Game machine

Abstract

To provide a game machine that increases interest in a game by utilizing a performance.SOLUTION: A slot machine 1 that executes an internal lottery by detecting a start operation after accepting a bet operation by a player to bet on a game medium includes: a performance control unit 25 that controls a win / lose performance on the basis of a result of the internal lottery; a performance display unit 12 that displays the win / lose performance; a motion sensor 22S that detects the movement of the player; and a projection unit 22 that executes a projection performance for projecting a symbol to the player. When executing a failure performance regardless of winning of the internal lottery, the performance control unit 25 executes a revival performance in response to the acceptance of the bet operation. The projection performance is executed when a predetermined movement of the player is detected before the revival performance is executed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a gaming machine. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, gaming machines have been proposed that aim to increase the interest of players by projecting an image onto the player's hand based on a predetermined operation timing by the player (see Patent Document 1 below). Such gaming machines notify the player of the result of an internal lottery by projecting a light beam onto the player based on the operation timing, and visually express the expectation of a big win. If the image is projected onto the player's hand, it is less noticeable and less likely to attract the attention of other players. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-247367 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In recent years, gaming machines that notify players of the results of an internal lottery using display effects on a liquid crystal display have become common, but the issue is how to utilize these effects to increase players' interest in the game.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and has an object to provide a gaming machine that enhances the entertainment value of the game by utilizing presentation effects. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention relates to a gaming machine that executes an internal lottery in response to a start operation and executes a win / lose effect based on the result of the internal lottery. The gaming machine of the present invention includes a detection means for detecting the movement of a player and a projection unit for executing a projection effect that projects a predetermined image toward the player.

[0007] When a failure effect is executed as a win / lose effect despite a win in the internal lottery, the gaming machine of the present invention executes a revival effect in response to acceptance of a predetermined operation by the player. The projection effect is executed when a predetermined movement of the player is detected after the execution of the failure effect and before the revival effect is executed.

[0008] According to the gaming machine of the present invention, the revival effect can be hinted to the player by the projection effect before the execution of the revival effect, so that the player can be made to feel a sense of anticipation for the revival effect. Furthermore, according to the gaming machine of the present invention, the revival effect can be hinted to the player himself before other players by the projection effect that projects a pattern onto the player. This gives the player a sense of superiority that he is the only one who notices the projection effect, and effectively increases the interest of the game. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the system configuration of an amusement center in which gaming machines are installed. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the slot machine and the card unit. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the electrical configuration of the slot machine and the card unit. [Figure 4] An explanatory diagram of the number of winning random numbers for each role as specified in the internal lottery table. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a projection effect produced by the projection unit. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a projection unit. [Figure 7] A diagram explaining the mechanism of projection production. [Figure 8] Flow diagram showing the flow of projection production [Figure 9] A front view of the start screen of the internal lottery winning / losing presentation. [Figure 10] A front view of the screen announcing the internal winning result through a win / lose display. [Figure 11] An explanatory diagram of the projection effect. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] The embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described using the following examples. Example 1 This example is an example regarding a slot machine 1 that suggests a revival effect by projecting a picture onto the back of the player's hand. The details of this example will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 11.

[0011] In an arcade where various gaming machines such as slot machines 1 are installed, an in-game network 500 is constructed, and each gaming machine is managed by an arcade management device 50 (FIG. 1). A card unit 3 and a gaming information display device 51 are individually installed for each slot machine 1. For example, the card unit 3 is installed to the side of the slot machine 1, and the gaming information display device 51 is installed above the slot machine 1.

[0012] A relay device 501 is installed for each two adjacent slot machines 1. Various information is transmitted between the slot machines 1 and the management device 50 via the relay devices 501. The slot machines 1 are connected to the card unit 3 via a dedicated line so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0013] One card unit (score processing device) 3 is installed for each slot machine 1, and executes score-related processes such as granting the scores (corresponding to game media) required for playing and issuing game cards 50C on which the scores are recorded. The card unit 3 receives game signals from the slot machine 1 via a dedicated line, tallying up and storing game information, and transmits game information to the management device 50 and game information display device 51 via a relay device 501 as needed. The card unit 3 also transmits the player's deposit balance and score to the management device 50 as needed. The card unit 3 receives various setting information such as the game machine number, model name, and point unit price from the management device 50 and stores it.

