 |
Description  |
|
|
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a control apparatus for game machines, and
more particularly to a control apparatus for coin-operated game machines
such as slot machines into which coins or tokens (which are hereinafter
referred to as "coins" for simplicity) are inserted for playing a game.
In casinos or game centers, having a large number of coin-operated game
machines, it is known to provide a control system in which the game
machines are divided into groups in each of which a special favor is
enjoyed when a specific win is accomplished. For example, slot machines
are divided into groups each of which has about 20 to 30 slot machines and
particular hits such as jackpots (a jackpot is the largest hit of a slot
machine game and is hereinafter referred to as a "JP") are processed for
each group by a so-called progressive method.
In this progressive JP-process, a master control unit controls a plurality
of slot machines, for example, 30 slot machines as one group and
accumulates a predetermined percentage of an amount of money corresponding
to the number of coins inserted into each slot machine of the group. When
a JP occurs in one of the slot machines, the master control unit orders
the slot machine to pay out coins corresponding in number of the
accumulated money. As the accumulated money to be paid out is indicated by
an indicator, the players' enjoyment is enhanced by the hope of hitting a
JP which pays a large amount of money increasing as time passes.
In a conventional JP-process by the progressive method, the money
accumulated by the master control unit is cleared to zero and the
indicator correspondingly indicates zero after a JP occurs. Subsequent
players lose interest in hitting such a small JP.
To solve this problem, in another progressive JP-process, a minimum amount
of money is set up as a reserve and the accumulation starts from that
minimum amount of money. A player hitting a JP can receive prize money in
an amount greater than the minimum amount of money even when the JP occurs
soon after the last occurrence of a JP. However, the minimum amount of
money cannot be set too high, lest it distort pay-out ratio. Accordingly,
the prize for a JP which occurs soon after the last JP is rather small.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a control
apparatus for game machines, by which the expectation of making a large
hit is sustained even just after an occurrence of the particular win.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
For achieving this and other objects and advantages, according to the
present invention, there is provided a control apparatus comprising first
and second calculating means and a control means. The first calculating
means calculates an accumulation value by accumulating, at a predetermined
rate, the value of coins inserted in each of the game machines belonging
to one group. The second calculating means calculates another accumulation
value by accumulating, at another predetermined rate, the value of
inserted coins. The control means orders an indicator to indicate one of
the accumulated values as a pay-out value representing the amount of money
or the number of coins to be paid out when a particular hit such as a JP
occurs. When the particular hit occurs in one of the game machines, the
control means orders the game machine to pay out the coins according to
the indicated pay-out value and orders the indicator to indicate the other
accumulated value as a new pay-out value. If the accumulated value is a
fraction, the value obtained by rounding up or rounding down the fraction
is indicated.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control apparatus
further comprises a setting means for setting an initial value in the
calculation means which has stored the accumulated value used as the
pay-out value, after the occurrence of a win.
According to a feature of the present invention, as the pay-out value which
is being accumulated and which increases is indicated, players can start
or continue the game, and can anticipate winning a large amount of money,
even just after a hit takes place.
According to another feature of the present invention, if a particular win
occurs just after another win, a large number of coins appropriate to the
particular hit can still be paid out because of the setting of an initial
value.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other objects and features of the invention will be seen by
reference to the following description, taken in connection with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a control system in which a master
control unit embodying the present invention is used for controlling slot
machines;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the master control unit of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a slave unit in one slot machine of FIG.
1;
FIG. 4 is a time chart explaining the sending/receiving of messages between
one of the slave units and the corresponding one of the machine control
units of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a time chart explaining the sending/receiving of messages between
the master control unit and one of the slot machine control units of the
control system of FIG. 1 through a corresponding slave unit;
FIG. 6 is an illustration explaining the basic format of a message used for
communication performed by the control system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 shows a command code table, the command codes being included in
messages for a communication;
FIG. 8 is an illustration explaining schematically a data request message
used for a communication;
FIG. 9 is an illustration explaining a coin data message used for a
communication;
FIG. 10 is a time chart explaining the operation of switching communication
units provided in the master control unit of FIG. 2;
FIG. 11 is an illustration explaining a JP occurrence message used for a
communication; and
FIG. 12 is an illustration explaining a JP data message used for a
communication.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference characters designate
like or corresponding parts throughout the twelve views, FIG. 1 shows a
control system which operates according to a progressive method for a
particular hit such as JP. A master control unit 2 is provided with a pair
of first and second connectors 3 and 4 having the same construction.
