JP2009247359A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of enhancing a player's eagerness to continue the play. <P>SOLUTION: The game machine includes a token 115 support base 102 for supporting tokens 115 to be piled, a movable base 103 capable of dropping the piled-up tokens 115 from the token 115 support base 102, and a plurality of dropping ports 105 set on a path on which the tokens 115 drop down from the token support base 102. Which dropping port 105 a dropped token 115 passes through is detected, and the detected dropping port 105 is stored. The plurality of dropping ports 105 are sequenced based on prescribed timing, and the order is stored as an order pattern. The dropping ports 105 through which the tokens 115 pass are compared with the order pattern of the sequenced dropping ports 105, and if the dropping ports 105 match the order pattern, a prescribed number of tokens 115 are given to the player. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to gaming machines such as, for example, slot gaming devices, pachislot gaming devices, and pachinko gaming devices.

  In a conventional slot machine, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, in a slot game, when a player inserts an arbitrary number of medals into a medal slot and operates a start button, a plurality of columns on the display and Medals inserted when a plurality of symbols are scrolled and displayed in a divided area consisting of a plurality of rows and then stopped, and a symbol that becomes a winning combination is stopped on a predetermined payline, or when a predetermined number of scatter symbols are stopped Payout occurs according to the number of sheets.

  In such a slot machine, a part of the number of inserted medals in the slot game is accumulated, and when a symbol that becomes a specific winning combination stops, the number of medals corresponding to the number of inserted medals is a jackpot. There are gaming systems that are paid out.

  Further, as gaming machines, for example, Patent Documents 2 and 3 are known. In the gaming machine described in Patent Document 2, when a medal that is inserted from the insertion slot and falls along the board surface of the gaming board wins a winning opening avoiding an obstacle that reciprocates in the left-right direction, It has a configuration for executing a game in which the number of medals according to the seed is paid out. In the gaming machine described in Patent Document 2, a video game displaying a predetermined story based on the game is displayed on the display device, and the number of medals according to the capture degree of the video game is paid out.

  In addition, the gaming machine described in Patent Document 3 has a configuration that increases the possibility of supplying medals to a player by providing diffusion means for diffusing medals on a plate on which medals are accumulated in a so-called pusher game. Yes.

US Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0025843 JP 2003-275457 A JP 2006-212069 A

  However, the gaming machines described in Patent Documents 1 to 3 have a problem that when a game is repeatedly executed, the game is not new to the player and may cause the player to get bored.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that improves a player's willingness to continue playing.

Means and effects for solving the problems

  In order to achieve the above object, a gaming machine according to the present invention relates to a support means for supporting accumulated game values, a drop means for dropping the game values on the support means, and a dropped game value. A driving means capable of driving and capable of dropping the gaming value supported by the supporting means based on the driving from the supporting means; and a path on which the gaming value falls from the supporting means. A plurality of areas, detection means for detecting which of the plurality of areas the dropped game value has passed, passage history storage means for storing a history of the area through which the game value has passed, Ordering means for ordering the plurality of regions, order pattern storage means for storing the order as an order pattern, display means for displaying information based on the order pattern on the display means, The ordering unit orders the plurality of areas based on the timing of the game, compares the passage history with the order pattern, and gives a predetermined game value when the passage history matches the order pattern. And a control means.

  According to the above configuration, the game value is dropped on the support means by an external operation, and the game value accumulated on the support means is dropped by passing through any of the plurality of areas by the drive means. ing. The plurality of areas are ordered by the ordering means, and information based on the order pattern is displayed on the display means. The area where the game value has passed is stored as a passing history and compared with the order pattern of the areas ordered by the ordering means. As a result of the comparison, if they match, a predetermined game value is given.

  Thus, the player is given a predetermined game value by passing the game value through the area according to the ordered area. As a result, there is a case where a sense of fulfillment of executing the content presented to the player is given, and the player's willingness to continue the game can be improved.

  Further, the control means of the gaming machine according to the present invention is characterized in that a predetermined game value is dropped onto the support means as the predetermined game value.

  According to the above configuration, when the result of comparison with the order pattern of the regions ordered by the ordering means matches, a predetermined game value is given by dropping a predetermined game value onto the support means. The Thereby, it may be possible to give the player a sense of fulfillment of executing the content presented to the player and to improve the player's willingness to continue the game.

  The control means of the gaming machine according to the present invention is characterized in that information relating to a result of comparison between the passage history and the order pattern is displayed on the display means.

  According to said structure, the information which concerns on the result of a comparison with a passage history and an order pattern is displayed on a display means. Thereby, the player can check his / her game history, and may be able to improve the player's willingness to continue further games.

  In addition, the gaming machine of the present invention further includes notification means for notifying the result of comparison between the passage history and the order pattern, and the control means does not match the result of comparison between the passage history and the order pattern. If it is determined that, the notifying means causes the notifying means to execute a notification that the comparison result does not match, and the ordering means orders the new order pattern.

  According to said structure, when it does not correspond as a result of a comparison with a passage history and an order pattern, that is notified by an alerting | reporting means, and an order pattern is newly ordered. Thereby, when it is determined that the predetermined number of passage histories do not match the order pattern, the player's stress may be reduced by notifying the player of that fact. In addition, by newly setting an order pattern, the player's willingness to continue playing may be improved.

  Further, the gaming machine of the present invention includes a dropping means capable of dropping a gaming value, a playing area where the dropped gaming value can be moved downward, and a plurality of paths set on a path along which the gaming value moves downward. A detection means for detecting which of the plurality of areas the game value has passed, a passage history storage means for storing a history of the area through which the game value has passed, and the plurality of areas. An ordering means for ordering; an order pattern storage means for storing the order as an order pattern; a display means for displaying information based on the order pattern on the display means; and a plurality of the ordering means based on a predetermined timing. Control that assigns a predetermined game value when the passing history and the order pattern match by ordering the areas and comparing the passing history and the order pattern Characterized in that it comprises a stage.

  According to the above configuration, the game value is dropped, the game value moves downward in the game area, and passes through any of the plurality of areas. The plurality of areas are ordered by the ordering means, and information based on the order pattern is displayed on the display means. The area through which the game value has passed is stored as a passing history, and is compared with the order pattern of the areas ordered by the ordering means. As a result of the comparison, if they match, a predetermined game value is given.

  As a result, the player passes the game value according to the ordered area, thereby giving a predetermined game value to the player. As a result, there is a case where it is possible to give the player a sense of fulfillment of executing the displayed contents and to improve the player's willingness to continue the game.

(Embodiment)
An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

(Game machine 1)
The gaming machine according to the present embodiment is a so-called “slot machine”, and by the player's operation, a variable display of a plurality of symbols is started, and the symbols that are automatically stopped are arranged in a specific winning mode. In such a case, a payout is awarded. Note that the gaming machine plays a game using a game medium such as a coin or a medal, a game ball, a token, etc., or a card or the like that stores information on the game value given to or given to the player. In the following description, the game medium and the game value will be described as coins. In the present embodiment, the symbols that are variably displayed are automatically stopped, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the symbol may be stopped based on a signal output in accordance with the player's operation.

  Here, “arrangement” means that a symbol 180 described later can be visually confirmed by an external player. In addition, after canceling the arrangement of the symbol 180, arranging it again is referred to as “rearrangement”.

(Mechanical configuration of the gaming machine 1)
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment. The gaming machine 1 is an upright type slot machine installed in a game hall such as a casino. The gaming machine 1 has a housing 3 for housing electrical or mechanical parts for executing a predetermined game mode. The housing 3 is formed in a vertically long shape. Examples of the display unit 4 for displaying game information based on the player's game operation include an upper variable display unit 4A, a middle variable display unit 4B, and a lower variable display unit 4C. The display units 4A to 4C are attached to the front surface of the housing 3.

  The upper variable display unit 4A is a display unit that is watched by the player during the unit game, and has a transparent upper liquid crystal panel 5A fixed to the front door of the housing 3. Various effect images are displayed on the upper liquid crystal panel 5A during the unit game. For example, in the upper liquid crystal panel 5A, a moving image is produced when winning a prize or the like.

  The upper liquid crystal panel 5A displays an effect and a notification image related to the coin drop game unit 100 described later. The display state of the upper liquid crystal panel 5A will be described in detail later.

  The middle variable display portion 4B is a rotating symbol display panel that is always watched by the player, and has a transparent central liquid crystal panel 5B fixed to the front door of the housing 3. The central liquid crystal panel 5B displays three display windows 151 to 153 as display areas in which a plurality of symbols 180 are arranged. In addition, a payout number display unit 8 and a credit number display unit 9 are displayed on the upper portion of the central liquid crystal panel 5B. The display state of the central liquid crystal panel 5B will be described later.

  The lower variable display section 4C has a lower liquid crystal panel 5C for displaying the number of points recorded on the card and the number of points of the game. The numerical value displayed on the lower liquid crystal panel 5C is based on the display result of the middle variable display unit 4B. When a winning combination is established in the middle variable display unit 4B, the numerical value is displayed on the lower liquid crystal panel 5C. The number of game points to be played is added based on the winning combination established. A ticket printer 14 is installed on the left side of the lower liquid crystal panel 5C, and a card reader 15 is installed on the right side of the lower liquid crystal panel 5C.

