Abstract: In a thin-client gaming system according to the present invention, a server performs computations for the control over a game on a gaming machine, and hardware thereof including hybrid reel assemblies. Each hybrid reel assembly includes a mechanical reel and electric display devices mounted on the circumferential surface of the reel. The server commands the display devices and motors of the hybrid reel assemblies, and provides image data to the display devices. By using a terminal observer unit, the server estimates the current status of the gaming terminal, and in particular the hybrid reel assemblies. Preferably, when having estimated excessive deviation between the positions of the reels and symbols displayed on the display devices, the terminal observer unit will quickly cause a game process to be stopped and the reels to continuously rotate, and then inform a game system administrator of the error.

Abstract: A game machine that displays symbols is provided. A display module of the game machine can display multiple types of symbols in multiple display regions when a game starts. An evaluation module evaluates whether or not a predetermined condition is met in a game. A display control module changes the number of symbols that can be displayed in the display regions when the condition is met. As a result, a game machine with symbols displayed in a unique manner is provided, and a game that provokes a player's curiosity can be implemented.

Abstract: A progressive jackpot (PJP) system of the invention increments two types of jackpot values. A PJP controller increments a first jackpot value by a percentage of each bet placed on gaming machines. The increment rate of the first jackpot value is predetermined from a payout percentage of the PJP system. A second jackpot value is incremented at a higher rate than the first jackpot value. Each gaming machine or the PJP controller may increment the second jackpot value. The actual amount of an award for a jackpot corresponds to the second jackpot value. The second jackpot value is reduced at appropriate intervals, even if no jackpot has been won. Preferably, the probability of the reduction of the second jackpot value is adjusted, and thereby, the average difference between the first and second jackpot values at the time a jackpot has been won is adjusted to be zero.

Abstract: A reel assembly of the invention includes a first elastic member capable of axial and circumferential deformation at the joint between a motor shaft and a reel. A motor exerts torque on the reel through circumferential deformation of the first elastic member, which absorbs circumferential vibrations of the reel at a stop position. A fastening member coupled to the shaft includes a second elastic member capable of axial deformation. The fastening member presses the second elastic member against the reel in the axial direction to secure the reel on the shaft and compress the first elastic member. The second elastic member absorbs axial vibrations of the reel at a stop position. When the first elastic member is made of elastomer, its circumferential elasticity varies with axial compressions, and accordingly, the circumferential elasticity is easy to optimize in order to absorb the circumferential vibrations of a reel of whatever size and weight.

Abstract: In a gaming system according to the present invention, a server monitors jackpot values and the availability of a plurality of jackpot systems, and thereby produces list outputs of the jackpot values and the available gaming machines. The gaming system provides players with the lists displayed in a screen, and allows each player to select one of the available gaming machines in accordance with the jackpot values. When the jackpot systems are separated from each other and the server, the server reserves the gaming machine selected by a player by using the lists. The selected gaming machine is locked unless the server verifies customer ID data entered into the selected gaming machine. When the server virtually constructs all the jackpot systems, the server will link a virtual gaming machine, which a player has selected by using the lists, to a gaming terminal that the player actually operates.

Abstract: A gaming system of the present invention is arranged in a location like a hotel and casino, wherein a server connects virtual gaming machines with mobile gaming terminals that customers can carry in any of the areas in the location. The server selects one mobile gaming terminal in a lottery process, and stores customer ID data for the player in possession of the selected mobile gaming terminal. The server detects the mobile gaming terminals that are located in a specific area, and checks the customer ID data received from the detected mobile gaming terminals. If the received customer ID data is the same as the customer ID data stored in the server, the server will allow the player who input the detected customer ID data to play a special game on the mobile gaming terminal located in the specific area, or on a gaming machine installed in the specific area.

