US20090181748A1 - Gaming machine comprising display performing dice game using roulette and playing method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The gaming machine1 is a gaming machine that executes a game using identification numbers of 1 to 6 and is programmed to store a bet area bet on, which area corresponds to any one of the identification numbers 1 to 6, and a credit placed as a bet on the bet area; to roll the ball on three wheels each of which has a plurality of numbered pockets23 to which the identification numbers of 1 to 6; when the ball is received in any one of the plurality of numbered pockets23, to display pip images of dices corresponding to three win numbers detected by a win determining device86 on an image display device; and when the three win numbers conform to the bet areas bet in the terminal device4, to award a payout, based on odds defined for the conforming bet areas and the credits placed as a bet.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
• This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/020,795, filed on Jan. 14, 2008, which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Field of the Invention
• The invention relates to a gaming machine and a playing method thereof.
• 2. Description of Related Art
• Conventionally, there are many types of games using a dice, which have much popularity together with a card game, a roulette game and a slot game. For example, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2007/0018406 discloses a gaming machine that executes a Sic Bo game in which three dices are used to foresee the number of pips or a combination of the dices.
• However, when it is intended to develop the gaming machine as a gaming machine like a slot machine, the hexahedral dice requires a complicated device with respect to operations of shaking the dice, interpreting the pip of the dice, withdrawing the dice and the like, so that it takes much cost for the development. In addition, if a video game is made so as to execute a game using a dice, a reality is lost, so that it is apt to be monotonous.
• In the mean time, a roulette game is a game to foresee where a ball, which is thrown on a wheel being rotated, will fall. It is a famous game that can be said as a representative game in a casino and the like. The rules thereof are simple, so that there are many fans. For example, U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2005/0032570 and 2006/0094493 disclose roulette gaming devices in which a betting board arranged in a grid type is used to foresee a number to be bet and to bet a chip.
• An object of the invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of using a wheel, which is used in a roulette game, in a dice game to reduce the costs of development and to increase a player's game motivation while providing a realistic of the roulette game, and a playing method thereof.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The invention provides a gaming machine that executes a game using identification numbers of 1 to 6, the gaming machine including: a wheel having a plurality of numbered pockets to which the identification numbers of 1 to 6 are allotted; at least one ball that rolls on the wheel and is received in any one of the plurality of numbered pockets; a win number detection device that detects, as a win number, the identification number allotted to one of the numbered pockets having received the ball; a terminal device that has a plurality of bet areas corresponding to the identification numbers, and receives a game value placed as a bet on one or more of the bet areas, and awards a payout based on odds defined for the bet areas; a display; and a controller programmed to operate as described in the steps of (a1) to (a4). Specifically, the controller operates: (a1) to store a bet area bet on and a game value placed as a bet in the terminal device; (a2) to roll the ball on the wheel; (a3) when the ball is received in anyone of the plurality of numbered pockets, to display on the display a pip image of a dice corresponding to a win number detected by the win number detection device; and (a4) when the win number conforms to the bet area bet on in the terminal device, to award a payout, based on odds defined for the conforming bet area bet on and the game value placed as a bet on the bet area.
• According to the above structure, when a ball is received in any one of numbered pockets having identification numbers of 1 to 6 allotted thereto on a wheel, it is possible to display a pip image of a dice corresponding to a win number detected by a win number detection device on a display. In addition, when any one win number of 1 to 6 detected by the win number detection device conforms to the bet area bet on in the terminal device, it is possible to award a payout, based on odds defined for the conforming bet area bet on and the game value placed as a bet on the bet area. Thereby, a player familiar with a roulette game may play a conventional game using a dice with a sense same as the roulette game. In addition, a game arcade may easily enable a player of a roulette game to take part in a game using a dice.
• Furthermore, the invention provides a gaming machine that executes a game using identification numbers of 1 to 6, the gaming machine including: a plurality of wheels each of which has a plurality of numbered pockets to which the identification numbers of 1 to 6 are allotted; a ball that rolls on the wheels and is received in any one of the plurality of numbered pockets; a win number detection device that detects, as a win number, the identification number allotted to one of the numbered pockets having received the ball; a terminal device that has a plurality of bet areas corresponding to the identification numbers, and receives a game value placed as a bet on one or more of the bet areas, and awards a payout based on odds defined for the bet areas; a display; and a controller programmed to operate as described in the steps of (b1) to (b4). Specifically, the controller operates: (b1) to store a bet area bet on and a game value placed as a bet in the terminal device; (b2) to roll the ball on the wheels; (b3) when the ball is received in any one of the numbered pockets in all of the wheels, to display a plurality of pip images of dices corresponding to win numbers detected by the win number detection device on the display; and (b4) when the win numbers conform to the bet areas bet in the terminal device, to award a payout, based on odds defined for the conforming bet areas and the game value placed as a bet.
• According to the above structure, since many wheels are provided, the gaming machine of the invention can be applied to a game using many dices. Thereby, a player familiar with a roulette game may play a conventional game using dices with a sense same as the roulette game. In addition, a game arcade may easily enable a player of a roulette game to take part in a game using a dice.
• In addition, the invention provides the gaming machine according toclaim2, wherein a game to be executed may be a Sic Bo that uses the three wheels and has a bet area relating to a combination of the identification numbers allotted to the numbered pockets having the three balls received therein.
• According to the above structure, it is possible to execute a Sic Bo using three wheels. In addition, when a Sic BO game is executed, the three wheels are rotated at the same time to roll the ball on each wheel. Thereby, a player may play a conventional Sic Bo game with a sense same as a roulette game. In addition, a game arcade may easily enable a player of a roulette game to take part in a game using a dice.
• Furthermore, the invention provides a gaming machine that executes a game using identification numbers of 1 to 6, the gaming machine including: a wheel having a plurality of numbered pockets each of which has a display device that displays the identification numbers; at least one ball that rolls on the wheel and is received in any one of the plurality of numbered pockets; a win number detection device that detects, as a win number, the identification number displayed on the display device provided to the numbered pocket having received the ball; a terminal device that has a plurality of bet areas corresponding to the identification numbers, and receives a game value placed as a bet on one or more of the bet areas, and awards a payout based on odds defined for the bet areas; a display; and a controller programmed to operate as described in the steps of (c1) to (c5). Specifically, the controller operates: (c1) to store a bet area bet on and a game value placed as a bet in the terminal device; (c2) to randomly determine and display the identification numbers of 1 to 6 on each display device; (c3) to roll the ball on the wheel; (c4) when the ball is received in any one of the plurality of numbered pockets, to display on the display a pip image of a dice corresponding to a win number detected by the win number detection device; and (c5) when the win number conforms to the bet area bet on in the terminal device, to award a payout, based on odds defined for the conforming bet area bet on and the game value placed as a bet on the bet area.
• According to the above structure, it is possible to randomly display the identification numbers of 1 to 6 on the respective display devices. Thereby, when a main game is executed, it is possible to provide a player with a pleasure that the player does not know which identification number will be displayed on each display device.
