JP2006006976A - Slot machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem of the conventional slot machine that the labor and the cost for small-scale refurbishment of the slot machine are not completely restrained. <P>SOLUTION: A liquid crystal control substrate 46 is covered with a transparent resin case 48 and fitted to the back of a front door 22. The liquid crystal control substrate 46 includes: an image control circuit 300 for controlling the display of a liquid crystal display device 44; and a sub-control circuit 200 for controlling the generated sound of a speaker and conducting the processing of selecting an image presentation pattern. Therefore, in replacing a front door 22 to change the appearance for small-scale refurbishment of the slot machine 21, a main control circuit 100 can be used intact while the image control circuit 300 and the sub-control circuit 200 are also replaced together with the front door 22 by new circuits. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a slot machine provided with a display device for displaying various information in addition to a variable display device for variably displaying a plurality of symbols.

  Conventionally, as this type of slot machine, for example, there is a slot machine 1 shown in FIG. Three reels 3, 4, and 5 are arranged in three rows behind the front door 2. Various symbols are drawn on the outer circumferences of the reels 3, 4, and 5 and are observed through the windows 6, 7, and 8 formed in the front door 2. Winning lines L1, L2A, L2B, L3A, and L3B are marked on the windows 6 to 8, and slot machine games can be performed on any of the winning lines by operating the stop buttons 9, 10, and 11, respectively. This is done depending on whether the combination of symbols stops.

  The winning mode is determined by a random number lottery performed by the winning mode determining unit immediately after the start lever 12 is operated, and is already determined before the reels 3 to 5 are stopped by the player. The winning mode determined inside the machine is stored as an internal winning flag. Thereafter, the rotation of the reels 3 to 5 is stopped by the reel stop control circuit according to the player's stop button operation and the type of the internal winning flag, and the winning symbol combination represented by the internal winning flag is placed on the winning line. When stopped, the player can actually experience the prize.

  A liquid crystal display device 13 is provided on the right front door 2 of each reel 3 to 5. The liquid crystal display device 13 is a display device that displays various information, and displays the rotation of each reel 3 to 5, displays a game history, and provides effects during a bonus game.

  FIG. 2 is a view showing an internal structure when the front door 2 of the slot machine 1 is opened. Each device including the reels 3, 4, and 5 is accommodated in a housing 14. A main control board 15 is attached to the back inner side of the casing 14 above the reels 3 to 5. The winning mode determining means and the reel stop control circuit are configured in the main control circuit of the main control board 15. A display control circuit for controlling the display of the liquid crystal display device 13 is also configured on the main control board 15.

  In general, the slot machine 1 installed in a game store is refurbished after a certain period of time to change the player's eyes. Since this refurbishment is performed frequently, the entire game machine is not replaced every time a new refurbishment is performed, but only a part of the devices are performed on a small scale, and labor and cost for renovation are reduced.

  As a means for performing a small-scale new renovation that does not completely change such a game table, a means for changing only the front door 2 has been proposed. By taking such means, the part where the player touches the game table or the part which enters the player's field of view can be renewed, and the appearance of the game table can be changed.

  However, in recent slot machines, those equipped with the liquid crystal display device 13 are becoming mainstream, and the contents of the effects displayed on the liquid crystal display device 13 become an important element for the player in proceeding with the game. However, in the new equipment using the above-described means, it is impossible to renew the display content of the liquid crystal display device 13.

  In other words, when newly installing the conventional slot machine 1 configured as described above using such means, the main control board 15 mounted in the housing 14 is replaced and the display of the liquid crystal display device 13 is displayed. It is necessary to change the display control circuit to be controlled. Therefore, in the conventional slot machine 1, not only is the labor and cost required for the new installation reduced, but the display control circuit of the liquid crystal display device 13 cannot be changed with the new installation that only changes the front door 2. The display content of the liquid crystal display device 13 is not different from the conventional one, and it has not been possible to give the player freshness.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, a variable display device that is observed from the front of a device that variably displays a plurality of symbols, a winning mode determining means for determining a winning mode of a game by random lottery, and A main control circuit configured with variable display control means for controlling variable display of symbols based on the winning mode determined by the winning mode determining means, and a display for displaying various information provided on the front side of the front door In a slot machine comprising a device, a display control circuit for controlling the display of this display device, and a speaker for producing sound effects, the sound output of the speakers is controlled and determined by the winning mode determining means A sub-control circuit that selects the type of information to be displayed on the display device based on the winning mode is provided. The constructed on a substrate, a display control circuit and the sub-control circuit, characterized by being configured to board attached to the back side of the front door.