[0014] The game information display device 51 is connected to the corresponding card unit 3 via the relay device 501. The game information display device 51 acquires and displays various game information from the slot machine 1 via the card unit 3. The game information display device 51 acquires game information of the corresponding slot machine 1 from the card unit 3 at any time, and also acquires various setting information such as the game machine number, model name, and point unit price from the management device 50 via the relay device 501.

[0015] The management device 50 acquires, stores, and manages information from the card unit 3 corresponding to each slot machine 1 installed in the hall at any time. The information acquired by the management device 50 from the card unit 3 includes game information of the slot machine 1 and information on the player's ownership value. The information on the player's ownership value is information such as the deposit balance and the number of points. The management device 50 manages information on the player's ownership value such as the deposit balance and the number of points by associating it with the card ID of the game card 50C. In addition, the management device 50 stores and manages various setting information such as the gaming machine number, the model name, and the unit price of points of each slot machine 1 installed in the hall. Note that the number of points acquired by the player through play, which is mainly managed by the card unit 3 side, is also referred to as the number of points owned, and the number of points mainly managed by the slot machine 1 side is also referred to as the number of points played.

[0016] The slot machine 1 of this example has a feature in terms of presentation in the game presentation that utilizes the projection presentation. Below, (1) the basic configuration of the slot machine and the card unit, (2) the basic operation of the slot machine and the card unit will be explained, followed by (3) the configuration of the projection unit that executes the projection presentation, and (4) the content of the game presentation that utilizes the projection presentation.

[0017] (1) Basic structure of slot machine and card unit First, the external configuration of the slot machine 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. The front portion of the slot machine 1 is composed of a front frame 10 having a substantially rectangular pattern display window 11 provided substantially in the center. In the front frame 10, a performance display section 12 is provided above the pattern display window 11, and a base section 100 is formed below the pattern display window 11. The performance display section 12 is a performance execution means that displays performance images such as animations and photographs to perform a game. In addition, a speaker for performance (not shown in Fig. 1) is housed on the back side of the front frame 10.

[0018] A eaves-like overhang 105 is provided on the top of the slot machine 1, and a decorative lamp 106 is provided on the front of the overhang 105. The decorative lamp 106 is a presentation means for presenting the game with sound or light. A projection unit 22 for the above-mentioned projection presentation is provided on the underside of the overhang 105, and further a motion sensor 22S (not shown in FIG. 1) for detecting a predetermined operation by the player is provided.

[0019] The configuration of the projection unit 22 and the contents of the projection performance will be explained later. The motion sensor 22S is a sensor that processes the image of the player captured by the camera and detects the movement of the player. The motion sensor 22S in this example is an example of a detection means that detects a predetermined movement by the player.

[0020] The base part 100 is formed so as to protrude opposite to the symbol display window 11 located away from the player. The base part 100 has a shelf-like operation surface 14 at the upper end adjacent to the symbol display window 11, and has an operation panel 13 adjacent to the lower side of the operation surface 14.

[0021] The operation surface 14 is provided with a bet button 141 for betting points (game points) on the game, a performance button 143, etc., as well as an information display section 140. The operation panel 13 is provided with a start lever 131 (start switch) for starting the movement of the symbols on the reels 21, and a stop button 133 (stop operation means) for stopping the movement of the symbols.

[0022] The information display unit 140 can display the accumulated game points, such as the game points received from the card unit 3 and the game points based on the points awarded in response to winning. The game points displayed by the information display unit 140 are subtracted every time game points are bet on the game, while a predetermined number of game points are added in response to winning combinations. In the slot machine 1, the game can be played until the game points reach zero.

[0023] The information display unit 140 is made of a touch panel type liquid crystal display, and various touch operations such as information display operation and counting operation are possible. In response to the information display operation, the display screen of various game data such as the number of jackpots and the number of special drawing lotteries can be switched. In addition, according to the counting operation, the game points stored as credits in the slot machine 1 can be transferred to the card unit 3.

[0024] The bet button 141 is an operation button for a bet operation to bet game points on a game. In response to the bet operation, a specified number of game points (3 points in this example) is bet from the game points stored in the slot machine 1, and the game can be started. The start lever 131 is an operation switch (start switch) for a start operation to start a game. When a start operation is detected in a state where a specified number of game points have been bet, the game starts. The effect button 143 is an operation button for starting a game effect.