• Furthermore, the invention provides a gaming machine that executes a game using identification numbers of 1 to 6, the gaming machine including: a plurality of wheels each of which has a plurality of numbered pockets each of which has a display device that displays the identification numbers; a ball that rolls on each wheel and is received in any one of the plurality of numbered pockets; a win number detection device that detects, as a win number, the identification number displayed on the display device provided to the numbered pocket having received the ball; a terminal device that has a plurality of bet areas corresponding to the identification numbers, and receives a game value placed as a bet on one or more of the bet areas, and awards a payout based on odds defined for the bet areas; a display; and a controller programmed to operate as described in the steps of (d1) to (d5). Specifically, the controller operates: (d1) to store a bet area bet on and a game value placed as a bet in the terminal device; (d2) to randomly determine and display the identification numbers of 1 to 6 on each display device; (d3) to roll the ball on the wheels; (d4) when the ball is received in any one of the numbered pockets in all of the wheels, to display a plurality of pip images of dices corresponding to win numbers detected by the win number detection device on the display; and (d5) when the win numbers conform to the bet areas bet in the terminal device, to award a payout, based on odds defined for the conforming bet areas and the game value placed as a bet.
• According to the above structure, since many wheels are provided, the gaming machine of the invention can be applied to a game using many dices. In addition, it is possible to randomly display the identification numbers of 1 to 6 on each display device. Thereby, when a main game is executed, it is possible to provide a player with a pleasure that the player does not know which identification number will be displayed on each display device. In addition, a player familiar with a roulette game may play a conventional game using dices with a sense same as the roulette game. Further, a game arcade may easily enable a player of a roulette game to take part in a game using a dice.
• In addition, the invention provides the gaming machine according toclaim5, wherein a game to be executed may be a Sic Bo that uses the three wheels and has a bet area relating to a combination of the identification numbers allotted to the numbered pockets having the three balls received therein.
• According to the above structure, it is possible to execute a Sic Bo using three wheels. In addition, when a Sic BO game is executed, the three wheels are rotated at the same time to roll the ball on each wheel. Thereby, a player may play a conventional Sic Bo game with a sense same as a roulette game. In addition, a game arcade may easily enable a player of a roulette game to take part in a game using a dice.
• Furthermore, the invention provides a playing method of a game in which identification numbers of 1 to 6 are used to repeatedly perform a game, the playing method including the steps of: storing a bet area bet on bet areas corresponding to the identification numbers and a game value placed as a bet on the bet area; rolling a ball on a wheel having a plurality of numbered pockets to which the identification numbers of 1 to 6 are allotted; when the ball is received in any one of the plurality of numbered pockets, displaying a pip image of a dice corresponding to a win number detected by a win number detection device on a display; and when the win number conforms to the bet area bet on in a terminal device, awarding a payout, based on odds defined for the conforming bet area bet on and the game value placed as a bet on the bet area.
• According to the above structure, when a ball is received in any one of numbered pockets having identification numbers of 1 to 6 allotted thereto on a wheel, it is possible to display a pip image of a dice corresponding to a win number detected by a win number detection device on a display. In addition, when any one win number of 1 to 6 detected by the win number detection device conforms to the bet area bet on in the terminal device, it is possible to award a payout, based on odds defined for the conforming bet area bet on and the game value placed as a bet on the bet area. Thereby, a player familiar with a roulette game may play a conventional game using a dice with a sense same as the roulette game. In addition, a game arcade may easily enable a player of a roulette game to take part in a game using a dice.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 illustrates a playing method of a gaming machine;
• FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a gaming machine;
• FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a gaming machine;
• FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a roulette unit;
• FIG. 5 is a plan view of a roulette unit;
• FIG. 6 illustrates a BET screen;
• FIG. 7 is a block diagram schematically showing a control system of a gaming machine;
• FIG. 8 is a block diagram schematically showing a control system of a station;
• FIG. 9 shows a payout odds table;
• FIG. 10 is a flow chart of a game execution process program;
• FIG. 11 is a flow chart of a display number determining process program;
• FIG. 12 shows a display number lottery table; and
• FIG. 13 is a flow chart of a game execution process program that is performed in a station.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
• Hereinafter, a gaming machine and a playing method according to an embodiment of the invention will be described.
• As shown inFIG. 1, a gaming machine executes a playing method including the steps of: storing a bet area bet on and a game value placed as a bet in a terminal device; rolling a ball on a wheel having a plurality of numbered pockets to which identification numbers of 1 to 6 are allotted (displayed); when the ball is received in any one of the plurality of numbered pockets, displaying a pip image of a dice corresponding to a win number detected by a win number detection device on a display; and when the win number conforms to the bet area bet on in the terminal device, awarding a payout, based on odds defined for the conforming bet area bet on and the game value placed as a bet on the bet area.
• Agaming machine99 executing the above playing method includes aterminal device101, awheel unit100 that executes a main game, and acontroller102, as shown inFIG. 2. Theterminal device101 is structured to arrange abet receiving unit103 that receives a game value, adisplay117 having abet area unit104 that is a bet target and apayout award unit105 that awards a payout. Meantime, thedisplay117 has a touch panel with which a bet operation is made.
• (Structure of the Controller102)
• Thecontroller102 has amemory107 that stores information of a bet area and a game value, which a player makes a bet from theterminal device101, and anodds memory115 that stores a payout rate corresponding to a bet-type.
• In addition, thecontroller102 has a ball rollingstart unit108 that rolls a ball on thewheel unit100 and a winnumber determining unit110 as a win number detection device that determines a number regarded as a win number of thewheel unit100. Further, it has a betwin determining unit111 that determines whether the win number conforms to a bet area stored in thememory107 and apayout calculating unit114 that calculates a payout to be cashed out to a player.
• Thecontroller102 may be embodied in hardware or software, as required.
• (Operations of the Controller102)
• With the above structure, an operation of thecontroller102 will be described. In eachterminal device101, thebet receiving unit103 receives a game value. When a player bets the game value on abet area unit104 selected, thememory107 stores therein the bet area bet on by the player and the game value placed as a bet on the bet area. Before and after a predetermined bet receiving time is over, a ball is rolled on thewheel unit100 in response to a signal from the ball rollingstart unit108. After that, the winnumber determining unit110 specifies a number on which the rolling ball is stopped in thewheel unit100. Then, the betwin determining unit111 determines whether the number determined by the winnumber determining unit110 conforms to the bet area stored in thememory107. When they conform to each other, thepayout calculating unit114 calculates a payout corresponding to the bet area bet on, based on the payout odds corresponding to a bet type stored in theodds memory115. Then, a game value corresponding to the payout calculated in thepayout calculating unit114 is awarded from thepayout award unit105.
• (Display State of the Display117)
• In the followings, a state to be displayed on thedisplay117 in thegaming machine99 will be described with reference toFIG. 1.
• A player makes a bet, based on thebet area unit104 displayed on thedisplay117 of theterminal device101. After a bet time is over, a ball is introduced from thewheel unit100 by the ball rollingstart unit108. The betwin determining unit111 displays on the display117 a display or letter (a pip image of a dice corresponding to a win number detected by the win number determining unit110) for notifying that a bet area conforming to the number determined in the winnumber determining unit110 wins. After that, when there is a cashout, thedisplay117 displays a game value that is increased as the cashout-number. Thus, a game is over and thebet area unit104 is displayed on thedisplay117 so as to receive a bet of a next game.
• (Mechanical Structure: Schematic Structure)
• In the followings, it will be specifically described a case where thegaming machine99 is applied to agaming machine1.FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing a schematic structure of agaming machine1 according to an embodiment. Thegaming machine1 has acabinet2, threeroulette units3,stations4 and an electriclight indicator5. Thecabinet2 fixes the threeroulette units2, thestations4 and the electriclight indicator5 at predetermined positions and protects a device equipped therein such as electronic substrate. Meantime, a game to be executed in this embodiment is a Sic Bo game that uses three balls and hasBET areas57,58,59,60A,60B,61,62,63 as a bet area relating to a combination of the three balls.
• According to the above structure, it is possible to execute a Sic Bo game using three wheels. In addition, when a Sic BO game is executed, the three wheels are rotated at the same time to roll the ball on each wheel. Thereby, a player may play a conventional Sic Bo game with a sense same as a roulette game. In addition, a game arcade may easily enable a player of a roulette game to take part in a game using a dice.
• In the mean time, the game to be executed is described as a Sic Bo in this embodiment. However, the invention is not limited thereto. For example, a game using a dice, such as CRAPS may be possible.