  According to such a configuration, when the front door is changed for a small-scale new installation of the slot machine and the appearance thereof is changed, the display control circuit of the display device is concentrated on the front door. Along with the front door, this display control circuit can be replaced with a new circuit.

  In addition, since the sub-control circuit that controls the output of the speaker and performs the selection process of the type of information displayed on the display device is configured on the substrate attached to the back side of the front door, The sub-control circuit that performs speaker output control and display information type selection processing can be replaced with a new circuit together with the front door.

  In addition, since the main control circuit is configured on a substrate attached to the back inner side of the housing that accommodates the device, the display control circuit, sound output control, and display information type selection processing are performed when newly installing. The main control circuit can use the existing circuit while replacing the control circuit with a new circuit.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the display control circuit of the display device is integrated in the front door when the front door is changed and the appearance is changed for a small-scale new slot machine. Therefore, this display control circuit can be replaced with a new circuit together with the front door. In addition, a sub-control circuit that controls the sound output of the speaker and performs processing for selecting the type of information to be displayed on the display device is configured on a board attached to the rear side of the front door. The control circuit can be replaced with a new circuit along with the front door. For this reason, the labor and cost required for refurbishing are thoroughly controlled.

  In addition, since the main control circuit is configured on a board mounted inside the back of the housing that houses the equipment, the display control circuit and sub-control circuit can be replaced with new circuits while renewing the main control circuit. Can use existing circuits. Therefore, in this respect as well, the labor and cost for renovation are thoroughly reduced.

  Next, an embodiment of the slot machine according to the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a front view of the slot machine 21 according to the present embodiment.

  Three reels 23, 24, and 25 are rotatably provided behind the front door 22 of the slot machine 21. On the outer peripheral surface of each reel 23, 24, 25, a symbol row made up of a plurality of types of symbols (hereinafter referred to as symbols) is drawn. Three of these symbols are observed through the display windows 26, 27, 28 on the front of the slot machine 21. In addition, on the lower right side of the display windows 26, 27, 28, there is provided an insertion port 29 for a player to insert medals.

  In the display windows 26 to 28, three winning lines (center L1 and upper and lower L2A, L2B) and two diagonal lines (diagonal downward L3A, oblique upward L3B) are marked. Prior to the start of the game, when the player inserts one medal into the medal slot 29, only the central winning line L1 on each reel 23-25 is activated as shown in FIG. 4 (a). The When two medals are inserted into the insertion slot 29, the upper and lower winning lines L2A and L2B are added thereto, and the three horizontal winning lines L1, L2A and L2B are activated as shown in FIG. Is done. When three medals are inserted into the insertion slot 29, all winning lines L1, L2A, L2B, L3A and L3B are activated as shown in FIG.

  Note that the circles in the figure represent symbols drawn on the reels 23 to 25. The activation of such a winning line is displayed to the player by turning on an enabling line display lamp 43 arranged at the end of each winning line.

  Further, on the lower left side of the display windows 26 to 28, a 1BET switch 30, a 2BET switch 31, and a Max BET switch 32 are provided. When medals are credited in the credit amount display section 33, instead of inserting medals into the medal insertion slot 29, each push button operation of the 1BET switch 30, the 2BET switch 31 and the max BET switch 32 is performed once. One, two and three medals are bet on the game, respectively. The credit amount display unit 33 is composed of a number of 7-segment LEDs corresponding to the number of digits of the numerical value to be displayed, and displays the number of medals currently credited.

