US20080305850A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20080305850A1
Application number: US11/933,175
Authority: US
Inventors: Kazuo Okada
Original assignee: Aruze Gaming America Inc
Current assignee: Aruze Gaming America Inc
Priority date: 2007-06-07
Filing date: 2007-10-31
Publication date: 2008-12-11
Also published as: JP2008302200A

Abstract

The reels having many symbols and two-dimensional codes corresponding to each of the symbols are rotated and stopped, so that the symbols are arranged in a display. When the symbols are rearranged, a photographing apparatus takes a photograph of the two-dimensional codes and a relation between the symbols rearranged in the display is specified by a content of the two-dimensional codes photographed.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/924,977, filed on Jun. 7, 2007.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a gaming machine and a plying method thereof

2. Description of Related Art

In a conventional gaming machine, when a player inserts a game medium such as coin or bill into an insertion slot of the gaming machine and presses a start button, symbols are scroll-displayed in a display mounted on a front of a cabinet and are then stopped automatically.

In such a gaming machine, for example, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,138,114, many symbols are provided on a transparent reel cover layer, marks corresponding to the symbols are provided at end edges of the reel cover layers and the reels are rotated and stopped, so that the symbols are variably displayed as a display. By reading the mark corresponding to the symbol, a position of the symbol is detected. In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 4,074,258 discloses a technology of optically sensing a position of a moving band.

Since the conventional gaming machine scans a reading object by using movement of the reels to detect positions of the symbols rearranged, it cannot read the positions when the reels are stopped, for example.

Accordingly, it is typically used that a reel band having the symbols provided thereto is wound on a reel wheel connected to a step motor and a position of the symbol in a display is specified by a rotation angle of the reel wheel. In this case, it is required to precisely wind and attach the reel band on the reel wheel. However, the operation is a delicate operation, so that it is difficult to attach the reel band.

In the mean time, an illegal action is often taken which shakes a gaming machine after the reels are stopped, thereby shifting the stop position of the symbol.

The invention is to provide a gaming machine that specifies a relation between symbols after rearrangement, which is not provided in the prior art, and a playing method thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a gaming machine having structures as described below. The gaming machine comprises a display, a photographing apparatus and a controller. The display has a reel having many symbols and two-dimensional codes corresponding to each of the symbols and arranges the symbols. The photographing apparatus photographs the two-dimensional codes. The controller is programmed to operate as described in steps of (a)˜(d).

The controller is programmed:

(a) to rearrange the symbols;

(b) to enable the photographing apparatus to take a photograph of the two-dimensional codes;

(c) to acquire a content of the two-dimensional codes photographed, thereby specifying a relation between the symbols rearranged; and

(d) to determine a winning by the specified relation between the symbols.

According to the above structure, the symbols are rearranged, the photographing apparatus takes a photograph of the two-dimensional codes and a content of the two-dimensional codes photographed is acquired, so that a relation between the symbols is specified and a winning is determined through the specified relation between the symbols.

Accordingly, after the rearrangement, a relation between the symbols can be specified and a winning can be determined.

The invention provides a gaming machine having structures as described below. The gaming machine comprises a display, a photographing apparatus, a notifying device and a controller. The display has a reel having many symbols and two-dimensional codes corresponding to each of the symbols and arranges the symbols. The photographing apparatus photographs the two-dimensional codes. The notifying device notifies a certain fact to an outside. The controller is programmed to operate as described in steps of (a)˜(g).

The controller is programmed:

(a) to rearrange the symbols;

(c) to acquire a content of the two-dimensional codes photographed, thereby specifying a relation between the symbols rearranged;

(d) to determine a winning by the specified relation between the symbols;

(e) to specify a relation between the symbols at a predetermined interval after the rearrangement;

(f) to compare the specified relation with the relation between the symbols in the previous time; and

(g) when a result of the comparison is different, to notify it by the notifying device.

According to the above structure, the symbols are rearranged, the photographing apparatus takes a photograph of the two-dimensional codes and a content of the two-dimensional codes photographed is acquired, so that a relation between the symbols is specified and a winning is determined through the specified relation between the symbols. After the rearrangement, a relation between the symbols is specified at a predetermined interval. When the relation is different that in the previous time, it is notified by the notifying apparatus.

Accordingly, when a relation between the symbols is changed by an illegal means, for example, after the rearrangement, it can be notified.

The invention provides a gaming machine having structures as described below. The gaming machine comprises a display, a photographing apparatus and a controller. The display has a reel having a reel band wound thereon, which has many symbols and two-dimensional codes corresponding to each of the symbols, and arranges the symbols. The photographing apparatus photographs the two-dimensional codes. The controller is programmed to operate as described in steps of (a)˜(d).

The controller is programmed:

(a) to rearrange the symbols;

(d) to determine a winning by the specified relation between the symbols.

According to the above structure, the symbols are rearranged, the photographing apparatus takes a photograph of the two-dimensional codes provided to a reel band and a content of the two-dimensional codes photographed is acquired, so that a relation between the symbols is specified and a winning is determined through the specified relation between the symbols.

Accordingly, since the two-dimensional codes are provided to the reel band, when the reel band is attached to a reel body, it is possible to omit an operation of correctly fitting a position of the reel body and the reel band. Thereby, it is possible to easily attach the reel band.

The invention provides a gaming machine having structures as described below. The gaming machine comprises a display, a photographing apparatus and a controller. The display has a reel having a reel band wound thereon, which has many symbols on a surface thereof, two-dimensional codes corresponding to each of the symbols on a back surface thereof, and arranges the symbols. The photographing apparatus photographs the two-dimensional codes. The controller is programmed to operate as described in steps of (a)˜(d)

The controller is programmed:

(a) to rearrange the symbols;

(d) to determine a winning by the specified relation between the symbols.

According to the above structure, the symbols are rearranged, the photographing apparatus takes a photograph of the two-dimensional codes and a content of the two-dimensional codes photographed is acquired, so that a relation between the symbols is specified and a winning is determined through the specified relation between the symbols. To a rear of the reel band having the photographed two-dimensional codes provided thereto are provided the symbols corresponding to the two-dimensional codes.

Accordingly, it is possible to specify a relation between the symbols and to determine a winning, more simply.

The invention provides a gaming machine having structures as described below. The gaming machine comprises a display, a photographing apparatus, a notifying device and a controller. The display has a reel having a reel band wound thereon, which has many symbols and two-dimensional codes corresponding to each of the symbols, and arranges the symbols. The photographing apparatus photographs the two-dimensional codes. The notifying device notifies a certain fact to an outside. The controller is programmed to operate as described in steps of (a)˜(g).

The controller is programmed:

(a) to rearrange the symbols;

(d) to determine a winning by the specified relation between the symbols;

According to the above structure, the symbols are rearranged, the photographing apparatus takes a photograph of the two-dimensional codes provided to the reel band and a content of the two-dimensional codes photographed is acquired, so that a relation between the symbols is specified and a winning is determined through the specified relation between the symbols. After the rearrangement, a relation between the symbols is specified at a predetermined interval. When the relation is different that in the previous time, it is notified by the notifying apparatus. The reel band is provided with the two-dimensional codes.

Accordingly, when a relation between the symbols is changed by an illegal means, for example, after the rearrangement, it can be notified. In addition, since the reel band has the two-dimensional codes, when the reel band is attached to a reel body, it is possible to omit an operation of correctly fitting a position of the reel body and the reel band. Thereby, it is possible to easily attach the reel band.

The invention provides a gaming machine having structures as described below. The gaming machine comprises a display, a photographing apparatus, a notifying device and a controller. The display has a reel having a reel band wound thereon, which has many symbols on a surface thereof and two-dimensional codes corresponding to each of the symbols on a back surface thereof, and arranges the symbols. The photographing apparatus photographs the two-dimensional codes. The notifying device notifies a certain fact to an outside. The controller is programmed to operate as described in steps of (a)˜(g).