• Theroulette unit3 is equivalent to thewheel unit100 ofFIG. 2 and is disposed about at a central part of thecabinet2. Thestations4 are equivalent to theterminal devices101 ofFIG. 2 and are disposed around theroulette unit3. To be more specific, the12stations4 are disposed to surround theroulette unit3. Thestation4 serves as abet receiving unit103 for receiving a bet operation of a player and apayout award unit105 for awarding a credit. In addition, thestation4 has animage display device8 as thedisplay117 that displays aBET screen50 or effect image. In the mean time, the bet operation is an operation that a player expecting a win number of theroulette unit3 inputs the contents such as number corresponding to the expected win number.
• The electriclight indicator5 has aninformation indicator15. Theinformation indicator15 is mounted on a top of the electriclight indicator5. Thereby, theinformation indicator15 allows all players who play a game in thestations4 to see the contents of display.
• In addition, thegaming machine1 has aserver13. Theserver13 is equivalent to thecontroller102 ofFIG. 2. Theserver13 is disposed at acorner part12 of thecabinet2. Theserver13 is received in an inner space of thecorner part12. The inner space of thecorner part12 can be opened/shut by means of acorner door14 having an authentication key attached. Thecorner door14 is typically shut so that a player cannot operate theserver13. In the mean time, in the operation of theserver13, thecorner door14 is opened by operating an authentication key. Thereby, theserver13 is operated from an outside of thecabinet2, so that thegaming machine1 can be variously set.
• (Mechanical Structure: Roulette Unit3)
• In the followings, a structure of theroulette unit3 will be described with reference toFIGS. 4 and 5.FIG. 4 is a perspective view of aroulette unit3 according to this embodiment. In addition,FIG. 5 is a plan view of aroulette unit3 according to this embodiment. Theroulette unit3 has aframe21 fixed to acabinet2 and awheel22 disposed in theframe21. As shown inFIG. 4, an entire upper part of theroulette unit3 is covered by means of ahemisphere cover member28 made of transparent acryl. Meanwhile, in this embodiment, it is assumed that thegaming machine1 has the threeroulette units3 and the structures thereof are same.
• Thecover member28 is arch-shaped, seen from the side, as shown inFIG. 4. Thecover member28 is dome-shaped so that a height of thecover member28 is highest at a center part of thecover member28. Thecover member28 and theframe21 are bonded to each other without a step. In addition, thecover member28 and theframe21, which are bonded to each other without a step, are bent and integrally formed at the insides thereof
• Even though a ball is escaped from theframe21 by rotation of thewheel22, the ball rolls along the bent parts of the insides of thecover member28 and theframe21, so that it can be smoothly returned into theframe21.
• As shown inFIG. 4, thewheel22 is received in theframe21 and its upper surface is exposed to an outside. Thewheel22 is horizontally disposed so that a center axis of rotation thereof is identical to a vertical direction, and is supported to freely rotate so that a center point thereof is a rotation center. In addition, a rotation device (not shown) as the ball rollingstart unit108 that rotates a rotation shaft is provided at an inside below the wheel. Thewheel22 has a plurality of numbered pockets23 (38 pockets in this embodiment). The numbered pockets23 are disposed in a ring shape at a periphery of an upper surface of thewheel22. Each of the numbered pockets23 is shaped in a recess shape having a size and a depth capable of receiving aball27.
• According to the above structure, a sum of the numbered pockets is 38. Thereby, a conventional roulette gaming device having 38 pockets can be used so as to develop thegaming machine1, so that the development period and costs can be reduced.
• In addition, by rotating the rotation shaft provided to thewheel22 using the rotation device, it is possible to enable theball27, which is received in the numberedpocket23, to roll on thewheel22. Thereby, when manufacturing thegaming machine1 of the invention, it is not necessary to provide an insertion device that introduces aball27, so that the costs can be reduced.
• Furthermore, thewheel22 has numbereddisplay plates25 as a display device corresponding to each numberedpocket23. The numbereddisplay plates25 are set to have the number same as that of the numbered pockets23. The numbereddisplay plates25 are structured to display each number of “1” to “6” with a design showing pips of a dice. The respective numbereddisplay plates25 are arranged on the peripheries of the respective numberedpockets23, respectively. Thereby, the numbered pockets23 can display a design showing the pips of a dice, which show any one of “1” to “6” of the numbereddisplay plates25.
• According to the above structure, it is possible to randomly display the identification numbers of 1 to 6 on the respective numbereddisplay plates25. Thereby, when a main game is executed, it is possible to provide a player with a pleasure that the player does not know which identification number will be displayed on the numbereddisplay plates25
• Theframe21 having thewheel22 disposed at the center thereof is curved and inclined downward at a small angle toward a direction of thewheel22 from the periphery thereof. In addition, theframe21 bonded to thecover member28 without a step guides the introducedball27 against the centrifugal force, thereby rolling theball27.
• Furthermore, each of the threeroulette units3 has awin determining device86 ofFIG. 7. The respectivewin determining devices86 are disposed below thewheels22. Thewin determining device86 as the winnumber determining unit110 is a device for determining a number of a design displayed on the numbereddisplay plate25 corresponding to the numberedpocket23 having theball27 received therein. In the mean time, since thewin determining device86 has been already known, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.
• The threeroulette units3 structured as described above rotate the rotation shaft provided to thewheel22 in a high speed by the rotation device, introducing theball27 received in the numberedpocket23 to the inside of theframe21 and thecover member28 from the numberedpocket23. Thereby, the inner surfaces of theframe21 and thecover member28 guide theball27 against the centrifugal force, thereby rolling theball27. When the centrifugal force is decreased as the rotation speed of theball27 is lowered, theball27 is rolled down along the inclined surface of theframe21, is moved to the inside and reaches thewheel22 being rotated. Theball27, which is rolling-introduced onto thewheel22, passes over the numberedplates25 at the periphery of thewheel22 and then is received in any one of the numbered pockets23. As a result, the number indicated on the numberedplate25 corresponding to the numberedpocket23 having theball27 received therein is determined by thewin determining device86, so that a win number is determined.
• (Mechanical Structure: Server13)
• Theserver13 shown inFIGS. 3 and 7 is equipped in a space31 opened at a wall surface of thecabinet2. Thesever13 is associated with eachstation4. Theserver13 transmits a command signal to each of thestations4 to initiatively control eachstation4, thereby progressing a game. In addition, theserver13 performs a maintenance operation for thegaming device1, in addition to the control of a game of thegaming device1.
• Aliquid crystal display32 and akeyboard33 are associated with theserver13. Theliquid crystal display32 displays a menu screen (not shown) or maintenance screen (not shown). In addition, thekeyboard33 is an operating means having several keys disposed thereon. In a state that a menu screen or maintenance screen is displayed on theliquid crystal display32, when an operator operates thekeyboard33, the maintenance operation as well as various settings in theroulette gaming device1 can be made.
• (Mechanical Structure: Station4)
• As shown inFIG. 3, thestation4 has amedal insertion slot6, acontrol unit7 and animage display device8. Themedal insertion slot6 is used to insert money or a game medium used in a game such as chip, medal and the like. Thecontrol unit7 has several operating parts such as control button and the like. The operating parts are used to input an instruction by a player. Theimage display device8 as thedisplay117 shown inFIG. 2 displays a moving image relating to a game and aBET screen50 that receives a bet operation of a player. Thereby, theimage display device8 enables a player to operate thetouch panel56 orcontrol unit7 while seeing an image orBET screen50.
• Thecontrol unit7 is disposed at a side of theimage display device8. Thecontrol unit7 has buttons each of which being operated by a player. To be more specific, thecontrol unit7 has aparticipation button68 that is used to take part in a game, anend button69 that ends a game, and arelease button70 that releases all the bets. Theparticipation button68, theend button69 and therelease button70 are disposed in an order from left, seen from a position opposite to thestation4.
• Theimage display device8 is a liquid crystal display of a touch panel type having thetouch panel50 attached to a front thereof. When an icon displayed on the liquid crystal is pushed with a finger and the like, the icon is selected.
• In addition, therespective stations4 havemedal payout slots9,speakers10 andWIN lamps11. Themedal payout slots9 are disposed at the sides of thecabinet2. Thespeakers10 are disposed above a top-right of theimage display device8. TheWIN lamps11 are disposed at sides of thespeakers10. Thespeakers10 are used to output a music or effect music relating to a game. TheWIN lamps11 are turned on when a BET area bet on in thestation4 wins.
• In the mean time, theWIN lamps11 are disposed at positions that can be seen from all the stations4 (12 stations in this embodiment). Thereby, theWIN lamps11 enable another player to easily check a lighting state during the game in the sameroulette gaming machine1.
• A medal sensor (not shown) is provided in themedal insertion slot6. The medal sensor validates a medal inserted into themedal insertion slot6 and counts the inserted medal. In addition, themedal payout slot9 is connected to a hopper (not shown). The hopper pays out the predetermined number of medals from themedal payout slot9.