  Below these BET switches 30 to 32, a credit / payment changeover switch (C / P switch) 34 and a start lever 35 are provided. A stop button 36, 37, 38 is provided. By pressing the C / P switch 34, the credit / payout (PLAY CREDIT / PAY OUT) of medals can be switched.

  Also, the reels 23, 24, and 25 start to rotate all at once by operating the start lever 35. The stop buttons 36, 37, 38 are arranged corresponding to the reels 23, 24, 25. When the rotations of the reels 23-25 reach a certain speed, the operation is validated and the player pushes. The rotation of each reel is stopped according to the button operation.

  Further, a sound transmission hole 39 and a medal tray 40 are provided in the lower front portion of the slot machine 21. The sound transmission hole 39 is for outputting sound generated from a speaker housed inside the device to the outside. The medal tray 40 stores medals paid out from the medal payout opening 41. In addition, a payout display section 42 that indicates how many medals are paid out for each winning is provided at the upper front of the slot machine 21.

  A liquid crystal display device 44 is provided on the front door 22 below the reels 23, 24 and 25. The liquid crystal display device 44 is a display device that displays the rotation of the reels 23, 24, and 25, displays a game history, and provides effects during a bonus game.

  FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the front door 22. The liquid crystal display device 44 includes a liquid crystal unit 44 a, and the liquid crystal unit 44 a is electrically connected to the liquid crystal control board 46 by a flexible flat cable (FFC) 45. The electrical connection between the FFC 45 and the liquid crystal control board 46 is made by a connector 47. On the liquid crystal control board 46, a display control circuit for controlling the display of the liquid crystal display device 44 is configured. The liquid crystal control board 46 is covered and protected by a transparent resin case 48.

  6A is a side view of the front door 22, and FIG. 6B is a rear view of the front door 22. 7 is an enlarged view of the entire rear view shown in FIG. 6B, and FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged view of the liquid crystal control board 46 shown in FIG. 6B. In these drawings, the same parts as those in FIG.

  In each of these drawings, a female connector 49 provided on the right side of the liquid crystal control board 46 is for electrically connecting a main control board and a liquid crystal control board 46 described later.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main control circuit that performs overall control of game processing operations in the slot machine 21 of the present embodiment.

  The main control circuit includes a microcomputer 50 (hereinafter referred to as “microcomputer”) as a main component, and is added to a circuit for random number sampling. The microcomputer 50 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 51 that performs control operations according to a preset program, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 52 and a RAM (Read / Write Memory) 53 that are storage means. . The CPU 51 extracts a random number from a clock pulse generation circuit 54 and a frequency divider 55 that generate a reference clock pulse, a random number generator 56 that is a random number generation means for generating a random number in a certain range, and a generated random number. A random number sampling circuit 57 which is a random number extracting means for connecting is connected.

  The main actuators whose operation is controlled by a control signal from the microcomputer 50 are depicted on the stepping motors 75 that rotate the reels 23, 24, and 25, the hopper 58 that stores medals, and the reels 23 to 25. There is a reel back lamp 63 that illuminates the symbol from behind. These are driven by a motor drive circuit 60, a hopper drive circuit 61, and a lamp drive circuit 62, respectively. These drive circuits 60 to 62 are connected to the CPU 51 via the I / O port of the microcomputer 50. Each stepping motor 75 is 1-2 phase excited by the motor drive circuit 60 and rotates once when a drive signal of 400 pulses is supplied.

  The main input signal generating means for generating an input signal necessary for the microcomputer 50 to generate a control signal includes a start switch 35S for detecting the operation of the start lever 35 and a medal inserted from the medal slot 29. The inserted medal sensor 29S for detecting the C / P switch 34 and the C / P switch 34 described above. There is also a photo sensor 79 and a reel position detection circuit 64 that receives the output pulse signal from the photo sensor 79 and detects the rotational position of each reel 23, 24, 25.

