Game parlor performance system

Abstract

To permit notification of a specific event for each game machine island with a simple configuration while reducing the need for customizing a control section.SOLUTION: A game parlor performance system has: an island facility 100 of game machines 11, 12,...1N; performance control sections 21, 22,... for generating a status signal corresponding to a state of the game machine from a game signal of the game machine; a hall integrated control device 5 for managing a game state in a hall on the basis of the status signal; and a performance device 3 for performing a specific event performance according to the game state. The game parlor performance system has an interlocking control section that is provided for each island facility and generates a performance control signal for instructing the event performance to the performance device 3 on the basis of the status signal, and the performance control sections are cascaded for each island facility, receive the game signal from the corresponding game machine, and are configured so as to be capable of transmitting the status signal to the interlocking control section through another control section from one control section and so as to be capable of transmitting the performance control signal from the interlocking control section to another control section through one control section. The performance device 3 performs the event performance for each island facility according to the performance control signal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an effect system for a game hall in which a plurality of gaming machines are arranged or grouped to form an island and installed.

Background Art

[0002] In a hall, that is, a game hall, where a large number of gaming machines are installed that enable a user as a player to play games using game media such as pachinko balls, medals, or coins, various legal restrictions apply. For example, an excessive accumulation form in appearance of game media provided by the gaming machine and obtained by the user is restricted by law. Therefore, a system has become mainstream in which the number of game media that can be lent out is stored in the user's game card, and the game media corresponding to the stored number can be lent out to the user again.

[0003] With such a system, the number of game media that can be lent out can be managed for each user with a game card, and it is not necessary to physically provide all the game media provided in the game outside the gaming machine, and excessive accumulation of the actual game media in appearance can be avoided. In addition, the number of game media to be handled in the entire hall can be suppressed, and personnel and media counting devices for counting the accumulated game media at once are also unnecessary, resulting in a reduction in the hall maintenance cost.

[0004] However, even if the user acquires a large number of gaming media due to a specific in-game event, such as a big win, although the user can confirm it with the numbers stored on their gaming card, they cannot experience the actual big win with the actual gaming media itself, and there is an aspect that the user cannot indulge in the sense of superiority of a big win towards others. Also, even if a spectacular big win display is produced to notify the occurrence of the big win in the gaming machine and its surrounding areas, from outside the hall or from a place far away from the gaming machine where the big win occurred, there is also an aspect that the effect of attracting attention to the gaming machine and the location where the big win occurred is weak. As a result, the vitality of the entire hall is insufficient, and there is a tendency for the hall to lack charm as an entertainment facility.

[0005] As a technology for notifying in the hall that a big win has occurred on a certain gaming machine, Patent Document 1 discloses that in a gaming machine island formed by arranging gaming machines side by side in a row facing a passage, a relay device is installed for every two gaming machines, a management device for managing the gaming hall is installed in the management space within the gaming hall, and the operation status of in-hall devices such as gaming machines, corresponding gaming devices (devices for lending and counting gaming media), and gaming information display devices corresponding to gaming machines (devices for displaying various gaming information, guidance information, etc.) is centrally managed by the management device. A gaming hall system is disclosed.

[0006] In this system, the gaming information display device corresponding to the gaming machine where the big win occurred outputs a big win signal (production signal) to the gaming information display devices on both adjacent sides, and the gaming information display devices on both adjacent sides further output the production signal to the gaming information display devices on the next adjacent sides, so that all the gaming information display devices on the gaming machine island receive the production signal. Also, as alternative examples, there are configurations where the gaming information display device that is the source of the big win state directly outputs a production signal to other gaming information display devices on the gaming machine island, and where the management device that has received the production signal outputs a production signal to other gaming information display devices.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-176239 [Summary of the Invention] [Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

[0008] However, when notifying the occurrence events of jackpot gaming machines for each gaming machine island, such a configuration requires customizing the management device that controls the entire hall system and the control units of each gaming machine, which is time-consuming and costly. Moreover, it has poor response capabilities for replacement work for each island or part of an island of the gaming machines in the hall.

