the LED while theFIG. 90 is being read.

Thecoin insertion slot6 is provided for the player to insert coins into such that the inserted coins are bet in the game and has acoin insertion sensor6a(refer toFIG. 7) which outputs a signal indicating insertion of coins. Further, thebill insertion slot7 is provided for the player to insert bills into and has abill insertion sensor7a(refer toFIG. 7) which outputs a signal indicating insertion of bills. Thespin switch8 is provided for the player to start the variable display of symbols by rotating the

respective reels

3L,3C, and3R in the

symbol display areas

21L,21C, and21R namely, for the player to operate to start the game. Thesingle BET switch9 is provided for setting the game where one coin is bet by a single operation. Themaximum BET switch10 is provided for setting the game where a maximum number of coins to be bet in one game by a single operation are set.

Further, theslot machine1A is provided at the bottom portion of thecabinet2A with acoin payout opening13 and acoin receiving part14 for receiving paid-out coins.

Speakers

12L and12R are provided both on the right and left sides of thepayout opening13.

As shown inFIG. 2, themain display5 is provided with

symbol display areas

21L,21C, and21R, window

frame display areas

22L,22C, and22R, and aneffect display area5a. Display contents of themain display5 are to vary depending on a variable display mode and a stop display mode of the

reels

3L,3C, and3R as well as on operation of the liquid crystal display unit41 (refer toFIG. 5) to be described later. Themain display5 is also provided with a BET number display part, a payout display part and a credit display part, which are, however, not shown inFIG. 2.

The

symbol display areas

21L,21C, and21R are provided so as to correspond to the

respective reels

3L,3C, and3R or areas for visually displaying symbols depicted on these

reels

3L,3C, and3R. Further,

symbol display areas

21L,21C, and21R provide a transmissive display which enables the player to visually recognize the

reels

3L,3C, and3R being scrolled in accordance with the player's operation and symbols depicted thereon, where the corresponding

reels

3L,3C, and3R, are rotated and stopped. However, these display areas are not designed such that display effects in still images or moving images such as symbols, letters, diagrams, or characters are not displayed.

The window

frame display areas

22L,22C, and22R are provided so as to surround the corresponding

symbol display areas

21L,21C, and21R and function as window frames for displaying symbols depicted on the

respective reels

3L,3C, and3R.

Further, in theeffect display area5a, effect images to increase an interest in the game and information used for advancing the game advantageously by the player are displayed.

Thesub display4 is designed to vary display contents, depending on the operation of the liquid crystal display unit101 (refer toFIG. 7) to be described later.

(Configuration of Reels)

As shown inFIG. 3, the

respective reels

3L,3C, and3R are rotatably disposed along a single line from left to right and have the basically same configuration. As shown inFIG. 4, thereel3L is provided with

circular frames

25 and26 of the same shape wherein the

frames

25 and26 are disposed with a predetermined distance to form a cylindrical frame. The cylindrical frame is composed of these

circular frames

25 and26 as they are joined with a plurality of connectingmembers27. Further, as shown inFIG. 4, thereel3L is provided withradial transmission members28 for sending to thecircular frames25 and26 a driving force by a stepping motor M1 (refer toFIG. 7) disposed at the center of the cylindrical frame, and a reel sheet (not illustrated) is attached to the side of thereel3L so as to cover the connectingmembers27. A plurality of symbols are depicted on the reel sheet. Further, although not illustrated, these

reels

3L,3C,3R may be provided with circuit boards for accommodating LEDs and LED lamps behind symbols on three symbol windows of each of three columns formed by the three reels (9 symbols in total) which appear in the

symbol display areas

21L,21C and21R when these rotating reels are stopped. In such configuration, it may be possible that each LED lamp emits white light to themain display5 from the back of the reel sheet such that effect displays related with the contents of the game may be presented with a modified way of radiation.

Next, an explanation will be made for the liquidcrystal display unit41 constituting themain display5 by referring toFIGS. 5 and 6.FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a general configuration of the liquidcrystal display unit41 when it is viewed from the back of thecabinet2.FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a part of the liquidcrystal display unit41.

The liquidcrystal display unit41 is provided on the respective front faces of the reels,3L,3C and3R, beyond these reels with a predetermined distance from these reels. The liquidcrystal display unit41 is also provided with aprotective glass42, adisplay plate43, aliquid crystal panel44 and alight guide plate45. Further, it is provided with areflection film46,

fluorescent lamps

47a,47b,48aand48b(white light source),lamp holders49athrough49h, and a flexible substrate (not illustrated) which is connected to the terminal of theliquid crystal panel44 and constituted of a table carrier package (TCP) having an IC for driving theliquid crystal panel44.

Theprotective glass42 and thedisplay plate43 are optically transmissive. Theprotective glass42 is provided mainly for protecting theliquid crystal panel44. Thedisplay plate43 is provided with predetermined images which are not illustrated.

Theliquid crystal panel44 is composed of a transparent substrate such as a glass plate on which a thin-film transistor is formed, a transparent substrate opposite thereto and liquid crystals provided and sealed between the two substrates such that theliquid crystal panel44 forms the symbol display areas,21L,21C and21R. Thisliquid crystal panel44 is turned into a white display state (light is transmitted to the display surface and the transmitted light can be visually recognized from outside) if no voltage is applied to the liquid crystals (i.e., the liquid crystals are not driven) such that the liquid crystal panel may be configured in a normally white state where the

reels

3L,3C and3R, can be visually recognized from the outer surface. Since theliquid crystal panel44 is provided in such a normally white state, symbols depicted on these reels,3L,3C and3R, can be visually recognized through the symbol display areas,21L,21C and21R, even when the sealed liquid crystal cannot be driven. Therefore, the game can be played with visual recognition of the variable display and the stop display of each of the

reels

3L,3C and3R.

Thelight guide plate45 is optically transmissive and disposed on the back side of theliquid crystal panel44 so as to introduce light from the fluorescent lamps,47aand47b, to theliquid crystal panel44.

Thereflection film46 is provided for reflecting light introduced into thelight guide plate45 toward the surface of thelight guide plate45, and made with a white polyester film or an aluminum film on which silver film is evaporated. Thereflection film46 is provided with areflective area46A and non-reflective areas46BL,46BC,46BR. The non-reflective areas46BL,46BC,46BR, are made with transparent materials and formed as a light transmissive part which transmits light without reflecting incident light. Further, the non-reflective areas46BL,46BC,46BR are formed corresponding to the

symbol display areas

21L,21C,21R and disposed in front of three columns of symbols appearing when each of the rotating

reels

3L,3C,3R is stopped. Thereflective area46A reflects incident light and functions as illumination means at areas mainly corresponding to window

frame display areas

22L,22C,22R and theeffect display area5ain the total areas of theliquid crystal panel44.

Fluorescent lamps

47a,47bare disposed along the upper end and the lower end of thelight guide plate45, with the both ends supported by the

lamp holders

49a,49b,49g,49h. The

fluorescent lamps

47a,47bgenerate light which is guided into thelight guide plate45 and functions as illumination means at areas mainly corresponding to the window

frame display areas

The

fluorescent lamps

48a,48bare disposed above and below at the back of thereflection film46 toward each of the

reels

3L,3C,3R. To be more specific, lights emitted from these

fluorescent lamps

48a,48bare reflected on each of the

reels

3L,3C,3R entering into the non-reflective areas46BL,46BC,46BR to radiate theliquid crystal panel44. Therefore, the

fluorescent lamps

48a,48bfunction as illumination means of symbols disposed on each of the

reels

3L,3C,3R and also functions as illumination means at areas corresponding to the

symbol display areas

21L,21C,21R on thereflection film46.

On the other hand, the liquidcrystal display unit101 is different from the liquidcrystal display unit41 in that atouch panel56 to be explained later is not disposed in the front and the

reels

3L,3C,3R are not disposed at the back. However, the rest components are similarly constituted.

(Internal Configuration of Slot Machine)

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of theslot machine1A mainly showing the internal configuration of the machine. Theslot machine1A is provided with a plurality of components including amicrocomputer31 and acontrol board71. Thecontrol board71 is provided with themicrocomputer31, arandom number generator35, asampling circuit36, a clockpulse generating circuit37 and afrequency divider38, and also provided with ahopper driving circuit63, a payoutcompletion signal circuit65, asound control circuit72 and animage control circuit81.

Themicrocomputer31 is provided with a CPU (central process unit)32, a RAM (random access memory)33 and a ROM (read only memory)34. TheCPU32 operates as various means which may characterize features of the present invention. According to the programs stored in theROM34, theCPU32 also makes signals inputted and outputted from and to other components via an I/O port39, thereby conducting the whole operational control of theslot machine1A. TheRAM33 stores data and programs used when theCPU32 operates, temporarily retains random numbers sampled by thesampling circuit36 to be explained later, for example, after the game is started, and also stores code numbers or symbol numbers of the

reels

3L,3C,3R. TheRAM33 also stores temporarily a figure ID being read in a figure information reading process to be explained later. TheROM34 stores programs executed by theCPU32 and permanent data, for example, a reference symbol determination table to be explained later (refer toFIG. 15).

Therandom number generator35 operates according to the instructions from theCPU32 to generate a predetermined range of random numbers. According to the instructions from theCPU32, thesampling circuit36 extracts any given random number from random numbers generated by therandom number generator35, and inputs the extracted random number into theCPU32. The clockpulse generating circuit37 generates a reference clock for operating theCPU32, and thefrequency divider38 inputs, to theCPU32, a signal which divides the reference clock with a certain frequency.

Further, areel driving unit50 is connected to thecontrol board71. Thereel driving unit50 is provided with a reelposition detection circuit51 for detecting the respective positions of the

reels

3L,3C,3R and amotor driving circuit52 for inputting a driving signal to respective motors M1, M2, M3, which rotate these

respective reels

3L,3C, and3R. When the driving signal is inputted from themotor driving circuit52, motors M1, M2, M3 are driven to rotate the

respective reels

3L,3C,3R. In addition, thecontrol board71 is connected with aspin switch8, asingle BET switch9, amaximum BET switch10, acoin insertion sensor6aand abill insertion sensor7a. A signal is to be inputted from each of them.