Provided in a plurality of slot machines 5a, 5b, 5c, ---, 5x, 5y and 5z
comprising one group are a plurality of slave units 6a, 6b, 6c, ---, 6x,
6y and 6z respectively, each having a pair of first and second connectors
7 and 8. The master control unit intercommunicates with each of the slot
machines 5a to 5z through the slave units 6a to 6z by exchanging messages
which include data and commands relating to operations of the slot
machines 5a to 5z.
The first connector 3 of the master control unit 2 is connected with the
first connector 7 of the slave unit 6a through communication lines 10
comprising a transmitting cable 10a and a receiving cable 10b. The second
connector 8 of the slave unit 6a is connected with the first connector 7
of the next slave unit 6b through the communication lines 10. By repeating
such connections with the communication lines 10, all of the slave units
6a to 6z are connected in series. The second connector 8 of the last slave
6z is connected with the second connector 4 of the master control unit 2
through the communication lines 10. After all these connections have been
made, the master control unit 2 and the slave to 6z form a looped
communication circuit.
Each of the slot machines 5a to 5z incorporates respective slot machine
control units 11a, 11b, 11c, ---, 11x, 11y and 11z each incorporating a
microprocessor for controlling the individual operation of the respective
slot machines 5a to 5z. Each of the slave units 6a to 6z exchanges
messages including data and commands with the corresponding one of the
slot machine control units 11a to 11z. There is provided an indicator 13
which is connected to the master control unit 2 so as to indicate the
amount of money to be paid out for a JP. This indicator 13 is provided
where it can be observed by all the players playing the slot machines 5a
to 5z.
As shown in FIG. 2, the master control unit 2 comprises a communication
block 2a and a JP-process block 2b. The communication block 2a is provided
with the first and second connectors 3 and 4, a main microprocessor unit
(which is hereinafter referred to as a "main MPU") 15, first and second
communication units 16 and 17, a monitoring unit 18, a selecting unit 19,
a program memory (ROM) 22, and a RAM 23. The first and second
communication units 16 and 17 have the same structure and function and
they send messages to the slave units 6a to 6z and receive messages
therefrom. The first communication unit 16 faces the first connector 3 and
is provided with a transmitting device 16a and a receiving device 16b. The
second communication unit 17 faces the second connector 4 and is provided
with a transmitting device 17a and a receiving device 17b. The monitoring
unit 18 monitors the state of the communication by checking the outputs of
the receiving devices 16b and 17b of the first and second communication
units 16 and 17 and outputs signals representing the state of the
communication. According to the outputs of the monitoring unit 18, the
selecting unit 19 selects one of the first and second communication units
16 and 17 and renders it operative. Therefore, the communication with the
slave units 6a to 6z is carried out by using only one of the communication
units 16 and 17.
In this embodiment, for optical communication, the transmitting devices 16a
and 17a have light-emitting diodes 20a and 21a, and the receiving devices
16b and 17b have photo diodes 20b and 21b. It is to be noted that, as
described before, only one of the communication units 16 and 17 is
electrically actuated by the selecting unit 19. The transmitting and
receiving cables 10a and 10b are made of optical fiber cables. The ends of
these cables 10a and 10b are connected to or held in the connectors 3 and
4, which position the end faces of the cables 10a and 10b so as to face
the light-emitting diodes 20a and 21a and the photo diode 20b and 21b.
According to programs for the communication, stored in the ROM 22, the
communication units 16 and 17 and the monitoring unit 18 are operated in
predetermined sequences and the RAM 23 stores the data in the received
messages from the slave units 6a to 6z and a history of each slot machine
5a to 5z.
The JP-process block 2b has a sub-microprocessor unit (which is hereinafter
referred to as a "sub-MPU") 25, two multiplying circuits 28 and 29, two
accumulators 31 and 32, an indication value memory 26, an auxiliary memory
27, two setting units 34 and 35, an initial value setting unit 36, a
maximum value setting unit 37, a driver 24, a JP code confirmation circuit
39, and a program memory 40. The sub-MPU 25 controls operations in the
JP-process block 2b according to sequences stored in the program memory
(ROM) 40 and processes data relating to the number of coins inserted in
each of the slot machines 5a to 5z. First, a datum of a value "M"
representing an amount of money corresponding to the number of the
inserted coins is sent from the main MPU 15 to the multiplying circuit 28
so as to be used for obtaining a datum of a value "T" which is obtained by
multiplying the value "M" by a constant "t" (total rate) less than "1".