  In the present embodiment, the upper liquid crystal panel 5A, the central liquid crystal panel 5B, and the lower liquid crystal panel 5C are liquid crystal display devices, but are not limited thereto. For example, a CRT (cathode-ray tube) device, a plasma display device, an organic EL (Organic Electro-Luminescence) display device, etc. may be used.

  Below the variable display portion 4C on the lower side, an operation table 10 that protrudes forward from the front surface of the housing 3 is disposed. In the operation table 10, operation buttons 11 are arranged as an operation unit for a player to perform game operations. Specifically, the operation button 11 includes a start button 23, a change button 24, a cashout button 25, a 1-BET button 26, and a maximum BET button 27. Further, the operation table 10 is provided with a coin insertion slot 12 and a bill insertion slot 13.

  Further, the operation table 10 has a coin dropping game unit 100. The coin drop game unit 100 is provided integrally with the operation table 10 on the front surface of the operation table 10. The coin dropping game unit 100 will be described in detail later.

  The start button 23 is a button for inputting an instruction to start symbol change display (scrolling). The change button 24 is a button used when requesting exchange of money from a game facility staff. The cashout button 25 is a button for inputting an instruction to pay out coins corresponding to the total number of credits to the coin tray 19.

  The 1-BET button 26 is a button for inputting an instruction to bet one coin on the game out of coins corresponding to the total number of credits. The maximum BET button 27 is a button for inputting an instruction to bet on the game the maximum number of coins (for example, 50) bet on one game out of the total number of credits.

  A waist panel 17 is disposed below the operation table 10. The waist panel 17 is a plastic panel on which an image relating to a game is printed. The waist panel 17 is fixed to the lower side h18 and is illuminated by a cold cathode tube. Further, a coin tray 19 for storing coins paid out from the coin payout opening 16 based on the game result is disposed below the waist panel 17.

  Further, the casing 3 of the gaming machine 1 emits light so as to surround a game area including the upper variable display portion 4A, the middle variable display portion 4B, the lower variable display portion 4C, and the operation table 10. The part 56 is arranged. The light emitting unit 56 protrudes in an arcuate shape at the side portion across the front side left and right end portions of the housing 3 and the upper variable display unit 4A, the middle variable display unit 4B, and the lower variable display unit 4C. Side lamps 46 provided in the inclined portion 21 and arc-shaped speakers 57 protruding laterally in the vicinity of the operation table 10 at the left and right ends of the housing 3 and arranged along the edges of the speakers 57 The speaker lamp 47, the lower front door 18, the under lamp 48 arranged along the lower edge of the waist panel 17, and the upper variable display portion 4A are provided on both sides. And a top lamp 49 having a strip lamp 49b arranged in the center in the horizontal direction.

(Mechanical configuration: coin drop game unit 100)
Here, the mechanical configuration of the coin drop game unit 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the coin dropping game unit 100. As shown in FIG. 2, the coin drop game unit 100 includes an upper surface plate 100 a that forms part of the upper surface portion of the operation table 10, and a front plate 100 b that forms part of the upper surface portion of the operation table 10. Yes. The top plate 100a and the front plate 100b are made of a transparent member such as acrylic resin, and the inside of the coin drop game unit 100 can be transmitted.

  The coin dropping game unit 100 includes a fixed member 100c for fixing the upper surface plate 100a and the front surface plate 100b. The fixed member 100c has a function of connecting the front surface side of the upper surface plate 100a and the upper surface side of the front surface plate 100b and fixing them to the operation table 10. Further, the fixed member 100c is provided with a through hole 100d penetrating in the front-rear direction. The through hole 100 d has a rectangular opening facing the coin falling game unit 100.

  The coin drop game unit 100 also includes a coin drop portion 101 as a drop means. The coin throwing portion 101 has a thin plate-like outer shape in the left-right direction having a step shape in the middle of the front-rear direction. Further, the coin throwing portion 101 is provided in a state of being gently inclined downward in the vertical direction as going backward. Further, the coin throwing portion 101 is inserted into the through hole 100d up to substantially the center in the front-rear direction. Further, the coin throwing portion 101 is supported by a support member inside the through hole 100d (not shown) so as to freely rotate within an angle range allowed by the left and right through holes 100d.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the coin throwing portion 101 has an insertion space 101b penetrating from the insertion slot 101a on the upper surface in the front direction to the inside of the coin falling game unit 100 at the rear. In the insertion space 101b, the upper surface portion and the rear surface portion are open on the coin falling game unit 100 inside. That is, the insertion space 101b has a “U” shape in which the cross section in the vertical left-right direction faces the top surface of the coin falling game unit 100 inside.

  As a result, the coin 115 inserted into the insertion slot 101a can pass through the cavity of the coin lowering portion 101 and be dropped into the coin dropping game unit 100. Also, as shown in FIG. 3, the coin 115 inserted into the insertion slot 101a is dropped onto a coin support base 102 described later.

  In addition, since the upper part of the coin throwing unit 101 is opened on the inner side of the coin dropping game unit 100, the coin 115 inserted into the insertion slot 101a is placed inside the coin dropping game unit 100 via the insertion space 101b. The state of being dropped is visible from the outside.

  FIG. 3 is a side view schematically showing the coin dropping game unit 100. As shown in FIG. 3, the coin drop game unit 100 includes a coin support base 102 as support means. The coin support base 102 is provided in the lower part inside the coin dropping game unit 100. Coins 115 are deposited on the coin support base 102 in advance.

  The coin dropping game unit 100 has a moving table 103 as a driving means. The moving table 103 is slidably supported on the coin support table 102. The moving table 103 is driven by a moving table driving motor 107 (see FIG. 9) (not shown in FIG. 3) so as to reciprocate in a front-rear direction within a predetermined range. As a result, the coin 115 is deposited outside the range of movement (reciprocation) of the moving table 103 on the coin support table 102.

  As described above, the coin support base 102 is provided so as to support the coin 115 dropped from the coin throwing portion 101. Specifically, the coin 115 dropped from the coin throwing unit 101 is the moving range of the moving table 103 on the coin supporting table 102, and the coin supporting table 102 moves when the moving table 103 moves most rearward. It is dropped around the range where the platform 103 is not supported. Further, since the coin throwing portion 101 is provided so as to be rotatable in the left-right direction, the throwing position of the coin 115 on the coin support base 102 can be adjusted.

  As a result, the dropped coin 115 is slid in the front direction on the coin support table 102 by driving the moving table 103. The accumulated coins 115 are engaged with the sliding coins 115 and can be dropped from the coin support base 102 toward the front surface.

  Further, the coin support base 102 has a shape in which the upper surface of the end portion in the front direction is raised so that the deposited coin 115 is not easily dropped. The coin support base 102 has a shape in which the upper surface of the end portion in the front direction is raised, but is not limited thereto. For example, it may be advantageous to the player by making it planar, or the angle at which the upper surface of the front direction end rises up may be adjusted.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the coin drop game unit 100 includes side tables 104 and 104. The side bases 104 and 104 are provided so as to sandwich the coin support base 102 so that the coin 115 supported by the coin support base 102 does not fall in the side direction.

  The coin drop game unit 100 has a plurality of drop openings 105 (105a to 105e) as a plurality of areas set on a path along which the coin 115 falls. The coin 115 dropped from the front side of the coin support base 102 passes through one of the drop openings 105105a to 105e and is stored in the housing 3. That is, the drop openings 105a to 105e are provided on a path along which the coin 115 falls. The drop openings 105a to 105e are juxtaposed in the left-right direction below the front side of the coin support base 102.

  From the left when viewed from the front of the housing 3, the dropping port 105 is arranged in parallel in the order of the dropping port 105a, the dropping port 105b, the dropping port 105c, the dropping port 105d, and the dropping port 105e. In addition, for example, a letter “A” is printed on the front surface of the coin support base 102 above the drop opening 105a so that each of the drop openings 105 can be identified. Similarly, the letter “B” for the drop port 105b, the letter “C” for the drop port 105c, the letter “D” for the drop port 105b, and the letter “E” for the drop port 105e. "Is printed.

  Further, in the vicinity of the drop openings 105a to 105e, a passing coin detection unit 106 (106a to 106e) is provided as a detecting means for detecting the passage of the coin 115 (see FIG. 9). As a result, it is possible to specify which drop opening 105 the dropped coin 115 has passed through. Although not shown, the coin 115 that has passed through the drop opening 105 and is stored in the housing 3 is paid out from the coin payout exit 16.

(Display state)
Here, the display state of the display state of the central liquid crystal panel 5B will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the display state of the display windows 151, 152, and 153 on the central liquid crystal panel 5B. In the present embodiment, the central liquid crystal panel 5B is configured to arrange the symbols 180 by the video reel method.

