JPH02232084A - Slot machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent a pay-out rate from being fluctuated even in the case that a scheduled prize can not be obtained when a reel is stopped although the prize is scheduled to be obtained by generating a request signal correspond ing to the kind of the prize which is determined in correspondence to a sampled random number, stopping the reel based on this signal and carrying a hit request over to the next game when the prize corresponding to the signal can not be obtained. CONSTITUTION:A hit request is generated as the result of collation between the value of the random number to be sampled when the game is started and the group of a numerical value to which the prize stored in a price table on a ROM is given. After a stop button 25 is pushed, the reel is stopped within a limited time and further, the reel is stopped by the coupling of symbol marks corresponding to the hit request as much as possible. When any prize can not be obtained although the hit request is generated, the hit request is carried over to the next game.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a slot machine in which reel stop control is performed using a microcomputer. [Prior Art] A slot machine is equipped with a plurality of reels with symbols arranged around the outer periphery, and these reels are rotated all at once by a player inserting a medal and then operating a start lever. When the reels have stopped rotating, the combination of symbols appearing in the display window will indicate whether or not you have won a prize. When a prize is won, the number of medals depending on the type of prize is paid out. The probability of winning in such a slot machine can be calculated based on the number of reels (0) and how many winning symbols are arranged on each reel. and the number of inserted medals) can also be determined. However, with a system that stops the rotation of the reels when a player operates a stop button provided on each reel, it seems that skilled players can win at a higher rate than the calculated probability of winning. become. In order to maintain a constant payout rate even for such players, for example, even if the number of arranged symbols that make up winnings on each reel is reduced, if the player becomes more skilled, the planned payout rate will be maintained. On the other hand, it may become difficult for inexperienced players to win prizes, and they may lose their desire to play the game.

Against this background, slot machines are being considered in which random numbers are sampled for each game, the type of winning is determined according to the sampled random numbers, and each reel is controlled to stop so that the determined winning can be obtained. There is. According to such a control system, it becomes possible to maintain a constant payout rate regardless of the player's skill.

When such a reel stop control method is adopted, in a slot machine equipped with a stop button, a problem arises in that there is a discrepancy between the timing of operating the stop button and the timing of stopping the reels. In other words, the stop button is operated by the player at any timing, whereas the reel stop control is to stop the reels so that the symbols that make up the expected winnings are stopped in the display window. , there is a risk that the timing at which the reels stop may be extremely different from the timing at which the stop button is operated.

To solve this problem, the reels should be stopped between the time the stop button is pressed and the time the reels rotate, for example, 1/4 of a turn. According to this, the operation of the stop button does not give the player a very unnatural feeling, and moreover, the symbols forming the planned winnings appear in the stop window while the reels rotate 1/4 of the way. The probability is also high, so if there are many, the desired goal can be achieved.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, even if the reels are controlled to stop while the reels rotate 1/4 after the stop button is operated as described above, the desired symbol will appear on the display window while the reels rotate 1/4. There may not be any. In particular, in adult prizes where you can get a very large number of dividend medals, the number of arranged symbols that make up the medals is usually small, so even if a big prize is expected to occur based on the random numbers sampled, even if you press the stop button If the timing of the operation is inappropriate, the result will be that you won't actually win the big prize. Moreover, the probability of random numbers being sampled to generate a big win is kept low in consideration of the payout rate.
If the game ends without a big win occurring as described above, it is likely that a big win will not occur for a while after that. As a result, the payout rate becomes low, which tends to reduce the interest in the game. The above problem is also common to video-type slot machines that project reel images on a cathode ray tube. Furthermore, even in auto-stop type slot machines that automatically stop the rotating reels, for example, the reels may not be in the intended position due to a step-out in the pulse motor that rotates the reels, or due to the influence of noise that enters during the reel stop control. Since there are cases where it cannot be stopped, the same problem still occurs.

[Purpose of the invention]

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and even if a winning is scheduled based on the sampled random numbers but the expected winning is not achieved when the reels stop, the payout rate remains unchanged. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a slot machine that does not cause fluctuations in the performance of the slot machine.

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes a request generating means that determines the type of winning in response to sampled random numbers and generates a request signal corresponding to the type of winning; A reel stop control means for controlling the stop of the reel, and a means for carrying over the request signal to the next and subsequent games when the winnings corresponding to the request signal are not obtained. (Operation) A request signal indicating a winning is generated based on the sampled random number, and reel stop control is started based on this. As a result of controlling the reels to stop, if a winning that satisfies the request signal is not obtained, the request signal will be carried over to the next game or later, so that the request signal can be used effectively. become.