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and its object is to provide a game hall production system having a configuration capable of notifying specific events of gaming machines for each gaming machine island with a simple configuration while reducing the necessity of customizing the control unit that governs the entire hall and the control units of each gaming machine. [Means for Solving the Problems]

[0010] The casino production system according to the present invention includes a plurality of island facilities each formed with at least two gaming machines, a production control unit provided corresponding to each of the gaming machines and generating a game status signal corresponding to the game state or operation of the gaming machine based on a game signal from the gaming machine, a hall integrated control device that manages the game state or operation of the gaming machines in the hall based on the game status signal, and production equipment that performs at least visual event production for the gaming machine in a specific event according to the game state or operation of the gaming machine. The casino production system is provided corresponding to each of the island facilities and has an interlocking control unit that generates and transmits a production control signal for instructing the event production to the production equipment based on the game status signal. The production control unit is connected in series for each island facility, each receiving the game signal from the corresponding gaming machine, capable of transmitting the game status signal from one production control unit to the interlocking control unit via another production control unit, and capable of transmitting the production control signal from one production control unit to another production control unit via the interlocking control unit. The production equipment performs the event production for each island facility according to the production control signal. This is the gist of the invention.

[0011] According to such a feature, it is possible to notify a specific event of a gaming machine for each island facility with a simple configuration while reducing the need for customization of existing equipment such as a control unit that manages the entire hall and control units of each gaming machine.

[0012] In the above-described casino production system according to the present invention, it may have the following additional features.

[0013] That is, the production equipment may include notification means for notifying that the specific event has occurred in the island facility according to the production control signal. According to such a feature, it is possible to notify a specific event of a gaming machine for each island facility with a simple configuration while reducing the need for customization of existing equipment by the notification means.

[0014] The notification means may be means for displaying by island unit. Further, the means for displaying by island unit may be installed at a predetermined position in the island facility, and the predetermined position may be a specific position that can be used for visual recognition at one end or both ends, the central position, or the position inside the hall of the island facility on the upper surface portion of the island facility. According to such a feature, it is possible to notify specific events of gaming machines for each island unit with a simple configuration while reducing the need for customization of existing facilities.

[0015] The notification means may be a bulletin panel provided corresponding to the gaming machine in the island facility and appearing from above the gaming machine in the specific event. Further, the bulletin panel may include an advertisement section and / or a display for notifying the specific event. Further, the notification means may be an arm with a lighting device that is provided corresponding to the gaming machine in the island facility, protrudes from above the gaming machine in the specific event, and irradiates the front of the front surface of the gaming machine. According to such a feature, it is possible to notify specific events of gaming machines for each island unit with a simple configuration while reducing the need for customization of existing facilities.

[0016] The notification means may be a chair ornament provided corresponding to the chair installed together with the gaming machine in the island facility, emitting light or displaying to that effect in the specific event, or displaying the gaming status or data of the gaming machine. The notification means may include vibration means for vibrating the chair in the specific event, provided corresponding to the chair installed together with the gaming machine in the island facility. It is possible to notify specific events of gaming machines for each island unit with a simple configuration while reducing the need for customization of existing facilities.

[0017] The interlocking control unit may receive a general control signal from the hall general control device and generate the effect control signal according to the received signal.

[0018] It further has an in-hall island status notification unit provided at a position in the hall different from the island equipment, and the interlocking control unit generates an island state signal corresponding to the operating state of the island equipment based on the game status signal and transmits this island state signal to the hall integrated control device. The hall integrated control device controls the in-hall island status notification unit to notify the operating status of the island equipment based on the island state signal. This may be a feature.

[0019] The specific event may be characterized in that it corresponds to a jackpot mode in which a large number of game media can be provided from the gaming machine.

[0020] The island unit display means may include a three-dimensional image display.

[0021] According to these additional features, the intended effects of the present invention can be further enhanced.

Brief Explanation of Drawings

[0022]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0023] Hereinafter, a casino effect system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0024] FIG. 1 shows a main configuration of a casino effect system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] In FIG. 1, in a pachinko / pachislot hall which is a casino, a plurality of gaming machines 11, 12, …, 1N (N is an integer of 3 or more) are arranged in a line or in a group, and these plurality of gaming machines gather to form an island facility 100, occupying a part of the area of the hall. Here, only one island facility 100 is shown, but in many halls, a large number of island facilities are arranged, and they are arranged along and across the passage.