[0025] The symbol display window 11 is a display window in which three vertically long symbol display areas are arranged side by side. Each symbol display area is a symbol display area for three symbols. In the entire symbol display window 11, nine symbols arranged in a two-dimensional matrix of three rows and three columns are displayed.

[0026] In the symbol display window 11, in which nine symbols 20 are arranged in three rows and three columns, a winning line is set, which is the direction in which the winning symbols that are the target of winning are arranged. The winning lines are made up of five lines, including the horizontal winning lines in the upper, middle and lower rows and the diagonal winning lines. In the slot machine 1 of this example, minor roles such as 1 point, 2 point and 15 point roles, two types of bonus roles (BB role and RB role), and replay roles are set. The slot machine 1 awards a corresponding score according to the winning of a minor role, and generates a corresponding bonus state according to the winning of a BB role or RB role.

[0027] Reels 21 constituting the variable pattern display means are arranged on the rear side of the three pattern display areas. Each reel 21 is a rotating reel with 21 patterns arranged at approximately regular intervals on the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical shape. Note that, instead of the rotating reel in this example, the reel 21 may be an image-type reel that displays the variable patterns on a liquid crystal display.

[0028] 2, the stop button 133 is an operation button for stopping the reels 21. The stop button 133 is composed of a left stop button 133L corresponding to the left reel 21L, a center stop button 133C corresponding to the center reel 21C, and a right stop button 133R corresponding to the right reel 21R.

[0029] Next, as described above, the card unit 3 is installed for each slot machine 1, and is a device that performs processes related to points, such as the process of granting points required for playing and the process of issuing cards on which points are recorded. The card unit 3 is installed, for example, in a vertically long gap between the corresponding slot machine 1 and the adjacent slot machine 1. The card unit 3 receives various types of game information from the corresponding slot machine 1, and outputs the various types of game information to the management device 50, etc.

[0030] The card unit 3 performs processing related to points, such as issuing a game card 50C that records points (scores), in addition to performing processing to grant game points using a game point granting function (loan function) that grants game points, which are rights acquired when betting points on a game.

[0031] On the front of the card unit 3 (see Figure 2), there are arranged a status indicator lamp 31 which displays the operating status of the device such as errors, a bill insertion slot 320, a touch-operable display unit 33, a loan button 34 for receiving a loan of game points in exchange for a withdrawal of payment, a re-play button 35 for converting the counted points into game points, a return button 36 for requesting the return of the game card 50C, and a card insertion slot 370 for inserting the game card 50C.

[0032] The slot machine 1 and the card unit 3 are electrically configured as shown in Fig. 3. In addition to the above-mentioned components, the main control unit 20 that controls the overall operation of the slot machine 1 is connected to a reel driving unit 211 that constitutes a symbol variation display means together with the reel 21, a reference position detection unit 213 that detects the rotation position of the reel 21, an information display unit 140, a touch panel 140P, a performance control unit 25 that controls various performances, a motion sensor 22S that detects the movement of the player, and the like. The touch panel 140P is a transparent sheet that is laminated on the display screen of the information display unit 140 and realizes a touch function. Furthermore, an interface circuit 200 that mediates communication with the card unit 3 is connected to the main control unit 20.

[0033] The performance control unit 25 is an example of a performance control means that controls the win / lose performance based on the result of the internal lottery. The performance control unit 25 is connected to the audio output unit 260 that drives the speaker 26, the decorative lamp 106, the projection unit 22, and the display control unit 120 that controls the performance display unit 12. The performance control unit 25 as a performance control means executes various performances using the sound, music, etc. output from the speaker 26 and the light of the decorative lamp 106, and also displays performance videos and photos on the performance display unit 12 to perform the game.

[0034] The reel driving unit 211 includes a stepping motor (not shown) that can be controlled in steps, and is a means for driving the reel 21 to rotate by the rotational driving force of this stepping motor. The reference position detection unit 213 is a detection unit that detects the passage of the reference position piece for each of the reels 21L, 21C, and 21R, and outputs a detection signal.

[0035] As shown in Fig. 3, the main control unit 20 has a CPU, a ROM / RAM as memory means, an I / O unit as an input / output interface, a random number generating unit that generates random numbers, and a random number extracting unit that extracts random numbers for the internal winning combination lottery. The CPU executes software programs read from the ROM to realize the functions of the following means.