Thehopper driving circuit63 drives ahopper64 under the control of theCPU32. Thehopper64 operates to pay out coins and actually pays out coins from apayout opening13. A payoutcompletion signal circuit65 inputs data of the number of coins from acoin detection part66 to which the circuit is connected and inputs, to theCPU32, a signal notifying the completed payout of the coins when the number of coins has reached a predetermined number. Thecoin detection part66 calculates the number of coins paid out from thehopper64 and inputs the data of the calculated number of coins into the payoutcompletion signal circuit65.

Further, thesound control circuit72 controls sound signals for generating sounds from

speakers

12L,12R according to the instructions from theCPU32, and outputs sounds from the

speakers

12L,12R. Therefore, sounds for enlivening the game are generated from the

speakers

12L,12R, for example, at an appropriate timing after the game is started.

In addition, atouch panel56 is connected to theCPU32. Thetouch panel56 is contact-type input means and provided so as to cover the surface of theprotective glass42 in the front face of themain display5. Thetouch panel56 detects a position on which the finger of the player and other parts of the body are touched (contact position) and inputs, into theCPU32, the response input information corresponding to the contact position. For example, thetouch panel56 inputs, into theCPU32, the information in association with a selection to play the game without the figure wherein the information is displayed on themain display5.

Theimage control circuit81 controls the respective image displays of a liquidcrystal display unit41 and a liquidcrystal display unit101.

As shown inFIG. 8, theimage control circuit81 is provided with animage control CPU81a, awork RAM81b, aprogram ROM81c, animage ROM81d, avideo RAM81eand a VDP (video display processor)81f. Theimage control CPU81adetermines an image to be displayed on the liquidcrystal display unit41 and the liquidcrystal display unit101 on the basis of the parameters established by themicrocomputer31 in accordance with the image control program (about display on the liquidcrystal display unit41 and the liquid crystal display unit101) which is previously stored in theprogram ROM81c. Thework RAM81bis constituted as temporary storage means when theimage control CPU81aexecutes the image control program.

Theprogram ROM81cstores the image control program and various selection tables. Theimage ROM81dstores dot data for forming an image. Thevideo RAM81eis constituted as temporary storage means for forming an image by theVDP81f. TheVDP81fis provided with acontrol RAM81g, forming an image corresponding to the display contents of each of the liquid

crystal display units

41 and101 determined by theimage control CPU81a, and outputting the formed image respectively to the liquid

crystal display units

41 and101.

(Configuration of Figure)

As shown inFIG. 9, theFIG. 90 is provided with thebase portion91 and a figuremain body92 and also provided with anIC chip93 which stores the figure ID.

Thebase portion91 is available in a size corresponding to thebase fitting portion19aof thefigure installation unit19 and formed in a closed-end cylindrical shape having atop portion91a. It is constituted in such a way that theIC chip93 is fitted and fixed at the open end.

The figuremain body92 is provided with aseat portion92afixed at atop portion91aof thebase portion91 and a three-dimensional configuration shaped so as to be erected from theseat portion92a, and having adoll part92bdepicting a character such as a witch or a warrior. In the present embodiment, theFIG. 90 is equivalent to the game article of the present invention.

TheIC chip93 is storage means and stores the figure ID. The figure ID is composed of alphabetic letters and four-digit numbers. Alphabetic letters denote types of figures (for example, “A” is a witch; “B,” a warrior; “C,” a villager and the like) corresponding to the stereoscopic configuration at the figuremain body92, and the four-digit numbers denote unique identification information which identifies each figure (discrimination of oneself from others). In theFIG. 90, the player is able to recognize a type of character by referring to the three-dimensional configuration of the figuremain body92, and theslot machine1A is able to recognize individual figures by referring to the figure ID. In the case of theFIG. 90 shown inFIG. 9, the figure ID is “B1001,” in which “B” is a type of character and “1001” is the identification information. In the present embodiment, “B1001” of the figure ID is equivalent to the game-related information of the present invention.

(Operation Description of Slot Machine)

In theslot machine1A of the present embodiment, theCPU32 operates as game progress control means, thereby controlling the progress of the game in a base game mode and a special game mode. Further, in a figure-absent game process (game process without the figure) and a figure-present game process (game process with the figure) to be described later, a base game which is a variable display game (slot game) is conducted in the base game mode. When a predetermined shift condition is met in the base game, the game shifts to a special game mode where a bonus game more advantageous to the player than the base game is conducted. The figure-present game process is designed to shift the game mode more easily to the special game mode than the figure-absent game process. The figure-present game process or the figure-absent game process is conducted, depending on whether the figure ID is readable or not. Hereinafter, a description is given for operation procedures for theslot machine1A with reference to flowcharts shown inFIGS. 10 through 14. Steps are abbreviated as “S” inFIGS. 10 through 14.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart which shows block by block operation procedures of the main process from the start to the end of the game in theslot machine1A.

As shown inFIG. 10, when the main game process is started, the program in theslot machine1A proceeds to thestep1 where selection is made on whether or not the player will conduct a figure-using game. Then, when the figure ID is read, a figure information reading acceptance process is conducted in the case where “9” is set to a reading flag to be explained later. When proceeding to asubsequent step2, the process is determined depending on whether or not “9” is set to the reading flag. If it is set thereto, the figure-present game process (step3) is conducted. If it is not set, the figure-absent game process (step4) is conducted. Upon completion of individual game processes, the main process is completed. Hereinafter, an explanation will be made in detail for individual blocks.

When proceeding to thestep1 where the figure information reading acceptance process is started, the program in theslot machine1A proceeds to thestep11 as shown inFIG. 11 where theCPU32 instructs theimage control circuit81 to display an image to demand for setting of a figure on themain display5, while theCPU32 instructs the circuit to display an image which demands the player to select “no figure” unless the player has a figure (hereinafter referred to as “demanding image”). According to the demanding image, the player having theFIG. 90 is able to set theFIG. 90 on thefigure installation unit19, while the player having no figure is able to select “no figure” by touching thetouch panel56. When theFIG. 90 is set on thefigure installation unit19, the IC chip reader/writer19C reads the figure ID of the thus setFIG. 90 and inputs it into theCPU32. Then, the figure ID is temporarily stored in theRAM33, and the program in theslot machine1A proceeds to a subsequent step12. In the present embodiment, since theFIG. 90 is read, the figure ID to be inputted into theCPU32 is “B1001.” On the other hand, when “no figure” is selected, the response input information corresponding to such selection is inputted into theCPU32 from thetouch panel56.

When the program in theslot machine1A proceeds to a subsequent step12, theCPU32 determines whether or not the figure ID is inputted. When the figure ID is inputted within a predetermined period of time from the IC chip reader/writer19C, the program in theslot machine1A proceeds to astep13. In other cases, namely, when the figure ID is not inputted within the predetermined period of time and when the response input information corresponding to the selection of “no figure” is inputted from thetouch panel56, the figure information reading acceptance process is completed, without executing thestep13.

When it further proceeds to thestep13, predetermined information (for example, “9”) is set to a reading flag. Then, the figure information reading acceptance process is completed.

As shown inFIG. 10, when the program in theslot machine1A proceeds to asubsequent step2, theCPU32 operates as a reading determination means of the present invention and determines whether the figure ID is readable or not, depending on whether or not “9” is set to the reading flag which shows the reading determination information (set or not). If “9” is set, theCPU32 determines that the figure ID is readable and if it is not set, it determines that it is not readable. In the former case, it proceeds to thestep3 where the figure-present game process is conducted, and in the latter case, it proceeds to thestep4 where the figure-absent game process is conducted.

(Figure-Present Game Process)

When the figure-present game process is started in thestep3, the program in theslot machine1A proceeds to the step30 inFIG. 12 to determine at first whether “1” is set to a symbol match flag or not (set or not). When it is not set, it proceeds to thestep31, where a reference symbol determination process is conducted. Where it is set, it proceeds to thestep35 where a special condition game process is conducted. The symbol match flag contains high probability determining information which indicates whether a determination of shifting to the special game mode is to be made or not under the second shift condition to be described later. Therefore, “1” is set in such a way that the shift determination is made under the second shift condition when a symbol which is the same as the reference symbol is stopped and displayed, and then a special condition game process (step35) is conducted for every repetition of the game when “1” is set to the symbol match flag.

When the program in theslot machine1A proceeds to thestep31, theCPU32 operates as reference symbol determination means of the present invention, conducting a process (reference symbol determination process) for determining the reference symbol which is referred to so as to determine whether a special condition game process, in which the shift to the special game mode is determined under the second shift condition, is conducted or not.

In the reference symbol determination process, theCPU32 obtains the identification information from the figure ID stored in theRAM33 and also obtains a code number of the reference symbol corresponding to the identification information obtained from the reference symbol determination table85 shown inFIG. 15. The symbol corresponding to the thus obtained code number is equivalent to the reference symbol of the present invention.

In this instance, as shown inFIG. 15, the reference symbol determination table85 is comprised of acode number field85bwhich classifies and stores the symbol code, and anidentification information field85awhich classifies the identification information according to the predetermined range in association with each code number, wherein identification information is set to the search key to search theidentification information field85a, thereby making it possible to retrieve the corresponding code number (of the symbol).

In the present embodiment where a figure ID stored in theFIG. 90 is read, the identification information “1001” is set in the search key to search theidentification information field85a, thereby obtaining the code number “3” of the corresponding symbol. As shown in a stop table88 (refer toFIG. 16) to be described later, the symbol corresponding to this code number “3” is a two-bar (BAR-BAR) W3 in which “BAR” is arrayed in two units vertically, and the two-bar W3 is the reference symbol related to the present embodiment.

(Base Condition Game Process)

When the program in theslot machine1A proceeds to asubsequent step32, a base condition game process is started. When the base condition game process is started, it proceeds to thestep51 ofFIG. 13 where a start acceptance process is conducted. When proceeding to the start acceptance process, theslot machine1A accepts from the player an operation that enables the game to start, in accordance with controls from theCPU32. Since theslot machine1A is a coin inserting type of gaming machine, the number of coins to be bet in one game is at first inserted from thecoin insertion slot6 so that the player can start the game. Further, if credits are available which correspond to the number of inserted coins, eithersingle BET switch9 ormaximum BET switch10 is operated to use credits which are bet in one game. When thespin switch8 is operated (hereinafter, this operation is called “start operation”), a start signal is then input from thespin switch8 to theCPU32.