  The central liquid crystal panel 5B is not limited to the video reel system, and may be mechanically configured by a reel device that arranges the symbols 180 by rotating the reel, or may be mechanically configured (reel) and electrically configured. (Video reel) may be combined.

  As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the central liquid crystal panel 5B has display windows 151 to 153 in which a plurality of symbols 180 are arranged. The display windows 151 to 153 are disposed in the central portion of the central liquid crystal panel 5B. A game of the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment executes a slot game in the display windows 151 to 153. In the slot game, a symbol string composed of a plurality of symbols 180 is scroll-displayed in the display windows 151 to 153 (see FIG. 4A). Each display window 151 to 153 is divided into upper stages 151a, 152a, 153a, middle stages 151b, 152b, 153b, and lower stages 151c, 152c, 153c as shown in the lower part of FIG. The symbols 180 are stopped (arranged) in the respective stages 151a to 153a, 151b to 153b, and 151c to 153c.

  For example, in FIG. 4B, “Q” 185 is stopped at the upper stage 151a of the display window 151, “SUN” 181 is stopped at the middle stage 152b of the display window 152, and “K” 186 is displayed at the lower stage 153c of the display window 153. Is stopped. Accordingly, the display windows 151 to 153 display a symbol matrix as an arrangement region composed of three columns and three rows. That is, the display windows 151 to 153 are configured in a matrix having nine cells. The symbol matrix is not limited to 3 columns and 3 rows.

  In the slot game, as a result of such rearrangement, it is determined whether or not a winning combination is established according to the relationship of the rearranged symbols 180, and a payout is awarded to the player. Yes. The winning combination will be described later.

(Symbols, winning combinations, etc.)
In the slot game, the symbols 180 displayed in the display windows 151 to 153 of the central liquid crystal panel 5B form a symbol row with 22 symbols as shown in FIG. A code number of 00 to 21 is given to the symbols constituting each symbol row. Each symbol string includes symbols of “SUN” 181, “HEART” 182, “MOON” 183, and “BONUS” 190, and “J” 184, “Q” 185, and “K” 186. The symbol is combined.

  In addition, various winning combinations are determined in advance for each symbol 180. The winning combination is a combination in which a combination of symbols stopped on the payline L is advantageous to the player. The advantageous state includes a state in which coins corresponding to the winning combination are paid out as a payout, a state in which the number of coins to be paid out is added to credits, a state in which a bonus game is started, and the like.

  Note that the bonus game is a gaming state that is more advantageous than a normally played game. In this embodiment, the bonus game is a free game that can be executed in a state where a game can be performed a predetermined number of times without betting coins. The bonus game is executed when the winning combination of “BONUS” 190 is established.

  Note that the bonus game is not particularly limited as long as it is advantageous for the player, that is, if it is more advantageous than the game played normally, for example, a state where a game medium can be obtained with a higher probability than the game played normally. A state where the number of game media consumed is smaller than that of a normally played game, a state where more game media can be obtained than a normally played game, and the like can be mentioned. Specifically, a second game, a feature game, or the like can be listed as a bonus game.

  The establishment of the winning combination is determined by the symbol 180 arranged on the payline L set on the display windows 151 to 153. As shown in FIG. 6, the payline L includes a top line 160b, a center line 160c, and a bottom line 160d that horizontally cross three symbols 180 arranged in the vertical direction, and a cross-down line 160a and a cross-up line 160e that cross diagonally. have. A winning combination is established by rearranging the same symbols 180 on these paylines 160a to 160e.

  For example, in the case of the arrangement shown in FIG. 6, three “MOON” 183 symbols are arranged in succession on the center line 160c. That is, a winning combination of “MOON” 183 is established in the center line 160c.

  In the present embodiment, when a winning combination of “SUN” 181 is established on the payline L, the second game is started. The second game is a game in which the order of the drop slot 105 is displayed on the upper liquid crystal panel 5A, and the jackpot is established by passing the coin 115 through the drop slot 105 in the order displayed in the coin drop game unit 100.

  Here, the “jackpot” is a progressive value that is accumulated as a progressive by subtracting a part of the game value bet by a player in a slot game and winning in the second game. All or part of the value is given.

  The establishment of the winning combination is not limited to that based on the symbol 180 on the payline L. For example, all of the symbols 180 or any of the symbols 180 may be scatter symbols. Specifically, when a predetermined number or more of the same scatter symbols are displayed in the display windows 151 to 153, a winning combination may be established and a gaming state advantageous to the player may be established.

  Next, the display state of the display state of the upper liquid crystal panel 5A in the second game will be described with reference to FIGS. FIGS. 7A and 7B are explanatory diagrams illustrating an example of a display state on the upper liquid crystal panel 5A.

  Here, the second game has a plurality of “steps”. “Step” is the stage until the jackpot is established. The drop slot 105 through which the coin 115 is to be passed is presented for each step, and the player operates the coin drop game unit 100 to pass the coin 115 through the presented drop slot 105, so that the player can You can proceed to the step. The gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment has 6 steps, and a jackpot is established at the 6th step.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, when the second game is started, the upper liquid crystal panel 5A has an order pattern image 170 (170a to 170e) based on the determined order pattern, a jackpot image 171 and a current A step image 172, a remaining step image 173, and a passage history image 174 are displayed.

  Here, the order pattern is a pattern in which the drop openings 105a to 105e through which the coin 115 is allowed to pass are randomly ordered in each step. Note that the order pattern is not limited to be determined at random, and may be determined based on, for example, an arrangement mode in a slot game, or determined according to a signal input from the outside. There may be.

  The order pattern image 170 is arranged from the upper part to the lower part of the upper liquid crystal panel 5A in the order of the determined order pattern. Specifically, in the case of FIG. 7, an order pattern image 170a is arranged at the upper center of the upper liquid crystal panel 5A, an order pattern image 170b is arranged at the lower left of the order pattern image 170a, and an order pattern at the lower right of the order pattern image 170b. The image 170c is arranged, the order pattern image 170d is arranged at the lower left of the order pattern image 170c, and the order pattern image 170e is arranged at the lower right of the order pattern image 170d.

  In the order pattern image 170, text images for identifying the order pattern drop openings 105 are displayed. Specifically, in the case of FIG. 7, the order pattern is the order of the drop port 105c, the drop port 105b, the drop port 105e, the drop port 105a, and the drop port 105d. Therefore, a text image indicating “C” is displayed in the order pattern image 170a, a text image indicating “B” is displayed in the order pattern image 170b, and a text image indicating “E” is displayed in the order pattern image 170c. A text image indicating “A” is displayed in the order pattern image 170d, and a text image indicating “D” is displayed in the order pattern image 170e.

  The jackpot image 171 displays a text image indicating “JACKPOT” and is displayed below the order pattern image 170.

  In this way, the order pattern image 170 showing the drop mouth 105 based on the order pattern is displayed in order from the top to the bottom, and the jackpot image 171 is displayed at the bottom, so that the player can visually easily The order to reach the jackpot can be recognized.

  The current step image 172 shows the current step of the second game, and is displayed in the vicinity of the sequence pattern image 170 showing the drop opening 105 through which the coin 115 should pass in the current step.

  For example, when the second game is started, the current step image 172 is displayed in the vicinity of the sequence pattern image 170a indicating the drop opening 105 of the first step. Specifically, the current step image 172 is a text image indicating the current number of steps. For example, in the case of FIG. 7A, the current step image 172 is a text image indicating “first step”. Note that the display is changed at each step of the current step image 172. As shown in FIG. 7B, when the second game progresses to the next step, the step is the second step. At this time, the current step image 172 is displayed in the vicinity of the sequence pattern image 170b showing the drop opening 105 of the second step. Further, the current step image 172 is a text image indicating “second step”.

  The remaining step image 173 is displayed in the lower right part of the upper liquid crystal panel 5A. The remaining step image 173 indicates the number of remaining steps until the jackpot is established.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 7A, when the second game is started, a text image indicating “5 more steps!” Is displayed as the remaining step image 173. Also, as shown in FIG. 7B, when the second game progresses to the next step, a text image indicating “4 more steps!” Is displayed. Thus, the remaining step image 173 is an image showing a step obtained by subtracting the current number of steps from six.

  The passage history image 174 is an image showing an arrow connecting the order pattern images 170. Specifically, the passage history image 174 includes an arrow image from the order pattern image 170a to the order pattern image 170b, an arrow image from the order pattern image 170b to the order pattern image 170c, and the order pattern image 170c to the order pattern image 170d. An arrow image heading, an arrow image heading from the order pattern image 170d to the order pattern image 170e, and an arrow image heading from the order pattern image 170e to the jackpot image 171.

  When the second game is started as shown in FIG. 7A, the passing history image 174 is all indicated by a dashed arrow image. However, as shown in FIG. 7B, the passing history image 174 is two steps from the first step. When proceeding to the eye, the arrow image from the order pattern image 170a toward the order pattern image 170b is a solid arrow image.

  That is, the passage history image 174 indicates the result of comparison between the passage history of the coin 115 to the drop slot 105 and the order pattern by making the broken line of the arrow image a solid line.