Then, the datum of the value "T" is sent to the multiplying circuit 29 and
used for computing two values "J" and "K". The values "J" and "K" are
obtained by the following calculations:
J=T X (1-.times.)/100
K=T X (1-x)/ 100
where x is a storage rate. The storage rate "x" is entered with a keyboard
33 and is stored in the setting unit 35 and the total rate "t" is also
entered with the keyboard 33 and is stored in the setting unit 34. A datum
of the value "J" is further sent to the accumulator 31 to obtain a value
"I" which is calculated by accumulation of the value "J". That is, the
value "J" is added to a value "I.sub.o " read out from the indication
value memory 26 and then the content of the indication value memory 26 is
updated by writing in the added value "I". The obtained value "I" is
stored in the indication value memory 26 and indicated by the indicator
13. In addition to the value "J", a datum of the value "K" is further sent
to the accumulator 32 and a value "S" is calculated by accumulating the
value "K".
Suppose that 0.01 (1%) is set as the total rate "t", 0.4 (40%) is set as
the storage rate "x", and three coins of $1 are inserted into one of the
slot machines 5a to 5z for playing one game. According to the
multiplication and accumulation described above, the value "J"
(J=0.01.times.0.6.times.3) is 1.8.cent., and the value "K"
(K=0.01.times.0.4.times.3) is 1.2.cent.. These values "J" and "K" are
accumulated in the accumulators 31 and 32 and stored in the indication
value memory 26 and the auxiliary memory 27 respectively. If the amount of
money to be indicated and paid out is a fraction, the fraction is rounded
up or down.
The initial value setting unit 36 is provided for setting a predetermined
initial value "S.sub.o " with the keyboard 33. After coins are paid out
for a JP according to the value I stored in the indication value memory
26, the data in the indication value memory 26 are cleared to zero and
then the value S stored in the auxiliary memory 27 is transferred to the
indication value memory 26. The auxiliary memory 27, after resetting,
stores the initial value "S.sub.o ". The initial value "S.sub.o " is
previously determined based on the JP occurrence probability and pay-out
ratio. Accumulation of the values "K," to form a new value "S, " starts
from the value "S.sub.o " and then accumulation of the values "J," to form
a new value "I" is performed after transfer of the value "S" to the
indication memory 26. Hence, the initial value "S.sub.o " may be not very
large.
The maximum value setting unit 37 is provided for setting a maximum value
"IS.sub.max " and can be variably set with the keyboard 33. A monitor 38
displays the values "t", "x", "S.sub.o #8 and "IS.sub.max " for easy
understanding of the JP-process. The JP code confirmation unit 39 confirms
whether a message sent from the main MPU 15 is a JP occurrence message or
not. The program memory 40 stores the above-described sequences performed
by the sub-MPU 25.
FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of the slave unit 6a which is the same as
the other slave units 6b to 6z. Therefore, the explanation for the slave
units 6a to 6z will be given only for the slave unit 6a. The slave unit 6a
comprises a microprocessor unit (which is hereinafter referred to as a
"slave MPU") 45, a first communication unit 46 having a first receiving
device 46a and a first transmitting device 46b, a second communication
unit 47 having a second receiving device 47a and a second transmitting
device 47b, an address setting unit 48 for allocating an address to the
slave unit 6a, a ROM 49, a RAM 50, and a message checking unit 51. The ROM
49 stores a sequential-processing program for the slave unit 6a, according
to which the slave MPU 45 will operate. In the message checking unit 51,
messages from the slot machine control unit 11a are checked as to whether
or not the message meets the conditions of a predetermined format. This
slot machine control unit 11a controls the sequence and the processes of
the games of the slot machine 5a and outputs data such as the number of
inserted coins, to the slave unit 6a for JP-processing by the progressive
method described later. Furthermore, when a hit occurs in the slot machine
5a, the slot machine control unit 11a pays out coins according to the kind
of hit, into a well-known hopper 55.
