JP4009268B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a slot machine comprising a variable display device that variably displays a plurality of symbols required for a game, and a control means such as a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer) that controls the variable display of the variable display device. It relates to gaming machines and other gaming machines.

  For example, a gaming machine called a slot machine or a pachislot machine has a variable display device mechanically configured by arranging a plurality of rotating reels representing a plurality of symbols in a front display window, or a symbol on the screen. In accordance with a player's start operation, the control means drives the variable display device to rotate each reel and automatically or after a certain time When the rotation of each reel is sequentially stopped by the stop operation of the player, when the symbols of each reel appearing in the display window are in a specific combination (winning symbol), the game medium such as coins is paid out. However, in the current mainstream model, when the rotating reel stops, the winning symbols are aligned on the active line of the display unit. Hit If you Tsu is (specifically, when was elected in the lottery by the random extraction of a microcomputer). This is because when the stop pattern is determined only by the player's stop operation (timing), the game result (win / loss) is determined by the player's skill level, and only the player's skill is emphasized. This is to solve the problem that the management of the coin payout rate from the gaming machine becomes difficult for the game store.

  Therefore, even if a game machine of the type that can be stopped by the player (for example, a slot machine with a stop button), if the player does not win, no matter how the player stops the winning symbol, It cannot be aligned on top. That is, the game machine is such that the skill of the player is less likely to appear in the game result.

  However, the above gaming machine has a problem that the higher the skill level of the player, the less the skill is reflected in the game result and the less attractive the game.

  Therefore, a gaming machine has been developed that can obtain a game result in accordance with a player's stop operation under certain conditions. One example thereof is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-74391. This is because, in a slot machine (including a so-called pachislot machine) as described above, when a specific condition is achieved during a game, a part or all of a plurality of reels are controlled by random lottery for a predetermined number of games. During this cancellation period (referred to as “challenge time”, hereinafter abbreviated as “CT”), the display mode (symbols) when the reels are stopped at the timing of the player's stop operation. Since the player's skill is reflected in the game result and the stop control by random number lottery is performed in the conventional manner except for the above CT period, even a player with poor skill will receive a certain amount of prizes. Secured. As a result, the slot machine has become a gaming machine that harmonizes gaming and equality. Hereinafter, the game during the “CT” period is referred to as “CT game”.

  More specifically, “CT” is a period during which the feature symbols can be aligned when the variable display is stopped according to the player's stop operation, regardless of whether or not a random number lottery is determined. In addition, during the “CT” period, the player does not make a determination about a small prize that is easy for a player to win. There is also a method for performing the determination. This “CT” starts when a predetermined generation condition is satisfied and ends when a predetermined release condition is satisfied.

  However, even when “CT” is provided in the above gaming machines, even if a player, especially a beginner, does not clearly recognize CT, or even if it recognizes, “CT gaming” is terminated without taking advantage of it. I tend to do it.

  In addition, as one of the restrictions on the gaming machine, there is an upper limit on the profit that the player can acquire in one game, that is, the number of game media, so that the skilled person can obtain a lot of profit at the beginning of CT. Thus, the end of CT becomes closer, and if the early end of CT repeats, the interest in CT will be lost.

  Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine that allows an unskilled person to clearly recognize CT and play a game, and also allows a skilled person to fully enjoy CT game.

  A first aspect of the present invention is a gaming machine comprising variable display means for variably displaying a plurality of symbols necessary for a game, and control means for controlling variable display of the variable display means. A mode to be displayed when the variable display is stopped is determined, and the variable display is controlled to be stopped based on the determination, but predetermined by a winning determination for determining the occurrence of the CT game every time the RB game is generated or ended. The variable display is configured to stop in response to a player's stop operation without performing the determination during a period from when the occurrence condition is established until a predetermined release condition is established. To do.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gaming machine comprising: a variable display device that variably displays a plurality of symbols required for a game; and a control means that controls variable display of the variable display device. Decide whether the display to be displayed when the variable display is stopped will be a prize that gives a profit to the player or an outage that does not give a profit, and if it is decided to win, it depends on the timing of the player's stop operation When the winning display mode is determined to be out, the operation of the variable display device is controlled so that the out-of-display mode is displayed when the variable display is stopped, regardless of the timing of the player's stop operation. However, during the period from when a predetermined generation condition is satisfied by a winning determination for determining the occurrence of a CT game to be performed every time an RB game is generated or ended, until the predetermined release condition is satisfied, it is determined to be out of play. Shi Even if, characterized in that it is configured to stop controlling the variable display in accordance with the timing of the player's stop operation.

  According to a third aspect, there is provided an informing means for informing a player of a predetermined situation during the CT period.

  In the fourth aspect, when the predetermined situation occurs, the notification content of the notification means changes.

  In the fifth aspect, the notifying means includes a visual display means for notifying the game state by visual display or a sound generating means for notifying by sound, and the control means is configured to notify the notification when the predetermined situation is reached. The means is caused to perform a predetermined notification operation.

  In the sixth aspect, the notifying means includes a visual display means for notifying the game state with a visual display or a sound generating means for notifying with sound, and the visual display means or the sound generation when a predetermined situation is reached. And a notification control unit for causing the means to perform a predetermined notification operation.

  In the seventh aspect, the notifying means is configured to notify a stop operation advantageous to the player before the release condition is satisfied, in addition to being in a predetermined situation.

