Patent Publication Number: US-8526034-B2

Title: Data output device and data output method

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims benefit of priority based on U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/874,681 filed on Dec. 14, 2006. The contents of this application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a data output device and a data output method. 
     2. Discussion of the Background 
     US 2003/0069073-A1 discloses a system configured to offer a predetermined return to players who have consumed a predetermined value of gaming mediums. This system includes plural slot machines and a server, wherein the server cumulatively sums a portion of the consumed value of each slot machine and, if the consumed value of one slot machine has reached a predetermined upper limit value, offers a return to the slot machine based on the value accumulated by the server. 
     The return is offered to a player who has consumed a predetermined value of gaming mediums and, therefore, is different from conventional jackpots which are offered to players at random (refer to U.S. Pat. No. 4,283,709, U.S. Pat. No. 5,820,459, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,003,013). Accordingly, information about the fact that a return is being offered, information about the value of gaming mediums required to be consumed for causing a return and the like are of great value for players. Thus, there is a need for a novel method for offering such information. 
     The contents of US 2003/0069073-A1, U.S. Pat. No. 4,283,709, U.S. Pat. No. 5,820,459, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,003,013 are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data output device having the following configuration. 
     That is, a data output device according to the first aspect of 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. Here, the controller is 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. 
     According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data output device having the following configuration. 
     That is, a data output device according to the second aspect of 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 and identification information for identifying a slot machine installed in association with the data output device; a receiver for receiving, from a server connected to the slot machine, a trigger signal including specification information for specifying output data and the identification information of the slot machine; and a controller. Here, the controller is programmed to conduct the processes of: (A) receiving the trigger signal from the slot machine through the receiver; (B) determining whether or not the identification information included in the trigger signal matches the identification information stored in the memory; and (C) 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, upon determining through the process (B) that the identification information included in the trigger signal matches the identification information stored in the memory. 
     According to the third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data output device having the following configuration. 
     That is, a data output device according to the third aspect of the present invention comprises: a transmitter for transmitting a request signal for making a request for transmission of game data to a slot machine or a server; a receiver for receiving the game data transmitted from the slot machine or the server which received the request signal; 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; and a controller. Here, the controller is programmed to conduct the processes of: (A) transmitting the request signal to the slot machine or the server through the transmitter; (B) receiving the game data from the slot machine or the server through the receiver; and (C) extracting, from the memory, an output data for outputting information based on the game data and causing the output device to output the image and/or the sound based on the extracted output data. 
     The first aspect of the present invention further provides a data output method comprising the following steps: 
     (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; and 
     (b) extracting an output data corresponding to the specification information included in the trigger signal, from a memory which stores a plurality of types of output data, and causing an output device capable of outputting an image and/or a sound to output the image and/or the sound based on the extracted output data. 
     Here, each of the steps (a) and (b) is conducted by a controller. 
     The second aspect of the present invention further provides a data output method comprising the following steps: 
     (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 the trigger signal matches identification information of the slot machine, the identification information of the slot machine being pre-stored in a memory, the slot machine being installed in association with a controller; and 
     (c) extracting an output data corresponding to the specification information included in the trigger signal out of a plurality of types of output data for outputting an image and/or a sound, the plurality of types of output data being pre-stored in the memory, and causing an output device capable of outputting the image and/or the sound to output the image and/or the sound based on the extracted output data, upon determining through the step (b) that the identification information included in the trigger signal matches the identification information of the slot machine. 
     Here, each of the steps (a) to (c) is conducted by the controller. 
     The third aspect of the present invention further provides a data output method comprising the following steps: 
     (a) transmitting a request signal for making a request for transmission of game data, the request signal transmitted to a slot machine or a server through a transmitter; 
     (b) receiving the game data from the slot machine or the server through a receiver; and 
     (c) extracting an output data for outputting information based on the game data, from a memory which stores a plurality of types of output data for outputting an image and/or a sound, and causing an output device capable of outputting the image and/or the sound to output the image and/or the sound based on the extracted output data. 
     Here, each of the steps (a) to (c) is conducted by a controller. 
     In the third aspect of the present invention, the following configuration can be employed. 
     The aforementioned game data can be game history data of players, wherein the game history data can include data of the numbers of games and/or data of the cumulative numbers of BETs. The information based on the aforementioned game data is the number of remaining BETs or the number of remaining games until the cumulative number of BETs reaches a predetermined upper limit value. 
     In the data output device according to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to employ a configuration in which the aforementioned controller conducts the process (A) at predetermined time intervals. 
     In the data output method according to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to employ a configuration in which the process (c) is conducted at predetermined time intervals. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a flow chart illustrating processing in a gaming machine and in a ceiling notification device, according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view schematically illustrating a gaming machine and a ceiling notification device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic view illustrating the symbol rows drawn on the peripheral surfaces of respective reels. 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating the internal structure of the gaming machine according to the present embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a flow chart illustrating processing in the gaming machine according to the present embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustrating the internal structure of the ceiling notification device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a view illustrating the storage area of the ROM in the ceiling notification device. 
         FIG. 8  is a view illustrating an exemplary image which is displayed to a image display panel. 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic view illustrating the entire structure of a gaming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a block diagram illustrating the internal structure of a server according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a view illustrating the storage area of the ROM in a ceiling notification device. 
         FIG. 12  is a flow chart illustrating processing in the server and in a ceiling notification device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  is a block diagram illustrating the internal structure of a ceiling notification device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a view illustrating an exemplary image which is displayed to the image display panel. 
         FIG. 15  is a flow chart illustrating processing in the gaming machine and in the ceiling notification device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 16  is a flow chart illustrating processing in the server and in the ceiling notification device, according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, there will be described a ceiling notification device (data output device) according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 1  is a flow chart illustrating processing in a gaming machine and in a ceiling notification device (data output device), according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
     The ceiling notification device is separated from the gaming machine and is connected to the gaming machine through a communication line such as a cable. If a game being executed in the gaming machine is shifted to a return mode which will be described later, the gaming machine transmits a trigger signal to the ceiling notification device (step S 21 ). On receiving the trigger signal from the gaming machine (step S 101 ), the ceiling notification device extracts, from a memory (not illustrated) incorporated in this device, output data corresponding to specification information included in the trigger signal (step S 102 ) and outputs an image or a sound based on the extracted output data (step S 103 ). On the other hand, the gaming machine conducts return processing (step S 22 ) after outputting the trigger signal to the ceiling notification device, which causes the game being executed in the gaming machine to shift to the return mode. 
     Hereinafter, with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 8 , there will be described a ceiling notification device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view schematically illustrating a gaming machine and a ceiling notification device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the ceiling notification device  300  is installed at the upper portion of the gaming machine  10 . The ceiling notification device  300  is externally mounted to the gaming machine  10  such that it is detachable. The ceiling notification device  300  corresponds to a data output device according to the present invention. 