  The photo sensor 79 generates a reset pulse every time each reel 23, 24, 25 rotates once. This reset pulse is given to the CPU 51 via the reel position detection circuit 64. The RAM 53 stores a count value corresponding to the rotation position within one rotation range for each of the reels 23 to 25. When the CPU 51 receives the reset pulse, the count value formed in the RAM 53 is stored as " Clear to 0 ”. By this clearing process, the deviation generated between the movement display of each symbol and the rotation of each stepping motor 75 is eliminated every rotation.

  Further, the input signal generating means includes a reel stop signal circuit 65 and a payout completion signal generating circuit 66. The reel stop signal circuit 65 generates a signal for stopping the corresponding reels 23, 24, 25 when the stop buttons 36, 37, 38 are pressed. Further, the medal detection unit 67 counts the number of medals paid out from the hopper 58, and the payout completion signal generation circuit 66 sets the medal count value actually paid out inputted from the medal detection unit 67 as predetermined payout number data. When it reaches, the CPU 51 outputs a signal notifying completion of medal payout.

  The ROM 52 stores a game process procedure executed by the slot machine 21 as a sequence program, and stores a winning probability table, a symbol table, a winning symbol combination table, and the like.

  The winning probability table constitutes random number dividing means for dividing the random numbers extracted by the sampling circuit 57 into each winning mode, and stores data for dividing a predetermined range of random numbers generated by the random number generator 56 into each winning mode. is doing. Such a winning probability table is configured as shown in FIG. 10, for example. In the figure, a1 to a3, b1 to b3, c1 to c3, d1 to d3, e1 to e3, f1 to f3, and g1 to g3 are preset numerical data, and the random numbers extracted by the sampling circuit 37 are represented by each. Used when categorizing into winning modes. This data uses a combination of numerical values “a1 to g1” when the number of inserted medals is one, “a2 to g2” when two, and “a3 to g3” when three. It is done.

  These numbers are usually set to a magnitude relationship of “a <b <c <d <e <f <g”, and if the extracted random number value is less than a, it becomes a big win (big hit) and “BB” is won. A flag stands. Also, if the extracted random value is greater than or equal to a and less than b, it becomes a middle win (medium hit) and the “RB” winning flag is set. Also, if the extracted random number value is not less than b and less than e, a small winning prize (small hit) is obtained. In this case, when b or more and less than c, a “watermelon” winning flag is set, and when c or more and less than d Is a “Bell” winning flag, and if it is d or more and less than e, a “Cherry” winning flag is set. If the extracted random number is greater than or equal to e and less than f, a “replay” winning flag is set. Further, if the extracted random number value is greater than or equal to f and less than g, a “special game” winning flag, which will be described later, is set, and if it is not less than g, a “losing” winning flag without winning is set.

  In other words, the winning mode is determined by which numerical value range one sampled random number value belongs to, and is represented by a total of eight types of winning flags including “losing” and “replay”. Here, the random number generator 56, the sampling circuit 57, the winning probability table and the microcomputer 50 constitute a winning mode determining means. Since various hits occur with the probability according to the data setting of the winning probability table, for example, the total medal within the business hours of the day without being extremely influenced by the skill of the player The payment rate is kept almost constant.

  The symbol table is conceptually shown in FIG. This symbol table associates the rotational positions of the reels 23 to 25 with the symbols, and represents a symbol row with symbols. In this symbol table, a symbol code corresponding to the code number is stored for each reel 23-25. The code number is sequentially given for each fixed rotation pitch of each of the reels 23 to 25 with reference to the rotation position where the reset pulse is generated. The symbol code indicates a symbol provided corresponding to each code number.

  Further, in the winning symbol combination table, the symbols constituting the “reach eyes” that indicate to the player that the symbol code of each winning symbol combination shown in the payout display section 42 and the flag for occurrence of a specific game are established. A combination symbol code, a prize determination code representing each prize, a prize medal payout number, and the like are stored. This winning symbol combination table is referred to when the first reel 23, the second reel 24, and the third reel 25 are controlled to stop and when a winning confirmation is made after all reels are stopped.

  In addition, the types of gaming state in the slot machine according to the present embodiment include “RB in operation”, “General game in BB operation”, “General game”, “General game in the middle of RB”, and “ There are a total of 5 types of “general games”.