[0026] The gaming machines 11, 12, …, 1N are exemplified by pachinko machines and pachislot machines, and the respective gaming media are pachinko balls and medals. A user who is a player plays a game using the gaming media lent from the hall at the gaming machine selected by himself / herself. However, these gaming machines may be management gaming machines. The management gaming machine circulates the enclosed gaming media to play the game at a pachinko machine. Also, the management gaming machine plays the game without using the gaming media at a pachislot machine. In particular, the casino effect system described here is particularly suitable for the island facility 100 by the management gaming machine.

[0027] In FIG. 1, the components of the island facility 100 that are visually recognizable to the user in appearance are shown in a form surrounded by a one-dot chain line by reference numeral 100’.

[0028] The game parlor performance system 1 has performance control units 21, 22, …, 2N provided corresponding to each of the gaming machines 11, 12, …, 1N. The performance control units 21, 22, …, 2N are additionally installed externally with respect to the island facilities. Each performance control unit receives a game signal p from the corresponding gaming machine. The game signal p is a signal indicating the game state or operation of the gaming machine. More specifically, it is a signal indicating the game situation of the gaming machine, such as whether the operation mode of the gaming machine is the normal mode or the big win mode, or whether it is during the lending operation of the game medium to the gaming machine, or whether it is during the winning lottery process, and is individually transmitted from the gaming machine. That is, when providing the performance control unit, it is only necessary to be able to receive the game signal p, and almost no customization of the island facilities is required.

[0029] In each of the respective controllers 21x, 22x, …, 2Nx that the performance control units 21, 22, …, 2N are composed of, such as a CPU, a game status signal s to be externally output is generated according to the game state or operation of the gaming machine based on the game signal p from the corresponding gaming machine. In the performance control unit 21, the generated game status signal s is input to the output-side three-state buffer 21y, and the output end of the three-state buffer 21y is connected to the bidirectional transmission line 21L. A switching signal from the controller 21x is supplied to the control end of the three-state buffer 21y. Similarly, in the performance control unit 22, the game status signal s is input to the three-state buffer 22y, the output end of the three-state buffer 22y is connected to the bidirectional transmission line 22L, and the three-state buffer 22y is switched by the controller 21x. Also, in the performance control unit 2N, the game status signal s is input to the three-state buffer 2Ny, the output end of the three-state buffer 2Ny is connected to the bidirectional transmission line 2NL, and the three-state buffer 2Ny is switched by the controller 2Nx.

[0030] By the state switching control of the three-state buffers 21y, 22y, …, 2Ny by the controllers 21x, 22x, …, 2Nx, the game status signal s can be supplied to the transmission lines 21L, 22L, …, 2NL at any time at the required timing.

[0031] In addition, the production control units 21, 22, …, 2N each have an input-side three-state buffer 21z, 22z, …, 2Nz whose input terminals are connected to the transmission lines 21L, 22L, …, 2NL respectively, and whose output terminals and control terminals are connected to the controllers 21x, 22x, …, 2Nx respectively. With this configuration, the production control signal e described later transmitted on the transmission lines 21L, 22L, …, 2NL can be received at the timing controlled by the controllers 21x, 22x, …, 2Nx. As a result, the controllers 21x, 22x, …, 2Nx can control production equipment including the notification means described later based on the received production control signal e.

[0032] The transmission lines 21L, 22L, …, 2NL are connected in series in the cascaded connection form of the production control units 21, 22, …, 2N in the island facility 100. More specifically, one end of the transmission line 21L of the production control unit 21 is connected to one end of the transmission line 22L of the production control unit 22 of the adjacent gaming machine 12, and the other end of the transmission line 22L of the production control unit 22 is connected to one end of the transmission line of the production control unit of the adjacent gaming machine. In this manner, the transmission lines of the production control units of adjacent gaming machines in the island facility 100 are connected to form one transmission path.

[0033] The hall is also provided with a hall integrated control device 5 that manages the entire hall including all the target gaming machines. In the casino production system 1 of the present embodiment, the hall integrated control device 5 plays a role of collecting information regarding the gaming state or operating state of the gaming machines in the hall based on the game status signals s from each production control unit in at least all of the target island facilities. Note that the hall integrated control device 5 may also play a role of additionally or selectively performing the production for each island facility described later. The game status signals s transmitted from the production control units 21, 22, …, 2N are supplied to the hall integrated control device 5 via the system bus line SBL. Based on the transmission of the status signals via this bus line SBL, the hall integrated control device 5 can perform the overall management as before.