The controller is programmed:

(a) to rearrange the symbols;

(d) to determine a winning by the specified relation between the symbols;

According to the above structure, the symbols are rearranged, the photographing apparatus takes a photograph of the two-dimensional codes and a content of the two-dimensional codes photographed is acquired, so that a relation between the symbols is specified and a winning is determined through the specified relation between the symbols. After the rearrangement, a relation between the symbols is specified at a predetermined interval. When the relation is different that in the previous time, it is notified by the notifying apparatus. A back surface of the reel band having the photographed two-dimensional codes is provided with the symbols corresponding to the two-dimensional codes.

Accordingly, when a relation between the symbols is changed by an illegal means, for example, after the rearrangement, it can be notified. In addition, it is possible to specify a relation between the symbols and to determine a winning, more simply.

The invention provides a playing method of a gaming machine repeatedly executing a unit game in which many symbols are rearranged in a display. The display has a reel having many symbols and two-dimensional codes corresponding to each of the symbols. The playing method comprises steps of:

(a) rearranging the symbols;

(b) enabling a photographing apparatus to take a photograph of the two-dimensional codes;

(c) acquiring a content of the two-dimensional codes photographed, thereby specifying a relation between the symbols rearranged; and

(d) determining a winning by the specified relation between the symbols.

(a) rearranging the symbols;

(c) acquiring a content of the two-dimensional codes photographed, thereby specifying a relation between the symbols rearranged;

(d) determining a winning by the specified relation between the symbols;

(e) specifying a relation between the symbols at a predetermined interval after the rearrangement;

(f) comparing the specified relation with the relation between the symbols in the previous time; and

(g) when a result of the comparison is different, notifying it by the notifying device.

The invention provides a playing method of a gaming machine repeatedly executing a unit game in which many symbols are rearranged in a display. The display has a reel having a reel band wound thereon that has many symbols and two-dimensional codes corresponding to each of the symbols. The playing method comprises steps of:

(a) rearranging the symbols;

(b) enabling the photographing apparatus to take a photograph of the two-dimensional codes;

(d) determining a winning by the specified relation between the symbols.

The invention provides a playing method of a gaming machine repeatedly executing a unit game in which many symbols are rearranged in a display. The display has a reel having a reel band wound thereon that has many symbols on a surface thereof and two-dimensional codes corresponding to each of the symbols on a back surface thereof. The playing method comprises steps of:

(a) rearranging the symbols;

(d) determining a winning by the specified relation between the symbols.

(a) rearranging the symbols;

(d) determining a winning by the specified relation between the symbols;

(a) rearranging the symbols;

(d) determining a winning by the specified relation between the symbols;

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a state in which an illegal action is taken for a gaming machine;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a reel seen from an inside of a cabinet;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a reel;

FIG. 4 illustrates a corresponding relation between a symbol and a two-dimensional code;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of a gaming machine;

FIG. 6 illustrates symbols and code numbers thereof;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a gaming machine;

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of a game executing process;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart of a reel position acquiring process;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of an illegality determining process;

FIG. 11A illustrates a corresponding relation between a symbol and a two-dimensional code; and

FIG. 11B illustrates a corresponding relation between a symbol and a two-dimensional code.

DESCRIPTION OF THEPREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiment

1

Hereinafter, it will be described an embodiment of a gaming machine and a playing method according to the invention. In the mean time, although a slot machine is exemplified as an example of the gaming machine in the embodiment, the invention is not limited thereto.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, aslot machine10 executes a playing method comprising steps of: rotating each of three

reels

151L,151C,151R in a predetermined timing to scrollsymbols161 of an arrangement area (

display windows

150L,150C,150R) and then to rearrange the symbols; enabling a photographingapparatus154 to take a photograph of two-dimensional codes160 provided to thereels151; acquiring a content of the two-dimensional codes160 photographed, thereby specifying a relation between thesymbols161 rearranged; and determining a winning by the relation between thesymbols161 rearranged.

In addition, as illustrated inFIG. 1, the slot machine executes a playing method comprising steps of: rotating each of three

reels

display windows

150L,150C,150R) and then to rearrange the symbols; enabling a photographingapparatus154 to take a photograph of two-dimensional codes160 provided to thereels151; acquiring a content of the two-dimensional codes160 photographed, thereby specifying a relation between thesymbols161 rearranged; determining a winning by the relation between thesymbols161 rearranged; specifying a relation between thesymbols161 at a predetermined interval after the rearrangement; comparing the specified relation with the relation between the symbols in the previous time; and when a result of the comparison is different, notifying ahall computer301 of it by anetwork300.

Herein, the “arrangement” means a state in which thesymbols161 including the scatter symbol are allowed to be visible with naked eyes of an exterior player. In other words, inFIG. 1, thesymbols161 are under state of being displayed in the

display windows

150L,150C,150R. In the mean time, the “rearrangement” means arranging the reels again after dismissing the arrangement of thesymbols161. In addition, a “payline” L is provided to determine a combination of thesymbols161. Specifically, a single payline L is set in the

display windows

150L,150C,150R and asingle symbol161 is respectively arranged on the payline L. Then, a combination is determined for thesymbols161 rearranged on the payline. As a result of the determination for a combination, when a winning combination is made, it is carried out, for example, a process of paying out a coin in accordance with the winning combination.

In addition, a “scatter symbol” is a symbol making it a condition that a winning is made through only the arrangement thereof, irrespective of the payline L. In other words, when the scatter symbol is rearranged, a winning is made and it is carried out, for example, a process of paying out a coin on the basis of the number of all the scatter symbols rearranged. Furthermore, when a predetermined number of scatter symbols is rearranged, a winning of the scatter symbol is made and a coin is paid out. In addition, the “symbol”161 means all symbols used in theslot machine10 and includes the scatter symbol. The payline L, thesymbol161, the winning combination and the

display windows

150L,150C,150R will be more specifically described later.

(Lower Image Display Panel16)

Herein, a structure of a lowerimage display panel16 is described. The lowerimage display panel16, as illustrated inFIG. 2, afront panel131 consisting of aprotective glass132 and adisplay plate133, a transparentliquid crystal panel134, alight guide plate135, areflective film136,

fluorescent lamps

137a,137b,138a,138b,which are so-called white light sources,lamp holders139a˜139fand a table carrier package (TCP) having a transparent liquid crystal panel driving IC mounted thereon. The TCP is comprised of a flexible substrate (not shown) connected to a terminal of the transparentliquid crystal panel134 and the like.

Theprotective glass132 and thedisplay plate133 consist of transparent members. On a back surface of thedisplay plate133 are arranged an electric circuit for operating the various lamps and the various display units and the like (not shown).

The transparentliquid crystal panel134 is formed by encapsulating the liquid crystal between a transparent substrate having a thin film transistor layer formed, such as glass plate, and a transparent substrate oppose to the substrate. A display mode of the transparentliquid crystal panel134 is set as a normally white mode. The normally white is such a structure that a white display (the light having transmitted the display surface is visible from an outside) is made when the liquid crystal is not driven.

Thelight guide plate135 is provided to guide the light from the

fluorescent lamps

137a,137bto the transparentliquid crystal panel134, is provided to a rear of the transparentliquid crystal panel134 and is comprised of, for example a transparent member (it has a light guide function) having a thickness of approximately 2 cm, such as acryl based resin.

As thereflective film136, a thing is used which is formed by forming a silver vapor deposition film on a white polyester film or aluminum thin film. The reflective film reflects the light, which is introduced into thelight guide plate135, toward a front of thelight guide plate135. Thereflective film136 consists of areflective area136A and a non-reflective area (transmissive area)136B.