  In the present invention, the variable display device only needs to be able to move and display a plurality of symbol (symbol) rows, and has a mechanical configuration for rotationally driving a reel having a symbol row on the outer peripheral surface, or a liquid crystal or LED , CRT, etc., which display and move symbols electrically. Further, the control means only needs to be configured to determine whether or not a prize is won by random number extraction or the like and to execute variable display stop control based on the determination result. Used.

  When a plurality of symbol sequences to be variably displayed are provided, during the CT period, the control means can switch to stop control corresponding to the player's stop operation for all or at least one of the symbol sequences.

  The CT generation condition is that a lottery is performed at the start or end of an “RB game” to be described later, and a predetermined winning probability is set in each lottery. When a lottery is performed every time a general game is played, the CT game win is selected as a BB game or RB game win when a random number extracted by random number sampling performed for a general game win determination is determined. You may set the winning combination. In such combination winning, the CT game is started after the end of the BB game or the RB game.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, during the game, the control means determines an aspect to be displayed when the variable display of the variable display means is stopped by an appropriate method (for example, the lottery based on the random number extraction described above). Based on the determination, the variable display is controlled to stop. However, during the CT period until a predetermined release condition is satisfied after a predetermined generation condition is satisfied by a winning determination for determining the occurrence of a CT game that is performed every time an RB game is generated or ended, the above determination is made. Instead, the variable display is stopped according to the player's stop operation. Therefore, the player can align a desired winning symbol when the variable display is stopped by performing a stop operation such as pressing a stop button with good timing. For this reason, the game result reflects the skill of the player.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the control means determines whether the aspect to be displayed when the variable display of the variable display device is stopped is a winning that gives a profit to the player or an outage that does not give a profit. Determine by an appropriate method. And, when it is determined that the winning is, the display mode of winning is determined according to the timing of the player's stop operation, and when it is determined that it is out, the display mode of losing is displayed regardless of the timing of the player's stopping operation, The operation of the variable display device is controlled so as to display each when the variable display is stopped. Here, if a predetermined generation condition is established by a winning determination for determining the occurrence of a CT game every time an RB game is generated or ended, a CT period is reached. Is determined, the variable display is stopped according to the timing of the player's stop operation. Therefore, the player can arrange the desired winning symbols at the time of the variable display stop according to the timing of the stop operation such as pressing the stop button, and can obtain a game result corresponding to the skill of the player.

  In the gaming machine of the present invention, when a predetermined situation occurs during the CT period, the notification means notifies the player of this. The situation to be notified is, for example, that the CT cancellation condition is satisfied, that is, the end of CT is approaching, the player's loss exceeds a predetermined amount, and the detachment continues for a predetermined number of times, By changing the notification content of the notification means, the player can be notified of the CT status. By such notification, the player recognizes that the CT game will soon end, that his loss is large, that there will be no win for a while, etc., and devise a stop operation so that the CT game can be continued, It is possible to take measures according to the situation, such as ending the game so that the loss does not increase any more.

  As the notification means, for example, a visual display means such as a liquid crystal, a CRT, or an LED, or a sound generation means that notifies by sound, such as a buzzer or a speaker, is preferably used. When these notification means are used, when a predetermined situation occurs, the notification means is caused to perform a predetermined notification operation (flashing of a light emitter, generation of a specific sound, etc.) with a signal from the control means of the gaming machine. , Let the player recognize.

  The notification means may include not only the visual or auditory means described above but also a notification control unit that drives and controls these means. That is, the notification means may be driven by a CPU provided as a notification control unit separately from the microcomputer of the gaming machine when a predetermined situation is reached.

  Also, when the notification means is configured to notify the player of an advantageous stop operation (for example, the operation order of a plurality of stop buttons corresponding to a plurality of reels) before the release condition is satisfied, that is, before the CT is ended. Even an unskilled player can advantageously execute CT games. Further, the notification means may notify that a winning to be started such as a BB game or an RB game has been made as a result of the determination by the internal lottery.

  If the “net increase number” obtained by subtracting the number of game media consumed for the game from the number of game media acquired by the player reaches a predetermined number as the CT release condition, notification means By informing the player, when it is advantageous to increase the number of games, the player can perform a stop operation so as not to become a winning symbol thereafter. In addition, when the release condition is that the number of games in the CT period reaches a predetermined number, the notification means notifies the player that when the player wants to increase the number of game media, the prize can be obtained with a small profit. The number of winnings can be increased with the aim of winning the game media.

  More specifically, the release condition for the CT game to be interrupted or terminated and the control means to resume the variable display stop control is “BB game” as a result of the winning determination of the internal lottery performed during the CT game. Or, when “RB game” is won, the number of games in CT game reaches a predetermined number, the net increase in the number of game media in CT game reaches a predetermined number, etc. One or a combination of two or more is selected. Among the above cancellation conditions, for example, even if BB game or RB game is won, BB game or RB game starts, and the control means resumes variable display stop control based on the internal lottery, BB or RB It is also possible to set the CT game to resume after the operation of. It is also possible to set so that the CT game does not resume when the BB game ends, and the CT game resumes when the RB game ends.

