IP Library Patent Application 11826817
Patent Application
App. No. 11/826,817

Gaming machine, management server, and game control method

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
11/826,817
Abstract

A gaming machine is provided with an enhanced entertainment feature, incorporating an element similar to the trading of stocks and bonds in a game. The gaming machine is connected via a communication line to a management server that determines a conversion rate based on a conversion history between credit data usable in a game and numerical data convertible with credit data. The gaming machine has a storage unit and a processing unit. The storage unit stores credit data and numerical data. When the conditions for conversion to numerical data are met, the processing unit executes the process of converting credit data to numerical data based on a conversion rate determined by the management server. When the conditions for conversion to credit data are met, the processing unit executes the process of converting numerical data to credit data based on a conversion rate decided by the management server.

Claims (39)

1 . A gaming machine connected via a communication line to a management server that determines a conversion rate based on a conversion history between credit data and numerical data convertible with credit data, the gaming machine comprising:

a storage unit for storing credit data and numerical data; and

a processing unit for executing processes of:

(a) storing, in the storage unit, numerical data converted from the credit data based on a conversion rate determined by the management server; and

(b) storing, in the storage unit, credit data converted from the numerical data based on a conversion rate determined by the management server.

2 . The gaming machine according to claim 1 , wherein the processing unit executes the process of storing numerical data converted from the credit data, if conditions for conversion to numerical data are met.

3 . The gaming machine according to claim 1 , wherein the processing unit executes the process of storing credit data converted from the numerical data, if conditions for conversion to credit data are met.

4 . The gaming machine according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a display unit that displays a plurality of symbols, wherein

the processing unit executes a process of allowing conversion between credit data and numerical data when rearrangement of the plurality of symbols results in a predetermined combination.

5 . The gaming machine according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a display unit that displays a plurality of symbols; and

a stop switch that outputs a stop instruction signal via a manipulation by a player, wherein

the processing unit executes a process of stopping the plurality of symbols from varying when the stop instruction signal is detected, and a process of allowing conversion between credit data and numerical data when the stopped plurality of symbols corresponds to a predetermined combination.

6 . The gaming machine according to claim 1 , further comprising a conversion rate display unit, wherein

the processing unit executes a process of displaying the conversion rate on the conversion rate display unit.

7 . A management server connected via a communication line to a plurality of gaming machines, comprising:

a storage unit that stores a conversion history between credit data and numerical data convertible with credit data; and

a processing unit for executing processes of:

(a) receiving conversion results between credit data and numerical data in the plurality of gaming machines;

(b) calculating a conversion rate based on data of the conversion results and data of the conversion history; and

(c) sending the conversion rate to the plurality of gaming machines.

8 . A game control method of controlling a gaming system having a management server storing a conversion history, and a plurality of gaming machines being connected via a communication line to the management server and storing credit data and numerical data, the method comprising steps of:

having the management server calculate a conversion rate between credit data and numerical data;

having the management server send the conversion rate to the plurality of gaming machines;

having the gaming machine receive the conversion rate;

having the gaming machine convert credit data to numerical data based on the conversion rate;

having the gaming machine store conversion results between the credit data and numerical data; and

having the gaming machine send the conversion results to the management server.

9 . The game control method according to claim 8 , further comprising steps of:

having the management server receive the conversion results; and

having the management server calculate a conversion rate based on the conversion results and data of the conversion history.

10 . The game control method according to claim 8 , wherein the gaming machine includes a display unit for displaying a plurality of symbols, the method further comprising a step of:

allowing the gaming machine to convert between credit data and numerical data when rearrangement of the plurality of symbols results in a predetermined combination.

11 . The game control method according to claim 8 , wherein the gaming machine comprises a display unit that displays a plurality of symbols, and a stop switch that outputs a stop instruction signal by a manipulation via a player, the method further comprising a step of:

having the gaming machine stop the plurality of symbols from varying when the stop instruction signal is received; and

allowing the gaming machine to convert between credit data and numerical data when the stopped plurality of symbols corresponds to a predetermined combination.

12 . The game control method according to claim 8 , wherein the gaming machine has a conversion rate display unit, the method further comprising a step of:

having the gaming machines display the conversion rate on the conversion rate display unit.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Dec 2, 2011
From: ARUZE CORP.
To: UNIVERSAL ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 027321/0338 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 12, 2007
From: SAKUMA, HIRO
To: ARUZE CORP.
Reel/Frame 019841/0719 →