The

fluorescent lamps

137a,137bare disposed along upper and lower ends of thelight guide plate135 and both ends thereof are supported by the lamp holder139. The light illuminated from the

fluorescent lamps

137a,137bis reflected on thereflective area136A of thereflective film136, thereby illuminating the transparentliquid crystal panel134.

The

fluorescent lamps

138a,138bare disposed toward the

rotation reels

151L,151C,151R at upper and lower positions of the rear of thereflective film136. The light, which is illuminated from the

fluorescent lamps

138a,138b,is reflected on the surface of the

rotation reels

151L,151C,151R and is then introduced into thenon-reflective area136B, illuminates the transparentliquid crystal panel134.

In theslot machine10, only a partial area of the lowerimage display panel16 is an area that is switched into a transparent/non-transparent state. However, in the gaming machine of the invention, an overall area of a display screen of the liquid crystal display device may be an area that is switched into a transparent/non-transparent state. In this case, when an overall area of the lowerimage display panel16 is made to be an area that is switched into a transparent or non-transparent state in theslot machine10, an entire of the reflective film56 may be set as thenon-transparent area136B, or alternatively, thereflective film136 may be omitted.

(Structure of the Reels151)

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of thereel151L. Meanwhile, since the

other reels

151C,151R have the same structure as thereel151L, the descriptions and illustrations of the

reels

151C,151R are omitted. Thereel151L consists of areel wheel156 and areel band157. Thereel wheel156 is a hollow member having a cylindrical shape. On a periphery of thereel wheel156 is wound thereel band157 having thesymbols161. In the state in which thereel band157 is wound on thereel wheel156, the symbols are arranged on a surface of thereel band157 along the circumferential direction of the cylinder. In the mean time, in the state in which thereel band157 is wound on thereel wheel156, two-dimensional codes160 corresponding to thesymbols161 are arranged on a back surface of thereel band157.

In addition, astep motor152L serving as a driving unit is provided in thereel wheel156.

Thestep motor152L is fixed to a support plate (not shown). A driving shaft of thestep motor152L is fixed to a rotation shaft of thereel wheel156. When thestep motor152L is driven, thereel151L is rotated. Thestep motor152L is electrically connected to a sub CPU155 (which will be described later) through amotor driving circuit153. Thesub CPU155 controls thestep motor152L and the like through themotor driving circuit153, as described below, thereby rotating or stopping the

reels

151L,151C,151R.

In addition, aleft camera154L serving as a photographing apparatus is provided in thereel wheel156. Theleft camera154L takes a photograph of the two-dimensional codes160. Theleft camera154L is electrically connected to thesub CPU155 that is described below. Thesub CPU155 enables theleft camera154L to take a photograph of the two-dimensional codes160 and acquires the two-dimensional codes160 photographed, which will be described later.

Herein, the “two-dimensional code” is a code having information of horizontal and vertical directions, contrary to a one-dimensional code having information of a horizontal direction only, which is referred to as a barcode. The two-dimensional code can encode much more information, as compared to the one-dimensional code (barcode).

(Corresponding Relation Between theSymbols161 and the Two-Dimensional Codes160)

FIG. 4 illustrates a surface and a back surface of thereel band157. Thesymbols161 are attached on the surface of thereel band157. In addition, on the back surface of thereel band157 are attached the two-dimensional codes160 that correspond to thesymbols161 attached on the surface of thereel band157. On back surfaces of thesymbols161 attached on the surface of thereel band157 are attached the two-dimensional codes160 corresponding to thesymbols161.

Specifically, thesymbol161aattached on the surface is “RED 7” and the two-dimensional code160ahaving the information representing the “RED 7” is attached on the back surface of thereel band157 on which thesymbol161ais attached. In addition, although thesymbol161battached on the surface is “1 BAR” having acode number11 illustrated inFIG. 6, the two-dimensional code160bhaving the information representing the “1 BAR” of thecode number11 is attached on the back surface of thereel band157 having thesymbol161battached thereto. Likewise, on the back surface of thereel band157 having thesymbol161cof “DOUBLE” attached thereto is attached the two-dimensional code160chaving the information representing the “DOUBLE.” Likewise, on the back surface of thereel band157 having thesymbol161dof “3 BAR” attached thereto is attached the two-dimensional code160dhaving the information representing the “3 Bar.” Likewise, on the back surface of thereel band157 having thesymbol161eof “BLANK” attached thereto is attached the two-dimensional code160ehaving the information representing the “BLANK.” Likewise, on the back surface of thereel band157 having thesymbol161fof “BLUE 7” attached thereto is attached the two-dimensional code160fhaving the information representing the “BLUE 7.”

(Symbol Arrangement Unit101)

As illustrated inFIG. 5, the slot machine executing the playing method comprises asymbol arrangement unit101, agame controller100 and a photographingunit154. Thesymbol arrangement unit101 comprises the reels151 (151L,151C,151R) having thesymbols161 including the scatter symbol attached on the periphery thereof, areel driving unit116 and the two-dimensional codes160 corresponding to the respective symbols and is such structured that thereel driving unit116 rotates thereels151 to arrange thesymbols161 in the arrangement area (

display windows

150L,150C,150R) having the single payline L. The photographingunit154 takes a photograph of the two-dimensional codes160.

Thesymbol arrangement unit101, as described above, may be a mechanical structure with a reel device for arranging thesymbols161 by rotation of a reel. Further, thesymbol arrangement unit101 may be a structure of combining a mechanical structure (reel) and an electrical structure (video reel). The electrical structure may include a liquid crystal display device, a CRT (cathode-ray tube) device, a plasma display and the like. In addition, the number of the display windows (arrangement area)150L,150C,150R may be arbitrary and the number of thesymbols161 to be arranged in the respective display windows may be arbitrary. Moreover, the payline L may be plural depending on the number of the display windows and the number of thesymbols161 to be arranged in the display windows.

(Game Controller100)

Thegame controller100 is configured to execute a first process of rotating the reels151 (151L,151C,151R) to arrange thesymbols161 in the arrangement area (

display windows

150L,150C,150R), scrolling each of thesymbols161 in different timings for each of the

display windows

150L,150C,150R and then rearranging the symbols; a second process of enabling the photographingunit154 to take a photograph of the two-dimensional codes160 provided to thereels151; a third process of acquiring a content of the two-dimensional codes160 photographed, thereby specifying a relation between thesymbols161 rearranged; a fourth process of determining an award of a payout based on a combination of thesymbols161 rearranged on the payline L; a fifth process of specifying a relation between thesymbols161 at a predetermined interval after the rearrangement; a sixth process of comparing the specified relation with the relation between the symbols in the previous time; and a seventh process of when a result of the comparison is different, notifying ahall computer301 of it by anetwork300. In other words, thegame controller100 has first to seventh processing units.

Thegame controller100 has a reelposition determining unit117 and areel control unit103. The reelposition determining unit117 enables the photographingunit154 to take a photograph of the two-dimensional codes160, and specifies a position of the reel and thesymbols161 arranged, by a content of the two-dimensional codes160 photographed. In addition, thereel control unit103 rotates the reels151 (151L,151C,151R) to scroll and stop thesymbols161 in the arrangement area, thereby rearranging thesymbols161.

Further, thegame controller100 is connected to agame start unit109. Thegame start unit109 has a function of outputting a game start signal in accordance with an operation of the player. Thegame controller100 comprises agame executing unit110 for rearranging the symbols with an input of a game start signal, as trigger, from thegame start unit109, a combinationpayout determining unit111 for determining a payout determined by a combination of the symbols rearranged on the payline in a unit game, and apayout award unit113 for awarding the respective payouts determined in the combinationpayout determining unit111.