  In this way, by displaying the information related to the result of the comparison between the passage history and the order pattern on the upper liquid crystal panel 5A, the player can check his / her game history, and the player can continue the game. May be able to improve motivation.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display state on the upper liquid crystal panel 5A when the coin 115 is passed through the drop opening 105 different from the drop opening 105 to be passed. Specifically, when the coin 115 is passed through the drop opening 105 different from the drop opening 105 to be passed, a notification image 175 indicating “LOSE” is displayed at the center of the upper liquid crystal panel 5A as shown in FIG. The

  Then, when the second game is started next time, an order pattern is newly determined and a display based on the order pattern is made.

  As described above, when the result of the comparison between the passage history and the order pattern does not match, the upper liquid crystal panel 5A notifies that fact, and the order pattern is newly ordered. Thereby, when it is determined that the predetermined number of passage histories do not match the order pattern, the player's stress may be reduced by notifying the player of that fact. In addition, by newly setting an order pattern, the player's willingness to continue playing may be improved.

  Further, the coin 115 is dropped on the coin support base 102 by an operation from the outside, and the coin 115 deposited on the coin support base 102 is dropped by the moving base 103 through any of the drop openings 105. ing. The ordered drop openings 105 are displayed on the upper liquid crystal panel 5 </ b> A as an order pattern image 170. Further, the drop opening 105 through which the coin 115 has passed is compared with the order pattern. Further, if they match, a coin 115 based on the progressive value is awarded.

  Thereby, the player can obtain a jackpot by passing the coin 115 through the area according to the order pattern. As a result, there is a case where a sense of fulfillment of executing the content presented to the player is given, and the player's willingness to continue the game can be improved.

(Electric configuration of gaming machine 1)
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the entire gaming machine 1. A control unit that controls the gaming machine 1 is provided inside the housing 3. As shown in FIG. 9, the control unit includes components such as a mother board 40, a main body PCB (Printed Circuit Board) 60, a gaming board 50, a door PCB 80, various switches, and sensors.

  The gaming board 50 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 51, a ROM 55 and a boot ROM 52, a card slot 53S corresponding to a memory card 53, and an IC socket corresponding to a GAL (Generic Array Logic) 54 connected to each other via an internal bus. 54S.

  The memory card 53 stores a game program and a game system program. The game program includes a stop symbol determination program. The stop symbol determination program is a program for determining a symbol (a code number corresponding to a symbol) to be stopped on a payline described later. This stop symbol determination program includes symbol weighting data corresponding to each of a plurality of types of payout rates (for example, 80%, 84%, 88%). The symbol weighting data is data indicating the correspondence between the code number of each symbol and one or more random values belonging to a predetermined numerical range (0 to 256) for each of the display windows 151 to 153.

  The memory card 53 stores a program for extracting random numbers. The random number extraction program is read into the RAM 43 and executed by the main CPU 41 when a game execution process, a bonus game process, or the like is executed. In the present embodiment, random number extraction is executed by a program, but is not limited to this. For example, a configuration may be provided that includes a random number generator that generates a certain range of random numbers and a sampling circuit that extracts an arbitrary random number from the random numbers generated by the random number generator 35.

  The payout rate is determined based on the payout rate setting data output from the GAL 54, and the stop symbol is determined based on the symbol weighting data corresponding to the payout rate.

  Further, the memory card 53 stores various data used in the game program and the game system program. For example, data indicating the relationship between the symbol 180 displayed in the display windows 151 to 153 in FIG. 1 and the random number range is stored in the form of a table. This data is transferred to the RAM 43 of the mother board 40 when the game program is executed.

  Further, the card slot 53S is configured such that the memory card 53 can be inserted and removed. The card slot 53S is connected to the mother board 40 by an IDE bus. Thereby, the gaming board 50 inserts the memory card 53 into the card slot 53S, the step of removing the memory card 53 from the card slot 53S, the step of writing another game program and game system program in the memory card 53, and the like. By performing a switching operation including steps, it is possible to change the type and content of the game performed in the gaming machine 1.

  The game program includes a program related to game progress and a program for shifting to a bonus game. The game program includes image data and sound data output during the game.

  The GAL 54 includes a plurality of input ports and output ports. When data is input to the input port, the GAL 54 outputs data corresponding to this data from the output port. The data output from the output port is the aforementioned payout rate setting data.

  The IC socket 54S is configured such that the GAL 54 can be attached and removed. The IC socket 54S is connected to the mother board 40 by a PCI bus. As a result, the switching operation including the step of removing the GAL 54 from the IC socket 54S, the step of rewriting the program stored in the GAL 54, and the step of attaching the GAL 54 to the IC socket 54S is performed. The payout rate setting data output from can be changed.

  The CPU 51, the ROM 55, and the boot ROM 52 that are connected to each other via an internal bus are connected to the motherboard 40 via a PCI bus. The PCI bus transmits signals between the motherboard 40 and the gaming board 50 and supplies power from the motherboard 40 to the gaming board 50. The ROM 55 stores country identification information and an authentication program. The boot ROM 52 stores a preliminary authentication program and a program (boot code) for the CPU 51 to start the preliminary authentication program.

  The authentication program is a program (tamper check program) for authenticating the game program and the game system program. The authentication program is a program for confirming and verifying that the game program and the game system program have not been tampered with. That is, the authentication program is described in accordance with the procedure for authenticating the game program and the game system program. The preliminary authentication program is a program for authenticating the above-described authentication program. The preliminary authentication program is described in accordance with a proof that the authentication program to be authenticated is not falsified, that is, a procedure for authenticating the authentication program.

  The motherboard 40 includes a main CPU 41 (controller), a ROM (Read Only Memory) 42, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 43, and a communication interface 44.

  The main CPU 41 has a function as a controller that controls the entire gaming machine 1. In particular, the main CPU 41 controls the graphic board 67 to output a command signal for starting the variable display in the display windows 151 to 153, control to determine a symbol to be stopped after the variable display is started, and the determined symbol Is stopped and displayed on the display windows 151-153.

  That is, the main CPU 41 selects a symbol arranged in the symbol matrix from a plurality of types of symbols in order to rearrange as a new symbol matrix after scrolling a plurality of symbols displayed on the central liquid crystal panel 5B. A function as an arrangement controller is provided for executing the arrangement control of the rearrangement that is determined and stops at the determined symbol from the scroll state.

  The ROM 42 stores a program such as a basic input / output system (BIOS) executed by the main CPU 41, and data used permanently. When the BIOS is executed by the main CPU 41, initialization processing of each peripheral device is performed, and reading processing of the game program and game system program stored in the memory card 53 via the gaming board 50 is started. The RAM 43 stores data used when the main CPU 41 performs processing, a program, and the like.

  The communication interface 44 is for performing communication with a host computer or the like provided in the gaming facility via a communication line. Further, a main body PCB (Printed Circuit Board) 60 and a door PCB 80 are connected to the mother board 40 by USB (Universal Serial Bus), respectively. Further, a power supply unit 45 is connected to the mother board 40. When power is supplied from the power supply unit 45 to the mother board 40, the main CPU 41 of the mother board 40 is activated, and power is supplied to the gaming board 50 via the PCI bus to activate the CPU 51.

  The main body PCB 60 and the door PCB 80 are connected to devices and devices that generate input signals input to the main CPU 41 and devices and devices whose operations are controlled by control signals output from the main CPU 41. The main CPU 41 executes the game program and game system program stored in the RAM 43 based on the input signal input to the main CPU 41. As a result, the main CPU 41 can execute a process of performing arithmetic processing and storing the result in the RAM 43, a process of transmitting a control signal to each device or apparatus as a control process for each device or apparatus, and the like. Yes.

  A light emitting unit 56, a hopper 64, a coin detection unit 66, a graphic board 67, a speaker 57, a bill validator 58, a ticket printer 14, and a card reader 15 are connected to the main body PCB 60. The light emitting unit 56 includes a plurality of lamps and LEDs including the side lamp 46, the speaker lamp 47, the under lamp 48, and the top lamp 49 described above.

  The light emitting unit 56 is controlled to be turned on / off based on a control signal output from the main CPU 41. The hopper 64 is installed in the housing 3 and pays out a predetermined number of coins from the coin payout opening 16 to the coin tray 19 based on a control signal output from the main CPU 41. The coin detection unit 66 is provided inside the coin payout exit 16 and outputs an input signal to the main CPU 41 when it is detected that a predetermined number of coins have been paid out from the coin payout exit 16.

  The coin detection unit 66 measures the number of coins paid out by the hopper 64 and inputs data of the measured number value to the main body PCB 60. The main body PCB outputs a signal notifying completion of coin payout to the main CPU 41 when the set number value is reached based on the input number value data.

  The graphic board 67 controls image display on the upper liquid crystal panel 5A, the central liquid crystal panel 5B, and the lower liquid crystal panel 5C based on a control signal output from the main CPU 41. As shown in FIG. 9, the graphic board 67 includes an interface circuit 81, an image control CPU 82, an image control work RAM 83, an image control program ROM 84, a VDP (Video Display Processor) 85, an image ROM 86, a video RAM 87, and a drive circuit 88. Have.