  In particular, there are two types of prizes: a special increase prize giving a relatively large profit to the player ("BB" described later) and a special prize giving a relatively small profit to the player ("RB" described later). When the control means determines a special increase prize (BB) during the CT period when the seeds or three kinds (added “SB” described later) are added, the CT period ends and the player receives a special increase prize ( BB) is a gaming state in which a profit can be obtained, and when a special prize (RB) is determined during the CT period, the CT period is interrupted and a gaming state in which a profit corresponding to the special prize (RB) can be obtained for the player And the suspended CT is resumed after the gaming state ends. Thereby, the player can enjoy CT game irrespective of the skill.

  Further, in a gaming machine comprising variable display means for variably displaying a plurality of symbols necessary for a game and control means for controlling variable display of the variable display means, sound generation means capable of generating a plurality of types of sounds When the variable display is stopped, the player generates a sound according to the display mode, so that the player can not only visually determine what display mode has been generated for each game, but also by hearing. Can be identified. And the sound that can be heard by the player also corresponds to the type of prize, so even the hard-to-recognize symbols can be identified by sound, and the fun of the game will be even more exciting with the original effects of the sound. .

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. The slot machine 1 is a gaming machine that uses a coin, a medal, a token, or the like as a game medium, and will be described below using a medal.

  Three display windows 3L, 3C, 3R arranged side by side are provided in front of the cabinet 2 forming the entire slot machine 1, and three symbols are displayed vertically in each display window.

  FIG. 4 shows a symbol sequence used in the gaming machine 1. These symbols are drawn on the surface of the sheet that forms the circumferential surfaces of the three rotary reels 4L, 4C, 4R arranged inside the cabinet 2 corresponding to the display windows 3L, 3C, 3R.

  A start lever 5 for rotating the reel by a player's operation is attached to the lower left side of the display window in front of the cabinet 2 so as to be rotatable within a predetermined angle range.

  On the lower right side of the display window 3R, there is provided a medal slot 6 into which a medal of a game medium is inserted. Above the medal slot 6, a credit display portion 7A for displaying the number of medals currently credited is paid out. A payout display portion 7B for displaying the number of medals is provided. Each display unit is composed of 7-segment LEDs. The display means is not limited to an LED, and an LCD (liquid crystal) element or any other desired one can be used.

  On the lower left side of the display window 3L, there are provided an insertion button 17 for inserting a credited medal for gaming and a C / P switch 8 for switching credit / payout of the medal acquired by the player by a push button operation. Yes.

  Along with the start lever 5, stop buttons 9L, 9C, and 9R operated by the player to stop the rotation of the reels are arranged. Each stop button has a built-in light source or is configured to emit light when irradiated with light. Accordingly, the stop buttons 9L, 9C, and 9R become brighter and darker by turning on, blinking, and turning off each light source. The stop buttons 9L, 9C, 9R are turned on by the corresponding light sources 9L ', 9C', 9R 'and are used as notification means in the gaming machine 1.

  A medal payout opening 12 and a medal receiving portion 13 for collecting the payout medals are arranged at the lower front portion of the cabinet 2. On the lower right side of the medal payout opening 12, a sound generation unit 10 including a number of sound output holes is provided. Sound is emitted from the speaker 15 (FIG. 2) disposed inside the cabinet 2 through the sound generator 10. The speaker 15 can output a plurality of types of sounds, and is used as a notification unit in the gaming machine 1.

  Above the display window on the front of the cabinet is provided a display surface 16 on which a payout table indicating how many medals are paid out in response to a prize is provided, and the upper edge of the display surface 16 is formed as an effectable portion 11 capable of emitting light. Has been. The production unit 11 includes a large number of LEDs, and can display various productions and information by operations such as lighting, blinking, and extinguishing. The operation of the rendering unit 11 is also used as a notification unit in the gaming machine 1.

  FIG. 2 shows a circuit configuration including a control unit that controls the game processing operation in the slot machine 1 and a peripheral device (actuator) electrically connected thereto.

  In this case, the control means includes the microcomputer 20 as a main component, and is added to a circuit for random number sampling. The microcomputer 20 includes a CPU 21 that performs a control operation according to a preset program, and a ROM 22 and a RAM 23 that are storage means. The CPU 21 is sampled by a clock pulse generation circuit 24 and a frequency divider 25 that generate a reference clock pulse. A random number generator 26 for generating random numbers and a random number sampling circuit 27 are connected. In addition, as a means for random number sampling, you may comprise so that random number sampling may be performed within the microcomputer 20, ie, on the operation program of CPU21. In that case, the random number generator 26 and the random number sampling circuit 27 can be omitted, or can be left as a backup for the random number sampling operation.

  The ROM 22 of the microcomputer 20 stores data for winning determination including a winning probability table used for determination of random number sampling performed each time the start lever 5 is operated.

  The ROM 22 further generates data for generating a plurality of types of sound, data for determining a sound generated based on a stop symbol when the reel is stopped, and is generated according to a CT game situation as a notification means to the player. Data for determining the sound to be played is stored.

  In the circuit of FIG. 2, as the main actuators whose operation is controlled by a control signal from the microcomputer 20, the stepping motors 14L, 14C, 14R for rotating the reels 4L, 4C, 4R, respectively, and the medal of the game medium are used. There are a hopper 30 (including a drive unit for payout), a display unit 7A, 7B, stop buttons 9L, 9C, 9R, a light source of the effect unit 11, and a speaker 15. A motor drive circuit 31, a hopper drive The circuit 32, the light source drive circuit 37, and the sound output circuit 38 are connected to the output unit of the CPU 21. Each of these drive circuits receives a control signal such as a drive command output from the CPU 21 and controls the operation of each actuator.