Furthermore, thegame controller100 has anillegality determining unit118 and an illegality notifying unit119. Theillegality determining unit118 determines whether the symbols rearranged on the payline in a unit game are illegally rearranged after the rearrangement. When it is determined in theillegality determining unit118 that an illegality is made, the illegality notifying unit119 notifies the hall computer150 of the illegality through thenetwork300.

In the mean time, each block of thegame controller100 may be structured with a hardware or software, as required.

(Operation of the Game Controller100)

In the followings, an operation of thegame controller100 is described.

When a game start signal is outputted from thegame start unit109 by an operation of the player, thereel control unit103 starts a process of rotating the reels and thegame executing unit110 starts a unit game, so that the rearrangement of thesymbols161 is started (first process). At this time, thesymbols161 are rearranged in the different timings for each of the

display windows

150L,150C,150R by thereel control unit103. When thesymbols161 are rearranged as the unit game is started, the reelposition determining unit117 enables the photographingunit154 to take a photograph of the two-dimensional codes160 (second process). A content of the two-dimensional codes160 photographed is acquired, so that a relation between thesymbols161 rearranged is specified (third process). After the rearrangement, the second and third processes are performed at a predetermined interval, so that a relation between thesymbols161 rearranged is specified (fifth process). The specified relation between thesymbols161 in the fifth process is compared with a relation between thesymbols161 in the previous time (sixth process). Then, when it is determined that the specified relation between thesymbols161 is different from the relation between thesymbols161 in the previous time, thehall computer301 is notified of it through the network300 (seventh process).

In the mean time, when all thesymbols161 of the arrangement area (

display windows

150L,150C,150R) are rearranged, the reelposition determining unit117 enables the photographingunit154 to take a photograph of the two-dimensional codes160 (second process) A content of the two-dimensional codes160 photographed is acquired, so that a relation between thesymbols161 rearranged is specified (third process).

The combinationpayout determining unit111 determines a payout based on a combination of thesymbols161 rearranged on the specified payline L in the third process (fourth process). Then, the determined payout is awarded by thepayout award unit113.

Then, after the rearrangement, the second and third processes are performed at a predetermined interval, so that a relation of thesymbols161 rearranged is specified (fifth process). The specified relation between thesymbols161 in the fifth process and a relation between thesymbols161 in the previous time are compared (sixth process) Then, when it is determined that the specified relation between thesymbols161 is different from the relation between thesymbols161 in the previous time, thehall computer301 is notified of it through the network300 (seventh process).

In the mean time, the game controller may have the first to fourth processes, or may have the first to seventh processes.

By rearranging the symbols, thegame controller100 executes the second process of enabling the photographingunit154 to take a photograph of the two-dimensional codes160, the third process of acquiring a content of the two-dimensional codes160 photographed to specify a relation between thesymbols161 rearranged and the fourth process of determining a payout by the specified relation between thesymbols161.

According to the above structure, thegame controller100 executes the first to fourth processes, so that the symbols are rearranged, the photographing apparatus takes a photograph of the two-dimensional codes, a content of the two-dimensional codes photographed is acquired to specify a relation between the symbols and a winning is determined from the specified relation between the symbols. Accordingly, after the symbols are rearranged, a relation between the symbols can be specified and a winning can be determined.

Thegame controller100 executes the fifth process of executing the second and third processes at a predetermined interval after the rearrangement, thereby specifying a relation between thesymbols161, the sixth process of comparing the specified relation between thesymbols161 with a relation between the symbols in the previous time and the seventh process of when a result of the comparison is different, notifying thehall computer301 of it through thenetwork300.

According to the above structure, thegame controller100 executes the first to seventh processes, so that the symbols are rearranged, the photographing apparatus takes a photograph of the two-dimensional codes, a content of the two-dimensional codes photographed is acquired to specify a relation between the symbols and a winning is determined from the specified relation between the symbols. After the rearrangement, a relation between the symbols is specified at a predetermined interval. When the specified relation is different from that in the previous time, it is notified by the notifying device. Accordingly, after the symbols are rearranged, when the relation between the symbols is changed by an illegal means, for example, it can be notified.

(Display State)

It is specifically described an example of a display state of the display, with respect to the operation processes of theslot machine10 and the playing method. In the mean time, as illustrated inFIGS. 1 to 4, the display state is described with reference to a structure in which thereels151 are mechanical reels and thereels151 having thesymbols161 attached thereto are rotated to arrange thesymbols161 in the arrangement area.

The display has the

display windows

150L,150C,150R as the arrangement area for arranging thesymbols161. The

display windows

150L,150C,150R are arranged in a central part of the display. In the

display windows

150L,150C,150R, thereels151, which are provided to the rear and have thesymbols161 attached to the periphery thereof, are rotated to scroll-display thesymbols161. The rotation of thereels151 is stopped, so that thesymbols161 are respectively stopped (arranged) in each of the

display windows

150L,150C,150R. For example, “1 BAR” is stopped in thedisplay window150L, “RED 7” is stopped in thedisplay window150C and “BLANK” is stopped in thedisplay window150R. As a result, the

display windows

150L,150C,150R display a symbol matrix consisting of 3 columns and 1 row. In the mean time, the symbol matrix is not limited to 3 columns/1 row.

(Symbol, Combination and the Like)

As illustrated inFIG. 7, thesymbols161 to be displayed in the

display windows

150L,150C,150R of the display constitute symbol columns with 22 symbols. The symbols constituting the respective columns of symbols are given with one code number of 0˜21. Each of the symbol columns is constituted with a combination of symbols of “RED 7,” “BLUE 7,” “BLANK,” “CHERRY,” “1 BAR,” “2 BAR,” “3 BAR,” “DOUBLE” and “TRIPLE.”

The three successive symbols in the symbol columns are displayed (arranged) in the

respective display windows

150L,150C,150R, so that they constitute a symbol matrix of 3 columns/1 row in the

display windows

150L,150C,150R. When a 1-BET button26 or MAX-BET button27 is pushed and then aspin button23 is pushed, thesymbols161 constituting the symbol matrix starts the scroll as thereels151 are rotated. When the scroll starts, the scrolls of the respective symbols are stopped (rearranged) after a predetermined time period has elapsed.

In addition, various winning combinations are predetermined with regard to the respective symbols. The winning combination is a combination that a combination of symbols stopped on the payline L becomes an advantageous state to the player. The advantageous state is a state in which a coin is paid out in accordance with the winning combination, a state in which the payout-number of coins is added to a credit, a state in which a bonus game is started, and the like.

Specifically, when a combination of “BLUE 7” symbol is stopped on the payline L, a bonus trigger is made and a gaming state is shifted to a bonus game from a basic game. In addition, when a symbol of “CHERRY” is stopped on the payline L, 20 coins (game medium) are paid out per one bet. When a symbol of “1 BAR” is stopped on the payline L, 5 coins are paid out per one bet.

In the mean time, a bonus game is a gaming state that is more advantageous than a basic game. In one embodiment, the bonus game is a free game. The free game is a gaming state allowing a player to play a game for a predetermined number of times, without betting a coin. The bonus game is not particularly limited as long as it is a gaming state advantageous to the player, i.e., it is more advantageous than the basic game. For example, the bonus game may include a state in which it is possible to obtain more game medium than the basic game, a state in which it is possible to obtain a game medium in a higher probability than in the basic game, a state in which a game medium is less consumed than in the basic game, and the like. Specifically, a free game, a second game and the like are examples of the bonus game.

(Mechanical Structure)

In the followings, it will be described an example of theslot machine10 structured in a mechanical and electrical manner.