[0036] (a) Game start permission means: a means for allowing a game to start when a specified number of points are bet on the game. (b) Internal lottery means: a means for determining an internal winning role by an internal lottery and for setting an internal winning flag corresponding to the internal winning role. (c) Flag control means: means for controlling an internal winning flag corresponding to an internal winning role. (d) Reel control means: means for controlling the reel 21. (e) Winning determination means: means for determining whether or not a combination of symbols stopped along a winning line is a winning symbol. (f) Profit awarding means: a means for awarding points according to the winning of small roles or replay roles. (g) Special game state generating means: means for generating a special state, such as a big bonus state or a regular bonus state, in response to the winning of the BB role or the RB role.

[0037] The ROM stores an internal winning combination selection table used by the internal selection means to select an internal winning combination, and a reel control table used by the reel control means to control the stop of the reel 21. The reel control table is a data table that specifies the possible stopping positions on the winning line.

[0038] The internal winning role selection table is a data table that specifies the winning random numbers for each role among the random numbers for internal winning role selection from 0 to 65535. The internal winning role selection table includes a table that is applied to the normal state and a table that is applied to the bonus state (BB state, RB state). The number of winning random numbers for each role in each table differs depending on the setting value. For example, in the case of a setting value of 1, the number of winning random numbers in the normal state and the bonus state is set as shown in FIG. 4.

[0039] In the slot machine 1 of this example, the number of simultaneous winning random numbers for 15-point and 1-point roles and the number of winning random numbers for 15-point roles are significantly different between the normal state and the bonus state. The probability of simultaneous winning of 15-point and 1-point roles is about 50% in the normal state, while in the bonus state, the simultaneous winning random numbers for 15-point and 1-point roles are not set. In the bonus state, instead of the simultaneous winning random numbers for 15-point and 1-point roles, 63566 winning random numbers for 15-point roles are set, and the internal winning probability is close to 100%.

[0040] The 15-point role, which is won simultaneously with the 1-point role under normal conditions, is a push order role in which the push order is announced under the AT state. The 15-point role, which is a push order role, can be won on the condition that the stop button 133 is operated according to the announced push order. The condition for the AT state to occur is, for example, a win in the AT lottery that is executed separately from the internal lottery for the winning role (AT win). In this example, the AT win is configured to occur as part of the internal wins of specific winning roles, such as the 1-point role and the 2-point role.

[0041] Next, the card unit 3 is mainly configured with the control unit 30 (see FIG. 3). In addition to the above configuration, the control unit 30 is connected with a bill processing unit 321, a touch panel 33P, a card stock unit 37S, a card R / W unit 37, an I / F unit 300 that enables communication with the relay device 501, and the like. The bill processing unit 321 is a processing unit for bills inserted from the bill insertion slot 320. The touch panel 33P is a transparent panel that enables touch operation of the display unit 33. The card stock unit 37S is configured to stock newly issued game cards 50C and collected game cards 50C, up to a maximum of 10 cards. The card R / W unit 37 is a reader / writer that reads and writes recorded data of the game cards 50C.

[0042] The gaming cards 50C handled by the card unit 3 include general cards for general players and membership cards for member players. The general card is a gaming card issued when a general player finishes playing with a deposit balance or points. The membership card is a gaming card issued in response to membership registration at an amusement facility. For example, a member player can use a points saving service in which the points he or she has from the previous day or earlier are deposited at the amusement facility as saved points. The saved points are stored by the management device 50 in association with the card ID of the membership card.

[0043] (2) Basic Operation of Slot Machines and Card Units To start playing on the slot machine 1, it is necessary to operate the card unit 3 and receive game points. To receive game points, it is necessary to insert a bill into the card unit 3 or insert the game card 50C. When the card unit 3 accepts a bill, it adds the amount of the bill to the deposit balance (up to 10,000 yen) and stores it. When the game card 50C is inserted, the card unit 3 requests the management device 50 to verify the card information recorded on the game card 50C, such as the deposit balance, the number of points held, and the number of saved points. If the verification result is OK, the card unit 3 displays the card information, such as the deposit balance, the number of points held, and the number of saved points, on the display unit 33. The number of points held is the number of points that the player has already acquired. The number of saved points is the number of points that the player has already acquired on or before the previous day and deposited with the gaming facility.