The first and second receiving devices 46a and 47b have photo diodes 52a
and 53b respectively for receiving message signals, and the first and
second transmitting devices 46b and 47a have light-emitting diodes 52b and
53a for transmitting message signals. The photo diodes 52a and 53b and the
light-emitting diodes 52b and 53a are the same as those used for the
receiving and transmitting devices 16a 16b, 17a and 17b in the master
control unit 2 which performs optical communication.
Each of the slot machine control units 11a to 11z controls the associated
slot machine with respect to the following, in the order of operation
sequence of the slot machine for a game:
detection of insertion of coins;
counting the inserted coins;
detection of pulling of the slot machine start lever;
operation of the starting and stopping of the slot machine reels;
decision as to whether the game is to be a hit or not and if a hit the kind
of hit; and
operation of pay-out of coins according to the kind of the hit when the
game is a hit.
When coins are inserted for a game, the slot machine control unit generates
and sends a coin data message to the slave unit. The coin data message
comprises a series of several bytes including a start code for the first
byte of 8 bits, a coin data code for intermediate bytes, and an end code
for the last byte. The coin data message depends on the number of inserted
coins.
The operation of this embodiment will now be described in detail. Referring
to FIG. 3, the coin data message is sent to the message checking unit 51
of the slave unit 6a from the slot machine control unit 11a so as to be
checked as to format; and only when the coin data message is correct as to
format does the slave MPU 45 store the data in the RAM 50. When the coin
data message is judged to be incorrect as to format, the slave MPU 45
refuses to receive the coin data, and then the coin data are not stored in
the RAM 50.
FIG. 4 shows an example of message communication between the slave unit 6a
and the corresponding slot machine control unit 11a. Only the
communication with respect to the slave unit 6a is explained because the
communications with respect to the other slave units 6b to 6z are the same
as that of the slave unit 6a. Upon correctly receiving a coin data message
from the slot machine control unit 11a, the slave unit 6a sends a
reception-correct message to the slot machine control unit 11a. But upon
incorrectly receiving a coin data message from the slot machine control
unit 11, the slave unit 6a sends a reception-error message to the slot
machine control unit 11a. In this case, the slot machine control unit 11a
again sends the same coin data message to the slave unit 6a. Furthermore,
when no reception-correct message is sent to the slot machine control unit
11a from the slave unit 6a for a predetermined time .DELTA.t.sub.x, the
slot machine control unit 11a also sends the coin data message again. Such
communication also takes place between each of other slave units 6b to 6z
and the corresponding one of the slot machine control units 11b to 11z,
and the data as to the number of the inserted coins are stored in each of
RAMs 50.
The communication between the slave unit 6a and the communication block 2a
of the master control 2 is illustrated by the time chart of FIG. 5. A
message including data and commands is generally constructed according to
the basic format shown in FIG. 6. The message consists of serial codes,
namely a start code (STX), an address code (ADR), a command code (CMD), a
text (TXT), a check sum (CHS), and an end code (EXT), each of which is
represented by a combination of binary digits "1" to "0". Each code
consists of 8 bits except for the text (TXT).
A command code table is shown in FIG. 7 in which the upper four digits are
arranged in a row and the lower digits are arranged in a column. According
to this table, the start code is represented by "02" in hexadecimal
notation, e.g., "&H02", the end code is "&H03", the data request command
is "&H20", and the coin data code is "&H30". The check sum (CHS) is
obtained, first by performing an exclusive OR operation in which each
digit from the start code (STX) to the text (TXT) for each digit of the
lower seven bits is added (eliminating their carries), and secondly by
setting the most significant bit (MSB) "1". The check sum (CHS) obtained
in this way is used, as is well known, to make sure that the message
includes no error data.
The communication block 2a periodically sends data request messages of a
constant duration to the slave unit 6a according to a sequence program
stored in the program memory 22. The structure of the data request message
is schematically shown in FIG. 8. In FIG. 8, also their actual serial
binary signals corresponding to the data of the data request message are
shown. For example, at the time corresponding to the binary signal "1",
the light-emitting diode 20a will turn on. Therefore, the data request
message as well as other messages are transmitted to the photo diode 52a
of the slave unit 6a in the form of a series of on-and-off light signals
through the transmitting cable 10a.
As shown in FIG. 8, when the address code in the data request message is
"&H35", the address code "&H35" specifies a slave unit having an address
"5". When the slave unit 6a has an address "5", the slave unit 6a receives
the data request message and in reply sends the coin data message
including the number of the inserted coins to the communication block 2a
through the first transmitting device 46b. The number of the inserted
coins is read out from the RAM 50.