     An image display panel  301  is provided in the front surface of the ceiling notification device  300 , while a speaker  302  is provided in a side surface of the ceiling notification device  300 . The image display panel  301  includes a transparent liquid crystal display panel which displays images indicative of information about the fact that a return is being conducted, information about the value of to-be-consumed coins required for causing a return, and the like. Further, such a return will be described later. The image display panel  301  is an image output device and functions as an output means capable of outputting images. Further, the speaker  302  outputs sounds including information about the fact that a return is being conducted, information about the value of to-be-consumed coins required for causing a return, and the like. The speaker  302  is a sound output device and functions as an output means capable of outputting sounds. The image display panel  301  and the speaker  302  correspond to an output device according to the present invention. 
     In the present embodiment, the image display panel  301  and the speaker  302  are provided as output devices; however, the present invention is not limited to the case. For example, only the image display panel  301  or only the speaker  302  can be provided. Further, it is also possible to design and change, as required, the position and aspect at and with which the image display panel  301  and the speaker  302  are installed. Further, the output device according to the present invention is not limited to devices which output the image or the sound. For example, it is possible to offer light effects using lamps and the like. 
     Although it can be said that the present invention relates to the ceiling notification device  300 , the gaming machine  10  will be described at first, hereinafter, since a player plays games with the gaming machine  10 . 
     In the present embodiment, the gaming machine  10  is a slot machine. The gaming machine  10  employs, as gaming mediums, coins, bills or electronic valuable information corresponding thereto. However, in the present invention, there is no particular limitation on gaming mediums, but examples thereof may include: medals, tokens, electronic money and tickets. Further, there is no particular limitation on the aforementioned tickets, but such tickets can be, for example, a ticket with a barcode, as will be described later. Hereinafter, gaming mediums will be collectively referred to as “coins”. 
     The gaming machine  10  includes a cabinet  11 , a top box  12  installed at the upper side of the cabinet  11 , and a gaming-machine controlling door  13  provided in the front surface of the cabinet  11 . Within the cabinet  11 , there are rotatably provided three reels  14  ( 14 L,  14 C and  14 R). On the outer peripheral surfaces of the respective reels  14 , there are drawn rows of symbols, wherein each row of symbols is constituted by 22 figures (hereinafter, referred to as “symbols”). 
     A lower image display panel  16  is provided at a portion of the gaming-machine controlling door  13  such that it comes in front of the reels  14 . The lower image display panel  16  includes a transparent liquid crystal display panel which displays, during games, various types of information and effective images and the like relating to games. The lower image display panel  16  is an image output device and functions as an output means capable of outputting images. 
     In the lower image display panel  16 , there are provided a number-of-credits display section  31  and a number-of-payouts display section  32 . The number-of-credits display section  31  displays an image indicative of the number of credited coins. The number-of-payouts display section  32  displays an image indicative of the number of coins which are to be paid out, if a predetermined combination of symbols are statically displayed along a winning line L. 
     In the lower image display panel  16 , there are formed three display windows  15  ( 15 L,  15 C and  15 R) which enable viewing the portions therebehind, so that three symbols drawn on the outer peripheral surfaces of each of the reels  14  are displayed through the respective display windows  15 . In the lower image display panel  16 , there is formed a single winning line L horizontally across the three display windows  15 . The winning line L defines the symbols arranged thereon as the combination of symbols. If a predetermined combination of symbols is statically displayed along the winning line L, then a number of coins corresponding to the combination and the number of inserted coins (the number of BETs) are paid out. 
     Also, in the present invention, there may be formed plural winning lines L horizontally or obliquely across the three display windows  15  and a number of winning lines L corresponding to the number of inserted coins can be made effective so that, if a predetermined combination of symbols is statically displayed along the winning lines L made to be effective, then a number of coins corresponding to the combination can be paid out. 
     Further, although not illustrated, a touch panel  69  is provided in the front surface of the lower image display panel  16 , which enables a player to input various types of commands by operating the touch panel  69 . 
     Under the lower image display panel  16 , there are provided a control panel  20  constituted by plural buttons  23  to  27  which enable the player to input commands relating to proceeding of games, a coin receiving port  21  which receives coins and introduces them into the cabinet  11 , and a bill validator  22 . 
     On the control panel  20 , there are provided a spin button  23 , a change button  24 , a cash-out button  25 , a 1-BET button  26  and a maximum-BET button  27 . The spin button  23  is for inputting a command for starting the rotation of the reels  14 . The change button  24  is used for making a request of personnel of the game facility to exchange credits. The cash-out button  25  is for inputting a command for paying out credited coins to a coin tray  18 . 
     The 1-BET button  26  is for inputting a command for betting a single coin, out of credited coins, on games. The maximum-BET button  27  is for inputting a command for betting, on games, a maximum number of coins which can be betted on a single game (50 coins in the present embodiment), out of the credited coins. 
     The bill validator  22  identifies whether or not bills are valid and also receives valid bills and introduces them to the inside of the cabinet  11 . Further, the bill validator  22  can be configured to be capable of reading a ticket  39  with a barcode which will be described later. In the lower front surface of the gaming-machine controlling door  13 , i.e., under the control panel  20 , there is provided a belly glass  34  having a character or the like of the gaming machine  10  depicted thereon. 
     In the front surface of the top box  12 , there is provided an upper image display panel  33 . The upper image display panel  33  includes a liquid crystal display panel which displays images indicative of introduction of the contents of games and explanation of the rules of games, for example. While, in the gaming machine  10  according to the present embodiment, the lower image display panel  16  is an image output device which functions as an output means, in the present invention, the lower image display panel  33  can be an image output device which functions as an output means. 
     Further, a speaker  29  is provided in the top box  12 . The speaker  29  is a sound output device and functions as an output means capable of outputting sounds. Under the upper image display panel  33 , there are provided a ticket printer  35 , a card reader  36 , a data display device  37 , and a keypad  38 . The ticket printer  35  prints, onto a ticket, a barcode created by encoding data of the number of credits, time and date, the identification number of the gaming machine  10  and the like and outputs the ticket as a ticket  39  with a barcode. The player can cause another gaming machine to read the ticket  39  with a barcode for playing games with this gaming machine or can convert the ticket  39  with a bar-code into bills and the like at a predetermined site (for example, a cashier in a casino) in the game facility. 
     The card reader  36  reads and writes data from and into a smart card. The smart card is a card which is possessed by a player and stores, for example, data for identifying the player, data relating to the history of games played by the player. The smart card can store data corresponding to coins, bills or credits. Also, instead of such a smart card, it is possible to employ a magnetic stripe card. The data display device  37  is constituted by fluorescent displays and the like and displays, for example, data read by the card reader  36  or data input by the player through the key pad  38 . The key pad  38  is for inputting commands and data relating to issue of tickets and the like. 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic view illustrating the symbol rows drawn on the peripheral surfaces of the respective reels. 
     There are drawn 22 symbols each on the respective outer peripheral surfaces of the left reel  14 L, the center reel  14 C and the right reel  14 R. The symbol rows drawn on the respective reels  14  are different from one another. Each symbol row is constituted by a combination of symbols “JACKPOT 7”, “BLUE 7”, “BELL”, “CHERRY”, “STRAWBERRY”, “PLUM”, “ORANGE” and “APPLE”. 