  The main input signal generating means for generating an input signal necessary for the microcomputer 20 to generate a control signal is a medal inserted into the medal insertion slot 6 or a credit inserted by pressing the insertion button 17. A reel stop signal circuit 34 for generating a stop signal in response to an operation of the medal sensor 6S for detecting a medal, a start switch 5S for detecting the operation of the start lever 5, the C / P switch 8, and the stop buttons 9L, 9C, 9R. In addition, a reel position detection circuit 35 that receives a pulse signal from the reel rotation sensor and supplies a signal for detecting the position of each reel to the CPU 21 and a count value of the medal detection unit 33 (medals paid out from the hopper 30). When the number reaches the designated number data, a signal for detecting completion of medal payout is supplied to the CPU 21. There is a signal circuit 36.

  In the circuit of FIG. 2, the random number generator 26 generates a random number belonging to a predetermined numerical range, and the random number sampling circuit 27 samples one random number at an appropriate timing after the start lever 5 is operated. It is determined whether the random number extracted in this way belongs to a predetermined winning area stored in the storage unit in the ROM 22, and a signal based on the determination result is generated.

  After the rotation of the reels 4L, 4C, 4R is started, the number of drive pulses supplied to each of the stepping motors 14L, 14C, 14R is counted, and the counted value is written in a predetermined area of the RAM 23. From the reels 4L, 4C, 4R, reset pulses are obtained for each rotation, and these pulses are input to the CPU 21 via the reel position detection circuit 35. The CPU 21 clears the drive pulse count value stored in the RAM 23 to “0” by the reset pulse thus obtained. As a result, the RAM 23 stores a count value corresponding to the rotational position within the range of one rotation for each reel 4L, 4C, 4R.

  The control unit determines the stop position of each reel 4L, 4C, 4R based on the signal generated by the determination of the random number, and sends a signal for controlling the reel to stop at that position to the motor drive circuit.

  When the control unit detects a stop signal generated by operating the stop buttons 9L, 9C, 9R, it stops the reels 4L, 4C, 4R, respectively. Data for winning determination stored in the ROM 22 includes a winning symbol combination table for associating winning symbol combinations, winning medal dividends, and winning determination codes representing the winnings, This is referred to when controlling each reel 4L, 4C, 4R and when confirming winnings after all reels are stopped.

  As data for determining the sound generated based on the stop symbol when the reel is stopped stored in the ROM 22, a table for associating the winning symbol combination table with the type of sound is included. This table determines the type of sound by winning confirmation after all reels are stopped.

  The ROM 22 stores a program (sequence program) for executing a game on the slot machine 1.

  FIG. 3 shows a general game, a special increase prize game (hereinafter referred to as BB game), a special prize game (hereinafter referred to as RB game), and a challenge time game (hereinafter referred to as CT game) which are game states performed on the gaming machine 1. The relationship is called.

  In this gaming machine 1, when the game is started, a general gaming state is entered, and random number sampling is performed each time the start lever 5 is operated. The most advantageous combination of BB game and CT game, combination of RB game and CT game, BB game , RB game, CT game, and winning combination are determined for winning or losing.

  The winning determination for determining the occurrence of the CT game may be performed every time the game of the general game, every time the BB game is generated or ended, and every time the RB game is generated or ended.

  The BB game is the most advantageous state for the player who is generated by the winning symbol “7-7-7”, and is a gaming state in which an award for winning a feature is generated up to 30 times continuously and a large number of medals can be obtained. This is the same state as when RB games have occurred three times. During the BB game, the winning determination of the BB game, the RB game, and the CT game is not performed, but only the winning determination of the bonus item is performed. In the gaming machine 1, when a winning symbol “7-7-7” is generated, a sound set for the winning symbol “7-7-7” is generated from the speaker 15. This sound also allows the player to know that the BB game is started.

  The RB game is a game state that is generated by a stop symbol “BAR-BAR-BAR” and continues to be a state in which a winning combination is likely to occur continuously for a maximum of 12 times. During the RB game, the winning determination of the BB game, the RB game, and the CT game is not performed as in the BB game, and only the winning determination of the bonus is performed. In the gaming machine 1, when a winning symbol “BAR-BAR-BAR” is generated, a sound set for the winning symbol “BAR-BAR-BAR” is generated from the speaker 15. This sound also allows the player to know that the RB game is started.

The combination of the BB game and the CT game, the winning symbol "7 - 7 - 7" (7 refers to the ribbon with 7) generated by, after the end of CT game of the BB game is generated. In the gaming machine 1, the winning symbol when "7 - 7 - 7" occurs, the speaker 15, the winning symbol "7 - 7 - 7" setting sounds for occurs. This sound also enables the player to know that not only the BB game but also the CT game can be performed.