[0034] In the gaming machines 11, 12, …, 1N, respective effect devices, i.e., base effect devices 110, 120, …, 1N0, are provided on the upper front surfaces thereof. This base effect device is, for example, a call lamp with a data display function, and according to an effect control signal e described later, it is capable of emitting light and displaying in a generally patterned manner a magnificent effect that attracts attention and is different from the normal mode in a specific event such as the jackpot mode.

[0035] In addition, in the island facility 100, an effect device corresponding to the island, i.e., the island effect device 3, is installed. The island effect device 3 constitutes island unit display means and, in the island facility 100, performs at least a visual event effect for the gaming machine in a specific event according to the gaming state or operation of the gaming machines 11, 12, …, 1N. Specifically, the island effect device 3 has the effect of clearly notifying the occurrence of the specific event outside the island according to the effect control signal e described later and appealing the specific event to people inside and outside the hall other than the user of the gaming machine.

[0036] The end of the transmission line 21L of the effect control unit 21 of the gaming machine 11 on one end side of the island facility 100 is connected to the end of the internal transmission line 4L of the interlock control unit 400. The interlock control unit 400 is provided for each island facility 100 and plays a role of performing effect control in units of islands in the gaming hall effect system 1 in the present embodiment. The internal transmission line 4L of the interlock control unit 400 is connected to the input end of the input-side three-state buffer 4y, and the output of the three-state buffer 4y is supplied to a controller 4x composed of a CPU or the like. The three-state buffer 4y is controlled by a switching signal from the controller 4x, and only when this switching signal becomes significant, the signal transmitted on the transmission line 4L is relayed to the controller 4x.

[0037] In response to this relay operation, the interlocking control unit 400 generates an effect control signal e for instructing the island effect devices 3 and the pedestal effect devices 110, 120, …, 1N0 to perform an event effect operation corresponding to a specific event based on the game status signal s received by the controller 4x. More specifically, the controller 4x of the interlocking control unit 400 identifies the occurrence of a specific event such as a jackpot mode and the gaming machine that has won the jackpot based on the received game status signal s, and supplies an effect control signal e indicating the event effect operation corresponding to the specific event and the gaming machine to the transmission line 4L via the output-side three-state buffer 4z. The controller 4x controls the on / off timing of the transmission of the effect control signal e to the transmission line 4L by means of a switching signal supplied to the three-state buffer 4z. In a state where the three-state buffer 4z is switched to the on state, the effect control signal e is output to the transmission line 4L through the three-state buffer 4z and transmitted to the island effect device 3 connected to the transmission line 4L. In response to this, the island effect device 3 performs an event effect operation corresponding to the effect control signal e.

[0038] Also, the effect control signal e is also transmitted to the transmission lines 4L, 21L, 22L, …, 2NL through the three-state buffer 4z, and this is received via the three-state buffers 21z, 22z, …, 2Nz of the effect control units 21, 22, …, 2N. Based on this, each effect control unit generates and transmits an external effect control signal e for the external effect device. In response to this, the pedestal effect devices 110, 120, …, 1N perform an effect operation corresponding to this external effect control signal e.

[0039] In this way, the effect control units 21, 22, …, 2N are connected in series for each island facility, each receiving the game signal p from the corresponding gaming machine, and the game status signal s based on this is made transmissible from one effect control unit to the interlocking control unit 400 via other effect control units. Further, the effect control units 21, 22, …, 2N are made transmissible from one effect control unit to the interlocking control unit 400 via other effect control units 400 from the effect control signal e from the interlocking control unit 400.

[0040] With this configuration, the island effect devices 3 and the stage effect devices 110, 120, …, 1N0 can perform effects corresponding to specific events of the gaming machines for each island facility, that is, event effects, according to the effect control signal e from the interlocking control unit 400.

[0041] Due to the cascade connection of the above-described effect control units and the configuration of the interlocking control unit 400 connected thereto, the common transmission path for effect control for each island is formed simply by connecting the transmission lines of the respective control units along the gaming machines to constitute a bidirectional transmission path. Thus, while reducing the need for customization of the hall integrated control device 5 and each effect control unit, it becomes possible to easily cope with replacement of the stage, expansion or partial replacement of the island facilities, etc.