• (Electrical Structure: Server13)
• FIG. 7 is a block diagram that schematically shows a control system of thegaming machine1. As shown inFIG. 7, thegaming machine1 includes aserver13 and several stations4 (12 stations in this embodiment) associated with theserver13. Theserver13 is associated with the threeroulette units3 and the electriclight indicator5. In the mean time, a control system of thestation4 will be specifically described later.
• In addition, theserver13 includes aserver control CPU81 serving as a calculation and control device performing an entire control, aROM82 and aRAM83, atimer84 associated with theserver control CPU81, aliquid crystal display32 associated with the CPU through a liquidcrystal driving circuit85 and akeyboard33.
• Theserver control CPU81 executes a variety of processes, based on input signals supplied from therespective stations4 and data or program stored in theROM82 and theRAM83. Thereby, theserve control CPU81 transmits a command signal to thestations4 based on execution results of the processes to initiatively control therespective stations4, thereby progressing a game. Further, the severcontrol CPU81 drives a drive motor that rotates a rotation device provided to eachroulette unit3, thereby rotating thewheel22. Furthermore, theserver control CPU81 as the winnumber determining unit110 controls thewin determining device86, thereby determining a win number based on a dropped position of the ball. Then, based on the win number obtained and the bet information transmitted from therespective stations4, theserver control CPU81 as thebet determining unit111 determines a win of the chips bet. In addition, theserver control CPU81 as thepayout calculating unit114 calculates the credit-number to be paid out in each of thestations4.
• TheROM82 includes a semiconductor memory, for example. TheROM82 stores a program (for example, a program for executing a game execution process that will be described later, a program for executing a display number determining process) for implementing basic functions of thegaming machine1, a payout odds table that determines a payout rate (payout-number of credits for a win per one chip) for a game shown inFIG. 9, a display number lottery table shown inFIG. 12, a program for initiatively controlling therespective stations4, and the like. In the mean time, theROM82 is equivalent to theodds memory115 shown inFIG. 2.
• TheRAM83 temporarily stores the bet information of chips to be supplied from therespective stations4, a win number of theroulette unit3 determined by a sensor, data relating to a result of a process that is executed by theserver control CPU81, and the like. In the mean time, theRAM83 is equivalent to thememory107 that stores a bet area and a game value, which is shown inFIG. 2.
• Further, theserver control CPU81 is associated with atimer84 that measures time. The time information of thetimer84 is transmitted to theserver control CPU81. Theserver control CPU81 rotates thewheel22, based on the time information of thetimer84.
• In addition, theserver control CPU81 is associated with the electriclight indicator5. Theserver control CPU81 controls light emission of a light emitting means such as LED to perform an effect by an electric spectacular and to display predetermined letters or time information of thetimer84 on the electriclight indicator5.
• In addition, theROM82 is provided with a memory area corresponding to payout odds relating to a roulette game using theBET screen50. The memory area stores data of a bet type or payout odds in a form of a payout management table. The payout management table will be specifically described later.
• Furthermore, theRAM83 is provided with a bet information memory area in which the bet information of a player who is playing a game is stored. The bet information memory area stores data of bet information or participation object in a form of a station management table. The station management table will be specifically described later. Further, theRAM83 is provided with a win number memory area in which a win number of theroulette unit3 determined by thewin determining device86 is stored. Meanwhile, the bet information is information of a bet that is made using thestation4, such as a bet area indicated on the BET screen80, the number of chips bet (bet-number), a bet-type and the like.
• (Electrical Structure: Station4)
• In the followings, a structure of a control system of thestation4 will be described.FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a control system of the station according to an embodiment. In the mean time, the twelvestations4 have a same structure, so that onestation4 will be described as an example.
• Thestation4 includes astation control unit90 and several peripheral devices. Thestation control unit90 includes astation control CPU91, aROM92 and aRAM93. TheROM92 includes a semiconductor memory, for example. TheROM92 stores a program for implementing basic functions of thestation4, various programs (for example, a program for executing a game execution process that is performed in the station) necessary for controlling thestation4, a data table and the like. In addition, theRAM93 is a memory that temporarily stores various data calculated in thestation control CPU91, the number of credits that are currently possessed by a player (i.e., stored in the station4), a bet situation of chips by a player, and the like.
• In addition, thestation control CPU91 is associated with theparticipation button68, theend button69 and therelease button70, which are equipped in thecontrol unit7. Based on operation signals outputted as the respective buttons are pushed, thestation control CPU91 performs a control so as to execute the corresponding operations. To be more specific, based on an input signal that is inputted from thecontrol unit7 as an operation of a player is received and the data or program stored in theROM92 and theRAM93, the station control CPU executes a variety of processes and transmits the results thereof to theserver control CPU81. In the mean time, thestation control CPU91 receives a command signal from theserver control CPU81, controls the peripheral devices constituting thestation4 and progresses a game in thestation4. In addition, thestation control CPU91 executes a variety of processes, based on an input signal that is inputted from thecontrol unit7 as an operation of a player is received and the data or program stored in theROM92 and theRAM93, depending on contents of process, controls the peripheral devices constituting thestation4 based on the process results and progresses a game in thestation4.
• In addition, thestation control CPU91 is associated with ahopper94. Thehopper94 pays out the predetermined number of medals from themedal payout slot9 in accordance with a command signal from thestation control CPU91. Furthermore, thestation control CPU91 is connected with animage display device8 through a liquidcrystal driving circuit95. The liquidcrystal driving circuit95 includes a program ROM, an image ROM, an image control CPU, a work RAM, a VDP (video display processor), a video RAM and the like. The program ROM stores an image control program for display on theimage display device8, a variety of selection tables and the like.
• In addition, the image ROM stores dot data for forming an image to be displayed on theimage display device8, for example. The image control CPU determines an image to be displayed on theimage display device8 from the dot data previously stored in the image ROM, in accordance with an image control program previously stored in the program ROM, based on parameters set in thestation control PCU91. In addition, the work RAM includes a temporary memory means used when the image control program is executed in the image control CPU. In addition, the VDP forms an image relating to contents of display determined in the image control CPU and outputs the image on theimage display device8. In the mean time, the video RAM is structured as a temporary memory means used when an image is formed in the VDP. Theimage display device8 is equivalent to a display117 (refer toFIG. 2) that displays a pip image of a dice corresponding to a win number to be displayed in a game execution process that is performed in the station.
• In addition, atouch panel56 is attached on a front of theimage display device8. Operation information of thetouch panel56 is transmitted to thestation control CPU91. On thetouch panel56, a player makes a bet operation with chips on theBET screen50. To be more specific, a player operates thetouch panel56 with regard to a selection of therespective bet areas57,58,59,60A,60B,61,62,63 in the table-type betting board51, an operation ofunit BET buttons52A,52B,52C,52D, an operation of theBET decision button47, an operation of thecashout button48, an operation of thehelp button49 and the like, and the operation information is transmitted to thestation control CPU91. Based on the information, the current bet information of a player (a bet area indicated on theBET screen50 and the number of chips bet) is stored in theRAM93 at all times. Furthermore, the bet information is transmitted to theserver control CPU81 and is stored in the bet information memory area of theRAM83.
• Furthermore, asound output circuit96 and aspeaker10 are connected to thestation control CPU91. Thespeaker10 generates a variety of effect sounds when performing various effects, based on an output signal from thesound output circuit96.
• In addition, amedal sensor97 is associated with thestation control CPU91. Themedal sensor97 detects medals inserted from themedal insertion slot6, calculates the inserted medals and transmits a result thereof to thestation control CPU91. Thestation control CPU91 increases the credit-number possessed by a player, which is stored in theRAM93, based on the transmitted signal. Furthermore, as shown inFIG. 6, the station control CPU enables the credit-number indicator54 on theBET screen50 to display a credit-number.
• In addition, aWIN lamp11 is associated with thestation control CPU91. When the chip bet on theBET screen61 wins, thestation control CPU91 turns on theWIN lamp11 in a predetermined color.
• (Data Table: Payout Odds Table)