  In the CT game, the reel is stopped based on the stop operation of the player, but in the gaming machine 1, random number sampling is performed every time the start lever 5 is operated, and a winning determination of the BB game and the RB game is performed. When winning, the control unit performs reel stop control according to the winning. The CT game and the winning combination of the bonus item are not determined.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the gaming machine 1, when a BB game, an RB game, or a CT game is won during a general game, each game is started. When the BB game, RB game, or CT game ends, the game returns to the general game. In the case of winning the combination of BB game or RB game and CT game, the game shifts to CT game when BB game or RB game ends. If the BB game is won during the CT game, the CT game is ended and the BB game is started. If the RB game is won during the CT game, the CT game is interrupted, the RB game is interrupted, and when the RB game ends, the remaining CT games are resumed.

  The CT game ends when the game machine 1 plays 150 times a predetermined number of times. The CT game is terminated when a predetermined net increase in medals is obtained, and in the gaming machine 1, 200 net increase medals are obtained.

  When the number of games in the CT game approaches 150 times or the net increase number approaches 200 and the end of the CT game approaches, the stop buttons 9L, 9C, 9R, the production unit 11 and the speaker that are notification means of the gaming machine 1 15 notifies the player of the situation. The three stop buttons become brighter or darker so that the player can operate the stop buttons in an order that will be advantageous to the player, and the director 11 displays a display that alerts the player. The speaker 15 generates a special sound.

  Furthermore, in the CT game, because the winning symbols are not aligned and the payout is not performed, when the number of medals consumed by the player reaches a considerable amount, the number of medals consumed in the gaming machine 1 is the medal acquired by the game. When the number exceeds 30, the notifying means notifies the player of the situation where such a disadvantage occurs.

  FIG. 4 is a symbol row provided on the outer peripheral surface of the reels 4L, 4C, 4R of the gaming machine 1.

  The intervals at which the symbols “葡萄” 40, “JAC” 41 and “orange” 42, which are the character symbols in the symbol row of the reel 4L, appear are almost 5 or 6.

  The intervals at which the symbols “葡萄” 40, “JAC” 41 and “orange” 42 appearing in the symbol column of the reel 4C appear are 3, 4 or 5.

  The intervals at which the symbols “葡萄” 40, “JAC” 41 and “orange” 42, which are the symbol of the symbol in the symbol row of the reel 4R, are almost four, and may be five in rare cases.

  In this way, the intervals at which the symbols 40, 41 and 42 appear on the reel 4R are more nearly equal in the other two reels, so the stop button 9R on the reel 4R is pressed after the reels 4L and 4C are stopped. When operated, the patterns are easy to align.

  On the other hand, when the stop button 9L of the reel 4L is operated after the reel 4R and the reel 4C are stopped, even if the symbols of the reel 4R and the reel 4C are aligned, the intervals at which the symbols of the reel 4L appear are separated. It is difficult to align.

  5, 6 and 7 are flowcharts showing the operation of the control means in the CT game. In this flowchart, the counter N displays the allowable number of medals that can be increased, and the initial value is 200. The counter N is added when a medal is inserted, and is subtracted when a medal is paid out. When the counter N becomes 0, the CT game ends. The counter T displays the remaining number of games allowed in the CT game, the initial value is 150, the counter T is decremented every time a game is played, and when the counter T becomes 0, the CT game ends. To do.

  When the CT game is won and the CT game state is entered, the presentation unit 11 and the stop buttons 9L, 9C, 9R serving as the notification means display the “situation 1” mode for displaying the normal state of the CT game (step 1). ). The aspect of “situation 1” will be described later.

  When a medal is inserted, a signal is generated from the medal sensor 6S (step 2), and the number of inserted medals 1 to 3 is added to the counter N (step 3).

  The start switch 5S is actuated by operating the start lever 5 (step 4). The reels 4L, 4C, 4R are rotated (step 5). The counter T is decremented by 1 (step 6).

  A random number extraction determination process is performed (step 7).

  It is determined whether a stop button operation has been performed (step 8), and the reels 4L, 4C, 4R are stopped (step 9).

  The winning of the stop symbol is determined and the medal is paid out (step 10). The counter N is subtracted by the number of medals paid out (step 11).

  Next, it is determined whether or not a CT game release condition is satisfied (step 12). The CT game release condition is that BB game or RB game is won by random number judgment, and when the winning symbol “7-7-7” or “BAR-BAR-BAR” is prepared, the number of games in CT game is It is set when the number of times reaches 150 and the counter T is 0, and when the net increase in the number of game media in the CT game reaches 200 and the counter N is 0.

  When none of these release conditions is met, that is, when the determination result is “NO”, it is determined whether the counter N is 230 or more (step 13). This determination is a determination as to whether the number of medals consumed for the game exceeds 30 medals acquired in the game. If “YES”, that is, if the counter N is 230 or more, it is a notification means. The display of the unit 11, the display of the stop buttons 9L, 9C, 9R and the sound from the speaker 15 are changed to the “situation 2” state in which an unfavorable state has occurred, and the player is notified (step 14). The aspect of “situation 2” will be described later.

  If "NO" is determined in the determination at step 13, it is next determined whether the counter N is 50 or more (step 15). If "YES", that is, if the counter N is 50 or more, it is next determined whether the counter T is 10 or more (step 16).

  When the counter T is 9 or less and the remaining number of CT games approaches the end and the determination result is “NO”, the notification unit 11 displays, the stop buttons 9L, 9C, 9R, and the speaker 15 The sound is put into a “situation 3” state informing that the number of times that the game can be played is reduced and the CT game is almost over (step 17). The aspect of “situation 3” will be described later.