  The image control CPU 82 receives a control signal output from the main CPU 41 via the interface circuit 81. Further, based on the control signal from the main CPU 41, the images displayed on the upper liquid crystal panel 5A, the central liquid crystal panel 5B, and the lower liquid crystal panel 5C are determined according to the image control program stored in the image control program ROM 84. To do.

  The image control program ROM 84 stores an image control program and various selection tables related to display on the upper liquid crystal panel 5A, the central liquid crystal panel 5B, and the lower liquid crystal panel 5C. The image control work RAM 83 is configured as a temporary storage unit when the image control program is executed by the image control CPU 82.

  The VDP 85 forms image data according to the content determined by the image control CPU 82. The image ROM 86 stores dot data for forming an image such as the symbol 180. The video RAM 87 operates as temporary storage means when an image is formed by the VDP 85. The drive circuit 88 outputs the image data formed by the VDP 85 to the upper liquid crystal panel 5A, the central liquid crystal panel 5B, and the lower liquid crystal panel 5C. Note that the image data used when generating image data by VDP is stored in the memory card 53 and is included in the game program read from the memory card 53 and temporarily stored in the RAM 43. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the speaker 57 generates various sound effects when performing various effects based on output signals from the main body PCB 60. The bill validator 58 reads an image of a bill and accepts a regular bill in the housing 3. Moreover, the banknote identification device 58 outputs an input signal with respect to main CPU41 based on the amount of the banknote, when a regular banknote is received. The main CPU 41 stores the number of credits corresponding to the amount of bills transmitted by the input signal in the RAM 43.

  Based on the control signal output from the main CPU 41, the ticket printer 14 prints on the ticket a bar code in which data such as the number of credits, date and time, and identification number of the gaming machine 1 stored in the RAM 43 is encoded. Output as a ticket with a code.

  The card reader 15 reads data from the smart card and transmits it to the main CPU 41. The card reader 15 writes data to the smart card based on a control signal from the main CPU 41.

  A control panel 20, a reverter 12S, a coin counter 12C, and a cold cathode tube 89 are connected to the door PCB 80. The control panel 20 includes a start switch 23S corresponding to the start button 23, a change switch 24S corresponding to the change button 24, a cashout switch 25S corresponding to the cashout button 25, and a 1-bet switch corresponding to the 1-bet button 26. 26S and a maximum bet switch 27S corresponding to the maximum bet button 27 is provided. Each of the switches 23S to 27S outputs an input signal to the main CPU 41 when the corresponding button 23 to 27 is operated by the player.

  The coin counter 12C is provided inside the coin insertion slot 12, and identifies whether or not the coin inserted into the coin insertion slot 12 by the player is genuine. Items other than regular coins are discharged from the coin payout exit 16. In addition, the coin counter 12C outputs an input signal to the main CPU 41 when a regular coin is detected.

  The reverter 12S operates based on a control signal output from the main CPU 41, and a coin that is recognized as a regular coin by the coin counter 12C is installed in the gaming machine 1 (not shown). Or distribute to the hopper 64. That is, when the hopper 64 is filled with coins, regular coins are distributed to the cash box by the reverter 12S. On the other hand, when the hopper 64 is not filled with coins, regular coins are distributed to the hopper 64. The cold cathode tube 89 functions as a backlight installed on the back side of the upper liquid crystal panel 5A, the central liquid crystal panel 5B, and the lower liquid crystal panel 5C, and is based on a control signal output from the main CPU 41. Lights up.

  The door PCB 80 is connected to a passing coin detection unit 106 (106a to 106e) and a moving table drive motor 107. The passing coin detection units 106a to 106e are provided in the vicinity of the drop openings 105a to 105e, respectively.

  The passing coin detection units 106a to 106e detect coins that have passed through the drop openings 105a to 105e, and output an input signal to the main CPU 41 when detected. That is, when the coin 115 passes through any of the drop openings 105a to 105e, the pass coin detection unit 106 corresponding to the drop opening 105 that has passed passes through the main CPU 41 to output an input signal. Thereby, it is detected which one of the drop openings 105a to 105e the coin 115 has passed.

  The moving table drive motor 107 is driven based on a control signal output from the main CPU 41 when the second game is started, and the moving table 103 starts to reciprocate when driven.

(Data table)
The payout management table will be described with reference to FIG. The payout management table is stored in the memory card 53 and read out to the RAM 43 by the main CPU 41. The payout management table is referred to when a winning combination is established in the slot game and a payout is awarded to the player.

  The payout management table has a winning combination field and a slot game payout field. The winning combination field stores a symbol for giving a payout to the player when the winning combination is established. The slot game payout column stores a payout per bet corresponding to a symbol to which a payout is awarded.

  Specifically, when the winning combination of “J” 184 is established, 5 coins (game value) are paid out per bet. If a winning combination of “Q” 185 is established, 8 coins are paid out per bet. When the winning combination of “K” 186 is established, 10 coins are paid out per bet. When the winning combination of “MOON” 183 is established, 20 coins are paid out per bet. Further, when the winning combination of “HEART” 182 is established, 30 coins are paid out per bet. The payout content such as the number of coins to be paid out is not limited to this.

(Operation of the gaming machine 1)
Next, processing performed in the gaming machine 1 will be described. After the start-up process is performed by the main CPU 41, the main CPU 41 reads out the game program stored in the memory card 53 to the RAM 43 and executes it, whereby the game proceeds.

(Processing operation of gaming machine 1: start-up process)
The main CPU 41 of the gaming machine 1 executes a startup process routine shown in FIG. 12 when the power is turned on. This activation process is a process performed by the mother board 40 and the gaming board 50. It is assumed that the memory card 53 is inserted into the card slot 53S of the gaming board 50, and the GAL 54 is attached to the IC socket 54S.

  First, when the power switch is turned on (power is turned on) in the power supply unit 45, the mother board 40 and the gaming board 50 are activated. When the mother board 40 and the gaming board 50 are activated, separate processes are performed in parallel. That is, in the gaming board 50, the CPU 51 reads the preliminary authentication program stored in the boot ROM 52, and the authentication program has been previously falsified according to the read preliminary authentication program before being taken into the motherboard 40. Pre-authentication is performed to confirm and prove that there is no data (S1). On the other hand, in the mother board 40, the main CPU 41 executes the BIOS stored in the ROM 42 and expands the compressed data incorporated in the BIOS into the RAM 43 (S2). Then, the main CPU 41 executes the BIOS expanded in the RAM 43, and performs diagnosis and initialization of various peripheral devices (S3).

  Since the ROM 55 of the gaming board 50 is connected to the main CPU 41 via the PCI bus, the main CPU 41 reads the authentication program stored in the ROM 55 and stores the read authentication program in the RAM 43. The process to memorize | store is performed (step S4). At this time, the main CPU 41 takes the checksum by the ADDSUM method (standard check function) in accordance with the BIOS standard BIOS function, and stores the authentication program in the RAM 43 while confirming whether or not the storage is definitely performed. Let

  Next, after confirming what is connected to the IDE bus, the main CPU 41 accesses the memory card 53 inserted into the card slot 53S via the IDE bus, and from the memory card 53, the game program And reading out the game system program. In this case, the main CPU 41 reads out data constituting the game program and the game system program 4 bytes at a time. Subsequently, the main CPU 41 performs authentication for confirming and proving that the read game program and game system program are not falsified in accordance with the authentication program stored in the RAM 43 (S5).

  When this authentication process ends normally, the main CPU 41 writes and stores the game program and game system program to be authenticated (authenticated) in the RAM 43 (S6).

  Next, the main CPU 41 accesses the GAL 54 attached to the IC socket 54S via the PCI bus, reads the payout rate setting data from the GAL 54, and writes and stores it in the RAM 43 (S7).

  Next, the main CPU 41 reads out the country identification information stored in the ROM 55 of the gaming board 50 via the PCI bus, and performs a process of storing the read country identification information in the RAM 43 (S8).

  After performing the above-described processing, the main CPU 41 executes the initial processing shown in FIG. 13 by sequentially reading and executing the game program and the game system program.

(Operation of gaming machine 1: initial processing)
Next, the initial process performed in the gaming machine 1 will be described. When the execution of the startup process shown in FIG. 12 is completed, the main CPU 41 reads the initial process routine shown in FIG. 13 from the RAM 43 and executes it.

  First, the main CPU 41 performs an operation check of each work memory such as the RAM 43, an operation check of various sensors, an operation check of various drive mechanisms, and an operation check of various electrical decorations (A1). Then, it is determined whether or not all the check results are normal (A2). If it is determined that all the check results are not normal (A2: NO), an abnormal signal is output (A3), an abnormal state is notified by turning on the top lamp 49, etc. (A4), and this routine is executed. Is terminated.

  On the other hand, in the process of A2, when it is determined that all the check results are normal (A2: YES), an activation signal is output (A5). And a game program, a game system program, etc. are read from RAM43 (A6). Thereafter, a demonstration screen is displayed on the central liquid crystal panel 5B or the like based on the read program (A7), and the execution of this routine is terminated.