     If three of any one of the symbols “JACKPOT 7”, “BLUE7”, “BELL”, “CHERRY”, “STRAWBERRY”, “PLUM”, “ORANGE” and “APPLE” are statically displayed along the winning line L, then a predetermined number of credits are added to the number of credits possessed by the player. 
     If the 1-BET button  26  or the maximum-BET button  27  is pushed and, thereafter, the spin button  23  is pushed to start a game, the symbol rows drawn on the respective reels  14  are displayed in a scrolling manner from the upper direction to the lower direction in the display windows  15 , along with the rotation of the reels  14  and, after the elapse of a predetermined time period, they are statically displayed through the display windows  15 , along with the stop of the rotation of the reels  14 . Further, in cases where various types of winning combinations are pre-determined on the basis of respective combinations of symbols, if a combination of symbols corresponding to a winning combination is stopped along the winning line L, then a number of coins corresponding to the winning combination is added to the number of credits possessed by the player. 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating the internal structure of the gaming machine according to the present embodiment. 
     A gaming board  50  includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit)  51 , a ROM  55  and a boot ROM  52 , which are connected to one another through an internal bus, a card slot  53 S compatible with a memory card  53 , and an IC socket  54 S compatible with a GAL (Generic Array Logic)  54 . 
     The memory card  53  is constituted by a nonvolatile memory such as Compact Flash (registered trade mark) and the like and stores game programs and game system programs. The game programs include a lottery program. The aforementioned lottery program is a program for determining symbols (code Nos. corresponding to the symbols) on the respective reels  14  to be statically displayed along the winning line L. The aforementioned lottery program includes symbol weighing data associated with respective plural types of payout ratios (for example, 80%, 84% and 88%). The symbol weighing data are data indicating correspondence between the code Nos. of the respective symbols on the three reels  14  and one or plural random numbers which belong to a predetermined numerical value range (0 to 256). The payout ratio is determined on the basis of payout-ratio setting data output from the GAL  54 , and lotteries are conducted on the basis of the symbol weighing data corresponding to this payout ratio. 
     Further, the card slot  53 S is configured to enable inserting the memory card  53  thereinto and ejecting the memory card  53  therefrom, and is connected to a motherboard  40  through an IDE bus. Accordingly, by ejecting the memory card  53  from the card slot  53 S, then writing different game programs and different game system programs into the memory card  53  and inserting the memory card  53  into the card slot  53 S, it is possible to change the types and the contents of games to be played in the gaming machine  10 . Also, by replacing a memory card  53  storing a single game program and a single game system program with another memory card  53  storing a different game program and a different game system program, it is possible to change the types and the contents of games to be played in the gaming machine  10 . The game programs include programs relating to proceeding of games and image data and sound data to be output during games. 
     The GAL  54  is a type of PLD having an OR fixed array structure. The GAL  54  includes plural input ports and output ports and, if predetermined data is input to an input port thereof, the GAL  54  outputs data corresponding to this data from an output port thereof. The data output from this output port is the aforementioned payout-ratio setting data. 
     Further, the IC socket  54 S is configured to enable attaching and detaching the GAL  54  thereto and therefrom and is connected to the motherboard  40  through a PCI bus. Accordingly, by detaching the GAL  54  from the IC socket  54 S, then rewriting the programs stored in the GAL  54  and attaching the GAL  54  to the IC socket  54 S, it is possible to change the payout-ratio setting ration to be output from the GAL  54 . Also, by replacing the GAL  54  with another GAL  54 , it is possible to change the payout-ratio setting data. 
     The CPU  51 , the ROM  55  and the boot ROM  52 , which are connected to one another through the internal bus, are connected to the motherboard  40  through PCI bus. The PCI bus transfers signals between the motherboard  40  and the gaming board  50  and also supplies electric power from the motherboard  40  to the gaming board  50 . The ROM  55  stores country identification information and authentication programs. The boot ROM  52  stores pre-authentication programs, programs (boot codes) for causing the CPU  51  to activate the pre-authentication programs, and the like. 
     The authentication programs are programs for authenticating game programs and game system programs (falsification check programs). The authentication programs are described according to the procedure (authentication procedure) for confirming and certifying that game programs and game system programs which are objects of an authentication acquisition processing have not been falsified, i.e., according to the procedure for authenticating the game programs and game system programs. The pre-authentication programs are programs for authenticating the aforementioned authentication programs. The pre-authentication programs are described according to procedure (authentication procedure) for certifying that the authentication programs which are objects of an authentication processing have not been falsified, i.e., according to the procedure for authenticating the authentication programs. 
     The motherboard  40  is constituted by a commercial general-purpose mother board (a printed circuit board with basic components of a personal computer mounted thereon) and includes a gaming-machine controlling main CPU  41 , a ROM (Read Only Memory)  42 , a RAM (Random Access Memory)  43 , a communication interface  44  and a communication interface  80 . In the figure, the gaming-machine controlling main CPU  41  is simply illustrated as a main CPU  41 . 
     The ROM  42  is constituted by a memory device, such as a flash memory, and stores programs such as a BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) to be executed by the gaming-machine controlling main CPU  41  and permanent data. If the gaming-machine controlling main CPU  41  executes the BIOS, the BIOS conducts processing for initializing predetermined peripheral devices and starts processing for taking in game programs and game system programs stored in the memory card  53 , through the gaming board  50 . 
     Further, the ROM  42  stores data about the number of bonus games to be executed in a return mode. The return mode indicates a state of games where a return is being performed for a player who has consumed a greater number of coins (refer to step S 15  in  FIG. 5  and step S 22  in  FIG. 1 ). In the present embodiment, the shift to the return mode occurs if the cumulative number of games has reached a predetermined upper limit value. Numbers of bonus games to be generated in the return mode are preliminarily determined in association with upper limits of predetermined cumulative number of games, wherein these upper limits are defined in a stepwise manner. Namely, the ROM  42  stores correspondence between the upper limits of the cumulative number of games and the numbers of bonus games. 
     Further, in the present invention, the ROM  42  can be either rewritable or non-rewritable. 
     The RAM  43  stores data and programs for use in operations of the gaming-machine controlling main CPU  41 . Particularly, the RAM  43  stores cumulative numbers of games which are to be the basis for determining whether or not the game should shift to the return mode. Further, the RAM  43  can store authentication programs, game programs and game system programs which are read through the gaming board  50 . 
     The communication interface  44  is for communicating with a server  200  through a communication line  101 , when the gaming machine  10  is connected to the network as will be described later. Every time a single game is played, the gaming-machine controlling main CPU  41  transmits the number of inserted coins and the number of paid-out coins in that game to the server  200 , along with the gaming-machine identification number of the gaming machine  10 . The server  200  stores the cumulative number of games, the cumulative number of inserted coins and the cumulative number of paid-out coins, in association with each gaming-machine identification number. 