Theslot machine10 is provided in a game arcade. Theslot machine10 executes a unit game by using a game medium. The game medium is a coin, bill or electronic negotiable information corresponding to them. Meanwhile, in the invention, the game medium is not particularly limited. For example, a medal, token, electronic money, ticket and the like can be used. The ticket is not particularly limited and may be a ticket with a barcode that will be described later.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, theslot machine10 comprises acabinet11, atop box12 provided to an upper part of thecabinet11 and amain door13 provided to a front of thecabinet11. Themain door13 is provided with a lowerimage display panel16. The lowerimage display panel16 has a transparent liquid crystal panel for displaying a variety of information. The lowerimage display panel16 displays, in the

display windows

150L,150C,150R under transparent state, a part of thesymbols161 of the

reels

151L,151C,151R provided to the rear and displays a variety of information and effect images relating to a game.

Meanwhile, in this embodiment, the

display windows

150L,150C,150R are displayed in the lowerimage display panel16 and the

mechanical reels

151L,151C,151R having the symbols attached to the periphery thereof are used to display the symbols of 3 columns and 1 row. However, the invention is not limited thereto.

A single activated payline L is displayed in the lowerimage display panel16. The payline L may be two lines or more. In addition, when two or more paylines L are provided, the paylines L corresponding to a predetermined condition such as bet-number of coins may be activated.

Meanwhile, a credit-number display unit and a payout-number display unit may be displayed in the lowerimage display panel16. The credit-number display unit displays a total number that can be paid out to a player by the slot machine10 (hereinafter, it referred to as a total credit-number). The payout-number display unit displays a number of coins that are paid out when a combination of the symbols stopped on the payline L becomes a winning combination.

Acontrol panel20, acoin receiving slot21 and abill validator22 are provided below the lowerimage display panel16. Thecontrol panel20 is provided withseveral buttons23˜27. Thebuttons23˜27 allows instructions, which are related to a game progress by a player, to be inputted. Thecoin receiving slot21 enables a coin to be received in thecabinet11.

Thecontrol panel20 is provided with aspin button23, achange button24, a cash outbutton25, a 1-BET button26 and a MAX-BET27. Thespin button23 is a button for rotating thereels151 and inputting an instruction to start the scroll of symbols. Thechange button24 is a button to be used when a player asks a staff in the game arcade for exchange of money. The cash outbutton25 is a button for inputting an instruction to pay out the coins of total credit-number into acoin tray18.

The 1-BET button26 is a button for inputting an instruction to bet one coin, among coins of the total credit-number, per one game. The MAX-BET button27 is a button for inputting an instruction to bet maximum coins (for example, 50 coins), among coins of the total credit-number, per one game.

The bill validator22 validates whether bill is normal or not and receives the normal bill into thecabinet11. In the mean time, thebill validator22 can read aticket39 having a barcode that will be described later. When thebill validator22 reads theticket39 having a barcode, it outputs a reading signal relating to the read content to amain CPU41.

Abelly glass34 is provided to a lower frontal surface of themain door13, i.e., below thecontrol panel20. A character of theslot machine10 and the like are drawn on thebelly glass34. An upperimage display panel33 is mounted to a front of thetop box12. The upperimage display panel33 has a liquid crystal panel and displays, for example, an effect image and an image indicating an introduction of a game content and an explanation of a game rule.

To thetop box12 is mounted aspeaker29 for outputting a voice sound. Aticket printer35, acard reader36, adata displayer37 and akeypad38 are provided below the upperimage display panel33. Theticket printer35 prints a barcode having data encoded thereto, such as credit-number, date and time, identification number of theslot machine10 and the like, onto a ticket, thereby outputting theticket39 having the barcode. The player can play a game in another slot machine with theticket39 having a barcode and exchange theticket39 having a barcode with bill in a change booth of the game arcade.

Thecard reader36 reads and writes the data from and into a smart card. The smart card is a card carried by a player, into which data for identifying the player and data relating to a game history of the player are memorized.

The data displayer37 consists of a fluorescent display and the like, and displays the data read by thecard reader36 and the data inputted by the player through thekeypad38. Thekeypad38 inputs instructions or data relating to a ticket issue.

(Electrical Structure)

A control unit having thegame controller100 illustrated inFIG. 5 is mounted in thecabinet11. As illustrated inFIG. 6, the control unit comprises amotherboard40, a main body PCB (Printed Circuit Board)60, agaming board50, a sub CPU61, adoor PCB80, and various switches and sensors.

Thegaming board50 is provided with a CPU (Central Processing Unit)51, aROM55 and aboot ROM52 which are connected to each other by an internal bus, acard slot53S corresponding to amemory card53 and anIC socket54S corresponding to a GAL (Generic Array Logic)54.

Thememory card53 stores a game program and a game system program therein. The game program includes a stop symbol determining program. The stop symbol determining program is a program for determining a symbol (code number corresponding to the symbol) to be stopped on the payline L. The stop symbol determining program includes symbol weight data corresponding to each of plural payout rate (for example, 80%, 84%, 88%). The symbol weight data is data representing a correspondence relation between the code number of each symbol and 1 or plural random numbers belonging to a predetermined numerical range (0˜256) for each of the

display windows

150L,150C,150R.

The payout rate is determined on the basis of data for setting a payout rate, which data is outputted from theGAL54, and a stop symbol is determined on the basis of the symbol weight data corresponding to the payout rate.

Further, thememory card53 stores various data used for the game program and the game system program. For example, the data, which represents a relationship between thesymbols161 displayed in the

display windows

150L,150C,150R ofFIG. 1 and the code numbers, is stored in a data table form. Further, these data are transmitted to aRAM43 of themotherboard40 when executing the game program.

In addition, thecard slot53S is structured to insert and remove thememory card53 and connected to themotherboard40 through an IDE bus. Accordingly, it is possible to change a type or content of a game to be executed in theslot machine10, by removing thememory card53 from thecard slot53S, writing another game program and game system program in thememory card53 and inserting thememory card53 into thecard slot53S.

The game program includes a program relating to a game progress and a program for shifting a gaming state into a bonus game.

TheGAL54 is provided with plural input and output ports. When the data is inputted into the input ports, theGAL54 outputs data corresponding to the inputted data from the output ports. The data outputted from the output ports is the data for setting a payout rate which has been described above.

TheIC socket54S is structured to attach and detach theGAL54. TheIC socket54S is connected to themotherboard40 through a PCI bus. Accordingly, it is possible to change the data for setting a payout rate which is outputted from theGAL54, by detaching theGAL54 from theIC socket54S, rewriting the program stored in theGAL54 and then attaching theGAL54 to theIC socket54S.

TheCPU51, theROM55 and theboot ROM52, which are connected to each other by the internal bus, are connected to themotherboard40 through the PCI bus. The PCI bus carries out a signal transfer between themotherboard40 and thegaming board50 and supplies power to thegaming board50 from themotherboard40. TheROM55 stores nation identification information and an authentication program. Theboot ROM52 stores a preliminary authentication program and a program (boot code) enabling theCPU51 to execute the preliminary authentication program.

The authentication program is a program (falsification check program) for authenticating the game program and the game system program. The authentication program is a program for confirming and verifying that the game program and the game system program are not falsified. In other words, the authentication program is described in accordance with a procedure for authenticating the game program and the game system program. The preliminary authentication program is a program for authenticating the authentication program. The preliminary authentication program is described in accordance with a procedure for verifying that the authentication to be authenticated is not falsified, i.e., for authenticating the authentication program.

Themotherboard40 is provided with a main CPU41 (controller), a ROM (Read Only Memory)42, a RAM (Random Access Memory)43 and acommunication interface44.

Themain CPU41 has functions of a controller for controlling thewhole slot machine10. In particular, themain CPU41 carries out a control for outputting a command signal enabling the sub CPU61 to rotate thereels151 when thespin button23 is pushed after the credit is bet, a control for determining symbols to be stopped after thereels151 are rotated and a control for stopping the determined symbols in the

display windows

150L,150C,150R.