  On the other hand, when the counter N is 49 or less and the determination result is “NO” in the determination of step 15, the display of the production unit 11, the display of the stop buttons 9L, 9C, 9R and the sound from the speaker 15 are the notification means. Is set in the state of “Situation 4” informing that the net increase number has approached the upper limit and the CT game has come to an end (step 18). The aspect of “situation 4” will be described later.

  If the release condition is satisfied in step 12 and it is determined "YES", it is next determined whether the release condition is a winning of BB game (step 19). If “YES” is determined, the BB game is executed (step 20), the counter N and the counter T are set to 0 after completion (steps 23, 24 and 25), and the general game is resumed (step 26). The game ends.

  If “NO” is determined in the determination of step 19, it is then determined whether or not the RB game is won (step 21). If “YES” is determined, the RB game is executed (step 22), and after the RB game is finished, the process returns to step 2 to restart the CT game. The values of the counter N and the counter T when the CT game is resumed are values before the RB game is started.

  When the determination result of step 23 is “NO”, that is, when there is no BB win or RB win, it is determined whether the counter N is 0 (step 23). It is set to 0 (step 24), the general game is resumed (step 26), and the CT game ends. When the determination result in step 24 is “NO”, the counter T is always 0. Therefore, the counter N is set to 0 (step 25), and the general game is resumed (step 26), so the CT game ends.

  The notification modes of “situation 1”, “situation 2”, “situation 3”, and “situation 4” of the notification means in steps 1, 14, 17 and 18 are set in accordance with the purpose of notification.

  The “situation 1” mode informs the player that the game is a CT game, and is in a different state from the general game, the BB game, and the RB game. For example, the blinking state of the rendering unit 11 is changed, all stop buttons are blinked, or different sounds are generated.

  The “situation 2” mode notifies the player that the number of medals consumed by the player greatly exceeds the number of medals earned by winning and that a loss has occurred. Differentiate the player's attention. Further, if the stop button 9R of the reel 4R is operated after the reels 4L and 4C are stopped, the symbols are easily aligned. Therefore, only the stop button 9L is blinked, or the order in which the stop buttons illuminate is stopped first, then the stop button 9L. The button 9C and finally the stop button 9R are used to teach the operation order of the stop button. Furthermore, a sound different from “Situation 1” is generated to call attention.

  The “situation 3” mode notifies that the remaining number of times that a CT game can be played is approaching the end, and the flashing state of the production unit 11 is made different from “situation 1”, or in the same way as “situation 2” It teaches the order of stop buttons operated in the order in which the stop buttons shine so that the player can make many symbol winnings with a limited number of games, or generates a sound different from “Situation 1”. The mode of “situation 3” may be the same as the mode of “situation 2”, but for example, the flashing speed of the rendering unit 11 is increased, or the flashing speed of the stop button or the speed at which the stop button changes order is stopped. Alternatively, the target information may be notified as a mode different from “Situation 2”, such as generating a different warning sound.

  The mode of “situation 4” notifies that the net increase in the number of medals that can be obtained during the CT game is approaching the upper limit, and the flashing state of the production unit 11 is changed to “situation 1”, “situation 2” and “situation 3”. ”Or the number of games to be played and the chances of winning BB and RB by random number extraction can be increased. Sounds different from “1”, “Situation 2”, and “Situation 3” are generated. As described above, when the stop button 9L of the reel 4L is operated after the reel 4R and the reel 4C are stopped, even if the symbols of the reel 4R and the reel 4C are aligned, it is difficult to align the symbols of the reel 4L because of the distance between the symbols. Therefore, only the stop button R is blinked, or the stop button illuminates the stop button 9R first, then the stop button 9C, and finally the stop button 9L, and the stop button operation order is taught.

  By such notification, the player can know the order in which the stop button is pressed, or can enjoy the CT game advantageously by his own device using the notified information.

  In addition, it is good also as providing the gaming machine provided with the following structures.

  In a gaming machine comprising variable display means for variably displaying a plurality of symbols required for a game, and control means for controlling variable display of the variable display means, the control means should display when the variable display is stopped. The mode is determined, and the variable display is controlled to stop based on the determination. However, the game is not performed during the period from when a predetermined generation condition is satisfied until a predetermined release condition is satisfied. A gaming machine configured to stop the variable display in response to a player's stop operation, and further includes an informing means for notifying a player of a predetermined situation during the period.

  According to this gaming machine, during the game, the control means determines an aspect to be displayed when the variable display of the variable display means is stopped by an appropriate method (for example, the lottery based on the random number extraction described above). Based on the determination, the variable display is controlled to stop. However, during the CT period from when the predetermined generation condition is established during the game until the predetermined release condition is established, the determination is not performed, and the variable display is stopped according to the player's stop operation. Therefore, the player can align a desired winning symbol when the variable display is stopped by performing a stop operation such as pressing a stop button with good timing. For this reason, the game result reflects the skill of the player.

