Gaming machine
A gaming machine utilizing a payout table is provided. The gaming machine comprises: a first display for displaying a payout table of a game; and a processor in communication with the first display, wherein the processor is operable to: determine payout change information to change a payout of the payout table; and cause the first display to display the changed payout of the payout table based on the payout change information.
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This application is based upon and claims the benefits of priorities from Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-342442 filed on Nov. 28, 2005, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a gaming machine utilizing a payout table.
RELATED ARTIn a conventional gaming machine, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication Number 2003-180908 discloses a video slot machine, in which the credit number having been won in a game is obtained as a result of calculation by multiplying the odds by the bet number. However, the odds are fixed for each winning combination and the player has little interest in the odds themselves such that the player tends to focus on whether the winning combination is established on the bet line or not, thereby causing the player to feel the game is monotonous.
In this respect, as means for preventing the monotony of the game, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,254,481 and 6,569,018 disclose a slot machine in which an image effect is performed on two display screens. That is, in the slot machine, an image effect is made such that one entire image is displayed on the two display screens jointly and, in the one entire image, for example, motion of a character displayed in a part of one of the display screens constituting the one entire image triggers motion of another character displayed in a part of the other display screen. Therefore, the image effect tries to attract the player's interest by utilizing the features of the two display screens.
And Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication Number 2003-111896 discloses a slot machine to try to make the player have a feeling that the base winning symbol combination table is unexpectedly changed to the special winning symbol combination table for a predetermined number of times, thereby causing different payouts to be paid out consecutively even though the identification information image having been stopped and displayed statically corresponds to a low payout.
However, the different payouts are paid out only when the identification information image stopped and displayed statically is assigned to a low payout. But the entire payouts are not subject to the different payouts such that the player has an only limited chance to feel the unexpected result. Therefore, it is likely that the player may feel monotony as the player continues to play the game.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn the present invention, a gaming machine utilizing the payout table, which can avoid monotony of the game, is provided. The gaming machine comprises: a first display for displaying a payout table of a game; and a processor in communication with the first display, wherein the processor is operable to: determine payout change information to change a payout of the payout table; and cause the first display to display the changed payout of the payout table based on the payout change information.
Further features of the present invention, its nature, and various advantages will be more apparent from the accompanying drawings and the following description of the preferred embodiment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the following description, an explanation for a gaming machine as an embodiment according to the present invention is made in detail with reference to the attached drawings. First, a general structure of the slot machine according to the present embodiment is explained with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5.
In
An operation table 5 projecting toward the player's side is formed below the lower liquid crystal display 4. On the operation table 5, an exchange (CHANGE) button 6, a payout (CASHOUT) button 7, and a help (HELP) button 8 are arranged from the leftmost side. On the right side of the help button 8, a coin insertion part 9 and a bill insertion part 10 are provided. On the player's side of the operation table 5, a 1-BET button 11, a spin (SPIN/REPEAT BET) button 12, a 3-BET button 13, a 5-BET button 14 and an 8-BET button 15 are arranged from the left side.