  RB means the above-mentioned regular bonus game. In this RB game, a bonus game in which a plurality of high payout games are combined can be performed once. “RB in operation” represents the gaming state during this RB game, and either a lose or JAC win occurs. BB means the big bonus game described above, and in this BB game, the general game and the above-mentioned bonus game can be set a plurality of times. “General game during BB operation” means this general game during the BB game, and in this general game, a small winning prize occurs with a high probability. The “general game” is a game state in which no winning of BB or RB occurs. In the “general game that hits inside the RB” and the “general game that hits inside the BB”, the RB winning flag and the BB winning flag are set, but a predetermined winning symbol combination is not stopped and displayed on each reel 3 to 5. This represents a general gaming state that has not yet entered the RB game or the BB game.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the CPU 51 is connected to a sub control circuit 200 to which a speaker 59 is connected, and the sub control circuit 200 is connected to an image control circuit 300 to which a liquid crystal display device 44 is connected. ing. The image control circuit 300 performs display control of an image displayed on the liquid crystal display device 44, and the sub-control circuit 200 controls the sound output of the speaker 59 and selects an image effect pattern of image display control performed by the image control circuit 300. Perform the process.

  FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an overall circuit configuration for controlling game processing operations in the slot machine 21 of the present embodiment.

  The main control circuit 100 is the circuit shown in FIG. 9, and the sub control circuit 200 and the image control circuit 300 represent the inside of these circuits shown in FIG.

  The sub control circuit 200 is controlled by a microcomputer circuit including a sub CPU 201, a program ROM 202 and a control RAM 203. The sub CPU 201 performs predetermined arithmetic control as a working area or the like in which the control RAM 203 temporarily stores data according to a sequence program whose processing procedure is stored in the program ROM 202.

  That is, the sub CPU 201 controls the sound source IC 206 and the power amplifier (AMP) 207 in accordance with an instruction input from the main control circuit 100 via the input port (IN PORT) 204, and controls the medal insertion sound, start lever operation sound, Sound effects such as a stop button operation sound and a game sound during a big bonus are output from the speaker 59. Further, the sub CPU 201 takes in information such as the game state at that time and the type of winning flag determined by the winning mode determining means from the main control circuit 100 through the input port 204, and based on the acquired gaming state and winning flag, An image effect pattern for image display control performed by the control circuit 300 is selected.

  For example, when the lose win flag is set during the general game, a regretful effect pattern indicating that the probability lottery result is not amusing is selected, and the BB win flag is set during the general game. In such a case, a delightful effect pattern that displays that a probability lottery result indicates that an internal hit has occurred is selected. The selected effect pattern is output to the image control circuit 300 via the output port (OUT PORT) 205.

  The image control circuit 300 is controlled by a microcomputer circuit including an image control CPU 301, a program ROM 302, and a control RAM 303. The image control CPU 301 performs predetermined arithmetic control as a working area or the like in which data is temporarily stored in the control RAM 303 in accordance with a sequence program whose processing procedure is stored in the program ROM 302.

  That is, the image control CPU 301 controls the image control IC 304 to display an image of a designated effect pattern on the liquid crystal display device 44 in accordance with an instruction input from the sub control circuit 200 via the input port (IN PORT) 307. . At this time, the image control IC 304 performs image display using a character ROM 305 storing character data and a video RAM 306 which is a color display display memory.

  In the present embodiment, the main control circuit 100 and the sub control circuit 200 are the same as in the conventional slot machine 1 (see FIG. 2), and the main board mounted inside the housing rear surface above the reels 23 to 25. It is configured. However, the image control circuit 300 is configured on the liquid crystal control board 46 attached to the back surface of the front door 22 as shown in FIG.