  In a gaming machine comprising a variable display device that variably displays a plurality of symbols required for a game and a control means for controlling variable display of the variable display device, the control means should display when the variable display is stopped The mode is determined to be either a winning that gives a profit to the player or a losing that does not give a profit, and if the winning is determined, the winning display mode is changed according to the timing of the player's stop operation. When the variable display device is determined, the operation of the variable display device is controlled so as to display a display mode out of place regardless of the timing of the player's stop operation. The variable display is configured to stop control according to the timing of the player's stop operation even during the period from when the predetermined release condition is satisfied to when the release is determined. Game machine characterized by comprising an informing means for informing it to the player when it is in a predetermined situation during.

  According to this gaming machine, the control means determines whether the mode to be displayed when the variable display of the variable display device is stopped is a winning that gives a profit to the player or an outage that does not give a profit. To decide. And, when it is determined that the winning is, the display mode of winning is determined according to the timing of the player's stop operation, and when it is determined that it is out, the display mode of losing is displayed regardless of the timing of the player's stopping operation, The operation of the variable display device is controlled so as to display each when the variable display is stopped. Here, when a predetermined generation condition is satisfied, a CT period is reached. During this period, the control means also makes a decision, but if it is decided that it is off, the variable display is stopped according to the timing of the player's stop operation. . Therefore, the player can arrange the desired winning symbols at the time of the variable display stop according to the timing of the stop operation such as pressing the stop button, and can obtain a game result corresponding to the skill of the player.

  In the gaming machine, the predetermined situation is that the release condition is approaching.

  In the gaming machine, the predetermined situation is that a player's loss exceeds a predetermined amount.

  In the gaming machine, the predetermined situation is that the disconnection continues for a predetermined number of times.

  In the gaming machine, the notification content of the notification means changes when the predetermined situation occurs.

  In the gaming machine, the informing means includes a visual display means for informing the game state by visual display or a sound generating means for informing with sound, and the control means has the predetermined situation when: A gaming machine characterized by causing the notification means to perform a predetermined notification operation.

  In the gaming machine, the notifying means includes a visual display means for notifying a game state by visual display or a sound generating means for notifying by sound, and the visual display means or A gaming machine comprising: a notification control unit that causes the sound generation means to perform a predetermined notification operation.

  In the gaming machine, the notification means is configured to notify a stop operation advantageous to the player before the release condition is satisfied, in addition to being in the predetermined situation. Gaming machine.

  In the gaming machine, the release condition is that the net increase obtained by subtracting the number of game media consumed for the game from the number of game media acquired by the player during the period reaches a predetermined number. Gaming machine.

  In the gaming machine, the release condition is that the number of games during the period reaches a predetermined number.

  In the gaming machine, the winning includes a special increase winning that gives a relatively large profit to the player, and a special winning that gives a relatively small profit to the player, and the control means includes When a special increase prize is determined, the period ends and a game state in which a profit corresponding to the special increase prize is obtained for the player is obtained. On the other hand, when the special prize is determined during the period, the period is interrupted. A gaming machine characterized in that a gaming state in which a profit corresponding to the special prize is obtained for the player is obtained, and the suspended period is resumed after the gaming state is finished.

  A gaming machine comprising variable display means for variably displaying a plurality of symbols required for a game and control means for controlling variable display of the variable display means, comprising sound generation means capable of generating a plurality of types of sounds The sound generating means generates a sound according to the display mode when the variable display is stopped.

  In these gaming machines, when a predetermined situation occurs during the CT period, the notifying means notifies the player of this. The situation to be notified is, for example, that the CT cancellation condition is satisfied, that is, the end of CT is approaching, the player's loss exceeds a predetermined amount, and the detachment continues for a predetermined number of times, By changing the notification content of the notification means, the player can be notified of the CT status. By such notification, the player recognizes that the CT game will soon end, that his loss is large, that there will be no win for a while, etc., and devise a stop operation so that the CT game can be continued, It is possible to take measures according to the situation, such as ending the game so that the loss does not increase any more.

  As the notification means, for example, a visual display means such as a liquid crystal, a CRT, or an LED, or a sound generation means that notifies by sound, such as a buzzer or a speaker, is preferably used. When these notification means are used, when a predetermined situation occurs, the notification means is caused to perform a predetermined notification operation (flashing of a light emitter, generation of a specific sound, etc.) with a signal from the control means of the gaming machine. , Let the player recognize.

  The notification means may include not only the visual or auditory means described above but also a notification control unit that drives and controls these means. That is, the notification means may be driven by a CPU provided as a notification control unit separately from the microcomputer of the gaming machine when a predetermined situation is reached.

  Also, when the notification means is configured to notify the player of an advantageous stop operation (for example, the operation order of a plurality of stop buttons corresponding to a plurality of reels) before the release condition is satisfied, that is, before the CT is ended. Even an unskilled player can advantageously execute CT games. Further, the notification means may notify that a winning to be started such as a BB game or an RB game has been made as a result of the determination by the internal lottery.

  If the “net increase number” obtained by subtracting the number of game media consumed for the game from the number of game media acquired by the player reaches a predetermined number as the CT release condition, notification means By informing the player, when it is advantageous to increase the number of games, the player can perform a stop operation so as not to become a winning symbol thereafter. In addition, when the release condition is that the number of games in the CT period reaches a predetermined number, the notification means notifies the player that when the player wants to increase the number of game media, the prize can be obtained with a small profit. The number of winnings can be increased with the aim of winning the game media.

