Data output device and data output method

• US 8,526,034 B2
• Filed: 08/14/2007
• Issued: 09/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Aruze Gaming America Incorporated (Aruze Gaming America, Inc. /Okada/)
• Original Assignee: Aruze Gaming America Incorporated (Aruze Gaming America, Inc. /Okada/)
• Inventors: Okada, Kazuo
• Primary Examiner(s): Hang, Vu B
• Assistant Examiner(s): McLean, Neil R
• Application Number:
  US11/889,509
• Publication Number:
  US 20080144089A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,212 Days
• Field of Search: 358/1.15, 463/16, 463/20, 463/21, 463/25, 463/29, 463/30, 463/42, 463/31, 463/37, 463/38, 463/39, 463/40, 463/43, 705/7.33, 705/14.12, 705/14.14, 705/14.27, 705/7.37
• US Class Current: 358/1.15
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements

Abstract

A data output device according to the present invention comprises: an output device capable of outputting an image and/or a sound; a memory which stores a plurality of types of output data for outputting the image and/or the sound; a receiver for receiving, from a slot machine, a trigger signal including specification information for specifying the output data; and a controller, the controller programmed to conduct the processes of: (A) receiving the trigger signal from the slot machine through the receiver; and (B) extracting, from the memory, an output data corresponding to the specification information included in the trigger signal and causing the output device to output the image and/or the sound based on the extracted output data.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a slot machine which runs a first game in a first mode, the slot machine shifting to a second mode in which a second game is run and generating a trigger signal when a predetermined condition is established in the first mode, the slot machine configured to output a first information about results of execution of the first and second games and including a first speaker, a first image display panel displaying a first image, and a second image display panel displaying a second image different from the first image; and

a data output device which is externally and detachably mounted to the slot machine, is configured to output a second information about a return to be given when the predetermined condition is established in the first mode, and is not configured to run the first game and the second game, including;

an output device capable of outputting an image and a sound and including a second speaker and a third image display panel displaying a third image different from the first and second images;

a memory which stores a plurality of types of output data for the third image and the sound outputted by the output device, the output data related to the predetermined condition;

a receiver for receiving, from a slot machine, the trigger signal including specification information for specifying the output data as the slot machine runs the game; and

a controller programmed to conduct the processes of;

(A) receiving the trigger signal from said slot machine through said receiver; and

(B) extracting, from among the plurality of types of output data stored in said memory, an output data specified by the specification information included in said trigger signal and causing said output device to output the third image and the sound based on said extracted output data.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the second information comprises a third information that the second mode is being conducted and a fourth information about a condition required for reaching the predetermined condition.

3. A data output method that is performed by a controller of a data output device which is externally and detachably mounted to a slot machine and is not configured to run the first game and the second game, wherein the slot machine runs a first game in a first mode and shifts to a second mode in which a second game is run when a predetermined condition is established in the first mode, wherein the slot machine is configured to output a first information about results of execution of the first and second games and comprises a first speaker, a first image display panel displaying a first image, and a second image display panel displaying a second image which is different from the first image, and wherein the data output device is configured to output a second information about a return to be given when the predetermined condition is established in the first mode, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving a trigger signal including specification information for specifying output data, the trigger signal output from the slot machine when the predetermined condition is established in the first mode and received through a receiver; and

(b) extracting an output data corresponding to the specification information included in said trigger signal, from among a plurality of types of output data which is stored in a memory of the data output device and related to the predetermined condition, and causing an output device configured to output a third image different from the first and second images and a sound and including a third image display panel and a second speaker to output the third image and the sound based on the extracted output data,

wherein each of said steps (a) and (b) is conducted by the controller.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the second information comprises a third information that the second mode is being conducted and a fourth information about a condition required for reaching the predetermined condition.