Here, the exchange button 6 is a button to be pressed for exchanging a bill inserted into the bill insertion part 10. Exchanged coins are discharged from a coin payout opening 16 provided on a lower part of the cabinet 2 to a coin receiving part 17. An exchange (CHANGE) switch 62 to be described later is attached to the exchange button 6. When the exchange button 6 is pressed, a switch signal is outputted from the exchange switch 62 to a CPU 50 based on the depression (see
The payout button 7 is a button to be pressed at the end of the game. When the payout button 7 is pressed, coins gained in the game are paid out from the coin payout opening 16 to the coin receiving part 17. A payout (CASHOUT) switch 63 to be described later is attached to the payout button 7. When the payout button 7 is pressed, a switch signal is outputted from the payout (CASHOUT) switch 63 to the CPU 50 based on the depression (see
The help button 8 is a button to be pressed when an operation method of the game or the like is not clear. When the help button 8 is pressed, various kinds of help information may be displayed on the upper liquid crystal display 3. A help (HELP) switch 64 to be described later is attached to the help button 8. When the help button 8 is pressed, a switch signal is outputted from the help switch 64 to the CPU 50 based on the depression (see
A coin sensor 65 to be described later is arranged in the coin insertion part 9. When a coin is inserted into the coin insertion part 9, a coin detection signal is outputted from the coin sensor 65 to the CPU 50 (see
A bill sensor 66 to be described later is arranged in the bill insertion part 10. When a bill is inserted into the bill insertion part 10, a bill detection signal is outputted from the bill sensor 66 to the CPU 50 (see
The 1-BET button 11 is a button to be pressed once for making one bet. A 1-BET switch 58 to be described later is attached to this 1-BET button 11. When the 1-BET button 11 is pressed, a switch signal is outputted from the 1-BET switch 58 to the CPU 50 based on the depression (see
The spin (SPIN/REPEAT BET) button 12 starts is a button to be pressed for initiating variable display of symbols in the respective variable display parts 22A to 22C, 23A to 23C and 24A to 24C of the lower liquid crystal display 4 in order to start the game with the present bet number or the previous bet number. A spin switch 57 to be described later is attached to the spin button 12. When the spin button 12 is pressed, a switch signal is outputted from the spin switch 57 to the CPU 50 based on the depression (see
The 3-BET button 13 is a button to be pressed once for making three bets. A 3-BET switch 59 to be described later is attached to this 3-BET button 13. When the 3-BET button 13 is pressed, a switch signal is outputted from the 3-BET switch 59 to the CPU 50 based on the depression (see
The 5-BET button 14 is a button to be pressed once for making five bets. A 5-BET switch 60 to be described later is attached to this 5-BET button 14. When the 5-BET button 14 is pressed, a switch signal is outputted from the 5-BET switch 60 to the CPU 50 based on the depression (see
Also, the 8-BET button 15 is a button to be pressed once for making eight bets. An 8-BET switch 61 to be described later is attached to this 8-BET button 15. When the 8-BET button 15 is pressed, a switch signal is outputted from the 8-BET switch 61 to the CPU 50 based on the depression (see
Here, the number of bets which can be made with depression of the 1-BET button 11, the spin (SPIN/REPEAT BET) button 12, the 3-BET button 13, the 5-BET button 14, or the 8-BET button 15 is 1, 2, 3, 5, or 8 (one, two, three, five, or eight bets). As a result of such a bet operation, if the number of bets is one, one predetermined pay line is activated out of the pay lines L1 to L8. If the number of bets is two, two predetermined pay lines are activated out of the pay lines L1 to L8. If the number of bets is three, three predetermined pay lines are activated out of the pay lines L1 to L8. If the number of bets is five, five predetermined pay lines are activated out of the pay lines L1 to L8. Moreover, if the number of bets is eight, all the eight pay lines L1 to L8 are activated.
On the other hand, the gaming machine could be adjusted to be a machine provided with another button which makes all the eight pay lines L1 to L8 activated for the one bet (the number of bets is one).
In the following description, it is assumed for convenience of explanation that all the pay lines L1 to L8 are activated as the game proceeds unless otherwise specified.
The coin payout opening 16 is formed on the lower part of the cabinet 2, and the coin receiving part 17 is provided to receive coins paid out from the coin payout opening 16. Inside the coin payout opening 16, a coin detector 73 which is composed of a sensor and the like is arranged as is described later. The coin detector 73 detects the number of coins paid out from the coin payout opening 16 (see
Next, symbols used in the game with the slot machine 1 are explained.
Here, the symbol array is composed of a scatter 101, a sea turtle 102, a mudskipper 103, a sea horse 104, a hermit crab 105, a blue tang 106, an ammonite 107, a clownfish 108, a seal 109 and a swordfish 110, thereby constituting the video reel 100.
Next, a configuration of a control system of the slot machine 1 is explained with reference to
In
Also, the CPU 50 is connected to a clock pulse generating circuit 53 which generates a reference clock pulse and a frequency divider 54. Further, the CPU 50 is connected to a random number generator 55 which generates a random number and random number sampling circuit 56. The random number sampled by the random number sampling circuit 56 is used for various kinds of lotteries (lot drawings) for selecting a winning combination and the like. Further, the CPU 50 is connected to the spin switch 57 attached to the spin (SPIN/REPEAT BET) button 12, the 1-BET switch 58 attached to the 1-BET button 11, the 3-BET switch 59 attached to the 3-BET button 13, the 5-BET switch 60 attached to the 5-BET button 14, the 8-BET switch 61 attached to the 8-BET button 15, the exchange (CHANGE) switch 62 attached to the exchange button 6, the payout (CASHOUT) switch 63 attached to the payout button 7, and the help (HELP) switch 64 attached to the help button 8. The CPU 50 controls various kinds of operations corresponding to the respective buttons on the basis of respective switch signals outputted from the respective switches upon depression of the respective buttons.