In other words, themain CPU41 has functions of an arrangement controller for selecting and determining arrangement symbols with regard to a symbol matrix from the plural types of symbols so as to rearrange them, as a new symbol matrix after scrolling the plural symbols to be displayed in the lowerimage display panel16, and executing an arrangement control which will be stopped at the determined symbols from the scroll state.

In addition, themain CPU41 has a function of thegame controller100 executing a first process of rotating each of the reels151 (

reels

151L,151C,151R) based on a predetermined timing, thereby scrolling the symbols (symbols161) in the arrangement area (

display windows

150L,150C,150R) and then rearranging them; a second process of determining a winning by a relation (winning combination) between the symbols rearranged; and a third process of after a predetermined condition is fulfilled, rotating the reels to covert the scroll direction of the symbols.

TheROM42 stores a program such as BIOS (Basis Input/Output System) to be executed by themain CPU41, and data that is permanently used. When the BIOS is executed by themain CPU41, each of peripheral devices is initialized and the game program and the game system program stored in thememory card53 are read out through thegaming board50. TheRAM43 stores the data or program that is used when theCPU41 carries out a process.

Thecommunication interface44 is provided to communicate with a host computer and the like through a communication line, which are mounted in the game arcade. In addition, themotherboard40 is connected to the main body PCB (Printed Circuit Board)60 and thedoor PCB80 through a USB (Universal Serial Bus). Further, themotherboard40 is connected to apower unit45. When power is supplied to themotherboard40 from thepower unit45, themain CPU41 of themotherboard40 is operated and the power is supplied to thegaming board50 through the PCI bus, so that theCPU51 is also operated.

Themain body PCB60 and thedoor PCB80 are connected to a device or apparatus for producing an input signal that will be inputted to themain CPU41, and a device or apparatus that is controlled by the control signal outputted from themain CPU41. Themain CPU41 executes the game program and the game system program stored in theRAM43, based on the input signal inputted to themain CPU41 to carry out an arithmetic process, thereby storing a result thereof in theRAM43 or transmitting a control signal to each device or apparatus to control it.

Themain body PCB60 is connected with alamp30, the sub CPU61, ahopper66, acoin sensor67, agraphic board68, thespeaker29, thebill validator22, theticket printer35, thecard reader36, akey switch38S and thedata displayer37.

The turning on and off of thelamp30 is controlled, based on a control signal outputted from themain CPU41. Thesub CPU155 controls the rotation and stopping of the reels151 (151L,151C,151R). Thesub CPU155 is connected with themotor driving circuit155 having a FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) (not shown) and a driver (not shown). The FPGA is a programmable electronic circuit such as LSI and serves as a control circuit of the step motor152. The driver serves as an amplifying circuit of a pulse to be inputted into the step motor152. The motor driving circuit152 is connected with the step motors152 (152L,152C,152R) to rotate therespective reels151. The step motors152 are a step motor of a 1-2 phase exciting type.

In the invention, the exciting type of the step motor is not particularly limited. For example, a 2-phases exciting type, a 1-phase exciting type may be adopted. In addition, a DC motor may be adopted instead of the step motor. When a DC motor is adopted, thesub CPU155 is connected with a D/A converter and a servo amplifier, sequentially. The servo amplifier is connected with the DC motor. In addition, a rotating position of the DC motor is detected by a rotary encoder and a current rotating position of the DC motor is supplied, as data, to a deviation counter from the rotary encoder.

In addition, thesub CPU155 is connected with awork RAM158, aleft camera154L, acenter camera154C and aright camera154R. Theleft camera154L is a photographing apparatus and takes a photograph of the two-dimensional codes160 provided to thereel151L by an instruction from thesub CPU155. Thecenter camera154C is a photographing apparatus and takes a photograph of the two-dimensional codes160 provided to thereel151C by an instruction from thesub CPU155. Theright camera154R is a photographing apparatus and takes a photograph of the two-dimensional codes160 provided to thereel151R by an instruction from thesub CPU155. Thework RAM158 stores the two-dimensional codes photographed by therespective cameras154 and stores a specified relation between thesymbols161 from a content of the two-dimensional codes.

Thehopper66 is mounted in thecabinet11 and pays out a predetermined number of coins to thecoin tray18 from thecoin payout slot19, based on the control signal outputted from themain CPU41. Thecoin sensor67 is mounted in thecoin payout slot19 and outputs an input signal to themain CPU41 when it detects that the predetermined number of coins are paid out from thecoin payout slot19.

Thegraphic board68 controls an image display in the upperimage display panel33 and the lowerimage display panel16, based on the control signal outputted from themain CPU41. In addition, thegraphic board68 is provided with a VDP (Video Display Processor) for producing image data on the basis of the control signal outputted from themain CPU41, a video RAM for temporarily storing the image data produced by the VDP, and the like. Meanwhile, the image data, which is used when producing the image data by the VDP, is contained in a game program that is read from thememory card53 and is stored in theRAM43.

The bill validator22 reads an image of the bill and accommodates the normal bill in thecabinet11. In addition, in accommodating the normal bill, thebill validator22 outputs an input signal to themain CPU41, based on an amount of the bill. Themain CPU41 stores a credit-number, which corresponds to the amount of the bill transmitted by the input signal, in theRAM43.

Theticket printer35 prints a barcode having data encoded thereto, such as credit-number stored in theRAM43, date and time, identification number of theslot machine10 and the like, on a ticket, based on the control signal outputted from themain CPU41, thereby outputting theticket39 having the barcode.

Thecard reader36 reads the data from the smart card to transmit it to themain CPU41, and writes the data into the smart card, based on the control signal outputted from themain CPU41. Thekey switch38S is mounted to thekeypad38, and outputs an input signal to themain CPU41 when the player manipulates thekeypad38. The data displayer37 displays the data which is read by thecard reader36 or the data which the player inputs through thekeypad38, based on the control signal outputted from themain CPU41.

Thedoor PCB80 is connected with thecontrol panel20, areverter21S, a coin counter21C and acold cathode tube81. Thecontrol panel20 is provided with aspin switch23S corresponding to thespin button23, achange switch24S corresponding to thechange button24, a cash outswitch25S corresponding to the cash outbutton25, a 1-BET switch26S corresponding to the 1-BET button26 and a MAX-BET switch27S corresponding to the MAX-BET button27. Each of theswitches23S˜27S outputs an input signal to themain CPU41 when each of the correspondingbuttons23˜27 is pushed by a player.

The coin counter21C is mounted in thecoin receiving slot21 and validates whether a coin, which is inserted in thecoin receiving slot21 by the player, is normal or not. A coin except the normal coin is discharged from thecoin payout slot19. In addition, the coin counter21C outputs an input signal to themain CPU41 when it detects a normal coin.

Thereverter21S is operated on the basis of the control signal outputted from themain CPU41 and distributes a coin, which is recognized as a normal coin by the coin counter21C, to a cash box (not shown) orhopper66 mounted in theslot machine10. In other words, when thehopper66 is fully filled with the coins, the normal coin is distributed into the cash box by thereverter21S. In the mean time, when thehopper66 is not fully filled with the coins, the normal coin is distributed into thehopper66. Thecold cathode tube81 functions as a backlight mounted to rear sides of the lowerimage display panel16 and the upperimage display panel33 and is turned on, based on the control signal outputted from themain CPU41.

(Processing Operation: Main CPU41)

In the followings, it will be described a process that is carried out in theslot machine10. When themain CPU41 reads out and executes the game program, a game is started. As illustrated inFIG. 8, in the game executing process, it is determined whether a coin is bet (A1). In this process, it is determined whether it is received an input signal from the 1-BET switch26S as the 1-BET button26 is pushed and whether it is received an input signal from the MAX-BET switch27S as the MAX-BET button27 is pushed. When the coin is not bet (A1, NO), the process of A1 is re-executed and it is under standby state until a coin is bet.