When it proceeds to asubsequent step52, a base condition lottery process is conducted in the same game mode as the base game mode. In the base condition lottery process, at first, theCPU32 operates as symbol determination means of the present invention, thereby conducting a symbol determination process for determining a symbol of each of the

reels

3L,3C, and3R to be stopped and displayed on the winning combination line L1.

When theCPU32 detects the start operation performed by the player with a start signal from thespin switch8, it instructs arandom number generator35 to generate a certain range of random numbers, and also instructs thesampling circuit36 to extract any given random number from random numbers generated by therandom number generator35. Then, theCPU32 obtains the code number of the corresponding symbol from the extracted random number with reference to a base condition symbol determining table stored in theROM34.

In the present embodiment, since the symbol corresponding to the code number “3” is determined as the reference symbol in the previously described symbol determination process (refer to step31 inFIG. 12), a symbol to be stopped and displayed in thestep33 which is described later is determined to matches the reference symbol when the code number “3” is obtained.

Further, in the present embodiment, it is set to be a shift condition to the bonus game that a WILD symbol corresponding to the code number “0” of the symbol to be described later is stopped and displayed on any one of the three

reels

3L,3C,3R along the winning combination line L1. Therefore, a shift probability to the bonus game (shift probability from the base game mode to the special game mode) is dependant on the number of random numbers associated with the code number “0” of the symbol in the base condition symbol determining table. In the present embodiment, the shift probability is set to be “1/120.” Further, in the present embodiment, the code number “0” is obtained with reference to the base condition symbol determining table, and it is equivalent to the first shift condition of the present invention that the WILD symbol is determined as a symbol to be stopped and displayed along the winning combination line L1.

Then, the code number of the obtained symbol is set in a search key to retrieve a symbol according to each of the

reels

3L,3C, and3R stopped and displayed on the activated line with reference to the stop table88 shown inFIG. 16.

In this instance, as shown inFIG. 16, the stop table88 is comprised of thecode number field88awhich stores code numbers (of symbols) and thesymbol field88bwhich stores the symbol associated with each of the code numbers. The code number is set to a search key to search thecode number field88a, by which the corresponding symbol can be retrieved for each of the

reels

3L,3C, and3R. The symbol W1 corresponding to the code number “0” is a WILD symbol and relates to the shift to the bonus game in the present embodiment.

In theslot machine1A, these random numbers are extracted and the base condition symbol determining table and the stop table are searched three times in total for each of the

reels

3L,3C, and3R. To be more specific, these actions are carried out for the number of times corresponding to the number of reels. When a symbol is determined for each of the

reels

3L,3C, and3R a stop position of the reel for stopping and displaying the symbol along the winning combination line L1 is determined.

When a stop position of the reel is determined, with reference to a winning combination determination table stored in the ROM34 (table in which combinations of winning symbols and those of symbols which are not winning (non-winning symbols) are registered in an identifiable way in association with combinations of the respective code numbers (hereinafter referred to as “code number pattern”)), theCPU32 conducts a winning combination determination process for determining a winning combination by utilizing the code number pattern.

Then, theCPU32 operates as winning mode determining means to conduct a winning mode determination process for determining a winning mode with reference to a mode table in which payouts according to the winning mode are registered (“winning mode” is also called “winning combination”). This mode table includes a mode that the game mode shifts from the base game mode to the special game mode when a winning combination, for example, “joker,” is stopped and displayed, and a mode that five coins are given as a payout when “3 BAR-3 BAR-3 BAR” is stopped and displayed wherein the symbol composed of “BAR” arrayed vertically in three (3 BAR: symbol indicated by W2 inFIG. 16) is arrayed in three.

As described above, the base condition lottery process is completed, and the program in theslot machine1A proceeds to a subsequent step53 shown inFIG. 13 where a base game process is conducted. In this instance, after the

reels

3L,3C, and3R are rotated, they are stopped so as to correspond to the result of the base condition lottery process in thestep52. When the winning combination is won, coins are paid out according to the payout of the prize winning mode, and it proceeds to the step54.

When the program in theslot machine1A proceeds to the step54, theCPU32 operates as shift determination means in the present invention to make a shift determination for determining whether the game mode shifts from the base game mode to the special game mode or not under the first shift condition based on the result of the base condition lottery process instep52. In this instance, when the previously described WILD symbol W1 is determined as a symbol to be stopped and displayed, it is determined that the shift condition is met. Then, theCPU32 operates as shift means to shift the game mode from the base game mode to the special game mode. The program in theslot machine1A proceeds to the step55 where the bonus game process is conducted. On the other hand, if the WILD symbol is not stopped and displayed, it is determined that the shift is not made, and the base condition game process is completed.

When the bonus game process is started in a subsequent step55, a symbol determination process similar to the above-described base condition lottery process, a prize winning determination process and a winning mode determination process are conducted by a predetermined number of times as a free game is conducted by the same number of times (for example, three times). Then, on the basis of the lottery result, these

reels

3L,3C, and3R are rotated and stopped only by the same predetermine number of times. When a winning combination is won, coins are paid out according to the payout of the winning mode. The bonus game process is completed and the base condition game process is then completed.

On the other hand, as shown inFIG. 12, when the program in theslot machine1A proceeds to asubsequent step33 from the base condition game process (step32), a determination is made for determining whether the symbol to be stopped and displayed matches the reference symbol or not. In this instance, theCPU32 determines whether or not any of the code numbers of symbols determined for each of the

reels

3L,3C, and3R in the previously described base condition lottery process (refer to step52 inFIG. 13) matches the code number of the reference symbol determined by the reference symbol determination process in thestep31. If it is determined that any of the code numbers matches, the program in theslot machine1A proceeds to thestep34, and “1” is set to the symbol match flag to complete the figure-present game process. Then, the main process shown inFIG. 10 is completed.

Thereafter, if the player plays the game repeatedly, with theFIG. 90 set as it is, it is determined in the step30 of the figure-present game process that “1” is set to the symbol match flag, and proceeds to thestep35 where the special condition game process is conducted.

(Special Condition Game Process)

The special condition game process is conducted in thestep35. When the special condition game process is started, as shown inFIG. 14, the program in theslot machine1A proceeds to the step61 where a start acceptance process is started. Since the start acceptance process is the same as the start acceptance process (step51 ofFIG. 13) in the base condition game process, an explanation thereof will be omitted.

When the program in theslot machine1A proceeds to a subsequent step62, a special condition lottery process is started. In the special condition lottery process, in a similar manner as explained with the previously described base lottery process, a symbol determination process for determining a symbol which is to be stopped on a winning combination line L1, a winning combination determination process for determining whether the winning combination is won or not, and a winning mode determination process for determining the winning mode are conducted. However, in the symbol determination process of the special condition lottery process, a special condition symbol determining table (not illustrated) is referred to in order to obtain a code number of the symbol which is to be stopped and displayed on the winning combination line L1. In a similar manner as explained in the base condition game process, in the special condition game process, a shift probability to the bonus game (shift probability from the base game mode to the special game mode) is determined according to the number of random numbers associated with “0” of the symbol code number. In the present embodiment, the shift probability is set to be “1/110.”

As described so far, the shift probability from the base game mode to the special game mode (e.g., 1/110) in the special condition game process is designed so as to be higher than that in the base condition game process (e.g., 1/120). Therefore, it is more likely to shift from the base game mode to the special game mode in the special condition game process than in the base condition game process. In the special condition game process of the present embodiment, a special condition symbol determining table is referred to for obtaining the code number “0” such that the WILD symbol is determined as a symbol to be stopped and displayed on the winning combination line L1, which may be an example of the second shift condition of the present invention.

When it proceeds to asubsequent step63, a base game process similar to the previously described base game process (step53 ofFIG. 13) is conducted. Then, theslot machine1A proceeds to asubsequent step64.

When it proceeds to thestep64, theCPU32 operates as shift determination means of the present invention to conduct a shift determination for determining whether or not the game mode shifts from the base game mode to the special game mode under the second shift condition based on the result of the special condition lottery process in the step62. In this instance, when the WILD symbol W1 is determined as a symbol to be stopped and displayed, the shift condition is met and it is determined that the game mode can shift. TheCPU32 operates as the shift means, thereby enabling the game mode to shift from the base game mode to the special game mode, and then it proceeds to thestep65.

In thestep65, a bonus game process similar to the previously described bonus game process (step55 ofFIG. 13) is conducted. When the bonus game process is completed, the symbol match flag is cleared in a subsequent step68.

On the other hand, when the WILD symbol W1 is not stopped and displayed in thestep64, it is determined the game mode cannot shift, and a figure set confirmation process is conducted in asubsequent step66. In the figure set confirmation process, theCPU32 clears the reading flag when theFIG. 90 is not set in accordance with a detection signal input from afigure detection sensor19d, thereby proceeding to the step67.

In the subsequent step67, theCPU32 again makes a determination for determining whether “9” is set to the reading flag or not. If it is set thereto, the special condition game process is completed, with “1” being set to the symbol match flag. If it is not set, the symbol match flag is cleared in the subsequent step68 to complete the special condition game process.

(Figure-Absent Game Process)

Further, when it is determined that “9” is not set to the reading flag in thestep2 as shown inFIG. 10, the program in theslot machine1A proceeds to thestep4 where a figure-absent game process is conducted. In the figure-absent game process, processes similar to those conducted in the previously described base condition game process (refer to thestep32 ofFIG. 12) are conducted and the main process is completed. When “1” is being set to the symbol match flag on completion of the figure-absent game process, the symbol match flag is cleared.

Next, an explanation is made for the change in the game mode of theslot machine1A with reference to the timing charts inFIGS. 17 and 18. InFIGS. 17 and 18, the base game (base game mode) repeated by n (i) (‘i’ is an integer number) is indicated in an identifiable way, and a number in parentheses (i) indicates the number of games conducted consecutively. Further, the base game mode where no figure is set is denoted by M1, the base game mode at a base probability (the first shift condition) where a figure is set is denoted by M2, and the base game mode at a high probability (the second shift condition) is denoted by M3. The solid line shows which mode the game is in.