     In the first embodiment and the second embodiment of the present invention, the communication interface  80  intermediates between the gaming machine  10  and the ceiling notification device  300  in communication therebetween, when the gaming machine  10  is not connected to the network. The communication between the gaming machine  10  and the ceiling notification device  300  means transmission and reception of trigger signals (the first embodiment) or request signals and game data (the second embodiment). Trigger signals will be described later with reference to  FIG. 6 , while request signals and game data will be described later with reference to  FIG. 13 . 
     Further, a main-body PCB (Printed Circuit Board)  60  and a door PCB  80 , which will be described later, are connected to the motherboard  40 , through respective USBs. Further, a power supply unit  45  is connected to the motherboard  40 . If electric power is supplied from the power supply unit  45  to the mother board  40 , this activates the gaming-machine controlling main CPU  41  in the mother board  40  and also supplies electric power to the gaming board  50  through the PCI bus, thereby activating the CPU  51 . 
     Apparatuses and devices for generating input signals to be input to the gaming-machine controlling main CPU  41  and apparatuses and devices to be operated under control of control signals output from the gaming-machine controlling main CPU  41  are connected to the main body PCB  60  and to the door PCB  80 . The gaming-machine controlling main CPU  41  executes game programs and game system programs stored in the RAM  43 , on the basis of input signals input to the gaming-machine controlling main CPU  41 , for conducting predetermined calculation processing and storing the result thereof in the RAM  43  or for transmitting control signals to respective apparatuses and devices as processing for controlling the respective apparatuses and devices. 
     A lamp  30 , a sub CPU  61 , a hopper  66 , a coin detecting portion  67 , a graphic board  68 , the speaker  29  as an output device, the touch panel  69 , the bill validator  22 , the ticket printer  35 , the card reader  36 , a key switch  38 S and the data display device  37  are connected to the main body PCB  60 . The lamp  30  is lighted in a predetermined pattern, on the basis of control signals output from the gaming-machine controlling main CPU  41 . 
     The sub CPU  61  controls the rotation and the stop of the reels  14  ( 14 L,  14 C and  14 R). A motor driving circuit  62  including an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array)  63  and a driver  64  is connected to the sub CPU  61 . The FPGA  63  is an electronic circuit such as a programmable LSI and functions as the control circuit for stepping motors  70 . The driver  64  functions as a circuit for amplifying pulses to be input to the stepping motors  70 . The stepping motors  70  ( 70 L,  70 C and  70 R) for rotating the respective reels  14  are connected to the motor driving circuit  62 . The stepping motors  70  are one-two phase excitation stepping motors. 
     In the present invention, there is no particular limitation on the way of exciting the stepping motors, but it is also possible to employ a two-phase excitation method, a single-phase excitation method and the like. Also, instead of stepping motors, it is possible to employ DC motors. In the case of employing DC motors, a deviation counter, a D/A converter and a servo amplifier are connected in this order to the sub CPU  61 , and the DC motors are connected to the servo amplifier. Further, rotary encoders detect the rotational positions of the DC motors and supply, as data, the current rotational positions of the DC motors to the deviation counter. 
     Further, an index detection circuit  65  and a position change detection circuit  71  are connected to the sub CPU  61 . The index detection circuit  65  detects the positions of the reels  14  being rotated and is capable of detecting loss of synchronism of the reels  14 . 
     The position change detection circuit  71  detects the change of the stop positions of the reels  14 , after the stop of the rotation of the reels  14 . For example, the position change detection circuit  71  detects the change of the stop positions of the reels  14 , in an event such as an event in which a player forcibly changes the stop positions of the reels  14  to create a combination of symbols in a winning state, even through no winning state in the combination of symbols has actually occurred. For example, the position change detection circuit  71  may be structured to detect fins (not illustrated) mounted to the inner sides of the reels  14  at predetermined intervals so that the change of the stop positions of the reels  14  can be detected. 
     The hopper  66  is installed inside the cabinet  11  and pays out a predetermined number of coins from a coin payout port  19  to a coin tray  18 , on the basis of control signals output from the gaming-machine controlling main CPU  41 . The coin detection portion  67  is provided inside the coin payout port  19  and outputs input signals to the gaming-machine controlling main CPU  41  if it detects a predetermined number of coins being paid out from the coin payout port  19 . 
     The graphic board  68  controls the display of images to the upper image display panel  33  and the lower image display panel  16  as the output device, on the basis of control signals output from the gaming-machine controlling main CPU  41 . The number-of-credits display section  32  in the lower image display panel  16  displays the number of credits stored in the RAM  43 . The number-of-payouts display section  31  in the lower image display panel  16  displays the number of coins to be paid out. 
     The graphic board  68  includes a VDP (Video Display Processor) for creating image data on the basis of control signals output from the gaming-machine controlling main CPU  41 , a video RAM for temporarily storing image data created by the VDP, and the like. Game programs read from the memory card  53  and stored in the RAM  43  include image data for use in creating image data with the VDP. 
     The bill validator  22  identifies whether or not bills are valid and receives valid bills and introduces them into the cabinet  11 . When receiving valid bills, the bill validator  22  outputs input signals to the gaming-machine controlling main CPU  41 , on the basis of the value of the bills. The gaming-machine controlling main CPU  41  stores, in the RAM  43 , a number of credits corresponding to the value of bills transferred through the input signals. 
     The ticket printer  35  prints, onto a ticket, a barcode containing encoded data of the number of credits, time and date, the identification number of the gaming machine  10  and the like stored in the RAM  43 , on the basis of control signals output from the gaming-machine controlling main CPU  41 , and outputs the ticket as a ticket  39  with a barcode. 
     The card reader  36  reads data from a smart card and transmits the data to the gaming-machine controlling main CPU  41  and also writes data into a smart card on the basis of control signals from the gaming-machine controlling main CPU  41 . The key switch  38 S is provided in the key pad  38  and, if a player operates the key pad  38 , outputs predetermined input signals to the gaming-machine controlling main CPU  41 . The data display device  37  displays data read by the card reader  36  or data input through the key pad  38  by the player, on the basis of the control signals output from the gaming-machine controlling main CPU  41 . 
     The control panel  20 , a reverter  21 S, a coin counter  21 C and a cold-cathode tube  81  are connected to the door PCB  80 . In the control panel  20 , there are provided a spin switch  23 S associated with the spin button  23 , a change switch  24 S associated with the change switch  24 , a CASHOUT switch  25 S associated with the CASHOUT button  25 , a 1-BET switch  26 S associated with the 1-BET button  26  and a maximum-BET switch  27 S associated with the maximum BET button  27 . The respective switches  23 S to  27 S output input signals to the gaming-machine controlling main CPU  41 , if the player operates the corresponding buttons  23  to  27 . 
     The coin counter  21 C is provided inside the coin receiving port  21  and identifies whether or not coins that the player inserted into the coin receiving port  21  are valid. Coins other than valid coins are discharged from the coin payout port  19 . Further, the coin counter  21 C outputs input signals to the gaming-machine controlling main CPU  41 , if it detects valid coins. 