(Operation of gaming machine 1: game execution processing)
Next, with reference to FIG. 14, the game execution processing routine executed by the main CPU 41 will be described. When the game execution processing routine is executed, it is first determined whether or not a coin has been bet (B1). In this process, it is determined whether or not an input signal due to pressing of the 1-bet button 26 or the maximum bet button 27 is received. If it is determined that no coin is bet (B1: NO), the process of B1 is re-executed, and a standby state is set until a bet is placed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that a coin has been bet (B1: YES), the number of credits stored in the RAM 43 is subtracted according to the number of coins bet (B2). If the number of coins to be bet is larger than the number of credits stored in the RAM 43, B2 is re-executed without performing the process of subtracting the number of credits. If the number of coins to be bet exceeds the upper limit (50 in this embodiment) that can be bet on one game, the process of subtracting the credit number is not performed. The process is executed.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the start button is turned on (B3). If it is determined that the start button is not turned on (B3: NO), the process returns to B1. When the start button is not turned on (for example, when an instruction to end the game is input without the start button being turned on), the subtraction result in the process of B2 is cancelled.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the start button is turned on (B3: YES), symbol determination processing is executed (B4). That is, nine symbols 180 to be stopped in the display windows 151 to 153 are determined. The determined symbol information is temporarily stored in the RAM 43.

  Next, the symbols 180 of the display windows 151 to 153 are scroll-displayed (B5). After a predetermined time (normal time) has elapsed since the scroll display of the symbol 180 is started, the scroll display is stopped, and the symbols determined in the process of B4 are arranged in the display windows 151 to 153 (B6).

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not a winning combination has been established, that is, whether or not the combination of the symbols 180 stopped in the display windows 151 to 153 is a winning combination with payout (B7).

  In the process of B7, when it is determined that the winning combination is not paid out (B7: NO), this routine is terminated. On the other hand, when it is determined that the winning combination has a payout (B7: YES), a payout process is executed (B8). That is, the number of coins to be paid out based on the establishment of the winning combination is calculated.

  For calculation of the number of payouts in the slot game, the slot game payout column of the payout management table shown in FIG. 11 is referred to. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, when the winning combination of “MOON” 183 is established, the base game column corresponding to “MOON” in the winning combination column of the dividend management table is referred to, and the number of payouts is 20 per bet. Will be paid out. Then, the payout number is calculated by multiplying the number per bet by the number bet by the player.

  When coins to be paid out are stored, a predetermined number of credits is added to the number of credits stored in the RAM 43. On the other hand, when coins are paid out, a predetermined number of coins are paid out to the coin tray 19 by transmitting a control signal to the hopper 64.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the winning combination of “BONUS” 190 is established (B9). When the winning combination of “BONUS” 190 is established (B9: YES), a bonus game is executed (B10). After the bonus game is executed, or when the winning combination of “BONUS” 190 is not established (B9: NO), it is determined whether or not the winning combination of “SUN” 181 is established (B11). . When the winning combination of “SUN” 181 is not established (B11: NO), this routine is ended. When the winning combination of “BONUS” 190 is established (B11: YES), after the second game process is executed (B12), this routine is ended. The second game process will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

(Operation of gaming machine 1: second game processing)
Next, a second game processing routine executed by the main CPU 41 will be described with reference to FIG. When the second game processing routine is executed, an order pattern is first determined (C1). Specifically, the drop openings 105a to 105e are applied to any one of steps 1 to 5, and the drop opening 105 through which the coin 115 is allowed to pass is determined in each step. The order pattern is randomly determined by a random number extraction program or the like. The determined order pattern is stored in the RAM 43. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, a second game screen based on the order pattern is displayed (C2).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the passing coin detection unit 106 detects the coin 115 (C3). When the coin 115 is not detected (C3: NO), the process of C3 is repeated, and a standby state for waiting for the detection of the coin 115 is entered. On the other hand, when the coin 115 is detected (C3: YES), it is determined whether or not the coin 115 matches the order pattern (C4). Specifically, when any of the passing coin detection units 106a to 106e detects the coin 115, an input signal is output from the passing coin detection unit 106 that has detected the coin 115, so that the coin 115 is dropped into the drop openings 105a to 105e. The passage through which the drop port 105 has passed is stored in the RAM 43 as a passage history. Then, the detected drop port 105 is compared with the drop port 105 corresponding to the current step of the sequence pattern stored in the RAM 43 to determine whether or not they match.

  In the process of C4, when it does not coincide with the order pattern (C4: NO), as shown in FIG. 8, a notification image 175 is displayed (C8). On the other hand, when it coincides with the order pattern (C4: YES), it is determined whether or not all steps have been completed (C5). When all the steps are not completed (C5: NO), the processes of C3 to C4 are repeated and the steps are advanced. Although not shown, the second game screen is updated as shown in FIG. On the other hand, when all the steps are completed (C5: YES), the jackpot is paid out (C6). Specifically, payout based on the progressive value stored in the RAM 43 is performed.

  After the process of C6 or after the process of C8, the order pattern stored in the RAM 43 is reset (C7). Then, this routine is terminated.

  As described above, the coin 115 is dropped onto the coin support base 102 by an operation from the outside, and the coin 115 deposited on the coin support base 102 is dropped by the moving base 103 through any of the drop openings 105. It has become. The ordered drop openings 105 are displayed on the upper liquid crystal panel 5 </ b> A as an order pattern image 170. Further, the drop opening 105 through which the coin 115 has passed is compared with the order pattern. Further, if they match, a coin 115 based on the progressive value is awarded.

  Thereby, the player can obtain a jackpot by passing the coin 115 through the area according to the order pattern. As a result, there is a case where a sense of fulfillment of executing the content presented to the player is given, and the player's willingness to continue the game can be improved.

  In addition, in this way, by displaying the information related to the result of the comparison between the passage history and the order pattern on the display means, the player can check his / her game history, and the player can continue further games. May be able to improve motivation.

  In addition, in this way, when the passage history and the order pattern do not coincide with each other, the upper liquid crystal panel 5A notifies that fact and the order pattern is newly ordered. Thereby, when it is determined that the predetermined number of passage histories do not match the order pattern, the player's stress may be reduced by notifying the player of that fact. In addition, by newly setting an order pattern, the player's willingness to continue playing may be improved.

(Outline of this embodiment)
As described above, the gaming machine 1 according to this embodiment includes a support unit (coin support base 102) that supports the accumulated game value (coin 115) and a drop unit (coin that can drop a game value on the support unit). A lowering portion 101) and driving means (moving table 103 or the like) capable of driving according to the dropped gaming value and capable of dropping the gaming value supported by the supporting means based on the driving from the supporting means; Detecting to detect which of a plurality of areas (falling opening 105a to dropping opening 105e) set on the path where the gaming value falls from the support means and the dropped gaming value has passed. Means (passing coin detection units 106a to 106e, etc.), passage history storage means (RAM 43, etc.) for storing the history of the area through which the game value has passed, and ordering means (main CP for ordering a plurality of areas) 41), order pattern storage means (RAM 43, etc.) for storing the order as an order pattern, display means (upper liquid crystal panel 5A) for displaying information based on the order pattern on the display means, and ordering based on a predetermined timing A structure is provided with a control means (main CPU 41 or the like) that gives a predetermined game value when the means orders the plurality of areas, compares the passage history with the order pattern, and the passage history and the order pattern match. Has been.

  Specifically, the control means is configured to drop a predetermined game value onto the support means as the provision of the predetermined game value.

  According to the above configuration, the game value is dropped on the support means by an external operation, and the game value accumulated on the support means is dropped by passing through any of the plurality of areas by the drive means. ing. The plurality of areas are ordered by the ordering means, and information based on the order pattern is displayed on the display means. The area where the game value has passed is stored as a passing history and compared with the order pattern of the areas ordered by the ordering means. If they match as a result of the comparison, a predetermined game value is dropped on the support means and / or a predetermined game value is given.

  Thereby, the player passes the game value through the area according to the ordered area, so that the predetermined game value is dropped on the support means and / or the predetermined game value is given. As a result, there is a case where a sense of fulfillment of executing the content presented to the player is given, and the player's willingness to continue the game can be improved.

  Further, the control means of the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment is configured to display information (passage history image 174) related to the result of comparison between the passage history and the order pattern on the display means.

  According to said structure, the information which concerns on the result of a comparison with a passage history and an order pattern is displayed on a display means. Thereby, the player can check his / her game history, and may be able to improve the player's willingness to continue further games.

  In addition, the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment further includes notification means for notifying the result of comparison between the passage history and the order pattern, and the control means determines that the result of comparison between the passage history and the order pattern does not match. In this case, the notification means (notification image 175) that the notification means does not match the comparison result is executed by the notification means, and the ordering means orders the new order pattern.

  According to said structure, when it does not correspond as a result of a comparison with a passage history and an order pattern, that is notified by an alerting | reporting means, and an order pattern is newly ordered. Thereby, when it is determined that the predetermined number of passage histories do not match the order pattern, the player's stress may be reduced by notifying the player of that fact. In addition, by newly setting an order pattern, the player's willingness to continue playing may be improved.