In the timing chart shown inFIG. 17, the figure-present game process is conducted repeatedly, with theFIG. 90 being set (step3 inFIG. 10). The game mode is in the base game mode of M2 (step32 inFIG. 12) with the base probability from the game n (1) to the game n(2). Then, in the game n(2), the symbol which is the same as the reference symbol is stopped and displayed, and “1” is set to the symbol match flag. Then, the game mode is shifting to the base game mode of M3 with a high probability in the game n(3) and thereafter (step34 inFIG. 12). The base game mode of M3 with the high probability is repeated until the bonus game is conducted. Since the bonus game has been conducted in the game n(5), the symbol match flag is cleared and the game mode is shifting to the base game mode of M2 with the base probability in the game n(6) and thereafter.

In the timing chart shown inFIG. 18, the figure-present game process is conducted repeatedly with theFIG. 90 being set (step3 ofFIG. 10), and the game mode is in the base game mode of M2 (step32 ofFIG. 12) with the base probability until the games from n (1) through n (2) are completed. In the game n(2), the symbol which is the same as the reference symbol is stopped and displayed. Then, “1” is set to the symbol match flag and the game mode is shifted and kept in the base game mode of M3 with the high probability in the game n (3) and thereafter (step34 ofFIG. 12). Thereafter, a figure is removed in the middle of the game of n (5) and the symbol match flag is cleared. The game mode is shifted to the base game mode of M1 where no figure is set in the game n (6) and thereafter.

As described so far, in theslot machine1A, “1” is set to the symbol match flag when the symbol stopped and displayed in the base game which is conducted with the figure being set matches the reference symbol. The special condition game process (the second shift condition) is repeatedly conducted from the next game when the game is repeatedly conducted with the figure being set. Then, the special condition game process is designed to be higher in the shift probability so that the game can shift more easily to the bonus game (special game mode) than in the base condition game process. Therefore, in theslot machine1A, easiness in shifting to the bonus game (easy shift) varies depending on whether the figure is set or not, and the reference symbol to enable the shift easier varies depending on the figure ID (game-related information) stored in the figure. Then, the player may feel it difficult to predict whether the game mode will shift to the bonus game or not. Therefore, the player is able to continue the game with a fresh sensation, and it is not likely that the player is tired of playing the game so that the game may provide an incentive to play the game repeatedly. Further, the shift easiness varies depending on the figure to be used, and the player may be provided with an incentive that he or she continues to play the game, anticipating that he or she may get the bonus game shift more easily with this figure. Then, the player keeps the figure as if it were a good luck amulet and also has a willingness to collect figures more passionately.

In theslot machine1A, a corresponding reference symbol has been determined according to the figure ID (identification information). In addition to the figure ID, the code number of the reference symbol may be stored in the figure and the code number of the reference symbol is read, together with the figure ID, thereby determining the reference symbol directly. Code numbers of the plurality of reference symbols are stored and any given code number is determined by lottery of the thus read plurality of code numbers.

In this instance, the code number of the reference symbol may be included in the game-related information.

Further, the number of reference symbols is not limited to one. For example, three symbols corresponding to the

reels

3L,3C, and3R may be determined as reference symbols, and when these three symbols are all stopped and displayed, a shift determination is made so as to shift to the bonus game (special game mode) on the basis of the second shift condition.

Then, an explanation will be made for theslot machine1B ofEmbodiment 2 by referring toFIG. 19.FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing a general configuration of theslot machine1B of the present embodiment, andFIG. 20 is a block diagram of theslot machine1B which mainly shows the internal constitution.

Theslot machine1B is provided with a plurality of arrays (three arrays) of the variable display parts which display variable display images of a plurality of symbols in place of the

reels

3L,3C,3R of theslot machine1A, and configured so as to conduct a variable display image game (video slot game) by using variable display images displayed at individually variable display parts.

As with theslot machine1A, theslot machine1B conducts a base game (slot game) which is a variable display game in a base game mode and shifts to a special game mode when a predetermined shift condition is met in the base game, wherein the bonus game is more advantageous to the player in game contents than the base game. In the figure-present game process, it is designed to shift more easily to the special game mode than in the figure-absent game process, and it is determined either the figure-present game process or the figure-absent game process is conducted depending on whether the figure ID is readable or not. Hereinafter, a description is made for the configuration of theslot machine1B. Theslot machine1B is substantially similar in configuration to theslot machine1A and the same symbols used in theslot machine1A are utilized to the same elements to omit a duplicated description.

Themain display5 of theslot machine1B has a total of nine variable display parts (3a,3b,3c,3d,3e,3f,3g,3hand3i) which are disposed in three arrays both vertically and horizontally. Themain display5 is designed in such a way that a scroll display image (reel image to be displayed as if a mechanical reel were rotated) can be displayed in the base game mode (base game) and the special game mode (free game) as if a plurality of symbols were moved from the top to bottom in each of the variable display parts from3athrough3i. Further, inFIG. 19, activated lines (L1 to L3) are provided in three vertical arrays. However, eight activated lines in total including thevariable display parts3ato3iin three arrays each vertically and horizontally and arrays which are diagonally disposed may be provided.

As shown inFIG. 20, theslot machine1B is provided with a plurality of components including amicrocomputer31. The CPU (central process unit)32 operates as shift determination means, reading determination means and reference symbol determination means of the present invention. The IC chip reader/writer19cmay be one of the examples of the reading means.

Then, a description is made for an operation content of theslot machine1B. A main process of theslot machine1B is substantially the same as that of theslot machine1A, but different in the symbol determination processes conducted in the base condition lottery process and the special condition lottery process. To be more specific, in theslot machine1B, a symbol is determined and a variable display of the determined symbol is stopped and fixedly displayed at each of the variable display parts from3athrough3i. Thus, it is this symbol that is to be stopped and displayed. Further, it is determined that the shift condition to the bonus game (shift condition from the base game mode to the special game mode) is to stop and display the WILD symbol (refer to W1 inFIG. 16) and the probability of stopping and displaying the WILD symbol (shift probability) is designed to be higher in the special condition game process than in the base condition game process in the figure-absent game process or the figure-present game process. Therefore, in the special condition game process, the game mode shifts more easily from the base game mode to the special game mode. Further, in theslot machine1B where the

reels

3L,3C, and3R are not used, the number of symbols is not so limited as with theslot machine1A and it is possible to change the shift probability with ease by changing types of symbols corresponding to random numbers.

Theslot machine1B also has the same actions and effects as theslot machine1A, whereby the player may feel it is difficult to predict the shift to the bonus game even if the player is focusing on the stopped symbol, and the player may continue to play the game with a fresh feeling and may not be tired of playing the game so that an incentive to play the game repeatedly may be provided to the player.

Then, a description is made for an embodiment related to the gaming system of the present invention.FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing a general configuration of the gaming system according to the present embodiment. Thegaming system100 is provided with ashop server20 installed in a gaming shop and a plurality ofslot machines1C (four units in the present embodiment) connected communicatively with theshop server20. In the gaming shop, theshop server20 is connected to each of theslot machines1C via dedicated lines to form an in-shop LAN.

Theshop server20 may be an example of the gaming server of the present invention, and theslot machine1C may be an example of the gaming machine. Theslot machine1C is provided with variable display means which variably displays a plurality of symbols in a similar manner as explained with theslot machine1A of previously describedEmbodiment 1. Theslot machine1C is so configured as to conduct a variable display game in which a winning combination is determined according to the symbol to be stopped and displayed among the plurality of variably displayed symbols. Theslot machine1C has the special game mode in which the bonus game can be conducted subsequent to the base game, in addition to the base game mode in which the base game can be conducted.

Further, as with the previously describedslot machine1B ofEmbodiment 2, theslot machine1C may be provided with variable display parts in the plurality of arrays (3 arrays) which display variable display images of the plurality of symbols and configured in such a way that a variable display image game (slot game) can be conducted by using variable display images displayed on the respective variable display parts.

Theshop server20 is provided with aCPU201, aROM202, aRAM203, acommunication processor204 and acommunication controller205. TheROM202 stores a reference symbol determination table. The reference symbol determination table may be the same table as the previously described one and provided with the identification information field and the code number field (of the symbol).

TheCPU201 operates to read and write data from and into theRAM203 according to the program stored in theROM202. Thecommunication controller205 actuates thecommunication processor204 according to the instructions of theCPU201, to send and receive data from and to theslot machines1C. Further, theCPU201 operates as reference symbol determination means and determines a reference symbol on the basis of the figure ID having been sent from each of theslot machines1C and makes thecommunication processor204 send data of the code number of the determined reference symbol to the eachslot machine1C. As described so far, thecommunication processor204 receives the game-related information (for example, figure ID) from theslot machines1C and sends predetermined data (for example, data of the code number of the reference symbol) to theslot machines1C. Therefore, thecommunication processor204 may be an example of the communication processing means of the gaming server of the present invention.

Theslot machine1C is similar in the configuration to theslot machine1A, but different from the previously describedslot machine1A in that it has acommunication controller75 and acommunication processor76. Therefore, the same symbols are used the same elements to omit a duplicated description. Thecommunication controller75 and thecommunication processor76 are connected via an I/O port39 to theCPU32. Thecommunication controller75 operates thecommunication processor76 to send and receive data from and to theshop server20 according to the instructions of theCPU201. Thecommunication processor75 may be an example of the communication processing means of the gaming machine of the present invention. Further, as with the previously describedslot machine1A, theslot machine1C is provided with aCPU32, afigure installation unit19, an IC chip reader/writer19c, a figure detection sensor (not shown) and others. TheCPU32 may operate as variable display means, symbol determination means, shift determination means and reading determination means. The IC chip reader/writer19cmay be an example of the reading means.

Operation contents of the above-describedgaming system100 are described with reference to the flowchart shown inFIG. 22 by explaining mainly an operation of one of theslot machines1C.FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing operation procedures in a main process from the start to the end of the game in theslot machine1C. Here, one of theseveral slot machines1C installed in the gaming shop is described by way of example. Further, in the following description, if any of the operation procedures are the same as those in each process of the previously describedslot machine1A, the same process names are used to omit detailed descriptions. InFIG. 22, steps are abbreviated as S.