Further, the CPU is connected to the coin sensor 65 arranged in the coin insertion part 9 and the bill sensor 66 arranged in the bill insertion part 10. The coin sensor 65 detects coins inserted into the coin insertion part 9, and the CPU 50 calculates the number of inserted coins on the basis of the coin detection signal outputted from the coin sensor 65. The bill sensor 66 detects the kind and the number of bills inserted into the bill insertion part 10, and the CPU 50 calculates the number of coins equivalent to the amount of the bills on the basis of the bill detection signal outputted from the bill sensor 66.
The CPU 50 is connected to a hopper 71 via a hopper drive circuit 70. When a drive signal from the CPU 50 is outputted to the hopper drive circuit 70, the hopper 71 discharges a predetermined number of coins from the coin payout opening 16.
Further, the CPU 50 is connected to a coin detector 73 via a payout completion signal circuit 72. The coin detector 73 is arranged inside the coin payout opening 16. When the coin detector 73 detects the predetermined number coins discharged from the coin payout opening 16, a coin payout detection signal is outputted from the coin detector 73 to the payout completion signal circuit 72. On the basis of this signal, the payout completion signal circuit 72 outputs a payout completion signal to the CPU 50. Moreover, the CPU 50 is connected to the upper liquid crystal display 3 and the lower liquid crystal display 4 via a liquid crystal drive circuit 74, and controls the upper liquid crystal display 3 and the lower liquid crystal display 4.
At this point, the liquid crystal drive circuit 74 is constituted of a program ROM 81, an image ROM 82, an image control CPU 83, a work RAM 84, a VDP (video display processor) 85, a video RAM 86 and the like as shown in
Moreover, the image ROM 82, for example, stores dot data for forming images such as demonstration effects performed on the upper liquid crystal display 3 and the lower liquid crystal display 4, various kinds of help information, payout tables, payout change information and bubble effect displayed on the upper liquid crystal display 3, respective symbols of the video reel 100 of
The image control CPU 83 determines images displayed on the upper liquid crystal display 3 and the lower liquid crystal display 4 out of the dot data stored in advance in the image ROM 82 on the basis of parameters set by the CPU 50 and in accordance with the image control program stored in advance in the program ROM 81. The work RAM 84 is configured as temporary storage means which is used when the image control program is executed with the image control CPU 83. The VDP 85 forms images according to display contents determined by the image control CPU 83, and outputs the resultant images to the upper liquid crystal display 3 and the lower liquid crystal display 4. Accordingly, respective symbols and the like of the video reel 100 of
When respective symbols of the video reel 100 which are variably displayed by being scrolled are stopped and displayed statically in the respective variable display parts 22A to 22C, 23A to 23C and 24A to 24C, one symbol is stopped and displayed statically in each of the variable display parts 22A to 22C, 23A to 23C, and 24A to 24C. Various kinds of winning combinations are set up in advance on the basis of a plurality of kinds of combinations of the above-mentioned respective symbols (see
Referring back to
Then, with reference to
In this respect, the symbols to be stopped and displayed statically in the variable display parts 22A to 22C, 23A to 23C and 24A to 24C are determined symbol by symbol for each of the variable display parts 22A to 22C, 23A to 23C and 24A to 24C. For this purpose, code numbers “0” to “9” are assigned, sequentially from the left, to the respective symbols which constitute the video reel 100 as shown in FIG. 7, and a lottery table as shown in
By way of example, the lottery table of
Here, as to each symbol which constitutes the video reel 100 and is displayed in each of the other variable display parts 22A to 22C, 23B and 23C, and 24A to 24C, each symbol corresponding to each code number is stopped and displayed statically in the same way as each symbol which constitutes the video reel 100 of the variable display part 23A is stopped and displayed statically as mentioned above.