     The reverter  21 S operates on the basis of control signals output from the gaming-machine controlling main CPU  41  and sorts coins determined to be valid coins by the coin counter  21 C into a cash box (not illustrated) or the hopper  66  installed inside the gaming machine  10 . Namely, when the hopper  66  is filled with coins, the reverter  21 S transfers the valid coins to the cash box. On the other hand, when the hopper  66  is not filled with coins, the reverter  21 S transfers valid coins to the hopper  66 . The cold-cathode tube  81  functions as back lights installed on the back surfaces of the lower image display panel  16  and the upper image display panel  33  and is lighted on the basis of control signals output from the gaming-machine controlling main CPU  41 . 
       FIG. 5  is a flow chart illustrating processing in the gaming machine according to the present embodiment. 
     At first, at step S 11 , the gaming-machine controlling main CPU  41  determines whether or not a player has inserted coins, on the basis of signals from the coin counter  21 C. If the gaming-machine controlling main CPU  41  determines that no coin has been inserted (step S 11 : NO), the gaming-machine controlling main CPU  41  waits for coins to be inserted. On the other hand, if the gaming-machine controlling main CPU  41  determines that coins have been inserted (step S 11 : YES), the gaming-machine controlling main CPU  41  proceeds to step S 12 . 
     At step S 12 , the gaming-machine controlling main CPU  41  conducts a series of processing relating to games to be played in the gaming machine  10 , i.e., the slot machine. More specifically, the gaming-machine controlling main CPU  41  causes the rotation and the stop of the reels and also performs determination (winning determination) of whether or not the resultant combination of symbols corresponds to respective types of winning combinations and, if a winning occurs, pays out coins, according to the winning combination. 
     Next, at step S 13 , the gaming-machine controlling main CPU  41  increments the cumulative number of games stored in the RAM  43 . 
     Next, at step S 14 , the gaming-machine controlling main CPU  41  determines whether or not the cumulative number of games stored in the RAM  43  has reached a predetermined upper limit value stored in the ROM  42 . If the gaming-machine controlling main CPU  41  determines that the cumulative number of games has reached the predetermined upper limit value (step S 14 : YES), the gaming-machine controlling main CPU  41  proceeds to step S 15 . 
     At step S 15 , the gaming-machine controlling main CPU  41  conducts processing relating to the return mode (see  FIG. 1 ). In the present embodiment, bonus games are generated in the return mode. Such bonus games are free games (games which a player can play a predetermined number of times, without betting coins). 
     If the gaming-machine controlling main CPU  41  determines that the cumulative number of games has not reached the predetermined upper limit value (step S 14 : NO) or after conducting the processing relating to the return mode at step S 15 , the gaming-machine controlling main CPU  41  ends the present subroutine. 
     While there has been described the gaming machine  10  according to the present embodiment, it has been merely described as a concrete example, not described to restrict the present invention. 
     For example, while, in the present embodiment, there are  22  symbols drawn on the outer peripheral surfaces of each of the reels, and the symbol row drawn on each reel  14  is constituted by a combination of symbols “JACKPOT 7”, “BLUE 7”, “BELL”, “CHERRY”, “STRAWBERRY”, “PLUM”, “ORANGE” and “APPLE”, the present invention is not limited thereto, and it is possible to change the types and the number of used symbols, as required. Further, while, in the present embodiment, the reels are rotated for creating combinations of symbols, the method for creating combinations of symbols is not limited thereto, but a symbol matrix can be displayed to the lower image display panel  16 , and symbols can be rearranged within this symbol matrix, for example. 
     Furthermore, in the present invention, the gaming machine  10  is not limited to a slot machine. The gaming machine can be a so-called single gaming machine such as a video slot machine, a video card gaming machine or a so-called mass gaming machine (multi-terminal gaming machine) which executes games such as horse racing games, bingo games and lotteries, which require a predetermined time period to display results. 
     While, in the present embodiment, shift to the return mode occurs if the cumulative number of games reaches a predetermined upper limit value, the present invention is not limited to the case. For example, shift to the return mode can occur if the cumulative number of BETs reaches a predetermined upper limit value. Also, in cases where the payment balance of a player has a negative value, namely in cases where the total sum of the numbers of betted coins minus the total sum of the numbers of paid-out coins has a negative value, shift to the return mode can occur if the negative value reaches a predetermined value. Also, in cases where the player plays games using a ticket  39  with a barcode or a smart card, the timing of shift to the return mode can be determined by referring to the game history stored in the ticket  39  with a barcode or the smart card. Namely, there is no restriction on the timing of shift to the return mode, as long as such timing is based on a state where it can be evaluated that the player has consumed more than a certain number of coins. 
     Further, while, in the present embodiment, bonus games are generated in the return mode, the present invention is not limited to the case. Namely, there is no particular limitation on the game state which occurs in the return mode, and the game state which occurs in the return mode can be a state where a player can acquire a greater number of coins than in a normal game state, a state where a player can acquire coins with higher probabilities than in a normal game state, a state which enables a player to consume a smaller number of coins than in a normal game state, and the like. More specifically, examples thereof include second games, mystery bonuses and the like, as well as bonus games. Also, a predetermined number of coins can be paid out to the player, in the return mode. Namely, there is no particular limitation on the game state which occurs in the return mode, but it is possible to design and change the game state as required, as long as such a game state is advantageous to the player. 
     Further, while, in the present embodiment, numbers of bonus games to be generated in the return mode are defined in advance in association with stepwise-defined predetermined upper limits of cumulative number of games, the present invention is not limited to the case. For example, only a single upper limit of cumulative number of games can be defined and, every time the cumulative number of games has reached the upper limit, the cumulative number of games can be reset. 
     Hereinafter, there will be described two embodiments of the ceiling notification device  300 . 
     First Embodiment 
       FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustrating the internal structure of the ceiling notification device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
     The ceiling notification device  300  includes a ceiling-notification-device controlling CPU  311 , a ROM  312 , a RAM  313 , a receiver  314 , the image display panel  301  and the speaker  302 . In the figure, the ceiling-notification-device controlling CPU  311  is simply illustrated as a CPU  311 . 
     The-ceiling-notification-device controlling CPU  311  conducts various types of processing, in order to output appropriate images and sounds to the image display panel  301  and the speaker  302 , on the basis of trigger signals supplied from the gaming-machine controlling main CPU  41  through the communication interface  80  and the receiver  314  and data and programs stored in the ROM  312  and the RAM  313 . The-ceiling-notification-device controlling CPU  311  corresponds to a controller according to the present invention. 
     The ROM  312  is constituted by, for example, a semiconductor memory and the like and stores programs for realizing basic functions of the ceiling notification device  300 , programs for announcing timing of maintenances and for setting and managing conditions to be announced, and the like. More specifically, in the present embodiment, the ROM  312  stores plural types of output data. The output data is data to be referred in outputting images and sounds to the image display panel  301  and the speaker  302 . The ROM  312  corresponds to a memory according to the present invention. 
     The RAM  313  temporarily stores data and the like relating to the results of processing that the ceiling-notification-device controlling CPU  311  conducted, in outputting images and sounds to the image display panel  301  and the speaker  302 . 