• In the followings, a payout odds corresponding to a bet-type shown inFIG. 8 will be described. The payout odds table that determines a payout odds corresponding to a bet-type is stored in theROM82 of theserver13. The payout odds corresponding to a bet-type has a column of bet-types and a column of payout odds. The data showing bet-types such as “Small Bet”, “Specific Double”, “Specific Triple” and the like are stored in the column of bet-types. The bet-types will be specifically described. The data showing the payout rates such as “1:1”, “10:1”, “180:1” and the like are stored in the column of payout odds, correspondingly to the bet types. Thereby, when a bet is made in a bet type of “Specific Double”, 10 pieces will be paid out per 1 piece bet. The payout odds for each bet-type are set as values based on a probability that aball27 will roll on thewheel22 and will be received in the numberedpocket23, as shown in the payout odds table ofFIG. 9. In the mean time, the “payout odds” is a payout-number of credits for a win. In addition, a “win” means that a winning is made.
• (Data Table: Display Number Lottery Table)
• In the followings, a display number lottery table shown inFIG. 12 will be described. The display number lottery table is stored in theROM82 of theserver13. The display number lottery table showing a display number determination probability corresponding to the display numbers of “1” to “6”, which are displayed on the respective numbereddisplay plates25 and represented as the pips of a dice, has a column of display numbers and a column of display number determination probabilities. The column of display numbers stores data indicating the numbers of “1” to “6” represented as the pips of a dice. The column of display number determination probabilities stores data indicating a probability of “1/6”, correspondingly to the display numbers. Thereby, when a display number determining process, which will be described later, is executed, one display number of “1” to “6” is extracted and determined in a probability of 1/6, based on the display number lottery table, so as to display it on each numbereddisplay plate25, and the determined display number can be displayed on the numbereddisplay plate25.
• (Data Table: Station Management Table)
• In the followings, a station management (not shown) will be described. The station management table is stored in theRAM83 of theserver13. The station management table has a column of stations, a column of bet information having a column of bet types and a column of bet-numbers and a column of participation objects. The column of stations stores the machine number data inherent to eachstation4. The column of bet types stores the data of the bet types. The column of bet-numbers stores the number of pieces bet such as “20.” The column of participation objects stores the data showing whether a participation object has a possibility that a payout will be awarded thereto. In the mean time, the “1” in the column of participation objects shows that it is set as a participation object and “0” shows that it is not set as a participation object.
• (Display State of the Image Display Device8)
• First, theBET screen50 that is displayed on the image display device80 will be described with reference toFIG. 6. In the table-type betting board51 that displays a variety of bet areas to be displayed on theBET screen50, designs of dices showing “1” to “6” corresponding to the pips of a dice displayed on the numbereddisplay plates25, a combination of the designs of the dices, a summed number of the pips of the dice displayed on the numbereddisplay plates25 are arranged. In the mean time, each bet area is equivalent to thebet area unit104 shown inFIG. 2.
• In addition, on a lower part of theBET screen50 are displayed aBET decision button47, unit BET buttons (1BET button52A, 5BET button52B, 10BET button52C, 50BET button52D), acashout result indicator53, a credit-number indicator54, aBET timer count55, acashout button48 and ahelp button49.
• The unit BET buttons are provided for a player to select the number of chips to be bet onbet areas57,58,59,60A,60B,61,62,63 (above a combination of the designs of the dice and a summed number of the pips of the dice displayed on the numbered display plates25) in the table-type betting board51, indicated by the player. The unit BET buttons include a 1BET button52A, a 5BET button52B, a 10BET button52C and a 50BET button52D. A player first pushes the screen with a finger, thereby indicating a bet area, on which a bet is made, with acursor65. At this state, when the player pushes the 1BET button52A, the player bets a chip in a unit of one piece (whenever the 1BET button52A is pushed with a finger, the bet-number is increased in an order of “1”•“2”•“3” . . . ). In addition, when the player pushes the 5BET button52B, the player bets chips in a unit of five pieces (whenever the 5BET button52B is pushed with a finger, the bet-number is increased in an order of “5”•“10”•“15” . . . ). In addition, when the player pushes the 10BET button52C, the player bets chips in a unit of ten pieces (whenever the 10BET button52C is pushed with a finger, the bet-number is increased in an order of “10”•“20”•“30” . . . ). Furthermore, In addition, when the player pushes the 50BET button52D, the player can bet chips in a unit of 50 pieces (whenever the 50BET button52D is pushed with a finger, the bet-number is increased in an order of “50”•“100”•“150” . . . ). Accordingly, even when many chips are bet, an operation thereof can be simplified.
• In addition, thecashout result indicator53 displays the number of chips bet by a player in a previous game and the cashout credit-number. Here, the subtraction of the bet-number from the cashout credit-number results in a credit-number that is newly obtained by a player in a previous game.
• Furthermore, the credit-number indicator54 displays the number of credits possessed by a current player. When a chip is bet, the credit-number is decreased in proportional to the bet-number (one credit for one bet). In addition, when a win is determined for the chip bet and the cashout of credits is performed, the credit-number is increased as the cashout-number. In the mean time, when the credit-number possessed by a player is 0, the game is over.
• In addition, theBET timer count55 displays a remaining time for which a player can make a bet. After a bet time is started, a number of the count is gradually decreased. When the number becomes “0”, a time for which a bet can be made in a current game is over. In addition, when theBET timer count55 reaches a specific number (10, in this embodiment), the rotation shaft provided to thewheel22 is rotated in a high speed by the rotation device, so that theball27 received in the numberedpocket23 is introduced to the inside of theframe21 and thecover member28 from the numberedpocket23.
• In addition, acursor65 showing the bet area72 selected by a player is displayed on the table-type betting board60. Additionally, achip mark66 showing the number of chips that are bet up to now and the bet area is displayed and the number shown on thechip mark66 indicates the number of chips bet. For example, as shown inFIG. 5, thechip mark66 of “7”, which is put on a combination of “1” and “2” of the dices shown in thecursor65, indicates that 7 chips are bet on a combination of “1” and “2” as win numbers. Like this, the method of making a bet on a combination of two numbers is a bet-type referred to as a “Pair Match”.
• When a player wants to make a general bet in theBET screen50 structured as described above, the player indicates abet area57,58,59,60A,66B,61,62,63 to be bet on the screen and directly pushes it with a finger. As a result, thecursor65 is moved to the bet area indicated. Then, when the respective unit buttons (1BET button52A, 5BET button52B, 10BET button52C, 50BET button52D) of the unit BET buttons are pushed, the chips as the unit number are bet on the bet area indicated. For example, when the 10BET button52C is pushed four times, the 5BET button52B is pushed one time and the 1BET button52A is pushed three times, 48 chips can be bet.
• TheBET decision button47 is a button that is pushed when a bet is decided after a bet operation is made through theimage display device8. Then, a bet is decided. In addition, when a bet is made on the bet area corresponding to the number indicated on the numberedplate23 into which theball3 is received in theroulette unit3 during a game, a win is determined. When a win is determined, the credits calculated on the basis of the number of chips bet and the payout odds relating to the bet area that wins are added to the credits that are possessed by a player. In the mean time, the bet operation will be specifically described later.
• Thecashout button48 is a button that is typically pushed when a game is over. When thecashout button48 is pushed, the medals (typically, one medal per one credit) relating to the credits, which are acquired through a game and the like and are currently possessed by a player, are cashed out from themedal payout slot8. Thehelp button49 is a button that is pushed when an operation method of a game is unclear. When thehelp button49 is pushed, a help screen that displays a variety of information on theimage display device8 is immediately displayed.
• (Bet-Type and Payout Odds Corresponding to the Bet-Type)
• In the followings, the bet-type and the payout odds corresponding to the bet-type will be described with reference toFIGS. 6 and 9. As shown inFIG. 6, thechip mark66 of “7”, which is put on a grid of a combination of “1” and “2” of a dice, indicates that 7 chips are bet on a combination of “1” and “2” as win numbers. Like this, the method of making a bet on a combination of two numbers displayed in thebet area58 is a bet-type referred to as a “Pair Match”. Regarding this, the payout odds is 5:1, as shown inFIG. 9. For example, for a case where a bet is made on a “Pair Match” of “3 and 5”, when threeballs27 roll on thewheel22 and at least two balls become 3 and 5, a win is determined. When the win numbers become 4, 3 and 5, five times of the chips bet are paid out. For the “Pair Match”, a victory prize is paid out only for one combination. In other words, when the win numbers become 3, 5 and 5, a victory prize is paid out for one combination. To the contrary, for a case where a bet is made on two or more “pair matches”, when a win number is determined for the corresponding bet, a victory prize is paid out for each of the combinations.