After the master control unit 2 has received the coin data message, the
master control unit 2 sends a coin data confirmation message to the slave
unit 6a to confirm whether the number is accurate or not. Then, the slave
unit 6a collates the number of the inserted coins in the coin data
confirmation message with the number of the inserted coins stored in the
RAM 50. If the numbers coincide, the slave unit 6a sends a
reception-correct message to the master control unit 2 and simultaneously
clears the data in the RAM 50. If the numbers do not coincide, a
reception-error message is sent from the slave unit 6a to the master
control unit 2, and again the same data request message is sent to the
slave unit 6a.
The slave unit 6a transfers the data request message, from the master
control unit 2 to the next slave unit 6b, through the transmitting device
47a. Similarly, the next slave unit 6b also transfers the data request
message to the slave unit 6c. In this way, the data request message is
transferred by all the slave units and finally reaches the communication
unit 17 of the communication block 2a, having fully traversed the looped
communication circuit. By operating the receiving device 17b of the second
communication unit 17 while the first communication unit 16 is effective,
the transmitting state of at least the communication cable 10a may be
monitored by checking the outputs of the receiving device 17b by the
monitoring unit 18.
A coin data message is schematically illustrated in FIG. 9, in which,
following a command code having a code "&H30" indicating that this message
is a coin data message, a text having codes "&H31" and "&H35" is shown.
These data "&H31" and "&H35" mean that the number of coins inserted into
the slot machine 5a is fifteen. The coin data message, as described above,
is comprised by a series of on-and-off light signals from the
light-emitting diode 52b in the transmitting device 46b, to be sent to the
photo diode 20b of the communication block 2a through the communication
cable 10b.
When the datum of the number of the inserted coins is, in this way, sent
from the slave unit 6a having the address "5", the datum is stored in the
RAM 23 of the communication block 2a. After converting the datum read out
from the RAM 23 to an amount of money corresponding to the number of
inserted coins, the main-MPU 15 sends this value to the JP-process block
2b. In the JP-process block 2b, this value is computed with the
multiplying circuits 28 and 29 successively, and accumulated by the
accumulators 31 and 32 at two different rates, as described before. The
two differently-accumulated values "I" and "S" are stored in the
indication value memory 26 and the auxiliary memory 27 separately.
Suppose that the total rate "t" is set as 0.01 (1%), the storage rate "x"
is set as 0.4 (40%), and the amount of money "M" corresponding to the
number of the inserted coins is 3 ($3). According to the calculations, the
value "J" is 1.8.cent. and the value "K" is 1.24.cent.. The value "J" is
added to the value "I" stored in the indication value memory 26. The value
"K" is added to the value "S" stored in the auxiliary memory 27.
For collection, calculation and storing of the coin data of the other slot
machines 5b to 5z, the communication block 2a sends the data request
messages successively to the slave units 6b to 6z, varying the address
code. Therefore, the communication block 2a can obtain the coin data with
respect to the number of coins inserted into each of the slot machines 5a
to 5z. Based on all the messages, the values "I" and "S" in the indication
and auxiliary memories 26 and 27 are updated.
FIG. 10 shows an automatic detection in case the communication is partially
interrupted due to disconnection of the communication line 10, for
example, between the slave units 6w and 6x. The data request messages for
the slave units 6x, 6y and 6z cannot reach each of the slave units 6x to
6z by use of the first communication unit 16. When the monitoring unit 18
detects that no coin data message from the slave unit 6x has been received
for a pre-fixed time .DELTA.t.sub.y because the slave unit 6a cannot
receive a data request message, the selecting unit 19 renders the second
communication unit 17 operative in lieu of the first communication unit
16. Then, the same data request messages are transmitted through the
transmitting device 17b in a reverse direction in the looped communication
circuit, reaching the slave unit 6x. The slave unit 6x sends its coin data
message in response, from the second communication unit 47 to the second
communication unit 17 of the communication unit 2a. And thereafter other
slave units 6y and 6z which cannot receive the data request messages by
use of the first communication unit 16 also can successively receive the
data request message and send their coin data messages by the second
communication unit 17. For the next cycle of communication with the slave
units 6a to 6w, the first communication unit 16 is again rendered
operative. Then, for message exchange with the slave units 6x to 6z, the
second communication unit 17 is made effective alternatively by monitoring
unit 18 and selecting unit 19. In this way, even if a cable disconnection
occurs in this system, the communication unit 2a can obtain messages from
all of the slave units 6a to 6z by alternatively using either of the first
and second communication units 16 and 17 to continue the communication
without interruption.