In the mean time, when the coin is bet (A1, YES), the credit-number stored in theRAM43 is subtracted, correspondingly to the number of coins bet (A2). Meanwhile, when the number of coins bet is larger than the credit-number stored in theRAM43, it is not carried out the process of subtracting the credit-number and the process proceeds to a process of A4 that will be described later. In addition, when the number of coins bet is above the upper limit (50 pieces in this embodiment) which can be bet per one game, it is not carried out the process of subtracting the credit-number and the process proceeds to a process of A4 that will be described later.

Then, it is determined whether thespin button23 is ON or not (A3). When thespin button23 is not ON (A3, NO), the procedure is returned to the process of A1. Meanwhile, when thespin button23 is not ON (for example, thespin button23 is not ON and an instruction to end the game is inputted), it is canceled the subtraction result in the process of A2.

In the mean time, when thespin button23 is ON (A3, YES), a symbol determining process is executed (A4). In other words, a stop symbol determining program stored in theRAM43 is executed, so that it is determined thesymbols161 that will be stopped in the three

display windows

150L,150C,150R. Thereby, it is determined a combination of symbols to be stopped on the payline L.

Next, a reel stop process is executed (A5) and thereels151 are rotated, so that thesymbols161 of the

display windows

150L,150C,150R are scroll-displayed. In the mean time, the scroll process is such that thesymbols161 are scrolled in an arrow direction and then thesymbols161 determined in the process of A4 are stopped (rearranged) in the

display windows

150L,150C,150R.

Specifically, when a process of stopping the left reel is executed, theleft reel151L is stopped so that the symbols determined in the process of A4 are displayed (rearranged) in thedisplay window150L. In addition, at this time, a reel stop signal (left) is transmitted to an illegality determining process routine that is executed as a separate process in thesub CPU155. The illegality determining process routine will be described with reference toFIG. 10. In addition, when a process of stopping the center reel is executed, thecenter reel151C is stopped so that the symbols determined are displayed (rearranged) in thedisplay window150C. In addition, at this time, a reel stop signal (center) is transmitted to the illegality determining process routine that will be described. In addition, when a process of stopping the right reel is executed, theright reel151R is stopped so that the symbols determined are displayed (rearranged) in thedisplay window150R. In addition, at this time, a reel stop signal (center) is transmitted to the illegality determining process routine that will be described.

Continuously, when all the reels are stopped (A6, YES), all the reel stop signals are transmitted to the illegality determining process routine that will be described (A7). When all the reels are not stopped (A6, NO), the reel stop process is executed (A5).

Following the process of A7, when the scroll of thesymbols161 of the

display windows

150L,150C,150R is stopped, it is determined whether a combination of thesymbols161 stopped on the payline L is a winning combination or not (A8). In addition, at this time, when the winning determination is ended, a winning determining end signal is transmitted to the illegality determining process routine that will be described. In addition, when the combination is not a winning combination (A9, NO), this routine is ended.

In the mean time, when the combination is a winning combination (A9, YES), a payout process is executed (A10). In other words, when a winning of the winning combination is made, a payout-number of the coins is calculated on the basis of the winning.

When the coins to be paid out are stored, a predetermined credit-number is added to the credit-number stored in theRAM43. In the mean time, when the coins are paid out, a control signal is transmitted to thehopper66, so that a predetermined number of coins is paid out to thecoin tray19.

Next, it is determined whether a bonus trigger, as a winning combination, is made or not (A11). In other words, it is determined whether a combination of “BLUE 7” is arranged on the payline L. When it is determine that a bonus trigger is made (A11, YES), a bonus game process is executed (A12). Then, after the bonus game process is executed, this routine is ended. In the mean time, when a bonus trigger is not made (A11, NO), this routine is ended.

Next, the illegality determining process routine, which is executed as a process different from the game executing process, will be described with reference toFIG. 10. First, it is determined whether the reel stop signal or all the reel stop signals are received from the game executing process routine (C1). When all the reel stop signals are not received (C1, NO), it is under standby state until they are received. In the mean time, when the reel stop signal or all the reel stop signals are received (C1, YES), an initialization process is executed (C2). Specifically, the photographed image of the two-dimensional codes160 and the reel position information, which are stored in thework RAM158, are erased and a reel position information discordance times is initialized as “0”. The reel position information contains the information representing a relation between thesymbols161. Then, a position acquiring process routine is called, which will be described later, to acquire the reel position information (C3). Then, the acquired reel position information is stored in thework RAM158, as reel position information in stopping (C4).

Next, after waiting for a predetermined interval, the reel position acquiring process is again called to acquire the reel position information (C5). Then, the reel position information acquired in the process of C5 is compared with the reel position information in stopping stored in thework RAM158, thereby determining whether a result of the comparison is in accord with each other (C6). When it is determined that a result of the comparison is in accord with each other (C6, YES), it is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed after all the reel stop signals are received, or whether a winning determining end signal is received (C7) When it is determined that a predetermined time has elapsed after all the reel stop signals are received (C7, YES), this routine is ended. In the mean time, when it is determined that a predetermined time has not elapsed after all the reel stop signals are received and it is determined that a winning determining end signal is not received (C7, NO), the process is returned to the process of CS.

Meanwhile, in the process of C6, when it is determined that a result of the comparison is out of accord with each other (C6, NO),1 is added to the reel position information discordance times stored in the work RAM158 (C8). Then, it is determined whether the reel position information discordance times added is a predetermined number of times or more (C9). When it is determined that the reel position information discordance times is not a predetermined number of times or more (C9, NO), the process of C7 is executed. In the mean time, when it is determined that the reel position information discordance times is a predetermined number of times or more (C9, YES), an illegal action signal is transmitted (C10). Specifically, an illegal action signal is transmitted to thehall computer301 through thecommunication interface44 and thenetwork300. Then, this routine is ended.

Next, the reel position acquiring process sub routine that is called from the game executing process and the illegality determining process routine will be described. As illustrated inFIG. 9, thecameras154 are enabled to take a photograph of the two-dimensional codes160 (B1). Then, the photographed image is stored in the work RAM158 (B2) Then, an image converting process is executed for the image data stored in the work RAM158 (B3). The image converting process is a process in which the image data of the area having the two-dimensional codes160 indicated therein is extracted from the photographed and acquired image data, a slope or distortion is corrected, the image data is converted into black and white data by a predetermined threshold and the image data including the two-dimensional codes160 seen from a front is acquired.

Then, from the image data acquired in the image converting process, the two-dimensional codes160 are extracted and a correction such as noise removal is carried out (B4). Then, it is determined whether the two-dimensional codes160 could be extracted, i.e., whether the two-dimensional codes160 could be recognized (B5). When it is determined that the two-dimensional codes160 could not be recognized (B5, NO), the acquired reel position information stored in thework RAM158 is erased (B11). Then, this sub routine is ended. Meanwhile, when it is determined that the two-dimensional codes160 could be recognized (B5, YES), the two-dimensional codes160 acquired in the process of B4 are binary-processed, each of dots constituting the two-dimensional codes is replaced with “0” or “1” (B6) and binary-processed matrix data is produced (B7). Then, the binary-processed matrix data is decoded (B8). Then, it is determined whether the reel position information included in the decoded data exists in a symbol code table illustrated inFIG. 7 (B9). When it is determined that the reel position information included in the decoded data does not exist in a symbol code table (B9, NO), the acquired reel position information stored in thework RAM158 is erased (B11). Then, this sub routine is ended.

In the mean time, when it is determined that the reel position information included in the decoded data exists in a symbol code table (B9, YES), the decoded reel position information is stored in the work RAM158 (B10). Then, this sub routine is ended.

Next, a second embodiment of the gaming machine and the playing method thereof according to the invention will be described. In the mean time, the same members as the first embodiment are indicated with the same reference numerals and the descriptions thereof are omitted. In addition, the structure and operation same as the first embodiment are omitted.