Next, an explanation is made for winning combinations and payout rates thereof when the game is played in the slot machine 1 with the nine variable display parts 22A to 22C, 23A to 23C and 24A to 24C with reference to
The payout table 123 as shown in
In this respect, the payout table 121 of ‘ANY’ odds shows the payout rate of each symbol to the number of symbols of the same kind to be stopped and displayed statically in the variable display parts (see
The payout table 122 of ‘LINE’ odds shows the payout rate per line to the number of activated pay lines (see
When the random number values of symbols to be displayed in three or more variable display parts along activated pay lines (see
Next, an explanation is made for a table to be used in selecting payout change information that changes the payout rates of the payout table 123 of the game with reference to
The payout change information which changes the payout rates of the payout table 123 is selected in this embodiment by utilizing the table (see
That is, the table of
Next, when the game is played with the nine variable display parts 22A to 22C, 23A to 23C and 24A to 24C of the slot machine 1, an explanation is made for a table to be utilized in selecting an image pattern of bubble effect to be performed along with display of payout change information which changes the payout amount based on the payout table 123 of the game with reference to
In this respect, the image pattern of the bubble effect performed along with display of the payout change information which changes the payout amount based on the payout table 123 is selected by using a table (see
Next, a main process program executed on the slot machine 1 is explained with reference to
Then, in S12, lottery process of
In the following S13, a game process of
Next, an explanation is made for the start acceptance process program to be executed with the slot machine 1 with reference to
Next, the lottery process program to be executed with the slot machine 1 is explained with reference to
Then, the lottery process for changing the payout table is executed in S33. More specifically, in this lottery process for changing the payout table, the payout change information for changing the payout of the payout table 123 is selected as the table of
The random number lottery in S33 may be performed simultaneously with the random number lottery in S31.
More specifically, in this lottery process for changing the payout table, as mentioned above, one image pattern is selected from the three image patterns of bubble effect as the table of
When the program proceeds to S34, an instruction process of payout change is executed. In this instruction process of payout change, the payout change information (a multiplier thereof) selected in the above S33 is stored in the RAM 52. The payout change information (a multiplier thereof) stored in the RAM 52 is used when the amount of payout is paid out in the game (S43 of
In the subsequent S35, an effect image process is executed. In this effect image process, the payout change information and the bubble effect having been selected in the above S33 are displayed. More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 18 to 20 in this order, the image pattern of the bubble effect having been selected in the above S33 is first displayed in the lower liquid crystal display 4 and then is shifted from the lower liquid crystal to the upper liquid crystal display 3 as they are displayed. That is, a large number of bubbles 131 generated below the lower liquid crystal display 4 appear from the bottom of the display 4, rise gradually and then are displayed covering only the entire lower liquid crystal display 4 (see
In this particular embodiment, a distribution of bubble sizes is predetermined as shown in FIGS. 18 to 20. However, the size of each bubble as well as the distribution of the bubble sizes can be varied in accordance with the present invention. In such a case, selectable image patterns could be big bubbles, medium bubbles, and small bubbles of the same number. Further, any item other than the bubbles can be utilized.
Then, as shown in
In this respect, as shown in
In the case shown in
In the case as shown in
In any event, the payout change information (a multiplier thereof) selected in the above S33 may be displayed in the midst of movement and display of the large number of bubbles 131 over the payout table 123 on the upper liquid crystal display 3, as shown in
Here, it appears to the player that the payout change information and the bubble effect performed in the effect image process in S35 are displayed at the same time as the variable display of symbols on the variable display parts 22A to 22C, 23A to 23C and 24A to 24C (see
Thereafter, the program returns to the main process program of
Next, the game process program executed in the slot machine 1 is explained with reference to
Then, a stop control process is executed in S42. More specifically, in this stop control process, the video reel 100 which is constituted of symbols is stopped so that each symbol determined on the basis of the lottery result in the symbol determination process of S31 is displayed in each of the variable display parts 22A to 22C, 23A to 23C and 24A to 24C. Accordingly, each symbol is displayed statically.