Abstract: In a slot machine, the display unit includes a region on which a plurality of symbol columns and rows are displayed. Normal directions of surfaces of the region, on which the symbol columns placed at both ends of the symbol rows are displayed, intersect in front of the display unit. The display unit preferably includes mechanical reels placed at ribs of a fan. Normal directions of circumferential surfaces of the mechanical reels at the forward ends thereof intersect at substantially the same point, and thereby the front ends oppose a player. The display unit may be alternatively an electronic display device that includes a curved or bent screen. Normal directions of surfaces on which video reels are displayed intersect at substantially the same point, and thereby the surfaces oppose a player.

Abstract: A gaming machine is disclosed which includes a rotor (a reel or a roulette wheel) including a visible surface on which symbols are displayed. The visible surface includes a laminated structure with micro lens and dotted pattern layers, which cooperate to create an illusion of depth in a backdrop for the symbols. Preferably, the micro lens and dotted pattern layers are laminated on a sheet mounted on the visible surface. Alternatively, portions of the rotor including the micro lens layer may be molded of transparent plastic material, and the dotted pattern layer may be laminated on a sheet placed on the inner side of the visible surface. The three-dimensional appearance of the backdrop will entice persons to play games on the gaming machine. In addition, players will primarily stare at the two-dimensional symbols while playing games, and thus can avoid eye strain regardless of the three-dimensional appearance of the backdrop.

Abstract: In a gaming machine of the present invention, a holder unit removably holds a portable storage device having a display unit and a storage unit in a position where the screen of the display unit is visible to a player. A reader unit reads storage contents from the storage unit. A data processor unit processes the storage contents. The gaming machine can use not only the storage contents stored in the storage unit, but also the display unit to provide a player with various additional information in a text or graphic form with visual effects for games. The gaming machine includes a display controller unit, which controls the display unit as a sub-display device to complement a game display unit that displays a game screen. The display controller unit may change images displayed on the screen of the display unit depending on the game status.

Abstract: A game machine includes a first display and a second display. The first display displays an image of a first game. The first game provides a plurality of symbols in either a moving condition or a stopping condition, and provides a state being advantageous to a player in the case that a predetermined pattern of the symbols is constituted when the plurality of symbols are stopped. The second display displays an image of a second game which is different from the first game. The first game and the second game proceed simultaneously The image of the first game and the image of the second game are concurrently displayed in the first display and the second display respectively.

Abstract: In a gaming machine of the present invention, a memory unit stores main and sub-credit data. The console unit accepts first or second bet data. The controller unit executes first and second game program when the console unit has accepted the first and second bet data, respectively. The controller unit determines whether or not to provide the player with an amount of credits in first and second games conducted by the first and second game programs, respectively. The credit processing unit updates the main and sub-credit data to reduce an amount of credits by an amount of a bet represented by the first and second bet data, respectively. The credit processing unit further updates the sub-credit data to increase an amount of credits by a predetermined amount each time the controller unit determines to provide an amount of credits in the first game.

Abstract: Each of a plurality of reels is provided with a plurality of symbols including at least one special symbol. At least one payline is extending across the reels. At least one electro-optical panel includes a first transparent substrate and a second transparent substrate which sandwiches an electro-optical substance therebetween. At least one of the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate is formed with at least one bored portion having a shape substantially coincident with an contour of the special symbol, the electro-optical panel disposed in front of each of the reels such that the bored portion is placed on the payline. A controller controls a state of the electro-optical substance in accordance with a predetermined rule to adjust a transparency of the electro-optical panel.

Abstract: In a video slot machine according to the present invention, a display unit displays video reels. Each video reel includes first or second series of symbols, which are equivalent except for the types of wildcard symbols. A console unit allows a player to add an extra bet to normal bets. A display control unit causes the display unit to use the first or second series of symbols when the console unit has accepted normal bets with or without an extra bet, respectively. Thus, the different types of wildcard symbols appear on the video reels depending on the types of bets. If a winning combination is formed in the arrangement of the stopped symbols, an award processing unit changes the amount of an award depending on which type of wildcard symbol the winning combination includes.