The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

〔Example〕

In FIG. 1 showing a slot machine using the present invention,
A door panel 20, which is opened for maintenance and inspection, is attached to the front surface of the main body 10 so as to be openable and closable via a hinge 12. The door panel 20 is provided with three windows 21, and each of the three reels rotating within the main body 10 can be observed through these windows 2l. Reference numeral 23 denotes a medal slot for the player to insert medals into before starting the game. When the player inserts 1 to 3 medals and operates the start lever 26, the three reels rotate simultaneously within the main body 10, and when the stop operation is activated after a certain period of time, the reels stop. The lamp 27 lights up to indicate that the operation of the stop button 25 has been validated.

After the stop lamp 27 lights up, when the stop button 25 provided for each reel is pressed, the corresponding reel is stopped. And as a result of stopping all reels, window 21
When the combination of symbol marks observed from the above corresponds to winning, a predetermined number of medals will be digitally displayed on the display unit 22 according to the winning, and that number of medals will be delivered from the medal payout port 30 to the receiving tray. It is discharged on 31st. In FIG. 2, which shows in detail the window 2l for observing the reels, three symbol marks S of each reel can be observed from each window 21A to 21C. Five winning determination lines 1, 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B are provided around these windows 21A to 2IC. When the number of medals inserted before the start of the game is one, only winning determination line 1 is activated, and when two medals are inserted, winning determination lines 2A and 2B are added, and when three medals are inserted, winning determination line 1 is activated. Line 3A, 3B
will also be added. Note that the symbol L indicates a lamp, which indicates which winning determination line is activated. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the process of determining the winning determination line, in which the medals inserted through the medal slot 23 are detected one by one by a photo sensor or microswitch, and the number of valid winning determination lines increases each time. of course,
Since the validated winning determination line is referred to when determining a winning prize, data indicating which winning determination line is activated is input to the microcomputer.

The fourth page is a flowchart showing the flow of basic game processing after the winning determination line is determined. Start lever 2
The three reels are rotated by the operation 6, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, the stop lamp 27 is turned on, waiting for the hit request setting process to be described later. Determination processes P1, P2, and P3 in the figure indicate processing for determining whether or not the stop button 25 has been pressed for the three rotating reels. The order in which the stop buttons 25 are operated is arbitrary, and when it is confirmed in the judgment process P4 that all the reels have stopped, the winning judgment process shown in FIG. The payout process for dividend medals is performed. In order to detect the symbol marks on the reels as electrical signals when determining winnings, the reels must be provided with a signal section for each symbol mark, and this signal section must be read by a photo sensor, or the reels must be driven by a pulse mode. A signal section is provided at one location on the reel so that a reset pulse is obtained every time the reel rotates, and the determination is made by the number of drive pulses supplied until the pulse motor stops after the reset pulse is obtained. can do. In addition, to determine the winnings, the symbol marks on each reel are detected as the electrical code signals as described above, and the combination of these symbol marks is compared with the ROM described later.

If a prize has been won, the request subtraction process is performed, and then the hopper motor is driven to pay out the payout medals. The payout medals are counted, for example, by a medal counter provided within the payout route, and when the counted value reaches a predetermined number, the payout ends and one game is completed. Figure 6 shows an outline of the microcomputer used in the slot machine of the present invention. In Fig. 6, the broken line block A is the main CPU50, ROM51, R・A
ROM51, which is the main control section including M52
In addition to the above-mentioned correspondence table between symbol marks and symbol mark codes, symbol mark codes corresponding to winnings, and the number of medals distributed, it is determined whether or not to win a prize for the executed game, and if the game is won, the number of winnings is determined. Contains a winning probability table that generates hit requests according to rank. In addition, the RAM 52 includes a memory for temporarily storing random values sampled after the start of the game, a memory for storing hit requests, or data such as code numbers and symbol numbers detected by rotating reel colors as described later. Contains memory for temporarily storing information.

In the figure, reference numeral 53 indicates a clock pulse generator that generates a 4 MHz clock pulse for driving the main CPU 50, for example. Further, the frequency divider 55 outputs a pulse having a frequency of 500 Hz used for interrupt processing and the like. Reference numeral 55 designates a sound generation unit that generates sounds to enliven the game, and the sound signals are produced by a speaker 56. Reference numeral 58 indicates the display section 22 (first
A light emitting diode for a 7-segment digital display used in FIG.