The time period .DELTA.t.sub.y is set to be a little longer than the period
from the time when the data request message is fed from the master control
unit 2 until the time when the response message from a corresponding slave
unit reaches the master control unit 2. An indicator may be provided to
indicate which communication cable is disconnected. After reconnection of
this communication cable, the intercommunication by means of only the
first communication unit 16 can resume.
Until the next JP occurs in any of the slot machines 5a to 5z, part
(0.6%=0.01.times.0.6) of the amount of money corresponding to the number
of the inserted coins is accumulated in the indication memory 26 and
another part (0.4%) is accumulated in the auxiliary memory 27 for every
coin insertion. The value "I" stored in the indication value memory 26 is
indicated by the indicator 13 through the driver 24, letting players of
the slot machines know the amount of money to be paid out for a JP which
occurs in the group of slot machines 5a to 5z. It should be noted that
only one of predetermined denominations of coin, for example $1 coins, can
be inserted in each of the slot machines belonging to one group. Therefore
coins of other denominations are rejected.
Because usually the probability of the occurrence of a JP is determined to
be extremely small, the values "I" and "S" often increase to very large
ones. Viewing the indication of a large amount of money, the players can
enjoy the prospect of a big win. Because of setting the maximum value
"IS.sub.max " for the values "I" and "S", the amount of money to be paid
out for a JP cannot exceed the maximum value "IS.sub.max ", for example,
$5,000. After the indicated value reaches the "IS.sub.max ", the indicator
13 continues to indicate the "IS.sub.max " and the accumulation of the
values "I" and "S" stops until the next JP occurs.
Next, a sequence of message exchange between the master control unit 2 and
one of the slot machine control units 6a to 6z will be explained for when
a JP occurs in the corresponding slot machine. If a JP takes place, for
example, in the slot machine 5a, a message having data representing the
occurrence of a JP is sent from the slot machine control unit 11a to the
slave unit 6a as shown in FIG. 5, in order to store the data in the RAM
50. When a data request message for the slave unit 6a is sent from the
master control unit 2, the slave unit 6a sends a JP occurrence message,
whose schematic structure is illustrated in FIG. 11. In the command code
(CMD) and text (TXT) of this JP occurrence message, the JP code "&H31"
representing a JP occurrence is contained commonly.
The communication block 2a of the master control unit 2 receives the JP
occurrence message and collates the JP code of the message with a JP code
stored in the JP code confirmation unit 19. When the two codes coincide,
the communication block 2a orders the sub-MPU 25 in the JP-process block
2b to start JP processing.
For the JP processing, first, the value I stored in the indication value
memory 26 is transferred to the main MPU 15 through the sub-MPU 25. The
main MPU 15 sends a JP data message to the corresponding slave unit 6a. An
example of the JP data message is shown in FIG. 12, in which the command
code (CMD) "&H21" represents that this message is a JP data message and
the text (TXT) "2550" represents that the amount of money is $2,550.00.
The number of digits of the text (TXT) is set according to the number of
digits of the amount of money to be paid out for a JP.
When this JP data message is supplied to the slot machine control unit 11a
through the corresponding slave unit 6a, the slot machine control unit 11a
stores the data as to the amount of money to be paid out and sends to the
main MPU 15 a JP data confirmation message for confirming that the data
are correctly received. This message includes a command code (CMD) "&H33"
representing a JP response and a text (TXT) representing the value "I"
which has been received by the slot machine control unit 11a.
The communication unit 2a orders the sub-MPU 25 to judge whether the text
code in this JP data confirmation message is valid or not by comparison
with the data of the value "I". When the code is valid, a JP occurrence
confirmation message is fed to the slot machine control unit 11a through
the slave unit 6a. Then, the slot machine control unit 11a reconfirms that
the JP has surely occurred in this slot machine 5a and sends a JP
confirmation response message to the master control unit 2 so that the
master control unit 2 makes a final confirmation of the occurrence of a JP
in the slot machine 5a.