  In addition, the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment includes a dropping means (coin throwing portion 201) capable of dropping a game value, a game area (coin game board 202) in which the dropped game value can be played downward, and a game value. Detecting means (passing coin detection unit 106a) for detecting a plurality of areas (falling opening 105a to dropping opening 105e) set on a path in which the game value moves downward, and which of the plurality of areas the gaming value has passed. To 106e, etc.), passage history storage means (RAM 43, etc.) for storing the history of the area through which the game value has passed, ordering means (main CPU 41, etc.) for ordering a plurality of areas, and order for storing the order as an order pattern Pattern storage means (RAM 43, etc.), display means (upper liquid crystal panel 5A) for displaying information based on the order pattern on the display means, and order based on predetermined timing And a control means (main CPU 41 or the like) that gives a predetermined game value when the passing history and the order pattern are matched. Has been.

  According to the above configuration, the game value is dropped, the game value moves downward in the game area, and passes through any of the plurality of areas. The plurality of areas are ordered by the ordering means, and information based on the order pattern is displayed on the display means. The area through which the game value has passed is stored as a passing history, and is compared with the order pattern of the areas ordered by the ordering means. As a result of the comparison, if they match, a predetermined game value is given.

  As a result, the player passes the game value according to the ordered area, thereby giving a predetermined game value to the player. As a result, there is a case where it is possible to give the player a sense of fulfillment of executing the displayed contents and to improve the player's willingness to continue the game.

(Modification of this embodiment)
As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was described, it only showed the specific example and does not specifically limit this invention, A specific structure etc. can change a design suitably. Further, the actions and effects described in the embodiments of the present invention only list the most preferable actions and effects resulting from the present invention, and the actions and effects according to the present invention are described in the embodiments of the present invention. It is not limited to what was done.

  Further, the gaming machine of the present embodiment may include the following configuration in addition to or in duplicate with the configuration in the above-described embodiment.

  For example, in the present embodiment, when a jackpot is established, a predetermined game value is given. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it may be configured to drop a predetermined game value on a coin support base. As a result, more game value may be obtained by the reciprocating movement of the movable table 103.

  Further, for example, in the present embodiment, the display relating to the second game is configured as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, but the present invention is not limited to this.

  Further, for example, in the present embodiment, the second game is finished once, but may be continuously executed a plurality of times. Thereby, the ordering of a new order pattern may be executed immediately after the failure. Thereby, it is possible to improve the interest of the player.

  Further, for example, in the present embodiment, the result of the comparison between the passage history and the order pattern is notified by an image, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, notification by sound from a speaker, light from a lamp, or the like may be used.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the gaming machine 1 has the coin falling game unit 100, but is not limited thereto, and may have, for example, a coin falling game unit 200 as shown in FIG. .

  With reference to FIG. 16, the structure of the coin drop game unit 200 will be described. FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the coin dropping game unit 200. As shown in FIG. 16, the coin drop game unit 200 is similar to the coin drop game unit 100 in that an upper surface plate 100 a that forms a part of the upper surface portion of the operation table 10 and a part of the upper surface portion of the operation table 10. And a front plate 100b to be formed. The top plate 100a and the front plate 100b are made of a transparent member such as acrylic resin, and the inside of the coin drop game unit 100 can be transmitted.

  The coin dropping game unit 200 includes a coin throwing portion 201 as a dropping means on the upper surface side. The coin throwing portion 201 is an opening that penetrates into the coin dropping game unit 200 and extends linearly to the left and right. The coin 115 can be thrown into the coin dropping game unit 200 through the coin throwing portion 201. Yes.

  The coin drop game unit 200 has a coin game board 202 as a play area for coins 115 constituting the lower part of the internal space of the coin drop game unit 200. The coin idle board 202 is configured such that the coin 115 dropped from the coin throwing portion 201 is dropped on the upper surface. The upper surface of the coin idler 202 is inclined so as to incline in the vertical direction as it goes in the front direction. As a result, the coin 115 dropped from the coin throwing portion 201 is allowed to move downward on the front surface of the coin moving board 202.

  A plurality of drop openings 105 (105a to 105e) are provided in front of the coin game board 202 so that the coins 115 that move can pass therethrough. The plurality of drop openings 105 (105a to 105e) has the same configuration as that of the coin drop game unit 100.

  A plurality of obstacle nails 203 are provided on the upper surface of the coin idler 202. As a result, the coin 115 moving on the coin game board 202 collides with the obstacle nail 203, so that it is difficult for the player to pass the coin 115 through the desired drop opening 105. Is increasing.

  Even with such a configuration having the coin drop game unit 200, the same effect as in the present embodiment can be obtained.

  Specifically, the coin 115 is dropped, and the coin 115 moves downward on the coin moving board 202 and passes through any of the plurality of drop openings 105. The ordered drop openings 105 are displayed on the upper liquid crystal panel 5 </ b> A as an order pattern image 170. Further, the drop opening 105 through which the coin 115 has passed is compared with the order pattern. Further, if they match, a coin 115 based on the progressive value is awarded.

  Thereby, the player can obtain a jackpot by passing the coin 115 through the area according to the order pattern. As a result, there is a case where a sense of fulfillment of executing the content presented to the player is given, and the player's willingness to continue the game can be improved.

  The gaming machine also has a game value providing means for providing a player with a game value when a predetermined game result is displayed, and an internal winning combination for determining a predetermined combination as an internal winning combination based on a game start command signal. Specific to the determination means, the stop control means for displaying the winning mode on the variation display means based on the internal winning combination, the effect display control means for displaying the effect mode related to the game on the effect display means, and the game result display means Before the game result is displayed, the notice display control means for displaying the notice mode on the notice display means that the specific game result may be displayed, and the specific game result is displayed on the game result display means. Prior to display, a notice display control means for displaying a notice mode on the notice display means that a specific game result is displayed, a display control means for controlling display of the game result display means, and a game result display means Is a display stop command means provided at a position where the player can operate to output a stop command signal for stopping the variable display of part or all of the variable display means, and an internal winning combination determining means for a predetermined unit game. Internal winning combination carry-over means to carry over a specific combination determined as an internal winning combination as an internal winning combination in the next unit game, and a specific to store and store a specific combination determined by the internal winning combination determination means as an internal winning combination There may be provided at least one or more combination accumulating means and accumulated specific combination winning means that uses the specific combination stored and stored by the specific combination accumulation means as an internal winning combination.

  Here, the above-mentioned “game result display means” includes a change display means, an effect display means, a notice display means, and the like. They may be separate display devices, or may be predetermined display units (sprites, 3D objects having different depths) provided in a single display device. Further, they may be displayed in an overlapping manner. Further, one or more sounds, 1 or more lights, 1 or more colors, 1 or more images, 1 or more odors, or any one of one or more feels (vibration, pressure) The player may be notified by a plurality or all of them.

  The “game value giving means” includes advantageous state generating means such as a program for giving (paying out) game values (coins), and also includes payout of award media, recording on a magnetic card, and game score addition.

  The “display control means” includes a stop control means, an effect display control means, a notice display control means, and the like. It may be provided on a single substrate, may be provided on a plurality of separate substrates, or the stop control means may be provided on the same substrate as the internal winning combination determining means. Furthermore, the effect display control means and the notification display control means may be provided on a separate board from the internal winning combination determining means. (It may be a separate body.)

  The “variable display means” displays a still image, a moving image, and the like, and is composed of one or a plurality of symbol display units that display a moving display using a reel or a disk, and variably display or stop a plurality of types of symbols. . For example, a pachislot machine or video slot symbol, a pachinko special symbol, a sound diagram, a judgment symbol, or the like is displayed. Moreover, what is necessary is just to display a specific winning mode as a game result.

  The “display stop command means” may output a signal for stopping one, a plurality, or all of the variable display, such as an effect display means, a fluctuation display means, a notice display means, etc. One may be provided corresponding to the part (the display part is a symbol display part or the like). Alternatively, a plurality of display units may be provided corresponding to one display unit (the display unit is a symbol display unit or the like).

  The “advantageous state generating means” may be anything as long as it continues to be advantageous to the player during a plurality of game units. For example, a program for performing generation determination, continuation determination, midway end determination, generation, continuation, end, and the like. The “internal winning combination determining means” includes an internal winning combination lottery means, an internal winning combination carry over means, a specific combination accumulating means, an accumulated specific combination winning means, and the like.

  In the present embodiment, the “game machine” includes a pachinko machine, a pachislot machine, a video slot, and the like. The “game result” includes a winning mode, a losing mode, a production mode, a notification mode, and the like. The “specific winning mode” includes a specific symbol display (“3”, “7”, etc.), a specific symbol combination display (“777”, “776”, etc.), and a specific symbol among a plurality of symbols. Contains (single cherry, double cherry, etc.).

