JPH066184B2 - Game device - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a game device having a customer service game surface on the front surface of a machine, such as a slot machine, and in particular, the present invention relates to a customer service game surface. And a game device for displaying arbitrary information to the player.

<Prior Art> Generally, in a slot machine, a medal is first inserted into a medal insertion slot, and then a start handle is operated to rotate a plurality of drums simultaneously, and then, for example, a player presses a stop button switch for each drum. Each drum is stopped by sequentially pressing. As a result, when a predetermined pattern array is formed in the pattern display window, the game becomes a “win” of the player, and a medal of a predetermined payout can be received according to the pattern array content.

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> However, in this type of slot machine, no operation procedure is given to the player for advancing the game, which may make a beginner feel confused. There is a problem that it is inferior to.

By the way, it is usual that a large number of this kind of stot machines are installed in an amusement park, an accommodation facility, etc. in addition to a game facility dedicated thereto. In any facility, it may be necessary to provide each player with guidance or information unique to the facility. In this case, it would be very convenient if each slot machine had such a guide means, but such machines are not provided in the existing machines.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a game device excellent in customer service by displaying a message on a customer service game surface to provide arbitrary information to a player. .

Another object of the present invention is to provide a game device capable of easily changing the content of a displayed message without providing a special switch group.

<Means for Solving Problems> In the present invention, a customer service game surface is provided on the front surface of an openable body, and a switch group to which a function necessary for the progress of the game is assigned is provided on the customer service game surface. In the game device, the message display means provided on the customer service game surface, the storage means for storing the character string data forming the message, and the character string data read from the storage means to display a message to the message display means. Display control means for displaying, a mode setting switch disposed inside the body for switching the operation mode of the machine between a mode for game execution and a mode for changing messages, and for changing messages by the mode setting switch. When the mode of is set, it is necessary to change the message on the switches arranged on the above-mentioned customer service game side. And a switch control means for assigning a function.

<Operation> Since the message is displayed on the message display means on the customer service game side, the player can obtain information necessary for the progress of the game by looking at this message.

To change the content of the displayed message, open the body and operate the mode setting switch. As a result, the operation mode of the machine is set to the mode for changing the message, and the switch group is assigned the function necessary for changing the message. The clerk can construct or change the message by operating the switch group.

<Embodiment> FIG. 1 shows a slot machine having three drums 1a, 1b, and 1c. A lighting display section 3, a message display section 4, a pattern display section 5 are provided on a customer service game surface 2 on the front of the body. A numeral display 6, a medal insertion slot 7, a push button switch group 8, a medal discharge tray 9 and the like are provided, and a start handle 10 is provided on the side surface of the body.

In each of the above-mentioned configurations, the lighting display plate 3 displays information about the winning game (pattern arrangement) drawn on the panel and the payout rate thereof by turning on a lamp. The message display unit 4 displays, as a character string, a guidance message regarding an operation procedure required to progress the game, a message unique to the facility where this machine is installed, and the like.

FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the message display unit 4 of this embodiment. The message display unit 4 is formed by arranging a plurality of fluorescent display tubes 4a to 4n aligned in a line, and each of the fluorescent display tubes 4a to 4n individually displays an alphabetic character constituting a message. It

The picture display section 5 is a portion through which the pictures for 1 to 3 frames of each drum 1a, 1b, 1c are seen through, and when the pictures are stopped on the stop line 1 in a predetermined arrangement, a predetermined number of medals are paid. Given to the person and added to the numerical display section 6.
Therefore, the number display 6 digitally displays the number of medals held by the machine (hereinafter referred to as "credit medals") among medals held by the player.

The medal insertion slot 7 is a portion for accepting insertion of one or two medals per game, and the number of inserted medals is two.
The payout rate when the number of coins is one is set to 2 to 3 times the payout rate when the number of inserted medals is one.

It should be noted that the medal discharging tray 9 is for discharging all of the credit metal when the game is finished and paying for it, and the starting handle 10 is used for proceeding the game.
The purpose is to simultaneously start the three drums 1a, 1b, 1c. The push button switch group 8 is used by the player to perform a push operation as necessary when the game progresses, and each push button of a change switch 11, a collect switch 12, a bet switch 13, a spin reel switch 14, and a maxim bet switch 15. It consists of switches.
The change switch 11 is used to call an attendant when trouble occurs such as a machine failure. The collect switch 12 is for discharging all the credit medals to settle the payment, and the pet switch 13 is for consuming the credit medals one by one and executing the game. The spin reel switch 14 is for simultaneously starting the drums, and has the same function as the starting handle 10. The maximum bet switch 15 is used to execute the game by consuming the maximum number of credit medals (two in this case) at one time.

These push button switches 8 are used by the player to push the game in order to progress the game, and are also used when the staff member constructs or corrects a unique message displayed on the message display unit 4. In this case, the mode setting switch 22 (shown in FIG. 3) inside the machine is set to the message change mode. The function of each switch in this message change mode will be described in detail later.