Then, in S43, an equivalent amount of coins and the like to what is obtained by multiplying the payout set up in advance in the payout table 123 of
When the process of S43 is executed, the main process program of
Therefore, as mentioned above, when the CPU 50 executes the lottery process for changing the payout table in S33 in the lottery process of
Moreover, when the CPU 50 executes the effect image process in S35 in the lottery process of
As explained in detail above, when the payout change information (any one of “×2”, “×3”, “×4” and “×5” here) which changes the payout of the payout table 123 is selected (S33) in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the selected payout change information is, as shown in
The payout change information (here any one of “×2”, “×3”, “×4” and “×5”) which changes the payout of the payout table 123 in the game can further attract the interest of the player since the information signifies, whichever information is selected, increase of the payout of payout table 123 by a predetermined multiplication factor (here twice, three times, four times, or five times) (see
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
For example, an opportunity to perform the lottery of payout change information and the lottery of bubble effect (S33) is limited only to an occasion in which one or more winning combinations of symbols are stopped and displayed statically in the variable display parts 22A to 22C, 23A to 23C and 24A to 24C along the activated pay lines L1 to L8 displayed on the lower liquid crystal display 4. When no winning combination of symbols is stopped and displayed statically in the variable display parts 22A to 22C, 23A to 23C and 24A to 24C along the activated pay lines L1 to L8 displayed on the lower liquid crystal display 4, the latest lottery result among the already-performed lottery results may be used instead without making the lottery of payout change information or the lottery of bubble effect.
Further, when no winning combination of symbols is stopped and displayed statically in the variable display parts 22A to 22C, 23A to 23C and 24A to 24C along the activated pay lines L1 to L8 displayed on the lower liquid crystal display 4, only the bubble effect of shifting a large number of bubbles 131 from the lower liquid crystal display 4 to the upper liquid crystal display 3 as they are displayed may be performed without displaying the payout change information in the game concerned.
That is, in such a case, for example, the program proceeds from the lottery process of S33 of
The determination in the above S101 may be made only by means of a random number lottery regardless of whether a winning combination of symbols is stopped and displayed statically or not. Even in this case, the payout change information may be displayed or may not be displayed depending simply on the result of the random number lottery when the bubble effect is performed in which the large number of bubbles 131 are shifted from the lower liquid crystal display 4 to the upper liquid crystal display 3 as they are displayed. As mentioned above, it is determined by the random number lottery that the payout change information is displayed or not, regardless of whether the winning combination is stopped and displayed statically or not.
Therefore, as mentioned above, when the CPU 50 executes the determination process of S101 of
Alternatively, when the CPU 50 executes the effect image process of S102 of
As to the image pattern of the bubble effect, candidate patterns to be selected may be limited in advance and assigned to respective winning combinations to be stopped and displayed statically in the variable display parts 22A to 22C, 23A to 23C and 24A to 24C along the activated pay lines L1 to L8 displayed on the lower liquid crystal display 4. Or only one image pattern may be set up in advance.
Moreover, when the selected payout change information (here, any one of “×2”, “×3”, “×4” and “×5”) is displayed, the payout of the payout table 123 may be rewritten to a value which is increased by the predetermined multiplication factor (here, any of twice, three times, four times, and five times) of the payout change information concerned and displayed on the upper liquid crystal display 3. Further, only the payout of the predetermined winning combination in the payout table 123 may be increased in such a rewriting process.
The lottery result of the payout change information and the lottery result of the bubble effect may be continuously utilized over several consecutive games.
The examples of changes as mentioned above may be applied to the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment in combination.
The present invention may apply to the technology of changing payout tables in a game to be performed with a gaming machine.
As described above, by way of example, the following gaming machines may be included according to the present invention.
According to the present invention, a gaming machine (e.g., slot machine 1) is provided. The gaming machine comprises: a first display (e.g., lower liquid crystal display 4) for displaying a result of a game; a second display (e.g., upper liquid crystal display 3) provided next to the first display (e.g., lower liquid crystal display 4), the second display displaying a payout table of the game; payout change lottery means (e.g., CPU 50, S33) for conducting a lottery to select one piece of payout change information from a plurality of pieces of payout change information for changing payout of the payout table displayed on the second display (e.g., upper liquid crystal display 3); payout change display means (e.g., CPU 50, S35) for displaying the one piece of payout change information selected by the payout change lottery means (e.g., CPU 50, S33) on the second display (e.g., upper liquid crystal display 3) at game start; and first image shift means (e.g., CPU 50, S35) for shifting a payout change notification image from the first display (e.g., lower liquid crystal display 4) to the second display (e.g., upper liquid crystal display 3) when the one piece of payout change information is displayed on the second display (e.g., upper liquid crystal display 3) by means of the payout change display means (e.g., CPU 50, S35) at the game start.