     The receiver  314  receives trigger signals transmitted from the gaming-machine controlling main CPU  41  through the communication interface  80  and transmits the trigger signals to the ceiling-notification-device controlling CPU  311 . The trigger signals are signals indicative of the occurrence of shift to the return mode. In the present embodiment, a trigger signal is transmitted in the event of the occurrence of shift to the return mode since the cumulative number of games has reached a predetermined upper limit value. Such a trigger signal includes information (specification information) which specifies single output data corresponding to the game state, out of the aforementioned plural types of output data. In the present embodiment, more specifically, the specification information refers to information about the upper limit value based on which the shift to the return mode has occurred, out of the plural stepwise-defined upper limit values. 
       FIG. 7  is a view illustrating the storage area of the ROM in the ceiling notification device. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the ROM  312  is provided with an output-data storage area  312 A. The output-data storage area  312 A stores the aforementioned output data, namely the data to be referred to in outputting images and sounds to the image display panel  301  and the speaker  302 . 
       FIG. 8  is a view illustrating an exemplary image which is displayed on the image display panel. 
     There are plural types of images which can be displayed to the image display panel  301 , and a single image is selected out of them and displayed to the image display panel, as will be described hereinafter. Namely, a single image to be displayed is selected, on the basis of the single output data extracted from the ROM  312  according to the aforementioned specification information (in the present embodiment, information about fact on which of the plural stepwise-defined upper limit values occurrence of the shift to the return mode was based on) included in the trigger signal. Accordingly, to the image display panel  301 , information about the cumulative number of games which triggered the generation of bonus games is displayed. For example, in the example illustrated in  FIG. 8 , there is displayed the fact that bonus games are being generated and, also, the generation of these bonus games is caused since the cumulative number of games has reached  100 . 
     Further, the images to be displayed to the image display panel  301  are not limited to the case. For example, the number of bonus games which have been generated can be displayed and, also, the number of remaining bonus games can be displayed thereto along with proceeding of bonus games. Namely, it is possible to design and change, as required, the images to be displayed to the image display panel  301 , as long as they have contents indicating which benefit state is being generated for the player in the return mode. 
     Next, with reference to  FIG. 1 , there will be described processing in the gaming machine and the ceiling notification device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 
     First, the processing in the gaming machine will be described. 
     In the event of the occurrence of shift to the return mode since it is determined at step S 14  in  FIG. 5  that the cumulative number of games has reached a predetermined upper limit value (step S 14 : YES), the gaming-machine controlling main CPU  41  transmits a trigger signal (a signal indicative of the occurrence of shift to the return mode) to the ceiling-notification-device controlling CPU  311 , through the communication interface  80  and the receiver  314 , at step S 21 . At this time, the gaming-machine controlling main CPU  41  includes, in the trigger signal, the aforementioned specification information (information about the fact on which of the plural stepwise-defined upper limit values occurrence of the shift to the return mode was based on), by referring to the information about the cumulative number of games stored in the RAM  43 . 
     Next, at step S 22 , the gaming-machine controlling main CPU  41  conducts return processing, namely processing relating to bonus games in the return mode. More specifically, the gaming-machine controlling main CPU  41  conducts game processing described in the description for step S 12  in  FIG. 5 , without waiting for coins being inserted. 
     After executing the processing at step S 22 , the gaming-machine controlling main CPU  41  ends the present subroutine. 
     Subsequently, the processing in the ceiling notification device of  FIG. 1  will be described. 
     First, at step S 101 , the ceiling-notification-device controlling CPU  311  receives the trigger signal transmitted from the gaming-machine controlling main CPU  41  at step S 21 , through the communication interface  80  and the receiver  314 . 
     Next, at step S 102 , the ceiling-notification-device controlling CPU  311  extracts, from the output-data storage area  312 A of the ROM  312 , the aforementioned output data (the data to be referred to in outputting images and sounds to the image display panel  301  and the speaker  302 ) corresponding to the aforementioned specification information (the information about the fact on which of the plural stepwise-defined upper limit values occurrence of the shift to the return mode was based on) included in the trigger signal received at step S 101 . 
     Next, at step S 103 , the ceiling-notification-device controlling CPU  311  causes the image display panel  301  and the speaker  302  to output images and sounds, respectively, on the basis of the output data extracted at step S 102 . 
     After executing the processing at step S 103 , the ceiling-notification-device controlling CPU  311  ends the present subroutine. 
     There has been described a stand-alone type slot machine which is not connected to a network, as the gaming machine  10  according to the first embodiment of the present invention. However, the first embodiment of the present invention is applicable to cases where the gaming machine  10  is connected to a network. Hereinafter, there will be described a case where the gaming machine  10  is connected to a network; the description will mainly focus on points different from the case where the gaming machine is not connected to a network. 
       FIG. 9  is a schematic view illustrating the entire structure of a gaming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     The gaming system  100  includes plural gaming machines  10 , plural ceiling notification devices  300  installed at the upper portions of the respective gaming machines  10 , and a server  200  connected to these gaming machines  10  and these ceiling notification devices  300  through predetermined communication lines  101 . This gaming system  100  can either be structured within a single game facility which can offer various types of games, such as a bar and a casino, or can be structured among plural gaming facilities. Also, in the case where the gaming system  100  is structured within a single game facility, the gaming system  100  can be structured on each floor or in each section in this game facility. There is no particular limitation on the communication lines  101 , but the communication lines  101  can be of a wired type or a wireless type and can be dedicated lines or switched lines and the like. 
     The server  200  controls the plural gaming machines  10  and the plural ceiling notification devices  300 . The gaming machines  10  are provided with respective specific identification numbers, and the server  200  identifies the source of data transmitted from the respective gaming machines  10  or the respective ceiling notification devices  300 , on the basis of these identification numbers. Further, in cases where the server  200  transmits data to the gaming machines  10  or the respective ceiling notification devices  300 , the server  200  specifies the transmission destination thereof, using the identification number. 
     The identification numbers of the gaming machines correspond to identification information according to the present invention. In the present invention, there is no particular limitation on the identification information of the gaming machines, but it is possible to employ, for example, characters, symbols, numerical characters, and combinations thereof. 
       FIG. 10  is a block diagram illustrating the internal structure of the server according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     The server  200  includes a CPU  201  as an operation processing device (hereinafter, also referred to as “server-controlling CPU  201 ”), a ROM  202 , a RAM  203  as a temporal storage device, a communication interface  204  and a hard disk drive  205 . The communication interface  204  is connected to the communication interfaces  44  in the respective gaming machines  10  and the receivers  314  and transmitters  315  (refer to the second embodiment) in the ceiling notification devices  300 , through the communication lines  101 . The ROM  202  stores system programs and permanent data and the like for controlling the operations of the server. Further, the RAM  203  temporarily stores data received from the respective gaming machines  10  and the respective ceiling notification devices  300  and data of the results of operations and the like. Further, the hard disk drive  205  stores the game histories of the respective gaming machines  10 , in association with the gaming-machine identification numbers of the respective gaming machines  10 . Further, the hard disk drive  205  stores the correspondence between upper limits of the cumulative number of games and the numbers of bonus games, as the ROM  42  in the gaming machine  10  which is not connected to the network. 