Abstract: A game system and game device are disclosed which shorten the time needed until a game is selected when a player is selecting a game with an operation accepting unit. When play history of players associated with player-specifying information (player ID) is stored in an identifier storage unit, and the input accepting unit accepts the player ID prior to acceptance by an operation accepting unit of game selection operation, an assist display image based on the play history associated with the accepted player ID is displayed prior to acceptance of game selection operation by the operation accepting unit. In this way, the player can check his/her own play history and the time a player takes to decide which game to play can be shortened.

Abstract: A slot machine of the present invention selectively provides a game in normal and special modes. A winning judgment unit assigns winning combinations of symbols to various awards depending on the modes. During the normal mode, the awards comprise awards which change from the normal mode to the special mode, and awards which change the rules (the maximum number of rounds and the payouts) used in the special mode. The winning judgment unit checks whether or not a winning combination is included in a symbol arrangement determined randomly. A memory unit stores rule data used in the special mode. A rule managing unit updates the rule data stored in the memory unit in accordance with an award won in the normal mode. A controller unit conducts a game in each mode, changes the modes according to the award won in the normal mode, and uses the rule data in the special mode.

Abstract: A gaming system of the present invention comprises a server and a gaming terminal that can communicate with each other. A player operates a console unit of the gaming terminal to select a game program stored in a memory unit of the server, and play a game conducted by a selected game program that is executed by a controller unit installed in the server or the gaming terminal. An input receiver unit of the server receives game recommendation data that identifies one or more types of the game programs stored in the memory unit. A display unit of the gaming terminal displays a game recommendation screen including an image for urging the player to select a type of game program identified by the game recommendation data, before the console unit of the gaming terminal receives data showing the type of game program selected by the player.

Abstract: A configuration is disclosed in which processes and controls can be carried out that differ with respect to a plurality of game terminals connected to a server device. When, during execution of a game program specified by a game selection operation, information indicating that an event prize has been won is received in a server communication processing unit from a game terminal, a control unit of a server device will read from a setting information unit action-setting information associated with the terminal ID of the game terminal that was the transmission source for the game selection operation information. In accordance with the action-setting information that was read, either a jackpot game or a free game will progress. More specifically, game rules for whether a jackpot game or free game will progress when an event prize is won in a slot game can be made to differ on an individual each game terminal basis.

Abstract: In a game system in which a game based on a plurality of types of game programs can be played on a plurality of game terminals, the pleasure of choosing a game machine that is provided by a typical conventional game system is similarly provided to a player using the present game system. A plurality of different identifiers are assigned to the same game program, and a virtual machine image corresponding to each of the identifiers is displayed on a display unit of a game terminal. A player decides what type of game he/she wishes to play by performing a game selection operation. Thereafter, the player performs a virtual machine selection operation to select the virtual machine image that corresponds to a virtual machine number that he/she wishes to choose so that he/she can play the game.

Abstract: In a system according to the present invention, a game based on a game program executed at a server device 50 can be played on each game terminal 1. In the present system, a credit process execution unit 46 that executes a credit adding process and credit storage unit 47 are provided in each game terminal 1. Therefore, no communication is necessary between each game terminal and the server device when credits equivalent of a deposit amount that is accepted by a deposit accepting unit 44 of each game terminal 1 are stored in a credit storage unit. This reduces the communication data volume between each game terminal and the server device in the system in which a player can play a game based on each of multiple kinds of game programs independently on each of a plurality of game terminals.

Abstract: A slot machine of the present invention having plural drum devices, each drum device comprises plural drums which have a cylindrical shape rotatable around the center axis and an array of plural symbols on its peripheral surface respectively, plural gyro sensors arranged in close vicinity to the center axis of each drum for detecting a rotating state of the center axis, and plural driving units for driving each drum. The drum device and slot machine using the drum device which detects the symbol positions of the drums in real time according to a rotating status of the center axis of the drums detected by the gyro sensor, and which do not require detection of an original position of starting of the drums, are provided.