  The “disappearance mode” includes modes other than the winning mode displayed on the variation display means, the production mode, the notification mode, and the like. The “predetermined game result” includes a winning mode and the like. “Direction mode” is a mode in which waiting for customers, during game, between games, winning (front, middle, rear), advantageous state (front, middle, rear), etc., or their game information (game guidance) Including the notification mode and other modes, characters such as “big hit”, “bonus”, “out”, and the number of continuations of the advantageous state are also included.

  The “notice mode” includes a mode for notifying a player that a predetermined internal winning combination or a specific internal winning combination may be determined, a mode for notifying a player, and a production mode thereof. . “Do n’t you? ","bell? ”,“ A big hit? ], “Bonus winning? ], "Game procedure navigation function win? ”Etc. are also included. The “notification mode” is a mode in which the player is notified that a predetermined internal winning combination or a specific internal winning combination has been determined, or a predetermined internal winning combination or a specific internal winning combination is not determined. This includes a mode for notifying the player of this, and a production mode. “Big hit confirmed”, “Bonus confirmed”, “Outgoed confirmed”, “Bell confirmed”, “Game procedure navigation function win? ”Etc. are also included.

  “Aspect” includes one or more symbol (moving / still) images, one or more character (moving / still) images, one or more background (moving / still) images, one or more balloons (moving / still) ) Image, one or more characters, one figure, predetermined operation of one or more movable objects, etc. One or more lamps are lit, blinking, etc. One or more speaker sounds are included. “Game information” includes game concept (background), game rules, operation explanation, reach eye, chance eye, role / replay explanation, advantageous state (BB, RB, etc.), advantageous state (BB, RB, etc.) , Probability, number of games elapsed since a predetermined time (bonus, BB, RB, predetermined operation, etc.).

  The “game start command means” includes a start lever, a switch such as a spin button, a game medium input, a symbol start port (gate), and the like. The “display stop command means” includes a button, a lever, a program (time measuring means), and the like. “Design display means” includes CRT, LCD, plasma display, 7-segment display, dot matrix, lamp, LED, fluorescent lamp, EL, electronic paper, flexible LED, flexible liquid crystal, liquid crystal projector, reel, disk, movable object, etc. including. The thing with which they were provided in plural, the thing with which they were combined, etc. are included.

  The “internal winning combination” includes one or more combinations determined as an internal winning combination by the internal winning combination determining means from a plurality of combinations. The “winning combination” includes a combination in which a winning mode corresponding to the internal winning combination is displayed. “Game value” includes payout of award media (coins, medals, game balls), game result storage media (predetermined writing to a magnetic card, etc., replay, score addition, occurrence of advantageous state, etc.) (Prize medium) ”includes coins, medals, game balls, money, banknotes, magnetic cards, and the like.

  In addition, one or more of the following may be applied as a combination in a pachislot or the like. A single bonus or internal winning combination in which the probability that the small winning combination is determined to be an internal winning combination by the internal winning combination determining means is high for only one unit game (1 game). Regular bonus that determines the chance that the small role will be determined as an internal winning combination is high only during multiple unit games, and the probability that the internal winning combination determination means determines the regular bonus as an internal winning combination only during multiple unit games An internal winning combination navigating function for notifying information regarding the big bonus having a high probability and the internal winning combination determined by the internal winning combination determining means before the operation of the display stop command means by the player. A push order navigating function for notifying information related to the stop pattern selected by the stop pattern selection means before the player operates the display stop command means. A game procedure navigation function for notifying a game procedure that is advantageous to a player.

  For example, the internal winning combination navigating function described above is a reel stop pattern (for example, the first left reel is first notified before the left, middle, and right reel stop buttons corresponding to the left reel, middle reel, and right reel are stopped. , Then stop the middle reel, and finally stop the right reel, similarly left reel stop → right reel stop → middle reel stop pattern, middle reel stop → right reel stop → left reel stop pattern, 6 types of left reel stop → left reel stop → right reel stop pattern, right reel stop → left reel stop → middle reel stop pattern, right reel stop → middle reel stop → left reel stop pattern, etc.) In addition, a reel stop navigating function or the like in which a predetermined winning mode is obtained in the fluctuation display means by stopping the right reel stop button is included. The reel stop navigation function is a predetermined time (for example, first, second, third, etc.) without navigating the stop order of all reels (including image display means for variably displaying symbols other than reels). It also includes a navigation function for notifying the player of the reel to be stopped. In addition, the variable display means may include a predetermined winning mode when the reel is stopped in a state where a predetermined symbol is displayed on the reel to be stopped a predetermined time. Also included is a function for stopping a symbol with a minimum movement (or a substantially minimum fluctuation) from an output of a stop command signal from a display stop command means by a player, and a replay that can start a game of one unit game without inserting a game medium.

  In addition, one unit game may be applied as follows, for example. From the output of the game start command signal from the game start command means to the display of the game result. From the operation of the start lever until the game result is displayed on the fluctuation display means (predetermined display means). From the operation of the start lever until a specific display (for example, specific character information, a specific character, a specific image) is displayed on a predetermined display means. It is configured to output a game start command signal when the bet button is operated by the player, or when the game medal is inserted by the player, etc., and the change display means from the operation of the bet button or the insertion of the game medal Until the game result is displayed. It is configured to output a game start command signal when the bet button is operated by the player, or when a game medal is inserted by the player, etc., and a predetermined display is made from the operation of the bet button or insertion of the game medal. Until a specific display is displayed on the means. From the time when the symbol starting means for outputting the game start command signal detects winning or passing of a game medium (for example, a game ball) until the game result is displayed on the fluctuation display means (predetermined display means). A specific display (for example, specific character information, specific character, specific image) is displayed on the predetermined display means after the symbol starting means for outputting the game start command signal detects winning or passing of the game medium. Until. In addition, a plurality of unit games of continuous or intermittent multiple times may be applied to the plurality of unit games.

The perspective view which shows the external appearance of a gaming machine. The perspective view which shows the external appearance of a coin fall game unit. The side view which shows schematic structure of a coin fall game unit. It is explanatory drawing of a center liquid crystal panel, (a) shows the display state in which the pattern is fluctuating, (b) is a figure which shows the display state by which the symbol is arrange | positioned. The figure which shows the symbol and the code number of each symbol. Explanatory drawing which shows the display state of a center liquid crystal panel. It is explanatory drawing of a center liquid crystal panel, (a) shows the display state at the time of a 2nd game start, (b) is a figure which shows the display state after progress of a second game. Explanatory drawing which shows the display state of a center liquid crystal panel. The block diagram which shows the electrical structure of a game machine. The block diagram which shows the electric constitution of the graphic board of a game machine. The figure which shows a dividend management table. The flowchart of a starting process. The flowchart of an initial process. The flowchart of a game execution process. The flowchart of a 2nd game process. The perspective view which shows the external appearance of the coin fall game unit of the modification of a gaming machine.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Game machine 5A Upper side liquid crystal panel 5B Central liquid crystal panel 5C Lower side liquid crystal panel 10 Operation table 100 Coin drop game unit 101 Coin throwing part 102 Coin support stand 103 Moving stand 105 Drop slot 106 Passing coin detection part 115 Coin 151 * 152 * 153 Display window 170 Order pattern image 171 Jackpot image 172 Current step image 173 Remaining step image 174 Passing history image 175 Notification image 200 Coin falling game unit 201 Coin throwing unit 202 Coin game board

Claims (5)

Support means for supporting the accumulated game value;
Dropping means capable of dropping the gaming value on the supporting means;
Drive means capable of driving according to the dropped game value, and capable of dropping the game value supported by the support means from the support means based on the drive;
A plurality of areas set on a path where the gaming value falls from the support means;
Detecting means for detecting which of the plurality of areas the dropped game value has passed;
Passage history storage means for storing a history of a region through which the gaming value has passed;
Ordering means for ordering the plurality of regions;
Order pattern storage means for storing the order as an order pattern;
Display means for displaying information based on the order pattern on the display means;
Based on a predetermined timing, the ordering unit orders the plurality of areas, compares the passage history with the order pattern, and gives a predetermined game value when the passage history matches the order pattern. A gaming machine comprising: a control means for   The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the control unit drops a predetermined game value onto the support unit as the predetermined game value is given.   The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the control unit displays information on a result of comparison between the passage history and the order pattern on the display unit. A notification means for notifying a result of comparison between the passage history and the order pattern;
When the control means determines that the comparison result between the passage history and the order pattern does not match, the control means causes the notification means to execute a notification that the comparison result does not match, and the ordering means The game machine according to claim 1, wherein a new order pattern is ordered. Dropping means that can drop game value,
A game area in which the dropped game value can play downward;
A plurality of areas set on a path along which the game value moves downward;
Detecting means for detecting which of the plurality of areas the game value has passed;
Passage history storage means for storing a history of a region through which the gaming value has passed;
Ordering means for ordering the plurality of regions;
Order pattern storage means for storing the order as an order pattern;
Display means for displaying information based on the order pattern on the display means;
The ordering unit orders the plurality of areas based on a predetermined timing, compares the passage history with the order pattern, and gives a predetermined game value when the passage history matches the order pattern. A gaming machine comprising: a control means for

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