5. A system comprising:

a slot machine which runs a first game in a first mode and shifts to a second mode in which a second game is run when a predetermined condition is established in the first mode, the slot machine configured to output a first information about results of execution of the first and second games and including a first speaker, a first image display panel, and a second image display panel, and;

a server which is connected to the slot machine, receives predetermined information from the slot machine as the slot machine runs the game, and outputs a trigger signal to a data output device when the predetermined condition is established in the first mode in the slot machine; and

the data output device which is configured to output a second information about a return to be given when the predetermined condition is established in the first mode, is associated with the slot machine, independent from the slot machine, connected to the server, and receives the trigger signal from the server, said data output device comprising;

an output device configured to output an image and a sound and including a second speaker and a third image display panel;

a memory which stores a plurality of types of output data for the image and the sound outputted by the output device and identification information for identifying a slot machine installed in association with said data output device, the output data related to the predetermined condition;

a receiver for receiving, from a server connected to the slot machine, the trigger signal including specification information for specifying output data and the identification information of said slot machine; and

a controller programmed to conduct the processes of;

(A) receiving the trigger signal from the server through said receiver;

(B) determining whether or not the identification information included in said trigger signal matches the identification information stored in said memory; and

(C) extracting, from among the plurality of types of output data stored in said memory, an output data specified by the specification information included in said trigger signal and causing said output device to output the image and the sound based on said extracted output data, upon determining through said process (B) that the identification information included in said trigger signal matches the identification information stored in said memory,

wherein the data output device is not configured to run the first game and the second game.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the second information comprises a third information that the second mode is being conducted and a fourth information about a condition required for reaching the predetermined condition.

7. A data output method that is performed by a data output device which is associated with a slot machine, independent from the slot machine, wherein the slot machine runs a first game in a first mode and shifts to a second mode in which a second game is run when a predetermined condition is established in the first mode, wherein the slot machine is configured to output a first information about results of execution of the first and second games, and wherein the slot machine comprises a first speaker, a first image display panel, and a second image display panel, and the data output device configured to output a second information about a return to be given when the predetermined condition is established in the first mode, connected to a server which is connected to the slot machine, receiving predetermined information from the slot machine as the slot machine runs the game, and outputting a trigger signal to a data output device when the predetermined condition is established in the first mode in the slot machine, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving a trigger signal including specification information for specifying output data related to the predetermined condition and identification information for identifying a slot machine, the trigger signal received through a receiver which receives the trigger signal from a server connected to the slot machine;

(b) determining whether or not the identification information included in said trigger signal matches identification information of the slot machine, the identification information of the slot machine being pre stored in a memory of the data output device, the slot machine being installed in association with a controller; and

(c) extracting an output data corresponding to the specification information included in said trigger signal out of a plurality of types of output data for outputting an image and a sound, the plurality of types of output data being pre stored in said memory, and causing an output device configured to output the image and the sound and including a third image display panel and a second speaker to output the image and the sound based on said extracted output data, upon determining through said step (b) that the identification information included in said trigger signal matches the identification information of the slot machine,

wherein each of said steps (a) to (c) is conducted by said controller, and

wherein the data output device is not configured to run the first game and the second game.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the second information comprises a third information that the second mode is being conducted and a fourth information about a condition required for reaching the predetermined condition.

9. A system comprising:

a slot machine which runs a first game in a first mode and shifts to a second mode in which a second game is run when a predetermined condition is established in the first mode, the slot machine configured to output a first information about results of execution of the first and second games and including a first speaker, a first image display panel, and a second image display panel; and

a data output device which is configured to output a second information about a return to be given when the predetermined condition is established in the first mode, is associated with the slot machine, independent from the slot machine, and connected to the slot machine and/or a server that is connected to the slot machine, said data output device comprising;

a transmitter for transmitting a request signal for making a request for transmission of game data including information regarding history of the first game to the slot machine or the server;

a receiver for receiving the game data transmitted from said slot machine or said server which received said request signal;

an output device configured to output an image and a sound and including a second speaker and a third image display panel;

a memory which stores a plurality of types of output data for the image and the sound outputted by the output device; and

a controller,

wherein said controller is programmed to conduct the processes of;

(A) transmitting said request signal to said slot machine or said server through said transmitter;

(B) receiving said game data requested by the request signal from said slot machine or said server having received the request signal through said receiver; and

(C) extracting, from among the plurality of types of output data stored in said memory, an output data for outputting information indicating a condition to establish the predetermined condition based on said received game data and causing said output device to output the image and the sound based on said extracted output data, and

wherein the data output device is not configured to run the first game and the second game.