[0042] FIG. 2 schematically shows the appearance of the island facility 100 in the game hall effect system 1.

[0043] In FIG. 2, the island effect device 3 as the island unit display means is constituted by a three-dimensional image display device capable of producing a visual effect of a stereoscopic image display that swings and displays characters such as “big win” like a so-called nobori flag or a picture in place thereof, and is installed at a predetermined position in the island facility 100. As the three-dimensional image display device, for example, a so-called 3D hologram fan or the like that displays an image by synchronizing the lighting and extinguishing of LEDs arranged in a row on a rod-shaped body with the rotational movement of the rod-shaped body and using afterimages can be used.

[0044] This predetermined position can be one end or both ends or the central position of the upper surface portion of the island facility 100. In the illustrated embodiment, as one end position of the island facility, a corner of a rectangular area on the upper surface of the island facility 100 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape (that is, above the gaming machine 11 at the end of the island) is selected, and the island effect device 3 is provided here. Also, the island effect device 3 is provided at the diagonal position of the rectangular area (that is, behind the gaming machine 1N at the opposite end of the island). Therefore, in this embodiment, the island effect devices 3 are installed at both end positions of the island facility 100, and can be respectively corresponded to the front island and the back island on the front side of the island facility.

[0045] Further, the island effect device 3 may be provided at the central position of the upper surface portion of the island facility 100. Alternatively, the island effect device 3 may be installed, for example, on the ceiling of the hall directly above the island facility 100. Even in such an installation form, the island effect device 3 can notify the occurrence of a specific event in the island facility 100. That is, the island effect device 3 may be installed at a specific position with excellent visibility while clarifying the corresponding island in the hall.

[0046] On the other hand, in addition to the island effect device 3, notification means for notifying the occurrence of a specific event in the island facility can be configured. For example, in the island facility 100, bulletin boards 3A may be provided above the gaming machines corresponding to the gaming machines 11, 12, …, 1N respectively, and the bulletin boards 3A that display a display corresponding to a specific event may constitute the notification means. Further, the bulletin board 3A may be further given movement.

[0047] FIG. 3 shows a main part configuration when the bulletin board 3A is given movement, and FIG. 4 shows an aspect for explaining a more detailed appearance and operation of the bulletin board 3A.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 4, the bulletin board 3A has an advertisement section 3ad at its tip for posting an advertisement for notifying a specific event. In this embodiment, the advertisement section 3ad is constituted by a disk-shaped bulletin board on which “Attention Stand!” is written.

[0049] The bulletin board 3A also includes a display 31 as shown in FIG. 4, and the display 31 is attached to a portion on the advertisement section 3ad side of a longitudinal bulletin board 3A0 that protrudes from the upper part of the island facility 100, bends, and extends to the advertisement section 3ad. The longitudinal bulletin board 3A0 and the advertisement section 3ad may be integrally formed, or the advertisement section 3ad at the tip may be configured to be detachable from the longitudinal bulletin board 3A0.

[0050] The configuration of the display panel 3A is shown in FIG. 3, including functional blocks that do not present an appearance. In FIG. 3, the display panel 3A includes a panel controller 30 configured to receive a production control signal e, including a CPU and the like. The panel controller 30 generates a display control signal according to the received production control signal e and outputs it to the display 31. The display 31 performs a display operation according to the display control signal. Thereby, the display 31 can perform a display such as flashing the arrangement of numbers that have won the jackpot corresponding to a specific event, or display information related to the appearance of balls.

[0051] The display panel 3A also has an actuator 32 that rotates the longitudinal display board 3A0 back and forth. The panel controller 30 generates a rotation control signal for driving the actuator 32 according to the production control signal e and outputs it to the actuator 32. In the normal mode, the actuator 32 rotates the longitudinal display board 3A0 as shown by the arrow line α1 in FIG. 4 and maintains the state of being laid down behind the island facility 100. In a specific event such as the jackpot mode, the actuator 32 can rotate the longitudinal display board 3A0 as shown by the arrow line α2 in FIG. 4 and perform an operation of laying it down in front of the gaming machine.