       FIG. 11  is a view illustrating the storage area of the ROM in a ceiling notification device. 
     The ROM  312  is additionally provided with an identification-information storage area  312 B, in the case where the gaming machines  10  are connected to a network, which is not the case when the gaming machines  10  are not connected to the network. The ROM  312  stores identification information which is information about the gaming-machine identification number applied to the gaming machine  10  installed in association with the ceiling notification device  300 . 
       FIG. 12  is a flow chart illustrating processing in the server and in a ceiling notification device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
     At first, the processing in the server will be described. 
     At first, every time a single game is ended in a slot machine, the server-controlling CPU  201  updates the information about the game history of each gaming machine  10 , in association with the gaming-machine identification number (step S 201 ). More specifically, in every game, the server-controlling CPU  201  receives a signal including information about the game history from the gaming-machine controlling main CPU  41  in each gaming machine  10  and updates the game-history information stored in the hard disk drive  205  on the basis of the signal. 
     Next, at step S 202 , the server-controlling CPU  201  determines whether or not there is a gaming machine  10  in which the cumulative number of games has reached a predetermined upper limit value, on the basis of the game-history information in the hard disk drive  205  which was updated at step S 201  and the information about the upper limits of the cumulative number of games stored in the hard disk drive  205 . If the server-controlling CPU  201  determines that there is a gaming machine  10  in which the cumulative number of games has reached a predetermined upper limit value (step S 202 : YES), the server-controlling CPU  201  proceeds to step S 203 . 
     At step S 203 , the server-controlling CPU  201  transmits a trigger signal to the ceiling-notification-device controlling CPU  311 . The trigger signal includes identification information in addition to specification information, in the case where the gaming machine  10  is connected to the network, which is not the case when the gaming machine  10  is not connected to the network. The identification information included in the trigger signal is information about the gaming-machine identification number provided to the gaming machine  10  which has satisfied the condition required for causing the shift to the return mode. In the present embodiment, the identification information included in the trigger signal is information about the gaming machine identification number provided to the gaming machine  10  in which the cumulative number of games has reached a predetermined upper limit value. 
     Next, at step S 204 , the server-controlling CPU  201  transmits a return command signal to the gaming-machine controlling main CPU  41  in the gaming machine  10  in which the cumulative number of games has reached the predetermined upper limit value. On receiving the signal, the gaming-machine controlling main CPU  41  conducts the return processing described with respect to step S 22  in  FIG. 1 . 
     If the server-controlling CPU  201  determines, at step S 202 , that there is no gaming machine  10  in which the cumulative number of games has reached a predetermined upper limit value (step S 202 : NO), or after conducting the processing at step S 204 , the server-controlling CPU  201  ends the present subroutine. 
     Subsequently, there will be described the processing in the ceiling notification device of  FIG. 12 . 
     At first, at step S 111 , the ceiling-notification-device controlling CPU  311  receives the trigger signal transmitted from the server-controlling CPU  201  at step S 203 , through the communication interface  204  and the receiver  314 . 
     Next, at step S 112 , the ceiling-notification-device controlling CPU  311  determines whether or not the identification information included in the trigger signal received at step S 111  (i.e., information about the gaming-machine identification number provided to the gaming machine  10  in which the cumulative number of games has reached the predetermined upper limit value) matches the identification information stored in the identification-information storage area  312 B (i.e., information about the gaming machine identification number provided to the gaming machine  10  installed in association with the ceiling notification device  300 ). If the ceiling-notification-device controlling CPU  311  determines that the former identification information matches the latter identification information (step S 112 : YES), the ceiling-notification-device controlling CPU  311  proceeds to step S 113 . 
     At step S 113 , the ceiling-notification-device controlling CPU  311  extracts, from the output-data storage area  312 A of the ROM  312 , output data (data to be referred in outputting images and sounds to the image display panel  301  and the speaker  302 ) corresponding to the specification information (information about the fact on which of the plural stepwise-defined upper limit values occurrence of the shift to the return mode was based on) included in the trigger signal received at step S 111 . 
     Next, at step S 114 , the ceiling-notification-device controlling CPU  311  causes the image display panel  301  and the speaker  302  to output images and sounds, on the basis of the output data extracted at step S 113 . 
     If the ceiling-notification-device controlling CPU  311  determines at step S 112  that the one identification information does not match the other identification information (step S 112  NO), or after conducting the processing at step S 114 , the ceiling-notification-device controlling CPU  311  ends the present subroutine. 
     There has been described the first embodiment of the present invention. 
     Hereinafter, there will be described a second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, similarly to in the first embodiment, there are a state where the gaming machines  10  are connected to a network and a state where they are not connected to the network. Hereinafter, at first, there will be described the case where the gaming machines  10  are not connected to the network. 
     Second Embodiment 
       FIG. 13  is a block diagram illustrating the internal structure of a ceiling notification device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
     The ceiling notification device  300  includes a ceiling-notification-device controlling CPU  311 , a ROM  312 , a RAM  313 , a receiver  314 , a transmitter  315 , a timer  316 , an image display panel  301  and a speaker  302 . Components having the same reference characters as those of the components illustrated in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 6  have substantially the same basic functions as those described with reference to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 6 . The image display panel  301  and the speaker  302  are the same as those described with reference to  FIG. 2 , and the ceiling-notification-device controlling CPU  311 , the ROM  312 , and the RAM  313  are the same as those described with reference to  FIG. 6 ; therefore, description thereof will be omitted herein. Further, the output-data storage area  312 A provided in the ROM  312  is the same as that described with reference to  FIG. 7 . Hereinafter, there will be described the transmitter  315 , the timer  316  and the receiver  314  which has functions slightly different from that of  FIG. 6  (the first embodiment). 
     The transmitter  315  receives a request signal transmitted from the ceiling-notification-device controlling CPU  311  and transmits this signal to the gaming-machine controlling main CPU  41  through the communication interface  80 . Such a request signal is a signal indicative of a request for transmission of game data in the gaming machine  10  installed in association with the ceiling notification device  300 . The game data is data about games being played in this gaming machine  10 , including the game histories of players. 
     The timer  316  performs time measurement. The timer  316  transmits time information to the ceiling-notification-device controlling CPU  311  and, then, the ceiling-notification-device controlling CPU  311  transmits a request signal on the basis of this time information. 
     The receiver  314  receives, through the communication interface  80 , the aforementioned game data transmitted from the gaming-machine controlling main CPU  41  which received the aforementioned request signal. The receiver  314  transmits the received game data to the ceiling-notification-device controlling CPU  311 . 
       FIG. 14  is a view illustrating an exemplary image which is displayed to the image display panel. 
     An image as illustrated in  FIG. 14  is used to notify the player of information about the number of games required for generating bonus games in the return mode, namely, information about the number of coins to be consumed for causing the shift to the return mode. 