FIG. 3 shows a circuit configuration example of the slot machine.

In the figure, the medal detection sensor 20 detects that a medal has been inserted into the medal insertion slot 7 and outputs a medal detection signal. Also, the start handle switch 21 is connected to the start handle 10 and the start signal is output when the handle is operated. Output. The number display unit 6 displays the number of credit medals, and the mode setting switch 22 switches the operation mode of the machine between a normal mode for executing a game and a message changing mode for changing a message. The collect switch 12, the bet switch 13, the spin reel switch 14, the maxim bet switch 15, and the change switch 11 are used not only for the progress of the game but also for the construction and correction of messages.

The motor control unit 23 controls the operation of the stepping motor for rotating each drum, and the medal counting unit 24 counts the number of inserted medals and the number of dividend medals.

The message display unit 4 is for displaying character strings forming a message in an aligned state. In the case of this embodiment,
A plurality of fluorescent display tubes 4a to 4n for displaying each character constituting the character string, and a conversion circuit unit for inputting a character code (for example, ASCII code) of each character and converting it to a corresponding character (Fig. (Not shown) and.

Each of these input / output units is connected to a computer circuit unit including a microcomputer via input / output ports 28 and 29. This computer circuit unit is a CPU (Centra).
l Processing Unit) 25, ROM (Read Only Memor)
y) 26 and a RAM (Randam Access Memory) 27, the CPU 25 decodes and executes a program stored in the ROM 26, and controls the operation of each input / output unit while reading / writing data from / to the RAM 27. Performs various calculations and processes related to the progress of messages and message construction. The RAM 27 has a message display section 4
The character code of each character forming the character string is stored for all the messages displayed on the screen, and the ROM 26 stores all the characters (26 alphabetic characters in this embodiment) that can be selected to construct or modify the message. Character codes are stored in a table.

FIG. 4 shows the operation of the slot machine, in other words, the control procedure of the slot machine by the computer circuit section.

When the machine is powered on at the start of the figure,
In step 1 (indicated by "ST1" in the figure), the CPU 25 performs RA
Each character code of a character string forming a predetermined message is read out from M27 and is output to the message display unit 4 to control its display operation. As a result, in this embodiment, each of the fluorescent display tubes 4a to 4n of the message display unit 4 has a medal insertion guide character string (for example, "INSERT COIN") and a unique message character string (for example, "WELCOME TO CASIN").
O ”) and are displayed alternately.

The next step 2 is to judge whether an operator has opened the body for checking the inside of the machine or changing the message. If the judgment is “NO”, the next step 3
Then, the CPU 25 determines whether or not a medal has been inserted. This medal is inserted by a medal detection signal output from the medal detection sensor 20 when a medal is inserted into the medal insertion slot 7 or by a switch signal when the bet switch 13 or the maximum bet switch 15 is pressed. , Respectively detected.

The judgment of “Is there a medal inserted?” In Step 3 is “YE
When it becomes "S", in the next step 4, the message display section 4
Is a guidance character string that prompts you to operate the steering wheel (for example, "PULL H
ANDLE ”) is displayed.

In the next step 5, it is determined whether or not the start handle is operated. If the player pulls the start handle 10 or pushes the spin reel switch 14, the determination in step 5 becomes “YES”, In the next step 6, the message "GOOD LUC
The character string "K" is displayed.

When the game is started by the above-mentioned starting operation, the three drums 1a, 1b, 1c continue to rotate for a predetermined time, and then the respective drums 1a, 1b, 1c are automatically stopped in sequence and on the stop line l. Arbitrary patterns on each drum are aligned (step 7). When these patterns take a predetermined arrangement, the player wins the game, step 8 becomes "YES" and the process proceeds to step 9 to guide the message display section 4 to the winning game (for example, "WINNER") Is displayed.

In the case of a winning game, the player is paid a predetermined number of medals according to the pattern arrangement, and the content of the numeral display 6 is added by that value. When this payout is completed, step 1
0 becomes “YES”, the process returns to step 1 and the first message is displayed on the message display section 4. When the determination of "winning game?" In step 8 is "NO", the process immediately returns to step 1 and the initial display is performed.

Next, when the attendant constructs or corrects the message,
The body is opened and the mode setting switch 22 is set to the message change mode. As a result, the determination of "did the body open?" In step 2 is "YES", the determination of "did the body close?" In step 11 is "NO", and the determination of "message change mode?" In step 12 Becomes "YES", and the message is constructed or modified in step 13.

After constructing the message, etc. (step 14
"YES"), when the mode setting switch 22 is switched to the normal mode and the body is closed, step 11 is "YES".
Then, the process returns to step 1 and the game is on standby.

FIG. 5 shows a procedure for constructing or modifying a message.

When the mode setting switch 22 is set to the message change mode at the start of the figure, the changeable unique message character string (here, "WELCOME TO CASINO") is displayed on the message display section 4 in step 21. To be done.