[0052] By this display and operation of the display panel 3A including the longitudinal display board 3A0, the occurrence of a specific event in the gaming machine and thus the existence of the island facility can be notified, and in addition to the effects by the island production equipment 3, the lively entertainment situation outside the island can be appealed.

[0053] As a notification means, it may be further arranged to illuminate the front of the gaming machine where a specific event has occurred, so to speak, shine a spotlight on it to attract more attention.

[0054] FIG. 5 shows the main part configuration of the arm 3B with a lighting device as a notification means provided in the island facility 100 in the amusement park production system 1, and FIG. 6 shows the schematic appearance and operation of the arm 3B with a lighting device.

[0055] The arm 3B with a lighting device is composed of an arm part 3B0 with one end attached to the upper part of the island facility 100, a lighting base 3B1 provided at the other end of the arm part 3B0, and an LED lighting device 3L fitted to the lighting base 3B1. As shown in FIG. 5, the arm 3B with a lighting device includes an arm controller 33 configured to receive an effect control signal e and including a CPU or the like. The arm controller 33 generates a lighting control signal for lighting the LED lighting device 3L in a specific event according to the received effect control signal e and supplies this to the LED lighting device 3L. Thereby, the LED lighting device 3L can emit light according to the lighting control signal and can irradiate the front of the gaming machine.

[0056] In this way, since the arm 3B with a lighting device is provided corresponding to the gaming machines 11, 12, …, 1N in the island facility 100, protrudes from above the gaming machine in a specific event, and irradiates the front of the front surface of the gaming machine, it is possible to notify the existence of the gaming machine in which the specific event has occurred and thus the island facility, and in addition to the effect by the island effect device 3, appeal the lively entertainment situation outside the island. Also, by lighting the LED lighting device 3L, it is possible to notify a player who is gazing at, for example, a mobile terminal other than the gaming table of the occurrence of a specific event.

[0057] Further, the notification means may be provided in a chair where the user sits and installed together with the gaming machine. This is to additionally provide a chair effect device 3C to a normal gaming machine chair, and the chair effect device 3C plays a role of performing an event effect in a specific event.

[0058] Referring again to FIG. 2, on the backs of the chairs 11C, 12C, …, 1NC, an LED tape 3t formed by arranging LEDs that can emit light in a specific event, for example, in a row, is attached. More specifically, the LED tape 3t is attached so as to extend along the outer edge of the back of the chair 11C. In addition, for the chair effect device 3C, for example, an LED display 3d capable of dot display is provided on the back of the back of the chair 11C. Further, the chairs 11C, 12C, …, 1NC incorporate vibration motors 3m as vibration means for the chair body, and this motor enables the chair to vibrate during a specific event, enhancing the amusement effect on the user. The user can more strongly experience the occurrence of a specific event due to such vibration. Note that the LED tape 3t and the LED display 3d may be other light-emitting devices or other display devices as long as they can perform highly visible effects.

[0059] FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of the main part configuration of the chair effect device 3C.

[0060] In FIG. 7, the chair effect device 3C has a controlled-side BT interface (I / F) (hereinafter referred to as BT-I / F) 35 that wirelessly receives a BT (Bluetooth (registered trademark)) effect control signal e´ and converts it into an electrical signal. The BT effect control signal e´ is transmitted for each gaming machine from control-side BT-I / Fs 21f, 22f, …, 2Nf provided in the effect control units 21, 22, …, 2N shown in FIG. 1, respectively. The control-side BT-I / F 21f converts the wired effect control signal e of the controller 21x into a wireless BT effect control signal e´ compliant with the BT standard, and wirelessly transmits the BT effect control signal e´ to the BT-I / F 35 of the chair effect device 3C of the corresponding chair 11C. The BT-I / F 35 converts the BT effect control signal e´ into a wired effect control signal e. The same applies to the other control-side BT-I / Fs and the controlled-side BT-I / Fs of the corresponding chair effect devices as the BT-I / Fs 21f and 35.