In thegaming system100, theCPU32 of theslot machine1C operates as game progress control means, thereby controlling the progress of the game. Then, as shown inFIG. 22, when the main process is started, prior to starting the game, theCPU32 conducts a figure information reading acceptance process in the step301, and proceeds to thestep302. In thestep302, theCPU32 operates as reading determination means and conducts a figure-absent game process (step303) by determining that the figure is not readable if “9” is not set to the reading flag (it is not set). Then, the main process is completed.

On the other hand, when “9” is set to the reading flag (it is set), the figure ID is determined to be readable, and the program in theslot machine1C proceeds to the step304 where a determination is made for determining whether “1” is set to the symbol match flag. If it is set thereto, it proceeds to the step305 where the special condition game process is conducted. Then, the main process is completed. However, if it is not set, it proceeds to the step306 where a figure ID sending process is conducted. When the figure ID sending process is started, theCPU32 instructs thecommunication controller75 to send the figure ID stored in theRAM33 from thecommunication processor76 to theshop server20. In theshop server20, on receipt of the figure ID, theCPU201 operates as reference symbol determination means to provide the identification information of the received figure ID as a search key, obtains the code number of the reference symbol with reference to the reference symbol determination table (refer toFIG. 15) stored in theROM202, and sends the data of the code number of the reference symbol to thegaming machine1C (thegaming machine1C which has sent the figure ID) by thecommunication processor204.

Theslot machine1C waits until data of the code number of the reference symbol is received in thestep307. On receipt of the data, theCPU32 stores the data of the code number of the reference symbol in theRAM33.

When the program in theslot machine1C proceeds to a subsequent step308, a base condition game process similar to the previously described base condition game process (refer to step32 inFIG. 12) is conducted. When it proceeds to the step309, a determination is made for determining whether the symbol determined as a symbol to be stopped and displayed in the base condition game process is the reference symbol or not. If so, it proceeds to the step310 where theCPU32 sets “1” to the symbol match flag and completes the main process.

Now, another embodiment will be explained. Redundant descriptions of the general configuration of the slot machine, the configuration of the reels, the interior configuration of the slot machine, the configuration of the figure, and so on will be omitted.

(Operation Description of Slot Machine)

In theslot machine1A of the present embodiment, the game is started by using coins or credits and theCPU32 operates as game progress control means, thereby controlling the progress of the game in the base game mode and the special game mode. Further, in a figure-absent game process (game process without the figure) and a figure-present game process (game process with the figure) to be described later, a base game which is a variable display game (slot game) is conducted in the base game mode. And a bonus game that is more advantageous to the player is conducted in the special game mode. The game shifts to the special game mode when a predetermined shift condition is met in the base game although the game process with the figure can provide higher likeliness to shift to the special game mode than the game process without the figure. And whether the figure ID is readable or not is involved in whether the game process with the figure or without the figure is conducted. Hereinafter, a description is made for operation procedures for theslot machine1A with reference to flowcharts shown inFIGS. 10, 11,23,13, and24. Hereinafter, “step” is abbreviated as “S” inFIGS. 10, 11,23,13, and24.

FIG. 10 shows a flow chart which illustrates block by block operation procedures of the main process from the start to the end of the game in theslot machine1A.

As shown inFIG. 10, when the main game process is started, the program in theslot machine1A proceeds to thestep1 where selection is made on whether or not the player will conduct a figure-using game. Then, when the figure ID is read, a figure information reading acceptance process is conducted in the case where “9” is set to a reading flag to be explained later. When proceeding to asubsequent step2, the process is determined depending on whether or not “9” is set to the reading flag. If it is set thereto, the figure-present game process (step3) is conducted. If it is not set, the figure-absent game process (step4) is conducted. In the figure-present game process, the base condition game process or the special condition game process is conducted and it is more likely to shift to the special game mode in the special game mode than in the base game mode. The figure-present game and the figure-absent game are completed and the main process is completed. Hereinafter, an explanation will be made in detail for the individual blocks.

(Figure Information Reading Acceptance Process)

When it further proceeds to thestep13, predetermined information (for example, “9”) is set to a reading flag. The reading flag is reading determination information for determining if the figure ID is readable or not such that setting “9” to the reading flag indicates that the figure ID is readable. When the reading flag is set, the figure reading acceptance process is completed.

As shown inFIG. 10, when the program in theslot machine1A proceeds to asubsequent step2, theCPU32 operates as reading determination means of the present invention and determines whether the figure ID is readable or not, depending on whether or not “9” is set to the reading flag. If “9” is set, theCPU32 determines that the figure ID is readable and if it is not set, it determines that it is not readable. In the former case, it proceeds to thestep3 where the figure-present game process is conducted, and in the latter case, it proceeds to thestep4 where the figure-absent game process is conducted.

(Figure-Present Game Process)

When the figure-present game process is started in thestep3, the program in theslot machine1A proceeds to the step131 inFIG. 23. TheCPU32 operate as condition determination means of the present invention and a payout rate condition determination process is conducted to determine a payout rate condition for determining whether the special condition game process (a process for determining whether the shift to the special game mode is conducted under the fourth shift condition or not, which is referred to as the shift determination) is conducted or not by utilizing the figure ID.

In the payout rate condition determination process, theCPU32 obtains the identification information from the figure ID stored in theRAM33 and determines the payout rate condition corresponding to the identification information obtained from the payout rate condition table185 as shown inFIG. 25.

Here, the payout rate condition table185 is a table having the payoutrate condition field185bwhere the condition (payout rate condition) related to the payout rate is stored distinctly and theidentification field185awhere the identification information is categorized in each predetermined range and stored in association with each payout rate condition as shown inFIG. 25. It is possible to retrieve the corresponding payout rate condition by searching theidentification information field185awith a search key to which the identification information is set.

In the present embodiment where a figure ID stored in theFIG. 90 is read, the identification information “1001” is set to the search key to search theidentification information field185a, thereby obtaining the corresponding payout rate condition “equal to or less than 30%.” That is, the payout rate condition is determined to be “equal to or less than 30%” in the present embodiment.

(Base Condition Game Process)

When the program in theslot machine1A proceeds to asubsequent step32, a base condition game process is started. When the base condition game process is started, it proceeds to thestep51 ofFIG. 13 where a start acceptance process is conducted. When proceeding to the start acceptance process, theslot machine1A accepts from the player an operation that enables the game to start, in accordance with controls by theCPU32. Since theslot machine1A is a coin insertion type of gaming machine, the number of coins to be bet in one game is at first inserted from thecoin insertion slot6 so that the player can start the game. In the present embodiment, coins are examples of game media of the present invention and the number of coins corresponds to the number of consumed coins. Further, if credits are available which correspond to the number of inserted coins, eithersingle BET switch9 ormaximum BET switch10 is operated to determine the credit number (the number of credits) to be bet in one game. The information of the determined credit number (the number of consumed credits) is inputted into theCPU32 and it is set as the credit number corresponding to the number of inserted coins. In the present embodiment, the credits are included in the media information and the credit number is included in the consumed number of media information. The numbers of inserted coins and consumed credits are stored in theRAM33 and utilized in obtaining the payout rate to be explained later. Subsequently thespin switch8 is operated (hereinafter, this operation is called “start operation”) and a start signal is then inputted from thespin switch8 to theCPU32.

reels

3L,3C, and3R to be stopped and displayed on the winning combination line L1.

When theCPU32 detects the start operation performed by the player with a start signal from thespin switch8, it instructs therandom number generator35 to generate a certain range of random numbers, and also instructs thesampling circuit36 to extract any given random number from random numbers generated by therandom number generator35. Then, theCPU32 obtains the code number of the corresponding symbol from the extracted random number with reference to a base condition symbol determining table stored in theROM34.

Further, in the present embodiment, it is set to shift to the bonus game that a WILD symbol corresponding to the code number “0” of the symbol to be described later is stopped and displayed on any one of the three

reels

3L,3C,3R along the winning combination line L1. Therefore, a shift probability to the bonus game (shift probability from the base game mode to the special game mode) is dependant on the number of random numbers associated with the code number “0” of the symbol in the base condition symbol determining table. In the present embodiment, the shift probability is set to be “1/120.” Further, in the present embodiment, the code number “0” is obtained with reference to the base condition symbol determining table, and it is equivalent to the third shift condition (equivalent to the first shift condition of Embodiment 1) of the present invention that the WILD symbol is determined as a symbol to be stopped and displayed along the winning combination line L1.

reels

3L,3C, and3R stopped and displayed on the activated line with reference to the stop table88 shown inFIG. 26.

In this instance, as shown inFIG. 26, the stop table88 is comprised of thecode number field88awhich stores code numbers (of symbols) and thesymbol field88bwhich stores the symbol associated with each of the code numbers. The code number is set to a search key to search thecode number field88a, by which the corresponding symbol can be retrieved for each of the

reels

As described above, the base condition lottery process is completed, and the program in theslot machine1A proceeds to a subsequent step53 where a base game process is conducted. In this instance, after the

reels

3L,3C, and3R are rotated, they are stopped so as to correspond to the result of the base condition lottery process in thestep52. When the winning combination is won, coins are paid out according to the payout of the prize winning mode, and it proceeds to the step54. The number of paid out coins is stored in theRAM33 and utilized to obtain the payout rate to be explained later. Here the number of coins paid out is an example of the payout number of the game media in the present invention.

reels

3L,3C, and3R are rotated and stopped only by the same predetermine number of times. When a winning combination is won, coins are paid out according to the payout of the winning mode. The number of paid out coins is stored in theRAM33 and utilized to obtain the payout rate to be explained later. Here, the number of paid out coins is an example of the payout number of the game media of the present invention. The bonus game process is completed by the coin payout and the base condition game process is then completed.

On the other hand, as shown inFIG. 23, when the program in theslot machine1A proceeds to a subsequent step133 from the base condition game process (step132), a measurement process of the play number T is conducted. Here, theCPU32 counts the number of the base games having been started by insertion of coins and consumption of credits (the number of the base game processes being conducted in the base condition game process and the special game process to be explained later) and store the counted number in theRAM33. The play number being counted here is the number of the base games repeated over and over again with theFIG. 90 set in thefigure installation unit19.