After the final confirmation, the master control unit 2 sends a JP pay-out
message to the slave unit 6a, which instructs the slot machine control
unit 11a to pay out coins. Upon reception of the JP pay-out message, a
hopper 55 operates to pay out coins under control of the slot machine
control unit 11a, according to the value "I" as specified in the JP data
message. The number of coins to be paid out is calculated according to the
value "I" in the slot machine control unit 11a.
After the actual pay-out of the coins by the hopper 55, the slot machine
control unit 11a sends a JP data reset message to the master control unit
2 through the slave control unit 6a. This JP data reset message includes a
command code "&H34" representing resetting of the value "I". After
receiving the JP data reset message, the communication unit 2a sends by
way of confirmation, a JP reset confirmation message to the slot machine
control unit 11a through the slave unit 6a, and then the slot machine
control unit 11a sends a JP reset response message to the master control
unit 2. When the master control unit 2 has received the JP reset response
message, the main MPU 15 sends a JP pay-out end message to the sub-MPU 25.
When the sub-MPU 25 receives the JP pay-out end message, the sub-MPU 25
clears the data of the indication value memory 26 and then transfers the
value "S" in the auxiliary memory 27 to the indication value memory 26.
Thereafter the sub-MPU 25 clears the data of the auxiliary memory 27 and
then transfers the initial value "S.sub.o ", for example "1000", in the
initial value setting unit 26 to the auxiliary memory 27, completing the
whole of the JP-process.
There are many kinds of hit other than a JP, and as is well known to those
who are skilled in the art, for these hits, each slot machine control unit
identifies the kind of each hit and orders the slot machine to pay out
coins according to the identified kind.
According to the JP-process described above, even if a JP occurs
immediately after a preceding JP, the amount of money to be paid out is
not unduly reduced for the largest hits because the value "I" for the JP
starts from the value "S.sub.o " which is transferred to the indication
value memory 26. Therefore, the player can start or continue slot machine
games without loss of interest.
In the above embodiment, at the beginning of the operation of the system,
the indication value memory 26 is set "0", the auxiliary memory 27 is set
"1000" transferred from the initial value setting unit 36, and the
indicator indicates "$0". A false JP pay-out end message may be fed to the
sub-MPU 25 so as to set the initial value "1000" in the indication value
memory 26 as the value "I". The constants "t", "x", and "S.sub.o " can be
manually changed with the keyboard 33 at any time.
When the storage rate "x" is set greater than 0.5, the rate of increase of
the value "S" is greater than that of the value "I" and accordingly the
amount of money to be paid out for a JP is greater than that for the
preceding JP, thereby arousing the speculative interest of the players.
Although the functions of the indication value memory 26 and the auxiliary
memory 27 differ from each other in the illustrated embodiment, these
memories 26 and 27 may be used equally for the indication and the pay-out.
That is, after the occurrence of a JP, the initial value "S.sub.o " is set
in the indication value memory 26. The value "S" in the auxiliary memory
27 is used as the pay-out value for the next JP and is indicated by the
indicator 13. When the memories 26 and 27 are thus used alternately, the
storage rate "x" is preferably set as 0.5.
There is another method for determining the amount of money to be paid out
for a JP, other than the method as in the above embodiment, that is, the
greatest value among the values "I", "S", and "S.sub.o " may be used upon
comparing them.
The indicator 13 in the illustrated embodiment is located at a place where
all players of the slot machine belonging to one group can view the
indicator 13. Instead of the indicator 13, each slot machine may be
provided with an indicator for indicating the amount of money to be paid
out for a JP, or indicating the number of coins to be actually paid out
because the denomination is predetermined for each group of the slot
machines.
Although a hopper is used in each slot machine as the pay-out means in the
illustrated embodiment, a well-known credit device may be provided in
combination with the hopper. In slot machines with such a credit device,
coins are not actually paid out each hit but the number of coins to be
paid out is accumulated by a credit counter and the accumulated number of
coins is displayed by a credit display of the credit device. Before a game
starts, the number in the credit counter decreases by a predetermined
value necessary for one game. A player can play games without the
insertion of coins until the number in the counter becomes "0". When the
player discontinues the game and the number is not yet "0", an adjustment
button of the credit device is operated and then coins whose number
corresponds to the number in the credit counter are paid out into the
hopper.
Obviously many other modifications and variations of the present invention
are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be
understood that within the scope of the claims the invention may be
practiced otherwise than as specifically described.
* * * * *
|
| |