[0061] The chair performance device 3C has a chair performance controller 36 that receives the performance control signal e from the BT-I / F35. The chair performance controller 36 generates a light emission control signal for causing the LED tape 3t to emit light and a display control signal for performing display control of the LED display 3d according to this performance control signal e. As a result, the LED tape 3t can perform a light emission operation (for example, light emission in a specific dot pattern) for notifying the occurrence of a specific event according to the light emission control signal from the chair performance controller 36. Also, the LED display 3d can perform a display operation (for example, display of emphasized characters such as "Jackpot!") for notifying the occurrence of a specific event according to the display control signal from the chair performance controller 36. Further, in this display operation, the display content may be changed according to the jackpot level, or an operation including displaying data such as the number of game media actually provided by the gaming machine and acquired by the user in the jackpot mode may be included.

[0062] In this way, the chair performance device 3C as the notification means is provided corresponding to the chairs 11C, 12C,..., 1NC respectively installed in the gaming machines 11, 12,..., 1N in the island facility 100, and performs light emission or display thereof in a specific event, or displays the gaming status or data of the gaming machine. The chair performance device 3C is preferably in the form of a chair decoration that can be selectively retrofitted to an existing gaming machine chair so as to be replaceable according to the intention of the hall operator.

[0063] Also, the chair performance controller 36 generates a drive control signal for driving the vibration motor 3m according to the performance control signal e from the BT-I / F35. As a result, the vibration motor 3m can perform a vibration operation on the chair (for example, continuous vibration for 2 minutes from the start of a specific event) for notifying the occurrence of a specific event according to the drive control signal from the chair performance controller 36.

[0064] FIG. 8 shows an aspect of the side LED displays 3ds provided in the chairs 11C, 12C,..., 1NC as another example of the chair performance device 3C.

[0065] In FIG. 8, a dot LED display 3ds capable of character display is attached to the side surface of the chair. Similar to the content described for the rear LED display 3d, this side dot LED display 3ds can also be configured to perform a display operation under the control of the chair effect controller 36. In this embodiment, the LED display 3ds can effectively show emphasized displays such as "recommended" as shown in FIG. 8 to people passing through the passage facing the island facility 100 or outside the island facility 100 by means of the display from the side surface of the chair.

[0066] Although illustration is omitted, the power supply device of the chair effect device 3C can be provided, for example, inside the island facility and supply voltage through wiring laid on the floor or under the floor. The power supply device is separately provided for supplying voltage to light-emitting and display devices such as the LED tape 3t and the LED display 3d and the chair effect controller 36, and for supplying voltage to the vibration motor 3m, and can supply corresponding voltages respectively. It is also preferable that the power supply device is battery-powered so that wiring can be omitted. Further, for these electrical components such as these batteries, wiring, and the chair effect controller 36, it is preferable to gather them into one as much as possible and house them in an insulating cover, and arrange them on the back side or the rear side of the seat surface so that they cannot be touched by the player.

[0067] In the above description, the interlocking control unit 400 has been described as generating an effect control signal e for these effect control units based on the game status signal s from the effect control units 21, 22,..., 2N, but this operation is not exclusive. That is, the interlocking control unit 400 can also receive a general control signal g from the hall general control device 5 (see FIG. 1) and generate an effect control signal e according to this received signal. This is realized based on the configurations of the hall general control device 5 and the interlocking control unit 400 connected to the system bus line SBL. The interlocking control unit 400 will receive the general control signal g from the hall general control device 5 via the system bus line SBL at a predetermined timing.

[0068] Further, the game hall production system 1 may have the hall in - island situation notification unit 7 at a position within the hall different from the island facility 100. For example, the in - island situation notification unit 7 can be installed in a rest area within the hall. The interlocking control unit 400 generates an island state signal i corresponding to the operating state of the island facility 100 based on the game status signal s and transmits this island state signal i to the hall integrated control device 5 via the system bus line SBL. Thereby, the hall integrated control device 5 can control the hall in - island situation notification unit 7 to notify the operating status of the island facility 100 based on the island state signal i. The in - island situation notification unit 7 can display the operating status including the payout information of each island facility on a large - screen display monitor installed on a specific wall within the rest area, for example, to inform the people in the rest area.

[0069] In addition, in the above - mentioned embodiment, the common bidirectional transmission path formed by the cascade connection of the production control units 21, 22, …, 2N and the interlocking control unit 400 is realized by a configuration form based on the use of output - side and input - side three - state buffers as a specific example, but it is not necessarily limited to such a configuration form. Any device / wiring pattern may be used as long as a common bidirectional transmission path is formed by the cascade connection of these control units along the gaming machines.