  Therefore, according to such a configuration according to the present embodiment, the display control circuit of the liquid crystal display device 44 is used when the front door 22 is replaced to change its appearance for a small-scale new installation of the slot machine 21. The image control circuit 300 can be replaced with a new circuit together with the front door 22. Therefore, unlike the conventional slot machine 1, it is not necessary to replace the main control board mounted in the housing and replace the display control circuit for controlling the display of the liquid crystal display device. Therefore, according to the slot machine 21 according to the present embodiment, the labor and cost required for new clothing are thoroughly reduced.

  In the present embodiment, the main control circuit 100 and the sub control circuit 200 are configured on the main control board attached to the back inner side of the housing that accommodates the device. The main control circuit 100 and the sub control circuit 200 can use conventional circuits while replacing with new circuits. Therefore, also in this respect, according to the slot machine 21 according to the present embodiment, the labor and cost for the new clothing are thoroughly suppressed.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the sub control circuit 200 is configured on the main control board inside the back surface of the housing has been described. However, the sub control circuit 200 is imaged on the liquid crystal control board 46 on the back side of the front door 22. You may make it comprise with the control circuit 300. FIG.

  In the case of such a configuration, a circuit for selecting the type of information displayed on the liquid crystal display device 44 and a sound output control circuit for controlling the sound output of the speaker 59 are also attached to the rear side of the front door 22. Since it is configured on the substrate, the display information selection processing circuit and the sound output control circuit of the speaker 59 can be replaced with a new circuit together with the front door 22 at the time of new installation. In addition, when newly installing, the main control circuit 100 can use an existing circuit while replacing the image control circuit 300 and the sub control circuit 200 with new circuits. Accordingly, even in such a case, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the liquid crystal display device 44 is used as the display device that is provided on the front side of the front door 22 and displays various kinds of information. However, this display device is limited to the liquid crystal display device 44. Is not to be done. For example, a display device such as a dot matrix LED (light emitting diode), a CRT (cathode ray tube), or a plasma display device may be used. Furthermore, the reels 23 to 25 may be a fourth reel that variably displays another row of symbols in addition to the three rows of symbols that are variably displayed. In each of these cases, the same effects as those of the above embodiment can be obtained.

It is a front view which shows the external appearance of the conventional slot machine. It is a front view which shows the internal structure of the conventional slot machine. It is a front view showing the appearance of the slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a view showing a state in which a winning line written on a display window of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention is sequentially activated. FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the front door of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure showing the side and back of the front door of the slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. It is the figure which expanded the whole back surface of the front door shown in FIG. It is the figure which expanded the part of the liquid-crystal control board attached to the back surface of the front door shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main control circuit of the slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the winning probability table used for the game processing of the slot machine by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the symbol table which matches the rotation position of each reel, and a symbol used for the game process of the slot machine by one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an overall circuit configuration for controlling game processing operations in the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 ... Slot machine 22 ... Front door 23, 24, 25 ... 1st, 2nd, 3rd reel 26, 27, 28 ... Window 29 ... Medal insertion slot 30, 31, 32 ... BET switch 33 ... Credit number display part 34 ... Credit / settlement changeover switch 35 ... Start lever 36, 37, 38 ... Stop button 39 ... Sound hole 40 ... Medal tray 41 ... Medal payout port 42 ... Dividend display section 43 ... Activation line display lamp 44 ... Liquid crystal display section 46 ... Liquid crystal control board 59 ... Speaker 100 ... Main control circuit 200 ... Sub control circuit 300 ... Image control circuit

Claims (1)

Based on the variable display device observed from the front of the device that variably displays a plurality of symbols, the winning mode determining means for determining the winning mode of the game by random lottery, and the winning mode determined by the winning mode determining unit A main control circuit configured with variable display control means for controlling variable display, a display device for displaying various information provided on the surface side of the front door, a display control circuit for controlling the display of the display device, In a slot machine configured with a speaker that produces sound effects,
A sub-control circuit that controls a sound output of the speaker and performs a process of selecting a type of information to be displayed on the display device based on a winning mode determined by the winning mode determining unit;
The main control circuit is configured on a substrate attached to the back inner side of a housing for housing equipment,
The slot machine, wherein the display control circuit and the sub-control circuit are configured on a substrate attached to the back side of the front door.

Images