• In addition, there is a “Numbers Bet” in which a bet is made on one number displayed on thebet area57. In this bet-type, the payout odds is changed depending on how many the win numbers bet conform to the three win numbers. When one of the three win numbers conforms to, the payout odds is 1:1, as shown inFIG. 9. When two of the three win numbers conform to, the payout odds is 2:1. When all conform to, the payout odds is 10:1. For example, for a case where a bet is made on the number of 4, when only one of the three win numbers is 4, the chip bet on the number of 4 is paid out in a ratio of 1:1. In addition, when two of the three win numbers are 4, the chip bet on the number of 4 is paid out in a ratio of 2:1. In addition, when all the three win numbers are 4, the chip bet on the number of 4 is paid out in a ratio of 10:1.
• In addition, there is a “Specific Total” in which a bet is made on a summed number of the three win numbers displayed on thebet area59. In this bet-type, when a sum of the three win numbers is 3 or 18, it means a defeat. The two numbers have no bet area on the table. The respective results show different payout odds, as shown inFIG. 9. For example, for 4 or 17, the payout odds is 60:1. For 5 or 16, the payout odds is 30:1. For 6 or 16, the payout odds is 18:1. For 7 or 14, the payout odds is 12:1. For 8 or 13, the payout odds is 8:1. For 9 or 12, the payout odds is 7:1. For 10 or 11, the payout odds is 6:1.
• In addition, there is a “Specific Double” in which a bet is made on two same win numbers of three win numbers displayed on thebet area61. In this bet-type, the payout odds is 10:1, as shown inFIG. 9. In addition, when all of the three win numbers are same and a player bets on the win number, it is also considered as a “specific double”.
• In addition, there is a “Specific Triple” in which a bet is made on three same win numbers displayed on thebet area62. In this bet-type, the payout odds is 180:1, which is a high payout, as shown inFIG. 8.
• In addition, there is an “Any Triple” in which a bet is made on three same win numbers displayed on thebet area63. In this bet-type, the payout odds is 30:1, as shown inFIG. 8.
• In addition, there is a “Small Bet” (bet area60A) and a “Big Bet” (bet area60B) in which a bet is made on a range of a summed number of three win numbers displayed on thebet areas60A,60B. In this bet-type, the payout odds is always 1:1, as shown inFIG. 9. In the “Big Bet”, a bet is made on asum 11 to 17 of the win numbers, and in the “Small Bet”, a bet is made on asum 4 to 10 of the win numbers. When a combination of the win numbers is “Any Triple” for a bet of “Big Bet” or “Small Bet”, a defeat is made without a payout.
• (Process Operations)
• In the followings, an operation will be described, based on a game execution process program that is performed in the server by theserver control CPU81 and a game execution process program that is performed in the station by thestation control CPU91, in thegaming machine1. In the mean time, each program shown in flow charts ofFIGS. 10,11 and13 is stored in theROM82 orRAM83 provided to theserver13, or theROM92 orRAM83 provided to thestation4, and is executed by theserver control CPU81 orstation control CPU91.
• (Operation1 of a Control System of the Server: Game Execution Process)
• In the followings, a game execution process that is performed in thegaming machine1 will be described with reference toFIG. 10.FIG. 10 is a flow chart of a game execution process program of thegaming machine1. In the mean time, it is assumed that a same process is executed in the threeroulette units3.
• As theparticipation button69 of anystation4 is pushed, a game execution process is executed in thegaming machine1 and a bet time for which a player can make a bet on thebet areas57,58,59,60A,60B,61,62,63 is started (A1). When a bet time is started, a number is decreased, as time goes by, in the electriclight indicator5 and theBET timer count55 indicating the remaining time for which a player can make a bet. A player who takes part in a game can bet a chip on thebet areas57,58,59,60A,60B,61,62,63 that the player expects, until the number in the electriclight indicator5 and theBET timer count55 becomes “0” (refer toFIG. 6).
• Then, it is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed (A2), after the bet time is started (A1). When it is determined that a predetermined time has not elapsed (A2, NO), the step of A2 is repeated until a predetermined time has elapsed. In the mean time, when a predetermined time has elapsed (A2, YES), a wheel rotating process is executed (A3). In other words, the rotation shaft provided to thewheel22 is rotated in a high speed by the rotation device, so that theball27 received in the numberedpocket23 is introduced to the inside of theframe21 and thecover member28 from the numberedpocket23.
• Then, it is determined whether the bet time is over (A4) Here, the bet time is displayed by the electriclight indicator5 and theBET timer count55, and the number thereof is decreased as time goes by, after the bet time is started (A1). When the bet time becomes “0”, the bet time in the current game is over. In the mean time, the bet time is set in such a manner that the bet time is over while theball27 is introduced in the threeroulette units3 in the step of A3 and is rolled along theframe21 that is bonded to thecover member28 without a step.
• Here, before the bet time is over (A4, NO), the bet is continuously received until the bet time is over. In the mean time, when the bet time is over (A4, YES), a bet end signal is outputted to thestation control units90 of all thestations4, an image notifying that the bet time is over is displayed on theimage display devices8 of thestations4 and a bet operation on thetouch panel56 is prohibited. After outputting the bet end signal to all thestations4, theserver control CPU81 determines whether the bet information (the bet area indicated and the number of chips bet on the bet area indicated) of the player is received (A5) When the bet information is not received, the step of A5 is repeated and a wait state is made (A5, NO). In the mean time, when the bet information is received (A5, YES), a bet information receiving process is performed which stores the received bet information into the RAM83 (A6). Here, when a bet is not made on a bet area in thestation4, the information showing that a bet area is not indicated and the information showing that the number of chips bet is “0” are received, as the bet information.
• Then, a display number determining process that will be described later is executed (A7). This is a process of displaying one of “1” to “6” on the numbereddisplay plates25 with a design showing the numbers of the pips of a dice, by a lottery. Thereby, the numbered pockets23 display the design showing the pips of a dice, which indicates one of “1” to “6” of the numbereddisplay plates25.
• Theball27, which is introduced in eachroulette unit3 in the step of A3, rolls on thewheel22 along theframe21 that is bonded to thecover member28 without a step. Then, when the centrifugal force is decreased as the rotation speed of theballs27 is lowered, theballs27 are rolled down along the inclined surface of theframe21, are moved to the inside and reach thewheel22 being rotated. Theballs27 roll along thewheel22, pass over the numbereddisplay plates25 at the periphery of thewheel22 being further rotated and then are received in some of the numbered pockets23. Then, the number (one of “1” to “6”), which is indicated by the design displayed on the numbereddisplay plate25 corresponding to the numberedpocket23 having theball27 received therein, is handled as a win number.
• Continuously, a win number determining process is executed. In this process, after theballs27 are received in the numbered pockets23, theserver control CPU81 drives the winnumber determining device86, thereby determining the numbered pockets23 into which the threeballs27 are received in the three roulette units3 (A8). The numbers indicated by the numbereddisplay plates25 of the numbered pockets23 having the balls received therein are stored, as win numbers, in theRAM83.
• Furthermore, the bet information of eachstation4 stored in the step of A6 and the win numbers stored in the step of A8 are read out (A9). Then, based on the bet information and the win numbers, it is determined whether the chips bet in each of thestations4 win or not (A10). When a win is made (A10, YES), theserver control CPU81 executes each payout calculating process (A11). In the payout calculating process, the win chips are recognized for eachstation4, and a sum of payouts of the credits to be paid out to eachstation4 is calculated using the payout odds table (refer toFIG. 9) showing the payout odds (credit-number to be paid out per one chip) for eachbet area57,58,59,60A,60B,61,62,63 stored in theROM82. In the mean time, when it is determined that the chips bet in eachstation4 do not win (A10, NO), the process proceeds to a step of A12.
• After that, it is executed a game result transmit process of transmitting to all thestations4 the payout information of the credits based on the payout calculating process in the step of A11 and the information about a change in the display of theBET screen50, which is accompanied with the determination of the win number (A12). The credit data corresponding to the payout amount is transmitted from theserver13 to thestation control unit90 of thestation4 for which a win is made. The credit data is added to theRAM93 of thecorresponding station4.
• Here, theball27 received in the numberedpocket23 will be again introduced on thewheel22 in a game after next. Then, the process returns to the step of A1 and proceeds to a next game.
• According to the above structure, when theball27 is received in any one of the numbered pockets23 having the identification numbers of 1 to 6 displayed thereon on the wheel, it is possible to display a pip image of a dice corresponding to the win number detected by thewin determining device86 on theimage display device8. When any one win number of 1 to 6 detected by thewin determining device86 conforms to the bet area bet on in thestation4, it is possible to award a payout, based on odds defined for the conforming bet area and the credit placed as a bet. Thereby, a player familiar with a roulette game may play a conventional game using a dice with a sense same as the roulette game. In addition, a game arcade may easily enable a player of a roulette game to take part in a game using a dice.