[0070] As described above, the configuration of the embodiment of the present invention has been explained, but the present invention is not necessarily limited to this configuration. A person skilled in the art can find various alternative examples and modification examples without departing from the gist of the present invention or the scope of the appended patent claims.

Explanation of Signs

[0071] 1 Game hall production system 100 Island facility 11, 12, …, 1N Gaming machines 110, 120, …, 1N0 Stage production devices 11C, 12C, …, 1NC Chairs 21, 22, …, 2N Production control units 21L, 22L, …, 2NL, 4L Transmission lines 21x, 22x, …, 2Nx, 4x Controller 21y, 22y, …, 2Ny, 4y Three-State Buffer 21z, 22z, …, 2Nz, 4z Three-State Buffer 21f, 22f, …, 2Nf BT-I / F 3 Island Production Equipment 3A Bulletin Board 3C Chair Production Equipment 35 BT-I / F 3t LED Tape 3d LED Display 3m Vibration Motor 400 Interlock Control Unit 5 Hall Integrated Control Device 7 Island Status Notification Unit SBL System Bus Line

Claims

1. A gaming hall production system having a plurality of island facilities each formed with at least two gaming machines, a production control unit provided corresponding to each of the gaming machines and generating a game status signal corresponding to the game state or operation of the gaming machine based on a game signal from the gaming machine, a hall integrated control device for managing the game state or operation of the gaming machines in the hall based on the game status signal, and production equipment for performing at least a visual event production for the gaming machine in a specific event according to the game state or operation of the gaming machine, having an interlocking control unit provided corresponding to each of the island facilities and generating and transmitting a production control signal for instructing the event production to the production equipment based on the game status signal, wherein the production control units are connected in series for each island facility, each receiving the game signal from the corresponding gaming machine, capable of transmitting the game status signal from one production control unit to the interlocking control unit through other production control units, and capable of transmitting the production control signal from the interlocking control unit from one production control unit to other production control units, and the production equipment performs the event production for each island facility according to the production control signal. A gaming hall production system characterized by the above.

2. The gaming hall production system according to claim 1, wherein the production equipment includes notification means for notifying that the specific event has occurred in the island facility according to the production control signal.

3. The gaming hall production system according to claim 2, wherein the notification means is island unit display means.

4. The gaming hall production system according to claim 3, wherein the island unit display means is installed at a predetermined position in the island facility, and the predetermined position is one end or both ends, the central position of the upper surface portion of the island facility, or a specific position available for visual recognition of the position within the hall of the island facility.

5. The gaming hall production system according to claim 2, wherein the notification means is a bulletin panel provided corresponding to the gaming machine in the island facility and appearing from above the gaming machine in the specific event.

6. The gaming hall production system according to claim 5, wherein the bulletin panel includes an advertisement section and / or a display for notifying the specific event.

7. The notification means is an arm with a lighting device that is provided in the island facility corresponding to the gaming machine, protrudes from above the gaming machine in the specific event, and irradiates the front of the front surface of the gaming machine. The amusement hall production system according to claim 2, characterized in that.

8. The notification means is a chair ornament that is provided corresponding to a chair installed together with the gaming machine in the island facility, emits light or displays the fact thereof in the specific event, or displays the gaming status or data of the gaming machine. The amusement hall production system according to claim 2, characterized in that.

9. The notification means includes a vibration means that is provided corresponding to a chair installed together with the gaming machine in the island facility and vibrates the chair in the specific event. The amusement hall production system according to claim 8, characterized in that.

10. The interlocking control unit receives a general control signal from the hall general control device and generates the production control signal according to the received signal. The amusement hall production system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that.

11. It further has an in-hall island status notification unit provided at a position in the hall different from the island facility. The interlocking control unit generates an island state signal corresponding to the operating state of the island facility based on the game status signal and transmits this island state signal to the hall general control device. The hall general control device controls the in-hall island status notification unit to notify the operating status of the island facility based on the island state signal. The amusement hall production system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that.

12. The specific event corresponds to a jackpot mode in which a large number of game media can be provided from the gaming machine. The amusement hall production system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that.

13. The island unit display means includes a three-dimensional image display. The amusement hall production system according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that.

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