The broken line section B indicates the reel drive monitoring block. In this slot machine, each reel Rl, R2, R3 is operated by a pulse motor Ml. Driven by M2 and M3. The motor drive section 60 supplies drive pulses to the pulse motors M1, M2, and M3. A reset signal section is provided at a predetermined position of each reel R1 to R3, and its passage is photoelectrically detected every rotation, and a reset pulse for each reel is input from the position detection input boat 61 to the main CPU 50. Therefore, the symbol mark of each reel can be identified by how many driving pulses are supplied after the reset pulse is obtained until the pulse motor stops. Block C is a stop operation block, with stop buttons STl-ST3 provided for each block,
It includes a reel stop input boat 65 that inputs these pressing operations as electrical signals to the main CPU 50.
Further, reference numerals 70 and 71 respectively indicate a hopper for paying out dividend medals and a hopper motor drive unit. Reference numeral 72 is a medal detection unit that detects medals inserted by the player, and the number of inserted medals detected here is determined by the switch input unit 7.
5 to the main CPU 50, and the sheet count data is stored in a counter. In addition, this number of sheets data drives the lamp that displays the winning determination line. Furthermore, when the number of medals that have been inserted reaches three, a lock solenoid that prohibits the insertion of medals is activated. Other switch operation units 78 include a switch that is operated when the player wants to cancel the game after inserting medals. Next, the generation of hit requests, which is a feature of the present invention, will be explained in detail. A hit request is generated as a result of comparing a random number sampled at the start of the game with a group of numbers stored in a winning table on the ROM that should award a winning prize. Figure 7 is a flowchart of random value update. That is, when the main power switch of the slot machine is turned on and the game is ready to start, this process is executed by a timer interrupt every 2 msec obtained via the frequency divider 54, but the random value is updated at 4 ms. This is done every 8 msec. When random numbers are generated in FIG. 7, they are sequentially registered in a 2-byte random number RAM 80, as schematically shown in FIG. The random number RAM 80 has a total of 2 bytes, consisting of 1 byte memory for RAND 1 and 1 byte memory for RAND 2, but if the used area is divided into 15 bits with diagonal lines, for example, decimal numbers 0 to 3276
You will get a random number in the range of 4. In addition, random number RAM80
The area to be used can be selected as appropriate depending on the winning probability setting.

As shown in the flowchart in Figure 7, the random number is 8m.
It is updated every s e c, and in the update process r
In the processing of +IJ, r+3J, or "+4", a prime number r769J in decimal notation is added to the previous random number, so the random number is not updated to the same number. It should be noted that once the random numbers within a certain range reach a certain order, the above-mentioned process is continued again. The update width when updating the random value is r+IJ, r- in the processing flow of FIG.
It is determined as t-34, or a prime number r769J due to +4, but it is not necessarily limited to this number, and in principle any prime number may be used. Figure 9 shows the random number that is generated and updated. This is a flowchart showing sampling and hit request check processing.This flowchart corresponds to the "hit request" processing in the flowchart shown in FIG. By the signal (it is desirable that each reel has reached steady rotation at the time of generation), the random number RAM is
The random number set to 80 is determined as the random number for that game. The random number determined in this way is compared with the winning probability table described later according to the flowchart in Figure 9, and if the number corresponds to a big hit, a big hit request signal will be generated, and if the number corresponds to a medium hit, a medium hit request signal will be generated. Judgment processing is performed for small hits, such as generation of a hit request signal, and it is checked whether any hit request signal has been generated or whether there is no hit request. Furthermore, the process of "winning table selection" means that the number of winning determination lines changes depending on how many medals are inserted before the game starts, so the winning table corresponding to this is selected. are doing. FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram of the winning probability table.

BL-83, M1-M3, S1-S3 in the table are
Each is a preset value and is stored in a 2-byte memory area as shown in Figure 8, however, in ROM. Then, one of the lines is selected depending on the number of medals inserted (corresponding to "R winning table selection" in the flowchart of FIG. 9). Note that the above-mentioned numerical value is normally set to B<M<S. For example, if the random number generated by the process shown in FIG. The probability of is rBl/NJ, the probability of medium hit is rM1/NJ, the probability of small hit is rs1/N
”. Therefore, the values of Bl, Ml, and St are rB1=100''. rM1=500+, rs1=l0
00'', the sampled random value is 1
If the number is less than 00, a large hit request will be generated, if it is 100 or more and less than 600, a medium hit request will be generated, if it is 600 or more and less than 1600, a small hit request will be generated, and if it is 1600 or more, there will be no hit request. Thereby, the winning probability table has a function of determining the probability of winning for each rank.