And in the gaming machine (e.g., slot machine 1) as described above, the first image shift means (e.g., CPU 50, S35) causes three sequential sates: a state that the payout change notification image is displayed only on the first display (e.g., lower liquid crystal display 4) displays and a state that the payout change notification image is displayed over the first display (e.g., lower liquid crystal display 4) and the second display (e.g., upper liquid crystal display 3) and a state the payout change notification image is displayed only on the second display (e.g., upper liquid crystal display 3).
And in the gaming machine (e.g., slot machine 1) as described above, the payout change display means (e.g., CPU 50, S35) causes the second display (e.g., upper liquid crystal display 3) to display the one piece of payout change information right after the first image shift means (e.g., CPU 50, S35) causes the payout change notification image to be displayed over the first display (e.g., lower liquid crystal display 4) and the second display (e.g., upper liquid crystal display 3).
And in the gaming machine (e.g., slot machine 1) as described above, the payout change display means (e.g., CPU 50, S35) causes the second display (e.g., upper liquid crystal display 3) to display the one piece of payout change information right after the first image shift means (e.g., CPU 50, S35) causes the payout change notification image to be displayed only on the second display (e.g., upper liquid crystal display 3).
And in the gaming machine (e.g., slot machine 1) as described above, the plurality of pieces of payout change information include predetermined multiplication factors for multiplying respective payouts of the payout table to be displayed on the second display (e.g., upper liquid crystal display 3).
And the gaming machine (e.g., slot machine 1) as described above, further comprises: execution lottery means (e.g., CPU 50, S101) for conducting a lottery to determine whether the payout change display means (e.g., CPU 50, S35) performs or not; and second image shift means (e.g., CPU 50, S102) for causing a shift from a state that the payout change notification image is displayed on the first display (e.g., lower liquid crystal display 4) to a state that the payout change notification image is displayed on the second display (e.g., upper liquid crystal display 3) when it is determined that the payout change display means (e.g., CPU 50, S35) does not perform based on a lottery result of the execution lottery means (e.g., CPU 50, S101).
In another aspect, the following gaming machines may be included according to the present invention.
A gaming machine utilizing a payout table is provided. The gaming machine comprises: a first display for displaying a payout table of a game; and a processor in communication with the first display, wherein the processor is operable to: determine payout change information to change a payout of the payout table; and cause the first display to display the changed payout of the payout table based on the payout change information.
Here, the first display may comprise, by way of example, the aforementioned upper liquid crystal display and the processor may also include, by way of example, the aforementioned CPU 50.
The above-described gaming machine is characterized in that the processor is operable to: notify that the payout of the payout table is changed; and synchronize display of the changed payout with notification of the change. Therefore, the payout change is displayed when the change is notified.
The above-described gaming machine further comprises: a second display for displaying a result of the game. The processor is in communication with the second display and is operable to: shift a payout change notification image from the second display to the first display; and cause the first display to display the changed payout of the payout table during movement of the payout change notification image based on the payout change information having been determined. Therefore, the payout change notification image is displayed on the second display, which may include, by way of example, the aforementioned the lower liquid display. The notification image may move at least in the second display and appear to move out of the second display.
The above-described gaming machine is characterized in that the processor is operable to: change the payout of the payout table by displaying the payout change information over the payout table. Here, the payout change information may include some kind of factor to change the values in the payout table. Therefore, the player may utilize both payout table and payout change information to figure out what the player would obtain.
The above-described gaming machine is characterized in that the second display is provided next to the first display such that the payout change notification image can be displayed as if the image moves from the second display to the first display. Therefore, the player may have his eyes on the payout change notification image being suddenly displayed on the second display in an overlapping manner with the displayed game result. Then, the player may keep his eyes on the payout notification image moving from the second display to the first display such that the player's eyes are directed to the payout change information naturally.