• (Operation2 of the Control System of the Server: Display Number Determining Process)
• In the followings, a display number determining process that is executed during the game execution process ofFIG. 10 will be described with reference toFIG. 11. In the mean time,FIG. 11 is a flow chart of a display number determining process program in thegaming machine1.
• When the display number determining process of A7 is executed in the above game execution process, theserver control CPU81 reads out the display number lottery table (refer toFIG. 12) stored in the ROM82 (B1). Then, based on the display number lottery table read out, one display number of “1” to “6” represented by the pips of a dice is extracted and determined in a probability of 1/6 (B2). Meantime, in this embodiment, a probability (display number determination probability) that one display number of “1” to “6” will be displayed on the respective numbereddisplay plates25 is set as 1/6 for all the numbered display plates. However, the invention is not limited thereto. For example, the probability may be arbitrarily set or randomly changed. The display numbers determined in the step of B2 are displayed on the numbereddisplay plates25 of the numbered pockets23 (B3). Thus, the display number determining process is ended.
• Thereby, it is possible to randomly display the identification numbers of 1 to 6 on the numbereddisplay plates25. Thereby, when a main game is executed, it is possible to provide a player with a pleasure that the player does not know which identification number will be displayed on the numbereddisplay plates25
• (Operation1 of the Control System of the Station: Game Execution Process that is Performed in the Station)
• A game execution process that is performed in thestation4 will be described with reference toFIG. 13.FIG. 13 is a flow chart of a game execution process program of the station. The program shown in the flow chart is stored in theROM92 orRAM93 provided to thestation4 and is executed by thestation control CPU91.
• First, when a player pushes theparticipation button68, thestation control CPU91 enables theimage display device8 to display aBET screen50. Then, a game execution process is executed in thestation4.
• When theBET screen50 is displayed, it is started a bet time for which a player can make a bet on anybet area57,58,59,60A,60B,61,62,63 through thetouch panel56 on the BET screen50 (C1). When the bet time is started, a number is decreased, as time goes by, on theBET timer count55 that displays a remaining time for which the player can make a bet. The player who takes part in a game can bet a chip on thebet area57,58,59,60A,60B,61,62,63 that the player expects until the number in theBET timer count55 becomes “0” (during the bet time) (refer toFIG. 6). In other words, a chip betting process by theBET screen50 is performed (C2). In the mean time, the chip betting process by theBET screen50 will be specifically described later.
• Continuously, it is determined whether the bet time is over or not (C3). Here, the bet time is displayed on theBET timer count55, and the number is decreased as time goes by, after the bet time is started (C1). When the number becomes “0”, the bet time in the current game is over. Before the bet time is over (C3, NO), a bet is continuously received until the bet time is over. Meantime, when the bet time is over (C3, YES), a result of the bet information (the “bet area indicated” and the “bet-number indicated”) made in the bet process of C2 is transmitted to theserver control CPU81 of the server13 (C4). Meanwhile, as described above, theserver control CPU81 of thegaming machine1 stores the bet information transmitted in the step of C4 in theRAM83 through the bet information receiving process (refer to A6 ofFIG. 10). In addition, the bet information transmitted to theserver control CPU81 is stored in theRAM93 in the bet process of C2.
• After that, in thegaming machine1, a game is started on thewheel22, and the win number relating to the drop of theball27 is detected by the winnumber determining device86. Then, it is determined whether the payout information of the credits based on the payout calculating process in the step of A11 and the information (data of a game result) about a change in the display of theBET screen50, which is accompanied with the determination of the win number, are received (C5). When they are not received (C5, NO), a reception wait state is made. In the mean time, when they are received (C5, YES), a game result receiving process is executed which stores the data of a game result, which is received, in theRAM93.
• Continuously, based on the game result data received in the step of C5, the pip images of dices corresponding to the three win numbers detected by the win number detection devices of the threeroulette units3 are displayed on the image display device3 (C7). To be more specific, as shown inFIG. 1, a series of operations that three dices are shot and rolled and the pips corresponding to the win numbers are stopped with facing upward are displayed as images on theimage display device8.
• Thereby, it is possible to display a win number as a pip image of a dice, so that it is possible to provide a player with a new effect.
• Furthermore, a game result, which is accompanied with the determination of the win number, is displayed on the image display device8 (C8). To be more specific, as shown inFIG. 1, a win bet area is turned on.
• In addition, based on the game result data received in the step of C5, the payout process of credits is carried out and the credits that a player currently possesses are added (C8). Then, the credit-number stored in the credit-number memory area of theRAM93 is changed, and thecashout result indicator53 that shows earnings and expenses of a previous game displayed on theimage display device8 and the credit-number indicator54 that shows the current credit-number are updated. In addition, the a player can know the credit-number that is currently possessed and the like by checking thecashout result indicator53 and the credit-number indicator54. After the above processes are over, the game execution process program that is performed in thestation4 is ended.
• (Operation2 of the Control System of the Station: Bet Process)
• Continuously, the bet process by the BET screen (refer toFIG. 6) in the step of C2 will be described. Each program that executes the bet process on theBET screen50 is stored in theROM92 orRAM93 provided to thestation4 and is executed by thestation control CPI91.
• First, theBET screen50 displays the table-type betting board51 displaying thebet areas57,58,59,60A,60B,61,62,63 and a player bets a chip, based on the table-type betting board51.
• A bet-number of chips to be bet is set in the bet area selected. When a player pushes each unit button (1BET button52A, 5BET button52B, 10BET button52C, 50BET button52D) of the unit BET buttons, the chips as the unit number are bet on the bet area indicated. On the table-type betting board51, achip mark66 showing the number of chips bet up to now and the bet area is displayed and the bet-number of chips is displayed by the number shown on the chip mark66 (refer toFIG. 6). In the mean time, the bet information by the process (the “bet area indicated”, the “bet-number indicated”) is stored in the bet information memory area of theRAM93 at all times.
• Then, thestation control CPU91 determines whether theBET decision button47 is pushed. TheBET decision button47 is a button that is pushed when a series of bet operations are decided.
• When theBET decision button47 is pushed, abet is decided. After the bet is decided, a bet operation cannot be performed until a next game is started. In addition, after the bet is decided, when a bet is made on the bet area corresponding to the number indicated on the numbereddisplay plates25 corresponding to the numbered pockets23 having the threeballs27 received therein, in thewheel22 on which a game is started, a win is made. When a win is made, the credits relating to the number of chips bet are added to the credits that are currently possessed by a player.
• When theBET decision button47 is not pushed, it is continuously determined whether the bet time is over or not. The bet time is displayed by theBET timer count55 provided at the lower part of theBET screen50. TheBET timer count55 is a count that displays a remaining time for which a player can make a bet, and the number thereof is gradually decreased after a game is started. When the number becomes “0”, the bet time is over.
• When the bet time is not over, i.e., the number of theBET timer count55 is not “0”, a bet process can be again made. By repeating the corresponding process, a bet process can be performed for several positions of the table-type betting board51.
• In the mean time, when the bet time is over, a bet is decided by the current bet situation. When the bet is decided, the bet process program by theBET screen50 is ended and the process returns to the main process program of thestation4. In the mean time, when the bet is decided, a bet operation cannot be performed until a next game is started.
• According to the above structure, since thegaming machine1 having the three wheels is used, it is possible to apply the gaming machine of the invention to a game using three dices. In addition, it is possible to randomly display the identification numbers of 1 to 6 on the numbered display plates26. Thereby, when a main game is executed, it is possible to provide a player with a pleasure that the player does not know which identification number will be displayed on the numbereddisplay plates25. In addition, a player familiar with a roulette game may play a conventional game using a dice with a sense same as the roulette game. In addition, a game arcade may easily enable a player of a roulette game to take part in a game using a dice.
• 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 (7)