When it proceeds to a subsequent step134, the payout rate calculation process is conducted. Here, theCPU32 operates as calculation means of the present invention and calculates the percentage of the payout rate (also referred to as payout percentage) from the payout number (numerator) to be explained and the insertion number of coins and the number of consumed credits (denominator). Also, the above percentage is calculated as the payout rate of the games repeated for a plurality of times after summing the data of each numerical value (e.g., the total number of inserted coins, the total number of consumed credits, and the total number of the payout) by using data stored in theRAM33 for the number of inserted coins, consumed credits and the payout if a plurality of kinds of data are stored.

When it proceeds to a subsequent step135, the figure set confirmation process is conducted. In the figure set confirmation process, theCPU32 clears the reading flag if theFIG. 90 is not set based on the detection signal inputted from thefigure detection sensor19d, and proceeds to a step136.

When it proceeds to a subsequent step136, theCPU32 determines whether the play number T having been obtained in the step133 is equal to or greater than a specific number K as a condition to determine whether the payout rate condition is satisfied or not. And if it is greater than the specific number K, it proceeds to a step137, but if it is less, it proceeds to a step138. In the present embodiment, the specific number K is set “20” and if the play number T is equal to or greater than 20, it proceeds to the step137 to determine whether the payout rate condition is satisfied or not. If the payout condition is satisfied, the special condition game process is conducted. Thus, when the play number T is equal to or greater than the specific number K (e.g., 20), the special condition game process is to be entered such that the player having played the games for many times has more advantages than another player having played the games for a few times, thereby providing the player with an incentive to play the game repeatedly.

In a subsequent step137, theCPU32 operates as payout determination means of the present invention and determines whether the payout rate condition having been determined in the step131 is satisfied or not based on the payout rate obtained in the step134. Here, if the payout rate condition is satisfied, it proceeds to astep139 and it is determined whether “9” is set to the reading flag or not. If it is set, it is determined that the figure ID is in a condition to be determined to be readable. Then, the base condition game process (step132) is repeated. However, if “9” is not set, the game with the figure ends.

As described above, in theslot machine1A, the process flow is branched depending on satisfaction of the payout rate condition. If the payout rate condition is satisfied, the special condition game process (step140) is conducted, and if the payout rate condition is not satisfied, the base condition game process (step132) is conducted.

(Special Condition Game Process)

When it proceeds to the step140 to start the special condition game process, it proceeds to a step61 to conduct a start acceptance process as shown inFIG. 24. The start acceptance process is conducted in a similar or the same way as the start acceptance process in the base condition game process (step51 inFIG. 13) and an explanation thereof will be omitted.

When it proceeds to thestep64, theCPU32 operates as shift determination means of the present invention to conduct a shift determination for determining whether or not the game mode shifts from the base game mode to the special game mode under the fourth shift condition (equivalent to the second shift condition in Embodiment 1) based on the result of the special condition lottery process in the step62. In this instance, when the WILD symbol W1 is determined as a symbol to be stopped and displayed, the shift condition is met and it is determined that the game mode can shift. TheCPU32 operates as the shift means, thereby enabling the game mode to shift from the base game mode to the special game mode, and then it proceeds to thestep65.

In thestep65, a bonus game process similar to the previously described bonus game process (step55 ofFIG. 13) is conducted. When the bonus game process is completed, the special condition game process is completed.

On the other hand, when the WILD symbol W1 is not stopped and displayed in thestep64, it is determined the game mode cannot shift, and the special condition game process ends. As shown inFIG. 23, it proceeds to a step133 and a measurement process to measure the play number T is conducted. After that, subsequent each process is repeated and if it is determined that the payout rate condition is satisfied, it proceeds to thestep139 and step140 to conduct the special condition game process.

(Figure-Absent Game Process)

Further, when it is determined that “9” is not set to the reading flag in thestep2 as shown inFIG. 10, the program in theslot machine1A proceeds to thestep4 where a figure-absent game process is conducted. In the figure-absent game process, processes similar to those conducted in the previously described base condition game process (refer to the step140 inFIG. 23) are conducted and the main process is completed.

In the foregoing operation processes, if theFIG. 90 is removed and the reading flag is cleared, it is set that the game process with the figure is completed, but it may be set that the game process with the figure is completed if the bonus game is conducted in the special condition game process (step140 inFIG. 23).

Next, an explanation is made for the change in the game mode of theslot machine1A with reference to the timing charts inFIGS. 27 and 28. InFIGS. 27 and 28, the base game (base game mode) repeated by n (i) (‘i’ is an integer number) is indicated in an identifiable way, and a number in parentheses (i) indicates the number of games conducted consecutively. Further, the base game mode where no figure is set is denoted by M1, the base game mode at a base probability (the third shift condition (equivalent to the first condition in Embodiment 1)) where a figure is set is denoted by M2, and the base game mode at a high probability (the fourth shift condition (equivalent to the second condition in Embodiment 1)) is denoted by M3. The solid line shows which mode the game is in.

In the timing chart shown inFIG. 27, the figure-present game process is conducted repeatedly, with theFIG. 90 being set (step3 inFIG. 10). The game mode is in the base game mode of M2 (step132 inFIG. 23) with the base probability from the game n (1) to the game n(4). Then, upon the completion of the game n(3), the play number T reaches the specific number K and since the payout rate condition is determined to be satisfied by the payout rate having been obtained after the completion of game n(4), the game mode is shifting to the base game mode of M3 with a high probability in the game n(5) and thereafter (step140 inFIG. 23). After that, the game mode is shifting to the bonus game in game n(6) such that the payout rate condition is not satisfied and the game mode is shifting to the base game mode of M2 with the base probability in the game n(7) and thereafter.

In the timing chart shown inFIG. 28, the figure-present game process is conducted repeatedly with theFIG. 90 being set (step3 ofFIG. 10), and the game mode is in the base game mode of M2 (step132 ofFIG. 23) with the base probability from game n (1) through to game n (2). By completion of game n(3), the play number T reaches the specific number K and it is determined that the payout rate condition is satisfied from the payout rate having been obtained after the completion of game n(5) and the game mode is in the base game mode of M3 with the high probability from the game n (5) (step140 ofFIG. 23). Thereafter, the figure is removed in the middle of the game of n (5) and the figure-present game process ends and the game mode is in the figure-absent game process with the base game mode M1.

As described above, in theslot machine1A, if the payout rate in the game with the figure set satisfies the payout rate condition, the special condition game process (shift determination under the fourth shift condition) is conducted. And in the special condition game process, the shift probability is set higher so as to shift the bonus game (special game mode) easier. Therefore, in theslot machine1A, the likeliness to shift to the bonus game (shift easiness) varies whether the figure is set or not and the payout rate condition to raise the shift easiness varies depending on the figure ID (game-related information) stored in the figure. And the payout rate varies by elements such as the insertion number of coins, the number of consumed credits, and the number of payout that are directly connected to the winning or losing, which the player is aware of, and it is difficult to predict the winning or losing finally in the game because it is not easy to foresee if the game mode shifts to the bonus game or not since the payout rate condition varies to change the shift easiness. Therefore, the player can enjoy playing continuously the game hoping to win the game finally and be provided with an incentive to play the game repeatedly.

Also, in theslot machine1A, the payout rate is a determination factor to raise the shift easiness and the mode with the shift easiness continues as long as the payout rate condition is satisfied. Therefore, the payout rate of the player who has used many coins to play the game has less variation width if compared to another player who uses a few coins and the former player may have more opportunities to hold the mode in which it is likely to shift to the special game mode than the latter player so that the player is provided with an incentive to play the game repeatedly.

Further, the shift easiness varies depending on the figure to be used, and the player may be provided with an incentive that he or she continues to play the game, anticipating that he or she may get the bonus game shift more easily with this figure by replacing the figures. Then, the player keeps the figure as if it were a good luck amulet and also has a willingness to collect figures more passionately.

Also, in the slot machine A1, when the play number is more than the specific number, the payout rate condition is determined to be satisfied or not. Therefore, it is possible to raise the shift easiness for the player who is supposed to be losing by using so many coins in the number of games he or she has played wherein the number is greater than the specific number as opposed to another player who has played a certain number of games, the number being less than the specific number, and has used a small number of coins (the player with less loss). Therefore, it is possible to relieve the former player such that he or she can be provided with an incentive to play the game repeatedly.

In theslot machine1A, the payout rate condition is determined according to the figure ID (identification information). In addition to the figure ID, the payout rate condition itself may be stored in the figure and the payout rate condition is read, together with the figure ID, thereby determining the payout rate condition directly. A plurality of payout rate conditions are stored and any one of the read payout rate conditions may be determined by lottery.

In this instance, the payout rate condition may be included in the game-related information.

s game (special game mode) on the basis of the second shift condition.

Then, an explanation will be made for theslot machine1B ofEmbodiment 4 by referring toFIG. 19 since the configuration is the same as that ofEmbodiment 2.FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing a general configuration of theslot machine1B of the present embodiment, andFIG. 20 is a block diagram of theslot machine1B which mainly shows the internal constitution.

reels

As with theslot machine1A, in theslot machine1B a game is started by using coins and credits and theCPU32 operates as game progress control means for controlling the game progress in the base game mode and the special game mode. And if the figure ID is readable, the figure-present game process is conducted whereas the figure-absent game process is conducted if it is not readable. And the figure-present game process is repeated as long as the figure ID is readable. Further, in the figure-present game process, if the payout rate condition is satisfied, the special condition game process is conducted. In the following, the configuration of theslot machine1B is explained, the configuration of theslot machine1B is basically the same as theslot machine1A and the same numeral references are used to the same elements and duplicated explanation will be omitted.

As shown inFIG. 20, theslot machine1B is provided with a plurality of components including amicrocomputer31. The CPU (central process unit)32 operates as game progress control means, reading determination means, shift determination means, condition determination means and payout rate determination means of the present invention. The IC chip reader/writer19cmay be one of the examples of the reading means.