[0044] The card unit 3 converts the player's deposit balance, points, etc. into game points in response to a request from the player, such as by operating the lending button 34, and transmits them to the corresponding slot machine 1. For example, when the lending button 34 is operated, a fixed amount (e.g., 1000 yen) is converted into game points (50 points), which are transmitted to the slot machine 1 and credited (stored) as game points. For example, when the replay button 35 is operated, the points are converted into game points by 50 points, which are transmitted to the slot machine 1 and enable replay (replay process). The awarded game points are displayed as the number of credits on the information display unit 140. The player can bet the points equivalent to the number of credits on the game.

[0045] The card unit 3 stores and displays points such as owned points, game points, and total points which is the sum of owned points and game points. Owned points are the number of points already acquired by the player stored in the card unit 3. Game points are the number of points stored as credits by the slot machine 1. Total points are the total number of points, which are gaming media, owned by the player.

[0046] In the slot machine 1, when three or more game points are credited (stored) and the bet button 141 is operated (betting operation), three points are bet and the start of the game (unit game) is permitted. When the start of the game is permitted, the start lever 131 can be validly operated (start operation) and the game can be started. When a replay winning combination is detected, the main control unit 20 automatically bets game points on the next game without consuming the credited game points and even if a betting operation is not performed.

[0047] When the main control unit 20 detects a valid start operation, it acquires a random number for internal winning role selection extracted by the random number extraction unit from among random numbers (0 to 65535) generated by the random number generation unit. The main control unit 20 compares the extracted random number for internal winning role selection against the winning random numbers of each role defined in the internal winning role selection table, and determines the internal winning role.

[0048] The result of the internal lottery in the main control unit 20 is transmitted to the performance control unit 25. The performance control unit 25 stores various performance controls corresponding to the result of the internal lottery. The performance control unit 25 selectively executes, from among the various stored performance controls, a performance control corresponding to the result of the internal lottery received from the main control unit 20. The performance control unit 25 notifies the result of the internal lottery by a win / lose performance, which will be described later. In addition, the performance control unit 25 executes a performance lottery based on the result of the internal lottery to determine whether or not to execute a revival performance. If the result of the internal lottery is a win and the performance lottery is won, the performance control unit 25 causes the projection unit 22 to execute a projection performance. The contents of the projection performance will be described in detail later.

[0049] When the main control unit 20 determines any one of the roles as the internal winning role, it switches the internal winning flag corresponding to the internal winning role to the ON state. The internal winning flags of roles other than the bonus role (BB role, RB role) are reset to the OFF state (zero) before the start of the next game regardless of whether or not the internal winning flag was won in the game in which the internal winning flag was first established. Therefore, if each role other than the bonus role does not win in the game in which it was internally won, all of them will be missed. On the other hand, the internal winning flag of the bonus role, which is the internal winning flag of the bonus role, is carried over to the next game in sequence until it wins, and is reset to the OFF state according to the win. With such control, once a bonus role is internally won, it is always possible to win.

[0050] Following the internal lottery, the main control unit 20 starts changing the symbols on the reels 21. The main control unit 20 inputs control pulses to a stepping motor constituting the reel drive unit 211, and rotates the stepping motor one step per pulse, thereby rotating the reels 21. The main control unit 20 counts the number of control pulses input to the reel drive unit 211, i.e., the number of steps rotated by the stepping motor. Note that the number of steps is reset to zero each time a detection signal of the reference position piece of each reel 21 is acquired, so that it is the number of steps that have occurred since the most recent detection signal was generated.

[0051] The main control unit 20 executes so-called pull-in control, which stops symbols within a predetermined pull-in range defined by rules (rules regarding the certification of gaming machines and the inspection of models, etc.) on a winning line. In this example, a range equivalent to four symbols is set as this pull-in range. The main control unit 20 samples the number of steps when it detects a variable stop signal corresponding to the operation of the stop button 133, and determines the stop position by checking the number of steps against a reel control table that defines the stop positions that can be stopped on the winning line. If possible, the main control unit 20 pulls in the symbol corresponding to the internal win flag to that stop position and stops the reel 21.

[0052] After all the reels 21 have stopped, the main control unit 20 judges whether the combination of symbols stopped and displayed along the winning line set to cross the three reels 21L, C, and R is a predetermined winning symbol. Specifically, the main control unit 20 determines the type of symbols 20 stopped on the winning line based on the number of steps of the stepping motors (reel drive units 211) of the stopped reels 21L, C, and R, and judges whether the combination of symbols 20 will result in a winning combination.