In this way, a random value is sampled and compared with the winning probability table mentioned above, and if the value corresponds to winning, a hit request is obtained, but a request counter is used to keep the bailout rate constant. In other words, when the hit request mentioned above occurs, the request counter that counts each hit request becomes "+".
1'' and stored on RAM. Then, when a hit occurs, the request counter is decremented by "-1". Furthermore, if there is no hit, the request is saved as is, and a hit request is generated until the request counter finally reaches "0", thus keeping the payout rate constant. This is processed according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

Examples of the large, medium, and small hits mentioned so far include a large hit that allows you to play a bonus game after paying out 15 medals, and a medium hit that pays out 10 to 15 medals. , such as paying out dividend medals with a small hit of about 2 to 5 pieces. As a bonus game,
For example, each time a medal is inserted, the game is run on only one reel, and if a certain symbol appears on that reel, 15 payout medals are paid out. You may be able to play several games.

A hit request is generated as described above.Next, we will discuss the control to stop the rotation of the reels in response to the generation of this hit request. First, as a reel drive method suitable for such a purpose, reel rotation drive using a pulse motor is desirable.

In other words, according to Barsmoyu, the reel rotates by a predetermined angle for each drive pulse sent.
For example, using a pulse motor that rotates by 1.8 degrees with one drive pulse (one rotation in 200 pulses),
If you set 21 symbols on one reel, you will get 200
/21=9.523... In other words, one symbol mark is rotated by 9 to 10 drive pulses.

As mentioned above, a photoelectrically detectable reset signal section is provided at one location on the periphery of the reel, and a code number is sequentially numbered from 0 to 20 in accordance with the arrangement in the rotation direction of the reel from the symbol mark at this reset position.
If the symbol number corresponding to the symbol mark is stored in the ROM, the code number can be calculated by counting the number of drive pulses sent to the motor after a reset pulse is obtained by the main control section, and the code number and By referring to the ROM in which the symbol number is stored, the type of symbol mark appearing on the window can be identified. Of course, if the reset position detection sensor installed on the reel that detects the reset signal section deviates from the window position, the number of drive pulses is adjusted by the deviation. According to such a configuration, the moment the reel stop button is pressed, the number of drive pulses sent after the reset pulse is generated is monitored, and the number of drive pulses is determined by referring to the symbol number ROM described above. You can identify what the symbol mark that appears on the window is at the moment. Therefore, if it is sufficient to stop the reels from when the stop button is pressed until the reels make one revolution, by adjusting the number of drive pulses sent after that, any symbol mark can be It is possible to stop at a certain position. However, in practice, if it takes too long for the reels to stop after pressing the stop button, the player will feel unnaturally angry. Therefore, as explained below, the reels are stopped within a limited time after the stop button is pressed, and moreover, the reels are stopped with a combination of symbol marks that corresponds to the hit request as much as possible.

First, after the stop button is operated, the reels are stopped until the symbol mark moves by, for example, four positions. Then, check what the five symbol marks are, starting from the reel position at the time the stop button was pressed and up to the four symbol marks following this. The symbol marks are checked in this way, and if the symbol mark required to obtain a combination of symbol marks that satisfies the hit request that has already been set up is within the range, the reels are stopped there. Note that such processing is of course performed for each reel.

FIG. 12 conceptually shows an example of the code number and symbol code table described above, and FIG. 13 shows reel stop processing. The symbol mark itself in FIG. 12 is actually a simplified design figure, and symbol numbers are associated with each type of figure.

Mata, code numbers 1 to 8 of “0 to 20” on each reel
The symbol number is actually stored in the ROM as a binary number, and it is sufficient to prepare 5 bits for the code number and 3 bits for the symbol number.

The flowchart in FIG. 13 is performed for each of the three reels, and is started by operating the start lever. P10 in FIG. The processing of P11 is
It detects the reset signal section provided on the reel, that is, the code number "0", and sequentially updates the code number as the reel rotates to clear the RAM.
P12. At P13, it is confirmed whether or not the drive pulses required to move one symbol have been sent to the motor, and then a new code number is set up in the RAM.