10. A data output method that is performed by a controller of a data output device which is associated with a slot machine, wherein the slot machine runs a first game in a first mode and shifts to a second mode in which a second game is run when a predetermined condition is established in the first mode, wherein the slot machine is configured to output a first information about results of execution of the first and second games, and wherein the slot machine comprises a first speaker, a first image display panel, and a second image display panel, the data output device configured to output a second information about a return to be given when the predetermined condition is established in the first mode, independent from the slot machine, and connected to a server that is connected to the slot machine, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) transmitting a request signal for making a request for transmission of game data, said request signal transmitted to a slot machine or a server through a transmitter;

(b) receiving the game data requested by the request signal, from the slot machine or the server having received the request signal through a receiver; and

(c) extracting an output data for outputting information indicating a condition to establish the predetermined condition based on said received game data, from a plurality of types of output data which is stored in a memory of the data output device for outputting an image and a sound, and causing an output device configured to output the image and the sound and including a third image display panel and a second speaker to output the image and the sound based on said extracted output data, each of said steps (a) to (c) conducted by a controller,

wherein the data output device is not configured to run the first game and the second game.

11. A system comprising:

a slot machine which runs a first game in a first mode and shifts to a second mode in which a second game is run with one of a plurality of types of contents when a predetermined condition is established in the first mode, the slot machine configured to output a first information about results of execution of the first and second games and including a first speaker, a first image display panel displaying a first image, and a second image display panel displaying a second image different from the first image; and

a data output device which is externally and detachably mounted to the slot machine, is configured to output a second information about a return to be given when the predetermined condition is established in the first mode, and is not configured to run the first game and the second game, including;

an output device capable of outputting an image and a sound and including a second speaker and a third image display panel displaying a third image different from the first and second images;

a memory which stores a plurality of types of output data for the third image and the sound outputted by the output device;

a receiver for receiving, from the slot machine, a trigger signal including specification information for specifying the output data; and

a controller, said controller programmed to conduct the processes of;

(A) receiving the trigger signal from said slot machine through said receiver, when said slot machine shifts from the first mode to the second mode; and

(B) extracting, from among the plurality of types of output data stored in said memory, an output data specified by the specification information included in said trigger signal and causing said output device to output the third image and/or the sound indicating with which one of the plurality of types of contents the second game is run, based on said extracted output data.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the predetermined condition is constituted by plural conditions and each of the conditions is associated with one of the plurality of types of contents, when one of the plural conditions is established, the slot machine runs the second game with one of the plurality of types of contents associated with said one of the plural conditions, and

the data output device extracts, in the process (B), the output data specified by the specification information indicating said one of the conditions, and outputs the sound and the image indicating the said one of the conditions, based on the output data.

13. The system according to claim 11, wherein the second games in the second mode are free games,

the predetermined condition is that a number of the first games run by the slot machine reaches a set of predetermined values, and

a number of the second games run in the second mode varies depending on the predetermined values.

14. A data output method that is performed by a controller of a data output device which is externally and detachably mounted to a slot machine and is not configured to run the first game and the second game, wherein the slot machine runs a first game in a first mode and shifts to a second mode in which a second game is run with one of a plurality of types of contents when a predetermined condition is established in the first mode, wherein the slot machine is configured to output a first information about results of execution of the first and second games and comprises a first speaker, a first image display panel displaying a first image, and a second image display panel displaying a second image different from the first image, and wherein the data output device is configured to output a second information about a return to be given when the predetermined condition is established in the first mode, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving a trigger signal including specification information for specifying output data, the trigger signal output from a slot machine and received through a receiver, when said slot machine shifts from the first mode to the second mode; and

(b) extracting an output data corresponding to the specification information included in said trigger signal, from among a plurality of types of output data which is stored in a memory of the data output device, and causing an output device configured to output a third image different from the first and second images and a sound and including a third image display panel and a second speaker to output the third image and the sound indicating with which one of the plurality of types of contents the second game is run, based on the extracted output data,

wherein each of said steps (a) and (b) is conducted by the controller.

15. The data output method according to claim 14, wherein the predetermined condition is constituted by plural conditions and each of the conditions is associated with one of the plurality of types of contents,

when one of the plural conditions is established, the slot machine runs the second game with one of the plurality of types of contents associated with said one of the plural conditions, and

the data output device extracts, in the step (b), the output data specified by the specification information indicating said one of the conditions, and outputs the sound and the image indicating the said one of the conditions, based on the output data.