[0053] When the main control unit 20 determines that any winning combination has been achieved, it awards a benefit corresponding to that winning combination. For example, if a 15-point combination is the winning combination, 15 points are awarded (see FIG. 4). When a BB combination is achieved, the main control unit 20 generates a BB state, which is a bonus state, as the benefit. When a RB combination is achieved, the main control unit 20 generates a RB state, which is a bonus state, as the benefit.

[0054] The end condition of the bonus state is determined depending on whether the winning combination that triggered it was the BB combination or the RB combination. The end condition of the bonus state triggered by the BB combination is that a predetermined number of points have been awarded. The end condition of the bonus state triggered by the RB combination is that a predetermined number of games have been played, or that a specific winning combination (hereinafter referred to as a minor combination) has been won a predetermined number of times.

[0055] The game points awarded during the game of the slot machine 1 are added to the credit amount and displayed on the information display unit 140. Also, during the game, various game data (number of jackpots, number of special drawing draws, etc.) can be displayed on the information display unit 140 in response to the information display operation on the information display unit 140.

[0056] During a game, the main control unit 20 transmits various game signals indicating the results of the game to the card unit 3 at any time. Examples of game signals transmitted to the card unit 3 include an out signal, a safe signal, a bonus signal, and the like. An out signal is a signal indicating the consumption of game points, and is output in response to a betting operation of game points. An out signal is score subtraction information. A safe signal is a signal indicating the points awarded as a result of a game. A safe signal is score addition information. A bonus signal is a signal output during the occurrence of a bonus state (BB state, RB state).

[0057] The card unit 3 collects the various game signals received from the corresponding slot machine 1 to generate and store game information, and also transmits the game information to the management device 50 and the game information display device 51 as needed. The card unit 3 also updates the stored score in response to the score addition information and score subtraction information received from the corresponding slot machine 1. The card unit 3 transmits information on the player's deposit balance and score to the management device 50 as needed.

[0058] When the game on the slot machine 1 is finished, the credited game points can be transmitted to the card unit 3 by performing a counting operation on the touch-operable information display unit 140. The credit number of the slot machine 1 is subtracted in accordance with the transmission of the game points to the card unit 3.

[0059] When the return button 36 is operated while at least one of the deposit balance, the owned points, and the saved points exists in the card unit 3, the deposit balance, the owned points, and the saved points are recorded on the gaming card 50C and issued. When the owned points and the saved points are recorded on the gaming card 50C, the type information of the gaming machine on which the points were acquired is also recorded in association with them.

[0060] (3) Projection unit configuration 5, the slot machine 1 is provided with a projection unit 22 on the underside of the uppermost eaves-like protruding portion 105. The projection unit 22 is an optical unit capable of projecting a picture by irradiating light onto the back of a player's hand for performing a betting operation or the like.

[0061] As shown in Fig. 6, the projection unit 22 includes a projection control unit 220, a light source 222, and a screen 228 that transmits the light from the light source 222. The projection control unit 220 controls the lighting of the light source 222 and also controls the image P on the screen 228 under the control of the performance control unit 25. The light source 222 is an LED, a laser light source, or the like, and irradiates light toward the screen 228. The screen 228 is a translucent screen that can switch the image P under the control of the projection control unit 220. The projection unit 22 irradiates light (LED, laser light, or the like) from the light source 222 provided inside toward the screen 228, and projects the image P on the screen 228 onto the player's hand (see Fig. 7).

[0062] In the slot machine 1, whether or not to perform a projection performance is determined according to a predetermined performance allocation pattern depending on the internal lottery result transmitted from the main control unit 20 to the performance control unit 25. When performing a projection performance, a control signal for the projection performance is transmitted from the performance control unit 25 to the projection control unit 220. When the projection control unit 220 receives this control signal, it executes a projection performance in response to the establishment of a predetermined condition. The predetermined condition is, for example, the detection of a predetermined movement by the motion sensor 22S. The projection unit 22 executes a projection performance in response to the detection of the predetermined movement described later.