1. A gaming machine that executes a game using identification numbers of 1 to 6, the gaming machine comprising:

a wheel having a plurality of numbered pockets to which the identification numbers of 1 to 6 are allotted;

at least one ball that rolls on the wheel and is received in any one of the plurality of numbered pockets;

a win number detection device that detects, as a win number, the identification number allotted to one of the numbered pockets having received the ball;

a terminal device that has a plurality of bet areas corresponding to the identification numbers, and receives a game value placed as a bet on one or more of the bet areas, and awards a payout based on odds defined for the bet areas;

a display; and

a controller that operates:

(a1) to store a bet area bet on and a game value placed as a bet in the terminal device;

(a2) to roll the ball on the wheel;

(a3) when the ball is received in any one of the plurality of numbered pockets, to display on the display a pip image of a dice corresponding to a win number detected by the win number detection device; and

(a4) when the win number conforms to the bet area bet on in the terminal device, to award a payout, based on odds defined for the conforming bet area bet on and the game value placed as a bet on the bet area.

2. A gaming machine that executes a game using identification numbers of 1 to 6, the gaming machine comprising:

a plurality of wheels each of which has a plurality of numbered pockets to which the identification numbers of 1 to 6 are allotted;

a ball that rolls on the wheels and is received in any one of the plurality of numbered pockets;

a win number detection device that detects, as a win number, the identification number allotted to one of the numbered pockets having received the ball;

a terminal device that has a plurality of bet areas corresponding to the identification numbers, and receives a game value placed as a bet on one or more of the bet areas, and awards a payout based on odds defined for the bet areas;

a display; and

a controller that operates:

(b1) to store a bet area bet on and a game value placed as a bet in the terminal device;

(b2) to roll the ball on the wheels;

(b3) when the ball is received in any one of the numbered pockets in all of the wheels, to display a plurality of pip images of dices corresponding to win numbers detected by the win number detection device on the display; and

(b4) when the win numbers conform to the bet areas bet in the terminal device, to award a payout, based on odds defined for the conforming bet areas and the game value placed as a bet.

3. The gaming machine according toclaim 2, wherein a game to be executed is a Sic Bo that uses the three wheels and has a bet area relating to a combination of the identification numbers allotted to the numbered pockets having the three balls received therein.

4. A gaming machine that executes a game using identification numbers of 1 to 6, the gaming machine comprising:

a wheel having a plurality of numbered pockets each of which has a display device that displays the identification numbers;

at least one ball that rolls on the wheel and is received in any one of the plurality of numbered pockets;

a win number detection device that detects, as a win number, the identification number displayed on the display device provided to the numbered pocket having received the ball;

a terminal device that has a plurality of bet areas corresponding to the identification numbers, and receives a game value placed as a bet on one or more of the bet areas, and awards a payout based on odds defined for the bet areas;

a display; and

a controller that operates:

(c1) to store a bet area bet on and a game value placed as a bet in the terminal device;

(c2) to randomly determine and display the identification numbers of 1 to 6 on each display device;

(c3) to roll the ball on the wheel;

(c4) when the ball is received in any one of the plurality of numbered pockets, to display on the display a pip image of a dice corresponding to a win number detected by the win number detection device; and

(c5) when the win number conforms to the bet area bet on in the terminal device, to award a payout, based on odds defined for the conforming bet area bet on and the game value placed as a bet on the bet area.

5. A gaming machine that executes a game using identification numbers of 1 to 6, the gaming machine comprising:

a plurality of wheels each of which has a plurality of numbered pockets each of which has a display device that displays the identification numbers;

a ball that rolls on each wheel and is received in any one of the plurality of numbered pockets;

a win number detection device that detects, as a win number, the identification number displayed on the display device provided to the numbered pocket having received the ball;

a terminal device that has a plurality of bet areas corresponding to the identification numbers, and receives a game value placed as a bet on one or more of the bet areas, and awards a payout based on odds defined for the bet areas;

a display; and

a controller that operates:

(d1) to store a bet area bet on and a game value placed as a bet in the terminal device;

(d2) to randomly determine and display the identification numbers of 1 to 6 on each display device;

(d3) to roll the ball on the wheels;

(d4) when the ball is received in any one of the numbered pockets in all of the wheels, to display a plurality of pip images of dices corresponding to win numbers detected by the win number detection device on the display; and

(d5) when the win numbers conform to the bet areas bet in the terminal device, to award a payout, based on odds defined for the conforming bet areas and the game value placed as a bet.

6. The gaming machine according toclaim 5, wherein a game to be executed is a Sic Bo that uses the three wheels and has a bet area relating to a combination of the identification numbers allotted to the numbered pockets having the three balls received therein.

7. A playing method of a game in which identification numbers of 1 to 6 are used to repeatedly perform a game, the playing method comprising the steps of:

storing a bet area bet on bet areas corresponding to the identification numbers and a game value placed as a bet on the bet area;

rolling a ball on a wheel having a plurality of numbered pockets to which the identification numbers of 1 to 6 are allotted;

when the ball is received in any one of the plurality of numbered pockets, displaying a pip image of a dice corresponding to a win number detected by a win number detection device on a display; and

when the win number conforms to the bet area bet on in a terminal device, awarding a payout, based on odds defined for the conforming bet area bet on and the game value placed as a bet on the bet area.

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