In addition, in the stop control process of P14, it is determined whether or not the symbol mark for winning a prize corresponding to the hit request that has already been obtained exists within the range of the four symbol marks mentioned above when the stop button is operated. A determination is made based on the code number, and if there are any, it is calculated how many more drive pulses should be sent to the motor. Then, in the process of P15, the motor is stopped after counting the calculated drive pulses, and the motor is stopped.
The code number and symbol number are referenced in the process. Of course, these processes are performed for each reel.

FIG. 14 shows the state of the RAM area where data is rewritten every time the PL3 process in FIG. 13 is performed. RAMI in FIG. 14 is a RAM that is rewritten in the process of P13, and for example, at a certain point in time, the code number of each reel that appears on the central winning determination line 1 (FIG. 2) is set. When the symbol numbers of each reel are set in this way, the R
The symbol code of each reel appearing in the window is uniquely determined by referring to the OM, and this result is stored in RAM2 in FIG.
is set to Once the data in RAM2 is determined in this way, each winning determination line 1.2A, 2B, 3 in FIG.
The arrangement of each symbol mark on A and 3B is determined, and this is stored in the RAM 13 as shown.
The combination of symbol codes on each winning determination line is referred to the winning symbol table, which stores the combination of winning symbol codes, the corresponding number of payout medals, and whether or not a bonus game has started. Figure 15 conceptually shows an example of such a winning symbol table. Note that if the number of medals inserted is one, it goes without saying that only the winning determination line 1 needs to be checked. Suppose that three medals are inserted, and symbol code combination r5 (E
)-5 (E)-5 (E) If J is a medium hit that yields 10 dividend medals, this is the RA as shown in the diagram.
Set to M4. Note that a flag indicating whether or not a bonus game has occurred is set in area 4a in RAMd, and the number of payout medals is set in area 4b. Further, the RAM 5 has a large hit area 5a, a medium hit area 5b, a small hit area 5c, and a no-hit area 5d, and a flag is set in any of these areas in response to a hit request. The reel stopping process when the number of medals inserted is three and the first reel, second reel, and third reel are stopped in order from the left in FIG. 2 will be described.

■ Processing of the 1st reel First, if a big hit request is generated, according to the flowchart in Fig. 16, based on the data in RAMI area R1 at the time the stop button was operated (Fig. 14), The symbol mark is checked within the range of four symbol marks. If there is a symbol mark that constitutes a big hit in this range, determine the number of drive pulses to be supplied to the motor so that it appears on the window. In addition, in this flowchart, "out of 3 symbols". The meaning of "window position symbol number" is the three symbol marks that appear on the window. This is the symbol number, which corresponds to the fact that the number of medals inserted is 3 and all of the winning determination lines are activated. Also, the three symbol numbers in the window position are R1 of RAMI in Figure 14.
It is determined from the area, that is, the symbol number on the winning determination line l.

When a medium hit request is occurring, the 16th
In the flowchart in the figure, "large hit" is "medium hit"
The process is the same as that of , and when a small hit request occurs, the process is performed according to the flowchart of FIG. 17. During small hit processing, if there is a small hit symbol within the range of four frames, it is processed so that it appears in the window position. Furthermore, if there is no hit request, the lth
The first judgment in the flowchart of FIG. 7 is ``Are there no small or medium hits for 3 symbols?'' and a check is made within the range of 4 frame deviation, and if there is no small hit symbol, the process is stopped at that position. That is, processing is performed so that a symbol mark constituting a large hit or a medium hit appears at the window position.

In the above-described process, if the symbol mark corresponding to the hit request cannot be stopped at the display window position, the process moves to a process without a hit request (loss process). In this case, the player will not be able to win the prize according to the hit request, but the generated hit request will be carried over and used in the next game, so there will be no change in the payout rate. Such loss processing performed on the first reel is particularly likely to occur when a small hit request occurs. That is, because a small hit is generally achieved simply by the appearance of a specific symbol mark on the first reel, there are often only two or three small hit symbols on the first reel. Of course, if there are only a few symbol marks constituting a big hit in the first place, this is likely to occur when a big hit request occurs for the same reason.

When the first reel is controlled to stop as described above, the first reel
The symbol table in Figure 2 is referred to, and the RA in Figure 14 is
The symbol number is set in the R1 area of M2 and RAM3. ■ Processing of the second reel As mentioned above, the second reel is performed after the first reel is stopped.
The reel stopping process is as follows.