[0063] The direction of the light beam emitted from the light source 222 may be determined according to the projection performance, or the direction of the light beam may be controlled by the projection control unit 220. The light beam 222 may be white light, a monochromatic laser beam, or the like. Furthermore, a plurality of types of patterns may be set as the pattern P of the screen 228. In this case, the projection control unit 220 may be controlled to change the pattern P of the screen 228.

[0064] It is also possible to use the motion sensor 22S to detect the back of the player's hand and control the direction of the light beam so that the image can be projected onto the back of the hand. In this case, the image can be projected with high reliability regardless of the position of the player's hand.

[0065] (4) Content of game presentations that utilize projection effects First, an overview of the game presentation utilizing the projection presentation will be described. During play on the slot machine 1, a win / lose presentation is executed on the presentation display unit 12 to notify the result of the internal lottery. In the slot machine 1 of this example, if the internal lottery is won, the win / lose presentation notifies the player of failure, and then the revival presentation can be executed by detecting a predetermined player operation (an example of a predetermined operation by a player). If the projection presentation is executed before the predetermined player operation that triggers the revival presentation is received, the player can know in advance that the revival presentation will occur.

[0066] The content of the game presentation that utilizes the projection presentation will be explained with reference to the flow chart in FIG. In the slot machine 1, an internal lottery is executed in response to a valid operation (start operation) of the start lever 131. If the internal lottery is won (S101), the result of the internal lottery is notified by a win / lose effect on the effect display unit 12. In the configuration of this example, the result of the internal lottery is notified by a win / lose effect executed during one game.

[0067] The winning / losing effect executed by the slot machine 1 of this example is an effect in which an effect in which two characters face each other is displayed on the effect display unit 12 (see FIG. 9). One of the two characters is a character corresponding to the player (hereinafter referred to as the player's character), and the other is an enemy character. The winning / losing effect includes a winning / losing effect of success (success effect in FIG. 10(a)) in which the two characters battle with each other as the game progresses and the player's character wins, and a winning / losing effect of failure (failure effect in FIG. 10(b)) in which the player's character loses. The winning / losing effect is an effect that notifies the player that the internal lottery has been won, and the failure effect is an effect that notifies the player that the internal lottery has been lost. The winning / losing effect of this example is performed during one game, so when all the reels 21 have stopped, a screen in which the player's character has won or lost is displayed on the effect display unit 12.

[0068] When the internal lottery is won (S101), whether the above-mentioned success effect or failure effect is executed depends on whether the revival effect is won or lost by the effect lottery (S102). If the revival effect is not won (S102: NO), the above-mentioned success effect (FIG. 10(a)) is executed on the effect display unit 12 (S113).

[0069] On the other hand, if the revival effect is a winning combination (S102: YES), the above-mentioned failure effect (FIG. 10(b)) is executed on the effect display unit 12 (S103). When the failure effect is executed in this way, a projection effect is then executed (S105) in response to detection of a predetermined movement by the player (S104). The predetermined movement is, for example, a hand movement by the player to perform a pressing operation (betting operation) of the bet button 141. The projection effect is, for example, an effect in which a smiley face image is projected onto the back of the hand performing such an operation (see FIG. 11). The projection effect can raise the expectations of a player who is disappointed by the failure effect.

[0070] Thereafter, in response to reception of a predetermined player operation such as pressing the bet button 141 (bet operation), operating the start lever 131 (start operation), pressing the effect button 143, etc. (S106), a revival effect is executed (S107). This revival effect is an effect in which a success effect is executed following the failure effect of the above step S103. The revival effect can climax the expectations of a player who has been disappointed by the failure effect.

[0071] In the slot machine 1 of this example configured as above, when a loss is notified by a failure effect even though the internal lottery has been won, a revival effect is executed in response to a bet operation. In this slot machine 1, when a revival effect is executed, a projection effect is executed prior to the revival effect. The projection effect can suggest the revival effect, and can give the player a sense of expectation for the revival effect.

[0072] The projection effect of projecting a picture onto the player's hand is unlikely to be noticed by other players, and there is a high possibility that only the player will notice it first. Therefore, it is possible to give the player a sense of superiority that he or she is able to recognize the revival effect before other players, and the enjoyment of the game can be further increased. Also, in this example, the projection effect is executed by detecting the player's movement (an example of a predetermined movement) to perform a betting operation that triggers the revival effect. Therefore, the projection effect can be executed without forcing the player to perform a special operation, and the enjoyment of the game can be increased.