16. A system comprising:

a slot machine which runs a first game in a first mode and shifts to a second mode in which a second game is run with one of a plurality of types of contents when a predetermined condition is established in the first mode, the slot machine configured to output a first information about results of execution of the first and second games and including a first speaker, a first image display panel, and a second image display panel;

a server which is connected to the slot machine, receives predetermined information from the slot machine as the slot machine runs the first game, determines whether the predetermined condition is established based on the predetermined information, and outputs a trigger signal to a data output device if it is determined that the predetermined condition is established; and

the data output device which is configured to output a second information about a return to be given when the predetermined condition is established in the first mode, is associated with the slot machine, independent from the slot machine, connected to the server, and receives the trigger signal from the server, said data output device comprising;

an output device configured to output an image and a sound and including a second speaker and a third image display panel;

a memory which stores a plurality of types of output data for the image and the sound outputted by the output device and identification information for identifying a slot machine installed in association with said data output device;

a receiver for receiving, from a server connected to the slot machine, the trigger signal including specification information for specifying output data and the identification information of said slot machine; and

a controller,

wherein said controller is programmed to conduct the processes of;

(A) receiving the trigger signal from the server through said receiver;

(B) determining whether or not the identification information included in said trigger signal matches the identification information stored in said memory; and

(C) extracting, from among the plurality of types of output data stored in said memory, an output data specified by the specification information included in said trigger signal and causing said output device to output the image and the sound indicating with which one of the plurality of types of contents the second game is run, based on said extracted output data, and

wherein the data output device is not configured to run the first game and the second game.

17. The system according to claim 16, wherein the predetermined condition is constituted by plural conditions and each of the conditions is associated with one of the plurality of types of contents,

when one of the plural conditions is established, the slot machine runs the second game with one of the plurality of types of contents associated with said one of the plural conditions, and

the data output device extracts, in the process (B), the output data specified by the specification information indicating said one of the conditions, and outputs the sound and the image indicating the said one of the conditions, based on the output data.

18. A data output method that is performed by a data output device which is associated with a slot machine, independent from the slot machine, wherein the slot machine runs a first game in a first mode and shifts to a second mode in which a second game is run with one of a plurality of types of contents when a predetermined condition is established in the first mode, wherein the slot machine is configured to output a first information about results of execution of the first and second games, and wherein the slot machine comprises a first speaker, a first image display panel, and a second image display panel, the data output device configured to output a second information about a return to be given when the predetermined condition is established in the first mode, connected to a server which is connected to the slot machine, receiving predetermined information from the slot machine as the slot machine runs the first game, determining whether the predetermined condition is established based on the predetermined information, and outputting a trigger signal to a data output device if it is determined that the predetermined condition is established, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving a trigger signal including specification information for specifying output data and identification information for identifying a slot machine, the trigger signal received through a receiver which receives the trigger signal from a server connected to the slot machine;

(b) determining whether or not the identification information included in said trigger signal matches identification information of the slot machine, the identification information of the slot machine being pre stored in a memory of the data output device, the slot machine being installed in association with a controller; and

(c) extracting an output data corresponding to the specification information included in said trigger signal out of a plurality of types of output data for outputting an image and a sound, the plurality of types of output data being pre stored in said memory, and causing an output device configured to output the image and the sound and including a third image display panel and a second speaker to output the image and the sound indicating with which one of the plurality of types of contents the second game is run, based on said extracted output data, upon determining through said step (b) that the identification information included in said trigger signal matches the identification information of the slot machine,

wherein each of said steps (a) to (c) is conducted by said controller, and

wherein the data output device is not configured to run the first game and the second game.

19. The data output method according to claim 18, wherein the predetermined condition is constituted by plural conditions and each of the conditions is associated with one of the plurality of types of contents,

when one of the plural conditions is established, the slot machine runs the second game with one of the plurality of types of contents associated with said one of the plural conditions, and

the data output device extracts, in the step (b), the output data specified by the specification information indicating said one of the conditions, and outputs the sound and the image indicating the said one of the conditions, based on the output data.