First, if a big hit request is occurring, the 18th
The process is performed according to the flowchart in the figure, and if the corresponding symbol sequence is achieved, it is executed. Furthermore, when a medium hit request occurs, the first judgment in Figure 18 is processed in the same way as "Is there a sequence of medium hits?", and when a small hit request occurs, the reels are reeled without any processing. It will be stopped.

In this flowchart, the process of "creating a combination table for each winning line" is to create a symbol combination table for each winning line, as shown in FIG. 19, on the RAM, for example. Now suppose that the first 17-reel is stopped at code number 15 (see Figure 12), and the second reel is stopped at the second reel at code number 18, then the 14th First, considering what is explained in the figure.
The symbol number for each line is determined as shown in the table in Figure 9. That is, each line is created by referring to symbol codes that are shifted by four frames. And the symbol numbers are 2 (B) -2 CB), 3(C) -3 C
If C') is a combination element of blockbuster symbols,
Sequence check "1" is stored, 6 {F) -6
If (F) is an element of a medium hit symbol, "1" is stored in the sequence of medium hits. Therefore, in this case, if a medium hit request has occurred, line 1 has 6 (
Since F)-6(F) is lined up, the second reel will be stopped at this position.

When the second reel is stopped in this way, the symbol number of the second reel R2 is stored in each RAM shown in FIG. When the second reel stops, the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 20 is further performed. In the process of P20 in FIG. 20, each symbol number on the third reel stops at winning determination line 1 for the combination of symbol numbers determined by the first and second 17-rules that have already been stopped. The possibility of winning when combined is checked for each winning determination line, and the hits obtained as a result of that check are used as hit flags for each rank, and are set up according to the code number of the third reel. This is equivalent to creating the table shown in FIG. 21, for example. This winning determination process is executed according to the flowchart of FIG. 22.

In addition, in the table of Figure 21, the first reel is code number 17.
In other words, it is assumed that the second reel has stopped at the code number 19, that is, the 6 (F) symbol.

As a result, it is all checked what kind of hit will occur if the third reel is stopped at which symbol mark. Also, as a result of performing the stop processing of the second reel when a hit request occurs, if it is found that the winnings according to the hit request cannot be obtained, the same as the first reel, the loss processing is performed and
The hit flag will now be saved.

(3) Third reel process After the second reel stop process is completed as described above, the third reel stop process is performed according to the flowchart of FIG. 23 if a big hit request has been generated. In this case, the determination of a hit is executed with reference to the winning classification table (FIG. 21) that has already been created after the second reel stops.

Furthermore, when a medium hit request is generated, the two hit judgment processing blocks in this flowchart are exchanged. If a small hit request is generated, the symbol on the 3rd reel can be any symbol, but depending on the number of medals inserted (2 or more), it may be a dog hit or a dog hit by one of the multiple winning lines.
Since a medium hit may occur, it is necessary to check this within the range of 4 frames in the 3rd reel stop process, and even if there is no hit request, the 1st reel may be hit. Since it is possible that the second reel is a sequence of symbols that constitute a large or medium hit, it is still necessary to check this, and this will be processed by the flowchart in Figure 24.

For example, if there is no hit request and the first and second reels have stopped at code number 17.19 (see Figure 21), the stop operation on the third reel will cause the third reel to have code number 3. 4, the check will be performed up to code number 8 for frame misalignment.

And if there is no frame shift, it will be a medium hit, so the third
For example, the 17-rule will be stopped at code number 5, which is shifted by one frame. As mentioned above, the 21st
Since the winning classification table shown in the figure is applied not only to winning determining line 1 but also to other winning determining lines, a winning will not occur on any winning determining line.

When the third reel stops in this way, the process according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 25 is executed. That is,
By stopping the third reel, the symbol marks of all the reels appearing in the window are determined, and each RAM area shown in Fig. 14 now has all the data. At this point, the winning determination process shown in FIG. 22 is executed again. If the result of this determination process is a win, the hit request obtained at the start of the game is subtracted, and the hopper motor for medal payment is turned on.