The above-described gaming machine is characterized in that the payout change information comprises a multiplication factor by which a value of the payout table having been displayed is multiplied.
In yet another aspect, a gaming machine utilizing a payout table is provided. The gaming machine comprises: a first display for displaying a payout table of a game; a second display, provided next to the first display, for displaying a result of the game; a memory for storing the payout table including a payout for a winning combination, and a plurality of factors for changing the payout for the winning combination; and a processor being operable to: select a factor from the plurality of factors so as to change the payout by multiplying a value of the payout table by the selected factor; and cause a payout change notification image to be displayed and shifted from on the second display and to on the first display as if the payout change notification image is moved from the second display and the first display.
The above-described gaming machine is characterized in that the processor is operable to synchronize movement of the payout change notification image with display of the factor.
The above-described gaming machine is characterized in that the second display comprises variable display parts in which symbols are variably displayed and stopped such that a winning combination is displayed statically. The processor is operable to cause the first display to display the payout table shaded and the selected factor over the shaded payout table.
Further, a gaming machine utilizing a payout table is provided. The gaming machine comprising: a first display for displaying a payout table of a game; and a processor in communication with the first display. The processor is operable to: conduct a lottery to select one piece of payout change information from a plurality of pieces of payout change information for changing a payout of the payout table displayed on the first display; and cause the first display to display the one piece of payout change information selected by the lottery over the payout table.
The above-described gaming machine is characterized in that the one piece of payout change information is notified in advance with a payout change notification image such that the payout change notification image makes a player see the selected one piece of payout change information on the first display.
The above-described gaming machine is characterized in that the one piece of payout change information is notified in advance with a payout change notification image such that the one piece of payout change information is displayed on the first display right after the payout change notification image is displayed on the first display.
The above-described gaming machine further comprises: a second display for displaying a result of the game, the second display being provided next to the first display. The second display displays a payout change notification image after the result of the game such that a player having a major concern of the result recognizes the payout change notification image. The first and the second displays display the payout change notification image cooperatively with each other as if the payout change notification image moves from the second display to the first display.
The above-described gaming machine is characterized in that the payout change notification image is displayed only on the second display, then is displayed over the second and the first displays, and is finally displayed only on the first display.
The above-described gaming machine is characterized in that the first display displays the one piece of payout change information right after the payout change notification image is displayed over the second and the first displays.
The above-described gaming machine is characterized in that the first display displays the one piece of payout change information right after the payout change notification image is displayed only on the first display.
The above-described gaming machine is characterized in that the plurality of pieces of payout change information includes predetermined multiplication factors for multiplying respective values of the payout table displayed on the first display.
In another aspect, a gaming machine utilizing a payout table is provided. The gaming machine comprises: a first display for displaying a payout table of a game; payout change lottery means for conducting a lottery to select one piece of payout change information from a plurality of pieces of payout change information for changing payout of the payout table displayed on the first display; and payout change display means for displaying the one piece of payout change information selected by the payout change lottery means on the first display.
The above-described gaming machine is characterized in that the one piece of payout change information is notified in advance with a payout change notification image such that the payout change notification image makes a player see the selected one piece of payout change information on the first display.
The above-described gaming machine is characterized in that the one piece of payout change information is notified in advance with a payout change notification image such that the one piece of payout change information is displayed on the first display right after the payout change notification image is displayed on the first display.
The above-described gaming machine further comprises: a second display for displaying a result of the game, the second display being provided next to the first display; and first image shift means for shifting a payout change notification image from on the second display to on the first display when the one piece of payout change information is displayed on the first display by means of the payout change display means.
The above-described gaming machine is characterized in that the first image shift means causes three sequential sates: a state that the payout change notification image is displayed only on the second display and a state that the payout change notification image is displayed over the second and the first displays and a state the payout change notification image is displayed only on the first display.
The above-described gaming machine is characterized in that the payout change display means causes the first display to display the one piece of payout change information right after the first image shift means causes the payout change notification image to be displayed over the second and the first displays.
The above-described gaming machine is characterized in that the payout change display means causes the first display to display the one piece of payout change information right after the first image shift means causes the payout change notification image to be displayed only on the first display.