  More specifically, the release condition for the CT game to be interrupted or terminated and the control means to resume the variable display stop control is “BB game” as a result of the winning determination of the internal lottery performed during the CT game. Or, when “RB game” is won, the number of games in CT game reaches a predetermined number, the net increase in the number of game media in CT game reaches a predetermined number, etc. One or a combination of two or more is selected. Among the above cancellation conditions, for example, even if BB game or RB game is won, BB game or RB game starts, and the control means resumes variable display stop control based on the internal lottery, BB or RB It is also possible to set the CT game to resume after the operation of. It is also possible to set so that the CT game does not resume when the BB game ends, and the CT game resumes when the RB game ends.

  In particular, there are two types of prizes: a special increase prize giving a relatively large profit to the player ("BB" described later) and a special prize giving a relatively small profit to the player ("RB" described later). When the control means determines a special increase prize (BB) during the CT period when the seeds or three kinds (added “SB” described later) are added, the CT period ends and the player receives a special increase prize ( BB) is a gaming state in which a profit can be obtained, and when a special prize (RB) is determined during the CT period, the CT period is interrupted and a gaming state in which a profit corresponding to the special prize (RB) can be obtained for the player And the suspended CT is resumed after the gaming state ends. Thereby, the player can enjoy CT game irrespective of the skill.

  Further, in a gaming machine comprising variable display means for variably displaying a plurality of symbols necessary for a game and control means for controlling variable display of the variable display means, sound generation means capable of generating a plurality of types of sounds When the variable display is stopped, the player generates a sound according to the display mode, so that the player can not only visually determine what display mode has been generated for each game, but also by hearing. Can be identified. And the sound that can be heard by the player also corresponds to the type of prize, so even the hard-to-recognize symbols can be identified by sound, and the fun of the game will be even more exciting with the original effects of the sound. .

The front perspective view which shows the external appearance of the slot machine of the Example of this invention. The block diagram which shows the circuit structure used for the slot machine of an Example. The relationship diagram of the several game state performed with the slot machine of an Example. The symbol sequence of the slot machine of an Example. The flowchart showing the control operation | movement of CT game of the slot machine of an Example. The flowchart showing the control operation | movement of CT game of the slot machine of an Example. The flowchart showing the control operation after the cancellation conditions of CT game of the slot machine of an Example are satisfied.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Slot machine, 2 ... Cabinet, 3L, 3C, 3R ... Display window, 4L, 4C, 4R ... Reel, 5 ... Start lever, 6 ... Medal slot, 7A ... Credit display part, 7B ... Discharge display part, 8 ... C / P switch, 9L, 9C, 9R ... Stop button, 10 ... Sound generation part, 11 ... Production part, 12 ... Medal payout port, 13 ... Medal receiving part, 14L, 14C, 14R ... Stepping motor, 15 ... Speaker, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 16 ... Display surface, 20 ... Microcomputer, 21 ... CPU, 22 ... ROM, 23 ... RAM, 24 ... Clock pulse generation circuit, 25 ... Frequency divider, 26 ... Random number generator, 27 ... Random number sampling circuit, 30 ... Hopper , 31 ... motor drive circuit, 32 ... hopper drive circuit, 33 ... medal detection unit, 34 ... reel stop signal circuit, 35 ... reel position detection circuit, 36 ... payout completion No. circuit, 37 ... light source drive circuit, 38 ... sound output circuit.

Claims (3)

In a gaming machine comprising: a variable display device that variably displays a plurality of symbol rows necessary for a game to be variably displayed; and a control means that controls variable display of the variable display device;
The control means determines whether to display a prize that gives a profit to the player or an outage that does not give a profit as a mode to be displayed when the variable display is stopped. If the winning display mode is determined to be out according to the timing of the stop operation, the variable display so that the out-of-display mode is displayed when the variable display is stopped regardless of the timing of the player's stop operation. CT period for controlling the operation of the apparatus, but from when a predetermined generation condition is satisfied by a winning determination for determining the occurrence of a CT game to be performed every time an RB game is generated or ended until a predetermined release condition is satisfied The inside is configured to stop the variable display according to the timing of the player's stop operation, even when determined to be out,
The predetermined release condition includes a case where a net increase number obtained by subtracting the number of game media consumed for a game from the number of game media acquired by the player during the CT period reaches a predetermined number,
In each of the plurality of symbol rows , the interval of the symbol symbol corresponding to a predetermined winning display mode for giving a predetermined profit to the player is different ,
When the net increase in the CT period reaches a predetermined number, the player is notified to stop the variable display device in order from the smallest symbol interval among the plurality of symbol rows. A gaming machine, further comprising an informing means for performing. The gaming machine according to claim 1,
The informing means comprises visual display means for informing the game state by visual display or sound generating means for informing with sound,
When the number of net increase during the CT period reaches a predetermined number, the control means displays the variable display in order from the smallest symbol interval among the plurality of symbol rows to the notification means. A gaming machine that performs a notification operation to notify a player to stop the device . The gaming machine according to claim 1,
The notifying means includes a visual display means for notifying the game state with a visual display or a sound generating means for notifying with a sound, and when the number of net increase during the CT period reaches a predetermined number, A notification control unit for causing a display unit or a sound generation unit to perform a notification operation of notifying a player to stop the variable display device in order from the smallest symbol interval among the plurality of symbol sequences; A gaming machine characterized by including:

Images