[0073] Instead of or in addition to this example, the following configurations may be adopted. Furthermore, the following configurations may be adopted in appropriate combination. In this example, a hand movement for performing a betting operation is exemplified as the predetermined movement of the player that triggers the projection effect. Instead of or in addition to this, a hand movement for operating the start lever 131 (start operation) may be used. In this example, the hand movement for performing a betting operation is adopted as the predetermined movement, so that the timing of the projection effect is set before the betting operation. The timing of the projection effect may be before the revival effect. In this example, the acceptance of a predetermined player operation (one example of a predetermined operation by a player) such as pressing the bet button 141 (betting operation), operating the start lever 131 (start operation), or pressing the effect button 143 is set as the trigger for the revival effect, but the timing of the projection effect may be before the predetermined player operation.

[0074] Display effects such as the win / lose effect are executed according to the progress of the game, but may be executed during one game as in this example, or may be executed over multiple games, such as three games. For example, when executed during one game, a notice suggesting the outcome of the battle may be given each time the stop button 133 is operated. Furthermore, the content of the battle between the two characters may be of any content, and may be content to determine superiority or inferiority. Furthermore, it is not limited to a battle effect, and may be of any content as long as it suggests the win or loss of the internal lottery.

[0075] The results announced by the display effects may be any result of an internal lottery, and may include, for example, whether or not a bonus role that is advantageous to the player has been achieved, whether or not a so-called AT state has been achieved in which a small role with a high number of points can be won by following the order in which each reel is pressed as suggested by the gaming machine, whether or not a CZ state has been achieved in which the expectation of entering the AT state increases, and whether or not the AT state will continue.

[0076] In this example, a slot machine that does not use medals is assumed as the gaming machine, but it may be a slot machine that pays out medals. Considering a payout type slot machine, the number of points held and the number of points saved may be called held medals and saved medals. In the slot machine 1 of this example, the number of bets (prescribed number) is fixed to 3 points, but it may be a slot machine in which the player can select the number of bets in the normal state within the range of 1 to 3 points, for example.

[0077] In this example, the projection unit 22 is disposed on the top of the slot machine 1, but the projection unit 22 may be disposed anywhere as long as it can perform the projection effect on the player's hand. In this example, a still image is exemplified as the image projected by the projection effect, but a projector may be used as the projection unit (screen) to project a moving image.

[0078] Although the projection effect is executed on the back of the player's hand, the image may be projected not only on the player's hand but also on a specific location on the slot machine. Although the projection performance is controlled by the projection control unit 220 provided in the projection unit 22, the projection performance may be controlled by the performance control unit 25 instead.

[0079] Although specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail as examples, these specific examples merely disclose examples of the technology encompassed by the claims. Needless to say, the claims should not be interpreted as being limited by the configurations, numerical values, etc. of the specific examples. The claims encompass technologies that are obtained by variously modifying, changing, or appropriately combining the specific examples by utilizing publicly known technologies and the knowledge of those skilled in the art. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 1. Slot machines (amusement machines) 105 Overhang 12 Performance display section 120 Display control unit 131 Start lever (start switch) 133 Stop button 140 Information display section 141 Bet Button 143 Production button 20 Main control unit 21 Reel 22 Projection section 220 Projection control unit 222 Light source 228 screens 22S Motion sensor (detection means) 25 Production control unit (production control means) 3 Card Unit 30 Control section 31 Status indicator lamp 33 Display section 34 Loan button 35 Replay button 36 Return button 50 Management device 501 Repeater 50C Gaming Card 51 Gaming information display device

Claims

1. A gaming machine that executes an internal lottery by detecting a start operation for starting a game after accepting a betting operation by a player for betting gaming media, A performance control means for controlling a winning / losing performance based on a result of the internal lottery; A performance display unit that displays the winning / losing performance; A detection means for detecting the movement of a player; A projection unit that executes a projection effect of projecting a predetermined image onto a player, the performance control means, when executing a failure performance as the win / lose performance despite the fact that the internal lottery has been won, executes a revival performance to notify the player of the win of the internal lottery in response to acceptance of a predetermined operation by the player; The projection effect is executed when a predetermined movement of the player is detected by the detection means after the failure effect is executed and before the revival effect is executed.

2. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined movement is a movement for performing either the betting operation or the starting operation.

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