     However, the image to be displayed to the image display panel  301  is not limited to the case. For example, instead of directly displaying the number of remaining games until the shift to the return mode, it is also possible to display an index of the number of remaining games with colors (for example, by displaying a number of remaining games less than 10 with a red color and by displaying a number of remaining games equal to or more than 10 with a yellow color). Namely, there is no restriction on the display, provided that the display enables the player to estimate an approximate value of coins which should be consumed for causing a return. 
       FIG. 15  is a flow chart illustrating processing in a gaming machine and in a ceiling notification device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
     First, at step S 121 , the ceiling-notification-device controlling CPU  311  waits for the elapse of a predetermined time period, on the basis of time information from the timer  316 . After the elapse of the predetermined time period, the ceiling-notification-device controlling CPU  311  proceeds to step S 122 . 
     At step S 122 , the ceiling-notification-device controlling CPU  311  transmits the aforementioned request signal (a signal indicative of a request for transmission of game data in the gaming machine  10  installed in association with the ceiling notification device  300 ) to the gaming-machine controlling main CPU  41 . 
     While, in the present embodiment, a request signal is transmitted on condition that a predetermined time period has elapsed as described above, in the present invention, the timing of transmission of the request signal is not limited to the case. For example, a request signal can be transmitted at random instead of defining a predetermined time period in advance, or the timing of transmission of a request signal can be varied by referring to the previously-received game data. 
     The gaming-machine controlling main CPU  41  receives this request signal through the transmitter  315  and the communication interface  80 , at step S 31 . 
     Subsequently, at step S 32 , the gaming-machine controlling main CPU  41  transmits the aforementioned game data (data about games being played in this gaming machine  10 , including the game histories of players). The ceiling-notification-device controlling CPU  311  receives this game data through the communication interface  80  and the receiver  314 , at step S 123 . 
     Next, at step S 124 , the ceiling-notification-device controlling CPU  311  extracts output data (data to be referred to in outputting images and sounds to the image display panel  301  and the speaker  302 ), from the output-data storage area  312 A of the ROM  312 , on the basis of the game data received at step S 123 . 
     Next, at step S 125 , the ceiling-notification-device controlling CPU  311  causes the image display panel  301  and the speaker  302  to output images and sounds, on the basis of the output data extracted at step S 124 . 
     After conducting the processing at step S 125 , the ceiling-notification-device controlling CPU  311  ends the present subroutine. 
     There has been described the case where the gaming machine  10  is not connected to the network, according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, there will be described a case where the gaming machine  10  is connected to the network. 
     The ceiling notification device has an internal structure substantially the same as that described with reference to  FIG. 13 . However, in the case where the gaming machine  10  is connected to the network, the receiver  314  and the transmitter  315  transmit and receive signals to and from the server-controlling CPU  201  through the communication interface  204 , while they transmit and receive signals to and from the gaming-machine controlling main CPU  41  through the communication interface  80  in the case where the gaming machine  10  is not connected to the network. Further, in the storage area of the ROM  312 , there is provided an identification-information storage area  312 B in addition to the output-data storage area  312 A, as described with reference to  FIG. 11  (the case where the gaming machine  10  is connected to the network, in the first embodiment). 
       FIG. 16  is a flow chart illustrating processing in the server and in the ceiling notification device, according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 
     First, at step S 131 , the ceiling-notification-device controlling CPU  311  waits for the elapse of a predetermined time period, on the basis of time information from the timer  316 . After the elapse of the predetermined time period, the ceiling-notification-device controlling CPU  311  proceeds to step S 132 . 
     At step S 132 , the ceiling-notification-device controlling CPU  311  transmits the aforementioned request signal (a signal indicative of a request for transmission of game data in the gaming machine  10  installed in association with the ceiling notification device  300 ) to the server controlling CPU  201 . Unlike the request signal transmitted at step S 122  in  FIG. 15 , the request signal transmitted at step S 132  includes identification information stored in the ROM  312  (information about the gaming machine identification number provided to the gaming machine  10  installed in association with the ceiling notification device  300 ). The server-controlling CPU  201  receives this request signal through the transmitter  315  and the communication interface  204 , at step S 211 . 
     Subsequently, at step S 212 , the server controlling CPU  201  transmits game data of the gaming machine  10  (data about games being played in this gaming machine  10 , including information about the game histories of players) corresponding to the identification information included in the request signal received at step S 211 . The ceiling-notification-device controlling CPU  311  receives this game data through the communication interface  204  and the receiver  314 , at step S 133 . 
     Next, at step S 134 , the ceiling-notification-device controlling CPU  311  extracts output data (the data to be referred to in outputting images and sounds to the image display panel  301  and the speaker  302 ), from the output-data storage area  312 A of the ROM  312 , on the basis of the game data received at step S 133 . 
     Next, at step S 135 , the ceiling-notification-device controlling CPU  311  causes the image display panel  301  and the speaker  302  to output images and sounds, on the basis of the output data extracted at step S 134 . 
     After conducting the processing at step S 135 , the ceiling-notification-device controlling CPU  311  ends the present subroutine. 
     Thus, the description of the second embodiment of the present invention has been completed. 
     Although the present invention has been described with reference to embodiments thereof, these embodiments merely illustrate concrete examples, not restrict the present invention. The concrete structures of respective means and the like can be designed and changed as required. Furthermore, there have been merely described most preferable effects of the present invention, as the effects of the present invention, in the embodiments of the present invention. The effects of the present invention are not limited to those described in the embodiments of the present invention. 
     Further, in the aforementioned detailed description, characteristic portions have been mainly described, for ease of understanding the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described in the aforementioned detailed description, but can be also applied to other embodiments over a wider range of applications. Further, the terms and phrases used in the present specification have been used for clearly describing the present invention, not for limiting the interpretation of the present invention. Further, those skilled in the art will easily conceive other structures, systems, methods and the like which are included in the concept of the present invention, from the concept of the present invention described in the present specification. Accordingly, the description of the claims is intended to include equivalent structures that fall within the technical scope of the invention. Further, the abstract aims at enabling engineers and the like who belong to the present technical field but are not familiar with the patent office and public institutions, the patent, law terms and technical terms to immediately understand the technical content and the essence of the present application through brief studies. Accordingly, the abstract is not intended to restrict the scope of the invention which should be evaluated from the description of the claims. It is desirable that literatures and the like which have been already disclosed are sufficiently studied and understood, in order to sufficiently understand the objects of the present invention and the specific effects of the present invention. 
     In the aforementioned detailed description, there have been described processes to be executed by computers. The aforementioned description and expressions have been described for the sake of enabling those skilled in the art to understand the present invention most effectively. In the present specification, each step for deriving a single result should be understood to be self-consistent processing. Further, each step includes transmission, reception, recording and the like of electric or magnetic signals. Although, in the processing at each step, such signals have been expressed as bits, values, symbols, characters, terms, numerical characters and the like, it should be noticed that they have been merely used for convenience of description. Further, although the processing at each step was described using expressions common to human behaviors in some cases, the processes described in the present specification are to be executed by various types of devices, in principle. Further, other structures required for conducting each step will be apparent from the aforementioned description.