(Corresponding Relation Between theSymbols161 and the Two-Dimensional Codes160)

FIG. 11A illustrates the surface and the back surface of thereel band157. On the surface of thereel band157 are attached thesymbols161. In addition, on the back surface of thereel band157 are attached the two-dimensional codes160 that correspond to thesymbols161 attached to the surface of thereel band157. On the back surfaces of thesymbols161 attached on the surface of thereel band157 are attached the two-dimensional codes160 corresponding to thesymbols161.

Specifically, thesymbol161aattached on the surface is “RED 7,” and the two-dimensional code160 having the information representing “RED 7” is attached on the back surface of thereel band157. In addition, although thesymbol161battached on the surface is “1 BAR” having acode number11 illustrated inFIG. 6, the two-dimensional code160bhaving acode number11 and the information representing “1 BAR” is attached on the back surface of thereel band157 having thesymbol161battached thereto. Likewise, on the back surface of thereel band157 having thesymbol161cof a character “Don Chan” attached thereto are attached the two-dimensional code160chaving the information representing the upper half of the character “Don Chan” and the two-dimensional code160dhaving the information representing the lower half of the character “Don Chan.” Likewise, on the back surface of thereel band157 having thesymbol161dof “BLUE 7” is attached the two-dimensional code160ehaving the information representing “BLUE 7.”

Like this, one symbol may correspond to the two two-dimensional codes160. In other words, a single symbol may correspond to one or more two-dimensional codes160.

FIG. 11B illustrates the surface of thereel band157. On the surface of thereel band157 are attached thesymbols161. The two-dimensional codes160 corresponding to each of the symbols are attached at a predetermined interval from each symbol. Specifically, the two-dimensional code160acorresponding to thesymbol161ais attached at a predetermined interval of a distance L1 from thesymbol161a.In addition, the two-dimensional code160bcorresponding to thesymbol161bis attached at a predetermined interval of a distance L2 from thesymbol161b.The distances L1, L2 are different from each other.

Like this, the symbols and the two-dimensional codes corresponding to the symbols may be attached at a predetermined interval. In addition, a predetermined distance between the symbol and the two-dimensional code corresponding to the symbol may be changed for each of the symbols, may be constant, or may not be constant.

Although the above descriptions have been provided with regard to the characteristic parts so as to understand the invention more easily, the invention is not limited to the embodiment as described above and can be applied to the other embodiments and the applicable scope should be construed as broadly as possible. Furthermore, the terms and phraseology used in the specification have been used to correctly illustrate the invention, not to limit it. In addition, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the other structures, systems, methods and the like included in the spirit of the invention can be easily derived from the spirit of the invention described in the specification. Accordingly, it should be considered that the invention covers equivalent structures thereof without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. Further, the abstract is provided so that an intellectual property office and a general public institution or one skilled in the art who is not familiar with patent and legal or professional terminology can quickly analyze the technical features and essences of the invention through a simple investigation. Accordingly, the abstract is not intended to limit the scope of the invention that should be evaluated by the claims. In addition, it is required to sufficiently refer to the documents that have been already disclosed, so as to fully understand the objects and effects of the invention.

The above descriptions include a process that is executed on a computer or computer network. The above descriptions and expressions have been provided so that the one skilled in the art can understand the invention most effectively. In the specification, the respective steps used to induce one result or blocks having a predetermined processing function should be understood as a process having no self-contradiction. In addition, the electrical or magnetic signal is transmitted/received and written in the respective steps or blocks. Although the processes in the respective steps or blocks embody the signal as a bit, value, symbol character, term, number and the like, it should be noted that these have been used for the convenience of descriptions. Further, although the processes in the respective steps or blocks have been often described as an expression common to a human action, the process described in the specification is executed by a variety of devices in principle. In addition, the other structures necessary for the respective steps or blocks are apparent from the above descriptions.

Claims

1. A gaming machine comprising:

a display that has a reel having many symbols and two-dimensional codes corresponding to each of the symbols and arranges the symbols;

a photographing apparatus that photographs the two-dimensional codes and

a controller that is programmed:

(a) to rearrange the symbols;

(d) to determine a winning by the specified relation between the symbols.

2. A gaming machine comprising:

a photographing apparatus that photographs the two-dimensional codes;

a notifying device that notifies a certain fact to an outside; and

a controller that is programmed:

(a) to rearrange the symbols;

(d) to determine a winning by the specified relation between the symbols;

3. A gaming machine comprising:

a display that has a reel having a reel band wound thereon, which has many symbols and two-dimensional codes corresponding to each of the symbols, and arranges the symbols;

a photographing apparatus that photographs the two-dimensional codes; and

a controller that is programmed:

(a) to rearrange the symbols;

(d) to determine a winning by the specified relation between the symbols.

4. A gaming machine comprising:

a display that has a reel having a reel band wound thereon, which has many symbols on a surface thereof, two-dimensional codes corresponding to each of the symbols on a back surface thereof, and arranges the symbols;

a photographing apparatus that photographs the two-dimensional codes; and

a controller that is programmed:

(a) to rearrange the symbols;

(d) to determine a winning by the specified relation between the symbols.

5. A gaming machine comprising:

a photographing apparatus that photographs the two-dimensional codes;

a notifying device that notifies a certain fact to an outside; and

a controller that is programmed:

(a) to rearrange the symbols;

(d) to determine a winning by the specified relation between the symbols;

6. A gaming machine comprising:

a display that has a reel having a reel band wound thereon, which has many symbols on a surface thereof and two-dimensional codes corresponding to each of the symbols on a back surface thereof, and arranges the symbols;

a photographing apparatus that photographs the two-dimensional codes;

a notifying device that notifies a certain fact to an outside; and

a controller that is programmed:

(a) to rearrange the symbols;

(d) to determine a winning by the specified relation between the symbols;

7. A playing method of a gaming machine repeatedly executing a unit game in which many symbols are rearranged in a display, the display having a reel having many symbols and two-dimensional codes corresponding to each of the symbols, the playing method comprising steps of:

(a) rearranging the symbols;

(d) determining a winning by the specified relation between the symbols.

8. A playing method of a gaming machine repeatedly executing a unit game in which many symbols are rearranged in a display, the display having a reel having many symbols and two-dimensional codes corresponding to each of the symbols, the playing method comprising steps of:

(a) rearranging the symbols;

(d) determining a winning by the specified relation between the symbols;

9. A playing method of a gaming machine repeatedly executing a unit game in which many symbols are rearranged in a display, the display having a reel having a reel band wound thereon that has many symbols and two-dimensional codes corresponding to each of the symbols, the playing method comprising steps of:

(a) rearranging the symbols;

(d) determining a winning by the specified relation between the symbols.

10. A playing method of a gaming machine repeatedly executing a unit game in which many symbols are rearranged in a display, the display having a reel having a reel band wound thereon that has many symbols on a surface thereof and two-dimensional codes corresponding to each of the symbols on a back surface thereof, the playing method comprising steps of:

(a) rearranging the symbols;

(d) determining a winning by the specified relation between the symbols.

11. A playing method of a gaming machine repeatedly executing a unit game in which many symbols are rearranged in a display, the display having a reel having a reel band wound thereon that has many symbols and two-dimensional codes corresponding to each of the symbols, the playing method comprising steps of:

(a) rearranging the symbols;

(d) determining a winning by the specified relation between the symbols;

12. A playing method of a gaming machine repeatedly executing a unit game in which many symbols are rearranged in a display, the display having a reel having a reel band wound thereon that has many symbols on a surface thereof and two-dimensional codes corresponding to each of the symbols on a back surface thereof, the playing method comprising steps of:

(a) rearranging the symbols;

(d) determining a winning by the specified relation between the symbols;