Then, a description is made for an operation content of theslot machine1B. A main process of theslot machine1B is substantially the same as that of theslot machine1A, but different in the symbol determination processes conducted in the base condition lottery process and the special condition lottery process. To be more specific, in theslot machine1B, a symbol is determined and a variable display of the determined symbol is stopped and fixedly displayed at each of the variable display parts from3athrough3i. Thus, it is this symbol that is to be stopped and displayed. Further, it is determined that the shift condition to the bonus game (shift condition from the base game mode to the special game mode) is to stop and display the WILD symbol (refer to W1 inFIG. 26) and the probability of stopping and displaying the WILD symbol (shift probability) is designed to be higher in the special condition game process than in the base condition game process in the figure-absent game process or the figure-present game process. Therefore, in the special condition game process, the game mode shifts more easily from the base game mode to the special game mode. Further, in theslot machine1B where the

reels

Theslot machine1B also has the same actions and effects as theslot machine1A, whereby the player may feel it is difficult to predict the shift to the bonus game, and the player may continue to play the game hoping to win finally so that an incentive to play the game repeatedly may be provided to the player.

Then, a description is made for an embodiment related to the gaming system of the present invention.FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing a general configuration of the gaming system according to the present embodiment sinceEmbodiment 3 is configured in the same way asEmbodiment 1. Thegaming system100 is provided with ashop server20 installed in a gaming shop and a plurality ofslot machines1C (four units in the present embodiment) connected communicatively with theshop server20. In the gaming shop, theshop server20 is connected to each of theslot machines1C via dedicated lines to form an in-shop LAN.

Theshop server20 may be an example of the gaming server of the present invention, and theslot machine1C may be an example of the gaming machine. Theslot machine1C is provided with variable display means which variably displays a plurality of symbols in a similar manner as explained with theslot machine1A of previously describedEmbodiment 3. Theslot machine1C is so configured as to conduct a variable display game in which a winning combination is determined according to the symbol to be stopped and displayed among the plurality of variably displayed symbols.

Further, as with the previously describedslot machine1B ofEmbodiment 4, theslot machine1C may be provided with variable display parts in the plurality of arrays (3 arrays) which display variable display images of the plurality of symbols and configured in such a way that a variable display image game (slot game) can be conducted by using variable display images displayed on the respective variable display parts.

Theshop server20 is provided with aCPU201, aROM202, aRAM203, acommunication processor204 and acommunication controller205. TheROM202 stores a reference symbol determination table. The payout rate condition table (refer toFIG. 25) may be the same table as the previously described one and provided with the identification information field and the code number field (of the symbol).

TheCPU201 operates to read and write data from and into theRAM203 according to the program stored in theROM202. Thecommunication controller205 actuates thecommunication processor204 according to the instructions of theCPU201, to send and receive data from and to theslot machines1C. Further, theCPU201 operates as condition determination means and determines the payout rate condition on the basis of the figure ID having been sent from each of theslot machines1C and makes thecommunication processor204 send data of the payout rate condition to the eachslot machine1C. As described so far, thecommunication processor204 receives the game-related information (for example, figure ID) from theslot machines1C and sends predetermined data (for example, data of the payout rate condition) to theslot machines1C. Therefore, thecommunication processor204 may be an example of the communication processing means of the gaming server of the present invention.

Theslot machine1C is similar in the configuration to theslot machine1A, but different from the previously describedslot machine1A in that it has acommunication controller75 and acommunication processor76. Therefore, the same symbols are used the same elements to omit a duplicated description. Thecommunication controller75 and thecommunication processor76 are connected via an I/O port39 to theCPU32. Thecommunication controller75 operates thecommunication processor76 to send and receive data from and to theshop server20 according to the instructions of theCPU201. Thecommunication processor75 may be an example of the communication processing means of the gaming machine of the present invention. Further, as with the previously describedslot machine1A, theslot machine1C is provided with aCPU32, afigure installation unit19, an IC chip reader/writer19c, a figure detection sensor (not shown) and others. TheCPU32 may operate as game progress control means, reading determination means, shift determination means, calculation means, condition determination means and payout rate determination means. The IC chip reader/writer19cmay be an example of the reading means.

Operation contents of the above-describedgaming system100 are described with reference to the flowchart shown inFIG. 29 by explaining mainly an operation of one of theslot machines1C.FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing operation procedures in a main process from the start to the end of the game in theslot machine1C. Here, one of theseveral slot machines1C installed in the gaming shop is described by way of example. Further, in the following description, if any of the operation procedures are the same as those in each process of the previously describedslot machine1A, the same process names are used to omit detailed descriptions. InFIG. 29, “step” is abbreviated as “S.”

In thegaming system100, theCPU32 of theslot machine1C operates as game progress control means, thereby controlling the progress of the game. Then, as shown inFIG. 29, when the main process is started, prior to starting the game, theCPU32 conducts a figure information reading acceptance process in the step401, and proceeds to the step402. In the step402, theCPU32 operates as reading determination means and conducts a figure-absent game process (step403) by determining that the figure is not readable if “9” is not set to the reading flag. Then, the main process is completed.

On the other hand, when “9” is set to the reading flag, the figure ID is determined to be readable, and the program in theslot machine1C proceeds to the step404 where an ID sending process is conducted. When the figure ID sending process is started, theCPU32 instructs thecommunication controller75 to send the figure ID stored in theRAM33 from thecommunication processor76 to theshop server20. In theshop server20, on receipt of the figure ID, theCPU201 operates as condition determination means to provide the identification information of the received figure ID as a search key, obtains the payout rate condition with reference to the payout rate condition table (refer toFIG. 25) stored in theROM202, and sends the data of the payout rate conditon to thegaming machine1C (thegaming machine1C which has sent the figure ID) by thecommunication processor204.

Theslot machine1C waits until data of the payout rate condition is received in thestep405. On receipt of the data, theCPU32 stores the data of the payout rate condition in theRAM33.

In a subsequent step406 and the following each step, the base condition game process is repeated if the payout rate condition is not satisfied. As long as the payout rate condition is satisfied, the special condition game process is repeated. Also, if theFIG. 90 is removed from thefigure installation unit19c, the main process ends. In the step406 and the subsequent processes, each process is the same as the one conducted in theslot machine1A and the explanation is omitted.

Theslot machine1B of the present embodiment also has the same actions and effects as the previously described

slot machines

1A and1B, whereby a player finds it difficult to predict when a game mode shifts to a bonus game, even if the player focuses on a stopped symbol. Therefore, the player is able to continue the game with a fresh sensation and is not tired of playing the game. The player enjoys playing the game continuously hoping the final winning and an incentive to play the game repeatedly is provided.

A description was given above for the gaming machine and the gaming system of the present invention according to the respective embodiments. However, the present invention shall not be limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, the number of reels is not limited to three, and, for example, five reels or nine reels may be available.

In addition to the liquid

crystal display devices

41,101, another device which can display an image (e.g., a display device using an organic EL) can applies to the present invention. Also, in the above embodiment, the slot machine as an example of the gaming machine is explained. The present invention may be applied to a card gaming machine where a card game can be played by displaying card images illustrating cards and a mahjong gaming machine where the mahjong may be played.

Further, in the above-described embodiments, the figure ID for specifying a figure as the game-related information is referred to and described. However, this invention is not limited to the figure ID alone and acceptable are, for example, time at which the game article is used to play the game (period from when the game-related information is read by a reading means to when it becomes not readable), play history information such as the number of times when the game article is used to play the game, and direct information to determine the specified condition (e.g., determined differential number). Then, in particular, the play history information is to be renewed by a gaming machine during the game or after completion of the game.

Also, in the above-described embodiment, once the payout rate condition is determined, it cannot be changed until the figure is removed. However, it is possible to conduct the determination at any time. For example, the shift determination is conducted by using the fourth shift condition, and it may be set that the payout rate condition is determined again after the special game mode (bonus game) is conducted. Also, the payout rate condition is not limited to the predetermined value or less, for example, the value can be more than the predetermined value such that a predetermined range having the upper limit and the lower limit.

Also, the game media information of the present invention is not limited to the credits corresponding to the coin insertion number. For example, monetary information or credit stored in the media information storage means such as a prepaid card and an electronic magnetic card may be applied. In this instance, the media information storage means is inserted in the gaming machine, and the game is started by using predetermined media information stored in the media information storage means.

Further, the game article is not limited to the figure, but may include a card and a cassette. A mode of storing the game-related information in the game article is not limited to a non-contact type data-readable IC chip, but may include a contact-type data storage means. It is also acceptable to paste a seal or a sticker on which a bar code or two-dimensional code is printed onto the article, without providing a so called data-storage means such as memory, and an information display part having the information storing function by a direct printing or marking of a game article may be provided so that the game article can store the game-related information. The two-dimensional code is also called a two-dimensional bar code, for example, QR code (registered trade mark of Denso Wave Incorporated). This two-dimensional code contains a large volume of information in which data several dozens to several hundreds of times greater than what the bar code is encoded. Where this type of information display part is provided, a bar code reader is installed as a reading means in place of the previously described IC chip reader/writer.

By way of example, there is also provided a gaming machine and a gaming system in which a player can play a game to have an anticipation of shifting to a special game mode, but the player may feel it difficult to predict the shift to a bonus game even he or she focuses on a symbol to be stopped and displayed so that he or she may be provided with an incentive to play the game repeatedly.

There is also provided a gaming machine comprising: a variable display means for displaying plural variably displayed symbols and a symbol determination means for determining a symbol to be stopped and displayed among a plurality of variably displayed symbols, the gaming machine is further provided with reading means for reading the game-related information from a game article which stores the game-related information including identification information for discriminating oneself from others, play history information and information on other games, reading determination means for determining whether the game-related information read by the reading means should be read or not, shift determination means in which a shift determination for determining whether a game mode shifts from a base game mode to a special game mode or not is made with reference to the first shift condition when determined not to be readable by the reading determination means and made with reference to the second shift condition which shifts more easily to a special game mode than the first shift condition when determined to be readable, and reference symbol determination means for determining a reference symbol to determine whether the shift determination means is allowed to make a possible shift determination according to the second shift condition by using the game-related information read by the reading means, wherein the shift determination means makes a shift determination with reference to the second shift condition when the reading determination means determines that the game-related information is readable and the symbol to be stopped and displayed is a reference symbol determined by the reference symbol determination means.

In this gaming machine, a shift determination is made with reference to the first shift condition when the game-related information stored in a game article is not readable, and made with reference to the second shift condition which shifts more easily to a special game mode than the first shift condition when it is readable and the symbol to be stopped and displayed is a reference symbol determined by using the game-related information. Therefore, easiness in shifting to a special game mode may vary depending on the symbol to be stopped and displayed. Further, the reference symbol may vary depending on a game article.