Therefore, in the gaming machine according to the present invention, since the payout change notification image is displayed first on the first display to which the player focus his attention because the game result is displayed thereon, and is shifted to the second display so that the player's sight line is guided to the second display where the payout change information having been selected by lottery to change the payouts listed in the payout table is displayed. Therefore, the player is sure to be notified of the payout change information such that the player may have a fresh feeling and may be prevented from feeling the game with the payout table monotonous.
Claims
1. A gaming machine comprising:
- a first display for displaying a payout table of a game; and
- a processor in communication with the first display, wherein the processor is operable to: determine payout change information to change a payout of the payout table; and cause the first display to display the changed payout of the payout table based on the payout change information.
2. The gaming machine according to claim 1 wherein the processor is operable to:
- notify that the payout of the payout table is changed; and
- synchronize display of the changed payout with notification of the change.
3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising:
- a second display for displaying a result of the game,
- wherein the processor is in communication with the second display and is operable to: shift a payout change notification image from the second display to the first display; and cause the first display to display the changed payout of the payout table during movement of the payout change notification image based on the payout change information having been determined.
4. The gaming machine according to claim 1 wherein the processor is operable to:
- change the payout of the payout table by displaying the payout change information over the payout table.
5. The gaming machine according to claim 3
- wherein the second display is provided next to the first display such that the payout change notification image can be displayed as if the image moves from the second display to the first display.
6. The gaming machine according to claim 1
- wherein the payout change information comprises a multiplication factor by which a value of the payout table having been displayed is multiplied.
7. A gaming machine comprising:
- a first display for displaying a payout table of a game;
- a second display, provided next to the first display, for displaying a result of the game;
- a memory for storing the payout table including a payout for a winning combination, and a plurality of factors for changing the payout for the winning combination; and
- a processor being operable to: select a factor from the plurality of factors so as to change the payout by multiplying a value of the payout table by the selected factor; cause a payout change notification image to be displayed and shifted from on the second display and to on the first display as if the payout change notification image is moved from the second display and the first display.
8. The gaming machine according to claim 7,
- wherein the processor is operable to synchronize movement of the payout change notification image with display of the factor.
9. The gaming machine according to claim 7,
- wherein the second display comprises variable display parts in which symbols are variably displayed and stopped such that a winning combination is displayed statically, and
- wherein the processor is operable to: cause the first display to display the payout table shaded and the selected factor over the shaded payout table.
10. A gaming machine comprising:
- a first display for displaying a payout table of a game; and
- a processor in communication with the first display, wherein the processor is operable to: conduct a lottery to select one piece of payout change information from a plurality of pieces of payout change information for changing a payout of the payout table displayed on the first display; and cause the first display to display the one piece of payout change information selected by the lottery over the payout table.
11. The gaming machine according to claim 10,
- wherein the one piece of payout change information is notified in advance with a payout change notification image such that the payout change notification image makes a player see the selected one piece of payout change information on the first display.
12. The gaming machine according to claim 10,
- wherein the one piece of payout change information is notified in advance with a payout change notification image such that the one piece of payout change information is displayed on the first display right after the payout change notification image is displayed on the first display.
13. The gaming machine according to claim 10, further comprising:
- a second display for displaying a result of the game, the second display being provided next to the first display,
- wherein the second display displays a payout change notification image after the result of the game such that a player having a major concern of the result recognizes the payout change notification image,
- wherein the first and the second displays display the payout change notification image cooperatively with each other as if the payout change notification image moves from the second display to the first display.
14. The gaming machine according to claim 13,
- wherein the payout change notification image is displayed only on the second display, then is displayed over the second and the first displays, and is finally displayed only on the first display.
15. The gaming machine according to claim 13,
- wherein the first display displays the one piece of payout change information right after the payout change notification image is displayed over the second and the first displays.
16. The gaming machine according to claim 13,
- wherein the first display displays the one piece of payout change information right after the payout change notification image is displayed only on the first display.
17. The gaming machine according to claim 13,
- wherein the plurality of pieces of payout change information includes predetermined multiplication factors for multiplying respective values of the payout table displayed on the first display.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 20, 2006
Publication Date: May 31, 2007
Applicant:
Inventor: Kazunobu Sato (Tokyo)
Application Number: 11/601,852
International Classification: A63F 9/24 (20060101);