As can be seen from FIG. 22, according to the winning determination process after the third 17-rule is stopped, in the case of winning, the number of paid medals is stored in the payout area (RAM4 in FIG. 14). Each time a medal is paid by the hopper, the number in the payout area is subtracted by 1, and when it reaches 0, the hopper motor is turned off and one game ends. The reel stopping process has been described above based on an example in which the reels are stopped sequentially starting from the first reel, but other cases can be dealt with in the same way by slightly changing the processing procedure. Further, although the reel processing has been described assuming a four-frame shift, it is possible that the symbol corresponding to the hit request does not exist within the four-frame shift range. (
Especially since there are few big hit symbols, it is quite possible =)
In such a case, the result will not satisfy the hit request, and the set winning probability will decrease, and the impact will be especially large for big hits. In order to optimize this, if a hit request is generated but no prize is won, that hit request is carried over to the next game, and the reel stop control is executed using this hit request again. Since then, the payout rate will not change. It goes without saying that the probability of achieving a hit request will be improved if the 4-frame shift is further increased to enable checking and stop control up to, for example, 10 frames.

Furthermore, especially with regard to the symbol arrangement on the third reel, if symbols without hits are always arranged within a four-frame shift range, the payout rate will be stable in accordance with the value of the winning probability table.

The basic constituent blocks of the slot machine described above can be expressed as shown in FIG.

That is, first, a random number is sampled at an arbitrary point in time, such as the timing of operation of the start lever, and a hit request is generated by comparing the value of the sampled random number with a winning probability table. Then, each reel is controlled to stop so that a prize can be won according to this hit request, and by adding a limited condition such as the timing of the player's stop button operation to this reel control, randomness and the player's skill are controlled. This means that you can mix the following. The payout rate can be kept constant at a considerable expected value by using the entered prize probability table, and can also be set arbitrarily. Therefore, by maintaining a certain set payout rate, most winning sequences can appear regardless of the level of the payout, and it is also possible to prevent the uneven characteristics of the slot machine itself from appearing.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As detailed above, according to the slot machine of the present invention, the type of winning is made to correspond to the sampled random number, and the rotation of the reels is controlled based on the request signal generated according to the type of winning. The final stopping position is determined while monitoring. Therefore, unlike the system in which the reel is stopped at a predetermined stop position, there is no possibility that the timing at which the reel stop signal is generated and the timing at which the reel actually stops are extremely different from each other. When the reels actually stop and the combination of symbols does not satisfy the hit request, the hit request will be carried over to the next game and will be utilized, so the winnings will be The payout rate can be maintained at a constant level without causing the players to lose their desire to play the game.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an external front view showing an example of the slot machine of the present invention. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the reel window in Figure 1. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the valid winning line determination process. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the basic game flow of the slot machine of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the basic processing after the reels stop until the game is over. FIG. 6 is a system block diagram of an example of the slot machine of the present invention. Figure 7 is a flowchart of random value update. Figure 8 is a conceptual diagram of the RAM area that stores random numbers. Figure 9 is a flowchart of hit request check. FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram of the winning probability table. Figure 11 is a flowchart of request counter subtraction processing. Figure 12 is a conceptual diagram of the code number and symbol number table. Figure 13 is a flowchart showing the basic processing of the reels. Figure 14 is a conceptual diagram of the RAM area that stores code numbers, symbol numbers, etc. Figure 15 is a conceptual diagram of the winning symbol table. 16 and 17 are flowcharts of the first reel stop process, respectively. Figure 18 is a flowchart of the second reel stop process. FIG. 19 shows a prize comparison table created after the second reel stops. FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the processing after the second reel is stopped. FIG. 21 is a hit flag occurrence table created by checking each code number of the third reel after the second reel stops. FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing hit flag generation processing. FIGS. 23 and 24 are flowcharts of the third reel stop process, respectively. FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing the processing after the third reel is stopped. FIG. 26 is a block diagram showing the basic configuration of the slot machine of the present invention. 21...Reel window 25...Stop button 26...Start lever S...Symbol mark...Lamp 1. 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B50...
CPU, ・Winning line RAM 1 RAM RAM RAM 5 5b 5C 5d Figure 22-624-

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) In a slot machine that is equipped with multiple reels that are rotated by the operation of a start means, and that displays winnings or not based on the combination of symbols that appear on the display window when these reels stop, it corresponds to sampled random numbers. to decide the type of prize,
a request generation means that generates a request signal corresponding to the type of winning; a reel stop control means that controls the reels to stop based on the request signal; and when a winning corresponding to the request signal is not obtained;
A slot machine characterized by comprising means for carrying over a request signal to subsequent games.