In this gaming machine, a shift determination is made with reference to the first shift condition when the game-related information stored in a game article is not readable, and made with reference to the second shift condition which shifts the game mode more easily to the special game mode than the first shift condition when it is readable and the symbol to be stopped and displayed is a reference symbol determined by using the game-related information. Therefore, easiness in shifting to the special game mode may vary depending on the symbol to be stopped and displayed. Further, the reference symbol may vary depending on the game article.

Further, there is also provided a gaming machine comprising: variable display means for displaying a plurality of variably displayed symbols and symbol determination means for determining a symbol to be stopped and displayed among a plurality of variably displayed symbols. There is also provided a gaming system comprising: a gaming server connected to the gaming machine.

The gaming machine is further provided with reading means for reading the game-related information from a game article which stores the game-related information including identification information for discriminating oneself from others, play history information and other information of the game, reading determination means for determining whether the game-related information read by the reading means should be read or not, and communication processing means for sending to a gaming server data of the game-related information read by the reading means and receiving the data from the gaming server.

Shift determination means makes a shift determination for determining whether a game mode shifts from a base game mode to a special game mode or not with reference to the first shift condition when the reading determination means determines that the game-related information is not readable and made with reference to the second shift condition which shifts more easily to a special game mode than the first shift condition when readable.

The gaming server is provided with a communication processor for receiving the game-related information from the gaming machine and sending predetermined data to the gaming machine and reference symbol determination means for determining a reference symbol to determine whether the shift determination means is allowed to make a possible shift determination according to the second shift condition by using the game-related information sent from the gaming machine.

The communication processor of the gaming server sends to the gaming machine the data of the reference symbol determined by the reference symbol determination means. And the shift determination means of the gaming machine makes a shift determination with reference to the second shift condition when the symbol to be stopped and displayed is a reference symbol based on the data sent from the gaming server.

In the above-described gaming system, a shift determination is made with reference to the first shift condition when the game-related information stored in the game article is not readable, and made with reference to the second shift condition which shifts more easily to the special game mode than the first shift condition when it is readable and the symbol to be stopped and displayed is a reference symbol based on the data received from the gaming server. Therefore, easiness in shifting to the special game mode may vary depending on the symbol to be stopped and displayed. Further, the reference symbol may vary depending on the game article.

Here, there is also provided a gaming machine and a gaming system that may provide an incentive to play the game repeatedly as a player is anticipating the shift to the bonus game while the shift easiness may vary depending on the winning or losing by the coin payout.

There is also provided a gaming machine comprising game progress control means for controlling a progress of a game that is started by using game media or media information corresponding to the game media. The gaming machine comprising: reading means for reading game-related information including identification information for identifying a game article, play history information and other game information from the game article storing the game-related information; reading determination means for determining whether or not the reading means can read the game-related information; shift determination means for determining whether or not a game mode is to be shifted from a base game mode to a special game mode under a first shift condition upon a determination that the reading means cannot read the game-related information by the reading determination means; and for determining whether or not the game mode is to be shifted from the base game mode to the special game mode under a second shift condition providing higher probability of the shift to the special game mode than the first shift condition upon a determination that the reading means can read the game-related information by the reading determination means; calculation means for calculating a payout rate from a payout number of the game media paid out by the gaming machine and a consumed number of the game media or a number of the consumed game media; condition determination means for determining a payout rate condition to determine whether or not the shift determination means conducts the shift determination under the second condition; and payout rate determination means for determining whether the payout rate condition by the condition determination means is satisfied or not under the payout rate having been determined by the calculation means. The shift determination means conducts the shift determination under the second condition when it is determined that the reading means can read the game-related information and when it is determined that the payout rate condition is satisfied.

In this gaming machine, the shift is determined under the first condition when the game-related information being stored in the game article is not readable. When it is readable and the payout rate satisfies the payout rate condition being determined by using the game-related information, the shift is determined under the second shift condition that provides more easiness than the first shift condition. Therefore, the shift easiness may vary depending on the payout rate. And it may vary depending on the payout rate condition.

Further, the above calculation means calculates the payout rate of the game repeated for a plurality of times in a state that the reading determination means determines that the game-related information is readable. The shift determination means may conduct the shift determination under the second shift condition when the payout rate determination means determines that the payout rate condition is satisfied and when the reading determination means determines that the game-related information is readable and when the play number that the game is played repeatedly is greater than the specific number, which is a contingent condition that the payout rate determination means makes a determination.

Here, that the game-related information is readable may mean that the reading means can read the game-related information from the game article and/or that the game-related information is in such a condition that it can be read. For example, the game-related information may be readable when the game article storing it is placed on a predetermined position whereas the game-related information may be unreadable when the game article is placed on another position than the predetermined position. The other position may include a position distant from the gaming machine.

In this gaming machine, when the play number that the game is played repeatedly is greater than the specific number and when the reading determination means determines that the game-related information is readable, the payout rate of the repeated game is calculated and the shift is determined under the second condition providing more shift easiness to the special game mode than the first shift condition when the payout rate satisfies the payout rate condition determined by the game-related information. Therefore, the shift easiness may vary depending on the play number and the payout rate.

There is also provided a gaming system comprising: a gaming machine comprising game progress control means for controlling a progress of a game that is started by using game media or media information corresponding to the game media, and a gaming server to be connected to the gaming machine.

The gaming machine comprises: reading means for reading game-related information including identification information for identifying a game article, play history information and other game information from the game article storing the game-related information; reading determination means for determining whether or not the reading means can read the game-related information; shift determination means for determining whether or not a game mode is to be shifted from a base game mode to a special game mode under a first shift condition upon a determination that the reading means cannot read the game-related information by the reading determination means; and for determining whether or not the game mode is to be shifted from the base game mode to the special game mode under a second shift condition providing higher probability of the shift to the special game mode than the first shift condition upon a determination that the reading means can read the game-related information by the reading determination means; calculation means for calculating a payout rate from a payout number of the game media paid out by the gaming machine and a consumed number of the game media or a number of the consumed game media; communication processing means for sending (or transmitting) data of the game-related information having been read by the reading means to the gaming server, and receiving data from the gaming server; and payout rate determination means for determining whether the payout rate condition by the condition determination means is satisfied or not under the payout rate having been sent from the server.

The server comprises a communication processor for receiving the game-related information from the game server and sending predetermined data to the gaming machine; and condition determination means for determining a payout rate condition based on the game-related information to determine whether or not the shift determination means conducts the shift determination under the second condition.

The communication processor of the gaming server sends data of the payout rate condition determined by the condition determination means. And the shift determination means conducts the shift determination under the second condition when the payout rate determination means determines that the payout rate condition is satisfied.

In this gaming system, the shift determination is made under the first shift condition when the game-related information stored in the game article is readable. Further, the shift determination is made under the second shift condition when the game-related information is readable, when the payout rate satisfies the payout rate condition based on the data received from the gaming serve, wherein the second shift condition provides more shift easiness to the special game mode than the first shift condition. Thus, the shift easiness may vary depending on the payout rate. And the payout rate condition may vary depending on the game article.

In the present invention, a gaming machine and a gaming system are provided in which the player can play the game in anticipation of shift to the special game mode or may find it difficult to predict when the game shifts to the bonus game while focusing on a symbol to be stopped and displayed to give an incentive to play the game repeatedly.

In the above gaming machine, the shift easiness to the bonus game may vary depending on the winning or losing based on the coin payout such that the game may provide the player with an incentive to play the game repeatedly while having anticipation to shift to the bonus game.

There is also provided a gaming machine in which a game including a base game mode and a special game mode is played and payout is conducted based on one or more symbols displayed. The gaming machine comprises an image display device for displaying the one or more symbols variably; and a reading device for reading game-related information including identification information for identifying a game article and play history information from the game article storing the game-related information. The reading device attempts to read the identification information from the game article so as to determine whether or not the identification information is readable. It is determined that the base game mode is to be shifted to the special game mode under a first shift condition upon determining that the identification information is not readable. The determination of the shift is made under a second condition that provides higher probability to be shifted to the special game mode than the first shift condition upon determining that the identification information is readable and that another condition is satisfied.

Claims

1. A gaming machine in which a game including a base game mode and a special game mode is played and payout is conducted based on one or more symbols displayed, the gaming machine comprising:

an image display device for displaying the one or more symbols variably; and

a reading device for reading game-related information including identification information for identifying a game article and play history information from the game article storing the game-related information,

wherein the reading device attempts to read the identification information from the game article so as to determine whether or not the identification information is readable;

wherein it is determined that the base game mode is to be shifted to the special game mode under a first shift condition upon determining that the identification information is not readable;

wherein the determination of the shift is made under a second condition that provides higher probability to be shifted to the special game mode than the first shift condition upon determining that the identification information is readable and that another condition is satisfied.

2. The gaming machine according toclaim 1, wherein the other condition is whether a symbol stopped and displayed in the base mode matches a predetermined symbol having been determined based on the identification information.

3. The gaming machine according toclaim 1, comprising:

a payout device for paying out; and

a game media insertion device into which game media are inserted,

wherein the other condition is whether a payout rate obtained from a number of the game media consumed and a number of the game media paid out during a series of games having been played is lower than a predetermined payout rate having been determined based on the identification information.

4. A gaming system comprising: the gaming machine recited inclaim 1; and a gaming server to be connected to the gaming machine,

wherein the gaming sever receives the identification information from the gaming machine, determines the other condition based on the identification information, and sends data of the other condition to the gaming machine.

5. A gaming system comprising: the gaming machine recited inclaim 2; and a gaming server to be connected to the gaming machine,

6. A gaming system comprising: the gaming machine recited inclaim 3; and a gaming server to be connected to the gaming machine,

7. A gaming system comprising: the gaming machine recited inclaim 2; and a gaming server to be connected to the gaming machine,

wherein the gaming server receives the identification information from the gaming machine, selects the predetermined symbol based on the identification information, and sends information to specify the predetermined symbol to the gaming machine.

8. A gaming system comprising: the gaming machine recited inclaim 3; and a gaming server to be connected to the gaming machine,

wherein the gaming server receives the identification information from the gaming machine, selects the predetermined payout rate based on the identification information, and sends information to specify the predetermined symbol to the gaming machine.