FIG. 6 (1) shows the display state of the message display unit 4 immediately after the message change mode is set. The figure assumes that there is a typographical error (indicated by diagonal lines in the figure) to be corrected in the character string displayed on the message display unit 4.

In the setting state of the message change mode, the character to be changed in the character string is placed on the fluorescent display tube 4n located at the right end of the message display unit 4, and the fluorescent display tube 4a located at the left end is located at the fluorescent display tube 4a. Is configured to select and display the character to be changed.

If you want to correct the 4th character "D" in the string,
First, when the collect switch 12 is pushed once, the display content of the fluorescent display tube 4n at the right end is changed from "A" to "B", and when it is pushed again, the display content is "B". To "C". Therefore, the collect switch 12 is used to select a character in the message change mode. Every time the switch is operated, the CPU 25 sequentially searches the character table to select a character and displays the selected character. Switch in the order of A, B, C, D, E, F, ..., Z, A. The bet switch 13 is also used for similar character selection. When the bet switch 13 is operated, the CPU 25 searches the character table in the reverse order to select a character and displays the selected character. A, Z, Y, X,
Switch in the order of B, A. In the CPU 25, the selected character being displayed on the rightmost fluorescent display tube 4n is held in the internal memory. Assuming now that the collect switch 12 is pressed twice, the determination in step 22 of FIG. 5 is “YE
S ”, and the fluorescent display tube 4 at the right end of the message display section 4
As shown in FIG. 6 (2), the letter "C" to be changed is displayed in n (step 27).

Next, when the spin reel switch 14 is pressed once to specify the change target, the entire character string displayed on the message display unit 4 is shifted one frame to the left in the figure, and when this is pressed again. , The character string shifts to the left one more frame. Therefore, the spin reel switch 14 is used to shift the character string to the left in the message change mode, and the CPU 25 sequentially shifts the start address of the character string data to be read each time the switch operation is performed. It will be. Further, the maximum bet switch 15 is also used for the same character string shift, and if the maximum bet switch 15 is operated, the entire character string can be shifted to the right.

Assuming that the spin reel switch 14 is pressed three times in succession, the determination in step 24 of FIG. 5 is “YE
S ”, and the entire character string is shifted left by 3 frames,
The fluorescent display tube 4a at the left end of the message display section 4 is shown in FIG.
As shown in (3), the erroneous English letter "D" to be changed is located (step 29).

When the change switch 11 is finally pressed, the determination in step 26 becomes "YES", and the display content "D" of the leftmost fluorescent display tube 4a is replaced with the display content "C" of the rightmost fluorescent display tube 4n. , As shown in FIG. 6 (4), the desired character string is corrected (step 3).
1).

In FIG. 5, step 23 determines whether or not the bet switch 13 has been operated. If the determination is “YES”, the display of the selected character is switched in the opposite direction to the above (step 28). ). Further, step 25 in the figure determines whether or not the maximum bet switch 15 is operated,
If the determination is "YES", the entire character string is shifted in the opposite direction and displayed (step 30).

Although the above is an example in which the present invention is applied to a slot machine, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to various game devices other than the slot machine.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the fluorescent display tube is used as the character display means of the message display unit 4, but the present invention is not limited to this, and liquid crystal or the like may be used.

<Effects of the Invention> As described above, according to the present invention, since a message can be displayed on the customer service game surface to provide arbitrary information to the player and the content of the message can be arbitrarily changed, the game progress operation can be performed. In addition to the procedure, it is possible to provide the player with unique guidance regarding the facility in which the machine is installed, thereby contributing to the improvement of customer service. Also, since the game switch group arranged on the customer service game side can also be used for the message changing operation, there is no need to provide a dedicated switch group separately.
A remarkable effect that the object of the invention is achieved is achieved, such that the message can be changed easily.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a slot machine in which the present invention is implemented, FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing the structure of a message display section, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the circuit structure of the slot machine of FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for knowing the operation procedure of the machine, FIG. 5 is a flowchart for showing a message changing procedure, and FIG. 6 is an explanatory view for showing a message changing process. 2 ・ ・ ・ Customer game side 4 ・ ・ ・ Message display 8 ・ ・ ・ Push button switch group 22 ‥ Mode setting switch 25 ‥ CPU 26 ‥‥ ROM 27 ‥‥ RAM

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A game apparatus comprising a customer service game surface on the front of an openable body, and a switch group to which a function necessary for the progress of the game is assigned is provided on the customer service game surface. Message display means provided on the game surface, storage means for storing character string data forming the message, display control means for reading the character string data from the storage means and displaying the message on the message display means, A mode setting switch disposed inside the body for switching the operation mode of the machine between a mode for executing a game and a mode for changing a message; and when a mode for changing a message is set by the mode setting switch, A switch system that assigns the functions necessary for changing messages to the switch group deployed on the customer service game side Game apparatus comprising a means.